Walking on Ice

I left the house this morning and found that the layer packed snow left on the steps and driveway had consolidated into very slick ice.  I threw some cat litter on it to provide some traction for the mailman and headed off to work.

I moved my awareness down to the soles of my feet, feeling each step as it first landed on the heel, then rolled up through the arch to the ball of the foot and toes.

Most days I walk without any particular awareness of the process of a step.  I may be barely aware of the contact of shoes to pavement at all.

But on icy days my mind goes inside the process, stretching out time, noticing each part of the step, and tuning in to any changes in traction.

At the same time I am carefully aligning myself in gravity, keeping my center of gravity directly over my contact with the earth.  This way I minimize the lateral forces that, if my foot is on a slippery surface, would cause movement.

My ability to move my awareness and focus it to stretch out the sense of time comes from yoga practice, as does my heightened sense of alignment in the field of gravity.  Useful skills to stay upright on a slippery day.