15 Seconds on Earth

I love scribing about guest instructors and this one Robert Sherman was no exception. Except for the fact that he was extraordinarily exceptional!  I almost cannot resist (and so I won’t) in thanking Kristen, Peter and Jared for stepping outside the box and inviting this National talent Robert Sherman, to our club. We have great group instructors here in Woodbury, but they don’t sit on that, they go beyond what’s expected and deliver what we don’t expect. 

Having said that what was this morning like? First impression was that this man has the science of spin down as if he wrote the book. The second cascade was that he might have taken a lesson or three from the Zen Master Hakuin Ekaku (1686-1769) because at the open of his ride he set the tone, mood and the virtual trance of why we ride.  

His technique was beautifully orchestrated and totally extemporaneous. Public speaking must be in his repertoire as well because he was absolutely masterful in changing his voice inflection so that we did not miss a word especially when he lowered his voice. And the eye contact was off the charts. I have always loved eye contact because to me it shows the highest level of commitment.   This was a fully associated ride visually, auditory and of course kinesthetically.  I watched, listened and heard every moment of Robert’s choreography, which sounded like the backup singers for Elvis. It never took over the ride it was like the soundtrack in a movie, never the star. He was the star and he did it without over acting.  Although I could not name one song he played, it played just perfectly.   

15 Seconds on Earth is just the right amount of clock time to describe this morning in the Lavender Palace, because although we live by the clock it is psychological clock time that keeps us out of the present moment. When we think of the past and what might be ahead we are someplace else and not in the now.  But when we truly spend 15 seconds on earth it governs in our heart our felt sense of the present moment, and that can last until we walk out those glass doors and beyond.  This is truly the portal for our inner body awareness of our heart rate, breathing and the pathway for us to increase our strength for the next ride, which for me can’t come soon enough.  

I could see Kristen beaming for most of the hour and you could tell that our Queen was inspired as well. And this is as it should be, because if you motivate others you have to be able to be inspired as well. Kristen continues to inspire us because she is inspired by us every time she looks out from her Schwinn.  That’s what makes her who she is and why we love her. 

Thank you Robert Sherman. We learned, we worked and we were enthralled and please come back and visit us soon.