THE WHAT:
Half self-reflection, perhaps half-rant, but all toward trying to better understand where this question comes from. It cannot be brushed under the carpet when coming from the concern of "am I making progress", because, although progress can be seen more as the "side-effect" of practice, it does indicate that you are growing. And this should be innate in a 'Movement practice'.

So, I try to give what I think, in measurable terms, is a reasonable expectation for significant development within a practice of... anything really. The difference when working predominantly through the physical layer is that, further to neuro-muscular patterns, the constitution of our bodies need also adapt in the process. We must also account for time it takes for our physical capacities to adapt to stressors.

In the same breath, however, these time-scales are given wholeheartedly tongue-in-cheek. Holding a concern of time to any degree will always manifest as a "blockage" to and in practice. It represents doubt, and whilst it may be projected on the practice, the doubt is ultimately with oneself. Framed in the perspective of "how long does it take!?", the undertaking is of a lifetime of practice is simply too much. We question if this is actually what we really want. We question if we will "make it". All of these questions are simply more blockages to the actual practice.

I do, however, speak from an optimistic perspective. The opportunity here is precisely finding out what is on the "other side" of the tunnel when you continue the path, when you push through and you continue to invest in whatever practice is important to you. What follows is a process: the fog clears, and before you lies.... the simple joy of bring a practitioner, all that the ongoing practice gives you.

From here, you continue back into a new fog, knowing that you will return again carrying the rich experience of your journey with you; not simply by virtue of time taken, but of your WHOLLY invested struggle. You begin recognise that time is of no consequence; because the practice is endless. And a concern for time is necessarily a concern for an end.

A story goes: Pau Casals, "Cellist, conductor, composer, humanist and staunch fighter for freedom and democracy", was asked at the age of 95 - a year before his death - by a student: 'Pau, my dearest teacher, you are 95 and one of the greatest Cellists in the world - why do you continue to practice 5-6 hours a day?' Pau thought for a moment, bent to him from behind his cello and said; 'because I think I am still improving'.

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