Relaxing during GRACE is not just about physical relaxation; it’s about letting go of tension and emotions. Armando Cardenas, of ITPI México, describes what RELAX feels like for him and how its effects ripple through his daily life.

ITP practitioner Matthew Steinbach takes what he’s gleaned about awareness for the Kata and endeavors to pass it on to his students of golf. He sees awareness in three dimensions: the inner self, the outer self, and the loss of self in the time-space continuum. “I have the honor and privilege to coach high performance student-athletes in a crucial/transitional time in their lives and while the journey begins with the game of golf, through an integral model focused on building awareness, I hope to guide them to a greater purpose in life’s journey.”

Lois Martin, member of Tulsa ITP, considers how centering creates a sense of balance and harmony. This is preparation for the Kata. It also is preparation for starting a new day. “My centering creates space to be who I am and to feel the energies of the present moment.”

The last step of GRACE at the beginning of the Kata is ENERGIZE. ITPI member Jill Robinson describes it as “a calm, yet alert sense of aliveness.” This energy sets up a readiness for the movements of the Kata. It can also nourish the activities in the rest of the day.

The practice of GRACE before the Kata sometimes runs through our minds automatically. But greater gifts come with closer examination. ITP Mastery teacher Charlotte Hatch takes us step-by-step through the best of her practice and reflects on how it affects her life.

Charlotte Hatch leads the practice of GRACE as a series of affirmations and follows it with the Kata.

Learn how ITP practices benefit daily life for ITPI board member Rudy Collins. He points out that transformation does not always come as a quantum change. “I have come to realize that transformation, for me, tends to occur from sustained and consistent practice of sometimes small acts.”

People demonstrate generosity in myriad ways, from gifts of time and money to everyday acts of kindness toward loved ones—and even to deeds that involve substantial self-sacrifice, like donating a kidney to a stranger. But we are often nowhere near as generous as we could (or even aspire to) be. In short: although we have the capacity to be generous, we don’t always act generously. The John Templeton Foundation did an extensive study of “The Science of Generosity,” answering many important questions.

Generosity with self is no small feat. We can be more dedicated to giving to others and overlook the importance of tending to our own needs. Generosity with self is essential to transform, especially through our ITP practice. In this essay, Pam Kramer describes her take on the topic.

Generosity with another can take place in everyday situations. In my experience, generosity in relationship to another affects both of us. It happened on my boxing team.