My favorite mode of energy in motion is taking Dance Breaks. This Snoopy cartoon has been sent to me several times from people who know me- but do not know each other!
I love the lyrics Taylor Swift sings "I'm just gonna shake it off". Exactly what I do with negative emotions! Besides Dance Breaks -which are for fun and pleasure!- I take Shake Breaks. Shake Breaks can begin with feelings of sadness, disappointment, anger, cravings for potato chips, chocolate cake, ice cream,etc. Results vary, but often I end up laughing at myself in a loving way. At the very least I am fully aware of my feelings and in a short time I can release them if I choose. Shake Breaks have taught me that I do not have to wallow in unhappy feelings (unless I choose to!) And sometimes I have the chocolate!
I wish I had learned this in gym class instead of all those gruelling exercises and all of those competitive sports I hated. I wish I had known then how to "shake it off". I do remember one lovely substitute teacher who taught us some graceful, fluid movements and stretching which felt good- like dancing in slow motion. Hers were the only gym classes I ever enjoyed. I do understand that there are many of us who LOVE competitive sports, running, really challenging weight training, challenging cardio ,etc. I actually did learn how to use my Nordic Track ( a learning curve for me!). I even enjoy it- only with really fun upbeat rock 'n' roll! (I never miss a beat).
What I FINALLY learned from the Nordic Track was to set an intention to move my body in ways that FEEL GOOD! I have taken ballet (ages 4-14), ballroom dancing (briefly), tap dance (at an advanced age), and swing dance(at an even more advanced age!). Once I got the basic steps I really enjoyed tap and swing- but the lessons were too structured for me. I now enjoy being able to incorporate what I have learned from the lessons into my Dance Breaks.
What I have learned from all this is to set an intention to move my body so that she can make me fully aware of how I am really feeling. Moving my body is not about changing its shape, changing my weight,etc. I move to feel my energy in motion. The result is that I am stronger, and I still have good balance and energy. I have a healthy lean body mass. Without suffering. I no longer even look at blog,videos,etc. that even suggest "no pain, no gain"or "boot camp". (Tracy Campoli has a fun challenge that is a "booty camp"- her exercises are challenging, fun, and often based on dance moves.) I love Tiekka Tellier's Everyday Ballet, my mini trampoline(really fun to bounce with Bollywood )music, walking up and down steep hills where I live and gardening (not for the faint of heart in my landscape!).
I understand that there are beautiful athletic women who are amazing, as well as beautiful dancers who are rigorously trained and a joy to see, and women who run , weight train, work out at the gym. I can admire them and honor their path. I have learned to choose just another path. My intention is to inspire women to get their energy in motion on whatever path gets them out of their heads and moving into their bodies.
How do you get your energy in motion? Are you an athlete? Do you workout at a gym? Play competitive sports? Dance? Walk? Swim? Cycle? I would really appreciate comments here, on Face Book or by email colleen412@gmail.com also on my Pinterest boards https://www.pinterest.com/colleen2322/
Thank you for reading! All comments are welcome.
