I didn’t actually set out to create an ‘M’ word theme in my recent blog posts, but it is just kind of rolling that way!
January 17 blog was about Meditating, February 7 blog was about Manifestation, and February 27 blog (this one) is about ‘M’ word number 3… Movement 😊
I don’t know about you, but I am not a ‘movement’ kind of girl. I sucked at track n’ field and when I tried out for the high school basketball team, the coach asked me if he could pay me to never try out again. I wasn’t even insulted! I was grateful because the only reason I was even trying out for school sports was because that’s what my friends were doing.
Post high school, I have spent decades trying to trick myself into participating in ‘movement’ things thinking this is what I should be doing to stay healthy… I have paid for a yearly membership to a local gym more times than I care to admit and then never set foot (not even once) into said gym. I have paid for monthly cross-fit classes and then never attended. I even hired a personal trainer once and after our first session, I sent him a text telling him to keep the money I paid him but that personal training was not for me.
Now as you can tell, I associate the word ‘Movement’ with joining a gym, attending a class, or participating in a team sport… all things that I do NOT enjoy, do NOT want to do and in many cases really suck at it!!
It’s only been this last year of being a part of The Breath Connection that I am revising what movement means to me. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines movement as follows:
(1) : the act or process of moving.
Well, this changes things for me…. realizing movement is NOT about resentfully ‘should-ing’ myself into joining a gym, attending a class or participating in a team sport!! Yippee!
Instead, healthy movement simply means to move. (period) The exciting part is that it’s my choice what kind of movement I want to do… I would even say that it’s my responsibility!
As I am redefining what movement means to me, I have been having so much fun exploring movement… my way!
Below are some of my favourite moves that I like to incorporate as often through-out the day as I think of them… some of these have been taught to me by Marnie, and others I just thought up myself – haha
Alternate standing on one leg
Whether I am brushing my teeth, washing my hands, doing dishes, waiting for my Nespresso one-cup coffee to brew or cooking a meal, I will practice my balance by standing on one leg while counting to 10 and then switching legs and counting again
This is fun to me, because it also reveals to me which leg I can balance on longer – and I find it changes from day to day
Crazy dancing
I do this while cooking meals, when I’m outside waiting for my dog to pee or in the morning after my shower I crazy dance instead of towel drying… weird but fun (I make sure I am standing on a mat for this one 😉)
I will crazy dance with or without music
Standing/Sitting at work
I have a standing desk both at home and at my office and I change levels often.
I will switch from standing to sitting and back to standing numerous times through-out the day.
While standing, I practice standing on one leg and lunges
While sitting, I practice shoulder rolls and arm stretches.
As I am allowing myself to accept that movement is not some non-fun obligatory experience that I need to ‘should’ myself into, I am having so much fun finding ways to move my body that makes me laugh, brings me joy and makes my body feel better 🤩
From one of my favourite authors, this quote sums up my new relationship with movement perfectly…
Find physical activities you enjoy and do them regularly ♥ ~Deepak Chopra
If you would like to come move with other mover’s and shaker’s who practice moving… their way, you’re invited to join our March Breath Therapy class!
Click here for more info ⬅️
Perhaps you have your own fun moves that you incorporate into your daily life; we would love to hear about them if you’re willing to share!! ❤️
Much Love,
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