Movement...How and Why
WHY is movement so important?
Movement makes us strong, and healthy. Daily exercise keeps us capable as we age, as well as significantly reducing the likelihood of developing certain diseases, disabilities, and poor quality of life.
I always feel better after a movement session, no matter how tired I was before I started. Whether the exercise of the day is Pilates, boxing, yoga, walking, biking, hiking, swimming, dancing, weight lifting, Qi Gong, Running, etc, I always feel better. I never regret having done a workout, but I do often regret not doing it.
WHY do I love it so much?
I don’t feel myself when I don't have some sort of movement practice in the day. In the same way that I get grumpy if I don't eat, I get super cranky and anxious if I don't get to move. When I don't get my movement session, my body feels lethargic, stiff, stuck, and painful. It feels so good to get muscles activated, to stretch out of tense spots in the body creases, and to get blood flowing and sweat dripping. The big deep breath I take after a workout session, filling in my lungs, just before I get back into the rest of the day is so cathartic and refreshing. It filters out the chaos, settles the anxiety, emphasizes the positivity, and this is where my gratitude flourishes. I feel gratitude for my physical strength, my health, my ability to move, for having the time to do so, and for choosing to make the time to do so for myself.
HOW do I get myself moving?
First, figure out what it is you actually like to do. There's no reason to force ourselves through a grind that we hate everyday simply because it's physically healthy. Everybody and every body is different, so try many different classes and see what feels right for your own body. Sometimes we need to try it a few times to really see if a certain class or movement practice works for us.
Be open to trying new forms of exercise. If you're in a group class don't worry about judgement…everyone else is too worried about themselves to care what you look like. If you're going for a private session, don't worry about judgement…the instructor is there for you and will meet you where your body needs to work from.
I actually really love working with first-time Pilates clients, and with people needing rehabilitation from chronic pain or acute injury. It's so amazing to see these people grow and strengthen over time. So don't feel badly if you are not "good" at a certain type of movement. It's amazing to see the improvement over time.
Secondly, put your daily workouts into your calendar. I write in my workouts into my google calendar in a slot between my clients' sessions. I schedule in myself just like I would a client. This is to make sure I save time for my workout, and to make myself do it even when I'm tired, when it would be so much easier to go home. It's not about motivation as much as it is about diligence. Schedule it, make it a self-care appointment, and show up for yourself.
WHERE do I start?
Any little bit of movement counts, every little bit of movement counts.
Some people say they don't have time, but truly anything counts. Our busy lives don't automatically allow space for movement, so we have to take the time to schedule it in for ourselves, and take liberty to be creative to slip more movement in anywhere. Take the stairs, park farther away from the front door, clean the house, carry groceries instead of using a shopping cart, walk while on the phone instead of sitting, walk to dinner instead of driving, only watch your favorite show while marching in your living room. It all counts…
HOWEVER, even though any little bit does count, you do have to make the time for yourself to do it. It has to be consistent, it has to be a priority, and it eventually has to become a lifestyle to maintain.
Show up for yourself. Trust me, you'll feel better!