Hello again, I was going to do another walking video for you but most of you have the old dvds and there is one on that which has all the information so I thought I would bring up a topic suited for the holiday season.
After a certain age, when our bodies start to give us some grief or resistance, develop pain or discomfort, or no longer look the way we would like, we often think that the days of joy in our bodies are over. That is really not true!
My own experience shows that joy in the body can be regained at any age even after years of illness. I feel more at home in my body that I have ever felt in my life. I judge myself much less than ever before, I move more freely, I don’t care how I look on the outside to others. When I tune into my body as I move there is a total pleasure in every movement. Dancing is a big part of that and anyone can use dance to become more attuned to their body. Get a copy of Gabrielle Roth’s The Wave and play it in your own home. Or just turn on the music you have always enjoyed most and move in any way that pleases you.
If you are so out of touch with your body that even thinking of dancing at home alone makes you embarrassed or you feel it is impossible, then try this one small thing. Put on some soothing music and sit and listen with your eyes closed. Notice how the muscles in your body are moving very slightly without your intention. Your body is born for movement! It takes constant repression to keep it still. So take a deep breath and give your body permission to move a little more in whatever way feels best. This is wonderful when you are uptight or upset or stressed out.
There is also a harmony breath that you can use. Breathe in then let your breath out on the sound of Haaaaaaaa! with your mouth open. This gets your hypothalamus out of fight or flight mode and lets it know that you are safe. Do this as many times as you need to relax your whole body. When we breathe quick, shallow breaths as we do when we are doing mental tasks our body stays on the alert waiting for the tiger to appear. When we sit and do the harmony breath our body relaxes and we can move more freely.
Do this before you interact with anyone and it will change your relationships 😉 That would be a good Holiday present, would it not? Better than a tie or socks 😉
The truth is that by being joyful in our bodies instead of fearful of imminent breakdown and disaster, we are creating the possibility of renewal of every cell in our body, not just bones. Fear destroys, joy creates.
My desire for all women is movement and joy in our bodies and our lives and a sense of infinite possibility at any age.
This has been an incredible year of growth for me.
I wish all of us to have the best year ever in 2013!
Pam