"To Be" in motion

Hello friendly bodies,

I am returning to you in my practice of journaling that I have missed. My life is at a place where I am able to embark on more physical activity throughout my day and I am wholeheartedly happy about this. I always feel SO much better inside my skin and brain when I get to move. Whether or not I sweat, I am satisfied with having the ability to move my body. This gratitude I have for movement is rooted in over 15 years of fitness as a tool for expelling energy, uplifting myself, strengthening my bod, and growing my confidence and ability to do great things.

I have spent many years at desks learning and many many more at office jobs that often made me more wiped than a long day of watering trees in Irricana. The less I move, the more tired and achy I feel. The more I move, hmm still tired and achy BUT I experience more energy overall and my mood lifts. Movement is medicine to me and over the years it has flowed from feeling like a chore to an opportunity. I believe my mindset shifts sometimes depending on my energy levels, my workload, my menstrual cycle, the moon (just kidding). I love how we label blame towards the moon for what is going on for us, I am guilty for it haha. So much of our lives quality is layered based on the amount of sufficient sleep, food, and exercise we embark on. Let alone not drowning in laundry or staying up to date with our health appointments and social gatherings. Adulting is RAD.

I write today to acknlowedge the relationship am rekindling with my body spending the last 10 months with more me time = more movement. LESS rushing around and overworking. I am balancing better - figuratively and literally. I am taking this time of reflection to acknowledge how grateful I have been lately for having room to enjoy fitness all the while teaching it too. I strongly beleive that you must practice what you preach. I am embarking on workouts separate from what I teach so that I keep up my own routines rather than consider myself to workout when I work. I don't do this because I dont consider myself to benefit when I instruct (I do because I am on my feet) but it is about others. When I wear my fitness/yoga hat to teach - I am serving others. People can sense when you are involved, and prepared, and kind and taking care of yourself. Modeling positive behavior is a superpower.

I have dived into all sorts of movement practices including outdoor adventure, indoor rowing, chisel classes, zumba, belly dance, climbing, swimming, spin, you name it. I would like to get back into modern dance (for beginners aha) that was a fun time! Besides classes, I have had the pleasure of moving simply by walking my dog. We both benefit and it has been a joy even when it isn't a challenge. I love having a dog! She is running next to my while I ride my bike and it is filling my love cup.

The recipe for movement in a week:

2 strength training days

3 cardiorespiratory days

1 thing that is out of your routine (ideally something leisurely outdoors this Summer to get that FrEsH AAIIRRR)

1 rest day

Aim for 1 hour but do what you can.

Be consistent!

You miss days? You will that's OKI! jump back in, move on and literally move! <3

My advice for you is this. Find things you love, accept the things you don't and form a habit over time. The little things you do each day add up so focus on doing things with joy > "I have/must/need to do this" .

Our one body is designed to move.

With Love,

Zoey