Blog

Well, this about sums it up in every possible way. Don’t you think? The challenges we face seem to be growing by the day maybe even by the hour. Either way, we live in tricky times. Whether you take this insight personally or collectively the impact includes ALL of us. Whether partner, parent, sibling, elder, relative, neighbor, co worker and the list goes on. It applies in the broader sense with our smaller close to home communities and of course expanding out to cities, and states throughout our country. We know we want change, we need change. How we participate and contribute is unique to each of us. If we look around and recognize our place in the whole there is an immediate opportunity. When we see something we don’t agree with we can flip it back on ourselves and take responsibility. In this way we start a cycle of change. This can be challenging for sure. Complaining about it never solves anything and it can be annoying! In our crazy, tumultuous world if we take even the smallest step toward the change we desire we start to put in motion (literally and figuratively) the means to make it happen. We have to take the first step and then stick with it! Perseverance is key. Our daily actions are super food for change. Especially when it comes to our health and wellness.

When we put our bodies in motion there is an opportunity, an innate shift that changes us every time. We are all at different stages on this life journey. Whether it’s the need to change a relationship, a career, or a community. What and how we participate is unique to each of us. We all have something moving in us ready for change… needing change. It’s palpable. Supporting local government, community endeavors, support groups, or maybe simply staying close to home because it’s safer or you’re needed right where you are. It goes both ways. Yeah, there is much that we can contribute to help create change. It’s easy to sit out and watch, and it’s also dangerous. We can start changing by making a commitment to yourself. It’s an inside job.

Self responsibility will help you move with change into your next chapter. Practicing self responsibility seems like a lot but no one else is going to get you to your pilates or dance class. Ok, it may be a social thing. A way to see people and enjoy time with friends. Absolutely! And it’s up to you to decide if you’re going or not going. It’s a constant practice. I want to stress the word practice here… it’s a practice to stretch yourself and try a new exercise, or come to class on a regular basis, and so is taking care of yourself. Moving the body and pushing it to achieve little wins has big payoffs. You know you feel great after you practice… even if it’s challenging.  Give yourself permission to keep striving, whatever way resonates for you, this is where true change happens.

Keeping it practical.

When it comes to your pilates workout, dancing or any strenuous activity there are those moments where you feel like… “I’m done!”  You reached your max. It feels like if you go any further you may crack. It’s at these moments when pushing against your own limits can feel overwhelming. It usually takes focus, determination, perseverance and commitment to get through. Then after we take a deep breath and do it… there is an exhilarating rush! While perhaps exhausting in the moment there is also an innate sense of calm. Success offers this recognition of capability that helps carry over into every area of your life. You know in yourself what your limits are… pilates and open floor offers structure and a space that asks you to move into deeper parts of yourself in a deliberate way that encourages growth and builds stamina. The relief that occurs after we move ourselves into that space we “thought” we couldn’t handle is a slice of euphoria. That’s the “zone.”  A sense of unlimited potential. It’s inside these moments where we find the power to turn things around. Here change is possible. You have to move through those hard sticky spots sometimes. Think of it this way, when you’re on a train and you go through a dark tunnel, and you feel like you’re in a void, a sort of vortex whether it’s a few seconds or minutes… it’s deceiving and it tricks your brain even if only for a moment. Yes, you have the light of the train car but when you look out the window it can feel like you’ve just hit a void, an abyss of unknown. Then you come out the other side to appreciate the light once more. I have to be honest, for me those moments in the train tunnel transport me back to episodes of the Twilight Zone. It’s surreal. That’s the feeling just before you do teaser or jackknife or dance straight for a string of songs…. but when it’s done… Ahh! A deep settling is possible. So for all those moments when you feel like you can’t keep going take a deep breath and try… that’s the only way toward change. When we move through challenge, no matter the size, we build stamina to keep going. 

At this time of emerging spring, I’m grateful for living in a part of the world that reminds us of life’s cycles. With the change of seasons we have the opportunity to sprout and push through our own limits. It’s a great reminder to keep going. Welcome cherry blossoms.