I’ve never been athletic or someone who enjoys playing sports. I have always considered exercise to be necessary for my overall health, but not a particularly fun activity. I often have made New Year’s resolutions to “work out” more, whether at the gym, at home, in the park, or in an exercise class of some sort. And like most people I know who have made similar resolutions, by March, or even earlier, my commitment to stick to a regular schedule drops off.
That’s not to say that there weren’t times in my life where I haven’t had spurts of consistency, or experienced the benefits of physical exercise — the release of endorphins, the satisfaction of fitting into my jeans, feeling less anxious and able to handle stress better. But until recently, I hadn’t found any movement practice that brought me greater overall happiness.
As I immersed myself in Positive Psychology, and began to participate in Megha Nancy Buttenheim’s Let Your Yoga Dance, I realized that movement is not only essential to our physical well-being, but a way to expand our joy. And for me, this unique combination of dancing and moving through the chakras, or energy centers, has become a pathway to living more joyfully.
This past year, I took my personal exploration of movement and joy to the next level: I became a certified Let Your Yoga Dance teacher. Those weeks of training at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, learning, meditating, laughing, and dancing with a community of people of every shape, size, ability, age and background, have positively transformed me in every way — spiritually, physically, intellectually, relationally, and emotionally.
Now, in addition to coaching clients to live more fulfilling and purposeful lives, offering practical wisdom through workshops, and writing books and articles, I now have the opportunity introduce adults, kids and teens to an embodied Positive Psychology practice designed to enhance their body, brain, heart and soul health.
This coming year, I look forward to continuing to find joy through movement and helping others expand their own whole-being wellness however I can.
I have already begun a 30-day challenge to explore my character strengths through moving to videos created by my teacher, Megha. And I look forward to assisting her in person later in January when she leads a weekend program to help us all expand our joy into the New Year in Miami.
Whether or not yoga, dance, or Let Your Yoga Dance is your “thing,” I wish everyone more joyful movement and joy through movement in 2018!