Happy Halloween!
I hope you're treating yourself today and tonight to some funfilled Halloween goodies - maybe a scary movie, trick-or-treating, a costume party, some yummy candy, or perhaps a warm latte among all the excitement just because you can....
I'm wrapping up work late this afternoon, taking a spooky step class (costumes, candy and step!), then dressing up with some friends and going to people watch! Since my costume's homemade (and pretty much a tacky combo of what's currently in my closet - I'm going 80s Flashdance style!), I highly doubt I'll turn heads, but it's always fun to see costume creativity and laughs on Halloween. I'm excited!
Now, on to my next thought: I was invited to a Halloween get-together for the early evening, but I bowed out - It's tradition for me to go to my favorite step class. Like I mentioned above, the costumes, jokes, "Thriller", plus a heart-pumping movement class - it'll give me energy for the evening and a refreshing sweat!
How can you give yourself that joy through movement? Whether it's a community of people in a class, or a buddy or solo walk/run, or a yoga sequence - how can you connect within and perhaps with others too?
I was training a client last night, and instead of our usual resistance training, she wanted to delve into more core work on the floor. She'd had a rough, jam-packed week and needed some grounding, deep breathing and core strengthening.
After I took her through an introductory hour of Pilates and Ashtanga yoga, I sensed her calmness and release of stress. She said it was exactly what she needed, and she wants more yoga in her week. We talked more about the meaning of yoga - about how we could incorporate more Pilates/yoga into our sessions to balance out her week along with maintaining the traditional resistance training and aerobic training.
Yoga basically means "union of the mind, body, spirit", or "union of the whole person". I believe that whenever you can be present in your body while being conscious of your mind and spirit, that's called yoga.
One doesn't necessarily have to be in Warrior I or Savasana. You can be running, being mindful of the heel-ball-toe approach along with rhythmic breath patterns. You can be in a step class, conscious of your core and range of motion while adding fancy moves. You can be lifting weights, exhaling on the exhertion and sensing your muscle fibers waking up to work hard! You can be in your car during an 8am traffic jam, inhaling calmness through your body, to your back, hips, knees and toes.
As the spirits of the holiday season arise, celebrate within by staying aware of your body, your breath, your self. Ask yourself what you truly need to feel more connected.
A few examples: If your to-do list is getting longer due to the holidays, make the extra effort to schedule time to care of yourself - a movement class, a massage, a nap, time with a loved one, a warm bath. If you're a bit lonely, ask yourself if you need more of a holy-type spirit within yourself, or perhaps be open to a new friendship. If you feel stressed, breathe mindfully and deeply. If you need focus, take a power walk to let your thoughts settle.
There are many ways to stay connected, and you know what works best for you. Keep moving, keep breathing, keep dancing, keep trying, keep hoping.
Happy Holiday Season!
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