Reflections on a Zumba class..

"Movement is a medicine for creating change in a person’s physical, emotional, and mental states." ~Carol Welch

I've mentioned in an earlier post that I've started taking a Zumba class... went to my third class yesterday - go me! It's still fun... and still leaves me feeling as though I've exercised. What is Zumba you wonder? According to the site: "It’s an exhilarating, effective, easy-to-follow, Latin-inspired, calorie-burning dance fitness-party™ that’s moving millions of people toward joy and health." This is only my third class but I've got some pointers for persons new to Zumba (or any majorly aerobic exercise really) like myself...

1. Go with someone you know... went by myself yesterday cuz the girl that introduced me to it couldn't make it... I guess it's the same as if you have to go to a gym? I'm one of those persons that like doing stuff by myself - I can absolutely eat anywhere by myself... shop by myself... go to the movies with myself - for zumba you need someone with you... to cheer you on when you're ready to drop or commiserate when you feel like hurting the instructor or help you work out your coordination - thankfully someone I did know showed up so I had that bit of company.
2. Following from the point above, don't feel bad if at some point you may want to hurt the instructor... maybe not in the beginning of the session when you're excited and not sweaty or tired, towards the middle to the end however... if the instructor says 'c'mon ... one more time...' you may want to hurt the instructor.
3. Drink lots of water... and then drink some more... and in between sets - drink some water. In fact - are you thinking about Zumba? Go drink some water.
4. Comfortable clothing + comfortable shoes... and a towel - I've never sweat so much in my entire life as I have when I'm doing zumba.
5. Have fun... stop if you need to (but keep moving... so maybe just slow down)... ultimately - have fun, feel sexy, move.



peace,

Ren

Body awareness...

"You don’t have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body." ~C. S. Lewis

I've been feeling achy lately... in an I've been in this position too long (I'm at a desk most of the day) or I've not stretched much kinda achy. I know that exercise would help. I know that this is what my body wants and really that I should get involved with some sort of discipline... yoga, tai chi, dance - I've been exposed to a lot of stuff but at the moment I'm finding it hard to get going, to start something. Inertia... I'm feeling it myself.

I'm a fan of America's Next Top Model... It's interesting to me to see the poses they can drop into (or have practiced or are coached into). This week one of the models was told that when she's not modelling - not in the photo-shoot moment - she needs to be aware of what her body expresses cuz for models they're judged both on and off camera. It's the same for everyone I think...

In yesterday's talk, Sri Vasudeva speaks about body awareness... it's an interesting talk and the discussion (which I missed most of because I'm at work) was even more interesting... what really stands out to me (and to my mom too apparently) is this paragraph:

"It is therefore extremely important to understand, "What does my physical body truly need to be well and supportive, and to be resilient in the human experience? What does it need from me that it can serve me the best, so that we can co-exist in a harmonious and purposeful relationship?" This requires cultivating physical body awareness in an objective way. In a way that you truly understand the body, its intelligence and its needs, being able to see the difference between its needs and your desires, covering or masking those needs. That is extremely important. Be in touch with your body."

I remember, when I was in secondary school, one day as I climbed the stairs with my friend that she said to me, "Ren, you always have the best posture...". I need to get back to that. Need to stretch, to move, to breathe a little bit more.

Maybe you can encourage me?

peace,

Ren