The Joy of Movement

When I was a little girl I remember coming home from school, around the age of 11 or 12, and turning on the CD player. I had a case full of CDs with music from every era (much gratitude to my parents for helping me accumulate my collection). I would come home and no matter what kind of day I experienced - good or bad, or somewhere In between, I would DANCE! I would dance myself into a sweat! I would dance to whatever tune the music crooned.

I worked my body and ooooh I loved the way I felt! I loved how free and beautiful I felt in the moment! I was in love with the sweat and the soreness I felt from tearing it down in front of my empty living room audience. I would pop my body and gyrate. I would move my feet and then go gliding across my living room. My body could move like a snake when it wanted to. Man, I thought I was so smooth. After I worked up a body drenched sweat, I would sit still and enjoy the serenity that washed over me. The serotonin, oxytocin, and dopamine, mixed with endorphins was a very welcome treat. I didn’t know at the time what caused my happy feelings, I just knew I felt good! I had discovered body meditation-a release- and it was so beneficial for me. Desperately needing an outlet for teenage growing pains, I carried this habit with me as I grew older.

Once I became an adult, I stopped dancing. I don’t remember when I stopped exactly, it kind of just happened. Life became dull and colorless due to the routine drag that can befall some of us as we age. During a dark time in my adult life, I went through a period of depression and anxiety. I really could not understand why. I mean, I literally thought I was doing everything right. It was a very dreary and despondent time. It took a while for me to see that I had stopped loving and being true to myself. I was wrapped up in my daily life: kids, work and spouse. I was too busy worrying about everyone else’s wellbeing, and not thinking of myself. I combed my brain trying to figure out what I could do to help myself. How could I get back to me? I thought back to my childhood. Surely I could find something in those memories. And then I had it. It was like a lightning bolt struck! DANCE! I remembered how good it felt to cut the music on and just dance!

I started a routine where I would come home, put my headphones on and dance. I couldn’t beat the convenience of a workout and being able to get everything else done around my house. I was able to express myself and my feelings with my choice in the songs I moved to. Not to mention it was just downright fun! My kids questioned me with a curious side-eye. My kids had no clue that mama could and would bust a move! I realized I had gotten so far from being myself, my kids didn’t even know this side of me. The realization was such a tragedy. I decided from that point on, I would always dance. Not only was it good for my physical health, but it was good for my mental health as well. I guess I looked full of bliss because my kids eventually joined in.

When I reflect on my love for dance and how it allows me to stay moving even when I’m busy with life, I become so full of gratitude. You don’t have to be a world class dancer to enjoy the benefits of body movement. You don’t even have to have a dance routine or a lot of money. You just have to feel the melodies and get into your own groove. You can turn dance into a workout and sweat until you collapse. When you can get healthy -mentally and physically- by just dancing, well that is delicious, beautiful thing.