Feel Good Friday - Movement that makes you feel good!

[Trudy Claspill]

Today is International Choreographers Day, which made me think of how much I appreciate the effort my ballet teacher puts into the choreography of our ballet class exercises. And that made me think about how good moving through those ballet exercises makes me feel.

No matter what is happening in my day emotionally or mentally, moving my body through those ballet exercises makes me feel better.  I'm not always successful in executing my pirouettes and grande jetes nor as flexible as I want to be, but by the end of class my spirits are always lifted.

What movements do you use to help your soul soar?

[Amanda Barber]

Great topic, @Trudy Claspill! Most types of movement make me feel good although I've been dealing with a nagging injury so I've been finding more joy (without pain) recently in group fitness classes like weight lifting, Pilates, Yoga, and Barre - and sadly, less running. I always feel better after some movement. As for choreography, I have one particular Barre instructor who always puts so much thought and care into the class - the music choices are always amazing and the movements are so well-planned! 

[Andy Gladstone]

Feel better @Amanda Barber! Glad to hear you are still keeping active even when your favorite activity has to be limited. 

[Barbara Szczesniak]

Walking always makes me feel better, especially when it's nice enough to walk outside. 

[Andy Gladstone]

As an avid cyclist there is no better physical, mental and emotional release than being on the bike. In the winter I spend a lot of time on Zwift, and enjoy pushing myself through virtual worlds while maintaining my fitness (and sanity).

Over the past 16 months I have really tried to cut down the amount of unnecessary driving I do, and have been walking to and from the train station and home on my daily commute. It gives me ten minutes of time to unwind from the day or prepare for what is ahead. I have found that not only has it helped me maintain a healthier weight, the movement through crisp chilly air in the winter, shuffling leaves in the fall, and clean sunlit air in the spring and summer have been revitalizing. 

[Stephen_Lugton]

I'm not sure if making my soul soar is the right description, but by my desk at home I have some small dumbbells and when I need to take a break during the day I alternate between walking around to stretch my legs, and a series of curls and lifts with the dumbbells.

[Brita Moorus]

For me it's movement too, but in a simpler way 😊

Padel and going to the gym really help clear my head, especially after long workdays. And on calmer days, pilates or just a long walk does wonders. It’s less about doing it perfectly and more about moving and feeling better afterwards 💙

[Emily Conroy]

Thank you Trudy for this post. I love all sorts of dance! I have a couple of Latin & Ballroom dance lessons a month and they are bliss! Been going for a while so our dance teacher knows the sort of thing we will like, and mixes in technical moves, with simpler but beautiful ones. She also says, that if we try a piece of choreography and we are not a fan, she is happy to switch in something else - she says dance and the lessons are supposed to be fun and are for us. Some weeks we will focus more on learning the routine, and others on technique. It works my body and my brain, and brings me joy. Our dance teacher is fantastic and would recommend her to anyone. Currently we are focusing on Waltz, Rumba, Samba and Viennese Waltz.