Movement Matters

06/16/2024

Jen Goddard, a Doctor of Natural Health and founder of Thriving Proof, interviewed me for an upcoming Awareness Through Movement(R) Series, "Neck Ease". Check out the interview! The series starts this week! https://streamyard.com/ca8kmmryeuh5

12/08/2023

It's interesting to me that we don't hear too much about the impact that sensation has on what and how we do what we do. With all the buy in to social media, technology, AI, and consumerism, esp. this time of year, you would think that everything is about likes and dislikes, the newest and bestest, as if what we 'think' is the dominant part of who we are as humans. Of course it isn't, but is it possible to make a shift to a more textured human experience? I will start by giving a shout out to all the artists, musicians, performers and authors out there that keep developing their crafts which are deeply embedded in sounds, sights, smells, and images that support us in fully being human. Thank you all!

12/02/2023

Today is the 2nd Saturday between Thanksgiving and Christmas. In order to feel peaceful, I am staying clear on my priorities, pausing frequently to check in with myself and working to have a mindset of consideration for others. What's your ambition this month?

11/24/2023

I went Black Friday shopping this morning at 6 AM. It has been eons since I have done that, too long ago to even remember. Waiting 25 minutes in line for a store that never opened at 6, to going to Freeport with all the other LL Bean fans, I realize how it was in strike contrast to Christmas shopping 6-7 years ago with my college age sons and being miserable. I was down on the commercialization of the holidays and consumerism in general.

The contrast gives me pause to wonder what is different? I can guess: more mature, greater agency over my life, greater ability to process emotions, less angst in general, less uptight. Of course, guesses are just that. Life is too complex to put a direct finger on it, but what I do know is that cultivating a deep sense of appreciation and satisfaction with what is is a part of the equation. And for that I am grateful.

In this season for feeling grateful, what moves you?

11/17/2023

https://movementmattersme.com/product/breathing-for-calm/

Movement Classes: use our breath to restore to a state of calm, inviting ease, a feeling of lightness, groundedness and a feeling of being less stressed.

11/14/2023

https://movementmattersme.com/2020-class-schedule/

11/10/2023

It's hard to hide from what one's own breath can tell us.
If I am true to myself and pay attention to my breathing, I know when I am being honest or when I want to make it seem like I am OK, when I am not. I can make it look like I am OK, but I can't hide it from my breath. That's comforting. I can hide from others, but I cannot hide from myself. I am always there.

11/03/2023

This month's theme: BREATHING. And here is a quote that reminds me when I need to be reminded: Moshe Feldenkrais - "Our breathing reflects every emotional or physical effort and every disturbance." WOW. That's saying something! What does your breathing have to say about your effort and where it is hanging out?

10/27/2023

Disregulation. I have heard that word a few times this week. It is a good word to describe being out of sync, out of one's flow, out of one's ease, making me think of dis-ease. Life is hard. Hard stuff comes our way. As I sit before I sleep tonight, I will hold an intention to watch what flows--sensations, thoughts, feelings--watching them pass, watching if I get hung up, watching what changes--just by watching.

10/13/2023

What's the difference between pain and suffering?
I haven't looked it up and I am going to keep it as an open question.
But what I can say is that yesterday I took a hit in reading FB posts. I felt separate from, out of touch, out of the loop. I felt the disconnect deeply and I knew that somewhere in the deep caverns of my mind that that was an old story.
I decided that I have a lot to be thankful for and so every little thing I could think of in the moment, I focused my attention: I am grateful to be walking in my studio. I am enjoying this conversation with my friend. I am grateful to be standing here sensing my body. I kept at it. The grip that I was in slowly let go as the day went on.
I woke up at 6:15 this morning, was on the tennis court playing cardio tennis at 6:35 and had a great time. No pain. No suffering. On the way home I realized what I have to offer. I can help people who look to improve to find more balance, ease and agility through movement, awareness and coordination.
We all have ups and downs. Some swing bigger than others and supporting each other and using strategies when the dip hits makes a big difference.
I want this to be a page where people can grow, be honest, feel safe. If you need a safe place to post, to ease the tension of difficutly and challenge, you are welcome.
Please say hello!

10/06/2023

I am going to have some fun with themes starting this month!

First up: PAIN!

We all know it. We all have it/get it if our nervous system is working in a normal kind of way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD6QY5KWiko&t=16s
Check out this video! In less than 2 minutes you will have a better sense of how pain from a pinprick works in the nerves and brain!

What is a recent thing that happened to you where you felt pain that lasted less than 10-15 minutes?

Me? I scratched my eyeball with the sharp edge of a bag of almonds. Yowzah!

I was a little too close as I bent down to grab the bag out of a drawer in the frig. It happened before I could even blink an eye. 😜

In this super mini-lecture, Dr Mike explains the IMPORTANT difference between pain and nociception.

09/28/2023