What I Value Right Now in my Movement Practice

When I started taking belly dance classes I was looking for a way to keep fit without going to the gym.

I was really lucky in my early days of dance - I had teachers who educated me on the importance of a strength and flexibility practice to support my body in the complex and challenging movements we repeat over and over again.

I’d previously never really considered myself to be a “fit” person - I was not very sporty as a kid and was usually one of the last to get picked for teams at school. 

But when I started cross-training for dance in my late twenties I started to love how strong I felt in my body and how much more confident I was in my dancing. I was definitely fitter in my thirties than I had been in my teens and twenties! 

It hasn’t been easy to maintain, particularly when dance is usually much more fun to do! But I had fun challenging myself, wondering how hard I could “push it” before age caught up with me and I had to slow down. As I began teaching dance I would incorporate lots of conditioning for my students too!

Now in my mid-forties I feel stronger and more body aware than I ever have done. However I feel like my approach to fitness has changed - my focus is less “hardcore” and more developmental.

Rather than holding a Plank for a minute or more (boring!) I’d rather be peeling back the layers to find deeper connections with my body - whether that be through a more cyclical approach to my practice, using Muscle Energy Techniques as preparation for stronger bodywork, or just remembering to breathe! 

I still want to work hard and I feel like I have a long way to go (a lifetime….!) with what I’d like my strength and flexibility to be. 

I want to keep encouraging my clients and students to develop their regular strength & flexibility practice as it is so important to have a strong foundation for dance and for maintaining our movement abilities as we age - not to mention reducing the risk of injury and minimising aches and pains. 

This has been a journey of over 15 years for me, going from a gym-avoiding raver, to someone who genuinely enjoys working out to a mid-life career change and a passion for helping others find that same enjoyment.

I’m so excited to see where the next few years will take me! I just want to keep delving deeper and see what I find.

I would love to hear about your inspiring journeys - please let me know in the comments below!