The Magic of Movement
Recently, I was taking an online course and had the opportunity to hear a video presentation by Hemalayaa, a lifestyle coach and motivational speaker, about the importance of movement in our lives. According to Hemalayaa, movement is a way for us to integrate our whole self – the child self, the mother or goddess self, and the grandmother self into one integrated being. But many of us separate these different parts of ourselves and don’t see their connection to one another. Therefore, we do not feel whole. That’s why we compare ourselves to others or depend on others to validate us. But when we acknowledge and integrate these three different parts of ourselves, they enable us to be fully alive and present in our lives. When we are willing to do the work, movement can transform us and make us whole again.
As women, movement is an expression for us – a type of release. Without movement, things become stagnant and energies get stuck. Many of us spend so much time in our head – we plan, we organize, we think. We leave little room for creative movement in our daily lives; we just don’t see its importance. When we do dance or move in creative ways, often we worry what others may think of us, or we feel silly moving our bodies in this way. So, we simply don’t do it. Instead, we sit at our desks for hours or limit our movements to walking to our car, vacuuming the house, or gardening in the backyard. But these limited movements don’t allow our bodies to move our energy in a creative way. Our emotions don’t have the ability to be fully expressed. Yet, that is exactly what they need to do.
Movement helps us process our emotions. As women, we hold onto so much in our bellies. We need movement in order to release and let go of everything we are holding onto. It enables us to digest our emotions. And there isn't a wrong way to move our bodies – we just have to do what feels right. When we listen to our bodies, they will tell us what they want to do. Even if it feels silly – that’s totally okay. We have to do what feels good to us. We can make up any movements we want. There are no bad ideas. It’s about finding our own way, letting go, and taking off the masks. Movement enables us to become our whole selves by integrating the child, the mother or goddess, and the grandmother. They are all a part of us – their playfulness, their nurturing, and their wisdom. When we acknowledge and integrate these different parts of ourselves, we can see the difference that it can make.
But in order to truly feel the importance of movement, we have to experience it. Reading about it isn’t enough. It has to be felt. So right now, we are going to practice. : ) Stand up and start moving around the room. Circle your hips and shake out your hands. Open your mouth and release whatever sound comes out. Sound is a very important part of this process. Let go of any inhibitions you may be feeling. Wiggle your pelvis and flubber your lips. Move in whatever way feels good to you and release all of that energy. Now bend at your waist and roll down toward the floor with your knees bent. Then roll back up. Repeat as many times as you wish. Walk around your space and shake your arms. Bounce your body and move your hips. Feel the movement and let go. Continue to move your body in whatever way feels good and when you're ready, sit back down.
How did the movements feel? Were you able to let go and release your energy? Were you able to process your emotions a little more? Do you feel better? Movement can be magical. It can transform our feelings and shed new light upon our lives. It can help us feel fully alive. This week, spend some time in creative movements. Feel your way and let your body take the lead. Trust that your body knows what it needs. Release your emotions and allow any stuck energies to flow freely once again. Dance around the room and feel whole. Feel the magic and be in love with your life. : )
