I know that since the arrival of the computer age, I haven’t
been spending enough time exercising and moving around; I’ve been talking about
that for ages, complaining about my new ‘addiction’ to sitting at my desk and
typing away.... not good for me, for my elbows, my neck or my psyche. It's a common scenario.
So I’ve already had three private yoga lessons to get my old
strength and balance back. This is working, but, of course, I wish my resurgence
would come faster.
So there I was looking at my toes and realizing that I
hadn’t really looked at them for
ages. I stretched them, wiggled them and poured positive energy into them,
until they really looked alive again.
Yesterday I went back to physical therapy, suggested by my internist,
after I’d fallen several times. It seems my body is shouting out for attention
these days! We worked together for an hour, and I was told that I don’t use my
inner core muscles when I walk. I walk as if I’m about to “take off,” becoming
disconnected from my body. Imagine...
I got what he was saying and worked diligently to
energetically connect my head to the muscles that work my legs. I hadn’t
realized I had this bodily disconnect. For the rest of the day, I walked with a new
consciousness about my mind-body connection. At the end of the day, I hurt all
over. I knew that I was using muscles that I hadn’t for far too long, probably
most of my life.
I remember my mother always joking about the way I
walked...she told me that I could never be a dancer, because I was so awkward.
Of course, I realize as an adult that those kind of remarks did little or
nothing to enhance my self –esteem, my body awareness or my sense of grace. I’ve
learned to forgive her for what she said to me; there was no way at that time
that she could have known what her remarks were doing to me.
However, I did ask my physical therapist before I left if he
felt that all kids ought to take dance lessons or other movement education in
elementary school. He told me that he’d never thought about that.
I realize now how many physical problems could be prevented,
if little kids learned to walk well and to be aware of their bodies and how to
manage them. This is attention of the first order and lasts forever. I know
that there are yoga classes now in many elementary schools around the country,
as more and more adults are realizing the advantages of doing yoga for body
realignment, focusing, repairing un-used body muscles, and gaining balance
control. It’s vital that all the stake-holders in schools - parents, teachers,
boards and principals - rally to keep these classes going. It’s such unwise
planning to cut these kinds of programs in order to reduce expenses.
Fortunately, there’s a relatively new non-profit organization
called Play Works, which in the fall will be located in 400 schools and will
impact some 200,000 students. This group’s work, teaching play skills such as
cooperation, fairness and respect on playgrounds, has resulted in less
bullying, less need for discipline in the classrooms, improved communication skills,
much better conflict resolution and a better respect for others. There are
instant changes at playground time with playground coaches in charge and much more
fun and physical activity. That is really great news and will have positive
ramifications for everyone involved. I am thrilled whenever demonstrations of
thoughtful attention make measurable impacts on young people.
Pierre Dulaine has been around for years teaching middle
school kids the art of ballroom dancing. In fact, “Take the Lead” is a
marvelous movie about his work starring Antonio Banderas. Dulaine has made a
difference for tens of thousands of kids and teachers. 42,000 kids were part of
his program, Dancing Classrooms, just last year. Through the art of dance, his program teaches kids
to believe in themselves, increasing their self-esteem and teaching them how to
respect themselves and others. Kids experience the breaking down of social
barriers, learning about honor, communicating more effectively, cooperating and
accepting others even when they look and sound different. And of course, they’re
learning to dance, to move to music, to lead and to follow their partners, and
to discover their physical boundaries, all of which are positive life-giving
values.
Ballroom dancing can be wonderful for seniors, too. It is a
way of exercising, of being touched positively by a partner, of communicating, of
being part of a learning experience and a new way to connect their minds and
bodies.
Moving is magic for us all, at every age, in any place, and
needs to be recognized as a vital part of our lives, whether it’s on a playground,
in a ballroom, in a yoga studio or consciously walking down a street. So tap,
stretch and use those toes to bring more light and joy to your world!
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