How movement can nurture your wellbeing
A Personal Journey with Exercise
For as long as I can remember, exercise has been my anchor for nurturing mental health and wellbeing. One of the biggest challenges I faced after childbirth was finding a postpartum exercise routine that felt safe and invigorating. I needed a way to return to exercise that raised my heart rate enough to experience the joyful rush of being alive. Meeting my body where it was, accepting it, and loving it with deep gratitude for what it went through during pregnancy and birth was essential. And as easy as this sounds, it was incredibly hard, especially while navigating birth trauma.
The Transformative Power of Indoor Cycling
I discovered indoor cycling, which transformed my energy levels, improved my mental health, and expanded my capacity to meet the demands of motherhood. The benefits of indoor cycling were immense—it built my confidence, one ride at a time. Staying consistent with exercise when you have a young child looks different, but I stuck to my goals and quickly began to feel fitter than ever before. Up until the beginning of this summer, I felt the strongest and fittest I ever had. I ran, cycled, did strength workouts, yoga, tens of thousands of steps every day, and maintained this routine every week of the year. Then I stopped abruptly after being diagnosed with skin cancer and needing to rest as I underwent several minor surgeries.
The Impact of Stopping Exercise
Stopping a rigorous exercise regimen is like stopping antidepressants. The drop in mood, brain fog, sleep difficulties, lack of motivation, and reduced capacity to meet motherhood's demands led me into a downward spiral. Navigating this inner turmoil has led to discovering a new movement routine, one that is more fluid and aligned with my cyclical nature and feminine energy. I began to explore a holistic approach to exercise, focusing not just on physical fitness but also on emotional health to reconnect with my body in a compassionate way.
Rediscovering Joy in Movement
In the past, I’d attended several Gaga dance classes and found them so powerful that I felt drawn to try out my local 5 Rhythms dance classes. Dance medicine, as a form of somatic practice, plays a significant role in trauma recovery. I’ve been particularly fascinated by the work of Emma Deery (whom I met during my Yoga Nidra teacher training), and her work with Movement Medicine as an approach to recover from birth trauma. I suppose its also important to consider that historically, dance has been an essential part of human culture, used by our ancestors as a means of expression, celebration, and healing. This ancient practice helped communities connect with their emotions and each other, fostering a sense of unity and shared joy. The level of release and deep inner connection that I experienced after the first 5 Rhythms dance class I attended was immeasurable. It felt like a coming home to myself. Although I enjoy a systematic exercise routine and working out alone, shifting my perspective to doing activities for fun and moving my body for a deeper connection to pleasure has been truly healing. No one type of movement can replace another or is of greater value, but getting caught in the idea of exercise as a regimen can make us forget our inner pursuit of joy.
Observing and Learning from Children
One of the most enlightening aspects of my journey has been observing how my child moves. Children move with such natural curiosity and joy, reminding us of the importance of playful and spontaneous movement. Learning to reconnect with our inner child and understand how to regain higher levels of mobility like them can be incredibly liberating. During this time, I also came across the fantastic work of Rodrigo Gallego and his natural fitness programmes, and I can’t wait to work closer with him to explore moving freely and pain free.
The Holistic Benefits of Movement
Building muscle and losing fat to strengthen our joint health, bone health, mobility, and metabolism are important considerations for regular exercise. However, we must not lose sight of moving our bodies to reconnect with our inner sense of self, shake off stagnation, invite a greater flow of energy, and elevate our spirits. A holistic approach to exercise encourages us to move every day for fun, just like children do, staying active with curiosity, and expressing ourselves through our bodies. This can bring profound healing and nurture our wellbeing in the deepest ways.
Revitalise Your Movement Journey
As a mum, Health Coach, Yoga Therapist, and Yoga Nidra facilitator, I understand the unique challenges mothers face when it comes to exercise and wellbeing. If you're ready to transform your movement routine into something that truly supports your body and spirit, I'm here to help.
We can craft a personalised plan that fits your needs and brings joy back into your daily routine. I’m here to help you stay consistent and on track, supporting you to reduce any barriers that can get in the way and ensuring that you build the habits for the life you desire. Book a 1:1 Mini Health Coaching session with me, or start from a 15 minute discovery call to discuss if this is the right option for you.
Experience a supportive approach tailored just for you, and create a movement practice that nurtures your overall wellbeing and reconnects you with your inner vitality.