Movement over Exercise

HUH? Isn’t movement exercise and exercise movement? Yes. Yes it is. But there is a subtle and profound difference.

That difference is intention.It’s what transforms it from closing the loop, hitting your splot points or reaching your activity goal into a profound practice of self-discovery and healing. When we move with purpose and mindfulness, we tune into our bodies, uncovering hidden tensions and emotional blocks. This focused attention allows us to release stored energy, facilitating emotional breakthroughs and fostering a deeper connection with ourselves. By setting a clear intention, we guide our movement to not just improve our physical health, but also to unlock new levels of emotional clarity and well-being.

For many, exercise is a one more to-do on a daily schedule. It has become a requirement, a box to check to validate our self-worth. It’s a conversation topic - are you a morning or evening gym person? Group fitness or personal trainer? And most importantly… where do you workout. All of these questions are related to status - what can you afford, not just in regards to money - but in time as well.

Then there’s the intensity. How hard is your workout? How much can you lift, bro? Yoga doesn’t even look like yoga anymore - it’s Yoga Sculpt, it’s Hot Yoga, it’s Power Flow. Weight lifting is now HIIT training, Cross Fit. If you didn’t sweat did you even workout? Most are equating the intensity of the workout to how effective it is.

The problem is, when the results don’t happen. Then comes the confusion. I don’t get it? I work out consistently? My workouts are challenging… what am I doing wrong? Working out 3-5 days a week at such a consistent high intensity builds up so much tension in the body that it has trouble relaxing because it’s always prepared for the fight.

Now, don’t get me wrong – I LOVE a tough workout. And I still do partake in a HIIT workout (every Friday morning to be exact). But I’m evolving. I enter into these high intensity classes with more attention and awareness. I go slower, I check in with myself - I know the instructor said to put my treadmill at a 6% incline, but my body is saying no (no through difficulty finding a good breathing rhythm, or my calf tightened up really fast). There are signs to back off and slow down that we are all missing because we are taught to push through, challenge yourself.

New Challenge: Instead of beating yourself up and leaving a workout class feeling depleted–slow down. Notice the subtle hints your body is giving you to back off or go harder - you will leave the class more energized and focused. Promise.

Shifting my focus from exercise to movement has yielded results faster and, more importantly, results that stick around because they complement my body instead of battling against it.

The Truth About Movement

Sustainable results and true vitality come from listening to our bodies, moving with purpose, and nurturing every muscle and joint with care. It’s not about pushing ourselves to the brink of exhaustion but rather about cultivating a deeper connection with ourselves and our physicality.

When we slow down and tune into the subtleties of our movements, what we unlock is groundbreaking:

🌱 Increased Body Awareness and Proprioception Movement helps us become more aware of our bodies. It enhances our ability to sense where our body parts are in space, leading to better balance and coordination.

🌱 Reduced Risk of Injury By moving mindfully and with proper form, we significantly lower the risk of injuries. Listening to our bodies prevents us from pushing too hard or too fast, which is crucial for long-term health.

🌱 Enhanced Flexibility, Mobility, and Joint Health Intentional movement improves our flexibility and mobility. It keeps our joints healthy and lubricated, making everyday activities easier and more comfortable.

🌱 Greater Mindfulness and Stress Reduction Synchronizing our breath with our movements fosters mindfulness. This practice reduces stress and promotes a sense of calm and well-being.

🌱 Improved Functional Strength Movement builds functional strength that translates into our daily lives. It enhances our ability to perform everyday tasks with ease and supports longevity.

The Science of Energy in the Body

It's essential to recognize that our bodies are not just physical entities but also energetic systems. This concept is rooted in both ancient traditions and modern science.

Movement moves energy by engaging our physical, emotional, and energetic systems in a holistic dance of transformation. It stretches and compresses the fascia, stimulates neuroplasticity, triggers hormonal changes, and balances ancient energetic pathways. By incorporating mindful movement into our lives, we can unlock stored emotions, release tension, and experience profound emotional breakthroughs.

1. The Fascia Network Fascia is a connective tissue that surrounds and penetrates muscles, bones, and organs. It plays a crucial role in transmitting mechanical forces and maintaining structural integrity. Recent research has shown that fascia is also involved in the body's energetic system. When we move, we stretch and compress the fascia, which helps to release stored tension and energy.

2. Neuroplasticity and Emotional Release Movement stimulates the nervous system and promotes neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. This process is vital for emotional healing. Physical movement can activate specific neural pathways associated with emotions, helping to release and rewire old patterns of emotional response.

3. Hormonal and Chemical Changes Movement triggers the release of endorphins, serotonin, and other neurotransmitters that elevate mood and reduce stress. These chemical changes can help shift stagnant emotional energy, promoting a sense of well-being and emotional balance.

Rewriting the Narrative

By taking the time to connect with our bodies, listen to their cues, and move with mindfulness, we unlock a world of possibilities for greater health and vitality. Whether it’s through somatic practices, functional exercises, or simply slowing down our pace, every intentional movement is a gift to ourselves. Let your body lead the way to emotional freedom and holistic well-being.

Let’s rewrite the movement narrative and celebrate the beauty of intentional movement together!