Finding Your Joy of Motion

Finding your joy of motion can be the hinging link to help you take up some sort of new physical activity or exercise, which experts say is so essential for health in our modern-day stressful lives.

Here is what Christiane Northrop suggests in her book "Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom":

<< [PART OF] STEP ONE: CHOOSE AN EXERCISE PROGRAM: ... Recall a time in childhood when you were outside playing -- skipping, jumpimg rope, or throwing a ball just for fun. Or perhaps you remember dancing, twirling around till you fell on the ground dizzy. Play with this memory in your mind for a while, and feel how it felt. Smell how it smelled. Feel the sun or wind on your face. Recall how good it felt to move your body with joy and energy, stretching it to its full capacity. When you are ready, bring yourself back into the present. Begin moving your body the way you used to. See how it feels now. Be in your body. Enjoy it, appreciate it -- experiment with moving it.

Did anytype of movement come to mind as something that felt really good? What was it? How could you incorporate that into your life now?

STEP TWO: MAKE A COMMITMENT TO MOVE YOUR BODY.
Commit to moving your body in some way or in some form three times a week for twenty to thirty minutes. Combining exercise with a healthy diet is an ideal combination for weight loss and increased energy...

STEP THREE: LEARN HOW TO BREATHE THROUGH YOUR NOSE
STEP FOUR: WATCH OUT FOR SELF-SABOTAGE
STEP FIVE: ENJOY YOURSELF >>