The Anti-Resolution Solution

Here's to 2016.  I'm excited for what this year will bring, and am looking forward to dancing with you through the year.  I have goals in mind and am looking to encourage and motivate those with health and wellness goals as well.

Do you wonder why you aren't seeing the results or goals fulfilled from year to year?  It has nothing to do with you not trying hard enough.  Many of these New Year's resolution programs are marketing pitches with the goal of increasing membership.  You can start your new lifestyle prior to January 1.

A fitness and wellness expert in the Tri State area, Michael Rizk has a wonderful list to consider before you buy into the idea a program will be your salvation.  By approaching your wellness as a whole, you will have better results no matter what you attempt.

Here is his strategy that I can get behind:

Unlock Your Mind

- Assess your mindset

A willingness to try something new?  Taken Zumba?  Try to challenge yourself in a ballet class or try yoga.  Currently dancing?  Mix up your regimen with interval training.


Rate yourself 1-5 in the following areas:
Movement/Exercise, Nourishment/Diet, Rest/Recovery, Relationships/Support System
Change is HARD. Don’t overdo it. Set yourself up for success by making ONE change only each month. Those changes will then become healthy habits.

- Write down your values (integrity, resilience, self-esteem etc) and tie them to your fitness goals to create purposeful action

- Assess your Environment

- Commit to only ONE change a month

Embrace Your Body

- Don’t let an assessment deflate your spirit

- Explore the fundamental movements of everyday life

- Build on your success by subtly tweaking the intensity of your routines

- Repeat the same workouts until you’ve mastered them

Unleash Your Spirit

- Empower yourself by understanding WHY you’re doing WHAT you’re doing

- Encourage others and let them encourage you.

Positive Body Image

Promoting Positive Body Image

There are many different elements in creating a healthy environment for dancers.

Regarding physical health, I've posted before about the importance of dancing on a floor that does not create injury, and today I'm talking mental and emotional health.  About encouraging an environment that celebrates all body types and forms.

I heard it/spoke it/lived it as a teen- "my legs are fat", "my stomach isn't flat", etc.  Luckily, I wasn't obsessed with weight, and had a somewhat normal acceptance of my body type.  After having two kids now, I look back and wish I had appreciated my vehicle more in youth... but hey, isn't that always what they say - "youth is wasted on the young?"

I believe my students' body image will have a large part to do with how they observe ME.  By promoting positive self-identity, never commenting negatively about how I look that day (no matter how many hours in front of a mirror will drag you down some days,) and by encouraging kids to dress appropriately for the class they are in versus dressing in layers that cover the body.  I motivate them to have fun while they are doing jumping jacks, correct their turn out, and guide them to make good food choices.  I want the message to be healthy, and for my students to be happy with who they are as people.

I want them to see you don't have to be a size 0 to be a technical dancer.   You don't have to have Rockette legs to be a dynamo.  Be you, fierce ones - and I'll be cheering you on.