July 07, 2007
finding joy
Carrie, my Nia teacher, when she was pregnant last year, Canon Elph SD1000
I finally got back to my awesome Nia dance class this week. It has been a year and a half since I've been and I must have grinned for the entire hour... Not only was I out by myself but I had forgotten how much my body craves movement, how I get in touch with the 12-year-old version of myself whose favorite thing is to choreograph dances to the Flashdance soundtrack and teach them to her friends. I was completely transformed after this one precious hour.
Sometimes I get stuck trying to think my out of a funk or think my way into a new place of joy or inspiration or energy. I forget that often the very best transformational tool I have is my body.
At one point in the routine the music shifted to a slightly dark, techno-y, industrial beat (not the good kind of techno) and my teacher, sensing this said, "Find your joy amidst the really bad music, find the joy in dancing to music you don't like..."
She added later, "It is up to each of you to find your joy. No one is going to do it for you... A harsh fact of life sometimes, but it's up to us."
This does not mean we have to be happy all the time or not feel our true feelings. It means that it always comes back to us to choose how we want to be. When we're done being sad or angry or afraid, we can choose something else. Doesn't have to be joy... but it's a nice option.
Even when we don't like the music, it's good to know there's a dance tucked away in there, ready to be found.
Posted on July 7, 2007 10:39 AMoh, andrea, thank you so much for this reminder.
nia just came to montreal, and it's already taken a hiatus for the summer, but when it comes back - i'm in among the first students!!!
i needed to hear that part about the joy, as well.
(hug) for you for bringing me these necessary reminders.
Posted by: bee at July 11, 2007 10:07 AMI hope this is okay. . .I linked to your blog through my blog. It's definitely something I need to remember. :) Thanks. (and if it's not okay, I can take the post down, just let me know!)
Posted by: Ann at July 9, 2007 03:53 PMi meant to say, days ago, how much this spoke to me. :)
Posted by: Kyran at July 9, 2007 01:31 PMDelurking to let you know that I added a snippet from this post as my weekly quote at nobaddays (see top right). And you sent me looking for NIA classes in my area. Alas, none yet.
Posted by: Sue at nobaddays at July 9, 2007 09:16 AMandrea,
this is exactly what I needed to hear today. thank you for sharing.
Posted by: tracy at July 9, 2007 07:37 AMGosh, I so needed to read this today... right now in my life. One morning, after many months of feeling saddness, anger and resentment, you wake up and say, "I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired."
Then you smile and choose to take the path of happiness and joy.
Posted by: sheshe at July 9, 2007 06:45 AMThanks, superhero, for reminding me that there is joy in the midst of it all.
Posted by: tiff at July 8, 2007 10:02 AMMy sister and I used to choreograph (and videotape, and I have high hopes this tape is destroyed or lost somewhere) dances to the soundtrack of the musical Cats. Those were the days...
Posted by: Molly at July 8, 2007 09:09 AMGod - when I was ten, it was "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head." lol!!! Mommy time - it's a wonderful thing. SO glad you are gifting yourself with it. Even just an hour can give you that dance tucked away somewhere. And when mom is happy, everybody is happy. Amen :-)
Posted by: reach.dabble.shine at July 8, 2007 07:56 AMi believe now in choosing to be happy. your post echoes my sentiments exactly.
btw, i think you take the best photographs when your are taking shots of ben. those pictures seem extremely inspired.
Posted by: christine at July 8, 2007 06:31 AMAs usual, your words find their way into the heart. It's medicine for the screen-weary!
Posted by: Anja at July 8, 2007 02:33 AMyes yes yes
love these words...and this experience.
bravo to you for getting out and grounding yourself this way!
p.s. my twelve year old self choreographs to Xanadu. ; )
Posted by: Schmoopy at July 7, 2007 07:22 PMI really love this analogy Andrea and will remember it next time I am dancing to bad music. xoxo
yummy photo too!
Posted by: Schmoopy at July 7, 2007 07:21 PMthanks for the post and jogging my memory of making up dances to pop songs...oh how fun that was!
Posted by: Jessica at July 7, 2007 07:01 PMbeautiful post ~ thanks for always reminding us to be our true selves in the midst of all the stuff!
xo
Posted by: stef at July 7, 2007 06:22 PMexcellent post today! Your inspiration is contagious!
Posted by: emily at July 7, 2007 04:55 PMI really, really needed to hear this today. Thanks so much for such a lovely post!
Posted by: Rebecca at July 7, 2007 02:19 PMandrea,
i love this photo! thank you for reminding me: of the "very best transformation tool i have" & i create my joy.
cheers to you,
gem
"It is up to each of you to find your joy. No one is going to do it for you... A harsh fact of life sometimes, but it's up to us."
This is something that I often forget, particularly on days like these, so it is a timely reminder for me. Thank you for the beautiful post.
thank you for this reminder to find joy, even when it feels absent.
xo
Posted by: amy at July 7, 2007 11:44 AMthank you for this reminder to find joy, even when it feels absent.
xo
Posted by: amy at July 7, 2007 11:43 AM