The Healing Power of Movement

Last week when I was rocking out in the car, it occurred to me how absolutely ridiculous I would look to anyone who glanced my way. Then the instant the thought completed its course through my mind, my eyes landed on a poster in a shop window with the above message: "Dance yourself clean." Since the universe rarely sends out such a clear sign, I decided to heed this one by cranking the stereo and boogying even harder in my seat.

As soon as I arrived home I found a copy of the poster to share with you guys, because these three little words hold so much healing potential. We spend much of our lives trying to control our bodies—with diet, with exercise, with disapproving glares in the mirror. And don't get me wrong, I love the structure of a healthy eating plan or the discipline and accomplishment of a challenging workout regime. But how often do we let go of our mind's plans and give our bodies permission to move from instinct? With freedom and joy? With a primal abandon that delights in its ability to release whatever we've been holding onto that isn't serving us?

So this week lets dance ourselves clean. It'll look different for all of us. For some, it may involve putting on this song and grabbing your kids for an impromptu twist session. For others, it could be as simple as forgetting about perfect yoga form and feeling the flow of body, breath, and music on the mat. And at the very least, it could mean garnering a few stares with some badass moves on your morning commute. No matter how we do it, the end result will be the same for all of us: a glowing smile, a pounding heart, and a cathartic rush of self-love that reminds us how glorious it is to be alive.

P.S. This post is part of a new series I started recently, one that focuses on finding beauty and meaning below the surface of our daily lives. Be sure to check out the previous post, a poem about how to face your fear! Image Credit.