When do you feel most alive?

The best memories of my life usually include dancing or moving my body in a way that feels good, friend.

Movement brings me back to my truest self.

I feel the most alive and connected to myself.

I used to go salsa dancing in Minneapolis five nights a week... sometimes until 7am.

For years, I taught yoga sculpt at CorePower Yoga which was yoga with reggaéton (in my classes, at least) where I’d guide other people to move their bodies in a way that felt good to them.

You might also know that I do a workout about 3-5/week called The Class.

The Class describes itself as, “a cathartic workout experience that guides you to strengthen the body and notice the mind to restore balance.”

I might describe it as the medicine my body needs to get closer to my truth and my intuition… oh also it’s HIIT-like.

This week they launched a collaboration with Alicia Keys and my favorite teacher, Natalie. #swoon

I did the first of the series this morning and by the end of the 60 minutes felt a shift. I was dancing freely and had a HUGE smile on my face. I also cried, as usual. So cathartic, indeed.

Music and movement helps me move through emotions and integrate experiences that are stuck in my body.

When I think about years before the pandemic,  I’ve always used movement to move thoughts from my head and into my heart and belly.

And when I’m not using music and movement as a tool, I can easily fall into the “not enough” and “falling behind” chatter in my mind.

I love sharing the tools that I find useful with my clients.

Last week, while working with a VIP client I opened our session (as I always do) with some movement.

We moved for 45 seconds to this.

In that time, she went from feeling stressed and overwhelmed about her upcoming interview to feeling connected to her confidence and her body.

It took less than a minute.

This past year has caused a lot of us to be in both visible and invisible pain.

To feel disconnected from our loved ones and ourselves without the structures of daily life we used to know.

Perhaps you or a loved one was sick with Covid-19 or you were doing the work to dig through your internalized racism.

This year has taught me, more than anything, that I need to MOVE sh*t out of my body so that I can remember who I am.

The way I do this is by moving to music, sometimes just 45 seconds other times 90 minutes.

This year has given me more tools that I use with my clients to help them move through not only career strategy, but also everything that helps them feel more alive and confident in their choices.

I love seeing them light up and find value in themselves over and over again, to help them to remember who they are and what lights them up!

(Because from there is where we make the best choices for ourselves without fear and self-judgment).

Be kind to yourself.

You’re doing a great job.

 Truly, you are.

-Nic

PS. If you’re curious about music as medicine, send me a message with a current obstacle or transition you’re facing and I’ll send you a personalized playlist.

PPS. Have there been any tools or gifts that helped you to move through the past year with a little more self-kindness?

PPPS. Happy Mother’s Day to myself and all other mothers both seen and unseen.

PPPS. Looking for something to binge this weekend? I’m SO excited that season 3 of Mythic Quest is back.