I was demonstrating proper form during the stretching component of one of my group fitness classes, when an eager participant asked, “Where’s my Hamstring?” He had no clue it’s whereabouts despite my detailed demonstration.
I was pleased that he had an inquiring mind and gladly pointed out the location of the hamstring muscle. He befriended not one but both hamstrings!
Much of the joy and satisfaction in my work comes from helping people get back into their bodies. I have noticed that many people live in their heads and removed from their bodies. There is a disconnect between mind and body. My job is to bridge that disconnect, to educate and reaquaint them with the wonderful feeling of their unique physical movement. I seek to cultivate mindfulness – body awareness in each class. Awareness that prompts participants to be attentive to their body, to critique their form and ask questions of themselves like, “What am I doing in this particular moment?” “Why am I doing this kind of exercise?” “How am I doing this movement?” “What does it feel like?”
