We are called to move. Our bodies rely on movement to remain strong, creative and keep us one with the natural world and each other. When we move regularly, our body does all it can to get us on our feet again and again. The internal pharmacy housed within us dispenses feel good chemicals that try their best to leave a positive impression. “Team Feel Good” hopes we recall what it feels like after we move, so we stay active and engaged with our body on a regular basis. This squad of happy works for you and you alone. They’re your own personal trainers that encourage you to lace up your sneakers when you’d rather sleep an extra hour. “Team Feel Good” takes their job very seriously, because your body is counting on them. Their whole reason for being is to keep you moving so your life keeps moving. That’s why this team dances and high fives you for hours after you’ve done your part. Oh, and one of the best parts – “Team Feel Good” works for free and doesn’t care about the size of your thighs. Just that your thighs move.

Our bodies carry our history. It could be the story of what happened to us an hour ago or a trauma we experienced in childhood. Exercise will help you dislodge the shrapnel that was left behind and work it out of your body. To move from anxiety, sadness and fear, you need a physiological shift. The positive energy you create by moving creates a current that helps your body skim off some of the darkness it carries. With each repetitive step, cycle, stroke, push or pull, your body will move your brain and spirit to a better place. Your arms and legs become the right/left constant movement that encourages a calm, meditative state. Try to notice how your body will guide you to a more peaceful rhythm or release and just go with it. Allow your body to take care of you by cleansing you of all that has built up inside. Your body and “Team Feel Good” is trying super hard to take you to a place that is unlimited in possibility, solid and safe, so allow them to do their job. With each step and right/left pound of your foot to the ground, a syncopated pulse will shimmy out the toxic splinters left in your heart from the pain you carry. Now there’s room to give birth to creativity, problem-solve or to just feel. You will always be a better version of you because you moved. When you love your body by moving it, your body will always love you back.

My aunt was in a wheelchair the last few years of her life. Even so, she fought daily to not remain stagnant in body, mind and spirit. With the help of angels here on earth, she regularly lowered herself into a pool to find that state of release from physical and emotional pain. The buoyancy of the water helped her create movement that was less painful and allowed “Team Feel Good” to drop by and lift her battered spirit. With each physical, repetitive movement she could muster in the water, she created a portal that allowed the pain to leave and left space for light and clarity to enter. If she was moving, despite how limited, she was here. That’s what exercise does. It keeps us in the game by reminding us that we are alive and we are here when we move. One gentle kick in the water or one bicep curl can turn into twenty. It’s proof that our hard, consistent efforts as it pertains to anything, make us stronger. Muscles break down and we may get sore, but we heal and get up and do it again. This is how we get stronger.

Get up and out and take a walk. One step will turn into thousands if you see value in the amazing nature of your body and all it’s prepared to do for you if you let it. Every cell will thank you for choosing to take care of the magnificent and miraculous being of you. “Team Feel Good” is waiting at the door to support every part of you – body, mind and spirit. Move and follow the beat of your heart and breath so good stuff can move in and toxicity can move out. Lace up and move so you can complete this marathon called “Life” and actively engage in every step despite soreness, pain, joy and triumph. Reinforce through movement that your body is alive and kicking. Let it unleash its power inside you, so you can unleash the best part of you into this world and make space for more light too.

Questions/activities to ponder or good journal prompts!

1. What keeps you from moving and tapping into you “internal pharmacy”? How might you remove these obstacles?
2. How is your history carried in your body? When do you feel it most?
3. Have you ever experienced a rhythm brought on by repetitive movement? If so, how did it affect your body?
4. Movement reminds us that we are alive. What does prolonged sedentary behavior do to your body, mind and spirit?
5. How would walks in nature or with a friend add to the benefits you garner from exercise? What other positive benefits may occur?