I began ‘working out’ when I was 16. I’m 41 now. Yup, that’s right. I used to wear the electric blue full body spandex suit and jump up and down for an hour almost every day at aerobics classes. My instructor had similar tights but her outfit was topped by the spandex g-string body suit over the tights… Those were the days!!
I must admit at that fresh age, I was exercising for ‘the pursuit of the perfect body’, with little awareness of the manifold benefits of physical activity. It was not long into my exercise routine though that I became addicted to the shift in energy (many a bad mood turned happy), the reduction of stress, the confidence in my body from increased strength and balance, and the sense of accomplishment that exercise afforded. It has taken me years, however, to really understand that the pivotal key to exercise is its ability to bring us into the moment and to make us stay present.
When I am doing squat leaps, running stairs, or sitting in the chair of utkatasana in yoga for thigh quivering minutes, I am not thinking about anything but what is in that exact moment… breathing, focusing, and maintaining alignment (OK and maybe trying to not fling sweat at my neighbors). All the busy rush of my mind is forced out. It does not matter. Presence and breath are the ultimate gifts of movement.
Likewise any act of creativity can slow the mind to the simplest task at hand. I used to endeavor to make crafts as Christmas gifts for years while I was in university (as a means to save money, but also as a statement against mass holiday consumption). I am not sure how the recipients of the gifts felt about them – but I loved the process!! Choosing a project, sitting there for hours cutting, pasting, ripping, weaving, painting. I would often forget to blink… Again all else melts away and alignment with the moment unfolds.
I have created Fluid and Ignite Retreat as an opportunity to explore the magical energy of inspiration and joy that arise from just such delicious expansive moments of breathing, creating, moving, tasting, playing.
We each have our own paths but I believe that our purpose is to expand our consciousness while here on this planet. Why not start by making choices that honour our bodies and create the possibilities for this expansiveness of body, heart and soul?
- Ignite Retreat
Fluid Lifestyle Presents:
Ignite Retreat… Spark the Fire of Creativity and Movement. Autumn Equinox, September 20-23, 2012
Unleash your energy, activate your inspiration, learn, stretch and dance into joy. Experience the peaceful setting and deep beauty of Stowel Lake Farm, an organic farm and wellness centre on the south end of sun drenched Saltspring Island. Ignite your inner fire with creativity and movement. Find balance and soak up the abundance of the harvest season.
Connect with your breath, still your mind and indulge your body in a daily series of sensual, flowing yoga classes with Maria Filippione. Get your body moving and feel the rhythm of the Groove Method with Sarah Smith. Learn the practice of using hot beeswax, colour and encaustic techniques to create your own work of art with artist Maria Middleton. Feast your senses with a field to table cooking class with Stowel Lake Farm’s Haidee Hart. Divine your personal vision, deepen goals, and tap into the energy of your creative voice in a writing workshop with Danielle Janess. (No experience is necessary to join in any of these options.)
Cory Judge has been passionate about personal health and fitness for years. She holds a degree in Environmental Studies and Geography from UVIC, but found her path led outside the mainstream and into the entrepreneurial world of artisan design.
For more information or to register go to Fluid
P: 250-886-5551
