Thank you for tuning into my 2nd posting on self care. Last week I wrote about the mentors in my life and I hope that you had some time to reflect on this topic from your perspective and life experiences. This week I want to speak about the contribution of music and movement in my life.
I have taken advanced training in piano, guitar, alto saxophone, and percussion, as well as being a member of Canadian choral communities since 1997. Through these experiences I gained greater skills and knowledge as a musician and as a music therapist. I am certainly grateful for that. But one of the most influential aspects from being actively involved in music is having an emotional release from the demands of life. It makes complete sense that music feels so good when we partake as research shows how music triggers the release of many endorphins and hormones that contribute to our overall health and wellness. I am lucky enough that I have been involved with many groups from the east to the west of Canada. Choral music is a passion of mine and I am pleased to say that I continue to actively sing in my community with The Cantabile Choirs of Kingston. I find that connecting with others and creating something of artistic beauty, in synchrony is such an incredibly powerful and magical experience.
I have to admit that I haven’t always been physically active. I recall a time in my life as a young girl where my parents and I would get into arguments about fitness. I have been involved, sometimes quite reluctantly, with individual and group sports/ fitness activities and it took some time to figure out what works for me. As a young adult I began to solidify some movement practices that work with my being and lifestyle. In my undergrad, I started going to the gym on a regular basis and began to feel my body shift. I loved that I had control and that I could feel an increase in strength, balance, and cardio as I moved forward with continuous training. It felt really good emotionally and mentally as endorphins and hormones were released, similarly in music. I became hooked within a months period of noticing these changes and haven’t been able to stop since. Every week I schedule 3 – 4 times a week to go to the gym for an hour and I feel that when I don’t get this time I notice a great effect with my body and spirit. Recently, I have started working with a personal fitness trainer for guidance in improving practices of breath, flexibility, strength, and cardio, as I believe these aspects are all important to address in overall health and wellness. I have also integrated yoga back into my life. This practice was first introduced to me through physical warm ups in Xara Choral Theatre (a choir that I was a member of in Halifax from 2010 – 2013). Yoga has served me really well as I take time in my busy schedule to relax, unwind, and just breathe. My body is my instrument as a vocalistic. I carry it with me through personal and professional endeavours.
Music and movement are elements in my life that work for me. By writing this post I am not encouraging you to partake in these activities if it doesn’t fit for you. I believe that it is important to feed other parts of the self away from career orientated practices. Take some time in your week to integrate something that is meaningful to achieve balance. Something that gels with your body, mind, and spirit. I promise, you won’t regret it.