The movement evoking magic of music

There is so much out there now around the role and importance of movement in maintaining our mental health. To strengthen our mind to body connection, we do need to move (pardon the pun) from intellectualisation to inhabiting our physical body through movement.

One of the simplest ways to re-connect the mind to the body is through walking. We are very fortunate to have many beautiful places in Arlesey to walk amongst the wonders of wildlife.

One of the other most popular ways of moving is through music. There are so many different types of music along with ways to express ourselves through moving to it. There are organised groups of dance sessions such as barn dances (Baldock) or line dancing (Arlesey). Or numerous other types available in Hitchin (Hot house dancing) or through all kinds of live music hosting venues.

For many, music is therapy, whether the words and meanings, the rhythm, feel, sound or the instinctive expression of the self through dancing to it.

In the last week, I was fortunate enough to see Nile Rogers and Chic in the beautiful setting of a forest up North. I absolutely LOVE to dance to music that literally lifts me to my feet! One of the joys of dancing is that it doesn’t necessarily feel like exercise. Until the end of the night when the joints start complaining! But it’s fun. At least it is if you enjoy it and I realise not everyone does. But for those who love dancing, it offers the chance to get out of our overthinking heads and into our at times underactive body’s. Movement is good for all parts of us.

I’m also a fan of 5 rhythms dance classes. I attended my first online class of this last week. There is another similar style of music class known as Open Movement (The Sadie Centre). These classes offer a space where music is played that brings differing structures, speeds and rhythms. You are invited to to move as much or as little as you like in whatever way your body wishes to.

There is even a ‘nest’ area to take time out to rest or chairs to sit on to give your feet a break. These classes offer the opportunity to rest the brain in favour of letting the body lead in a spontaneous word-less way. It is a great space in which to experiment with body led expression. There is no right or wrong way to move as each person’s dance is deeply unique.

The first class I attended reminded me of the freedom I felt as a small child during PE lessons. I remember running around a large room with others but minus the inhibition that can accompany adulthood. At least it did after I’d relaxed into it!

As humans, we are not just walking heads, overthinking everything as if we don’t also live inside a phenomenal physical body. In terms of maintaining health, we need to utilise, stretch and challenge all parts of ourselves. This includes the heart, mind and the body. Most of us use our minds and hearts in the business of daily living. But unless our jobs are active, we may not use our body as anything more than something to carry us through the day. In which case we need to be more proactive about moving our body’s.

There is new research arising all the time that supports the need to strengthen the mind to body connection. Illnesses such as dementia are being recognised as sometimes being more likely to manifest if the physical body has not been active enough throughout the lifetime. Whether mind or body, the old adage, ‘use it or lose it’, remains equally true. Furthermore, how we look after one part impacts the others.

While there is a time for all things whether moving or resting, we need to be intentional about how much we move. Whether you prefer the quiet of solo movement though walking in nature, or being part of a group, or both, there are masses of different ways to get moving locally.

Whatever moves you to move, go with that!