Today is international Happiness Day and it’s a good time to reflect upon these questions, 1. Am I happy (enough)?, 2. What makes me happy?, 3. How can I create and maintain happiness? and 4. How do I know when I’m happy?
Ultimately we are responsible for the answers. It is true that life sends us challenges to our happiness, yet how we deal with, recover and move on from them will either create or diminish happiness.
What makes you happy? I asked this of a colleague yesterday and she was a bit lost for words, her physical symptoms of back pain and fatigue combined with feeling tired, low and under pressure seemed to ease when she eventually described loving walking and being out in nature – in fact, I could see her look brighter and lighter as she described (became associated with) her walks. It’s often the simplest of things that lift us.
My love of dancing, moving with both intention and freestyling, being with my fur babies, having a laugh with upbeat and positive people, music, walks and bike rides all fill my ‘mood bank’ making me happier. When doing these things my stress hormones reduce, my blood pressure reduces, my tension reduces and shoulders relax, my metabolism raises (uninhibited by the stress hormone Cortisol) facial tension lines soften, eyes brighten, jaw relaxes, I’m less likely to get a headache and so on. Now I absolutely love my job, you know that, and I love to help others feel the way I do when I get fitter and have fun with you all – it is both a vocation and passion but is still a job and can overwhelm me at times, so I too will pull myself up when I do too much for others and too little for myself. How about you, what are you going to do?
Dame Vera Lynn is 100 today and releasing an Album! Asked what her secret is she said ‘just getting up and getting on with it!’ – yet reading the interview she talks about all the things she loves to do! She also has purpose, a reason to get up and get on with it. ‘A life without purpose is a purposeless life’, so have a purpose to feel purposeful.
Read on for post convention round-up, class members news, class news and recipe!
IFS Blackpool 2017
The 10 hour round trip to Blackpool isn’t one of my favourite ways to spend my time but the 3 days of dance. fitness and laughter really is! IFS is one of the biggest conventions in the world and I was once again honoured to present there. I taught three different sessions and as a teacher who straddles the dance and fitness world (plus all the other areas I work in but didn’t deliver at this event), pigeon holing me can be difficult (I’m happy about that, I’m not a pigeon). I had three packed sessions and had so much fun and laughter with those who came along, and blessed to have wonderful feedback too.
Thank you to Chrysalis Promotions for the invite, all the delegates and helpers and especially Jo Karen, June and Amanda from classes who came and supported me. It’s lovely to have you girls to share the memories and moments with.
It is also fab to share my dance and fitness blend of classes with folks from further afield than Farnham, Fleet, Farnborough, Camberley and so on
Dates are already out for next year so pop 23rd-25th March 2018 in your diary and come and play!
Just a few of the ’80’s Dance Movies’ dancers….
…my session overflowed into two rooms (teaching in two rooms is a first for me!)
Boom!
Abbi Arris and Vicki Bee smashed it by completing the Fleet Falf Marathon and raising £6,020 for Little Elves Preschool, Fleet and Henry Tyndale School, Farnborough who have helped Viki’s little boy. You can still donate to her crowd funding page!
Go Liberty!
Sarah’s gymnasts will be opening the show tonight at Camberley Civic Hall for Yately boy Freddie, who is in America receiving treatment for a brain tumour.
All monies go to Freddie’s charity.
Epsom Salts
I shall be bringing 3kg bags of Epsom salts to Class through out the week, just £8 per bag (RRP is £9.95).
You know I’m a great advocate of regular (3 x weekly) epsom salt baths, the benefits are extensive.
Some are absorbing magnesium and sulphate via the skin in a hot bath, it relaxes the nervous system, alleviates aching limbs, helps with back ache, muscle pain and cramps, assists some skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, alleviates congestion and colds, helps with healing cuts, reduces stress, even helps to prevent hardening of the arteries, blood clots and so lowers the risk of stroke and heart disease!
A Treat for Mother’s Day
Peach pudding that’s tasty and healthy!
Ingredients: 1 cup raw cashews, 3 peaches, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1/4-1/2 cup light coconut cream, 1 tablespoon organic lemon zest, 1/4 teaspoon pink himalayan salt.
For the Garnish: 1/4 cup Berries, 1 teaspoon coconut cream (chilled), fresh mint leaves.
Blitz all main ingredients in a blender untill smooth, spoon into individual bowls and chill!
Serves 4.
Enjoy!
Remember to create a happy week for yourself and others
Love ya,
Helen xxxx
