A-MAY-zing Mamas

Celebrating the Women WHo Gave Us Our Groove

“Am I turning into my mother?”

It sounds like a cliché line from a movie, but it is one that has flashed into my own mind at random moments.

Maybe you have thought it too while catching sight of yourself in the mirror, or when a certain phrase slipped out that you never imagined you would utter. Or perhaps it happened when a piece of advice you thought was totally useless as a teenager suddenly seemed like it contained a massive nugget of wisdom after all. At least for me, it happens more and more with each passing year!

In this new month of May, I have got your A-MAY-zing Moves on the brain. I am talking about more fully embracing our own unique selves, from the different sides of our personalities to the ways we move our bodies and feel about them. I am ditching the pressure to be perfect and dancing in appreciation and celebration of who we are and our own unique pathways to wellbeing.

But unique as we all are, how many of us have been deeply shaped by the mothers or mother figures in our lives? From funny quirks to striking resemblances, traces of the women who came before us move with us through life.

In embracing myself this week and in celebration of Mother's Day, I want to recognize just how much of the woman I am is a direct result of my own mom.

I see it in my willingness to jump in and participate as a team player. I see it in my tendency to greet people with hugs and well up with tears at goodbyes. I see it in my height, how much I enjoy teaching kids, and my need to bake our family’s favorite Christmas cookies each year!

My mom’s influence shows up in my genuine interest even when making small talk with people, my habit of singing along to musicals, the need for everything to be in its exact place before guests visit, and even an insistence of, “No, sit down, I don’t need any help with the dishes, just keep me company” when people are over.

I see it in the warm softness on my face from years of smiling, my habit of buying greeting cards just to have on hand in case of any occasion, and clearly, some of my sense of rhythm comes from my mom (no offense, Dad!).

These are just some of the ways that I feel like my mom’s influence impacts the way I dance and move through life. Feeling this kind of connection inspires me with a great sense of gratitude and a desire to treat myself with love and care.

This week, how might you care for your own wellbeing in a way that celebrates you and the amazing women who have left their mark on your life?

If self care and celebration look like joyful movement, come join my special Mother’s Day classes at Space Cycle on Friday at 12:15 PM or at Flow on Saturday at 11:00 AM. Come out, wear PINK, and dance along to some "Mamacita" songs and a few of my mom's absolute favorites (get ready for some ABBA!).

And if you can’t make it, put on this Mother’s Day playlist I put together and dance with a favorite mom or woman in your life!

Let's celebrate you and the incredible women who gave you your unique moves and groove.

Wishing a Happy Mother’s Day to all of you!

Keep moving!

xx,

Katie