Peach Friedman
author, educator & trainer
intuitive fitness for women

I was leading a discussion to a group of women on Friday about cultivating their ideal relationship with movement. I asked them to close their eyes, take a few deep breaths to come into the body, and then to and picture themselves as they are right now.

Then I said to them, Now picture yourself moving, doing any activity. Cleaning the house, walking the dog, working out at the gym, dancing, whatever comes to mind first. (Keep breathing, feel your feet on the floor.) Now notice how you feel. If you don’t like the feeling, or if the image you’re holding in your mind’s eye is uncomfortable or somehow doesn’t please you, slowly begin to tweak it. Consider where you are . . . consider whether you’re alone or with friends . . . consider what you’re doing . . . tweak the image in any way you like, freeing yourself of any limitations. The picture can be outlandish or commonplace. You could be hiking across a glacier or stretching in the park. Anything goes, as long as the picture in your mind cultivates a good feeling inside you. This can be a feeling of exhilaration, calm, happiness, excitement–anything that feels somehow good to you, in your body, in your mind. Stay with this image, and begin to notice its qualities: Are you indoors or outside? Is the light bright where you are, or soft? Are you alone? If you’re with others, who are you with: A big group of people, your best friend, your husband, your dog? Are you moving quickly or slowly? Are you doing something you did when you were a kid? Something you’ve never tried that terrifies you? Notice whatever qualities you changed when you tweaked the image in order to cultivate pleasure in the body.

When I asked the women to finally open their eyes and share with the group what they were visualizing, smiles lit up on their faces. One woman was dancing. Another was skiing–something she hasn’t let herself do for fear of failure or embarrassment.

Me a couple of winters ago, freeing myself from limitations and following my husband across a snowy mountain!

I gave the group a homework assignment: to take a few minutes over the weekend to write down what they pictured. And then, to make a list of all the things that are currently getting in the way of this fantasy becoming a reality. I advised them that some of their reasons will be legitimate–a frozen shoulder may limit us from winning a tennis match, and finances may keep us from taking skydiving lessons this week–but other reasons will be excuses: for example, I don’t have time to play in the park with my kids because of my busy job (even though I manage to find time to shop online for an hour over my lunch break), or I can’t dance wildly in the living room because there’s not enough space. I asked the group to mark next to each item which one was a legitimate reason, and which was an excuse. Then, taking into consideration legitimate limitations and brainstorming for ways to overcome excuses, they were assigned to help each other find manageable ways to move closer toward this ideal relationship with fitness.

Visualization is a powerful tool: once we actually let ourselves ‘dream big,’ we are one step closer to living that dream. My daddy always said to me, “Aim high, Peach! You can do anything you want to do.” I’m so grateful for that strong message. Like everyone, I struggle with my own fears and limitations, but my dad’s inspiring voice of freedom and permission has let me try (and sometimes even succeed!) in areas I never would have thought imaginable.