Movement Snacks: 2 ways you can make a difference in the world through movement
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Hey Reader, I believe that movement makes a difference. I'm not just talking about how regular exercise or movement can dramatically combat the physical and mental impacts of aging, although that is true. I believe that movement makes a difference in terms of the impact we can make in the world. I don't mean that doing deadlifts will somehow make immigrants and refugees feel safer on the streets of this country and protected from the violence of ICE. And I don't mean that doing yoga will help restore rights to those who have had rights and protections stripped from them by this authoritarian administration. What I mean is that regular movement does 3 things for me allowing me to function in a more productive way. First, it keeps my body healthy and strong. This means I can focus on the things that matter to me instead of feeling tired and broken all of the time. This is absolutely a privilege. I do not have any physical disabilities or chronic invisible illnesses that make movement more difficult. And as a movement professional, I have access to equipment and have dedicated time to move my body in ways that people who have different jobs or different finances might not. Second, because I choose to do some of my movement in community, it anchors me to other people and to places that matter to me. I lead online movement practices and I love my amazing community there. But I also attend dance classes at a local studio and being with people who love what I love gives us a shared language and a way to connect. That is meaningful. Third, it doesn't actually help for me to stop moving my body. Nor does it help for me to stop teaching movement. I need to move for my mental and physical health. Others need it, too, and rely on me to offer it to them. (That leads me to my movement snack for the week) Movement Snack this week: Movement makes a difference. And when we can move in community it can offer us even greater benefits, both personally as well as in the world beyond our mats or sneakers. In that light, I am doing 2 things to try and use movement to make a difference. Through tomorrow, the proceeds from all new subscriptions to my online studio MOVE (or upgrades to a different tier) will be donated to 2 organizations working with immigrant and refugee aid -- one in Minnesota and one in Colorado. I would love to raise $500 and I'm currently sitting at $80. If you do join MOVE, you are not obligated to stay. You can unsubscribe tomorrow (and you'll still have access to the studio for the remainder of the billing cycle you paid for). This is simply my way of offering something meaningful to you in exchange for your support of immigrants and refugees. Second, I'm starting a monthly donation-based movement class and all proceeds will go to local organizations doing good, important work. I'm kicking this off on Friday, February 6th at 12pm ET. Class will be strength-based, so grab your weights. In order to ensure that all of the money you pay to attend goes to the orgs, I'm not setting up a payment page -- instead I'm using venmo. That way there are no fees deducted for stripe or kit. If you'd like to attend, please use my venmo here and indicate you want to attend the Feb 6 class: https://www.venmo.com/u/Naomi-Gottlieb-Miller I will also need an email from you, so please email me directly to let me know you want to attend. I know that's a lot of steps, but it helps me ensure that I can donate the full amount without subtracting fees. For this particular class, all proceeds will go to the same organizations I am donating to in Colorado and Minnesota. I'd also love to know what type of classes you'd like me to offer for future classes. I have a survey up on my youtube channel. You can add your vote here. Thanks for being a part of my community this year. I am so grateful for you. Let's make a difference in the world together. Warmly, Naomi Want to stay in touch during the week? Here are a 2 easy ways: Follow me on Instagram, where I share movement inspiration 3x a week as acts of resistance, connection, and strength. Follow me on substack, where I write about the intersection of movement, motherhood, and the culture that we are all moving through. Or better yet, subscribe so you have immediate access to regular essays, including my most recent substack -- I wrote a personal essay about a powerful conversation I had with my daughter about current events. It all started with a newspaper headline and the question, "Mama, who is Renee Good?" You can read it here. There are many ways to support my writing on substack, which focuses on women's health and motherhood during perimenopause through an anti-diet and pro-science lens: 😍 Become a free subscriber |