I always knew, but didn't know
I’ve always believed in a holistic approach to my life. I knew early in my life that if I get hurt physically, my emotions may also suffer… or that if I’m off spiritually, it can physically hurt. It just made sense to me that every part of me can affect every other part of me.
So, it’s a wonder to me that when I heard that movement can affect your cognition, It felt like a brand new concept. Perhaps, I didn’t take my original beliefs as far as they could go. That happened in my early 20s…. I’ve kind of been obsessed about the body-brain connection ever since.
I’m now 41 years old. I’ve researched a lot of things about movement, especially as it relates to the brain. I have learned tricks to use movement as a type of therapy, especially for those like me- that live and struggle with a mental illness… only to find out that “movement therapy” is an actual thing. I really wanted to go back to school specifically to become a movement therapist… but any Dance Movement Therapist program is way too expensive.
So, I started researching what else I might be able to do with Movement and the Brain. I looked into mental health counseling, wellness coaching, becoming an author, presenter, and motivational speaker, and finally, a teacher.
I’m still young I can explore more of these areas later in my life, but for now, I want to be a teacher. I’m close to getting a teaching certificate in theatre and dance since that’s what I have studied in college. I will be applying for a couple of (much cheaper, but still right up my ally) graduate programs in theatre education. I have realized that what I have learned about the connections of the body and the brain, I can apply to any situation. I’m excited about theatre because you have 2 main tools to use as an actor; the voice and the body. Learning how to control and manipulate those two tools gives you the power to be an amazing actor. How convenient is it that I know the theatre acting AND dancing. Movement will be an integral part of my theatre classes.
And just being a teacher in general, the well-being of my students will be my first priority. I consider it important to teach them the subject material as well as movement tips and tricks to help them know how to keep their stress level to a minimum.
I have also learned that just because I’m passionate about something, I don’t necessarily need to make that my life’s career. I will find ways to use that knowledge, that passion, no matter where I end up. I might even use it to shape my future here on this blog, and my facebook page.
What I thought I understood when I was young has opened up a whole new realm from which I can learn and grow. Knowledge is endless. And it’s applications are only as limited as the imagination.