When I lived on Eagle Mountain at 1400 feet in BC, this was my backyard. I love hiking but just getting into Ridge Park was a huge effort. You have to cut through a very hilly golf course to get inside. By the time I made it in, so often I would want to turn around and go home, exhausted. But then I saw the light cut through the trees. I would hear the squirrels chatter in almost a weird whistling sound. I would have to go explore. In order to find the strength to continue, I would channel the energy and spirit of the tortoise, telling myself to just move slowly and gradually. Somehow I would find the strength. And I always did.
This world is long behind me now. Today, I have no where I want to go outside. When you have fibromyalgia you must exercise on a regular basis. It is critical to do enough that it tires you out so you sleep but not too strenuous that you get hurt. This type of hiking was perfect for me. Here, stuck in my house, I have been lost and stagnant.
I bought the Wii to help me get my body moving and in some ways it has helped and in others, it really hasn't. Most games are too short and require too little movement for it to be a workout in anyway. As a result, I got creative.
One thing I do love to do that tires me out but in a fun way is dance. I put on the Free Run selection for 20 minutes, put the Wii remote in my pocket and turn on my iPod and just dance. The Wii keeps track of my movement in a way and I am given a countdown so it does not feel endless. I don't really care about the number of meters I have moved, I just want to get moving.
I should not be surprised that my sister Jamie bought me the game Just Dance for my birthday. Jamie, Shannon and I all grew up studying dance and in fact, Shannon and I had Jamie has a teacher a lot of the time. Since hiking is all but a dream to me now, Jamie has helped bring another dimension of dance into my life.
Here you see a funky chic all decked out to dance to the song "Groove is in the Heart". I remember clubbing to that song and gotta tell you, dancing to this song is still unbelievably fun. Not only that, I have come to realize that songs I thought were lame like "Can't Touch This" are unbelievable fun to dance to. It is probably best for you to have some dance experience when you do this game but seriously? I have no interest in the score. I just love having fun and dancing my heart out. The moves are challenging but the routines are fun to learn. Of course I have to be careful. My shoulders are still healing and my feet are very sensitive. I can have fun but not too much fun, for risk of hurting myself.
With two feet of snow and no room to walk on the roads thanks to mammoth snowbanks and zero sidewalks, I am officially housebound but at least I can shake my booty.
Is it better than walking in the woods? No, it never will be. Won't come close but it does provide a mental and physical escape from my situation. When I am dancing, I get to have fun and when I listen to heavier music, express my frustration. So far my favourite song to dance my anger out to is one by Pink:
"I'm not dead just yet...
I'm not scared at all..."
8 comments:
Remember when we went to that George Randolph dance class and they played Michael Jackson? At first we were like, man, MJ is so not cool. And then we were like, OMG, MJ rocks for dancing! I'll never forget that!
I'm so glad that game has given you a way to move. You're inspiring me to get a groove on too!
Hey Suzie,
I so know what you mean about dancing. It is something to put your heart and soul into. I love to move and dance. A couple of years ago, I started belly dancing. It touches a part of me that nothing else does. It gives me a way of expressing what is inside of me like nothing else does.
Dance away.
Rock on.
I probably shouldn't admit this, but "Can't Touch This" is still one of my favourite songs and the only rap song I've ever liked.
I once worked out a belly dance sequence to Hammer Time.
Jamie, I thought that class would kill me but we were having so much fun I doubt we would have cared. It is true, I gained so much respect for MJ after that class! Amanda, I envy you doing belly dancing, how wonderful! Debra, what a cool admission. Thanks for that, I feel much better now!
The kids got the Wii game, "Michael Jackson-The Experience," for Christmas and it is just a riot! They love dancing to MJ's music and moves, and guess what? They discovered that mom can bust a move too lol. I think you would enjoy it if you're an MJ fan. It even has "Thriller" on it.
Love that photo of the forest you would hike through. I can tell it's a very spiritual place, no wonder you're so homesick. Dance on Suzie!
Ooh I have some photos like that Suzie from a park we went to near Sooke. I can't remember the name. I'll dig it out and share it with you. Really pretty forest picture, love it.
Glad you are having a fun time with the dance game.
Ava, I must admit, I am intrigued by the MJ Wii game and LOVE that you can still bust a move! Yes, that park was such a special place for me. Nothing like it around here.
Angie, I adore Sooke! What a special area that is too. Would love to see photos!
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