#30Seconds Live: How and Why to Get Moving With Dance Therapist Erica Hornthal! by Christine Jones
Movement is a fundamental need for all of us, and it has so many important physical and psychological benefits. If we're not moving, we're not living. This week we dedicated both our 30 Minutes With #30Seconds livestream and #30Seconds Twitter chat to this important topic. Our very own Erica Hornthal, licensed professional clinical counselor, board certified dance/movement therapist and founder/CEO of North Shore Dance Therapy, was our featured guest at both!
Q: Why does movement matter?
- Movement matters because it accounts for 80 percent of our communication.
- Movement matters in childhood development. It helps mark milestones in cognitive development as well.
- Movement allows us to form relationships and build self-esteem.
- Movement matters when making first impressions throughout our lives – business, dating, play, etc.
@30seconds A1 If I don't get up and move at least every 30 mins. I get stiff joints #30seconds
— melinda (@MelindaGail74) April 6, 2017
@30seconds @CHIDanceTherapy a1: It's so important for overall health and feeling energized! #30seconds
— JeannieGreener👬 (@JeanGMike) April 6, 2017
Q: When you say movement, you mean exercise, right?
Movement is not just exercise. Movement is breathing, blinking, stretching, gesturing. If we are not moving in some capacity, we are not living. A lack of movement can signal not only physical problems, but emotional ones as well.
I recently joined the ymca to get my family moving #30seconds
— Amanda Morgan Tracy (@MandyMorgan90) April 6, 2017
@30seconds @CHIDanceTherapy A2 not so much movement can be as simple as a small walk #30seconds
— melinda (@MelindaGail74) April 6, 2017
Q: How does movement facilitate communication?
Our bodies are always talking. Mirroring someone else’s movements builds empathy and compassion. A closed body posture can hinder and limit open communication. Certain movements can help build trust and help our loved ones feel understood.
@30seconds @CHIDanceTherapy A3- When you love moving, you drag people along and then you're both happy #30Seconds
— Kate Brown (@Katejosh09) April 6, 2017
@30seconds @CHIDanceTherapy A3 When you love move to you can get others to join and move along with you. #30seconds
— Deidra Dees (@Derekmommy2012) April 6, 2017
Q: How can incorporating movement into my daily life help me be a better parent?
- Movement enables productivity.
- Movement sparks creativity and imagination which help us play with our kids.
- Movement allows for a release of tension in the body.
- Movement helps us find compassion for ourselves and to “let go” of what we cannot control.
Every kind of health - physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual - improves with increased movement. No downside to it! #30seconds
— Gina Valley (@GinaValley) April 6, 2017
@30seconds @CHIDanceTherapy @EricaHornthal A4- Movement leads to happiness which will obvi help you be a better parent #30Seconds
— Kate Brown (@Katejosh09) April 6, 2017
Q: How can I incorporate movement if I sit at a desk all day?
- Take a stretch break.
- Tune into your breath.
- Do a body scan and just take time to notice any sensations in the body without judgment.
- Take a walk, take the stairs and incorporate your senses throughout the day.
@GinaValley I'd LOVE a treadmill desk. I have a standing desk unit and it helps SO much with my back and neck issues.
— AnnMarie G. Halstead (@AMGHalstead) April 6, 2017
@30seconds @CHIDanceTherapy @toriaulrich A5 tap your feet, walk around your desk #30seconds
— Sandy VanBuskirk (@ssony711) April 6, 2017
Q: Where else should I be thinking about movement in my life?
- Take notice of your posture.
- When you wake up, take time to expand your body, stretch out, take up space to take on the day.
- Try on someone else’s movement to build rapport and empathy.
- Be mindful of your movements in the workplace. How do you move in relation to others?
@30seconds @CHIDanceTherapy @EricaHornthal #30seconds #movement A6 When runnig errands anytime you can walk, do it. Park one end of shopping center and walk to the different stores
— lorri langmaid (@lorri1956) April 6, 2017
Q: What is the mind-body connection?
Your thoughts influence your health and vice versa.A way to gain control of your emotions when we have no control over our environment. A necessary way of looking at well-being and health. Best of all, the mind-body connection is able to be utilized by anyone with some practice and commitment.
Our bodies were not designed to sit in one place for hours. We don't feel well or thrive when we force them to do that.
#30seconds— Gina Valley (@GinaValley) April 6, 2017
@30seconds loved this inspiring chat #MovementforMovement #30seconds
— 🐉 MOMonaMission 🐞 (@LizardsNLadybug) April 6, 2017
Be sure to follow @EricaHornthal and @CHIDanceTherapy, like her on Facebook, visit ChicagoDanceTherapy.com and check out her 30Seconds page for even more tips!
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