I have been less active on socials this week, but I wanted to include on here happy birthday wishes to our trainer, our guru, our supporter: Marnie Alton! I’m one day late on here (the special day was December 29th), but I think birthdays are worth celebrating for at least a week if not a month. 🥳💃🎂🐾❤️

My second M/BODY Challenge, Stay True To You Fall 2022, is completed! 💪🩰💃🧘‍♀️🎉 I met my goal of completing all Wellness Activities (which I fell behind on at various times) and at least 45 workouts (I did 52!). I knew aiming for all 60 workouts would not be realistic during this incredibly busy time, so I created a goal that would help rather than hinder me. Movement plays a critical role in my stress management and well-being. Having this Challenge to anchor into during an emotionally heavy time (along with the love and support of the #mbodyglobalfam which is unparalleled) is high on my gratitude list. Congratulations to those who participated in any way, shape, or form!

For the Wellness activity today, I’m choosing two of the MANY favorite affirmations/mantras I’ve heard in M/BODY classes. This activity is not limited to Marnie mantras, but that’s what I’m posting today. 🙂

“Inhale what heals, exhale what hurts.”

171: “And I think it’s brave. I think it’s brave that in that space you get up in the morning. Even when your heart aches, even when life is messy and you don’t feel like being this soft for the world. And I think it’s brave that you continue to love, and express, and open your soul despite the way you were treated in moments in the past. And I think it’s brave that you keep going, that you keep believing in something more, something bigger. Even when you may not know what you’re hoping for yet. And I think it’s brave that you fight, you fight for what’s right. I think it’s brave that you choose every single day to move forward, because THAT is what makes you strong.”

A Wellness Activity for the first Challenge Board reminded me to schedule my annual mammogram. I’m not 40 yet (and was too young for a pager), but there is power in knowing family history and I had my brief squishing today. Screenings are SO important- please consider getting to know your baselines and keeping up with recommended screenings. We can do uncomfortable things, especially when they’re brief. 💪🥞

Day 22: IRL video drop (looooove the energy!! Highly recommend you take the adventure/trip to do an in-person class if ever possible!). Sweaty selfie with a silly face b/c…. it’s a sweaty selfie. 🤷‍♀️💦

Day 6 Wellness Activity of basking in sunlight… sad a sick pine tree was cut down this week in my small yard, so attempting to catch up on work paperwork from the sunny tree stump before my next client. Grateful for work from home days as my office doesn’t have a window.

Hiii everyone! I’m Monique from Maryland. Here’s a shiny selfie after Day 1’s Live class. So grateful for this community ❤️ Looking forward to my 2nd M/BODY Challenge to anchor into as some significant transitions are happening. Cheering everyone on through the big and small challenges and achievements! Jumping ahead to Day 2’s Wellness Activity of 3 goals in comment below:

I am SO happy for all of those who could be in the IRL class in LA today!! For those who were Barre Belles in the before times, for those who have been doing M/BODY online, and for anyone who blessedly stumbled upon that studio class opportunity. It is such a special energy, and I’m glad a few of the fam could be there (and I am holding onto Hope for the many who haven’t had an IRL experience yet, because opportunities will arise). Post all your pics please! (I wasn’t in LA but I am still incredibly grateful for the NYC experience this past June).

I don’t post my kiddo on my public IG but I am one proud momma! Today my 5.5 year old finished his second 5k AND he earned third place for boys under age 12! Eli kept a great pace even after skinning his knee, and he was so determined. When he said he was tired or was expressing frustration or doubts he could do it, I was reminding him we need water breaks and we can adjust the pace, and quoting Marnie’s mantras of “we can do hard things” and “as long as we’re going in the right direction it doesn’t matter how fast or slow we are going.” For a competitive racer that wouldn’t apply, but for our purposes it’s perfect. I like modeling and engaging him in healthy habits, and even though I still don’t like running I’ll always run for a cause (today was pancreatic cancer). I’m sharing as I’m proud of him AND b/c M/BODY influences me on and off the mat (and trickles down to my little one).

This was my first M/BODY Challenge and felt like the perfect way to dive deep into these workouts, the affirmations/meditations, and connect w/ this beautiful community of support. I posted a long AF love letter about it on Instagram, but I am proud of observing physical improvements (in form, endurance, and some flexibility) and mental shifts (more playful & curious and less frustrated & impatient with my journey). Embracing not numbing out and progress not perfection. Grateful for this experience, and so proud of anyone who makes the choice to show up at the mat or honors the message to do something else, like rest, when that is needed.