Hi everyone! It’s been a busy time for many of us (anyone else managing a lot of transitions this year/season?). I cannot express enough gratitude for anchoring into time on the mat, at the barre, and connecting with others I’ve met through M/BODY (especially during this past year). Friendly reminder if you need some sense of community and connection, scroll through these posts! Happy Summer of Strong to those in the Challenge and those creating their own rhythm. I’ve been board hopping and class substituting more than ever this time around, with a lot of classes to catch up on in these last 12 days, but still happy for the inspo! Cheering you each on as you navigate the upcoming month 🩵

Hi everyone! I’m excited for this Challenge and seeking balance amidst lots of ongoing changes. I’m aiming to complete at least 45 workouts and all 60 Wellness activities (mentally gearing up for that celery water chug).

My 3 Goals during these next two months are:

1. Go just a little longer before pressing the pause button on videos when I need a break, sip of water, or to re-tie my hair back (go even just one more set of 8).

2. Explore getting lower in wide second while still honoring my sensitive knees.

3. Venture a little further beyond my comfort zone to interact and socialize more (in my newer neighborhood as more people are outside and mingling and in my upcoming new job).

Hoping this Challenge feels like an invigorating, re-focusing, and supportive guide for anyone participating! It’s not intended to add shame or guilt to your inner dialogue, so let’s not give that precious real estate. 🩵

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Happy 3 years of your online platform, M/BODY!!! While I’ve been in this for a little over a year, I’ve been obsessed the whole time. Creating this safe space on the mat and at the barre to take up space, to challenge myself without judgment, and offering this supportive community has been an incredibly helpful part of my life.

Danni has been helpful since day 1 (technically day 7 when I made a commitment after the free trial and reached out w/ some questions), and her warmth, friendly welcoming, fun energy, and kindness is unmistakable. Yet I know, without knowing the details, that she has handled soooo much behind the scenes for everything to flow and be accessible for us. She is and will always be a foundational element of M/BODY. So sad your work-life is changing as we won’t feel your glow on the regular, but you are being surrounded in so much love and support in your next adventures by all of us! I’m very thankful for what you’ve helped create and grow at M/BODY, and grateful for some M/BODY IRL time in NYC back in June 2022.

(Pics aren’t staying attached so I’ll try to post those separately)

It’s one of the M/BODY team member, behind the scene Queen, name I’ve probably typed every which way but the correct way during a Live: Katelyn’s Birthday!!?! Happy Birthday Katelyn!! Thank you for helping make this accessible to us and doing your thing so we can do ours! Cheers to you and your year ahead! 🎂🌞♥️

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. 🤷‍♀️💦