“It still fits!” Is not something you hear me saying often. But there is something that still does. Want to know what?
+ I’ve always enjoyed movement. I began playing organized sports in elementary school and continued through high school. Never once was I the fastest or the best*.
+ I have a degree in therapeutic recreation. My research was on play and academic performance. I loved volunteering in adaptive sports. Finding a way for someone to enjoy “recreation” when it seems unlikely for whatever reason (injury, stroke, illness, aging, whatever) could be “my thing!”
+ If I had a soapbox, I could go on and on about changing PE classes into opportunities to learn how to enjoy moving no matter what…not to feel less than if you can’t run a full mile without walking, do a pull up, or climb the rope to the top of the gym ceiling.
Of all people, I “should” be able to embrace these things for myself and “dance like no one is watching” (gag!). But I’m not, and I haven’t been, and it’s a daily struggle to be OK with my aging body with it’s fluctuating weight and aches and pains and nervous system disorder and all.
But you know what? My physical appearance doesn’t make me who I am – sure, it’s part of who I am and that’s a good thing. It’d be so boring if we were all the same! So, you may ask, how does all of this have anything to do with something that still fits?
Well, Alkalign. It still fits! It has grown and changed and I’ve grown and changed. It helped me manage an unknown condition for years. It kept me afloat (and longing to move) during two high risk pregnancies. It was (and is) my “cheaper than therapy” (but I still need therapy) during many seasons of mental health struggles. And now it has even moved across the country with me – continuing to change and grow as I change and grow. And even when I feel like I can’t get it together or have gained too much weight or can’t hold a plank that long as a demo – I keep coming back and keep being welcomed back.
And oh yeah – I’m an instructor and I LOVE it! It’s another way for me to be me. Connecting with others makes me happy! Some of my favorite messages during the pandemic have come after class – both live and recorded. In short they’ve said “it was just what I needed” and I know that it wasn’t because they’d be sore tomorrow or felt like they’d finally achieved some physical feat of strength – but they finished glad that they’d done it, encouraged to go on with their day, and looking forward to doing it again soon.
I live in Atlanta with my musical husband, 2 loud boys, and a crazy dog. I also own a small floral business – Eb N Flo Flowers. (follow me on IG @ebnfloflowers)
Hope to see you (or for you to hear me!) in class soon.
xo, Sarah B
Find Sarah on the Livestream Schedule
