Daily Hip Circles @ 3:33 pm

My favorite time of the week is Wednesday evening and not because the week is halfway over. The best time is spending two hours with some of the most incredible women I have encountered on the journey of discovering my EC. The journey started three years ago when I had an introduction to my first “S” experience. My life changed after that. It changed because I discovered and experienced what it really meant have time for myself. Now my body feels empty without it. I”m addicted!! What a healthy drug! My “S” time alters my mood completely. The joy that I feel afterward, will carry over for a number of days. And then.. I can’t wait for Wednesday to come around again!! “S” is a sacred time that allows me to turn off my mind, forget about the outside world for two hours and listen to what my body has to say. This time is a reminder for me to do some important things: to love and appreciate myself, make new discoveries about myself and my EC through movement and music. I have come to enjoy having non-verbal conversations and allowing my body tell a story… My own story. I move to whatever song I choose and let my body take me on a journey. It’s exercise but it never feels that way. The body responds to what it likes. The ultimate gifts are the friendships that I’ve made along this journey. These are relationships first formed with the common interest of the “S” experience; but on the way it has become much more. I am surrounded every week by a group of beautiful, intelligent, unique and simply fabulous women. Together with the guidance of our amazing teacher; we have formed a special energy, a sisterhood; in a room that makes us feel safe to let our bodies speak the truth in a way that words just can’t express. It’s a safe place to laugh, cry, encourage, exhale and just BE…. With no judgement whatsoever.

Hip circles are part of the “S” movement vocabulary. A woman’s hips have a lot to say; along with the rest of her body. We’ve decided to take hip circles outside of the four walls that we share on a weekly basis. Thanks to “J” and what she thought was just a random statement; has now turned into a great idea. We set our alarms for 3:33 PM to stop, no matter where we are and do the best hip circle possible. It’s a great feeling! And simply sexy!! For me, it’s a moment to breathe and feel my body in the midst of a chaotic day. It also brings a smile to my face and to each person that has been in my presence when my alarm goes off. Hip Circles @ 3:33 pm daily… JOIN US!

Words of Encouragement

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I have the privilege to share a weekly class with a wonderful group of women. We are different in so many ways; age, backgrounds, race, body types and even the way we express ourselves through movement. At the same time we share the same passion every week. I look forward to seeing them every week and most of all, I am inspired by all of these women. One person in particular shared these words of encouragement in an email exchange and they spoke to me so loudly. I read these words in the book “A Woman’s Worth” by Marianne Williamson.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, talented, gorgeous, fabulous? Actually who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. And as we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Marianne Williamson

It was probably 9 or 10 years ago when I read this book. I know this is a message to pick up this book again and really absorb the words. Thanks to “J” I have the desire to read this book again and the courage to let my light shine ever so brightly. Here’s to our pact to walk taller and prouder in the daylight.

Torno in Italia

I haven’t written my monthly post and July is over almost over. Mamma Mia! These days, it seems very difficult  to do everything that I would like to do. Non riesco a fare tutto pero’ provo da fare il meglio. I think my friend New York/Caribbean Ragazza would be proud of me for continuing to write no matter when I write on my blog.  I sure wish I was as remotely close to a good writer as she is; but it’s not my profession. I can’t wait to see her  Italia.  She’s been in Rome now more than a year and has made major progress in my opinion. It hasn’t always been easy but she’s living in Bella Italia. Come la invidio!!

Speaking of Italia: It’s that time of year again!! I’m gearing up for my trip to Italy. I have been so busy that I haven’t had a moment to think about my trip until now. Okay, where did the summer go?? I used to laugh when women older that were older than me would say “My how time flies.” Sono d’accordo, come va il tempo!

An Actor and the theater….

I remember when I got my Equity Card. Actor’s Equity = The labor union representing American Actors and stage managers in theater. The other day, I receive my updated membership card.  The card was attached to these eloquent words written by  the late Robert Prosky (1930-2008).  I was inspired and reminded of a few of  many incredible experiences from being on stage. The memories came to my mind like an old movie projector but in color of course! 🙂  I found myself thinking about the dearest friends I have in my life as a result of our sharing the stage. THANK YOU ROBERT PROSKY!! I needed a little reminder.  May you continue to celebrate the “sacred communion…”   on the other side. Thank you Actors’ Equity for putting sharing these words at an appropriate time.

I share with these words with my fellow actors and/or friends and family who ever wondered, “Why does she do this?” 

“I love Actors and by extension the theater. I love the minutia that surrounds them both. I love listening and telling Green Room war stories. I love the onstage triumph and yes I love even the disasters. I love the adrenaline that shoots thru every Actor onstage when something goes wrong, and the relief that sweeps thru when some heroic Actor saves the day.  I love performance. That time when the human beings onstage interact with the human beings in the audience and together they create the event of the performance. It’s one of life’s most civilized experiences. 

It has been said that an Actor must have the hide of rhinoceros, the courage and audacity of a lion and most importantly, the fragile vulnerability of an egg. It also has been said and I’m not sure by whom, that the moment of not knowing is the moment that has the greatest potential for creativity.  The professional and private lives of most Actors are filled to the brim with moments of not knowing. Actors are survivors and will continue to strive because the have the need to celebrate, in performance, that sacred communion between Actor and audience. ”     Che profundo!