7 Responses to “Movement Addicts”

1. Sharon True Says:
   March 4, 2007 at 11:43 pm

   So great to read this dialogue between two women I greatly admire! I’m a CMA, RSMT, certified Pilates trainer out in the Berkshires region of Massachusetts. I’m also very active in my twins’ Waldorf school here in Great Barrington. I’ve been quietly practicing a somatic approach to Pilates sessions since the late nineties, but here Martha and Lesley have beautifully described what it is I’m doing, and what the benefits are. I’ve been out of the professional networking loop for awhile now, but reading this makes me feel like maybe I’m not hopelessly provincial after all. My kids are going into high school now, so maybe y’all be hearing from me again soon.

   And I love the “movement addict” idea. I will write about it in my next article for the local “artzine,” The Artful Mind.

2. moveaddicts Says:
   March 6, 2007 at 1:10 pm

   Thanks Sharon. We want this blog to be a forum for teachers and movers. One of my teachers was excited about our new blog. Finally she has a place to go when she has questions about a client. It is one step to understand concepts of a system and then another to understand and problem solve with clients with movement issues. Look forward to hearing from you all. Lesley Powell

3. Jamie McHugh Says:
   May 5, 2007 at 11:40 pm

   I really enjoy this dialogue on the site alot. Well-written, accessible and informative.

   Hate to be a party-pooper, though….but I find the term “movement addict” to be really unfortunate. There are actually many people who do use movement as a compulsion, and cannot tolerate stillness.

   Also, the tongue-in-cheek humor can be perceived as somewhat flippant and insulting to people who have journeyed through the challenge of addiction. I would be interested to hear from people in recovery how they respond to the term “Movement addict” and your use of 12 steps.

   I hope as somatic educators and movement therapists that we continue to articualte our work skillfully, and also be sensitive to vernacular, and the languaging of the culture.

   Warmly,
   Jamie

4. moveaddicts Says:
   May 19, 2007 at 7:20 am

   Addict according to dictionary
   1. to devote or give oneself habitually or compulsively
   2. dependent on habit-forming substance
   3. a devoted believer or follower

   Addiction is a habit. There are good and bad habits. Our culture is not moving which has consequences physically and emotionally down the road. We are addicted to the computer/tv/car. All do not promote movement. 12 step programs offer a wonderful structure of discipline and learning to be in the moment. Movement with awareness is where real change/relief can happen.

5. Sharon Says:
   June 14, 2007 at 11:13 pm

   As a person in 12-step recovery, I agree that the word “addict” might have a negative connotation for some of us, but I do think “addict” is a word our culture frequently uses in marketing and promotion and it can be very positive, especially as it is defined. Exercise addicts who can’t stop exercising because of body image problems or food disorders are different than people who habitually move to keep limber and feel joy. And as another person commented on this blog, if we are to be “addicted” to something, why not let it be healthy forms of movement and self-expression instead of compulsive, pumped up, body injuring sports and workouts that are so prevalent today?

6. markwalsh Says:
   December 28, 2007 at 8:39 am

   Love it, want to link swap:
   http://integrationtraining.blogspot.com/

   Greetings from the other side of the pond by the way!
   Mark

7. uptown woman Says:
   February 18, 2008 at 4:39 pm

   Can you tell us more about three-dimenstional movement?

   Thanks

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