One of the secrets to happiness and success in life is to have a supportive community. Having this in place as you work toward completing the 90-Day Challenge can really make a difference. Instead of taking up the Challenge alone, you're tapping into the energy of a whole network of supporters.
If you already have this; count your blessings! if you don't, you can take steps to create or strengthen your community.
Let's take a look at the sources of support in all four areas of life.
Body
This is the obvious one, as you've signed up to come into the studio and move your body. But have you provided yourself with the time and space to meet the Challenge? For example, if you're putting in too many hours at work, it can be hard to get to class.
But you've got a strong argument for better work/life balance. Most employers have a vested interest in having healthy employees. Compare the cost of healthy workers who only need to use their medical insurance for preventive care to those who wind up with major illnesses.
Another source of support for the body might be something physical, like a chair in Nia class, or props in yoga. Don't ever feel like you have to go without the supports you need, no matter what they are. There's nothing to "prove" to the teacher or the other students. Use whatever helps you dance or get into a pose.
Mind
They say that attitude is everything, and that definitely goes for fitness. If you're not in the right state of mind to take on the Challenge, how can you get there?
In terms of community, what you deserve are people of like minds. If you've signed up to take the Challenge with a friend, that's awesome! You can keep each other motivated and enjoy the lovely bonding experience of dancing or stretching alongside each other.
Embody offers a built-in community of like-minded people, too. You can sense it in the buzz of conversation before and after class. Introduce yourself, make a new friend. See the sidebar for links to Embody Facebook groups that focus on belly dancing, yoga, and Nia, where you can geek out with your fellow Embody folk online, sharing tips, recipes, stories, you name it!
Heart
Enlist the support of your loved ones in this Challenge. You'll be a great role model for your children if you show them how important physical fitness is to you. During the Challenge, we'll have opportunities for kids to take Nia and yoga classes as well, so the whole family can commit to healthy movement through Embody classes. Exercising with a spouse can be a great way to connect, too. My husband and I have taken yoga and acroyoga classes together through the years and find this brings us closer. He's also one of our resident Nia guys and especially enjoys the martial arts aspect of Nia.
But if working out together or as a family isn't possible, try sitting your family members down and talking with them about how important this is to you, and how they can help support you.
One of the great things about Embody's practices is that they're all focused on the joy of movement. Above all, remember to have fun. Open your heart in your classes. Feel free to express!
Spirit
Your faith community and your higher power can be a source of support for your physical practice as well. Talk to God, to people at church, to wherever you get divine inspiration and connection.
I have a prayer partner I talk and pray with once a week on the phone, and we often include our health goals in our prayers. It's made a huge difference in how I integrate physical fitness into my life. My husband and I also meditate together most nights. This didn't come easily to either of us, but we started with five minutes and have gradually increased from there. It helps us sleep better, and we feel more centered and focused as well, which supports our workouts.
Ask for help if needed in these four areas of your life: body, mind, heart, and spirit. You're deserving of a community of support, for the length of this Challenge and beyond.