what ballet has taught me:1. The beauty in precision: Ballet is not easy and if you don't have a love for dance or at least an appreciation for the end result, you're going to struggle. In fact, I know a few young people who took ballet as a child who "hated it." Probably because it became a chore instead of a joy. One thing I love about Transcend Normal adult ballet class, is that the teacher is energetic, determined, and fun! Her kindness is not overshadowed by her attention to detail. I knew that I felt graceful, powerful, and beautiful pretending to be a dancer as a child. What I didn't realize until now, is the importance of precision in order to achieve that beauty. Ballet is all about straight lines and graceful soft movement. Yes, it is hard but it also teaches an important life lesson: the details matter. For example, it is known that learning dance sequences helps improve memory. I have noticed that in myself, but I have also began to appreciate the processes life takes you through in order for you to find your own beautiful life "expression." When I pray, what I hear Father say the most is "trust me" and "trust the process." Just like holding a back attitude is hard and uncomfortable, so are the steps I have to take to get where I want to be. It's so simple and yet profound. 1. strength and DETERMINATION Starting ballet at the age of 34 with no prior experience took some guts as it is. However, staying consistent when I had my moments of doubt and seriously questioning my life decisions, has given my a strength both physically and mentally. I've always had quite a bit of determination, but like everyone, I have fears. I don't quit easy, but I have been beaten down over and over to the point I have quit, in one way or another. Ballet is about grit and grace. I want to encourage you to have both. Go through the tough times but still have a kind and compassionate heart to go around your world. There are not many Worship Dancers/Praise Dancers/Liturgical Dancers who take the time and discipline to learn actual dance forms. I hope to be an inspiration to the praise dancers around me to press toward a higher mark! Show discipline and excellence in what you do for God. Don't just assume think He's "okay" with mediocre. What is most important to God is your heart, but I'd like to think that includes your inner grit and Grace. Blessings! What woman doesn't want nice toned legs? You don't have to grind at the gym to get them, in fact, unless you are going for bulk, you may want to stay away from the heavy weights. "Long lean legs" are achieved with mostly body weight exercises and minimal weight. Repetitive movements performed by dancers for example is the key. Started 2019 off with a bang! Creating an at-home workout for your upper body! Mondays are usually my upper body workout days. Traditionally I work biceps and triceps and then do a few push-ups or chin-ups to complete fatigue the muscles I just worked and incorporate other upper body muscles. The best way I have learned to stay consistent is to get through those first few weeks. After you start seeing results you will become focused and hopeful. Momentum starts to step in and you only lose if you quit! I have been away for too long! However, that is changing now! For many reasons I haven't been able to commit to my blog and that is not okay. Its here I get to share my passions and deepest thoughts to bless and inspire others! Well without further adieu, yours truly...Desiree aka VirtuousDezi is now officially endorsed by X-pert Pole and Aerial Fitness. I have been certified to teach Pole Level 1 and 2.  The X-pert course is 16 hours of instruction over 2 days, so it was intensive and thorough. Our instructor Lindsey was amazing, fun, and kind. Most of all she was knowledgeable and we had so many lightbulb moments. I am SO glad that I received this training before attempting to teach ANYONE pole.  Huge thank you and shout out to Fit and Fancy Dance studio, in Stockbridge, GA for hosting this training so close to home!
What pole means to me: Pole is a fun way to get fit and allows expression through movement, which for me, as a lover of dance, is perfect. Dance is one my life forces. I am also passionate about women being happy and healthy, so I am honored to be able to teach and share a healthy lifestyle with you! Expect more content of my pole journey and teaching experiences. I also plan to dive into more certifications...so stay tuned!  So as many of you know, I don't really follow a diet. I get asked about it all the time but a close look at my Instagram, and you'll see a variety of meals that are centered on whole foods that come from God and not man. That being said, if there were any diets that I gravitate towards it would be the Paleo Diet and now, the Zone Diet. The Keto diet is interesting but after reading about it, there is something about it that is unnatural, at least for me. My philosophy is to keep things common sense with Biblical wisdom. Look at what Yehovah provided in nature - herbs, spices, veggies, fruits, meats, and even nuts, grains and legumes. All of these things are enough to sustain you and in their most basic form they are nutritious for most and do not cause inflammation. But of course in our Creator's wisdom He provided plenty of anti-inflammatory, free radical busting, and healing foods in nature, to eat raw or in a broth/brew/tea form. On days I work out, I eat more, on days I don't, I eat less. Told you, common sense. After studying each diet, I really like Paleo for obvious reasons. It somewhat mimics my common sense biblical diet. Also, I personally prefer the Zone Diet because it doesn't limit what you eat but it changes HOW you eat, which, I feel is the problem with the American Diet. We eat for pleasure and taste but we don't think about benefit and what our body needs. The big game-changer for me was thinking about how I eat and how it affects my body. I'll discuss this in detail in my first Youtube vid, but basically I realized love is the greatest motivator, not just when it comes to pursuing your passions but also...HEALTH! I love to give love and I love my body by working out and eating healthy. I give my body a gift everytime I eat organic grapes, kale, turmeric, garlic, onions, peppers, spinach, asparagus, apples, eggs, free-range chicken, wild fish, tomatoes, avocados, and drink loads of water. When I snack on hummus and carrots I think about what it is doing for my body and that makes me happy. When I take a walk, do a stretch session or lift weights it is out of love for myself, not shame or discontentment. I want to be the best version of myself. I see the vision of my glowing skin, long voluminous hair, thick white nails, and athletic figure. Not because that is who I should be but because I know that is who I really am. LIke I said, I'll go in more detail in Youtube Vid. As I stated in my previous few posts, we get our desires confused with our identity. If you allow yourself to meet every fleshly desire and look at the consequences and accept it as "who I am," that's on you. Knock yourself out. I, on the other hand, use some common sense and know that being fat, diabetic, cancerous, and a walking heart attack is not the human destiny.
We were made to do physically amazing things for our own survival. Now that we have conquered the land, in a sense, we have lost our humanity in the process. With the exception of athletes. I eat cinnabuns, pastries, bread (LOVE bread...drool), pasta, ice cream and other man-made things. Are these regulars in my diet? Heck no! I will soon post a video of my top ten Health Sins, just so you know that this perimeter grocery shopping, worship dancing, pole gal can enjoy a slice of pizza every now and then. Now there are foods I avoid like the flu virus and I'll get into that in another post. I just want you to know that fitness and wellness do not have to be unnaturally painful. It just requires a renewed mind and a little vision. |
AuthorDesiree Cummings is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Liturgical Dancer, Fitness Enthusiasts and Foodie that has been impacted by the goodness and love of Jesus. All these things are woven throughout her writings. Archives
July 2019
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