Last week we talked about emotions being contagious. That made me much more aware of the emotions around me. I was watching for the discontent and trying to avoid it like the plague, literally.
Suddenly I realized there is no hand sanitizer to wash off feelings of discontent. No shield against it.
So I got to thinking. If it’s going to be in the air like a bad virus, maybe we can create a weapon to kick it off.
We know that exercise enhances mood — research really kicks you-know-what on that.
Then I remembered this tip from Olga’s Pilates library. This exercise should keep your body strong and your heart pumping but I also thought, “wow, wouldn’t it also feel good to kick those nasty discontent feelings to the curb.”
The idea goes along with the notion that swearing or yelling helps dissipate pain when you stub your toe. “Get it out!” In other words, purge. I’m feeling like this kicking exercise will do exactly that.
See what you think:
- Start by kneeling on the ground.
- Lean down to your right until you are propping yourself up with your right hand.
- Put your left hand behind your head for added balance.
- Lift your left leg up and straighten it out parallel to the floor, in line with your body.
- Keeping your leg up parallel, in a controlled motion, move it out in front of your body, hold it there for a count of one, and then move it back behind you and hold for the count of one. That’s one full “kick.”
- Repeat 5 kicks and then quickly switch sides and repeat on the other leg for 5 kicks, completing one “set.”
- Repeat for three sets.