​Mary Louise King
Finding joy in movement

I recently learned this from Dr. Alan Mandela (https://www.youtube.com/user/motivationaldoc). Dr. Mandela wrote that Japanese actor Miki Ryosuke recently discovered an interesting method that helped him lose 28.7 pounds and 4.7 inches from his waist in just a few weeks. This result was a side effect of a back pain relief exercise that a doctor prescribed for him, and the best thing is that this exercise only takes two minutes a day. Ryosuke named it “long-breathing diet.” The

I always ask people to start to practice balance by standing at their kitchen counter and holding on to the sink edge. The front of your feet can fit into the toe space under the cabinet doors. This is a safe spot to start strengthening your feet. Rise up on your toes ten times, keeping your body against the counter so you can start to determine what “being on your vertical axis” feels like. Now you are ready to start standing on one leg for 10 to 15 seconds. Bend one leg sli

Good relationships help our bodies and our brains. We have clients whose dance lessons with us are part of their weekly “date night.” They replace screen time with people time. They get out of the house together and come over to my home studio for a 50-minute dance lesson, sometimes followed by dinner together afterwards. Dancing has helped them do something new, which has brought new life to their relationships. Through leading and following, couples learn better how to rely

A Japanese study found that women between ages 75 and 84 who danced regularly were more likely to maintain their independence in five types of activities, including bathing and dressing, than those who did not exercise. In addition, they were more like to carry out those activities than counterparts whose exercise was walking or calisthenics. Researchers believe dance is so beneficial because it combines movement, balance, endurance and focus. (Source: Scandinavian Journal of

Dancing requires a leader and follower. From my point of view, the beautiful thing about following is that it is fun. A lead is an invitation, and if I don’t follow the invitation, it’s okay. Dancing is a game. There’s great wonder about where it will take me if I do follow. The leader has a plan. His job is to keep me safe, comfortable, and entertained. Each moment - new! And if I don’t feel comfortable with what my partner is leading, I can say to myself, “Later.” He can h

Recently, I listened to a TedTalk, “What makes a good life?” It was lessons from the longest study on adult development, which covered 75 years, by the study’s director, Robert Waldinger. The clearest message from the study was that good relationships keep us healthier and happier. Social connections are really good for us. Living in the midst of good, warm relationships is protective, and this type of atmosphere helps our body and helps our brain. Memories stay sharper longe

We are at the Mardi Gras dance with Beckley Area Shag Club on Saturday, March 2. We became members last month, but we did not know anyone in this club until the dance. I wanted to take this moment to express my appreciation for the hospitality and welcome we received. Although we are willing to learn Shag dancing, our expertise is in Ballroom and Latin dancing. We know West Coast Swing, which is a slot dance similar to Shag, and we know East Coast Swing, which has the triple

Bad moods can be caused by ruminating on the past or worrying about the future. The good news is that mental problems can have physical solutions. By just starting to move, we can elevate our mood. Active people are happier, in general. I think it’s because movement is a way we progress in life. Movement gets us out of feeling stuck and stagnant. Movement causes oxygen in our blood to circulate and decreases inflammation on our tissues, but it seems there is more to it. Movem

Our joints cannot remove toxins unless they are moved enough to warm up their synovial fluid. Synovial fluid responds much like motor oil. We want to warm it up to go from thick to slimy. Slimy is good when it comes to joints working properly and being able to release the normal toxin buildup of waste products in our systems. I personally have a plan every day to articulate my joints for great happiness and joy.