Catalyst Movement Arts

As humans we can’t help it, we’re going to catch ourselves comparing ourselves to others. We know this is not helpful to our own personal growth and few things can frustrate us or lead us to feeling “less than” faster than comparison. We may feel no matter how hard we try we will never be as (insert word of choice) as someone else.

Your personal journey, whether it be physical skills or sensual reconnection is your own. How could it possibly match anyone else’s. Could you imagine how boring classes (and life) would be if everyone did the exact thing at the exact time all the time?

So what does comparison take from us?

Appreciation: When we get stuck in the comparison trap, the first thing we’re losing is the appreciation for our uniqueness. That energy you’re spending wondering why you can’t ____like someone else is costing you an opportunity to reflect on what makes you special. What is it you do that feels absolutely amazing in your body? You move in ways only you can move, and that is more precious than getting your full splits.

The value in exploration: This may trigger some, but comparison can lead to jealousy which de-values not only your accomplishments, but that of the woman you’re comparing yourself to. Again, we’re human, it happens, but the more we can catch ourselves in these moments the more we can reframe and take back that energy for self exploration.

Embodiment: Comparison will keep you in a performative state and away from embodiment. Read that again. And again. Save it somewhere while you’re at it.

Presence and joy: It can also cost you all the joy of being fully present in your own movement and celebrating your own accomplishments. One more time for the people in the back: You don’t have to keep up with or move like anyone else in the room-as a matter of fact, it’s the opposite of what we try to achieve here.

Authentic connection: Instead of spending time and energy getting deeply acquainted with yourself, comparison will have you trying to keep up with other people-taking you further and further from authentic connection. We spend so much of our lives trying to play the keep up and fit in game (especially when it comes to sexual energy, but more on that soon) -this is a space to leave that at the door.

So, the next time you catch yourself having a comparison moment, take a breath, remind yourself you’re a normal human having a normal human feeling, take a moment and reflect on a movement or trick that FEELS really good to you and carry on being your unique badass self.

Focusing on reconnection and reclaiming our sexual selves!

7/22/2022

It’s time to focus on reconnection and reclaiming our sexual selves.

On the surface, it sounds cutesy — but it’s not fuckin’ cutesy. It’s connecting to your most raw, authentic, erotic self. It’s NOT defining yourself based on the opinions of others.

Our whole lives we are judged based on who we are in relation to others. Are you a good daughter? Wife? Mother? We’ve been told our value lies in how valuable we are to someone else. But that’s a fucking lie.

Remember that very first feeling of being attractive, worthy or sexy?! Was that feeling based on someone else's words or actions?

When we start to modify how we act or look in order to become more desirable to other people, the further away we get from our authentic selves. When we present the TRUE version of ourselves and are met with rejection, we start to question it — we hear you, it’s scary.

I stand by these words spoken by Sahiba,

“An unexpected independence comes from rejection. When someone stops seeing your worth, you learn to see it from your eyes.” —

When we’ve presented our most authentic selves and have been met with rejection, we may have tried to alter ourselves in some way to be perceived as more valuable or more palatable to others. Over time we come to realize that shit just isn’t working and maybe it’s time to turn all that energy inward and start the journey back to ourselves.

We’re constantly told to dim ourselves down — and I’m here to tell you to stop that shit. Sexual liberation for women has become something that is defined by society. The media dictates that in order to be sexually liberated, you need to be promiscuous — but that’s kinda bullshit.

When we reconnect with our bodies, just for us, we reclaim our sexual energy, just for us. It’s this beautiful form of rebellion. We may not be able to change society, mainstream media, or the world outside.

But no matter what’s going on outside of us, we still have the power to reclaim our sexual energy and reconnect to our bodies for ourselves. That’s something that CAN’T be taken away by anyone — no individual, no system, no media.

If you want to “rebel” against societal expectations and twirl your way into your best self, we’re the studio for you. Join us!

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3 Loving Reminders when you’re feeling frustrated:

You’re unique! This is a beautiful thing! It’s so easy to start comparing ourselves to others, which often leads to us feeling some kind of way about ourselves. There is not one other person with your exact life experience, personality, body proportions (and so on and so on). This is a space to flourish in your you-ness (yes, I know that’s not a real word). When we are giving attention to what others are doing instead of what feels right for us, we’re cheating ourselves out of all the yummy, juicy, embodied pleasure our bodies are screaming for.

Don’t fixate on expectations and outcomes. Sometimes shit is just not going to work out on any given day. That is normal! What is not ever going to happen is feeling like a strong, confident, capable, sexy, goddess 24/7. Didn’t nail that skill you wanted to? Your dance didn’t happen like you pictured in your head on the way to class? Put it away on a shelf and stay open to what your body wants to do that day instead. Devoting time to yourself is always the biggest win.

Above all other things, give yourself grace! Just as it’s not practical to feel strong, sexy, etc. 24/7. It’s not sustainable or attainable to feel puppies and kittens and rainbows self-lovey 24/7. We show up and do the best we can with where we’re at on any given day and that is more than enough. Days where we feel off are going to happen. Talk to yourself the way you would the woman in class next to you when you see her struggling.

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