My name is....I am me and not my condition!

 

Sport England say that 'two in five people with a long term health condition would like more help and advice on how to be more active. We’re proud to have partnered with 15 leading health charities for the We Are Undefeatable campaign, inspiring people to be active in ways that suit their needs.'

At class we are ourselves and not our conditions.

​I joke that between us all we may have one complete working body, after all we all have aches and pains, but when someone is diagnosed with a condition it becomes part of their very being. They are no longer themselves- they are Anne with 'what ever' or Ted with 'that thing'. 

At class this morning and this afternoon we were not just exercising, we were being 'ourselves'. The class helps to keep the joints mobile and functioning and helps to keep the muscles strong but what is equally important is enabling friendships to grow and blossom -  something exercise to music teachers are privileged to see quite regularly. We don't plan it, it isn't in our class plan, there is no music or set movements that makes it happen- it just happens. 

We do not talk about conditions in class, I just observe and make a mental note to try something else, to slow down - or speed up- to change the music put on a song that grows a smile or just sit and talk for a few minutes about the TV or the news. 

So, if you think you need to do some exercise because you have 'something' or because someone says it will be good for you then it is OK to say I want to join a class that will give me the 'something I am looking for', new friendships, a smile, a Christmas party, someone to share a celebration with as well as exercise, where I can be myself and not a medical condition. 

Your class, the physical activity that 'ticks your box' is out there, it might be one of my classes or it might be something completely different, but please have fun finding it!