Movement is medicine – for our mind, body, and spirit.
For our ancestors, movement was a part of daily life that was necessary to eat, stay warm and dry, participate in ceremonies, and connect with others.
Although most of us today aren’t required to spend as much time moving in order to survive, being active is one of the ways we can stay strong and healthy for ourselves, our families, and communities.
When we move, we heal ourselves from the inside out. Regular movement- whether it be hiking, running, gathering medicine, gardening, or playing a sport – can help improve our outlook, mental health, and connection to the land and others.
One way of thinking about being active is called Indigenizing movement.
Indigenizing movement basically means being active in ways that connect us with our traditions, the land, our ancestors, the living things around us, and our cultures.
For example, someone might Indigenize their movement by:
- Learning a traditional game or sport
- Listening to Native music while doing cardio
- Hiking, walking, or running in honor of a relative
- Learning or relearning a traditional dance
- Using the land as your gym
To learn more about Indigenizing movement to improve your wellness, visit these websites:
- Indigenizing Movement
- RezMove Native Dance and Cardio Workout
- Native Exercise: Moving with Tradition
- Team Body Project – low impact no equipment cardio
