As an oncologist and choregrapher creating a movement based on Moves and Music for psychosocial wellness, I wrote the following post prior to connecting with Ootify, a much needed social enhancement platform. I wrote this with the assumption that something like the Oot would exist to help parallel the moves. Now, it seems as if this puzzle can be solved. Whether experientially, logically or existentially, our entire concept of wellness is based on the state of our mind. This state varies from person to person, but I am convinced that no mental stressor is new in its existence. There are a lot of technologies that can help, inner or outer, but relying on prior experience and specific strategies can be found in real-time NOW. We can all become gurus of a sort. Co-gurus. Fellow Ootifiers. _____ You need to be better , that familiar voice condescendingly whispers…Then comes the attack of the should be’s and need to’s…. But wait…How can I possibly be better than myself at any given moment? How can I simply get over those unpleasant background feelings of not being enough? Then it happens. That familiar sounds of the classic 1980s Bollywood musical comes on. Immmediately, there’s a space created with the flash vision of some move: the hand up, the fist bump, a simply jump or the ever so slightest head nod. And then obviously the mood, attitude or emotion comes in, changing the vibe inside and outside of you…And then that facial expression changes ever so slightly or sometimes very obviously. Then we go for it. Freedom. Nothing and everything matters at the same time. Disinhibited and thankful for it, you have arrived. The mind-body choreography has been released. It is a celebration. It is a meditation. It is a science. The move becomes us. We heal through this party. Making Moves Universal. As an oncologist, I felt this could be an exciting and accessible way to combine the physical benefits of movement with stress reduction and psychosocial empowerment for our patients, loved ones, friends and even providers. As a choreographer, I embrace the fusion concept: drawing upon various styles of music, languages and culture connected to a wide range of natural movements. So why not use these known pre-choreographed motions connected to that particular song/rhythm/beat and make it happen? Why should we do this? The physical health benefits of movement are well documented. The science of mind-body and functional medicine has grown rapidly. The science of psychoneuroimmunology. What is that? Simply said that one’s internal state impacts their immune system. So let’s make them one. Combine. Integrate. Create (Seemlessly, it would seem that there is an ENORMOUS role for OOtify in this very segment of the population. After the inspiration, then what? Who to talk to about coping strategies and then follow-up plans?) This is what inspired me to synthesize the moves into the clinic. With the synthesis comes a different attitude as well. A little more about conquering ourselves. A little more authenticity and a more simple yet sophisticated idea of dis-ease, supported by modern science. (there still needs to be a place where people can connect on these virtual spaces after a movement presence practice. this is EXACTLY where the magic happens. After the moves, connections are made, information is shared and hopefully relationships are formed that can help nurture people on their individual journeys) When we connect and celebrate, we have created a space in which we can be moved. We can always hope for change, but being moved is instantaneous. It moves me every time. Our healthy addiction. Additionally, we could choose to learn language and philosophy through music, if we choose to. No lectures. No conventional class format. Learn through our own self-connected actions. .It takes just a couple minutes to make it happen And so when they ask me about the “dancing doctor,” I say sincerely that I never knew what it meant to “dance,” but I definitely make moves. Damn right. Making Moves With Ootification. Replacing traditional notions of fitness, ability and levels and moving towards wellness and present moment enjoyment. I really can’t hold back the excitement.
