A shoulders-back and chin-up approach helps us to be more confident in facing life challenges.

Leaning into new behaviors a little bit beyond our comfort zone is what we often need for change and growth.

Taking one small, slow, mindful step can be hugely significant and meaningful.

I developed my fondness for group fitness classes when I was a teenager during the Jane Fonda aerobics craze in the early 1980s. There were many things less than ideal about some of the early teachings on those old VCR tapes, including some inadvertent body negativity being promoted, as well as those unnecessary leg warmers and thong leotards (neither of which I was inclined to use); however, the idea of spunky music and someone else guiding me through a fun-filled movement routine kept me coming back for more.

I continue to attend group fitness classes at my local YMCA on a regular basis, enjoying the wide variety of enthusiastic and creative workouts. And because my work as a psychologist involves lots of sitting, I value how some movement, stretching, and strengthening help balance out the rest of my workday.

Group fitness instructors differ in terms of how they inspire attendees through a class, but there are several phrases that many use fairly consistently to encourage effective and safe engagement in a workout. I have been pondering recently, however, how many of these phrases could also be applied to emotional health and well-being.

Offered here are some of the common phrases that seem to hold wisdom for physical as well as psychological movement. The way in which joyful movement helps physical and psychological health is well-established and well-known, but I am........

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