How To Re-Centre And Reconnect Using Movement

Saskia Gregson is a professionally trained ballerina and personal trainer. She runs an online fitness studio and platform 'Naturally Sassy', where she fuses ballet and strength training to create mindful and accessible workouts for women everywhere.

Reconnecting and recentering yourself can be a challenge in today's fast-paced world. With so many demands on our time and attention, it can be difficult to find the peace and calm that we need to feel truly centred, settled and at peace with ourselves. One way to achieve this sense of balance is through movement. From dancing as a professional ballerina to building out my Online Barre Studio, I’ve seen first-hand the astounding effects even a small amount of movement can have on your mental and physical well-being. Your outlook on life, and your satisfaction with where you’re at on your journey (in life and on the mat). Here are some of my top tips for using movement to reconnect and recenter yourself.

1. Starter Steps: The first step in using movement to reconnect and recenter is simply to get moving. This can be as simple as taking a walk around your neighbourhood or doing some light stretching exercises in your living room. The important thing is to get your body in motion and let go of any tension you may be holding. 

If your relationship with exercise has fluctuated through the years, or perhaps hasn’t been a positive one, start slowly and move in a way you enjoy. Committing to a week of 30-minute walks first thing, perhaps as a route to get your morning coffee or walk your dog is a great way to build the habit. Set your alarm bright and early 6:30-7:30 am, and get outdoors for a walk. This alone will ground you for the day ahead.

2. Focus on your breath: As you move, focus on your breath. This will help you stay present it the moment and tune out distractions. Take deep, slow breaths, inhaling deeply through your nose and exhaling slowly through your mouth. Pay attention to how your body feels as you breathe and let go of any thoughts or worries that may be distracting you.

Getting familiar with your breath is a great way to help calm and control fluctuating emotions. For example, the way you will be breathing in the bath or on a nice slow walk will be miles away from how you breathe when you’re stressed and anxious. Noticing how you breathe during the calmer moments can help you change the way you operate when you’re under pressure. 

3. Choose a form of movement that resonates with you: Some people find that yoga, tai chi, or other forms of mindfulness-based movement work well for them. Others may prefer more high-intensity activities like running, cycling, or lifting weights. I personally enjoy a slow but intense workout, which is why I teach Barre. Something that keeps your cortisol (stress hormone) low, but delivers maximum strength and conditioning impact. Experiment with different forms of movement to find what works best for you and what helps you feel most centered and refreshed.

4. Set aside dedicated time for movement: It's important to make time for movement in your daily routine. Whether it's a 30-minute Barre session in the morning or a 20-minute walk during your lunch break, set aside time each day to move your body and recenter yourself. Perhaps switch your day around, going to bed by 10:30 and up by 6:30 am. Carve out the time if it’s not already available to you. For those days that really do feel overwhelming know this: It’s not the length of the workout that matters, it’s the showing up to the mat and moving. Whether that is for 5 minutes or an hour you will feel the difference 

5. Make it a practice: The more you move, the more natural it will become. Over time, you'll find that your body will start to crave movement and you'll feel more energized and focused after each session. Try to make movement a regular part of your day, just like brushing your teeth or eating a meal. Perhaps set 6 alarms throughout your day that stop you in your tracks and tell you to move, to dance, to do 60 seconds of squats, to stretch. Challenge yourself to do this, and slowly weaving movement into your day will become second nature. 

Movement truly is a powerful tool for reconnecting and recentering yourself. Whether you prefer low-impact activities like Barre or high-intensity workouts, the key is to get your body in motion and focus on your breath. With regular practice, you'll find that movement helps you feel more centred, refreshed, and ready to tackle whatever comes your way.

I created the Naturally Sassy Studios to help people to move mindfully and gracefully. Taking the best of ballet and pairing it with strength and conditioning training to create a powerful workout for body and mind. With hundreds of workouts on the app or desktop you can take part in the practice anytime, anywhere. Try 2 weeks free, no commitment, and start your journey into mindful movement with me. As part of my guest edit, I’m giving Wolf & Badger readers 20% off their subscription with code RECONNECT20. Join me here.