I am so proud to share our student spotlight today. It is moments like this that I cherish; for I remember the very first call I received from this now strong.fit.confident Aradia Goddess. In her voice I knew with certainity that she was clear about what she needed to do for her mind and body. I was equally aware of the slight fear of the unknown. I remember her first Intro to pole dance class with me, and how she waited with patience to get all her fears and questions answered. Every time I see her at the studio I feel a joy in my heart, I have seen her grow in her strength and confidence right before my eyes. She walks taller with proud shoulders, carries her body’s strength and embraces its sensuality with beauty, grace, and acceptance.

Here is her experience in her words,

1/20/19 marked my 1 year anniversary stepping through the red door of Aradia Fitness Loudoun. After very little hesitation and an amazing phone call with Neelam (which i can remember vividly today), I strolled in excited to start and slightly nervous. What I’ve gained in the last year was much more than I ever imagined it to be; new sense of self love, empowerment, strength (that i never thought I’d get), and most importantly, the friendship with each of the ladies! Regardless of level, talent, size, or strength, everyone I’ve met has been unbelievably supportive and there is an out pour of love that fills the heart and soul. They are family to me! I’ve always wanted to be a dancer and Aradia Fitness Loudoun has brought that into fruition. I thank and love you all for helping me be a better me everyday!!

Words from Maya Angelou’s Poem come to my mind

It is in the reach of my Arms

The span of my hips

The stride of my step

The curve of my lips

I am a woman

Phenomenally

Phenomenal woman

That’s me

Love and Light Always

Neelam

Loving yourself is harder than it seems

Love Yourself

What does self love mean? Does it sound indulgent and almost selfish to you? Back in the day “you complete me” from a Tom Cruise movie trended for a long time. It made women teary eyed and all gooey inside. To which I say…

“You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection.” ~Buddha 

Loving yourself is indeed harder than it sounds. It requires a good understanding of self, which requires one to spend time with themselves. It requires taking time to have hard conversations with yourself. In this day and age of social media where lives are lived outside of self it becomes even more important to connect with one self and within oneself. Are there desires of wanting and needing love/self validations, or seeking your worth in someone else’s eyes. Be mindful of your needs that arise from deep within, acknowledge those deep desired needs and then understand WHY? Why do we crave those affectionate and reassuring words from someone else? As I write these words they translate harsh, they are equally difficult when we face them but ultimately we find the courage to be true to ourselves.

Don’t rush into any kind of relationship. Work on yourself. Feel yourself, experience yourself and love yourself. Do this first and you will soon attract that special loving other.” ~Russ Von Hoelscher

This year lets work on ourselves, what we want from ourselves, get to know our own strengths and weaknesses. Fall in love with our strengths and work on our weaknesses, but at each moment it has to be your own design and not a design created through someone else’s vision of you. This year let’s fall in love with ourselves.
To love ourselves is to never say “you complete me” it is to say I am, and the potential of that is limitless.

All that I seek is already in me. “ ~Louise Hay

Love Always

Neelam

You Don’t Have to Hide

Women are special creations. Many of us are gifted with a strength and resolve most men will never comprehend. We’re caregivers and nurturers. We bind our families together. So many people depend on us every day and we don’t want to disappoint.

We pretend to be super women, holding down jobs, family, household duties, and friends. Of course, we can do it all. Or at least we’ll never let you to see that we can’t. Everyone dips from our well. Rarely, do we take the opportunity to refresh and become whole again. Then, comes those rare occasions where the well runs dry.

Even then, we’re too ashamed to admit we need help. We don’t want to show any signs of weakness. We hide behind our superhero capes and our fake smiles, while inside we’re slowly suffocating. We try to break through the surface, all we need is to catch our breath. Yet, we’re too afraid to ask someone to throw out a lifeline.

It takes courage to be vulnerable. Asking for help can be scary. We’ve been conditioned to think it means we’re less of a woman if we do. If we can’t do it all, then we might be flawed. Truth is no one can do it all. We all need a little help sometimes. Don’t allow fear of failure to prevent you from reaching out when life becomes too much. We’ve all been there, many suffering through our struggles alone.

Know that you have support around you, even if it’s just a person to lend an ear to the situation. Reach out to family, friends, church family, or even the sisterhood in the studio. We’re here to hold each other up and be the strength you need when yours run out. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There is no shame in being vulnerable.

It takes courage to be vulnerable