Rediscovering Your Body (and Joy) One Spin at a Time

Dear Lola & Tots Families,

Shout out to little sisters in their 20s who make you try things you didn’t even know you needed.

This past weekend, I found myself in a pole dancing class — burlesque outfit and all — to celebrate my sister’s birthday. And let me tell you: it was amazing.

It wasn’t just about the heels, the moves, or the music (though those were 🔥). It was about rediscovering my relationship with my body — not in a performance-for-others kind of way, but in a “this body is mine, and it’s still full of power, play, and presence” kind of way.

Through the thick of motherhood, work, deadlines, caretaking, and to-do lists, it’s so easy to disconnect from your physical self. You’re constantly doing, constantly giving. Rarely pausing to ask: How do I feel in my body today? Or even: When was the last time I felt joy just moving for me?

Pole dancing was a full permission slip to feel. To move. To laugh. To sweat. To reclaim something we often forget belongs to us: our bodies.

And yes, we all woke up sore the next day — 20-somethings and all — but still smiling and holding on to the magic of what we created in that studio.

If you’re looking to reconnect with your body, here are a few other activities that, like pole dancing, bring you back to yourself:

• Dance classes with a twist – think Afro-Caribbean, twerk, salsa, or ecstatic dance
• Hot yoga or infrared movement sessions – challenging and cleansing
• Aerial silks or hoop (lyra) – playful, empowering, and surprisingly emotional
• Sensual stretch or movement flow – not about flexibility, but about feeling
• Adult beginner ballet or modern dance – a gentle way to move with intention
• Outdoor hikes or silent nature walks – to notice your breath, your steps, your pace
• Float therapy or guided body meditations – to rest and re-listen to your physical self

This isn’t about chasing some version of your “old self.” It’s about meeting the current version of you — right here, right now — with curiosity and care.

So here’s your nudge: try the thing. Let your body be more than the vehicle for chores and childcare. Let it be yours again.

You deserve to feel good in it — and because of it.