cmschaffer - Tumblr blog

[cmschaffer]

The reviews have been exceptional.  Don't miss your opportunity to read this wonderful story.  "Through a prism of war, betrayal, and the search for salvation, Letters takes you on a deep dive into several core human struggles that we can all relate to: love, loss, self-worth, and the search for meaning."  Available at cathyschaffer.com or amazon.com

[cmschaffer]

Log in to cathyschaffer.com to download the prologue for free.  Order a signed autographed copy today.

[cmschaffer]

A Ballroom Thanksgiving Gratitude

Today is Thanksgiving and I wanted to post a gratitude.  Of course, I have many things to be grateful for; friends and family, work and a good life here in Florida.  But, I wanted to express my gratitude for my dance life today.  So I am posting some pictures from a recent competition (October 2014) and dedicating this piece to all those who have inspired my dancing.

Why Ballroom?  As we all know, ballroom has its down side; it’s expensive, petty jealousies, greed and all the other vices that plague life in general can be found in Ballroom.  But it’s benefits far outweigh the downside and for me it has been life-changing.  I am not the same person I was 8 years ago.

Ballroom has been a path, my way out of a conventional and predictable life that was chosen for me so many years ago.  It has been my journey in self-discovery.  Dancing burns away my diminished sense of self and mutes the constant negative self-chatter.  It brings together my jumbled parts that are my thinking, my feelings and my behavior.  I am congruent when I dance.  This has taught me how to be more harmonious with my daily life as well.

As many of you know, growing up was a miserable experience for me, as it was for many children from my era.  Abuse and violence in the home was a common theme, shamefully hidden from the public eye.  My family was terrorized for years by a violent, alcoholic father.  Dancing has helped me to subdue my “Daddy issues”.  For many years, I thought the only way to survive was through my very dominant male energy.  After all, my example had been that brute power was supreme.  Looking back I realize that this inner struggle between my female and male energies was the reason for so much of my negative judgment about myself and others.  Ballroom has developed and strengthened my female energy and I feel softer, more grounded, more feminine and more beautiful.  On the same hand I also feel more powerful, independent and outgoing than I ever was.  We all have both male and female energies within.  One cannot dominate the other if we are to live mindful lives.  Ballroom has offered me the opportunity to come to terms with my personal energies.

But mostly, I dance for the pure joy that Ballroom brings me.  The floor is my playground and my partner my playmate.  We laugh, we swing, we sway and we slide together.  Learning to dance is like putting a puzzle together with a best friend.  You giggle, you joke and you enjoy each other while you create a masterpiece.  There is nothing that feeds my inner child like Ballroom does.  I get to dress up like a princess, wear enough bling to blind somebody and put on makeup that is designed to make a statement from across the room!

So today, I give thanks for my dance life.  I am blessed to have a teacher/partner that inspires me to not only dance way above my expectations but to be a better person as well.  I have met many new people and been to places I might not have been without dance.  I am healthy, physically fit and mentally I feel good about myself.  I have been truly blessed by my ballroom life.  Thank you to all of you who have made this possible.

[cmschaffer]

Life After Menpause Part II

After I wrote the “Life After Menopause” article I decided I wanted to know what traits thriving, mature women demonstrate. What characteristics did they exhibit that allowed them to reach for the stars and bring back the moon? After a little research here is what I found: 1. They have a positive attitude and believe in themselves. . Flourishing women know they can overcome just about any obstacle. . These women are not afraid to take risks. 2. They are strong-minded and empowered but do not feel the need to flaunt their power. . Most have generous, open hearts. . They don’t expect perfection from themselves or others. 3. Many of them are passionate about a cause and are driven to help others. . Their passion inspires them daily and many are motivated by their desire to help others. 4. Mature women are teachers and want to share their life experiences with others. . Women have always been the keeper of life stories and sharing these stories is just a part of our makeup. 5. Integrity is at the heart of everything they do. . Many women have experienced duplicity in their lives and vow never to be a part of that type of behavior. 6. Failure is not the enemy, it is the teacher and women of strength do not fear its lessons. . Success does not happen without failure and mature women embrace that knowledge. 7. Flourishing women live their lives dedicated to inspiring others. . Successful women believe in themselves and want to share that inspiration with others. 8. They definitely don’t worry about what others think. 9. Staying physically and mentally healthy is a priority. . Exercise and eating healthy is a lifestyle, not an option. . Thriving women schedule alone time regularly to clear their heads. . They know that balance is critical to their success and family, friends, health and spirit take precedence in their lives. 10. They set goals and are disciplined about reaching them. . These women are always focused on “what next”. 11. Gratitude for the present moment allows them to be satisfied with the day. . Thriving women are grateful for what they have and don’t spend time stressing about what they don’t have…..tomorrow is always another day. Interesting characteristics wouldn’t you say? Positive attitude, belief in themselves, integrity and doing for others seem to be the basics. Do you see yourself in this mix? Then you are already a thriving, flourishing, successful “Life After Menopause” woman and you rock!

[cmschaffer]

Life After Menopause

Recently I was talking to a friend who is my age. She just finished reading my book, This Is Your Heart Calling: Will You Answer? She liked it but felt the focus was directed towards a younger generation. She asked me, “What about me Cat? I have dreams and goals even though society thinks at my age I should be dropping out of life. I’m not ready to lay back and quit. I’m just getting started.” I thought a lot about what she said. Of course she is right – women our age are still contributing, planning and dreaming. I fall into that category – Dance For Your Life was formed right after my 60th birthday. So I was curious to see what history tells us about middle-aged, menopausal women reaching for their dreams. Not surprisingly, I found a long list of accomplished notable women in my search. Eleanor Roosevelt – entered the White House at the age of 49 and re-defined the role of the First Lady. At the age of 62 she became chairperson of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and was instrumental in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. For the rest of her life, she remained a political activist dedicated to preserving human dignity. Maya Angelou – Her first book “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” made history as the first non-fiction bestseller by an African American woman. She was 41 at the time. At the age of 65 she recited her poem “On the Pulse of Morning” at the 1993 Presidential Inauguration of Bill Clinton. Well into her eighties she was making over 80 appearances a year on the lecture circuit. Susan Boyle – At the age of 48 became an international singing phenomenon after an appearance on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009. Her net worth today is estimated at over 22 million pounds. Mother Teresa – Took on the streets of Calcutta, India and won a Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 69. A revered nun, she tirelessly cared for the poorest of the poor. Helen Gurley Brown – Editor for Cosmopolitan Magazine for more than 30 years was named the 13th-most-powerful American over the age of 80 in 2008 by Slate Magazine. Franny Martin – founder of “Cookies-on-Call” started her million dollar a year “kitchen-founded” business at the age of 56. The list goes on and on. The idea that women, as they enter their menopausal years no longer have vibrant, productive lives is an outdated notion. We are some of the most educated and powerful women to have ever lived. As a group we are a force to be reckoned with. With the advent of our empty nests and good health we have many good years in front of us. The stereotype that we “dry up and blow away after 50” is slowly being replaced with “60 is the new 40”. So my menopausal friends, I encourage you to get your pens out and start writing down the things you want to accomplish in this next decade. Time is going to go by with or without you; only you can decide what you are going to do with it. How can you change the world?

[cmschaffer]

Life Lessons from the Ballroom

“People are so afraid to let go - afraid of falling and other dire consequences.  But what if when you let go, you were to fly instead?”  Katyusha

From My New Book: Life Lessons from the Ballroom.  Available on ITunes Books

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/life-lessons-from-ballroom/id882962431?mt=11

[cmschaffer]

This is Your Heart Calling: Will You Answer?

My new book about achieving personal change and growth.

http://www.danceforyourlife.org/#!shop--cart/crqg

[cmschaffer]

This is Your Heart Calling: Will You Answer?

My new book is available in PDF format through this link.  

http://www.danceforyourlife.org/#!shop--cart/crqg

[cmschaffer]

Rhythm and Chronic Illness

As a Physician Assistant I have learned how rhythm influences our biological health.  Holding a beating heart in my hands, witnessing the pulsing flow of blood from an artery and observing the seasons of our lives in so many of my patients has allowed me to be a witness to the grace of our rhythmic being.  The spring, summer, fall and winter of our energies act as a container for the special beat of each of our seasons. In the spring of our lives we begin to discover our natural rhythms and allow them to inform us as we work through the chaos and turbulence of childhood to young adulthood.  The summers of our lives are spent in a flowing pace – our days are filled with school, work and our developing families.  Sometimes, like a river, we crash on the rocks, but nonetheless we keep flowing forward until we reach our autumn.  Fall brings a time of inspiration and poise as we shed some of the layers of expectations of young adulthood and reacquaint ourselves with who we are.  Finally, the tempo of winter arrives and falls upon us like a freshly fallen snow and our rhythms become more reflective, contemplative and introspective.

Our lives are graced by rhythm. Our hearts beat, our lungs breath and our blood pumps in time to our personal tempos.  The seasons of life flow in accordance to the designated rhythm of our time in our physical body.  When we find ourselves in a state of dis-ease we notice our rhythm is off.  We even say things like “I’m out of synch today” or “I just can’t find my rhythm today.”  

Then it should come as no surprise that dancing or rhythmic movement can put people with chronic illness back in touch with their own natural tempos and help reacquaint them with their bodies.  People with chronic illness often feel betrayed by their bodies and don’t understand the dysrhythmic cadence their bodies have assumed. Their rhythms feel out of sorts, never quite right, or anxious about what will happen next. This is the effect of dysrhythmia.  Rhythmic movement provides the opportunity to re-tune, to regain a more harmonious flow.  It may not be the same rhythm that existed prior to illness, but, nonetheless, it will feel more natural and comfortable than the asynchronous rhythm of chronic illness. Rhythmic movement can deliver someone from the discordance of chronic illness and dis-ease to a more innate and contented course.

Can you sense your body’s natural rhythm?

At Dance For Your Life we are changing people’s lives one step at a time.

[cmschaffer]

Making Life Changes Part II

Wanted to repost my Making Life Changes Part II. The book is almost done and I will post some excerpts from it very soon. In the meantime, dreams do come true.

http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=28290b519ae787e2551ee9d3f&id=18d522672c&e=7d01fac514

[cmschaffer]

Extraordinary Purpose: Making Life Changes that Suit Your Needs and Fit Your Life

This is the second free video I've made discussing how to make life changes.  In this I will share with you my ideas on how to get educated and organized around your goal.

http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=28290b519ae787e2551ee9d3f&id=18d522672c&e=7d01fac514

[cmschaffer]

Mental Clutter & Fear

      Removing mental clutter is imperative to reaching for your goals. One form of mental clutter that I want to touch on is fear.  Fear can take many forms, it's a true shapeshifter.  It usually shows up when you have stepped outside your comfort zone.  Sweaty palms, heart racing- we can all recognize that fight or flight feeling.  But fear can be more indirect than fight or flight.  For instance, I was on a morning walk and bouncing  this idea around; I want to quit dancing!  When I said it out loud I stopped in my tracks!  WHAT???  Why on earth would I even think something like that?  I love dancing, my new business is built around rhythmic movement and I attribute dancing to saving my life!  What was going on in my brain?  

      Then it dawned on me.  I had been pushing myself out of my comfort zone in a couple of areas.  I was in the middle of writing this book, starting up a new business and making the associated videos.  Even in dancing I was pushing towards a new level.  I was learning how to use internet resources for marketing, I had to learn how to get my book ebook formatted, and then I had to put myself out there in front of everyone to sell my services.  My ego was screaming, "RUN FOR YOUR LIFE! DON’T STOP! DON’T LOOK BACK!  JUST “RUNNNNNNNNNNNNN FOREST, RUNNNNN!

      I can laugh now but at the time I was really scared and I almost felt paralyzed.  But I was able to think it through, let go and relax.  So I encourage you to not let fear chase you away when you step outside your comfort zone. When you hear yourself thinking thoughts that are not congruent with who you are or who you want to be, think fear first.  Then figure out what is it that has you outside your comfort zone.  Usually it’s because we lack experience and we are trying to learn something new.  Just remember, every experienced person in the world started as a newbie.  

[cmschaffer]

Changing Reality

Much of my work is focused on changing the way people think about themselves. The subconscious thoughts that we persistently hold on to and repeat day in and day out are the thoughts that make our lives. What we choose to think and feel about ourselves, our lives and the environment around us IS our reality. The only way to change the reality is to change how we think. Thoughts like, “I just can’t lose weight, I don’t have the willpower”, “There’s nothing I can do about it,” “I don’t have anything to offer,” “I am not important,” rule our universe. These thoughts create our reality. I want to share a personal example of how thoughts can undermine change. I recently uncovered my negative thought patterns as I started to share my Making Life Changes videos. I really wasn’t aware of how much this particular belief was holding me back until the day came to send out the videos to my friends, family and acquaintances and I couldn’t do it. I thought it would be an easy thing to do but I was paralyzed! It took me almost two weeks to figure out why – and I was surprised by my epiphany. I was worried that I was bothering people, that people didn’t want to hear from me, I was being rude taking up their time; that I was suppose to remain invisible and what I had to say was not important. This self-limiting belief stems from my childhood and I had no idea that I have been holding on to this for all these years. It is my opinion that our greatest obstacles to our personal change are the thoughts that we have habitually held on to for a lifetime. What are the self-limiting beliefs that you are holding on to?

[cmschaffer]

Rhythmic Movement, Healing and Life Changes

Rhythmic Movement and Healing

Today I want to tie together the strings that bring dancing, healing and life changes together.  As a dancer I understand how rhythmic movement can heal but people who are not experienced in this modality are often unaware of how dancing can change lives.

Let’s take a moment to understand how our body movements express our feelings. For example, cross your arms in front of your chest and say “I’m happy!”  It doesn’t fit does it?  Next quickly lift both arms to the sky and say “I feel so sad.”  Again it doesn’t fit.  We use body movement as well as our words to express ourselves.  Try one last example; shake your head no while saying yes. The point is that our movement is usually congruent with how we feel.

Next let me define the word trauma for the purposes of this message.  Trauma can be a serious illness, a motor vehicle accident, surgery, domestic abuse, getting fired from a job, bullying, death of a loved one, or any other life event that makes you feel a loss of control, disenfranchised, physically injured or mentally distressed.  The mind holds on to these experiences and the body ends up bearing the burden of these traumas.

These repressed mental scars can play havoc with our immune and sensory systems.  I have many patients complain of pain that no one can find an anatomical reason for.  Clients tell me that they suddenly became ill after suffering a stressful event.  One of the greatest impacts of illness is the feeling of loss of control of the body.  Clients feel their bodies have betrayed them.  Their bodies are changing without their consent.

So how does rhythmic movement help?  Well in one of my previous blogs I mentioned how dancing affects the brain.  Rhythmic movement integrates several brain functions – kinesthetic (awareness of movement), rational (the ability to think), musical (the brains interpretation of rhythm and sound) and emotional (what the music and movement express).  The multiple dynamics of dancing within the brain direct us toward changes.

Allowing the client to intuitively find the rhythmic movement that the body needs to express engages the whole being. We can often find release from our traumas using creative movement.  Our dances work for us because they come from our within and our bodies understand what we need at the moment.  All of our senses are engaged when we dance.  I often say that when I am in a dance lesson my mind is completely focused on the movement and all my worries and stresses of the day completely cease to exist. 

So how does dance movement change lives or help with life changes?  Expressive movement can reveal the unknown, help us to identify emotions and traumas that have been buried in our subconscious.  Rhythmic movement can be useful for shifting old patterns, limiting beliefs and destructive habits.  Expressive dancing renews our life force.

You might say, “Cathy, how is that physiologically possible?”  I would reply by saying dancing is a physical, mental and emotional exercise.  Physically we engage our muscles and stretch our bodies.  We raise our endorphins which make us feel good; we get a “runners high.”  Mentally we must concentrate on the movement we are engaging in and this removes us from our “reality” for however briefly.  Emotionally dancing is the mother of expressive arts and has been used throughout the ages to convey feelings, events and rituals.  When done on a regular basis rhythmic movement helps the brain to rewire past our traumatic scars.

As a dancer, I understand how powerful rhythmic movement can be.  It has changed my life and I am all the better for it.  So don’t be surprised when I suggest that you Dance For Your Life.

[cmschaffer]

How to Change Your LIfe Part I - Dance for Your Life is about changing people’s lives one step at a time. So I wanted to offer this 1st of three videos about what I think it takes to make life changes that fit your goals and suit your needs.  To Download the timeline click on this link:

http://www.danceforyourlife.org/#!life-change-timeline/c72z

[cmschaffer]

Ballroom Dancing affect on disease

You might be wondering what dance movement can do for disease states so I thought I would share with you what I have found in my research.

Medical benefits of dance movement therapy -

Neurodegenerative disease such as Parkinsons, MS - increase muscle strength,  improve gait, stabilize balance.

Mastectomy patients - improve movement of the chest girdle, shoulders and arms.  Improve body perception

Heart disease - strengthen the heart muscle, improve circulation and stamina

COPD, Asthma - increase respiratory capacity and stamina

Diabetes - improve glucose circulation

Obesity - increase metabolism, help with weight loss

Immunity - strengthen the immune system

Psychosocial - decrease stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms using the body's natural endorphins. Increase feelings of well being.  

Dance allows a person to realize broad transformations in emotional, physical and spiritual states.

Let me show you how dance movement can improve your life and health.

[cmschaffer]

Modern Dance

Just took my first modern dance class. What a blast! I know this is really going to help my presentation on the ballroom floor!