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A year ago, if i told my inner child that I’d be training for a half marathon she probably would have given me the side-eye in disbelief. @sowetomarathon

It’s been a year since i started running and through movement, i have seen an incredible shift in my overall wellbeing. When trauma stays stuck in our body, the brain responds with physical irritation which presents itself in the form of muscle tension, insomnia, memory loss, lack of concentration, anxiety and other disturbances.
Regular movement allows the body to move out of this state and teaches the nervous system to be more flexible.
Running-which is my choice of movement-is another piece in the coming together of my puzzle. It has given little me far more than adult me ever imagined – safety, a community of people, friendships and a sense of belonging.

Everyone can move, the key is to find a form of movement that feels right for you. Encourage your children from an early age to engage in regular movement that activates the brain and stimulates heart rate. Incorporate movement into family time and use it as an opportunity to connect with each other

Benefits of movement
🔹Regulates and restores balance of the nervous system
🔹Improved physical fitness
🔹Promotes brain plasticity
🔹Deepens understanding of the mind and body
🔹Increased cognition
🔹Improved intelligence
🔹Builds resilience and rhythm

I recently visited the UK for the first time and spent 4 weeks getting to know family I’ve never met before.
In doing so, I discovered and collected new pieces to my personal puzzle of self-discovery.

I come from a family of admirable strength. A family of determination, love, loss, separation, heartache and perseverance and in that, i was able to connect with them over the familiarity of Indian culture and Islamic faith.
You see, in embracing your true authentic self, you must first discover who you are; understanding your heritage is the driver behind this discovery.

Heritage day in a South African context is a celebration of the democracy and coming together of our beautiful country and its unique story – a story of pain and sacrifice but more importantly a story of success and victory. The unity of a rainbow nation and the spirit of Ubuntu. An acceptance of each individuals unique value and belief system, tradition and culture. A day to celebrate everyone.

Heritage fosters connection in different ways – be it in a name, in music, in food, in religion, in values, in tradition, in silence, in heartache, in pain and love and loss and in every imaginable way possible. Heritage brings people and family together.

Happy Heritage Day South Africa.
@proudly.sa

🔹Parents, do you have any heritage day traditions with your family?
🔹How do you encourage your kids to explore their heritage?

Rhythm is defined as strong, regular, repeated patterns of movement or sound. A regular recurring sequence of events or processes.

Last year in October, a friend reached out to ask if I’d like to join a running group with her. I agreed. After an 8 week programme, I was able to run 5km’s at a decent pace and by February this year, i completed a 10km race. The point I want to make is that for 8 weeks I committed to waking up at 5am everyday to train for 5km’s. What I didn’t realise was that my brain was creating a rhythm which would essentially lead to a better state of overall wellbeing.
Basically, rhythm is pattern recognition. It creates structure and order for the brain and facilitates safety and regulation.

Intentional application of pattern recognition builds 🔹Intelligence
🔹Confidence
🔹Resilience
🔹Leads to an improved state of mental wellbeing

Rhythm isn’t limited to physical exercise, it can be achieved through music, dance, art, nature or any type of hobby/activity that your children enjoy.

As a parent, how do you encourage rhythm in your family and with your kids?

I started my adult life at the age of 20 with a plane ticket. I’ve been navigating my way through life – on my own – since, learning diverse skills along the way, unaware.
The penny drop through my training was being given a vocabulary that allowed me to share my story in a way that made me feel proud of my journey and what I’ve achieved.

This is oracy – the ability to express oneself fluently and grammatically in speech. It builds confidence and awareness but it also means listening with interest in what the other person is saying- without judgement.

The are many advantages
🔹Increases confidence
🔹Builds self-esteeem
🔹Broadens vocabulary
🔹Structured thoughts
🔹Verbal Expression
🔹Effective communication

“If you teach children to debate, you give them a chance to have their voice heard and you give them the power not to be ignored.”

What is your communication style at home – do you give your kids a platform to express their thoughts and how do you encourage their vocabulary?

The dictionary definition (of a person or animal) for being resilient is the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions AND (of a object or substance) it is to be able to recoil or spring back into shape after bending, stretching, or being compressed.

Personally, resilience is about reaching deep for the strength that exists within. It is a concious effort of the mind, heart & body.
We all face challenges on a daily basis – in different environments and in different ways – but we can all recover. My aim is to help you find what already exists within so that you can navigate your challenges in a practical way.

What are some of your challenges and are you ready to have fun while building your resilience roadmap 😁

Welcome to my next chapter.

I debated the idea of a complete archive but reminded myself that my creativity is a part of my identity. There are so many different experiences that have brought me to this point and they all belong on the canvass of my heart.

On the other side of the screen is just a regular human with a unique story that has led me here. I am both nervous & excited for this chapter but i believe so strongly in its purpose. If I am able to make a difference for just one person, I will have achieved something.

Bismillah 💙