Movement for Real Life
A Monthly Wellness Feature / March 2026
By Petra Lehman-Brauer
Owner – Create Power Yoga
Why Having Fun Is the Best Way to Move
Remember when movement was fun? When you were a kid, you didn’t wake up and think, “I need to get my steps in.” You just… moved. You ran because it felt good to go fast. You climbed the snowbank because reaching the top was its own reward. You danced in the living room because a good song came on.
Somewhere along the way, many of us lose that. We begin to control and regulate our bodies. We stop moving without thinking about it. At some point, exercise became something we have to do, not something we get to do. Movement got wrapped up in guilt, obligation, and the cultural conditioning that says our bodies need fixing.
Moving because you feel you should will never stick. Moving because you’re punishing yourself will never last. But moving because it makes you happy? That’s the way to make movement a practice for life.
When movement is rooted in joy, everything shifts. It’s no longer about burning off what you ate or fixing what you perceive as broken. It’s about celebrating what your body can do right now. It’s about the burst of energy after a walk in the sun, the laugh that escapes, the delight on your kid’s face during a dance party … the deep satisfaction of using your body in a way that feels good.
Joyful movement creates a sense of agency. You’re not following a rigid program designed by someone who’s never met you. You’re listening to your own body and choosing how to inhabit it. That freedom changes your relationship with your body.
Joyful movement doesn’t require a gym membership, special equipment, or a full hour of dedicated time, although it could. It lives in the small moments. Here are a few ways to invite childlike play back in:
- Walk with someone you love
Instead of meeting a friend for coffee, meet for a walk. The conversation flows differently when you’re side by side, and the movement becomes background music to connection. You’ll barely notice you’re exercising, you’ll just notice you feel better.
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- Take a dance break
When’s the last time you turned on music while making a meal or getting ready? Turn it on, and let yourself move – literally, dance like no one’s watching. A two-minute kitchen dance break shifts your energy, lifts your mood, and reminds your body that it’s allowed to be playful.
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- Do what you like, not what you think you “should”
Dance class. Zumba. Yoga. Pickleball. Fencing. Ju Jitsu. Running. There are hundreds of ways to move. Notice what piques your interest and do it because it sounds interesting, not because you need to be good at it. Exploration for its own sake is one of the deepest wells of joy we have.
Here’s the thing: you can force yourself to do anything for a little while. But a practice that sustains you through seasons of life – through stress, change, and all the chaos around us – has to be rooted in something deeper than obligation. It has to feel like coming home to yourself.
Joyful movement isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present. It’s about remembering that your body is not a project to be completed, but a companion to be enjoyed. When you move with curiosity instead of criticism, with play instead of punishment, you don’t just build a habit. You build a relationship with yourself that actually lasts.
And that’s worth moving for.
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About the Author
Petra Lehman-Brauer has been teaching yoga to students of all levels since 2013. She owns Create Power Yoga in Rumford, RI, where her mission is to create a space where students feel safe, supported, and empowered in their practice; where yoga isn’t about perfection, but about showing up, exploring, and building a deeper relationship with yourself.
Do you have a question or a Yoga – Health & Wellness topic you would like to see Petra cover? If so, email: Info@EastProvHospitality.com with “Create Power Yoga” in the subject line.
