At the end of a recent one hour Floor Flow class, the most senior woman in the room, Gladys, spoke up:
“I am about to turn 80 years old, and I have to say that this is the most wonderful thing I have ever done with my body”. With a glimmer of tear in her eye, she looked around to make sure the younger people were listening, “Truly, the hardest thing about getting old is losing the ability to get up and down, to move easily—this reminded me how to. This was like physical therapy and dance and stretching all in one. You are offering something wonderful and I hope more people get to experience this.”
It was one of the most meaningful testimonials I’ve ever received, and it was in front of about twenty people who’d also been in the class. I’d listened so intently that I failed to breathe. She spoke passionately and boldly, showing that despite her diminutive frame and age, she had something important to say.
After the class-closing circle broke apart, we talked. She’d come in with stiff knees and a sore back, but was feeling better. I told her I was really glad to hear how she felt, and reminded her she could practice these movements anytime on her own. She pleaded with me to make Floor Flow something widely available because she believed it could help many people regain what was lost to time spent not moving enough. She also told me that she would like it if I used a microphone because she is hard of hearing. I told her that she was absolutely right, I should use a microphone whenever I can, and that I was really honored that she took my class.
Glady’s comments affirmed my belief that Floor Flow is a movement experience that can accommodate and enrich the lives of a wide range of bodies. Moving in a way that helps preserve or restore ease of movement is clearly beneficial. But when the practice is also fun, creative, and immersive— and it promotes interpersonal, intergenerational connection through play— the potential benefits for everyone involved are compounded.