EP #1167: Finding Your Center: Self-Care Soul Care Through Movement

Send us a text Lisa is joined by Steven Washington who talks about his combining Pilates and Qigong as well as his book, Recovering You: Soul Care and Mindful Movement for Overcoming Addiction. He also talks about his online studio SWE where you can take his classes virtually! He is a Movement Master, Author, and Recovery Advocate who is passionate about helping others navigate towards a happier, healthier life. His lifelong love and a key foundation to his own spiritual fitness is movement ​and he firmly believes our relationship with our body is vital for emotional, physical, and spiritual health. Steven had a successful career as a contemporary dancer, working at New York City Opera, Metropolitan Opera, and appearing on Broadway in Disney’s, The Lion King but to help him cope with anxiety and self-doubt, he often relied on drugs and alcohol. Twenty years ago, Steven made a conscious decision to get sober and his true life’s work began. Since then, he has impacted countless lives through movement and his keen ability to connect ​and relate to others. During his study of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Steven fell in love with Qigong, which he describes as, "A moving meditation that supports the health of our body, mind, and spirit.” He is a Certified Qigong Instructor and a Pilates teacher and has taught individuals and groups for over 20 years. Adding to his knowledge of the body and its energy systems, Steven is also a qualified Neuromuscular Massage Therapist. Steven’s online members' community, SWE Studio , has a unique focus on a Pilates/Qigong fusion class and an extensive library of movement, meditation, and other resources for the body, mind, and soul. Steven’s writings, articles, and life experiences created the inspiration for his first book, Recovering You, Soul Care and Mindful Movement for Overcoming Addiction . Published by New World Library, the book’s unique self-care focus is complemented by the use of Qigong movements. The opportunity to be of service through his book is particularly meaningful to Steven as it enhances his own growth and recovery while helping others to do the same. Steven hosts a monthly Heart/Mind Moments YouTube series with videos on physical, emotional, and spiritual health, and his movement and mindfulness work has received over one million views on YouTube.Book description: Substance abuse issues have worsened dramatically in recent years, with alcohol and drug addiction soaring. Our collective anxiety also shows up in many other insidious ways — from overeating to mindless scrolling to excessive online spending and more. Whether you are on the path of recovery, taking your first step in that direction, or simply feeling adrift and unmoored, Recovering Youoffers a lifeline to the discovery of a new and better way of being. Steven Washington shares his story of growing up around alcoholism and going into recovery for his own drug and alcohol addiction. But the heart and soul of this book is his process of guiding readers through fear, shame, and regret and into community and gratitude. Self-massage, breathing, meditation, and, uniquely, a focus on qigong — the ancient movement practice at the heart of Chinese medicine and Taoist philosophy — liberate, energize, and soothe. Washin