Our “GUEST BLOG” series continues and we excitedly introduce you to Jen Esquer.
A few self words about Jen as we introduce you to her uplifting and educational positive energy blog:
Jen Esquer is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and movement enthusiast. She treats patients privately in Los Angeles and has online programs called The Mobility Method and The Optimal Body that reach people globally. She uses her social platforms to push educational videos on how to maintain mobility, increase strength, and prevent pain throughout the body. As a former gymnast of 9 years and pilates instructor for 6 years, Jen is an avid mover who dabbles in AcroYoga, calisthenics, weight training, pilates and yoga. Her vision is to empower others to continue to move and live a pain-free, active lifestyle.
Your Body Is Worth It by Jen Esquer
When asked what I do for my body, I like to say that I’m a mover. Mover? Don’t we all move? What does that even mean?
For me, it is my way of escaping labels, titles and boxes that people like to place us in. I get that it is easier for our brain to recognize people and places when we place them into certain categories in our mind. But when we do this, we are also immediately limiting the potential of that person to be any more than what you have made up about them. For this reason, I am a mover.
I move because I love my body, not because I hate it. I move because I am grateful for what I have, not because I am focused on what I don’t have. I move because I have endless possibilities of what I can learn, grow from and explore all from beginning to tune in. When we begin reframing the conversations we have with our own bodies, the possibilities are endless!
Yet, this conversation was not always easy for me. Though I have been a mover my entire life, from gymnastics to coaching to teaching and now into physical therapy, I was more so focused on moving my body in order to look a certain way, achieve external results and keep a negative internal dialogue of self-hate at bay.
It wasn’t until I was in physical therapy school that I truly began to change my conversations based on the people that I met. I met a young man with cerebral palsy who lived completely on his own. He could only get around in a wheelchair and could not use the muscles around his mouth to clearly articulate words, yet he lived completely alone. Another young man, above the knee double amputee, was running triathlons and completing in the Paralympics. Another young woman was born with severe junior rheumatoid arthritis yet would run and do yoga daily.
Why do we spend more time focusing on what we don’t have, rather than what we do have?
Why are we busy comparing ourselves to small outward appearances that have no merit to who we are or what we can achieve?
Why does it take an injury or accident to suddenly start appreciating all our body has and can do for us?
Your body is working for you 24/7. Beyond anything else we give attention to throughout the day, your body is worth listening to.
My suggestion? Just start moving.
Jen Esquer
What three things are you grateful for about your body today?
Personal Favorite Positive Quote:
“If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more.” – Oprah Winfrey
Stay in touch and reach out to Jen:
Website:
Free Resource:
7-Day Mobility Challenge