It is an exciting time to explore new possibilities in fitness, wellness and more importantly “well-being”. Gone are the days of just a few gyms to choose from. We have Boutique Studios, Cycle, Pilates, Yoga, Rowing, and so much more. We have fusions, hybrids, and like minded professionals coming together and realizing the power of collective conscience, and that we can do more together. What’s more is we have what I call, Bostonence, our true essence and that which makes us who we truly are, nothing more and nothing less.
Our Bostonence is smart, sassy, sensible, sporty, and special. Sounds like the Spice Girls, but it’s all the right blend of spice with sense and sensibility. It is an unwavering sense of pride, loyalty, heart, hubris, history, and most importantly humanness. Our Bostonence is deeply rooted in our history, geographically ordained and heavily influenced by two anchor points- our commitment to world class excellence in education and healthcare. Just picture our Boston Marathoners carrying one another across the finish line or be in the stands at Fenway when Sweet Caroline is sung by the masses. Attend a Patriot’s Parade, walk to the Esplanade and watch the Boston Pops on the 4th of July and feel the essence of this city rich in pride, purpose and yes- “pomp and circumstance”. We are a city where movement always come from bridging our past with our present, the new with the old. About that movement scene now…
Just recently, I had a timely conversation with a good friend (by the way he wasn’t from Boston) . He said “I am tired of the fitness merry-go-round, I’m ready to get off and explore more…I want someone to take me on a journey vs. an hour of the same old.” Well, I thought to myself, that is what Bostonence is all about and that is what belongs in our gym bag! It is an attitude, a mindset, and the recognition that we bring all of who we are into any given room. It is our true essence and being that needs fitness and wellness, and our movement experiences should allow us to experience just that.
Boston “The Commonwealth’, city to some of the greatest sports teams of all time, home to the Boston Marathon,The Boston Common, Fenway and the Freedom Trail. What do all of these iconic places and spaces have in common? It is a sense of hope, freedom, joy, history, sportsmanship, and humility. Throw in a Dunkin Donuts on every corner… A common, not so common place, with a common ground to explore health and wealth with the finest educational institutions and hospitals in the entire world. Grounds to be merry vs just taking another turn and going around again.
This Bostonence is no happy accident, it is a fusion of the same “move-meant”, mentality, talents, dreams, grit and passions that shape our needs as humans and allow us to participate fully in the human experience and experience the in-between. It is what gets us to both the start and finish line, but perhaps more importantly, the distance and experience in between. Remember the intent of the Boston Tea Party? The rejection of conforming, submitting and paying more than we should. We bridge the old with the new and by doing so we do only what is necessary, no more and no less. Boston Strong … enough said, we move and rise up no matter what! This is our Bostonence!
Grateful to call Boston my home, where I have the privilege to live, work, grow and dream. I’ve been paying attention, have run the Boston Marathon, train, coach, and teach in Boston, and have been mapping out a journey, rich in history and anchored in authentic “move-meant”.
Here to suggest, we can choose better. Enough of the pushing energy outward as Fitness Professionals and “movers”. Let’s choose “workouts” that provide the energy and experience, we need, to honor our “Bostonence” and our Boston Strong!
Here is my “Evite”:
You are cordially invited to invest in your “self” and grow the Guru in you! Take out your passport, choose your destination, create an itinerary, and envision a new path of discovery for yourself. Bridge the old with the new and: Grow the GURU already in you! Do more than just “trust the process”. Invest in your essence, your strengths, your spirit, your interests to explore more. Everything you have is already inside of you and everything that waits to be brought out of you. The Guru in you, is rich in history, spirit, aspiration and is uniquely you. And I am happy to be your guide!
Donna Ognibene lives in Belmont with her husband, 3 daughters, and 2 dogs. She is the owner of Bodytrio and creator of Triogo® a movement system that combines Pilates, Yoga, and a Free Style of Fluid Movement. Check out www.triogo.com to learn more about Triogo®
