I believe this is the BEST photo I have ever seen that fully embraces the eating disorder I suffered as a young dancer. “Pointe Shoes: Top Performances from a Healthy Basis” was written by my Dutch friend Saskia De Badts. Saskia and I danced together in the late 80’s – early 90’s, while dancers were still smoking cigarettes to manage weight.

The picture includes her mother’s pointe shoes, carrots, and chocolate. And there it is – the culmination of family, social and career pressure, combined with “good” and “bad” food.

Have you ever fully realized a full circle healing moment? A moment when you realize you have done the internal work and now stand in a place of health and well-being? A place of peace within yourself?

I’d love to share a few of mine with you.

I wrote my book “Real Fitness for Real Women” in 2001. It was the very first time I was able to put to paper (with the help of a writer) my story of bulimia. “Like a princess, waiting to be saved” was exactly how I felt. Someone, something outside of me would heal me. But as the book went to press, I knew I was the one who had done the internal work. I’d come full circle and no longer suffered so deeply.

In 2015, I went out to San Francisco for a reunion performance with the San Francisco Jazz Dance Company. As I stood backstage and the lights went down, I knew I had done a great deal of therapy and body work to get to this place where I was comfortable  and confident in my body. The director I was dancing with was the one who told me to “lose the weight or I would lose the solo (1985).” And here we were together again on stage. I quietly celebrated my full circle healing in every cell of my being.

Lastly, what a gift to have my eating disorder story shared in Dutch to help young dancers of today. I stand in grace and gratitude in this full circle healing moment. To be able to help dancers by lifting the veil of secrecy around eating disorders means everything to me. Shining a light on the issue to end the suffering. And to help others have faith in the healing process. Full circle healing once again.

I share this with you because too often you may blow past the moment of truly acknowledging the self work, internal growth and personal development you have achieved. It’s important to acknowledge these moments in every cell of your body with a gentle nod from your heart to celebrate your full circle healing moment.

The foundation of my work is based in the belief that all bodies can move and deserve to move in a way that works for her body. I also believe you can cultivate a loving relationship with your body based on the awe inspiring anatomical awareness of how you move through space, understanding your breath, and feeling and acknowledging all the emotions.

Whether you are new to this community or have been following me for some time, thank you. I am who I am today because of you. And I love the woman I’ve become.

May you celebrate your full circle healing moments with pure joy in your heart.