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ECA NEWS FOR FITNESS PROFESSIONALS ECA News Happiness is the Way By Patricia Moreno There is no one like you in this world. You have something unique to bring, say, create, offer, teach and to live. Follow your heart and value your happiness, and it will lead you to abundance, great health, endless opportunities and whatever you need, whenever you need it. Your dreams, talents, passions and desires are your clues. Don't discount them. Instead, honor them and you will find happiness in all you do. The best teaching to sum up this whole lesson for me is from Lao Tzu: "There is no way to happiness, happiness is the way." After more than 20 years of studying exercise, dance, Buddhism, Taoism, Yoga, meditation and personal empowerment techniques, I know now that my greatest teacher, advisor and guide is my heart. I know now, more than ever to follow my heart and trust that it will always lead me to all I need. As early as 5 years old, I remember dreaming of being a dancer. I was so exited to be in the kindergarten talent show. By the time I was in first grade, I had convinced my parents to let me take dance lessons, but that was short-lived being the ninth of eleven kids. Although dance classes were not in my near future, the burning desire to dance never left my heart. My next opportunity to dance was when I was 17 and my sister Elizabeth took me to a jazzercise class. When I walked into the packed gymnasium and started to learn the aerobics routines I had a "hallelujah" moment: Dance! Exercise! Wow! This is what I want to do with my life! I had found my calling. I knew that declaring that the extent of my ambition was to be an aerobics instructor was not going to go over well in my family. This was confirmed when one of my sisters asked me, "What are you really going to do with your life?" I answered, "This is it," and it was the best decision of my life. I didn't know if I could make money or even if it was a 'real job' but I did know that I loved it and I was not giving up. I even planned all my college classes around my teaching schedule, taught five classes a day and my passion continued to grow. This was in the early 80's when aerobics was first introduced to the world by my idol at the time, Jane Fonda! Health clubs were just beginning to open and exercise was just starting to become fashionable as the industry was being born. I couldn't follow anyone else's lead in the industry but my own, as there were few people to follow. Over the years I often questioned myself. Can I really make a living doing this? How long can this really go on? What will I do when I can't teach anymore? What will I do if I get injured, too old or just burnt out? I would simply answer myself, “I'll know when I get there, and I'm not there yet!” What gave me the courage and the wisdom was the passion in my heart and knowing that I could not give up doing what I was doing. I was happy and I was not giving up that happiness for anything. I am thrilled at how my life is unfolding. I really feel like I found my true calling and it is a combination of the things I knew I wanted to do even as a child. I loved to dance, perform, create, receive attention, teach and lead. My greatest accomplishment has been following my heart. Following my heart has led me to performing all over the world, having my own TV show, producing and starring in over 15 workout videos, training thousands of other instructors, co-owning my own studio, starting my own company and becoming an author of my soon to be released first book: The intenSati Method, 7 Principles to Thinner Peace. If you feel you want guidance in this area, look for people who are living well, living lives they love and who are truly happy. Remember, no one knows what is best for you but you. Look for people who ask you the questions that will help you uncover your heart and your passion. Are you living a life you love? If not, why not? Love, Patricia |
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