These six body movements are designed to increase your mind-body awareness and help you build body self confidence.

1. Rhythmic exercise moves: Dancing

Our bodies want and need to move and play to be fully alive. Rhythm sets up possibilities for release, expansion, joy. Put on any music that has ever inspired you to dance, such as songs by Gloria Estefan, Brian Setzer, or even a classical piece. Begin body movements in this pattern:

• Isolate a body part, then move the rest of your body along with it.
• First move your head: nodding, turning it from side to side and doing gentle neck rolls, for example.
• Be aware of how the rest of your body wants to move as you do this, then let it move along with your head.
• Move on to your shoulders, back, hips, legs and feet.
• As you move each body part, say, out loud (or silently) an appreciation or positive affirmation of it, such as "My arms move so fluidly" or "My legs are strong."
• Each time you do Rhythms, put on a different piece of music and explore how your body feels.

2. Graceful exercise moves: Swaying

Grace comes from refined body movements, moving from the inside out as smaller, more-internal muscles are recruited to help move larger, more-surface ones. Grace is unconscious, flowing, harmonious, and well coordinated. So, build your self confidence as you sway:

• Stand with your feet a bit more than hip-width apart, arms by your sides.
• Sway your torso from side to side, keeping your legs and hips still at first.
• Let your arms follow your torso, keeping your bodyweight balanced over your feet.
• Sway bigger and bigger, shifting weight from foot to foot until you're moving your whole body.
• Naturally breathe through your nose.
• As your movements get larger, notice how your breathing changes.

Next, enjoy how your body feels as you try these exercise moves: breathing in nature and grand plies.