making peace with my body in NYC
July 1, 2018 1:19 PM
I'd like to take up a new activity when I move to NYC next month for a new job. I'd like to engage with, become more conscious of, and generally make peace with my body through this activity. I'd like to avoid situations where gender stereotypes are intensified. Ideas, please!
I am 33F but prefer genderfluid presentations. I am an academic and have all the typical bodily ails from this life of the mind (problems with neck and low back joints, carpal tunnel, declined vision, etc). In a former life I was a classically trained musician, so I do have some body awareness, but I also have a lot of trauma (think Whiplash the movie) and injuries from that life.
I am a fairly small human, but I'm muscular and am sort of fit (I walk 5-10 km everyday; bike/run/yoga regularly), so I feel confident that I can safely take up whatever new activity. My goal isn't to increase fitness though-- what I really want is to learn a way of thinking and knowing primarily through my body. I'd ideally like to do this in a gender-diffused situation. It'd be even better if the activity is somewhat social, although that's not necessarily a requirement.
The only ideas I have so far are: the no-frills kinds of yoga that emphasize strengths, rock climbing, pottery or carpentry (I am kind of serious-- doesn't have ot be a sporty thing), pilates minus all the talk about sculping a mangnet body, and bodyweight exercise. I am certain that my thinking is too narrow here-- any other ideas would be appreciated!
I am 33F but prefer genderfluid presentations. I am an academic and have all the typical bodily ails from this life of the mind (problems with neck and low back joints, carpal tunnel, declined vision, etc). In a former life I was a classically trained musician, so I do have some body awareness, but I also have a lot of trauma (think Whiplash the movie) and injuries from that life.
I am a fairly small human, but I'm muscular and am sort of fit (I walk 5-10 km everyday; bike/run/yoga regularly), so I feel confident that I can safely take up whatever new activity. My goal isn't to increase fitness though-- what I really want is to learn a way of thinking and knowing primarily through my body. I'd ideally like to do this in a gender-diffused situation. It'd be even better if the activity is somewhat social, although that's not necessarily a requirement.
The only ideas I have so far are: the no-frills kinds of yoga that emphasize strengths, rock climbing, pottery or carpentry (I am kind of serious-- doesn't have ot be a sporty thing), pilates minus all the talk about sculping a mangnet body, and bodyweight exercise. I am certain that my thinking is too narrow here-- any other ideas would be appreciated!
i've also been living in a cave for too long (and in the boonies for the last few of it) so i've gotten sucked into watching american ninja warrior on tv the last few summers. i kinda wish there was a ninja gym around here as there seems to be a lot of camaraderie between athletes of all genders.
posted by noloveforned at 1:25 PM on July 1, 2018
posted by noloveforned at 1:25 PM on July 1, 2018
What about martial arts?
posted by mollymayhem at 1:31 PM on July 1, 2018
posted by mollymayhem at 1:31 PM on July 1, 2018
I love archery, but I don't know what ranges are available in NYC. In my experience there aren't weird gender issues -- everyone shoots what they shoot, and there isn't any "girls shoot this bow, boys shoot that bow" stuff. There's no talk about beach bodies. It's a different physical awareness than any other sport I've done.
posted by The corpse in the library at 1:38 PM on July 1, 2018
posted by The corpse in the library at 1:38 PM on July 1, 2018
What about tai chi? Definitely ticks your body awareness boxes and should easily address whatever creakiness an academic/musical lifestyle has led to.
I don't think that it would specifically/explicitly address your gender fluidity preferences but the overall vibe is extremely gentle, tolerant and accommodating. I would be v. surprised if anything or anyone there created a situation that intensified gender stereotyping.
I'm currently practising here in Ottawa, ON but there's a branch in NYC
General info here: https://www.taoist.org/usa/
posted by kaymac at 1:39 PM on July 1, 2018
I don't think that it would specifically/explicitly address your gender fluidity preferences but the overall vibe is extremely gentle, tolerant and accommodating. I would be v. surprised if anything or anyone there created a situation that intensified gender stereotyping.
I'm currently practising here in Ottawa, ON but there's a branch in NYC
General info here: https://www.taoist.org/usa/
posted by kaymac at 1:39 PM on July 1, 2018
Do flying trapeze or other circus arts appeal? I took a trapeze/sampler class as a way to challenge my fear of heights, and while it didn't magically "cure" me of course, it was good to be present in my feelings and know I could move toward a goal in spite of and beyond them. I haven't done it since but still think of it fondly. The class I took was through Trapeze School New York in one of their outpost cities, but of course they have classes in New York!
posted by spelunkingplato at 2:04 PM on July 1, 2018
posted by spelunkingplato at 2:04 PM on July 1, 2018
Maybe circus. My friend is an aerialist and it sounds like a good community for you.
On preview: jinx.
posted by gideonfrog at 2:06 PM on July 1, 2018
On preview: jinx.
posted by gideonfrog at 2:06 PM on July 1, 2018
pilates pilates pilates. if you have enough money, a one on one session would be ideal. but since it seems you want to meet people, try a small class.
posted by bookworm4125 at 2:11 PM on July 1, 2018
posted by bookworm4125 at 2:11 PM on July 1, 2018
If you already do yoga, consider contemporary dance. Note not interpretative dance, jazz dance, street dance or whatever, but proper contemporary dance.
Depending on the teacher, there may be elements of pilates, ballet or yoga incorporated into the choreography. Here’s a video of a beginner class at the studio I go to.
By definition you will become more aware of your body in space, and how you can move it in different ways. It’s very body positive, dance teachers tend to be super-conscious about creating safe environments in terms of physical boundaries, and unlike ballet (which I also love) there are no rigid gender roles. And if you are a musician you should enjoy the creative aspects of dance. You may also develop more of an appreciation for watching professional dance performance - it really is a very moving art form, and it is a pity that most people imagine it’s all prancing tutus and avoid it.
posted by tinkletown at 3:42 PM on July 1, 2018
Depending on the teacher, there may be elements of pilates, ballet or yoga incorporated into the choreography. Here’s a video of a beginner class at the studio I go to.
By definition you will become more aware of your body in space, and how you can move it in different ways. It’s very body positive, dance teachers tend to be super-conscious about creating safe environments in terms of physical boundaries, and unlike ballet (which I also love) there are no rigid gender roles. And if you are a musician you should enjoy the creative aspects of dance. You may also develop more of an appreciation for watching professional dance performance - it really is a very moving art form, and it is a pity that most people imagine it’s all prancing tutus and avoid it.
posted by tinkletown at 3:42 PM on July 1, 2018
Weightlifting. If you can find a group that does it with a coach in NYC, that would be my recommendation. There have to be weightlifting clubs. I've found more awareness of, and balance with, my body through this more than anything else.
Look for powerlifting clubs or groups; if you are part of the LGBTQIA community there may be a group that is specific to that which you could join. Your profile doesn't say, but if you are a woman, there is Women's Strength Coalition in NYC that can help point your way.
posted by Medieval Maven at 3:49 PM on July 1, 2018
Look for powerlifting clubs or groups; if you are part of the LGBTQIA community there may be a group that is specific to that which you could join. Your profile doesn't say, but if you are a woman, there is Women's Strength Coalition in NYC that can help point your way.
posted by Medieval Maven at 3:49 PM on July 1, 2018
I love archery, but I don't know what ranges are available in NYC.
I do! There's a range that has a few locations throughout the boroughs (a friend has been to the one in Downtown Brooklyn), and a couple scattered around city parks.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:57 PM on July 1, 2018
I do! There's a range that has a few locations throughout the boroughs (a friend has been to the one in Downtown Brooklyn), and a couple scattered around city parks.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:57 PM on July 1, 2018
I was going to say martial arts. Karate did a lot towards allowing me to feel good about my body. That said, I'm not thrilled with my dojo (on the UWS). I'd be happy to take you one day if you want. (And tell you why I'm not thrilled with it. That said, it's the only reasonable option for me and the quality of training is high.)
posted by hoyland at 4:16 PM on July 1, 2018
posted by hoyland at 4:16 PM on July 1, 2018
The Coney Island Sideshow has a sideshow school I've always wanted to try, and just based on their shows I would guess they're friendly and all-gender-inclusive. Fire eating! Sword swallowing!
posted by LeeLanded at 4:54 PM on July 1, 2018
posted by LeeLanded at 4:54 PM on July 1, 2018
Was going to say contemporary dance. To me, it's a lot more focused on "cool new ways to think about moving through space" rather than "how to be beautiful". I love Horton technique (Alvin Ailey), but I'm sure there are tons of good studios and methods.
posted by batter_my_heart at 5:07 PM on July 1, 2018
posted by batter_my_heart at 5:07 PM on July 1, 2018
Someone recommended Contact Improvisation to me in response to a similar query. I haven’t tried it yet, so I don’t know if the practice lives up to the theory, but the theory seems pretty awesome for a certain type of physical trauma work. I plan on looking for a group in the area eventually. There’s a directory either at contactimprovisation.com or .net, I forget which.
posted by schadenfrau at 5:14 PM on July 1, 2018
posted by schadenfrau at 5:14 PM on July 1, 2018
I used to say that I wish I could put my brain in a jar and live that way. I just rarely enjoyed using my body at all. And I have weak muscles/loose tendons that make any physical activity risky and unpleasant. Then I found swimming last year. It changed my whole life, honestly. The feeling of undulating through the water is unlike anything else I can do in life. If you asked me today, I would absolutely not choose jar/brain life, and that’s 100% due to my swimming practice. When I want to feel social, I take a class. When I don’t, I swim alone.
Good luck!
posted by greermahoney at 6:02 PM on July 1, 2018
Good luck!
posted by greermahoney at 6:02 PM on July 1, 2018
Both of these work only with an appropriate teacher and group, but can be amazing; solo tap dancing and explicitly ambidancetrous partner dancing. Doing lead-follow dancing without clamping those roles to masculine-feminine or even bigger-smaller is really interesting.
posted by clew at 7:48 PM on July 1, 2018
posted by clew at 7:48 PM on July 1, 2018
Indoor Rock Climbing Gym?
posted by nickggully at 9:47 PM on July 1, 2018
posted by nickggully at 9:47 PM on July 1, 2018
If it helps, my experience with Pilates has had no talk at all about sculpting a magnet body. In fact, my instructor made it quite clear that this wouldn't be the right practice if that were what I wanted. We focus on moving well, and on strength as an avenue toward good health.
It has given me a whole lot more body awareness; I feel more confident at having a body than before I started. In all kinds of activities (e.g., walking), I feel like I know how to move and position myself and like I was ignorant and careless before.
Pilates feels to me (an exercise novice) like a no-frills kind of yoga, plus more focus on correct form, minus spiritual stuff.
posted by actionstations at 11:03 PM on July 1, 2018
It has given me a whole lot more body awareness; I feel more confident at having a body than before I started. In all kinds of activities (e.g., walking), I feel like I know how to move and position myself and like I was ignorant and careless before.
Pilates feels to me (an exercise novice) like a no-frills kind of yoga, plus more focus on correct form, minus spiritual stuff.
posted by actionstations at 11:03 PM on July 1, 2018
Rollerskating! Get the basics down then you can go either in the rollerdance direction or the vert skating direction. Chicks in Bowls has chapters in just about every city in the world and you can find them on instagram if you go in the vert direction.
posted by WeekendJen at 7:39 AM on July 2, 2018
posted by WeekendJen at 7:39 AM on July 2, 2018
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posted by noloveforned at 1:21 PM on July 1, 2018