dancer — Philosophitness

Meet Shirlene Quigley - Dancer, Choreographer, Teacher, Actress, Believer, Ground Breaker. This girl has got an impressive resume! For starters she's danced with everyone from Missy Elliot to Beyonce. Additionally, she has travelled the world choreographing and teaching dance.

Shirlene and I first met on instagram, believe it or not, and she invited me to come take one of her heels classes in NYC. Me dancing in heels for the first time, is a whole hilarious blog to itself, but I digress. During the class I was struck by how welcoming, funny and honest Shirlene was with all of her students. Subsequently, we all put our awkward shyness aside and leaned into the experience.

Fun Fact: She is on tour with Lizzo right now! So, I feel lucky she carved out a little time to talk about her health and fitness philosophy while she’s on the road. Enjoy!

1. What is your personal philosophy around health and fitness?

Fitness is not for how you look, it’s how you feel from the inside out. I workout and keep an active lifestyle to stay healthy and have a healthy future for years and years ahead.

2. When it comes to staying healthy, what comes naturally to you and what things require more effort?

Dance and cardio sport come natural. Anything like a fitness class or group activities is so fun and easy.
But taking time to lift weight and set gym time aside can be hard with my schedule since my daily lifestyle includes so much cardio activity.

3. I know you bounce back and forth between east coast and west coast, does your self-care routine change from coast to coast? How do you stay in your flow?

Yes it is harder for me set gym time when I am in NYC, because NYC can be so busy. But i set time to do at least 15-20 min of small workouts I can do on a mat, like leg lifts squats, push ups etc.

4. How has life as a dancer and teacher influenced your mindset?

I want to be healthy not just for myself, but for the team I am working with and the dancers I do my best to inspire.

5. What are your fitness/wellness essentials?

Water! Lots and lots of water. Vitamins. A mat and rolling out those muscles.
Also I spoil myself with a once a week message to get that blood flowing.

6. How do you stay motivated through the ups and downs of life?

My relationship with God has helped me in all areas. Especially loving myself and all life’s challenges.

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Follow Shirlene:

@shirlenequigley

shirlenequigley.com

Meet Damaris Lewis - Model, Dancer, Actress, Philanthropist, Entrepreneur, Super Hero. Damaris and I met on set for an epic Nike sports bra Campaign a couple years ago, so I got to experience her magic up close and personal. She's got energy and legs for days!

From being a dancer and muse for Prince, to modeling campaigns with companies like L'Oreal and YSL, to acting in the award winning BlackkKlansman, her career is layered, inspiring and physically demanding on multiple levels.

On top of it all she puts time and love into giving back to the kids through organizations like the Garden of Dreams, Project Sunshine and Boys & Girls Club of America. AND she's launching her own wellness platform!

This interview is just a snapshot. Check out her IG + her new platform (links below). Enjoy!

1. What is your health and fitness philosophy?

My health and fitness philosophy is When you Illuminate the mind, you illuminate the body.

2. What has been your biggest challenge when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle? How have you tackled that?

My biggest challenge when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle has been consistency. It often feels like everyday there is a new super food, or a new workout or stretch that can change my life for the better- I often try to try them all, instead of just trusting that the path I am on will bring what is needed. Tackling that for me always comes when I put my phone down. Once I give up comparison it's just my mind and I. Works every time.

3. Do you still train the way you did when you were dancing professionally? What has changed, what has stayed the same?

I train nothing like I did when I was dancing professionally. I'm currently assessing the misalignment that was caused from years of dancing on concrete and in heels, and not stretching properly after (A reason why I stay away from mass dance workouts until I find one that does a long and effective post stretch). I take class every few weeks, but usually get back into it on a higher level in the summer months when my body does not have to fight as hard against the cold elements post class. My awareness has stayed the same, even heightened. Even though I am not in a class I am doing what is necessary to stay in shape. Currently that is walking on the treadmill, trips to my trainer of 11 years, Marc Gordon, and yoga here and there for a good stretch.

4. What has been your greatest life lesson to date?

My greatest life lesson to date has been to slow down. In the 12th grade, I won the award for class clown, and my dance teacher, Nathan Trice, gave me a book about Zen. My journey began there.

5. What are your fitness and/or wellness essentials you can not live without?

My fitness essential i cannot live without is my gaiam foot roller ball. After I do a workout or take off my shoes I always roll. My nervous system thanks me. My wellness essential that I can't live without currently is the juicy bamboo cleansing cloths from Kaia Naturals. They smell so divine that I use them all the time. Post workout, on the plane, to take off my makeup. And the best part is they are biodegradable!

6. What are your current fitness + life goals?

My current fitness and life goal is to give more attention to my feet. I have been modeling for 14 years, dancing since I was 7 years old, and have never really concentrated on my feet though they have thousands of nerve endings (or beginnings). I feel so much better when my feet are taken care of from my brain to my entire body especially after years in heels that don't always fit and classes that aren't always light on the toes.

7. Tell me about the wellness platform that you are building. What is the message you want to send out to the world?

I am currently building a platform named Siram Wellness. Siram means to water or to flush. Which is how I look at healthy living. A constant flush. I am a very big advocate for slowing down, and adding moments of relaxation to our everyday life. And I realize the term wellness is beginning to look like something instead of feel like something when you look at the wellness industry. So creating a space for everyone to be able to enjoy and learn about tranquility no matter your wealth, wellness background, or how you look.

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Follow Damaris:

@damarislewis

siramwellness.com

http://damarislewis.com