So true! I have a sneaky suspicion most of you agree.
At Mojo, I think the time travel experience goes even further than that.
At Tuesday’s evening class, we celebrated Michael’s 21st birthday. We had so much fun, I uploaded it to our “Recent LIVEstreams” Mojo virtual library. They included a bunch of his fave Mojo songs, including Juicy Wiggle, by Red Foo and “Damn, It’s Good To Be Me”, by Andy Grammar…and an epic new routine, A Lady Marmalade Remix you’re gonna love. It’s a little quick, but it’s fun. As always, you gotta be patient yourself!
The reason for our uniquely festive spirit has a lot to do with our shared Mojo autobiography.
Michael’s mom, Lara (next to him in the black shorts), first brought him to Mojo when he was five years old. Back then, we filled a gymnasium with Mojo friends, and Michael was always right in the middle of the fun. He never hesitated to bring his signature “Juicy Wiggle” to the front of the room, giving everyone a good laugh and a welcome distraction from the fact that we were all sweating our own wiggles off. Air conditioning was in short supply at that location! 😂
While the choreography was the same on Tuesday night, it felt particularly moving (pun intended) because we were channeling 5 year old Michael and cheering the strong, resilient, authentic 21 year old man he has become.
We weren’t just bringing back routines, we were bringing back different seasons of our life. Together.
Some people learning the choreography for the very first time. Others having danced it hundreds of times. Friends completely focused on getting the steps just right, while others are doing their own thing and having fun with it.
Everyone dancing to the same music, differently. Together.
While it may seem like this experience is unique to Mojo. it’s not. There’s actually fascinating neuroscience behind it:
When music, movement, challenge, and community come together, we’re doing far more than exercising.
- Music is one of the brain’s strongest triggers of autobiographical memory. One familiar song can instantly transport us back to another season of life.
- Dance strengthens those memories. Moving to music activates motor, sensory, emotional, and memory networks simultaneously, creating richer neural connections than listening alone.
- Learning new choreography fuels neuroplasticity. Every new routine challenges attention, coordination, prediction, and adaptability, helping keep the brain engaged and resilient.
- Shared movement strengthens social connection. Positive experiences with the same people over time reinforce feelings of trust and belonging while supporting hormones such as oxytocin, often called the bonding hormone.
- Mastering something challenging creates momentum. Those little “I got it!” moments reinforce confidence and motivation through healthy dopamine pathways.
That’s why Mojo has never felt like “just a workout” to me. We’re exercising, but we’re also
- Building memories.
- Strengthening friendships.
- Learning new skills.
- Creating emotional anchors.
- Helping regulate our nervous systems.
- Building confidence.
Most of the time all of this happens, without our even realizing it.
I learned a beautiful tidbit about these two Mojo friends, Lara (above left) and Denise, last week
They met through Mojo about fifteen years ago. Both lost sisters to aggressive brain tumors. Over the years, class became more than a group fitness class. It became a place to move through their grief together, celebrate victories, and reconnect with the joyful, sometimes silly, part of life.
Tuesday and Saturday classes were a consistent source of connection. Barely any words spoken, but there is consistent connection. In this busy, increasingly solitary, world of ours, that’s a pretty special gift.
We spend so much time thinking about the workout itself, which is exhilarating. But some of the magic is everything else that’s quietly happening at the very same time.
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