I am happy to share that in two weeks, Monday, September 8th, we will officially be moving all our classes to Fred Astaire Dance Studio, just 8 minutes south, to 555 Lancaster Ave, Berwyn. Most of you have already been, and the reviews have been a decisive thumbs up.
It’s bittersweet to leave a space that has held so many memories—but this move already feels familiar, inviting, and perfect for our needs. (It sure beats my backyard! 😉)
Better yet, Roman Monalachi, the owner of Fred Astaire, could not be more accommodating and supportive of our community. (Thanks Roman!)
Feeling Whiplash?
To help me digest this quick segue, I’ve been channeling Roger Federer:
“Whatever game you play in life, it’s a roller coaster, with many ups and downs. Success comes to people who are able to adapt to the moment. Holding onto the past only weighs us down, sabotaging the incredible gifts waiting for us right now.”
Upon hearing the news of our impending move, one of our dear 14 year Mojo regulars was understandably emotional.
She shared how young her kids were when she first started at this studio… how Mojo mornings have carried her through countless life chapters… and how low she felt at the thought of leaving this space. She explained it as if Mojo itself was ending.
I reassured her quickly:
We’re just moving 8 minutes down the road.
The new studio is beautiful, perfect for our needs, and—most importantly—our community is still fully intact.
I get the sentimentality—I feel it too.
But the moment that “we have no choice” truth set in—and I looked at the gift of what we do have—I felt nothing but relief and gratitude.
🧠 Why Do Some of Us Feel Change More Deeply?
This disparity in this conversation made me want to a delve deeper into the science behind perception and reality.
Studies in neuroscience and psychology, have revealed that our brains don’t receive reality directly.
They interpret sensory information filtered through past experiences, emotions, and beliefs.
So two people can live through the exact same situation—and perceive it in completely different ways.
Neuroscience confirms: Perception is not fixed—it’s plastic.
Our brains are constantly rewiring based on what we focus on, what we practice, and how we think. This is called neuroplasticity.
😬 But Here’s the Challenge: The Negativity Bias
Our brains evolved with a built-in negativity bias—a survival instinct that helped our ancestors stay alert to threats.
But today, this bias often shows up in ways that sabotage our wellbeing by making us:
Overestimate challenges
Get overwhelmed by small changes
Shut down before we even try
✅ Perception Is a Habit—And We Can Change It
That little voice that says:
“The new location is too far.”
“This class looks too hard.”
“I’m too old to keep up.”
“This is just too much right now.”
That’s our brain trying to keep us safe by avoiding discomfort.
And like any habit, it can be retrained.
We can literally reshape how we interpret the world by moving our body, shifting our perspective, and practicing a little awareness.
🧠 5 Quick Tips to Train Our Brain: Perception vs. Reality
1. Name It to Tame It
When you feel resistance or negativity, pause and label the thought:
“This is just a story my brain is telling me.”
Naming the emotion or thought activates the prefrontal cortex and calms the emotional brain (amygdala).
2. Ask: Is This a Fact or a Feeling?
Practice questioning your inner dialogue:
“Is this objectively true, or is this just how I feel right now?”
This helps create space between reaction and response.
3. Reframe the Thought
Flip the script:
❌ “I’m bad at this.”
✅ “I’m still learning this.”
Reframing activates more constructive neural pathways and builds resilience.
4. Move Your Body
Movement—especially rhythmic movement (like Mojo)—reduces cortisol and shifts brain chemistry, helping you see things more clearly and positively.
5. Use “Yet” Language
When faced with a challenge, add the word yet:
“I don’t feel ready… yet.”
“I don’t know how to do this… yet.”
This fosters a growth mindset and reminds your brain that change is possible.
🎯 Reality Check: What’s Really Going On?
🧠 My brain: “Making healthy meals is too much work.”
✅ Reality: Chopping veggies takes 10 minutes. Processed meals are faster—but the added sodium, sugars, and chemicals work against our energy, brain health, and longevity goals
🧠 My brain: “I’ll have to park too far.”
✅ Reality: Walking 100 steps to your workout isn’t a hassle—it’s a warm-up and a mood-boosting gift.
🧠 My brain: “I’m too tired to work out.”
✅ Reality: You’re tired because you haven’t moved. Energy is created, not found.
🧠 My brain: “One skipped class won’t matter.”
✅ Reality: True. But small decisions repeated daily shape who you’re becoming.
🧠 My brain: “I’ll start next week when things calm down.”
✅ Reality: Life doesn’t calm down. You get stronger in the middle of the mess.
Let’s Pivot—Together
Change is never easy—but it’s often exactly what we need.
This move isn’t just about a new location—it’s a chance to reset our bodies, rewire our brains, and remind ourselves that we’re resilient, adaptable, and in this together.
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