ReCre8 Holistic Studio

06/22/2026

06/20/2026

Finding My Rhythm at 39

For a long time, I thought rhythm was something you heard.

A song.
A beat.
A metronome.

But over the years, I've learned rhythm shows up in so many different ways.

It's in morning walks with my dog.
It's in horseback rides.
It's in organizing notebooks.
It's in prayer.
It's in learning.
It's in fresh starts.
It's in the people who stayed when life got hard.

Some of these things may seem small, but together they've helped me find my footing, reconnect with myself, and keep moving forward.

As I celebrate 39, I'm grateful for the people, places, lessons, and moments that helped me find my rhythm.

What helps you find yours?

06/19/2026

Find Your Rhythm: Start with Your Thumbs and Big Toes

Sometimes the body needs a place to organize from.

Two areas that provide a surprising amount of information to the brain are your thumbs and big toes.

Your thumbs help with grip, coordination, hand function, and awareness of where your arms are in space.

Your big toes help provide balance, stability, and information about where your body is over your feet.

When these areas are awake and participating, the rest of the body often has an easier time finding its rhythm.

Try This
Thumb Awareness
• Slowly bend and straighten your thumbs one at a time.
• Notice how they move.
• Does one thumb move differently than the other?
• Hold a water bottle, coffee mug, book, or other object.
• Where is your thumb?
• Is it helping support the object?
• Can you feel the pressure where your thumb contacts it?
Big Toe Awareness
• While standing or sitting, slowly lift your big toe.
• Lower it back down.
• Gently press your big toe into the floor.
• Notice what happens in your foot, ankle, and even your posture.

Why Does It Matter?
These small movements can help:
• Increase body awareness
• Improve balance and stability
• Support grip strength and hand function
• Encourage better coordination
• Give the brain clearer information about where the body is in space
• Create a stronger foundation for movement

Sometimes we think we need a big exercise program to make a difference.

Sometimes it starts with noticing a thumb.
Or a big toe.

Small signals can create big changes.

06/17/2026

We had such a wonderful time with Spring Forward Summer Camp yesterday!

Together, we explored how rhythm can help us connect, respect, and protect ourselves, others, and the world around us.

Through movement, music, listening, and partner activities, campers experienced how rhythm can help our bodies feel more calm, connected, and safe. Rhythm gives us something predictable to organize around, helping us work together, focus, and build awareness.

One of our favorite activities was creating our Rhythm Trees. Each leaf represented a way we can connect, respect, or protect. As the leaves filled the branches, we created a visual reminder that small actions can make a big difference in our communities.

Thank you Spring Forward for inviting ReCre8 Holistic Studio to share the joy of rhythm with your campers.

06/16/2026

Tonight's Outdoor Soundscape has been canceled.

Thank you for your understanding, and we hope to see you at the next session!

06/16/2026

Move with Me Monday:

Want to help your balance, walking, and coordination? You might want to start with your hands.

We often don't realize how much our upper body influences our lower body.

The upper body and lower body work together. Sometimes improving strength, stability, coordination, or awareness in the hands, arms, and shoulders can help the entire movement system work more efficiently.

Our arms naturally swing when we walk. Our shoulders help create stability. Our hands provide information to the brain about where we are in space. When the upper body is working together, the lower body often has an easier job.

Sometimes movement isn't just about strength. It's about information.

A towel can become an anchor that helps your body connect, organize, and find a steady rhythm.

Today, all you need is a small towel.

Towel Pulls
Hold the ends of a towel and gently pull outward as if you're trying to stretch it apart. Maintain steady tension while breathing.
Benefits:
• Grip strength
• Shoulder stability
• Postural awareness
• Bilateral coordination

Towel Roll-Ups
Roll and unroll the towel using your fingers.
Benefits:
• Hand strength
• Dexterity
• Finger coordination
• Sensory awareness

Towel Passes
Pass the towel from one hand to the other in front of your body, overhead, or around your waist.
Benefits:
• Crossing midline
• Coordination
• Shoulder mobility
• Body awareness

Towel Wring-Outs
Pretend you're wringing water from the towel.
Benefits:
• Wrist strength
• Forearm strength
• Rotational control

Sometimes better movement starts with improving the information coming into the system. Small movements can create big changes.

Your feet may be doing the walking, but your hands, arms, and shoulders are helping guide the rhythm.

What are some of your favorite movement anchors?

06/13/2026

Join us for an outdoor Soundscape!

Take an hour to slow down, breathe, and unwind in nature as soothing sounds and gentle rhythms help you reset for the week.

Veterans Memorial Park – Bettendorf
Tuesday
5:30–6:30 PM

Bring a chair, blanket, or yoga mat and settle in for an evening of rest and relaxation. All are welcome.

06/13/2026

Co-Regulation: The Power of Borrowing Calm

I never fully understood co-regulation until years ago in a therapy session.

I was overwhelmed, disconnected, and stuck in the middle of my own chaos. My therapist didn't tell me to relax. She didn't tell me to take a deep breath.

She simply took a breath herself.

And somehow... I breathed too.
Not because I was told to.
Not because I was trying to.
It just happened.

That's the beauty of co-regulation.

Our nervous systems are constantly communicating with the people, animals, and environments around us. Sometimes when someone else slows down, we naturally begin to slow down too.

It's why:
🐾 Your dog lets out a big sigh and suddenly you find yourself breathing deeper.
🐴 Your horse lowers its head, takes a breath, and your shoulders soften.
👶 A baby settles when held by a calm caregiver.
👵 A grandparent relaxes while sitting beside a trusted friend.
👫 Two people walking side by side eventually match each other's pace.
🎵 A group clapping, singing, or moving to the same beat starts to feel connected.
Co-regulation isn't about fixing someone.

It's about offering your calm presence and creating a rhythm that others can join when they're ready.

Simple Co-Regulation Ideas To Practice:
• Take a slow breath and see if someone naturally joins you.
• Walk side by side and find a comfortable shared pace.
• Listen to music together and gently tap or sway to the beat.
• Pass a ball back and forth in a steady rhythm.
• Read a book aloud and notice how your voices and breathing begin to settle.
• Spend time with a pet and match their slower moments.
• Sit quietly with someone and simply be present without trying to solve anything.
• Color, draw, knit, garden, or create alongside each other.
• Sit outside and notice the rhythm of the wind, birds, or waves.

Sometimes the greatest gift we can offer isn't advice.

It's our presence.

A steady breath.
A calm voice.
A shared rhythm.

Because nervous systems love to connect.

And sometimes finding our rhythm starts with borrowing someone else's for a little while.

06/11/2026

Why a Metronome?

Most people think metronomes are only for musicians.

I use one for movement, balance, coordination, focus, and finding a steady rhythm.

A consistent beat can help:
• Improve timing and coordination
• Support balance and weight shifting
• Encourage smoother movement patterns
• Increase body awareness
• Provide a predictable anchor when life feels overwhelming

Sometimes healing isn't about moving faster—it's about finding a rhythm you can trust.

What's one activity where a steady beat helps you?

06/10/2026

Rhythm isn't just about music.

It's about creating patterns that support our lives.

When we consistently care for our belongings, our environment, our commitments, and each other, we create a rhythm that feels calmer, steadier, and more connected.

My favorite one on this list?

💛 "If it will brighten someone's day... say it."

You never know how much someone might need to hear it.