Traditionally Speaking…by Pat Larsen - Life’s Playlist

Logic would dictate that we’d accrue a pretty lengthy playlist over our lifetime.

Beginning with “twinkle, twinkle, little star” alongside the sweet lullabies sung to us by our Mom’s at bed time, we surely have retained a pretty long list of memories side by side throughout the years.

I create playlists for a living. I bring a variety of music twice weekly to my fitness classes. The music that I choose drives the movements and then the mood in the classes.  I get to create that momentum by tapping into our memory banks. Win. Win. After almost 14 years of driving this healthy and fit bus in this direction, I know for sure that it’s the oldies from back in the 50’s and 60’s that are at the core of all this. 

The music that makes up “our” playlists definitely is shareable with our grand kids…go ahead sing out loud without worrying about having to explain suggestive words to them.

I will admit that early on in my years as an instructor, I mistakenly offered a song selection in our group that got me into a bit of a pickle. The evening of that particular class had me explaining to a Dad that I would be more mindful of allowing songs like

“I’m sexy and I know it!” to be part of my playlist since his 6 year old daughter had returned home with her Grandma who attended class that day. I got that message loud and clear.

It makes me realize that the musicians and song writers from back in the day must have had pretty decent upbringings when you take a moment to think about 

Bill Withers and his hit song, “Ain’t No Sunshine”. This one is definitely a class favorite.

Rosemary Clooney and Bing Crosby were unstoppable with their duo, 

“That’s Amore.”  We sing this one out loud every time it comes up in rotation.

Bobby Rydell won over everyone's hearts with “Volare”.

Then Dion brought us the beat to “The Wanderer” and we'd be humming this one for an hour or more after classes concluded.

Life’s playlists are such an essential part of our evolution as  humans.

Music mimics that constant beat that we experience within our hearts and one that we take for granted. We carry that vibration into pretty much everything that we do. 

We are affected by rhythms impacting our moods, our cognitive functions and our physical well-being.

It is such a fundamental aspect of so much of our functionality and creates the basis for some pretty great workouts and so much more.

What’s on your Life’s playlist?

Pat Larsen, is a syndicated columnist and author who lives, works, plays and prays in Greene County, NY

Active Seniors enjoy her classes weekly at The Shamrock House

In East Durham. Interested? Give her a call.

518-275-8686 

Source: The Schoharie News