By Rabbis Daniel Novick and Sarah Krinsky
Note: This blog post was featured as part of our #HeshbonHodesh: Adar monthly newsletter.
From Daniel: Working on a completely virtual college campus this entire school year, I have found myself eager to find ways to make Jewish life on campus feel as normal as possible. However, some things, like our high holiday services, were simply unable to take place. While some would jump at the opportunity to take a year off of leading and officiating at high holiday services, I quickly recognized that I needed to do something that fed my professional and personal desires to mark Jewish time in a special and spiritual way. Inspired by my favorite Peloton instructors, I decided to create my own indoor cycling hagim-inspired classes for my students and friends. Upon reflection, what turned out to be a fun, silly side-project actually inspired me to view my time on the Peloton as my primary form of self-care, both physically and emotionally.
What happens when I get on the Peloton is that I enter a world of sorts that focuses on me and me alone. That world that I enter becomes a space of self-exploration, self-confidence, and self-care. I am physically and mentally pushed to be better and, most importantly, I truly cannot think about work or to-do lists. This extreme (and yes, expensive) version of self-care is what works for me. It has facilitated a journey of growth and self-appreciation that has set a foundation to do better for myself, for my students, and for my community.
From Sarah: For me, part of the joy of Peloton is that it is one of few spaces in which I get to be a student and a participant rather than a leader, teacher or facilitator. In a year (and a profession more broadly) where so much creative energy was spent producing, having a place where showing up and being present is all that is required of me provides an important counter. This was especially true for a Jewish holiday, where (other than my key roles as DJ and camera-holder), I had the opportunity to be led through a curated experience. Having places where I can disappear into a crowd restores and replenishes me for the moments in which I will soon again be the one in front of the camera.
Read the Other Blog Posts in This Series:
Rabbi Daniel Pressman: "No Pain, No Gain"
Rabbi Michael Ungar: Finding the Parallels Between Fitness and Jewish Living