In the art of acting, your body is your instrument. Before you can use your body as means to an end — which is embodying a character –, you need to feel good about yourself first and also be able to move freely and comfortably. So there are two aspects that you have to be aware of:

1. What your body can accomplish physically.
2. How you feel in your body.

If one or the other does not apply “free” as an answer, there is a limitation in your capability of playing a character freely. You will not be able to go into a character, the way you could otherwise.

Make your body strong and healthy

Besides the body being an instrument for actors/actresses, the human body is a machine that carries us through our whole life. In order for the body to function properly, we have to nourish and move it. So it won’t rust in and let us down. Our bodies and us, we practice the greatest sort of teamwork ever. If you are nice to yourself, your body will appreciate it in making your life a healthy one to live. When your body enables you to move freely and in a wide range of motions , providing for enough air when you move wildly and powering you when you need the physical strength, you will never stop caring for your body. You will learn the difference it makes. And you will not want to miss it ever again.

• move every single day: cardio and strength training; even if it is only stretching for 20 minutes and walking distances faster than usual
• eat clean, nutrients-rich food, don’t skip meals

Live in the body you feel good in

Putting the health and fitness aspect — which is a must — aside, there is also the aspect of loving the body that you live in. In acting, you have to play lots of characters or scenes that may not be your favorite ones to play. Being in peace with your body helps a whole lot in order to improvize more independently and in a free-of-guard kind of sense. Realizing the former point (making your body strong and healthy) will be the core of loving your body. This love, you must practice regularly. Don’t start taking your body for granted. Never stop loving what the teamwork between you and your body accomplishes and be proud. All this will show in your acting capabilities. You will be more risk-taking, more innovative and free in your acting.

Love your instrument!! x

-your tiny woman in a giant world