Keep It Moving

Lessons for the Rest of Your Life

by Twyla Tharp

4.5(663 ratings)

11 min read

Brief overview

This book explores how to navigate aging with vitality, creativity, and a forward-looking mindset. It offers practical guidance on transforming physical challenges into opportunities for growth, using discipline, movement, and optimism to stay engaged at any stage of life. By integrating personal anecdotes, reflective exercises, and long-standing traditions, it encourages a lifelong commitment to fearless expansion.

Introduction

Aging is universal, yet it often stirs anxiety. We see our bodies slow down and yearn for earlier years. However, focusing on lost youth can keep us stuck in place. Instead, moving forward demands a deliberate, daily choice to keep exploring and creating. The idea is to trade nostalgia for momentum.

Drawing on decades of experience in dance and choreography, the author shares a unique view of aging. She contends that our later years can be an everyday rehearsal for growth, tapping into the resilience we’ve built throughout life. Through stories of artists and ordinary people alike, she uncovers the secrets of staying engaged, inspired, and ready to pivot.

Movement—both literal and figurative—forms the heartbeat of this approach. Whether you’re a dancer or office worker, you have both the responsibility and the power to choose how you move through your world. By blending curiosity and discipline, this dynamic perspective transforms aging into a renewed sense of purpose.

On the journey to live fully, stagnation—not aging—is the real enemy.

The Power of a Personal Pledge

A “pledge” is not a single-goal pursuit, but an ongoing commitment woven into your day. Many people drift, unsure of what drives them, but a pledge can anchor new choices and behaviors. It surpasses short-term pressures and stands firm even when obstacles arise.

For the author, dance led to a realization that a vow to stay moving was more than a career—it became a mission. You, too, can reframe moments of doubt as key turning points in discovering your own path. A pivotal question is: “What do I choose to devote myself to right now?” The answer can clarify how you spend your time and energy.

View the pledge as a model that replaces self-doubt with progress. Even if the action is modest—like stretching each morning—it lifts you beyond inertia. By acting on your pledge regularly, you weave confidence into your daily routine. Over time, such incremental steps can spark momentous outcomes.

A pledge grows out of each deliberate choice you make, forging direction through repetition.

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What is Keep It Moving about?

Twyla Tharp, celebrated choreographer and acclaimed author, presents "Keep It Moving: Lessons for the Rest of Your Life" as a powerful manifesto on how aging can be a launchpad for continued growth and discovery. Tharp articulates how discipline, movement, and optimism can help embrace life’s later years with vigor. With her personal anecdotes woven into the narrative, Tharp makes a compelling case for a fearless exploration of what it means to age gracefully, offering practical advice and encouraging readers to view their bodies as invaluable assets.

At its core, "Keep It Moving" is a masterclass in transforming potential age-related challenges into opportunities for personal expansion. Tharp shows that through simple mindset shifts and daily rituals that merge creativity with physical discipline, individuals can harness their energy and maintain a zest for life at every stage. Her unique blend of storytelling and instructive guidance invites readers to make conscious choices that prioritize vitality and intellectual curiosity.

This book empowers readers to understand that aging does not signify the end but rather a new beginning. By fostering a commitment to personal growth, creativity, and fearlessness, Twyla Tharp enables her audience to see aging as an adventurous journey filled with opportunities for learning and reinvention.

Review of Keep It Moving

"Keep It Moving" is a groundbreaking contribution to contemporary discussions on aging, fueled by Twyla Tharp's unparalleled expertise in choreography and life philosophy. A central strength of the book lies in its ability to capture the nuances of aging through Tharp’s lens of dance. Her guidance on how physical discipline can awaken creativity and vice-versa is both insightful and inspiring.

Tharp's engaging prose and accessible writing style make complex concepts around aging and personal growth easy to digest. Readers are encouraged to implement her advice on staying physically active and embracing a thoughtful, creative lifestyle—ideal for those seeking practical applications that go beyond the page. The real-world examples and anecdotal evidence provided offer tangible proof of the effectiveness of commitment and conscious living.

Perfectly tailored for those ready to redefine their relationship with aging, Tharp's "Keep It Moving" is a conversation-starter, inviting readers to challenge conventional beliefs around aging. This work is not just a book but an action plan, urging society to pursue purposeful living that embraces change. With thoughtful recommendations for staying physically and mentally active, it becomes more than just advice; it is a call to action for vitality across generations.

Who should read Keep It Moving?

Professionals nearing retirement: Insightful tips for maintaining relevance and purpose as they transition out of full-time work.
Fitness enthusiasts: Fresh perspectives on movement's role in holistic well-being beyond the gym or court.
Book club members: Compelling content and discussion points on aging, personal growth, and mindset shifts.
Life coaches and mentors: Innovative approaches to coaching clients on embracing aging proactively.
Health and wellness advocates: Enriching material to incorporate into programs focused on aging healthily.

About the author

Twyla Tharp is a renowned American dancer, choreographer, and author. With a career spanning over fifty years, she has choreographed more than 135 dances, five Hollywood movies, and four Broadway shows. Tharp holds a degree in art history from Barnard College and has received numerous awards, including two Emmy Awards, 19 honorary doctorates, a Tony Award, and the National Medal of the Arts. She has also written several books, including "The Creative Habit" and "The Collaborative Habit," and continues to create and teach in New York City.