Ever since I read, “The body is a sacred garment. It’s your first and last garment. It’s what you enter life in and what you depart life with, and it should be treated with honor,” I’ve been intrigued with Martha Graham, the famous American dancer/choreographer (and the author of the quote). I just learned that Martha Graham created not just dances, but also her very own, very specific, body conditioning method. I’d describe it as...
I live in rural Connecticut these days and when I have to go into New York City, I drive in. I’ve gotten really good at driving into the hubbub of Manhattan, and I know all the ways in and out. I even know the best parking strategies. The repetition of going in and out of the city month after month, year after year, has given me a keen sense of awareness, and has strengthened my...
I have a love/hate relationship with winter. I love sweaters and snowy sunsets, and I do think there’s something about fully experiencing all four seasons that’s good for the soul, but anyone that spends five minutes with me this time of year will know seeking warmth becomes my full-time job. Oh, I struggle so hard! But I’ve been on this planet for a while and I know myself and what I have to do. I...
Here we are, on the precipice of 2023. This tends to be the time of year for simultaneously looking back and looking ahead, and I do think it’s healthy to have some sort of closing ritual and bid 2022 adieu. I’ll watch the sunset on January 31st and wave it goodbye. “Thanks for the memories! That’s a wrap!” And before looking ahead and focusing on our 2023 goals and aspirations, let’s pause and take a moment...
I really do pay attention to things and I am a bit worried about the state of health in the US. There is a lot of chronic conditions and chronic pain, and so many people, women especially, go from doctor to doctor seeking help to no avail. From what I’ve gathered, the ones that tend to break out of the never ending doctor visit-to-doctor visit cycle, go on the offensive by doing these three things: ...
Have you noticed people looking down and keeping their arms tucked in tightly to their sides? Think of rainy day posture…eyes focused on the ground, small steps, contracted body language. There’s nothing wrong with this physical alignment in certain situations (like when you’re walking in the rain!), however, when it becomes your default mode, it’s a problem. To this I say, reach up and look up. Go on and physically extend your arms overhead and physically turn your gaze to the space above...
Fitness is a self-help tool for authentic wellness. The goal is wellness. Or another way of looking at it is, the destination is wellness. And you and I are never not on a journey towards wellness. We never get to the top of the wellness mountain and stick a flag in it and say, “Done!” If you’re breathing, you’re journeying! Remember when Oprah showcased her dramatic weight loss on her talkshow? She even wheeled out...
Strength is major. Cardio endurance is major. But you know what is often an unsung hero when it comes to longevity? Mobility. Joints that go big. Movements that flow. Freedom in every physical action. These types of things are hard to measure, and they might not be obvious at first glance, but when you experience a high level of mobility first hand, in your own body, it’s one of the best confidence boosters. You feel capable,...
Energy begets energy. What gives you energy? We often think our “fuel” is food, and that is true of course, but in a more esoteric sense, breathe, sleep, water, certain people and events, and the right kind of movement all give us energy. They all give back. All movement is not created equal. I mentioned “the right kind of movement” not just “movement” because some movement depletes us. Some movement takes away. What’s the difference? It’ll vary...
I went on my usual sunrise dog walk this am and I slowed it down a bit and meandered, really taking in the energy of right now. The leaves have almost completely left the trees. The farmers have harvested their last crop of hay. I hear the geese on the move overhead. My favorite purple and yellow wildflowers are no longer sprinkled into the landscape. It smells like November. These observations don’t make me happy...
