I felt inspired to share a story with you all… I was at a cocktail party a few days ago and was drinking a glass of water. (The bartender very kindly put in a lime slice for some pizazz!) Almost everyone I mingled with at this party, gave me some grief about drinking just water. “Live a little, Ellen.”“Are you sure you don’t want something stronger?”“A glass of wine won’t kill you.” I haven’t seen...
In the US, we’re heading into Memorial Day weekend, which is sort of like a kickoff to summer. It is always “hit or miss” weather-wise. I remember sunbathing by the pool in 80 degrees this time of year, and I also remember torrential rains for four days straight. You just never know. Memorial Day weather in Connecticut is a metaphor for life. You never know what’s in store. Things don’t always go as planned. An often overlooked “skill” is to not get thrown off too easily....
There is significant scientific evidence that suggests exercise done right increases immunity. (Emphasis on “done right” meaning not too intense, yet not too mild. For me, 30-45minutes where my breathing gets slightly challenged and I break a sweat, is ideal.) I have no doubt that exercise has helped strengthen my own immune system, and the immune systems of my family members and clients. Also, ask any doctor, this is common knowledge in the medical world and believed...
Stop what you are doing right now and look at your posture and notice…where are your shoulders? Chances are, if you are reading this while sitting at your desk or while looking at your phone, your shoulders are rounded forward. [Insert crying emoji😢] When shoulders are rounded forward, the neck and chest muscles are always “on” which ultimately tires us out and causes muscular strain. When shoulders are rounded forward, the airway to and from...
About a year ago, I read that “busy-ness is trauma response.” I felt that statement. My whole adult life, I’ve been busy. When I had a lull in things to doit would stun me. It induced a moment of shock in a way, like, “Wait, what’s next?” To make matters worse, I’d magnify the busy-ness. When someone asked me how I was doing, I’d respond, “So busy.” For all women on Mother’s Day – even if...
I am a people watcher. Airports, at the beach, at coffee shops, on the NYC subway….I people watch, hard. Yesterday, I was sitting in my car, waiting for the red light to turn green, watching folks traverse a cross walk in Saint Augustine, Florida. It was a looonnnnng light. I noticed three things: 1. While being overweight is very different from being obese, both situations create labored movement. Joints are over burdened. Body temp elevates too fast. Breathing...
Today is a cold and gloomy spring day, and I just brought a cup of hot tea with me to my mat. I’m after TLC. My cup of tea, my sheepskin rug, my leg warmers, and my cute yoga mat with my name on it…they are my very own workout hygge. “Hygge” is a Danish word for a quality of coziness that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being. I was craving Hygge, and voilà – my at-home...
I probably would not watch NCAA basketball March Madness if not for my husband and son, but with that said, I am enjoying it. I tend to notice things that my family does not pay much attention to, and one of those things is enthusiasm. The players, the coaches and the fan are all so into it. Witnessing such a high level of enthusiasm is exhilarating in and of itself, and I think it is contagious! It got me...
I’d like to candidly talk about menopause. I’m 50 and people keep asking me what my thoughts are. First, I do notice my body changing. I feel like food stays in my stomach longer, and I’m not quite the “furnace” I once was. Second, I notice I have to work a bit harder at maintaining muscle tone. Third, my cycle is still regular, but much lighter and shorter, which is fine by me. But, overall I’m feeling...
We all have those days when we don’t feel 100percent, and a workout is just not in the cards. The next best thing, when that’s the case, is to get embodied. Perhaps that means sitting on the floor, or maybe closing your eyes and focusing on your breath. Maybe it translates as intuitive stretching, or resting in Shavasana. It’s meeting yourself where you are and honoring that place. I call this embodiment. In many ways, embodiment is synonymous to grounded-ness. They are both...
