After the rush of bargain buys from Black Friday through Cyber Monday, today the focus of the holiday season shifts to celebrating the charitable spirit with Giving Tuesday. This is the third annual global day of giving and generosity, where all are invited to give back to communities or charitable organizations in whichever ways they can—whether by donating their time and services, goods or … [Read more...]
For many folks living with the debilitating neurological condition dystonia, getting physically active and staying fit can seem like a near impossible dream. Repetitive, involuntary muscle contractions can cause the body to twist or take on abnormal postures, leaving muscles tight, strained and sore. Understandably, some fear exercise might make this condition worse—yet on the yoga mat, I not only … [Read more...]
"Threading The Needle" by Renée Canada I thread the needle Through tight angles And strained filaments. I look out and through the space That grows and slows with breath And settles from stillness to peace. The battle to control the resistance Overcome by love and acceptance Of my limitations and imperfections. … [Read more...]
It appears that autumn is finally starting to creep into Connecticut. It’s back to pajama pants, socks and the comforter on the cooler nights, and I bundle in my lightweight hoodie and bedroom slippers to comfortably get through the chilly mornings. Days give way to sunny, yet mild temperatures. And as someone with heat and sun sensitivity, I embrace these days because it means that I can enjoy … [Read more...]
Additional spotlight has been cast on dystonia lately, thanks to one of this season’s MasterChef competitors speaking up about having the disorder. A Season 5 contestant of FOX’s cooking reality show, Jaimee Vitolo, who has successfully avoided elimination in the show thus far, explains her “voice issue and awkward movements” to viewers as symptoms of the movement disorder. On August 11, Vitoli … [Read more...]
I still remember the day I sat in my then-rheumatologist’s office more than a decade ago, fatigued and broken, seeking yet another treatment, desperate for solutions. Seemingly helpless in the fight against insomnia, suffering from daily migraines, brain fog and digestion problems and saddled with excruciating pain, numbness and pins-and-needles sensation of misbehaving nerves, I was so physically … [Read more...]
Imagine what it would be like to be the middle of talking and discover you can’t shut your mouth for 10 minutes as your jaw muscles fight every effort to close it. Picture yourself standing in the shower when all the muscles in your lower body either suddenly weaken—or your limbs start jerking around like a puppet on a string—causing enough imbalance for you to collapse on your face in the wet … [Read more...]
Living with chronic illness for so many years, I’ve learned what it takes for me to not only survive but also thrive. Self-care is at the very top of the list, and it encompasses so many things—from eating right, exercising, getting enough sleep, listening to your body and pampering it when it needs it, as well as making sure you have a strong support team. Having a knowledgeable doctor who … [Read more...]
Toward the end of 2013, I was looking for more tools to not only help me serve clients as a health coach, but to also become a part of my own healing regimen. I had studied and become certified as a holistic health coach, specializing in nutrition at IIN. I had studied as a women’s fitness specialist with NASM. I had even taking the first steps toward getting certified to teach various mind-body … [Read more...]
It turns out that today’s post is going to be a more personal one. Yesterday, the uncontrollable muscle movements returned after a pretty significant absence. Yes, it certainly is a pain in the neck (and face and legs). Yet I haven’t been as disheartened as frustrated. So many plans have been canned due to the greedy movement monster: Dystonia. Last night I couldn’t go to the book club I was … [Read more...]