The unfamiliar landscape stretches out for days. Lush pines tower over prickly brush. Mountains of brown-gray, nearly purple rock stand behind those layered with green, orange, and yellow foliage, all of it pressing up against a cloud-filled sky. At its edges, my vision darkens and narrows, as if I’ve clumsily applied a vignette filter across my eyes. I place one barefoot shoe in front of the … [Read more...]
Nine months ago, when my husband and I were moving into the three-story condominium we’re currently renting, I was more than a wee bit concerned with how I’d navigate all those levels. My office would on the top floor, with our bedroom, main bathroom, and laundry beneath me. Two flights of stairs stood between my desk and the kitchen sink, and the ground floor led down another flight of stairs to … [Read more...]
This Saturday, my husband and I are heading to Roger Williams Zoo in Providence, RI, for the very first time. I can’t even explain how much I’m looking forward to this unique experience. It’s been more than a decade since I last visited a major zoo, but getting the chance to have close-up encounters with snow leopards and giraffes isn’t even the main reason that I’m itching to get to Providence. … [Read more...]
Dr. Joaquin Farias, a leading specialist in treating dystonia, has been helping people with this debilitating movement disorder to recover control over their brains, bodies and lives for more than 20 years. As a featured speaker at the 2018 international conference on Movement: Brain, Body and Cognition, held July 27-29 at Harvard University School of Medicine, he gave an enlightening talk that … [Read more...]
Is it just me...or do any of you still get a little nervous in the moments before a first class taught by a new-to-you teacher? Perhaps living with chronic pain and a neurological movement disorder makes me especially wary of being led in a movement practice by someone unknown. Or maybe I've just gotten so comfy guiding my own practice at home. Yet I know a crucial facet of being an impactful … [Read more...]
Today kicks off my 40-day countdown celebration to turning 40 years old. Yes, you read that correctly; I am indeed celebrating this momentous time in my life with something special every day leading up to my birthday. I refuse to spend the last weeks of my 30s mourning my so-called youth, especially when the awe and wonder I feel toward life only grows with each passing day. Sure, it would be … [Read more...]
I am super jazzed to announce that I will be attending the Accessible Yoga Conference in NYC at the Integral Yoga Institute NYC on May 19-21 of this year! The aim of the Accessible Yoga Conference is to provide education, supportive resources and community for those who seek to increase the accessibility of yoga to meet the needs of people with disabilities and chronic illnesses, seniors, and … [Read more...]
When it comes to our personal experience of the world around us, perception is everything. How we perceive our environment is largely influenced by the information our brains receive from our senses, which help us to determined how to behave and what to feel in a given situation. Every day, we rely on the five most recognizable senses of sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. However, our brains … [Read more...]
Everywhere we turn, old beauty ideals are being shattered and redefined to embrace the magnificent diversity of humanity. Nose-pierced, tattooed Tess (Munster) Holliday is turning heads as the first size 24 woman signed to a major modeling agency, and last week’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue features a plus-sized supermodel (albeit, in an ad) for the first time. Supermodel Carmen Del’Orefice … [Read more...]
This morning, bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert, who wrote the much beloved memoir Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia, asked a favor of her readers on Facebook. Almost daily, she shares inspiration and wisdom that I and countless others feel called to share with friends. Today was no different. Glibert shared a candid, unpolished photo of … [Read more...]