My life revolved around gymnastics for much of my childhood, as I proudly grew from a tiny tumblebee of age 4 to a competitive gymnast in adolescence. As the type of athlete who thrived on strength and speed, one of my absolute favorite things was to go whipping through the air backwards. At the request of my friends, I would not-so humbly tumble through a succession of back handsprings and … [Read more...]
There are periods of my life when I have grown paralyzed while facing the veiled path of the future that lies ahead. The plethora of choices available to me overwhelms: Which direction is the correct one to pursue right now? Can I follow it without completely neglecting my other desired paths? What if I make the wrong choice? Other times, the choice is clear, but uncertainty confounds me. What … [Read more...]
When what to wear while doing yoga, my number one concern is comfort. If yoga pants or shorts grip my gut too tightly, they limit my range of motion in forward folds, and if they are riding up my crotch or straining against my thighs, it impedes my extension in lunges and splits. Breathability of the material is my second big concern. When I flow through a very active yoga practice, I definitely … [Read more...]
After a steamy past several days here in Connecticut, this rainy Monday is welcome relief. One of my favorite ways to enjoy a drenched day is immersing myself in a book that tells an irresistible story. Rachel Brathen’s Yoga Girl is a perfect read for a day of staying in as it provides a perfect escape into a tropical, charmed lifestyle of embracing one’s passion and life purpose. What makes it … [Read more...]
Poetry in Motion for World Poetry Day The Journey By Mary Oliver One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began, though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice-- though the whole house began to tremble and you felt the old tug at your ankles. "Mend my life!" each voice cried. But you didn't stop. You knew what you had to do, though the wind pried with its stiff fingers at the … [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...]
For the yogi looking for greater flexibility and independence in his or her workout, having a home yoga practice is immensely beneficial, providing a great opportunity to develop discipline, creativity and commitment to self. When you have your own yoga space in the home, whether it’s a room of your own or a designated area of a room where you can comfortably unfurl your mat, you have the power to … [Read more...]
You must brave being the odd one out Before you can find your way on the less-travelled path You must leap without a safety net Before you can feel firmly grounded on your feet You must dare to roll in the mud Before you can carve out a life of true beauty You must risk the missteps, tumbles and falls Before you can finally arise steady, strong and tall © 2015 Renee L. Canada … [Read more...]
As we kick off 2015, it’s the perfect time for us to start penning a brand new chapter in the story of our lives. In truth, we can have that fresh start at any point in time, if we so choose it. Yet the symbolism of stepping into a new calendar year, with its blank days and weeks to fill, wipes clean the slate of the past year, triggering the inspiration and motivation we need to manifest … [Read more...]
Winding down my last yoga session on the last night of being age 36, as I surrendered at last into a peaceful savasana, I felt as if I were giving birth to a new stage in my practice and a new chapter in my life. In the past, I have greatly resisted this asana. While the body is meant to soften, I could never fully sink down into the pose. My pelvis rested unevenly on the mat. My forearms gently … [Read more...]