community

How do we feel about our bellies?

So, I was subbing for the wonderful Debbie Major, at a Hatha yoga class on a lovely Sunday morning. We were reflecting on balance, we stood strong in our warrior poses, we grew our branches in tree, then I made the mistake of saying, “Ok, how is everyone feeling about abs today?” We all looked… Continue reading How do we feel about our bellies?

martial arts

Hold on- more tenets

In the process of becoming a black belt in taekwondo, I am reflecting on what that process means.Here is part two of my rough-ish draft of the essay I need to write as part of my qualifications to qualify for my black belt with the World Taekwondo Federation (yes, the other WTF) What are musings… Continue reading Hold on- more tenets

martial arts

So, what belt are you?

After taekwondo family class one evening last fall, Kate and I went to King Soopers to get sushi (I know, I know, grocery store sushi…terrible) and a man saw us in our uniforms, there outside the store, in the dusk. ”Are you above brown?” he asked. “Huh?” I totally couldn’t understand him- I thought he… Continue reading So, what belt are you?

martial arts

Pick a Dojang, any Dojang

  When I’m not being an internationally renowned blogger and lifestyle Instagrammer (did you catch that picture of my soup yesterday? Genius, I tell you) I teach kids who are learning English as a second language. I was astonished the other day when one of my students, from China, told me he did taekwondo.  “But aren’t… Continue reading Pick a Dojang, any Dojang

book review

Silly Rabbit, Tricks are for Everyone

I’m pretty nerdy- just ask anyone.  When I want to learn something new, which is all the time, my first move is not to try it, or take a class,or ask a friend. My first move is to read about it. When I first started getting into yoga seriously, about 7 years ago, I scouted… Continue reading Silly Rabbit, Tricks are for Everyone

yoga

Flipping upside down

  You know how sometimes, there’s the circus-act aspect of yoga, it feels like doing tricks.  “Okay, trained monkey, now do your headstand…” I feel awkward with inversions, because I’m not good at either headstand or shoulder stand, and not strong enough for hand stand, and I feel like I somehow “should” be good at… Continue reading Flipping upside down

community

Let’s be friends

“Oh, those guys are my archenemies…” my son says as we walk across the park. I squint at the middle schoolers in the climbing structure. “What are their names? Why are they your archenemies?” I asked. I’m curious, not confused. I’ve been at this too long to be bewildered. “I don’t know their names. I… Continue reading Let’s be friends

movement

The cheapest piece of exercise equipment you probably aren’t using

I keep getting tempted to buy exercise gadgets. For example, we’ve been watching House of Cards, and while I am learning lots about journalism and politics, I am also fascinated by Frank Underwood’s fancy rowing machine, with the water turbine and everything? So cool. Also, fabulously expensive.  And metaphorical… Other fitness toys I have been… Continue reading The cheapest piece of exercise equipment you probably aren’t using

yoga off the mat

I wish I could be in the lake…

It’s hot in my neighborhood this week.  In the 90’s during the day, although it’s a dry heat, and my friends in Arizona will point out that 90’s would be a delicious relief.  For me, it’s hot though. I have been taking it easy , or trying to, after minor surgery. Here’s a sign of… Continue reading I wish I could be in the lake…

movement · yoga

5 things to understand when you restart exercise after a break

Exercise is one of those things most of us think we should do more of-for whatever reason, maybe you aren’t getting enough movement- were you on vacation? Recovering from an injury? Raising small humans? Life just generally getting in the way? It happens to all of us. Start where you are. You might have set… Continue reading 5 things to understand when you restart exercise after a break