The evolutionary roots of precise and powerful walking
Fall is in the air and it's a really great time to get out and walk. That is easier said than done if walking is tiring, painful or boring. Maybe it doesn't feel as natural as it used to? Our bodies are built for walking. There is a lot of "genetic lineage" that led up to and supports healthy and satisfying walking movement. What...
“What’s Keeping You From Gliding Through Life: The Yoga Of Happy, Healthy Hips”
Yoga is about understanding the art and science of life. That includes the bringing together of opposites: activity and rest, strength and flexibility, intention and receiving. What makes it possible to bring together these opposites into a cohesive whole? Integration. Integration allows our bodies and minds to flow easily and freely. Integration helps us glide through life. Gliding is literal and...
Your Original Body Wisdom and Qigong
A lot of people have asked me if I have studied the Chinese movement and energy system -- Qigong. I was always drawn to its elegant and rich moves and underlying imagery but I had never formally studied the practice. Thankfully, over this past fourth of July weekend I attended Roger Jahnke's Qigong workshop "Feel the Qi” at the Omega Institute. It was a great experience...
The Yoga of Natural Breathing
Did you know that just being curious while relaxing creates a "sweet spot" for learning something new? Neither did I, but thanks to Lisa Wimberger, I understand how the work we do in Body Wisdom gets us into that state. Biochemically what is happening when we experience this relaxed curiosity is that we are increasing the flow of dopamine, neuroephrine and acetolyne. The synergy of these chemicals...
Change your mind, change your muscle tone
Many people ask me why stretching often gives them only temporary relief from tightness and pain. It's because stretching does not change the brain. And to change the body we need to change the mind. Our muscles spindles have nerves that relay information between our spinal cord, brain and muscle. Technically, this function is called the alpha-gamma loop and it keeps...
Happy Hips Happy Heart
Do you remember the exquisite movement you had as a child? And how happy it made you? You could jump, bounce and run with such energy and pleasure! You can't become a child again but you can reclaim some of the happiness, natural spring and resiliency you have lost. How? Through letting your body lead the way! There is a...
The Yoga of the Core: More Pleasure, Less Work!
When I mention the word core, I am often met with groans of discouragement. "Oh, I know I don't do enough", is the most frequent comment. But, too much focus on abdominal strength can interfere with your body's natural ability to support all of your joints and ease in your movement. Although the core needs to be stable; it also needs to...
Hurting yourself doing yoga?? What??!!
Have you hurt yourself doing yoga? Yoga???!! What??? It's supposed to be totally safe!! And, for many of us, myself included, Yoga actually has been a primary way of getting into and knowing my body. After all, it's a kind of slow challenge- nothing happens so fast that I am out of control. And the stretching can feel so good....
