On the Mat: Stepping Stones
[Life is] “a journey where each point of arrival turned out to be a stepping stone rather than a destination.” Seamus Heaney, an Irish poet, playwright, and winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature wrote this sentiment. I found it written in a card sent to me by my best friend in 2009. I share … Continue reading
Wellness for any Age
As our population ages, practicing wellness becomes ever more important. Working with seniors has challenged my teaching practice. I’ve learned to slow down and listen not only to their words but also to their bodies. Here are three things I’ve learned from working with seniors – applied here specifically to wellness practices, but applicable in … Continue reading
On the Mat: Locating Your “Core”
As dancers, we have heard teachers tell us for years to “move from your core” or “engage your core.” Your muscles may have memorized a series of actions that make you move more strongly or with greater movement potential, convincing your teachers that you are following their instructions. Perhaps you can even indicate where you … Continue reading
On the Mat: Clear Your Mat, Open Your Mind
Something about the start of a New Year makes me want to eliminate clutter, reorganize files, and start fresh in my home environment. I am a minimalist by nature, but even I have been in a whirlwind space-clearing mood for the last week or so. I look forward to letting go of possessions I no … Continue reading
Inflight Yoga, with Shayne Cahalan
Welcome onboard Flight 484, now departing for LAX. My name is Shayne, and I will be your Inflight yoga instructor today. Life has a funny way of working itself out. Less than a week after my Mind Body Dancer graduation, I began training to become an Inflight Crewmember with jetBlue Airways. JetBlue is an amazing … Continue reading
On the Mat: A Lesson from Fire
As organic creatures born of the elements of water, air, fire, and earth, we also become the proud carriers of these elements throughout our lifetime. A balance of our elements keeps us healthy and allows us to function. The element of fire is connected with passion, warmth, and intensity. Some of us carry more fire … Continue reading
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