January 17, 2022
The first full moon of 2022 rises tonight alongside the Martin Luther King holiday in the United States, and you can expect a dazzling (if chilly) view of Earth’s neighbor, weather permitting. The January full moon, also known as the full Wolf Moon, reaches its peak tonight at 6:48 p.m. EST (1148 GMT).
Full Wolf Moon, the first full moon of 2022, rises tonight | Space
“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.”
“Forgiveness is not an occasional act.”
“I have decided to stick with love.”
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”
-Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)
January 18, 2022
Fads & Trends. The most innocent consideration is that all exercise, all new expressions, begin as a seed. As a young person, Joseph Pilates had health issues and physical challenges of which he was determined to overcome. Pilates’ method includes both eastern and western thought of which together, with his requirements became “The Art of Contrology.” His devotees followed his original moves to the letter. Those who learned from him, naturally taught the next generation slightly different according the needs of the day.
Fads, Pilates, Pilates Mat, Pilates Reformer and Cadillac, Pilates Towel, Pilates Ring, Power Pilates, PiYo, Yogilates, Barre. New instructors, new forms. The next new thing is fun and exciting. Newness is a hook, a tool, and a reason to re-engage. And with consistent practice, results occur.
A trend that shifted the model of the work-out was that the body can do just as well by doing less. Hour classes reduced to half hour or twenty minutes. Twenty minutes is all the body needs. Twenty minutes once a week will not counteract a sedentary life. The shorter classes benefit those who move every day in a sustainable manner, to develop consistency to maintain physical fitness. Moving does the body, ask those who move how they feel. There has to be a reason that one chooses movement as a lifestyle.
What does movement mean to you, for you? What are your thoughts?
January 19, 2022
Wednesday’s Yoga class is now a video available on the H&M Video Library playlist.
My apologies. This is the second week of a three-week cleanse and I apparently do not know which day nor date it is. Thank you for sending me a text or email to help me. I’m kidding, I didn’t get any texts or emails.
Last Saturday was a celebration of sorts, Global Access Bars Day. According to their website “Access Bars® are 32 points on your head that, when gently touched, effortlessly, and easily release anything that stops you from feeling joy and ease in your life. These points contain all the thoughts, ideas, beliefs, emotions, and considerations you have stored. This is an opportunity for you to let go of everything!”
Once certified, my biggest fan was my granddaughter. She asked for a Bars session after a particularly challenging day in school or a savage wrestling tournament. After about the fourth-hand placement, she fell deeply asleep. The session would be complete, and she slept for a couple of hours. This happened more than one time. The same case for my daughter. Incredible relaxation accompanies time out of mind.
I wasn’t available on Global Access Bars Day, but I would like to offer anyone responding to this newsletter article with the gift of a free 30-minutes Bars session. Let’s make an appointment.
January 20, 2022
Thursday’s Pilates: Stretch&Core class is now available on the H&M Video Library playlist.
Seeing the live class attendees’ photos of this most recent Wolf Moon is delightful. Here at my home, we have had the pleasure of watching the fullness of this moon cycle as it rises, passes over and sets. Such a lunar dance because each day offers a different view at different times. The evening of the full moon, we saw the moon rise and the moon set in one night. Each night the times change and the angle reflects differently on the balcony. When the moon shows itself is not the time to think about catching the spectacular later or next time. There aren’t going to be the same silver linings about the clouds, the same moon shadows on the mountains, or moon beam meditation. If the moon tells us anything of its cycle is that now is all there is.
Putting off any semblance of exercise does not do the body good. To that point, if any form is disagreeable, let’s look at it differently. Making exercise work for you is the main purpose of the Personal Instruction Experience. We work with your form where you are. Yesterday’s fads and trends is at least an opportunity to move. Not moving is like knowing there is a full moon and closing the curtains.
January 22, 2022
Two new videos were added to the H&M Video Library playlist.
Are you living your highest potential? One way to have an idea about potential is to consider what you are capable of doing and what you are actually doing? If there is space between capable and actual what fills the gap? When the gap is broad and uncertain, depression, anxiety, ick may reside. If the gap is filled with effort to bring the two closer together, a plan, a goal, the space feels like opportunity or possibility. The closer capability and actuality gravitate, the gap is a place of happiness.
January 23, 2022
One of my favorite books is “A Philosopher’s Notes.” In an earlier life I was asked to explore my virtues by taking a “test” called Virtues in Action. There are six core virtues: wisdom, courage, love, justice, temperance, and spirituality. An entry in my favorite book, offers that a life of virtue creates greater happiness. Further, happiness doesn’t just happen. Happiness takes practice. What else just doesn’t happen? Let’s talk about it.
January 24, 2022
Re: “A Philosopher’s Notes”
Principles for Optimal Living
Optimism – a matter of taming the crazy thinking
Purpose – beyond inspiration, vision, or big goal, live life with a sense of purpose
Self-Awareness – Know thyself
Action – the doing rather than just talking about it
Energy – the personal equation of nutrition + exercise + rejuvenation + resources
Wisdom – every moment an opportunity to live our ideals
Courage – from Latin for “heart,” to pump courage into all other stuff
Love – the quality of relationship
en*theos – whatever the force that beats our hearts and keeps the planets in line, the connection
January 25, 2022
Any interest in Facial Exercise? I gathered work that feels fun to present on a Saturday under the Self-Care category. Spots are being reserved now for a late February, Saturday mid-morning zoom gathering to do face exercises. Let me know what you think?
January 26, 2022
Re: “A Philosopher’s Notes”
Principles for Optimal Living
Optimism is the first principle as it is a nature of the mind and if we can’t control the mind, all other principles are mote. The opposite of optimism is helplessness. When we are confident or at least hopeful, we are happy. Helplessness is learned and precursor to depression. What is the antidote? Learned optimism.
January 27, 2022
Re: “A Philosopher’s Notes”
Principles for Optimal Living
Consider what our minds do. Buddhists say the mind is like monkeys, swinging between thoughts. Psychologists figure we think maybe 60,000 thoughts a day. What do we think about? Supposedly, 95% of our thoughts are the same thoughts we think every day. And of those thoughts 80% are negative. Maybe learning optimism would be helpful.
January 28, 2022
Re: “A Philosopher’s Notes”
Principles for Optimal Living
To learn optimism is not a one and done effort. Learning optimism is like training muscles. Train all of the time, consistently, not just when you feel like, not only when it something you like. Emotions are like muscles. All you need to do is show up and do the work.
January 29, 2022
This morning’s Pop Up focused on the Pilates Essential Six moves. Each move started at its easiest form and moved into its challenge. Fun Focus. Thank you for participating.
Re: “A Philosopher’s Notes”
Principles for Optimal Living
How do you explain the world? Martin Seligman’s three styles of explaining is 1. Permanence, 2. Pervasiveness and 3. Personalization. How do you explain when good stuff that happens?
The pessimist thinks 1. good things don’t last, 2. it doesn’t apply to the rest of live, and 3. they just got lucky.
The optimist thinks 1. good things last, 2. just another example of an awesome life, and3. it’s the results of diligent, patient, persistent work done for a while.
So how is the bad stuff explained?
The pessimist thinks 1. bad things last forever,2. it can never happen again, and 3. some one is to blame.
The optimist thinks1. things are temporary, 2. not as great as it could be, 3. maybe the economy maybe do better next.
Check out how you may be interpreting the good and bad stuff in your life. …
Upcoming Wellness Events:
- H&M Reading Circle’s begins “The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brené Brown. Morning readings resume today with the Introduction on page 1. Friday is the group discussion.
- Saturday, February 5th 8AM – Open House. Time to invite friends ready to commit to movement. Share their email address with me to receive an invite link. If anyone wants a sampler of movement, we can do that. If anyone wants a tour of the virtual studio, we can do that.
- Monday, February 14th 6:30PM – Reiki Circle
- **Saturday, February 26th, Face Exercises. If you want this to happen, let me know now**