Change — April 4, 2010

April 4th, 2010

As I lay on my mat in child’s pose with my eyes closed I heard Janine begin the yoga class by saying, “Change is inevitable.” Listening to her calming voice, her centering brought me into the moment — and suddenly I found myself surrendering –totally surrendering and ready to immerse myself to my yoga practice. It didn’t matter that a few minutes earlier I was harried as I rushed out of the house, viagra through the traffic, and rode around the block to find a place to park, because now all was forgotten. I was at peace and my life had changed in that moment.

I felt all my muscles loosen as I went into down dog. Not only did my mental state change, but my physical state did as well. With each asana I moved with more fluidity listening to Janine’s instruction as she took us into low lunge from a forward bend to a high lunge from down dog. Janine focused her class on lunges and used change metaphorically as the theme for the class instructing numerous ways to get into the pose. With each movement our bodies changed, just as in life — change happens — change is constant — change is inevitable.

As I continued to move into stillness I thought; do I accept change? Or do I fight it? Suddenly, I recognized change is positive. Change helps us grow, change opens doors — doors that can take us to new places and new experiences. Lying in shavasana, I was excited by this thought. As I relinquished control, I placed my hands on my belly feeling it rise and fall with every breath. I was empowered and ready to take on the challenge of a new day, ready to venture into another journey and embrace life’s changes that await me.

“Brilliant,” I said to Janine as I left class. “Brilliant!”

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Snow Days & More – February 21, 2010

February 21st, 2010

Snow Days and More — Febraury 21, 2010

It’s hard to believe that only a week ago Arty and I walked on the beach as the brilliance of the sun’s rays warmed the crisp winter air in Glouster, Massachussets, only to wake the following Tuesday to flurries of white snow that blanketed the trees and landscape in Norwalk, Connecticut. As I looked out my window the snowplows were busy clearing the roads making mounds of snow-drifts along the way. For an instant, I thought about my childhood remembering how I loved snow days; sledding, snowball fights, and building snowmen.

I had intended to take a morning yoga class, but Arty said he was going for a walk. Looking at him, my impulse took over and I said, “Let’s go snowshoeing at the Taylor Dog Park.” Without hesitation, he agreed and we dressed in our snow gear; hats, gloves, scarves, and boots.

Putting our snowshoes in the car, Arty brushed the snow from the windows and drove to our destination two miles away — across from Calf Pasture Beach. As my excitement built, I squirmed in my seat anxiously waiting to play in the snow as if I were that little girl again.

Donning our snowshoes, we started our trek when a young man walked by with his dog. “What fun,” he said, as his dog sniffed our shoes. I followed Arty’s path thinking of him as the Papa Bear and I his Mama Bear as we made our way into the woods. The branches of the trees laden with the heavy snow hung down as if they bowed to us when we entered the forest.

I felt my heart rate rise as we continued our walk with beads of sweat forming on my brow. This is a good workout I thought. I might even shed some pounds! I laughed to myself, we made our way out of the forest into an open field. There were dogs rolling around in the snow and others retrieving balls thrown by their masters.

Standing amidst this snow covered field, I realized life offers us so many different pleasures — simple pleasures from a walk on the beach, to snowshoeing in a dog park, to biking and hiking, skiing or snowboarding, a yoga class or dance class — we have so many choices — so many wonderful opportunities that nurture our souls. Do we pay attention to these simple pleasures that gratify our senses —or are we letting life pass us by? Each and every day presents us with new adventures. Seek your own adventure, seek what makes you happy, find what makes you smile and go for it.

I left Taylor Dog Park with a big smile on my face, bright rosy cheeks, feeling euphoric and pleased that I allowed myself to fully enjoy another winter day.

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Birthday Celebration – February 12, 2010

February 13th, 2010

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viagrat was a crisp winter day, a beautiful clear blue sky, and the sun’s rays shone brightly across the vast ocean — the Atlantic, making us squint as we walked along the beach in Glouster, Massachussets. and peered at the fishing boats making their way back from their arduous voyage. Holding our gloved hands, as the wind gently brushed our faces, I took a deep breath and smelled the salt of the sea.

It was my husband Arty’s birthday, and only two months earlier we celebrated our 50th anniversary by following our forefathers footsteps and took a two and one half week
road trip to Pompano Beach, Florida. En route down we stopped at Fredericksburg, Virginia, Camden South Carolina, St. Augustine, Florida and made our way back through Charleston, ant the Historic Triangle; Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown, Virginia. And here we were only 6 weeks later on the road again celebrating another special occasion together. What better way to enjoy life, I thought as we headed toward St. Peter’s Square, where every June St. Peter the patron saint of the fisherman is honored with a weekend festival of fun, food, games and parties.

How did all this happen, I thought as we continued our walk and then realized it’s our joie de vive that drives us – and has driven us all our years. We truly enjoy life and all it has to offer. We all struggle with life’s dramas, but we never give up, never lose hope. Living in the NOW is powerful and it’s important that we are mindful of this.

As we made our way past the quaint shops, we stopped for lunch at a charming café that buzzed with the energy of the locals. The aroma of fresh popovers, made my mouth water as the hostess took us to our table near the window. Arty warmed my hands in his as we talked about only being a few hours away from home, yet felt totally removed. Our waitress was welcoming, and gave us some history about Glouster. Originally from Queen, New York, she lived there for more than 30 years and wouldn’t live anywhere else. On the other hand we met numerous others who were born and raised in Glouster and will never leave, telling me this was home. Home is where your heart is, I thought as I looked around the restaurant.

The rest of the day was spent driving through other neighboring towns and then back to our inn to get ready for Arty’s birthday dinner where there was a jazz trio who sang happy birthday to him. Everyone applauded as they sang along sending their good wishes.

What more could I ask for? Celebrating my husband’s birthday in a charming seaside town, friendly people, good food, good drink, and a bit of history but most important sharing with the love of my life.

“Keep on Dancin’,” I thought!

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Mindfulness — November 6,2009

November 6th, 2009

Yesterday I took a yoga class at my daughter’s yoga studio, Saraswatis Yoga Joint. During our centering the instructor spoke about mindfulness – being mindful – which helps us to be in the present. As she spoke it brought me back a few years when I took a six week mindfulness meditation workshop which changed my life. It taught me to focus on the moment, be aware of my thoughts, my surroundings and not to judge. Meditation has become a part of my life and to listen to my yoga instructor reinforce this wonderful practice, I allowed myself to be in the present, be aware of the pink colored wall in the studio, listen to the breath of my fellow yogi on the mat next to me, and say G-d Bless when a classmate sneezed during an asana. This class also brought back memories of when I was mindful of my long walks in Riverside Park and paid close attention to my stride, not my thoughts, but rather was mindful of the muscles of my body, the placement of feet, and my balance. This was the case during this yoga class in which I became mindful of my fingertips grabbing my mat during down dog, making the back of my thighs active during standing poses and reaching my arms as if I were going to touch the sky pulling up from my waist in Tadasana. I left the class feeling totally free and ready to take up the challenges and joys of the day ahead of me. As you read my blog, ask yourself if you are being mindful — whether you’re practicing yoga, mediating, going for jog, or walking on the beach, be mindful and learn to live in the moment. Namaste

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Inspiration

October 9th, 2009

Inspiration according to the dictionary means to encourage people into greater efforts or greater enthusiasm, or to arouse or stimulate. I am a spiritual person and one who is inspired by many things — nature, family, friends and business colleagues. Whether I am out walking in the park, watching a family of ducks swimming in the Sound, observing the constant movement of the tide, smiling at a blue sky filled with billowing clouds that look like puffs of cotton, riding my bike, working at my daughter’s yoga studio, meditating, mentoring or helping business colleagues and playing with my grandchildren, I am inspired in many different ways.

As I travel around speaking before many groups I am inspired just by having the opportunity to inspire others – inspiring many to think about making a change or reinventing and become empowered as I have done and continue to do over and over.

I was inspired by Teddy Kennedy’s eulogy to his dad. His story brought tears to my eyes as he talked about when he lost his leg to bone cancer at age 12 and his dad wanted him to go sledding. He looked at his dad and said, “I’m afraid, I can’t walk up that hill. His dad looked him straight in his eyes and said, “Yes you can, you can to anything you want – nothing is impossible. Together we will walk up that hill slowly – even if it takes us all day.”

So, we can do anything we want, but we must want to do it. Look around you, take a look at who and what inspires you. Use this as your guide, and that you, too, can do anything you want at any time or any stage of your life.

Listen to your heart and let the gift of life be your inspiration. Till next time “keep on dancin’!”

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Keep On Dancing!

August 20th, 2009

Many people ask — why did I write my memoir — why did I want to expose my vulnerability? At first I wanted to write it as a legacy for my children and grandchildren, but as fate would have it, I opened a Latin ballroom dance studio in my ‘golden years” and reinvented myself at a time when most are getting ready to retire. It was then I realized I wanted to share my story with the world.

Our introduction to dance came about because of a trip to Cuba, and we decided to learn to dance Salsa. We enjoyed it so much we started to go to clubs all over New York City: the Copacabana, the Latin Quarter, SOB’s, and danced the night away while my adult children were home sleeping! We were in disbelief when we saw hundreds and thousands of people enjoy dancing; people of all ages, all skills, all sizes, all shapes but most important; everyone had a smile on their face that broadened with every step they took. Having been retired and enjoying our new interest, I suggested to my husband, Arthur that we open a dance studio. He resisted at first, but once he agreed, so began my journey into the world of dance and It’s Never Too Late To Dance.

We all endure many obstacles in life and I’ve had my share, but it’s how we handle these curve balls that decides our future. Do we remain victims? Do we remain stuck? Or do we search our soul, seek our dreams, and live our true passions. As a result of the obstacles I faced, I learned the true meaning of life and what’s really important — to live and enjoy every moment of every day — to embrace fears, take the risk, reinvent, make the change and become empowered. It is my hope that all my readers take my message and follow their passions and live a richer and more fulfilling life.

Dance is my metaphor for life and my message to the world is to “keep on dancing!”

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