Counter Balancing Toxicity - Tips for Every Day

I heard this one recent morning on NPR.

Toxic is the word of the Year 2018; I am not sure about the context (was it related to the environment or politics?), however as far as wellness is concerned, STRESS if it becomes chronic leads to toxicity. 

 - Here are some ideas for the remainder of the holidays (I put this together a few years ago and shared it on my FB channel) to keep stress and thus toxicity down the road at bay- self care for stress. 

- Of course, these ideas can also be used as New Year's Resolution(s).  Baby steps work better for many than big leaps.  It is easier to incorporate baby steps into our often so very busy lives to introduce more balance, better quality of life (QoL).  

India Part Thirteen: Teaching Chair Yoga at Shri Jasnath Asan

Getting ready for pre-sunrise yoga

I had no idea these photos existed, but so pleased they do.  Many thanks to my buddy Michelle from Ireland who shared these on Facebook.  

Yoga at Shri Jasnath Asan took place before sunrise and breakfast Monday-Friday.  Here we are getting ready for my chair yoga class; love the mood in the room, us all being bundled up; it was a bit chilly in the morning.  

Spring Magic/There IS a Perfect Chi Gong Spot in Central Park

Chess and Checkers House, Central Park

Last spring, I started my morning outdoors chi gong practice (and often added LV Chair Yoga) on the South side of Central Park; I practiced outside until November and even on mild winter days.  It was a very gratifying experience.
At first I had settled in on the pretty hill by the bridge,  then by the benches on the east side of the ball field; ideally I wanted to face the morning sun.  After a while there was just too much going on.  A group of dog owners started congregating there after their walks, and it also turned into tourist central.  From then on, I kind of just moved around and went with the flow and at times I just practiced at home or at the river later during the day if my schedule allowed it or at night.  It did not matter.  I realized there was no perfect spot.  

Anemia - Week 19: skiing

"Hocke" 

base lodge 

Now that spring is definitely around the corner, I finally found time to finalize this post I had drafted during week 19 which was back in February: We sneaked away for 2 days of skiing in VT as has been our tradition for about 15 years. I used to ski often until I left home in the Alps when I was 21 years old. Then for a couple of years I barely skied at all.  Instead I was exploring roller blading, biking, walking city streets, some weight lifting, and ultimately yoga, swimming, kayaking, hiking - the first 10 years it was all about exploring New York City, a new home, new culture, a new life style, new everything including a new me - yes, New York recreates you.  Now it is skiing once a year; I still have that gene in me, however.  This time, I barely had time to prepare myself properly so I was a little nervous - on the way up north I received a text message from a colleague who said she broke her ankle snowboarding.  And R's ankle was still a bit off.  We had reasons to take it easy this time, even R. agreed.  I did my usual basic DC protocol every day once or twice and worked on my hands during gondola/chair lift rides to keep them warm.