We are smack in the throws of a great deal of change right now - as a country and as a world. But how resilient are you? Does change “knock you over” or “fire you up?” The key to success is to create resiliency. I decided to try this hair cut and color experiment to test my own change.
Carlo and I had talked about it weeks before - darker and different. I was getting excited. And then today came and suddenly I’m having heart palpitations! Anxiety…me? It’s HAIR! Breathe…suddenly my thoughts were with you all, my clients. How does a DIFFERENT haircut and color affect your life? Do you move with more lightness, freedom and enthusiasm? Or is it easier to stay “same old, same old.”
I had a lot of fun doing this video and I have to say, I was a bit shocked when I looked in the mirror! It was dark alright, with only a few hints of blond peeking through. While there was part of me freaking out (it almost looked like a wig to me), the enthusiasm did kick in to my system when I felt the excitement bubble up inside. I think I WILL move differently tomorrow - maybe even more of a skip in my step!
Thank you to my dear hair stylist, Carlo Nunez for making this a fun project - and for keeping safe only those things your hairdresser knows. :)
I invite you to try a small change of ANY kind to strengthen your resiliency - it truly is exhilarating!
The traffic is snarled and noisey. With less than a mile between my office and the United Nations on 1st Avenue, the air is thick with disgruntled energy. As world leaders prepare to meet this week, do you suppose they take the time to get grounded and breathe?
What would that be like? The symphony of breath at a UN Meeting. The connection of one to another in a peaceful world. “Imagine”…as John Lennon wrote. I can only hope.
I’m amazed when women tell me they “cheated” or “have been bad” when they’ve had a bit of dessert or pizza. What?!? It’s not about the doughnut (or the dessert or the pizza)! Say hello to your stomach!
The stomach is located at the end of the esophagus and slightly to the left. If you cup your hands together like a soup bowl, that is how much food YOUR stomach can hold. Creating this direct relationship with your body and listening to what it has to say combines information with strategies for a winning combination!
Missing your weight loss goal by 4oz is not something to freak out about when a bowel movement may change that dramatically. Instead, create a peaceful, knowledgable relationship with your fantansic stomach organ - a MAJOR component in digestion and weight management. You’ll be amazed at how beautiful your body listens and responds.
OK - I love moving! But more importantly, I love getting others moving! So when my niece, Shannon, and her brother, Justin, came to town, we were off and running! NYC has some wonderful movement opportunities, first and foremost in the amount of walking one can accomplish! We certainly burned some rubber on our kicks! :)
But when I asked them to join me at Trapeze School (I try and go once a year to shake things up a bit in my life and keep me excited - on the “edge”) they were kind enough to respond “yes” without asking too many questions. I love those kids! So here we are, flying through the air!
Bike riding in Central Park seemed more reasonable - I just forgot to mention it was about 5 miles. I love those kids! They were certainly my newest BFFs!
Top of the Rock, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, World Trade Center, Hairspray on Broadway, Ellen’s Stardust Diner, Blue Man Group: Tubes, shopping at Century 21 and Virgin in Times Square. 48 FULL hours! I was a bit lost when they went back home to Massachusetts. Yet, I felt the pride of living here in this magnificent city.
There is hope that lives in them. There is wonderment in the world before them. There is freshness in their vocabulary (example: “that’s sick!” means “that’s terrific!”). There is the preciousness of life and how quickly they grow.
I’m enjoying the last week of summer with a staycation - not traveling and enjoying some things locally that I never seem to have time to do! My niece (15) and nephew (17) were in town and we had an absolute blast together in the Big Apple! (I’ll be able to add some photos tomorrow).
The summer has gone quickly - “fast and full” as I have told many of my colleagues. And now I’m catching my breath before a fun and full fall season.
I’m thrilled to be starting the Yoga Plus and Pilates Plus programs the first week of September. Yes, you/women come to “exercise,” but ultimately, it’s about coming to be with YOURSELF…to take the time to land in your body, feel your breath and experience more of you than your wonderfully fast, full mind! Yeah! :)
As I sit here and review the summer I am struck by my range of emotions — from the loss of Champagne, to Gram’s 91st birthday, to the laughter and fun of the Wellness Weekend, to the hope in my niece and nephew. Ahhh, the resiliency of life.
Enoy, enjoy, enjoy these beautiful days! Lavish yourself in the gifts of summer.
I sat on my gluteus maximus for nearly 7 hours on Monday (the “nearly” included my 20 minute walk at lunch time). My verdict is in…you STILL need to move while waiting to serve! So here’s my New York US District Court “Jury Assembly Room” Workout!
1 - Unplug! You are not allowed to bring cell phones to the courthouse, so take this amazing opportunity to unplug and breathe. Long, slow deep breaths help to calm your entire central nervous system and help you feel more grounded for daily living.
2 - Back Row Twist - Take an opportunity to see who is behind you by twisting to your right and holding the right side of your chair. Keep your pelvis on the chair and take 5 breaths. Repeat left. The rest may be curious about what you are up to.
3 - “Voir Dire” Stretch - Speak the truth. Hold the backs of your chair with each hand and gently lean forward (like the bow of a boat). You’ll feel the stretch across the front of the chest and shoulder/arms. How can you not tell the truth after this stretch?!
4 - “Peremptory” Piriformis Stretch - This one is a bit more casual. Cross your right foot over your left thigh. Slowly lean your body forward until you feel the stretch in your right buttocks/hip. Breathe. Repeat casually on the left. No one will notice.
5 - “For Cause” Torso Circles - While STILL seated, circle your ribcage clockwise three times and counterclockwise three times. This helps significantly in keeping internal organs happy until lunchtime.
My apologies to lawyers for any misrepresentation of the legal terms. My very best to each of you that are called to serve. I was once again reminded of how incredibly grateful I am to live in a country where women have the right to vote and be part of a magnificent legal system.
What happens when you take 20 women out of their busy, hectic, urban lives and put them in the woods for 4 days? Magic!
We spent an amazing 4 days in upstate Ney York for our annual Wellness Weekend. The weather was perfect and the setting absolutely beautiful. We hiked, played volleyball, whiffle ball, sang around a campfire for 2 hours and played in the pond.
An amazing women’s circle on Saturday night brought our entire group to a spirit of life and health through a deep connection to ourselves as women and to women as a group. The beauty transcended the troubles and chaos of our daily lives and brought us to a place of peacefulness.
My sincere thanks to all of you who attended. The weekend once again reminded me why I love my work and how magical the energy is when you bring a goup of women together in the woods.
It’s been six weeks since Champagne passed. Seems July is just a blur. In the wake of the loss, I still seem to function and at times feel even more grounded knowing that “this is life.” It’s still challenging - the early mornings when I get up, the evenings when I come home from teaching. Both her physical and energetic presence are deeply missed. I can feel now how one could possibly get lost in the abyss of grief while others mend and move on.
Movement is a time to connect with yourself - as fully and completely as possible. To be present and in the moment with your movement - THAT is the “workout.”
Believe me, I “think” I’ve solved many a problem while in yoga, ballet or fitness classes, but the truth is, I’ve missed out completely on deepening the relationship with my body for long-term health. The signals, cues and language from the physical body speak loud and clear when we take the time to listen. Quieting the very active frontal lobe of the brain (you know, that part of the brain where there are a zillion things going on!) and “courting” the reptilian brain (lower back of the skull) creates a completely different relationship with your physical body.
A complex, yet very simple method of deepening the connection to the body while moving. The physiological side of movement. The central nervous system. Listening to the physical body. The heart pumping, the blood flowing, the muscles stretching and contracting.
The goal is for you to be with you during movement. A time to connect with yourself. :)
Congrats and a “shout out” to Terry who joined us last November and has since been taken off insulin!
Also congrats and a “shout out” to Susan who joined us in January and has decreased her blood pressure!
Both women have been taking yoga once a week (added some Pilates on the way) for less than oneyear. Consistency proves you can make dramatic changes in your health. I have always believed-
”a minimum of one time per week of organized activity can lead to improved health.”
Congratulations ladies. I’m thrilled and proud of your accomplishments!
Rochelle Rice, MA, is a nationally-recognized speaker, author, and educator. She is the President of In Fitness & In Health and the creator of the Plus-Size Exercise Technique, which was designed based on her concerns about the inordinate stress put on thinness in our society, rather than fitness.
Rochelle dedicates herself to empowering women of size by connecting the body, the mind, and the heart through focus, movement, and breath. She is the author of Real Fitness for Real Women.
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