I went to Miraval for a week to unplug, recharge, and kick off the new year. They say people go to there to celebrate, mourn, reset, or unplug. I went for all of that, but I got so much more. With all the classes, activities, and obstacle course on offer, you get a lot in a short amount of time you have there. Every day since I returned, something else rolls out of the experience. 

I took diverse classes such as Discovering Your Dosha, Quantum Consciousness, Lunar Moon Rituals, Glut and abs workout, Manifesting Joy and Harmony, and Happy Hips. I meditated in a hammock surrounded by a sound bath. I ran with a small group around the desert hills and was immersed in desert beauty. I had delicious organic healthy food, a scrub, massage, facial, and a ayurvedic treatment for the first time.   

I sent my husband a picture of me doing archery and he said, 'Looks like summer camp". I thought that must be what summer camp was like for him. But I never had a summer camp, and I also thought: you’re never too old for camp, and what a great way to experience it! I was off my phone and unplugged from the world, giving me space to connect to who I enjoy being when I’m alone with no agenda, no one else to take care of, and nothing to get done. It engaged my body, mind and spirt, and every bit of that brought out a part of me out that I hadn't seen for a while. 

I knew that I was fiery and brave and strong. But could I also have a quiet strength, could I step back from doing to observe and savor an experience? Turns out I can. When I chose to walk across a 25 feet suspended post, it was scary, not gonna lie! Maybe it was the fear that intensified my attention in the moment; suddenly, time stood still, and everything around me looked more alive. I took it all in, and created a snapshot in my mind. I have already returned to that moment in meditation, and can still feel the serene acceptance and inner calm I cultivated. It has made me more intentional about staying present- what a gift!

If your answer is "no," you aren't alone; it has only come up twice in my life. Once was in a yoga class, and the other was in a physical therapy appointment this year. I felt the difference, and wanted to share this with you.

Nerve gliding, threading, or flossing- also sometimes called mobilizations- can be done for chronic pain and tightness, often for the neck and shoulders. In yoga, I stood with a neutral spine and stretched out my right arm laterally with the palm up. Then I rotated my neck to the left 10 times or so. When I repeated the neck circles, I had less tension and a better range of motion.

With my physical therapist, I worked on my hips. My physical therapist had me perform gentle exercises to improve mobility and stretch the nerves to reduce irritation in my hip and hamstring. These exercises also improved my range of motion. I lay on my back with bent knees and picked one leg up. Then I interlaced my fingers behind my thigh, close to the knee, and bent and straightened my leg for 10 repetitions. It definitely improved the mobility in my hamstring. Therefore, I was able to attain balance on my right leg as well as use the right muscles because I wasn't so tight.

Try it, and you, too, will enjoy the benefits.

For neck and shoulders:
Kneel or stand with a neutral spine. Extend your left hand and arm with the palm facing upwards. Rotate your head to the right 10 times. Or tilt your right ear to left shoulder 10 times. Do 1-2 sets.

My client got in a biking accident a few weeks ago. She landed on her knees and developed a huge bruise on her right quad. I loved the fact that she still wanted to come in and move her body; she could have easily written those weeks off as “injury time.” As we trained her upper body, stretched, and moved, she told me she hadn’t done anything on her own and she was in a funk. I told her of course she was, and that it was ok. Her body still has bruises and marks. It’s going to take a while for it to heal. That’s the physical part, but there is also emotional scarring, fear, and trauma she has to work through. Give yourself time. Time to heal. Time heals almost everything. 

I told her that my brother died 4 months ago, and I'm just starting to feel like myself again. I miss him and yet I feel connected to him as I celebrate his time with my friends and loved ones. I'm able to celebrate his life through his memories. It takes a while to process it all and go through all the emotions consciously or in a sober manner. We want to be on the other side, but our emotional body might need more time, so we must learn to be gentle with ourselves. It's so easy to keep busy so as to not really look it, or to eat and even drink as an avoidance strategy. Sober October couldn't have come at a better time. Put simply, sober really just means not being addicted or intoxicated. I took a break from drinking and did a bit more writing and being in nature.

We have to try different things like drawing, crafting, singing, dancing- anything our body is calling for to release that heavy energy- before we can invite healing into our lives. One of you mentioned doing less sugar or mindless scrolling on social media. That's perfect, it helps us to be more aware of how we spend our time and energy. The body can store emotional pain, and sometimes movement finally allows it to release. I’ve been talking to my nephews and sharing stories about their dad. I put his pictures up on my altar this year and had friends over to hug, laugh, and cry. All of it is healing. So celebrate your loved ones and be grateful that we are still here to enjoy playing this game of life together!