My body and I need to do different things together when we travel

I spent the past four days on a work trip in Rochester, NY. During that time, I was leading some workshops - so mostly up and about, contorting my body in strange positions, sleeping in a different bed, eating different food. When I listened to my body, I learned that the different rhythms and patterns were loud. I couldn't hear my body as well, I couldn't anticipate needs. I decided to eat a bagel with cream cheese, knowing that my body usually doesn't respond to that well. 

As I travel more for work - with an upcoming trip this week - I know I will need to take precautions: LOTS of water, for one. The plane trips dehydrate me and make me feel queasy, especially if I am dehydrated. I need to hold the "no sugar" rule and bring healthy snack options. I need to remember that food is fuel. 

More will unfold, and as my body and I travel more together, hopefully we'll learn more about each other that will bring us even closer.

My body and I slept outside

My body and I went camping this weekend. It gave us time to reconnect with nature and settle into the natural world a bit more.

I have a deep love and connection with nature. It is centering and grounding for me - in other words - I feel like I get back to my true self there. And I did again this weekend. We slept in the woods, hiked trails and saw lots of leaves changing. It was stunning and moving. 

I was reminded that love for body is as much (maybe even more?) about emotional stability as it is good eating and exercise habits. I want to exercise because I am moved to, it feeds me. If I feel like I have to, it's just less exciting and it feels (and might actually be) less effective.

So, today kicked off with some morning exercises to get my mind and body ready for the day. I am full of good fuel and have a plan for more good fuel throughout the day. I'm also planning on a mid-day walk or maybe paddle, which will be fulfilling.

Nature is a wonderful medicine! We visited a museum which also made me think that I would like to learn more about Native American spirituality and practices. Big love and momentum there. 

My body and I went to the Rolfer

Yesterday, I treated my body and I to a session with our Rolfer. Rolfing sort of sits in the middle between chiropractory and massage. Rolfers work the fascia of your body, the connective tissue that goes around muscles - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascia

I went to a Rolfer for the first time about 8 years ago. At the time, I was looking for help with my posture, as Rolfing is all about aligning the body structure so that we can live with gravity. Because we used to walk on 4 legs, the design of our system is really much more geared for that.

What I learned this time is that I have a tendency to "tuck my tail." In other words, my butt bone tucks in and I lose the lumbar curve in my back. So, the Rolfer got to work and now I am much more mindful about how I sit and stand so that I keep that lumbar curve. My body is adjusting now but I know will be incredibly grateful soon - and might already be.

Onward - today we're heading out for a walk together.  

My body and I are going to Mexico

... in 10 days!

I am getting my booty in gear about it. My strategy is to eat a big breakfast, where I am allowed carbs and then trail off throughout the day. AND get exercise every day.

Today I went for a 3 mile run in the morning, had a smoothie, eggs and bagel with smoked salmon (big breakfast). I will have smaller, non-carb focused snacks throughout the day as I get hungry and then go for a swim after work tonight. I think it will be a good system for me.

Breakfast food is my favorite and, because I'm full, I'm not thinking about my next meal already. I think the swim later will feel nice too.

My body and I are getting back into dialogue. It really is a practice, not just something I can ignore.

Mexico, here we come!

My body and I looked our food in the eye last night

I remember the day that I realized all food comes from somewhere. To me, it feels embarrassingly late in life. And I realized that some people may never make – or may want to make – those kind of connections.

I was at a pig roast last night and the people I met kept talking about their kids reactions to seeing a pig up on the spit. “At least they didn’t see it when it was raw…” One man joked “Okay, you don’t have to eat that pig, here’s your hot dog…” It was fascinating to me that we (as a society) shy away from making those direct connections for our kids. Yes, Babe is your bacon.

And as a kid, I know I couldn’t have handled that. I would exclaimed publicly that I am a vegetarian and then snuck slices of pepperoni behind everyone’s back.

I don’t think it’s cruel to eat animals. I’ve come to terms with that. I do think it’s cruel to treat them poorly, and yet I’m hypocritical. I will eat meat from various unknown sources. I eat vegetables with pesticides and pretend I don’t know where string cheese comes from.

And, I’m getting wiser. Taking small steps to become more aware and invested in where my food comes from. I’d like to help others become more aware too.

My body is located in a free country

Yesterday, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of same sex marriage.

My heart is so wide open. There is so much love in the world. At times, I think that people are cutoff from others, their lives, the world at large. It's times like this when I'm reminded how connected people are to each other, to community, to country. It sends a lump to my throat because it is so inspiring and touching.

My body and I are getting to know each other again. We've been on a few runs recently but the walks are really more connected. On walks, I can feel each muscle working independently and all of the muscles working together. I can feel myself in the field of gravity, moving through with ease.

Emotionally, I am feeling a bit tossed around. I can feel the world spinning faster and faster. Deadlines, quick turnarounds, ASAP, let's touch base tomorrow. Being in my body helps keep me grounded. I want to soak in this love around me, choose my pace and feel at peace. Much love and light to all.

My body needs water

There is so much attention on food and exercise. What about water? I have not been drinking my normal dosages lately. In fact, it's been hot, I've been sweating, I've cried a lot recently and I've honestly just been too lazy to get my water game together.

NO MORE! 

I spend time thinking about my feet being dry, or my skin being itchy and the answer is clear: WATER. Tony Horton, of p90x fame said it best: "drink your water people."

This is my guiding principle today. Drink my water... people.

My body and I are tuned in to the world around us

One of the benefits of someone special in your life passing is the wide and broad perspective it can bring. As mentioned, my grandfather was a lover of birds and trees. Now, I am noticing every single bird and tree I am hearing, as if for the first time.

His clarity in what he cared about is helping me ask the question: what do I care about? What is most important to me? What themes will I want people discussing as they share memories of me.

I am clear that a large part of my life’s work will be to take care of my body as a vessel of my being. That definition of “taking care” has broadened. It’s not only about food and exercise, although those are important. It’s also about getting exposure to the ocean or mountains, about playing and feeling new muscles, not just working the old ones. About laughter and learning and being a kid again, and having that just be who I am, not a role I try on when I want an excuse to be immature.

I am opening and it’s getting me closer to clarity. I can’t just go find that clarity. I am working on getting in the groove so the clarity just shows up.

There’s a woman in Rockport, MA who dances on the beach. She is stunning to watch – I get mesmerized. What I admire most is her boldness. Her moves are beautiful and graceful too, but her boldness is what strikes me first: to really not give a crap about what anyone thinks and dance. Sometimes I feel like I am interrupting her intimate time with nature. Like the rest of us on the public beach shouldn’t be there. She is beautiful and I am adopting “dancing in Rockport” as a new value that I have for myself.

Big love today.

My body and I are reflecting

I attended my grandfather’s – Pop-pop’s – funeral yesterday. It was full of love and sadness. His body is now a pile of ashes, sitting in a lovely wooden urn with trees and mountains on it. I didn’t know urns could be like that. I thought “I’d like that” and it was strange to find another thing in common with my grandfather after he had passed.

He loved birds and, since his death (and it being Spring), I’ve noticed them being louder than ever. It’s amazing to realize that his legacy is ever-present and easy: something I can reach for really at any moment to remind me of him. He was a teacher. A professor. And he touched the lives of many. They were present – in spirit – at his funeral. He was a quiet force.

And I am his legacy too. I feel loving responsibility to continue the force he created in the world.

My body and I stuffed ourselves full of food that we thought would make us feel better, but it didn’t. I’m back “on land” now and getting resituated, but with a different feeling. The depth is okay. Being kind to others, openly, is fine and people notice. Pop-pop did that for people. He made them feel like they mattered and then connected them to something bigger (nature, history) to gain perspective.

I ended up listening to Amy Poehler’s book on the way home. Turns out I have a lot in common with her too. Many reminders this weekend that though our bodies are quite different, we are all connected. Ubuntu. 

My body and I are getting back together

After some time away from my routine in “big sky” country (SD, WY, CO), I’ve been thinking about fresh ways to connect with my body more deeply. One powerful way I’ve found a body connection is through Rolfing, or “structural integration.” It’s a way of aligning the body so that “we” work in harmony with gravity. I think a large part of what I will bring to the practice is how to talk about it.

I’ve heard of many instances where rolfing has fundamentally changed how people relate to their body. I want to get into that seat and help people find themselves in their bodies.

My former boss recommended Rolfing as a practice for me after I was complaining about being sore. I tried it out, remained skeptical for a few sessions and then it really started working. My boss had given me a good pre-cursor to the first session: this guy will be looking you up and down in your underwear. That was such a foreign statement to me at the time, as someone with a lot of body shame and I am surprised I even went to the first session. And then I got there.

Jeff Galper, my first rolfer, was extremely professional and caring. We talked first for an hour about how I treat myself. It was the first time I was completely honest about everything. And he listened, and didn’t judge, and we took it from there. He heard me and understood and a big part of him was in the room as well.

So maybe that’s what’s driving me now: the transparency I felt. It was the first forum where I felt like I could be completely honest with my body. We had been telling lies to each other for 23 years. I want to create that forum for people – that place where honest conversations start to happen.

I hope you will join me.