I spent my entire weekend at a dance competition/convention with my students. It’s always really draining because SO. MANY. CHILDREN. Hormonal teenagers, too. The things they have in common: All are sweaty and tired/wired. All claim that they love to dance. And whenever I observe one of these events I’m always interested to see how…
Last week I got an email from a fitness organization that I follow titled “5 Tips For Surviving the Terror of Halloween Candy”. Really now? The TERROR of Halloween candy? I can think of plenty of things that are terrifying this time of year. Like actual ghosts. (I totally believe in them) Or creepy clowns….
Last weekend I attended a workshop with the Body Positive Fitness Alliance, and became an Affiliated Professional. Since then I’ve had quite a few people ask me what exactly this new title of mine is all about. For quite some time I’ve sort of self-identified as a “body positive fitness professional”. As I’ve mentioned in…
About a year ago I had a big realization while at the gym. I remember that day so clearly. I made a couple of notes in my phone about how I was progressing on my pull-ups (still hard AF but getting better). Then I played around with some new kettlebell skills I learned from one of…
At one of the yoga studios I teach at, I was asked to take part in a series of yoga classes themed around self-love. I wasn’t surprised that my manager asked me to teach one of the classes, because she knows that encouraging others to feel more comfortable in their own skin is kind of…
Our clothes can make us feel all the feels when it comes to our body image. I actually cried on my bedroom floor once, when I came to the realization that my once-favorite white shorts didn’t zip up all the way anymore. I even bought my bridesmaid dress for my sister’s wedding a size too…
About a week ago I decided to sell my heart rate monitor watch on eBay. I’ve actually been really into selling my stuff lately for two reasons: 1. August is usually a real slow month for dance teachers and I’ve been pretty broke. 2. I have never liked clutter and love the feeling of getting rid…
In a few of my previous blog posts, I’ve mentioned the idea of Ahimsa, or nonviolence, and how it’s really been a game changer for me in terms of beating some of my self-destructive habits. Ahimsa is the first of the Yamas (essentially ethical guidelines) that make up make up the first limb of the…
A little over a year ago I officially gave up dieting. I remember the day that I announced this–I was having brunch with two of my best friends. I can’t remember the exact conversation but I believe that one of them was talking about trying to cut her nightly wine habit (too many calories). Or…
There is no doubt that there are plenty of great health benefits to exercising and moving your body on a regular basis. Being committed to a fitness routine is often seen as a virtue, and those of us who work out regularly are consistently praised for our discipline and work ethic. If something is good,…