And then there are the weeks where life overtakes you like some kind of steamroller. Good morning, Reader This week's email will be a bit different from our usual dives into life and movement. Why? Because sometimes life has other plans... You wake up on Friday, wondering where the week went, with the items on your to-do list dancing in your head like Sugarplums at an underground rave. It's been one of those weeks. Chaos isn't necessarily synonymous with negativity or stress, but it still can result in that feeling of existing in a whirlwind. In these times, I try to channel some of the frantic energy into movement, diving into a recorded class with the time I have, even with the knowledge that it won't be finished. Even a little focused movement can transmute those adrenal spikes into grounded intention. And the beauty of a library of pre-recorded classes is that they'll still be there whenever I get the chance to return to them. Un-Wreck Your Neck Speaking of movement that addresses our modern challenges, I've created something special for you this week. Not all tension in the body is released through length. Sometimes, what you need is to build more strength in the areas that are experiencing strain. This is especially true for the neck. I have students for whom traction causes discomfort, and no amount of massage can release the tightness in their neck and shoulders. In this case, the opposite approach usually works like a charm. Your head is heavy, resting on the lithe, mobile structure of your neck. And those neck muscles have to work hard to hold your head in all of the positions it needs to take in order to do the important work of being a functional human. So, I took some precious time this afternoon to put my thoughts into action and filmed a 20-minute video that focuses on: • Strengthening the neck muscles • Realigning the cervical spine • Restoring ease and mobility to the upper body All you'll need is a theraband. Fall Class Schedule As for those Sugarplums dancing in my head? About 50% of them are upcoming classes! Here's a taste of what's coming up: (They’re all hot linked, so click on what piques your interest and check them out) Free Birthday Livestreams8/29, 10:00-11:30 AM PST: Tower of Power - Sweaty Gyrotonic magic 8/29, 5:30-6:30 PM PST: Wizard of Ahhhs - Restorative tower bliss 9/8, 10:00-11:00 AM PST: Giving Props - Creative equipment-free workout 9/8, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM PST: Core Breathwork - A journey through inner space September Workshops9/14, 2:00-4:00 PM: Gyrotonic Intensive : The Side Lines - Exploring the relationship between Narrowing of the Pelvis and the Lateral lines of the Body 9/26, 6-7:30 PM: Live in Carmel: "I Had the Spine of my Life" at Pilgrim's Way bookstore - Lecture and interactive workshop on spine health (90 minutes) Next weekend I'll be celebrating my birthday ( for those of you who are curious, my actual birthday is on September 3rd. Virgo Fire Dragon in the house! ) I hope to see you all in at least one of those free birthday livestreams. Stay tuned for more birthday goodness next weekend. With love, Domini Anne |
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