Month: December 2024

No cable required.

I recently attended a holiday concert that featured a brass instrument group and two choirs – one of middle school and one of high school age students. One of the songs the combined choirs sang brought me to tears.

Music Runs in My Family

I attended the concert with my partner and my four sisters along with their “pluses.” Music is essential in our family. My partner’s career was in music. My father taught instrumental music, and everyone in our family played an instrument. We also sang in choir in school and in church. Attending a holiday concert as a group revives memories of our parents and of past holidays. My feelings ran the gamut from joyous to melancholy.

There were fun segments to the concert with some of the usual carols and kid favorites. The audience even got involved in part of the program. When the choirs sang, however, I swear there were angels present. Such pure voices and harmony. It was a gift to everyone there. When the two choirs combined to sing “Looking for the Light” by Adam and Matt Podd, I was overcome.

My Estrangement Story

Let me explain. I have been estranged from my youngest son and his beautiful family for over two years. Ours is a long story of misdeeds, misunderstandings, failure to communicate in a way that is understood, and much more. I am told that there are many such families, and the pain is sometimes unbearable.

I have cried more tears than I can count in a lifetime. When there was communication, we did not seem to hear each other and so it goes on and on until, this December, any communication with that family, including three grandchildren, was banned totally.

Looking for the Light

Part of the lyrics of “Looking for the Light” are:

“Looking for the Light

It’s shining somewhere

It’s somewhere deep inside…..

It’s right here in you

It’s right here in me

It’s not way out there…..

It’s right here in you

It’s right here in me.”

This song reminded me of all the beautiful and wonderful reasons that I love my sons and their families, especially the beauty of my grandchildren. It challenged me to look for the Light in each person, not just my family, but in people everywhere.

What Happened to the Light?

It is not difficult to see the Light in children. Their souls are so pure. It’s another story when it comes to adults. Our world seems so divided – religion, politics, wealth, health, race, gender, and on and on. There is so much anger and resentment. The gaps between us grow wider. What happened to the Light we carried when we came into this world? Have we forgotten that we once carried it? That we all came from the same Source?

What might happen, if this holiday season, we ALL stopped judging and instead looked for the Light in each other? I am willing to give it a try. How about you?

Reflection Questions:

What will you do in 2025 to look for the Light in those around you? Where has your light gone off to?

If you’re like many of us, you’ve been told that January is about “bouncing back” or “hitting it hard.” But what if, instead of punishment or pressure, you chose kindness? What if you started the year with movement that feels supportive, not stressful?

By the time the new year rolls around and all the busyness of the holidays is over, you might find yourself craving something simpler, something that feels good for YOU.

The Pressure to “Fix” Ourselves After the Holidays

As we progress through the season of life, we know this: life isn’t about chasing “perfection” or being hard on ourselves. It’s about moving forward with grace, strength, and the joy of knowing we can write our own rules. The world might try to tell us otherwise – to diet harder, to work out more, to make resolutions that feel exhausting before they’ve even begun.

Here’s the truth: You don’t need to fix anything about yourself. But you do deserve to feel your best – strong, energized, and connected to your body. I’m here to help you rediscover movement as a way to create space for yourself, reclaim your energy, and achieve the results you want in a way that’s gentle, empowering, and kind.

Exercise isn’t about punishing your body or meeting someone else’s standards – it’s about transforming how you feel, inside and out. Together, we can make that transformation happen.

Gentle Strength: A New Approach to Wellness

After years of trial and error, I created something different: the EASE Method. It’s a unique blend of Pilates, strength training, balance work, core focus, and postural alignment – designed specifically for women who want results without the grind of high-intensity workouts or feeling out of place at the gym.

The EASE Method stands out because it meets you exactly where you are, regardless of age, fitness level, or experience, and helps you reconnect with your body in a way that feels empowering, not exhausting. It’s not just about movement – it’s about transforming how you feel every day from the comfort of your home.

This is why I created my online Pilates studio, designed specifically for women over 50 who are ready to embrace movement on their terms. Whether you’ve been moving all your life or feel like you’re starting from scratch, my classes are a judgment-free zone. You don’t have to be flexible, fit, or familiar with Pilates to begin. You just have to be curious about how good it might feel.

Starting Fresh: A Gentle Invitation

The post-holiday season is the perfect time to explore what feels right for you. Instead of setting rigid goals or chasing someone else’s version of success, I invite you to join me in making a new kind of resolution: to move with intention and kindness. My classes are short, accessible, and designed to fit into real life – because let’s be honest, our bodies thrive on consistency, not extremes.

Imagine starting your day with a few minutes of Pilates, gently stretching out the tension in your shoulders or feeling your core engage as you rediscover your strength. Picture yourself standing taller, breathing easier, and moving through your day with a renewed sense of confidence. That’s what I want for you.

A Special Gift to Start the Year

To celebrate the new year, I’m offering a 25% discount on your first three months in my online Pilates studio. This is your chance to explore movement that feels good, at a pace that works for you, from the comfort of your own home.

Use code NEWYEAR25 at checkout to get started. Whether you’re ready to dive in or just curious to see what Pilates can do for you, I’ll be here to guide you every step of the way.

You don’t have to wait until you feel “ready” or until life slows down. The beauty of gentle movement is that it meets you exactly where you are. It’s not about perfection; it’s about progress, one small, intentional step at a time.

Let’s make 2025 the year you move in a way that feels joyful, supportive, and entirely your own. Together, we can redefine what it means to feel strong and confident at every age.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Is exercise part of your New Year’s resolution? How far have you been able to stick with it in previous years? What hindered your progress?

People are calling it the “Wirkin”

Let’s face it – life is full of boxes. Some are practical, like those handy ones from Amazon, and others… not so much. I’m talking about the invisible, self-imposed mental boxes that keep us confined, frustrated, and yearning for something more. Think of these boxes as outdated storage containers – cramped, dusty, and overdue for a toss to the curb. If you’ve ever felt stuck in your ways or afraid to try something new, you might just be living in one.

The good news? You’re not alone. And better yet? You can break out of that box. So, grab your metaphorical crowbar (or just your sense of humor), and let’s get started.

Step 1: Awareness – The Aha Moment

Before we escape the box, we need to admit we’re in it. Easier said than done, right? Life has a sneaky way of convincing us that our box is normal – or worse, safe. But here’s a hint: If you’re always telling yourself, “This is just the way I am,” or “People my age don’t do that,” congratulations! You’ve spotted your box.

I remember realizing I was in one when I told a friend I couldn’t try salsa dancing because I had “two left feet.” She looked me dead in the eye and said, “You don’t even know which feet you have until you try!” That’s when it hit me – I’d been confining myself with fear of looking foolish. My “box” was a dance floor I hadn’t even stepped onto yet.

Take a moment. What’s your box? Write it down – it might just surprise you.

Step 2: Evaluate – Is This Box Serving You?

Some boxes are good for us. They help us stay organized or keep out bad vibes. But others? They’re just cramped closets holding stuff we don’t need anymore.

Ask yourself: Is this box helping or hurting? Maybe you’ve been staying in the “I’m not tech-savvy” box. Sure, it might save you from a few headaches with passwords, but it’s also stopping you from FaceTiming your grandkids or starting that online book club you’ve dreamed of.

Boxes are like bad haircuts – you outgrow them. If your box is no longer serving you, it’s time to snip it out of your life.

Step 3: Face the Fear

Ah, fear. It’s the duct tape holding your box together. Whether it’s fear of failure, judgment, or just the unknown, it’s often the main reason we stay stuck. But let’s take the power out of it, shall we?

Here’s a simple exercise: Write down your fear and its worst-case scenario. Be dramatic! If your fear is public speaking, your worst-case scenario might be forgetting your lines, tripping over the mic cord, and ending up on a viral blooper reel. Now read that back and laugh a little – how likely is that, really? Spoiler: Not very.

By acknowledging your fears, you take away their ability to control you. And let’s be real – most fears look pretty silly when written down.

Step 4: Plan Your Great Escape

Breaking out of a box isn’t about dramatic leaps – it’s about small, strategic steps. Remember, Rome wasn’t unboxed in a day.

Start with a plan. If you’re breaking out of the “I’m too old to start something new” box, your plan might look like this:

1. Research that watercolor painting class you’ve always been curious about.
2. Call the studio and ask about beginner options.
3. Buy some paint supplies (bonus: shopping is fun!).
4. Show up.

By planning ahead, you reduce the unknowns that feed your fear. Plus, having a roadmap makes it easier to take that first step. Which brings us to…

Step 5: Take Action – Even if It’s Small

Here’s the thing: Thinking about breaking out of the box doesn’t actually get you out of the box. You have to do something – even if it’s just a baby step.

Let’s say you’ve been stuck in the “I can’t travel alone” box. Your first step doesn’t have to be booking a solo trip to Italy. Start smaller. Research a nearby town you’ve never explored and plan a day trip. The key is to build momentum, because each small action chips away at the box walls.

Remember, even baby steps count as progress. As long as you’re moving, you’re winning.

Conclusion: Freedom Is Fun

Breaking out of a box is liberating – and dare I say, fun. When you step outside the confines of fear and routine, you open the door to possibilities you never knew existed. Whether it’s trying a new hobby, saying yes to an adventure, or finally taking that first Zumba class (because, yes, you do have the right feet for it), every step you take toward freedom brings joy.

So, what’s your first step? Whatever it is, take it today. Your box-free future is waiting – and trust me, it’s way roomier out here.

Let’s Discuss:

What is the box that confines you? Is fear stopping you from breaking out – or is there another reason you’re staying in your box? What small steps can you take to build momentum on your journey toward freedom?