DISTANCE

On a day that usually would be filled with family, brunch and laugher, today held only distance exchanges and silence. I knew today would be a day of "heavy heartedness" when my feet hit the floor this morning after a nights sleep. I felt heavy with each step I ran until the cloud lifted. I found myself feeling anxious. A feeling I have grown to open the door for more times lately then I have in years. I know Im not alone, in fact I see it on the faces of distance strangers when I leave our nest and brave the world if only for a short time. Eyes are wider, faces, covered, some not, some seem unaware only to be alarmed by my covered hands,mouth, nose. Suspicion on our faces when we see a stranger and they come to close. If you asked me two months ago what I was afraid of I would have probably answered, not enough time with my husband. Ha!, well that is no longer a problem I say from a place of love. We have probably spent more time together in the last 5 weeks then we have in 25 years. Its okay though, we like each other a lot and have managed well together all these years with humor, love, friendship and respect. Our house is sterile, our house is empty. No social gatherings, no Sunday dinners. Just us. Me washing anything and everything that enters our orbit and Kenny who's eyes are so filled with love and appreciation for more time together.

Its hard though, not being able to hug my daughter Elanna and just smell her scent only a Mother would know. My heart aches to just hear Mindy's voice announcing her arrival from NYC like a wind tunnel of energy as she busts through the front door. I miss Sunday dinners, HH with my closest friends. Social distance runs seem to be creating more space between us as the weeks pass. I miss the faces from which I grew a career, a business, friendships and livelong bonds. Boy do I miss my old life.

However, I still believe my glass is half full and filling just a little bit more everyday. I am so grateful to still see my running friends as well continue to do what we do best, love and support each other. FaceTime HH with the Girls who knew me when I didn't even know myself yet. FaceTiming with our beautiful granddaughter Evan as her face lights up the screen. Jokes arriving daily from friends. Teaching from my new basement studio and seeing names of people who I once upon a time filled my days with pop up. Sharing the spotlight with my dog Rudy. Messages, notes, emails, texts, donations, treats on the doorstep from Jane and Ann. Threads with people who make me laugh everyday and remind me when its HH. :-)

I grew up battling monsters in my closet. This gave me strength to be who I am today, proud to own my story.  I am learning that I am again stronger then this invisible enemy. I can do this! We can do this! Together we will find our way back, we will find our way home. Together and someday hand in hand or elbow to elbow we will be together again.

Happy Easter/Happy Passover

Simon and Garfunkel
Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk to you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while sleeping
And a vision that was planted in my brain
               Still Remains
Within the sound of silence

What inspires you?

It's an interesting question but one that is perfect for the new year.  What really inspires you?  I know for myself, each and everyday I am inspired by so many amazing people I meet. My husbands strength to heal and live life to the fullest. My daughters drive to be their personal best and be the kindest people I know. My pups who hug me with their eyes and remind me that I need to embrace winter, get my coat and hat on and talk them for a walk. These wonderful people and little beings inspire me.

Inspiration as I have learned while reaching my wiser years, shows up everyday.  It shows up in the person wanting to start Yoga, or take a fitness class for the first time. It shows up in the face of someone just diagnosed with cancer and determined to fight and win. It shows up in the uniting of the French people and all the people of the world wanting peace and harmony for all creatures and beings.  Inspiration is everywhere, just look around and you will feel inspired.

Ask yourself, what inspires you? My answer: YOU inspire me.

STOP!, IN THE NAME OF THE BREATH.

Ha, I bet that got your attention or you can only imagine where the heck this is going. My point was to get you to STOP. Stop to take a few minutes and read my blog about the breath. Daniel Craig is just there because I like him:-) AHHHHHHHHHHH

Okay so most of us are thinking yeah yeah yeah I know, the breath is important. But how important is it to you to actually STOP and spend some time with it? Okay for example when was the last time you took a deep breath, listened to the sound your breath makes? Does it sound like the ocean, the wind, my husband snoring "sorry honey", or even a purr of a kitten or a yorkie names Delilah. Yes we have a yorkie the purrs go figure.

Now for the lesson, these instructions are the steps to learn "diaphragmatic breathing".  Our diaphragm sits under are bottom ribs.  When we inhale it moves down and when we exhale it moves up.  Most of us get into the habit of breathing in through are nose and drawing our belly into the back of the spin and exhaling out of our nose and mouth.  With this way of breathing a few things happen or don't 1.) The diaphragm is not being properly accessed and 2.) we are actually creating stress in the body instead of calming the body.


So now lets take a few minutes to learn the diaphragmatic breathing technique and how to make it part of our daily routine. This might take a couple of tries so don't get frustrated.

1. Sit in a chair with your back straight and feet grounded.
2. Place your hands on your stomach.
3. Taking a deep breath IN through your nose let your belly move OUT into your hands.
4. When you exhale out of the nose or mouth feel your belly release IN torwards your spine.
5. Do this 3-5x's in  a row and notice the change in your overall well being and a sense of calm.

I spoke at a  fabulous women's forum yesterday in Simsbury, and one of the  woman "the girl with the balance tattoo" shared with us that her trick to STOP and breath is actually when she reaches a STOP sign and isn't rolling through it she uses the STOP sign  to remind her to take a deep breath. As of today the traffic in Simsbury is crazy, women all over town are just driving around looking for STOP signs and breathing. 

Excuse me while STOP writing this and BREATHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

The Light of My Life

Yeah its finally here, the day we can actually see more light at the end of the tunnel.  Okay so you may not be driving in a tunnel tonight around 6:00pm but you will notice we have more light to enjoy.  Each March we make better use of the light and move it from the morning to the evening giving us the opportunity to feel more energized at the end of the day. Between now and approximately June 20 "summer solstice" we will gain around 3 hours and 33 minutes of light.  Nothing is better then driving home after a long day of work and seeing the sunlight leading you home.

When we start to shift from the dark days of Winter to the brighter days of Spring we notice a shift in our moods and strip away the feeling of SAD "seasonal affective disorder".  When we lack light we feel an imbalance and a feeling of tiredness, sadness and maybe even a heavy heart.  Yes I know as some of you shared with me this morning before class about how you felt tired  from being anxious about falling asleep last night and then trying to get a sleep and then worrying you wouldn't wake up. Yes I was on the same page and today I feel like I was up all night dancing till dawn.  The cure, stand outside tonight around 5:30-6:00  for a few minutes facing the sun.  This helps to reset your internal clock and also boost your vitamin D.  Light is a nature therapy bringing energy, alertness and activity to all the energy centers of our body. Its similar to lighting a candle and feeling relaxed as you enjoy looking at the glow.  Sunlight also fills us with renewed energy and a deeper sense of self.  Nothing is better then a happy dose of natural sunlight to brighten your heart.

Spring begins March 20th!!!!!

                                        Friends With Our Feet

Interesting topic but something we all take for granted, our feet.  When was the last time you woke up and felt your feet touch the ground, or even sat for a quiet moment and just rubbed away the tension? When was the last time you actually looked at your feet and thanked them for carrying you around?
                                          The privacy of who's feet these are remains protected

Okay so this may sound a little hokey or even "woowoo" as my husband likes to describe his lovely wife, but really our feet keep us grounded both physically and mentally.  When our world is spinning out of control our feet help us to just come back to earth and just "BREATH".   They remind us to be aware of the present moment with each step we take and bring balance into our lives.

In Yoga the topic of feet comes up a lot.  You will here an instructor say things like "lift your toes, spread your toes, find the four corners of your feet and lift the arches" and so on and so on.  This is all true and helpful whether you are just standing in line, balancing in tree pose, returning to the ground from a jump or step.  Our feet are the foundation to all that we do and how we present ourselves to the world. Each step we take brings us on a new adventure. Every time we balance on one foot we are reminded of how vulnerable we are, how in life we may fall and how rooted we can be when we find our footing again.

So tomorrow morning as the new day begins and you swing your legs from the bed, STOP and feel your feet one by one touch the ground, spread your toes, lift your arches as you stand and then take a deep breath. While your at it, thank your feet for keeping you grounded in not just your body but in your whole being.  Then go out and get a pedicure. :-)

THANK YOU FEET FOR BEING YOU

About The Beehive

WELCOME TO THE BEEHIVE BLURB!

I am excited to get a blog going with topics ranging from health and fitness, living a more balanced and meaningful life and lots of other interesting tips.  Looking forward to our journey together.

ahhhh thinking of spring

Like me on facebook for more great tips on health and wellness.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Susan-Rubenstein-Yoga-Be-Fit/168330739943306