exercise inspiration

We are creatures of the earth. We grow shaggy, mounted, ruffled, and hollowed. We contain rivulets bordered by matter. We grow. 

This one life cycle is our only chance. While there are countless microclimates ­- and the length of our seasons vary - we are but spring, summer, autumn, and winter. 

One might promise to do better in the next life, but there are no promises the next life will be better. We have only this chance to influence that.

Humans are vehicles of change. We transform and are transformed. Our every step sends a drum beat through strata. All things that live stretch the fibers. Each current is part of the weave.

The more agile one is, the more fleet. How to protect the bend? How to bear the winds? How to maintain the swift?

Our hips roll us through our every day. Our torso connects us to life, as did the umbilicus.  

  

Dancing, hooping, swaying, birthing, building stretching. Hips in relationship. Moving with. Moved by. Centrifugal force. Centripetal. Swing of the arms, sway of the torso, bend of the back. Carrying and catching. Reinforcing the seams of our satchel. Meeting the path with fortitude and ease.

  

May there be a carefully tended fire at the center.

 May the joints be well anointed. 

 

  
Life might not get lighter, but the core houses one's power to lift the years.

(Some visual inspiration to keep up with core strengthening exercise, 

Tashi made this drawing five years ago! She called it Hip Mermade)

where i am wednesday

it's amazing that i can live out here in the beautiful countryside, with woods and creek and decks and hammock, and sometimes not go out into our yard for days. tristan and i are still trying to find our rhythm at home in the new season, and sometimes we spend huge chunks of our time hanging around inside, lining up cars, playmobil characters, and blocks, eating snacks, reading books, and sneaking peeks at the internets way too often.





sometimes i'll say, tristan, let's go outside, and he'll say, no, i don't want to, and i'll say, well, ok, in an effort to spare one more battle. but then there is usually a battle of some sort anyway, because, let's face it, we drive each other nuts when we are inside too much.



so today i said, we're going outside, and i walked out there. he followed. the autumnal light filtering through the leaves was exquisite. we collected fallen leaves, twigs, and acorns. he silently made mudpies for a good half hour. he rolled a brick around. i hula hooped.









we walked down into the woods, collected tree-stuff in a bucket, waded in the creek, observed the changes in the forest, and felt, quite simply, at peace and in bliss.

autumn equinox really speaks to me, the oppressive heat and humidity of summer mostly gone. the beautiful quality of light pooling on surfaces covered in leaf and nut. warmth appreciated, punctuated by breeze and rustle. and a great sense of transition into a time of reflection, rhythm, and survival. sometimes the summers around here are so intense, that the call to nature is strongest in the autumn and the spring.



i'm looking forward to spending more time really appreciating where i am. i hope to share some of that reverence with you!