Mister Rogers to the Rescue

This is being reprinted from the Body Grace December newsletter

"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas." Calvin Coolidge

I stumbled upon this quote a few weeks ago and loved the sentiment behind it

that the real spirit of Christmas should be practiced all year long. This will be the last email I send you in 2012 so I want to wish everyone peace, joy and goodwill, not just during the holiday season, but everyday. I also want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your support during 2012. It has been an amazing year at Body Grace and we have a lot to look forward to in 2013!

But I am also writing this with a heavy heart; sorry if I’m not feeling too Christmas-y right now.  At a time when I should be enjoying the lights and the festivities of the season, I feel saddened that we are once again grieving the loss of innocent lives in another mass shooting during a time that should be filled

 with joy.  Oh sure, I could vent my anger, putting blame here and there, but I think there is enough of that going around, don’t you?  What I needed was to find some light, and I found it in a quote by Mister Rogers, a man who loved and respected children with all his heart while he was here on earth, and who epitomizes the Christmas spirit:

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” To this day, especially in times of “disaster”, I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.”

Fred Rogers

I’m sure that during the next several days I will continue to shed more tears and pray my little heart out during my meditation time, but in the spirit of Christmas, I will keep my eyes open for all those many caring people in the world who are practicing peace, goodwill and mercy. There is a reason why there is a tree of ‘Love’ painted in the stairwell, because I believe in the end, love will outshine evil and darkness.

Wishing you a season of light and love,

Jan

My Grandson

Austin William Beech, born Aug. 31, 3:29 am, 8 lb 5 oz.

Honoring Trees

TREES

by Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918)

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

Obviously, I love trees! The Body Grace logo and décor is tree-inspired, and the first impression of the studio is the ‘love’ tree painted in the stairwell. I have loved trees for as long as I can remember. As a little girl I couldn’t wait to play out in the woods with my dolls. When I was a teen getting into drawing and painting, I would spend many hours with my sketchpad out in the woods. In painting class, I would bring in pictures of trees with gnarly, moss-covered roots to paint, frustrating my teachers who would say, “enough with the trees, Jan” and then make me paint a boring still life.

My family is getting ready to put my mom’s house on the market. Recently while I was sitting outside on the front stoop taking a break from cleaning, I realized how much I will miss the big, old maple tree in the front yard. It’s a magnificent tree with an amazing root system and a beautiful shape. That tree has grown up with me. It saw me through my awkward, pudgy, crooked teeth and cat-eye glasses elementary school days; put up with my rebellious, alcohol- and drug-induced teen years; and has had the privilege of having my own two daughters play make believe under it when they were little. I only hope that whoever buys the house will love that tree as much as my mom and my family did.

Saying good-bye to my mom almost a year ago, (whose final resting place is underneath a big, nurturing tree), and now getting ready to say good-bye to our family’s home, has all been a process of letting go, which brings me to the Body Grace logo. Have you ever noticed the two floating leaves? Those leaves are what made me fall in love with the design. They represent not only graceful movement, (which by the way, is what we want in our bodies; bodies that are strong and stable, but also move with ease and lightness) but the leaves also symbolize letting go and giving back. As they fall to the ground, they are giving back to the earth.

Earth Day is Sunday, April 22 but Body Grace will be celebrating Earth Week through Saturday, April 28. I will donate $2.00 to the Environmental Defense Fund for every paying student who comes to take a class during the week. This will be one small way of giving back to the earth.

“To treat the physical world as sacred is to honor what you do with your body and environment, the food you eat, the things you buy and your means of livelihood.”

– Anodea Judith, Ph.D. therapist and educator.

Taking the time to connect to Mother Nature is another way to show we care. Notice how delicate the light is when the sun shines through the laciness of new leaves on the trees, the many colors of the flowering shrubs and flowers, the chorus of birds singing early in the morning. Caring for the earth reflects how we take care of ourselves. I want to have lots of trees for my grandchildren to play under and grow up with, just like I had my maple tree.

Warmly,

Jan

Body Grace is Branching Out into the Community

This past week, three of our Body Grace instructors had the amazing opportunity to teach for the James Madison High School freshman P.E. department. The teachers at Madison wanted to give their students a taste of other fitness modalities, so they invited trainers to come and share their expertise with the P.E. classes. Diane Rogers and Carlos Valdes-Dapena team-taught a yoga unit on Monday and Tuesday; Julie Moore taught Pilates on Wednesday.

The P.E. teachers at Madison know that other outlets for physical activity and exercise need to be offered for teens who are not athletic or don’t want to play a competitive sport. Many of our teens are already seeing chiropractors and physical therapists for back and neck issues due to poor posture from sitting too much, heavy book bags and stress.

As Carlos posted on his Facebook wall, they reached over 300 students in two days! Diane shared this with me, “Carlos and I were so impressed at how engaged and enthusiastic the P.E. staff and students were. Some of the athletes were humbled by their difficulties in Warrior 3 and some of the less-athletic types seemed happy to learn this new form of physical activity.”

Julie had a similarly positive experience, finding the students friendly, completely engaged and open-minded. And like Diane and Carlos, she got a positive response from students she perceived as less athletic who seemed proud to be able to do many of the exercises she offered. Julie summed it up beautifully when she said, “I think the P.E. teachers accomplished their goal of exposing kids to something new and capturing their imagination of what they might do in the future.” A huge kudos to the Madison teachers for thinking outside the box!

I am so proud of the teaching team here at Body Grace! So many of you have expressed to me how caring and dedicated all the teachers are and how non-intimidating the studio atmosphere is. Mission accomplished! Our vision is that Body Grace grows into a nurturing studio where people can care for themselves, body, mind and spirit, and that we will continue to branch out into the community.

Warmly,

Jan

Becoming a grandparent!

I discovered the secret to levitation; I am going to be a grandparent! I don’t think Bob’s feet or mine have touched the ground yet. The due date is August 25; so needless to say, as much as I love the studio and all of you, nothing will keep me away from being part of our first grandchild’s arrival!

An August birth has another significance. My mother would always tell everyone how she didn’t know anyone with an August birthday, so my daughter, Nicole, and her husband, Dale, planned this birth in honor of her. She passed before their wedding, but I believe with all my heart that she will be sharing this joyous occasion right along with us. I will carry on my mother’s tradition of spoiling my grandchild with unconditional love, lots of time, a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on and a really loud obnoxious toy or two, just like she did with my two daughters.

I am ready for this new chapter of my life to begin. I don’ t feel nervous or “old”, on the contrary, my heart is full of joy and I am excited about what the future will hold. In fact, there is not a doubt in my mind that Bob and I will rock as grandparents!

Warmly,

Jan

Celebrating Light

“Think of your well-being like a candle burning brightly inside of you. It is at the core of your being, and when you are feeling quiet and peaceful, your well-being is intact and your

candle is burning with ease.”

--Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff Calendar

Since when did Christmas become so competitive? From stores trying to be the first to put out their holiday decorations and merchandise, (did anyone notice stuff appearing in stores at the beginning of September?) to the array of competitive commercials on TV.

I thought I was being a little oversensitive to the Best Buy ads until I read an article recently in The Washington Post by Hank Stuever who had the same feelings I did. There’s one ad that depicts a woman who has gone out and bought everything at Best Buy that her family wants and waits up for Santa to arrive only to mock him when he shows up. Poor Santa does nothing but give and this is the thanks he gets? And let’s not forget about the Target ads with the crazed lady who hasn’t slept in days and is in “training” for her shopping spree. She’s the one running through Target with a parachute attached to her and doing abdominal crunches on the red stability ball-like objects that are in front of Target Stores.

Personally, I think this woman could use a little yoga!

Even though these ads are funny, and some would even say clever, the holidays are not a competition they are a celebration. Whether we are lighting an advent wreath, a menorah, admiring all the decorative lights or lighting a candle for loved ones no longer with us, the holidays are a celebration of light. Light conveys unity; light opens us up to love;light represents hope and peace; light is an absence of darkness bringing the clarity we crave. Spiritual light is a common thread that all religions have. Just think how peaceful the world would be if we could focus on that common denominator instead of all the differences.

I found a great quote from an article written by Anne Naylor, a motivational speaker and writer, which sums up this concept of light beautifully: The Light is the great connector that finds harmony and union where there was discord and divisiveness. The Light brings healing and peace, where there was disease and discouragement. The Light sees plenty where I might see lack. When you pray,

see Light – because Light sees you.

However you choose to celebrate the holiday season and after all the busyness is done,

take some time to enjoy the glow of lights around you and let your inner candle burn brightly.

Warmly wishing you peace, love, joy, and light!

Jan

The Turtle Had It Right!

“Determination and consistency yield results”

Pat Rigsby - Fitness business coach

These five words have become my mantra lately. I follow Pat’s business blog and this phrase really jumped out at me about a month ago. So much so, that I wrote it down and have it next to my computer to read everyday. He was referring to business concepts, but I think this phrase could inspire us whether we are trying to improve our diet and fitness habits, starting a new business or de-cluttering our home! You name it.

I get daily motivational messages sent to my in-box from

theuniverse@tut.com. The other day I received the quote below. It has the same idea as Pat’s, but with a fun twist. I hope it makes you smile too!

“I still don't get why people are so surprised that the turtle beat the rabbit over the long run.

Consistent effort, no matter how small, sparks magic, fills sails, butters bread, turns tides, instills faith, summons friends, improves health, burns calories, creates abundance, yields clarity, builds courage, spins planets, and rewrites destinies.

No matter how small.”