Over the last few weeks, I moved, put on the retreat, incorporated my business, had a couple of grand babies, went on a network show and released my Exercise DVD on Amazon. Lots of moving parts have kept me from writing here, but it’s time to get the cob webs out of my blog. I guess the theme for this entry is change. I seem to be learning first hand that change can be a real disruption or a welcome oasis. There are both kinds, I’ve had some of each. So that brings me around to the word “flow.” There were many times I had to let go of something when I didn’t want to. That’s hard and since one of my life goals is be free of bitterness, I knew I had to let go and the sentence came to mind over and over again, “flow it out.” I hope I did let what needed to flow out…go gracefully. I will report on the retreat soon, it was magical.

It’s been too long and there’s a good reason for it, I am moving. I’m half here and half still in the old place. But just in case you checked in, I wanted to say thanks for stopping by and I’ll be back here soon with hopefully something more worthwhile than this verbal high five. Hope you are well and feeling strong.

Moving is hard on every part of your body and being. It is emotionally draining, physically challenging, and sorting through every piece of paper I have ever owned must be psychologically akin to waterboarding.

But, it also feels like stepping into the light.

Hard Body Camp has started. These women are young, everybody is under 19 years old. I am learning so much. This is my first experience with gals this age in one of my Wellness Camps and I am surprised at the differences. They are a generation younger than most of the women in my group classes. They see things differently, they are so sweet and open. They are loving the work on the stability ball and kettle bells, it’s different and has an element of fun. I love these girls, they are trying so hard and THAT alone makes me feel like I have the greatest gig in America. More to come on this. I mean it is just so surprising, I am so glad to have them in my group. Learning as we go. Tomorrow we’ll be at the track, can’t wait.

I loved skipping rope as a kid and I still do. It is one of the most efficient forms of cardio exercise. I taught a class at the Pasadena Athletic club before they closed (that was a sad day indeed) that included 9″ pilates ball, resistance bands and jump ropes. It was the most amazing and fun cardio burn, a really fun and good time. I miss that class, but still skip rope whenever I can, it takes me to that “zone-happy place” in an instant and strengthens the entire body while you gain agility and coordination. Oh, such a blast. I was reading this article in the New York Times this morning: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/06/arts/hop-skip-and-a-jump-to-fitness.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=fitness&st=cse and it brought me back to everything I love about jumping rope. For me, it all depends on the rope–if you have the right rope for YOU, you can fly. If not, it is far more frustrating. One of the great things is the satisfaction you get when you see and feel yourself getting a little better, a little lighter on your feet each time. Ah…improvement….it’s what your body does best. Happy rope skipping!

One of the great things about running a wellness boot camp in Southern California is the weather. There are so many gorgeous days, year round even, that we can be out in the fresh air at the track. I never take it for granted. I love each beautiful morning and feel grateful for it. Today it was damp, overcast, cold even. We were socked in. But my campers still came. We focused on kettle bells, ran the hill, did drills with the cones and got it all in. We did our warm down stretch on the bar where the stadium seating is. It was awesome, comprehensive and fun. Sometimes, if you go with the flow and “change it up” you have one of your memorable and truly great work outs. It was an incredible morning. I was edified and inspired by their dedication and willingness to go with the flow. I came home, so proud of them and their spirit, I wrote this and sent it to them:

Fluffy, the baby cloud, said to his mother, “Momma, what are we doing today?”
His mother, Mrs. Poof answered, “Well, little one, today we have lots of water to deliver to La Canada. But we will have to be ever so careful.”
“But why do we have to be careful, Momma?”
She answered in her wise mother tone of voice; “Because Loa’s lovely group of wellness campers need to stay dry. See, Carolyn and Janet drive a few miles on the freeway and we want it to be safe for them. And Tina is feeling a little under the weather so we want her to breath the cool, moist air, but not get wet.”
“Oh, I see” said Fluffy. “So, I’ll be a big boy and just hold it?”
“Yes my silvery, floaty son” said Mrs Poof. ” Plus we want the ground to be stable and not slippery for Jane and Andrea since they are being careful right now. And little Fluffy was quite proud of himself. He understood that the track shouldn’t be too muddy when Jeanne and Judy go buzzing around it at top speed. So he held it for a whole 90 minutes and then at 9:30, he let it all go, After all, he was just a young cloud.
And all the campers smiled and went home.
The end.