Top 8 Tricks for Accessing “Happy” Now

“The time to be happy is now,” my yoga instructor said yesterday. Sounds simple, but happiness is elusive and can’t be ordered on demand like a movie. Or can it?  Scientists have been unlocking the mysteries of happiness. Turns out, happiness is best achieved when we are in the present moment and not letting our…

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Why Yoga Pisses Me Off

Yoga pisses me off. Sure, I look peaceful on the outside, but behind the cute clothing, I’m angry. Last Friday, I attended Yoga on the Beach while on vacation in Sea Isle City, NJ. The sun shinned bright, waves crashed nearby, seagulls soared overhead. It was surreal – something out of a staged yoga DVD. Yet…

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REM Runner’s 21 Day Yoga Challenge

I’m taking on a new challenge – doing yoga every day for 21 days! Returning from SLEEP 2013, my energy was low and my pants were tight. I needed a short-term goal to jump-start my summer. Today is day 4 of my challenge and I’m feeling GREAT. My body is sore, but in that good…

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Narcolepsy & Exercise: Narcolepsy Awareness Video #17

As a person with narcolepsy, a sleep disorder or chronic illness, what’s your take on exercise? Too tired? Crucial to your health? Improve your symptoms?   My latest video explores my experience as an athlete with narcolepsy and offers tips for successfully incorporating exercise into your life. Come back for more videos soon! Thank you…

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Yoga Is My Body Smiling: Returning to My Mat

Returning to yoga yesterday was like a homecoming celebration. Last fall, I stopped practicing yoga due to a back injury. My doctor had recommended I take time off from exercising and unfortunately, I took his advice. In truth, his advice was convenient because I wasn’t feeling motivated at the time. Time passed. Too much time. …

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Before I Die…

“Before I die…” caught me off-guard on Saturday. I was driving down 14th street NW in DC, when I slammed on the brakes and pulled over. I didn’t know what to expect, but the beautiful messages of hope and love made my day! I took photos but  didn’t contribute to the wall. I mulled it over…

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A Dream Among Dreams: Taking On Yoga’s Headstand

“Don’t be afraid of the space between your dreams and reality. If you can dream it, you can make it so.” I dream a lot, but one dream stood out recently: I saw myself  in a handstand position – whirling my legs around like I was an acrobatic superstar. Um, yeah right. I love yoga,…

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REM Runner’s Summer Reading

I love summer. Lightening bugs, late sunsets, weddings, and trips to the beach! Here’s what is in my beach bag this summer: ISLAND PRACTICE Cobblestone Rash, Underground Tom, and Other Adventures of a Nantucket Doctor by Pam Belluck A spirited true story of a colorful, contrarian doctor on Nantucket, a world-famous yet strikingly offbeat corner of America. Dr.…

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The Silver Lining

“The next time you encounter fear, consider yourself lucky.This is where the courage comes in. Usually we think that brave people have no fear. The truth is that they are intimate with fear.” -Pema Chödrön  Today is one of my final hard training days before I take on “one of the most grueling road races in…

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