I’m in the weight room at the Y. Focused in. Feeling my shoulders work, then my hips and knees and always my core. It is 8 a.m., quiet and only a few people here. I am in my zone. I
The Art of Physical Therapy
Celebrating Nordic Skiing in Concord
You may wonder what a flatlander from Indiana knows about Nordic skiing? Growing up in the midwest, we did our fair share of sledding and ice skating. After moving east, I went into Eastern Mountain Sports on Boston’s Commonwealth Avenue
Finding New Exercise Routines with Ankylosing Spondylitis
I’m a 28 year-old woman with a young daughter, dog, husband, demanding job and an overall active life. After a time of troubling symptoms, frustrations and some worrying, I was given a diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a type of
Old Dog, New Tricks: When Dog Paddling Doesn’t Work In the Triathlon
Four years ago, I completed my first triathlon. I knew I would be able to do it, but there was just one thing. Triathlons involve running, biking and swimming. Running and biking I had mastered—hard work, but I have confidence
How My Aging Dogs Helped Me Find New Hiking Trails
One recent morning, when my “old girl” Hunny didn’t want to do our regular walk, I knew I had to make some changes to our regular routines. My precious pup was now twelve and a half years old and just
My 4 am Workout: Tai Chi for Body and Spirit
Even before the alarm goes off at 4 am, I’m thinking about hauling myself out of bed. Even so, 4 am often comes too quickly. In warmer weather, I go out onto my deck; in cooler and wet weather, I
All About Abby: When the Four-Legged Inspires the Two-Legged
It is barely dawn and we’re heading out for our morning walk. My travels may require an umbrella, boots and sometimes microspikes or snowshoes. Whatever the footwear, I will always have treats in my pocket. Not for me, but for
Creating a Daily Exercise Practice
I used to imagine that as I grew older I would find more time to do my daily practices. My current practice may be yoga, quiet sitting, reading a text that lends me insight, or pursuing another creative endeavor to
Keep Moving, Keep Your Balance
While I was hiking recently in the beautiful White Mountains along a path covered in colorful fall leaves, I found myself teetering from rock to rock, carefully planning my every step so I would not twist my ankle or step