Today, Kate recommends something I also love doing (I'm enjoying my flexibility while I can still see my toes) -- yoga at home:
Several months ago, I woke up in the middle of the night with an inspiration. I had been considering whether to sign up for a yoga class -- a practice I have always enjoyed but often found hard to squeeze into my schedule and budget -- but hadn't quite taken the leap yet. And then I figured why not try yoga DVDs at home? They're readily available at my public library in many varieties, can be done on my schedule, and don't require schlepping exercise clothes or dealing with unfamiliar locker rooms. I never thought of myself as someone with the discipline to exercise at home, but I decided to experiment with setting aside 30 minutes in the quiet of the early morning to stretch and sweat (just a bit), and have found that it has paid off in general well being, expense (free!), and convenience. Here are some of my DVD recommendations:Today, Kate recommends something I also love doing (I'm enjoying my flexibility while I can still see my toes) -- yoga at home:
Several months ago, I woke up in the middle of the night with an inspiration. I had been considering whether to sign up for a yoga class -- a practice I have always enjoyed but often found hard to squeeze into my schedule and budget -- but hadn't quite taken the leap yet. And then I figured why not try yoga DVDs at home? They're readily available at my public library in many varieties, can be done on my schedule, and don't require schlepping exercise clothes or dealing with unfamiliar locker rooms. I never thought of myself as someone with the discipline to exercise at home, but I decided to experiment with setting aside 30 minutes in the quiet of the early morning to stretch and sweat (just a bit), and have found that it has paid off in general well being, expense (free!), and convenience. Here are some of my DVD recommendations:
As some of you may know, I took up running last summer and have gotten into it enough to actually run some races. I love the minimalism of running -- you can hit the pavement on your own schedule and can go pretty minimal gear-wise, with running shoes being the major expense (that is, unless you're like some of my crazy barefoot running buddies). But one piece of gear that I was thrilled to learn about and now use regularly is the Moji Knee. I wanted to share my thoughts about the Moji Knee here because it's been great to have it in my running "toolkit" and it also seems as if every week I connect with more readers and bloggers and friends and family who are taking up running.
Apparently, today I’m in a bit of a PSA mood. In addition to asking you to get out and vote, I wanted to urge you to take care of you. I firmly believe that you need to take care of yourself in order to better take care of others (think oxygen mask airline instructions) and I felt compelled to post this PSA because: a) I’ve been fielding a lot of questions these days about self-care (mostly informally, but also more formally via a recent fit mom profile over at Momtrends); and b) this past weekend I had the lovely opportunity to host a yoga event that was infused with personal and global mindfulness; the deliriously happy looks on the attendees faces made it clear that self-care was not happening enough.
Kids grow fast and seasonal gear subsequently has a short window of use, so I was thrilled to find these Bladerunner adjustable ice skates (also available in blue) for Laurel. Sturdy and (according to Laurel) comfortable, the skates are available in three size brackets, each adjustable across four sizes, which means we’ll get at least two, maybe even three, seasons out of them. Super fabulous.
I've recently had the honor and pleasure of conducting some really lovely interviews, and last week I sat down for a one-on-two chat with 2006 Olympic silver medalists Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto before they led a skating clinic at the Simoni Arena in Cambridge. Read on for my interview, in which I talk with this personable duo about everything from competitions, to shows, to tips for skating safely with kids, to important advice for parents who are enrolling their kids in any types of lessons, to why Boston ranks among Tanith’s favorite cities. (Visit Pop Discourse for additional personal photos.)
After posting about Boston area skating rinks and the lack of media buzz in advance of the recent US Nationals, I was offered the wonderful opportunity to chat with Kimmie Meissner, national and world figure skating champion, member of the 2006 Olympic team, and 2010 Olympic contender. Read on for my interview with Kimmie, where we talk about everything from competitions, to shows (she’ll be in Boston in April for Stars on Ice), to the amazing family that has kept her grounded, to tips for skating safely with kids.
I’ve recently had my mind on ice skating (in fact, just this morning I posted at Pop Discourse about the lack of buzz over the impending national figure skating championships), and similarly, Laurel has been asking to hit the ice. Fortunately, my talented friend Melissa Massello (founder of the excellent budget lifestyle resource Shoestring Magazine) stepped right up with advice on local, affordable rink time. Thanks, Melissa!
Today, Kate reports on a clever way for kids to learn to skate, in the comfort of their own shoes:
“I grew up ice skating at the Metropolitan District Commission rink in Brighton, and I can still remember the clamor of the lobby/changing area, the sense of unlimited possibility found by stepping gingerly onto the ice, and the taste of the watery hot chocolate (mini-marshmallows and all) sold at the snack bar.
Winter days in Boston don’t get more picturesque than today, where the snow falls light and pretty, and brushing off your car takes mere minutes.
All the better to leave you with time to bundle up and get your skating groove on at The Rink at The Charles Hotel. Located on the plaza side that opens out into Harvard Square, until early March the rink is open from 2pm - 8pm on weekdays and 10am - 8pm on weekends. Skate rentals are $5 and skating fees are $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12 years old.
And after cutting your figures, be sure to reward yourself with a decadent hot chocolate at L.A. Burdick’s on Brattle Street.
The Rink at The Charles Hotel, One Bennett Street, Cambridge; Tel: 617-234-8008
The underground parking rates at Boston Common Garage are well worth the fun of Frog Pond and Frog Pond Park. In the winter Frog Pond is a famous skating rink; in the summer, the pond is a place for kids to cool off. The Frog Pond spray pool and wading program is open daily from 11 am to 6 pm (free of charge) until Labor Day. Call 617-635-2120 for updated information.
Before or after dipping in the pond, check out the awesome Frog Pond Park two steps away. This terrific playground has lots of cool structures to explore, including what my yummy niece called the “frog potty” (frog sculpture holding a life preserver).