Category Archives: Healthy Living

Empowering Changes on the Mat

Image by Korakia.com
Image by YogaMatReviews.net

Image by YogaMatReviews.net

With only 10 days remaining in my 28-days of yoga, I had hoped practicing 30 minutes a day would become easy. Unfortunately, this has been one of the most surprising observations I’ve had about my experience: it hasn’t. Over the past 18 days I’ve worked long hours and had little time to myself due to obligations with my job. Though squeezing in time to practice yoga has been a daily challenge, I promised myself I would devote time to a personal goal and my well being, so I’m doing it.

Overall, performing yoga each day has reduced my stress level and increased my physical strength. I think my time on the mat has been both a gift and challenge, however, on nights like tonight — when I fall asleep on the couch after a long day — moving through sun salutations and holding poses are the last things I want to do. Hey, I’m being honest, here.

Despite my grumbling and the sleep in my eyes, I washed my face and went to the mat to practice. I haven’t missed a day, why would I start now? As I flowed through my movements I cared less about getting in all of my favorite poses or working out my arms and I chose to simply keep moving and breathing. The silence of my living room and new mat helped me ease into some light meditation. Slowly, I began to move beyond the tiredness from my day and in a way, I felt revived.

By the end, I was more centered and relaxed. I didn’t have a surplus of energy, or anything like that, but I had also overcome my self doubt and negativity about my 28-day challenge. I thought this was a small success overall, but then I had a realization. Each day I’ve done yoga there was something I needed to work out within myself. Today I was tired from not sleeping well the night before. Yesterday I felt weak. On Sunday I had anxiety about the week ahead. I discovered that going to the mat helps me identify emotions and tensions within myself that I wouldn’t necessarily recognize (no matter what type of yoga I’m doing — Vinyasa, Bikram or a blend of practices). When I practice yoga I am forced to confront these issues to establish the concentration required to breathe, hold poses and remember sequences. If I take nothing away from this experience, I hope I can at least remember the power of letting it go on the mat — even if that means forcing myself to get there and start.

28 Days of Yoga

By TheVerve360.com

January is exciting because everyone feels empowered to do new things and change their health. I was excited to see many fitness and health challenges, but they all seemed to start so fast without giving much build up, or an opportunity to try something out before committing to a 30-day running challenge or month-long health food binge. What if you discover after you’ve started that you hate running or can’t stand the latest super food on sale at Whole Foods? Then, you’re destined for disappointment, or by February 1, you’re comfortably back in your old habits and have completely lost the energy and zeal for your new year’s project.

As many of my friends know (because I’m always sending them requests to join me), I think Groupon, Living Social and Daily Candy Deals are some of the greatest resources on the internet. They all allow you to try new products, facilities and activities inexpensively and with little risk. I can’t get enough of the 30-day memberships to gyms and yoga studios or class bundles for dance studios or rock wall climbing. In January a couple co-workers and I got a Daily Candy Deal for YogaWorks. It was 30 days of unlimited classes with access to any of their gyms. Plus, it came with a $25 gift card. What a deal. I went to class at least three times a week and couldn’t get enough. Not to mention the fun bonding time with friends since we all had the same pass and goal to try out the studios.

When the 30 days were up, I decided that not only did this deal help me manifest my new year’s resolution to take better care of myself, by exercising and finding a source for stress relief, it helped me rekindle a passion for yoga that I had in college. Over the course of the month I couldn’t believe how fast I made progress. I tried new styles and poses — elevating my yoga practice to a new level I’d always wanted. Midway through the month I started feeling stronger, more confident and less stressed and I realized, wow, this makes me truly happy. I also realized I wanted to do a hand stand.

By the time the month was over, I could do a modified hand stand on my forearms and I’d joined YogaWorks officially. They even gave me a discount. And, I thought of an interesting birthday gift for myself, 28 days of yoga for my 28th birthday. I’m hoping since I gave myself a test run I’ll be able to do it. I also thought it would be a fun way to set an attainable goal for myself to achieve.

My plan is to do 30 minutes of yoga each day at home or the studio. For the days I’m not motivated I’ll remember the awe I felt when I saw “Yoga By Equinox.” How I wish to be this good at yoga.

Yet, this is not just about committing to my fitness, it’s about investing time for myself that I know makes me feel strong, confident and at peace.

Today was day one.

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Make 28 Great

Birthday Candles

A gal’s birthday makes her think about a lot of things — the past (Where did my twenties go and why do I still feel 21?), the future (What does it mean to be in my “late twenties?”), and how I can make this my best year yet (Get back to writing, you dork.)?

You see, last week was my birthday and I was lucky to share it with my sweet co-workers and kind friends, and of course my generous husband who planned a surprise trip for me to San Francisco. I couldn’t ask for more. It was a fun weekend — delicious seafood, time with family, and lots of walking around one of my favorite cities… but there’s something about my birthday that always makes me reflect on what I’ve done with my life and where I’m going next.

I know I’m not the first person to feel this way, I bet we all go through it one time or another. Even rocker Sammy Hagar once said: “Every year on your birthday, you get to start new.” I think a guy with an album called “Livin’ It Up!” might know a thing or two needing a fresh outlook.

So, how do you start a new path and make the next year better than the last? I have a few ideas.

As a kid I believed I would be married by 25, with a baby by 28 and running my own magazine by my thirties. Yikes. Clearly, my young self was overly ambitious and completely unaware of the time and efforts required to cultivate relationships, a family and a career, while still pursuing an education, having a social life and maintaining an exercise regimen and doing laundry. Life takes time, especially when trendy delicates need to be hand-washed.

I think some birthdays, like the turn of the new year, bring pressure and anxiety, when they should actually be rewarding and liberating. Who wants to be analyzing their 12-year-old self’s life plan while feasting on a crab cake in North Beach? Not me. Ok, clearly it was me, but here’s me trying to be older and wiser. I’d like to plan some things that I could do before I turn 29. Sure, I’d like to say I’ll finally make that trip to Paris or learn to design and sew my own clothes, but let’s be realistic, here. That’s a lot of expectations to put on myself in a mere 365 days. I can think of one, realistic goal for the year, and I’ll be honest, it directly supports and relates to my new year’s resolution to take better care of myself: Make a commitment to doing things that make me happy.

Often I, like many others get distracted and bogged down by obligations, laziness, routines and work — when sometimes a better choice, even a small one, could make me happier. Leaving work when I promise myself I will. Taking a moment to relax without feeling guilty that I should be doing something else. These types of things impact how we enjoy our days and I need to make sure I make choices that benefit my happiness over everything else.

My trip to San Francisco for my birthday reminded me of this — things don’t have to be so planned or focused on specific goals. I may not run a magazine or learn how to sew, but that’s ok. My goals right now are simple. Be myself. Spend quality time with people I love. Make my home more beautiful and tranquil. Take time to relax. Cook healthy and delicious foods. Go to yoga. Write every day. I don’t need much more.

I, like many others, get so wrapped up in my daily routines and tasks. It’s easy to forget that happiness is something you can create yourself at anytime, anywhere. Why blow out the candles by making a wish, when you can actively choose to change your life.

Great things come to those who work and play hard. I’ve had 28 years to practice and I’ll keep going until I get it right. Starting now.

Any one else game to give it a go with me?

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A Novel Debut

The Mockingbirds

A Remedy in Writing

Originally Published by InterviewHer.com on November 1, 2010

Author and Media Expert Daisy Whitney

“Talking about things is what helps us heal and recover from challenging times in life,” explains Daisy Whitney, host of New Media Minute and author of The Mockingbirds. Yet, many women feel silenced about sexual abuse – especially teens who have been date raped. Daisy Whitney just might change that with her new book. She knows a thing or two about overcoming obstacles and finding the strength to speak out.

Daisy Whitney is a talented writer and media expert with a thriving personal business and family. She’s also releasing her debut novel, The Mockingbirds, on November 2, 2010, which has already received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly. Yet, her journey to success and “masterfully” written novel began with a hardship — one that changed her life and inspired her to write about date rape, vigilantism and academic politics.

Daisy Whitney was date raped when she was 19-years-old and she understands firsthand what it means to find her voice and the strength to press charges against her attacker. “I was a freshman in college at the time and am definitely a big believer in the power of speaking up.”

With the support of her friends Whitney pressed charges in her school’s justice system at Brown University. “In the early nineties we were starting to understand date rape,” said Whitney in an interview. “Institutions now have disciplinary systems that recognize sexual assault as a violation of the

code.”

Thankfully, her school handled Whitney’s case and she healed from the incident by being able to talk about it and find closure for herself. After receiving her degree, Whitney started her career in journalism as a reporter and later founded her own business as a reporter and media expert.

The Mockingbirds is the first in a series about a secret society in a private high school called Themis Academy. The protagonist,Alex, is sexually assaulted after a night of drinking. She struggles to remember what happened that night as she copes with her fear of the classmate who raped her. Her friends provide guidance when she realizes that she has been violated and abused. In her quest to heal, she encounters the Mockingbirds, a student-run justice system and she decides to press charges against her attacker.

The Mockingbirds, by Daisy Whitney

In this exciting and evocative book, Whitney captures the complexity of date rape with her narrative about Alex, an exceptional concert pianist who wants to pursue music at Juilliard. Whitney creates a powerful scenario, filled with realistic characters that show teens the trials of coping and the importance of finding empowerment after assault.

The novel comes at a crucial time. One in six women will become victims of sexual assault during their lifetime, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN). Many of them are girls, ages 16-19. The California Coalition Against Sexual Assault estimates nearly half of reported cases of sexual assault and attempted rape are teens. “According to a study conducted by The Northern Westchester Shelter, with Pace Women’s Justice Center, about 83% of 10th graders said they would sooner turn to a friend for help with dating abuse than a teacher, counselor, parent or other caring adult,” said Whitney in an email.

For Daisy Whitney, speaking up and increasing awareness are not only key elements of her novel, they are also part of her business plan, turning her tragedy to triumph, while helping teens on the way.

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Vacation: The Work-Free Me

suitcase

I finally took a real vacation this year. I waited for cheap flights and a really good excuse to take some time off. Last week it was my friends’ wedding and a whole lot of family time. And, there’s nothing like a vacation to get some perspective.

Two Saturdays ago my husband and I set off to Southern California for five days where we spent time with family, ate some really good Mexican food (since it doesn’t exist in NY) and went through some old clutter in his parents’ new house. I also found some time to blog and catch up on my reading.

It’s funny how easy it is to do exactly what you want when you have free time. I’m not really sure why I don’t make more of an effort in the midst of my normal work week routine. My excuse is that I’m always tired, but really, if I just made an effort to prioritize things, they would be better. Working full-time shouldn’t consume my entire life — at least that’s what I’ve been thinking since my vacation.

So, after visiting the in-laws, we headed up North for five more days and visited my friends and family and went to our friends’ wedding in Berkeley. By this time I’d actually stopped stressing over the work I wasn’t doing and it was refreshing.

That’s the funny thing about vacation — I stress over the fact that I’m not doing anything. And, I think that’s the point in taking more than a four-day weekend, because then you eventually relax.

Anyway, my souvenir from my vacation was a new quest to improve my time management — I’m great at work, but when it comes to making the best of my work-free time — I’m ready to make a change. Below are my renewed goals post-vacation:

1. Don’t stay up too late. What’s the point? You need sleep, stick to the hours you need, you’ll accomplish more if you’re rested.

2. Make an effort to be at work on time, so you can leave on time. While showing up at 9:30 is fine in my office, getting in at 9 a.m. is better because then I won’t stay until 6:30 or 7 p.m. Leave at 6 p.m. and there’s more time in the evening.

3. Take time to do vacation tasks when you’re not on vacation. Read a ridiculous book all evening. Go for a walk. Paint your nails. Go for a long run. Whatever.

4. Stop thinking about work. Set a time after which you will not think or talk about work. Stressing over work in off hours is not healthy, it begets more anxiety.

5. Have fun. I know some people don’t need this reminder, but I totally do. I get so focused and absorbed I even schedule fun. Fun can be spontaneous too!

Alright those are my words of wisdom from my trip to California, let’s hope they stick!

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