PROGRESS!

Nope, we're not back to walking/dancing/taiji . . . yet.

BUT, I got my tree stand back.  Still using a cane, but I can walk away from it now.

I owe it all to, well, everyone who's guided and cheered me through this recovery, and yoga.  Wow have I learned to appreciate yoga in a more profound way.  Currently re-learning Qigong and Taiji.  Still need to pick up speed for dancing.  It's happening.

Hope all of YOU are keeping well and ready to groove when mall is ready for us.

Staying Motivated?

5 months!  And now hot weather ;-(.

Mornings are still cool . . . if you pull yourself out of bed.  Think you’ve got it tough?  Remember that I personally have a broken hip to recover from.

Just to encourage you, my progress to date includes managing to balance on the bad leg this week.  Thank you, Yoga.  (I’ve found a wonderful free class to do 3 times a week.  This class will continue through October. )

YOGA

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Greetings All

• I'm anticipating a staged reopening in early June as Weberstown develops protocols to keep everyone safe.  I'm guessing that some walking hours will come first.  I'll let you know about new protocols as I learn about the, and will add exercises and hours to the schedule when I get them.
• Group exercises will return as the group leaders desire and as appropriate space becomes available.  (We may have to make some moves to ensure room for social distancing.)
• GROUP LEADERS - or anyone who would like to be a group leader - please contact me about YOUR desires for times/spaces for your group.  You can reach me by replying to this post or commenting on it on Facebook.
• Dillard's Groups - Look for a slow startup as I continue to recover from my broken hip.  First I need to be able to drive again!  Then we can explore walker-workouts?!?!  I don't plan to be on a walker for long, but even without that setback I know it will take awhile to re-learn all the exercises, line dances, taiji forms, yoga routines, etc.  I'm looking forward to that process and hope that many of you will find it a perfect time to get started, or to review and perfect moves you already know.  Will also try to get some help from experienced group members who will be able to demonstrate moves I can't make (yet) when we get back in gear.

LOTS of updates today.

• All respect and honor to the many who have, and continue, to put themselves at risk to protect the rest of us.  Thank you.
• Greetings.  Because I miss you all, I know that you must all be missing me and each other as well.  Missing our mornings reminds me of how valuable the mallwalk is to our community.  So thank you to Weberstown.  Looking forward to seeing folks - from a safe distance - again.
• Old mallwalk schedule is down.  Mall will begin to reopen - safely - at least in part - ASAP, like about June 1.  Mallwalkers and exercise groups will be welcomed back, a little at a time, as that can be done safely for all.  Please understand that mall staff will likely have new, additional, duties, so we want to be mindful of how we can make their lives easier as we return.
• Old mallwalk coordinator - er, me - has broken her hip.  Accidents do happen.  Recovery has become my focus, but expect some modifications.  You know that Monterey Turn (line dance), or the Creep Down (taiji), or the Pidgeon (Yoga), or every possible sort of squat and lunge?  I expect to do them ALL, more slowly and with smaller range of motion, as I rebuild.  Maybe this will even be a chance for some of you to get involved in some activities that seemed too fast before?  Hope you'll all enjoy the process with me.
• Lessons learned?  Not new but some beliefs have matured into convictions.  STAY ACTIVE.  Don't get distracted.  Many accidents are avoidable; that's the goal.  Strength, flexibility, and balance are your friends every day, and especially when accidents do happen.

Not feeling too energetic?  Maybe you need a dream.  What's YOURS?

And, what's stopping you?  Move a little bit.  Maybe amaze yourself.

Enjoy each moment y'all.
And come on back to the mall,
when that's safe for all.

The weather is wonderful, and you are allowed to be out and about.  Just be cautious.  Social distance for sure.  Masks are a must if you're in areas with others, maybe double your social distance if you want to go without.  WASH YOUR HANDS, thoroughly and often.

But DO take that walk.  That's an important part of caring for your health too.  https://www.recordnet.com/lifestyle/20200504/on-road-walking-and-running-in-your-hometown-in-age-of-pandemics

And DO take heart.  Some restrictions are easing, not ending, but easing.  The mall is making plans now for reopening in a safe way when that is permitted.  What about Weberstown Walkers?  We will be back.  Will you be ready?  Take these spring-summer months to enjoy the outdoors.  Watch for notices about mornings inside the mall as we see how recovery is working.

I KNOW you're all continuing to exercise, at least a little, every day!

Still, we all have soooo much time now  I've finally been able to put together some slides from our Holiday Buffet back in November.  Thanks to Yukiye for the wonderful photos.  I've enjoyed seeing you as I put this together and I bet you'll enjoy it too.  Whether you were there or didn't make it on the day of the buffet, here are some smiles.

Thread the Needle Pose

This is my new favorite pose.  (Not to be confused with my old favorite - Eye of the Needle Pose.)  It's an easy inversion that involves both stretching and balancing.  Remember, you DO NOT NEED TO DO IT ALL.  Best approach is to work up to a level that gives you a good stretch and relax into it right there.  Move on when, IF, you feel like it.

1. just lift and reach under with your arm, twisting at waist.
2. rock forward, putting some weight on shoulder/cheek for a nice neck stretch.
3. rotate the upper arm around your back to open chest.
4. lift the leg last, to work on balance.

Try Everything

And here's a dance I want to add to our repertoire.  I love this music, and this guy sure makes the dance look fun.

Here are the steps (8 counts/line):

1. RIGHT ROCKING CHAIR, QUICK SCISSOR STEPS (RIGHT AND LEFT SIDES)
2. ¼ TURN RIGHT, LOCK LEFT, TRIPLE FORWARD (RLR), LEFT FORWARD TO PIVOT ½ TURN, TRIPLE FORWARD (LRL)
3. ROCK, RECOVER, SAILOR RIGHT (RLR), SAILOR LEFT (LRL), RIGHT CROSSING TRIPLE (RLR)
4. HOLD, UNWINDING PIVOT 1/2, STEP RIGHT TAP LEFT HEEL, LEFT CROSSING TRIPLE (LRL), TAP RIGHT HEEL, STEP TOGETHER, CLAP

TAIJI

Nothing new here.  I've been lazy so now I need to review videos to remember how the forms go.  I hope YOU have all been practicing!

How's Your At-Home Exercise Program Working Out?

You've got the time.

You know you want to.

So try something that will really make you feel good, something easy and relaxing, something to make your whole day better.