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Halloween Music Playlist

October 20, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

Using music to inspire joyful movement is something I love and Halloween provides a great excuse to do exactly that! I pretty much never pass up an opportunity to create a fun playlist for movement. I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, so the candy isn’t a big deal to me this time of year, but I really appreciate that this holiday is basically just about having fun.

Because of this, I have created tons of Halloween playlists over the years to incorporate a seasonal element of fun to both my own movement and to the classes I teach. Some playlists are calmer and some are more upbeat, depending on the goal of the class, but all help to inspire movement while releasing tension and hopefully adding some extra joy at the same time.

Since Halloween is around the corner, I am sharing one of my favorite Halloween music playlists. I hope it inspires you to move more and stay present during this fun holiday! This playlist is about an hour long, but please do not feel like you need to wait until you have a full hour to get moving – even a few minutes will make a difference in both your body and mind! For more on that topic, check out this video from my YouTube Channel (yes, I am wearing a witch costume – I do love to have fun with a theme!)

And here is my playlist:

I hope this inspires some mindful movement and a Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin Spiced Smoothie

October 19, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

Despite the days becoming colder and darker, the joys of fall (such as my Pumpkin Spiced Smoothie!) make it easy for me to embrace this season. I am obviously not alone, as seasonal flavors such as cinnamon and pumpkin begin to appear everywhere well before Labor Day even arrives!

I love a treat, but since eating mindfully is important to me both personally and as a parent, I prefer to incorporate these warm seasonal flavors without all of the sugar or processed ingredients. To me, healthy, fresh food + delicious fall flavors = the best of both worlds!

To help spread some fall cheer in a healthy, mindful way, I am sharing the recipe for my favorite fall beverage – it does not include sugar or anything processed! I created this recipe with my children (who are my best taste testers) and we all love this fall treat.

Another reason to love this recipe is that it is both easy to make and versatile. It only takes a few minutes to prepare (my favorite type of recipe, especially in the morning!) As I share in the video, I prep the ingredients or purchase them already frozen and just keep them on hand so they are ready at a moment’s notice. We often have this for breakfast on busy mornings, but it also works well as a mid-day treat or an on-the-go lunch. I will also sometimes make a big batch and bring it to my classes to share – it is always a hit!

You can learn how to make my Pumpkin Spiced Smoothie here:

Cheers to mindful living, fall and all of the unique joys of this season!

A Fun Fourth of July Music Playlist!

July 3, 2019 by admin 1 Comment

With the Fourth of July coming up, I wanted to share a fun Fourth of July music playlist. Our environment can also really have an influence on how we feel, and the music we hear is definitely a factor. Nothing makes me want to move like some fun music!

Movement is also something that can really uplift our spirits and create joy. In this sedentary and often stressful modern world, it is important to be mindful of opportunities to move and be joyful. Whenever I have a chance, I seize that opportunity and a holiday is a perfect one!

As a movement instructor, it is so much fun to listen to a music playlist with my classes as we exercise. However, it is equally enjoyable to have a dance party with my kids, listen to fun music with friends, or play it in my earphones while walking. Movement and music are definitely two of my favorite things!

How to Choose Music

Regarding the type of music, I obviously went with a Fourth of July theme for this playlist. In this type of playlist, I prefer to include different music genres for a fun variety. If you are creating a playlist for a group, it is also more likely that there will be a song that appeals to everyone. (Another tip – it also makes it easier to find music that goes with your theme!)

When you are choosing music, anything that you enjoy will work to create joyful movement. Personally, I enjoy a wide variety of genres and artists. It is also fun to find songs that are new to you and maybe create some new favorites. While listening to fun music, I cannot help but feel uplifted.

Have a wonderful Fourth of July – I hope you enjoy this fun Fourth of July music playlist. I wish you lots and lots of fun music and movement this summer!

Minimal Shoes for Natural Movement

June 17, 2019 by admin 2 Comments

Do you want to improve your alignment while walking or running but aren’t sure which shoes are best? Minimal shoes can help us move in a more natural, aligned and mindful way. I have several favorite minimal shoes for natural movement for spring and summer to share with you!

How to Choose a Shoe:

To help choose a shoe, I have four main criteria.

Minimal Shoe Criteria

Wide Toe Box
Our toes need plenty of room to move and should not be squished!
Attached Heel
An enclosed heel or shoe that attaches at the heel (unlike a flip-flop) ensures that the foot is not working in an unnatural way just to stay inside the shoe.
Zero Drop
The heel is not higher than the toes.
Thin, Flexible Sole
The sole should allow our foot to be mobile and feel the ground.

Check out my YouTube Channel video regarding my shoe choices for spring and summer!

What do I wear?

Personally, I use these criteria whenever I am purchasing shoes for myself or my children. However, this is NOT a universal list that is best for everyone. I am comfortable wearing minimal shoes because I spend a lot of time barefoot. Both at home and in the classes I teach, I regularly work on strength and mobility in my feet. If this is a dramatic change for you, a more gradual approach to adjusting your footwear may be best. When transitioning to a minimal shoe, it is important not to overdo it – our body needs time to adapt. (If you are wondering how to do this, I will be including some exercises to help with foot strength and mobility in upcoming posts!)

Where to Shop:

Minimal shoes for natural movement are not always easy to find, but there are some great choices out there! Most of the time, I order my shoes online because it is easier to find shoes to fit these four criteria. (Also, I don’t really like shopping!) Some of my favorite brands include Vivobarefoot, Vibram and Unshoes, and I am including links to the shoes mentioned in my video below. (I am either including the link to the exact shoe or the closest I can find online.)

I wish you a happy season full of mindful movement!