Even though I was adamant about doing Jane Fonda's workout routine right up until my daughter, Miranda, was born in 1984, I was never a fan of her adage, "No Pain, No Gain".  As a yoga teacher now since 2000, I've always suggested my students pay careful attention to their body's feedback and never stay in a place of pain.  You may feel a "sensation" as you use those strong muscles, but should never be in pain.

Our bodies are amazing at giving us feedback and pain is a form of feedback we need to pay attention to--quickly.  Last week I got a massage (from someone new) and though I was very impressed with her work, the next day I had some of the most intense pain I can remember in my arm and shoulder.  Though frustrated, it was a great reminder for me to use my used tennis balls again.  When teaching yoga, I sometimes will provide two used tennis balls to each student with instructions to place one on either side of the spine and then lie down over them.  If too intense, the same thing can be done against the wall, but I have found new tennis balls to be too hard and painful--so pick up a few at your local tennis center when they get rid of them. You can start at either the top or bottom of your spine and after a breath or two in one position, simply roll in the opposite direction slightly until you surround another vertebrae.  I stay for extra breaths whenever I find an especially tight spot.  I knew a guy once who healed years of back pain, just by using those tennis balls along his spine for about 15 minutes a day.

Next time you're frustrated that your body isn't performing (or feeling) the way you would like it to, remember:  it's only feedback.  Listen.

No, I am not dead--though it is a little embarrassing to have so much time go by in between blog entries.  However, after being the recipient of newsletters and blogs sent out far too often for me to keep up with, I still think less is more--and appreciate all of you who have have signed up for the automatic updates through www.facebook.com/susanmead.  It's humbling, but part of the reason for this blog delay is having been sick--again.  In fact, since December 20th I have only had one truly healthy day.  The good news is two-fold:  I dropped ten pounds during the first round which seems to have stayed off, and this second cold had a more normal-for-me turnaround time of about 5 days.  Could it be the frequent doses of echinacea I had access to this time?  Maybe.  Bailing on a work day as a Ski Patroller likely helped, too.

Whenever I get sick with a cold or flu, many express surprise--gee, how can *you* get sick?  Well, first of all, we all teach what we want to learn--and I am still learning to make consistently wise choices with nutrition, etc.  Though I mostly stay away from sugar, and have a wheat sensitivity, my friend Kim Heimbuck makes the most killer sugar cookies at Christmas.  This year, I gave away many--and ate quite a few myself.  Only one factor, but I'm sure it contributed to me getting a nasty cold over Christmas which then took on flu symptoms, too, Yuck!  But my friend and trusted colleague, Pati Caputo at Mountain Centre for Healing (www.mountaincentreforhealing.com), pointed out the first in my list of benefits we receive while being sick:

I have conflicting thoughts about  "is it PC (politically correct) to wish someone a Merry Christmas" issue.  Since many (most?) Americans do celebrate Christmas, it's rather sad not to wish them a "Merry Christmas" this time of year.  But I am very committed to being inclusive of all religions when wishing others well over the holidays, so unless I am pretty sure they celebrate Christmas, I stick with "Have a great Holiday" as my parting comment. Especially given the arrogance of many Americans (thinking our way is the only way or the RIGHT way and that everyone should be/do/celebrate as we do), I'm fine with erring mostly on the safe side with a Happy Holidays greeting.  And it almost makes it more special to wish someone a Merry Christmas when you know they celebrate Christmas.