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Arm Circles
Did you ever make Snow Angels when you were a kid? If you did, you probably laid in the snow and wave your arms and legs to make wings. It was a fun way to see a visible record of moving one’s arms and legs. When we examine our own mobility now, a common area […]
The Snow Queen
Do you remember the story, by Hans Christian Anderson (1805 – 1875), of the Snow Queen? I thought I knew the story well enough until I re-read it earlier this year to my granddaughters. When I did read it, with fresh eyes, I came to the realization that Anderson was a feminist! And yes, there […]
Planning for the National Bando Women’s Camp
Dear Bando SistersThe National Bando Women’s Camp is scheduled for June 18 – 21, continuing our tradition of supporting each other and growing in skill. We have a lot of ideas for how to go forward, but first need to check in with everyone regarding the timing. With the disruption resulting from the COVID-19 virus, […]
Announcing a New Kids Bando Class
Dear Friends A few months ago, one of my neighbors, Wills, was told by his parents that I had a number of swords. He’s been watching various shows about metalworking and swords, and his mother asked if I would show him some of the swords I have collected through my years of training. Wills showed […]
Teaching Yin and Learning Acceptance
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to spend a week with a talented, compassionate, and downright funny instructor, Biff Mithoefer. The six-day seminar, on Yin Yoga, was focused on a fundamental question: How can I create a safe and open space during Yin sessions that allows people to embrace their authentic selves? One of […]
Fear and Loathing in the Parking Lot
(With apologies to Hunter S. Thompson…) The other day, while loading groceries into the car, I saw a man and a woman arguing in the parking lot. They were both very upset, and also clearly did not know each other. I don’t remember who said what, but did see the woman furiously snap photos at […]
Strengthening your Liver, the Organ of Spring
In our monthly Health Defense classes, Grandmaster Joe Manley is sharing with us his fusion of Daoist and Ayurvedic practices that enhance internal health. In the Daoist tradition, the five major organs that support internal health and wellness are the Lung, Kidney, Liver, Heart, and Spleen. Each of these corresponds to a season. Each organ […]
Rainbow Yoga at Powers Farm and Brewery
Two years ago, Melody and Kevin Powers look a leap of faith and opened their own brewery in Midland, Va (near Warrenton Airport). It’s a welcoming, friendly place where conversations can be easily started with the person sitting next to you. In the summer, I love coming there to collect my CSA share from […]
What is your source of joy?
This holiday season, I continued one of my current traditions of making an insane number of cookies to share with family and friends. Typically, I make multiple batches for roughly 10-12 different recipes, yielding 70 – 100 dozen cookies (yes, that’s on the order of one thousand treats!). This year felt different, though, not because […]