Beach yoga

photo: Amber
This looks so fun. And in summer, I want to take everything outside, especially to the beach. But I'll probably skip South Shore Beach in Bay View. It showed up on a recent list of top dirtiest beach in the US. So, we'll be skipping that one. Luckily Bradford and McKinley are just up the shoreline in Milwaukee and get water samples are tested daily. Bradford Beach also has a "Beach Yoga" class on Saturdays and Wednesdays offered through Elite Sports Club. Classes are $5 a session.

Check out the Bradford Beach Yoga info here.

New Year's Resolution Week: Keep Calm and Carry On

Photo: evbjone, sfgirlbybay

This year, I am adding stress reduction to my list of New Year's resolutions. It's a learning process that sometimes just comes with age, but here a few things that I think will help speed along the process to keeping calm and carrying on.

1. MANTRA- Sometimes "breathe" or "slow down" works pretty well, but I am really liking the "keep calm and carry on" quote. Those red posters have seemingly surfaced everywhere as a tribute to nostalgic WWII British propaganda, but the message is clear and direct. I find it very useful.

2. QUIET YOUR MIND- Last year I bought "Quiet Mind: One Minute Retreats from a Busy World". This is my go-to book, for a quick dose of "the bigger picture". Each passage helps you reflect on one thought or action that will better your soul.

3. YOGA- I have been taking yoga at the Delaware House in Bayview, but there are lots of places in the city that offer Yoga.

4. LAUGHTER- I play the "30 Rock" DVDs while I workout, and sometimes I almost fall off the elliptical. My other comedic relief standbys?.....The Daily Show (episodes are available 24/7 on Comedy Central, David Sedaris books/NPR commentaries, and the weekly Onion.