Why do you practice/study Thai Bodywork?
I came to Thai Bodywork on a referral from a friend – I was told that it was a good way to stretch, balance energy, and help with general wellness. I had no idea that it would be so much more than that.

With Thai Bodywork, I have been able to heal my old injuries and issues from years of dancing, stress, being a chest breather and more.  My posture has improved enormously.  It has helped me to become so much more aware of my body, to learn what my holding patterns are, etc.  I didn’t realize that any of this was possible when I first started learning to be a Thai Bodywork practitioner.  I continue to learn new things about this amazing, ancient art all the time.

Our new belly dance class with Golie was awesome last Thursday! There were 7 of us girls groovin' to some excellent music, laughing and learning how to move our bodies using muscles we never knew we had.

Inspired by a blog posting a friend set me (and by the need to refresh my system), I'll be doing a spring cleaning digestive cleanse this month and would like you to join me! I promise we won't talk about... you know... what comes out in the end during a cleanse... unless you really want to.

Rollowing is some info on what it's all about excerpted from the Equinox Detox Blog. (And pssst... we're offering wholesale pricing - 35% off Arbonne's 7-day Seasource Detox Spa cleanse through March 28th. That's the one I'm doing!)

As Valentine's Day approaches, I found this post by Kimberly Wilson to be particularly relevent, especially for those who will not be participating in the myriad couples-oriented events the holiday inspires...

Hip Tranquil Chick: Loving Yourself Fully

“to love yourself is the beginning of a lifelong romance” ~ oscar wilde

welcome to a month focused on love and filled with yummy carnation hearts, chilly weather, and whispers of adoration. i like to think of self-love as an underlying theme for february. even if you don’t have a valentine, love can still be your focus this month by encouraging the focus inward. as a favorite julia cameron quote suggests, “there is a direct connection between self-nurturing and self-respect.” ensure you’re loving yourself fully this month by engaging in oodles of self-care.

An inspiring video clip from writer & yogi Elizabeth Gilbert, author of the bestselling Eat, Pray, Love. Perfect in light of our upcoming Yoga and Writing workshops with Morgan. Thank you for sending this, Stephanie!

I hate arm balances! Handstand, Crow, Peacock... they are my nemesis (nemesises?)

Whenever I'm in a yoga class and the teacher cues us into an arm balance, I sigh, let the usual self-defeating mental chatter come flying into my mind, put my hands on the floor and make a half-hearted attempt to pop my legs into the air. Then I look around at other yogis floating right up, totally airborne, strong, and focused. I try not to let it bother me. There are hundreds of other poses I can do... who cares about this one?

But the truth is... I WANT to be able to do them. One teacher always told me: You have the upper body strength to do it, it's just a mental block... fear.

Another teacher always says: It's not really about arm strength, but core work and finding the correct alignment.

Yet another teacher: Ground down to rise up!

Argh!

How is the economy affecting you professionally? How secure is your job? Are you feeling trapped in a job with no future, no forward momentum?

I'm going to let you in on a secret...

Check out these two awesome web sites, recommended by Meredith, one of our fab clients!

1) www.idealbite.com has tips for eco-friendly living. You can sign up to get tri-weekly emails (used to be daily) with a new tip. There is a general tip and Chicago has its own tips pertaining to green living in our city (they also have Seattle, Denver, NYC, LA & San Fran).

2) www.101cookbooks.com is my all-time favorite food/recipe blog. Heidi Swanson is a professional cook and photographer (among other things) in San Fransisco and has started a blog with AMAZING, SIMPLE, FRESH, HEALTHY recipes, links to her favorite cookbooks & products, and thoughtful insights about her "adventures" and life. The recipes are vegetarian with vegan options. We have not tried a recipe she's posted that we (and non-vegetarian family/friends) didn't LOVE! I have Heidi's second cookbook Supernatural Cooking which I would also highly recommend. I know I'm gushing, but what can I say? I'm in love with her!

Thanks for these tips, Meredith!

Got a tip, new story, or web site for the Infuse community to enjoy? Send it along!