I hope that everyone this newsletter reaches today is healthy, safe, and hangin tough, like New Yorkers do.
((Please read on till the end for a list of resources True North PT and Sky Health are offering, as well as personal recommendations from me to help you navigate month two of staying safe at home! ))
I recently saw a short film (<-- click link) from the Tribeca Film Festival that made me feel inspired and nostalgic for the way we normally experience our beautiful city.
It poignantly captures the spirit of NYC and is narrated by Milton Glaser, the designer of the I <3 NY logo. If you have 5 minutes to fill with something that will bring you peace, I think it's worth taking a look!
Speaking of experiencing NYC like we normally do, the amount of movement I've been experiencing daily while social distancing is starting to take a real concerted effort.
I normally walk to work with a fully loaded backpack; a built-in cardio routine that sets me on the right path without even having to think about it!
But now, I have to make a mental effort to make sure that I leave my apartment and consciously go for a walk/run to get some sunshine and fresh air.
And although frustrating, this is just one experience--of a healthy, young, non-immunocompromised human during COVID-19.
For others who are immunocompromised and have to be extremely vigilant as to how much they expose themselves to touching doorknobs, elevator buttons, railings, etc....going outside for a daily walk is even more of a challenge.
So, where does that leave us? It inevitably creates a whole lot of stagnation--physical and mental.
Now, more than ever, it's extremely important to remember that physical and mental health are INTERDEPENDENT-- they are not separate entities! They overlap, intertwine, and rely on one another.
I'm sure many of us (myself included) are praying for this to be over soon, so we can get back into a flow and return to our normal routine.
We've all been staying safe at home for over a month and I want you to know, you are not alone in what you may be feeling right now. A friend of mine loves to say "If you're feeling it, you're healing it!" So whatever you may be experiencing right now, is a sign that you're processing it and that's healthy. I want to take this time to remind you to celebrate yourselves for getting through this time thus far with grace and grit.
And even though it may not feel like you are making progress, that doesn't mean you have to regress.
If you feel like you have unconsciously started to regress, NOW is the time to make your comeback.
(even if that means waking up 5 minutes earlier than you have been and doing one pro-active thing that makes you feel empowered today!)
I recently found inspiration in this quote:
"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write,
but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn."
--Alvin Toffler.
Lets learn to ask ourselves what we need in this new reality
Lets unlearn old habits and patterns that do not serve us
Lets re-learn new ways of doing things that bring us joy and health
So here are some in-home resources to help you do just that!
As many of you know my beautiful home base in NYC where I treat my patients is Sky Health. I share the space with two other amazing physical therapists, Claude and Morgan.
We have been successful through the use ofvirtual platformsto evaluate, coach, educate and assess the progress and status of current and new patients.
Just because we cannot put our hands on you, does not mean we cannot teach you to problem solve independently.
Through combined efforts we have made ourselves available for "office hours" for whatever your needs are.
FREE. OF. CHARGE.
As many of you try new workouts at home, start running for the first time (or first time in a while) we know you may have questions that arise and we are here for you.
Whether you are in need of a full session or simply want to know if your form is correct.
Below is a weekly schedule:
12-1pm Sherry Dubash
4-5pm Morgan Manasse
5-6pm Claude Hillel
Please email info@skyhealthnyc.com to set up a call or email us directly.
I have been diligently doing my home yoga/meditation practice every day and sharing it on my Youtube channel for you to join in on. Each video is about 15-20 mins long and addresses a different theme each day--I would love to get your feedback and get more requests as to what you'd like to see! See videos by clicking Daily Yoga Practice below.
I am also currently teaching private / duet / small group yoga classes virtually! If you want an individualistic experience for your body and your goals this is the right move for you. Please email info@truenorthpt.com to book your session.
My friend and colleague at Sky Health, Jonathan Angelilli, aka Ninja Warrior is offering an online energy medicine class and $5 of each class goes to COVID-19 relief efforts in NYC.
Oh, and its FREE for healthcare workers on the front lines!
The classes include: Immune Boosting Qigong, 36 Chambers of Tai Chi, Primal Energy, Fight Club & Energy Medicine for Health Care Workers.
I have taking several of Jonathan's classes and I always leave feeling calm, centered, focused and simply put...really really good! Register by clicking Energy Medicine below.
Esther Perel, a Belgian pyschotherapist, who's words I truly admire is doing a live workshop series The Art of Us: Love, Loss, Loneliness (and a Pinch of Humor) Under Lockdown.
It helps explains how we are now forced to engage with our relational world being confined to one place. Its helped/helping me gain some perspective in this time of confinement and how your family your partner and friends might be processing this situation as well.
You can view her two talks that she has previously recorded on Youtube and sign on for future live talks by clicking the button below.
And last, but not least, if you like to dance crazy to upbeat music and up for some fun in these trying times then Dance Church is for you! It is mostly free dance with minimal cuing and its a really fun activity to do with your family or solo. It gets my heart rate up by moving my body organically with little instruction and it definitely lifts my spirits because I'm 100% laughing at myself :) They do a donation based live stream twice a week on Wednesday 5p PST/8p EST and on Sundays at 10a PST/1p PST. Register below.