Yoga4pd

When I busted up my back 30 years ago, everything from my hips down felt stuck in mud.

My legs were heavy. My hip joints were stiff. My back was cranky 24/7.

Then I discovered a simple movement that finally gave me some relief.

I felt mobility returning. My connective tissues and fascia began waking up. Some days, I could almost feel the synovial fluid moving into and around my stiff joints.

I still do this movement every day.

It happens every morning, right after I brush my teeth and just before I brush my hair, assuming I brush my hair.

Let's do this!
Click the link for the video:

Mindful Movement Moment : Windshield Wipers 2 Ways Windshield Wipers 2 WaysIncrease your range of motion in the hips...

“Balance is something we practice.”

And I mean that quite literally.

The movements we practice today help us keep doing the everyday things we value tomorrow: getting up from a chair, walking confidently, reaching, turning, getting out of bed, getting down to the floor and back up again.

You don’t need a complicated workout to work on those skills.

A few intentional minutes of movement can challenge your balance, mobility and coordination while helping you become more aware of how your body moves through space.

That’s the idea behind this month’s practice.

Give your body opportunities to move in different ways. Pay attention. Stay curious. Keep practicing.

Your future self has places to go.

I challenge you to take a short walk outside every morning.

If you miss a morning? You haven’t failed. Start again tomorrow. The purpose is to create a repeatable practice, not a flawless record.

And if getting up earlier sounds like an unreasonable request, hear me out:

☀️ A good night’s sleep starts in the morning.
☀️ Exposure to natural light early in the day helps set your circadian rhythm, the internal clock that guides when you feel awake and when you become sleepy.
☀️ Pair that morning light with a little movement, and you give your body two strong signals that the day has begun. Over time, this can support steadier daytime energy and healthier sleep-wake patterns.

Your morning walk doesn’t have to be long.
Move in a way that works for the body you have today.
Then come back and do it again tomorrow.

See you out there. 😁

Movement Is Medicine

At 30 years old, I broke my back.

Pain medication helped me survive, but it didn't teach me how to move again.

Yoga did.
Not overnight.
Not magically.
One careful movement at a time.

That experience changed my life, and eventually became the foundation of the work I do today.

Whether you're living with Parkinson's, recovering from injury, or simply hoping to stay active as you age, movement remains one of the most powerful tools we have.

You don't have to do everything.
You just have to keep moving.

Every intentional movement is an investment in your future self.

If you missed this month's newsletter, you'll find the full story waiting in your inbox.
If you’re not a subscriber, you can sign up here 👉 https://bit.ly/4q9Fg8F

Sporting old school style with the well-worn and well-loved Okie Yoga tee (circa 2008).

Sam: What’s your schedule today?

Me: Houston - Hollywood - Doctor - Porsche - Councilor

Sam: Copy that, see you at 4:30.

Welcome to Something New

This month marks the beginning of something new.

For years I've shared Ayurveda, yoga, women's health, and Parkinson's education separately. But the more I work with people, the more I see the same truth over and over:

Healthy aging isn't about one diagnosis, one exercise, or one stage of life.

It's about how we move.
How we breathe.
How we nourish ourselves.
How we stay connected to the people and activities that give life meaning.

That's why my newsletter is evolving.

Each month you'll receive two issues.

👉 The first explores a topic around healthy aging.
👉 The second helps you put it into practice with simple movements, breathing exercises, and everyday habits you can actually use.

My hope is that these become small moments in your month that help you feel stronger, steadier, and more connected to your body.

Because balance isn't something we find; it's something we practice.

📩 The first issue is in inboxes now.
If you’re not a subscriber, you can sign up here: https://bit.ly/4q9Fg8F

I’m curious about something…

Where do you notice your balance most?

● Getting dressed?
● Walking on uneven ground?
● Stepping off a curb?
● Turning quickly?
● Getting up from the floor?
● Going down stairs?

Comment below and let me know. I’m doing a little research here 😜

Balance is easy to ignore until an everyday movement suddenly asks more of us than it used to.

That’s one reason I want us talking about it. Because getting older means becoming afraid of falling. Because maintaining strength, coordination, and confidence helps us keep doing the things that make our lives ours.

Tell me: where do you notice your balance most?

Have I mentioned to you lately how much I love what I do?

I’m a certified yoga therapist specializing in Parkinson’s disease and other neurological movement disorders (MS, ataxia, HSP-7, etc).

I have the privilege of working one-to-one with clients in person here in Tulsa, as well as virtually all over the country.

I’ve worn a lot of different hats over the course of my professional life and, I must say, this one fits best.💙

My bi-monthly newsletter covers all things yoga therapy and aging with balance and grace. Subscribe at the link below
👉https://mailchi.mp/a1d1398bc1f2/yoga4pd

That is all. Cheers!

Your bathroom counter can double as balance equipment ⚖

While you’re brushing your teeth, place one hand lightly on the counter and shift your weight onto one foot.

● Lighten the other foot.
● Maybe just the heel comes up.
● Maybe the toes stay down.
● Maybe the whole foot lifts.

Find the version that makes your body work without making you feel unsafe.

And please don’t close your eyes and turn this into the Balance Olympics. A little practice, repeated often, is far more useful than proving anything.

I’ve got three ways to practice Tree Pose in this month’s balance tutorial, including options for people who need support.

Subscribe to the newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/a1d1398bc1f2/yoga4pd