Healthy Culture in Amsterdam, 2011
Most people are looking for a general sense of well-being and stress management in these turbulent times. Spending on pure aesthetic desires is hard to justify for families on a tight budget. As we move into an era where the foundation shifts on a daily bases and time is currency, efficiency is key. The following are some things to look for this year as you (Teacher or Student) try to reconnect with the authentic importance of fitness in 2012.
Active Living in Amsterdam, 2011
Bringing TED to my Windsor Essex Community is very important to me. A mentor introduced me to TED in 2006. As I explored the eclectic data base of information, I realized I was home. The best way I heard it described was ‘for intellectually hungry’. My first opportunity to host a TEDxWindsor event was last year on December 8th. It was a last minute opportunity which gave us 8 days to put it together. The BUZZ of this first event was magical so we decided to do it again on March 2nd in conjunction with TED’s 2011 theme – Rediscover Wonderment. What better way to discover wonder than to be part of a creative atmosphere. Our Art Gallery of Windsor seemed the most logical choice. As a teacher who tests boundaries, we decided instead of our guests just viewing art, lets make them part of it. Cue FLASH MOB.
We 'Raise Our Glass' w/ Pink
We wanted to make it clear that in order to truly be creative, we needed to step out of our comfort zone. I haven’t taught a ‘live’ fitness class in 4 years. Rehearsing for this event gave me a reason to not only do it again but do it a way that also proved to me and my guests that I had NO FEAR of the FUTURE. Healthy living in 2011 requires an open-minded intellectual approach. Thank you Sanja Frkovic for a well written article on the piece. The emails I received after the event were incredible. I believe we left changed for the better. My warmest thanks to everyone who played a role in making this event brilliant!
2010 w
as about revisiting key elements that are the foundation of JSC. Personally I was faced with a comeback story within a comeback story. As most of you know I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2006 at the age of 38. I felt I had made a dignified recovery given the gruesome, lengthy treatment as well as elective hysterectomy (prevention of a re-occurrence). It turns out there was more I needed to learn since a completely idiotic skiing incident left me faced with a broken ankle. It was the movie Ground Hog Day mixed with a touch of Hell. It was a bit of madness I must admit. So once again…there I was helpless…people needing to take care of me. At least when I was receiving Chemotherapy treatment, I had some dignity and could drive and participate in the world. In fact, I would make sure to run up the stair to the chemo suite.
So I lay there, frantically my mind races through the data base of every piece of motivational rhetoric I have ever produced searching for a splinter of hope through this mad life of mine. The same question kept coming to me.
My laptop was my savior. Our lower floor futon became my bed/office/dressing room. Nice. There I was again washing my hair in the kitchen sink because going to my beautiful spa en suite was a marathon not worth hobbling. I dove into the sea of the World Wide Web and researched, read, watched; soaking in new information. I often said I needed a sabbatical to create new content but somehow I envisioned it much warmer and less painful! So here we are just over ONE YEAR later. My hardware-mended ankle is about 80% healed which will due for now.
"Cocktail Scene: circa late 80's-old school darkroom"
Taking my own thoughts with some McLuhan, Godin and Kawasaki influence. Are you feelin’ it?
Thoughts?
