"If you're not barefoot, then you're overdressed."
JUL 01, 2024
It is here.
Finally.
The long-awaited.
Summer.
“In early June the world of leaf and blade and flowers explodes, and every sunset is different,” John Steinbeck wrote in The Winter of Our Discontent in 1961.
I enjoy the explosion of flavours and colours in Urbs Aeterna, the Eternal City. Rome.
In the Aeneid, an epic by Virgil, he describes Rome this way: “Imperium sine fine,” which translates in English as “an empire without end” or as “a city of everlasting destiny”.
For me, it is contentment without end.
You can find me here, relishing the exquisite flavours of pineapple gelato and lemon sponge cake. This delightful creation results from a collaboration between Gelateria La Romana and Netflix, commemorating the new season of Bridgerton. Although I haven't had the chance to watch the new season yet, I am contemplating saving it for those cosy winter evenings when I can truly indulge in the experience.
Gelateria La Romana is an ice cream shop born in the heart of Rimini in 1947. Now 32 outlets in Italy and one in Madrid and Vienna.
"Everything good, everything magical happens between June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer." Jenny Han, The Summer I Turned Pretty, 2009
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Observing the majestic old pillars and columns in Rome, it's impossible not to draw a comparison to our spine. Romans primarily used Corinthian columns but also featured Tuscan, Doric, and Ionic columns across the city. Unlike Greek columns, which were primarily functional, Roman columns served as decorative elements.
Just as I often speak of arms and legs as ornaments, it's the spine — the pillar or spinal column — that truly stands as the most pivotal part of the body.
Mobility and stability in the spine are crucial for both health and longevity. The columns, ancient architecture's oldest elements, provide essential vertical support in structural systems. Reflecting on these architectural wonders, let's contemplate how we can maintain the beauty and functionality of our spinal column in our July Back Care series of classes.
Discover the power of Back Care – a proven, gentle, and effective program. Empower yourself with the essential tools for prevention and healing. This program is designed for those experiencing pain from a range of conditions such as chronic musculoskeletal back and neck strain, spinal arthritis, osteoporosis, premenstrual syndrome, pregnancy, scoliosis, or prolonged sitting.
Don't miss out on our invigorating sessions every Tuesday and Thursday morning, as well as on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings. Join us for an energizing experience!
The bones, muscles, tendons, and other tissues from the base of the skull to the tailbone enclose the spinal cord and surrounding fluid. This backbone, or vertebral column, provides structure and support while allowing movement and flexibility. In our journey to explore the spine, we will enhance our movement efficiency, prevent injury, and fortify our bodies for agility, endurance, and everyday activities. Let's strive to maintain resilience and longevity, much like these enduring columns of antiquity.
The Temple of Hadrian, also known as Hadrianeum, is an ancient Roman structure located on the Campus Martius in Rome, Italy. Only eleven columns from the external colonnade have survived.
I absolutely adore everything Hadrian! My favourite book, which I can't recommend enough, is the fictional biography Memoirs of Hadrian by Marguerite Yourcenar. It's such a fantastic read!
Grace Frick's translation is truly the best. No other translation can surpass it.
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In July, let's concentrate on improving our posture and embracing the benefits of flexibility, mobility, and alignment for seamless and effective movement. A strong core is key to stabilizing the spine, promoting lower back health, and cultivating a pain-free lifestyle.
Join us in exploring an easy-to-follow program of exercises and breathing practices that will enhance your understanding of the vital role of abdominal strength in preventing back pain and maintaining proper spinal alignment.
Let's also delve into the art of mindful movement in our daily activities, promoting stability, balance, and safety in our workout routines. Remember, a strong core can make every movement, even sitting, easier!
Join our Better Posture classes every Tuesday and Thursday morning or evening for a healthier and stronger you!
We've got a fantastic special promotion for July that I'm super excited to share with you!
When you book a class this month, you'll get a sweet 25% off! Use the code JULY.
Not only that, you can book classes for your friends and family at half price using the code HADRIAN (that's 50% off!), or they can use the code themselves, but it's a one-time deal for each customer.
It's an awesome opportunity to spread joy and wellness with your loved ones!
Hey there, just wanted to remind you to drop your mind into your feet!
Pause to Breathe.
Free subscribers will get the inspiration for the practices while setting their own pace. I will provide support to establish a nurturing environment for learning and gently shifting into a gradual self-paced way of simply coming to know yourself and things just as they are, moment by moment and opening to the inherent wisdom that naturally arises when one cultivates a compassionate curiosity towards one’s own human experience.
The paid subscription offers you
comprehensive guidance to holistic health
essential yoga poses and their variations for different physical, mental and emotional challenges
themed sequences for lower back pain, hip and hamstring flexibility, shoulder and upper back flexibility, balance, strength, energy, fatigue and relaxation
a sequence for busy days and a sequence for each day of the week
suitable for every age and level of ability, containing step-by-step especially developed yoga sequences to help alleviate main ailments
essential breathing practices
guided meditation sessions
mindfulness methods for wellbeing
Would you prefer to incorporate more invigorating exercises or more tranquil ones?
I'm off to take the dog for a walk and then indulge in some gelato again.