If you know me at all, you know I'm a glass half-full kind of gal. So when black ice caused me to slip and fall hard on my left wrist, still holding my coffee cup in the right, maybe you're not surprised that my predominant thought was a positive one.

(And, no my thought was NOT "well at least I didn't spill my coffee".)

Ok, that's not entirely true. My very first thought was “Holy F--- I cannot BELIEVE this is happening to me again!” I lay there screaming and cursing in frustration and pain. I'd been there before and I knew what was happening. I know broken bones when I have them. There is no turning back. I felt like a complete idiot, to be honest.

But then, after a few moments of shock and dismay and my butt was getting cold, my next thought was: “Hey! Look at me! I have the ability to stand up without help and without the use of my hands!”.

It was a hot summer day in Central Park. A Wednesday - matinee day - and my section at Tavern on the Green was filled with "ladies who lunch". Every one of them, in a rush to get to the theater on time, was wondering where their food was.

Everywhere I looked I was met with that look—the one that says “Is my lunch ready yet?” I ventured into the depths of the restaurant to see what was going on in the kitchen. That’s where I found my coworker, Elliot, his tray stacked high with plates, waiting for the cooks to give him one more seafood club sandwich to complete the order.

Without giving it a thought, I took the tray from Elliot and left him to wait for the last meal.

We begin to lose bone density after the age of 30. This generally accelerates at menopause when we may receive a diagnosis of osteoporosis. It turns out we also lose muscle strength and this has a name: sarcopenia.

By virtue of being human and having the good luck to live a long life, every one of us will experience some bone and muscle loss. Luckily it is not a foregone conclusion that we will wake up one morning frail, weak, and in pain.

No matter where you are on the activity spectrum today—super sedentary or regular 10K runner—strength training needs to be prioritized in your weekly routine. Adding even a little extra load (like 2lb dumbbells in each hand or wearing a backpack) is WAY better than using none at all. When done progressively, adding more weight and repetition over time will help your bones, muscles and nervous system adapt to greater demands.

Yoga means "to yoke", to connect. One way to interpret that is to use the practice of yoga to connect to our individual self, to bring about self awareness. In Yogic philosophy, the Niyama Svadhyaya means "study to understand the Self". It asks us to reflect on the questions "Who am I?", "What is my purpose in life?"

Equally important is how a yoga practice can be a way to connect to supportive communities. During the pandemic, most of us weren’t able to practice side by side with others. We lost the solace and renewal that came from sharing space with our favorite teachers in weekly classes. Our sanghas—opportunities to gather with like-minded, spiritually focused people—suddenly felt at risk of disappearing completely.

When faced with a challenge—especially a challenge that creates disconnection and disenfranchisement—I’ve always been the type to search for solutions…

I think it's perfectly normal to lose bone as we age and we don't need to label it a disease that needs to be cured. That said, we can't deny how important it is to address strength, balance, posture, and stress reduction every day to stay in the longevity game.

When I discovered I had low bone density in my hip and femur bones I didn’t waste any time. I dove into the research and began implementing changes to my lifestyle and exercise routine. I saw an increase (yay!) or no change (still a win!) in my DEXA scores every two years over a 4 year period. Success!

That was 10 years ago. In 2019, I was tested again. My scans showed some osteopenia and one number that had crept into osteoporosis territory. I had dropped the ball on weight training and the results of that complacency were staring me in the face…

For the last few years, my husband Vinny and I have traveled between Canada and the U.S. a LOT. Typically, we’re driving from Toronto to New York or Massachusetts. My favorite yoga mat usually accompanies me over the border both ways. I’m pretty attached to it.

I’m a yoga person. I do yoga almost every day. I unroll my mat as a way to anchor myself and kickstart the ritual of “yoga practice time”.

So you can imagine my disappointment that time I arrived at our country home only to realize my yoga mat didn’t make the trip. After remembering that I kept a spare in the garage, I went digging through our storage only to find a total mess…

On a cold November night, I was walking Ellie (my lab and faithful sidekick) in the rain when I tripped on the city sidewalk, landing on my elbow. I knew immediately the break was bad, and rushed to the ER.

If you’ve experienced a fracture—especially a fracture at a joint like the elbow—you know how painfully long the healing process can be. Knowing the long road ahead of me, I emerged from the hospital—cast and all—frustrated and dejected…

It is universally accepted that plank is one of those go-to fitness moves. You see them in yoga, bodyweight strength classes and most “core strength” coaching programs. Plank can be great for building muscle and bone strength: it loads the upper body, requires core activation and can be scaled according to ability.

To experience plank in a way that gets your whole body activated, try this…

I recently read the book Let's Get Physical by Danielle Friedman, a history of women's fitness. It’s a fun and inspiring read—I recommend it.

The book tells many stories, including those of fitness pioneer Bonnie Prudden and Jazzercise creator Judi Sheppard Missett. It takes you through the rise of gym culture, highlighting the first women to introduce yoga to our culture along with those who were the first to run marathons. One entire chapter is devoted to Jane Fonda. There is the story of how the Jogbra came to be.

I found myself reflecting on how my own personal history of physical activities paralleled these timelines. I wouldn't be doing what I am today if it were not for the women in Let’s Get Physical. My outlook on fitness has evolved with the times.