My dear friend, Shannon Ayers Holden, former owner of Turning Heads Salon in Harlem, relocated with her husband, James Holden, to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) more than a decade ago. Shannon insisted that if I wanted her to host me in the UAE in 2017, I needed to come quickly, as [...]
One of the important aspects of physical mobility is the ability to balance. Balancing is not a static thing; it is in constant flux, and if we’re smart, we are constantly seeking balance in all aspects of life. In many yoga practices, several standing poses require balance and strengthen a practitioner’s ability to balance [...]
What’s old is new again. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but antique and vintage Japanese kimonos have become a fashion statement in these contemporary times. I find kimonos very alluring, so when I met the lovely Laura Jackson of Adorn Me Treasures -- on Instagram, @adornmetreasures -- I was compelled to purchase a [...]
Strong knees and the ability to squat with ease are a reflection of our strength, agility, and vitality. I know from friends that many people are not doing the particular exercise that would be most beneficial in strengthening their knees. Many resist even trying to squat, not only because of pain, but mostly because [...]
The promise of spring with its renewal, softening, and awakening of the earth, the blossoming of the trees and flowers, ushers in a most exhilarating season. With spring comes spring cleaning: clearing out the old, stagnant energy, opening windows and bringing in the breeze of this season of hope. It is the perfect time, [...]
The sap rises with spring, and that isn’t just the sap of trees. Our vital energy also rises with spring. Considering that March is Women’s History Month, I thought I would summon the courage to have this conversation with you, my sisters and brothers. It is believed that typically, only single women are not [...]
I am kicking up my heels because we now carry oud incense!!! This has long been a desire of mine, to offer you oud, the créme de la créme of fragrances. Oud comes in three forms: the raw wood of the agarwood tree, fragranced agarwood chips, and liquid resin oil. While the chips are [...]
Even though it’s not yet as warm as I would like it to be for this moisturizing trick, after bathing, I dry only my back with my towel. For the rest of my body, I use my already damp washcloth. This has long been my regular drying-off practice as a way of keeping my skin [...]
Nature is like a loving mother. She can give, give, and give, but reciprocity is required, or we all suffer. Reciprocity can be as simple as being respectful, taking only what we need, giving back, and giving thanks. In these ways, we ensure that there is always more and always something for future generations [...]
Have you ever wondered why it hasn’t worked out with meeting the love of your life? I know I have pondered this mystery. Even in the autumn and winter of our lives, we have the ability to conquer self-sabotaging behaviors and to attract what we most desire, the beloved who awaits us. Jacqueline Woodward [...]
