The class was called Tai Chi Sword, so how could I resist? I have beautiful memories of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the amazing movie in which women warriors sail through space with their gleaming weapons. Would our class soar through the air, run up castle walls and float like metal-wielding angels? Well, not quite. But I'm very happy I went.

Tai Chi Sword is taught by George Mera, a master of Eastern practices and a favorite at Canyon Ranch in Tucson. He gave the class a wonderful introduction to the use of swords in tai chi - how they were used historically for protection, how to move with them for efficiency, as if they are part of your body, and how to fend off attackers from any direction. We were guided through simple moves that made me feel mildly fierce. We used wooden swords or lightweight poles, and George did a brief but thrilling demo with an impressive two-bladed weapon.

I probably won't pursue professional sword fighting - tai chi or otherwise - but, as I took the class, I realized how wonderful it was to be trying something so exotic. Every attempt at something new opens up the beginner's mind. You get to be a kid again, free to play, make mistakes and let someone else take the lead. What a gift!

It also made me look back at my years with Canyon Ranch. How many things have I tried here that I never would have otherwise? Would I have experienced Watsu or Thai Massage or snowshoeing or the lovely dance class called NIA? What about all the other amazing activities I've discovered here?

People often come to Canyon Ranch with specific goals and well-planned schedules. It's natural - you want to enjoy your favorite class, see the practitioner you love, take the hike you like most. I want to suggest that you leave some part of your plan blank - on vacation and at home. Set aside time to try the unusual, to be amazed again, and rejuvenate your spirit. Why do you think children laugh so much? Every minute is filled with surprise! Give yourself that same pleasure.

Now, please excuse me while I look for the next sword to wield.

Years ago I took my first trip to Spain and fell in love with flamenco. The music, the dancing, the costumes and drama kept me entranced through evening shows that ran till the wee hours. The day we were leaving, we had the good fortune to get stranded in Seville during siesta. Life could be worse. With a broken rental car and no one around to fix it, we settled into a little café in a residential courtyard. It wasn’t long until we heard the guitar music. Then young people started emerging from their apartments, dressed in their street clothes but with fringed shawls and mantillas. Soon they were deep into flamenco. This was not a performance but everyday practice. Children copied the teenagers, boys and girls danced flirtatiously, and everyone was trying to get the movements and postures just right. The image of their beautiful dance and dedication stuck with me, and I’ve always wanted to try it myself. I finally got my chance at Canyon Ranch.

It was during Gotta Dance! week in Tucson, when I noticed a flamenco class on the schedule. How could I resist?

The teacher was a flamenco goddess from San Francisco. She lives for dance, and she is magnificent. Most people in the class had not tried flamenco before, so she taught us steps and hand movements that we could pick up quickly. We had no fancy costumes or castanets, alas, but I have a good imagination and that was enough. By the end of the session, we had learned a little dance that we did to some beautiful music. Was I great at it? Absolutely not. Was it fun? Stupendously. Everyone had a wonderful time, and I’m sure that some people will be looking for classes at home. Me, for one.

I'm so glad I finally got to try flamenco, and isn’t it appropriate that it would happen at Canyon Ranch? There’s no better place to try something new than at the Ranch. First, if you're in the market for new things, you always have a ton of choices. Plus, it’s a totally safe environment, where you simply can’t fail. Maybe you'll just have fun, or maybe you'll find your next favorite thing. The point is that you have the opportunity to stretch your limits and exercise your adventurous side.

So, next time you're at the Ranch, take a look for at what’s new and intriguing. Something wonderful could be waiting for you. Olé!

Each of us is unique. That fact alone is empowering and helps us to recognize that we all have a gift of expression to offer to the world. Connecting with our originality is just as important to our wellness as our body composition falling in the normal range. We need to be inspired so that we may become inspirational to others. This is a part of spiritual wellness.

What does creativity mean to you? Do you feel creative or artistic? If you don’t, is it because you don’t give yourself permission? If you do, when was the last time you looked for an opportunity to create? I enrolled in a creative writing workshop, in part to improve my blogging. Now, I understand that this was a way for me to invest in myself. The return I received, on the two hours in this class each week, is priceless. I learned ways to question, process information, observe the world around me and express it all with words. Plus, it was so much fun!

There are plenty of great ways to develop your creative side at Canyon Ranch. You might try a clay class or the incredibly popular workshop. You could take a hike, and the beauty of you experience may ignite your creativity. Another option is a consultation on journaling, which wonderful for nourishing your feelings and impressions. If you currently journal or have ever considered it, this is a great way to get your juices flowing.

I remember a guest who came to Canyon Ranch about six years ago, thanks to a birthday gift from her daughter. At first, this woman said her goal was simply to relax. As our discussion continued, she shared with me that she secretly wanted to write a book. This book was not something she would have published, but rather something to give to her children. She would write letters to her daughters and bind them in a book for them to keep. It took some encouragement, but she did schedule a session with one of a Ranch expert on journaling. By the end of her trip, she cancelled all other services and did six of those sessions. We did not keep in touch after her departure, but I have a feeling that the book is done.

Finding your creative niche can be like shopping for a pair of jeans. They have to fit your body, your style, your look. You may need to shop around before you find your creative outlet, but the time is well worth it. Canyon Ranch can be a special place to discover fun ways of nurturing your spiritual, artistic side. Heck, if it feels fun and sparks your imagination – climb the rock wall in the Spa Club, Las Vegas sideways! Now, that is what I would call creative!

How do you feel about golf? I had wandered onto a golf course twice in my life. The first time was while I was in college, and the second was when I was trying to impress my boyfriend. It must have worked because he married me, and now we have a child. Golf itself didn’t inspire me all that much, but the socializing that goes on is great. Did you know that there are carts filled with snacks and drinks that just roam the course to satisfy your 9th hole munchies? My boyfriend and I played a game of “best ball” with another couple. She forgot to put the brake on their golf cart and it rolled down the green of the 14th hole. We still laugh at the thought of the other golfers shooting out in different directions, trying to avoid the runaway cart. They all managed to hang onto their 9th hole drinks.

The reason I bring this up I've learned to love golf. What I do enjoy is the athletic conditioning that goes into the game. In order to impress my hubby while we were dating, I scheduled a few private golf lessons at the Golf Performance Center located at Canyon Ranch in Tucson. I was fascinated with all that went into swinging a club. The body mechanics, speed, flexibility and coordination required for that one act are tremendous. Silly me – I once thought the most athletic thing about golf was the walk from hole to hole.

Some people may think that Canyon Ranch built the Golf Performance Center in Tucson to attract men. That may have been part of the decision, but it was a small part. The center is about conditioning the body for the athletics involved in the game of golf. The equipment and expertise at the Center are outstanding. You can choose individual coaching or learn in a group setting with the amazing PGA pros. You can even design your entire Canyon Ranch experience around golf with the Golf Package. They’ve even teamed up with other Ranch departments – Movement and Exercise Physiology – to offer a Pilates for Golf, Golf Physical Analysis and the popular Boot Camp Golf.

As a Program Advisor, I enjoyed working with guests that would say to me, “my only form of exercise is playing golf.” I would enthusiastically respond with, “then let’s make that exercise the best it can be.” They might remind me that we had no golf course. But hello … this is Canyon Ranch. Who needs a golf course to help a golfer toward peak performance? Next time you are in Tucson, check out all that is possible at the Golf Performance Center. Who knows…in just a few days, you could transform those handicaps into bogies.

p.s. "Fore" is called out as a warning to anyone who might be in the way of a flying golf ball. Some people say it comes from the military expression "beware before," which was shouted when shooting behind the troops.

The room was packed with women. I did hear that men also participate in the class. But today, girlfriends of all shapes, sizes, ages and backgrounds gathered together to celebrate the beauty of movement. When I arrived, there were no chairs left but I did manage to snag a black boa. The instructor walked in wearing a pair of hip-high white boots that I would have killed to be wearing. As I eyed those boots, I thought, “How sexy can one really feel wearing sweat pants and tennis shoes? I wonder if those come in a size 12.”

A DJ was spinning tunes for us. The instructor encouraged us to partner up so that we would all have the experience of using the chair. Sharing a smile that was half encouragement and half excitement, I met my new striptease partner, Ms. Sophia from Atlanta, Georgia. She was gorgeous! She was in her 60s and looked absolutely fabulous with the black boa framing her silver locks. And, yes, I did say striptease partner – and we are still talking about Canyon Ranch on this blog.

The Fit Strip class offered at Canyon Ranch in Tucson is all the rage. The room is packed and what happens inside the room is only half the fun. The other half is performing for the audience that inevitably assembles outside of the glass gym doors. A point of clarification – no clothing is actually removed during the class, except maybe the flinging of a boa or two. The removal of clothing happens later at night, as our “day at Canyon Ranch” is reviewed for partners and spouses vacationing with us. I can hear it now: “Hey honey, I learned this fabulous dance routine in class today. Let me show and tell for you … Now, imagine your hearing Sexy Back by Justin Timberlake.”

The truth is the class is not about stripping at all. It is about self-esteem. Feeling comfortable in our skin and expressing movement for our own enjoyment. For some, that is an exploration of sexuality or sensuality as they watch themselves in the mirrors around the room. For others, it is the courage to just walk into a class called “Fit Strip” and give it a try. Regardless of all the chatter going on in their minds as to what they must look like moving this way, they show up to see what would happen. I would even bet that a small portion of those that take this class aren’t seeking the self-esteem as much as they are looking for a fun, alternative workout.

Returning now to Ms. Sophia and the escapades we shared on that little chair wearing our black boas. We did not stop encouraging each other or laughing together the entire class. Both of us created stories in our minds in order to set the stage for our performance. Those stories may have been as different as our ages, backgrounds and body shapes, but we shared a common experience. We took a chance to try something new and walked away having created great memories and feeling good about ourselves.

Ms. Sophia and I ended up spending the next hour in the Spa lobby sharing stories and thoughts about our Fit Strip experience and life. We both agreed: You can feel really sexy in sweat pants and tennis shoe, but we’re keeping our eyes out for a pair of those boots!

Imagine this: You’ve been given the opportunity to travel years into the future to witness how the world has changed. What change would you be most interested in witnessing?

I was recently asked this question and, considering all of the dynamic events taking place locally, nationally and globally these days, I thought it was very powerful. For me, the question’s power was not in the types of thoughts it generated in my mind, but in where those thoughts were focused. You see, my response was, “I would be most interested in witnessing the change(s) in me.”

Perhaps it’s the time of year (and me with a new baby!) that sparks self-reflection. I bet most of us pause to review the year that’s just passed, with all of its successes and downfalls – and we wonder what will come next. We look forward with a sense of hope and renewal. We anticipate that the next year will hold great things for our lives and believe that we will have the resilience to follow through (this time) on turning our dreams into reality. It’s like the quote from the movie Forrest Gump, “I love the New Year … everyone gets a fresh start.”

What will inspire you this year? Something being inspirational can mean different things. First, it can be something that makes you feel good or filled with hope about what is possible. Something that inspires you in this way is nice and necessary in life. However, it rarely provides you the motivation to take positive action because it is an external source of inspiration. So consider the second type of inspiration. Internal inspiration is what helps you take action toward completing a goal.

For me, I find meeting new people to be internally inspiring. Networking socially or professionally is inspirational because I have come to understand how to capitalize on the opportunity. For example, when I want to improve my cycling, I purposefully attend a community ride. Not only do I introduce myself to the other cyclists when I arrive, but I ask each of them for a training tip that works for them. We can each learn from one another – then we can internalize that inspiration.

All of us have hopes and dreams for the future of our world, but when it comes down to it, we are most interested in that which we can directly influence … the change that we can create in our own lives. When you feel inspiration within, you make positive changes that enhance your life, extend to the people around you, and to the world in general.

Okay girlfriends, I am sitting here trying to develop some catchy opening sentence for this post. This should not be a difficult task because I am pregnant and at 29 weeks gestation feel that I have spent enough time in the prego-club that what I have to say has some value. But I don’t want this to be just another pregnancy article that you find on the internet that tells you how important it is to take care of yourself or to pamper yourself before the baby arrives. There are plenty of them, as well as the advice of any well-meaning woman that you come across on the street. You know what I mean – how many times in on day have you been asked “how are you feeling?” or “are you getting enough sleep?” (The truth: I’m as big as a whale …you try finding a comfortable sleeping position at this size) Everyone is well intended and it does feel good to know that people really do care (and I love attention, so this pregnancy thing is for me), but I just don’t want to write another article on how important all of that stuff is during these 9 (make it 10) months.

So, now that I have spent a paragraph telling you what I don’t want this post to be about, let me now share what I really want to say. As important as prenatal vitamins are to the well-being of your developing baby, so prenatal massage and yoga are for your body and peace of mind. I think if we all ban together, we might get health insurance companies to cover the cost of massage and yoga under vital pregnancy care for all women! What do you say – are you with me on this? Okay, maybe not, but if you are able to incorporate them into your monthly prenatal routine, you'll be glad you did. I had my first pregnancy massage last month and I have to say it was 5 months overdue. From sleeping on my sides, my hips were killing me and the edema was starting to set in my feet and hands. The massage was not only relaxing but really enhanced my circulation, as well as aligning my posture. It is also very comfortable because they use special pregnancy pillows to allow your body to settle in a natural position on the table. Also, I am not typically one who does yoga, but the prenatal yoga class that I participated in last month was out of this world. In my opinion, yoga when you’re pregnant is about total release and opening the body in ways that stretching alone doesn’t accomplish. Plus, the benefits of understanding and learning about your breath cross over into the process of labor and delivery. Who doesn’t want as much help as they can get when that time arrives?

The other members of the mom-to-be club may say you are just showing off, but if you can get to Canyon Ranch during your pregnancy, I will stand up and applaud you! The prenatal massages and yoga would just be the tip of the iceberg of your pregnant Canyon Ranch experience. Throw in the opportunity to take care of your skin, your nutritional needs, as well as the beautiful morning walks and you are on your way to pregnancy bliss! Honestly, when I was working at Canyon Ranch as a Program Advisor, my pregnant guests’ schedules were just as fun and packed with possibility as my non-pregnant guests. You may also consider this – baby is getting a fun, healthy vacation too. When Mom is happy and taken care of, so is the little one along for the ride.

How are your holidays going this year? For better or worse, we’re all aware of the cultural norms and expectations around how we celebrate. When your plans (or lack thereof) don’t fit that expectation, feelings of disconnection or being alone might be accentuated. But who needs a “norm” to tell you how to feel? A little time to yourself can be rewarding, fun and the best way to put things into perspective.

Many people pick the holidays as a time for travel and pampering – both great options if you’re celebrating on your own. When I was working as a Program Advisor, many Ranch guests were solo visitors. It’s the perfect place for being as social or solitary as you like – no demands or expectations at all!

A snowy New Years in Lenox can be a great escape, for instance. You might even wind up with a few new friends to ring in the year with. Or if the cold is already getting to you, you could start 2008 with a escape to sunny Tucson. Everything is tailored to your mood and preference – you can make it an all-about-you experience, even choosing to dine alone. And if you feel like it, you can have a meal at the Captain’s Table with other guests and Ranch staff who welcome company and conversation.

As the holiday season winds down, consider this: What if the holidays are really about celebrating your spirit, or enhancing your approach to wellness? What if it's really all about finding the essence of “home” that exists within you? We choose our own norms and set our own goals.

I hope that find what you need and want in 2008 – on your own and in all your relationships!

It is common among my circle of friends to rave about the latest novel or spread the word about the greatest new “self-help cookbook.” It is not, however, common practice to hear about a book that might be seen as a health or medical book. So my friends were surprised when I started talking about Dr. Mark Liponis’ newest book UltraLongevity – and I told them they would all be getting a copy for Christmas this year!

Because I was employed by Canyon Ranch at one time, you might not be surprised that I enjoy this book as much as I do. However, I have to tell you that it is because of my association with Canyon Ranch that this book surprised me so much. In the years that I spent at the Ranch, the concept of “living longer younger” was branded into my brain … but it wasn’t until I read this book that I realized how much I still had not embraced it in my heart! This book helped me to truly understand how important getting older really is in our lives (the gifts that time and maturity provide to us and our life experiences). I always assumed that I would live healthy now so it wouldn’t be “as bad as it could be” later. In fact, aging does not have to be bad at all. The “norms” we tend to associate with advanced age – lack of mobility, forgetfulness, fatigue, feebleness, etc. – are by no means inevitable. As Dr. Liponis states, “We can change our expectations of what optimal health is at any age!”

UltraLongevity captures what Dr. Liponis has learned from years of watching “ultra-successful” patients age, plus two years of focused research on the topic. What he learned is that the key to successful aging and longevity is gaining control over our immune systems.

For so many years, people have focused on boosting their immune systems. In reality, we want to calm it down, keep it in balance, and harness this “vital diagnostic system” to enhance the healthy choices we make in our lives. I found the concepts of the book easy to understand and incorporate into my lifestyle. I have also enjoyed visiting Dr. Liponis’ blog, http://www.youngerhealthieryou.com. The dialogue generated in the comments is terrific, and you'll find excellent resources (websites, books) for further investigation. Also, you can take the online quiz, “How Fast Are You Aging?” from this site.

So … what are your current expectations of aging? How do you feel about your next birthday and the chronological number associated with that day? Based on the lifestyle choices that you are making today, what do you expect to be your experience 5, 10, 20, 30+ years down the road? I encourage you to take some time and reflect on these questions, then pick up a copy of Dr. Liponis’ book. Your approach to “living longer younger” could take on a whole new meaning.

Okay…I am going to be honest right here and right now. I have a few obsessions in my life. Some of these obsessions, I feel, are in my best interest. For example, I am totally obsessed with riding my bike. Other obsessions are not really in my best interest. For example, I am totally obsessed with ice cream, which does not help my weight and cholesterol problems. My other obsession, which is probably familiar to most of you, is the search for the ever-elusive “life balance.” I am bound and determined (because I have an extreme personality – see, this post is all about being honest) to find it once and for all, and get my life in shape.

To begin my search for “life balance,” I started by posing a question: What are we trying to balance anyway, and where do we start? I believe we begin our search where all things begin – within ourselves. We start by learning about and creating opportunities around the mind/body connection. That’s where Ayurveda comes in.

In an effort to explore the concept of balance, I opened the door of possibility and experienced an Ayurveda treatment at the Canyon Ranch in Tucson. Ayurveda is an ancient healing system of India. The rough translation of the word Ayurveda (life + knowledge) is “Science of Life.” The fundamental concept is that we are all part of nature. If we are to create health and balance with our beings, we must respect the Laws of Nature. Ayurveda is a system that helps us maintain health by using the inherent principles of nature to bring us back into equilibrium. It is a system that encompasses a total lifestyle – daily movement, food sources, stressors, etc. In other words, when people practice an Ayurvedic lifestyle, they look at everything in their lives using Ayurveda principles to guide their choices – from the foods they eat to the exercise they do each day.

When I received my Ayurvedic treatment at Canyon Ranch, the therapist began the balancing process with right herbs and oils. She determined the correct herbs and oils by considering my dosha. My what? Yes, boys and girls, and we all have one.

There are three primary doshas – vata, pitta, kapha. Each dosha is comprised of the five elements – ether (space), fire, water, air and earth. A dosha will be more excessive in a person, depending on physical characteristics and personality traits. Depending on which dosha is prevalent with you, certain herbs and oils should be used in your treatment. Let me tell you – from the dripping of oil on my third eye to the manipulation of my marma points (yes, you have these things too – who knew that Canyon Ranch was a whole new lesson in biology?) – I was left to embrace a true sense of calm, a mind/body connection.

One of the lessons that I have learned from my brief experience with Ayurveda is that a sense of peace (balance) is not necessarily the absence of chaos, but maintaining the feeling of calm in the midst of chaos. Perhaps you are with me on the obsessive search for “life balance” – seeking to understand the real essence of mind/body connection. If so, I would highly recommend you experience an Ayurvedic treatment. I found it quite enlightening, and hope to explore it more. Good luck in your search, and let me know what you discover along the way!