Joy List May 2024

I haven’t done a list since February of this year so here we go…

This is not for everyone but it’s an interesting take (to me) on procrastination and what to do about it. I realized while watching it that I was already kinda doing what he suggests and that I just needed it articulated to help me do it more consciously and with more direct intent.

I would not consider myself a Swiftie though I totally admire her and her songwriting (not so much her billionaire status about which she needs to learn from Dolly Parton but I digress…)… anyway, I can’t even name a song actually but I know her when I hear her. And this video is freaking stunning and there are surprise guests for those of us who cried in the theatre at Dead Poets’ Society.

Thanks to our beloved cellist-muse Zoe Keating, I found a writer on Instagram writing about ageism in some profoundly important ways. Go here just to see a few quotes and make sure to follow her.

Young men like this give me hope for our future; he talks about how men claiming to be “more logical” is false and that the reality is they lack compassion and empathy.

My favorite dancer in a while. She’s only in 7th grade. Make sure your sound is up and be amazed at her utter and complete embodiment.

Prime is Scotland’s first semi-professional dance company for people over 60. I’m taking a LOT of inspiration from this.

If you’ve still not watched the Netflix documentary about Jon Batiste and his wife Suleika Jaouad, go do that. Right now. And then read her book.

And this is a reminder that if you’re ever in Columbus, OH, you can drop into a Peony Somatic Dance class with me at Heartfelt Yoga.

Joy list: what's caught my interest lately

I have this list of blog posts that I keep staring at, wanting to share so much depth of thought with you all. Then I can’t fathom where I will get the brain energy to do any of it justice, so for now… a list.

If you’re not in the sanctuary or you don’t often check it out, you’re missing some good stuff so I’m here to remedy that.

To start, if you didn’t watch the Grammy’s, be sure to check out:

This performance by Miley Cyrus, whom I never thought I was such a fan of but apparently now am. Pay attention to the last minute especially.

And Annie Lennox paying tribute to Sinead. I mean, who else could have really done this?

This study shows it doesn’t take long at all to make an impact on your brain with some semi-vigorous dance. (This would mean that you can kinda talk but not be 100% comfortable talking.)

Here’s a reminder that you can still get Vitamin D on cloudy days… it just takes longer, but this makes it even more important to get outside when we don’t want to ((whine)).

If you need a super short and concise explanation about how we got to this single, angry male god version of religion, this is for you. (Just under three minutes.)

And this is one of my new favorite movers. She’s freaking amazing. And she’s an example of how dance is for ALL bodies. (As in… you know the traditional dance world would say no to her… grrrr…)

I just had someone ask me for a Kundalini yoga resource that I like, which is asking a lot because there’s a lot out there that is just meh. Or even just annoying. BUT I do like this person and her stuff is free on YouTube. (Though also remember that I offer a quickie class that is a combo of Kundalini and whatever else is floating my boat at the moment.)

So tell me…

What’s catching your interest lately? Books, movies, whatever! I WANT TO HEAR!!

JoyList: Things that make me go OH!

I haven’t done this in a while so here are some things that are making me happy or feeding into my curiosity or making me go OH! in a big way. I hope some of them do the same for you.

This tai chi guy is one of my fave movers right now and his shorts on YouTube (and TikTok) are just the right bit of info to give me something to play with or think about with my movement.

We often think of “exercise” (not the movement play you and I do together) as activating of the fight or flight response on the brain level (and it is), but now research is showing the vagus nerve can be active too. I’m thinking that what you and I often do together is activating all kinds of safety in the body so I find this research interesting.

This podcast is delightful on many levels. The Movement Movement is hosted by a guy who talks in a way that totally reminds me of Jeff Goldblum. Same sorts of rhythms and phrasings. HY.STERICAL. BUT he also has a lot of great guests and he’s pushing the ideas around movement in ways that I appreciate and you will too. This particular episode has a section about healing touch that is compelling on an neuroscience level. They don’t call it healing touch but that’s what you, my woo sisters, would know it as. ((smile)) Here it is on Spotify and here it is on YouTube.

Speaking of Tai Chi, here’s one of my favorite choreographers whose work is grounded in Tai Chai, working with one of my favorite companies. When you’re watching, think about the body’s weight and gravity. It’s something we can all play with more.

I’m really digging this dancer who is currently in residency at the Baryshnikov Arts Center in NYC.

Pilates is notoriously NOT body inclusive. (And yes, there are exceptions…I’m about to talk to one…) THIS instructor on Instagram is working to change that (and here’s another with whom I’ve actually taken classes here in Columbus).

If you love earrings and art and artful earrings, please go and check out and support my friend Brandy Morris. She’s an amazing human doing beautiful work.

What has been bringing you joy? I’d love to hear! Please send me clips, links, whatever as you come across them. I love collecting all these shiny bits.

JoyList: Interesting research and other schtuff

I have a bunch of tabs open with research so here we go…

FIRST I will start with a request: any time you come across any kind of research or anything interesting about the body and movement, can you please email me a link? THANK YOU!

They’ve created vibrating haptic suits for deaf people to experience music on a new level, but I also want to try these! How amazing.

You know how I feel about the word exercise, but this article is certainly worth a read. Replace “exercise” with movement or play, and I think it makes the findings even more DUH. And I sure love the name they’ve given myokines — “hope molecules.” Perfect.

This study shows even more clearly that muscle weakness as we age is associated with all cause mortality. And they observed 1200 individuals over an 8 to 10 year period.

Remember that to get really strong you don’t need weights. You just need to use your own body weight really well, considering alignment, mobility, and chageability of task. (Which is a lot of what floor work is about in Peony Method classes.)

And this study looked at 80,000 people (yep… 80,000) and it shows that strength training is more effective than cardio in terms of cancer prevention.

If you’re not yet clear on this, the new Barbie film is not just some fluff piece but rather a strong feminist film. So maybe, if you’re thinking NAH…, consider going. In the meantime, the music lists are super fun. Here’s one.

An 11 minute butoh video that is recent. I think if you just jump around in this randomly, you’ll come upon some idea to work with in your own body.

This article about the neuroscience of dance is filled with links to other studies. This is a field that is not new to me and my students, but it’s finally getting the serious research it deserves.

JoyList: things that made me think of you

Starting off with a rather heavy share, this piece is worth the read. Obituary for a quiet life immediately brought a beautiful wave of memories of my papa (my paternal grandfather). As I said in the sanctuary, it brought to mind a specific memory, a story that he loved to share.

We were visiting him and my nana in Florida and I must have been about 4. (That photo to the right is probably about the time.) We were at a small shopping area, and I was holding his hand as we made our way down the busy sidewalks. And every time someone passed and I caught their eye, I would pronounce, “ THIS IS MY PAPA!”

So yeah… be prepared for some big feelings when you read that piece. I can’t stop thinking about it and would love to hear what you get out of it.

Speaking of connections… I did it. I joined another social. But you know what? I’ve actually missed the old school twitter of 12 years ago. I had quite the following on there and it felt so authentically FUN and I could just be my silly self sharing silly thoughts. I didn’t use it for anything other than that level of connection and I’m going to use THREADS the same way. If you’re there, please be sure to connect!

Speaking of connections (and now I’m cracking myself up)… I created a new short about a really effective and gentle psoas stretch.

The book I’m currently reading, Little Gods, is freaking amazing. I’m only a wee bit in and I’m already in awe of the author, Meng Jin, especially since this is her debut novel.

I got a notebook specifically for the Re/Joy Project process that I talked about in yesterday’s post. It’s not journaling or gratitude listing. It’s noticing and naming. (Like I said, read that post.) I’ll be writing more about this as I experiment myself but I already love it.

I would be remiss if I didn’t note that a 4 week July session starts next week, the week of July 10th. If it’s been a while since you’ve taken a class, it would be most awesome to see you!

We went to the Dayton Art Institute last weekend, and it exceeded my expectations by far, considering its size. The building is WHOA! If you’re anywhere near there, I recommend it. (We’re looking at early October for a visit to Chicago and that art institute and Dayton’s just made me even more excited. It’s been too long since I’ve been to Chicago…)

I’m fully obsessed with tennis again after a couple of weeks of wonky weather and such, and if you play tennis and love those little skirts but also DON’T, look what I just found.

Finally, summer movies are, once again, FUN or at least BIG, and for the first time in a long time, I’m excited about them.

We just saw the new Indiana and I think it was actually a beautiful look at what age and life events can do to us and how there’s always hope. I’m looking forward to Barbie (it’s more than a fluff piece), Oppenheimer, and Mission Impossible (because I’m sorry but I grew up with Tom Cruise and I know he’s a nut but boy do I love him in action flicks).

What are you looking forward to this summer, movies or otherwise?

JoyList: Stuff floating my boat

Are you heading to any music or festivals this summer? We started off this past weekend with our neighborhood ComFest (community arts and music festival). It’s been going on in our park for 51 years.

Obviously, the stilt walker was at our festival. She was one of two. I can’t imagine. Even this bit of height would turn my stomach, but they were so happy and smiley.

Other things floating my boat…

Did you hear about this wacky and amazing science-y discovery that is blowing all the scientists brains this week? The papers were released on the 28th and wow! If you like time and space stuff, check it out.

OH! I have a new video of a super simple and highly effective psoas release that also works, of course, on your diaphragm and your nervous system. Go here and look under “shorts.” It’ll be the first one with me looking way up at the camera. And if you get something out of it, make sure to like, comment, and/or subscribe. (Thank you!)

Speaking of YouTube:

Something new from one of my favorite dance companies.

My favorite creator who talks about her different brain and burnout and how she’s healing that.

Have you ever watched any of the videos by this Chinese creator? She lives in the mountains on her grandparents’ farm and does every freaking thing by hand and traditional methods. Watching her cook or build something is so freaking soothing to me. She also practices traditional arts like calligraphy… just whoa.

For my Butoh loving peeps, here’s a short video of Kauo Ohno (one of the founders) talking about technique and motivation.

For my book lovers, here are a few of my recent faves, but you can always just look at my goodreads.

For specific books:

I’m about 2/3s of the way through Lisa See’s most current book. ANYTHING SHE WRITES is worth your time.

I loved Louise Erdrich’s most recent. She just never misses the mark.

And someone told me to read this Rebecca Solnit quite a while ago. I love her work and am loving this too.

What’s floating YOUR boat?

JoyList: things I'm loving right now and hope you do too

And we will dive right in:

In response to an observation about a list of music being predominantly men in the sanctuary recently, I am creating (and will continue to add to) a women artists only joyful/happy/energy music list.

I suggest you listen on shuffle or you could use this list for a daily dance song. Just hit shuffle and say to yourself, “I will dance/move to whatever comes up!” (Music roulette like we used to play in the Erie studio.)

Not so joyful but very necessary is the following book I’m currently reading about Deep Medicine. It is laying new territory in my brain, to say the least, and I expect it will eventually impact the way I teach (if it hasn’t started to already).

My favorite quote so far (and I’m only a wee bit in): “…medicine is a social science and politics is nothing but medicine on a grand scale.” (The authors are quoting 1848 journal, Medical Reform.)

For a novel that has many of the same themes but told in a beautiful way, Everything the Light Touches or the most recent by one of my forever favorite authors, Louise Erdrich. If you go to that book link, you’ll be at my Goodreads.

If you need some happy mood lifting, I’ve been sharing quite a few kitten and flower videos on my TikTok. Excellent for mental health.

OH! If you haven’t gotten it yet, Katy Bowman’s newest book is so worth it. If you’re new to her work, it’s a great introduction to biomechanics in a practical way, and if you’ve been reading her and listening to her for a long time, it’s a great little refresher and go to resource for quick ideas and explorations. (If I already shared about this book, oops… and I’m not getting any kind of kickback. HA!)

Speaking of Katy, there’s a delightful and long conversation with her on this podcast. Use it for many walks!

Here’s one of my favorite current video/background sounds that I put on the TV all day long when I’m writing and working and moving. It’s enough to keep other weird noises covered but it also doesn’t interfere with my thinking.

And finally just a little reminder that I have a super small, private Facebook group now that is totally focused on neurodivergent brains. If you need community around that topic, feel free to ask to join.

And as always, if you’re not in the JoyBody Sanctuary or if you left and want back in, again, just ask to join. Doors are always open. As I currently describe it, it’s a soft place to land and a refuge from the hardness of the world.

Gut bacteria and motivation, tripping and genes, grip strength and aging, and more studies to inspire you

I thought I’d start an occasional/regular post here where I share interesting studies that I come across and maybe some dance/movement videos that I have found inspiring in some way. Just a collection of insightful/cool/funny/inspirational/helpful links sort of post.

Here we go…

I’ve known a lot of students and friends who tell me they don’t get that happy chemical kick from movement that so many of us talk about, and well, there might be a reason that’s all about gut bacteria. To quote from the top of the article: “A compelling new study has identified a gut-brain pathway in mice that connects specific gut bacteria with an animal's motivation for exercise.” Read the whole thing here.

For those of you who feel like you’re constantly running into stuff or tripping or whatever… like you have zero control over your body… or maybe you’ve been called clumsy your whole life, well, it looks like there’s a genetic component to that. Read about it here.

This article is preaching to the choir about what movement does for the brain but what’s great about it is the resources list at the bottom. Check it out.

We know that strength is important but a new study directly links weak muscles to increased biological aging. The study was based on 8 to 10 years of observation of over 1200 people. This sentence really caught my eye:

"One study even found that (grip strength) is a better predictor of cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction, than systolic blood pressure – the clinical hallmark for detecting heart disorders."

WHOA. Read the whole thing here.

And if you ever doubt that your attitude toward aging affects your health, read this article, which also talks about a study that I used to talk about a lot… Check out the paragraph about the Counterclockwise study.

And finally, you know what a FOOT FREAK I am so it’s no wonder that that’s what I want you to focus on when you watch this short but beautiful video by Tao Dance Theatre, a company that studies Tai Chi and Ballet every day in equal measure.