bostonzest

Tag: morning walk

  • Tai Chi at MGH’s Benson-Henry Institute

    This summer I've been taking tai chi training at MGH's Benson-Henry Institute. It is one more move forward in my healthy living program. Friends will tell you that I'm recommending Tai Chi, and especially this particular program, for anyone who has thought about exploring ways to reduce stress, improve balance, and strengthen their bodies.

    Screen Shot 2017-07-06 at Thursday July 6 20174.08.23 PM

    Why Tai Chi?

    My fascination with this form of mind/body exercise began years ago when I would walk in the Boston Public Garden and watch Asian men and women, young and old, practice this ancient art.

    IMG_9741

    In September I added a morning walk to my daily routine. Most days the highlight of that walk is the time I spend in the Public Garden. 

    IMG_3127

    Each morning, in the warmer weather, this group of women gather at the Swan Boat landing and work out together. 

    Why the Benson-Henry Institute?

    I've been a long, longtime follower of Herbert Benson, MD, and his research into mind body medicine. I took a Relaxation Response class with him many years ago and have kept up with his work at Harvard and MGH and read a number of his books and audio books. 

    When I decided to take tai chi training, I felt assured the staff there would be of the highest caliber and the training would be focused on goals that would fit my needs. 

    The next set of classes will not be scheduled until fall, but there are resources available online for meditation and to learn more about the other programs they offer. 

    I recommend that you contact them now by email and tell them what program you would like to join. I did and they let me know when registration opened for the classes.

    Here is their homepage.

    Here is their Facebook.

    And here is their Twitter.

     

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Sunday Dogs and People Ask, “Is It Just a Walk?”

    For those of us with dogs, our daily routine includes a number of short walks to take care of their needs. Somewhere in that schedule is a longer walk to give you and your dog some exercise and perhaps a bit of fun. On weekends or vacations, these walks may turn into adventures in new settings with great things to see, hear, and for your dog to sniff!

    Unspecified

    Two-year-old Sam loves his early morning walk. He practiced his sit when Penny met him. His person said this daily routine gets her going too!

    One friend calls this “the long walk.” We call it "Poppy’s exercise" because she will gladly go inside on her puppy pads to avoid being outside. But she does need to move her little body and get her pulse rate up at least once a day, so we take her for a mile or two trot around the neighborhood.

    A Study on Walking the Dog

    A recent study titled, “(Just) a Walk with the Dog? Animal Geographies and Negotiating Walking Spaces,” argues that “… walking with dogs represents a potentially important cultural space for making sense of human–animal relations. We show how the personalities of both dog and walker can shape not only walking practices, but also the human–animal bond. We contend that the walk is a significant arena where relations of power between animal and human are consciously mediated.”

    It makes you think about the interactions you see as people walk their dogs. Is the dog having fun? Are the dog and human interacting or are they on separate missions? Who is training whom?

    IMG_2129 copy

    One of Poppy's favorite snow day activities is to run in the snow with Ed. Look at that waggin' tail to see how much she enjoys this.

    Be A Dog!

    One command you should regularly give your pal on the other end of the leash is, “Be a Dog!” To us that means Poppy can follow her nose, sniff at the corners, or hop up on a bench and relax. She gets a turn to do what she wants on the walk.

    Other times we may need some faster-paced exercise and she will have to walk along with us to allow us to get what we need from the walk.

    It's a matter of give and take. Sometimes Sam gets a longer walk. Sometimes Poppy gets to play in the snow. Sometimes Sam's person wants to get home sooner. Sometimes we want to walk faster. Everyone should get a turn now and them.

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    Related articles
    Getting Us Outside: Another Way Dogs Are Good for Us
    Wolfgang: Tiny Dog with a Big Name
    What's on Your Spring Dog Adventure List?

  • Sunday Dogs and People Ask, “Is It Just a Walk?”

    For those of us with dogs, our daily routine includes a number of short walks to take care of their needs. Somewhere in that schedule is a longer walk to give you and your dog some exercise and perhaps a bit of fun. On weekends or vacations, these walks may turn into adventures in new settings with great things to see, hear, and for your dog to sniff!

    Unspecified

    Two-year-old Sam loves his early morning walk. He practiced his sit when Penny met him. His person said this daily routine gets her going too!

    One friend calls this “the long walk.” We call it "Poppy’s exercise" because she will gladly go inside on her puppy pads to avoid being outside. But she does need to move her little body and get her pulse rate up at least once a day, so we take her for a mile or two trot around the neighborhood.

    A Study on Walking the Dog

    A recent study titled, “(Just) a Walk with the Dog? Animal Geographies and Negotiating Walking Spaces,” argues that “… walking with dogs represents a potentially important cultural space for making sense of human–animal relations. We show how the personalities of both dog and walker can shape not only walking practices, but also the human–animal bond. We contend that the walk is a significant arena where relations of power between animal and human are consciously mediated.”

    It makes you think about the interactions you see as people walk their dogs. Is the dog having fun? Are the dog and human interacting or are they on separate missions? Who is training whom?

    IMG_2129 copy

    One of Poppy's favorite snow day activities is to run in the snow with Ed. Look at that waggin' tail to see how much she enjoys this.

    Be A Dog!

    One command you should regularly give your pal on the other end of the leash is, “Be a Dog!” To us that means Poppy can follow her nose, sniff at the corners, or hop up on a bench and relax. She gets a turn to do what she wants on the walk.

    Other times we may need some faster-paced exercise and she will have to walk along with us to allow us to get what we need from the walk.

    It's a matter of give and take. Sometimes Sam gets a longer walk. Sometimes Poppy gets to play in the snow. Sometimes Sam's person wants to get home sooner. Sometimes we want to walk faster. Everyone should get a turn now and them.

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino adapted for BostonZest from one of our City Paws newspaper columns
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    Related articles
    Getting Us Outside: Another Way Dogs Are Good for Us
    Wolfgang: Tiny Dog with a Big Name
    What's on Your Spring Dog Adventure List?