Raiders of the Lost Art of Aging Gracefully


Estimated read time: 8-10 minutes

Sections:

  • Reflections on aging
  • Birthday Livestream Classes Announcement
  • 10 minute Core Breathwork practice
  • Generational Gems

They say that life begins at 40.

I'm not so sure that I agree. I've lived a full life in every decade, but there certainly are differences.

The lessons in my 30's had to do with not internalizing the external: that difficult circumstances don't define your worth, that people's perceptions of you didn't have to define you, and that capability and willingness were two separate things.

At 40, I arrived at the universally recognized place of "Losing all my F#cks" and carried on to discover new depths of self-awareness and acceptance, both physical and emotional. As to be expected, as the decade has continued to progress, I've defined myself and my career, deepened my personal relationships, and learned to enjoy the process of slowing down - letting go of the driving need to always be "doing something" and instead appreciating the stillness and spaciousness that a stable life can offer.

William Gaines said that "Fifty is the age when you become what you're going to be". I'm still two years away from that milestone but I can see it coming.

I belong to a unique "half generation" known as the Xennials. We're the kids who grew up with an analog childhood but came of age in a digital world, bridging the gap between GenX and the Millennials. As a result, the feeling of "getting old" has crept up on me gradually. I'm still almost as likely to join in the fun as shake my head at the youth these days, and the last time I looked at someone and thought " I'm old enough to be your mother", we were sharing the same dance floor. The generations above me still hold considerable influence on this world, and every day I work with people in their 70's and 80's who barely exhibit the traits we used to associate with people of that age.

Still, there are times when I'm distinctly aware of the years I've spent on this earth.

These moments often arise from shared experiences. Laughing along with ironic articles about parenthood, consistently being surprised that 90's music is now being played on the "oldies" radio station, realizing that not everyone in the room gets my pop culture reference, or commiserating with my friends about how many reading glasses we've bought in the past year alone.

So today I thought that along with everything else, I'd share some of my favorite generational references along with everything else.


But first, the big announcement: The Birthday Livestream Classes have been scheduled!

THANK YOU to everyone who responded to my survey! In the end, interest was very evenly divided, as were class times, so I've decided to offer the following:

2 Gyrotonic Classes - at 10 AM and 5:30 PM on Thursday, 08/29, and on Sunday, 09/08 I'll be hosting a Birthday Bonanza: Freeform Props class at 10, followed by Core Breathwork at 11. All class times are PST and will be livestreamed, with a 3-day recording to follow for all registered participants.

Click to view the full class schedule and sign up for everything that speaks to you.

(There is no other place you'll want to be)

It would mean the world to me if you would SHARE this email far and wide.

The greatest gift I could receive would be that these classes are filled with joyful participants all around the world, and I need your help to do it. Registration is free. The Sunday classes are suitable for all levels and require minimal props, making them easy to do at home. Forward them to the people you love, as well as the ones you work out with. Everyone is invited.


Finally, because a class in the future is not one today, here's a 10-minute Core Breathwork video that explores the relationship between Breath and Sound. It's a wonderful way to access all kinds of new places in your body.


Now, on to those Generational gems that will make you laugh:

Here's a McSweeney's article about finding inner peace through the items living at the bottom of your kid's backpack:

And if you don't yet follow @TheRealSlimSherri on Instagram, you're in for a treat:

video preview

Finally, this one made me smile for two days straight

In Prince's funky name, Amen.

Domini Anne

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Domini Anne

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