Meridian, Idaho

I’ve been on a Netflex binge, and I’m enjoying every minute of it.

After such limited  Interney connectivity and no opportunity to steam for the last year, binging seemed appropriate. 🙂

I rejoined Netflix and perused the plethora of choices. I prefer TV series over movies, so that helped me narrow my choices.

I settled on Longmire, a contemporary western crime series based on a series of books written by Craig Johnson.

I chose it because I really like the actress who plays the female lead. Katee Sackoff  was excellent (and creepy) in 24. She is excellent (and sardonic) in Longmire.

Once I started watching Longmire, I became more and more intrigued by the portrayal of a deep and long-lived friendship between Sheriff Walt Longmire and bar owner Henry Standing Bear.

Walt and Henry have been friends since sixth grade. They forged their friendship across racial lines, an anomaly for the time.

What I like about watching them interact is the honest comfortableness between them. They have each other’s backs and accept each other as they are.

However, they will call each other out if one goes too far. The intimacy of their knowledge of each other is a refreshing change from typical machismo testosterone-laden shows.

You might give Longmire a chance if it sounds interesting to you. I like it, and you might, too.

Meridian, Idaho

As Melissa and her best friend Kassi fly to Montreal to watch Women’s World Cup Soccer this morning, here’s a post especially for them to stay calm and serene on their long, long flight!

I actually did a lot of these while flying to and from Europe a long, long time ago.

They really helped me feel better and less likely to snap at the person next to me as he smacked his gum over and over again.

Happy and Safe Travels!

Neck Release

Instructions: On the edge of your seat, keep your spine upright and shoulders rolling back. Rest your hands lightly rest on top of your thighs. As you inhale, stretch your head back gently and on your exhale softly allow your head to rotate forwards.

Keep this slow rotational movement all in one direction five times and then softly repeat in the opposite direction. 

Benefits: When sitting for long periods of time, create mobility into your upper body. We can carry a lot of tension in neck and shoulders.

Emotional Release

Instruction: Sit cross-legged, place your arms across your chest and lock your hands under your armpits. Keep your thumbs pointing upwards. Raise your shoulders without cramping your neck muscles. With your chin tucked and lips closed, breathe deeply and slowly through both nostrils for three-11 minutes.

Benefits: This pose promotes a calm mind. You’ll find that your thoughts are still there, but you won’t feel them.
Please note it’s best to ask cabin crew for a glass of water before this practice.

Spine Flexibility

Instruction: On the edge of your seat, align your feet aligned with your hips. With your hands lightly on top of your thighs, inhale, and roll your shoulders to arch your chest upwards and outwards.

Look to the tip of your nose, and on your exhale, roll your spine forward. Allow your body to follow the flow and length of every breath. Continue for 10-20 breaths.

Benefit: This movement will enable you to free any tension or emotions that you may hold onto by releasing blockages within your spinal column. Cat-cow pose opens up your spine.

Rejuvenate and Calm

Instruction: Stand with your feet hip distant apart. From your hips, tilt forward with your knees and just let your arms hang down, placing one hand onto each elbow.

Press your feet firmly on the floor and take 10 deep breaths, then stand up slowly.

Benefit: Forward bends lengthen your spine.

Energize and Revitalize

Instruction: Lift your right foot off the floor and bend your knee so your lower leg is behind your body. Carefully grasp your right ankle with your right hand and pull straight up until your heel is by your butt. Hold for five-10 breaths before switching sides.

Benefit: Stretching your quadriceps.