My voice is raspy. Doctors labeled me a “screamer” from babyhood and apparently this created “nodules on vocal chords.” Many people say I sound like Lauren Bacall, which might be a compliment, but not for a 4 year old.

After teaching yoga, I discovered Kirtan music. This type of devotional chanting is said to heal and even bust open your heart. It all sounded too California for this East coast gal. Then I was given a CD. Good stuff! Mellow yet rich with feeling, warming to my heart.

When I was pregnant with my first child, I attended a Kirtan Camp.  At first I did feel out of place, with no music background and definitely NOT a singing voice.  45 minutes would pass, simply chanting, SITA RAM. It was fulfilling and fun for both the baby and me.  The added bonus was a new comfort with my voice, and a true desire to share it. WOW!

The final day, all students were invited lead a12-hour Kirtan, open to the public. Super nervous and questioning, how would people respond to me? This isn’t about me though, it is about sharing the divine. So, I leapt and led – eyes closed of course – a large group, some friends, mostly strangers. After camp, life with a new baby took over and my singing audience was the safest, my son. Singing became moments of freedom for me.

Now chanting is a part of my yoga classes and household. It is sunshine when my children run thru the house chanting. My students say, “it is like a lullaby in shavasana when you sing to us.” Me, with the one with the hoarse voice, really?

SING OUT!!

- Rebecca “Bex” Urban

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Throughout life we are faced with heartache, obstacles, and even injuries. It’s how we choose to handle these situations that determines the outcome.

When an athlete is faced with an injury, the ultimate fear of their future lays in the hands of how they handle their recovery. Often times an athlete becomes depressed because of their limitation, angry because of their mishap and ashamed of their inability to perform.

Once an injury occurs the grieving process begins. The road to recovery is just that… a road. Choosing what road you want to travel down before you start, is the best way to go if and when an injury strikes. Preparing your body every day through a little bit of exercise is a great way to be on the defense of a healthy body.

If exercise is new for you, start slow with a 30-minute walk, if you’re an avid exerciser don’t forget to stretch and switch up your routines and if you are an athlete remember down time is key.

No matter what level of fitness you are at, we are all athletes in the game of a healthy body, protect that body now because you never know the future.

- Christina Malizia

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I treat my birthday, which was July 29th, a little differently than most people. I use birthdays as strategy days for my upcoming year. I take some time and look back at the previous year and then get all fired up about how I’m going to make the next year the best ever.

This year it started the night before my birthday. I was in my hotel room in Denver watching the movie Taken, an action-packed thriller where the lead guy is a ninja. First on my list for my upcoming best year ever: sign up for karate lessons and of course, become a black belt. I immediately start Googling martial arts studios. The movie also reignites my excitement for target shooting which I have let go by the wayside. When I get back to LA, I’m finding a range.

The next morning I start off my birthday morning doing Pure Barre in my hotel room. Cooling down to “The Glory of Love” by David Foster has me determined to return to playing the piano. I must sign up for lessons and practice 3 times per week.

Done working out, I read the paper. There is a section on the best summer books. I absolutely have to read more, especially leisure reading instead of all these business books. I order a Kindle from amazon.com.

It’s not even 8am and I have added karate, target shooting, piano and the Kindle to my life. You can imagine the list by noon let alone midnight. It may sound neurotic, but I love it. It’s exhilarating to be excited about life and I hope that on my 100th birthday, I’m still making a list. It may not include target shooting, but who knows, maybe it will!

- Carrie Rezabek

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