I’m ringing in the New Year with a resolution. It’s time to get serious about starting a fitness routine.  In my mind I’m 39, but chronologically I’m almost a septuagenarian and I’ve developed many of the maladies that accompany old age…bone loss, chronic pain, stiff joints, sciatica, arthritis in my feet (most likely brought about by years of ballet En pointe in my youth!).  Most recently I’ve developed arthritis in my hands. Needless to say, the latter is not good news for any artist who does a lot of  physical work with her hands! Were I a painter it might be less of an issue, but working with metal requires a lot of physical exertion and I find that even grasping beadwork is often uncomfortable (note to self…always have a supply of acetaminophen and/or NSAIDs!). I’ve been a Type A workaholic for much of my life and my routine has always been to head to the studio first thing in the morning and happily spend all day being the maker of things. There was no time for exercise…I had too many ideas that begged to be made into art! I still feel that kind of drive, but my body isn’t just hinting that it needs attention, it is now demanding that I spend more time caring for it. It’s telling me to breathe, stretch, relax, and remain flexible for as long as I’m able. Making time for yoga will most definitely cut into time spent in the studio each day. Instead of rushing to the studio first thing, I plan to ease into the day…a cup of green tea and some meditation prior to my yoga ritual sounds ideal. I hope I will have the tenacity to follow this plan! If I’m lucky, I may have many more productive years left and I’d like those remaining years to be as productive and pain-free as possible!