You know, people’s lives are a bit crazy. Things can often seem crazy at work. It’s crazy to keep up with the kids and their schedules, or social and other obligations. Even having fun on a Saturday night can get a little crazy!

From time to time in our lives, our bodies need to relax, regroup, and rejuvenate. In fact, that’s a lofty goal, when we’re stuck in rush hour traffic, rushing through the mall to buy last-minute gifts, or fast approaching a deadline we’ve worked so hard for. But rejuvenation is essential. Why do you think yoga has become a more popular practice in the last twenty or thirty years?

I practice yoga, and I love it. Especially when I can practice outdoors or in a calm and beautiful environment. I have to say that getting out and breathing fresh air, engaging in nature, whether it’s walking, hiking, biking or practicing yoga, is extremely cathartic. There is nothing like that. My new love is just going for a walk or hike, somewhere with beautiful scenery or views, where my mind can take its mind off the pressures of life.

Today I went for a walk with my boyfriend. We had recently dealt with our share of stress, from illness (our whole house came down with a strange respiratory virus that made our heads spin, literally! We were all dizzy. Did you know that there is actually a drug that eliminates vertigo? ) to an unusually early cold snap with over twenty inches of snow, which caught a lot of people off guard, not to mention the endless work we both had to do at our jobs (which we both do from home)! It seemed like we had become attached to our computer monitors and I was feeling very claustrophobic.

After days of working indoors, cooped up, and communing with my internet connection, I’d had enough. I needed to get out of our small condo and get some fresh air (we live in Aspen, Colorado where all condos are small, it’s a lot like New York City, not a lot of space). We drove up to the railings at Independence Pass where it locks down during the winter season. We parked, got out and started walking. Granted, it wasn’t a true country walk (we were walking on pavement), but we made good time for over an hour before turning around. The cool, crisp air was fantastic (and since most of this part of the pass is fully exposed to the south, we were in no danger of freezing). The best part was the magnificent views! It felt so good to be out in the fresh air, taking it all in!

It’s at times like these that I get what I like to call my most “creative” ideas. I can fantasize or lose myself in the wonder of the desert. My imagination runs wild! One of those wild adventures of the mind began like this: I noticed that he was sweating hot, even though he was wearing only yoga pants, a bra, and a light fleece jacket. The air was still cooling most of my body, but it seemed like my chest was staying pretty hot (and even sweaty)! That’s when my mind said goodbye. I wonder if my chest isn’t getting cold because I have silicone implants.

Then I said out loud to my boyfriend, “If I was ever found frozen to death in here, honey… I wonder if my chest would freeze over.”

“That?!” she laughed in disbelief, knowing that I was referring to my silicone implants. “That’s out there!”

I knew it was. But I continued: “Well, you know. My breasts never get cold!” I said, laughing.

“They do not do it?” she asked.

“Nope! But I’m not sure if it’s because when I’m outside in the freezing cold, I move so much, I exercise, that my chest stays warm from the extra weight, or because my lungs are working so hard?” I contemplated this, before continuing, “Because I never go out in freezing weather and stand, so it’s hard to tell if they would be warm, if I stood still.”

“That’s too weird, honey!” he quipped. We both laughed at the weird places your mind (well, my mind) can go on the edge of the wasteland.

I admit it, it was a twisted comic moment. Why the hell was I thinking whether or not my ta-tas would freeze anyway? Let me ask the question that a lot of girls have (or haven’t they?) but were too afraid to ask.

I recently read an op-ed in the local paper suggesting they set up a booth at the base of one of Aspen’s most popular hikes, Smuggler Loop. The author noted how many people use hiking as a way to deal with the pressures of life, so the stand at the base could be manned by a priest, counselor, etc. He had some great ideas on how to market the idea, ie “Cardio Counselors” or “Reverends at Reeboks.” It was pretty fun. I thought: now that might work! But the truth is, many people go out into nature and hike to think, not talk! Hiking, Walking – Getting outside and breathing in the fresh air is extremely invigorating and can solve a world of problems. One could argue that given the places my mind travels to on these hikes, perhaps a little psychological help wouldn’t be out of order! I swear, my pocket version of “Psychology for Dummies” never warned me of the dangers of going crazy on the road!

The point is, I went on this great hike and experienced some incredibly peaceful contemplative moments, as well as lots of laughter along the way. It was actually a nice experience for the self-proclaimed city girl that I am! But she also cleared my head. Trust me, I have a lot going on in my life that clouds or distorts my thoughts and stresses me out. This little excursion took me to another world and I enjoyed the moment as well as the wonderful benefits for my body!