THE CHECK-IN

SATURDAY | 4.3.2021

TRY YOGA BREATH.

“As we begin to introduce the yoga practice, we begin to introduce the yoga breath,” says Lauren Musselman in her PURE Yoga Full Body Beginner’s Vinyasa class on Equinox+. “Imagine dividing your torso into three parts: the lumbar or abdominal region, the thoracic or rib cage region, and the clavicle or collarbone/heart region.” As you lie on your back, begin to breathe into your abdomen, letting the hands on the belly puff up. Now continue that breath into the center of the body, the thoracic and the ribs, and finally let your breath rise up into the clavicle region of the body. Then, wave the breath back out. Try it three more times. “You can always check back in with this breath in any one of your yoga postures today.”

GRILL LAMB CHOPS.

These charred lamb chops would make an excellent main course for Easter (not to mention an excuse to start grilling season early). If you don’t have a grill, use a grill pan or even a cast iron skillet. Finishing the dish with pomegranate molasses adds a sweet tang.

See Recipe

FIND JOY IN THE PROCESS.

“We sometimes underestimate what we can do and the power that the mind has to push past that,” says Lexa Henwood, Tier 3+ coach at Bryant Park in New York City, who is featured in Equinox’s Welcome Forward campaign video. “One thing that I learned from Miles [Chamley-Watson, the hero in the video] is that he enjoys his training and the process. You always want to find joy in the process—that’s what makes things last. That’s what makes you want to work harder.”

RETHINK ORGASMS.

“Wanting more and better orgasms is a common desire for all people when it comes to sex,” says Shanon Colbath, regional MNR manager and student at the Tantric Institute of Integrated Sexuality. “But, focusing on having an orgasm makes it a goal, and having a goal in this context makes it harder to stay connected to the sensations in your body.” Instead, consider broadening your definition of an orgasm beyond just a short-lived climax. It can also be any pleasure you have during intimacy, either with yourself or a partner. “Understanding that you can have an orgasm through your entire erotic experience is a game changer,” Colbath explains. “It opens the door to learning new practices and takes pressure off of an end goal.”

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