Ruth Polden

Between the big things, the loud things, the calendar things. In the spaces that no one marks down.  A lot of life happens. Our day is filled with layered doing-ness. We call it “multitasking.”  And it moves us through our to-do lists. We answer emails while we prepare and stir the supper. Walk while returning calls.Fold laundry catching up on a recommended podcast about slowing down. We plan tomorrow waiting in the queue for today’s coffee. Think ahead while living now.  One moment braided...

Let’s talk about a misconception that’s been floating around about yoga for far too long. That yoga is all about extreme flexibility. If you can’t twist yourself into a pretzel or touch your toes while standing on one leg, you’re no good at it or “doing it wrong.” That’s just not true. What is true is that chasing extreme flexibility can do more harm than good. We live in a culture that glorifies being bendy. Instagram feeds are full of lithe toned people in contortionist-worthy poses. It’s...

If you’ve ever struggled with knee pain, you’ll know how much it can affect your daily life. Whether it’s a dull ache when you stand up, stiffness after sitting too long, or that sharp twinge on the stairs, knee discomfort has a way of creeping into everything — walking, sleeping, even your mood. It can be frustrating and draining to feel limited by pain, especially when it seems like no amount of stretching, icing, or “strengthening” quite does the trick. But your knee doesn’t exist in...