Donna Martini

This Week's Questions:

Female 70 writes: Dear D, you speak a lot about yoga and the fact that you can start at any age to do it. I want you to know that I took your advice and am now considered a “yogini”! I love the way it makes me feel, but more importantly, I can move more easily than I have in over 20 years. I want to share this with your readers, because it took me quite some time to finally go to a class. No one should wait! Thanks for the inspiration. Signed, Flip Flop

Dear Flip Flop: You are the inspiration! And can I tell you, it took me many years to finally go to a yoga class as well. I am happy to hear from you, and especially happy to know that it is helping you move freely through your life journey. Please send pictures of your progress for our Senior Moments page. Let’s see how many more 70 year olds we can entice to do downward dog! Love and hugs, D.

Male 41 writes: Dear D, I read your article about male menopause and was wondering if I was in this category. My attitude seems so different in the last couple of years and it is hurting my marriage and my family. I will take your advice about having my testosterone levels checked, but in the meantime, what should I do? How many men do you know have snapped out of it? Signed, Loafers

Dear Loafers: Unfortunately, many men don’t snap out of it before they snap the last straw on their marriage. Please don’t wait to seek professional help. Have your hormone levels checked, along with a complete physical, then read everything you can on this site (and others) about energy manipulation, the food/mood connection, and relationships. Right now, your body is dictating a lot of what you think and feel, which means that nothing may be real except the fact that you are out of balance. We often feel badly about life and blame it on what is around us instead of what is within us. If you can remember that, you are already on a better road. When you get your results, please write back and let me know, but in the meantime, hold on to what good exists in your life. Talk to you wife honestly about how you are feeling and show her the article. She is your best ally right now, meaning, she knows you the best and remembers you when! Who better to help you get “you” back. Peace, D.

Female 50 writes: Dear D, we are the same age, but we don’t look alike! What is your secret to staying so young looking. It’s kind of depressing me! Signed, Green Pumps

Dear Green Pumps: Please don’t be depressed. Be inspired! I have a little story to tell: Many years ago I was in an advanced yoga class that I was clearly not ready to take. Everyone was doing things that astounded me, and I felt inept and a little forlorn about how out of shape I really was. After about 15 minutes, I wanted to leave, but was too embarrassed so I decided to just do what I could and relax. After all, it was supposed to be a calming setting and I was making it into a challenge. As soon as I let go of any preconceived notions about what I should be able to do, I started to do the best that I could do. As I looked around the room, I realized that I was not that far off, maybe an inch or two here or there from getting into some of the poses. Further into the class I noticed my energy changed. I went from being sad and anxiety ridden to uplifted and inspired. I realized that if these people could do it, then eventually I could. The only difference was time and experience which I was gaining every day with every yoga session I took. That attitude is what I take with me now and what I teach to my clients and students. We need to use what we see and like in others as our inspiration and motivation to aspire to what we want to be. You are a beautiful woman surrounding yourself with positive energy. As you take your journey, you will be learning things you can teach me! And guess what…I can’t wait to hear about them. With love and energy, D.

Female 21 writes: Dear D, How did you get your start in your writing career? I would really like to be a writer, but I don’t have a degree. Signed, Funky boots

Dear Funky Boots: You may be surprised to know that my first attempt at writing was my father’s eulogy. Everyone cried and my aunt told me that I should be a writer. I thought she was crazy, but as time went on, I wrote three more eulogies and people were still crying. When I decided to try to write about something other than death, it didn’t seem to come to me, so I decided to still write about my father, but of things I used to do with him instead. My first attempt turned out to be my first published article. Funky Boots, I am not sure why you want to write, but you should know that my writing career came about because I wanted to share information and energy, not because I had a passion to put pen to paper. It was years before I realized that most of what I wrote was inspired by another source much higher than my own intellect. I was sort of a willing participant in some sort of writing channel. When I started to give credit to that higher power, the writing came more easily with more energy behind the words. My first suggestion to you is to take a course, even if it is at your local public library. I had no specific training, and I can say that my earlier work suffered from inexperience. As I matured, so did the writing. Find your voice (or others that may want to speak to you!) and a subject you like to write about, then just do it and an outlet for it will come. Good luck and remember to open your head and your ears to listen for inspiration and your fingers will just type away! D.