Spanista » Self Care Rituals, Reflections & Resources for Joyful Living by Ginny Shiverdecker

  • Spa Style & Self Care Reflections, Rituals and Resources for Joyful Living

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  • About Spanista

    Ginny Shiverdecker, Creator of Spanista is Spa Wellness Enthusiast, Adventurer Seeker and Brand Builder.
    Ginny is……Read more

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Good News Monday: Women On Wheels Trending Fast is worthy of  exploring. To Spanista’s way of thinking, the courage to express yourself by embracing the motorcycle lifestyle is an ultimate expression of Self Care. It takes stepping out of your comfort zone to find out what you are really made of. Just like my friend Lisa here – I am so proud of her!

Now taking to wearing leathers and riding motor cycles is not for the faint of heart. It calls for man or woman to step out of acceptable norms, learn the kills required to ride safely and a commitment to care for the investment in owning a great bike like the revered Harley. The benefits are powerful – Emotional, physical and spiritual. Did I say spiritual? Yes, indeed spiritual. Seeing more and more woman on bikes over the past 12 months makes my heart soar. Why? Because I ride too. And have on and off and on for years. So stay with me –

I was an early adaptor to riding. Drawn into this lifestyle by men in my life who enjoy all types of vehicles that go fast starting with my Father. He introduced me into the racing world where I came to respect the engineering, design, drivers and support systems that drive performance cars, motor cycles and boats in top competition. Part of this interest came from exposure to Harley Davidson Motors while growing up close to the headquarters in Wisconsin. Summer was defined by enjoying the outdoors for as long as warm weather allowed – which is short up there – 120 days at best. You come to crave the cylce experience.

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This article I found is evidence of this trend. Photographer Lanakila MacNaughton captures the intrepid spirit of Women on Wheels in the feature ‘Road Warriors’. It is about her inspiring relationship with biking and how it transformed her life. I found as Lanakila did, that many women who ride step outside the old stereo type. They are a new age mix – independent, stylish and strong. Now there is a huge community of gals that find each other via word of mouth and Instagram. She became so passionate she launched ‘The Women’s Motorcycle Exhibition‘ in 2012 moving on to 8 cities. This lucky lady is now on a cross-country tour sponsored by Harley-Davidson documenting the journey. I did not expect to find this in Oprah Magazine, but I did. Check out the July issue.

Good News Monday: Women On Wheels Trending Fast opens up the conversation on the benefits of motorcycle riding. The ultimate Self Care emotional benefit is FREEDOM. When I speak with women they share how exhilarating riding is – it opens them up – boosts their adult play factor while boosting their confidence. Spiritually you feel closer to heaven and a higher power. A new kind of appreciation for life washes over you when you ride. It is almost inexplicable. You have to experience it. Not to mention it helps you stay fit because riding outdoors and managing a big bike exercises your body toning you. Lastly it is simply really fun to travel so unencumbered.

You meet some very successful interesting people. Riders are attractive society – A breed apart who live adventurously. Why not join them?

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Friday Wellness Tip: Messy Hair Don’t Care Challenge celebrates the real joy of summer living. Getting out of your comfort zone. Your typical routines. This great T-shirt I discovered in the window of Forever 21 while out shopping inspires the idea of the power of play.

The Messy Hair Don’t Care Challenge: What can do the opposite of to get in the RELAX MODE?

So this weekend let’s challenge ourselves in a way that allows us to express our wild side and have some fun! Now we all have been encouraged to put our best foot forward – to present everything about ourselves perfectly. Always in control.

So challenge yourself to pick something that you would not do because you have always practiced presenting your image perfectly like: You style your hair perfectly everyday – You always wear makeup – You always shave close – You wear running shoes all weekend – And do the opposite for the weekend!

Friday Wellness Tip: Messy Hair Don’t Care Challenge helps us understand Self Care can take on many forms. Be creative with what is right for you. This summer let us take a walk on the wild side by letting go of The Control Beast within. Allow yourself the freedom to get raw and real – allowing  a bit vulnerability to shine through – casting care to the wind will encourages a new level of strength to emerge. You will see some unexpected benefits surface. And you will have fun.

Spanista wonders do you have the courage to give it a try? Tell us your story and how it made you feel.

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

 

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Spanista Sees New Golden Delights Set Spa Chic Standard is about your relationship with one of the the most important style elements in nature – Gold. Does it have a role in your wardrobe? How does wearing gold make you feel? Have you thought about its role in your Self Care?

Spanista holds a penchant for gold jewelry. Collecting choice pieces from my travels that I love and invest in hold qualities that endure. Gold sits above trends as a constant element of class and distinction. It transcends fashion in any language or culture. It is especially worth treasuring in a world of disposable fast fashion.

To Spanista wearing gold is a Self Care essential.  And now it is emerging redefined with the gold link bracelet taking center stage.  Here is a Style Story in Veranda Magazine titled ‘Objects of Desire – Gold Standard’ that caught my attention. The story speaks to the gold link bracelet as the new go to classic because it goes with everything as the smartest designers have redefined with so many fresh, luscious and artful interpretations.

The wonderful Veranda Magazine feature shown above is produced by Catherine Lee Davis. Photography by Yasu + Junko and Written by Ari Notis.

Spanista Sees New Golden Delights Set Spa Chic Standard something to build upon. Let’s take its role a step or two further starting with a new way to think about wearing gold and especially wearing gold bracelets? You see Spanista favors bracelets as more than just adornment. They are powerful elements of  intention. They are a symbols of the attitude you have toward life by helping you set and keep a desired intention for the day, as well as act as a reminder to keep you mindfully on track with that intention. It is not surprise that gold symbolizes wealth used wisely, but it also is the symbol of good health. People who favor the color gold are optimistic. In some cultures it is called Gold Energy. For example, the tibetan Buddhist believes in 5 sacred stones: the crystal light, turquoise for infinity of the sea and sky, coral for life and form, gold for the sun, silver for the light of the moon. Gold is intimately linked with Divinity and symbolizes success.

Put some Spa Chic Stylish Gold into your daily life when you want:

1. Increases personal power

2. Relaxation and enjoyment of life

3. Good health

4. Success

Lastly, wearing gold in everyday life promotes courage, confidence and willpower. Wearing a bracelet you can see and touch can act as a mindful way to stay in touch with the intention you choose when wearing gold. So why not invite a gold bracelet to be part of you Spa Chic Style going forward?

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

 

 

 

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Stuart Florida Reflection Walk Over Indian River Bridge opens up a different vantage point on the world. As I am living on The Treasure Coast for a couple of months while in transition before moving here, it affords me the opportunity to explore the many causeways, the rivers water ways, the oceans inlet and islands.

How about you? Given Summer often allows us to go to a summer place in the mountains or a lake house – Where do you look forward to taking your Reflection Walks? Do you find yourself seeing this place with fresh eyes after time away? Does this new knowledge help you see yourself differently?

For now, my 60 minute Spanista Reflection Walk in this part of Stuart starts by greeting the sun rise in the morning near the beach. There is something about the rythym of the tides patterns that sets ones sarcadian clock properly in place. I find I awake without an alarm before sunrise feeling refreshed. Longing for my cup of favorite brew, I sit in the patio waiting for the beautiful movie to begin. The canvas is drenched with color and stunningly different every morning. It is easy to understand there is a higher being when you watch this visual glory unfold time and again. While it unfolds, I set my intention for the day to ponder through my inner voice.

This experience humbles me. I find myself simply being grateful to be alive in  world of ever changing landscapes full with life’s natural abundance. Then I venture out the door to walk the crooked lane through the golf course on to:

1. The Marriott Hutchinson Island Resort & Marina is a layback real true example of a Florida Beach Resort with all the essential amenities for the avid boater.

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2. The Indian River Bridge over the Indian River Lagoon is an estuary of national significance where boating is a joyful expression of life.

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3. Return to find a new critter I thought was a rabbit, but at closer look I am not so sure? What do you think it is?

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Stuart Florida Reflection Walk Over Indian River Bridge leaves me with a restorative feeling unlike any other – I feel the vastness of the ocean’s power – the tenderness of life. It brings a sense of wellbeing that is irreplaceable. Hope you get your walk in today so your peace of mind.

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Good News Monday: Palm Beach Cycling Classic Thrills highlights the fun of attending amateur sports events while reminding me of how ageless we can be when we set aside time do what we enjoy. And performing to our peak abilities in the company of friends can enhance your ‘push ability’ to realize things you thought you may have before. This once a year amateur cycling competition is held at the Palm Beach International Raceway on an 2 mile paved track. (I love the race cars too – had to share these pics below.)

Spending time on the south-east coast of Florida is opening Spanista’s eyes to added lifestyle dimensions that exist here, like learning that amateur cycling is big time favorite sport. This sport is open to an array of ages, as along as you have the right equipment, can stay with the  demanding training schedule and ultimately keep the pace of the group you ride with. My brother-in-law is a cyclist and has been for most of his adult life. He participates in the Palm Beach Cycling Classic because he wants to benchmark where his passion for the sport has taken him. So each year he registers and rides in a class that includes ages form 16 to 60. the goal is simple – to place better than last year and not crash. After we spent the day watching all the races it is clear this is a dangerous sport – especially for riders that push too hard. This is a mix of people – many have not ridden with each other before so a rider can experience unexpected aggressiveness in order to win.

John raced hard and smart. It was fun watching the  red jersey crossing the finish line – he placed better than last year! But what you can not see is the five different crashes that came about around the last turn. Guys laying on the ground moaning, bikes bent up, but in the end the paramedics deemed not one cyclist was badly hurt enough to go to hospital. Thank goodness.

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Being a competitive cyclist at age 50 is John’s way of putting himself first. Training is essential. He will not sacrifice a ride with his buddies no matter the weather or the lack of will. He takes his bike on vacations with him so he can stay fit. There is a rider in his group who is a very talented athlete. He is a pro golfer and as John tells it, an even better cyclist. But his choice is golf as a profession for reasons only he knows.

When I ask John why he rides, he lists the obvious physical benefits but before I ask he a surprises me by what he expounds next:

1. This is HIS time where he works on ‘Mastering My Acuity’. As the director of technology for an insurance company, his days are full of demanding activities that  are devoted to caring for the company and his fellow associates needs. Riding is focus for long periods of time or you crash.  It clears your mind of clutter.

2. Riding well – Sticking with the pace of much younger team mates boosts his confidence. If I can do this for 60 miles – keep pace with guys half my age, I can take that positive energy into any challenging situation and stay calm.

3. After the race he feels an ’emotionally high’ that goes beyond the impact of endorphins. This higher sense of wellbeing lasts long after the race. It feels ‘real’, thus making him ‘pulse alive’ and happier for participating.

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Good News Monday: Palm Beach Cycling Classic Thrills is fun to experience especially when some one you admire is in the race. Spanista sees the  lesson here is no matter your age  – putting your Self Care first, no matter what form it takes,  offers so many benefits – It helps you enjoy the journey while staying in the race of life.

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

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