Blogs

(Punishment, Part three.)
When it comes to punishing their adolescent, the number one choice of parents seems to be DEPRIVATION - temporarily removing something of value in the young person's life in consequence of him or her committing some serious misdeed. Read More

The neck is arguably the most vulnerable area of the body. When it comes to revealing sentiments, the neck is invaluable. We expose our necks (tilt) when comfortable and immediately make them rigid when we are not. We massage them to soothe us and cover them when threatened. The necks convey how we feel (comfort or discomfort) in real time and give us insight into what others are thinking or feeling. Read More

What is it about French actresses that makes them so attractive? The beautiful accent certainly helps. But they also tend to be gorgeous, leggy, toned and slim. And there's a popular belief that, despite a predilection for cheese, steak frites, and pain au chocolat, regular French women don't get fat either. Why should this be so? Read More

Benjamin Franklin asserted that the turkey , not the eagle, should be our national symbol, calling the former a "much more respectable bird." I'll give you another reason to favor the turkey for this job: We eat it in our national feast. In order to explain this, I must relate some facts from long ago. Read More

John Stevens Sensei, a Buddhist priest, and 7th Dan visited our dojo, Bay Marin Aikido for a weekend of training. Stevens, a  foremost authority on Aikido has penned more than thirty books on Buddhism, Aikido and Asian culture. The experience brought new dimensions to our taijutsu, body skills or body arts. Read More

The way that we go about our relationship with eating says something rather significant about how we choose to live life. This idea may not be far-fetched considering that we have long been told "you are what you eat". Read More

During a recent soccer match, Elizabeth Lambert behaved badly. She kicked and punched other players and even pulled another woman's pony tail, causing her to fall to the ground. Most people, including Lambert, agree that the video makes her look like a monster.  Lambert, however, attributes her behavior to the situation, while others attribute her actions to her personality.  Who's right? Read More

Here is an example of another program that may want to consider if it is doing more harm than good. If you are a freshman at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, you will be stepping on the scale as soon as you arrive on campus (See the article in the Chronicle). If you have a BMI over 30, you will be required to take a course entitled "Fitness or Life." You can pass out of the class by reducing your BMI or playing a sport.

This rule assumes a number of things. First, is suggests that students who have a BMI over 30 are unhealthy and that thinner students are healthy.

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Or the Obligation to Be Up-Beat

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has announced that soon all New York City Metrocards will be stamped "OPTIMISM." Positive thinking, our unofficial national ideology, is becoming harder and harder to escape.

Happiness and cheerfulness are good things, to be sure, as are self-confidence and faith. Nor is optimism bad, by any means. But there are downsides.

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