After the disappointment of cancelling the 32nd Olympiad in 2020, the anticipation of Tokyo 2021 started to ramp up a few months ago as U.S. Olympic Trials for team selections got underway. But something went out of the excitement for these Games for me with no fans, no family, positive COVID tests, and a series of foul-ups among all the cycling events. But there have also been some highlights that are worth not only mentioning but celebrating. Read on and catch the rest of the 2021 Olympics this coming week.

The pandemic has made a lot of people — including mayors, legislators and the public in general — aware of how important being outside is to our well-being and how we need to take action sooner rather than later to ensure a healthy environment as we tackle climate change. With that in mind, bicycle and pedestrian safety is at the forefront of advocacy — building better infrastructure for walking and biking, education in schools, better training for law enforcement, and making certain that legislators know what you want.

It's finally time to get on your bike and ride! But first, run through The OutSPOKEnCyclist Diane Jenk's safety check and Spring Tune-Up to ensure your bike rides are safe.

In this final piece of Diane Jenks' three-part series on the benefits of yoga, she discusses standing poses. Along with their benefits related to posture and balance, Diane points to modifications you can make to help yourself into, out of, and maintaining each pose.

Feeling hesitant about yoga? Remember that yoga is cumulative. The more often you practice, the easier it becomes and your body will remember what to do. Yoga is also a process that takes as much time as it takes. Try not to set unattainable goals. Starting wherever you are is perfect and we call it "a practice" for a reason! Read on for ideas to help you modify your practice that will make it easier to accomplish certain asanas (postures), and will give you more freedom to deepen your practice because you've made some practical adjustments.

If you have ever uttered the words, "Whenever I take a yoga class, I get injured," I ask that you please read this. First of all, that statement is an anathema to me — in fact, it's like nails on a chalkboard. The FIRST principle of yoga philosophy is Ahimsa - "Do No Harm" and that means, especially, no harm to yourself. And, keeping you safe during a yoga class is absolutely as much a teacher's responsibility as it is yours.

The weather outside is frightful, so what will make staying in shape delightful? If you put your bike away with the first dusting of snow, you already can feel the loss of some strength in your legs. And, when spring rolls around again and you want to roll out onto your bike, you might feel you’re at ground zero. Here are a few ways to prevent that loss, get into a new routine, and maybe even come out stronger than when you went in!

In this time of COVID, many of us are isolated from those we love and may have health concerns that keep us from living our fullest lives. The simple concept of "being" healing — that you adapt your thinking and mindset to being "already well" — makes a lot of sense. These books are "staples" in my library of philosophy and wellness and I hope they might offer you some spiritual, mental, and physical "food for thought."