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Hello Reader,

Last week it was snow. This week it's raking. Only in the Midwest, right?

Here's the thing that shocked me early in my practice. Snow shoveling wasn't the big villain. Slipping on ice wasn't either. The thing that wrecked people every single year? Spring yardwork. By a MILE.

People would explode outside on the first warm day. Raking, bending, hauling, twisting. Their bodies had been in hibernation mode all winter. Then suddenly — full chaos. And they'd land in my office looking defeated.

So before you go full warrior mode on your yard, let's talk fascia. Your fascia is the web of tissue that wraps everything in your body. When it's tight and cranky, you feel it everywhere.

Here's a quick sequence to wake it up gently. Stand up and reach your arms out to each side. Slide your ribcage to the left, like you're pulling it off your hips. Then slide right. Not tilting like a little teapot — strictly side to side, as if you're between two panes of glass.

Now go diagonal. Left hand reaches to the sky, right hand toward your right knee. Jazz hands optional. Say "ta da!" if you want. I won't judge. Switch sides. Now windmill slowly, like you're moving through taffy. That resistance is doing real work on your fascia.

Last one. Step your right foot behind your left. Arms out, palms forward — bow forward like you've just crushed a standing ovation. Tighten your core to come back up. Switch feet. Repeat.

That whole sequence? That's the kind of gentle, steady work that keeps your body from staging a revolt.

And honestly, that's exactly why I created The Unwinding. If you're a woman running on fumes, carrying tension in every corner of your body, and wondering why rest doesn't even feel restful anymore — this is for you. The Unwinding is a 4-week guided care container. It combines hands-on support with a simple at-home portal. Short videos, practices, self-checks — nothing overwhelming. Just steady, safe unwinding for your nervous system and your fascia.

Your body isn't broken. It's just been working overtime for way too long.

​Learn more about The Unwinding​

With care,

Angela "taffy arms, jazz hands, and a standing ovation" Hall

P.S. If you're looking for a way to relax and laugh this weekend, come to the Portage Center for the Arts to see Better Late. This play was written by Larry Gelbart (the same guy who wrote M*A*S*H), and stars yours truly as Nora. Nora is my alter-ego, and she manipulates (ahem, navigates) the complicated relationships with her husband, ex-husband, and adult son. You'll laugh, you'll cry, (and you may be surprised by how loud and mean I am on stage!)

Shows are Thursday - Saturday, 7 pm, and Sunday, 2 pm, this week and next week.