Swapan Seth

About a century ago, a German, Joseph Pilates, developed a body conditioning exercise that he named after himself: Pilates. Pilates primarily helps tone the body, perfect the posture and enhance one’s flexibility. They say that if you do a round of Pilates seriously, you actually end up stretching every muscle in your body. Since I do not have the composure to do yoga, I decided to take up Pilates. Given my rather erratic work schedule complete with its long hours, enrolling in a class was pretty much impossible. Which is why I picked up Darcey Bussell’s DVD Pilates for Life. It’s an easy-to-follow programme that one can do in the privacy of one’s bedroom. Now Bussell is no pushover. She is the Principal Ballerina with the Royal Ballet in England and was awarded an OBE in 1995. And who better than a ballerina to teach you a stretch or two. Her instructions are precise, she does the exercises herself and there’s some charming classical music in the background. Perfect workout material. Do an hour-and-a-half of these twice a week and Bob’s your uncle.

Carly Simon, the famous songwriter once said that whenever she thought what Jackie Onassis would do in a situation, “her spine straightened and she assumed a position of great dignity”. What Would Jackie Do? is essentially a book about the graces and good things of life. It’s a kick-ass chick book and an inspiring guide to distinctive living. It covers every aspect of life: how to dress with less, dealing with every relationship and even touches on attaining self-fulfillment while making money matter. The book ends with a chapter devoted to JBKOs — Jackie’s Brands, Kicks and Obsessions. Now before you think this book is for the intellectually fragile bimbos consider the authors. Shelly Branch is an editor at The Wall Street Journal while co-author Sue Callaway has been director of marketing at The Ford Motor Company. This one is a fine flick-through book.

Apart from being a first rate singer and songwriter, Canadian Sarah McLachlan, is a philanthropist par excellence. In 2003, she started the Sarah McLachlan MusicOutreach Programme that aspires to provide free music education to deserving children. This three-time Grammy winner is considered a cult among lady musicians. In fact, she is also known for World on Fire, a short form music video which she made for $15. To date, Sarah has sold over 26 million albums. Her latest one, Wintersong, is perhaps the best way to cap the year. According to her, the album contains “all the songs I grew up listening to every Christmas.’’ The album starts with her version of Happy X-mas (War Is Over) which she sings along with the kids from The Harlem Community Choir. River is a riveting recreation of the Joan Mitchell classic. I also loved Little Town of Bethlehem. Finally, the title track, Wintersong, is a piano-based masterpiece which Sarah specifically wrote. This album is undisputedly, the best way to end the year.

Happy 2007!

Photographs by Jagan Negi