La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Mexico - When I first arrived in Puerto Vallarta sixteen years ago, at the end of a solo circumnavigation on my 31-ft sailboat, it was the end of May and summer was just beginning. That first summer was a busy blur of getting acquainted and settling down to live in one place for a "few" years, after eight years of travel.

As the second summer approached, in 1999, I noticed more of the seasonal changes... first the big exodus of snowbirds. "You really aren't staying, are you?" Having just spent 8 years in mostly tropical parts of the globe, that didn't seem like a reason to leave.

Nothing could possibly be worse (heat and humidity-wise) than Brisbane, Australia. The sailing boats there were all tied bow and stern to pilings in long rows next to the Botanical Gardens in the city center.

I really loved it, but there was no air moving at all with our boats oriented sideways to the breezes. I was painting watercolors for a coming show, and the sweat dripped off the inside of my elbows and down my back in a constant stream! Now that was hot.

Puerto Vallarta could never compare to Brisbane for heat.

What I noticed the second summer here was the change in pace. My calendar emptied of commitments, people sat in front of their shops visiting and handing out pleasant greetings. No one was rushing; the pace was a stroll and taking time to greet each other or stopping with a friend for a cool drink. We dropped everything for a refreshing matinee movie. Sundays we gathered for pot lucks at someone's pool and stayed late to enjoy the magnificent lightening shows. Locals didn't bother with umbrellas, but enjoyed the delicious rain. And the kids turned every street into a private water park. Everyone had TIME.

Today, it is not quite that quiet in town. There are more tourists and special events like Restaurant Week (which is actually two weeks) and the new Bougainvillea Festival and Vallarta Pride events. But we still have more time to do the things we had to skip during the overbooked high season, and for some that means getting in better physical condition... time to exercise or enjoy their favorite sports.

One excellent option is Organic Stretching®. The unique program of gentle, healing movements that can open up your body to pain-free flexibility. It can release restrictions in your shoulders, hips,and back, letting you enjoy long- given-up activities again... golf, tennis, and more. See the many changes OS participants have discovered in this work on the website.

To make OS more accessible in this slow season, I created a special two-month Summer Camp program for those who love the idea, are curious, and want to make a change in their flexibility or deal with a painful joint. Two months covers the entire program in twice-weekly classes (Monday and Thursday at 10:30 am). It includes the OS video and guides to continue your own program at home after camp is over. The cost is a special summer discount price of $1250 pesos (the value is $1600).

For more details and to register see the website or call 329-295-5289. There is a Free Introductory session on Monday, May 13, and camp begins on Thursday, May 16, at the Pat Henry Studio on Pat's breezy, shady terrace.