Gil Hedley is an anatomist and an expert connective tissue. in the MindBodyWarrior Teacher Training program we show his videos of the dissection of the human body from the connective tissue layer.
He explains why we feel stiff in the morning and what happens when we don’t stretch that stuff out. It is all about the FUZZ…
Are you resisting your experiences as you paddle up stream against the current…. Or have you dropped the oars of resistance and flowing effortlessly down stream…
I came across this great book called “The Astonishing Power of Emotions” by Ester and Jerry Hicks. The analogy they provide about traveling up stream or down stream is an amazing tool that can help guide you through every and any experience you have. So often we resist the experiences that we are having due to a lot of our subconscious programming, and beliefs. Because of mere points of view, we get all sorts of disturbances inside both subtle and intense. What they say in the book, and what many have said before is that our emotions are there to guide us along. To let us know when we are not aligned with our higher conscious. When these emotions come up… they are letting us know that we are headed up stream and resisting the current, rather then changing our point of view to change how we feel inside. Ultimately they are saying that regardless of circumstance, we decide how we feel inside.
Now I know that some may feel uncomfortable knowing that we are responsible for how we feel. Which means we can not blame anyone but ourselves… The exciting thing about this is that we have control over how we feel and now one else. So we can always change how we feel when we want to.
The trick is recognizing when you are caught up in subconscious reaction, and heading up stream against the current… and take a few deep breaths to bring ourself back to the present moment, which they refer to as re-aligning with your inner being. Then make a perceptional shift and change your point of view and ask yourself how you can look at the experience heading downstream without resistance.
They give 30 concrete examples that you see in everyday life, about money, relationships, kids… and they show you the difference between up stream and down stream in every one.
I highly recommend this book for those of you out there who are tired of being controlled by your emotions. This is the key to realizing all of your desires in all aspects of your life.
I am honored to announce that I have been asked to be apart of a new inspirational book title “Passwords: Passing On Words Of Wisdom & Hope”. It is a new inspirational book project by Mimi Publishing Inc inviting 21 people to share their inspirational stories about overcoming some kind of challenge in their lives.
I give talks to many running groups, letting them know about the negative impact running can have on the body when the proper technique and lot’s of stretching aren’t taken into consideration. Most people are running in a manner that leads to many problems in their knees, hips, lower back and ankles. When countered with stretching, especially the passive stretching of yin yoga, one can enjoy the benefits of running for a long time. Yin can decompress the joints, open the hips, quads, hamstrings and that famous IT Band.
Check out one of many free videos I have designed to help people get into the Yin Practice. This is the Dragon Pose which is one of the best stretches for your hip flexors.
Someone recently brought to my attention a book by Danny Dreyer called “Chi Running”. It is a completely different approach to running that makes it much safer on the body and also makes it much more effortless. I highly recommend that if you are going to take up running or continue to run, you check out his book or his dvd for the proper instructions so that you can enjoy this activity for years to come.
It is “New Years Resolution” time again. Here are 10 tips to help you stick to it and accomplish your goals.
1. Be realistic
Resolving to drop half your weight or half your budget is not a realistic goal. Rather strive for a goal that is attainable, such as setting a reasonable amount of weight to loose giving yourself enough time to safely drop it. People with reasonable goals have been shown to actually stick to their goals, rather than just reaching for them and then wandering off.
2. Write it Down
Write your goals down on paper to help solidify them. Bring them out from inside your head into the real world. Right the in a journal, or right them on sticky notes and place them in places where you will see them often enough.
3. Be specific.
Don’t resolve to “Loose some weight” or “exercise more”; that’s too vague. Set some specific goals like “loose 15 pounds by a specific date”, or “ exercise 3-4 times per week.”. The more specific you can get, the more concrete it will feel.
4. Plan ahead
There is always that temptation to quit. Plan ahead by coming up with alternative activities you can do to cut that urge off on spot and replace it with healthier habits or ways off thinking. You can call a friend, or drop down into a short 10 min. yoga sequence, or maybe something simple like declaring out loud your intention to make a different choice this time. Remember it is only an urge, it’s not really who you are.
5. Make it Social
Don’t keep your resolution a secret. Tell friends and family members who will be there to support your resolve to make healthier choices. If possible, find yourself a buddy who shares your New Year’s resolution and motivate each other. Studies show that publicly committing to your goal makes it easier to accomplish it.
6. Reward yourself
Give yourself a small reward for achieving the smaller goals. A Reward can help keep you motivated to reaching the bigger goals. However you want to be reasonable about it.
7. Don’t beat yourself up
Obsessing over the occasional slip up or feeling guilty about it won’t help you achieve your goal. Often enough people ended up getting addicted to the feelings of guilt which is not going to get you closer to your goal. If anything guilt will only give you more of what you are feeling guilty about. Do the best you can each day, and take each day one at a time. If you do slip up, simply acknowledge it and resolve to stick to you plan.
8. Stick to it
Experts say it takes roughly 21 to 25 days to create a new habit, and 6 months for it to become part of your personality. Your new healthful habits will become second-nature in no time if you can make it past the breaking point. When you feel yourself slipping go back to step 4.
9. Keep trying
If you have totally run out of steam by mid-February, don’t worry about it. Start over from the beginning! There’s no reason you can’t make a New Year’s resolution any time of year.
10. Nourish your Mind
Our subconscious mind plays a big role it the choices we make. You need to reprogram you subconscious with the beliefs that will take you in the direction you would like to go. Check out this video to get some tips on how to do so.
When asked what is the best way to deal with stress on Oprah, Dr. Oz gave 3 great tips.
1. Take deep Breaths
2. Stretch more
3. Have more sex
And wouldn’t you know it, the yoga practice offers you deep conscious breathing, deep stretches, and when done often enough will definitely increase the libido.
To help you get started with your practice I have uploaded a series of videos that are free to use by anyone.