There is a quote from the Buddha I love-
“Your Body is Precious. It is our vehicle for awakening. Treat it with Care.”
The last time I wrote on this blog was a year ago around the same time as now. (I’ve had a sabbatical of sorts, but I’m back my beautiful lifers ☺)
A time when it seems all forms of media wheel out the tried and done before stories on New Year Resolutions, diets, bodies, body makeovers, how to lose 5 kilos in 2 weeks, and countless other articles relating to our bodies. It’s the time of year we cant help but look at ourselves and think it might be time to work on our health and weight…again!
I started thinking about the issues we all have with our bodies. It’s as if we have Two Bodies, the one we actually live in, and then the one we are constantly dreaming we have, the one we relentlessly inspire to have, the one that makes us look at the one we with aversion, by wishfully wanting the other. The one we think will bring us happiness and contentment, that once we have we will live happily ever after.
We can easily find beauty all around us in the world, but not in our own bodies.
We spend time and energy on looking after our minds. Reading and educating ourselves. Finding out about Positive Thought, Mindfulness, and Meditation.
But a serene mind is nothing without a healthy body.
And I say healthy body; I don’t say thin, buff, perfect body.
What we need to aim for is a Healthy Body.
What we really need to aim for is a Healthy Relationship with our body.
We most certainly need to damn well appreciate and love these bodies!
Your Body Is Precious!
The body you have is the Home to your Soul. It is your Home. This body knows you, it looks after you as best it can, and it works with what we give it. What are you giving yours to work with?
Have you ever thought about all the things your body does for you?
EVERY SINGLE DAY.
Not only does it do all the anatomy stuff with out us even noticing, such as breathing, pumping blood, healing, detoxing, digesting, renewing cells- but it also hugs our loved ones, kisses our lover, and cradles our children. It runs to the train station, jogs around a lake, the housework done, laughs with friends, the family fed, dances all night, the kids to school, your work finished.
It unlocks your front door at the end of every busy day, it takes you wherever you want to go, it joins you in any activity you want to do.
This is a daily miracle, which we don’t even notice, and that is because our bodies perform it so gracefully. Imagine if we had to think about everything to get anything to happen. Seriously, like breathing, heart beating, walking, looking, arms swinging…now times that by a ga-jillion.
We need to appreciate all this hard work our body puts in for us and take care of it.
We need to appreciate all the things our body does and be grateful and love it.
Life is way to short to hate your body. To be constantly picking on your own body and wishing it were different. Your body is a temple, you need to get down on your knees and worship it. (and if you don’t, how will anyone else feel inclined to either).
Don’t compare your body to others; it will only make you bitter…or vain.
Don’t compare your body to others- do you want all of their lives? Their problems, their job, their terrible sense of humour?
Don’t compare yourself to others, everybody is supposed to be different, we are all unique. You’re not others.
Love YOUR body.
When you think of people whom you really admire, who inspire you, who you enjoy being with…is it their body that gives you these feelings? No, it is who they are, their confidence, happiness, strengths, intelligence, kind nature…it is many, many things, but is not…Gee, I really love that amazing person as she has a such great body.
Probably one thing you have subconsciously noticed about most of the people you admire is that they most likely carry their body with confidence.
Love your body, and be proud to walk around in it. Hold your head up, shoulders back, and STRUT! Walk with savvy confidence, which tells every one, I love this body of mine, I feel good in it, I appreciate it…you will be amazed how good this feels to do. And if you are just new at loving your body, think of the old adage when all else fails- Fake It! Yep, that’s right, Fake it, till you Make it!
Focus on your body’s good points, not it’s faults. Hey it’s got you this far, that’s something pretty awesome right there. I’m sure you have many bits you can love, give it a go, have a think about it and make a mental list. Remember that list when you want to think about how you don’t like your thighs, and revert to the “good bits” list! Banish the negative Body Talk, with your “Good Bits” list. Love your long legs, your shiny hair, the beautiful colour of your eyes, and your infectious laugh.
Pay attention to when people compliment you on what you are wearing, this means you are wearing a style that suits your body shape. Wear clothes that suit YOU. Wear comfortable clothes, nothing can make us feel worse than a “too tight waistband” or a “too short shirt”. You don’t have to be a clone. Wear clothes that you feel good in (and then you get your confident walk going…and Look Out!)
Stop hoarding clothes to fit that other body; it just makes you miserable to see them. It also makes you feel miserable to have nothing to wear, replace them, with something that fits and looks great.
…Treat It With Care.
Yes, we do need to love our body enough to treat it with a little care, like we would for others without even thinking. Treat it like you would your own child. Make sure it gets enough sleep, eats healthily, and doesn’t spend too much time in front of the TV.
Get enough SLEEP. Your body has worked hard for you all day, and everyday. Give it enough time to rest, rejuvenate, repair and rehydrate.
MAKE SMALL CHANGES with Food. 1 extra piece of fruit a day. 1 less cup of coffee. Another alcohol free day in your week. A few less takeaways a month.
GO SLOWER. It’s not a race; no one wins a trophy at the end. Slow Down. Oh, and try to slow down your eating too while your at it.
LISTEN. Your body talks to you all the time. Listen to your pain. A sore neck, how are you sitting at your desk, stretch. Headaches, dehydrated, have a glass of water. Tired, get some sleep.
WATER!!
Give your body more water!
Life cannot exist without water. Water prevents and cures illnesses and ailments.
Our bodies are 80% water.
Our cells are made up of water.
Our spine needs water, to hold our body up; there is water between every disc.
Water stimulates the circulation of blood and fluids. It aids digestion, absorption, excretion and toxin removal- it is our natural de-toxer, want to go on a Detox just drink more water!
Water invigorates and relaxes the body, so…whatever your mood, have a glass of water; it will help you either way.
Our skin is 90% water. Without it, our skin is unhealthy, flaky, tight, dry, and more prone to wrinkles. Water controls and regulates the skins natural balance.
Did you know that all other drinks require water from our body to be properly digested? They steal from us! A soft drink requires 8-12 glasses of water to replace what is uses to digest. Other drinks do not quench our thirst; in fact they really dehydrate us. So we drink another soft drink or coffee, and we become more dehydrated…we get a headache, we feel thirsty, Have A Glass of Water, better yet, have a glass of water before you feel thirsty!
DON’T EXERCISE TO LOSE WEIGHT. Exercise for enjoyment. Find something you enjoy doing. For me its yoga and beach walking, for others it is pure joy to go to the gym, run or cycle. Maybe it’s a game of tennis with friends, walking the dog, or a game of golf. Find what you love, what clears your mind, gets you breathing deeply. When I leave my Yoga I can always feel my body saying “Thank you”. When I take a long power walk on the beach early in the morning, I get to think about everything I need to for my day, before the kids are up, and I’m busy making breakfasts and getting them off to school. And when I roller-skate with my 9-year-old daughter, well, that’s just fun! As a lovely 80 year old said to me when I expressed my admiration for her daily long walk, “You gotta Move it, or You’ll Lose it!” That’s all it takes, just getting some movement.
AWARENESS and RESPONSIBILITY.
A friend read over this blog for me last night before I posted, and she asked the question “Why did I think we had become so “disconnected” from our true bodies?” Yes, Why?
Maybe the reason we are not happy with the body we have is; it is easier to distance ourselves from the knowledge that we are not making healthy choices as often as we should. It is easier to hate your stomach roll, then to accept you may eat too much junk food, or drink to much alcohol, or do absolutely no exercise.
We need to understand the impact of our daily habits. And whether you choose healthy habits or unhealthy habits.
We need to take Responsibility. Only you are responsible for what shape your body is in. Next time you grab that muffin top with disgust, think about your habits, and what you are giving your precious body to work with?
Are you being Mindful…or mindless when it comes to how you treat your body?
ALWAYS ACCEPT and LOVE.
Revel in your positives, instead of wasting time squeezing cellulite. Don’t let the shape of your body hold back your happiness; life is about so much more than your hips. If you are making healthy choices more often than not, your body will be at the size it is supposed to be, whatever the number on the jeans is. Love that. Live in the now, be grateful for what your body is capable of doing for you and treat yourself with some kindness. Be astounded every night and every morning with what this wonderful body has given.
Your Beauty and Worth cannot be measured on a set of scales or with a tape measure.
Love your beautiful bodies, they are truly amazing!
suzy x
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Monday, January 30, 2012
Friday, January 21, 2011
New Year Evolution
So here we are, it’s January 2011, another New Year…and every year it seems the same; wherever we turn, we are surrounded by magazines filled with articles on diets and resolutions, newspaper columns on how to quit this and give up that, television programs telling us how we can do it all, and our own minds swimming with plans to exercise more, get healthier and all the diets, resolutions, and quitting we have been bombarded with!
Though I do have to agree that New Year is the perfect time to make amends for all the wrong doings during the festive season- the few extra kilos to our weight from over indulging, the headaches on those mornings after, and just that general feeling of “blah and fatigue” after a month or so of too much good spirit with our families and friends.
Yes, the New Year offers us a great opportunity to start afresh.
However I’m not a big fan of the resolution, in fact the last resolution I made; several years ago, was to never make another resolution again!
Resolutions seem they are bound to be broken- and within only a few days or weeks of being made at that, no matter how good the original intentions!
So this year, as I found myself feeling “blah and fatigued” after an actually fairly relaxed though naturally active and full festive period, I decided I would have a New Year Evolution in place of the Resolution!
It came about as I was walking past a local health food shop that had a sign out the front advertising their “Festive Fatigue Buster Package”- Olive Leaf Extract, Tresos B PluSe and CO-Enzyme Q10…I thought I can do that- because in fact I have all 3 at home already. Instead of being tempted by the ridiculously expensive detox packages that are about everywhere at this time of year, I will go back to my own cupboards, my own tried and tested supplements, it’s simple, already there… in fact I obviously had once planned to regularly take this stuff, which I do kind-of do, but I will start up again, and stick to it…3 things, easy.
I live in Queensland, Australia and our worst floods in 100 years have recently hit local areas.
So I have been given the perfect opportunity to cleanse our home. I am going through all our cupboards and shelves so we can donate toys, clothes, linen, shoes, kitchenware; whatever we have that we can give to those who lost everything.
What a wonderful reason to get rid of all our clutter.
And anyone in Australia has the opportunity to do this right now- actually wherever you are, you are able to find a worthy charity to give to, take that opportunity and cleanse your home, for your New Year Evolution!
Make it a New Year Evolution action every year; perfect timing after the new Christmas gifts your family has received.
There will be no more Spring Cleaning for me, from now on it will be known as the New Year Evolution House Cleanse.
OK, so I am really getting into my New Year Evolution way of thinking now…and I come across a piece that says something like this “Imagine if every morning when you woke, you decided on one thing you could do that would improve your life, and you would stick to it” Wow! Yep, I can do that, in my sleepy moments, when I adore laying for just a moment longer in the mornings, I use the time to think of one thing that will improve my life…I have been thinking the same thing each morning since reading this, and so far it is working fine, it helps me focus on that one small thing that I have decided to do to improve my life.
Very simple, very powerful, very evolutionary.
Very similarly, is deciding to make a small change in one area.
A friend was telling me of her new decision, that when she indulges in her much loved treat of a fast food hit, she now just gets the burger, and no longer has the fries and soft drink. So she is still getting her treat and doesn’t feel like she is missing out, but has cut her fast food hit in half. We can’t always be perfect, and we should be able to enjoy our not-so-good treats too, but we can make small changes to these habits to improve them.
Change from Milk Chocolate to Organic Dark- you definitely can’t eat as much in one go, and I can highly recommend the chilli flavoured ones.
Swap one television program a week for an hour of reading.
Substitute every second cigarette for a glass of water, or a 5-minute walk around the block.
Struggling for family time, make Friday night Game night, and choose just one game to play.
Small changes are small steps. Made daily, not in the future, and not by saying, “That’s it, I’m completely giving up junk food!”
At this time of year, whilst I am on my simple Evolution movement, I will also take the opportunity to let go of the past.
We all have people; experiences and memories that we need to let go of- to cleanse our lives and minds from.
Take the New Year to release yourself of these.
This is something I have come up with that has helped me to do exactly this:
Sometimes the answer is that there is no answer.
Sometimes my truth is not going to be what someone else’s truth is.
Sometimes closure will not be given from another, and must be found within oneself.
And I will never be able to logically figure out something that I see as illogical.
Resolutions are hard to achieve, as they are set in the future, they don’t usually have a real plan- just a statement; I’m going to exercise more, they are “big” and when the motivation wears off, they are bound to fail.
An Evolution is about making small conscience steps, daily. Making changes that you know will improve your life. Accepting that you cant do it all at once, but you can be aware of what needs to improve, and can be changed. An Evolution does not need to start on January 1st every year, but can be with you all year.
An Evolution is Simpler. And there doesn’t have to be failure, just moving forward
So discover your own New Year Evolution!
Viva the Evolution.
Viva the beautiful life
suzy x
Though I do have to agree that New Year is the perfect time to make amends for all the wrong doings during the festive season- the few extra kilos to our weight from over indulging, the headaches on those mornings after, and just that general feeling of “blah and fatigue” after a month or so of too much good spirit with our families and friends.
Yes, the New Year offers us a great opportunity to start afresh.
However I’m not a big fan of the resolution, in fact the last resolution I made; several years ago, was to never make another resolution again!
Resolutions seem they are bound to be broken- and within only a few days or weeks of being made at that, no matter how good the original intentions!
So this year, as I found myself feeling “blah and fatigued” after an actually fairly relaxed though naturally active and full festive period, I decided I would have a New Year Evolution in place of the Resolution!
It came about as I was walking past a local health food shop that had a sign out the front advertising their “Festive Fatigue Buster Package”- Olive Leaf Extract, Tresos B PluSe and CO-Enzyme Q10…I thought I can do that- because in fact I have all 3 at home already. Instead of being tempted by the ridiculously expensive detox packages that are about everywhere at this time of year, I will go back to my own cupboards, my own tried and tested supplements, it’s simple, already there… in fact I obviously had once planned to regularly take this stuff, which I do kind-of do, but I will start up again, and stick to it…3 things, easy.
I live in Queensland, Australia and our worst floods in 100 years have recently hit local areas.
So I have been given the perfect opportunity to cleanse our home. I am going through all our cupboards and shelves so we can donate toys, clothes, linen, shoes, kitchenware; whatever we have that we can give to those who lost everything.
What a wonderful reason to get rid of all our clutter.
And anyone in Australia has the opportunity to do this right now- actually wherever you are, you are able to find a worthy charity to give to, take that opportunity and cleanse your home, for your New Year Evolution!
Make it a New Year Evolution action every year; perfect timing after the new Christmas gifts your family has received.
There will be no more Spring Cleaning for me, from now on it will be known as the New Year Evolution House Cleanse.
OK, so I am really getting into my New Year Evolution way of thinking now…and I come across a piece that says something like this “Imagine if every morning when you woke, you decided on one thing you could do that would improve your life, and you would stick to it” Wow! Yep, I can do that, in my sleepy moments, when I adore laying for just a moment longer in the mornings, I use the time to think of one thing that will improve my life…I have been thinking the same thing each morning since reading this, and so far it is working fine, it helps me focus on that one small thing that I have decided to do to improve my life.
Very simple, very powerful, very evolutionary.
Very similarly, is deciding to make a small change in one area.
A friend was telling me of her new decision, that when she indulges in her much loved treat of a fast food hit, she now just gets the burger, and no longer has the fries and soft drink. So she is still getting her treat and doesn’t feel like she is missing out, but has cut her fast food hit in half. We can’t always be perfect, and we should be able to enjoy our not-so-good treats too, but we can make small changes to these habits to improve them.
Change from Milk Chocolate to Organic Dark- you definitely can’t eat as much in one go, and I can highly recommend the chilli flavoured ones.
Swap one television program a week for an hour of reading.
Substitute every second cigarette for a glass of water, or a 5-minute walk around the block.
Struggling for family time, make Friday night Game night, and choose just one game to play.
Small changes are small steps. Made daily, not in the future, and not by saying, “That’s it, I’m completely giving up junk food!”
At this time of year, whilst I am on my simple Evolution movement, I will also take the opportunity to let go of the past.
We all have people; experiences and memories that we need to let go of- to cleanse our lives and minds from.
Take the New Year to release yourself of these.
This is something I have come up with that has helped me to do exactly this:
Sometimes the answer is that there is no answer.
Sometimes my truth is not going to be what someone else’s truth is.
Sometimes closure will not be given from another, and must be found within oneself.
And I will never be able to logically figure out something that I see as illogical.
Resolutions are hard to achieve, as they are set in the future, they don’t usually have a real plan- just a statement; I’m going to exercise more, they are “big” and when the motivation wears off, they are bound to fail.
An Evolution is about making small conscience steps, daily. Making changes that you know will improve your life. Accepting that you cant do it all at once, but you can be aware of what needs to improve, and can be changed. An Evolution does not need to start on January 1st every year, but can be with you all year.
An Evolution is Simpler. And there doesn’t have to be failure, just moving forward
So discover your own New Year Evolution!
Viva the Evolution.
Viva the beautiful life
suzy x
Friday, August 13, 2010
You are how YOU eat.
I have a confession to make; I am a terrible eater.
I wolf down my breakfast whilst standing at the kitchen counter, as I make the kid’s school lunches and coax them into hurrying up to get ready. I have even eaten my breakfast in the car on the way to work, sitting at the lights gulping down my cereal, trying not to spill it on myself as I negotiate the busy morning traffic.
Come lunchtime and I’m either at my computer at work or in front of some riveting television show such as Doctor Phil at home. Barely aware of what I am consuming, let alone how much.
After my busy day I gorge my dinner, concentrating only on satiating my appetite.
Eating is not a race, and really no one will come along and steal it from me if I don’t eat it fast enough. So why the hurry?
I don’t know how or when I picked up such terrible eating habits.
I remember having to speed it up a notch once I started breast feeding my first child- there was no time for dilly-dallying, I only had a small window of opportunity to get some food into my ravenous system!
I have decided to become a Mindful Eater and form an Eating Slowly Plan.
I will start with visualizing. I am going to visualize myself eating slowly for a short time every day, a little like an elite athlete in training before a competition.
I will begin by setting aside time for eating.
Not reading, not on the computer, not in front of the TV, not mindlessly doing something while I consume.
I will try to set up a system where I have 15-20 minutes to enjoy my meal.
Righto, once I get that down I should be all prepared and ready to go!
I will relax, take a few deep breaths, a sip of water, and acknowledge the food I am about to eat. I will be aware of what I am going to eat. Noting the name of the food, the look of the meal, lean forward and smell the different aromas. I may even give a little thank you to the food, that’s kind of sweet!
I will sit down with my plate of food. I will use smaller utensils- I knew there was a reason I held onto the kid’s toddler cutlery! I may even have to employ chopsticks- all the better to not heap up on my shovel, I mean fork. I will place my utensils down between each mouthful.
I am thinking it will be a good idea to cut my food into a tiny piece for each mouthful, making it easier to chew up completely, and much better than my usual very bad habit of “mashing” it all together which is now I think about it- all the better for shovelling! Or another favourite, getting lockjaw, whilst I attempt to get my mouth around another huge mouthful.
With all these new techniques I will be able to stop burning my mouth on a whole dumpling at Yum Cha- I will have to take along my toddler cutlery though!
I will chew slowly, I will taste, and I will deliberately notice textures and flavours. Well hello Coriander, aren’t you delightful!
I will chew till the flavours slowly decrease.
I will swallow completely.
I will sip water.
Before I take the next mouthful.
I will be aware of the people I am sharing my meal with. I will discuss the meal, after I have finished chewing and swallowing of course, not with my half full mouth covered by my hand!
I will enjoy my food.
I will change my relationship with food.
Eating slowly and chewing well will also aid my digestion. Mindful Eating will trigger the sensors that allow me to realize I am satisfied, not as hungry anymore. I will avoid overeating, and therefore maintain a healthy weight.
I am thinking by eating like this, it will give me another opportunity to “de-stress” my day. Taking time out. From the race, the pace, the busyness.
Just a sandwich, peace and quiet and me.
Mindfulness while eating — being fully present with food — can be both enjoyable and relaxing.
Thich Nhat Hanh, the Buddhist monk, encourages eating an orange slowly, being present at every stage from first breaking the peel to the last drop of juice.
The following meditation is an adaptation of Hanh’s exercise that can be used with any favourite fruit. Plan to spend ten minutes or longer on this exercise, and schedule it at a time without interruptions.
1. Breath deeply three times, slowly and carefully, or until one feels connected to the self.
2. Pick up the orange (or other fruit) and hold it in the palm of the hand. Feel its texture. Notice its colour. Spend some time examining and enjoying the orange.
3. Slowly begin to peel the orange. Notice the change that occurs under the orange’s skin. Take time to smell the orange. Gently stroke the exposed flesh.
4. When the orange is peeled, pick up a segment. Bite into it, and close the eyes to concentrate fully on the orange’s flavour. Do not take another bite until all of the previous bite is gone.
5. Pause occasionally to reflect on any new sensations from eating the orange.
6. When the orange is gone, focus again on the self with several deep breaths. When ready, open the eyes.
The orange meditation might offer a welcome afternoon snack break at work or at any time when one desires to combine a healthy food with some time out from life.
If having trouble focusing on the orange, stop and take a few deep breaths to centre the self. Then try, again, to soak in the details of the orange. Take as much time as desired, and be certain to not put too much pressure on the self during the exercise. Indeed, there is no wrong way to eat an orange.
I am really looking forward to bringing this Mindfulness method into my life, to be able to experience and enjoy food in the moment.
Beautiful food, beautiful moment, beautiful life.
suzy x
I wolf down my breakfast whilst standing at the kitchen counter, as I make the kid’s school lunches and coax them into hurrying up to get ready. I have even eaten my breakfast in the car on the way to work, sitting at the lights gulping down my cereal, trying not to spill it on myself as I negotiate the busy morning traffic.
Come lunchtime and I’m either at my computer at work or in front of some riveting television show such as Doctor Phil at home. Barely aware of what I am consuming, let alone how much.
After my busy day I gorge my dinner, concentrating only on satiating my appetite.
Eating is not a race, and really no one will come along and steal it from me if I don’t eat it fast enough. So why the hurry?
I don’t know how or when I picked up such terrible eating habits.
I remember having to speed it up a notch once I started breast feeding my first child- there was no time for dilly-dallying, I only had a small window of opportunity to get some food into my ravenous system!
I have decided to become a Mindful Eater and form an Eating Slowly Plan.
I will start with visualizing. I am going to visualize myself eating slowly for a short time every day, a little like an elite athlete in training before a competition.
I will begin by setting aside time for eating.
Not reading, not on the computer, not in front of the TV, not mindlessly doing something while I consume.
I will try to set up a system where I have 15-20 minutes to enjoy my meal.
Righto, once I get that down I should be all prepared and ready to go!
I will relax, take a few deep breaths, a sip of water, and acknowledge the food I am about to eat. I will be aware of what I am going to eat. Noting the name of the food, the look of the meal, lean forward and smell the different aromas. I may even give a little thank you to the food, that’s kind of sweet!
I will sit down with my plate of food. I will use smaller utensils- I knew there was a reason I held onto the kid’s toddler cutlery! I may even have to employ chopsticks- all the better to not heap up on my shovel, I mean fork. I will place my utensils down between each mouthful.
I am thinking it will be a good idea to cut my food into a tiny piece for each mouthful, making it easier to chew up completely, and much better than my usual very bad habit of “mashing” it all together which is now I think about it- all the better for shovelling! Or another favourite, getting lockjaw, whilst I attempt to get my mouth around another huge mouthful.
With all these new techniques I will be able to stop burning my mouth on a whole dumpling at Yum Cha- I will have to take along my toddler cutlery though!
I will chew slowly, I will taste, and I will deliberately notice textures and flavours. Well hello Coriander, aren’t you delightful!
I will chew till the flavours slowly decrease.
I will swallow completely.
I will sip water.
Before I take the next mouthful.
I will be aware of the people I am sharing my meal with. I will discuss the meal, after I have finished chewing and swallowing of course, not with my half full mouth covered by my hand!
I will enjoy my food.
I will change my relationship with food.
Eating slowly and chewing well will also aid my digestion. Mindful Eating will trigger the sensors that allow me to realize I am satisfied, not as hungry anymore. I will avoid overeating, and therefore maintain a healthy weight.
I am thinking by eating like this, it will give me another opportunity to “de-stress” my day. Taking time out. From the race, the pace, the busyness.
Just a sandwich, peace and quiet and me.
Mindfulness while eating — being fully present with food — can be both enjoyable and relaxing.
Thich Nhat Hanh, the Buddhist monk, encourages eating an orange slowly, being present at every stage from first breaking the peel to the last drop of juice.
The following meditation is an adaptation of Hanh’s exercise that can be used with any favourite fruit. Plan to spend ten minutes or longer on this exercise, and schedule it at a time without interruptions.
1. Breath deeply three times, slowly and carefully, or until one feels connected to the self.
2. Pick up the orange (or other fruit) and hold it in the palm of the hand. Feel its texture. Notice its colour. Spend some time examining and enjoying the orange.
3. Slowly begin to peel the orange. Notice the change that occurs under the orange’s skin. Take time to smell the orange. Gently stroke the exposed flesh.
4. When the orange is peeled, pick up a segment. Bite into it, and close the eyes to concentrate fully on the orange’s flavour. Do not take another bite until all of the previous bite is gone.
5. Pause occasionally to reflect on any new sensations from eating the orange.
6. When the orange is gone, focus again on the self with several deep breaths. When ready, open the eyes.
The orange meditation might offer a welcome afternoon snack break at work or at any time when one desires to combine a healthy food with some time out from life.
If having trouble focusing on the orange, stop and take a few deep breaths to centre the self. Then try, again, to soak in the details of the orange. Take as much time as desired, and be certain to not put too much pressure on the self during the exercise. Indeed, there is no wrong way to eat an orange.
I am really looking forward to bringing this Mindfulness method into my life, to be able to experience and enjoy food in the moment.
Beautiful food, beautiful moment, beautiful life.
suzy x
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Yoga. Just Do It
As some of you know Beautiful Life has started holding Mother & Daughter Yoga classes here in Mermaid Beach.
This came about from a conversation Regina and I had about how much we enjoyed and what we “got” from Yoga, and how wonderful it would be to share it with our daughters. We were so excited by the idea that right there we decided to start up our own classes. We went out and found wonderful teachers, a great space and off we went.
I love the hour I get to spend with my daughter sharing the joys of Yoga. I feel I am giving her a base for a great positive self image, subtle lessons in breath and posture and some wonderful tools for dealing with life; she is learning techniques for self health, relaxation and inner fulfillment. It enhances her flexibility, strength, coordination and body awareness. It improves her concentration, sense of calmness and allows her to connect with her inner self. She is able to be a part of a physical activity that is non competitive, fostering cooperation and compassion instead off opposition.
Yoga brings out the beautiful inner light that all children have and it is a gift to give her.
Not to mention that we get to spend time with like-minded people and great role models. When you spend time with a community of people that hold the same values and hopes, it dissolves the feeling of separateness we get in the over stimulated, exhaustive world we all live in, us and our children. A group like this practicing together creates an amazing field of energy! It’s also just fun and relaxed. One of our mums said to me, “My daughter may stop doing Yoga at times in her life but she will always come back to it...and she will always be able to say, I have practiced Yoga since I was very young, I used to do it with my mother.”
With this in mind I am hoping to start up new classes of Family Yoga as soon as our Mother & Daughter classes are running smoothly, we have only just had our first month of classes. Family Yoga for all variations of family members, parents, children, grandparents, aunts or cousins!
Anyway, if you are not doing Yoga, thinking about Yoga, want to know more about Yoga, need to get back to Yoga, or love Yoga so much you can’t hear enough about it:
Here is my List of REASONS TO DO YOGA:
1. POSITIVE ATTITUDE Having Yoga in your life helps you face life’s daily challenges with positive energy in your heart. We can become more effective at problem solving as we act less emotionally and reactively to problems. When we practice Yoga we become clear in what we want and manifest our deepest desires. When we treat ourselves with more respect we treat others with more respect also. Trust, acceptance and gratitude are bi-products of self respect and we live with fewer expectations and judgments. Yoga makes us shine from the inside out: you will walk taller, with grace and a positive outlook. You will become more popular; people love to be around you when you are calm, balanced, serene and uplifted from your Yoga buzz!
2. HEALTH Yoga relaxes you and holistically addresses the body’s physical and subconscious needs. It can improve the immune system. Yoga is a powerful cleanser of our mind, body and spirit. It helps manage physical, mental and emotional signs of stress. Many Yoga poses detoxify the body. It cleans and massages your organs; releases feel good and immune boosting hormones, strengthens bones and muscles. As we heal ourselves, we can heal others, with our words, actions and smile!
3. JOYFUL LIVING Happiness does not depend on what we have- but who we are....When we do Yoga we realize we don’t need a reason to be happy, we just are. Yoga increases Mindfulness, as you become more in tune with your self inside and out. Life becomes relaxed and more fun!
Yoga is too fabulous, really it is TOO fabulous. And I am not talking about the transformed, over marketed, go hard, trendy version of a work out class. I am talking about the authentic Yoga, the real deal, where you don’t have to make your body suffer to feel the benefits. Where you are aware of what your body can do...and can’t...and that is enough.
All this talk of Yoga makes me want to practice more often, get myself a nice little set of poses I can do at home before bed, do with the kids instead of watching TV, enjoy and have fun with, and bring it into my beautiful life more and more!
suzy x
This came about from a conversation Regina and I had about how much we enjoyed and what we “got” from Yoga, and how wonderful it would be to share it with our daughters. We were so excited by the idea that right there we decided to start up our own classes. We went out and found wonderful teachers, a great space and off we went.
I love the hour I get to spend with my daughter sharing the joys of Yoga. I feel I am giving her a base for a great positive self image, subtle lessons in breath and posture and some wonderful tools for dealing with life; she is learning techniques for self health, relaxation and inner fulfillment. It enhances her flexibility, strength, coordination and body awareness. It improves her concentration, sense of calmness and allows her to connect with her inner self. She is able to be a part of a physical activity that is non competitive, fostering cooperation and compassion instead off opposition.
Yoga brings out the beautiful inner light that all children have and it is a gift to give her.
Not to mention that we get to spend time with like-minded people and great role models. When you spend time with a community of people that hold the same values and hopes, it dissolves the feeling of separateness we get in the over stimulated, exhaustive world we all live in, us and our children. A group like this practicing together creates an amazing field of energy! It’s also just fun and relaxed. One of our mums said to me, “My daughter may stop doing Yoga at times in her life but she will always come back to it...and she will always be able to say, I have practiced Yoga since I was very young, I used to do it with my mother.”
With this in mind I am hoping to start up new classes of Family Yoga as soon as our Mother & Daughter classes are running smoothly, we have only just had our first month of classes. Family Yoga for all variations of family members, parents, children, grandparents, aunts or cousins!
Anyway, if you are not doing Yoga, thinking about Yoga, want to know more about Yoga, need to get back to Yoga, or love Yoga so much you can’t hear enough about it:
Here is my List of REASONS TO DO YOGA:
1. POSITIVE ATTITUDE Having Yoga in your life helps you face life’s daily challenges with positive energy in your heart. We can become more effective at problem solving as we act less emotionally and reactively to problems. When we practice Yoga we become clear in what we want and manifest our deepest desires. When we treat ourselves with more respect we treat others with more respect also. Trust, acceptance and gratitude are bi-products of self respect and we live with fewer expectations and judgments. Yoga makes us shine from the inside out: you will walk taller, with grace and a positive outlook. You will become more popular; people love to be around you when you are calm, balanced, serene and uplifted from your Yoga buzz!
2. HEALTH Yoga relaxes you and holistically addresses the body’s physical and subconscious needs. It can improve the immune system. Yoga is a powerful cleanser of our mind, body and spirit. It helps manage physical, mental and emotional signs of stress. Many Yoga poses detoxify the body. It cleans and massages your organs; releases feel good and immune boosting hormones, strengthens bones and muscles. As we heal ourselves, we can heal others, with our words, actions and smile!
3. JOYFUL LIVING Happiness does not depend on what we have- but who we are....When we do Yoga we realize we don’t need a reason to be happy, we just are. Yoga increases Mindfulness, as you become more in tune with your self inside and out. Life becomes relaxed and more fun!
Yoga is too fabulous, really it is TOO fabulous. And I am not talking about the transformed, over marketed, go hard, trendy version of a work out class. I am talking about the authentic Yoga, the real deal, where you don’t have to make your body suffer to feel the benefits. Where you are aware of what your body can do...and can’t...and that is enough.
All this talk of Yoga makes me want to practice more often, get myself a nice little set of poses I can do at home before bed, do with the kids instead of watching TV, enjoy and have fun with, and bring it into my beautiful life more and more!
suzy x
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
