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Mind Body Messenger
Issue #23,
Keeping Up With Heather…
Mind Body Exercise. The American Council on Exercise, the International Association of Fitness Professionals and Can-Fit-Pro, (organizations that I dutifully send my membership fees to every year) are convinced that this is the current and future path of fitness. But, what does Mind Body Exercise mean? Isn’t any form of exercise a joint effort of the mind and the body? Who else can tell your feet to keep lifting and stepping and pushing off when you are on the treadmill but your mind? Who but your mind is reminding you at 6am that it’s time for a run? And, isn’t it your ambitious mind telling you that, no 50 ab curls is not enough, when your body is convinced that 50 ab curls is definitely 10 too many?
What the fitness industry deems to be Mind Body Exercise is any activity that is performed with an awareness of the mind/body connection. Your body can be on the treadmill while your mind is miles away; on the television blaring overhead, on the music pumping out of your Ipod, or on the groceries you have to pick up on the way home. So, by that definition, that must mean that walking and running do not fit the bill. Mind Body Exercise must be something like Yoga, Tai Chi, or NIA; activities that involve the mind as a full participant, rather than activities where we try to distract the mind from the fact that we are still running long after our legs have turned to rubber. However, and I am speaking from experience, there are many occasions when your body is there in the yoga studio stretching and breathing, but your mind is on the beach, in the office, or enjoying a slice of deep dish peach pie.
So, there must be a different definition of Mind Body Exercise. Perhaps Mind Body Exercise is any activity that’s sole purpose is the attainment of a deeper sense of self, a connection to a world as a whole, a greater wisdom than one’s own. However, using Yoga again as the ‘gold standard’ of Mind Body Exercise, the recent resurgence of this ancient practice over the past decade has been inspired more by the toned bodies of Madonna, JLo, and Sting, and less by the quiet wisdom of our beloved Swami’s. How many of us have chosen to follow the Yogic Path out of a deep desire to live a healthy life while moving towards self- actualization; and how many of us are drawn to yoga to tighten our tushes and get Madonna’esque tricep definition? And, does it even matter?
This leaves me to wonder, is Mind Body Exercise something you can define, categorize, put in a box and sell? My feeling is that Mind Body Exercise has been practiced by yogis, monks, martial arts masters, and warriors since the beginning of time, and for a variety of purposes. Enlightenment? For sure. But these masters also used Mind Body Exercise for the same reasons we do-for greater physical and mental power, for relaxation, to overcome an opponent, to maintain health, and to enhance performance. Who’s to say what is a better purpose for uniting Mind and Body, as long as it is in pursuit of excellence? As long as you are practicing, even for the most superficial of purposes, you are still reaping divine benefits.
So, now we delve into how to implement Mind Body Exercise into your life. Easy. There is no one system, no ideal method, and no physical place that is perfect. There is no formula to follow; all you need is intent. Create a system, a method of practice, and a routine that works for you. From Yoga to martial arts to a long run in your neighbour-hood, they are all Mind Body methods if your Mind is on your Body…and beyond. Mind Body Exercise is not something to be found in an exclusive class, on a certain DVD, or in a particular method. Mind Body Exercise is any activity that brings about greater health, awareness, and aliveness of the Body and the Mind, and through that awareness, through that connection with your inner health, access to Spirit is attained. The techniques are simply different paths to the same goal.
You are performing a Mind Body Exercise when walking in the woods, taking the time to enjoy the perfumes of pine and earth, the feeling of your muscles propelling you along the path, and the sound of the birds in the trees above. You are performing a Mind Body Exercise when you are transplanting bulbs in the garden, participating in the act of creation as a partner of the Earth. You are performing Mind Body Exercise when you are into your second set of push-ups, breathing and moving in the rhythm of effort, and you marvel at the amazing feats of the human body.
So, next time you are on the spinning bike, in the yoga studio, or out with the kids in the park, keep in mind (and body) that every movement offers an opportunity to connect with all aspects of yourself, the techniques are just the gateways to get you there.
Namaste, Heather.
Dan Millman
Enjoy an inspiring afternoon with best-selling author, world class athlete, and mystic Dan Millman at the Learning Annex in Toronto. I’ve been lucky enough to see him speak personally, and highly recommend the experience. Dan's presentation will blend insight, humour, and practical wisdom as he discusses:
- How to keep your head in the clouds and feet on the ground How to live a spiritual life in the material realm
- How to trust the process of your life as you find your place in the world
The event takes place this Sunday April 3 from 1-4pm. Tickets are just $44.95, and can be purchased by calling 416-964-0011. I hope that you enjoy spending the afternoon with this Mind/Body Master!
Check It Out:
Just a little note to let you know that a friend has recently launched a new website, where you can shop online for all natural health and beauty products. Please take time to check out:
Thoughts On…Freedom
You may live in a free country, yet in your inner life you may not be free. Real freedom means to be above thoughts and the mental world. It means becoming the master of your mind. It is being able to think and accept into your mind only the thoughts of your choice, and when there is no need to think, you just stop thinking. Only when you are free from the compulsion of thinking you become free. You switch off the engine of your car when you arrive to your destination, because there is no necessity for it to keep on running. Why not do the same with the mind? Imagine a state when mind is calm with not a ripple of a thought. In this state you become conscious of your inner self and know who you are. You feel your inner power. Happiness, which is inherent in each one of us, emerges when the walls of thoughts are removed. In this state there is no compulsion to think. With the help of concentration, meditation, detachment, calmness, and the ability to filter and sift thoughts, without getting involved and swept by them, it is possible to reach and live in real and TRUE FREEDOM.
Written by Vernon Howard, author of Mystical Path to Cosmic Power. To receive your daily inspirations, visit www.thedailyguru.com
What the Bleep
Do We Know?
I know that many of you in Canada and the U.S. are way ahead of me in watching this film, as I was in Australia when it was released into theatres. In fact, as I send out this newsletter, it may still not yet be available in Australian theatres. However, trust me, it is coming, and I hope that after reading this newsletter you will be eager to get out and support this fantastic film when it does arrive. For those of us in North America, after enjoying a long and successful run in theatres, we are lucky enough to have “What the Bleep Do We Know” now available on DVD and video, and having finally had the chance to watch it, I am now (quite enthusiastically) applauding it’s message, and singing it’s praises.
The film is a part documentary, part comedy/drama featuring quantum physicists discussing, demonstrating, and exploring how our thoughts really do create our reality. The film starts Marlee Matlin as a woman who is struggling with both her inner and her outer worlds, and follows her on a typical day of frustration, failure, learning, and discovery.
What we experience in the film is a beautiful blend of science, mysticism, humor, and inspiration as we all have the chance to connect with the patterns of energy and intent that form our world. I won’t spoil it by discussing details, but will just ardently and enthusiastically recommend that you all see it, at least once. In fact, most people I know who have seen it, now own it. Great news, you may already know someone who will lend you their copy.
Feedback Please - I am so excited to hear your thoughts on this film, and will reserve space in the next two newsletters for your thoughts, observations, comments and reflections on this groundbreaking film.
So, for now, I am off to put some popcorn on the stove and pop this little beauty into the DVD player…again…
Success! Following the suggestion of “What the Bleep”, I have spent some time every morning ‘intending’ my day. It only took a few days for me to manifest a great surprise…I won a camping package from Tim Hortons Rrrrroll up the Rim to win contest…just what I was needing for my trip down the West Coast of Canada and the US. I will be picking my prize up, gratefully, one day soon. In the meantime, I’m excited to see what else I can co-create with my world. Better health? A new friend? World Peace? After seeing this film, I’m convinced there is no limit!
Yoga For Mind and Body
The fourteenth in a series of columns offering yoga postures for men, women, and children to practice at home, school, on the road or in the office. With special thanks to Ross Pottinger of Wink Photo Design in Brisbane, Australia for the photos and the support in this project. And many thanks to Louisa Dick for taking part in the project. Do check with your health care practitioner before beginning a yoga practice. Many postures are not suitable for pregnant women, people with joint replacements, those with hypertension or other medical conditions. If you have a posture that you would like to see in this column, I welcome your suggestions. Namaste, H
 To Begin: Stand with feet a little wider than hip width apart, toes turned out 45 degrees. Warm up the thigh and hip muscles by slowly half squatting a few times, allowing the knees to follow the line of the toes as you sink down halfway into a squat, and then slowly return to start position. When the body is warm and ready for the pose, slowly squat all the way down, allowing your hips to meet the back of calves and heels.
The Pose: Sitting in the squat position, tuck the backs of the arms in the inner thigh, stretching as low as you can to draw the armpits towards the knees. Press the hands together at the heart, and focus on lengthening through the spine, and relaxing into the position.
 To Intensify: Lift one heel at a time and tuck your upper arm under your thigh. Place the hands behind the feet, and slowly sink down to rest on the tops of the upper arm. If you can hold this pose comfortably, begin to sink the hips down, until you can lift your feet off the ground. Either extend legs upwards, or bring legs in front of the body to cross ankles.
Breathing: Breathing deeply in this pose greatly benefits the digestive organs
To Modify: If you find your heels lifting off the ground, roll up your mat a few times, or use a small block or pad to rest your heels on.
Focus: Keep the spine aligned at all times, keep the knees in line with the toes, and keep the belly soft and supple.
Cautions: If you have an acute or chronic knee condition that limits your ability to flex the knees, this may not be an appropriate posture for you.
Benefits: An important pose for maintaining and improving the health of the digestive and elimination organs. This pose is also very helpful for alleviating menstrual cramps and preparing the body for an easy labour
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