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Mind Body Messenger
issue#1 May 2003
Keeping Up with Heather...
It has been a long and intense seven months for the whole world since the last time I wrote this column. Although I admit that for me it has been a tumultuous time, it has also been exciting opportunity to step into the unknown. Through the chaos and uncertainty of this past year, I have embarked on a new stage of my journey. In hindsight (always a cleaner view) I feel sometimes as though my life over the past seven years was a mountain that I scaled in order to experience the intense challenges and rewards of a small business owner. On my ascent I also had the experiences of marriage, divorce, and living a semi-public life in a small town (no small feat!) Now, I have reached the summit of that mountain, and I find in front of me a vista of new mountains to climb, with new challenges, new lessons, and new rewards.
Before I could embark on my new adventures, however, I first had to take some time in "limbo" while one aspect of my life was ending, and a new phase was beginning. To transcend that state of limbo, it was important for me to look at everything I've been carrying with me, including my attitudes, beliefs and behaviors. I have learned that as we prepare for any new venture or 'summit-attempt' in our lives, it is important to unpack our bags and eliminate the tools, strategies and behaviors that have acted as burdens and barriers to our success. Only then can we repack our bags with tools, resources and ideas that work, so we can step lightly into the next phase of our lives.
On my new adventure I take with me the 'Heather' that has acquired some business savvy, a few hard-learned communication skills, and some survival strategies, because she will come in handy. I am also adding to my bag some new knowledge and new tools to put to the test in the real world. Although my current expedition promises to keep me stepping out of my comfort zone, I am willing to take the risk of uncertainty in order to better explore the magic and potential that exists within me and within my world.
Now, writing this column from the beautiful city of Brisbane, in Queensland, Australia, I would like to continue to share with you some insights from my own experiences in health, fitness, and self-growth. As well, Christopher will be sharing his own practical and inspiring strategies for the mind and spirit. And together, we will be sharing the wisdom, insights and teachings of writers, speakers, and traditions from all around the world that you can apply in your own unique journey of mind/body health and self-discovery.
So, on that note, I would like to thank you all for being a part of this newsletter- past, present and future- and being a part of my life and my journey thus far. I look forward to exploring together the many systems, techniques, and ideas both ancient and modern that are available to us now, at this very propitious time, for greater understanding and mastery of this world.
Namaste, Heather.
P.S. Please drop me a line if you have a question about health, fitness, metaphysics, or mind/body matters that you would like answered personally, or in this newsletter forum. H!
Book Review
The Way of the Peaceful Warrior
by Dan Millman
This book goes down as one of my all time favourites for a number of reasons. It not only marked my own introduction into metaphysics, but even after 15 years, stands as one of the most recommended books in my library today. Simply written and from the heart, this true account is both an adventure and a love story.
Early on we meet a headstrong Dan, the world champion athlete sitting poised on top of the world, or at least his ego thinks! That is until a strange encounter one night with a mischievous old man at a gas station.
Enter Socrates, a modern day Merlin-cum- garage attendant who-armed with a barrage of tricks, riddles, and physical feats-rocks his world to the core. Dan is handed a lesson in life that shatters his perception of what he thought to be real. And, at the same time, he is introduced to an adventure into the unknown.
We follow his trials and adventures as he attempts to pick up the pieces while coming to terms with an amazing new reality few dare to explore - the world of the spirit! Dan, now under the watchful eye of Socrates begins his peaceful warrior training.
The delightfully honest and unpretentious narrative invites the reader into Dan's world in a way that gives this book a certain familiarity.
The message speaks to you directly, as I found it echoing a lot of my own personal struggles in the pursuit of more meaning in life. In fact, I found so many parallels with Dan's character I often wondered whether this novel was written especially for me. And in a way you could say it was,
' A story that changes lives'!
Book Review
By Christopher Temple Lipscomb
For more books by Dan Millman, or to subscribe to his excellent
free newsletter, check out www.danmillman.com.
Enjoy!
Yoga For Golf
by Heather Agnew
Yoga and Golf are two of the fastest growing leisure activities in the modern world. With all the mental and physical benefits of yoga, it's no wonder that both amateur and pro golfers alike are turning to this ancient practice to give them a competitive edge. Three areas of yoga that can help to accelerate your game while improving your health include:
Asanas: Steady poses to improve flexibility, strength and balance.
Pranayama: Breath-work exercises to improve respiration
Dharana: Concentration of the mind.
Asanas - Postures
The physical benefits of yoga range from health benefits such as decreased blood pressure, improved bone density, decreased body fat, and lowered heart rate. The fitness benefits include improvements in flexibility, strength, and muscle tone. And importantly, yoga offers practitioners a greater mind-body connection that includes improved balance, coordination, and agility. Golfers who begin a yoga practice report an improved range of motion that allows them to achieve a deeper back-swing, which gets them farther off the tee and gains them yards. As well, energy tends to dwindle around the 12th or 13th hole, with a regular yoga practice, golfers will build the endurance to keep playing strong.
Asana Practice:
This series of postures from the Triangle and Warrior series' is
ideal for golfers, as it helps to lengthen both sides of the body,
improve hamstring flexibility, build dynamic strength, and increase
range of motion in the shoulders.
Step 1: Stand with feet wider than hip width apart, shoulders and hips squared to the front. Turn your right foot 90 degrees to the right. Stretch your arms out to the sides, parallel to the ground, inhale deeply.
As you exhale, bend through your right knee in a lunge until your right thigh is parallel to the ground, your right knee is directly over your heel, and your hips are square to the front. As you hold this posture and breathe deeply, focus your gaze beyond the middle finger of your right hand, squeeze your buttocks to bring your pelvis forward, keeping your right knee in line with your body, finally, lift up through your left ankle and connect the outside of your left foot with the ground. Hold for 30-60 seconds, then straighten your right knee, and proceed to the next part of the posture.
Step 2: With both knees straight, and arms still out to the sides, shift your upper body as far as you can to the right, keeping arms parallel to the ground. Then drop your right hand to your thigh or shin, and reach your left arm over your head. Turn your eyes up to the ceiling and keep stretching through your left arm as you breath deeply for 30-60 seconds.
Then, slowly return to the start position for the final part of the posture.
Step 3: Turn your left foot 60 degrees to the right, square your hips and shoulders to the right leg, clasp your hands behind your back, and slowly bend forward towards your right leg, hinging at your hips. Once you have reached your maximal stretch, you can lift your hands away from your back to stretch your shoulders. Hold for 60 seconds while breathing deeply.
Slowly lift back up to the start position. Repeat all three postures in this series on the left side then relax on your back.
Pranayama - Breathwork
"Remembering to inhale through my nose and exhale through my mouth calms my body", says pro golfer Jill McGill. Sara black reports in her book, The Supple Body, that "during normal, resting breathing, the average person only exchanges about 10 percent of the total air in the lungs. Conscious deep breathing allows the person the exchange about 80 percent of the air in the lungs with each breath." Practicing deep breathing exercises regularly helps to improve your respiration and oxygenate every cell in your body. When golfers utilize deep breathing before a competition, it helps to relax the mind, relieve tension in the muscles and abdomen, and focuses the mind on the task at hand.
Pranayama Practice - Full Yogic Breath
Sitting in a cross-legged position on the ground, or on a cushion for greater comfort. Place your right hand on your chest, and your left hand on your belly. Inhaling slowly through your nose, draw the breath first into your belly, expanding your belly and lower back, then let the breath flow into your rib cage, expanding your ribs front, side and back, then fill your chest until you feel the breath filling your body up to your throat. Gently exhale through your nose first from your belly, then your rib cage, then your chest. Exhale slowly, and imagine that you are squeezing out every last drop of breath. When you have exhaled completely, pause, and begin another inhalation. This exercise is most beneficial when practiced for 5-10 minutes daily.
Dharana - Mental Concentration
With regular practice, Dharana teaches you to quiet your mind and eliminate the mental chatter and negative self-talk that can influence your ability to focus. In his book "Golf My Way", Jack Niklaus says, "mental preparation is the single most critical element in peak performance". Practice this simple visualization exercise to relax your mind and achieve your own peak performance.
Dharana Practice - 100%
Visualization is a technique commonly used in business, sport, and the arts to boost performance. To practice, sit or lie down in a comfortable place away from distractions. Begin with a few deep breaths as you gently close your eyes. In your mind, see yourself on the golf course preparing for a shot. See yourself from within your body rather than seeing yourself as though on a video screen. Feel yourself in your body; feel the clothes against your skin, the ground under your feet, even feel the club in your hand. Associating your senses with visualization will enhance the experience and your results. Once you feel comfortable in your imagined skin, prepare to take a swing or a putt. Focus your attention on where you want the ball to go and in your mind repeat the mantra "One Hundred, One Hundred, One Hundred Percent". Put all your power, focus and intent in saying these words, and then take your shot. Know that once you say these words, you will have 100% focus, and you will accomplish your goal. Take your shot, then stand back and admire your results. You can repeat this exercise for a few shots, observing your successes, then take a few deep breaths and come out of your relaxed state. Practice this exercise regularly. Then, when you hit the tees for real, focus your mind, repeat your mantra, then take your shot and enjoy your victory.
Mastering Your Body
Spring Thaw Special $100 for 8 Week Foundation Series
This is a special offer for our North American students to Jump
Start their fitness, wellness and weight loss goals after a long
and bitter winter. As the snow begrudgingly melts away, and the
sun finally peaks out to sprout new spring flowers, we also have
an opportunity to nourish new desires for health, fitness and well-being.
We make this offer to those willing participants who wish to re-define
their relationship with food, exercise, and their bodies to take
part in the next offering of the Mastering Your Body on-line program,
beginning May 10, 2003. This program contains simple exercises for
weight loss, relaxation, self-esteem, energizing nutrition, enjoyable
exercise, and better sleep. You can take part at your convenience,
on your schedule, to develop a new long-term lifestyle that supports
your goals, accelerates your results, and explores your potential
for better health, energy, and vitality. For details, visit www.mind-body-mastery.com
and click on Mastering Your Body for the Foundation Series. Your
intention to participate must be received by email to
heather@mind-body-mastery.com by the 4th of May, 2003. I look
forward to sharing this journey with you. H!
Mind Body Mastery in Canada 2003
The Adventure Begins
Christopher Lipscomb and Heather Agnew will be visiting the Toronto area in August of 2003 to offer willing participants the opportunity to awaken to a new world of possibilities in mind, body, and spiritual health, healing and growth. Course details are available at www.mind-body-mastery.com or through organizer Judy Scipione.
BioEnergetics and Metamorphic Technique: This workshop will offer you two powerful techniques to use at home. These techniques help break patterns established in the body that inhibit the way we access our vital life force.
The Energetic Healing: Awaken to your own natural healing power with this unique Diploma Course, recognized by the World Development of Human Resources. Take your healing practice or your own self-growth journey to the next level with this powerful workshop.
- Location: Orangeville Health and Wellness Centre, 14 Stewart Court
- Dates: August 16, 17, 23, 24, 2003
- Time: 9:30am-5:30pm
- Cost: $450 inclusive (Early Bird $400 if paid in full by June 30)
Self Mastery I:
A 21 day meditation, lateral thinking, and emotionally transforming
experience. Passed down from the teachings of a Tibetan Lama and
his apprentice. You will never see life again from just one point
of view!
- Location: Orangeville Health and Wellness Centre, 14 Stewart Court
- Dates: Mon & Thurs evenings: August 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 2003
- Time: 6:30-10:30pm
- Cost: $400 inclusive (Early Bird $350 if paid in full by June 30)
Self Mastery II:
Within every man and woman there is a thin veneer between the everyday
person and the metaphysician. During this program you will experience
a sommersault of thought, and break through this thin veneer to
access the incredible unknown powers of "the other side of
you". By crossing "the threshold of no return" you
will never be the same again. On-line component prior to residential
retreat.
- Dates: Thurs Sept 4 3:00pm to Mon Sept 8 12:00pm, 2003
- Cost: $700 + board & lodging (Early Bird $600 if paid in full by June 30)
- Facilitator: Christopher Lipscomb
Please note: Self Mastery II includes an online component, which begins July 1. All registrations, deposits, or Early Bird fees must be received by June 30 to ensure your admittance into the course.
For details contact organizer: Judy Scipione, 519 941 4450 or tohawc@bellnet.ca
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