Simplifying Health (Over-simplifying, really)

I generally avoid talking about food and diet here, because it is such a contentious subject these days, with so many new ideas and theories flying around. Some of these ideas are backed by science, and some are backed by the “Hey, it worked for me!” school of proof. I also avoid talking about exercise, because pretty much the extent of my movement is my own yoga, and the occasional qi gong video, so I’m not exactly well-rounded in the exercise department. 

But since I have your ear (or, rather, your eye) I will take the opportunity to spout a little of what I’ve uncovered through reading, research, and trial and error. Let me begin by quoting Michael Pollan: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.  Then I’ll add a quote of my own: Move your body. Not too far, too fast or too furiously. Breathe.

I would love to add, Listen to your body; but our bodies have been traumatized to the point that they don’t really know what to say anymore! We eat food that’s not really food. We exercise to the point of exhaustion or not at all. We exercise to burn off calories from the non-food we’ve eaten or plan to eat later. 

I hear fish is full of omega-3!

To keep this Om Minute-sized, I’ll stick with the short comments: Choose good fats and eat them with every meal. Keep away from sugar. Choose organic (it’s the pesticides and antibiotics we’re avoiding here!). Increase veggies, decrease “white” carbs. Move your body with joy and intention every day, and take lots of movement breaks throughout. Do not exercise to burn calories (admit to yourself this doesn’t work and that you know this from your own experience). 

In conclusion: Eat healthfully. Exercise mindfully. Think thoughtfully. Smile cheerfully. 

Assist

When is the last time you tried a handstand? Handstands look scary -- you're upside down and supporting yourself with your arms -- those same arms with the waving wings (if you have these you know what I'm talking about!) and no discernible biceps! Plus to get there you have to swing your uncoordinated legs from the ground to up over your head. What's that I hear? No thanks, you say? What about a little help from a friend?

Handstands are a regular feature in many yoga classes, and a good (experienced, compassionate) teacher can get most students to fly into the pose for at least a second or two by offering something we all want: control.

After the preliminaries, when a student is ready for the main event, the teacher stands against the wall to brace herself. As the student mindfully flings her legs into the air, the one thing the teacher does not do is grab those flying legs. As the student's torso moves toward the wall, the teacher will take hold of the hips and guide the student into an upright upside down pose. Yay! Being supported by the hips gives the hand-stander a feeling of security in two ways: Being held, guided and supported; and having legs free to come back to earth at any time without restraint.

And therein lies the secret: Having the freedom to fly up when you are ready, and the freedom to return to earth in your own time. Imagine being in a handstand with someone holding your legs while your arms feel about to give way. That would be a panicky moment fueled by a lack of control.

So next time you are ready to try something a little scary, ask for a little assist. Find someone you know won't try to control your efforts by grabbing your metaphorical legs, but who will guide you toward where you want to go when you are ready, and allow you to decide how far, how long, and when to step back. The choice is not whether to go it alone or to ask for help; the choice is in asking for the appropriate kind of help. An assist, a leg up, a helping hand.

And it's okay if you don't always get all the way up, it's still fun to try!

Connection

Just a quick note on Connection today. Here is how I see humankind:

We are bazillions of creatures on this Earth, but we are all part of the same organism. Each person is like one cell of the human body. It takes all of us to make this organism, Humankind, thrive.

Since we are all part of the same, we have the ability to affect each other. Sometimes some people-cells turn cancerous and infectious and cause pain and suffering to the whole organism.

This system-wide pain can cause an all-over depression, where sadness and despair reign and we live in darkness. Been there, done that, during the Middle Ages, aka the Dark Ages. Let's not go there again!

Since we are all a part of the one, we can choose to affect each other in positive ways, which I like to imagine as Light. Think of shooting a bright white light out the crown of your head and see it burst like a firework in the night sky, creating a spiderweb of sparkles. Then imagine all those around you shooting their own lights which connect and mingle with yours. Even those who are unable to project their light because of extreme circumstances (war, illness, hunger) will be touched by the sparkles of light that fall toward the ground.

When we treat our bodies with good nutrition, regular exercise and meditative practices, our bodies respond with health and vitality. Treat our World and all its inhabitants with love and kindness, and the World will respond with joy.

Light the skies.

Be the Boat

Sometimes everything just clicks. No struggle, no strain; just serendipity.

(Sometimes everything sucks, but let's not go there today. It's summer, I just got back from the beach, and I'm in the mood to share some grace and ease!)

Sometimes things are easy. People show up on time, and with flowers! The 12-items-or-less line in the store has only one person in it, and he has 12 items or less! Your hamburger arrives with an extra pickle, and you didn't even have to ask! Ahh, life is good, as the t-shirts and hats and spare tire covers exclaim.

When things flow, let them go. Observe the easy movement and enjoy the feeling of moving forward without struggle.

Don't throw rocks in your rollicking stream, blocking the flow and forcing changes and alternative routes. (Why do we always do that, anyway?) Toss in a little boat made of bark and twigs with a leaf for a sail and watch it race away, easily swerving around whatever obstacles are already there, ducking under the water only to bounce back up and sail away again.

Be that boat. Let the water take you. Have faith that you're going in the right direction. Enjoy the ride.

No struggle, no strain, just serendipity.

Peaceful Touch

There is power in simple, physical connection.  Imagine: a warm palm cupping a baby’s head. A soft pat from a kitten’s paw. A hug. A handshake. A kiss. Simple touch is connection. It is energy transfer. It is calming and expresses care. Everyone carries the ability to bring peace through simple touch.

Touch is so powerful that care must be used. Permission must be granted! Be aware of the vibes and know when to use physical touch, and when to touch with a gaze or a smile.

Touch can heal. It can nurture. It can bridge gaps. When there are no words, there is touch. When there are too many words, again, touch! An exuberant hug or a gentle pat on the shoulder; both convey tenderness and caring. 

Pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Hug yourself when you're happy. Hug your friend when you meet. You choose: A handshake or a playful punch in the arm, a kiss on the cheek that leaves lipstick behind or a warm, bright smile with eye contact. 

Make the connection, share the warmth, spread the good feelings!  

Peaceful You

Modern Life: A series of events we struggle to get to, rush to finish, and despair of ever completing. Our frenzy feeds on competition as we race to see who can accomplish the most without actually having to be checked into the hospital for nervous exhaustion!

Let's change this scenario; shift, dream, visualize, wonder, wish:

In the midst of Life’s hullaballoo, you are an oasis of calm. You see the busyness surrounding you, but you are not caught up in the whirlpool. You are able to think, to respond, and to act from a space of quiet thought and wisdom.

Does this even seem possible? Can you imagine yourself calm while all around you rushes and strains? Try it out. Find your Peaceful Breath and breathe it. Even if your moment of calm lasts for half of one breath, that is enough for a start. 

Breathe again. and again. and again. Funny how something you do unconsciously and constantly can take on a new timbre when you become aware of it. Watch your breath flow; listen to it, feel it. 

Become an oasis of calm for a moment. 

Peace.

Peaceful Intention

Modern Life: A series of events we struggle to get to, rush to finish, and despair of ever completing. Our frenzy feeds on competition as we race to see who can get the craziest without actually having to be checked into the hospital for nervous exhaustion!

  

We cannot remove all stressors from our lives, of course: Whatever would we do with all those loose kids? As we pass through each stage of life there are things we simply must deal with, and that is part of the School of Life here on Earth. The trick is to counteract the moments of crazy with moments of peacefulness, and then to enhance the whole enchilada with pops of joy, awe, excitement, and wonder.

Yoga, meditation, whole foods and holistic medicine can invigorate and heal your inner and outer bodies. Become aware of what makes your physical body feel and look great, and do more of that. Notice what allows your emotional and mental bodies to relax and rejuvenate. See what lets your spirit soar, and keep it up!

Peaceful intention: I move through this beautiful, bountiful life with equanimity and love, with joy and care, with the intent to increase these peaceful feelings and the knowledge that these emotions will spread to those around me.