I cOuLd LiFt YoU uP!

As a coach, a trainer and a fitness and yoga instructor I often ponder the meaning of health. I ask what health means to my clients, my students and my mentors. It seems fair to conclude that most (if not all of us) are in agreement that our health is not only defined physically, but also mentally and emotionally. Today I am particularly inspired by the power of words and the profound effect that our words can elevate the positivity in our own life and in the environment or community that surrounds us. Not only what you do, but also what you say matters.

Typically I scroll and scroll, enjoying the beautiful and inspiring pictures that make up my instagram feed. Smiles, beaches, tasty food, hugs and the occasional quote that reads ‘On Mondays, my coffee needs coffee’. I’m a fan of this network. It seems to be less drab than facebook and less clutter than twitter. There are a few IG celebrities that I follow, such as @Yoga_girl, who captures glimpses of her yoga filled life on the road, and of course selfies with her dogs. The other day within the caption below an image of her feet surround by a few of her favorite things she includes; ‘And yes, my feet are funny looking. No need to comment on them’. Astounded that she felt compelled to justify the aesthetics of her feet to her more than 1.6 million followers, compelled me to curiously browse the comments below. I didn’t have to search far to witness the tireless banter between bully and public defender, about something as trivial as the look of somebody's feet! I was oblivious to the darkness and silliness hosted in places such as comment feeds but I see now that this goes on everywhere on the net, making it all to easy for bullying and infesting negativity across the globe.

I would be willing to bet that the individuals making negative comments online, would be the last to speak up in person. I also assume that their health is severely compromised by this behavior.

However, just because you may not be a cyber bully, I challenge you to consider the dialogue in your head and with those closest to you in your own life. Is it possible that we could put more love and energy into lifting one another up?

For the months of August and September, our Charity Yin Yoga class, held on Wednesday nights at 7pm, is raising money for the MORElove Project directed by a recently acquired friend of mine, who you will also see in attendance in my yoga classes. The mission of this project is to spread love to the homeless in Seattle.  Whether it be delivering food and water, a new sleeping pad, work boots or an uber ride to a nearby shelter, each act of kindness transcribes as a message of love into some of the darkest shadows in our city. On her facebook page, program director Kristine will share the needs of the people she meets on the streets, then collect the donated items and deliver every Tuesday night. Todays request was a bit different. Rather than toiletries or bottled water (always needed) she asked her facebook followers to write a letter to a man that goes by the name ‘Detroit’. In this letter, she asks that people write to him words of encouragement; lifting him up, telling him he is worth it, that he is loved and can make a life for himself off of the streets. Sometimes we are our own worst bully. Perhaps this is what Detroit needs more than anything else, the reminder that he is worthy of  happiness and love.

With the knowledge that the dialogue in which you engage has a direct and powerful impact on your health, you might feel more inspired to take the opportunities throughout your day to lift someone up! As I am considering opportunities of my own, I think of a senor man I often see on the corner of Kirkland Way who sits on the seat of his walker and smiles as people pass by. He seems fascinated by the world around him. Perhaps he could use a reminder that he is also fascinating, worth listening to and worthy of love. I will stop the next time I see him and let him know that I notice is smile. I will write to Detroit and encourage him in his struggles. I will lift up my friends, my clients, my co-workers, my family and strangers on the street. I will lift you up with my words because this is one limb to a healthier life.

-Jamie

You are Grounded!

Local Kirkland couple doing yoga together on a summer night

 Parents ground their children not just as a punishment, rather as a way to get them to focus back on the important things that they have possibly been neglecting; such as homework, family time or chores. You probably thought you had immunity from this this kind of punishment once you turned 18, only to realize it’s a valuable concept to practice as a grown up as well.

What a summer we are having in Seattle! We’ve broken multiple records including warmest average temperature for June- 78.9 degrees! If you tune in to the local chatter around you, or simply scroll through your facebook feed it seems like everyone is at an outdoor wedding, on a boat or enjoying happy hour each and every day. This incredible weather is constantly knocking on our door, whispering “Now is the time to live it up. Come November, you will miss me.” So we go meet our friends at the local joint for an ice cold beer, instead of vacuuming or chopping this weeks vegetables. I don’t know that I’ve ever felt like I lived the entire summer in just one month, until this year. I’ve been rallying, in full trust that the weather would soon turn and I would have the chance to get back into routine.  Then I look at my weather app and see blue skies and sunshine for days, and I realize that it’s up to me to schedule a rainy day, or at least a few rainy hours.

A part of your health program is figuring out what balance looks like for you and your family. Being grounded could mean so many things, including the idea that you prioritize your physical and emotional balance. A few grounding activities could include; organizing your week on the family calendar, meditating for 10 minutes each morning, or maybe just making a home cooked meal and lighting a candle (Or in current cases, turning on a fan!). You could think of grounding as a way to connect with your goals, values and/or intentions. Fun is absolutely an important part of life, however too much fun can pull you out of routine and away from your core values.

A mid summer challenge: Start by naming your top values in life and then list the top 3-5 activities that allow you to invest and further connect with those values. Each week, prioritize these activities at whatever frequency you need them. Perhaps this will guide you while replying to the invitations sitting in your inbox. Your friends and family will support you in saying “no” to them, because instead you are choosing to say “Yes!” to yourself. 

Additionally, each morning consider this question, “What can I do today that I will thank myself for tomorrow”.

Continue to have your fun, but stay grounded too!

Mindfulness. Try it.

It’s hard not to notice the rise of the mindfulness trend lately. It has even found it’s way inside the walls of some of the world’s largest tech companies, to of course improve productivity, but also the health and happiness of employees. That’s right. Mindfulness is for everyone, not just your meditating yoga friend. Seminars, magazines, books, blogs and CEO’s across the nation seem to be on a mission to spread the word of this simple practice, because it works!

If you type the word Mindfulness into Google, this is what you will first read:

Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When you're mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to experience.

The practicality of this tool is endless. Often we find ourselves in less than ideal circumstances. Habitually, many of us either grind our teeth and breed negative emotion or tap out and begin dreaming of a far away vacation. Living in this way weakens the spirit, the mind, and has astronomical effects on the health of our bodies.

Mindfulness teaches the value of each moment, whether the circumstances are good or bad. Perhaps you’ve heard a yoga teacher refer to ‘non-attachment’. This idea is applied when someone cuts you off in traffic, or the kids are fighting, or maybe it’s just little moments in your day that make you feel as though the world is challenging your patience. Non-attachment means that you recognize that you are more than your emotional reactions. The sum of you is much greater than that. Take a few deep breaths. Your nervous system will calm, your heart rate will go down and suddenly it’s not so bad.

Mindfulness also improves productivity, quality of relationships, creativity, optimism, gratitude, memory and a general appreciation for the details.

If this only sparks a curiosity for mindfulness, that’s great. If you are interested in putting this into practice, start simple. Wear a bracelet that reminds you to take deep breaths. Or for starters, set an alarm on your I-Phone every hour to remind you to pause, look around, and acknowledge the gift of the present. You might even try Yin Yoga Wednesday nights with me at Fly Fitness- a 5 minute pigeon is a great teacher of mindfulness!

Consider this: Mindfulness might be one way to find a multitude of  ‘Best parts of your day’. It could be the moment when you first wake up and see the face of a loved one. It could be feeling the warmth of the sunshine through your car window. It could be taking your sweet time washing every dish in the sink. Maybe it could even be that moment in spinning class when you realize ‘I got this’!

Live in the moment, and awaken to the experience of living!