Get the Funk Out!

April showers brought more than May flowers in my world. With the increase in rainy, grey days, I found myself suffering from an acute case of the blues. Thanks to my yoga practice, I knew that my body and mind were out of synch. I could feel myself drifting into a physical and mental low. I wrote a quick note to the people who are closest to me to excuse my lack of communication and explain that I was officially in a funk. It was amazing how quick my support group near and far, came to the rescue with tidbits of advice, words of wisdom and recommendations to follow to get back to my spunky self. Since I received an abundance of excellent techniques to use to get the funk out, I decided to share the wealth with my readers. I am confident that with a little personal tweaking, there is something below that best suits you. Don’t get me wrong, this is not a prescription, something to put on your agenda or a cure all. I certainly don’t have a magic wand. It is necessary that instead of telling yourself “now I am going to relax” or "now I need to be calm", you need to LIVE IT. Your mood is internally generated and it is your mindfulness that helps you keep in balance. Use a Gratitude Journal/Chart This has been a topic of one of my blog entries in the past. You can never show too much appreciation for the things that make you feel fortunate. If you can focus on non-materialistic items (like great relationships or experiences), it becomes that much more powerful.

Take Pictures of items around you that make you smile. You can either post them on your facebook page for friends to "like" or if you feel energetic and have the time you can also make a collage from these feel good pictures. What a cool thing for your great grandchildren to find in the coming years.

Focus on accomplishments with fervour. Your personal success stories will give you an extra boost to get you motivated again. Don’t worry about it if nothing comes to mind. To quote former Prime Minster of Britain, Winston Churchill , “Success is stepping from one failure to another without losing your enthusiasm.”

Set attainable goals Be realistic and be kind to yourself. Remember the motto “baby steps.”

Exercise and Meditate When we exercise we increase serotonin which is our natural mood enhancer and when we release endorphins it works quickly to make you more joyful, not mention, it is much cheaper than drugs! Meditation will allow you to be mindful of all that is beautiful.

Do something for yourself There is something to be said for treating yourself to a delicious spa. Give yourself permission to chillax. Having a small retreat or getaway, even for a few hours, to allow yourself to just be with yourself, a change of scenery, and time to appreciate what you left behind, no agenda.

Surround yourself with positive energy People with negative energy will bring you down. Be very conscious about the people you surround yourself with. Luckily, this is IN YOUR CONTROL so when you feel someone near you is seeing the glass half full, remove yourself from their grey cloud. No Eeyore’s allowed in your world!

Pay it forward When you give generously you feel wonderful. Putting a smile on another person’s face will make you feel super. It does not need to be something materialistic, rather giving a smile, or offering a hand with the groceries, holding open the door or offering a friend some healthy baked items. Sunshine When the sun peeks out, take advantage of the benefits of being in the sun, but as always, in moderation. Do a few sun salutations in your back yard and I promise that it will provide an instant feeling of being connected to your mind and body.

Sleep with purpose. Top psychologists have uncovered something amazing: When you’re struggling with a life dilemma, one of the best tactics is to get some sleep. Your brain is actually wired to conjure up the smartest solution while you snooze. Scientists have found that the dreaming mind is able to go down creative paths more easily, which leads to better, more innovative resolutions (The Committee to Sleep, Dr. Deirdre Barrett, 2012). “When you sleep, the prefrontal cortex of the brain shuts down”, explains Dr. Barrett, “That’s the area that controls logic and takes into account social constraints.” Keep a pad of paper near your bedside table so that you can jot down specific key details: words you used, points you made, body language. Happy zzzz’s!

Fake it Studies have found that pretending to be in a better mood can actually put you in one. When you smile, even if it is not genuine, this sends happiness signals to your brain and makes you feel much better.

I can imagine that there are many more mood altering techniques, so if there is another method that you personally use to get the funk out feel free to leave me a comment. After all, knowledge is power. Speak kindly, Care deeply, Love generously In Fitness, Andie

Do you want to get fit?

I am always looking to vary my workouts to avoid boredom and fitness plateauing. I just recently bought a TRX suspension training kit. After watching the start up DVD and reading the set up manual, I took it for a test drive! I was totally in my element. TRX was designed by Randy Hetrick, a former Navy Seal on "location" using parachute straps. TRX builds strength, balance and flexibility, not to mention that it blasts fat. After minutes of being suspended in the air, balancing on one hand, I soon realized that although I am super stoked about the TRX, this type of training might make others want to vomit. It got me thinking about why and how people get fit.

There are thousands of excuses as to why people don't exercise daily, but with every single one of these reasons, comes a solution. The question is "Do you want to get FIT?" Ask yourself this simple question and if the answer is a wholehearted YES, examine the roadblocks that are keeping you from starting. Is there a reason you aren't starting today? Too tired, no time, injuries, intimidated or just plain lack of motivation? There are simple logical solutions to these problems, it is merely a mind over matter attitude. I promise, that once your "feel" how good exercise is for you, there will be no going back to a sedentary lifestyle. If the answer is "NO, I don't want to get fit" then you are digging yourself an early grave because you are on the road to DIS-EASE.

Too tired or no time? Get up just 10 minutes earlier and start with deep breathing techniques that will bring more oxygen to your system, then perform two sets of 15 simple abdominal crunches, followed by two sets of 12 lunges alternating legs and two sets of ten push ups. Done. Feel the difference and note your body-mind connection. You will be rejuvenated and ready to face the day.

When you are injured, it is generally in one area of the body. Rest this area, but work the rest of your body... You lower body should not suffer just because you have a sore shoulder. Be kind to your body by moving it, as this is part of the healing process!

If you feel intimated to start an exercise regime, then ask a friend to join you. There are power in numbers. Exercise buddies look out for each other and create an ambiance of security and comfort. I have lost count at the number of times that members of my group classes say "I really needed that class! I feel so much better now that I have exercised and at the same time had a chance to get my issues off my chest."

Lack of motivation is a big excuse for why people don't exercise daily. I can guarantee you that if you start by scheduling exercise in your day; like you do with the thousands of other commitments, such as going to the grocery store, dentist appointment, cooking dinner, attending your children's needs, it will soon become part of who you are and what you do and not be seen as a scheduled chore. It has to be something that you like to do so that you stick with it. Not moving, is not an option. Ten minute increments are just as good as extended workouts, so you don't need to do a block of exercise to get the benefits.

I hope that the next time you are asked the question, "Do you want to get fit?" you can answer with an enthusiastic, "I AM....fit, fun and fantastic!" What better gift to give yourself and your family?

Namaste

Breathe

There is something to be said for just taking a step back and allowing ourselves time to breathe. There have been so many times in my life where I wish I would have taken a moment to breathe rather than react. When we breathe, we tend to lean toward resolution rather than reaction. We see the perspective change and we give time to analyze the situation. Breathing also offers TIME to listen. If you take a deep meaningful breath, you can't talk, which is a good thing. Mindful breathing allows us to set our intentions. Our vibrational energy is guided by mindful breathing and opening our heart. In order to have a clear vision, where we are able to surrender to the highest good, we must breathe. Breathing channels the positive energy into your body. It will relax you, but at the same time invigorate you!

Enjoy the fresh air and with it will come tranquility and energy and peace.
Namaste!