By Michelle Ploog

I woke up yesterday morning feeling as though I woke up from a bad dream of my past.  Suddenly the person I was being was no longer the person I am today.  I saw how caught up I had been in the melodramas of life and how I wasn’t really being real to myself and my path.  I was caught up in a social and psychological soap opera that was ruling the decisions I made and were not necessarily in alignment with my truth.  I was not clear on why I was working at the job I was or living in this city.  I was always telling myself to just get through until something better in the future comes along.  In this moment it was like I was facing this whole other person that was very lost. I didn’t know or understand how this mess had taken over me.  This continuous chain of unconscious acts was the key ingredient for why my life was stuck.

This seemed so familiar to what my yoga teachers had spoken of in so many ways “give up your old way of being” “let go of the past” and especially “burn through your samskaras”.  Samskaras are the impressions of the subconscious; beyond that they are the ideas, actions, and behaviors that make up our conditioned way of being.  This conditioning shows up everywhere- on the yoga mat, in traffic, at work- because it is our comfort zone.  Each time we repeat the pattern it gets deeper ingrained into us and starts to look more and more like ”who you are” or your personality.

Samskaras are not necessarily bad or good they are just the ingredients creating the meal of your reality.  For example a person that moves to a new city in hopes of discovering a new life but instead finds their self in similar situations just with different faces and names.  The famous quote I believe by Buckaroo Banzai “where ever you go there you are” points out how we recreate the same reality because we are stuck in our samskaras, or ways of being. Perhaps there are certain samskaras that are no longer serving you such as the mental patterning of low self-esteem or behaviors that are self-destructive- those are the ones we can “cleanse” or “burn” away.   Others you may feel continue to build a positive Karma and create happiness in your life.

Cleanse or burn away samskaras: how? There is no foolproof recipe to follow, but I can share the process that unfolded for me.

It starts with a mixing bowl made of trust! Trust that you are safe to see the darker areas of yourself and still be loved, accepted and honored.   To make a shift at a deep level of yourself is an act of courage and a leap of faith.  There must be trust in the process of revelation to even begin to tread a new path and follow your hearts cry for something bigger, more fulfilling and inspiring. Trust that you are ok to look at the patterns, thoughts and behaviors that are unsupportive in your life and further more trust that you can shift them.

Once you see the samskara or patterns not working for you, you can start with your main ingredient- an intention! For your new creation of the reactions and responses you have now you will need an intention.  An intention is “a determination to act in a certain way” according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary.  Whenever I set an intention I make it as simple as possible; I break it down to one word (love, truth, inspiration, balance, clarity, abundance, joy). I pick the one word that feels in alignment with what I want to create, generally it’s what is missing from the current creation of my life.

Now you will need 2 cups of commitment and patience. Give yourself space to see when you are coming from old patterning and when you are coming from your new intention.  This is a moment to moment practice. Our samskaras are impulsive at times and happen in the bat of an eyelash. Although you are dedicated to your intention it is important to take yourself lightly and strengthen your muscle of patience.  We are all human and this is a practice.

Let yourself rise up with some space- Especially when you are faced with a heated situation.  Your samskaras will want to creep in and take over so it is important to pause.  If you feel reactivity bubbling up pause, take a deep breath, and speak from your one word intention.

Sprinkle a dash of fearlessness into the mix!  Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway is the title of a book written by Susan Jeffers- the truth is fear is something that happens in our lives especially when it comes to becoming our greatest self.  For a lot of us there seems to be this deep seeded fear of failure or of finding out that we really aren’t “good enough” or we really “can’t do it”.  Look that fear right in the face and decide that today I will do it anyway!

Enjoy the process! This is a life long process of creation and evolution of self.  That means in every moment you have the opportunity to enjoy exactly where you are at in the process.  This right now- reading this article- is your life!  Enjoy where you are at now!

What a delicious new meal we can make!  I can now look at things from a different vantage point and for the first time I see the past as just that- the past; I see my past behaviors as old and outdated and see how they truly no longer serve me.  I see how being caught up in my samskaras can take the joy of living out my life!

The Childhood Obesity Epidemic “Parents Take Charge”
A new American Demographics analysis of World Health Organization records indicates that the United States leads the world with a population that is 74.1% overweight or obese, as compared to a 34.5% global average. Very soon, obesity will surpass smoking as the number one cause of preventable death in America. This epidemic is no longer just a problem for adults, childhood obesity is steadily on the rise.

According to recent research, about 20% of American children are now overweight. If not treated, childhood obesity can lead to coronary heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol and triglycerides, hypertension, diabetes, respiratory problems, osteoarthritis, musculoskeletal disorders, cancer, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea, body image disorders, eating disorders and possibly Alzheimer’s disease. If your child leads a sedentary lifestyle or is overweight, it is time to take action now. As parents, you must take charge of your children’s health like you would their safety. The alternative may be grave.

Although genetics, metabolism, culture and behavior play a role in determining body size, obesity is primarily a direct result of consuming more calories than you burn over time. Therefore, the focus with sedentary or overweight children should be to encourage more calories burned through physical activity, and less calories consumed through food. Remember that your child’s eating and activity patterns have developed slowly, over the course of years. Consequently, it will take time for your child to adapt to the new lifestyle changes that are necessary to prevent weight gain or lose weight. The changes you make and encourage in your child’s lifestyle should be consistent, yet gradual enough to reduce physical and emotional discomfort. Most likely, your child does not understand the looming health hazards of being inactive and overweight in the same way that you do. Take charge, educate yourself and then educate your children through action.

There are three factors to consider when encouraging change in your child’s lifestyle: activity, diet and lifelong wellness. The first part of Parents Take Charge is about increasing activity level. The second part tackles the subject of diet. The third will give you tools that will help you and your family to continue a life of wellness. Let’s begin!

Part 1: Start activity now.
Exercise is the surest way to burn calories and keep off unwanted weight. It increases metabolic rate by increasing lean muscle mass, thereby setting your child up for success in the long term. Exercise is also proven to enhance many of our bodily functions, both physiologically and psychologically. It strengthens bones, muscles and joints as well as the heart and lungs. It reduces depression, enhances self esteem and builds confidence. Through proper goal setting, activity selection and rewards your child can start enjoying the benefits from an active lifestyle immediately.

1. Goal Setting
Setting goals and tracking progress helps everyone, including children, stick to a healthy program. As a parent, you need to set goals realistically, and with enthusiasm. Make increasing activity a family priority and be a role model for your children. Children should be getting at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day. This may sound challenging but remember that most children’s play is a vigorous form of activity itself. Encouraging outdoor play several times per week will help your children part way to their goal. Limit television, computer time and video games to 1-2 hours a day, or have them exercise during a program.

One way to set goals with your children is for the two of you together to write down specifically what they want to achieve for the week or month in terms of increasing activity. For example: take the dog for a 10 minute walk everyday, dance for 20 minutes 3 times each week, ride a bike to school, start a paper route, play basketball 2 times this week, do 5 minutes of jumping jacks everyday, jump off the diving board 50 times in a row, or jog in place during commercials or do yoga.

The goals you choose together should be realistic for their age, interests and fitness level. Start small to ensure success immediately, and build bigger goals as your child gets fitter and more excited about exercise. You may want to have your child journal progress in order to help them stay on track, recognize successes and see how far they have come. You can do this on paper and post it somewhere visible in the home, or track it on-line. Visit www.justmove.org for a fun on-line tracking system.

2. Find activities that your child enjoys.
Keep in mind that children do not generally have the tolerance for the same type of exercise that adults participate in, such as personal training, cardiovascular machines or long bouts of weight training. They respond and stay interested in activities that are social, interactive and entertaining. Enjoying their exercise will increase adherence.

The options for increasing activity for your child are endless. As a family, you could join a wellness center, YMCA or commercial fitness center. Buy a treadmill, indoor trampoline or exercise videos. Do yoga, hike, walk, bike, swim, dance, play. Get them involved in any type of physical sport such as tennis, soccer, racquetball, softball or golf. You can encourage them to lift weights, which has been proved to be safe for all ages, given proper instruction. Introduce them to martial arts, yoga or Pilates through classes or videos. You could even consider getting them involved in learning something out of the ordinary and entertaining, such as mastering a unicycle or pogo stick. Physical work around the house is great exercise, too. Have your child help with vigorous chores inside the house or do yard work outside.

The bottom line with exercise is to find activities your child enjoys (or at least can tolerate) and make sure they stay active. Consider making activity a family priority. Mix it up and make it fun.

3. Rewards
When your child first starts increasing physical activity, rewards are a great way to encourage them to keep up the healthy habits, and make them feel good about themselves. Make a point to reward and recognize all accomplishments, big or small. Consistent verbal praise is important throughout the process of change. Remember to tell them frequently how proud you are of the changes they are making.

In addition, physical rewards can provide extra incentive. The best way to determine a reward system is to have your kids participate in the decision making process about what the rewards will be (within reason). Encourage healthy rewards, such as going to see a movie, having a sleep over, or allowing them to participate in their favorite non active hobby more often. You could give small, inexpensive prizes or buy something they want after longer term goals are met.

The following links are full of information that you may find helpful as you and your child embark upon the road to a happier, healthier future.
The United States Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Youth Media Campaign. Visit www.cdc.gov/youthcampaign/.

Also, The American College of Sports Medicine’s Health & Fitness Journal is a great monthly journal to help you expand your own knowledge on health and fitness so you can better educate your children. For more information on this journal, visit www.acsm.org.

Part 2: Teaching Your Children Healthy Eating
We’re bombarded daily with new fad diets, supplements and weight loss methods. There are no quick fixes or fad diets that work! When it comes to healthy eating, get educated about the facts and take an active role in helping your child make positive changes. The aim of part 2 is to show you that the key for eating healthy, wellbeing and weight management is to get back to the basics. Keep it simple.

Teach your children healthy eating habits the same way you would teach them about any other important issue. Have conversations about food choices, reinforce healthy eating habits and be a positive role-model. The earlier children are exposed to healthy foods, the more likely they are to eat them throughout their life. Include them in menu planning and food preparation as they will be more likely to eat the meal if they have participated in it. Teach your children to recognize and respond to hunger and fullness. Be cautious not to pressure them to finish a snack or meal if they say they are no longer hungry.

If your children are set in their ways don’t initiate too much change at once. Changes to the way they eat should be gradual yet consistent. Help your children wean out low quality food and beverages that are high in sugar and calories and that have little nutritional value. Each week you go to the grocery store, eliminate one or two junk food items and add healthy alternatives.

In most cases, weight control is simply about calories. The majority of adults and children who become overweight or obese do so because they consume more calories than their bodies use. If your child is overweight or at risk, there are two ways to reduce the amount of calories in their diet.
1) Encourage portion control. Your child can gain weight with healthy foods if they eat too much.
2) Emphasize foods that are lower in calories. If you don’t know what is in certain foods, buy a calorie and fat counter. You can purchase one at any bookstore. The reference will break down the amount of calories, fat, type of fat, protein and nutrients for you. A favorite is NutriBase Complete Book of Food Counts, which can be ordered at www.penguin.com.

For a general estimate of your child’s daily caloric needs visit: http://www.calorie-counter.com/. It is important to emphasize eating for total health and wellbeing rather than focusing primarily on weight loss so as not to promote eating or body image disorders. For a complete review of recommended guidelines and portion servings visit the Food Pyramid at www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines.
To simplify use these guidelines:
- Eat all varieties of vegetables and fruits. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, nutrients, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory substances and fiber. They also tend to be low in calories with the exception of dried fruits which are higher in calories.
- Consume non fat and low fat dairy or soy products, which are a great source of calcium and protein.
- Reduce refined, processed carbohydrates such as white flour, bread and white rice. These items are low in nutritional value.
- Increase nutritionally valuable carbohydrates such as whole grain breads, cereals, pastas and brown rice. These are higher in fiber and other nutrients that may satisfy you longer.
- Reduce your intake of red meat to one to two times per week.
- Choose leaner meats and low fat proteins such as poultry, seafood, fish (rich in omega 3 fatty acids) and soy products.
- Include legumes and beans for protein and fiber.
- Nuts and seeds are also an excellent source of protein but should be consumed in moderation because of their high fat and calorie content.
- Minimize saturated fat, trans-fats and items that have partially hydrogenated oil or shortening in them.
- Use poly and mono unsaturated fats such as olive, canola, safflower or flax.
- Reduce foods that are high in sugar and empty calories such as soda, candy, cakes, cookies and pastries.

With little effort most foods can be healthy and tasty. The key is to find things that are practical and that fit into your life. For example, find a brand of baked chips your children enjoy instead of fried ones. Try low sugar, high fiber breads. When baking or cooking consider substituting healthier ingredients for less healthy ones. Replace sugar with Stevia, Splenda or use half the amount that the recipe requires; substitute applesauce or yogurt for oil or butter or use less. Utilize healthier oils when cooking or making salad dressings. Use egg whites instead of the whole egg for recipes or omelets.

To increase fruit in your diet, freeze bananas, berries, peaches or any type of fruit you like and make smoothies with skim milk, low fat soy or low sugar juice. You are what you eat. The more alive (i.e. fruits, vegetables and grains) and healthy the food is the more vital and healthy you will be. The options for healthy eating are endless. Be creative.

One of the biggest myths today is that carbohydrates are the culprit in weight gain. This is not true. Carbohydrates such as vegetables, fruits and whole grains provide great nutritional value and have a low to moderate number of calories. We should however cut back on low quality carbohydrates that are mainly found in prepackaged and processed foods such as cookies, baked goods, cakes, chips and some crackers because these items lack nutritional value and often contain more calories. In addition, many of these products contain trans fatty acids and partially hydrogenated oils which have been found to increase total cholesterol and decrease HDL (the good cholesterol). They also have high salt and sugar content, both of which are added to increase the shelf life.

If we continue to believe the anti-carbohydrate craze, we will find it has done exactly what the fat free craze of the 90’s did – contribute to the increase in our waistlines and those of our children! Remember that, when it comes to long term weight control, it is the total calories that count. You can lose weight on a chocolate diet if you eat few enough calories, but it doesn’t mean it is healthy.

If your child is overweight or at risk, it is crucial that you take action now. Your child will decrease their life expectancy by 13 years if they stay overweight. They will have an increase risk for heart disease, the number one killer of Americans. They will be at greater risk for adult onset Type 2 Diabetes, a disease which used to affect mostly adults but is now being diagnosed frequently in children. They may be negatively affected by the psychological and emotional consequences of being overweight, such as lower self-esteem, greater chances of depression and less success in the workplace.

There is so much conflicting information about how to eat for health and weight management. It is hard to know what to believe. If you get overwhelmed, keep in mind you can never go wrong with getting back to the basics. Keep it simple!

Part 3: Educate Yourself and Your Family For Lifelong Wellness
In this last installment of Parents Take Charge the goal is to offer additional resources to help educate you and your family to maintain a life of wellness. We are constantly bombarded with new diets, exercise regimens, foods and supplements. It is difficult but imperative to sort out the truths from myths and fads motivated by our marketing-driven world.

Parents, you are in control and responsible for your children’s well being. Take charge and educate them on healthy living. As adults we take responsibility for our actions and choices; children however, rely on their parents for proper actions and choices. Take responsibility now and help your children make the proper choices to develop lifelong healthy habits. You would not allow your children to smoke, so why would you allow them to eat foods on a consistent basis that could make them overweight or obese which can lead to most major illnesses Obesity is a preventable killer.

When helping your children lose weight or prevent weight gain, it is important to encourage them to do it healthfully by maintaining a way of eating and activity they can enjoy most of the time. Research shows that maintaining a healthy weight can often be more difficult than losing weight. Finding a balanced diet and regular exercise is what keeps the weight off.
We live in a society that likes to think everything in moderation is the way towards a life of wellness. The reality is that not everything is good in moderation. Today the quote everything in moderation is often used to justify poor choices we continue to make over and over again. Striving for balance may be more appropriate when it comes to wellness and wholeness.

Our bodies are in a constant state of equanimity and will do what is necessary to find a state of balance. For example if you were to starve yourself through an extremely low calorie diet, your body will recognize it is in a state of emergency. It will slow down all bodily functions, including metabolism, to conserve energy and save reserves. When you go off the diet your body is not as efficient at burning calories because it has been in a starvation-survival mode. You have slowed down your metabolism as well as cannibalized your muscles (which are metabolically active and increase the amount of calories you burn) for fuel and daily functioning. This is why you will gain back the weight plus some, if you lose it too fast by restricting your caloric consumption too drastically (yo-yo effect).

Because our body strives for balance and health it will do whatever is necessary to function and serve us the way it was designed to for as long as it possibly can. If we continually subject ourselves to harsh conditions through poor health habits our bodies will eventually break down, and that is when disease takes hold.

Although change can be very difficult it is necessary for well-being. If we don’t change, we don’t grow! If not now then when? It is a good thing to be aware and be in the know. A sannyasin is a seeker of truth. Baron Baptise” changes to “If not now, then when? It is a good thing to be aware and be in the know. A sannyasin is a seeker of truth. Baron Baptiste.  Baron Baptise, an enlightened Yogi Master, said in his book 40 Days to Personal Revolution we change by being and doing with a pure intent, real health means wholeness on all levels. He also said “Once we accept responsibility for ourselves, we can become our own teachers, healers and motivators.” We all know deep down what we need to be doing to live a life full of wellness and wholeness so take right and true action. With patience and thoughtfulness you can make a difference in your and your child’s life.

There is conflicting information on health and wellness everywhere. It is imperative that you get your information from trustworthy sources. Unfortunately, you can’t believe every newspaper headline or broadcast announcement. Researchers from Dartmouth Medical School who study media reporting stated in the Medical Journal of Australia “Work presented at scientific meetings is generally not ready for public consumption: results change, fatal problems emerge and the hypotheses fail to pan out.” (For the complete report visit www.mja.com.au/public/issues/184_11_050606/wol10024_fm.pdf)

Journalists seek out headlines everywhere and scientific conferences are no different. Much of the research presented in the media is preliminary, has not undergone peer review and may never be published in leading medical journals. Many headlines are lacking in scientific conclusion, are misleading, sometimes dangerous and simply not true. Nevertheless they sell newspapers. Observe headlines with skepticism.

Since staying healthy is a life long process it is important to keep abreast of all the factual information that you can. Listed below are highly recognized and trust worthy newsletters, journals and websites on current health issues. All are informative and easy to read.
- Nutrition Action Monthly Newsletter (202) 332-9110 http://www.cspinet.org/nah/
- University of California, Berkeley Wellness Letter (800) 829-9170 http://www.wellnessletter.com/
- Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter (800) 274-7581 http://healthletter.tufts.edu/
- Dr. Andrew Weil’s Self Healing (800) 523-3296 http://www.drweilselfhealing.com/
- Mayo Clinic Health Letter
www.mayoclinic.com
- Harvard Health Letter (or to choose one of the 5 monthly publications) http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/

About the Author:
The author of this article is Kiersten K. Mooney. Kiersten has a degree in Sociology, Exercise Sports Science and Sports Medicine from the University of Miami. She also attended many graduate courses in Exercise Physiology and Nutrition. As a graduate she has done extensive research in the field of sports specific training and has been published. She is a certified personal trainer, aerobics instructor and yoga instructor. Currently, she is studying eating disorders and the growing epidemic of obesity in the United States, with a focus on childhood obesity.

The Power of Meditation
There is a Zen saying “Knowledge is learning something everyday. Wisdom is letting go of something everyday”. When we let go of the resistance or tension of the mind, we can be with what is, from a place of observation, not judgment or reaction. When we stop trying, we enter a state of being. The state of simply being is a state of surrender and allowing, therefore releasing into freedom and joy. I heard a nun once say “Joy is contentment within”. We can achieve contentment through meditation which is the simple act of going within. If we just slow down and listen, the answers are there.

Meditation is a physical, mental and spiritual experience of active relaxation. At face value it seems so simple that the basic act of doing nothing is such that many believe you get nothing. Maybe it is so simple that the act of doing nothing is in essence the act of everything? Meditation is the process of becoming familiar with that which we are focusing on. The practice of meditation is the practice of being mindful and being in the present moment.

In quiet and stillness we tap into consciousness. We become aware and awake. We are mindful and in the moment. The Wikipedia website definition of mindfulness is “the practice whereby a person is intentionally aware of his or her thoughts and actions in the present moment, non-judgmentally. Mindfulness is applied to both bodily actions and the mind’s own thoughts and feelings. In Buddhism, the second kind of mindfulness is considered a prerequisite for developing insight and wisdom.”

We are often focused on external factors, events, things or people. We continually look outside of ourselves for answers and rewards as well as for criteria to compare and criticize ourselves. We have “to do” lists running over and over in our heads: pick up the kids, go to the store, prepare for my big meeting, wash the car, call the plumber. In addition, we go into great detail about what we may say and wear. We have a never ending record in our head. I am fat. Why did I eat that extra cookie? I will never get this done on time. They don’t like me. And on and on and on…

The desire to learn and use information effectively; the ability to create, think critically, problem solve, reflect upon experiences, be open minded and share knowledge and experience with others.

At our core we know that to find our true power, our higher power or God is not to look externally or outward but to look within which is known as Antaratma (the inner self). Jesus said if we would obey the life of God within us, He would look after all other things. As we discover inward we find calmness, tranquility and peace for what is. Meditation creates Samadhi, which is an even vision – a vision that cannot be shattered. In our thoughts we create distractions from stillness. We create a state that is anything but internal. There is a difference between having thoughts and thinking! We are not our thoughts. We all have what Baron Baptiste calls “a story”. Wouldn’t you like to drop that story for a bit and sit with quiet, nothingness? Not doing, doing, doing. No more chitter-chatter in the head but truly coming into being and feeling. Acknowledging and accepting where we are and being at peace with who we are. With meditation we get in tune with the purity of spirit, being one with the creator, or our higher power. So the way to discover your true power and essence is not out there somewhere, it is right there inside of you.

Meditation is a great opportunity to let go of all external forces and simply check in with ourselves to see what we see without judgment or reaction and just observe. Through meditation we learn to quiet our minds and be still. We practice being in the present moment which is extremely powerful for that is where we tap into our true essence, intuition and see from an unbiased vantage point. In The Power of Intention, Dr. Wayne Dwyer says “When you change the way you look at something, the thing you’re looking at changes”.

When we become mindful and surrender to our inherent nature we become aware and in a state of knowing. Grace Barr, an amazing teacher and healer, said “Faith is needed when you are not in a state of knowing. When you become in a state of knowing you no longer need faith.” When we become aware and are conscious we are in the know – in the now.

The nature of the mind is to be still. We create the chaos in our head by allowing our minds to run wild like a puppy. Through meditation we train our mind to completely rest – not a lazy rest, but an active rest of observation and non judgment. Meditation is simply the coming back again and again to the stillness of the mind by letting go of our thoughts, feelings, emotions and pains, acknowledging them and then releasing them. It is complete rest of the thinking mind so we can truly listen to what is going on and feel what we are feeling so we can heal. In Journey Into Power, Baron Baptiste states “In order to heal we must feel.”

So what happens when we just sit with ourselves? We may become flooded with thoughts, emotions and feelings. Sometimes it is like sitting with a bunch of garbage – it stinks. But after we sit with the garbage long enough the smell goes away and we become okay with it. We begin to realize that we can’t run away from our garbage, from ourselves. It follows us, so when we stop and sit again it smells again. However, the more we sit with ourselves, the more we get to know ourselves, the more we become okay with it. We don’t try to run and eventually we get rid of the smelly garbage. We become in a constant state of mindfulness of being – not running, but being present for ourselves and for all those around us.

When we become present we may realize things about ourselves that may not serve us well or have any purpose in our lives. Sometimes when we discover these things we justify and make excuses for our thoughts and our behaviors for it’s a human condition to want to be right. We have the need to be right. At my last yoga teacher training with Baron Baptiste, he said “being right is like heroin for humans.” However once we are in a state of knowing we no longer hold onto the need for righteousness. When we find our true power it serves no purpose to “be right” for we know when we are in clarity of mind and purity of spirit we are in our own right perfection so we hold onto nothing. No worldly goods will fill us nor praise or lack thereof. We just are and allow the vinyasa (the flow) and the lack of resistance of the mind to be. We discover through acceptance, self love and empowerment from within that we are perfect in our own right.

Once we become good with ourselves we become good with others. We know that we are all one, all interconnected. In the oneness is where we find our peace, our true perfection and perfection in all that exists. When we are mindful and truly present, we are in reality. In the Miracle of Mindfulness, Thich Nhat Hanh writes “When reality is perceived in its nature of ultimate perfection the practitioner has reached a level of wisdom called the non-discrimination mind-a wondrous communion in which there is no longer any distinction made between subject and object.” When reality is experienced in truth, its nature is ultimate perfection. When we see the perfection in all, we then see the divine natural order.

The benefits of meditation are infinite and practicing meditation is accumulative in that it builds. Like building a house on rock, the foundation is hard to create, but once you develop the foundation, even five minutes at a time, the rest flows, as do the benefits. It is like exercise or yoga practice. One time is good, but we won’t get fit or centered with just one bout. Likewise, meditation creates more healing, restoration and balance the more we do it.

Regular meditation reduces resting heart rate, blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stress, physical pain and increases immunity. It is used to treat depression, ADD and has many healing capabilities. The more aware we become of who we are we can acknowledge our own healing capabilities. We become more aware of our triggers and reactions. We can sense stress and distractions coming and deal with grace and ease. Meditation improves total wellbeing, effectiveness and quality of life. Much research on mindful based stress reduction techniques derived from Buddhist traditions are numerous and can be found at: http://www.umassmed.edu/cfm/mbsr.

Practicing meditation is easy – is the stopping of doing that we make so hard. Yoga and meditation go hand in hand. Many describe yoga as meditation in motion. However, yoga is meant to prepare the body to sit for hours of meditation. Today we want all-in-ones, so many of us use our yoga practice or walk as our meditation. There is great benefit to mindful activity but it is not the same as the act of sitting meditation, of doing nothing and just being. The practice of meditation is the simple practice of sitting still and focusing on the moment instead of focusing on the internal complexes of your thoughts or any external factors.

There are many great books and CDs on ways to mediate. One isn’t better than the other, for they all have the same goal: surrender to stillness, quietness, to come into your breath and into your body and just be. To observe like an outsider looking in a window letting the images or thought come then melt away. Letting it all go out of that one moment. You can do it anytime or anywhere, just do it.

As Jesus taught “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do.” True transformation and empowerment comes from sharing and believing that it works.

For more on the power of meditation, check out the resources below:

Books (all can be found at www.amazon.com)
- Journey Into Power, by Baron Baptiste Miracle of Mindfulness: A Zen Master’s Method of Meditation, by Thich Nhat Hahn
- How To Calm Down, Even If You’re Absolutely Totally Nuts, by Fred Miller

Website
http://www.learningmeditation.com

Television Documentary
Doing Time, Doing Vipassana, information at http://www.prison.dhamma.org/dtdv.htm

Kiersten K Mooney
Owner of Bala Vinyasa Yoga

Achieving Balance through the Eight Components
of Wellness & Self Love
The first step in achieving balance is taking responsibility for our own well being. Once we accept responsibility for our well being we must then recognize the dynamic components of wellness that constitute optimum holistic health – holistic meaning the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The second step is to become aware of the components, how they affect us and play a part in our life. The third step is discovering the tools to optimize each component, as a result optimizing your health, managing and reducing everyday stressors and ultimately being whole.

There are different thoughts on how many components of wellness constitute optimum holistic health. For the sake of this article and our search for complete wellness we are going to review all that we believe are important. Each component is interconnected and part of our whole being and must be in balance to create a life of optimum holistic health. Ghandi said “you can not do wrong in one area of your life and do right in the other areas”.

The eight components of wellness are: spiritual, intellectual, emotional, physical, social, vocational/occupational, cultural and environmental. Please visit the University of Miami’s website for a complete review of the eight components.

Spiritual – Our beliefs, values and how they provide meaning in our lives; when we become still and quiet our minds of thought, we come into the present moment (through breath, prayer or meditation) we can more easily tap into our intuition, our higher level of consciousness, our higher power, our God; we can strive for seeing our vision of God in all things and realize we are all one in God.

Intellectual – The desire to learn and use information effectively; the ability to create, think critically, problem solve, reflect upon experiences, be open minded and share knowledge and experience with others.

Emotional – The ability to weather the storm, go with the flow and manage the stressors that life brings; having self awareness and accepting yourself and others; having the capacity to constructively express emotions to others and have healthy relationships.

Physical – The ability to meet the demands of daily tasks; respecting your body by taking care of it through physical activity, proper nutrition, maintaining a healthy weight, getting enough sleep, healthy sexuality, being proactive in your medical care and avoiding the use of drugs, smoking and excessive alcohol use.

Social – The ability to successfully be involved, communicate and have healthy interdependent relationships with others in ones community; the ability to be empathetic and care for others and have others care for you.

Vocational/Occupational – Ideally finding where your values and passion meet who you are and what you do; contributing positively to the community to better it as well as being personally rewarded and challenged; finding balance between work and leisure.

Cultural – Learning about, understanding and accepting the diversity of other faiths, traditions and cultural backgrounds; being civil, tolerant, respectful and sensitive towards your own beliefs and others.

Environmental – Having awareness and respect for our physical environment; taking an active role in promoting environmental wellness which improves the standard of living and contributes to the quality of our air, food and water; becoming educated on the condition of our environment and the role we play in maximizing harmony and reducing harm to it; protecting the earth in which we inhabit.

Balancing these eight dynamic components is a lifelong process. They are not static but are constantly changing. The dance is about being aware of each, how they affect you and how you may be reacting to them. We explore, experience and learn through all of the components. We can choose to grow and evolve through them or we can get stuck. Growth is imperative for discovering who you are. In Journey into Power Baron Baptiste states “If I don’t grow, the people I work with suffer. In a sense, if I don’t grow, the world suffers, because we are all interconnected and impact one another in powerful ways. We have two choices: We grow, or we die. It’s that simple. Growth is forward movement; anything else is stagnation or, worse, regression.”

All of the components of wellness are interconnected and at the core they have the same common denominator. It is self, our being. Being true to what you see is the surest way to balance. Finding holistic balance comes from one main source, love. It is a common love and respect for all aspects of life. Love is the most powerful energy we posses and once we discover complete love of self we discover that just as the components are interconnected so are we to one another and all that surrounds us.

I know through experience that to love myself is the root for being able to sustain the balancing dance of the components. It takes commitment and consistency. For example it takes commitment and consistency to get results from an exercise program. We don’t always feel like exercising, we don’t always like to and sometimes we don’t. But the more we do it, the more ingrained it becomes in our life, the more we know we need it and the more we know at all levels of our being that it is good for our health and wellbeing.

Like exercise, loving yourself takes commitment and consistency. The more love you have for yourself the less likely you are to be self destructive physically and emotionally. This carries over into relationships with others. When you love yourself, you are more likely to be accepting of others, understanding, compassionate, empathetic, generous and open, as well as with your community and the environment in which you inhabit. You begin to respect your body, your health, others and your environment more. You begin to understand that everything you do affects you and has a ripple effect to everyone and everything around you. Love is what will save you, your relationships, our communities and our environment.

Okay, so it isn’t easy to look in the mirror and fall in love, for we all have our story. We instantly think of reasons why we should be hard on ourselves and more critical. In the long run, this will only continue to break you, not help you break through. What we focus on we create. What we water we grow. As in the Internet movie “The Secret”, we discover the truth of “Newton’s Law of Attraction”, the most powerful law in the universe: what you focus on is what you attract, positive or negative. Through positive thought, pure intent, affirmations on what you want and who you want to be, you shape and create your reality. Be positive, be in love with yourself or at least, act as if or fake it ‘till you make it because you will ultimately attract and achieve it.

Just like exercise, make a commitment to self-love and make it consistent. Every minute that you love yourself more is one that you aren’t being critical and judgmental to yourself or others. Love you for you – all of you. To be loved we must also love others for who they are. You may not like them or the traits they posses and vise versa but they are who they are and you are who you are, not good not bad, just are. The true steps in the dance are acceptance and the golden rule, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

How do we achieve balance and love? I have found it through Yoga, meditation, pure intent and positive affirmations, the study of chakras and the through my relationships with those around me.

Yoga is about awakening the mind, body and spirit. It teaches us to be aware, discover our truth, our authentic self, to create space in our lives, live in the now, be in the present moment. It is the practice of self acceptance, being able to accept the things we may not like about ourselves and therefore being able to release them. Donald Walsh presents in Conversations with God that discovering who you are not is a very powerful way we discover who we truly are. Being able to go with the flow and weather the storm is the greatest key to stress reduction, enduring health and happiness.

I am so grateful to be sharing Yoga on this journey of life with you.

Namaste,
Kiersten K Mooney
Owner of Bala Vinyasa Yoga

Yoga is the oldest physical discipline in existence. It is a timeless pragmatic scientific system of physical, moral, mental and spiritual practices that originated in India more than four thousand years ago. Its purpose is to help us achieve our highest potential and well being through balancing mind, body and spirit. It creates enduring health and happiness and improves the quality of our lives. Discover how the power of Yoga is a remarkable tool to achieve true balance, self acceptance and pure love.

The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root meaning “to join” “merge” or “union”. Thus the union of mind, body and spirit: the union of the eight components of wellness (see article Achieving Balance through the eight components of Wellness and Self Love): the union and harmony of self to everything and everyone else. It is the true union of our will with the will of God or higher power.

In Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar, he states that “in Indian thought, everything is permeated by the Supreme Universal Spirit (Paramatma or God) of which the individual human spirit is a part.” Consistent with Mahadev Desai in his introduction to the Gita According to Gandhi, Yoga means “the yoking of all the powers of body, mind and soul to God; it means the disciplining of the intellect, the mind, the emotions, the will, which that Yoga presupposes; it means the poise of the soul which enables one to look at life in all its aspects evenly.”

You probably have an idea of what the physical practice of Yoga is. There are many different types; Ashtanga, Bikram, Hatha, Iyengar, Power Vinyasa, Vinyasa, Kundalini to name a few. The physical practice of yoga is a progressive, growing, evolving and transforming process and should be challenging as its aim is to create a strong, supple and healthy body. It is comprised of asanas (postures or poses) that have evolved over centuries to exercise every muscle, nerve, organ and gland in the body. Depending on the type of Yoga practice, asanas can be broken down and are done individually or grouped into series. They can be held for a certain amount of breaths or they can flow with breath from one into another.

Yoga opens and aerates the lungs, oxygenates the blood, detoxifies, cleanses and brings nutrients to all vital organs including the brain as well as cleanses the mind and intellect. Yoga balances the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Yoga purifies the body in and out as well as the mind. The practice is a complete integration of mind, body and soul.

According to Yehudi Menuhin in his foreward to Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar, “It is a technique ideally suited to prevent physical and mental illness and to protect the body generally, developing an inevitable sense of self reliance and assurance. By its very nature it is inextricably associated with universal laws: respect for life, truth and patience are all indispensable factors in the drawing of a quiet breath, in calmness of mind and firmness of will.”

One of the most wonderful aspects of Yoga is that anyone and everyone can do it no matter what level or age. Whether you are a beginner or advanced (you are where you are) you accept your limitations and strengths (they are what they are) and are challenged by discovering what your body needs in every moment of your practice. You learn to be connected to your body by breath and be in that moment so your practice (your life) becomes about ease not, dis-ease.

Yoga reminds us of our childlike qualities and brings us back to the freedom, lightness and joy we experienced as children. As Mother Theresa wrote in A Guide to Daily Living – The Joy in Loving “A little child has no difficulty in loving, has no obstacles to love. And that is why Jesus said unless you become like little children you cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Yoga is about finding the childlike quality with in you and “the courage to face life with greater love.”

Yoga and meditation have created space in my life to do what I am truly passionate about and to be who I truly am. Yoga awakens the mind, body and spirit. It has freed up my mind and body so my spirit can soar. It has taught me to be aware, to go with what may come, to “go with the flow”, to seek the truth, to speak my truth, to discover authenticity in me and others, to live in the now “be in the present moment” for life is happening in this moment right now. It has given me the gift of knowing grace and peace, as well as self acceptance and self love.

Power Vinyasa Yoga as well as all Yoga is great for improving all aspects of fitness in addition to opening your mind and heart for every day challenges outside the yoga room. Bala is the Sanskrit word meaning Power. Vinyasa means flow, linking each breath, each movement to the next (each movement has a breath), it means without obstruction or resistance. Bala Vinyasa integrates the wisdom of the ages to that of today making it applicable in our modern world. We recognize the need to simplify in our chaotic, technology driven external world. Yoga challenges us to come onto our mats, into our body and to really come within.

Baron Baptiste is the founder of the Baptiste Power Yoga Institute. In his book Journey Into Power he states that “Power is not about seeking the answers from an outside source… all you need is within you. It is about excavating the amazing, radiant self already inside you. Within you is a power that is already perfect, and the true essence of seeking on this journey is accepting. Your greatest power your greatest wisdom, your greatest enlightenment is not suddenly going to appear in ten or twenty years. It’s already here…” He discusses how Michelangelo used to say that God put a statue within every slab of marble, and his job was to remove all that was not part of the statue… So like Michelangelo’s statues, within each of us lies our authentic body and our natural, divine self; all we need to do is chisel away all that does not belong in order to reveal it. Hence, Yoga is a journey into truth: truth about who you really are, what you are capable of, how your actions affect your life… Power Yoga wrings you from the inside out. It brings up everything that is in there; the fears, doubts, frustrations, toxins, strengths, beliefs, potential and exposes it to either be released or to be used for growth. It challenges physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually and gives you the opportunity to experience every part of yourself on a whole new level… It frees you from old thought patterns. You begin to understand on a deep level what is right for you and what to do…because it strips away the excess debris. Yoga brings you back to your sweetness your innocence. It reminds you of your love of discovery. It brings you back to your inner child and ignites your spirit.”

Yoga is about the journey – “the prize is in the process”. It’s about maximizing your ability to be who you are now. When you are in the know you can let go of the past, release the future and operate in the now for your greater good and that of all. Mother Theresa Said “yesterday is gone, tomorrows yet to come, we have only today”.

Transforming through Yoga takes commitment and consistency. It isn’t always perfect but it is a way, a tool for discovery, acceptance, truth, empowerment, balance and love that works! Holistic health is the whole. For me, Yoga, meditation, my discovery of myself through others has brought me closer to my true self, my authentic self and therefore closer to God. For that I am forever grateful.

I am so grateful to be sharing Yoga on this journey of life with you.

Namaste,
Kiersten K Mooney
Owner of Bala Vinyasa Yoga