Practice this meditation exercise to become mindful of your daily journey. We often think that the end destination equals no more work, but our labor will continue.
Be More Present
One of my teachers always refers to the quote ↓
"Before enlightenment, Chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, Chop wood, carry water."
We tend to get caught up in the destination or the end point, thinking the work ends once we arrive. But once we arrive the work that got us there doesn't stop, it keeps going. We will need to keep doing the work that got us there to keep moving forward.
Tom Barrett explains
It got me thinking about my practice.
Knowing my work in this practice is never done or complete. It won't matter how many hours of "training" I receive, how many years of practice, it will never end. To be completely present will help this work be easier day after day, year after year, decade after decade. In the end, the destination isn’t what matters but it’s the process of becoming more present in your life so you can enjoy the journey.
Meditation exercise to help you...
For 2 minute morning afternoon and night find time for a breathing Exercise. Start by sitting in a comfortable position with a nice long spine. A supportive chair works or you can sit on the ground and allow the wall to support your back. Close the eyes and start to feel the breath come in and out of the body. Explore the subtle movements in the rib cage. Gently close the mouth and start to bring the breath in and out of the nose. Allow the breath be audible. Now allow your focus to be on the sound the breath. Remain here for two minutes focusing on the subtle movements in the rib cage and the sound of the breath.
-Nicole
Others find the ability to be present easier in different settings. Find where you feel the most comfortable and most at peace. You may find this to be in nature. You may find this to be in a local cafe. Taking the time to relax or live more mindfully could also mean that you are focused on the now instead of living in the past or future.
HOW TO BE MORE PRESENT?
Two minutes a day of regular practice: Two minutes a day of stretching and body relaxation will change your life. Start small and increase time as you become more adept with your needs.
Mindfulness bells or weights: Stimuli that target other parts of the body can be helpful when trying to become more present in the world and things of the now.
Reflect or Journal: Identifying the good and bad will help you learn more about yourself in different situations, allowing you to grow more as a person!
Notice your surroundings: Use the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 method; identify five things you can see, four things you can feel, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste.
Spend time with those who make you feel happy and fulfilled: Find those who love and appreciate you at your highs and lows.
Breathing exercises: Find a process that works best for you. Not everything works the same for everybody, try out different breathing techniques.
Focus on one thing at a time: do not multitask. Give yourself time to process situations and events.
Practicing mindfulness meditation: Taking time in your day for yourself to meditate and become grounded is OKAY!
Do yoga! Yoga helps you be more present by focusing on your breathing.
Facts About Fascia
Fascia is a connective tissue essential for healthy movement. Find out why you might think twice before putting your handbag on the same shoulder repeatedly and more!
Fascia is known by many names, interstitial fluid, connective tissue, extra cellular matrix, collagen based fibers, etc. It is controversially being called the “largest organ” in the body. Fascia is defined as a sheet or band of fibrous connective tissue enveloping, separating, or binding together muscles, organs, and other tissues of the body.
To call it connective tissue is not exactly fact. It is one type of connective tissue present in the human body.
Fascia provides space via an inert fluid between the cells and at the same time it creates connection. It protects, cushions and helps to keep the cells in place.
The fascial system is continuous. It is unlike muscles, which stop and start at the bone, and is more loosely understandable as a “body stocking”. It can be thought of as a communicating tensional network.
What does this mean for us?
Because fascia is mostly comprised of fluid, movement is essential for its health. When movement is present, warmth is created and that warmth keeps the fascia pliable. Unfortunately not all movement is healthy or complimentary for the fascial systems response. Because the style of connective tissue created in the body is determined by the forces applied to it, not all that is created is healthy.
Repetitive motions or patterns of movement determines the kind of connective tissue developed.
For example, after years of sitting at a desk and typing on a keyboard, the shoulders have a tendency to roll forward. Because of this repetitive motion, the connective tissue will develop in such a way that the shoulders remain forward in every day life. Carrying a heavy handbag on the same shoulder can cause the shoulder to be weighed down and typically the opposite shoulder will counterbalance by raising up higher.
Another example of fascia at work is with injuries. The body naturally wants to heal it self. Connective tissue wants to help. When an injury occurs fascia comes to the rescue creating a natural splint. Also known as scar tissue. Thank you fascia! However, unless work is performed to release the scar tissue, it typically stays put. Thankfully most structural abnormalities are not permanent. We can change!!
-Monica Sherman
WHAT CAN WE DO?
It is important to stretch regularly to reduce the long term effects of an inflamed fascia. In addition to stretching and yoga, you can use a foam roller, and become involved in massage therapy or heat therapy.
As a natural part of life, our muscles tense up and we become more inclined to have deep muscle aches. While muscle relaxants or bath salts can alleviate some of this pain, it is only temporary. It is critical that we get into the habit of moving our bodies everyday to be able to give our bodies the full life that they deserve.
Even ten minutes per day can increase your lifespan by two years or more. 45 minutes per day has been linked to an increase of four years in someone's life expectancy. Practicing yoga, the combination of breathing and movement, will help relax your body and change your life.
Not to mention, the ability that movement has on your happiness as well as body health and function. It is important to move our bodies, oftenly enough, walking is the easiest way to get this in. The vitamin D that we get from the sun is such a critical part of our bodily function and happiness that contributes to our life expectancy.
WHY SHOULD WE CARE?
To spend the most time with our loved ones as possible, it is important that we stretch and keep our bodies fluid as long as we can.
Moving your body for at least ten minutes per day will change your life and make your body healthier.
Awake
Awareness of self requires questioning your belief systems and the labels you’ve placed on yourself. Read about how to remain focused on the present moment.
Question your belief system, the labels you put on yourself, the categories we hang on to for dear life, for tomorrow that can all be gone.
Be aware of the habitual thought patterns that you get stuck in.
Try to understand and feel the body in this moment. Can you bring focus from the tips of your toes to every hair on our head? Is there a part of your body that you cannot feel? If not, why?
Hold on to the action that keeps you focused. Search for the highest form of reality. Don’t get lost in the past. Our perception of what really happened is colored by fear of the future, for that is not reality.
Question everything.
Expecting things to play out the same way causes an imbalance.
Breathe awareness is medicine for the brain, movement is medicine for the body. Don’t live your life asleep and unaware of the now.
Awake!
Feel your body, your emotions, explore your thoughts."
-Nicole