So many of us today lead extremely busy lives. We find ourselves constantly rushing around, always "on the go." We have commitments to jobs, to family and friends, to our households, churches or temples, and even the gym! We are stretched and pulled in many different directions; no wonder we often feel "stressed out," tense, and pressured. We need to balance all that whirlwind activity with some time to unwind.
Many people use guided visualization for that very purpose: To relax and refuel, since there are a variety of physical health benefits to guided visualization. These include a lowering of blood pressure as well as the level of stress hormones in the blood. After quieting body and mind, these individuals feel full of energy and exceedingly relaxed. Refreshed, they are ready to face the challenges that await them.
Others use repeated visualizations to achieve personal or professional goals. By visualizing every detail in his course beforehand, for example, a runner can improve his skill and increase his performance. A store manager may visualize herself becoming more self-confident in a work situation that is uncomfortable for her, growing in her assertiveness and self-esteem.
Still others are searching for a deeper awareness of themselves. They use guided visualization to find that place within themselves where they can get in touch with their intuition. Through images and sometimes feelings or thoughts that come up for them, they often find answers to questions they have been struggling to resolve within their conscious mind. A person who is uncertain about the direction of their career may, for example, turn to guided visualizations as one tool to help them find their way.
If you take time out to relax in this healthy way and journey within, chances are you'll notice how much better you feel. It is truly a powerful technique to revitalize mind and spirit.
For more information on Sport Yoga, Life & Wellness Coaching and Stress Management, visit my website at
www.freedomfromillusion.com
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
Yoga soothes worst symptons of menopause
Women had fewer night sweats, better concentration, study says
Yoga can reduce hot flashes and night sweats among women going through menopause, and also appears to sharpen their mental function, researchers from India report.
To investigate whether yoga would help women with physical and cognitive symptoms of menopause, they randomly assigned 120 menopausal women, 40 to 55 years old, to yoga practice or simple stretching and strengthening exercises five days a week for eight weeks.
The postures, breathing and meditation included in the yoga intervention were "aimed at one common effect, i.e. 'to develop mastery over modifications of the mind' ... through 'slowing down the rate of flow of thoughts in the mind,"' the researchers explain.
Women in the yoga group also listened to lectures on using yoga to manage stress and other yoga-related topics, while those in the control group heard lectures on diet, exercise, the physiology of menopause, and stress.
Fewer hot flashes, better concentration
After eight weeks, women in the yoga group showed a significant reduction in hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances, while the women in the control group did not, Dr. R. Chattha, of the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana in Bangalore, India, and colleagues found.
Both groups showed improvements in a test of attention and concentration, although improvement in the yoga group was significantly greater. In a test of memory and intelligence with 10 components, the yoga group improved on eight, while the control group improved on six. Improvements were significantly greater in the yoga group than in the control group on seven of the subtests.
"The present study shows the superiority of yoga over physical activity in improving the cognitive functions that could be attributed to emphasis on correctness in breathing, synchronizing breathing with body movements, relaxation and mindful rest," the researchers suggest.
For more information on Sport Yoga, Life & Wellness Coaching and Stress Management, visit my website at
www.freedomfromillusion.com
Yoga can reduce hot flashes and night sweats among women going through menopause, and also appears to sharpen their mental function, researchers from India report.
To investigate whether yoga would help women with physical and cognitive symptoms of menopause, they randomly assigned 120 menopausal women, 40 to 55 years old, to yoga practice or simple stretching and strengthening exercises five days a week for eight weeks.
The postures, breathing and meditation included in the yoga intervention were "aimed at one common effect, i.e. 'to develop mastery over modifications of the mind' ... through 'slowing down the rate of flow of thoughts in the mind,"' the researchers explain.
Women in the yoga group also listened to lectures on using yoga to manage stress and other yoga-related topics, while those in the control group heard lectures on diet, exercise, the physiology of menopause, and stress.
Fewer hot flashes, better concentration
After eight weeks, women in the yoga group showed a significant reduction in hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances, while the women in the control group did not, Dr. R. Chattha, of the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana in Bangalore, India, and colleagues found.
Both groups showed improvements in a test of attention and concentration, although improvement in the yoga group was significantly greater. In a test of memory and intelligence with 10 components, the yoga group improved on eight, while the control group improved on six. Improvements were significantly greater in the yoga group than in the control group on seven of the subtests.
"The present study shows the superiority of yoga over physical activity in improving the cognitive functions that could be attributed to emphasis on correctness in breathing, synchronizing breathing with body movements, relaxation and mindful rest," the researchers suggest.
For more information on Sport Yoga, Life & Wellness Coaching and Stress Management, visit my website at
www.freedomfromillusion.com
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Affirmations and Subliminal Messages
One of the major secrets to success with anything at all, be it wealth, health, success or anything else you desire is to bypass the conscious mind in order to access the immense powers of the subconscious mind.
The subconscious mind is therefore sublime; it will accept anything you submit to it without question, and will then act upon your instructions thereby bring your vibration into complete harmony with your desires, thus enabling them to manifest into your life where you can experience them in full.
In order to attract your desires, you not only have to know and ask for your desires, but most importantly you have to "vibrate" in harmony with your desires by believing that you have all your desires right now. To vibrate in harmony with your desires includes positive thinking, i.e. only thinking in terms that your desire already exists in your experiential reality, a feeling that you are already experiencing and enjoying your desires, and a feeling of gratitude for enjoying your desires.
This is where the power of affirmations really comes into its own. The conscious, rational mind will always endeavour to reject anything that does not appear to be "real", logical or attainable. It does not know, at a conscious level that you are infinitely powerful and capable of realising any desire at all. The conscious mind will therefore reject anything it "disagrees" with and will accordingly block your wishes.
Fortunately, as the subsconscious mind is all powerful, much more so than the conscious mind, all we need to do is to use the powers of positive thinking to impress our wishes and desires upon the subconscious mind, which will in turn cause you to know that your desire already exists in your life, thereby causing you to vibrate in harmony with it after which it will apear in your life as an experiential reality.
The power of positive thinking can be enhanced and reinforced by the use of affirmations. An affirmation is a short statement repeated frequently in the present tense in order to impress the intent of the affirmation on to the subsconscious mind, thereby in turn causing the subject of your affirmation to manifest as a part of your own physical reality.
As with all positive thinking, affirmations must always be phrased in the present tense as if the desired result has already become an absolute reality. This will attract and influence Energy in accordance with The Law of Attraction, in turn creating the reality of the object of your affirmations within the inner spheres of the Universe, which reality must then in turn subsequently manifest into the physical world where the benefits can be realized.
For more information about Life and Wellness Coaching, Stress Management or Sport Yoga, visit my website at
www.freedomfromillusion.com
The subconscious mind is therefore sublime; it will accept anything you submit to it without question, and will then act upon your instructions thereby bring your vibration into complete harmony with your desires, thus enabling them to manifest into your life where you can experience them in full.
In order to attract your desires, you not only have to know and ask for your desires, but most importantly you have to "vibrate" in harmony with your desires by believing that you have all your desires right now. To vibrate in harmony with your desires includes positive thinking, i.e. only thinking in terms that your desire already exists in your experiential reality, a feeling that you are already experiencing and enjoying your desires, and a feeling of gratitude for enjoying your desires.
This is where the power of affirmations really comes into its own. The conscious, rational mind will always endeavour to reject anything that does not appear to be "real", logical or attainable. It does not know, at a conscious level that you are infinitely powerful and capable of realising any desire at all. The conscious mind will therefore reject anything it "disagrees" with and will accordingly block your wishes.
Fortunately, as the subsconscious mind is all powerful, much more so than the conscious mind, all we need to do is to use the powers of positive thinking to impress our wishes and desires upon the subconscious mind, which will in turn cause you to know that your desire already exists in your life, thereby causing you to vibrate in harmony with it after which it will apear in your life as an experiential reality.
The power of positive thinking can be enhanced and reinforced by the use of affirmations. An affirmation is a short statement repeated frequently in the present tense in order to impress the intent of the affirmation on to the subsconscious mind, thereby in turn causing the subject of your affirmation to manifest as a part of your own physical reality.
As with all positive thinking, affirmations must always be phrased in the present tense as if the desired result has already become an absolute reality. This will attract and influence Energy in accordance with The Law of Attraction, in turn creating the reality of the object of your affirmations within the inner spheres of the Universe, which reality must then in turn subsequently manifest into the physical world where the benefits can be realized.
For more information about Life and Wellness Coaching, Stress Management or Sport Yoga, visit my website at
www.freedomfromillusion.com
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Situation + Response = Outcome
Every outcome you experience in life is the result of how you react to an event in your life.
It's not what happens to us, but our response to what happens to us that makes the difference.
Between every event and response there is a potential space. That space contains your freedom
to choose, and your power to respond. How you respond determines both your growth and happiness.
So, if you don't like the outcomes you're experiencing you can:
Focus on S - Blame the event for your lack of results.
Focus on R- Change your response to the events to get the outcome you want. If you focus on R, you have to give us blaming and complaining.
Here is an essential principle for ownership of your life and wellness story. In adulthood, you either "create" or "allow" everything that happens to you.
When you find yourself focusing on an obstacle, reflect on the underlying desire. When you're ready to accept that you create the obstacle, you're also ready to consider the possibility of not creating it.
Focus you attention consciously on a new experience, and you create new connections. Focused attention plays a crucial role in actually altering the structure of the brain. This means when you focus attention in constructive ways you change your brain.
This concept offers explanation at a brain level for why a solution focus is more effective than a problem focus. These brain connections literally become mind-maps, and influence the reality we see.
New neuronal networks and pathways are created when you focus on solutions. The already existing circuitry is further etched when you focus on existing problems. This is why people get stuck in therapy.
Neuroscience validates that it is not understanding the source of our thoughts, but a focus on awareness of choice that is most beneficial.
For more information about Life and Wellness Coaching, Stress Management or Sport Yoga, visit my website at www.freedomfromillusion.com
It's not what happens to us, but our response to what happens to us that makes the difference.
Between every event and response there is a potential space. That space contains your freedom
to choose, and your power to respond. How you respond determines both your growth and happiness.
So, if you don't like the outcomes you're experiencing you can:
Focus on S - Blame the event for your lack of results.
Focus on R- Change your response to the events to get the outcome you want. If you focus on R, you have to give us blaming and complaining.
Here is an essential principle for ownership of your life and wellness story. In adulthood, you either "create" or "allow" everything that happens to you.
When you find yourself focusing on an obstacle, reflect on the underlying desire. When you're ready to accept that you create the obstacle, you're also ready to consider the possibility of not creating it.
Focus you attention consciously on a new experience, and you create new connections. Focused attention plays a crucial role in actually altering the structure of the brain. This means when you focus attention in constructive ways you change your brain.
This concept offers explanation at a brain level for why a solution focus is more effective than a problem focus. These brain connections literally become mind-maps, and influence the reality we see.
New neuronal networks and pathways are created when you focus on solutions. The already existing circuitry is further etched when you focus on existing problems. This is why people get stuck in therapy.
Neuroscience validates that it is not understanding the source of our thoughts, but a focus on awareness of choice that is most beneficial.
For more information about Life and Wellness Coaching, Stress Management or Sport Yoga, visit my website at www.freedomfromillusion.com
Monday, July 28, 2008
To Think or Not to Think!
It is estimated that on any given day, approximately 10,000 thoughts go through your head. How many of those thoughts were really useful?
Nothing can hurt you as much as your own thinking. Continual repetition of self-doubts, self-abuse and self-attack.
Pay attention to your thinking, and see how much of it is based on fears, judgments and worries. Basically, fear, worry and pain are "all in the mind".
How do you rid yourself of these repetitive self-sabotaging thoughts? By searching through your past with deep analysis for years and years, or by allowing yourself to let go, forgive, and surrender.
Thoughts are usually based on past or future. Since the past is over and future is yet to come, your thoughts are not real. In other words your thinking is not reality.
No thought has any power over you or any more importance than you give it, they have no power of their own.
You and you alone choose your thoughts. To live a happy life, it is important that you have a happy relationship with your thoughts. Rather than spending your time in deep self analysis, try meditation, yoga or breathwork, they are all helpful to bypass thinking and calm the mind.
The only block to unconditional love is your thinking. The only block to personal success is your thinking.
Everyday you start with a blank slate. You cannot control what comes into your life, but you can control your perception and how you think about it.
Stop thinking and start living!
For more information about Life and Wellness Coaching, Stress Management or Sport Yoga, visit my website at www.freedomfromillusion.com
Nothing can hurt you as much as your own thinking. Continual repetition of self-doubts, self-abuse and self-attack.
Pay attention to your thinking, and see how much of it is based on fears, judgments and worries. Basically, fear, worry and pain are "all in the mind".
How do you rid yourself of these repetitive self-sabotaging thoughts? By searching through your past with deep analysis for years and years, or by allowing yourself to let go, forgive, and surrender.
Thoughts are usually based on past or future. Since the past is over and future is yet to come, your thoughts are not real. In other words your thinking is not reality.
No thought has any power over you or any more importance than you give it, they have no power of their own.
You and you alone choose your thoughts. To live a happy life, it is important that you have a happy relationship with your thoughts. Rather than spending your time in deep self analysis, try meditation, yoga or breathwork, they are all helpful to bypass thinking and calm the mind.
The only block to unconditional love is your thinking. The only block to personal success is your thinking.
Everyday you start with a blank slate. You cannot control what comes into your life, but you can control your perception and how you think about it.
Stop thinking and start living!
For more information about Life and Wellness Coaching, Stress Management or Sport Yoga, visit my website at www.freedomfromillusion.com
Friday, July 25, 2008
Be The Goal!
Being the goal is about setting your intention for the day. It is about vision, clarity of purpose and being what you want.
Being the goal crystallizes the magnificent power of intention. It is the key to friendship, romance, leadership, success and everything.
Today, be what you want.
If you want love, be loving.
If you want peace, be peaceful.
If you want fun, be funny.
If you want "new", be different.
If you want adventure, be open.
If you want success, be alive.
If you want joy, be kind.
Be what you want!
Think of your goals, you challenges, your relationships, and ask yourself, "Is how I am being going to bring me what I really want?" Be still a moment and reset your intention to be loving no matter what, to be kind in spite of everything, to shine your light come what may.
For more information on Wellness Coaching, Stress Management and Sport Yoga visit my website at
www.freedomfromillusion.com
Being the goal crystallizes the magnificent power of intention. It is the key to friendship, romance, leadership, success and everything.
Today, be what you want.
If you want love, be loving.
If you want peace, be peaceful.
If you want fun, be funny.
If you want "new", be different.
If you want adventure, be open.
If you want success, be alive.
If you want joy, be kind.
Be what you want!
Think of your goals, you challenges, your relationships, and ask yourself, "Is how I am being going to bring me what I really want?" Be still a moment and reset your intention to be loving no matter what, to be kind in spite of everything, to shine your light come what may.
For more information on Wellness Coaching, Stress Management and Sport Yoga visit my website at
www.freedomfromillusion.com
Monday, July 21, 2008
How do you CHOOSE to live your life?
Each day your life starts with a blank slate.
What happened yesterday is over and everything you are faced with is new and unknown.
Who is in charge of the future before you? You and only you.
How will you CHOOSE to create this new day?
How will you CHOOSE to react to the circumstances that come your way?
Will you CHOOSE peace or drama, happiness or anger, success or failure, love or hate? All the choices are yours to make.
How often do you react to a situation unconsciously or by allowing your ego to dictate the appropriate reaction as a result of someone else controlling your feelings and emotions. What would happen if you and only you control your feelings and emotions and you can determine yourself how you want to feel and how you want to react to any situation. Would you life be lighter, happier, more peaceful.
You can in fact consciously decide in any minute how you CHOOSE to think, react,& feel about anything happening in your life. When you feel yourself beginning to react, stop yourself and breathe, then take a moment and determine how you CHOOSE to react for your own better good.
Maybe you decide not to take something personally. Maybe you decide to come down a notch and communicate at a more controlled level. Maybe you just choose peace and let it go.
So don't be short sighted with yourself or others.
Try to open your mind to new possibilities.
Relax, breathe and allow your imagination to move outside your conditioned self.
Each day is a new day in your life, live the life you CHOOSE!
For more information on Wellness Coaching, Stress Management and Sport Yoga visit my website at www.freedomfromillusion.com.
What happened yesterday is over and everything you are faced with is new and unknown.
Who is in charge of the future before you? You and only you.
How will you CHOOSE to create this new day?
How will you CHOOSE to react to the circumstances that come your way?
Will you CHOOSE peace or drama, happiness or anger, success or failure, love or hate? All the choices are yours to make.
How often do you react to a situation unconsciously or by allowing your ego to dictate the appropriate reaction as a result of someone else controlling your feelings and emotions. What would happen if you and only you control your feelings and emotions and you can determine yourself how you want to feel and how you want to react to any situation. Would you life be lighter, happier, more peaceful.
You can in fact consciously decide in any minute how you CHOOSE to think, react,& feel about anything happening in your life. When you feel yourself beginning to react, stop yourself and breathe, then take a moment and determine how you CHOOSE to react for your own better good.
Maybe you decide not to take something personally. Maybe you decide to come down a notch and communicate at a more controlled level. Maybe you just choose peace and let it go.
So don't be short sighted with yourself or others.
Try to open your mind to new possibilities.
Relax, breathe and allow your imagination to move outside your conditioned self.
Each day is a new day in your life, live the life you CHOOSE!
For more information on Wellness Coaching, Stress Management and Sport Yoga visit my website at www.freedomfromillusion.com.
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