A Look Back......

Upon reviewing my assessment from unit 3 I would have to say that I have improved in all areas, I did not think that I could go anywhere in my physical areas, but I actually have. I have not done more in the sense of time, but in quality and I have started training for that triathlon. I kept procrastinating because my bike needed to be fixed, so I decided to give that bike to charity and by a better one that I could use in the triathlon. I also started my run training. My whole family thinks I have completely lost it, because I started new classes last week at a second school in order to make it into my masters program in January. Since I am training now my nutrition needs to follow my training so that has also improved; only clean eating and carb cycling for me; no room for error in that area. I would score my physical as a 9.5(unit 3 score was a 9). My psychological is great, I have now been incorporating my normal mental fitness, but have been looking into some language programs to help stimulate my brain more.I would give myself an 8.5 (unit 3 score was an 8). In the interpersonal aspect that I had some issues with in my last assessment, things have become better in some areas and worse in others. Overall I needed to set some boundaries, of which I did and my family did have quite a terrible time with it, but I have not backed down. I have been taking care of my mom as usual but at a certain time I shut off my phone and become unavailable, this is the best thing that I could have done because it forced them all to become more active in moms care. Yeah! So there is improvement in that area as well. In my spiritual life I have actually found a beautiful meeting place with like minded people. They meditate, practice Qigong, yoga and tai chi and have a wonderful area full of holistic and organic products, a farmers market in the summer and they extend charity to those in need. This all adds value to my spiritual life of which I scored myself an 8 now but in unit 3 I scored a 7. All of my scores improved. Each goal I set out to accomplish I have either started or am looking at a way to get started. My experiences in this class have been phenomenal. I enjoyed each and every exercise we practiced. My only problem was my time or lack of it. I had to be very disciplined and regimented. But that also had a positive effect on me as well, it made me see that I could do anything I set my mind to and even go beyond that point. This class experience has been the best I have come upon and what I have learned and applied has made me a better person and more able to serve others in their quests to health and wellness.

Yours In Health,

Cyndie

My Personal Journey to Health

Introduction – As a health and wellness professional it is first imperative that we foster and develop our own minds and bodies in every aspect of health, in order to train and fully encourage others to follow suit. Not only does incorporating spiritual, mental and physical wellness practices give you a benefit; but it also shows you have integrity and the lifestyle of these domains as well as knowledgeable in their practice. This lends credence to your opinions and profession. I believe I have the need to improve in all areas, but some more than others. As a personal trainer I have a great handle on my fitness but could develop at a higher level by taking my yoga and tai chi practice to new heights. My psychological fitness could use some positive adjustments by incorporating possibly some more Qigong or other activity such as a new language. I have been working on learning both activities but need greater focus on both. My spiritual side is sorely lacking, but I would like to add more meditation. There is also a group that I would like to become involved with that is holistic and spiritual in nature, I believe that it would add some depth to my health and wellness practices.

Assessment – Physical - My physical self I believe to be at its highest in my life. I work out each day and walk in nature with my husband. I eat only the purest of foods; no preservatives, GMO’s or unnatural substances. I have followed a diet of clean eating and carb cycling for many years. I would give myself a score of 9 in my physical life. There is always room to improve and become more. Psychologically – I do well with dealing with stress and emotions, but still have some interpersonal conflict with family, but I am learning with the integral health practice how to deal with this stressor in my life and will continue to improve on these results. Within my psychological life I would give myself a score of 8. Spirituality – is that which gives meaning to one’s life, in my life my natural tendency is to lean toward the spiritual and not religion. I grew up in a Christian home but through the years, I have evolved to be more spiritual than religious, believing in an overall higher power. I do not believe spirituality to be only religion, but to be a broader concept than religion. I use prayer and meditation to connect on a higher plane. In the realm of spirituality I would give myself a score of 8.

Goal Development – At this point in time my goals are as follows: physically I would like to bring my nutrition to an even higher level by incorporating juicing into my daily plan and finish one marathon with training toward a triathlon. Psychologically, I need to implement a goal to place boundaries in certain relationships so I spend the most quality time with my husband. Also when adhering to those boundaries I need to learn to keep the emotions of guilt and frustration in check. Spiritually my goal would be to take more time for meditation and journaling, they both keep me grounded and feeling at peace.

Practices of Personal Health – to make sure that I keep growing in my practices and as a person, I will implement certain strategies in each domain to help propel myself to my best personal health. Physical: this strategy is to build upon my ultimate goal of competing in a triathlon. For this I will need to keep a continuous log to track my progress in my training and diet. I wish to continue the art of Qigong, I believe this practice will not only help me physically but also with my psychological life as its meditation and discipline are key parts of my life. Psychologically: continuing with Qigong is important to this domain, but I also intend to continue with all of the meditation practices. I have also decided to learn Hungarian as a new language and challenge myself. I plan on traveling there soon. Spiritual: as far as spiritually, I would like to start some charitable ventures, with chair aerobics for the seniors in town and spend some time coaching children on healthy diet and exercise to help them attain a healthy lifestyle. I believe that giving my time to those who need and appreciate it, is a great benefit to all.

Commitment – For the next six months and beyond I plan to assess my progress through my log and journal, there I will see my progress made within all domains. My log will keep track of my physical and mental progress and the journal will show progress in my spirituality. The strategies that will help me in all endeavors and keep me motivated to continue on my road to integral health; will be each success I incur, all the great work I do and all the lives that I touch.

Beneficial Visualization & Qigong...

I have found that the visualization and meditation are what moves me the most, I feel the most benefit from them. I started practicing meditation when I began karate some years ago, but it was not until I started this class that I found what worked best for me. Since I am more of a visual person I thought I would do more visualization that coupled with a new practice of Qigong, I feel my awareness and focus soar. I know after each session I am more alert and have much more energy which is greatly needed due to the school schedule I have been keeping lately.  I have also noticed that I get a deeper sleep and dreams seem to be more vivid. I have used visualization that has included places, events and people that make me happy and relaxed. The Qigong has its positive effects on my mind and body, it brings about health without medicine. Qigong is my holistic approach to complete well being. I have also, found some information on sports meditation to help sharpen concentration to bring about enhanced performance. A new experience I am looking forward to learning more about. 

Meeting Aesclepius...


Since embarking into the world of meditation I have found a deeper inner strength and power that helps me work through each task and goal I put in front of me each day. because of my schedule and inability to sleep I have planned my meditations for evening after my yoga practice, which has given me a better way to ease into a peaceful and sound sleep. During this meditation; Meeting Aesclepius I thought about my grandfather, he was a guiding force in my life and I had great admiration and respect for him. He was the one person who told me to never let anyone tell you that you cannot do something and never quit on yourself. This has become my strength when I come to every challenge in my life. 

When it comes to the saying, "one cannot lead another where one has not gone himself" I believe you have to lead in order to get people to follow; in other words you have to be willing to first do something yourself before you can ask another to do it. I believe you have to have the lifestyle that you are trying to get a client to follow, or you are just a hypocrite. A health and wellness professional should first have achieved health and wellness in order to be able to teach these practices. In my quest for health, I workout every morning and walk in nature with my husband 5 - 6 miles, I also practice yoga and have been implementing meditation to further foster spiritual growth. I also make sure that I touch base with those people in my life that are important. The connection greatly improves my sense of purpose in life. 

Cyndie