Wednesday, December 3, 2008

A Wellness Outline


This has been a year of intense study for me. I've read more in the past year than in my entire life (other than college), a lot of it personal improvement and spiritual books. I even completed a small journal of thought-provoking and inspirational quotes from some of the most respected thinkers and refer to it regularly.

But like many of you find with your own fitness and nutrition programs, at a certain point, we need to get organized and apply some structure to make sure we're making continual progress in an intended direction.

So, below is my stab at that process. For me, a balanced focus on a broad-based triad of mind, body and spirit is critical to health and happiness. So I'm starting with the macro-view of the whole pie. In the next few posts, I'll concentrate on the details of the areas of my chosen field (fitness and nutrition) and we'll develop a framework anyone can use to get his or her body healthier.

I. Mind
...A.Critical Thinking (rational, structured, analytical)
...B. Creative Thinking (resourceful, innovative, exploratory)
II. Body
...A. Exercise (endurance, strength, flexibility, lower body fat, core conditioning, balance, coordination and agility)
...B. Nutrition (volume, consistency, balance, variety and quality of food and drink)
...C. Rest (recovery and repair for improved physical capacity)
III. Spirit
...A. Peace of Mind (inner calm, forgiveness, allowing the present moment to be as it is)
...B. Emotional, Psychological Growth (reaching a deeper level of understanding and acceptance)
...C. Inspiration, Motivation (remaining open and responding to the "spark" that initiates action)
...D. Connectedness (relinquishing judgment, extending compassion)

Friday, November 21, 2008

Stiff Back in the A.M.?

Try this:

Before you get out of bed, push back the covers and pull one knee gently but firmly into your torso, exhaling completely on the pull. Then repeat on the other side. Then pull both knees in and hold for 10 seconds, breathing normally but deeply. Next, lying on your back and with your arms at your sides, roll your shoulder blades and upper back off the mattress, sliding your palms forward across the mattress top and gently return to a relaxed supine (belly up) position. Repeat four times. Then get up normally.

This should give you a chance to gradually increase the circulation in your back muscles while expanding your mobility before you raise your torso off the mattress, which can be hard on the back when your body is not warmed up.


Tuesday, November 11, 2008

First Post!


Greetings Tri-Valley Wellness Community!


Please check back here daily for useful tips, myth-busters, inspiration and all things wellness related in Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore.