The physical: The purpose is the best upkeep for the body.

In maintaining our body we need to focus on:

  • Exercise
  • Physical alignment.
  • Breath
  • Balance
  • Nutrition
  • Hydration
  • Sleep

   The physical plant in-which our soul resides is the body.  How do we keep the body fine-tuned and working at the optimal level? How does the breath make the engine perform better? The ability to maintain balance is not only mental, but also physical, and requires awareness and practice.                                   

 Regarding Exercise:

1. Do things you like to do.

2. Schedule exercise like you would any other appointment.

3. Exercise needs effort.

4. Exercise needs commitment

 

The Physical alignment:  I am talking about your posture.  Your spine should be straight and the entire body should be as relaxed as possible and made to be very, very soft. Being in the moment, being physically relaxed, and being aware of all that is around you,  prepares you to move in an instant.

 The  Breath:  Your breath should flow with your movements, inhaling and exhaling should follow your rhythmic pattern. Breath is the connection between mind and body.  Nerve signals flows into your brain and are translated into sight, smell, taste, touch, and sounds.  These senses create impulses and without your breath connecting the impulses between your mind and body you could never respond physically to any of them.  It is hard to learn, but the more you relax, the deeper and easier your breathing becomes, and in turn, the more relaxed you become.  Breathing forms a circle of energy within your body; it cleans toxins, nourishes your nervous system, and calms your mind, body, soul and spirit.

 Balance:  This is the ability to feel your body in space.  How you stand, what is out of alignment, (causing you to strain your body), and pain, are all related to balance.  Each of us needs a masseuse, acupuncturist, chiropractor and herbalist to help prevent issues before they become problems.  Yes, it can be costly, but the preventative benefits outweigh the potential cost of the body breaking down.

 Nutrition:   What we feed the body plays a huge part in keeping it running correctly, and though we all have the same basic requirements for surviving, everyone's metabolism is different.  Our jobs are different and how we handle stress is different.  You need to know what works best for you to keep your body running effectively.What we eat and drink creates the energy we use. 

Just like a motor vehicle, you can use cheap fuel in your body and do damage to it, or use a better quality fuel that provides the best results.  The food pyramid is a good guideline for what to eat and in what quantity, but knowing how your body processes food is very important as well.  How many calories do you need per day to sustain your stamina and energy?  How do you compensate your workouts and with what fuel?  Do you know what it feels like to not have enough fuel in your body?  These are all questions you need to know the answers to.

Hydration:  Crucial to your body is proper hydration. The body is 80 to 90 percent water, and lack of water will cause malfunctions in your body, sometimes minor, but often major.  Signs of dehydration are cramps, mental sluggishness and for me a sense of chill bumps and fatigue.  If you wait until you are thirsty you are already dehydrated.  A general rule of thumb for water consumption is 64 ounces of water each day.  Be aware of your exercise time and replace the liquids you sweat out.  Many times I hear "wow, I lost 4 pounds during class today".  That is not a good thing. Replace those liquids before you damage your body.  Coconut juice and chocolate milk are good replacement drinks after hard workouts.  Be careful with sports drinks and the added sugar that is in them.

Sleep:  Consistently getting the proper amount of sleep is crucial to keeping your body in shape. Sleep allows for injuries to heal. It allows the mind to rest.

     Your body is your souls vehicle for enjoying existence in this world.  It is a remarkable and resilient machine that will perform even when it is being misused.  Listening to your body and trusting your body to tell you when something is wrong is extremely important in maintaining a healthy life. The body has the amazing ability to heal itself if you allow time for it to rest and recuperate.  It is much better to be proactive in taking care of the body than waiting until you are injured.