We have learned a lot through this course and I would personally say that it is all beneficial. Going back through everything we have done and all the practices I could easily say that all of them would have benefits if performed daily. However, there are some that I enjoyed more and would like to do daily.
The first is the Loving-Kindness practice. I really enjoyed this practice and I would continue to do the exercise that Dacher has in the Integral Health book. Dacher states that with our preparations completed our heart and mind will be softened and we will be ready to explore further reaches of psychospiritual development, (Integral Health, pg. 69). By doing this we open ourselves up to many more developments and we gain the possibility to change the course of our health and life, (Dacher). Loving-kindness will open us to a shift in thinking; we will stop thinking about ourselves and we will begin to think of others. The change will start small we will think more of those that we love but then we will start to think of the world.
The second practice I enjoyed is not so much a practice but a change in the way I live my life through biological flourishing. I found this section to be very important because our physical health and mental health combined are essential to a thriving life. Our integral path must include an effort to improve physical health and mental health together. Dacher, 2006, states, "If even a small percentage of the resources spent on physical fitness were applied to mind/body activities, we would see a considerable gain in our society's general level of health," (Integral Health, pg. 81). There are many activities that we can do to encourage the mind/body development and they include tai chi, qigong, and yoga. Personally, I find that yoga is a great activity to do. Whenever I do even a few minutes I feel refreshed and at ease plus I get physical benefits. It is hard for me to go to a place to work out so I do it from my house so I would do the same things with yoga. There are many dvds that I can access. Most libraries carry a decent selection of workout videos so I can test them out before I buy.
Implementing these changes will only bring me closer to an integral path of healing. The change is not going to be easy but as Dacher says, start small and simple. We don't have to make drastic changes; we need to do what we can when we can.
Nicole
*Dacher, 2006, Integral Health, Basic Health Publications, pg. 69, 81
Friday, February 25, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Unit 7; Can we believe it!!
When I started this class I hadn't ever done any kind of formal meditation. A few times in high school my French teacher tried to get the class to participate in meditation but at the time it didn't seem like something I would want to do. After the practices that I have done for this class, I wish I had participated and integrated it into my life.
I have enjoyed the meditation practices, although I wouldn't practice the meditation we did for this particular week I would in others. In my opinion meditation should be about the individual and finding peace within ourselves, not by finding peace with another person. It was nice to think about another person in this manner but I prefer the calming meditation about clearing the mind and finding peace. I don't think it will be difficult to continue with meditation because there are many cds, dvds, and classes available that will help guide me. Because meditation and yoga have become mainstream to an extent it is easier to find ways to practice.
The Second Part: "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself".
This is extremely important when it comes to the health and wellness professional. We are in a position to lead and guide other people; how can we do this fully if we ourselves do not practice what we preach. This does not mean that we need to participate in every form offered because there are too many. But we should find what works for us and practice it. We should also be knowledgeable about other forms of contemporary medicine. For example,we may not practice TCM but we should understand the basics so that we can direct a person to the correct information or a person who knows.
I would not go to an overweight dietitian and this is no different.
Nicole
I have enjoyed the meditation practices, although I wouldn't practice the meditation we did for this particular week I would in others. In my opinion meditation should be about the individual and finding peace within ourselves, not by finding peace with another person. It was nice to think about another person in this manner but I prefer the calming meditation about clearing the mind and finding peace. I don't think it will be difficult to continue with meditation because there are many cds, dvds, and classes available that will help guide me. Because meditation and yoga have become mainstream to an extent it is easier to find ways to practice.
The Second Part: "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself".
This is extremely important when it comes to the health and wellness professional. We are in a position to lead and guide other people; how can we do this fully if we ourselves do not practice what we preach. This does not mean that we need to participate in every form offered because there are too many. But we should find what works for us and practice it. We should also be knowledgeable about other forms of contemporary medicine. For example,we may not practice TCM but we should understand the basics so that we can direct a person to the correct information or a person who knows.
I would not go to an overweight dietitian and this is no different.
Nicole
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Unit Six Blog:Loving-Kindness and Assessment
Greetings class,
We were given another opportunity to do the Loving-Kindness exercise and every time I do it, it seems to get better and better. The feelings and emotions that I am able to release truly help me feel better and less stressed. Doing this exercise couldn't have come at a better time; I just lost my grandfather and it felt wonderful to send all the feelings I have for him out into the world. Almost as if I was releasing them for him.
I did enjoy the assessment, even though there are a lot of things that I need to work on it gave me a great starting off point. I think that this assessment should be one of the first things that we do. In my opinion the author should have people conduct this personal assessment at the beginning and at the end so that we can see where we should start and see our progress. When I did my personal assessment, I discovered that I need to work on areas that are mental and cause stress. I tend to focus and worry on things that I can not control. I am on a spiritual path at the moment and I have been working on this and I think because of what I have been doing I was more in balance in this part of my life. Physically I am in a good place. I eat healthy and workout daily, I feel good and I feel good about my self. This assessment showed me the areas that I need to work on but it also gave me confidence that I am on the right track in other areas. I am interested to take the assessment in a few months and see if I notice any changes.
We were given another opportunity to do the Loving-Kindness exercise and every time I do it, it seems to get better and better. The feelings and emotions that I am able to release truly help me feel better and less stressed. Doing this exercise couldn't have come at a better time; I just lost my grandfather and it felt wonderful to send all the feelings I have for him out into the world. Almost as if I was releasing them for him.
I did enjoy the assessment, even though there are a lot of things that I need to work on it gave me a great starting off point. I think that this assessment should be one of the first things that we do. In my opinion the author should have people conduct this personal assessment at the beginning and at the end so that we can see where we should start and see our progress. When I did my personal assessment, I discovered that I need to work on areas that are mental and cause stress. I tend to focus and worry on things that I can not control. I am on a spiritual path at the moment and I have been working on this and I think because of what I have been doing I was more in balance in this part of my life. Physically I am in a good place. I eat healthy and workout daily, I feel good and I feel good about my self. This assessment showed me the areas that I need to work on but it also gave me confidence that I am on the right track in other areas. I am interested to take the assessment in a few months and see if I notice any changes.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Power Point Presentation
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B-SMBpyMjqj3MWE5NWJkYTYtZjY1MC00YjkxLWIzZjUtZTQ3MmNiZjE4MWY3&hl=en
I hope this works, I followed the directions so we will see!
I hope that you enjoy my powerpoint!
Nicole
I hope this works, I followed the directions so we will see!
I hope that you enjoy my powerpoint!
Nicole
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Unit Five
It is funny that the exercise is the same and we are just replacing one thing with another but the outcome is different. I have to say that I like the loving kindness exercise better, part of that is because I liked the view point of Loving-Kindness. Learning to love ourselves and one another is so vital and so important but so many people do not understand how to love themselves. I would practice the loving-kindness exercise daily but I do not think that I would practice the subtle mind exercise more then a few times. Maybe that is because I am still on a progression towards being ready to practice this exercise, maybe with more time I will learn to appreciate it and see it's value in my life.
I really enjoyed all the information about exercise and how we can use this to connect to the spiritual and mental wellness. I try to do yoga after I am done working out and I notice the difference in the way that I feel and I notice that I feel less stressed when I do these things. Yoga is a stress reduction tool but it does have physical health benefits. Yoga can tighten your core and while you are doing this you practice deep breathing and reduce stress.
I am interested in trying to focus on breathing when I work out, I think this will be difficult but I think that it will be worth it.
Peace and Blessings.
I really enjoyed all the information about exercise and how we can use this to connect to the spiritual and mental wellness. I try to do yoga after I am done working out and I notice the difference in the way that I feel and I notice that I feel less stressed when I do these things. Yoga is a stress reduction tool but it does have physical health benefits. Yoga can tighten your core and while you are doing this you practice deep breathing and reduce stress.
I am interested in trying to focus on breathing when I work out, I think this will be difficult but I think that it will be worth it.
Peace and Blessings.
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