High Mesa Happenings & Heartstrings

Pilates: Did You Know?

There are 5 myths about practicing Pilates. Maybe one of them is why you are not hitting that mat or ball, uh? 

Myth # 1: Pilates is Yoga. Not ! They are very different although they complement each other.   Read more>

Myth #2: Pilates is a-quick-a-fixing flabby abs. Yes and no! It is most excellent to strengthen and flatten abs, but not quickly. One must practice, practice and practice!  Read more>

Myth #3: Pilates is way easy. Nope! A beginner's class will start you easy and slow. Persevere and Intermediary and Advanced Levels will work you out!  Read more>

Myth #4: Pilates is for women. Yeah, right. Who created Pilates? Joseph Pilates! as in Joe, a guy, a man, a dude. Pilates is good for the body, male or female, period.   Read more>

                                                                      

Myth #5: I or anyone can teach Pilates! No, no, no! Teaching Pilates requires a precise methodology acquired during a rigorous training.   Read more:

HMHC has a most excellent and gracious Instructor, Vanessa Blackburn , MA, MLT, of Village Wellness . Check HMHC Calendar for dates, times and phone contact.

Written and Posted by NWH

Growing Old with Grace and Ease

Growing Old with Grace and Ease

Old is partly a state of mind. So, what is your state of mind? Are you dreading the process or are you making positive choices that will move you forward with grace and ease? What supports you on this journey?  It is a journey that we will all take either willingly or unwillingly. In this culture where there is an emphasis on being young, beautiful and thin, this can be a challenge for all of us.  We may need to unplug the TV and other media that uses the young and gorgeous to sell us “stuff” that we do not even need and can not even use.

I have heard it said that it takes us until the age of 60 to acquire wisdom so why not take care of our health and wellness so that we can enjoy our years of wisdom?   

 

So, how do you take care of your body, mind and spirit to maintain health and wholeness?

First make a choice, state an intention to be healthy.  Then do whatever it takes to bring your self into a state of balance and harmony, for when the body is in balance and harmony it will heal itself. In our Western culture it can be difficult to find the time and space to do so.  It can be a challenge to get to that space but once you do it is so wonderful that you want to be there most of the time.  How do you get there?  There are many paths.  You might consider Tai Chi, yoga, meditation, contemplative prayer, labyrinth walks,  or spending time in nature. Be in nature and beauty, connect with Mother Earth, turn off the TV and go outside.  Being still without interruption and disturbance is a beginning.  Watching the news, especially just before you go to bed can be upsetting, putting you into a state of agitation or fear. The news is just full of fear, sensationalism, and negativity.  It is unlikely to add to your peace and longevity.

Life is the pursuit of happiness and yet clinical medicine reports that 20% of Americans are taking antidepressants at any given time and that at least another 20% “need” antidepressants.   Seniors do not usually use street drugs but may be abusing prescription medications.  Why are  we so unhappy?  Why does the happiness elude us?  Could it be that we are bombarded with commercials that tell us that we are not ok and that we need their product to be ok?  We buy their product only to find out that we are still not ok and need a bigger purchase and we are even then still not ok, leaving us even more unhappy than before.  Why not get high on life rather than look to things outside ourselves to make us happy.  Happiness is an inside job.

What is your passion?  What is your vision, yes it is never too late to have a passion and a vision!  What is your  purpose in life?  Are you being of service, first to yourself and then to others?  Is there meaning to your life?  Find the answer to these questions and your happiness quotient will go up.  Take some time for introspection

  

There is always the choice to age consciously or unconsciously, to be awake or asleep.  When we are conscious we can make some conscious choices on our own behalf rather than follow the herd.  As we make these choices and state our intentions then we can attract those things that will bring us into harmony and balance.  This is where we consciously choose health and wellness; we are not struggling against anything.  It works best to focus on what you want rather than on what you do not want. 

“Living medicine is a paradigm shift that goes beyond the scope of complimentary and/or alternative medicine by reuniting the Art of Medicine and the Science of Medicine, and by changing the focus from the killing of disease to the growing of vibrant, whole people who are distinct from the disease processes they experience.”  -Dr Gladys McGarey

How do we grow vibrant whole people?  Or more specifically how do you grow your self to be vibrant and whole?

  

·    Get plenty of sleep and rest

·    Physical  Exercise  30 min 3 X week

·    Meditate daily

·    Eat only food  (real food)

·    Avoid highly processed foods and artificial sweeteners.  Stevia is ok.

·    Enjoy at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily

·    Avoid soda drinks; drink at least 10 glasses of water a day.

·    Avoid smoking, drugs and alcohol.

We demand 5 times as much medical care as would be needed if everyone followed good health habits.  No drug or surgery can compensate for proper care of the human body. The leading causes of illness and premature death are, obesity, smoking and other tobacco use, the over-use of prescription drugs, and the failure to understand the relationship between body, mind and spirit.

It is time for us to take responsibility for our health and to choose to live.  The choices made by most accelerate illness, encourage excess medical intervention, and may shorten or compromise the quality of life.  We need more than 3% making life affirming choices.

So the choice is up to us.  How do we want to live out our senior years?  A time of happiness and joy or one of fear and anxiety?  The choice is up to each and everyone of us.  We can make a difference.

 

 

© 2009
Barbara Mader R.N., C.H.T.P., R.M.

High Mesa Healing Center

Alto, NM 88312

http://highmesahealing.com/