This is from Danielle LaPorte's website - Whitehot Truth - I thought it was wonderful.
I've been asking around: "What do you think you're entitled to?" "What do you know that you deserve?"
Mikki Baloy Davis, a Facebook friend nailed it with this: "I'm always curious about this question...for me it brings up the distinction between "deserving" - which implies reward or merit - and "worthy" which is unconditional." I got a witness.
Holy-loaded questions will get you some passionate answers: "I'm not entitled to a damn thing. But I deserve love." "I don't deserve anything, everything needs to be earned." "I'm entitled to be on the planet, I work for the rest." "I deserve right pay for right work...a foot rub and to be fanned and fed grapes...no less, no more than another...to be seen, heard, acknowledged...love, respect, fun, and money. Love...Love...Love..."
We're such hard workers. Hardened, some of us, from working so hard to deserve what we want. Working to earn. Earning more...work. Earning your keep is a viscous cycle, you know. Where as, believing in your implicit worth liberates you to create more value for the world you serve.
Of course, people with entitlement issues are goddamn irritating. They want more than they're willing to give upfront. They operate in a fog of hunger and conflicting intentions. Entitled types are frantic below the surface because they don't trust that they can feed themselves. What they need is a long hug and then to be sent off for some solo time, without credit cards.
Deserving and worthiness...these are the notions that get to the pulse of our consciousness and esteem.
If you don't believe you have the right to be here, there will never be enough space for your true self to show up. If you think you need to earn your actual desires, you're putting miles, years, between you and fulfillment. So many of us don't even give ourselves permission to want what we want. This is the great tragedy of a malnourished spirit.
a declaration of deserving:
You are worthy of your desires. Really wanting what you want gives you the power to get it. You were born free. (The more you try to earn your freedom, the more trapped you become.) You are worthy of love and respect. Lovable.
You deserve
: eye contact
: smiles in the morning
: food made with pure intention
: clean drinking water, fresh air
: Hello, Please, Thank you.
: time to think about it
: a chance to show them what you're made of
: a second chance
: an education
: health care, including dental
: multiple orgasms
: weekends and the summer off
: 8 hours of sleep
: play before work
: to change your mind
: to say no
: to say yes
: to have your deepest needs met
: to be seen
: to be loved for what is seen.
You deserve all this just because you showed up.
Yep, you're that monumental.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Demo class for teachers and students
The AEROFORM demo class began last week with a staff meeting at Life Movement. There are a number of very gifted and caring teachers that work at this studio.
The have gravitated to Life Movement becasue of the vision of the leader Sigi Nissimov to offer more than just the steps, the exercise, the motion and the movement. Her vision is to reach into each student, adult or child and connect with their hearts, minds and spirits and give them something that lasts beyond the class.
Each of the teachers I've seen so far have the gift of teaching with that vision. I was honored by Sigi to warm up the teachers for the staff meeting with the 7 minute AEROZONE form. It was the ideal class with the ideal students. No matter the proficiency or understanding of the work each was able to find the gift in the work.
This is exactly the point of AEROFORM. I had read one Chi Gung teacher say that most teachers teach like everything is a dance class. They give you the choreography of the move and they ask you to follow them. But with Chi Gung the idea is to waken your chi and your life force. It is better to have kinesthenic sense of what you are doing rather than an immediate copying of the movement.
If you have an internal experience and awareness of the feeling as a master would feel it being performed that is much better than just knowing the movements. Knowing and experiencing what the movement feels like inside and what it does for you is infinitely better. The development of the "choreography" and the exactness of the movement is learned in ongoing sessions.
The feedback and comments from the teachers after the warm up was very positive and uplifiting. "I loved it." Each teacher was vibrating with positivity following the class.
Later in the day the first demo class for students had some interesting results. One student came in with the sniffles and runny nose, and said she was hungry. When she was halfway through the class she said her nose was clear and her appetite had waned. When you breathe deeply you are oxygenating your body. The more oxygen means the more efficiently you will burn calories; meaning a more efficient metabolism.
When you assimilate the chi from the breathing that we are doing in AEROFORM you are "digesting" energy, particulalry if you are swallowing your saliva during the exercises.
I've noticed the same end result on many occasions with my running nose stopping, as well as congested noses decongesting. The byproduct of expelling toxins and opening up the lungs through deeper breathing.
If you cannot take the class right now in Fair Lawn, NJ email or call so we can set up a private class or workshop near where you live.
Here's to your peaceful and most vibrant self
Michael
The have gravitated to Life Movement becasue of the vision of the leader Sigi Nissimov to offer more than just the steps, the exercise, the motion and the movement. Her vision is to reach into each student, adult or child and connect with their hearts, minds and spirits and give them something that lasts beyond the class.
Each of the teachers I've seen so far have the gift of teaching with that vision. I was honored by Sigi to warm up the teachers for the staff meeting with the 7 minute AEROZONE form. It was the ideal class with the ideal students. No matter the proficiency or understanding of the work each was able to find the gift in the work.
This is exactly the point of AEROFORM. I had read one Chi Gung teacher say that most teachers teach like everything is a dance class. They give you the choreography of the move and they ask you to follow them. But with Chi Gung the idea is to waken your chi and your life force. It is better to have kinesthenic sense of what you are doing rather than an immediate copying of the movement.
If you have an internal experience and awareness of the feeling as a master would feel it being performed that is much better than just knowing the movements. Knowing and experiencing what the movement feels like inside and what it does for you is infinitely better. The development of the "choreography" and the exactness of the movement is learned in ongoing sessions.
The feedback and comments from the teachers after the warm up was very positive and uplifiting. "I loved it." Each teacher was vibrating with positivity following the class.
Later in the day the first demo class for students had some interesting results. One student came in with the sniffles and runny nose, and said she was hungry. When she was halfway through the class she said her nose was clear and her appetite had waned. When you breathe deeply you are oxygenating your body. The more oxygen means the more efficiently you will burn calories; meaning a more efficient metabolism.
When you assimilate the chi from the breathing that we are doing in AEROFORM you are "digesting" energy, particulalry if you are swallowing your saliva during the exercises.
I've noticed the same end result on many occasions with my running nose stopping, as well as congested noses decongesting. The byproduct of expelling toxins and opening up the lungs through deeper breathing.
If you cannot take the class right now in Fair Lawn, NJ email or call so we can set up a private class or workshop near where you live.
Here's to your peaceful and most vibrant self
Michael
Monday, September 27, 2010
FREE - Ease your knee pain in 10 minutes?
Do you ever get those pains in the knee joint that feel like your getting shot by an arrow? Your okay 70% of the time but move in one particular way and zoink! And it's not cupid's arrow either. Often times it's ligament pain right between the bones. I'm not talking about a serious injury here but soreness that can be sharp.
I have had these before. In fact AEROFORM is one of the few exercise regimnens I've done where we actually do support for the knee.
I have had these before. In fact AEROFORM is one of the few exercise regimnens I've done where we actually do support for the knee.
I always explain to students:
- Always be gentle with your knees. Don't push them. Be aware of your movement and conscious of deliberately moving them with your breath.
- If you have bad knees or knee pain - skip the exercise.
The other day I was working out and doing the knee joint gate release section of AEROFORM and later on I noticed some joint pain in the side of the knee. This could be a combination of things. I may have overworked it on the treadmill. I may have aggravated it jumping around at an event which I'm constantly doing. Or I may have been a little overenthusiastic when doing the exercise.
And of course it could be a combination of them all or a few. Nevertheless, knee pain can be very annoying and debilitating on the body and mind. In my training I have learned two very effective techniques to alleviating the pain, often within minutes, and it stays away. One I learned from my martial arts Sifu. The other from a very gifted chriopractor. My pain when it triggered was about a 7.5. I applied the technique and within 10 minutes it had subsided to a 1. Within a 30 mintues it was gone and didn't come back.
First a word of caution: This technique should not be used in place of qualified professional medical advice. If you have a serious knee injury and you have to evaluate if it's an immediate medical need or not see a doctor. However, if it's something you can evaluate as chronic or temporary, give this a shot. No technique is going to prove effective for everyone, but I'm continually amazed and grateful for the relief it brings on those rare ocasions when I've overstepped my limits (pun intended after the fact).
The good news is if it works for you you will not need to use anti-inflamitories, drugs, props etc. If you would like to learn this simple amazing technique and ANYONE can do it, (and you can even do it for someone else), and see for yourself the fast relief it will bring, click on my website and go to the CONTACT page, and opt in. Just send your name and email address and you'll receive this great information FREE. If you have sensative knees, knee pain, or know someone who does it will be well worth the 15 seconds to sign up.
In addition to the technique for alleviating joint pain you will also get a audio and text file how to perform the 3 dynamic breathing techniques we use in AEROFORM. The breathing techniques by themselves will be of great value to you in working out, preparing for any kind of big presentation, for relaxing, becoming present and energizing.
So you get this extra bonus and for anyone with joint pain, sometimes a little relief is worth a lot.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Michael Sage Schindler
AEROFORM Health Fitness and Longevity
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Aligning yourself for a Great Outcome
Emotion and energy go hand and hand. If you align your mind with the proper intention you move all the energy in your body and outside your body to your benefit.
This is the benefit of being in the Zone, and as anyone who has been there can attest to you cannot get to the Zone with a fearful attitude or one that is focused on anything other than where you want to be and your intention to arrive there.
Some Zone experts say that you need a state of performance arousal to get yourself into the proper pre-Zone space, but I've found that personally intending a great outcome and putting nothing in its way naturally aligns you with enough energy to be there.
Here's a video I found that can possibly put you emotionally in the good spot to go forward with great intention. Enjoy.
This is the benefit of being in the Zone, and as anyone who has been there can attest to you cannot get to the Zone with a fearful attitude or one that is focused on anything other than where you want to be and your intention to arrive there.
Some Zone experts say that you need a state of performance arousal to get yourself into the proper pre-Zone space, but I've found that personally intending a great outcome and putting nothing in its way naturally aligns you with enough energy to be there.
Here's a video I found that can possibly put you emotionally in the good spot to go forward with great intention. Enjoy.
AEROZONE - Back stetching and Spine Opening Exercise
One of the series of exercises from the AEROZONE - 7 minute AEROFORM Warm up Series
This exercise is fantastic for the back and spine. This connects with one other exercise to truly release and assist with back issues.
This one is done with 3 specific breathing techniques. You can learn them free by signing up on our Contact Page at http://www.aeroformhealth.com/ and click on the contact page. Just put in your email address and info and we'll send it right out.
This exercise is fantastic for the back and spine. This connects with one other exercise to truly release and assist with back issues.
This one is done with 3 specific breathing techniques. You can learn them free by signing up on our Contact Page at http://www.aeroformhealth.com/ and click on the contact page. Just put in your email address and info and we'll send it right out.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Preventative Measures are Very Valuable as we Age
Last Friday morning I received a call from my mother. I said "How are you?'' She said "I've been better. Don't get alarmed but I'm in the hospital. I've had a minor stroke." Now this is not the kind of Friday morning pick me up news you want to get, but she seeemed fairly lucid and in good spirits.
"They may release me today." Rather than get upset I took my cue from her tone. I listened patiently to her taking me through it. And then I called my sisters. My sister Lisa went to visit her in the hospital. When I called later she explained it was an Ischemic Stroke, but not one caused by a blood clot which the majority of them are.
They did end up releasing my mother and the only telltale signs when I saw her the next day was a pirate patch over the right eye and very infrequent slurring of words. By the end of the day she wasn't even slurring. So a rapid recovery was certainly underway.
As I dove into research for this stroke it turns out that blood flow to the brain gets interupted. As we age many people opt not to exercise and live a sedentary lifestyle. This is a big risk for all kinds of issues. While strenuous exercise will not work for people entering the later part of their lives, regiments like Chi Gung, Tai Chi and certain yoga will offer a more gentle style of exercise that circulates the blood and energy in the human body.
Chances are pretty good that without a blood clot, with better circulation and flow in the body, my mother may have been able to reduce her risk for that minor stroke or even a bigger one down the line. Breathing and gentle stretching, circulation and movements can be of immense help with agility, balance, energy levels and circulation. It also balances out blood pressure which is also a risk factor for stroke.
I showed my mother some basic breathing and movement techniques and maybe for the first time in her life she was open to doing them.
Don't wait for a wake up call. Get yourself prepared for a long live filled with excellent mobility and health. Pick out a regimen you can do now for the rest of your life to reduce your risk for a myriad of issues.
If you want more information on AEROFORM which is another great means contact me from the AEROFORM website.
Talk to your parents and elderly relatives and friends, do something for yourselves. You will appreciate yourself for it.
"They may release me today." Rather than get upset I took my cue from her tone. I listened patiently to her taking me through it. And then I called my sisters. My sister Lisa went to visit her in the hospital. When I called later she explained it was an Ischemic Stroke, but not one caused by a blood clot which the majority of them are.
They did end up releasing my mother and the only telltale signs when I saw her the next day was a pirate patch over the right eye and very infrequent slurring of words. By the end of the day she wasn't even slurring. So a rapid recovery was certainly underway.
As I dove into research for this stroke it turns out that blood flow to the brain gets interupted. As we age many people opt not to exercise and live a sedentary lifestyle. This is a big risk for all kinds of issues. While strenuous exercise will not work for people entering the later part of their lives, regiments like Chi Gung, Tai Chi and certain yoga will offer a more gentle style of exercise that circulates the blood and energy in the human body.
Chances are pretty good that without a blood clot, with better circulation and flow in the body, my mother may have been able to reduce her risk for that minor stroke or even a bigger one down the line. Breathing and gentle stretching, circulation and movements can be of immense help with agility, balance, energy levels and circulation. It also balances out blood pressure which is also a risk factor for stroke.
I showed my mother some basic breathing and movement techniques and maybe for the first time in her life she was open to doing them.
Don't wait for a wake up call. Get yourself prepared for a long live filled with excellent mobility and health. Pick out a regimen you can do now for the rest of your life to reduce your risk for a myriad of issues.
If you want more information on AEROFORM which is another great means contact me from the AEROFORM website.
Talk to your parents and elderly relatives and friends, do something for yourselves. You will appreciate yourself for it.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Help your child cure their own colds
There is a section in AEROFORM where we combine energetic healing through tappin in our warm up. This material comes from EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), however there are a few other parallel energy meridian healing practices out there as well.
I was recently on the EFT website and with school starting those of us with kids know that it's also the beginning of cold season. I found this resource that a 4 year old was able to tap her way to reduce her symptoms. It's pretty simple to learn and could be something to help you through the season.
http://www.eftuniverse.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=220&Itemid=177
Robust energy to you and make it a great day.
I was recently on the EFT website and with school starting those of us with kids know that it's also the beginning of cold season. I found this resource that a 4 year old was able to tap her way to reduce her symptoms. It's pretty simple to learn and could be something to help you through the season.
http://www.eftuniverse.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=220&Itemid=177
Robust energy to you and make it a great day.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
AEROFORM Breathing Tip 1
Your free health tip. Practice the breath and become aware of the changes. Post comments and questions and I will respond to you. Enjoy and breathe.
Get yourself in the Zone
I took this 20 years of performances,classes, sports training and movement training with emcee motivational mastery and my interest in the healthy minded martial artsto create AEROFORM for Health Fitness and Longevity.
Surprise, performers (athletic or artistic) don't always wake up perfectly out of bed ready to go. They need to warm up their bodies, voices, get their minds right and focused at the task at hand. AEROFORM began as a way to warm myself up before a performance. It was the culmination of all my favorite exercises in martial arts, yoga, dance performance, theater art ritual, the Chinese healing arts and breathing. It provided me a short but powerful way to get to a peak state before a big event.
Over time it evolved and expanded into a daily practice.
In my studies and practice 2 things that made a huge impact on this work.
#1 was the power that our breath has over almost every aspect of our lives. As yoga and chi gung masters and practitioners learn, it’s actually quite magical in its ability to heal ailments, transform emotions, center the mind, and calm the nervous system. In martial arts I learned the power of breath as a martial force as well as for healing and strength.
#2 is how movement in performance can become a timeless, exhilarating experience, and seems to invigorate every aspect of a person from the body all the way to the spirit or soul. Moving the body moves energy. Moving the body in certain ways unlocks energy, draws in energy, extends energy, cultivates energy, and circulates energy.
When we are able to get completely in sync with the input and output of energy, physically and mentally and we let go of every extraneous thing something so miraculous happens: we become present entirely and free.
Dancers, artists, musicians and athletes know this specific place as being in the Zone.
This pinpoint moments of flowing in the Zone is such an incredibly wonderful timethat once felt it, it is never forgotten, and always desired. And then we want to re-experience it as often as possible. Some have described it as better than sex. And while maybe not as intense, I'd have to agree in the uplilfting freedom department. It is so vital to the best part of being a human being that it begs to be experienced.
The legendary soccer player Pelé described his experience of being in the Zone: "I felt a strange calmness... a kind of euphoria. I felt I could run all day without tiring, that I could dribble through any of their team or all of them, that I could almost pass through them physically."*
This is a state that all athletes, all performers, all people wish for every single time they go out to do their what they love. Can they get to that inspired place where the very best comes out? Can they become one with their desire and efforts where the goal and the journey are interchangeable? Can they transform themselves into that place of the zone? They know that’s where their best is. They’ve been there before but how do they get back?
And in everyday life wouldn't it be great to achieve this? How do we achieve this? The point where you merge into the best of yourself and everything happens exactly or better than imagined or in complete synchronicity. Thought slow, feelings calm, worries stop, health problems seem to disappear, pain eases and an enlightened and super state of being takes over.
My greatest most memorable moments are those moments in the Zone as well. I've heard people wax poetic about it, columnists rhapsodize, often getting very animated and excited, and anyone who has ever been there listens with baited breath to see if they can glean any nugget of insight from their experience.
We are physical beings and need to express ourselves physically in a purposeful way everyday or we can get grumpy, down, anxious you name the sensation. But thoughts lead energy. And thoughts lead the quality of our actions. For the Zone to happen the thoughts have to either sync perfectly with our intention or let go for a higher intelligence (the human organism) to take over. I've experienced both.
The combination of mind-body-spirit has been around for centuries yet is timeless. Moving where all are integrated working together makes us the most powerful we can be. Renewing, refreshing, centering, grounding and energizing. That’s what the AEROFORM exercise evolved to.
At its very best doing AEROFORM has produced an in the Zone experience or prepared me for the experience as a warm up to a sporting event or performance event.
Yet whether I make it to the Zone or not, the value is in the moment I practice and the hours following I feel I’m at my optimum energetic capabilities and primed for my finest achievements. I know I have properly prepared my mind and body for success. And the fact that I have provided myself an optimum way to proceed is very satisfying personally and empowering.
As a master of ceremonies for entertainment events I am a constant flow of energy and often a whirlwind of activity and performance. These range from full out high energy dancing to ballroom partnering a guest, to dealing with unexpected snafus and having to be at my improvisational best.
Events like these are anywhere from 4 to 5 hours and I am “on” most if not all of that time. Some Saturdays I do this twice in one day. Two events of up to 5 hours long each. Think if you will of doing 6-7 hours of continual aerobics at a 70% capacity range. That’s the job.
I’m no longer in my 20s or 30s when that kind of energy came easy to me. Doing AEROFORM has allowed me to have that kind of energy naturally then and now without drinking coffee or caffeine laced power drinks. I am able to rise to the occasion and if for some reason I do get tired a few minutes of any of the techniques can recharge me.
Why not find out if AEROFORM can do the same for you? For very many people it does. And there's many ways to learn it and you will know if it’s something for you within a very short period of time. If it is this is something you will have the benefits for the rest of your life. Talk to some friends and schedule an AEROFORM day at your house or in the park. Pre-order the video. Set up a private class. Call your yoga or martial arts studio to host a class. If nothing else you will have an experience you most likely will never forget, you may pick something up you can use for a lifetime. And then there's the benefits to look forward to if it does work for you. You've got to try it to see.
*Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_(psychology)
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Breathing and Circulation - Rebooting Ourselves for Optimum Health
When the computer freezes or the system gets temporarily corrupted we have to reset or reboot. If we're fortunate the computer is not damaged (although we may be), and it starts fresh.
What happens when our human system strarts gliching? The stress of the day or new unforseen event intrudes upon us (like lost video edited montage). A pain in the back arises from seemingly nowhere. A head ache or tight stomach intervenes. What about on going issues that don't stop us but just annoy or effect us enough so we are carrying on at 40 to 70% of our best?Wayne Dyer tells the story of his 90 year old mother who was complaining about aches and pains from sitting around watching TV. She wasn't moving. Wayne bought his mother a yoga DVD and within 2 days she was pain free.
As we get older and we get a bit more sendentary in life, all kinds of maladies can affect us. But even those who stay active playing sports or engaging in active hobbies find the aches and pains of the strenuousness taking its toll. So even keeping active to exercise the body often produces its wear and tear producing the opposite effect as well.
What's the solution? We don't want to stop doing what we love. The ancient eastern asian traditions have been dealing with these matters a few centuries longer than we have in the US. They understood that moving energy, circulating energy and breath have a profound impact on health.
Ron NaVarre of StressDefense is a brilliant teacher of Chi Gung, Tai Chi and Yoga
A great yoga class, chi gung class or Tai Chi class can often feel like you are resetting your personal human computer. Like a fresh reboot. It's the circulation and movement of energy in a way that is far gentler on the body and allows the cultivation of vital life force or CHI, instead of the workout just depleting your energy storehouses.
As we get older, this energy is what we need if we are going to restore and regenerate ourselves. Doing exercise aimed at promoting vital energy throughout the human body, not only reboots and restores our system, it reduces the process of aging itself. In discovering this key to health, we can ensure a much more vibrant physical, emotional, and intellectual life.
I enjoy yoga and chi gung. It makes me feel great in my body and relieves stress. In AEROFORM I merge the best of these exercises and focus the work on breathing as a main component. Breath is the most powerful tool we have to affect instant and lasting change and few people are really aware of it. In AEROFORM you learn right away, how to use it effectivesly and by integrating it and synchronizing it with movements leads to the profound healthful benefits I've been speaking about.
I have been dancing for many decades now and dance can change anyone's state. The beauty of syncing movements with beats and music and everything coming together in time is regenerating and often exhiliarating. This is one of the formulas that is incorporated in AEROFORM. The synchronisity of movement in time with breath. It becomes an incredible moving mediation, like Tai Chi but with more invigorating motions.
With this meditation you have a choice to activate and energize or relax and destress according to your intention and how you use your breath. Either way you reset your system to the way you want it.
For me it does both, energizes and relaxes, which I know sounds diametrically opposed. I coined a phrase a few years back to describe the AEROFORM effect as, "Energized Peacefulness". Feeling vibrant, alert, energized, calm, relaxed and centered all at the same time. What is perhaps my favorite part is it all happens in under 22 minutes. And that was a goal to have something that could be done quickly that works.
No one can stop the unforseen challenges, difficulties, issues that come into our lives. This is all a part of our existence. What we can do is learn how to reset the system when we realize we are not functioning with a useful opeartaing system for ourselves. AEROFORM has been that restart and reset for me. Find one that will work for you. It will be worth it. And if in practicing this routine you can provide a future of health as well, more the better.
For more information on AEROFORM and how you can take a class, learn privately, or create a class call me at 201 475-5769. Have an energized peaceful day.
Michael
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Light and Moderate Physical Activity Reduces the Risk of Early Death, Study Finds
ScienceDaily (July 25, 2010) — A new study by researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Cambridge University and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden has found that even light or moderate intensity physical activity, such as walking or cycling, can substantially reduced the risk of early death.
For the full article please read here.
"The good news from this study is that you don't have to be an exercise freak to benefit from physical activity. Just achieving the recommended levels of physical activity (equivalent to 30 minutes daily of moderate intensity activity on 5 days a week) reduces the risk of death by 19% [95% confidence interval 15% to 24%], while 7 hours per week of moderate activity (compared with no activity) reduces the risk of death by 24% (95% CI 19% to 29%)."
With more and more scientific evidence coming out to support the findings of thousand year old wisdom, there's never been a better time to find the type of exercise that best supports you, no matter how sedentary you may have been.
The wonderful thing about AEROFORM is that it offers one of the most meaningful ways to get health coursing through your body because you are using your breath, the core health system of your body to move. Whether you rarely exercise or are highly trained athlete it offers an inside out approach to your health. AEROFORM includes both light activity and moderate intensity throughout the workout. While the full workout can be done in under 30 minutes, adding in a few strength training exercises at the end with AEROFORM breathing techniques would be an ideal way to conclude your full 30 minutes.
Contact me today to find out how you can get started on a lifetime exercise you can do for the rest of your life.
For the full article please read here.
"The good news from this study is that you don't have to be an exercise freak to benefit from physical activity. Just achieving the recommended levels of physical activity (equivalent to 30 minutes daily of moderate intensity activity on 5 days a week) reduces the risk of death by 19% [95% confidence interval 15% to 24%], while 7 hours per week of moderate activity (compared with no activity) reduces the risk of death by 24% (95% CI 19% to 29%)."
With more and more scientific evidence coming out to support the findings of thousand year old wisdom, there's never been a better time to find the type of exercise that best supports you, no matter how sedentary you may have been.
The wonderful thing about AEROFORM is that it offers one of the most meaningful ways to get health coursing through your body because you are using your breath, the core health system of your body to move. Whether you rarely exercise or are highly trained athlete it offers an inside out approach to your health. AEROFORM includes both light activity and moderate intensity throughout the workout. While the full workout can be done in under 30 minutes, adding in a few strength training exercises at the end with AEROFORM breathing techniques would be an ideal way to conclude your full 30 minutes.
Contact me today to find out how you can get started on a lifetime exercise you can do for the rest of your life.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
What happens in your body when you are stressed?
This is a reprint of Howard VanEs' website article. It describes what happens to us when we are in a state of stress. He also happens to mention in another article that breathing is the first line of defense to the debilitating effects below. There are many tools available to help, of which AEROFORM happens to be one of my favorite. But the more resources you have the better you will be able to live a long and good feeling life. Enjoy the article and visit his website.
What happens in your body when you are stressed?
When we are faced with a stressful situation our bodies react with a number of chemical and hormonal changes that trigger the parasympathetic nervous system to prepare us for what is referred to as “fight or flight”; a response that prepares us to either flee – run away – or to stay and fight off the threat. This automatic reaction is a throwback to prehistoric times when the correct choices meant survival. Imagine for a moment that you are faced by a neighbor from a warring tribe or a wild animal – there is no time to think about options – just instant judgement, which means either fighting or fleeing.
The fight or flight response produces a number of changes in the body. Here’s what happens: When your brain senses danger the hypothalamus is triggered and a signal is sent to the pituitary gland which in turn sends messages to other glands of the body. This results in a release of chemicals and hormones which cause the adrenal glands to secrete noradrenaline and dopamine – a group of chemicals known as “catecholamines” which have direct effect on the major systems of the body. The cardiovascular system is boosted resulting in an increased heart rate, a stronger heart beat, and increased blood pressure which helps to pump blood to the limbs and large muscle groups in preparation for fighting or running.
Blood flow to the stomach is shut down (as is digestive activity) and is directed away from the skin to help the heart pump more blood to the muscles. This explains why our skin can feel cool, clammy and sweaty when feeling stress or anxiety. Sweaty skin also helps to provide a slippery surface for anything trying to grab us. There is also an increased release of fat and sugar into the bloodstream to provide energy for this up-regulated mode. The breathing rate increases to help the lungs take in much more oxygen, which explains the panting like breath we experience when feeling anxious, scared or panicky.
As you might imagine the “fight or flight” response was very useful back in prehistoric times; however the problem is that this same survival mechanism gets triggered to a certain degree when you are in any stressful situation – fighting traffic on the highway, standing in a long line at the grocery store, having to make a presentation to large group, asking your boss for a raise, etc. Very rarely do our modern day stressors require the level of reactivity that the “fight or flight” response triggers. Scientists are now realizing that our reaction to stress is a continuum – going from a high degree of stress to just the opposite – deep relaxation. In the middle is a balanced state.
As you can now see, our bodies are biologically pre-wired to react in certain ways to stress. The problem is that we do not face the same life-threatening stressors our predecessors did, but our body reacts as if we did! Take a look at our website to learn about the many ways you can manage stress and take control of your life.
Live Well,
Howard VanEs
http://www.mystressproofing.com/
What happens in your body when you are stressed?
When we are faced with a stressful situation our bodies react with a number of chemical and hormonal changes that trigger the parasympathetic nervous system to prepare us for what is referred to as “fight or flight”; a response that prepares us to either flee – run away – or to stay and fight off the threat. This automatic reaction is a throwback to prehistoric times when the correct choices meant survival. Imagine for a moment that you are faced by a neighbor from a warring tribe or a wild animal – there is no time to think about options – just instant judgement, which means either fighting or fleeing.
The fight or flight response produces a number of changes in the body. Here’s what happens: When your brain senses danger the hypothalamus is triggered and a signal is sent to the pituitary gland which in turn sends messages to other glands of the body. This results in a release of chemicals and hormones which cause the adrenal glands to secrete noradrenaline and dopamine – a group of chemicals known as “catecholamines” which have direct effect on the major systems of the body. The cardiovascular system is boosted resulting in an increased heart rate, a stronger heart beat, and increased blood pressure which helps to pump blood to the limbs and large muscle groups in preparation for fighting or running.
Blood flow to the stomach is shut down (as is digestive activity) and is directed away from the skin to help the heart pump more blood to the muscles. This explains why our skin can feel cool, clammy and sweaty when feeling stress or anxiety. Sweaty skin also helps to provide a slippery surface for anything trying to grab us. There is also an increased release of fat and sugar into the bloodstream to provide energy for this up-regulated mode. The breathing rate increases to help the lungs take in much more oxygen, which explains the panting like breath we experience when feeling anxious, scared or panicky.
As you might imagine the “fight or flight” response was very useful back in prehistoric times; however the problem is that this same survival mechanism gets triggered to a certain degree when you are in any stressful situation – fighting traffic on the highway, standing in a long line at the grocery store, having to make a presentation to large group, asking your boss for a raise, etc. Very rarely do our modern day stressors require the level of reactivity that the “fight or flight” response triggers. Scientists are now realizing that our reaction to stress is a continuum – going from a high degree of stress to just the opposite – deep relaxation. In the middle is a balanced state.
As you can now see, our bodies are biologically pre-wired to react in certain ways to stress. The problem is that we do not face the same life-threatening stressors our predecessors did, but our body reacts as if we did! Take a look at our website to learn about the many ways you can manage stress and take control of your life.
Live Well,
Howard VanEs
http://www.mystressproofing.com/
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Wired Magazine - The Scientific Study of Stress on People
Wired magazine in August had an incredible article on Stress. Many people have known about the debilitating impact that stress has but maybe didn't realize the full impact. I think this article spells it out in a new light.
The article however adds a new dimension to finding relief. If we don't we are sure to succumb to the disease that comes from the dis-ease. As this type of information becomes more easily accessible to the public, the idea of a vaccine for stress will probably be a very popular option. I have always believed that the human being is more powerful when accsessing all of what is available to us. Stress is not new, what's new is that science is beginning to show what most of us know intuitively: Stress kills. From this article we now know how it happens.
Byron Katie says, "There are no physical problems - only mental ones." My former teacher Sifu Ken Lo would say, "everything that happens to you happens out of a lack of awareness". If we close down, run away or fight stress, we are still engaged in it. If we become aware and move through it than it changes and we grow.
The healthy way to move through stress is to become present and ground ourselves in the moment. As many moments as we possibly can. This is where AEROFORM and the aforementioned processes truly come to our aid.
Embrace life, love and health,
Michael Sage
After I read this article I felt that everyone needed to see it. You see even those of us that practice Mind-Body exercise are not immune to being hit by stress. I have sometimes very powerful bouts with stress like trying to fight Hercules. It's precisely knowing that I don't want to live this way that leads me to stress reducing actions and techniques.
Byron Katie says, "There are no physical problems - only mental ones." My former teacher Sifu Ken Lo would say, "everything that happens to you happens out of a lack of awareness". If we close down, run away or fight stress, we are still engaged in it. If we become aware and move through it than it changes and we grow.
The healthy way to move through stress is to become present and ground ourselves in the moment. As many moments as we possibly can. This is where AEROFORM and the aforementioned processes truly come to our aid.
Embrace life, love and health,
Michael Sage
Create Energy Naturally - Eliminate Stress
Dr. Mercola is a fairly well known advocate of a healthy lifestyle on the web. I actaully enjoy his straight forward approach to issues. Below is his take on coffee and caffiene to boost your energy.
Besides B12 as a natural assistant to boosting health, you heard Dr. Mercola talk about exercise. Many doctors and health minded individuals talk about exercise to keep and maitain health, but boosting energy requires one important thing as we age: Enhancing, developing and retaining CHI or energy more than we use up and exhaust. This is called the cultivation of vital energy.
It just means it is ideal for the body to participate in a practice that adds, moves and enhances your store of energy and your ability to use it efficently, and move away from those actions and behaviors that zap it.
Tai Chi, Yoga, Chi Gung and AEROFORM along with most internal forms of martial arts actually give you a practice that moves toward this beneficial energy cultivation as a by product of the exercise itself. So while you are enjoying the process of moving your body and engaging your mind, the benefits are far greater than just in the moment.
A lot of people think if they do these forms of exercise that they have to just do those things. That's not true. You can play basketball or softball, or lift weights or run and still enjoy the benefits of these practices. In fact as mentioned in other blogs, it will enhance those experiences.
Embrace life, love and health,
Michael Sage
Besides B12 as a natural assistant to boosting health, you heard Dr. Mercola talk about exercise. Many doctors and health minded individuals talk about exercise to keep and maitain health, but boosting energy requires one important thing as we age: Enhancing, developing and retaining CHI or energy more than we use up and exhaust. This is called the cultivation of vital energy.
It just means it is ideal for the body to participate in a practice that adds, moves and enhances your store of energy and your ability to use it efficently, and move away from those actions and behaviors that zap it.
Tai Chi, Yoga, Chi Gung and AEROFORM along with most internal forms of martial arts actually give you a practice that moves toward this beneficial energy cultivation as a by product of the exercise itself. So while you are enjoying the process of moving your body and engaging your mind, the benefits are far greater than just in the moment.
A lot of people think if they do these forms of exercise that they have to just do those things. That's not true. You can play basketball or softball, or lift weights or run and still enjoy the benefits of these practices. In fact as mentioned in other blogs, it will enhance those experiences.
Embrace life, love and health,
Michael Sage
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
AEROFORM for Actors and Performers
It took me back to the very first time I learned a similar seriecs when I was in an acting BFA program in college. The professors were always stressing you must prepare the body properly for optimum expression. But being young and full zest I wasn't sure how the work applied.
Now much later in life I understand all too well how a mind-body centering exercise series can be not only one of the best physical warm ups for creative expression, but the peace and relaxation that results from the work is ideal to get the best out of yourself.
For me I often have to work 2 events in one day, and each event is equivalent of a mini marathon, with the mental and physical drain. Even in my late 20s in amazing shape doing 2 events at full throttle would require at least a 24 hour recupperation period. Now much later in life few would even imagine that doing two of these in one day at such a high energy level is possible. I owe my entire career to AEROFORM and mind-body exercise.
And each time I do AEROFORM I become more attuned to the wide range of benefits beyond the ability to have energy for an entire day even at high exertion levels. This is where it occured to me that AEROFORM would amount to a potentially ideal warm up and work out for performers of all types particularly actors, singers and dancers.
If you have a space that you'd like to see AEROFORM, acting companies, schools, mind body centers or individuals consider having a demonstration class to see the benefits for your artists. Contact me today at 201 475-5769 to set up a demo free of charge.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Welcome to the Aeroform BLOG - Staying on Top
Quick news flash: AEROFORM will be starting classes again this fall at Life Movement and I'm happy to be offering it here. Sigi who runs Life Movement is a very supportive integrated person who incredibly excited to bring AEROFORM in to her studio. Classes will be starting in October and there will be 2 demo days to come try it out for free. For more information contact the studio or hit me with an email.
WHY NOT BRING AEROFORM TO YOU!
Do you have a few friends who would like to do AEROFORM as part of your weekly routine. Why not bring AEROFORM to you? You don't need a lot of space and it can easily be done outside on a lawn. You can do it in a living room. Have your own private class in the privacy of your own space. Rates are very reasonable, and it's guranteed to be a game changing experience for you and your friends. You could make it a regular part of your health regimen. If you are not completely satisfied with results I'll refund your money.
Call 201 475-5769 to get more information or set up a time. The introduction is half price.
Okay that sounds good but, uh, so what is AEROFORM?
I'm glad you asked. Aeroform is an short but very effective exercise series in the tradition of Tai Chi (slow flowing motions), Vinyassa Yoga (a more fast paced, flowing style of Yoga rather than holding poses) and Chi Gung (mainly a stationery style of internal exercise – a Chinese system of physical and mental training for health, martial arts and self-enlightenment. Literally meaning breath power). It's fairly easy to pick up and can be learned in a relatively short amount of time. Once you have it you can do it for the rest of your life.
How AEROFORM differs is it truly is breath centered and breath powered exercise, you are using your breath in time with your movements as a main focus of the workout. This syncing of movements – using your breath to inspire and power your movements - creates a whole list of benefits inside your body from tissues, organs and glands to detoxifying your cells, while toning, shaping and energizing your outer body.
We use slow flowing motions AND quicker uptempo style expressive movements that you control. How you chosse to express it can bring you an increase of dynamic energy that can last a full day or as a meditative, stress releasing and relaxing style workout. You determine your results by your intention.
What will I be doing in a class?
AEROZONE is a 7 minute warm up - workout consisting of 18 standing exercises including twisting, circling, tapping and swinging and can be done by almost anyone regardless of current fitness levels.
AEROFORM is an 18 to 22 minute form – which continues to stretch, loosen, awaken and release your body in sections from your torso and spine, to your abdominal, from your head to your legs.
In either class you will be breathing fuller and learning how to use your breath to connect with and motivate your movements.
You will be learning the individual exercises and then putting them in sequence to complete the form. One day we may focus on a particular body part that is troubling, or a release sequence. Another class we may focus on using the routine for strength and power. Another way is to use it as a meditation. That's the versatility of the program.
What it’s not?
It is not holding poses or about pushing you to test your limits. It’s not a slow motion dance style movement like Tai Chi. It’s not an aerobic class or a funky dance class where you walk out sweating. It’s not a military boot camp style workout. We're not lifting weights or working with props.
What you can expect form AEROFORM?
1. You can expect to breath more fully, openly and deeply than you ever have before.
2. You can expect that you will be able to do all the movements with some degree of success. You can expect that those you have trouble with at first will come along easier relatively quickly if you allow yourself to not have to be an all star right out of the box. You will get better at them as you go along.
3. You can expect to sweat from the heat that builds from internal cleansing due to fuller breathing.
4. You will discover how powerful standing and using your body in simple exercise can actually be.
5. These are slow movements and quicker movements that work together mostly in a standing position to achieve the desired results.
6. You can expect to feel grounded, centered, calmer, peaceful and energized.
7. You can expect that if you are like most people you may get tense just from breathing, and we'll show you how to breathe without the tension.
8. You can expect to be focused totally on your own body, energy, thoughts and learning about yourself in a whole new way.
9. You can expect a positive, supportive class environment allowing you to go at your own pace.
10. If find the exercise is right for you, you can expect to feel really good afterward.
Who is it for?
AEROFORM is for people who like new, exciting and alternative ways of exercising and expanding their awareness about themselves. It offers you an opportunity to have an introspective workout, where you learn and grow while you are actually taking care of your body and mind.
AEROFORM is ideal for those who have a desire toward self growth. It is perfect for those who like mind-body connective exercise. It is perfect for those who have taken or enjoy the idea of meditation, yoga, martial arts, tai chi or chi gung. People who have an interest in self enlightenment, self enrichment, and self empowerment flourish with it.
Additional note - AEROFORM works really well in conjunction with more traditional style workouts. I use AEROFORM techniques in all my various types of workouts, whether it's Weight Training, Pilates or aerobics on an elliptical trainer.
Sports Note - Athletes, professional or amateur need to limber, stretch and warm their bodies up before they go full out. No matter what athletic event you do AEROFORM can do more than just warm and loosen up your body. It centers your mind for ease of focus and if done for this purpose can fully energize the system. These kinds of benefits are pretty much reserved for mind-body exercises.
For GOLFERS this IS one of best warm ups I've ever seen or done for golf. Golfers know that the body particularly the back, knees and neck often take a beating. And the ability to relax and focus is primary for great results. As an avid golfer I've not only found AEROFORM to be an ideal warm up for my body, but the calming, centering and mental benefits often allow me to play better and lower my score, sometimes dramatically. Sometimes simply because I feel so good in my body I'm able to better manage my emotions on the not so good shots I hit, and that makes for a more enjoyable round altogether.
Why do AEROFORM?
Most people discover they have immense amount of energy and feel really good afterward. It also helps to detoxify your system, while working you out from inside out. A pretty cool concept and even better when you feel it for yourself.
If you’ve ever wanted the benefits of meditation but cannot sit still AEROFORM is for you. AEROFORM will clear your mind while stretching, toning, loosening and releasing your body from the inside out.
If you are looking to have energy for an entire day, AEROFORM can invigorate your entire body and wake you up like a steady flow of coffee.
AEROFORM can also be expressed for relaxation to wind down and a release all the stresses of the mind for the evening.
The morning sessions will emphasize energizing and awakening every part of your body.
The late afternoon and evening sessions will emphasize stress release, relaxation and centering.
Who it is not for?
While AEROFORM has been proven to be beneficial for everyone from top athletes and martial artists to every day sedentary folks, anyone who wants a hard physical workout, or a fast paced form of exercise to "kind of just go away" and just “work your body out” this will probably not be for you.
AEROFORM most benefits from your choice and willingness to use your breath and body together. In order to do that you need your mind to be present to assist you in the exercises. You can get decent results without it, but the more present and focused your awareness is during the exercise the FAR greater the benefits. It is a liberating and empowering feeling to work this way but it if you prefer the type of workout where you just following along to get your body moving this probably will not be for you.
For a video sample of what it looks like please visit the website. I look forward to your questions and comments.
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