Monthly Archive: October 2017

How to Get Started with Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness meditation can help alleviate stress, achieve clarity, improve creativity, and allow one to live more in the moment.

At least, that’s what I’ve been told. Meditation is something I’ve always thought I should do, but I’ve never been able to make the commitment.

Maybe I’m not really sold on the benefits…

Here’s the thing. I feel like I’ve already got a ton of things to do with regards to my health. I work on my strength. I try to keep myself in condition. I need to improve my mobility and flexibility. I practice skill work and movement. I try and eat right, both for performance and for body composition. I try and drink enough water and get enough sleep.

Do I really need to add one more practice into my life?

Well, one thing I DO know is that meditation is best developed and understood through experience. Trying to figure it all out through definition alone is limited.

How hard can it be? Can I start with just 5 minutes?

This week, I decided to sit down and chat with Dr Adam Bletsoe, a local healer and chiropractor who’s also my “mindfulness guy”. Dr Adam has achieved amazing results with his patients by not only doing body work, but by also incorporating mind-body science into his practice. Like myself, he firmly believes that we all have the ability to heal and to achieve great health within us.  And he practices what he preaches.

mindfulness meditation

“Health comes from us, not to us”, says Bletsoe.

After our conversation, I went from just thinking that meditation was just “thinking with your eyes closed”, to a mindfulness practice that can have dramatic positive effects.

Adam also guided me through a 5-minute meditation session, my first successful attempt.

I recorded our conversation on video (watch time 12:38). My apologies for the sound quality (we were short one lavalier microphone, so had to make do with the on-camera mic), but I think you’ll find the material useful.

Adam shows how anyone can get started with mindfulness meditation, simply and without taking up lots of time. Have a watch.

And if you’d like to experience a guided 5-minute meditation session on your own, click here.

 

Dealing with Injuries

Several years ago I tore my right triceps tendon performing a muscle-up.

I hadn’t properly warmed up and jumped into an advanced move too quickly. It was too much for my already inflamed tendons, and the damage was done. And while that injury is far behind me, I still suffer from some aggravating tendonitis when performing certain triceps dominant moves.

So I’m modifying my training, listening to my body, and getting help from my network of health care practitioners. And things are improving…

Training injuries sometimes seem inevitable. Is there any way to minimize them?

If you’re new to physical training, you’ll want to ease into your practice slowly. Overuse and repetitive motion can cause nagging issues, and dealing with injuries can prevent you from reaching your goals.

Make sure you do the following to stay safe:

  • Ramp up your program in terms of frequency and intensity. Don’t do too much too soon.
  • Ensure you use proper technique. Seek help from a professional if you’re unsure or are learning new exercises.
  • If you are older or are prone to a medical condition, see your doctor or health care provider before beginning any exercise program.
  • Avoid doing too much repetitive motion. Perform a variety of activities (cross-train) and be sure to include strength training in your mix.

Here are some quick thoughts I put together this week (watch time 3:59)

Above all, listen to your own body.

How to Stick With Your Training

As somebody who’s interested in helping people re-awaken their natural fitness abilities, I know the value of regular and consistent training.

But I also realize the challenge that some have — perhaps even you. There are often negative thoughts and emotions associated with kick-starting a new fitness regime. It’s tough to form positive health habits that will actually stick.

If that’s you, I’d like you to start thinking about fitness with a different perspective. Watch the short clip below (and please excuse my stuffy nose voice, I was getting over a cold) 🙂

First of all, you have to start with something you actually like. If you don’t like to run, then don’t set a goal of waking up at 6am every morning to do a 5K run. Choose something that’s going to add value, something that will make you feel good. Maybe you’ll start by walking. Or maybe you’ll practice some bodyweight squats — just 10 at a time. Try some basic calisthenics or practice some natural movement.

Learn to enjoy what you do. Training shouldn’t be something you dread.

Once you’ve established some good habits and can stick with them — then you can look to expand your scope or volume.