Why Foundations?

I have just spent a weekend teaching about foundations, the breath and your posture, and exploring what they are and how to do them correctly. It's funny that the two things we are so naturally born with are the hardest things for us to come back to. Instead we've become distracted by the things outside of us, quickly forgetting the process of life, desperately controlling our food and exercise habits, and denying that life will end when the time is right.  We focus on how much we exercise rather than how much we move, on what we should eat rather than what our body is asking for, and so many other external influences.

So I want to go against the grain of what's being pounded into your heads, if for no other reason than to play devils advocate and get to you to consider a different idea... Right or wrong... It's about what FEELS right for you rather than someone else telling you what is right.

If there's all this information out there about the power of thoughts and how we think creates the experience, than perhaps that attributes to what you stick in your mouth as well. Maybe instead of hating your food you just loved it and ate it slowly, thankful that you get it. From your farmers garden to mcdonald's you just learned to give it appreciation. (That said I don't eat mcdonalds, not only because I think it's gross but because I do not wnt to give money where I do not believe ethics exist). I'm just saying stop blaming your food for what your body looks like, it's not it's fault. Maybe it's how much you consume, or how often you consume it, or maybe it's about what you think about it emotionally as your body is trying to digest it. Maybe it's about not being in tune with your body.

Have you considered that thoughts don't just change what you're attracted too, but EVERYTHING in your life, from food to relationships.

Switching gears like that isn't that easy, so here's something to focus on physically.

        Breath.
        Posture.

Because both of these things relate very closely to the condition of your nervous system. Your breath is a pump for your body where as your posture determines your mobility and flexibility. So if you put a big rock on a belt in the engine of your car, (try not to be too impressed by my car lingo), do you reckon it would still run efficiently when you are driving?
No? Well how do your internal organs feel when you slouch or even puff up your chest too much? Of course it effects their function because their mobility and motility is compromised.

When you compromise your posture it equally effects the muscles in your stomach, back, shoulders, neck, and hips making them tighter which, from the way I approach the body and what I've learned... If the muscles are tight because of improper use the nervous system becomes strained, after all they're in very close relation to each other.

This is  just another form of stress, and we all know what stress does to the body. Stress eating for example. Weight gain as another. Poor sleeping habits. And the list goes on. All which lead to more stress. And this stress will cause you to feel bad, shorten your breath, and make you think you need to work harder to be better. But perhaps you do not have to work harder, or perhaps you do, but you won't really know until you've relieved the symptoms of stress and re-visited your foundations and what they need to be.

         Posture and breath.

They're the two basics. They're within your control.  They give you more knowledge about yourself than your fitness routine and your food, which are  just repercussions of  previous bad habits.

Now I'm rambling, I apologize. I just want everyone to know that it's a lot simpler than we are making it out to be, and spreading the word that poor trainers, physios, yoga teachers, and doctors will not bother to discuss these basics with you because that wouldn't line their pockets anymore now would it?

Be well. Be gentle. and of course Love!

The Spray of the Waves.

This video caused the following feelings to well up, like the waves, and generally I am not very poetic but It is as though when my mom passed she exploded and scattered herself through out all the world I know, revealing herself in the people I meet, the animals I see, and the nature I come in contact with.  So, this is about gratitude and appreciation for the connections of this world and the anniversaries I am celebrating in the coming days and weeks.

Women:
The importance of women in life alluded me in my earlier years, and I enjoyed the conversations had with guys much more. As the years matured I found the vulnerability that women have with one another in true friendship is irreplaceable. The moment I realized I was losing my mom I suddenly missed the women in my life dearly as I would soon be lacking the most important woman in my life. I regretted the times I'd changed in moments with ladies for moments with a dude because it felt like it was only them that could fully comprehend my loss. 

I have found this truth again and again in the last year. Year. 1 year. 1 year with out my mom. 1 year falling into step with women and people all over the world. It appears that the deficiency of my moms presence has led to an excess in the presence of incredible women in my life. Like I said at the beginning, it is like a wave smashing into the rocks scattering itself endlessly.  It has been so hard to do this year with out her, to go through the successes and the tears, to notice the subtleties, and gather strength.  Appreciate your mom, 

Men, mostly my dude:
I don't mean to leave the guys out of this one. I have met some amazing men along this journey; the kind that restore your faith in the opposite sex. However, there is one that leads the pack, one that is not family by blood, rather by proving he supports me. 4 years. 4 years with one dude. 4 years of laughing, adventure, and molding life to look exactly as it should. And in this past year our relationship has softened into something deeper, a sort of connection that affirms I'm with a bad ass that I wouldn't change in for the world. Like most of my connections these days I can't imagine it would be this deep had this year been any other way. 

There is unlimited depth in loss, realization and mysteries that uncover themselves in the strangest areas. It reveals to you the importance of connection and reminds you day in and out to respect those around you. Because we are human, we will sometimes fail. So like a plaque in my moms room once said 

Life is about

How well you live

How well you love

And how well you learn to let go. 

Thailand:
2 years.  2 years in Thailand.  2 years of my life looking exactly as I would have drawn it out to be.  The amount I have learned here is unbelievable (stay tuned for the 20 things I learned in SE Asia write up). Mostly it has provided me a away to expand beyond what I thought I would and spread myself through out the world as I've always wanted too. I have met incredible people, created my work life the way I want it, adventured with my dude as well as on my own, and lived by the sea!   

I am thankful for Phuket, for the people I have met, for the people that I know, for my dude my dad and my brother, for my incredible mama, and for all of the things that have helped me move through this year with out her. Each of you has influenced in a different way, making it tolerable and inspiring and I want you to know that. 

This next month I want to celebrate... Celebrate life, love, friendships, connection, travel, community, work, yoga, transition, beauty, knowledge, and YOU. Thank you all for the part you've played and I hope I've given you something in return to what you've given me.

Wishing you the best! Love!!!