Monday, June 23, 2008

Everyday Movements

I am taking a Martha Graham contemporary dance class summer intensive again. That woman was a genius! The classes are superb for the spirit-mind-body connection!

One of her primary movements is the contraction, whether lying down, sitting, standing or jumping. You contract your abdominal muscles while keeping your head and spine aligned and tall. Much motion is contained in your torso; you feel exaltation and pain there. She created moves where you open up from a contraction, much like resurrecting from pain or feelings such as self-doubt and hurt: pure genius. it is such a great expression and release.

The male teacher today said imagine you are doubling over from a stomach ache when describing how to do a move standing up with a contraction and then moving toward the toes. I thought that it would be great to include a blog post about really moving in everyday movements to express emotion and get a workout. When you are dusting, ironing, sweeping, vacuuming or other , feel you body and muscles. Inhale when relaxing the primary mover muscle, and exhale when contracting the primary mover muscle. Work through the full range of motion. This way, you can be training even out of the gym, and increase good balance and posture.

For the past several blog posts, I have not created exercise programs. Look to past posts or search by muscle group, and you will find them!

Disclaimer: None of the above information can be taken as a substitute for advice from a medical professional, such as a physician.

My third book, Pocket Guide to Fitness, is available on www.louizapatsis.com, http://www.authorhouse.com, www.bn.com and http://www.amazon.com. If you look up my name on those Web sites, you will find my other books The Boy in a Wheelchair and Life, Work and Play: Poems and Short Stories.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

It's All Worth It!

I recently took a contemporary masters dance class at Steps on Broadway. I never took a contemporary dance class, as opposed to a modern dance class. Last year I took the intensive Martha Graham summer series of about 50 modern dance classes, and took some more this year. Her work, combining the emotions and body rocks!

I heard that I can't do this since the combination of steps is too much for a person who has danced in choreographed classes too much. many of the students there have been taking ballet and other dances since they were about five years old. There were about 35 steps at the end of class, and most had been memorized the day before at a class I had not attended.So I did not remember all of the steps. But the beginning of the class was so easy, and I found my command of my body, expression and dance capability had exponentially increased since last summer. There is more work to do, but all of those repetitions of even basic steps at the Martha Graham school were so worth it, and worked both consciously and sub-consciously on my spirit, soul, mind, emotions and body. It must be like the wax on and wax off in the Karate Kid.

Do not underestimate what happens with each repetition of a set or with each step of a workout!

For the past several blog posts, I have not created exercise programs. Look to past posts or search by muscle group, and you will find them!

Disclaimer: None of the above information can be taken as a substitute for advice from a medical professional, such as a physician.

My third book, Pocket Guide to Fitness, is available on www.louizapatsis.com, http://www.authorhouse.com, www.bn.com and http://www.amazon.com. If you look up my name on those Web sites, you will find my other books The Boy in a Wheelchair and Life, Work and Play: Poems and Short Stories.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Step by Step

Yesterday I ran in the five-mile Father's Day New York Road Runner Race. I had not run a week before in a race and had not run in an official race for months. I do not believe in running each day, because it is not great for ankles and knees. But I run once in a while, and it is a measure I use for my fitness.

It was hot an muggy, but I was inspired. I ran in the memory of my father, Dionysios Sotiris Patsis, who passed on February 2, 2006, and my uncle who was like a second Dad, Dionysios Spathis, who passed on April 21, 2007. I was ready to go.

I told myself to walk and rest two times, and i only did for a few steps. It felt better to run! I had some tightness in my hamstrings from before the race. I did not stretch. I would not recommend this to a client.

I found out at night that I ran in 1:01:50. I usually run five miles in one hour. I was a little disappointed in myself. Then I saw that the humidity was 93%. And I did not need to rest. I was happy with myself. What I can do is see if my performance, due to humidity, has improved. If it has not improved, I can put in what is missing in terms of mental confidence, diet or exercise to bring up my time. I do not want to be a speed racer, but I do will improve each year! I will not waste time thinking that anything is wrong. I will concentrate on being grateful to myself and the Universe, and put in what is missing, if anything, step by step.

Disclaimer: None of the above information can be taken as a substitute for advice from a medical professional, such as a physician.

My third book, Pocket Guide to Fitness, is available on www.louizapatsis.com, http://www.authorhouse.com, www.bn.com and http://www.amazon.com. If you look up my name on those Web sites, you will find my other books The Boy in a Wheelchair and Life, Work and Play: Poems and Short Stories.

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Emotions

"E" in emotions can stand for evolution. So emotions can be an evolution into a new space in your spirituality, mentality and topography. Dance is a great way to connect to your emotions which furthers the movement of energy and thought and therefore growth form your spirit – mind – body. Modern dance such as Martha Graham is especially great. You keep your detachment and strength while processing your emotions.

Working out is a great way to process them. You can also beat a pillow but that is not a well-balanced exercise plan!

Disclaimer: None of the above information can be taken as a substitute for advice from a medical professional, such as a physician.

My third book, Pocket Guide to Fitness, is available on www.louizapatsis.com, http://www.authorhouse.com, www.bn.com and http://www.amazon.com. If you look up my name on those Web sites, you will find my other books The Boy in a Wheelchair and Life, Work and Play: Poems and Short Stories.

Connect to the Source and Self-Respect

I read Dr. Wayne W. Dyer's new book The Power of Intention: Learning to Co-Create Your World Your Way. I have to say I know almost all that is there. He keeps writing about the importance of connecting to the source. To me that is the Holy Spirit. To you it may be that or God or the Universe or Spirit. When you are connected, no matter what circumstances show up, such as other people's words or obstacles in your path, you are unstoppable and you quickly dissolve upsets. Now often you may need to process and express your emotions, but not so that you are stuck in a rut forever or even close. You use all that comes in your path.

When you are connected, which exercise helps to do, you know how much rest you need, or even if it may be all right for you to have some sweets or even smoke a little. I know some people will not like this. The point is that you know what is good for you.

That varies for each person. And if you have that self-respect that starts from appreciating the marvel that is your body, with its millions of functions and reactions per second, you will know how to treat it, love it and work it!

Just think of millions of people who do not have your health or function.

And you'll know you're hot!

Disclaimer: None of the above information can be taken as a substitute for advice from a medical professional, such as a physician.

My third book, Pocket Guide to Fitness, is available on www.louizapatsis.com, http://www.authorhouse.com, www.bn.com and http://www.amazon.com. If you look up my name on those Web sites, you will find my other books The Boy in a Wheelchair and Life, Work and Play: Poems and Short Stories.

Sunday, June 01, 2008

Ginseng

Ginseng refers to a genus of 11 plants that grow in northern Asia. Medical studies on its medicinal use are contradictory. It has been shown to have anti-oxidant properties: Karadeniz A, Cemek , M, Simsek N.(2008), Lee LS, Wise SD, Chan C, Parsons TL, Flexner C, Lietman PS.(2008), Yao HT, Chang YW, Chen CT, Chiang MT, Chang L, Yeh TK. (2008); anti-tumor properties: Nagamine MK, da Silva TC, Matsuzaki P, Pinello KC et al.(2008), Li QF, Shi SL, Liu QR, Tang J, Song J, Liang Y. (2008), Shin HR, Kim JY, Yun TK, Morgan G, Vainio H (2000) ; and anti-stress properties: Rasheed N, Tyagi E, Ahmad A. (2008), Sheikh N, Ahmad A, Siripurapu KB, Kuchibhotla VK, Singh S, Palit G. (2007) .

Perform your own research at www.pubmed.gov. Do not take ginseng supplements without the knowledge and dosage determination by your physician.

Disclaimer: None of the above information can be taken as a substitute for advice from a medical professional, such as a physician.

My third book, Pocket Guide to Fitness, is available on www.louizapatsis.com, http://www.authorhouse.com, www.bn.com and http://www.amazon.com. If you look up my name on those Web sites, you will find my other books The Boy in a Wheelchair and Life, Work and Play: Poems and Short Stories.