Two Magazine Articles: O Magazine and Bazaar

Hey All,

There is an interesting article in June 2010 O Magazine by Martha Beck on vision boards. It's about how visualizing is not the same as the goal (I'd say mostly yang) energy of work-reach goals. I'd say she is talking about the yin-yang balance being in the zone. She said she'd rather not choose the usual: cute man, mansion, etc. But I see nothing wrong with that. She did say to choose just random shots like a beautiful leaf, because that connects to your subconscious...interesting. I'd say do both types. She said to let go of the goal after you do it, which is great and very difficult i.e. don't be attached. The third "stage" is be in action when an opportunity arises (be present). Unattached action can be tough.

I do believe you can cause what you think of. I've seen it. I liked Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie. I tried to move things with my nose and by nodding when I was little. LOL. She goes over a contraption where brain waves change results. As usual, I do see the dual side. Sometimes stuff happens, and if we also think your subconscious/conscious causes stuff, then the danger is you view those with bad circumstances (even earthquake or flood or war victims) as causing it, and I do believe there is also God, destiny, and randomness...just keep inquiring.

Well, I did not get a return (yet) on a coffee (won't get into the story) at one store uptown, and went downtown where I saw a new coffee shop with 50% off coffee at the time I was there...so I did get it back. Then I saw in Bazaar May 2010 with three gals, one being Kim Kardashian, doing nude shots celebrating curves...Well, duh, women have a chest and hips and it's about time that fashion and fitness magazines reflect that, within the parameters of being fit. There is no excuse for not being fit (except severe injury temporarily): You only have to enroll yourself. However, women can be that with muscle and fat within certain parameters as shown by science. So here is yet another article that has to do with my fitness promise....hahaha....putting it out there and letting go as O's article said.

Ab Coaster

I saw a woman on the Ab Coaster yesterday at the New York Sports Club by Union Square (cute club). I tried it. It is an easty-way-out machine. I don't have a burn today after doing five sets of 25 repetitions with 10 pounds on each side. But maybe I will have one tomrorow. You hold onto handles and just use your lower abdominal muscles to bring up your hips and legs. it's harder to do this on teh stand-up machine with handles or even to lay on the floor and bring up your hips in pulses with your lower abdomiaml muscles. But for a change I suppsoe doing the Ab Coaster may be good. It may work out different muscle fibers. i'll see if I have a burn tomorrow! The more fit you are, the more it takes to give you a burn. ;)

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.

The Brain and Meditation

Most people know that meditating, taking a break from a busy schedule and focusing on the now in a grateful mode, is good for them. A similar peace for me can be found in Nature or after a hard workout. But there is something special about meditation, when you can get into it, and you are in that altered state of being, much like when you awake or lie on the beach, and are half-asleep.

Scientists have been doing experiments on yoga and the brain. They have found that the brain continues to learn at a rapid rate into middle age, and may not reach its peak in young adulthood. If one practices focusing their attention on the breath or a mantra, the brain restructures itself. In the journal Neuro Image in 2009, Luger et al. published findings on how gray matter in the brain increases after meditation. The brain in these areas becomes more efficient or powerful. The brain can focus in other areas after mediation. Vispassana or reality now medication increases attention in the moment, and prevents times we are absent-minded and may have accidents, etc. This can save lives in areas such as surgery or driving!

Some studies showed a decrease in gray matter or activity in the amygdala, an area of the brain responsible for stress. A study by psychologist Barbara Frederickson et al. at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill showed that mediation increases compassion. We feel more connected as One.

She writes that the goal of mediation is not to get rid of or to obsess with unpleasant thoughts, but to become more aware of your thoughts and emotions, and learn to move through or process them without getting stuck. it's about being real and expressing your emotions, while you also observe yourself, to me. Your thoughts and emotions can give you a clue as to who you are and what you want...but you want
to use them for that, and to be still underneath it all. Meditation, yoga and exercise are a part of that.

Information for this blog post was obtained from Kelly McGonigal's Your Brain on Meditation in Yoga Journal.

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.

Christy Turlington Quit Runway After Being "Picked Apart"

Even yoga guru and successful supermodel Christy Turlington was annoyed at being picked apart by French before a runway show after deemed "pregnant-looking" for their tiny-sized clothes.

How many women (or men who love them) don't want to have a chest, butt and some soft fat in places?

From Oprah: http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Christy-Turlingtons-Aha-Moment

Seventh Chakra: The Crown Center

Location: top of the head, brain, nerves, pineal gland, central nervous system

Human development: Energy used for self-realization and enlightenment

Positive manifestation: Bliss, peace, self-actualization, universal love

Negative manifestation: Abuse, despair, spiritual denial or religious

Associated illnesses: Brain tumors

Somatic sensations: Non-sensation, absence of sensation

Somatic concept: being, not doing; Integration; Results of direct experiences acquired from heightened, enhance awareness, intuition, and honest introspection

Yoga pose-movement: headstand, Salutation pose, Skull tapping

Human Potential: identification with sublime, integration, self-actualization, self-transcendence

Some of the information from this blog post was obtained from Mind and Body Healing Through Awareness, Yoga and Somatic Integration by Linda Christy Weiler, M.S.

Sixth Chakra: The Third Eye

Location: Area between the eyebrows; eyes, face, pituitary gland and autonomic nervous system

Human development: Energy used for mental powers and greater self-awareness

Positive manifestation: Intuition, perceptive, rational cognition

Negative manifestation: Confusion, spaced out, over intellectualizing

Associated Illnesses: Headaches

Somatic sensation: Stillness or emptiness, expanding space

Somatic concept: body parts and people are connected in harmony

Yoga pose-moment: Child's, Dolphin and Repetitive seated bowing

Human Potential: Inspiration, clarity and deep understanding

Some of the information from this blog post was obtained from Mind and Body Healing Through Awareness, Yoga and Somatic Integration by Linda Christy Weiler, M.S.

Fifth Chakra: The Throat Center

Location: Throat, neck, shoulders, thyroid and parathyroid glands, respiratory system

Human Development: Energy used for commucniation and self-expression

Positive manifestation: Trust, truth, communication, creativity

Negative manifestation: Frustration

Associated illnesses: sore throat, thyroid or voice problems

Somatic sensation: Relaxed jaw, sincerity through grounding

Somatic concept: Settled, aware, body language agrees to spoken language

Yoga Pose-Movement: Hare, Fish, Child's poses

Human Potential: Authentic voice and effective, honest communication

Some of the information from this blog post was obtained from Mind and Body Healing Through Awareness, Yoga and Somatic Integration by Linda Christy Weiler, M.S.

Fourth Chakra: The Heart Center

Body Location: Center of chest, heart, hands, arms, lungs, thymus gland, lungs, and circulatory system

Human Development: Energy used for compassion, love, self-expression

Positive manifestation: harmony, unconditional love, acceptance, fulfillment

Negative manifestation: Grief, passive aggressive, attachment, insensitivity, sadness

Anticipated Illnesses: Cardiovascular problems, arthritis, hypertension, stroke

Somatic Sensation: Openness (form of expansion)

Somatic Concept: reach or spread out; inclusion for acceptance, confidence and serenity

Yoga pose-movement: Half shoulder stand, legs up against the wall, Simple Camel Pose

Human Potential: Compassion

Some of the information from this blog post was obtained from Mind and Body Healing Through Awareness, Yoga and Somatic Integration by Linda Christy Weiler, M.S.

Third Chakra: Navel Center

Location: navel, solar plexus, liver, muscles, digestive system, pancreas, spleen

Human Development: Energy used in pursuit of power, achievement, social identity, and raw emotions

Positive Manifestation: Discipline, will power, self-control, and commitment

Negative manifestation: Greed, powerless, guilt, doubt, anger

Associated Illness: ulcers, hepatitis, hypoglycemia, gallstones

Somatic Sensation: Anticipation, grounding

Somatic Concept: Containment, confidence through preparation, courage and timeliness

Positive Aspect: intuition or gut feeling

Negative Aspect: Doubt or dread

Yoga Pose-Movement: Bow pose, Cat, Twist while sitting cross-legged

Human Potential: Assimilation; healthy emotional and energetic "digestion"

Some of the information from this blog post was obtained from Mind and Body Healing Through Awareness, Yoga and Somatic Integration by Linda Christy Weiler, M.S.

Second Chakra

Sacral Center

Location: Sacral spine, bladder, kidney, genitals, gonads, ovaries, reproductive system

Human development: Energy used for sex and relationships

Positive manifestation: Passion, patience, endurance, creativity

Negative manifestation: frustration anxiety, fear

Associated illnesses: impotency, diabetes, kidney and bladder problems

Somatic sensation: urgency, tension from contained energy

Somatic concept: Rising up for creativity, growing and action

Yoga pose movement: Inclined plane, single let seated forward fold, seated spirals

Human Potential: Creativity

Seven Chakras: Chakra One - Root Center

I am earning my continuing education credits to renew my International Sports Science Association certificate. I chose the course "Mind Body Healing" and am reading same book by Linda Christy Weiler, M.S. She reviewed the seven chakras. This information is taken from her book.

Location: Perineum, base of spine, feet, legs, bones, rectum, large intestine, adrenal glands, excretory system

Human development: Used for survival

Positive manifestation: safety, stability, acceptance

Negative manifestation: fear, avoidance distrust, insecurity

Associated illnesses: those that have to do with excretion

Somatic sensation: contraction or being grounded into the base of the body without fear of falling

Somatic concept: Letting go or detachment, stability, security, and support

Yoga pose Movement: Seated boat pose, seated hug-the-knees, rocking in cross-legged position

Human Potential: Survival

Glamour Cover

June's Glamour cover includes model Crystal Renn, size 12, as was shown on the today show. As I've posted before, I think the fashion and fitness industries should include toned and curvy models between the sizes of 6 and 10. Crystal is a beautiful woman, but is still plus-size. In addition, some photographs were air-brushed. She looks size 6 in one of them.

See http://www.glamour.com/

Some progress has been made at least.