Here are my likely controversial thoughts about how the mind-body connection works in terms of healing and well-being. Keep in mind this is based on my own personal experience and I am not one to be taken seriously.
1. Working solely on the mind will never give one full satisfaction or a state of peace.
2. One must escape the screaming in one's head for even a little while in order to start to calm down, in my experience this is best achieved through intense physical activity that involves giving up a measure of control and experiencing an element of fear, examples: Aikido, Body-boarding, Mixed Martial Arts.
3. The harder the body works, the more the mind benefits. It needs to rest and let the muscles work and take over for a while. Plus, defined muscles look cool!
4. It is almost impossible to worry about daily life while being hurled across a room, while being thrown toward the floor, while looking at a 6 ft wave behind you and hoping you catch it.
5. Eating well is a way of honoring your body and the work you expect it to perform. However, the stomach enjoys rewards as well.
6. Being tired from a taxing mental workout is satisfying, being exhausted from a mind-body workout is extremely satisfying.
I danced for 18 years of my life but only took it seriously for about nine years. It shaped me in many ways. I've practiced Aikido for almost three years now and it has done more for me than any other kind of physical or mental activity I have ever engaged in. I wish everyone could have a similar kind of experience.
I ramble when I write before the coffee has set in.
Pics: Don't have any pics of me doing Aikido, but I've included pics from my Kokohead hike (1200 feet straight up), the mountain range from Kaneohe, and me with my body board on my favorite beach on earth, Waimanalo.
Here are my likely controversial thoughts about how the mind-body connection works in terms of healing and well-being. Keep in mind this is based on my own personal experience and I am not one to be taken seriously.
1. Working solely on the mind will never give one full satisfaction or a state of peace.
2. One must escape the screaming in one's head for even a little while in order to start to calm down, in my experience this is best achieved through intense physical activity that involves giving up a measure of control and experiencing an element of fear, examples: Aikido, Body-boarding, Mixed Martial Arts.
3. The harder the body works, the more the mind benefits. It needs to rest and let the muscles work and take over for a while. Plus, defined muscles look cool!
4. It is almost impossible to worry about daily life while being hurled across a room, while being thrown toward the floor, while looking at a 6 ft wave behind you and hoping you catch it.
5. Eating well is a way of honoring your body and the work you expect it to perform. However, the stomach enjoys rewards as well.
6. Being tired from a taxing mental workout is satisfying, being exhausted from a mind-body workout is extremely satisfying.
I danced for 18 years of my life but only took it seriously for about nine years. It shaped me in many ways. I've practiced Aikido for almost three years now and it has done more for me than any other kind of physical or mental activity I have ever engaged in. I wish everyone could have a similar kind of experience.
I ramble when I write before the coffee has set in.
Pics: Don't have any pics of me doing Aikido, but I've included pics from my Kokohead hike (1200 feet straight up), the mountain range from Kaneohe, and me with my body board on my favorite beach on earth, Waimanalo.