Exercise can be classified as yin or yang and what our bodies need can change at different stages in our lives, or even on different days, dependent on what else we are doing for work, play, and relaxation, and what is needed to provide a balance, either by releasing excess energy or increasing energy for our optimal health and wellbeing.
Yin and yang form the Chinese symbol for balanced Chi, meaning energy. Yin represents female aspects and yang male aspects of yourself. Yin is about receiving, feeling, being, reflecting. and Yang is related to action, confidence, creating, and doing. When applied to exercise yoga, meditation, walking, tai-shi may be considered Yin, and running, boxercise, crossfit may be considered Yang.
At an aerobics class last week I was surprised at how well my mind and body was getting through the class , despite the class instructor having warned me it was going to be very difficult, fast paced, and requiring a lot of co-ordination. Up until last year I struggled to do any form of aerobic or dance class let alone 4-5 per week as I have been for the last 4 weeks. I’d be huffing and puffing, in pain, and stumbling. I’d also inevitably get the flu as putting too much strain on my body at that time reduced my immunity levels.
In my mid 40s I am the fittest I’ve ever been, and without trying, but for simply doing something fun and social. And it all started with a simple kinesiology balance I did on myself, which you can read about in my previous blog post. (Link)
From the time I was in high school I’ve been trying different exercises, and ways to get slimmer. This goal is where I’d been going wrong. In order to fit in with the cool kids, or to try and have a body like a model in a magazine, or belief I had to be skinny for a guy to be attracted to me, or simply for vanity, I put a lot of the wrong kinds of stress on my body by doing exercises that weren’t right for body at that time. Over the years I’ve tried boot camps, including one called happy hour at 6am, weight training, aerobics, swimming, yoga of many forms, circuit, women’s only classes, walking, videos, dance fit, Zumba, and personal trainers.
Many people exercise with weight loss as their goal in mind, but is this the right goal to be working towards. As Anthony Roberts recently pointed out in a recent article in Psychology Today 20/7/16:
If you’re going to solve a weight-loss problem—or smoking problem for that matter—you must address both the psychological and physiological.
Regarding the psychological, your goal must not be “I need to lose X pounds” but “I’m going to regain my identity,” whether as an athlete, a conservative, a sexual being, a together person, whatever. The goal of becoming more consistent with your core authentic self is a much stronger motivator than “I need to lose 30 pounds.” So ask yourself, “Who is the person you’d more authentically be if you were thinner?”
Do you even know your own true potential? What is your ultimate goal in life? Are the steps you’re currently taking the right steps for you personally? What is really stopping you from achieving the results you want? Is just the thought of answering these questions causing you a little stress?
When putting any kind of stress on your body it is important to provide your body additional support to help it to cope with excess adrenalin and cortisol production. There’s always a balance required, our bodies are not indestructible, and tend to manage less as we get older. The body does have the ability to regenerate new cells and replace and repair, however it does need a little help from you. Support can be in the form of nutritional support such as whole food supplement to help flush away toxins produced by stress, eating unprocessed foods, keeping hydrated, and doing some form of spiritual practice. Spiritual practice is again unique to each individual this can be yoga, meditation, painting, or a solitary walk through the bush and practicing mindfulness.
Weight gain isn’t only a symptom of being sedentary and over eating. Toxins of any kind, internal and external to the body, may contribute to your state of health. But this topic I’ll reserve for another blog post. Kinesiology is a great tool to empower you to discover what your body needs to help heal itself to be its optimal best and for you to be a well-being.
Kinesiology can help in areas of fitness with
- Goal setting
- Asking your body specifically what forms of exercise it currently needs, and how often
- Weight management
- Health and personal goal achievement
- Self sabotage
- Motivation
- Energy levels
- Immunity
- Reoccurring injuries
- Aches and pains
- Nutritional support
- Find underlying emotional blockages to achieving your goals
Kinesiology is one of the most comprehensive of all natural therapies, incorporating elements from many modalities into one. It uses the art of muscle testing, the science of anatomy and physiology, and ancient Chinese theories and techniques to help balance your body’s energy systems so it may heal itself and help you to achieve your goals.
If you are interested in experiencing kinesiology and seeing how it may help you achieve your goals, book a session today with Anne at Empowering Health. Based in Sydney’s beautiful lower Blue Mountains it’s an easy drive from anywhere in Sydney.
Please allow 1.5hrs for the first session, and 1-1.5hrs for subsequent sessions. By appointment only.
Web: www.empoweringhealth.clinic
Email: info@empoweringhealth.clinic
Mobile: 0491 154 594
