Hey Everyone!
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with close friends and/or family and filled your bellies with lots of great food! I write to you from a place of reflection and preparation for the upcoming holiday season. It has already hit me...the days seem shorter, deadlines/finals are around the corner, and that chocolate brownie at the end of the day just seems to get more and more appealing. Where does this shift come from? My theory is that we all feel rushed because our days seem to fly by and with an already dreadful economy, the financial pressures seem to be a steady reminder of our current hardships. Well, I'm here to be that friendly voice telling you that the holiday season is not ALL about the money! Remember? That whole giving thing. Well, from personal experience, it is THE way to go! It is amazing the joy I receive when giving someone something even if it is inexpensive. The thought really is what counts when giving to loved ones and hey, do not doubt your creative abilities! I encourage making gifts because it is all the more special. =)
Another worry for some of us may be the food that seems to be finding its way into our bodies without thinking, or worrying too much! My baked goods have been sitting on my counter since Thanksgiving and are not going away! I suggest donating unwanted sweets that are really just going to sit on your counter and "haunt" you anyway. Give it to someone who will appreciate them or eat them in moderation yourself! Don't empower the deserts, take your self-control and use it full force this time and if you feel like having one, just do it! No regrets.
Be Well,
Erin
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Essentials of Hakomi: Body-Centered Psychotherapy
Hey All,
I just finished reading about a really interesting technique called Hakomi for my Moving and Sensing class. Created by Kekuni Minton, "this body-inclusive psychotherapy interweaves Western therapeutic influences with Taoist/Buddhist principles such as mindfulness, awareness, and nonviolence." (Kurtz and Minton, p. 45). The process begins with uncovering people's "models," or how they view themselves or the world they are apart of. Once that is recognized, they seek to "balance any imbalances in the model and allow discovery of new insights from within. An example is a woman who was so intimidated by the phrase "You are safe here," that she began to hide her face and hunch her shoulders. The trainer aided the woman in bending her shoulders even more forward, and after a while, the woman opened up and let that experience go. By allowing ourselves to experience the present moment, we become susceptible to all kinds of emotional releases. This aids in helping us realize more and more about who we are on the inside and how we view the rest of the world. This kind of development, no matter how slow or fast, is always dealt with supportively and from a place of understanding and trust. Once the client feels safe and understood, the loving presence the Hakomi practitioner provides will allow mindfulness to be awakened. This opening up of self is what really drew me to this type of therapy. It really creates a new spiritual practice for the individual through self-study. The end result is an individual who is at home with themselves, their place in the world, in a very peaceful way.
I just finished reading about a really interesting technique called Hakomi for my Moving and Sensing class. Created by Kekuni Minton, "this body-inclusive psychotherapy interweaves Western therapeutic influences with Taoist/Buddhist principles such as mindfulness, awareness, and nonviolence." (Kurtz and Minton, p. 45). The process begins with uncovering people's "models," or how they view themselves or the world they are apart of. Once that is recognized, they seek to "balance any imbalances in the model and allow discovery of new insights from within. An example is a woman who was so intimidated by the phrase "You are safe here," that she began to hide her face and hunch her shoulders. The trainer aided the woman in bending her shoulders even more forward, and after a while, the woman opened up and let that experience go. By allowing ourselves to experience the present moment, we become susceptible to all kinds of emotional releases. This aids in helping us realize more and more about who we are on the inside and how we view the rest of the world. This kind of development, no matter how slow or fast, is always dealt with supportively and from a place of understanding and trust. Once the client feels safe and understood, the loving presence the Hakomi practitioner provides will allow mindfulness to be awakened. This opening up of self is what really drew me to this type of therapy. It really creates a new spiritual practice for the individual through self-study. The end result is an individual who is at home with themselves, their place in the world, in a very peaceful way.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Free Hugs
This is a music video that I would like to share with everyone because it truly speaks to the small things in life. A classmate of mine spoke of a similar idea she calls "Chalk it UP." Her philosophy is that with all of the negative imagery in the world and that we are exposed to in our daily lives, why not use to chalk to write uplifting notes to people on the street? After all it is impermanent, and can have an immediate affect on people's lives. It doesn't have to be a profound anecdote or the answer to the meaning of life. It can simply say "Smile." These simple mood boosters will hopefully create a chain reaction in people to start questioning their daily attitude and what they can do to exemplify just a bit more loving-kindness.
Back to the music video- which is one of my favorite songs by the way, and also ties in to the idea that positive thoughts can change our attitudes which will in turn affect our health.
Enjoy!
Be Well,
Erin
Back to the music video- which is one of my favorite songs by the way, and also ties in to the idea that positive thoughts can change our attitudes which will in turn affect our health.
Enjoy!
Be Well,
Erin
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
What is Holistic Health?
Hi Everyone!
This is my first time blogging/having a blog of my own, so here it goes! In my first quarter at JFK, I have just begun to tap into what it means to live a holistically healthy life. To begin with, some classmates and I came up with our definition:
Being healthy incorporates the realization that we are complex beings of multiple dimensions. It is being in tune with one's physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual self in a synergistic manner. It is about experiencing joy in life, body awareness, connection to feelings, having a sense of purpose, and our ability to put effort to change each in a positive way.
Quite a mouthful, right!? To simplify, being healthy from a holistic point of view doesn't necessarily mean that you have to be in perfect health physically or even mentally. It is about creating a balance of all aspects of our lives (mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually). The last time you went to the doctor, did they ask how your relationships are serving to add to your overall health? How about if your stress level is taking a tole on your life? Didn't think so. Our current medical system is mainly focused on preventing and treating DISEASE- not you. We are all individuals with completely different life factors that contribute to our health or current state of well-being. Holistic health is about taking the WHOLE person into consideration when trying to live a more harmonious life.
More to come soon!
Be Well,
Erin
This is my first time blogging/having a blog of my own, so here it goes! In my first quarter at JFK, I have just begun to tap into what it means to live a holistically healthy life. To begin with, some classmates and I came up with our definition:
Being healthy incorporates the realization that we are complex beings of multiple dimensions. It is being in tune with one's physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual self in a synergistic manner. It is about experiencing joy in life, body awareness, connection to feelings, having a sense of purpose, and our ability to put effort to change each in a positive way.
Quite a mouthful, right!? To simplify, being healthy from a holistic point of view doesn't necessarily mean that you have to be in perfect health physically or even mentally. It is about creating a balance of all aspects of our lives (mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually). The last time you went to the doctor, did they ask how your relationships are serving to add to your overall health? How about if your stress level is taking a tole on your life? Didn't think so. Our current medical system is mainly focused on preventing and treating DISEASE- not you. We are all individuals with completely different life factors that contribute to our health or current state of well-being. Holistic health is about taking the WHOLE person into consideration when trying to live a more harmonious life.
More to come soon!
Be Well,
Erin
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