Review your unit 3 personal assessment of your psychological, physical, and spiritual well-being. Reflect on these areas . How did you score yourself on a scale from 1 to 10 in unit 3? How do you score yourself now? Has the score changed? Why or why not?
In Unit 3 I gave myself the following ratings:
Physical Well-Being- 7 out of 10
Spritual Well-Being- 6 out of 10
Psychological Well-Being- 8.5 out of 10
Now I would give myself these ratings:
Physical- 7.5
Spiritual- 7
Psychological- 8.5
The score has changed in the physical and spiritual arenas. I believe it has come from making a concerted effort and focusing on those areas over the last month and a half. I hope that these numbers will continue to climb over time. I would love to be FLOURISHING in all areas of my life.
Review the goals and activities you set for yourself in each area. Have you made progress toward the goals? Explain.
I would say that I have made progress in each area. This has been because I have made the focus to return to church and pray. I am also making a concerted effort to exercise on a regular basis. As I return to school, this will continue to be of utmost importance.
Have you implemented the activities you chose for your well-being in each of the three areas? Explain.
I have begun to implement these things as I've stated before. I am going to the gym, getting exercise, working on attending church more regularly, and spending time in prayer. One thing I definitely want to do is schedule time for meditation.
Summarize your personal experience throughout this course. Have you developed improved well-being? What has been rewarding? What has been difficult? How will this experience improve your ability to assist others?
I have thoroughly enjoyed this class. I found the research data interesting. I also appreciated learning new exercises and gaining knowledge in the area of integral health. I would say that I have experienced improved well-being and that comes from the choices I am making. Nothing in this class was particularly difficult unless you consider the hard time I had focusing in some of the meditation exercises. I most definitely plan on using this experience to help others. And, I honestly feel like a broken record, but I will be doing this by sharing my newfound skills with my athletes. I look forward to expanding my knowledge in the area of integral health.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Unit 9 Project- Hope you all enjoy
Introduction
Health and Wellness professionals spend their lives helping others become the healthiest they can be. In order to do this, it is essential for the health and wellness professional to practice what she preaches and teaches. This is important for a number of reasons. To be the best health care professional, the first step is to be working on your own personal health. If you are not healthy yourself, how can you help someone else? I believe there are many reasons why this is important, and I would like to focus on two of them. It is essential to be a role model in this profession and in maintaining your own health; you are better able to help your clientele.
In the health and wellness realm, we will have many clients coming to us seeking assistance in living a better, more whole life. Whether we like it or not, from the time we meet our client, he or she is judging us too. The client wants to make sure that they are going to someone who is living and modeling a healthy lifestyle too. How can we ask someone to do something we aren’t doing ourselves? The reality is we can’t. So, in order to help our client fully, we need to model the lifestyle for our client. It enhances our credibility.
Along with enhancing our credibility, practicing what we know in all three areas of health, we are able to take care of ourselves. Working with other people is a stressful thing. Sometimes we take their problems on ourselves and try to fix them for the client. Reality is that this will not help anyone involved. Having the knowledge base to not allow this to happen is important. On top of that, the everyday stress of our jobs can catch up to us. I believe practicing Integral Health skills will allow me to become a better professional by enhancing my personal life. When I am performing at my optimum level, I am better prepared to help my clients. This becomes a win-win situation for both sides.
I can always work to improve myself. Over my time in school, I have learned many skills that will allow me to enhance my own health and life while helping others at the same time. Yet, I know that I am far from perfect. I have goals in all three areas of my health and wellness. I want to continue losing weight and improving my physical fitness level. I want to learn and incorporate more mind-body techniques such as meditation. And, I want to grow closer to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A little bit later, I will go into detail about how I plan to do this.
Assessment
I know that in order to improve and meet my goals, I must first assess where I am. By doing so, I will be able to set a plan in place that will allow me the opportunity for maximum growth.
For my physical health, I have weighed myself, looked at my eating habits, and assessed my exercise habits. I am nowhere near my goal weight. Over the summer, I have had moments where I have eaten well, and there have been times when I have completely splurged. As for my exercise level, it has gone in spurts over the summer as well. One of the areas that really held me back was getting a tattoo on my foot and not getting the exercise I needed while it was healing. My cardiovascular health allows me to participate in an hour-long Zumba class without getting winded or overly tired. My strength is average to above average of women my age when I compare it on charts from a former class that I took. Right now, I would rate my physical fitness at a seven out of ten.
To assess my mental health, I utilize past blog and journal entries to see where my thoughts have been and where I am now. I ask myself if I feel hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. I look at my relationships with the people around me such as my husband, co-workers, athletes, and friends. I use meditation exercises and analyze how well I am able to focus. And, I take the time to ask myself if I feel stressed or overwhelmed. Right now, I feel pretty good about this area of my life. I have reduced a lot of stress in my life, and I am taking more time to focus on making myself mentally fit. I would say that my mental fitness is at an eight right now.
Spiritual fitness is an area that I struggle with assessing. Do I feel connected to the earth and people around me? Do I feel close to God? These are the two main areas that I think of when assessing my spiritual health. At this moment in time, I would say that I am drawing closer to those around me, and I absolutely love to be in nature. It is where I feel most at ease (other than at a gym). Today I found this especially true as we hosted friends for a get together. As for feeling close to God, I go in and out. I know that is because I do not take the time I need to, nor do I make it a priority. As I start the new school year (work), I am planning on making this a part of my change. My spiritual health is currently around 6.5.
Goal development:
My goal this year in the area of physical fitness is to eat a more balanced diet, lose at least twenty pounds, and to get to the gym, or do something active, four days of the week. My psychological goal is to use meditation or visualization exercises twice to three times a week. And, my spiritual goal is to spend at least ten minutes a day in concentrated prayer.
Practices for personal health
The two strategies that I will implement to grow in the area of physical fitness are to plan my meals and activities for the week. I currently spend every waking hour doing something that is planned. In order to ensure that I eat properly and get the exercise I need, I have to put them into a plan. What I will do is take the time on Sunday of each week to create a plan of action. This will include meal planning and implementing a schedule that will allow me to get my exercise in. By taking the time each week to sit down and put it in an actual plan, I am much more likely to carry it out throughout the week.
For my psychological health, I am going to research meditation and visualization practices that I can do. I will also plan when I will do these throughout the week, and I will have them on hand to do when I feel that I need them as well. Another thing that I plan on doing to improve my psychological health is make a concentrated effort to cultivate positive relationships in my life. This could be by having conversations with friends or family by phone, inviting someone over for a meal, or developing appropriate relationships at work.
For my Spiritual health, I am going attend church each Sunday and take the time to truly apply what I learned there. This includes prayer, benevolent practice, and more. I will also take the time each week to get out into nature or to find the moment to look at my pictures of nature. By doing this, I will be opening my mind and being quiet to find my center and focus.
Commitment
Although I have set up a plan to begin developing my health and wellness over the next few months and year, I hope that I continue to be dynamic and evolutionary. I know that it will be important to ensure that I am growing and not standing still. In order to do this, I will take the time on the last Sunday of each month to see where I stand. I will ask myself whether I have achieved my goals set out, stayed where I am, or if I have fallen back. From there, I will make a plan of action for the upcoming month.
I believe it is essential as a professional and a person to never stop growing. I have learned so much from the classes that I have taken at Kaplan, and I will continue to use all of the resources at my fingertips. I will also take the time to seek out new sources, whether they are on the Internet, at the library, by taking a new class, or asking other professionals and friends. What I do know is that every class I have taken at Kaplan has been beneficial. I have learned something that I can use both personally and professionally. I already had an interest in holistic health and the mind-body connection, and I want to keep on learning and applying. I truly want to flourish, and in doing so help others do the same.
Health and Wellness professionals spend their lives helping others become the healthiest they can be. In order to do this, it is essential for the health and wellness professional to practice what she preaches and teaches. This is important for a number of reasons. To be the best health care professional, the first step is to be working on your own personal health. If you are not healthy yourself, how can you help someone else? I believe there are many reasons why this is important, and I would like to focus on two of them. It is essential to be a role model in this profession and in maintaining your own health; you are better able to help your clientele.
In the health and wellness realm, we will have many clients coming to us seeking assistance in living a better, more whole life. Whether we like it or not, from the time we meet our client, he or she is judging us too. The client wants to make sure that they are going to someone who is living and modeling a healthy lifestyle too. How can we ask someone to do something we aren’t doing ourselves? The reality is we can’t. So, in order to help our client fully, we need to model the lifestyle for our client. It enhances our credibility.
Along with enhancing our credibility, practicing what we know in all three areas of health, we are able to take care of ourselves. Working with other people is a stressful thing. Sometimes we take their problems on ourselves and try to fix them for the client. Reality is that this will not help anyone involved. Having the knowledge base to not allow this to happen is important. On top of that, the everyday stress of our jobs can catch up to us. I believe practicing Integral Health skills will allow me to become a better professional by enhancing my personal life. When I am performing at my optimum level, I am better prepared to help my clients. This becomes a win-win situation for both sides.
I can always work to improve myself. Over my time in school, I have learned many skills that will allow me to enhance my own health and life while helping others at the same time. Yet, I know that I am far from perfect. I have goals in all three areas of my health and wellness. I want to continue losing weight and improving my physical fitness level. I want to learn and incorporate more mind-body techniques such as meditation. And, I want to grow closer to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A little bit later, I will go into detail about how I plan to do this.
Assessment
I know that in order to improve and meet my goals, I must first assess where I am. By doing so, I will be able to set a plan in place that will allow me the opportunity for maximum growth.
For my physical health, I have weighed myself, looked at my eating habits, and assessed my exercise habits. I am nowhere near my goal weight. Over the summer, I have had moments where I have eaten well, and there have been times when I have completely splurged. As for my exercise level, it has gone in spurts over the summer as well. One of the areas that really held me back was getting a tattoo on my foot and not getting the exercise I needed while it was healing. My cardiovascular health allows me to participate in an hour-long Zumba class without getting winded or overly tired. My strength is average to above average of women my age when I compare it on charts from a former class that I took. Right now, I would rate my physical fitness at a seven out of ten.
To assess my mental health, I utilize past blog and journal entries to see where my thoughts have been and where I am now. I ask myself if I feel hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. I look at my relationships with the people around me such as my husband, co-workers, athletes, and friends. I use meditation exercises and analyze how well I am able to focus. And, I take the time to ask myself if I feel stressed or overwhelmed. Right now, I feel pretty good about this area of my life. I have reduced a lot of stress in my life, and I am taking more time to focus on making myself mentally fit. I would say that my mental fitness is at an eight right now.
Spiritual fitness is an area that I struggle with assessing. Do I feel connected to the earth and people around me? Do I feel close to God? These are the two main areas that I think of when assessing my spiritual health. At this moment in time, I would say that I am drawing closer to those around me, and I absolutely love to be in nature. It is where I feel most at ease (other than at a gym). Today I found this especially true as we hosted friends for a get together. As for feeling close to God, I go in and out. I know that is because I do not take the time I need to, nor do I make it a priority. As I start the new school year (work), I am planning on making this a part of my change. My spiritual health is currently around 6.5.
Goal development:
My goal this year in the area of physical fitness is to eat a more balanced diet, lose at least twenty pounds, and to get to the gym, or do something active, four days of the week. My psychological goal is to use meditation or visualization exercises twice to three times a week. And, my spiritual goal is to spend at least ten minutes a day in concentrated prayer.
Practices for personal health
The two strategies that I will implement to grow in the area of physical fitness are to plan my meals and activities for the week. I currently spend every waking hour doing something that is planned. In order to ensure that I eat properly and get the exercise I need, I have to put them into a plan. What I will do is take the time on Sunday of each week to create a plan of action. This will include meal planning and implementing a schedule that will allow me to get my exercise in. By taking the time each week to sit down and put it in an actual plan, I am much more likely to carry it out throughout the week.
For my psychological health, I am going to research meditation and visualization practices that I can do. I will also plan when I will do these throughout the week, and I will have them on hand to do when I feel that I need them as well. Another thing that I plan on doing to improve my psychological health is make a concentrated effort to cultivate positive relationships in my life. This could be by having conversations with friends or family by phone, inviting someone over for a meal, or developing appropriate relationships at work.
For my Spiritual health, I am going attend church each Sunday and take the time to truly apply what I learned there. This includes prayer, benevolent practice, and more. I will also take the time each week to get out into nature or to find the moment to look at my pictures of nature. By doing this, I will be opening my mind and being quiet to find my center and focus.
Commitment
Although I have set up a plan to begin developing my health and wellness over the next few months and year, I hope that I continue to be dynamic and evolutionary. I know that it will be important to ensure that I am growing and not standing still. In order to do this, I will take the time on the last Sunday of each month to see where I stand. I will ask myself whether I have achieved my goals set out, stayed where I am, or if I have fallen back. From there, I will make a plan of action for the upcoming month.
I believe it is essential as a professional and a person to never stop growing. I have learned so much from the classes that I have taken at Kaplan, and I will continue to use all of the resources at my fingertips. I will also take the time to seek out new sources, whether they are on the Internet, at the library, by taking a new class, or asking other professionals and friends. What I do know is that every class I have taken at Kaplan has been beneficial. I have learned something that I can use both personally and professionally. I already had an interest in holistic health and the mind-body connection, and I want to keep on learning and applying. I truly want to flourish, and in doing so help others do the same.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Mental Fitness
Looking at mental fitness, I believe the activities that would work best for me personally are visualization and meditation. Meditation would allow me the chance to focus my mind and relax my body. Visualization would make me a better coach and help me in improving my physical fitness. Both would improve my overall health and allow me the chance to have a more holistic focus.
As for professionally, I would use these exercises with my team. Visualization would help them with their performance and meditation would help them control their anxiety in certain situations. Of course, I don't know how relaxed I would want them to be going into a competition. But, I know it would be helpful.
As for professionally, I would use these exercises with my team. Visualization would help them with their performance and meditation would help them control their anxiety in certain situations. Of course, I don't know how relaxed I would want them to be going into a competition. But, I know it would be helpful.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Unit 7 Seminar
While I am thankful for the many activities and things I get to do, I am so sad that I have not been to many actual seminars this term. And, I won't lie, I'm kind of tired of doing option 2. I would much rather sit in "class" for an hour and interact with my instructor and classmates. Since I was on a plane while seminar was occurring yesterday, here are my responses to the following questions.
1. Upon reviewing your journal/blog and the blogs of others; evaluate which practices may be most beneficial for the population you seek to serve in your profession. (Select at least two exercise)How can you professionally apply these concepts? For example: Who you are targeting? How you will implement the exercise? Why you think it would be beneficial? What are the exercise?
The exercises that I believe will be most beneficial to my clients will be something like Skillful Action and visualization exercises like Meeting Asclepius. Since my clients are teenage athletes, I believe giving them the tools to create inner peace and strength and the ability to visualize positive thoughts can be very beneficial on so many levels. Our young people today have so much negativity bombarding their lives, and giving them the skills to have positive interactions is essential. I can apply these concepts by teaching my athletes how to use these types of activities to begin training and preparing their minds for success and health. In order to implement the exercise, I would take the time during my practices on a weekly basis to walk them through these exercises. I believe it will benefit them as athletes but also as people. And, ultimately, that is my goal.
2. Choose and article you discussed in the exercise assignment, that you believe is valuable for your profession. Introduce the article and discuss how it can be integrated in a health and wellness program.
An article that I chose is Physical Fitness and Enhanced Psychological Health by Thomas Plante and Judith Rodin. This article speaks about the benefits physical fitness brings to our lives as a whole. According to research, physical fitness improves our psychological functioning. However, it does not change our personalities. It is shown to reduce stress and more. One thing the article did say is that more studies need to be conducted. I believe an article like this can be implemented into a health and wellness program because it shows the correlation between the two areas and verifies the importance of both in overall health. In my profession, it backs the reason why participation in physical activity is important. I believe this is especially so for adolescents who are going through so much anyway. And, this is a way for them to release the stress in their lives.
1. Upon reviewing your journal/blog and the blogs of others; evaluate which practices may be most beneficial for the population you seek to serve in your profession. (Select at least two exercise)How can you professionally apply these concepts? For example: Who you are targeting? How you will implement the exercise? Why you think it would be beneficial? What are the exercise?
The exercises that I believe will be most beneficial to my clients will be something like Skillful Action and visualization exercises like Meeting Asclepius. Since my clients are teenage athletes, I believe giving them the tools to create inner peace and strength and the ability to visualize positive thoughts can be very beneficial on so many levels. Our young people today have so much negativity bombarding their lives, and giving them the skills to have positive interactions is essential. I can apply these concepts by teaching my athletes how to use these types of activities to begin training and preparing their minds for success and health. In order to implement the exercise, I would take the time during my practices on a weekly basis to walk them through these exercises. I believe it will benefit them as athletes but also as people. And, ultimately, that is my goal.
2. Choose and article you discussed in the exercise assignment, that you believe is valuable for your profession. Introduce the article and discuss how it can be integrated in a health and wellness program.
An article that I chose is Physical Fitness and Enhanced Psychological Health by Thomas Plante and Judith Rodin. This article speaks about the benefits physical fitness brings to our lives as a whole. According to research, physical fitness improves our psychological functioning. However, it does not change our personalities. It is shown to reduce stress and more. One thing the article did say is that more studies need to be conducted. I believe an article like this can be implemented into a health and wellness program because it shows the correlation between the two areas and verifies the importance of both in overall health. In my profession, it backs the reason why participation in physical activity is important. I believe this is especially so for adolescents who are going through so much anyway. And, this is a way for them to release the stress in their lives.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
I love visualization exercises! Lately, I am getting better at being able to find my focus. When I was practicing this exercise, I thought of my friend Leon. He and I are in the same field of coaching. I appreciate his ability to remain calm in all situations and his ability to talk to and with others. I hope that over time I can learn many things from him.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Unit 6 Seminar
Considering yesterday was my husband's and my 13th wedding anniversary, I did not attend seminar. Here is my response for Option 2. I can't wait to get back to class next week because I love seminar.
Also, I am attaching a picture of my husband and I are on our two week trip to Alaska to this. We had a blast!
1. Upon reviewing your journal/blog and the blogs of others regarding assessment, loving kindness exercise and autogenic exercise, evaluate and discuss which practices may be the most difficult for your future clients to integrate into their lives. Why? How can you prepare to assist your clients in developing regular practices that foster psychological and spiritual growth?
Knowing that my clients will be athletes and their coaches, I believe the activity that will be most difficult at first will be the Loving Kindness activity. I believe that they will not be open at first. But, over time and with development of interpersonal and psychospiritual aspects, they will become more accepting of the activity. Some will say that it is not needed for athletes, but I totally disagree. I believe that I can prepare my clients in small steps through team bonding and other activities that take them away from the skills focus to the mental and connection focus.
2. What information in the blogs of others was helpful in answering this question?
I especially appreciated April's blog. Like me, she found her focus on one person. And, she mentioned the development and process that interpersonal connectedness go through. I believe this is and will be true for my clients.
3. Discuss how you can professionally apply the following concepts: Who you are targeting? How you will assist them? Why do you think it would be beneficial?
My target, as I said before, will be cheer and dance athletes and coaches. I will assist them by developing relationships with them. We will do activities that take them away from focusing solely on the technical skills to be successful, and we will focus on other aspects as well. By doing this, I believe the athletes will perform and compete better. They will feel more successful and accomplished at the end whether they win or lose because the ultimate lesson is in training and getting optimal performance out of their bodies and team. My goal is that they will also feel more relaxed, comfortable, and at ease during the process. As for coaches, I believe it will help them feel balance in their lives, and it will make them better coaches able to focus on the whole athlete. And, I believe that is essential.
Also, I am attaching a picture of my husband and I are on our two week trip to Alaska to this. We had a blast!
1. Upon reviewing your journal/blog and the blogs of others regarding assessment, loving kindness exercise and autogenic exercise, evaluate and discuss which practices may be the most difficult for your future clients to integrate into their lives. Why? How can you prepare to assist your clients in developing regular practices that foster psychological and spiritual growth?
Knowing that my clients will be athletes and their coaches, I believe the activity that will be most difficult at first will be the Loving Kindness activity. I believe that they will not be open at first. But, over time and with development of interpersonal and psychospiritual aspects, they will become more accepting of the activity. Some will say that it is not needed for athletes, but I totally disagree. I believe that I can prepare my clients in small steps through team bonding and other activities that take them away from the skills focus to the mental and connection focus.
2. What information in the blogs of others was helpful in answering this question?
I especially appreciated April's blog. Like me, she found her focus on one person. And, she mentioned the development and process that interpersonal connectedness go through. I believe this is and will be true for my clients.
3. Discuss how you can professionally apply the following concepts: Who you are targeting? How you will assist them? Why do you think it would be beneficial?
My target, as I said before, will be cheer and dance athletes and coaches. I will assist them by developing relationships with them. We will do activities that take them away from focusing solely on the technical skills to be successful, and we will focus on other aspects as well. By doing this, I believe the athletes will perform and compete better. They will feel more successful and accomplished at the end whether they win or lose because the ultimate lesson is in training and getting optimal performance out of their bodies and team. My goal is that they will also feel more relaxed, comfortable, and at ease during the process. As for coaches, I believe it will help them feel balance in their lives, and it will make them better coaches able to focus on the whole athlete. And, I believe that is essential.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
The Loving Kindness activity was helpful for me tonight. Although I do not feel that I have anger or hatred in my heart right now, I know that I have concern over a friend. This helped me see that person in a more loving light. I want to see this person be happy. I know she has gone through rough times in her life and in choices she has made. Yet, now it is an opportunity for her to grow. She is the person I thought of during this exercise. I am hoping that she finds happiness and wholeness in her life.
Right now in my life, I would say the area that I need to focus on is biological. I need to continue working towards getting my body in shape. I need to spend more time exercising. I am active, but I need to increase my activity level. As I do this, I will also be improving my psychospiritual aspect as well. I believe that this is the area that needs both development and healing. I believe that I have made a fair assessment. And, I am excited to move to the next level. I will especially have to pay attention to this as I start the school year and my schedule gets crazy busy.
Right now in my life, I would say the area that I need to focus on is biological. I need to continue working towards getting my body in shape. I need to spend more time exercising. I am active, but I need to increase my activity level. As I do this, I will also be improving my psychospiritual aspect as well. I believe that this is the area that needs both development and healing. I believe that I have made a fair assessment. And, I am excited to move to the next level. I will especially have to pay attention to this as I start the school year and my schedule gets crazy busy.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Reflections on this week
It is interesting to see how we all experience the activities we participate in for this class. With all of us spread around the country, from different backgrounds and beliefs, it seems that we are falling into two main categories when it comes to the meditation exercises. Either we find it easy or we find it difficult. I wonder why that is. Perhaps it has to do with our previous background and exposure, maybe it's where and when we are able to find the time to get the exercises done, or I'm sure there is another explanation.
What this means to me as a professional is I need to take the time to learn about my clients. I need to know whether finding the ability to concentrate is easy or difficult for them. I also need to know how receptive they are to something like this. I think specifically of a good friend of mine. If I were to suggest he try an activity like this, he would laugh at me. This would mean I would need to start with a simple and effective activity. I have other friends who would jump right on board and would desire to move somewhere fast. With those friends, I could develop a little more quickly and give them different types of activities to try. For example, for some we would need to start with exercises that ask you to focus on one thing only and others could work on changing their focus at an earlier stage. I believe this would be the same for clients in the professional setting.
While looking at the blogs, Adrienne's presentation stuck out to me. It was very professional and clean. It provided a lot of information in a short time, and it inspired me to get working on mine. As I have been on vacation the last two weeks, I must admit getting work done has not been my first priority. Looking at her presentation an thinking I know and appreciate this information made me want to get to work on mine.
What this means to me as a professional is I need to take the time to learn about my clients. I need to know whether finding the ability to concentrate is easy or difficult for them. I also need to know how receptive they are to something like this. I think specifically of a good friend of mine. If I were to suggest he try an activity like this, he would laugh at me. This would mean I would need to start with a simple and effective activity. I have other friends who would jump right on board and would desire to move somewhere fast. With those friends, I could develop a little more quickly and give them different types of activities to try. For example, for some we would need to start with exercises that ask you to focus on one thing only and others could work on changing their focus at an earlier stage. I believe this would be the same for clients in the professional setting.
While looking at the blogs, Adrienne's presentation stuck out to me. It was very professional and clean. It provided a lot of information in a short time, and it inspired me to get working on mine. As I have been on vacation the last two weeks, I must admit getting work done has not been my first priority. Looking at her presentation an thinking I know and appreciate this information made me want to get to work on mine.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
The Subtle Mind
This exercise was much easier for me. I found that I could concentrate more. These are the types of exercises that I find most helpful because learning to control and use my mind for healthy benefits is my main goal. I believe that the correlation between the mind and body and health and wellness are essential. Finding a way to incorporate the mind into my physical fitness routine actually allows me to get more benefits all the way around. I am able to get the exercise I need to maintain a healthy body while allowing my mind to become more enlightened. When I use both in a workout, I feel much more free afterwards. There really isn't any other way to explain it.
Monday, August 2, 2010
1. What are the similarities and differences in the individual experiences(communicated in the blogs) of the Loving Kindness exercise and muscular relaxation exercise from unit three? As a health and wellness professional how can you individualize these practices to meet the needs of your unique population? Provide specific examples.
There seems to be two groups of people in terms of this week's exercise. There were those who were able to focus and get into the exercise very easily and those who had a more difficult reason. Mainly those who had a more difficult time found the problem was in too many distractions. I believe as a professional that it would be important to find out what type of client I had. I know I use my team a lot as an example, but that is what I know. I have two distinct groups on it; those that find mental training and preparation beneficial and relatively easy to do, and those who can not find the mindset in a large group setting. Therefore, I work with each of these groups differently. I believe I would do that in other settings as well. For those who are able to focus on their own, I would set them up with a plan to work on exercises. If I was in a group setting with the others who had a hard time concentrating, I would have them separate and work on activities to help build mental focus. Maybe it would be short activities at first, and then we would move to longer activities and work on improving focus in small progressions.
2. Discuss a research study or article that discusses the benefits of psychological or spiritual exercise on health and wellness.
The research study that has stood out the most to me this term has been that of Pert. By learning that research has been done that shows the effect that the mind has on the body makes what I've always believed true. I believe that the mind is the greatest influencer our lives. I have heard the quote "If you believe you can or you believe you can't, you're right." That is only one part of our mind. Our mind also decides how to handle stress, feelings, and more. How we handle that effects our physical health just as much. I believe this study was important because it showed the correlation between physical and mental health, and I believe it became a catalyst for further studies.
3. What did you learn from the blogs of others that will be beneficial to you as a health and wellness professional? Explain and provide examples.
I have really appreciated the blog of Danielle. Her blog is Integral Health and the Benefits of Massage. As someone who benefits from massage on a weekly basis, it is nice to hear the perspective of the massage therapist. Also, she seems to work hard on her mental and psychological health and wellness. It helps me understand ways I can become more enlightened. And, honestly, that's how I feel, enlightened. Another blog I appreciate is Hiro's I appreciate his humor the most. Color Wheel of Life is cool as well. Just looking at the beautiful picture on the blog makes me happy.
There seems to be two groups of people in terms of this week's exercise. There were those who were able to focus and get into the exercise very easily and those who had a more difficult reason. Mainly those who had a more difficult time found the problem was in too many distractions. I believe as a professional that it would be important to find out what type of client I had. I know I use my team a lot as an example, but that is what I know. I have two distinct groups on it; those that find mental training and preparation beneficial and relatively easy to do, and those who can not find the mindset in a large group setting. Therefore, I work with each of these groups differently. I believe I would do that in other settings as well. For those who are able to focus on their own, I would set them up with a plan to work on exercises. If I was in a group setting with the others who had a hard time concentrating, I would have them separate and work on activities to help build mental focus. Maybe it would be short activities at first, and then we would move to longer activities and work on improving focus in small progressions.
2. Discuss a research study or article that discusses the benefits of psychological or spiritual exercise on health and wellness.
The research study that has stood out the most to me this term has been that of Pert. By learning that research has been done that shows the effect that the mind has on the body makes what I've always believed true. I believe that the mind is the greatest influencer our lives. I have heard the quote "If you believe you can or you believe you can't, you're right." That is only one part of our mind. Our mind also decides how to handle stress, feelings, and more. How we handle that effects our physical health just as much. I believe this study was important because it showed the correlation between physical and mental health, and I believe it became a catalyst for further studies.
3. What did you learn from the blogs of others that will be beneficial to you as a health and wellness professional? Explain and provide examples.
I have really appreciated the blog of Danielle. Her blog is Integral Health and the Benefits of Massage. As someone who benefits from massage on a weekly basis, it is nice to hear the perspective of the massage therapist. Also, she seems to work hard on her mental and psychological health and wellness. It helps me understand ways I can become more enlightened. And, honestly, that's how I feel, enlightened. Another blog I appreciate is Hiro's I appreciate his humor the most. Color Wheel of Life is cool as well. Just looking at the beautiful picture on the blog makes me happy.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
This week
What an interesting week for me! I have been at Dance Team camp for three days, went boating the next two, and have finished my week in Alaska. I will be here for two weeks, and I am very excited. Today we spent all day on Elmendorf Air Force Base watching the air show.
As for this week's exercise, I found it to be interesting. I had a hard time focusing and finding someone to think about. My life has many people who have influenced me by being an example of selfless love to others. I did like the ocean sounds though. The places that I feel most calm are on or near water or near the mountains. So, this part was good for me.
You see my life has been very compartmentalized which is what made it hard for me to focus for this exercise. Up until I was eleven years old, I lived with my mother (my father died when I was ten. They were still married at the time of his death). When I was eleven, my mom passed away, and I moved to live with my aunt and uncle. At eighteen, I fled as quickly as possible from their home even though they were WONDERFUL. But, you know how teenagers are. At twenty, I was married and have been for almost thirteen years now. Each of these chapters in my life has brought influences in and out of my life.
I look forward to hearing what others post.
As for this week's exercise, I found it to be interesting. I had a hard time focusing and finding someone to think about. My life has many people who have influenced me by being an example of selfless love to others. I did like the ocean sounds though. The places that I feel most calm are on or near water or near the mountains. So, this part was good for me.
You see my life has been very compartmentalized which is what made it hard for me to focus for this exercise. Up until I was eleven years old, I lived with my mother (my father died when I was ten. They were still married at the time of his death). When I was eleven, my mom passed away, and I moved to live with my aunt and uncle. At eighteen, I fled as quickly as possible from their home even though they were WONDERFUL. But, you know how teenagers are. At twenty, I was married and have been for almost thirteen years now. Each of these chapters in my life has brought influences in and out of my life.
I look forward to hearing what others post.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
My Reflections
Physical Well-Being- 7 out of 10
Spritual Well-Being- 6 out of 10
Psychological Well-Being- 8.5 out of 10
My goal in my physical well-being is to increase my cardiovascular fitness. I will do this by continuing to make exercise a part of my life. I will go to my local gym and get physical activity in my day on a more regular basis.
My goal in my spiritual life is to go back to my roots and belief system. I will be more consistent in prayer and studying my Bible.
My psychological goal is to continue developing a positive attitude. I will do this by using positive affirmations and surrounding myself with positive people.
Spritual Well-Being- 6 out of 10
Psychological Well-Being- 8.5 out of 10
My goal in my physical well-being is to increase my cardiovascular fitness. I will do this by continuing to make exercise a part of my life. I will go to my local gym and get physical activity in my day on a more regular basis.
My goal in my spiritual life is to go back to my roots and belief system. I will be more consistent in prayer and studying my Bible.
My psychological goal is to continue developing a positive attitude. I will do this by using positive affirmations and surrounding myself with positive people.
Today's Meditation Experience
I was better able to focus today on the meditation experience. Perhaps it is because I had to use my imagination. And, I definitely have one of those. Also, using the concept of a rainbow was great for me. This past spring, we had a beautiful double rainbow over our track at school after a meet. My mind first went to that. Then, as the exercise went on, I was able to see the light coming from each of the area's that the voice described. When I got to the crown of my head and imagined the circular window, my first feeling I had was one of vulnerability. And, aren't we a little vulnerable when we're connected to others?
What I also found in this exercise is that my body was able to relax. I felt calm. When I was done with the exercise, I felt rejuvenated as well. I am ready to move on with my day that I have planned. I am glad that I did this exercise at this time in the day. Now I'm ready to keep going.
What I also found in this exercise is that my body was able to relax. I felt calm. When I was done with the exercise, I felt rejuvenated as well. I am ready to move on with my day that I have planned. I am glad that I did this exercise at this time in the day. Now I'm ready to keep going.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
My experience of blogging
So far I have truly enjoyed this experience. I have liked taking the time to look through the designs available to show my personality. I liked posting my picture and letting my class mates know a little about me. I have been able to learn a little about my classmates in the process and am able to draw upon their knowledge, and I'm able to see how this class relates to their own lives.
Everyone I have met in class so far is so interesting, and I look forward to learning from and with them. I want to improve my own health and wellness and be able to share this knowledge with others. Blogging is a great place to start. By doing this, I am able to garner knowledge and share knowledge. Then, it is my responsibility to apply this knowledge to my life. When I have done this and have begun to master it, I can share this with others.
When I have the opportunity to be a professional in my desired field, I am going to be able to share with coaches and athletes alike about the power of the mind. As we have learned this week, what we think can truly alter our physiology. If someone wants to perform at their best, he or she needs to learn how to cultivate his or her mind into believing and knowing that he or she can do it. I hope to be able to learn and be able to share this with others.
Everyone I have met in class so far is so interesting, and I look forward to learning from and with them. I want to improve my own health and wellness and be able to share this knowledge with others. Blogging is a great place to start. By doing this, I am able to garner knowledge and share knowledge. Then, it is my responsibility to apply this knowledge to my life. When I have done this and have begun to master it, I can share this with others.
When I have the opportunity to be a professional in my desired field, I am going to be able to share with coaches and athletes alike about the power of the mind. As we have learned this week, what we think can truly alter our physiology. If someone wants to perform at their best, he or she needs to learn how to cultivate his or her mind into believing and knowing that he or she can do it. I hope to be able to learn and be able to share this with others.
Confusion
I must admit that I am a bit confused. Do we follow professor's comments in last week's seminar that this week's assignment is to create the blog, or do we follow the Gradebook and unit instructions? To be safe, I am posting today, but granted it is Tuesday and not Saturday.
As I listened to the meditation for the week, I found it both relaxing and interesting. I am still trying to train my mind, so I can not master everything it tells me to yet. I can't wait until I can though. I know and believe that our mind can be our greatest power to optimal health and wellness. Now, to be able to train it is the trick. I am committing to taking more time for myself and my mind this summer so that I can achieve it. My goal is then to pass my knowledge on to others, especially my dancers.
As I listened to the meditation for the week, I found it both relaxing and interesting. I am still trying to train my mind, so I can not master everything it tells me to yet. I can't wait until I can though. I know and believe that our mind can be our greatest power to optimal health and wellness. Now, to be able to train it is the trick. I am committing to taking more time for myself and my mind this summer so that I can achieve it. My goal is then to pass my knowledge on to others, especially my dancers.
Monday, July 12, 2010
The Beginning of my blog
Hello all! Today is my first day as a "blogger". What will I learn from this experience? We shall see. I look forward to sharing my life and experiences on here for all to see. Hope your July is going well!
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