Tap Into More Energy by Aligning with the Seasons

January 28, 2010

By Amy Becton

Do you feel drained and isolated?
Then it is likely that you have forgotten that you are connected to EVERYTHING around you!

One way to get back into your groove is reconnecting with nature. Just the idea that you are part of a huge process happening all the time can immediately lift your energy and provide a sense of purpose. In the Chinese arts, we call energy “Chi.” Chi is the living force that animates all life. It is the substance that makes us functional.

Chi is important for your health and personal fulfillment. When chi is in good flow you feel light, relaxed and confident. When chi is not in good flow you feel congested, heavy, nervous and irritable. People without enough Chi can barely get through the day. Chi supports and fortifies the body against disease, the mind against negativity and once you master it’s inner workings you can use your chi to manifest the life you want to live!

Nature can teach you how to maintain or regain your Chi. For over 4000 years Taoist masters have been using the practice of aligning one’s energy with the seasons to establish proper energy flow in the human body! It is a very refined, highly studied field of healing used by nearly 1/3 of the planet’s population.

To align your natural chi or energy with the season, observe what nature is doing and follow the example of other living things. By choosing to follow and not resist the flow of seasonal energy, your energy will get carried and supported by the flow around you.

Right now, in North Carolina, it is winter. All of nature is still and waiting for spring. The trees have stored their sap in their roots and they are resting. Animals are hibernating and conserving their resources. For humans too, winter is the time to be still, to rest, and conserve energy for spring.

Resting does not come easily in our culture. In fact, it has become something that goes against our current values…to accomplish and go 24/7!

I do qigong exercises to rest and recharge my energy reserves. I’d like to share the techniques I practice with you. If you are interested in learning more, please come to the Winter Qigong Workshop Tomorrow night at 7pm or try one of the Qigong classes Saturdays at 10:30am. See below for details!
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Seasonal QiGong Workshops
Instructor Amy Becton

Nurturing for Winter- Fri Jan 29th, 7-9pm
Winter is the time of year to store and rejuvenate your energy reserves. Learn simple techniques that replenish your resources and improve your health for the rest of the year. Reconnect with the healing spirit of the season through breathing and movement. $30

Spring Qigong – Fri April 2nd, 7-9pm, $30
Transform and Express Yourself!

QiGong Series Saturdays, 10:30am
Instructor Amy Becton
Learn the fundamental principles and skillful means to develop the human energy system. Human energy is the stuff that makes us feel light, confident and effective in our lives. This class will focus on three basic QiGong methods used to gather and collect your internal energy; They are Standing Foundation, Directing Through Movement and Sitting Meditation.
All 10 classes for $100
5 classes for $55
Drop ins for $12

Wellness with Dr. Will: Nutrition for the Athlete

January 26, 2010

Photo c/o: mikebaird

When: February 6, 4 pm lecture/5:15 pm introductory yoga for athletes
Click here for PDF with more information.

Presented by: Dr. Will Lane, M.D.

Are you an athlete…
- in training?
- involved in a school program?
- wanting to learn more about how to maximize your performance?

If so, then join us at the Bindu to learn more about nutrition and the mind-body connection, followed by an introduction to yoga for athletes on Feburary 6th!
• Food Combinations to enhance sports recovery and performance
• How to counteract Oxidative Stress through whole food nutrition
• Mind-Body Connection: how it can improve nutrition/sports performance
• Demonstration of relaxation and visualization techniques

Enjoy Complimentary Green Tea, Fruit and GMAX Athletic Nutritional Bar.

Register Early to reserve your space for Yoga! Wear comfortable clothing
(Max of 16 participants in ages 10-14 class; Max of 30 participants in ages 14 and up class)
Cost: $15 individual; $20 athlete/parent and $5 per each additional family member
(payment by cash, credit card or check at time of lecture)
Full refunds are available less a 20% administrative fee within 72 hours of lecture. No refunds thereafter.

About Will Lane. M.D.
College: Harvard University
Medical School: Duke University Medical School
Residency: Bayfront Medical Center, St. Petersburg,
Fellowship: University of Arizona, Integrative Medicine
Board Certified in Family Medicine

Dr. Will Lane’s passions in life revolve around his family and love of swimming. He lives just outside Charlotte with his wife, 3 young boys, one very old Labrador and 2 kittens. When Dr. Lane is not at the office, you will most likely find him taking in the lovely aroma of chlorine at the pool. He has been a competitive swimmer his entire life and now competes, along with his wife, at a national level as a Master’s Swimmer. His oldest son has taken to the sport as well and is improving so quickly that Dr. Lane feels he must stay in good shape to hold him off. Other hobbies include scuba diving with Great White Sharks (minus the sharks), listening to country music, Tai Chi, and being an avid sports fan to teams such as the Charlotte Bobcats, Duke Basketball, the Panthers, and Notre Dame football.

Yoga for Children and Parents

January 19, 2010

By Stephanie Bloom (Childcare coordinator, The Bindu)

Imagine this…practicing heart-opening, ‘body happier than ever’ hatha yoga while your child is in the room right next door learning yoga poses that teach confidence, strength and calmness.

Sound like a dream? Not to me…it sounds like Kelley Gardner teaching Monday afternoon yoga class while Patti Boug guides children ages 5-9 in her Kid’s Yoga class. It happens at the Bindu every Monday from 4:30-5:30. How Wonderful!

And that’s not the only adult and child opportunity at the Bindu.
On Mondays and Wednesdays we have a parent- driven child watch for preschool aged kids so that parents can enjoy another wonderful yoga class with the amazing Brooks Haislip on Monday and Patti Boug on Wednesday. This class is from 9:30 – 10:45. Currently we have two scheduled story times are are willing to add more if there is enough interest.

And if you have a child athlete, you must try Mary Kennedy’s popular student athlete class for ages 12 and up. It is a shame how many of our children are getting injured through sports. We need to take the lead from elite athletes worldwide who are practicing yoga for injury prevention, focus, and extending the life of their athletic careers. We’ve got excellence in yoga instruction for all ages right here in Cornelius! Mary’s student athlete class is Wednesdays from 6-7:15p.

Kelley, Brooks and Patti’s adult classes leave you feeling refreshed and ready to take on whatever the rest of the week holds. Your child(ren) will learn how to appreciate themselves and work through the ups and downs children face in their early years. I know there are lots of distractions out there for all ages, so centering and the alignment process are crucial to teach our children. Patti and Mary, with skill and humor, will teach your children how to be steadier, centered, and more calm every day.

Both these adult classes are for students of all levels. These two teachers can challenge the most advanced students while making a beginner feel right at home – all in the same class!

Parents and Children Participating Gain:
• An opening of the mind
• Teachings of love and confidence in a fun environment
• A total body work out and knowledge about injury prevention

Click here for class schedule. For more info, call the Bindu at 704-237-3635. We hope to see you soon!

Taking the Mystery Out of Body Therapy

January 12, 2010

By: Marty Kestin (www.ensomabodyworks.com)

What is Bodytherapy?
Bodytherapy is a holistic and self empowered means to an end of chronic pain and discomfort. It is a combination of life changing Eastern and Western movement and soft tissue therapies such as: The Egoscue Method; Zen Therapy – which is a combination of Rolfing and Feldenkrais work; traditional Neuromuscular and Massage therapies; and Trager work. Marty has been trained in these modalities and is also a teacher to therapists and instructors in various aspects of Bodytherapy. He is often consulted by peers to aide in the treatment of difficult cases.

What does Bodytherapy address?
Bodytherapy is effective at treating most of the musculoskeletal, chronic pain and stress related injuries you would go to the doctor, chiropractor, massage or physical therapist for.

The Goal of Bodytherapy is two-fold:

1. To teach clients to understand their pain or chronic condition and empower them with information to become an active participant in their own rehabilitation.
2. Bodytherapy releases the natural, pain free form of the body that has been bent, twisted and collapsed over a lifetime of modern living, physical/emotional trauma and repetitive and restricted use.

How does Bodytherapy work?
You will receive 10 deep tissue sessions following a specific recipe for unwrapping, aligning & balancing the human body. In each bodywork session you are being treated on a massage table wearing shorts and a tank top, doing various movements as the therapist does advanced soft tissue techniques.

Sessions also include: Custom self care exercises designed to improve posture, alignment and address distortions that lead to orthopaedic conditions.
 Movement therapies to foster body awareness, the release of muscle guarding and reeducation of the muscular system promoting ease of movement and wellbeing. Self care education to understand how and why you hurt and create proactive solutions.

Why choose Bodytherapy?
Choosing Bodytherapy teaches self-reliance in today’s doctor/therapist reliant health care based system. Bodytherapy targets the underlying causes of symptoms then addresses these symptoms at the root cause of the original problem.

Is Bodytherapy for you? Maybe…
YES: If you have tried other modalities and still have issues.
YES: If you want a comprehensive method to elevate your health, body, and performance.
NO: If you think your doctor is in charge of your health and you have no control.

Clients report being more relaxed, able to perform at a pre-injury or condition level, significantly less, little or no pain, taller (yes taller) posture and increased performance at work and in sports activities.

Marty can be reached at 704.335.8115 or mkestin@ensomabodywoks.com for free face-to-face or phone consultations. All new clients receive 50% off their first session.

Creating the life you want to live

January 7, 2010

By: Amy Becton

As we jump into the New Year, I am reminded of something my mother would say as she tucked us in bed.
“Tomorrow is a New Day!”

No matter how many things you said that got you into trouble that day, if you broke something precious or acted against your better character, tomorrow was a new day and you could choose to make things different.

This phrase gives us hope and reminds us that we are all-powerful beings. The New Year serves as a marker and summons us to act on what we know without question but may have forgotten, which is that…
…”Each of us can create the life we want to live.”

It is through tai chi experience that I began to really understand that not only is tomorrow a new day but also “Each Minute is a New Minute.”

It may sound like a good idea to start tomorrow…but I say let’s start right now!

Oh sure, it’s challenging if your bones hurt or if you are mad, or sad or even feeling a little scared. Right now, you may just want some justice, compassion or your favorite blanket. But if you do what you have always done, you’ll get what you’ve always had. Decide to honor “each moment as a new day” and allow the endless possibilities of this moment to unfold.

If every moment is new, then this leaves room for mistakes, bad feelings, or even broken hearts and these experiences will only last as long as you decide to hold onto them. From one moment to the next, you can let your worries go and choose to enjoy the happiness, peace, health and joy that are happening right now!

Doing Tai chi and Qigong movement is an easy way to let go of overwhelming stress, while adding gentleness and mindfulness to your life. Through these exercises, you can discover and master the power of transformation, so that each of your moments can be experienced as a new day. Moving slowly and with intention restores your lightness, expansiveness, and vibrancy. Tai chi helps you really understand the process of creating the life you want to live, easily and one step at a time!

If the life you have created isn’t exactly what you wanted. If you feel heavy, confined disconnected and less than alive, then try one of the free classes in January!

Let the sun set on today and take your first step! Imagine how many tomorrows or minutes there are in 2010 to practice creating and having the life you want to live.

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Mark your calendar for the following:

Free QiGong class on Sat. Jan. 9 from 10:30-11:30am
Class description: Discover your body’s natural ability to heal through these powerful ancient techniques. QiGong exercises have been used for thousands of years to effectively relieve stress, restore health and increase energy. These simple movements combined with breathing and visualization gently restore natural balance.