When you have time, please take a look at my new website design and give me some feedback.
http://www.nancescott.com/
Thanks and Happy Friday!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Stress Can Kill You
Stress can kill you...
...this is not a metaphor or hyperbole, stress, unchecked is hurting you mentally, physically, and spiritually. Stress makes you anxious, sick, and tired. Upwards of 60% of all doctor visits are stress related ailments...digestive problems, muscular tension, headaches, heart palpitations, fatigue, etc. Then our stress overflows onto our family, friends, and co-workers, and into every crevice of our lives.
You're all very smart and informed people, so I'm sure most of this is not news to you. You've also probably heard that exercise, meditation, relaxation, eating more nutritious food, getting 7-8 hours of sleep a night, deep breathing, and stretching all help release and ward off the build up of stress hormones.
And it's because we all have built up stress and we all need to release it that these next 6-week yoga and pilates sessions will be focused on that topic. As we transition into a new schedule, class location, fall season, we'll practice letting go of our resistance to change and opening up to the new things to come.
I look forward to seeing you next week!
As always feel free to contact me and leave a comment on the blog with your thoughts and experiences.
Namaste
...this is not a metaphor or hyperbole, stress, unchecked is hurting you mentally, physically, and spiritually. Stress makes you anxious, sick, and tired. Upwards of 60% of all doctor visits are stress related ailments...digestive problems, muscular tension, headaches, heart palpitations, fatigue, etc. Then our stress overflows onto our family, friends, and co-workers, and into every crevice of our lives.
You're all very smart and informed people, so I'm sure most of this is not news to you. You've also probably heard that exercise, meditation, relaxation, eating more nutritious food, getting 7-8 hours of sleep a night, deep breathing, and stretching all help release and ward off the build up of stress hormones.
And it's because we all have built up stress and we all need to release it that these next 6-week yoga and pilates sessions will be focused on that topic. As we transition into a new schedule, class location, fall season, we'll practice letting go of our resistance to change and opening up to the new things to come.
I look forward to seeing you next week!
As always feel free to contact me and leave a comment on the blog with your thoughts and experiences.
Namaste
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Second Week
Happy Saturday Morning!
For me this week went well, however, I totally bailed on meditation and reading on Friday. At the time it seemed so necessary to skip, but when I did finally start the morning I realized that I really missed it! I missed out on the time in the morning, when the house is completely quiet and still and no one needs or expects anything from me. I'm going to try and remember how much I enjoy it (and miss it when it doesn't happen) the next time I think I "have to" skip it.
The food journaling is also going well and is helping me be aware of the times when I would normally reach for food out of stress/overwhelm/underwhelm....
This upcoming week, I'm going to continue with the meditation/reading time and food journal, but my new focus will be writing down 5 "accomplishments" at the end of each day.
I hope everything is going well for each of you. Please keep me up to date. I love reading your posts and staying connected!
Wishing you a blessing of a relaxing Labor Day Weekend.
Nance
For me this week went well, however, I totally bailed on meditation and reading on Friday. At the time it seemed so necessary to skip, but when I did finally start the morning I realized that I really missed it! I missed out on the time in the morning, when the house is completely quiet and still and no one needs or expects anything from me. I'm going to try and remember how much I enjoy it (and miss it when it doesn't happen) the next time I think I "have to" skip it.
The food journaling is also going well and is helping me be aware of the times when I would normally reach for food out of stress/overwhelm/underwhelm....
This upcoming week, I'm going to continue with the meditation/reading time and food journal, but my new focus will be writing down 5 "accomplishments" at the end of each day.
I hope everything is going well for each of you. Please keep me up to date. I love reading your posts and staying connected!
Wishing you a blessing of a relaxing Labor Day Weekend.
Nance
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Sorry
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Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Inspire and Be Inspired
Hi all! So many changes happening that I haven't taken the time to update this blog, but more on that in future posts. Today I'm writing about an idea that came to me while working with a living wellness program (www.hillaryrubin.com/livingwellness)
So many times, in looking for support and accountability, we try to find friends who are working on the same things, but it can be hard because people have different goals. Instead of worrying about finding some one or group of some ones working on the exact same topic, we need to remember, although we're all at different starting points, we're moving on the same journey, toward a balanced, healthy life.
Instead of trying to find support among friends based on one short term goal, let's find common ground admist all types of wellness goals, building on the one thing we all have in common, the desire to become more aware of and connected to our whole & healthy self.
To participate, simply decide what your goal(s) is for the week. Be specific.
You may be committed to making better food choices (ie: no over processed food this week, 1 less soda pop/day, 2 more servings of fruit & veggies/day), maybe you're adding 2 days more/week of 30 min of exercise, or focusing on getting to bed an hour earlier each night to get some needed rest or to make time for your morning meditation. You see it doesn't matter what your weekly goal is, just be specific, so you can support yourself & be supported by others.
Next, post your goal as a comment on this blog. Then, throughout the week or at the end of the week drop a quick note on what you experienced, highs & lows, changes made, and whether you're continuing focus on the same goals for the next week or choosing new ones. While you're posting take a moment to look at what others have experienced and maybe offer insight.
I really believe we will all benefit from the sharing and knowing there are others moving through this life with wellness, balance, and health as their ultimate goal. Plus, I think it will be fun!
Well, I'm in, so here's what I'm working on this week....
*waking up earlier to give myself the time & space to meditate for 10-20min & read (15-20 min) each morning.
*eating mindfully all week. This involves keeping a food journal, so I am aware of each piece of food I put in my mouth. Not to berate myself over calories, but because I've noticed a tendancy to eat from a place of stress lately.
I'll let you know how it goes, and I look forward to hearing all of your stories!
Namaste,
Nance
So many times, in looking for support and accountability, we try to find friends who are working on the same things, but it can be hard because people have different goals. Instead of worrying about finding some one or group of some ones working on the exact same topic, we need to remember, although we're all at different starting points, we're moving on the same journey, toward a balanced, healthy life.
Instead of trying to find support among friends based on one short term goal, let's find common ground admist all types of wellness goals, building on the one thing we all have in common, the desire to become more aware of and connected to our whole & healthy self.
To participate, simply decide what your goal(s) is for the week. Be specific.
You may be committed to making better food choices (ie: no over processed food this week, 1 less soda pop/day, 2 more servings of fruit & veggies/day), maybe you're adding 2 days more/week of 30 min of exercise, or focusing on getting to bed an hour earlier each night to get some needed rest or to make time for your morning meditation. You see it doesn't matter what your weekly goal is, just be specific, so you can support yourself & be supported by others.
Next, post your goal as a comment on this blog. Then, throughout the week or at the end of the week drop a quick note on what you experienced, highs & lows, changes made, and whether you're continuing focus on the same goals for the next week or choosing new ones. While you're posting take a moment to look at what others have experienced and maybe offer insight.
I really believe we will all benefit from the sharing and knowing there are others moving through this life with wellness, balance, and health as their ultimate goal. Plus, I think it will be fun!
Well, I'm in, so here's what I'm working on this week....
*waking up earlier to give myself the time & space to meditate for 10-20min & read (15-20 min) each morning.
*eating mindfully all week. This involves keeping a food journal, so I am aware of each piece of food I put in my mouth. Not to berate myself over calories, but because I've noticed a tendancy to eat from a place of stress lately.
I'll let you know how it goes, and I look forward to hearing all of your stories!
Namaste,
Nance
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Yoga is More than Exercise
Spring is here! With Spring, most of us start feeling the need to move more & eat better, in preparation for capris, short-sleeve shirts, and swimsuits :)
I just wanted to remind you that yoga is great for all that ... and so much more than that.
Yoga helps us train the mind, body, and spirit to handle life's stressful situations in appropriate ways. It doesn't happen overnight, but with a committed practice and mindfulness within it, you will experience positive changes.
"...the physical challenge [of exercise] can trigger a full-fledged stress response in the body. But when physical demands are met with mindfulness and steady breathing, as they are in yoga, the nervous system responds differently: It maintains activation while keeping an underlying sense of calm. It remains skillfully engaged but without going into full-fledged fight-or-flight mode.
... You're enabling your autonomic nervous system to imprint that response and therefore allow you to return to it during everyday stress."
"Yoga also trains the nervous system to return to balance quickly after a challenge response. By alternating strenuous poses with gentler ones, yoga conditions you to move easily between states of challenge and rest. Letting go of all effort in Savasana pose, teaches the nervous system to let go once the challenges of your practice have been met."
source: www.yogajournal.com Article: "Tame Your Stress" by Kelly McGonigal
I hope you're able to give yourself time for yoga regularly.
Enjoy your Spring and please let me know if you have any comments or questions.
Namaste,
I just wanted to remind you that yoga is great for all that ... and so much more than that.
Yoga helps us train the mind, body, and spirit to handle life's stressful situations in appropriate ways. It doesn't happen overnight, but with a committed practice and mindfulness within it, you will experience positive changes.
"...the physical challenge [of exercise] can trigger a full-fledged stress response in the body. But when physical demands are met with mindfulness and steady breathing, as they are in yoga, the nervous system responds differently: It maintains activation while keeping an underlying sense of calm. It remains skillfully engaged but without going into full-fledged fight-or-flight mode.
... You're enabling your autonomic nervous system to imprint that response and therefore allow you to return to it during everyday stress."
"Yoga also trains the nervous system to return to balance quickly after a challenge response. By alternating strenuous poses with gentler ones, yoga conditions you to move easily between states of challenge and rest. Letting go of all effort in Savasana pose, teaches the nervous system to let go once the challenges of your practice have been met."
source: www.yogajournal.com Article: "Tame Your Stress" by Kelly McGonigal
I hope you're able to give yourself time for yoga regularly.
Enjoy your Spring and please let me know if you have any comments or questions.
Namaste,
Monday, February 8, 2010
February
I just wanted to write a quick post to let you all know I'm still here. Many people have been practicing the meditation/quiet time daily and have committed to continuing through February. Yea!!! If you're trying it, but it's still hit-n-miss, just allow yourself to enjoy the "hit" days and notice if you experience the day differently when you've had time to meditate. Or maybe you notice it when you've taken the time for several days in a row and then miss a day.
Wherever you're at, find joy in your day today.
Namaste,
Wherever you're at, find joy in your day today.
Namaste,
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