BREATHING
Breathing (along with love and chocolate) is essential to life. We can live without food or water for much longer than one realizes; however, without oxygen we only live for minutes. Unfortunately, the ability to breathe is a gift almost everyone takes for granted...
We need to understand some of the mechanics of breathing to encourage efficient use of our bodies. You may not realize that poor posture obstructs the natural breathing process. The muscle groups involved in breathing are the abdominals and the muscles intertwined through the ribs. Sitting can cause shallow breathing which limits the amount of air you get into your body. An upright posture helps free these muscles, allowing the lungs to fill to full capacity. The bottom line: When all of your body parts are working together, each in their right place, breathing is easy.
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Your body lets you know when you are breathing inefficiently. You yawn when you lack oxygen, and you feel fatigued. Don’t make your body beg. A body full of oxygen works more efficiently.
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Bonus - The health benefits of oxygen are endless. Some of the less known benefits are improved absorption of vitamins, proteins and essential minerals while enhancing the body’s fat burning ability. Fat Burning ability!!?? Could that mean deep breathing with an open and balanced body could possibly be helpful in weight loss???
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It is generally agreed that increased oxygen boosts energy, increases alertness and reduces stress in the body. Improved oxygen flow, combined with good posture, makes you look and feel healthier and happier.
BALANCE
Taking care of yourself does not make you self-centered. It makes you centered.
The Natural Laws under which we live are designed for our benefit and advantage. Gravity is the natural law that keeps our feet on the ground. However gravity is often the brunt of quips when it comes to posture… many feel that this law, especially, is set in stone and that we cannot escape from its pull on our bodies.
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Be encouraged that it is within our power to work in harmony with this law and create balance within our bodies. This balance calls for growth in the understanding of what it is that you want to achieve. One way to grow is to exchange of the old ideas of posture and balance for new ideas that fit today’s needs and lifestyle.
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When you get to the heart of a problem, the problem becomes easier to understand and command. Positive change can happen at any time, any age, and after almost any physical mishap. Keep in mind that it doesn’t enhance your PowerStructure fully to concentrate only on the physical game or the mental game - It has to be both.
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Mind and body are an inseparable team, and you have to approach them as such.
STRESS
All of us are dynamos, but the dynamo loses its sparkle when it becomes stressed.
The word “Stress” has many different meanings. Each person asked to describe stress would give a completely different answer. That notwithstanding, life with far less stress is a realistic goal, even though we all know the roller-coaster of daily existence.
Everyday stresses are normally worked out in a short amount of time. We process the situation, gauge possible resolutions, and pick a course of action that will best fit the desired outcome. Just as you mentally move through each problem that causes you emotional or time stresses, you should remember to move your body through it as well.
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In general, how does the body respond to stress? The short answer is fight or flight… neither of which is healthy long term.
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Emotions truly do get trapped within the body. You need to “free” that emotional stress by moving (stretching). If not, stagnation can set in deep within the muscle making it much harder, if not impossible, for you to continue good range of motion. Range of motion in this case does not only mean in exercise… it applies to every day movements, like reaching a cup on the top shelf.
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Lengthening and Strengthening the body’s structure enables the body to function better, enabling the body to rise above the distractions and overcome the stresses within the body. When your body is in balance, you feel better and you work smarter.
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What’s Bugging You?
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Stress is at the root of many physical problems, but what is at the root of stress? (Hint: wrong answers include “My Spouse,” “My Job,” “My Massage therapist,” “The Neighbors”…) To be blunt, stress is self-induced. If we go on the theory that stress is largely self-induced, then surely we can turn it around and relieve that stress. My suggested keys, as you are beginning to realize, are stretching and breathing – the core strategies of PowerStructure.
SELF CONFIDENCE & PRESENTATION
The word posture has a stigma.
This is the chapter where the words of your mother or someone in your life come back to haunt you. They told us to “Stand up straight” and hold your shoulders back. Many methods to accomplish this have been taught - a book on your head, leaning up against walls, or visualizing a string at the top of your head. All good advice, but maybe not enough substance to correct the need for improved body positioning.
When we see someone “walking tall,” we assume that they are confident and in control. They command attention by their mere presence. Confidence is an Attitude. “Tall posture” projects that attitude.
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Add to that thought - Posture is an Attitude! One definition for attitude is “A complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in a certain way,” which is the way we commonly think of this word. An alternate definition is “A Position of the body or manner of carrying oneself. A state of mind.” Synonym: “posture”
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Interesting, isn’t it?
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I assure you that posture affects the way that people perceive us. What are you presenting? What do you want to present?
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Most people would answer that they want to be perceived as healthy, strong and capable – confident of their place in the world. With new knowledge of achieving a better and balanced body, here is your chance to create any presentation you choose, canceling that old programming that may still be running through your head and making the most of your DNA.
IT ALL STARTS WITH YOU
(And just this once, It is All About You!)
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You are the catalyst that creates mental makeovers and physical changes. Setting personal goals moves us forward, even if they are only done mentally. These are the goals I had in mind when creating this program for You.
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First - I want to help You create the healthy, balanced posture that can enhance every part of your daily life.
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Second - I want you to be as stress-free and pain-free as you can make yourself.
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Third - I want you to have the knowledge and access to begin creating the circumstances that will help lead you to excellence in every area of your life.
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Believe it or not, it is just that simple—You are now equipped with the knowledge you need to create your Personal PowerStructure. Be sure to use the Movements page to claim your power.
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Good Luck and Happy Stretching… The success is yours to take.
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Remember It All Starts With You…