Tag: chi breathing

Three Easy Steps You Can Take Now…to Help You Accomplish Your Goals in 2012

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What is the most common activity of people this time of year? Other than shopping, I mean.

It’s assessing – either consciously or subconsciously – how this past year has gone.

You look back at what has happened, what you have accomplished, and what you have left undone.

If you are consciously doing this, you are actually taking stock, either in your head or on paper.

If you are unconsciously doing this, you probably are feeling either really good about life….or you have a sense of unease or disappointment that you can’t quite shake.

Of course, as part of this process, a lot of people skip over what they didn’t get done this year, and move right into thinking about the new year. That’s because the new year is fresh and full of promise. So…they make resolutions. Probably the same resolution they made a year ago. Losing weight and getting more fit is one of the most common.

But you don’t have to wait until New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day to set your goals. Nor do you have to wait to begin preparing yourself for beginning to work toward your goals.

Yes, there’s nothing like momentum. If you can get clear on what you want to do in 2012 now, and begin to do a few simple things to prepare yourself…you will hit the ground running on January 1st.

Even if you are a little hungover.

Well, in that spirit, here are three simple things you can begin doing now, even during the hub bub of the holidays, to improve your health and explode into the new year with momentum:

(1)Drink lots of purified or quality bottled water. At least half your bodyweight in ounces, every day. Water purifies and detoxifies your body. It helps maintain your metabolism and energy at high levels.

(2)Take a daily multi-vitamin/mineral, vitamin C, and fish oil. If there were a law passed that limited me to only three supplements, these are the three I would focus on for general health.

Vitamin C provides so many benefits, I could write a book about it. Fish oil is a natural anti-inflammatory. And inflammation has been implicated as a root cause or contributor to a number of different ailments and diseases, from arthritis and asthma to heart disease and Alzheimers.

(3)Do some deep breathing and/or dynamic energy exercises each day. Preferably first thing in the morning, to expand your energy and set yourself up for a productive and successful day.

Morning breathing and energy exercises are one of the cornerstones of the fitness and health principles I teach and follow.

Learning to breathe properly and developing greater vital capacity are two of the most significant steps you can take to ensure high levels of health and energy today….and years from now.

You can also do some deep breathing and light stretching in the evening. I tell you, there is no better way to relax after a tough day. Just a few minutes will have you sleeping like a baby.

If you’re looking for an easy-to-learn, fun to do series of exercises, consider one of the Secret Power of Dynamic Energy Exercise Course volumes. Or, if one of your goals for 2012 is to lose weight and get in shape, you can try the exercises and other recommendations in the “Fire Up Your Metabolism” Program.

All of these programs are available at the Best Breathing Exercises web site – check em out at http://www.bestbreathingexercises.com/productspage.html.

Like I said, these are simple things you can begin doing now. You’ll feel better, you’ll be healthier…and you will hit the ground in full gear for the New Year!

You Can Do It!

Karen Van Ness

“Best Breathing Exercises: Transform Body Mind and Spirit with Dynamic Energy Exercise!” http://www.BestBreathingExercises.com

Copyright, Karen Van Ness, 2011

When Is Breathing More Than Just Breathing?

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Most people think of breathing as merely a mechanical process involving the airways and lungs. But it is so much more than that!

The lungs are the functional organs of respiration, as they are responsible for the active function of breathing and ventilation. So we naturally focus on them when we think about our breathing.

Howver, many breathing and energy practices embrace breathing as an activity that involves the entire body.

This is true on a number of levels.

From a physical standpoint, respiratory movement extends into the extremities. Also, breathing has a significant influence on all the physiological functions of the body. Breathing can also directly influence your mental and emotional state.

Take the time to breathe deeply and gently for several cycles. It only takes a few deep, gentle breaths – in through the nose, out through the nose – to “feel” your breath moving throughout your abdominal area.

Now feel that you are breathing into your lower back. Gently, slowly, breathe into any areas of tightness from too much sitting (like I’m doing right now to relax my back).

Next, stand up and take a few deep, gentle breaths all the way down into your feet. Breathe in energy and lightness; breathe out fatigue and stress. “Feel” yourself breathing in that energy and lightness through the top of your head. Feel yourself exhaling the fatigue and stress through the soles of your feet.

If you’re game, take it one step further: “feel” yourself breathing in energy and lightness through every pore in your body, and into every body part – so you feel like you are absorbing air from all over your body, not just through your nose. As you inhale, feel the air permeate into the deepest parts of your body.

As you exhale, “feel” yourself exhaling fatigue and stress through every pore in your body. See the old, stale air move out like smoke or steam and dissipate directly into the air around you.

Each of these stages of breathing provides a slightly different feeling and effect. When you have practiced this way for some time, you will begin to truly understand that breathing is a deep physiological process, not just a mechanical process.

Couple this understanding with a few minutes of practice each day and you be blessed with greater health and energy

You Can Do It!

Karen

“Best Breathing Exercises: Transform Body Mind and Spirit with Dynamic Energy Exercise!” http://www.BestBreathingExercises.com

P.S. One of the best ways to achieve a relaxed, calm state and focus on what’s important is through your breathing. In the Secret Power of Dynamic Energy Exercise Course, Volume I: Invigorate and Rejuvenate, I teach you how to breathe completely AND how to coordinate your breathing to simple but powerful movements that spread energy effortlessly throughout your entire body. To experience the sensation of being relaxed, in rhythm, and in control, order your copy of program today at the Best Breathing Exercises website.

Copyright, Karen Van Ness, 2011

The Case For Mindfulness

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I was driving around yesterday, running some errands. I realized
at one point that I had totally zoned out.

You know how it is when you are in the car, perhaps listening to
some good music, and you get completely tranced out.

Before you know it, you are five miles down the road and don’t
remember one bit about your trip.

This was brought to my attention by none other than my son, Miguel.

He notices everything. He often sees something that I have not
attended to, then asks me questions about it. of course, this
compels me to respond and pay better attention.

The adult is tranced out, while the child is totally excited and
immersed in the world around him.

Hmmmm….I think Miguel is trying to teach me something.

Not that it’s wrong to daydream or lose yourself in your thoughts.
Quite often, you are working out problems and coming up with
solutions to challenges during these ruminative periods.

But there’s a lot to be said for mindfulness as well.

For example, I believe that the more focus and concentration you
put into your workout – whether it’s breathing exercises, or
cardio, or lifting weights, or yoga – the better the results you
will achieve.

If, as you exercise, you think about the beautiful physique you
are sculpting, or the high levels of energy and health you are
developing, or your increased ability to handle challenges and
manage stress…well, not only will you enjoy your workout more.
You will also create a positive energy that will stay with you
after your workout.

And you will truly feel your body as you put it through its paces.
This body awareness, this sense of self, is very empowering.

One of the reasons I admire the Japanese is because they practice
mindfulness as part of their daily lives.

Let’s take something as simple as a cup of tea.

Here’s my method: boil the water as I do something else. Let the
tea steep for five minutes as I do something else. Drink the tea
as I read or work or watch TV. Finish it within five minutes
and move on to something else.

Contrast this with the traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

Everything is choreographed down to the smallest detail. The host
and the guest each have a role. Nothing is hurried.

The participants enjoy the delicious tea. And they benefit from
this wonderfully tranquil and uplifting respite from their hectic
lives.

See if you can create these wonderful moments of total attention
and mindfulness for yourself. Totally focus on the activity of
your choice – whether it’s drinking a cup of tea, or reading a
good book, or exercising.

I think you’ll find these moments will add to your appreciation
for, and enjoyment of, life.

You Can Do It!

Karen

“Best Breathing Exercises: Transform Body Mind and Spirit with
Dynamic Energy Exercise!”
www.BestBreathingExercises.com

P.S. Would you like to improve your energy levels…better
manage and even transform stress…or “finally” lose the weight
you’ve been trying to take off?

Your best strategy is to begin by getting centered and focused
with the power of deep breathing. The Best Breathing Exercises
programs can help you do just that. For more information on the
program that could be just right for you, visit
http://www.BestBreathingExercises.com.

Copyright, Karen Van Ness, 2011

Harness The Force of Frustration

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When it comes to your fitness and health, you’d probably say that
they are important to you.

Yet how committed and consistent are you at taking action in these
two areas, each and every day?

It takes a lot to make significant changes in your lifestyle, your
schedule, and your attitude and outlook…changes that will propel
you towards greater things in your life.

It’s a lot more comfortable to stay where you are, with what you
know, and dream about “If only…”

If only I were thinner. If only I could put on more muscle. If only
I could get control of this stress and anxiety and live in a more
relaxed manner. And so forth…

Seeing the need to change, thinking you ought to change, even
wanting to change are all good. But they don’t quite get it done
when it comes to actually taking the consistent, sustained action
that will enable you to reach your goals.

No, it takes something much stronger. And that something
is…frustration.

Yes, that negative, nasty emotion. But it’s true, something very
negative can help you make positive changes.

I used to abhor frustration. I hated the feeling. I think frustration
and boredom are the two states I seek to avoid the most.

However, I’ve realized from my own experiences, as well as working
with others, that you’re not really ready to do the things and think
the thoughts you need to until you are at the end of your rope, and
ready and willing to do what it takes to get out of the situation
you are in.

If, for example, you get to the point that you are really
frustrated with your anxiety and levels of stress, and you don’t
feel like you are improving or getting a handle in this area…or
you are frustrated with your appearance and inability to lose the
weight you want to lose….then celebrate.

Get happy! Put your hands in the air and shout “Hur-rah!”

I’m serious. Because when you get truly frustrated, you are ready
for a breakthrough.

You are at the point where you begin to ask yourself the right
questions and look for the information or resources that can help
you.

So leverage the frustration you may be feeling and use it to
energize and support your efforts to change or improve.

Here’s one more thought on frustration: it can also trip you up.

Once you are on the path to losing weight, or gaining the upper
hand on stress, or improving your energy levels and sense of
control, you may at times experience little or no progress.

You may get frustrated at how slowly things are changing. Or you
may get frustrated at yourself for slipping up or backsliding.
You may think you’ll never reach your goals.

Well, once again, use this frustration as a tool to energize
yourself.

Don’t let it put you into a funk, or get so down that you give up.

Here’s a great quote I heard a long time ago, that helps describe
this point:

“How long would you give the average baby to learn how to walk
before you didn’t let him or her try anymore?”

That’s a crazy question, isn’t it? You’ll give your kid as long
as it takes, and all the love and support to help them, until
he or she learns how to walk.

And think how frustrated babies and toddlers can be at times,
when they are trying to master a new motor skill. But they keep
at it, again and again and again, until they finally get it.

Why not apply this same approach to yourself?

You are a goal-seeking mechanism. Your natural state is to
succeed.

However, your natural state is also inertia. Kinda like a “good
guy/gal – bad guy/gal” thing. This is the duality of our nature
as human beings.

Therefore, you have to get creative sometimes and use the power
of a strong emotion, such as frustration, to get you off your
you-know-what and into taking action each day toward your goals.

You Can Do It!

Karen

“Best Breathing Exercises: Transform Body Mind and Spirit with
Dynamic Energy Exercise!”
http://www.bestbreathingexercises.com/

P.S

. I’d love to help as you leverage your frustration into
action with information and inspiration that can help you take
smarter steps towards your energy, fitness and life goals. Visit the
Best Breathing Exercises website for more on the products
and programs that can help you transform your health.

Copyright, Karen Van Ness, 2011

Prevention Versus Problems

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They say that it’s difficult, if not impossible, to “sell”
prevention to people.

We don’t respond to appeals based on preventing disease or health
problems, because we think they won’t happen to us….OR the
possibility seems so far off in the future, we just can’t get too
worked up about it.

But when the you-know-what hits the fan, and you are faced with a
health crisis – boy, does that get your attention.

You’ve probably faced a health crisis of your own. Perhaps it was
becoming overweight. Or being diagnosed as pre-diabetic or diabetic.
Or finding out you have high blood pressure.

It could be anxiety, which everyone experiences from time to time,
which suddenly becomes overwhelming and limits your ability to
function.

When you reached this point, chances are you were in disbelief.
Especially if you had experienced no major health problems prior
to the diagnosis.

I remember how incredulous I was when I was first diagnosed with
asthma. And I hear this from many people who write in. They can’t
believe it when they find out they have a chronic disease such as
asthma, or high blood pressure, or diabetes.

One typical reaction is to go into denial, at least to a certain
extent. Many people diagnosed with very treatable illnesses or
health problems don’t take them seriously, so they may not take
their medications or follow recommendations on lifestyle changes.

Doctors complain quite a lot about compliance – or more accurately,
non-compliance  – with the medical and lifestyle regimens which
they recommend to their patients.

Hence the issue with prevention.

We often know what we should and could be doing. But we remain in
a state of denial. We have trouble visualizing what the long-term
outcomes could be for us if we don’t get in gear and make changes.
So we push off to tomorrow what we could be doing for ourselves
today.

Well, I know better than to fight against the current. The
programs available through the Best Breathing Exercises web site
are designed to help you improve your breathing, your fitness and
your health, as well as help you bust through any limitations that
current conditions or challenges may be placing on your life.
(Visit www.bestbreathingexercises.com to learn more.)

But – and perhaps I shouldn’t say this,’cuz I’ll blow the secret –
everything in my programs is also congruent with the most effective
and proven habits and practices that can help you achieve more
robust health and avoid or prevent illness and disease.

Whether you want to lose weight, or are looking for relief from
stress, high blood pressure, chronic pain, or anxiety….What I
teach and share with you will help you in your efforts to
transform your health and enjoy a more fulfilling life. It can
even help you age more gracefully.

Here’s a remarkable fact: researchers have determined that less
than one third of the loss of physical function and mental acuity
as we age is due to heredity, or our genes. More than two thirds
is due to lifestyle habits.

Habits such as regular physical activity, eating well, watching
your weight, getting enough sleep, and not smoking, can help you
live longer – AND have more vim and vigor throughout your time on
the planet.

You Can Do It!

Karen

“Best Breathing Exercises: Transform Body Mind and Spirit with
Dynamic Energy Exercise!”
http://www.bestbreathingexercises.com/

Copyright, Karen Van Ness, 2011

Improve Your Energy with Proper Posture

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Correct, upright posture is essential to maximizing your energy.

The spine is the major conductor of nerve messages.  Its health is
critical to the proper functioning of the organs. That’s why I
included exercises that help relax and lengthen the spine and
supporting musculature in the Secret Power of Dynamic Energy Exercise
Course, Volume 1; Invigorate and Rejuvenate.

A straight, elongated spine supported by strong, limber
musculature is critical to boosting your energy levels.

Most people have the opposite: a weak, compressed spine surrounded
by chronically tight, even painful, muscles. In fact, it’s been
reported that 80 percent of us will suffer from lower back pain at
some point in our lives.

One of the easiest and simplest ways to improve your posture is to
visualize that your sternum (breastbone) is on a string that is
hanging straight down from the ceiling.

Look and feel how you are sitting or standing right now. Are you a
little slouched or hunched?  Are your shoulders rolled forward? Is
your head inclined forward?

Now imagine that a string is attached to your sternum and an
invisible someone hidden in the ceiling is pulling the string
straight up.  What happens?  If you do this correctly, your
sternum lifts, your chest sticks out a bit, your shoulders
naturally rotate back, and your back straightens.

You should be vigilant about your posture, whether sitting or
standing. It’s so easy to slump or hunch, especially when you are
tired.

I particularly have to watch myself when I am clacking away on the
computre. I have trained myself to periodically check and adjust
my posture.

On the days when I don’t do this, I find that my shoulders, neck
and back are stiff.

We were watching the Eastern Conference hockey playoffs last
night between the Bruins and the Lightning. (Since my Caps are
out of things, I am rooting for the Bruins.)

Every game in the playoffs is hard-fought and action-packed.
Hockey players are among the best conditioned athletes. However,
toward the end of games, you will see some of them hunched over,
sticks on knees, as they gasp for breath.

You see this in other sports as well. Basektball comes to mind.
Toward the end of the game, as they become more fatigued, many
players will bend forward and put their hands on their knees
during any break in the action.

I did this same thing plenty of times when I played hoops.

Ironically, when you hunch over like this, it’s not really
helping you supply extra air into your lungs.

You’ll do much better if you bend forward from the hips, so your
back is straight, and push up from your arms to elongate your
spine. Then you can breathe more deeply into your lower back.

In fact, this is a great exercise to do if you have lower back
pain or tightness. Breathe into the area of pain or tightness
and feel it slowly, gradually relaxing with each breathing
cycle.

Back to the posture thing: I never really thought about it until
I had a martial arts instructor who wouldn’t let us hunch over
and touch our knees.

He was traditional in his approach – to say the least – and could
sometimes be hard core. He basically said that we should train as
we would fight.

Would we stop in the middle of a fight and hunch over, panting,
showing our opponent that we were exhausted?

Of course not! We would stand up straight, chest out, and act
like we were just getting started.

And you know what? Not assuming a posture of fatigue, but
holding onto a posture of energy – actually works!

I discovered first hand that your posture can directly influence
your energy levels. From that time ’til today, whenever I am
training hard and getting tired, I stand up straight, walk around
a bit, perhaps swing my arms or do neck circles to loosen up my
traps and shoulders.

I try to avoid putting my hands on my knees and doing the
hunch over, gasping for breath kind of thing.

Try this for yourself. Next time you are getting really winded or
tired when exercising, or engaging in robust physical activity,
stand up straight and slowly, gradually bring your breath under
control.

You can use this “posture approach” in your daily activities.

For example, if you are getting fatigued toward the end of the
day, or you just carried in some bags of groceries (up stairs
no less) and are winded.

Because your posture is good, you will able to breathe more
deeply and replenish the oxygen you need. More subjectively,
you’ll feel stronger. You can recover and continue your day with
renewed energy and focus.

You Can Do It!

Karen

“Best Breathing Exercises: Transform Body Mind and Spirit with
Dynamic Energy Exercise!”
http://www.bestbreathingexercises.com/

Copyright, Karen Van Ness, 2011

Don’t Spread Yourself Too Thin

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Setting goals for the new year is an important step in preparing
yourself for success.

As we discussed yesterday, new year’s resolutions don’t work — at
least not for anybody I’ve ever heard of or spoken with.

But setting goals for the coming year — now you’re talking. It’s
been proven that the act of setting goals alone can lead to the
achievement of most or all of your goals.

Think about it: just taking the time to think through and write down
your goals one time, at the beginning of the year, can help you
achieve most, or even all, of them.

Of course, it’s a good idea to review your goals, and your progress
relative to them, at regular intervals.

But back to setting them in the first place. What is the optimal
number of goals to focus on for each year?

I’ve read or heard advice advocating one supreme goal for each year.
I’ve also heard people advise three or four, or 10, or as many as
20.

Personally, I’ve tried each of these approaches, and each has merit.
But I’m a big believer in focus. I think if you have too many goals,
you end up dissipating your energy, time and resources trying to get
them all done.

Having too many goals ends up being more like a project list, full
of stuff you wanna or gotta get done. Not very inspiring.

On the other hand, having only one goal is a “make-or-break”
proposition.

You could end up having a pretty awesome year in various aspects of
your life. But, if you fail to achieve that one goal, you may end
the year feeling like a failure, rather than celebrating all that
you did achieve.

Here’s an approach that has worked for me in the past. Think about
it and, if you are so inclined, give it a whirl this year.

You need to work with the number of goals that gets you excited.
And your goals should be balanced across the different areas of your
life that are important to you.

Anywhere from 3 to 10 goals is a good number to work with. And I
would say you should really, really focus on the top one to three.
These will be the goals that truly excite and energize you and that,
if achieved, will make the achievement of the other goals much more
likely.

Even more to the point: Your number one goal should be the goal that,
if achieved, will have the most profound, positive impact on your
life.

As an example, let’s take a look at a typical health goal.

Many people set the goal of losing x number of pounds. This is good,
but I’ve learned that goals like this — just numbers — may not
excite you enough to truly change behaviors for the long term, which
is critical to achieving the goal.

Instead of just focusing on taking up less room on the planet, add
some details to your weight loss (or other) goals that truly get
you revved up and emotional about them.

For example, instead of a simple “lose x pounds or kilos” goal, add
the goal of fitting into an old pair of jeans, or a suit or dress
you haven’t worn in months or years.

You can also include activity-related goals. For example, one goal
could be to work out an average of four days per week throughout the
year. Or to train for and run in an 8K road race. Or to perform deep
breathing exercises every morning before breakfast.

You get the picture. Using a mix of measurement and activity-based
goals helps you add flavor and depth to what you are trying to achieve.
It gets you more excited about getting to work on them.

And, I think it helps sustain you when that initial excitement winds
down, which inevitably happens. Activity-based goals keep you focused
on the process. So even when you seem as far away as ever from a goal
or goals, you can still focus on the process, the activity, and be
successful with that.

As many of the great thinkers have pointed out over the centuries,
the process by which you work towards a goal or destination is just
as, if not more, important as the achievement of the goal itself.

Through the process, you gain in knowledge, experience, and
self-understanding And you prepare yourself to take on even more
challenging goals.

I promise you, you’ll never lead a boring, dull life if you
continually engage your brain, body and spirit towards the attainment
of worthwhile goals.

You Can Do It!

Karen
www.BestBreathingExercises.com

P.S. What is your most important goal for this year? What goal
resonates with you the most, or if achieved, would make the
greatest difference in your life?

If your goal includes improving your energy levels or health, let
me help you. Get started today with the Secret Power of Dynamic
Energy Exercise Courses. Make this the year that good things happen!
Copyright, Karen Van Ness, 2011

Some Thoughts for the New Year

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Hello there, my friend. Happy New Year!

I enjoyed a nice holiday break with my family and friends. I sure
hope you did the same.

The New Year is here! You’ve probably been taking stock of 2010 and
looking ahead to 2011.

As you take stock of 2010, think back over the year about the good
things, as well as the not-so-good things, that came into your life.

Think also about what you did (or did not do) to achieve those good
things, or to bring / allow those not-so-good things into your life.
We learn from our mistakes as well as our successes, so it’s good
to spend a few minutes on each.

If you’re like most people, you are your own worst critic. So, I
recommend you spend more time congratulating yourself on the good
things — the things you achieved this past year. (And there ARE
good things – no matter how bad your year may have been. You may
have to think a little bit, but they’re there.)

Next, take time to think about what you would like to achieve or
bring into your life in 2011.

Now, I’m not talking about making new year’s resolutions.
Resolutions are for amateurs.

I’m talking about setting goals for yourself. Humans are inherently
goal-oriented. Setting, planning for, and working toward goals are
natural, powerful mechanisms for moving forward in life. Goals are
critical to the process of constructive change and growth.

It’s good to have balance in your goals. In other words, look
across all of the major areas of your life and think about the
outcomes you would like to see in each of them.

Some areas to consider include: health and fitness; relationships;
career or business; financial; personal development; contribution
and service. Take a few minutes to consider these areas. Tune
in to your feelings. What goals or outcomes really resonate with
you when you think about them?

You can have specific goals for any and every area of your life.
And one of the most, if not THE most, important area is your
health.

In fact, I think that setting a goal or goals pertaining to your
health and fitness is critical to having a positive and
constructive year. I mean, think about it: if your health or
fitness is lousy, it will negatively impact every other area of
your life.

On the other hand, if your health and energy levels are high, you
will have the energy, confidence, and sense of well-being that
literally propel you forward to the achievement of even your most
difficult goals.

As you think about and plan for this glorious New Year with which
you have been blessed, consider this: pretend it’s a year from now,
and you are looking back over 2011.

What kind of year will you be reviewing? What will you feel really
awesome about having achieved or completed?

You Can Do It!

Karen
www.BestBreathingExercises.com

P.S. Get started on your goal to improve your health or increase your
energy with the Secret Power of Dynamic Energy Exercise Courses.
Make this the year that good things happen!

Copyright, Karen Van Ness, 2010

Get A Jump On Your New Year’s Resolutions

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wreath-redbow
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Happy Holidays to you, dear reader!!

What is the most common activity of people this time of year?
than shopping, I mean.

It’s assessing – either consciously or subconsciously – how this
past year has gone.

You look back at what has happened, what you have accomplished,
and what you have left undone.

If you are consciously doing this, you are actually taking stock,
either in your head or on paper.

If you are unconsciously doing this, you probably are feeling
either really good about life….or you have a sense of unease or
disappointment that you can’t quite shake.

Of course, as part of this process, a lot of people skip over what
they didn’t get done this year, and move right into thinking about
the new year. That’s because the new year is fresh and full of
promise.

So they make resolutions. Probably the same resolution they made a
year ago. Losing weight and getting more fit is one of the most
common.

But you don’t have to wait until New Year’s Eve or Day to set your
goals. Nor do you have to wait to begin preparing yourself for
your goals.

Yes, there’s nothing like momentum. If you can get clear on what
you want to do in 2011 now, and begin to do a few simple things to
prepare yourself…you will hit the ground running on January 1st.

Even if you are a little hungover from your New Year’s Eve
celebration.

I know I have several areas of my life I wish to address with more
focus and vigor in the coming year — three areas that I really
need to improve upon, and for which improvement will have a
positive effect on the totality of my life. 

I won’t mention those areas now…think I will save them for a tip
closer to New Year’s. So we can all get motivated together!

Well, in that spirit, here are three simple things you can begin
doing now, even during the hub bub of the holidays, to improve
your health and explode into the new year with momentum:

(1)Drink lots of purified or quality bottled water. At least half
your bodyweight in ounces, every day. Water purifies and
detoxifies your body. It helps maintain your metabolism and energy
at high levels.

(2)Take a daily multi-vitamin, vitamin C, and fish oil. If there
were a law passed that limited me to only three supplements,
these are the three I would focus on for general health.

Vitamin C provides so many benefits, I could write a book about
it. (In fact, entire books have been written about Vitamin C.) Fish
oil is a natural anti-inflammatory. Inflammation has been implicated
as a root cause or contributor to a number of different ailments
and diseases, from arthritis and asthma to heart disease and
Alzheimers.

And a daily multi-vitamin is just plain common sense.

(3)Do some deep breathing and/or dynamic energy exercises each
day. Preferably first thing in the morning, to expand your energy
and set yourself up for a productive and successful day.

Morning breathing and energy exercises are one of the cornerstones
of the fitness and health principles I teach and follow.

Learning to breathe properly, and learning how to expand your
lung capacity, are two of the most significant steps you can take
to ensuring high levels of health and energy today….and years
from now.

You can also do some deep breathing and light stretching in the
evening. I tell you, there is no better way to relax after a
tough day. And just a few minutes will have you sleeping like a
baby.

If you’re looking for an easy-to-learn, fun-to-do series of
exercises, consider one of the Secret Power of Dynamic Energy
Exercise Course volumes.

Or better yet, get started with both. I’m making it easy for you
to give them a whirl. We’re currently running a
Holiday Special where you can acquire both programs for one very
special price. Check it out here.

So, let’s wrap up. I’ve got to go do some holiday shopping.

These three things – water, breathing, supplements – are simple,
easy, and only take a few minutes. Start doing them now. You’ll
feel better, you’ll be healthier…and you will hit the new year
running!

You Can Do It!

Karen Van Ness
www.BestBreathingExercises.com

P.S. If you are looking for a positive addition
to your daily health habits and exercise routine,
you should check out the Secret Power of Dynamic
Energy Exercise Course, Volume 2: The Dynamic Energy
Routine. The exercises are accessible to all,
regardless of your present condition. And they are
self-reinforcing – they “grow” with you as your
condition and health improve. For more information,
or to get your own copy of the program manual and DVD,
visit the Best Breathing Exercises website.

P.P.S. For a limited time, there is a special holiday offer
on the “Dynamic Energy Special”, which includes both volumes
of the Secret Power of Dynamic Energy Exercise Course. Following
these two routines will open up all your circuits, get your
energy flowing, release your personal power and get your
confidence soaring. Click on  “Holiday Special” now — this
page will tell you more about the program and guide you to the
details on ordering.

Copyright, Karen Van Ness, 2010

A Quick, Easy Exercise to Help You Get “Unstuck”

kvanness01

Here’s a quote from a renowned Japanese expert on Ki, or internal
energy:

“If I had to offer advice, in one short statement, about what
constitutes a correct self-image, distilled from the experiences
of numerous business tycoons and other successful people as well
as from my own historical research, then it would be this:
Never think pessimistically about anything; always try to think
positively.” – Kouzo Kaku

Kaku-san goes on to describe what he means by “think positively”:

1) Never complain or think or speak badly of another;

2) Cultivate a feeling of thankfulness and gratitude towards
all things;

3) Once you have decided to do something, never think in terms
of “I cannot do it” or “It is impossible”;

4) Do not refute another’s opinion, but be willing to listen
to it;

5) Do not become angry when things do not go as planned and
never hold a grduge against those around you.

(From Kouzo Kaku, “The Mysterious Power of Ki”)

Wow! Lots to think about there.

I just discussed point number #5 with my brother Jeff, who
called me from Reagan National Airport this morning. Seems
his flight has been delayed, then delayed again, and again,
and yet again.

Not a pleasant situation. However, given the weather we’ve
seen in the Midwest and Northeast in recent days, it probably
shouldn’t be too surprising that there are delays today.

And he knows it. He called because he was bored – but also to
vent about the delays, the inconvenience, the fact his first
email warning about the delays arrived on his Crackberry the
very minute he stepped into the airport, and on and on.

I commiserated with him, because I have been in that same
situation more times than I care to remember.

But I also reminded him about point #5 above: “Do not become
angry when things do not go as planned…”

If you don’t attend to how your mind is working, you can
become easily irritated — about the weather, about the
driving skills of the person in the car ahead of you, about
someone you listen to on the radio whom you just hate.

But why allow yourself to be deterred from the bigger
picture of your life by these types of distractions? Why
waste the psychic energy on them?

I shared with my brother a simple, easy exercise that can
help you to quickly relax and let go of negative emotions
and thoughts. Would you like to try this one for yourself?

Good! Here goes:

1) Breathe deeply several times from your abdomen. When you
notice that your worries have dissipated somewhat, relax
all over as much as you can;

2) Exhale fully until your lungs are empty. Lean forward as
you exhale. For extra assistance, place both hands on your
abdomen, just below your bottom ribs, and push in gently but
firmly into the center of the area below your ribs;

3) At the same time, imagine you are expelling all of your
negative thoughts and emotions as you breathe out;

4) When you have completed your exhale, sit up slowly and
naturally into an upright position and breathe in;

5) As you breathe in, imagine very sharp, crisp, positive
energy is entering your body.

In energy disciplines and traditions, it is said that the
solar plexus is the primary place in the body where bad
energy, or ki (chi), can get stuck. You may notice that,
when you are angry or frustrated — or simply feeling stuck
in an important area of you life (or in an airport) —
you feel hardness in your solar plexus area. This is
because “bad” ki or energy has stagnated there.

You only have to do this exercise three or four times to
feel the tremendous difference in energy. Remember: the
visualization, or using your imagination, is just as
important as the physical movements.

Try it and let me know what you think.

In the meantime, my bro just texted me that he was able to
get on another flight and is on his way to his destination.

He also thanked me for the advice. So I guess that means he
actually did this exercise in the middle of the airport.

If he can do it, you can do it too!

You Can Do It!


 

www.BestBreathingExercises.com

P.S. You can control your mental and emotional state, no
matter how irritating your external world gets. One of the
best ways to enjoy a  relaxed yet energized state, coupled
with calm and relaxed mental alertness, is to follow the
exercises in the Secret Power of Dynamic Energy Exercise
Course, Volume 1: Invigorate and Rejuvenate. Click here 
to get your copy today, and discover how easy it is to relax
your way through all the holiday and end-of-year rush.

Copyright, Karen Van Ness, 2010