Self Development
Programme
In the past, at the Mind Body Centre, we were often asked
if we could provide techniques for self development so
that the good work done at the time of treatment could
be enhanced by a client’s own efforts. We were only
too pleased to do this because it is our belief that clients
should be completely involved in their treatment program.
People often know that they want to help themselves, but
just do not know how.
Clients can be given a tailor-made
program specifically designed for them. This make take
the form of remedial exercises (for example, in the case
of a sports injury), or meditation techniques for perhaps
stress or psycho-emotional problems, or a complete mind-body
program. Often exercises may be given in combination with
a meditative program or posture rehabilitation techniques.
The Mind-Body Benefits of Physical
Fitness
Exercise can help to combat stress and potential
illness
Stress from traffic, cell phones and balancing work/life
is so pervasive today that it has become a driving force
behind rising healthcare costs.
In a six-year study of more than 46,000 workers, depression
and unmanaged stress emerged as the costliest risk factors
in terms of medical expenditures. And, according to the
American Institute of Stress, 75 to 90 percent of all doctor
visits are stress-related.
When someone is under stress, adrenaline pours into the
blood stream as part of our “fight or flight” response
and muscles throughout the body tense in anticipation of
a challenge. Immediate effects can range from a short temper
to difficulty sleeping; long-term effects can be even more
dangerous.
While impossible to eliminate stress from modern life,
one can control the effect it has on the mind and body.
People with increased levels of anxiety and nervous tension
need to develop effective ways of coping with stress.
The link between mind and body was accepted in ancient
India, the birthplace of yoga, thousands of years ago.
It has taken a while for Western fitness experts to embrace
the idea, however, the concept of holistic health and fitness
is rapidly gaining popularity and acceptance.
Principles of Mind-Body Exercises
Breathing -- A mind-body exercise is performed with
natural breathing that utilizes full inhalations and full
exhalations.
Precision -- A mind-body exercise is performed with precision
or in proper form. Quality of movement counts more than
quantity in a mind-body exercise. Precision requires mental
control.
Control -- A mind-body exercise always involves the control
and balance of your own body-weight. But, body-weight exercises
are not necessarily a mind-body exercise unless they are
performed along with the three other principles. Controlling
your own body-weight forces you to focus on what you are
doing.
Concentration -- A mind-body exercise is performed with
intense concentration on yourself, in the present moment.
The mind-body exerciser should try and focus on their to
improve concentration and mindfulness. The point-of-focus
in a mind-body exercise will differ from most other forms
of physical exercise. You should be thinking about stabilizing,
or anchoring, the area of the body that is NOT in motion.
This is contrary to the usual Western method of trying
to isolate the muscles that you perceive to be performing
the movement.
Meditation
Until fairly recently the word 'meditation' was
thought by many to relate to the chosen few, and conjured
up images of Buddhist monks in ancient temples, or long
haired hippies sat cross legged in a field.
However, since our everyday lives are now so full of noise
and bustle, we have become more aware for the need for
calm, and slowly we are realising that it is vital for
our well being that we find some personal time to turn
our thoughts inwards towards quieter things.
Our consciousness is so caught up with outside stimulus
that we tend to lose sight of who we actually are, and
what we actually need out of life. So the idea of meditation
is to focus attention away from the hazards of everyday
life.
There are a multitude of benefits
that can be received from this:
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- Healing (physical and emotional)
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- Accessing Creative Potential
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- Easing stress, grief, and fear
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More about the Exercises Used
Remedial exercises, at the Mind Body Centre, are designed
to address imbalance with counter balance movements,
which will then over a period of time, return the muscles
to their balanced state. Daily exercise programs are
set to suit the individuals needs and life style. Remedial
exercises are skilfully designed for the individual to
suit structure, fitness level and life style. We treat
your body as a whole and teach you to help yourself towards
a healthy musculo- skeletal structure, mental clarity,
improved energy and overall wellbeing. Exercises are
based on western exercise techniques and eastern (Qi)
energy exercises.
The exercises that are given in our programs are relative
to the client’s condition, needs and ability. The
gentle exercises are designed to enable participants
to get more out of life and to improve overall wellbeing.
We can give specific techniques for a particular problem,
or a complete body-mind program. Most of the exercises
and techniques can be used as an adjunct to existing
programs of exercise and self-development that clients
already pursue.
In health clubs across the country, the trend is moving
away from classes focusing simply on muscle and cardiovascular
training to ones that include overall wellness and mind-body
maintenance. This mind-body approach appeals to individuals
at all different fitness levels. Consumer research has
shown that an impressive number of American health club
members cite holistic motivations for working out. Better-than-half
(54%) said that when they exercised regularly, they feel
like they have their overall act together, while 38 percent
said that when they do not exercise regularly, they just
don’t feel right.
