Fitness Twist Blog

I recently was approached by a yoga student asking me the meaning behind “spirituality.” She had the misperception that it was related to religion and was even concerned with repeating the words “Namaste’” at the end of our practice.  Her questions were justified, as this is often confusing to some who may be embracing yoga merely for physical and/or emotional intentions only.

You go to church every week and you say your prayers every day. Does this mean you are a spiritual person?   No

You practice yoga and meditate. Does this mean you are a spiritual person?  No

You belong to a spiritual group and follow the teachings of the group. Does this mean you are a spiritual person?  No

What does it mean to be a spiritual person then?  Being a spiritual person is synonymous with being a person whose highest priority is to love oneself and others. A spiritual person cares about people, animals and the planet. A spiritual person knows that we are all one and consciously attempts to honor this oneness. A spiritual person is a kind person.

So, you can go to church every week and say your prayers every day, without caring about loving yourself, others or the planet. You can practice yoga and mediate without being conscious of what is loving and what is not loving in your thoughts and actions. You can belong to a spiritual group and follow the teachings, yet still be judgemental toward yourself and others in your daily life.

There are many people who do not practice a religion, yoga, mediatate, pray or belong to any group, who are very spiritual people. These people naturally do caring things for others. They think about how they can help. Their thoughts are kind rather than judgemental toward themselves and toward others. When you look at them, you see their kindness in their eyes. At the same time, there are those that attend church, pray, pratice yoga and meditate who are extremely judgemental, righteous and downright mean.

Can you be both religious and spiritual? Of course. But only when your religion operates from your heart, rather than from the learned belief of your mind.

If you wish to become a spiritual person, then let kindness be your guiding light … kindness toward yourself, toward others and toward this beautiful planet that is our home. Recognize that we all have the spark of love within us and learn to honor that love so that you can know, experience and share it with the Universe.

Namaste’  (“I honor the spirit in you which is also in me.”)

Sanibel Health Club’s Fall Series
October 19-November 23
Every Tuesday  5:15pm
Blind Pass Beach (Captiva side)

Series Pre-resgistration: $60
Drop-in: $15

Call 239-395-BODY(2639)

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“We don’t see the things the way they are. We see things the way WE are.”  – Talmund

Yesterday, I received an e-mail thanking me for a recent class I taught in the area and enthusiastically mentioned how I had “inspired” her to get back into her practice. It is always a compliment to hear kind words of acknowledgement from my students … but being THEIR inspiration? I took a moment to process the irony of this question.

I have been teaching for almost eight years and in three different locations throughtout the US, so I have had the opportunity to meet so many fascinating people and reflect on what it means to come together as a “community.” Class after class I am joined by beginner students to expert yogis from around the world and I am inspired by their practice and their stories. When I get tired, distressed or preoccupied, their stories bring me back to my practice and back to the present moment. So, see the irony to the question? For years, I have been looking to YOU as my inspiration.

I am inspired each and every day by the people who walk through the door … men, women, young, old -all appearing happy, outgoing, selfless, compassionate. Many of my students come in with physical disabilities that require them the use of wheelchairs, walkers, canes or a chair. But they enter with a sense of courage and self-belief and I am drawn to their bravery and confidence. I feel the spirit of “community” as we all are willing to help those around us and accept the kindness in return, never discriminating.

Does this mean that I play a part in inspiring those around me because they have been an inspiration TO me? Hmmmmm…… I guess not such irony afterall?

I guess when I look at it in this way then, all I really want to do in life IS inspire people … and BE inspired. I always thought that I teach because I want to “help” people, but I now realize that I want to do so much more than just help people – I want to inspire them! I believe we all have the ability to do great things, we just need the right circumstances to achieve them.

You have all inspired me to be the best person I can be. I will take a piece of you wherever I go. Thank you for allowing me to be an inspiration in YOUR journey.

Namaste’

Kris

So, as we spent time before our vinyasa yoga class during my recent trip to New York, the teacher began a discussion on “falling into expectations” and how to free ourselves from this way of thinking. I have had the past two weeks to put some deep thought into this. It is so easy to place expectations upon ourselves and upon others. And even feeling the expectations that are placed upon us from others can undermine our lives.  So many people create much of their own suffering by getting caught in an endless cyle of desire and unrealistic expectations … waiting for a better job, more money, a nicer house, a better marriage, a smaller jean-size. But the truth is, if you don’t choose happiness right now, in whatever circumstances you find yourself, you will never find it. If you are miserable in your studio apartment, you’ll be miserable in a mansion. If you are unhappy single, you’ll be unhappy married. If you dislike yourself at a size 14, you won’t like yourself much more at a size 4.  Although we often may be convinced that the so-called “good life” may be the key to our happiness, it only becomes a source of dissatisfaction. Then we create new expectations and the cycle repeats itself. Unhappiness breeds unhappiness, and external circumstances do very little to affect our internal world.

But I continued to delve more deeply into the question … “How can you NOT have expectations?”  How do you succeed in life if you don’t set high expectations of yourself and other’s around you? I mean, this is what I was always taught as a child, and teach my own son.

So the past two weeks while on vacation, I did some “soul-searching” and confirmed that my “success” – or even that of my child’s – has nothing to do with the home we have, the car we drive, the clothes on our back, how many client’s we have, or the amount of money in our bank account.  My greatest happiness is being aware that I am alive, being aware that I am breathing, appreciating the roof over my head, enjoying the food I eat, enjoying holding my husband’s hand and the smile on my son’s face. Walking into class each day to teach is my way of giving to my community and to share what I know. My students and clients absorb my advice and wisdom like a sponge and I never ask or expect anything from them in return. However, their token of genuine appreciation is what touches me and has brought me so much joy. In those moments all of my past pain and suffering disappear. No amount of money can buy that.

I have learned that the act of giving with no expectations brings so much joy – and breeds giving in return. You get back from the universe what you give to the universe.  It is not material – you cannot put any value on happiness in your life and it cannot be bought or sold. Happiness comes from accepting life as it is, letting go of expectations and enjoying the journey as you travel through the time you are given.

Namaste’

So, I just heard last night that Ashton and Demi were “getting healthy together” by doing The Master Cleanse detox diet that consists purely of water, lemon, maple sweetener and cayenne pepper. My girlfriend informs my today that she is in Day 4 of a 23-day 500 calorie/day Detox – and feels great. Don’t get me wrong, I am all about feeling great and being healthy - and I love to see people feeling motivated to succeed! However, I will continue to adhere firmly to my belief that the BEST approach to feeling great and getting healthy is learning how to EAT CLEAN, eating SMALL meals 5-6 times a day and exercising 4-6 times per week.

I cannot stress this enough …. a 500 calorie (semi-starvation) diet will result in loss of protein from vital organs from the body. Calories form CLEAN FOODS is what helps build the body’s strength. Without “real” food, where do you think your body will get the energy it needs ? It may actually get energy from your muscle mass, since there are no food reserves available. When this happens, it can be highly detrimental to your health because the proper way to LOSE fat is to GAIN muscle – not take it away. Instead of burning the stores of body fat, it works to protect them and instead uses lean muscle for energy.  As a result, weight loss slows down because your body is designed to survive.

This is why EATING throughout the day and having enough energy is important as we stay active, as this in turn will build muscle, which in turn burns calories, while less muscle brings about a lower metabolic rate. When you eat too few calories, you burn fewer calories, lose muscle and require even less as your body thinks it is surviving starvation and our metabolic rate falls.

And the worst part, in turn, will be that your your body will get used to taking in fewer calories. That means WHEN you go back to your old habits, you will have a sudden gain in weight, which is even more weight than if you did not go on the detox diet in the first place.  The common side effects of extreme ”Detox” diets are as follows:

• Headaches
• Lethargy
• Fatgigue
• Stomach Cramping
• Lack of Concentration
• Irritability
• Blurred Vision

Please, please, please do NOT deprive your body of the nutrients it needs to function. If you eat a healthy diet with plenty of fiber including fruits and veggies the colon will clean itself naturally! Again, CLEAN EATING is the only way to ensure that you will have energy, stay healthy and lose weight. This is NOT a diet … it is a way of life.

Please comment or e-mail me with any further questions.

You may have noticed that Fitness with a Twist has added a new look to its blog. These changes have been customized specifically to bring you as much current information, in a convenient format. You will have the ability to link to other web sites, share photos & music and eventually view exercise video clips.

I was unable to transfer the previous comments over from the old blog, so please feel free to share new comments, thoughts, critiques and questions that will sharpen myself and other readers. I look forward to good discussions, so please check back here often.

In her article, “Too Hot to Exercise?” , Kris shares her summer shape-up alternatives during the hot & humid temperatures. Although Southwest Floridians may be a bit restricted during these brutal months, she offers a variety of fun programs you can do in the comfort of your air-conditioned home!  The “Too Hot to Exercise?” article also apprears in Times of the Island, RSW Living and Gulf & Main magazines. A special thanks goes to John Udart for his amazing photography, Sharon Michie at Cottages to Castles for the beautiful location shoot at Sandhurst property and Holly at Kay Casperson Lifestyle Spa & Boutique for her wonderful make-up transformation! This editorial could not have happened smoothly without all of your awesome “team efforts” and support.

Bonita Living Magazine July/Aug 2010

These past two days I have done something that I haven’t done in quite a while …. I took the opportunity to TAKE yoga classes. With all of my own teaching that I do, its one of those things that I don’t take the time to do often. Yet when I do, I wonder why I don’t do it more. Not only does my body feel amazing – and I will admit, a little sore – but each class gave me a whole new awareness of my body. Even after all these years of practicing yoga, I still find myself focusing ON the poses rather than my body IN the poses. Thinking back to when I first started practicing over ten years ago, I remember how wonderful it felt to experience my body. I now find myself occassionally taking the experience of my body for granted during my practice in the present.

Throughout the years, I have practically “healed” my body (herniated discs, sciatica, knee) through my yoga practice. But I did this by tuning into it and listening to what my body would tell me. I took the time to make the MIND-BODY CONNECTION … coming into awareness and dropping the fixation with “the right way” to do the pose.

So these past two days were extra special, as my heightened body awareness allowed me to rest in poses more deeply and and make the necessary adjustments to allow myself to fully experience my body during my practice. I am now committed to taking the time to expand my personal practice on a more regular basis.

Thank you to Harry and Ginger for amazing classes!

Namaste’

Whether you are new to yoga, visiting SW Florida or looking to deepen your existing practice … I teach a variety of classes around Sanibel and Captiva – no matter what your age, strength or flexibility level. I have a class for YOU!

SANIBEL HEALTH CLUB

Monday 9:30am  ALL LEVELS YOGA

Wednesday 9:30am  MAT PILATES

957 Rabbit Rd, Sanibel (239)579-0670

SANIBEL SENIOR CENTER

Monday & Wednesday 11am  GENTLE YOGA

2401 Library Way, Sanibel (239)472-5743

KAY CASPERSON LIFESTYLE SPA & BOUTIQUE

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 9am  YOGA FLOW

Thursday, Friday 10am  MAT PILATES

14830 Captiva Drive, Chadwick Square, Captiva (239)579-1470

CASA YBEL RESORT

Tuesday, Saturday 11am  ALL LEVELS YOGA

2255 West Gulf Drive, Sanibel (239)472-3145

A special thanks goes out to those who continue to support me and have become a part of the Fitness with a Twist family. I am excited to encourage and inspire you to live healthier, happier lives. It is always so wonderful to see your bright smiles and energetic attitudes at class!

Fitness with a Twist web page is now linked to Facebook, so be sure to log on daily or weekly for updates on exercise, nutrition and motivational support. Just click on the Facebook link on Home page. If there is health & wellness information you are looking for, please simply ask! This is YOUR Fitness with a Twist facebook blog! I want to answer your questions. Thank you for all of your kind words on the new web site … I could not do this without your support. You have all been an inspiration to me in one way or another.