Unit 9 Assignment

Unit 9 Final Project

Introduction

            It is important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually, and physically because it is learning and developing the entire being.  Developing in each area will allow a health and wellness professional to become more aware of how to educate clients and to truly be on the same level.  In order to achieve the goals I have set for myself, I need to develop psychologically and spiritually.  I am striving to become more in tune with my positive mental thoughts and allowing my emotions to surface.  I have goals to implement meditation into my daily routine and to continue healthy eating habits and regular exercise.  This will encourage a sounder mind, body, and spirit, which will ultimately provide a balance psychologically, spiritually, and physically, (Dacher, 2006).

Assessment

            In regards to assessing my health in each of the three main aspects: psychologically, spiritually, and physically, it is important to maintain patience.  I have assessed my health in each area and I feel quite confident about the physical aspect.  However, spiritually and psychologically, I need some work. There are sources of suffering and distress because of some life circumstances; however, I rely on meditation and relaxation to relieve that negativity from my mind.  Physically speaking, I am content in that aspect.  I maintain a proper diet and exercise regime each week that assists in providing adequate nutrition and physical activity for my body to be able to function properly.

  

Goal development

Three goals for myself in each area, physically, psychologically, and spiritually were somewhat difficult to define.  A physical goal I have is to run a half marathon by the fall of this year.  Also, I plan to continue eating clean and exercising regularly.  Psychologically, I would like to incorporate more meditation and subtle-mind exercises (Dacher, 2006).  This will allow my mind and body to de-stress and let more positivity in.  In turn, this will create a calm existence.  In the spiritual aspect, I need to be more focused on the positive aspects of my life.  I also need to learn forgiveness. 

Practices for personal health

            Taking it day by day is the first strategy to implement in order to foster growth physically, psychologically, and spiritually.  Realizing and understanding that each aspect takes practice and patience will allow myself to become successful at reaching optimal personal growth.  Physically, I will be training for the half marathon by running each day.  I will also continue weight training as I have done for the past fifteen years of my life.  Psychologically speaking, meditation and yoga are two examples of how I can increase the level of psychological growth.  Spiritually, I will implement more volunteer work.  This will allow growth in the area that needs the most. 

Commitment

            In order to assess my progress, I will keep a daily/weekly log of each focus area.  Each week I will increase the distance I run in order to maintain my goal of reaching a marathon.  In regards to clean eating and exercising regularly, I will plan recipes and block out a time in each day for a workout.  In order to maintain my long-term practices for health and wellness, I will use daily blogs that will assist in keeping myself in check.  I will check-in daily and record each session of my diet and my exercise routine.  I will engage in physical activity at the local gym and workout with another individual that will also assist in maintaining my long-term practices.

References

Dacher, E. (2006) Integral Healing, The Path to Human Flourishing, Basic Health Publishing

Unit 8 - Implementing Subtle Mind and Meditation into Daily Life

I have learned quite a bit about the subtle mind and meditation.  Both aspects can offer clarity and calmness to my mental state and allow all negativity to be released.  The subtle mind practice makes me aware of my thought process, how I react to certain situations and can bring me back, emotionally and mentally, to a calmer state.

I can continue to practice these forms of exercise and incorporate them into my daily routine to ensure I can foster mental fitness.  Just like any form of physical exercise, it is essential to continue a healthy lifestyle each and every day.  Practicing forms of mental and emotional clarity will also allow me to reach my mental fitness goals.

"One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself".....

The meditation practice for this week, "Meeting Aesclepius", I thought was very intense.  Thinking of another individual that has impacted my life and focused on that being for the entire time was quite emotional.  The practice itself required full concentration and focus without any distractions.  Being encouraged to visualize the person and the light upon that person was helpful.

The saying, 'one cannot lead another where one has not gone himself', in my opinion refers to one human being's inability to encourage another to act, behave, or live in a manner that has not yet been experienced by them.  I don't believe I can teach or share certain things with other people that I have not experienced myself.  Words are just words without any solid experiences to allow someone else to believe me and my intentions.

As a health and wellness professional, I think it applies greatly in many ways.  In order to encourage others to live a healthy lifestyle, I must be living one myself.  I do feel I have an obligation to my clients to develop psychologically, spiritually, and physically because it is one way to reach optimal health and well-being.  If I can be an example to my clients, they will most likely jump on board and start incorporating ways to focus on themselves psychologically, spiritually, and physically.

Loving Kindess / Subtle Mind Exercise

In comparison, these two exercises varied in some ways.  The loving kindness exercise is all about demonstrating love and kindness to individuals you meet.  It's your ability to project kindness no matter what because you come from a point of subtlety and calmness.

The subtle mind exercise, I think, was more difficult for me because I have trouble when it comes to a quiet mind.  I can focus on breathing and opening the mind to positive thoughts without allowing any distracting, negative thoughts and emotions to take over; however, my mind tends to wander.  I should continue this exercise because, with practice, I will eventually be able to behave in a more productive manner in every situation I face.

There is a huge connection between physical wellness and spiritual wellness.  They both go hand in hand; when one is limited, the other will suffer.  The mind, body, and soul is connected and their ability to face life calmly and positively has everything to do with each other.

Loving Kindness Meditation Exercise

The repetition of the four sentences allows the mind to focus on how I have the ability to expand my mind and heart.  The meditation consisted on repeating sentences that will allow me to help others find health, happiness, and wholeness.  I may not succeed at helping everyone but if I change my thinking and behaving, I will most likely gain universal loving-kindness.

I learned that I needed to be more open to what I have the power to do.  I have the ability to help others by encouragement and providing a sound mind and spirit.  The behavior I exude will hopefully have a positive reflection on others.  I will try to incorporate more meditation in my daily life in order to stay calm and balanced.  Ultimately, this will provide a lifestyle of greater wellness.

Unit 3 - Loving Kindness

The Loving Kindness exercise was partially beneficial to me.  It was simple to focus on a loved one that needed positive thoughts; however, the part about focusing on myself was difficult.  I have loved ones that are facing struggles and for me to take in their pain and the weight on their shoulders was easy to do.  Sending happy, healthy thoughts back to them was also simple and did not take much effort.  The breathing in and exhaling was also beneficial.  There aren't many moments in my daily routine where I can sit and meditate and focus on aspects that can ground me and help my mind, body and spirit.

A "mental workout" is when an individual focus on their thoughts and behaviors to make good, healthy choices.  It is basically how a person chooses to make themselves aware of their choices without initially reacting.  I think this type of practice is beneficial to many people.  It keeps them truly focused on their mind and bodies constantly.  It will ultimately allow for a more peaceful life and the ability to make sound decisions.

Reference:

Dacher, E. S. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourshing. Laguna Beach, CA; Basic Health Publications

Self Awareness and Relaxation Exercise

Self Awareness and Relaxation Exercise

Considering my own physical well being, I would have to say I am a 7.  I remain fit and healthy based on my own personal goals and my career.  As a personal trainer, I strive to be an example for my clients and those individuals that I interact with as an instructor.  I would have to say my spiritual well being, on a scale of 1-10, would have to be a 4.  I am not very in tune to my beliefs, unfortunately.  I think life’s obligations and responsibilities have not yet given me the time or ability to place my focus in that area.  Psychologically speaking, I would have to place myself at a 5.  I think I am equally in a calm state of mind and in an anxious/stressed mind frame. 

My physical well being could use some work. I strive to be in the best shape for myself and for my clients.  I tend to be harder on myself so I think my diet and exercise regimens could use some work.  I hope to be a little stricter on my diet and increase the intensity of my workouts.  Spiritually, I hope to focus more on what makes me who I am.  I look forward to some down time in my life after graduation so I can learn more about my beliefs and what connects my mind and body.  Reading and doing some soul searching would be a good way to reach these goals.  Psychologically, I would like to implement meditation into my daily routine. 

The Crime of the Century relaxation exercise could have been beneficial; however, I did not listen to it at a convenient time.  Unfortunately, I have a difficult time slowing down.  My life is always on the go and my hectic schedule prevents me from finding the time to utilize these relaxation methods conveniently. 

If I were in a relaxed state, I think this exercise would be useful.  The speaker’s voice was calming and he provided a visual that would allow my mind to be clear and to focus solely on what he was recommending.