Leena St. Michael, RYTLeena St. Michael, RYT

Beyond Fitness:Beyond Fitness:Wellness, Balance and Wellness, Balance and BreakthroughBreakthrough

Learn How Meditation can: Learn How Meditation can:

• Improve member wellnessImprove member wellness

• Increase member satisfaction Increase member satisfaction

• Raise company profitability Raise company profitability

• Participate in global sustainability Participate in global sustainability

and wellness movementsand wellness movements

(Save the planet?)(Save the planet?)

Our Present Healthcare Our Present Healthcare Concept Concept Is Outgrown Is Outgrown

• 30 Million people in the USA cannot 30 Million people in the USA cannot afford health insuranceafford health insurance

• Those with health insurance, can Those with health insurance, can no longer be assured of complete no longer be assured of complete carecare

• The US is 37The US is 37thth in the world in in the world in healthcarehealthcare

• Child mortality and disease are Child mortality and disease are risingrising

Healthcare DefinedHealthcare Defined

Healthcare, is the Healthcare, is the preventionprevention and and management of illness and the management of illness and the preservation preservation of mental and of mental and physical well-being physical well-being through through the the services offered by medical, services offered by medical, nursing andnursing and allied health- allied health-professionalsprofessionals. . --Wikipedia 2007--Wikipedia 2007

Physical FitnessPhysical Fitness

A general state of good A general state of good health, usually as a result of health, usually as a result of exercise and nutrition. exercise and nutrition. ––per Wikipedia 2007per Wikipedia 2007

Wellness--West Chester Wellness--West Chester UniversityUniversity

Wellness is a dynamic Wellness is a dynamic processprocess whereby whereby individuals and individuals and communitiescommunities become become aware aware and and make make positivepositive choiceschoices in in creating and promoting a creating and promoting a healthy lifestylehealthy lifestyle. Wellness is the . Wellness is the understanding and understanding and integrationintegration of of the relationship of the relationship of mind, body mind, body and spiritand spirit into one's philosophy into one's philosophy of living.of living.

Wellness-National Wellness Wellness-National Wellness Assoc.Assoc.

Wellness is an Wellness is an active processactive process of becoming of becoming awareaware and making and making choiceschoices toward a more toward a more successful successful existenceexistence.  . 

People Want Wellness…People Want Wellness…

……beyond “healthcare” and beyond “healthcare” and “fitness”.“fitness”.

ProcessProcess, Awareness, Choices, , Awareness, Choices, SuccessSuccess

• Active ProcessActive Process —We can always improve. —We can always improve. The process is continuous and conscious.The process is continuous and conscious.

• Awareness Awareness —We continuously seek more —We continuously seek more information/options about how we can improve. information/options about how we can improve.

• Choices Choices —We consider and select from a —We consider and select from a variety of options. variety of options.

• Success Success —One’s—One’s personal life accomplishments personal life accomplishments (and path are unique—Leena). (and path are unique—Leena).

Wellness is…Wellness is…

……Self-HealthSelf-Health—taking —taking responsibility for one’s responsibility for one’s lifestyle, diet, fitness and lifestyle, diet, fitness and professional healthcare professional healthcare services.services.

Self-Health = Self ActualizationSelf-Health = Self Actualization

Abraham Maslow regarded Abraham Maslow regarded self-actualization as the ultimate self-actualization as the ultimate human need; human need;

a a positive growth tendency positive growth tendency thatthat drives drives us us from within to fuller developmentfrom within to fuller development. .

--Dr. James R. Rini self-health.org--Dr. James R. Rini self-health.org

Maslow’s Hierarchy of NeedsMaslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Six Dimensions of WellnessSix Dimensions of Wellness

• PhysicalPhysical

• EnvironmentalEnvironmental

• SocialSocial

• IntellectualIntellectual

• EmotionalEmotional

• SpiritualSpiritual

Physical FitnessPhysical Fitness

is affected by emotional, spiritual, environmental, social and intellectual dimensions.

Its all inter-connected.

Where do people take their Where do people take their first step to wellness?first step to wellness?

Hint: It’s not the doctor’s Hint: It’s not the doctor’s office.office.

The Fitness The Fitness Club.Club.

No wonder the leading edge No wonder the leading edge fitness clubs are becoming fitness clubs are becoming wellness centers. wellness centers.

There is an opportunity to not There is an opportunity to not only capitalize on radical only capitalize on radical culture change…but help to culture change…but help to create it.create it.

Benefits of Meditation Benefits of Meditation through Change: Life through Change: Life “Process”.“Process”.

• The Change CycleThe Change Cycle

• Kubler-Ross Stages of GriefKubler-Ross Stages of Grief

• Change Communication ModelChange Communication Model

• Ancient Yin-Yang Diagram for Ancient Yin-Yang Diagram for Change and BalanceChange and Balance

““Our World is Changing Our World is Changing More Rapidly” More Rapidly”

“ “SuccessSuccess and fulfillment--your and fulfillment--your emotional, mental, spiritual and emotional, mental, spiritual and physical well-being--depend on physical well-being--depend on how well you adapt to change.”how well you adapt to change.”

According to Interchange International, Inc. developer of The Change CycleAccording to Interchange International, Inc. developer of The Change Cycle

The Change Cycle Indicates--The Change Cycle Indicates--

• Life is always changingLife is always changing

• Some phases are uncomfortableSome phases are uncomfortable

• Avoiding discomfort or being Avoiding discomfort or being unaware can be dangerousunaware can be dangerous

• Discovery is on the other side of Discovery is on the other side of discomfortdiscomfort

Kubler-Ross Stages of GriefKubler-Ross Stages of Grief

Kubler-Ross (1973) On Death & Dying, Routledge, Kubler-Ross (1973) On Death & Dying, Routledge, LondonLondon

Kubler Ross Stages of Grief per Kubler Ross Stages of Grief per

U. S. Military DiagramU. S. Military Diagram

Loss of a loved one, Trauma, Loss of a loved one, Trauma, Natural Disaster, Moving…Natural Disaster, Moving…

Sudden, radical and Sudden, radical and unexpected change requires unexpected change requires strategies to: strategies to:

• Re-energize Re-energize

• Restore balanceRestore balance

• Reflect/integrate/acceptReflect/integrate/accept

Got Resistance? It’s a sign of Got Resistance? It’s a sign of change.change.

The secret of change is toThe secret of change is tofocus all your energy,focus all your energy,

not on fighting for the old,not on fighting for the old,but on building the new.but on building the new.

- Socrates - Socrates

--Build the new, we must, and --Build the new, we must, and quickly. But what if we’re too quickly. But what if we’re too exhausted to build something exhausted to build something new?new?

When We Resist or Lack When We Resist or Lack Awareness or Resources to Awareness or Resources to ChangeChange

An overload of tension and stress An overload of tension and stress can lead to the “Danger Zone”.can lead to the “Danger Zone”.

““Up to Up to 90% of the doctor 90% of the doctor visits visits in the in the USAUSA may be may be triggered by triggered by stress-related stress-related illnessillness, says the Center for , says the Center for Disease Control and Disease Control and Prevention.” Prevention.”

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2005-03-21-http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2005-03-21-stress_x.htmstress_x.htm

Recovery before DiscoveryRecovery before Discovery

Living in constant tension is like Living in constant tension is like leaving the lights on in your car leaving the lights on in your car overnight:overnight:

You are powerless to go You are powerless to go anywhere until you recharge anywhere until you recharge the battery.the battery.

Signs of The Danger ZoneSigns of The Danger Zone

• PhysicalPhysical—Exhaustion, disease, immune system —Exhaustion, disease, immune system compromised, resources depleted compromised, resources depleted

• EnvironmentalEnvironmental— Wasteful, over-use of — Wasteful, over-use of conveniences, no energy to develop conveniences, no energy to develop sustainable lifestyle solutionssustainable lifestyle solutions

• SocialSocial—Loss of relationships, career, increased —Loss of relationships, career, increased crime, accidentscrime, accidents

• IntellectualIntellectual—Impaired problem-solving, mental —Impaired problem-solving, mental confusion, reacting vs. respondingconfusion, reacting vs. responding

• EmotionalEmotional—Angry, depressed, panic-attacks, —Angry, depressed, panic-attacks, feeling helpless, radical behaviorfeeling helpless, radical behavior

• SpiritualSpiritual—Lack of creativity, values —Lack of creativity, values compromisedcompromised

Recovery… Recovery… • Accept the need to change (surrender)Accept the need to change (surrender)• RestRest• Release TensionRelease Tension• Realize underlying emotionsRealize underlying emotions• Identify “stressors”Identify “stressors”• Integrate/learn lessons Integrate/learn lessons • Clean house/detox—mentally, Clean house/detox—mentally,

physicallyphysically• Assess core valuesAssess core values

Meditative States Assist Meditative States Assist Recovery Recovery • Reduce stress, relieve tension quicklyReduce stress, relieve tension quickly• Rejuvenate the bodyRejuvenate the body• Facilitate healingFacilitate healing• Aid chemical detoxificationAid chemical detoxification• Dissolve addictionsDissolve addictions• Clarify values and prioritiesClarify values and priorities• Illuminate choicesIlluminate choices• Lower blood pressureLower blood pressure

Meditation builds Meditation builds awarenessawareness “muscle”.“muscle”.

How?How?

Yoga is the oldest system of Yoga is the oldest system of mind/body/spirit excellencemind/body/spirit excellence

The intention of yoga is The intention of yoga is wellness and self-wellness and self-actualization through time actualization through time spent in meditative states.spent in meditative states.

Meditation is not “Stopping Meditation is not “Stopping Thoughts”Thoughts”

It’s about stopping thought-It’s about stopping thought-waveswaves..

There is a There is a correlation correlation between between breathbreath and and thought-thought-waves.waves.

In deep relaxation one can…In deep relaxation one can…

Slow the breath…Slow the breath…

Slow the Slow the thought-wavesthought-waves..

Slow the Thought-Waves and Slow the Thought-Waves and Practice Focus…Practice Focus…

……one gains present moment one gains present moment awarenessawareness..

Present Moment Present Moment AwarenessAwareness……

The ability to name your mental, The ability to name your mental, emotional and physical state of emotional and physical state of being in the moment enables being in the moment enables choicechoice..

Choice is essential to creating Choice is essential to creating wellnesswellness..

ChoiceChoice is freedom. is freedom.

"Yoga serves the individual "Yoga serves the individual through inviting transformation through inviting transformation rather than rather than by giving information." by giving information."

-T.K.V. Desikachar -T.K.V. Desikachar

But isn’t meditation…doing But isn’t meditation…doing nothing?nothing?

Hardly. Meditative states Hardly. Meditative states require:require:

• Physical health, especially spinal Physical health, especially spinal alignment, strength and flexibility alignment, strength and flexibility (yoga asana practice)(yoga asana practice)

• Living in one’s core valuesLiving in one’s core values• Control of breath (prana/ki/chi)Control of breath (prana/ki/chi)• Ability to focus on one thingAbility to focus on one thing• Practice to achieve deep relaxation Practice to achieve deep relaxation

and release tension at willand release tension at will

Yogis don’t “do” Yogis don’t “do” meditation…meditation…

They land there.They land there.

Will Meditation Make Me Will Meditation Make Me Lazy?Lazy?

Meditation Inspires ActionMeditation Inspires Action—Right Action—Right Action

Meditation practice is the fastest route Meditation practice is the fastest route to the most consistently effective and to the most consistently effective and timely choices and actions.timely choices and actions.

Deep relaxation learned in yoga Deep relaxation learned in yoga meditation practice is the quickest meditation practice is the quickest way to renew body, mind and spirit.way to renew body, mind and spirit.

Can we minimize the energy Can we minimize the energy drain of dramatic change drain of dramatic change cycles?cycles?

YES!YES!

• Master life balanceMaster life balance

• Live from vision/life PurposeLive from vision/life Purpose

The only way to get out of The only way to get out of changechange—is to get into it!—is to get into it!

What if we were What if we were awareaware of of excess tension or discomfort as excess tension or discomfort as an early sign of change instead an early sign of change instead of something to be fixed or of something to be fixed or denied?denied?

The sooner we become The sooner we become awareaware that discomfort indicates we're that discomfort indicates we're out of balanceout of balance, , the sooner we the sooner we can implement strategies to re-can implement strategies to re-balance, re-energize and move balance, re-energize and move into into wellnesswellness..

Learn How to Live in Learn How to Live in BalanceBalance

Change is the Only ConstantChange is the Only Constant

• The ancient Taoist “Yin Yang” symbol The ancient Taoist “Yin Yang” symbol represents the balance of opposites in the represents the balance of opposites in the universe. universe.

• When they are equally present, all is When they are equally present, all is calm.calm.

• When one outweighs the other, there is When one outweighs the other, there is confusion and disarray. confusion and disarray.

• The two swirling shapes inside the symbol The two swirling shapes inside the symbol denote change; the only constant in life.denote change; the only constant in life.

Living in Balance…Living in Balance…

• Western life the values “Yang” side of Western life the values “Yang” side of life.life.

• Rest and reflection are nearly lost in our Rest and reflection are nearly lost in our culture.culture.

• Fitness clubs emphasize action, hard Fitness clubs emphasize action, hard bodies, excitement, fast pace, heavy-bodies, excitement, fast pace, heavy-metal music and the extreme heat of metal music and the extreme heat of saunas, tanning booths, steam rooms saunas, tanning booths, steam rooms and whirlpools. Members are inside, not and whirlpools. Members are inside, not connected to nature.connected to nature.

Living in BalanceLiving in Balance

Is it surprising that fitness clubs Is it surprising that fitness clubs lose member retention to yoga lose member retention to yoga studios, meditation centers, studios, meditation centers, spas and wellness centers?spas and wellness centers?

Living in Balance…Living in Balance…

What if personal trainers, life What if personal trainers, life coaches and yoga teachers coaches and yoga teachers assessed members for life assessed members for life balance and clubs provided a balance and clubs provided a balanced array of wellness balanced array of wellness opportunities?opportunities?

Regular Meditation practice…Regular Meditation practice…

• Cultivates the inner awareness to senseCultivates the inner awareness to sense

early out-of-balance signsearly out-of-balance signs

• Guides one to positive self-health choices Guides one to positive self-health choices

to re-balance and improve to re-balance and improve

• Increases “Yin” (counter-balance to Increases “Yin” (counter-balance to “Yang”)“Yang”)

--Inward, Quiet, Slow, Cool, Restorative--Inward, Quiet, Slow, Cool, Restorative

Benefits of living in balance…Benefits of living in balance…

• Steady, abundant energy--fewer “sick” Steady, abundant energy--fewer “sick” daysdays

• Increased creativity and productivityIncreased creativity and productivity

• Reservoir of energy for crisisReservoir of energy for crisis

• Steadier emotions--fewer highs and lowsSteadier emotions--fewer highs and lows

• Efficient functioning of internal organsEfficient functioning of internal organs

• Stronger immune systemStronger immune system

• More joy and harmonyMore joy and harmony

The Global Human Sustainability The Global Human Sustainability Crisis is literally forcing us to learn Crisis is literally forcing us to learn to live in wellness…NOW.to live in wellness…NOW.

We’re in a crisis of human We’re in a crisis of human culture.culture.

The unsustainable lifestyle of humansThe unsustainable lifestyle of humans

with population explosion since 1930with population explosion since 1930

has created a crisis of environmentalhas created a crisis of environmental

pollution and resource depletion.pollution and resource depletion.

The Solutions per “The 11The Solutions per “The 11thth Hour”…Hour”…

• Awareness Awareness of severe crisis to humanity of severe crisis to humanity and ability to change in time to restoreand ability to change in time to restore

• AwarenessAwareness that all life is inter-connected that all life is inter-connected• Need to Need to re-visionre-vision our entire way of life our entire way of life

We must re-create our We must re-create our entire way of living…now.entire way of living…now.

““There is a vital, thriving There is a vital, thriving movement in the works, a global movement in the works, a global desire to desire to re-imaginere-imagine mankind's relationship with the mankind's relationship with the environment.”environment.”

--Paul Hawken is one of 50 global experts featured in “The 11th Hour” movie. An award-winning environmentalist, entrepreneur, journalist, and author, Hawken dedicates his life to sustainability and changing the relationship between business and the environment. Bio at http://wip.warnerbros.com/11thhour/.com

What does this have to do What does this have to do with Meditation?with Meditation?

Scientists have discovered that Scientists have discovered that super-slow thought-wavessuper-slow thought-waves, the , the Theta Theta andand Delta Delta Waves recorded Waves recorded during deep meditation, lead to during deep meditation, lead to breakthrough creativitybreakthrough creativity..

Brainwaves and Brainwaves and ConsciousnessConsciousness• Beta--normal waking state of mind. Beta--normal waking state of mind.

• Alpha--daydreams or meditation. Alpha--daydreams or meditation.

• ThetaTheta--deep meditation, sleep, --deep meditation, sleep, shamanic activity. shamanic activity.

• DeltaDelta--deep sleep and profound --deep sleep and profound states of meditation and healing. states of meditation and healing.

  

Profound Relaxation/Meditation Profound Relaxation/Meditation Increases CreativityIncreases Creativity “ “It is a well known and well studied fact It is a well known and well studied fact

that that profound relaxation (such as profound relaxation (such as meditation) can increase and enhance meditation) can increase and enhance creativitycreativity. When certain brainwave patterns . When certain brainwave patterns are created, visualization becomes vivid, are created, visualization becomes vivid, memories flow easier and you can more memories flow easier and you can more easily approach ideas from different easily approach ideas from different perspectives. In addition to this, creating perspectives. In addition to this, creating brainwaves that are normally produced brainwaves that are normally produced during sleep can act to "reset" the brain.”during sleep can act to "reset" the brain.”

The Power of Group PracticeThe Power of Group Practice

Studies have proven: When groups Studies have proven: When groups practice yogic meditation techniques practice yogic meditation techniques together, moving into deep relaxation together, moving into deep relaxation with stillness of body and mind with with stillness of body and mind with complete awareness, complete awareness,

there is there is a positive affect on thea positive affect on the

individual, the group, and the individual, the group, and the

social harmony of the entire community.social harmony of the entire community.

Common Passion .orgCommon Passion .org

Power of Group Meditation Power of Group Meditation with Intention… with Intention…

“ “There is more and more evidence that… There is more and more evidence that… if one person has power with intention, if one person has power with intention, from the Random Event Generators (we from the Random Event Generators (we learn that), all of us are effecting things learn that), all of us are effecting things all the time by our collective thinking. It all the time by our collective thinking. It means means we all have to get together and we all have to get together and think the same good things all the time. “think the same good things all the time. “

--Lynn McTaggart, on Quantum Physics from "What the Bleep Do We --Lynn McTaggart, on Quantum Physics from "What the Bleep Do We Know?" Know?"

• Positive OutlookPositive Outlook• Reduced reactivityReduced reactivity• Breakthrough creativityBreakthrough creativity• Timely responsivenessTimely responsiveness• Increased productivityIncreased productivity• Social HarmonySocial Harmony

Group Meditation Amplifies Group Meditation Amplifies and Accelerates:and Accelerates:

Meditation is a Meditation is a Practice, Practice, Not an AchievementNot an Achievement

One cannot fail at meditating.One cannot fail at meditating.

Yoga Practice for Meditation Yoga Practice for Meditation Facilitates: Facilitates:

• Shift from Healthcare to WellnessShift from Healthcare to Wellness• Resistance to RecoveryResistance to Recovery• Recovery to DiscoveryRecovery to Discovery• Tension to RelaxationTension to Relaxation• Instability to BalanceInstability to Balance• Crisis to Creative BreakthroughCrisis to Creative Breakthrough• Mis-alignment to harmony with Mis-alignment to harmony with

core values, passion and nature.core values, passion and nature.

Physical Health Physical Health BenefitsBenefits

• Improved circulation, respirationImproved circulation, respiration

digestion, etc.digestion, etc.• Improved coordinationImproved coordination

• Awareness aiding self-diagnosisAwareness aiding self-diagnosis

• Pain ManagementPain Management

• Reduced healing timeReduced healing time

Spiritual BenefitsSpiritual Benefits

• Ability to tap creative giftsAbility to tap creative gifts

• Receptivity to intuitionReceptivity to intuition

• Enhanced appreciation/gratitude for Enhanced appreciation/gratitude for lifelife

• Sense of sacredness, compassion and Sense of sacredness, compassion and

connectionconnection

• Clarity to walk in one’s own footstepsClarity to walk in one’s own footsteps

Living in Wellness “Living in Wellness “SuccessSuccess””

• When one is in When one is in balancebalance with abundant energy… with abundant energy… • And regularly practices And regularly practices deep meditative deep meditative

relaxationrelaxation states, particularly in groups… states, particularly in groups…• With willingness to act only from With willingness to act only from clarityclarity, "The , "The

Surrender Zone”,… Surrender Zone”,… • One becomes One becomes awareaware of talents, inspiration and of talents, inspiration and

passion… passion… • And ventures into And ventures into possibility, creativity and possibility, creativity and

discoverydiscovery of THE NEW WAY. of THE NEW WAY.• Becoming Becoming productive, enthusiastic and productive, enthusiastic and

peacefulpeaceful..

Key PointsKey Points• We’re in a time of radical change We’re in a time of radical change

• Deep states of relaxation/meditation Deep states of relaxation/meditation achieved through yoga practices are achieved through yoga practices are key to wellness, health, balance key to wellness, health, balance and breakthrough creativity for and breakthrough creativity for life excellence life excellence

• Fitness clubs can be leaders in Fitness clubs can be leaders in wellness of members and wellness of members and communities through group communities through group meditation practicemeditation practice

Where do we go from here?Where do we go from here?• Thoughts, impressions, possibilities?Thoughts, impressions, possibilities?• Who else should see this presentation?Who else should see this presentation?• How might yoga classes serve members?How might yoga classes serve members?

– Gentle YogaGentle Yoga– Restorative YogaRestorative Yoga– Relaxation/Meditation 101Relaxation/Meditation 101

• How might we expand the concept of personal How might we expand the concept of personal training?training?

• How might this organization retain, attract How might this organization retain, attract and better serve members while increasing and better serve members while increasing revenue by an expanding focus on wellness, revenue by an expanding focus on wellness, balance and creative breakthrough?balance and creative breakthrough?

• How might this organization or corporate clients How might this organization or corporate clients benefit from meditation for creativity/re-visioning?benefit from meditation for creativity/re-visioning?

Leena St. Michael, RYTLeena St. Michael, RYT• Teaches yoga/meditation today at 24 Hour

Fitness, ClubOne, M. A. Center and San Francisco Cty. Jail.

• Has facilitated radical individual, leadership, corporate and community transformation and organizational development for 20 years

• Led Mid-Week Mindfulness Meditation Program at Stanford University Hospital while an Interfaith chaplain

• Began guiding group meditation and “Life Visioning” in 1994 at Agape International Spiritual Center, Los Angeles, CA (taught by founder Dr. Michael Beckwith “The Secret”)

• Trained in mindfulness meditation of Jon Cabot Zinn for pain management at Stanford Complementary Medicine Center

• Was the most angry, anxious, ADD person on the planet. “If I can relax and meditate, anyone can!”

• More on Leena…OmPeace.com