Have you ever felt that it was just impossible to be healthy, fit and full of energy every day of your life? And that there is just no time at all left in the day for you? How many times have you promised yourself that you would eat healthier foods, only to feel that it was too time-consuming to prepare them? Or made a promise to yourself that this was the year that you would exercise regularly, paid a good chunk of change for a gym membership, and then never got back there after the first couple of workouts?
The fact is that being truly
healthy and fit is the sum total of all that we do, each and every day:
mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Your daily habits must
nourish your body mind, heart and soul. For example, when your body and
mind are relaxed, and you are at peace, in a state of pleasure, your metabolism
and digestion function at their peak levels of efficiency.
We have all heard the expression: You are what you eat! Well, yes, and no.
Yes, we do need nutrient dense
foods, packed with all of the essential nutrients necessary for optimum
efficiency of the thousands of metabolic functions going on simultaneously,
24/7, throughout our bodies. However, there’s much more to it than
that!
How many of us have known someone
who has eaten what seems to be the perfect diet – lots of raw, organic fruits
and vegetables, meats that are hormone and antibiotic-free, only 100% whole
grain products, no fast foods, avoidance of sweets and processed oils, and on
and on. ... And on top of all of that, they have exercised regularly, and even
attended yoga classes (usually for the wrong reasons – for exercise and weight
loss versus breathing, relaxation and meditation). One day this person is
diagnosed with cancer, or some other major illness, and soon after, they are
dead. And we are all mystified. How could this happen? They
do everything perfectly – and they die!
Well, it is not that simple. It is not simply about what you eat. And not all exercise is created equal. What’s more, if you are continually stressed out with work, especially if it’s work you dislike, and you lie awake night after night worrying about your job, kids, marriage, unpaid bills, etc., how do you think all of those negative thoughts and sleepless nights are going to impact your health? If you don’t take time out to just be still and breathe deeply, you will develop a lack of oxygen flow. Oxygen is essential for the maximum utilization of all of those nutrients in your healthy diet. And without oxygen, there is simply no life. Furthermore, if you don’t take time out to relax, your body will always be in a constant state of tension. And this tension creates constriction of blood flow, of airflow, of cellular uptake of water and nutrients, and your body no longer efficiently eliminates toxins and other metabolic waste by-products.
Many years ago, during my very early 20s, I decided to more fully explore the field of Yoga in the country of its origin, India. Well, after all, I am a product of the 60s, and the Beatles, our revolutionary rock band of the time, did open the doorway to deeper inner exploration of oneself, and reflection of our individual and unique purpose for being here now. Many of us even read the book, “Be Here Now,” by Ram Dass. And the slogans of the day were: “I have to find myself,” or, “I am going to ______ (fill in the blank with where) to find myself.” As if we were somewhere other than where we were in that moment. It took me a very long time to realize the truth that, wherever I go, there I am. There was just no way to get away from myself. That’s the subject of another book.
So what did I learn during my
India experience? Far more than I can share here, that is for
certain. However, a set of five principles for maximum health and
longevity were set forth and taught – and those five principles have remained
the corner stone of much of my life. When I veered away from those
principles, the price I paid was very high. When I live those five
principles, incorporating them into my daily life, I am filled with energy,
vitality, joy, and a love of, and for, life.
How many of you believe that there
are no accidents, no coincidences? I, for one, am a total advocate of
this philosophy. So, let me share with you an epiphany I had very
recently. After a year of fires (The 2007 fires will always be remembered
by those of us who reside in Southern California), a packed schedule of travel
for my work, seeming setbacks at every turn with the production of my book, and
absolutely no down time to just be still by myself (which is truly the only way
that I, for one, can truly regenerate), I opted to stay home alone on
Thanksgiving. I was so looking forward, with “delicious” anticipation, to
this day of peace, quiet and personal reflection of thanksgiving for all the
wonderful people, things, events and experiences in my life. A day simply
filled with that wonderfully expansive attitude
of gratitude.
Prior to this special day, I joyfully shopped for healthy food, purchased deliciously scented aromatherapy candles, and even bought a fabulous, luxurious, fluffy towel to wrap myself in following my first lengthy bath of the year. Can you believe it? I teach my patients and my clients how important it is to take time out and just luxuriate in a warm bubble bath, unwinding and releasing all of their built up tensions, while peaceful meditation music carries them far beyond the constrictions of their three dimensional physical environment, to the often unexplored places of complete tranquility. And I had not even done it myself – in my own home.
Well, you know what happens to the
best laid plans of mice and men? They often go awry – but are replaced
with something better – far better! I awoke before the crack of dawn that
Thanksgiving morning, and bounced out of bed absolutely full of energy.
Something was racing through my mind, making my heart flutter with excitement
and anticipation. The title of my book is “INSTANT E.N.E.R.G.Y.â„¢.”
Was it possible that the word, ENERGY,
could be an acronym for the five key principles I teach? Feverishly, I
clicked away on the keyboard of my ever-present Mac.
There it was. In amazement, I stared at the page. Thank you God! And, “All in God’s time,” took on a whole new meaning for me on that glorious morning. As I “took time out” that day to reflect on the journey that the writing of this book has taken me on, it became clear that all of the apparent challenges and hold-ups along the way had opened me up to new ways of simplifying, and expressing, the messages and information embodied in this book. I was simply the messenger – not the message.
Before I go into ENERGY as the acronym for my program, let’s first look at the five age-old principles that have guided yoga practitioners for thousands of years. These principles incorporate the health of the whole person, not just the physical, or the emotional, or the mental, or the spiritual part – but the whole mind-body-spirit concept. There is true health only when all parts of you are functioning synergistically in balance and in harmony.
Vitality & Life Balance…5
Minutes at a Time!
The
5 Key Principles
From the day you are born until the day you leave this magnificent planet, the 5 key principles for optimum health and vitality are the same:
1. Deep, Slow, Rhythmic Breathing
2. Healthy, Natural, Whole Food Nutrition
3. Regular, Cell-Regenerating Exercise
4. Relax, Rejuvenate and Meditate (Daily restorative
relaxation & communication with God, your Higher Power, or your Higher
Self)
5. Attitude of Gratitude (Optimistic, self-empowered thinking
& Meditation)
Let’s
expand on thought patterns that will support you in developing and maintaining
your daily practice of the 5 essential Principles…
- Deep, Slow, Rhythmic Breathing
- Think: Oxygen for protection of your body against cancer,
heart disease, diabetes, MS, fibromyalgia, lupus, premature aging, etc.
- Healthy, Natural,
Whole Food Nutrition
- Think: Orchestral symphony, and synergy, of the thousands
of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytochemicals, bioflavonoids, enzymes,
and probiotics working together, for maximum efficiency of all your body’s
thousands of metabolic functions.
- Regular,
Cell-Regenerating Exercise
- Think: Development of strong, healthy, invigorated, vital
cells (Remember: “vital” health begins at the cellular level!), leading to
strong healthy tissues, ligaments, organs, and strong, firm muscles for
support, nourishment and development of strong bones.
- Daily Restorative
Relaxation, Rejuvenation, and Meditation… includes
Prayer
- Think: Time out for nervous system regeneration, tension
and stress release, total body balance and harmony, & inner peace and calm.
- Optimistic Thinking
and (more) Meditation ... includes an
Attitude of Gratitude
- Think: Self-acceptance, self-love, self determination,
self esteem and the power of your words, thoughts and intentions in the
creation and realization of your deepest desires and visions for your life.
And now for the pies de resistance, the tool that will make it easy to keep your focus when everything else in your life is distracting you from your commitment to get, and stay, healthy once and for all. Let’s start with the first word in the title of my book:
INSTANT. Just when everyone has you convinced that there is no such thing as Instant Gratification, I’m here to tell you they’re wrong. That’s right. You read that correctly.
INSTANT ENERGY = INSTANT GRATIFICATION!
Save your naps for when you hit
the pillow at night. You’ll sleep a whole lot better at night if you
don’t nap during the day. Instead do something that will invigorate you and get
your blood and oxygen flowing.
Napping is a cop out. And it
just leaves you feeling sluggish and bleary eyed when you need to feel alert
and full of life. You have no doubt heard the expression: “A change is
better than a rest.” Well, there’s a lot of truth to that
statement. Think about how tired and fed-up you have felt just before a
vacation. All you could think about was vegging out on the beach, or
luxuriating in a comfy bed until late in the morning. But is that what
happened? Maybe for the first day, if at all! But just being in a
different place, seeing and doing different things, created within you an
energy surge that you had not previously thought possible.
So, change what you are doing, make it a healthy change, do it for a few minutes – and watch out! The fabulous results you experience may just amaze you. You’ll be jumping out of your skin with renewed energy and vitality.
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And while you’re at it, why not visit www.MarilynJoyce.com, and sign up to receive Dr Joyce's up to the minute special reports. And join in the conversation and get 15 weeks of free Fast Healthy Tips at www.TransformStressNow.com.
Information contained in this article is excerpted from Dr. Joyce's widely sought after book, “INSTANT E.N.E.R.G.Y.â„¢: The 5 Keys to Unlimited Energy and Vitality!” Dr. Marilyn Joyce, an international radio and TV personality, is one of the world’s leading authorities on nutrition and lifestyle for the prevention and overcoming of cancer and other degenerative illnesses.
Dr. Joyce is the author of the best selling books, “5 Minutes to Health” and “I Can’t Believe Its Tofu!” as well as her newly released book, “INSTANT E.N.E.R.G.Y.â„¢: The 5 Keys to Unlimited Energy & Vitality.” Check out: www.marilynjoyce.com, and sign up for her Special Reports. Also visit: www.TransformStressNow.com or call 800-352-3443.
Article posted at: New Perspectives: A Journal for Conscious Living
