​Lately, so many people have been complimenting me on many things - my energy, my confidence, my ability to spread happiness to other people. It is wonderful to hear but I want you all to understand - whatever you see in me is absolutely a reflection of everything that is you too! We are all made of the same stuff. The same energy that is driving me is within you too.

All of us are the same, we are connected. To be honest, this applies to all the good and the bad (I don't like that vocabulary/labelling but that will be the topic of a future post). When  you see something that annoys you in another person, please take a moment to realize that you have something inside you that is similar that you don't like. Resist this thought as much as you like but it is true. That rude person that cut you off on the freeway, that thoughtless friend who forgot your birthday, that neighbor who forgets to bring their trashcans in right away, whatever annoys you - you have some variation of this defect in yourself. Just admit it, just be AWARE of it - just by being AWARE of it will make it so much easier not to judge. AWARENESS leads to compassion, forgiveness, love, acceptance.

But let's get back to the good stuff - recognize and be AWARE that things that you admire, respect and try to emulate that you see in other people are also part of who you already are. Notice these positive attributes. The more you admit that you have these great things inside of you the more they will surface. Foster the good stuff and more will come. Step up and live in the unique gifts that make you special. That person is so well spoken, such an incredible writer, a gifted story teller, a financial genius - I could never do that. STOP!  - whatever you admire the most in other people has some root in who you are too. Of course, each person is different and unique with which gifts can surface and be fostered but please know - you are so incredibly gifted and the world deserves to see it. Don't ignore your own greatness!

What ever I am doing with my life right now, it is in response to and being fostered by all the people around me. It is not me, it's all of us. All of our energy is helping lift each other up. You are helping me be better just as I am helping you. We are all helping each other. We are all connected to the same source of energy. We are all Great and we only get better by being AWARE of this! Reach as high as you can, there are no limits.

Oh my gosh so I just have to share. I went to a mat pilates class the other day and got there a few minutes early. I hadn't taken this class before so I asked a man that was already set up and stretching, if he liked the class etc. He replied it was very good and the instructor was great at explaining the basics of pilates. He also liked the music she played.

Well, somehow he proceeded to tell me that when he was in high school he got into a terrible auto accident. He explained that that was when he realized that his father had been right all along....rock and roll music was from the devil.

He went on to explain that after his accident he discovered country music. Oh the people, he said, were so different, so much better quality. He laughed at how his life would have been if he had continued to listen to that rock and roll music and be around those people.

He continued - some of the instructors at this studio play that "hare krishna" type music. He asked me if I'd heard about them.

He explained that they chant and he heard they give koolaid with strange things in it to their congregation to get them hooked. I said thanks for the warning.

I laughed to myself as I set up my mat. I imagined the look on his face when a couple of months from now he sees my photo on display at this same studio offering a workshop on a "chanting meditation".

Oh goodness, watch out for me! But then I thought hmmm, maybe he will instead think - "she seemed normal, maybe I should try it". We'll see, I hope so!

Today I ran into 2 people I've known for a long time. 2 very different shaped people. 2 people who are interested in training for different reasons but the end result is the same - they want to be healthier and happier.

So the first person tells me she saw my site and loves it. She may be calling me. I started to comment that she seemed in good shape because she was thin and walked so much but she immediately admitted she's not walking much lately and her doctor actually suggested she start exercising, her cardiac health is not so good. It reminded me of another client of mine. Thin, looks great - but she's had a heart scare in the past. You never know just by looking at someone what's going on inside. 

It's true - it reminded me of my Nana with her bypass surgery. Not only was my Nana pretty thin her whole life, she actually ate pretty well too (although, now that I recall, she always put a lot of butter on any vegies she served....hmmm I'll save that thought for another post).

From medical research we know that as we get older, (especially women), fat starts to accumulate around our heart muscle and our risk of cardiac trouble increases greatly. Yes, fat around the heart - not elsewhere (well maybe elsewhere too but that's not my point here). Someone can appear thin but don't mistake thin for healthy. Same holds true with cholesterol.

The other person I ran into was of a larger frame. She has been the same shape for the 10 years I've known her. I haven't seen her in awhile. When I told her I had just officially launched my personal training business she replied laughingly "oh and you saw how out of shape I am and I need it." I said no, that's the point, I'm not perfect either. I'm a great trainer BECAUSE I'm not perfect. I hope she checks my site and it gives her some inspiration - she's so beautiful already but she sure would live longer if she got a little healthier. She will figure it out when she is ready.

I hope people will realize that it's not the shape of their bodies that counts, it's what is going on inside. Your heart, your lungs, your joints - every thing you can't see - that's what matters, that's what drives us all.

​The other day I ran into a friend as she was leaving a class at the gym. She had a knee brace on and said she was having surgery in a few weeks for a torn meniscus. She was leaving the class early because she could feel something had twisted in her knee. She was attempting to do her normal Zumba class.

After we parted I couldn't help but think "what was she thinking". From my own experience I know how discouraging it can be to have an injury. It's hard not to crawl up in a ball and eat ice cream instead of adjusting and moving anyway. Digging deep to find that motivation despite your less than perfect body can be daunting to say the least. But it is worth the effort. Anything helps but please make smart choices.

If you have a knee injury for instance - it's probably not the wisest thing to go into a class that requires a lot of lateral movement or to try to play a game of basketball. Safer choices may include such things as:
1 - walking - yes, in a straight line as far as you like, as often as you can. Pick your surface. For me, the treadmill works better than the street because of the padding. Walking will work all the muscles you need to support your knee whether its healing or getting ready for a surgery. Remember to pay attention to the way your foot hits the ground - heel first, then roll forward onto your toes and actually push off your toes as you lift and reach your foot forward to the next step. Reach as far forward as you can to get that stretch and really focus on each step to insure stability for an injured knee.
2 - eliptical - with a knee injury the smooth motion, no impact can be very forgiving and the pedals assist you in keeping proper form (no lateral movement). Just be careful not to hunch over the machine and grip hard on the side rails -  you don't want to cause an upper back issue.
3 - spinning - yes it may sound crazy but indoor cycling has zero impact and works the muscles you need to help your knees. KEY - make sure you have enough resistance on the pedals - it can be dangerous if the bike spins out of control and pulls your knees. More tension = safer ride.
4 - swimming - yes this can feel odd if you are not a swimmer but being in the water is a pretty safe choice. Get a kick board and just start going. Again, all the muscles you need to support your knee will thank you. But be careful - when you are kicking make sure to keep your toes pointed, get as much resistance from the water as you can to keep good form. Try not to bend your knees very much when you are kicking. The best form would be to use your entire leg - the motion should come all the way from your hip, a straighter leg, pointed toe will give you more power in the water and be safer for your knees. Oddly enough, even if you are in the water - if your kick is sloppy and from merely the knees down you are putting undue stress on your knees.

You decide what works for you but the best thing you can do with any exercise whether injured or not is to do each motion with intention and focus. Use your body wisely to avoid injury. If you have an injury - don't be afraid to find a different type of exercise than you normally do. Think outside the box and continue to move if you can. New ways of thinking can open up whole new avenues to you. True of everything in life.