Thoughtful Thursday…A few of my favorite things in 2018 in fitness of body, mind & spirit
Welcome to Thoughtful Thursday. This GreenNote Fitness newsletter mindfully gathers and distills useful information that is supportive to our journey. It is my mission to educate, inspire, and propel you into action that moves you towards your goals and life of purpose. Take control of your journey today.
From exercises to supplements to yoga, there are many things that I discovered this past year.
Some have had lasting effects and some have changed me profoundly.
Consider this a condensed version of a year filled with travel, new experiences, and education. It’s kind of a like a “year-in-review” only fun. At least, I’m hopeful that you will not only find this fun but also may it serve you in curiosity for your own journey and inspiration.
On to 2018 in review!
In this past year, I had two major themes at the beginning of the year: recovery and longevity. Recovery specifically with regards to joint issues and longevity from the standpoint of if we are lucky, we will live a long life but what quality will that long life look like? With the knowledge much of our health is within our control through nutrition, movement, and environment, I set out to tackle my recovery and start working on longevity strategies. What follows are some of the tactics that I did and some discoveries.
Before I delve in, I want to acknowledge that many of you reading this may have had to overcome much physical, emotional pain or challenges. While we may not have had similar challenges, it is my hope that there is something useful that you can glean from my sharing a little bit about my year.
Mobility & Joint Health for Longevity
My right SI (sacroiliac joint) left me in much pain in 2017 and impacted my ability to work. While I got it medically addressed, the new year brought with it a similarity in pain to the other SI joint. I knew without a doubt that it was going to be my priority to nip that in the bud and not get myself into the same experience. So this is what I did.
Went back to the doctor for non-steriodial options for improving the joint. Three things I took (and applied) from that conversation: strengthen glutes and hamstrings; stretch; use magnesium.
Revisited stretching exercises my Physical Therapist had previously shown me. I continue to do these along with the strengthening, stretching and magnesium list above.
Began intermittent fasting on a consistent basis. Besides fat loss, it really helped with cellular rejuvenation and reduction in inflammation. I continue to go 16 hours, 3 days a week, without consuming food/calories.
Spiritual / Energy Practice
Well into the new year, I traveled back to the San Diego area to attend an in-depth Unbeatable Mind workshop led by former Commander of the Navy SEALS, Mark Divine. This was a small group of people, many of whom I had met at other workshops. We were mostly in a classroom setting with the exception of the evenings where we did a group activity i.e. walk five miles on the beach, complete 150 burpees, and walk five miles back. In the mornings we did yoga outside overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The class was led by the Commander’s step-daughter, Catherine. It was during these morning yoga sessions that I had a profound experience.
To set the stage, everyone in the session is part of the 3-day workshop. Which means everyone present was fully present, listening closely to Catherine’s words, and feeling into the moment. That in and of itself is very powerful; positive energy from individuals coming together on journeys of self-mastery in service to others. During the yoga movements, Catherine would ask us contemplative questions and ask us to visualize our Mind Gym (basically this is where one goes in their mind to visualize your future-self and connect with your Witness, a higher version of your self).
While in our Mind Gym, we were to visualize three different people and ask from each of them what message that had for us. After the class, with tears flowing from my eyes and an intense feeling of gratitude and energy, I wrote in my journal what came up for me. Suffice it to say, it moved me beyond words. I have never felt so connected and energized in a yoga class, let alone anything else I’ve done.
What’s interesting is that not long after that workshop, the pain I was experiencing in my other SI joint was gone. Not just a little bit but gone, gone. How did that happen? I’m sure it was a combination of things like I listed above however, something inside me transformed on that early June morning overlooking the Pacific Ocean and connecting to something greater than my self.
Body, Mind, & Spirit Education
During the 3-day Unbeatable Mind workshop, we had time to split into pairs and share our Passion, Principles, and Purpose - an exercise paramount to the program. After reading my responses, my partner told me that I should go back to school or take an on-line course in my discipline as it was clear that it is a passion for me.
Not long after the workshop, my long-time mentor Ben Greenfield, sent an email to his base announcing that he was going to be offering an intense course on everything mind, body, and spirit. Hmmmm…now that’s interesting. Yes, I of course promptly signed up for this amazingly robust course. This week is our final week of this 21-week course. In the future I will be giving more detail to what this entailed. Suffice it to say I will be bringing even more valuable information to this community.
Gratefulness
Lastly, I have had the distinct privilege of writing for you, the members of the GreenNote Fitness community. I so appreciate your feedback and questions. Keep them coming. Also, for my dedicated clients, who continue to inspire me with their accomplishments and open-mindedness. They show up every day with a willingness to improve and take on new challenges.
May your year be filled with blessings and wonderful adventures.
Here’s to 2019!
Enjoy your journey,
Lisa Schaffer
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Did you miss last week’s newsletter on 2 things I consume…daily ……?
