What we can learn from the Peloton

Tour de France has started and we will get the chance to watch the stages for the next weeks. Even though I don't even own a bike, I happen to love to watch the drama of the race, the teams, the strategy. And I love to watch the countryside whiz by from the perspective of back of the motorcycle and the helicopters.

I was in Paris in 1994 and saw the last stage of the Tour as the peloton and the yellow shirt swirled around the Champs-Elysees. It was thrilling and magical and cemented a love of this race.

Riders bike together (the peloton) like a flock of birds flying in formation. They are able to reduce their drag, and I have read that in a well formed peloton, the riders in the middle are saving 40% of their energy.

Tonight during Stage 2, I started to think about how wellness and the peloton are connected and what we can learn from a bike team.

1. Have a team of people helping you to achieve your goal. 
2. At times, rest. Save your energy and let others do the work.
3. Stay focused. Be aware of things that may cause you imbalance. 
4. Be prepared. Raise your hand if you need something. 
5. Know the course and attack it. 
6. Be ready to make your move, and communicate that plan with your team.

Motivation Vs Inspiration

I have been thinking about motivation and inspiration. What are they and how do they relate to me meeting my goals. I decided to really look at the words so I know what I am talking about. Let's review them, shall we?

 mo·ti·va·tion  

/ˌmōtəˈvāSHən/

Noun The reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way. The general desire or willingness of someone to do something.

Synonyms motive - incentive - stimulus - impulse Alrighy.....so its the "reason". I need to run so that I can fit into my jeans.  I need to exercise so that I am not grouchy. Makes sense to the logical mind.  However, I can know all these these is a good reason, but that doesn't get me outside to run every morning at 5am. So let's look at....

in·spi·ra·tion  

/ˌinspəˈrāSHən/

Noun The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, esp. to do something creative: "flashes of inspiration". The quality of having been so stimulated, esp. when evident in something: "a moment of inspiration in an otherwise dull display".

Synonyms afflatus - inhalation Ah-ha, so inspiration is mental. I must feel it in my heart, not only my brain. Motivation is the balance of inspiration. So I can be highly motivated to complete a goal, but without the process of being mentally stimulated I may not stick with it. Find a way to be motivated and inspired. When we develop spa fitness programs, we are looking at both words as a way to connect and achieve your goals. Be motivated. Be inspired. That to me is Pure Health and Wellness

Golf Wellness

I have been thinking about the upcoming golf season, and pondering, and then mulling it over......the weather is stuck in a winter weather pattern in Vermont so all I can do is think about it. For those of you who don't know me, my husband is a PGA Golf Professional. So our life revolves around the weather.

I have been writing a draft of an educational program regarding golf injuries and prevention.
Of course,  it's the prevention I am really focused on. I would like to see more golfers aware of possible golf injuries, and then give them easy tips on prevention.

What would I tell a golfer to do pre-season to prevent injury?

1. Stretch. 
2. Muscle balancing
3. Visualization
4. Swing Correction
5. Equipment Evaluation
6. Goal Setting

To review these with some specifics:

1. Stretch is vague, I know. Every person has different muscles groups with issues, but here are the major ones: hips (particularly lead leg), back, and shoulders.
2. Muscle balancing means having muscle testing done to determine if you are weaker Left to Right, Front to Back. For example, your abdominals/core vs your back muscles, your right forearm vs your left. The goal is to create a balanced muscle machine of all parts working equally. 
3. Visualization is a powerful tool that top athletes use over and over again. Recreational athletes can use this as well to enhance their game, and reduce the chance of injuries. Methodical conditioning of the mind will enhance performance and minimize risk.
4. Swing correction will assist a golfer in reducing stress on the body by creating a more effective and efficient swing. A golf pro needs to look at your swing from different angles and give you tips to perform better. Tiger Woods, Bill Haas and Keegan Bradley all have their swing corrected on a regular basis. You should too.
5. Equipment is a part of your golf wellness as incorrect club lengths, poorly weighted clubs, or clubs your Dad gave you may be contributing to pain on the course. You don't need the newest set of irons, but you should be looking to see if they fit you. I also endorse re-gripping your clubs at regular intervals for a few reasons. 1) They allow you better hand posture, leading to better body posture, and 2) The club gets into the hands of a professional who can look for any breakage or wear and tear of the club.
6. Goal setting is so crucial to having a good golf season. What do you want to get out of your game? A better handicap? More fun? Less pain? More rounds walked? These goals help me and golf pros figure out what program you need to get you the results you want.

Avoid injury this season by thinking about these 6 ideas. Want more in depth info and hands on help? Contact me and we will set you up with a great program to get you back into the swing of things.

The Gift of Wellness

This term is used a lot in the spa/wellness world, and I wanted to take time to explore it. We often hear, "Give the Gift of Wellness". It almost sounds trite, as we all would love to give someone perfect health.

Wellness is a Gift.
I think there are a few angles to look at, the first being that wellness is a gift. To be free of pain, free of disease and debility is a gift. True wealth is health, said someone, and they were right. If you are feeling good, consider it a gift and cherish the time that your body works.

I rarely get headaches, and when I do, my first thought it always, "Why don't I appreciate the fact that yesterday my head didn't't hurt? How do I remember to be thankful for all the times it doesn't ache?"

Everyday you are given moments to truly be grateful for the amazing ways your body is working for you. Your kidneys are flushing, your eyes are focusing, your heart is beating. Be grateful.

Gift Someone Wellness.
To give a gift of wellness is not simply buying someone a spa card. That is the easy part. The core of gifting wellness to someone is the giver saying, "You are worth it. You are special. I want you to think of you and no one else for a moment". It is very powerful to "give" someone permission to take care of themselves. The ones who need it most are the ones who never take the time to let someone else help them. The woman who is constantly helping others needs to be told it is okay to have some time for herself. As they say on the airplane: Put the oxygen mask on yourself first before you assist anyone else, including children. I use this example frequently to remind clients that if you allow yourself to run into the ground, you will be helping no one. It is not selfish to take care of yourself, it is empowering.

I try to share with my clients these two messages.

1. Be grateful for the gift of wellness inside your body at all times. 
2. Empower yourself or someone you love to give them permission to take care of them.

Give yourself and those you love the gift of wellness. 

Tip # 6

Start Fresh.

January 1 is not the only day you get to leave the past behind and focus on your goals. This is done every single day of the year. Maybe today is the day that you decide to make changes to your wellness, whether it be spiritual, financial, emotional, or physical.

It is okay to start over. Whatever has been an obstacle in your path can be removed if you look at it with fresh eyes and clear vision.

If you have been trying to lose weight with no results, start fresh today by refining your plan and goals.

If you are struggling with a work issue, put the past behind you and act like today is the first day at your new job.

If you are having problems with your spouse, act as if you are taking them out for your first date tonight. Put the energy and focus into being your best self.

Bring new energy and focus to what you desire.

It's okay to start fresh, even and especially on January 25th.

Tip # 5

Rest and Recover

You cannot achieve your best work and your goals if you do not take time to rest and recover. The best athletes in the world train using this model, and the best business leaders, educators, and professionals use rest and recovery to be in the elite category of their passions.

Resting means getting off the proverbial treadmill for a moment. Find a quiet place to turn your phone off, shut the laptop down, and just think. Your brain will enter an alpha brain state after 20 minutes that will allow you to access new ideas, inspiration, and clarity. The best ideas happen in the shower, the comfortable couch, the massage table.

Take some time this week to plan and set aside time to rest. When you come in for your next spa treatment,  mention that you are using the time to rest and recover. We will use our intent to create a warm, nurturing environment to give you space and honor your rest.

Tip # 4

Know your Biorhythm.

Your biorhythm is your internal body clock. It is the 24 hour schedule for how your body operates. Some of you have no problems rising at 4:30 am to workout and get ready for the day ahead. For others (like me), the thought of a 4:30am run makes me nauseous.

The early bird may get a worm, but there are trillions of worms out there for you.  You can get "the worm" any time within the 24 hour cycle.  Do not force your body to conform to a rhythm that is not yours. You may be able to get up early to exercise a few times, but it will not be sustainable because that is not how your body operates.

Take a minute to write down your favorite times to do things, as if the entire day was yours without commitments like work and children.

For example, my clock wants me to rise when the sun does. Obviously this changes with the seasons, but that works for me. I do not force myself to do otherwise. If I can choose a time to exercise, it is late morning to early afternoon. I prefer to write and reflect from 9-11pm.

If I am working on these goals, it makes sense to work them into my biorhythm. I am not going to schedule a run at 4:30 am. Ever. But I will schedule to work out at 11 am and be highly successful.

Knowing your body clock will help you stay well. It gives you a framework for success. Working on wellness goals within your biorhythm makes sense to you, and that's who you need to think about.