KonaYoga.com

Let's Get Seriously Playful

Whenever you trace the origin of a skill or practices which played a crucial role in the ascent of man, we usually reach the realm of play.

-Eric Hoffer

I offered something different to my Friday and Saturday classes this week. A sequence of twelve standing poses from  Brad Piddy's website caused a lot of uncertainty and gyrating in the beginning. The poses weren't new, but the way we moved into them often from the floor up, required our nervous systems to respond creatively.

On Saturday, after running through the sequence a few times and "deconstructing" the moves a bit, practice appeared as the only solution for muscle memory and a graceful sequence. However, when we moved into some of the old and familiar postures, the improvements I saw were amazing, as if bodies were responding to the earlier challenges.

If we're going to modify our boundaries and creep our toes over the edge, I vote that we get seriously playful about it. If our muscles remember what is repeated over time, we may also want to associate joy with those movements.

Photo: Design Swan

Take It Off Hawaii

Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.

-Jim Rohn

"Take It Off Hawaii" is getting ready to launch this year's ten-week challenge. Between September 6 and November 10, participants will have the chance to rack up Lifestyle points by creating healthy habits in eating, exercise and stress reduction.

Teams of 4 to 10 participants will begin the challenge by registering their starting weight and blood pressure. Team members will then be able to earn points based on a pre-determined list of "good" lifestyle habits such as eating a minimum of 5 vegetable and fruit servings per day (1 point) and taking 10,000 steps (5 miles) per day (2 points). For the complete list, see Lifestyle Points.

"Last year, more than 1,000 pounds were shed by the participants of Take It Off Hawai'i," said Robin Mullin, executive director, Five Mountains Hawai'i," but there are many other benefits that "outweigh" the weight loss. Participants reported higher energy levels, lower blood pressure, and overall profound changes in their lives. This was accomplished through programs that focused on nutrition, activity/exercise, stress resilience, and a bit of friendly/healthy competition."

I'm a board member of Five Mountains Hawaii and this year I've decided to form a Kona Yoga team. I'll be creating and teaching some flowing yoga sequences that could be used to gain physical activity points, as well as  organizing walks and weekly support meetings.

If you're interested in joining us, please send me an e-mail: [email protected]. Teams are limited to ten participants and I have five spots remaining. If you live off-island, you can still participate online with all of the forms and resources made available by Take It Off Hawaii.

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• Take It Off Hawaii - 2010 (guavabee.com)

Yoga's Caution

You can't seem to buy anything these days that doesn't include a Caution, Disclaimer, or Caveat. I thought it might be time to dig out a Yoga Caution I once wrote:

CAUTION: The practice of yoga may cause your muscles to strengthen and/or increase in flexibility. Prolonged use of certain postures may make it difficult for you to lose your balance while standing, sitting, walking, or all of the above. Do not do yoga if you (a) do not wish to interrupt your aging process and (b) are looking forward to a steady decline in your physical and mental capabilities. Extensive use has been known to cause altered states of joy, peace and tranquility. Do so at your own risk of enjoyment.

Image: Eduspaces.net