What I’m about to share is a personal lesson, which to be frank, I am not entirely comfortable sharing. Nevertheless, I am sharing it because I am sure that my experience is not unique and if it can motivate even one person into action, then it is worth the discomfort. So, here goes …

I’ve always considered myself to be healthy. I’m not overweight (well, I have put on a few kg above what I would consider normal), I think I eat a well-balanced diet (the extra kilos tell a different story) and I try to exercise regularly. It is also true that my workout routine has been affected over the last few years as a result of different jobs and the associated stress.

Regardless of the reasons, I was getting to the studio and gym less than I used to. I made the excuses of getting older and that I’m pretty good for my age – but to be honest, I was kidding myself. I had let my health and wellbeing slip in my order of priorities. I was no longer in balance.

So, during Ramadan I decided to do something about it – I commenced a programme to lose weight and improve my physical wellbeing. I was making good progress and then last month I contracted a virus of some sort, which I thought would simply “go away.” It didn’t!

To cut to the chase, it took several weeks, numerous doctor’s appointments and dozens of tests to diagnose the issue, which fortunately wasn’t as sinister as the symptoms potentially indicated.

Why You Need To Work on Your Health Right Now
Even though my medical results were good, the entire experience reminded me that I am not as bullet proof as I thought I was, and that being mindful of my health is more important than ever. We just can’t predict when or how we will get sick. That is why we all need to make the most of now. Focus on your health and wellbeing right now while you still can. Go out there, get active and take better care of yourself.

For me, that means eating better, eating less, drinking more water and being active every day combining aerobic, strength and flexibility (so those who have noted my absence from morning classes at Inspire, this is coming to an end). Most importantly, I am focussing on positive meditation and better quality sleep.

One of the other outcomes is an increased focus on getting balance in other areas of my life. I have written before about my personal mantra, which is the need for balance (not equity) across four areas of my life: self, family and friends, career and community. It is true I have been out of kilter … so apart from working on myself, I am focussing on the relationships that truly matter, whether it is my mum and kids who live thousands of miles away in Australia, or with my better half (and yes Elisa truly is my better half) with whom I am celebrating 10 years of marriage later this month.

My story is not unique.

Have you ever had a wake up call? How would you rate your health right now compared to a year or two ago? What role does health play in your goals and priorities? What are you going to do, right now to take better care of your health? What are you going to do right now to regain balance in your life?

That’s all for now.

See you on the mat … soon!
John

P.S. Feel free to comment or reach out on the above at either john@inspiremeyoga.net or elisa@inspiremeyoga.net

Do good – I remember my mother telling me this on a number of occasions since I was a little girl. It’s something most of us have grown up hearing from society. It is so ingrained in our character through various teachings, from being compassionate and helping others, to sharing and being modest, that we sometimes forget our inherent need of self-preservation.

Have you ever done something good and for some reason felt unappreciated, hurt or even taken advantage? I confess I used to get affected when mine or others act of kindness went unnoticed and unappreciated…  I used to ask myself why even bother? For years, I thought that the people who I felt did not appreciate me or in my perception took advantaged of me were to blame for my feeling of sadness and hurt.  I have since learnt otherwise.

Read more

As a child, I used to be afraid of the dark and the thought of many undesirable things lurking in it. Throughout the years darkness has taken many forms; anxiety, fear, loneliness, grief, depression, sadness and shame. It’s the painful, sticky, murky stuff that most of us would rather wish away.

The reality is darkness comes and no one is immune to it. When the feelings of “darkness” swell in our bodies we instinctively respond in one of three primary ways: we prepare to attack the problem (fight), run away (flight), or we are unable to respond at all (freeze).

Read more

One of the best things that happened to me in 2017 is the discovery of Sarah Blondin’s Live Awake series of podcasts. They have awakened me at a fundamental level, so much so that I have shared them with our already inspired teachers, my sisters, nieces and girlfriends, even John! Without fail, the response has been something like “I needed to hear this, it is such a profound and beautiful message”.

What I like about Sarah’s podcasts (apart from her soothing voice) is that each episode provides a different perspective to some of life’s most difficult and challenging times. Her basic message is that perspective is everything, and by choosing to see the beauty that exists in our everyday life, we begin to live a life where happiness is our natural state of being rather than a temporary occurrence.

Read more