I can't remember where I found this little passage, but all I know is that it is definitely a nice reminder! Especially on those days when you can't help but feel frustrated, helpless and alone. Being still with your thoughts, feeling, emotions and simply acknowledging they are there is therapy in itself. Coming to realise that you are never alone and that somehow, someway we are all connected to the universe even if we do feel disconnected.

Meditation for Peace & Serenity

You are not your mind!
You are not your thoughts!
You are not your ideas!
You are not your beliefs!

They may be yours, but they are not you.
They are instruments that you use. Do not let them control you.
What remains after they are rejected, is you, the real "I".

When thoughts cease, you still exist. There is no vacuum. When the emptiness of no thoughts is reached, you begin to feel your existence, your being. This emptiness is filled with something great, wonderful, powerful and sweet. You start living in Peace. You sail on the water of the calm mind.

This is Pure Existence.

When you realize this state you are free from thoughts and worries.
Then you are really free.

In this state nothing can influence you.
You stop acting instinctively on the prompt of each passing thought.
You become a completely conscious being, alive, strong, beyond everything.

Think of serenity of mind as a feasible possibility. Calm your mind with concentration, meditation and affirmations, and start enjoying peace of mind.

Be sure to take time out for yourself. Taking a step back from the situation and being kind to yourself.

When was the last time you did something for yourself?

Meditation and Holistic Practices are easily accessible anywhere around the world. But if you are new on this journey, taking your self away to exotic destinations like Thailand will be a sure fire way to get you started.

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To some degree that is still a 'crock' (not the therapies) but our attitude towards being open. We still often sit back and wait for things to be trial, tested and reviewed before we give things a go... Fair call to us, we don't want to look silly or waste money on uncertainty. Limited time, limited resource we stick to what we know. "In the box we go".

While this is a safe and comfortable little box, and it may well satisfy you curiosities in the quest for understanding and knowing what works for 'you', your mind and your body. Then your not curious enough to play here. Bon appetite...! I say no more...hit the back button on this browser NOW!

But I like flavour and colour...

I'm sure deep down we all do,  (No, I'm pretty certain we all DO!) but sometimes we forget which flavours and colours we prefer. Or its possible in the case of mind numbing routines, we lose our sense of taste. We do things so un-consciously that even our taste buds get bored. Imagine that!

I like to make sweeping generlisations in order to establish the emphasis of a point...Though I am totally aware that while many of us are still sleep walking there are just as many awakening to this collective consciousness and spirituality.

Where am I going with this...whats the point...?

While there is all the mind stuff and emotional work going on as we grasp the essence of who we are and what We are about...I like to take the 'serious seriousness' out of it and use movement as way of exploring this...

Here's why, in no particular order.

- Movement is aliveness, we are alive!

- Energy is waiting to be expelled from the body

- It is our form of expression, creativity and identity

- We release energy and reciprocally generate energy

- Movement is the polarity of stillness, how can we be still if we don't move

- You can learn to find stillness in movement (the zone, the focus, the flow) - Moving meditation

- We discover our strengths, weaknesses, fears and limitations

A huge part of this holistic puzzle that I have pieced together comes back to movement. Every time I teach a 'great' class and truly am in my flow, it seems that time elapses and I come out the other side feeling stronger, more confident and like an artist having expressed my self in that moment. Sounds ridiculous... and if you knew me I am! (I might just add, my most endearing quality)... But I like to take my class on a journey and give them an experience into feeling and being in their own bodies using movement.

Why I say, alternative movement....I'm not sure really. I've never really been one for labels...in any regards...except maybe jeans and sunglasses, but even then...at the moment the ones I kick around in are $6 Ray Bans!

No, I mean it. I find it hard to label my work, class, movement because it is always transforming and its not really a fitness class as much as it is not a classical yoga class, but its somewhere in between. Strong postures, lots of core work, mobility and stability drills of course with the ultimate aim of challenging flexibility and strength. No two classes are the same, and based on who is there is how the class will flow...

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In 2007 in Koh Samui I came across a flyer for EFT sessions with this guy named Mark. At the time, I was going through life definitely in search of something. No particular path but I knew it was an inquiring one, into spirituality and to better learn and understanding myself. As I was familiar with what EFT was and I had nothing to lose I thought I would book a session. Sitting in a room with a practitioner as you tap away at points on your face and your body, you really do think, this is strange. But you leave the session feeling better. Unsure why, unsure how all you know is that EFT works.

I got on with my life and have not stumbled across EFT again until now. 2012. The community (my Chiang Mai family) I kick around in, is a strong network of practitioners and healers, one of which, you guessed it, is EFT. EFT has found me again! This time I am going to pay attention to that. The healing light community that I am in is based on work on a more subtle level that focuses on working with subconscious mind and tuning it to the bodies frequency. Jaz, the best EFT practitioner ever in the last 2 weeks (3 sessions) has worked through more stuff than I ever have in the last 8 years. Its a huge call, because you don't want to think about what you were holding onto in your body for all that time.

So as this "stuff" comes up, it opens you up more to life and the universe. We speak about it so blaz-ay but in actual fact when the transition is happening you really do feel the difference.

For instance...when we make plans, set goals or want something and we struggle to get it. What do we typically think about our selves? That we're not good enough right?...But did it ever occur to us, that what we are striving is not aligned with our infinite truth. That is, what we innately know we want for us...When we make a commitment and we have that uncertain, maybe, unsure type feeling...how can we distinguish weather we are fearful of the out come or just in the habit of saying yes!...

What EFT does, is looks at that feeling of uncertainty, fear or whatever emotion it is and talks to it. Sounds strange. But most of the time what we feel good and bad just wants to be acknowledge.  Emotion comes from our thoughts, just like us it is an energy that has a vibration that can be felt. So to ignore that vibration or that energy is to ignore our thoughts and emotions.

EFT, also know as tapping is about releasing these blockages of energy 'chi' in our meridian lines by tapping on specific points on the hands, face and body and being with the emotion. After being with that emotion, feeling it, talking to it...its amazing how quickly it is released.

There is so much more to say about EFT, but simplistically this is what it is. There is loads of credible information available on the internet and you tube.

I might just also add here that, healing, wellness, and self discovery are a huge part of life here in Chiang Mai. Things seem to appear as and when you need it.

www.healinglightstudio.com

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Well today I did my first 'Chi Run' and oh yes it feels as beautiful as it sounds...well kind of, I mean the focus was breathe and technique though that niggling little voice in my head was thinking about dogs biting me. Not very Chi! Here's why...

1 week and 2 days ago I was bitten by a dog while on my early morning sunrise run. To my surprise an out of control little mongrel came pelting toward me, went around me and took his delicious little bite. I had to do the whole hospital, rabies and antibiotics thing and while the treatment in Thailand is better than the western world it kind of put me off running in my little village of North Thailand (where I am based). I guess wild dogs are a foreseeable obstacle...anyways...

Last Saturday night, I went to my favourite organic vegetarian place and somehow got chatting to this American writer guy: "blah blah blah", "chi running", I used to be a running coach blah blah blah. Me: whats chi running? I really like the sound of that... He explained to me how its a mindfulness technique that you perform when running, focusing on breathe and relaxation. How perfect does that sound? Hmmmm...my mind is excited, starts ticking and immediately I want to know more. I say good to the American writer guy and head straight and consult my best friend, "Google" (yes, sad, but true).

Mr G informs me that Chi Running is a style of running that focuses on posture, alignment, biomechanics, injury prevention and of course the most important elements being breathe, meditation with single pointed concentration and the connection of our movement with 'chi' (our life force and vital energy).

I'm not saying after one run, I'm a Chi running pro, but I feel that I want to be!  Back in Sydney my 7am Bondi Beach sand runs 3 x per week was my morning meditation. Nothing makes you more present than soft sand.  I used to run allot growing up, athletics, cross country, triathlon training etc and if and it was always about duration, intensity, distance, time, time versus distance etc. But the more chilled and balanced (maybe older) me is more about "intuitive movement", "going with the flow", "listening to my body" and "practicing whatever I am practicing more mindfully".

I know its nice to have that little edge or mini milestones to give you motivation and make encourage you to push your limits and continue to improve and explore your bodies potential. Though sometimes, too much pushing results in stupid things, like dog bites, injuries etc.

My new assignment with my movement is to not set a schedule. I know everyday I will move, because I like to move, its my life, my job, my passion (ADHD maybe) but it has been so good to just ask myself what I feel like doing today.  Tonight after a 39 degree day followed by bucketing rain it was cool enough to go for a 5.50pm Chi run.

Here are the 5 key points that I stole from someone elses website and google...

1. Run Tall: posture and alignment
2. Lean Forward: its a gravity thing
3. Land on the mid foot: as opposed to the typical roll through from heel to toe (for distance running)
4. Run from your core: keeping your pelvis level
5. Relax: Breathe

source: http://www.active.com/women/Articles/5-Elements-of-Chi-Running.htm

There are loads of you tube vids out there that you can take a look at and get the general idea of how Chi running flows. I'm pretty sure that if you are going to get into it, Initially its going to take some time as if your not used to running it can feel like your doing an ordinary run. But its all about mindset & breathe. Try not to step out the door and say I'm gonna run for 45 mins, or I'm gonna run to the end of that major road 5km away. It doesn't work like that. Your going to have to step out the door and have no idea of your run route , or time perception or IPOD! (in other words, expectations) Just go and see how you feel, what you feel and where you end up.  Tune into Frequency...mind, body and breathe... it's pretty clear once you get the hang of it, it should feel like a meditation. So check out a few tips on Gooooogs and give it a go...

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It really frustrates me when I know I want to do something, but can't muster up the energy to do so. I know its silly, but I'm sure many of us have those days when we plan to go for a run or do something active and simply can't bring ourselves to do it. God damn it, I am a personal trainer and I feel like this at times.

So rather than getting all wound up about it and beating my self up (like I usually do). I just continued to lay on my King size bed in an extended 'shavasana', that is in Liz terms, a huge star fish, gone splat on the centre of my bed and simply breathe. I centred my mind and observed my thoughts, not allowing myself to give life or follow any of them. After the 15 minute track was over, I slowly started to move and roll around and found myself intuitively wanting to move some more.

I unrolled my yoga mat and went straight into 'sleeping warrior'. Rolling my head side to side allowing my body to decide what it wanted to do and what it felt like doing in that moment. Before I knew it, I was in Virabhadrasana II (Warrior Pose II).

My point and theme it seems for the week is to live in the moment. Sounds cheesy, but I don't care too much what people think. Because, having experienced this moment to moment feeling of just being, I was able to experience something so simple and so real that completely changed the way I was feeling (yesterday). Lethargic, lazy and frustrated that I couldn't do what I expected from myself.

Sometimes (well more often than not) being gentle with your self is the key to better results. Better you move a little than not at all. On those days when your feeling pretty 'rubbish' take 5-10 minutes to sit with your self and check in. Sometimes all we crave is a little attention. Even if it is from ourselves. After all, we are the ones that truly care what we think and feel.

Before I sign off...JUDGEMENT. We often joke and say to our friends when they go and do something out of the ordinary, 'Hey no judgement'. But when it comes to us, we, I, you or me...do something or not fulfill our own expectations, do we say the same thing?

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Why I have to have a superfood smoothie?

(ahhhh because I love it and I'm the bomb at making them)...

Well, its a bit of a Paleo cheat, but as I am all about fusing and balancing my tear between between a mostly raw diet and a diet high in protein and low in carb diet. I like to have my smoothie. I have it after training to get the protein and glycogen hit after training. As I practice intermittent fasting from dinner till almost lunch time so as to maintain a steady blood sugar level one of these in the morning is the best way to break the fast (even if it is a short one).

Next week I am taking away the banana to see how it feels. Why am I telling you this? Well, if your trying to trim down and make sustainable lifestyle changes, then you have to make modifications that work for you. Paleo gods, may crucify me for this, but my body and certainly my mind loves me for it.

That is, by having that in the morning I eliminate all cravings for the rest of the day and am super ready to start my day. Cacao especially! Cacao is an excellent source of antioxidants and other minerals and is known to elevate moods (what I need right now ).

"Cacao also contains many chemicals that enhance physical and mental well-being, including alkaloids, proteins, magnesium, beta-carotene, leucine, linoleic acid, lipase, lysine, and some neurotransmitters such as dopamine and anandamine".

Source: http://www.superfoodliving.com/raw-cacao-nibs

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Why we do this? here is my suggestion. We don't take enough time out for ourselves to stop and think about what is actually important to us. We just keep on keeping on. While this cliche can work for a while, is it really sustainable? is it really necessary? or do we just like to make other people happy at the expense of our own happiness.

'They'  say Life is short, but its also the longest thing we ever do. I know we are here for a finite amount of time in the grand scheme of the universe. But do we want to be here and not really be here, if you know what I mean. We can get more from our lives if we simply take a step back, assess whats important to us and proceed with mindfulness. Easy said than done. But just like training and perfecting a handstand with out practice we will never really get it. We have to actively pursue this and practice this every chance we get.

Come to think of it, I am actually writing this blog because I too need to practice the act of mindfulness. Especially today. I am feeling a little home sick and wondering if my persistence is worth it and all the hard work and time away from family and friends will pay off. By pay off, I mean. Will I achieve my goals? The billion dollar question that often pops into our minds when we are feeling overwhelmed, alone, afraid, frustrated and just plain old over it. I did a good work out this morning so as to elevate my mood, but it was short lived, because when the effects wear off the mind is still there doing its thing. I see this as my minds way of getting my attention and asking me to slow the &*^K down.

So in listening to my minds cry for attention I put on one of my new meditation CDs "Simple Breath" by Maggie Wilkins (FYI track 8 is awesome) and just 'blissed out'! 20 minutes and 12 seconds later, I'm feeling lighter, more present and really ready to start my day.

So my lesson and tip to you. When your brain is on overdrive, don't ignore, don't call a friend, don't 'do your own head in' (lots of people around that can do that). Find a quiet space, go for a long walk, head to the beach stare at the waves and listen to your ipod with some soothing gentle sounds and focus on your breath and being present to your surroundings and more importantly your mind.

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While there  are still many debatable aspects with in each of these paths. I am always that person that likes to figure it out for my self. Find out what really works for my own body, health and well-being. Despite each of the controversies of each, I am still an avid believer that everything in moderation is the key to your own happiness and true health. Let me explain these ideas a little further.

We can only speak from experience.

So, in my early 20’s I was a vegetarian for about two and a bit years. During that time I survived pretty much, off what we would call today as a “high carb diet”. White rice, toast, fruit and some vegetables. No meat, what so ever and skim milk in my coffee. I lost stacks of weight. Though I did exercise like an addict.

It was about this time that the word got out about, sugar being the main culprit for gaining wait. Out came such books as the zone diet, the south beach diet, the rise in popularity about the Atkins, all the negativity about aspartame and artificial sugars, low fat products flooding the supermarket shelves. It became really confusing. I usually like to keep things pretty simple, but it all became so complicated. Especially when you keep up with the knowledge. So off I went in my own detective journey for how I could it lots, keep weight off and get the nutrition that my body needed. Wow. Almost 10 years later, as it does, the world kept changing, the growing waist line became and epidemic and big industry and mass production contaminated our food. Before I write a song about this…I will get back to the point about weather or not we should eat Paleo or Raw.

Earlier I said that information became complicated, often times it was incorrect, contradictory and just overwhelming. In the meantime, we saw the rise of lifestyle related diseases, an obesity epidemic and of course the sad issue of childhood obesity. Finally some really talented and gifted food detectives, authors and passionate public figures, reminded us that its not that hard. Keeping it simple, bringing it back to nature and eliminating processed foods was the best way forward.

The emergence of knowledge and activists in the area of Paleo or Raw has been seen like never before. Foodies all dedicated to getting the message out to a wider audience.

Now that it is clear a natural wholesome diet is the way forward the debate on every health conscious brain is which way to go. Paleo or Raw? Both, depending on your level of 'omnivory' is to be a herbivore or a carnivore.

In my 10 years of exploration, as one does, you we ride the ups and downs, learn from rights and wrongs and get more intelligent along the way. The hidden  joy of being a homo sapien. I have found out for my self, my body type, my hypothalamus and the type of training I do a Paleo slash Raw eating regime works best for me. I have to be a little ignorant here and eliminate any ethical ideas about the slaughter of animals when it comes to food.

How does a Paleo slash Raw diet work?

Aren't they conflicting?

How can they go hand in hand?

Well based on the crazy concept of moderation I like to eat mostly raw, salads and raw veg, green smoothies where possible but with the satisfying addition of organic chicken and salmon either for lunch or for dinner. Its not a ritual for me to eat meat and there is no way in hell I am suited to eating red meat, pork or too much fish for that matter, especially shell fish. But I can sometimes feel that I need the protein provided by meat. Every morning after my workout I stock up on protein and the right fats with a Green Smoothie jammed packed with spirulina, cacao, chia seeds, coconut oil etc. Yep you heard it here, greens provide you with protein and think of superfoods as something that give that extra edge.

At the end of the day you have to do what suits you. If you don’t eat meat for ethical reasons, then that is your belief and you should honor that. If you don’t eat meat, because you have heard that it is hard for the digestive system, then you could consult Google and investigate a little further. Our goal is not to challenge and ignore your beliefs by saying you should not do this or should not eat that...

What we are simply advocating is that it is obvious that processed foods wreak havoc on human physiology. Got it! So we therefore know that BS diets and products that state, 'reduced fats and sugars', 'added omegas and flavonoids', 'lowers cholesterol' and 'no preservatives' are not suited for those of us wanting to get the best from our health.

What we do encourage is that you do your theoretical and practical research on both of these topics 'Paleo and Raw' and if your like me (little ethics when it comes to having the best of both worlds) you will determine what is best for YOU!

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To get a taste of this while living in a mountain city is a bit of a mission, but not the end of the world. Here I have hills, which I also love, but in a week I will be heading south to feel the sand between my toes and lay my eyes on the ever inspiring energy of the ocean.

What I love about sand running...

Not only is the air the freshest we can inhale or the soothing sound of crashing waves it is the head space, clarity and presence I feel when I go for these runs.

On the wet sand (closer to the sea), my thoughts are calm and focused. On the soft sand, I kick my ass with sprints and intensity. To me this is being present, pushing my body and being in my body. I love it!

If you have never tried running or look at the sand and think, wow that's so hard. (which is almost what every body says to me, when I tell them I love it)... you have to try it. Sure the first time your achilles feel about a millimetre long, your glute medius starts firing and the quad burn....ooooooo yum! But like anything when it comes to changing your life, your body, your mind. You have to have persistence and patience and work on it, stick at it.

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When I eventually arrived to Koh Samui, I instantly fell in LOVE with it and was disappointed that I only had a few days on the island. I found a great cleansing and detox spa, called spa Samui which had the most amazing organic vegetarian restaurant, I think me and my travel buddy ordered everything on the menu, just to try it. We are both personal trainers, so finding good food that was affordable was a massive breakthrough. Especially after all the street food, pan cakes and pad thai. Eating clean food while traveling was like a reward.

Anyways...After exploring this island and the rest of the country, I thought to myself,

I want to live here someday...

Since...2003 I have been to Koh Samui 3 times to complete a 13 day, 10 day and 7 day fast respectively. Each time I left the island I left feeling the best I have ever felt.

So...after almost 10 years I set off on another long journey with the back up plan to spend lots of time in Thailand if funds prevailed after 5-6 months...low and behold...here I am doing my thing in Chiang Mai.

Why Chiang Mai? Well I had never been north, so I wanted to explore it. I spent two months in Pai which has some of the most amazing surrounding scenery and a cute little city centre which is hard to tire of, even if it is a little tacky.

Why am I writing about this in a fitness blog

....WELL!....the reason,  Not only is Thailand an amazing scenic country that is easy to travel, or is it filled with sweet and gentle Thai people, the biggest appeal is that the quality of life you can have here. You can have all the creature comforts of home (if that's your thing) while exploring new and different activities that would not normally be available to you at home and work with some great and interesting practitioners that are on a similar journey.

So as I am in the world of health and fitness I am always in search of fun ways to move and good places to eat. Chiang Mai is full of both of these things to an overwhelming magnitude.

Some of things I have done so far which are worth blogging about is;

To Move:

Cross Fit Chiang Mai - Awesome workouts everyday (except Sundays)

Wild Rose Yoga

Yoga Tree

Charn Chai Muay Thai - Pai, Awesome trainers and atmosphere

Food:

Pun Pun - Organic Vegetarian Fusion (great value for interesting modern thai cuisine)

Khun Churn - Vegetarian (well priced), Daily Buffet 11am-2.30pm

Blue Diamond - Great for all diets, Paleo, Raw or Thai food. (Extensive menu, mixed value)

S & P Chicken - The best roasted chicken in Changerz for sure! On Sri Phum Rd, look for a little yellow sign

Aum - Close to Tha Pae gate, so is very over priced for what you get, but its worth trying the fresh spring rolls and avocado maki with brown rice.

Cafe Compassion - Smaller menu but they do it really well. Raw desserts on offer and the Veggie burger a must try. Hard to find if your not from the area.

Thats all I have to suggest at the moment, but I am sure I will find more...

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