Image courtesy of artur84 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Hello !!
In the midst of Thanksgiving preparations, I awoke one morning with the following "prayer" on my mind: "I am grateful for help unknown already on the way." It's a Native American saying, shared by a Feldenkrais student many years ago. I find it a comforting realization during this season of Thanksgiving, and in the month of special holidays ahead. Our expectations influence our experience. What we send into the world often returns to us.
May you receive and share many blessings, and find joy and peace this holiday season.
Marg
Change your Brain: Hardwire Happiness
We live in exciting times as far as understanding and developing our brain is concerned. Neuropsychologist Rick Hanson's new book, Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm and Confidence, is a good example.
As Hanson explains, our brains evolved with a "negativity bias," meaning we are alert for negative information, often over-react, and store the experience in our brain. Unfortunately, we spend too much time in this more reactive state, which leads, in addition to stress-induced physical ailments, to anxiety, dissatisfaction and unhappiness. We are then less able to relate to others with patience, compassion and love.
"Taking in the Good" allows us to re-bias the brain, to use its ability to change (neuroplasticity) to more easily find and learn from positive experiences, and to develop the inner resources that allow us to cope with life's challenges. The result is greater contentment, joy, gratitude, compassion and happiness.
Taking in the good involves noticing a good fact and allowing yourself to consciously feel good about it for ten, twenty, even thirty seconds. Really enjoying the experience, letting it fill our senses and actively intending and sensing it sinking in furthers the impact in the brain. These can be very ordinary and simple experiences: how good that cup of coffee tastes, the beauty of some aspect of nature, the warm feeling after talking with a friend. (Just One Thing: Developing a Buddha Brain One simple Practice at a Time, Rick Hanson, Pd.D., 2001, pp 19-21)
Try it out for yourself...and keep at it. It's like filling a big bucket one drop at a time. With the year coming to a close, it's a perfect time to reflect and grow the good, giving ourselves the gift of less stress in the process.
DE-STRESS from the HOLI-DAZE
A One-time Special Workshop
No matter what you’re juggling, December is a busy time. In addition to restructuring our brain to address stress, we can learn to relieve physical tension and discomfort with gentle movement lessons. Give yourself time to relax. Come to one or both:
Tuesday, Dec 17
11:00 – 11:50 am (Segment 1)
Relax your neck, shoulders and jaw
12:00 – 12:45 pm (Segment 2)
Relax your upper and lower back
$8 for one segment if paid by DEC 13 – $10 drop-in thereafter as space permits.
$14 for both segments by DEC 13 - $18 drop-in as space permits
TO REGISTER:
Checks payable to Yoga Center of Corvallis. Please send name, email, address & phone no.
Mail to: YCC–Attn: De-Stress 111 NW Second St. Corvallis 97330
Contact me directly for more information: mbartosek@att.net or 541-286-4678
And please share with friends and colleagues! Thank you.
Release your Neck and Upper Back
We did this short movement exploration at the Senior Center recently. Though I shared it in an eariler newsletter, I'm including it again because it brings comfort and movement to the neck and upper back, places many of us carry stress. It is drawn from Bones for Life®.
While sitting forward on your chair so your back is free, slowly turn your head to one side several times, noting the quality. Repeat to other side. Determine the side you wish to improve.
-- Extend your arms straight at shoulder height in front of yourself with the wrist of the arm on the side you want to improve resting on top of the other wrist. Backs of the hands lightly touch.
-- Rotate hands so palms touch, keeping fingers loosely interlaced and straight. Twist arms around their long axes in the direction of the arm that is below. (If R on top, twist counterclockwise; if L on top, twist clockwise.) Repeat a few times.
-- Raise the shoulder of the top arm and attach it to your face, using a towel if needed to comfortably attach cheek to shoulder. Draw a circle in the air in front of you with the twisted arms and attached head, clockwise a few times, and then counterclockwise. Start small and then enlarge as comfortable.
-- Let the arms rest. Again, turn your head to the side you wanted to improve and notice the result.
January Class Schedule Preview - Beginning Jan 7
NOTE: Both Sr. Center and Yoga Center classes meet on Dec 3 and 10 at times noted below.
Moving Younger: Dynamic Sitting -- Corvallis Senior Center
Learn simple movement processes that can improve upright posture, balance and ease while sitting and moving through your day. We will work in chairs and on the floor.
Tuesdays 10:30 - 11:30 am Jan 7-28
Cost: $30 Resident $40 Non-resident $8 drop-in
Chintimini Senior Center 2601 NW Tyler Ave. Corvallis
Phone: 541-766-6959
Awareness Through Movement® -- Yoga Center of Corvallis
Attentive exploration of various movement combinations within a comfortable range provides:
• improved performance
• increased ease and comfort
• greater pleasure at work or at play
Lessons will relate to the spine, especially neck and lower back, and to the ribs and pelvis.
Tuesdays 12 noon - 12:45 pm plus time for questions/individual assistance
Jan 7 - March18 -- No class Feb 4
Cost: $80/ series $10 drop-in
Yoga Center of Corvallis 111 NW Second Street (at Monroe)
Phone: 541-757-3704
