I figured I had a very valid excuse for not blogging this week. Me and ten thousand other mothers across Canada have shed a few tears, as they've helped their first-born daughters move out and go off to University. One mother I spoke to this week summed it up - "It's like I'm cutting off a part of me". She found herself tearing up after taking her daughter to Shopper's Drug Mart to get all the essentials she would need from there. I said, 'But at least you've got 3 more; I've only got one daughter left at home'. She retorted, 'But mine's going to VANCOUVER!, at least your daughter is still in the same province'.
And so the painful adjustment begins. In order to avoid plunging into despair and ceaseless worry, i turn my attention to kung fu.
I must say the Silent River Kung Fu Diet tracking challenge was an excellent exercise. I'm assuming that everyone else that did this excercise was truthful with their entries. I certainly wasn't. There are a number of chocolate bars that I was not willing to admit having consumed, especially on days where I had also eaten 2 Tim Horton cookies. The mere fact that these ommissions occured in my public journal taught me a couple of things.
First, I am not willing to admit certain others what I am willing to admit to myself. Previous to participating in this challenge, I had no idea this was the case. I wonder what is going on. At Weightwatchers I'm quite comfortable standing up and telling everyone that I had too much of this and that. Perhaps it is the fact that I am amongst like-minded individuals, who also struggle with sweet tooth, or whatever. Whereas, the UBBT challenge involved individuals who may or may not share similar struggles in the food arena.
The second thing I learned, was that my window of sweet-food-eating is from 3 to 6 pm in the evening. This is also the time when I feel like I could do with a nap. I'm a creature of habit - breakfast, snacks and lunch are pretty routine. And so is the 3pm to 6 pm weakness in my diet. It stands to reason, then, that some sort of change in my routine at that time is what is needed to bypass the cravings for sweet food. From recent readings on wholistic health, I've learned that an earlier bed-time of no later than 10pm might actually be the key. With a little more sleep, I might find that the 3 to 6 pm low in my energy level will be less pronounced, and this might take the edge of my desire for something sweet to eat.
Well then, its past 11pm. I guess I should get to bed.
Claire Finnamore
Student Member: Silent River Kung Fu
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Eat, Sleep, Meditate: An Ayurvedic Perspective on Depression
Claire has sunk into a lifesyle that enhances the heaviness she feels in her heart. She eats to comfort herself. Rather than providing her nourishment, the food is blocking the flow of energy in her body and mind. It is not being digested properly, therefore it is creating a toxic accumulation. The results of this 'indigestion' are cloudy thinking, an overwhelming sense of being stuck in her body, and an inability to lift her spirit.
Change to the structure of Claire's life such as her daughter moving out to residence, and recent struggles and revelations about her daughter's health, brought about a jolt in her Vata dosha (which governs the nervous systm and flow of energy and circulation). Change is hard for everyone, but this is especially true for those who are already experiencing the Kapha imbalance (The Kapha dosha governs the formation of physical structure, regulates stability and stamina of thinking and emotional processing). When her nervous system recieves a jolt, Claire feels different than usual. Almost by reflex, she attempts to settle her physiology in order to maintain her usual way of experiencing herself. To balance the unsettled, ungrounded feeling that the changes have triggered, she reaches for that which is grounding: a stable routine, extra rest and sleep, and the comfort of sweet and heavy foods. Basically, she leans in the direction of her imbalance. In the short run, extra rest, excess sleep, and heavy foods do pacify Claire, but in the long run, they further imbalane her Kasha dosha.
Claire has a tendency to develop and Earthy Depression (Kappa dosa). Deep sadness, lack of interest and a sense of being stuck are the primary manifestations of this type of depression. Excessive sleeping and eating are often used as comfort techniques. Mentally and emotionally excessive sentimentality and attachement to the past are the root of the problem.
Kasha dosha governs the structure and cohesion of the overall physiology. It is associated with strength, stability, and structure. A preponderance of this dosha in a person brings to mind the image of a mountain. As if emerging from the Earth, Claire has a solid physical structure and a stable prescence. When she is in balance, a sense of contentment and dignity accompany her every act.
At the physical level, this dosha regulates biological strength, natural resistance (immunity), and proper body structure. At the psychological level, it affords stability of mind, emotional endurance, and mental stamina. However, when this dosha of benevolence goes out of balance, strength turns into rigidity and stability turns into inflexibility. Individuals with the Kapha imbalance can become immobilized, as if locked within their own structure, be it physical, emotional, or mental.
The Ayurvedic approach to holistic health would prescribe an extensive process geared to purify the body of toxins and undigested matter that results from an improper diet and lifestyle. Sweet and heavy foods, and eating for comfort late at night will need to be taken out of the daily habit. A diet of light and warm foods that are easy to digest and that infuse warmth and liveliness into the diet are reccommended. This would be followed by certain herbs, Ayurvedic breathing exercises, and meditation.
Soon after changing her diet, Claire will report feeling lighter physically as well as emotionally. Now she can return to the habit of moving her body, a re-establishing of martial arts training routines, and training for cycling-instead of sleeping when she is overcome by a feeling of lethargy which overcomes her in the mid-afternoon. Gradually, Claire's internal biorythms once again will mirror the cycles of nature. When we disrupt our internal biorythms, be it through insufficient sleep (Claire has been averaging 5 hours sleep each night) or by sleeping during the day (Claire has been taking 3 to 6 hour naps in the mid afternoon) and staying up at night (Claire seldom goes to bed before midnight since she finds that her mind is most alert and her energy level is greatest between 8pm and midnight), we lose nature's support for a well-functioning metabolism. Night-time is when the 'garbage crews' come out and clean up our physiology. If we are awake, these midnight riders (immune cells) cannot do their job and we become clogged with toxins.
Finally,learning meditation which should be practiced regularly, will help Claire to purify the more subtle aspects of her being, the mind and the emotions. Making a connection to the spiritual aspects of life will also help her to see change as a necessary part of the evolutionary process.
Source: Healing Depression the Mind-Body Way; Creating happiness with meditation, yoga, and ayurveda. by Nancy Liebler, Ph.D., and Sandra Moss, M.S.P.H. 2009
Claire Finnamore
Student Member, Silent River Kung Fu
Change to the structure of Claire's life such as her daughter moving out to residence, and recent struggles and revelations about her daughter's health, brought about a jolt in her Vata dosha (which governs the nervous systm and flow of energy and circulation). Change is hard for everyone, but this is especially true for those who are already experiencing the Kapha imbalance (The Kapha dosha governs the formation of physical structure, regulates stability and stamina of thinking and emotional processing). When her nervous system recieves a jolt, Claire feels different than usual. Almost by reflex, she attempts to settle her physiology in order to maintain her usual way of experiencing herself. To balance the unsettled, ungrounded feeling that the changes have triggered, she reaches for that which is grounding: a stable routine, extra rest and sleep, and the comfort of sweet and heavy foods. Basically, she leans in the direction of her imbalance. In the short run, extra rest, excess sleep, and heavy foods do pacify Claire, but in the long run, they further imbalane her Kasha dosha.
Claire has a tendency to develop and Earthy Depression (Kappa dosa). Deep sadness, lack of interest and a sense of being stuck are the primary manifestations of this type of depression. Excessive sleeping and eating are often used as comfort techniques. Mentally and emotionally excessive sentimentality and attachement to the past are the root of the problem.
Kasha dosha governs the structure and cohesion of the overall physiology. It is associated with strength, stability, and structure. A preponderance of this dosha in a person brings to mind the image of a mountain. As if emerging from the Earth, Claire has a solid physical structure and a stable prescence. When she is in balance, a sense of contentment and dignity accompany her every act.
At the physical level, this dosha regulates biological strength, natural resistance (immunity), and proper body structure. At the psychological level, it affords stability of mind, emotional endurance, and mental stamina. However, when this dosha of benevolence goes out of balance, strength turns into rigidity and stability turns into inflexibility. Individuals with the Kapha imbalance can become immobilized, as if locked within their own structure, be it physical, emotional, or mental.
The Ayurvedic approach to holistic health would prescribe an extensive process geared to purify the body of toxins and undigested matter that results from an improper diet and lifestyle. Sweet and heavy foods, and eating for comfort late at night will need to be taken out of the daily habit. A diet of light and warm foods that are easy to digest and that infuse warmth and liveliness into the diet are reccommended. This would be followed by certain herbs, Ayurvedic breathing exercises, and meditation.
Soon after changing her diet, Claire will report feeling lighter physically as well as emotionally. Now she can return to the habit of moving her body, a re-establishing of martial arts training routines, and training for cycling-instead of sleeping when she is overcome by a feeling of lethargy which overcomes her in the mid-afternoon. Gradually, Claire's internal biorythms once again will mirror the cycles of nature. When we disrupt our internal biorythms, be it through insufficient sleep (Claire has been averaging 5 hours sleep each night) or by sleeping during the day (Claire has been taking 3 to 6 hour naps in the mid afternoon) and staying up at night (Claire seldom goes to bed before midnight since she finds that her mind is most alert and her energy level is greatest between 8pm and midnight), we lose nature's support for a well-functioning metabolism. Night-time is when the 'garbage crews' come out and clean up our physiology. If we are awake, these midnight riders (immune cells) cannot do their job and we become clogged with toxins.
Finally,learning meditation which should be practiced regularly, will help Claire to purify the more subtle aspects of her being, the mind and the emotions. Making a connection to the spiritual aspects of life will also help her to see change as a necessary part of the evolutionary process.
Source: Healing Depression the Mind-Body Way; Creating happiness with meditation, yoga, and ayurveda. by Nancy Liebler, Ph.D., and Sandra Moss, M.S.P.H. 2009
Claire Finnamore
Student Member, Silent River Kung Fu
Saturday, August 14, 2010
I Am Because We Are
I feel proud of the fact that Silent River Kung Fu supports, through fundraising, the Atsikan Pa Alendo - Malawi Girls on the Move project, AND pays for the education of three students at this secondary school for girls in the poorest and most AIDS-devasted country in Africa. The project stands for things that I really believe in - that education is empowering, and the key to world peace; that people in these struggling countries do not want help in the form of us telling them what to do, how to think, who to follow, because we have done enough of that in the past and it has only resulted in their suffering; that the citizens themselves are the best candidates for leading their country and rebuilding; and finally, that it is the females that we should help to empower first, because they are the one's that are most likely to bring about the first seeds of change for a better future in their country. Greg Mortenson, who builds schools in Pakistan and Afhganistan has said, "There is an African proverb I learned as a child in Tanzania, 'If you educate a boy you educate an individual. But if you educate a girl you educate a community'. He refers to the fact that educated females have a direct impact on the economy, health, and the social institutions of their community. Educated women tend to contribute to income growth and farm productivity. They have less children; infant mortality and maternal mortality drops, as does domestic violence when women are empowered by education. Children are healthier. Educated women are more likely to insist on educating their children, becoming involved in the local politics, and having more democratic, less corrupt social institutions within their community.
I've just finished watching a documentary on Malawi, written, produced and narrated by none other than the mega-pop phenom, MADONNA. This documentary has got to be the most amazing piece of work Madonna has produced, and its amazing by any standard. I think that everyone who supports the Malawi Girls on the Move, or participates in UBBT7 should watch it. Its called 'I Am Because We Are'. Be prepared to be educated, moved, and to weep.
Claire Finnamore
Student Member, Silent River Kung Fu
I've just finished watching a documentary on Malawi, written, produced and narrated by none other than the mega-pop phenom, MADONNA. This documentary has got to be the most amazing piece of work Madonna has produced, and its amazing by any standard. I think that everyone who supports the Malawi Girls on the Move, or participates in UBBT7 should watch it. Its called 'I Am Because We Are'. Be prepared to be educated, moved, and to weep.
Claire Finnamore
Student Member, Silent River Kung Fu
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Building Schools, Renovating Schools
To tell you the truth, I'm not with Sifu Brinker on the concept behind this year's school renovations at Silent River Kung Fu. The tearing down of walls and heating ducts, ripping up of tiles will supposedly create more useable training space, and a more functional parent viewing area. I just don't see it. But I'm quite happy to join in the work these last two Saturdays. The company is pleasant, the school is an invaluable community asset, and I come away feeling happy about being a part of it all.
As I rode my bike home yesterday, I got to thinking about the rennovating and building of schools. I'm just now reading a book called "Three Cups of Tea", by Greg Mortenson. Mortenson, an avid mountain climber from the USA, almost died when he made his way back down K2 in Pakistan after a failed attempt to make the summit in 1993. He stumbled into an impoverished, isolated village named Korphe, and the people there nursed him back to health. When he finally was ready to return home he made a promise to return one day and build a school for the people there. Since then, Mortenson has built schools all over the most isolated, deprived areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. This book is about his work in Pakistan, and the great citizens of Pakistan who worked with him to bring balanced education to the impoverished, isolated, and in particular, to young girls. The subtitle of Mortenson's book says it all - 'One Man's Mission to Fight Terrorism and Build Nations . . . One School at a Time.'
How can one person, or the average citizen most effectively bring peace to our future? Water supply, food, and medical aide are important of course. But education is what empowers. Schools like the one's Mortenson has built in Pakistan empower the students to rise above the conditions that fuel hate and prejudice. Likewise, supporting the projects of our local schools that teach compassion, empathy, responisibility, acts of kindness will produce the kind of citizens who can collaborate with like-minded people around the world.
"The Enemy is Ignorance"
from Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortenson.
Claire Finnamore
Student Member, Silent River Kung Fu
As I rode my bike home yesterday, I got to thinking about the rennovating and building of schools. I'm just now reading a book called "Three Cups of Tea", by Greg Mortenson. Mortenson, an avid mountain climber from the USA, almost died when he made his way back down K2 in Pakistan after a failed attempt to make the summit in 1993. He stumbled into an impoverished, isolated village named Korphe, and the people there nursed him back to health. When he finally was ready to return home he made a promise to return one day and build a school for the people there. Since then, Mortenson has built schools all over the most isolated, deprived areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. This book is about his work in Pakistan, and the great citizens of Pakistan who worked with him to bring balanced education to the impoverished, isolated, and in particular, to young girls. The subtitle of Mortenson's book says it all - 'One Man's Mission to Fight Terrorism and Build Nations . . . One School at a Time.'
How can one person, or the average citizen most effectively bring peace to our future? Water supply, food, and medical aide are important of course. But education is what empowers. Schools like the one's Mortenson has built in Pakistan empower the students to rise above the conditions that fuel hate and prejudice. Likewise, supporting the projects of our local schools that teach compassion, empathy, responisibility, acts of kindness will produce the kind of citizens who can collaborate with like-minded people around the world.
"The Enemy is Ignorance"
from Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortenson.
Claire Finnamore
Student Member, Silent River Kung Fu
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Silent River Kung Fu Diet Tracker Challenge
Today the Silent River Kung Fu UBBT7 team members will begin posting everything they eat, every day, for the month of August. When Sifu Brinker issued this challenge at the UBBt7 team meeting yesterday, I noticed that I was not the only person looking a little panic stricken. Do I really want the world to know how many times I've visited the Marble Slab Creamery this summer? Or how many Tim Horton Strawberry Shortcake cookies I devour each week?
The trouble with my daily diet is that I do OK during the day - I have to pack my lunch to work, and the house is stocked with mostly whole foods. So Breakfast and lunch usually consist of fresh fruits, vegetables, yogurts, and a protien like fish or chicken, cheese, or nuts. But at the end of the day, I'm pretty cranky after having endured 8 hours dealing with and 84 year old boss who is going senile - bullying, blaming, rude, and irrational. HIs son, my other boss, is a nice guy, and tells me to ignore him, but he does little to deflect the nasty little outbursts that are aimed in my direction. I'm an emotional eater - by the end of the day I figure I deserve a visit to the junk food aisle at the Calahoo General Store on my way home. Or, a nice icecream with my daughters, on our way to their volleyball lessons, or whatever else they need driving to, will sweeten the rest of evening up quite nicely.
I've decided to take this challenge as an opportunity to break a viscious cycle as I watch my weight balloon out of control, start to feel not so good about myself, and end up eating more to feed my misery. My hope is, that I won't be reporting all that many Cadbury chocolate bars, White Chocolate Macadamia Nut cookies, Coconut Cranberry Squares, . . . and so on.
Claire Finnamore
Student Member, Silent River Kung Fu
The trouble with my daily diet is that I do OK during the day - I have to pack my lunch to work, and the house is stocked with mostly whole foods. So Breakfast and lunch usually consist of fresh fruits, vegetables, yogurts, and a protien like fish or chicken, cheese, or nuts. But at the end of the day, I'm pretty cranky after having endured 8 hours dealing with and 84 year old boss who is going senile - bullying, blaming, rude, and irrational. HIs son, my other boss, is a nice guy, and tells me to ignore him, but he does little to deflect the nasty little outbursts that are aimed in my direction. I'm an emotional eater - by the end of the day I figure I deserve a visit to the junk food aisle at the Calahoo General Store on my way home. Or, a nice icecream with my daughters, on our way to their volleyball lessons, or whatever else they need driving to, will sweeten the rest of evening up quite nicely.
I've decided to take this challenge as an opportunity to break a viscious cycle as I watch my weight balloon out of control, start to feel not so good about myself, and end up eating more to feed my misery. My hope is, that I won't be reporting all that many Cadbury chocolate bars, White Chocolate Macadamia Nut cookies, Coconut Cranberry Squares, . . . and so on.
Claire Finnamore
Student Member, Silent River Kung Fu
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