Diary of a Yogi, Relaxed Flow with Kyra Part II

Visit Kyra’s Blog to learn more about her and yoga!

Here I continue the final installment of Diary of a Yogi. Just like her class, Kyra’s positive energy was a “relaxed flow”. I felt like I’d learned how to breathe just listening to the calmness of her speech.  Finally we will hear her take on self-love and yoga as that light filled path to it.

How can Yoga help one find or discover self-love?

Kyra – “When we practice yoga, one of the things that happens is we actually release trauma and stress that has been trapped, physically, in the muscles and in the tissue. When you practice you’re releasing that and it can be unconscious. You don’t realize that you’re letting go of something that may have happened to you as a child.  You might all of a sudden come into a pose and start crying and you’re not sure why. That’s a release. That’s a letting go. That’s a reason why I emphasize so much breathing, so much exhalation in the class because you are letting go of stagnant energy and things you don’t need.”

“As you peel away these layers and you get rid of the garbage that no longer serves you, like all the old stories or negative voices, or the, “I’m not the person I want to be”, then you can really come down to your true self and it’s not easy because you start to see things you don’t necessarily like. But the other spectrum of that is a really deep understanding and acceptance. When we really start to accept ourselves, the beautiful part of ourselves, and the not so beautiful part of ourselves, that’s when we can really feel self-love. I believe the only way to truly be able to love another human is if we cultivate self-love in ourselves and many of us haven’t, so yoga is a very powerful channel to do that.”

What is self-love?

Kyra – “A deep appreciation and acceptance of who you are. Radical acceptance of yourself.”

Am I a Yogi?

Me – A question I never really asked myself because the answer was undoubtedly no. I always felt as If a yogi could only be one who was fully dedicated to the practice, an instructor or a true student who practiced all day everyday. Kyra’s description left me wondering if the term ‘yogi’ was totally personal. I could say I am a yogi in the sense that I do actively practice yoga, although not the physical practice everyday, but in the ways I try and live my life in non-judgment and with love and respect for all living things on this earth. Many people ascribing the term to themselves aren’t the Buddhist monk types Kyra describes but I think deserve a little credit for actively practicing what they think is the yogi lifestyle and giving that credit and encouragement to do more is what yoga is all about.

Want to learn more about Kyra and yoga? Click here!

 

Photo Credits: Kyra Sudofsky, Inspiredyoga.com

Diary of a Yogi, Relaxed Flow with Kyra

The Diary of A Yogi Series ended on a relaxed note at The Yoga Garden in South Philadelphia. I was running late, of course, desperately peering out of the window of the bus that was moving snail speed down South St. I was so excited to meet the instructor, Kyra Sudofsky. We had exchanged numerous emails trying to coordinate this very interview. Not only was I excited to meet her but to take her class, “Relaxed Flow”. I have taken many yoga classes but have always shied away from slower paced, relaxation based classes. I think being fairly new to yoga I thought I had to challenge myself, so trying a slower pace was new. I walked into the dimly lit studio and was instantly relaxed. The space was nearly full so I found a small space in the front. Throughout that evening’s practice we let out our collective Ujjayi breaths out of our mouths, something fairly new to me again. This was to release our stagnant energy from the day. The sounds coming from the room were exactly as one might imagine energy releasing, a loud but steady hissing noise. By the end of the class I was more than relaxed. I was at peace. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience, which was made even better after speaking with Kyra. Her positive energy was infectious!

Kyra Sudofsky

What is Yoga to you?

Kyra – “So much, it’s my life!  I’ve been practicing for 22 years and now it’s so much more than just a physical practice. It’s a daily practice. What we are doing right now is yoga. The way that I interact with other people and how I walk throughout my day. The way I eat my food, the way that I handle difficult situations, all the things that come up in the span of the day, all of that is yoga. It’s not just coming to a yoga studio and practicing for an hour and a half. It’s a type of life, a type of lifestyle. Once you start and you get hooked, its addictive!”

What does it mean to be a Yogi?

Kyra – “The Yogis are people that are so dedicated. The ancient yogis, they deprive themselves of sleep, speech, and food. They withhold themselves in Asana’s for long periods of time; they would put themselves in all these challenges to reach higher states of consciousness. We live in this world. We might come in and take a class but we’re not yogis. As much as I’d like to call myself a yogi, maybe I’m a western yogi.”

What do you want students to take away from your class?

Kyra – “I don’t really care is someone can do Trikonasana or a handstand with one arm. Do they walk out of the class and feel transformed? Do they walk out of class and feel like they can see themselves a little more clearly? The next time they have a difficult decision to make do they take three yoga breaths before they respond? That’s what I want them to cultivate, those life lessons. They cannot just be in yoga in the studio, on the mat. As they leave the yoga studio and as they are walking down the street they can be in yoga, in that moment.”

Be sure to look out for the second part of my interview with Kyra, so we can talk about LOVE!

Want to learn more about Kyra and yoga? Click here!

 

Photo Credits: Kyra Sudofsky, Inspiredyoga.com

Some Wounds Don’t Show, Part I

Approximately 20.9 million people over the age of 18 suffer from some type of mood disorder. Depression affects 14.8 million or 6.7% of Americans. I happen to be one of those 14.8 million people. Depression is very personal to me. I suffered internally for a very long time. I likened my feelings to a great war where my positive self almost always lost the battle. Depression affects you mentally, physically and spiritually. Sadness, at many times, literally is pain. The trouble with depression is the stigma of it all. I personally felt as if I was somehow defective as a human being.

Too many people ask others to simply “be happy” without taking the time to ask if there may be a deeper, more serious issue. I was strong enough to finally seek help and blessed enough to take a leap of faith. Getting to know people who showed me new ways of dealing with my emotions. Not everyone has found that strength or been so lucky to have people near to listen and understand. Because of this I wanted get more information on depression, what causes it and how you can help a loved one or more importantly yourself if you notice feelings of seemingly unending sadness. I got in contact with the Counseling Services office at Drexel University to get the facts about depression. Luckily Scott Sokoloski Ph.D., staff therapist, was more than happy to lend me his professional expertise on the subject.

Scott Sokolosky

What is depression? Are there different types or degrees of depression? Are there clinical terms to describe these varying conditions if so?

Scott – “The term Depression refers to a disturbance in mood that is characterized by varying degrees of sadness, loneliness, hopelessness, self-doubt, or guilt. While most people may experience one or more of these symptoms at some point in their lives, for some the feelings can last much longer or happen much more often than others. There are varying levels of Depression:

• Mild depression, symptoms are normally brief or may only minimally impact someone’s activities. Some people may call this “the blahs” or simply “feeling sad,” and it often goes away quickly.
• Moderate depression involves symptoms that are more intense and may last for a longer period of time. A person may find it more difficult to function on a daily basis, but generally can find ways to cope with their feelings with some help. In some cases, a person may begin to consider suicide as an option.
• Severe depression can result in a loss of pleasure in all activities, extreme fluctuations in mood, and intense feelings of hopelessness. A person may withdraw from most or all activities, and have almost no motivation to interact with others. Suicide risk increases with individuals who are severely depressed.

“When diagnosing Depression, we look at a few different factors. A person can have one Major Depressive Episode of varying severity that is a one-time event, but that same person may also have additional episodes throughout their lives that are separated by a period of time when they’re not clinically depressed. In this case we would diagnose Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent, Mild/Moderate/Severe. We also have to rule out whether or not their symptoms may be due to another mental health disorder such as Substance Use/Abuse, Schizophrenia, or Bipolar Disorder, or due to a medical condition.”

How can we differentiate between clinical depression and shorter periods of sadness?

Scott – “People undergo periods of time when they experience stressors, significant change, the death of a loved one, or other day-to-day concerns. Their natural response to such situations may include feeling sad, lethargic, less motivated, or indifferent, along with physical symptoms such as brief changes in appetite or sleep. In most cases, people are able to adapt to these situations while continuing to function in their daily lives. Clinical depression affects all aspects of a person’s life. It impairs our ability to sleep, eat, work, and get along with others. It damages our self-esteem, self-confidence, and our ability to accomplish everyday tasks. People who are depressed find daily tasks to be a significant struggle. They tire easily, yet cannot get a good night’s sleep. They have no motivation and lose interest in activities that were once enjoyable. Depression puts a dark, gloomy cloud over how we see the world, our future, and ourselves. This cloud cannot be willed away, nor can we ignore it and have it magically disappear.”

What are some of the classic signs of depression?

Scott – Symptoms of depression may include:

·         Becoming over-emotional (crying uncontrollably, lashing out on others), or possibly becoming emotionally blunted and unresponsive)

·         A lack of interest and/or inability to find pleasure in activities

·         Feelings of hopelessness and/or worthlessness

·         Complaints about lack of energy or fatigue

·         An exaggerated sense of guilt or self-blame

·         Loss of sexual interest and desire

·         Change in sleep habits, such as insomnia or increased need for sleep

·         Poor concentration, impaired memory, indecisiveness

·         Neglecting one’s appearance

·         Increased irritability

·         Dissatisfaction with life in general

·         Reduction in the ability to cope with stress

·         Change in appetite, either increased or significantly decreased

·         Physical complaints such as headaches, muscle pain, stomach pain, or nausea

·         Suicidal ideation

Intrigued? I surely was! Some of these symptoms were classic of myself, and others I know who struggle with depression. Keep an eye out for the remainder of this very informative interview with Scott, in Some Wounds Don’t Show, Part II.

 

Photo Credit: http://www.recovery.org/topics/depression/

What’s Holding You Back?

One of the greatest troubles I have faced on my journey to self-love is staying motivated. As a person who has greatly struggled with depression and insecurity I found it increasingly difficult to stay motivated when I came to college. In high school I had a lot of structure. I played a sport every season. I was in a myriad of clubs and choirs, student council etc. All of these things I stayed involved in allowed me to stay on top of my workload. I had coaches, teachers, advisors and directors at every step of the way. One of the main reasons I stayed so involved in high school was that very attention which I felt I lacked elsewhere.  For college I moved eight hours from home. In a new city with a vastly different culture than the modest mid-western one I was so comforted by, I lost focus quickly. As time went on, I found it increasingly difficult to keep up in class and maintain some type of social life. I had almost zero motivation to get things done. I made excuse after excuse. I would tell myself how I would do this or that but I’m not smart enough or I will finish this later, I don’t have time or even at the height of my being lost, tell myself that my romantic relationship was more important than anything. I dodged internship opportunities, homework, friendships you name it! I was not motivated to stick to anything that wasn’t hurting me. I had become addicted to failure and irrational thinking. Here I want to point out what I find to be the top 3 killers of motivation.

1. FEAR (This is MAJOR!)

The greatest killer of motivation is FEAR! Most things never get done because you’re afraid you can’t do it, don’t have the time or resources to do it or the fear of judgment if you actually did.

How many times have you been defeated before even taking on a task or challenge because of the overwhelming unknown of whether or not it’s going to be executed to your (or someone else’s) high expectations? You will NEVER know the outcome if you don’t start. Procrastination does not pay. In addition, other people’s opinions or expectations have absolutely nothing to do with you. Every task you want to accomplish is totally on your terms. Don’t try and get it perfect, try and get it done.

2. A Lack of Clear Goals

If you don’t know where you’re going, then that’s exactly where you will never be. You have to decide what your ultimate goal is and how you plan to make it a reality. With no goals, there is no direction.

3. Poor Health

A healthy mind and body is essential in getting anything done. After starting my journey to a completely plant-based diet I discovered how eating better nearly transformed my entire mindset. My mind was clear and I had more energy than ever. A plant-based diet may not be a part of your journey but just eating healthier in general and adding some physical activity into each day can make a huge difference in both your overall disposition and your motivation to accomplish goals.

Do you feel like you lack the motivation to move forward in life? Comment below with your thoughts and suggestions for building and maintaining motivation.

Article Inspired by; Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, The Mastery of Love, Don Miguel Ruiz, and The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

 

Photo Credits: https://24.media.tumblr.com/e1e89fd78534d2479674448d15cbd93c/tumblr_n3gnf2zcLH1rk0xngo1_500.jpg

The Four Agreements, A Book Review

I think we can all get lost in the sea of self-help books out there. There seems to be one to tackle every emotional issue you could encounter. I have personally read many, self-help books. Surprisingly or not I think they all spread a very similar message, positivity is power. We can radically change our circumstances with a both grateful and positive attitude towards life. Recently I found a book which I had heard rave reviews about called, “The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom”, by Don Miguel Ruiz. The book impressed me, firstly, because it stayed on the New York Times Bestsellers list for over 7 years and was featured as one of Oprah’s “Favorite Things”. Endorsers of the book also include Ellen DeGeneres and countless individuals across the world who have read, enjoyed, and implemented Ruiz’s unique wisdom in their lives.

I, personally, loved this book! It was insightful and very simplistic in its approach. What I found most refreshing was its emphasis on loving yourself with zero regard to the outside world. Other peoples’ opinions of you are theirs, and none of your business! Ruiz leads us to a wisdom that asks us as individuals to manifest the power of the self and the power of love. Loving ourselves first is a basis for making all of these new agreements in life. Ruiz suggests, and rightly so, that we have all been indoctrinated as children with a set of beliefs that are grounded mostly in lies and others opinions of us and we reflect these ‘truths’ onto ourselves creating a very unhealthy and harmful cycle of judgment and punishment. When we don’t live up to the ideals set up for ourselves by others we suffer.  Below are Ruiz’s four simple agreements. Take a moment to review and believe me, as someone who works diligently on improving their character for themselves by themselves, just by adopting one of these four agreements your life will be transformed!

1. BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD

Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of the word in the direction of truth and love.

2. DON’T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY

Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.

3. DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS

Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement you can completely transform your life.

4. ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST

Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.

Want to learn more about Don Miguel Ruiz or The Four Agreement? Click here!

Photo Credits: http://www.ourgeorgiaroots.com

Diary of a Yogi, Power Yoga with Marisa Part II

Here is the continuation of my interview with Marisa DeFrancesco, yoga instructor at Power Yoga Works in Philadelphia! Let’s see what yoga has to do with self-love in her expert yogi opinion…

How does practicing yoga contribute to a loving lifestyle?

Marisa – “Well, learning to love yourself on the mat, giving gratitude to your body, accepting it. When you start loving yourself you can begin to start loving others because of the same reasons you started to love yourself. You’re not judging, you don’t expect anything from it. You just accept it for what it is. Loving others for who they are and not judging or punishing anybody for being one way or another.”

In respect to your teaching style, what do you want students to take away from your class?

Marisa – “Really to not judge your body. The body changes everyday and If you can’t do something you did the day before and you’re upset about it, that’s the ego. To really accept what your body is doing at that moment is just such peace and gratitude. So, not punishing your body but saying “thank you body” for letting me get in this full split. Really appreciating it for what it’s doing and not punishing it for what it’s not doing.”

If we can’t get to your class, what can we do outside the yoga studio?

Marisa – “So there are 8 limbs of yoga. You can practice yoga in many ways besides the physical practice. You can do breathing exercises or meditation, just channeling peace and balance. The Ujjayi breath we practice in power yoga, just sitting in silence and breathing, just concentrating on the breath. If they want to do physical practice, there are a ton of online resources. Yoga GLO, they have every type of yoga on there. My favorite teacher is Katherine Budding. She is a phenomenal yoga teacher. I really admire her. She’d definitely my yogi idol!”

How would you define self-love?

Marisa – “Non-judgment, non-punishment. In yoga there are these codes you’re supposed to live by as yogis. One of them is Ahimsa which means non-violence. It’s not just, not hurting your self physically, but really, not putting yourself down mentally or emotionally. Ahimsa really sums it up for me. It’s all about accepting the self.”

Marisa DeFrancesco

Learn more about Marisa and Yoga by clicking here!

Photo Credits: http://yoganonymous.com/community-question-whats-your-yoga-story/

Diary of a Yogi, Power Yoga with Marisa!

Marisa DeFrancesco

 

“Power Yoga Works” is an understatement! I caught up with Marisa DeFrancesco, instructor at Power Yoga Works in West Philadelphia, for her Saturday evening power yoga class. I felt instantly comfortable and welcome in the small, comfy studio space and packed all my things into the cubbyholes provided near the entrance. I walked into the practice room and was immediately struck by the heat! The room was not only soaked in sunlight but heated to what felt like nearly 100 degrees! This was going to be an experience to say the least. The mix of heat and quickly paced movements set me in the zone. By the end of the class I looked like I had jumped in a pool and felt just as refreshed and liberated as if I had. After my fellow yogis in training left the studio I sat down with Marisa to talk about what really makes yoga, work.

What brought you to the practice of yoga?

Marisa – “When I was in college a friend recommended it to me. I found this place that did spinning and yoga and I just loved that balance. I have Lymphedema in my right leg, which also drew me more into yoga. The stretching and opening helps the fluids to move around in the leg. It’s gotten a lot better…it really helps.”

What type of training did you receive?

Marisa – “I have Power Yoga training. I am a 200 hour registered yoga teacher through Hot Warrior Yoga, developed by a woman in upstate NY which is where I lived before I came to Philly. It was a 4-month intensive program. We would meet at least 2 weekends a month, all day 9-9. We learned anatomy, philosophy, sequencing, alignment, and assisting. I’ve only had my certification since May.”

How would you define yoga?

Marisa – “I always feel like yoga is a self study. You can go as hard as you want into the pose. You can challenge yourself. You can go as deep as you want; nobody is going to make you do it. It’s all about how you’re feeling that day, in that moment. I really feel like you learn a lot about yourself on the mat. Just take a step back to breath and think about a solution to whatever is going on.”

What does it mean to be a yogi?

Marisa – “I think just finding balance. You don’t have to practice what we as westerners think of yoga, the physical practice, every single day to be a yogi. As a teacher I, personally, only practice 4 times a week. But on those other 3 days I feel like I’m practicing yoga in other ways. Either it’s meditation, breathing exercises or even just living in the moment, just being  present and conscious of everything I’m doing. So not something that’s by definition yoga, but really just finding a balance in your life between what you want to be doing and what you think you should be doing.”

What are some common misconceptions about yoga?

Marisa – “A big one is that you have to be flexible. You do not have to be flexible. Go to yoga even if you’re not, that’s why you go, to develop those things. Not everyone comes in doing a full split. That’s something I’ve been working on for years and I don’t judge my body for not being able to do it.”

Okay, I think we’ve got the basics, but there is still a bit more to learn about yoga! Check back for Part II of my interview with Marisa and see how this all relates back to developing self-love!

Want to learn more about Marisa or Power Yoga Works in Philadelphia? Click the links!

Photo Credits: Marisa DeFrancesco, yogabymarisa.wordpress.com

Diary of a Yogi, What is Yoga, Really?

 

yo·ga

ˈyōgə/

noun

A Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practiced for health and relaxation.

Yoga has been essential in my personal journey to self-love. It brings me a spiritual awareness and sense of presence that I have known in no other activity. But what is yoga, really? The above definition, although very straight to the point, is still very vague for most.  Many people have misconceptions and even fears about the practice of yoga or what it means to be a yogi. I asked some of my girlfriends to give me their ideas:

What is Yoga to you?

“Yoga, to me, is relaxing, being one with oneself, bending, stretching…Yoga is hard!” -Shayna, Drexel University Undergraduate

“Balance, breathing…did I say balance??” –Isma, Drexel University Grad and IT Professional

Not exactly the answers I was looking for, so I dug a little deeper to uncover the mystery that is yoga. Yoga, as defined above is a practice that combines breathing techniques, meditation and physical movement with an emphasis on correct form and posture. But is that it? My answer is no. Yoga is a spiritual practice, a way of becoming “one”, as Shayna put it so simply. Yoga is the practice of cultivating the present and reminding us of our true, kind, compassionate and nonjudgmental nature.

But all this talk of enlightened being can be too off putting for many. So in my quest for truth I met up with a few of Philadelphia’s local Yogi’s to get a better idea about what yoga really is and what it means to be a yogi. Stay tuned for the next post of, Diary of a Yogi, to meet Marisa DeFrancesco of Power Yoga Works in West Philly to see what she has to say about what yoga really is and where love fits into it all.

 

Photo Credits: https://24.media.tumblr.com/e1e89fd78534d2479674448d15cbd93c/tumblr_n3gnf2zcLH1rk0xngo1_500.jpg

Loving From the Inside Out, Part II

 

If you read last weeks post on Health Coach Beth Kaufman you now know all the benefits of hiring a health coach and starting your journey to wellness with healthy foods. Here is Part II, a continuation of my very interesting and informative time with Beth. Here we will answer the question of how food relates to how we love and view ourselves.

What do you think are the affects of what you eat on how you feel about yourself?

Beth – “I’m a huge believer in, “you are what you eat”! I also believe you are how you eat. I feel that your world creates what you eat and what you eat creates your world, meaning, if I’m stressed out I’m going to eat like I’m stressed out. If I’m eating a clean meal I’m going to feel that way, my interactions with people are going to be better.”

Are there any specific foods you would suggest to improve our mood or energy level?

Beth – “I would say green leafy vegetables because a green leafy vegetable is something that grows up and out so it’s going to give you that upward, outward energy and water! Water has the tendency to lift people up. People often confuse dehydration with hunger or pain. When you just have some water it gets you up. Protein is also a great when you’re feeling sluggish. But just like there isn’t one diet that works for everyone not one food will work for everyone.”

What steps can someone take at home to start a healthy lifestyle?

Beth – “Drinking water, water is key. Drinking water first thing in the morning helps flush out toxins. Also getting rest, eating vegetables at every meal, being grateful and appreciating everything that is in your life, deep breathing, adding movement into your life whether it be walking, dancing, yoga. Having meaningful relationships with people. If they bring you down cut them loose! Eating more clean foods and less processed foods. Also not getting too confused with all the info out there. Every day is an experiment. Everything we eat is an experiment, allow yourself to feel. Don’t let an article decide what is going to work for you.”

As a Health Coach, how would you define Self-Love?

Beth – “I love myself by eating only high quality ingredients, I’m a high quality girl. I don’t want to eat crap! Also taking care, and time for yourself and showing appreciation is a huge one! I also think listening really well to others is a form of self-love because your listening and not judging!”

I think the lesson here is food is love! There is some truth to the age-old saying, “You are what you eat!”

A Mindful Me

If you’re interested in learning more about Beth or her business A Mindful Me, click on the link!

 

Photo credits: http://elizabethseer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/lovethymelon.jpg

Loving From the Inside Out, Part I

For many, love can only start from within. This is especially true for Philadelphia based Health Coach Beth Kaufman. Beth, owner of A Mindful Me, is both a health coach and personal chef. I was lucky enough to sit down with Beth in South Philly, at B2 Cafe. In the midst of music and the grinding of blenders and clashing of pans we got down to the essentials of healthy eating and loving yourself.

Beth Kaufman, A Mindful Me

Can you give me some background about yourself?

Beth –  “I went to the Natural Gourmet Institute where I learned how to use food as medicine. I got a certificate as a natural foods personal chef. Later I wanted to learn the business side of food and I got my associates degree in Hotel Food Management. I worked in the restaurant industry for a while, nothing to do with health. I got really burnt out and asked myself “how did I get into food?” My passion for food has always been the nutritional side of it. I then went back to school, the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and became a board certified Health Coach. Since then, I have been feeding people healthy foods!”

What Inspired/Motivated your career choice?

Beth – “I’ve always been a really picky eater. My mom always says I was a natural born vegetarian. By the age of 13 I was no longer eating meat. I never really ate a lot of meat as a kid, so my mom took me to a soy cooking class. That really just changed everything, mainly because it gave me an outlook that there are different options to eat, not just meat and potatoes.”

What is a Health Coach?

Beth – “I define a health coach as someone who inspires and guides a client to experiment with healthier options. I try not to take anything out of peoples diets. I only try to sod off the bad stuff with healthier options. It’s not about deprivation it’s about eating clean and healthy foods. My job is to talk with the client, get to know them better, get to know their eating habits. Holistic health coaches look at the big picture, not just what’s on your plate. I like to say there is primary food, which is your life, your meaningful relationships, successful career, spirituality, your exercise routine and even your home environment and how those things bring nutrition into your life in addition to what you eat and what you drink.”

How is Health coaching different from visiting your doctor or seeing a nutritionist?

Beth – “One of the big differences between going to a nutritionist or doctor and a health coach is as a health coach I look at the bigger picture, it’s not so much about grams, calories, proteins, in versus out. It’s more about tuning into your body and feeling. Health Coaches also get to spend more time with you, but we work really well together.”

What is a typical session with you like?

Beth – “I have two different programs, a 28 day jump start program and a 90 day transformation program. Both programs have one on one coaching sessions, which is a 45 min phone call. The 90 day transformation has more face to face interaction, grocery store tours, and kitchen raids. We read food labels, become food detectives. I also do private cooking classes with people. There is a lot of customizing to fit people’s needs, a lot interaction, clients talking and me listening, recommendations and follow up. We always start each session with the new and good, coaching them on any challenges they may have had the previous week and how to get through those challenges. We are building their blueprint together. Focusing on what works for them and building the positives.”

Who is the ideal client for health coaching?

Beth – “Anyone who is desiring to live a healthy lifestyle and is desiring to feel good, feel energized, to feel good in their own skin. Also someone who is committed to making the changes that need to be made is a great ideal. Ultimately, I tell all my clients, you have to do the hard part! Meaning the client has to follow through. I am there simply to give them the right support and to provide the steps they have to take to get to where they need to be. I can’t take the steps for my client, they have to take those steps.”

Maybe a health Coach would be a great way to start your personal journey to wellness physically, but where do we see the emotional gains? Where is the love in food? Find out in Part II of my interview with Beth to see how we make the connection!

If you are interested in learning more about Beth or her business, A Mindful Me, click on the link!

 

Photo Credits: http://www.woyoso.org/images/heart7.jpg