What and how we eat and drink can support us and give us core strength and stability. Are you eating processed foods? Even “health foods” that are processed can rob us of real nutrition. As an experiment for one week, eat only whole fruits, whole grains, beans and whole vegetables. If you are still a meat eater make sure you take in no more than 1 or 2 oz per day. Fill up on the beans, grains, and vegetables using the fruit as a treat (no more than 3 pieces a day).  Pay attention to chewing, slow down, put your fork down between bites and breathe. Just for one week do this and see if you feel more confident in other areas of your life, if you are sleeping better, less bothered by other drivers and “the news”. This is only a commitment for a week…it could be fun and interesting and who knows it could change your life.

I once read that  when the Chinese say we are living in “interesting times”, “interesting times”can also mean “dangerous times” and means pay attention to what is going on within you and externally. The word interesting is the give away that times are perilous, we live on the razors edge.It is “interesting” has no judgement implied either good nor bad; just interesting.My ears always perk up when I hear this word. Interesting means I won’t be bored that’s for sure. The message of the word “interesting”is rich and consuming; be dispassionate, be the calm in the storm, be a witness, practice loving kindness the very best you can and be light-hearted in the midst of a insane world, ala the Italian film, A Beautiful Life.

My Alexander Technique practice, my yogic practice, my practice of a WFPB no oil way of eating are all supportive and sustaining in maintaining centeredness and balance.  Balancing the physical, mental, emotional,and spiritual aspects of life is necessary in interesting times. These are the times of earthquakes, floods, fires, wars, sudden explosions and least we forget we are in a time when people are very divided around what we value and how we want to live together. It is also a time when the portals are open and tremendous energy is available, true evolution is possible and I believe major lessons to be learned. This plane of existence, this earth, this universe is school. Kindergarten for some, high school for others and University and post-grad work for many and we can skip grades at this time. We can Wake Up and help others to open their eyes.

What happens to one’s breath when one practices the Alexander Technique? When the head moves ever so slightly forward and up off the top of the spine and the whole body follows lengthening and widening, the breath is able to come into the back all the way to the lower ribs and below. This reduces excess tension and allows a sense of calm and energy. Becoming more aware of the relationship of whole head to whole body and the activity of breathing is a great way to begins any activity from singing to dancing to brushing your teeth to stirring a pot. It will truly make your meditation practice more easeful and allow a deepening of your experience of being the witness.

There is a great story about a man who falls into a hole.  A doctor walks past him and he shouts up, “hey doc, can you help me out?” the doctor tosses down a prescription.  Then a priest walks past and he shouts up,”hey pastor, can you help me out?” the priest calls out a blessing.  Then his friend Joe walks past and he yells, “hey Joe, I am down here, can you help me out?”  Joe immediately jumps down into the hole.  The man in the hole says, “that was crazy Joe, now we are both stuck down here.”  Joe says, “yea, but I’ve been down here before and I can show you the way out.”

This is story is so relevant today.  So many of us have been through so much and we get the messiness of life.  We need not be afraid of the messiness.  We can be willing and open to show our vulnerability, show our feelings, ask for help.  My experience is if you ask someone will always come along who has been down that road before and will lend a hand.  It is when we have shame and embarrassment about the mess that we can not grow and get free.  It is only in making mistakes that we learn to find out ‘what works’ for us.