It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.
-- Albert Einstein
If you can read the following, then you are, like most of us, an amazing human being: i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh?
In the last special bulletin we let you all know about the exciting new wellness program we have launched for current and retired law enforcement personnel. If you did not hear about this amazing program please visit our new website at http://www.readywarrior.com and let anyone who you think might be interested in attending know about this exciting new course! We are trying to fill the first class as we speak, so any help you can generate in getting the world out would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help!!
A couple of weeks ago I was the victim of a drive by yelling. Let me set the situation up for you.
I'm driving a small car, low to the ground, and I'm behind a low rider pickup with a solid, painted camper shell. I can't see the road in front of the pickup whatsoever. I'm driving at about 40 mph and following at a reasonable and safe distance behind the pickup. I have had no interactions with the other driver and my youngest daughter is with me in the car.
As we are moving along the pickup suddenly swerves dramatically in the roadway, just missing a stopped SUV waiting to turn left. There was no doubt in my mind this move was done intentionally to cause me to crash into the SUV. In fact, had I not been paying attention, I would have crashed without a doubt. I was able to move quickly to get around the stopped SUV, narrowly avoiding the crash.
Needless to say, I got a nice hormonal heart rate increase and could feel the Warrior Spirit being stoked within. The driver of the pickup pulled into a left turn lane at a red light and although this was the way I wanted to go too, I decided to avoid further problems with this idiot, so I pulled past him to go straight. That gave me several options for further action if this bit of road rage were to increase. I had a fire station across the street, the ability to turn right toward a shopping center and other escape options. I got my phone ready as well.
When the pickup driver's left arrow turned green he pulled up next to my car, stopped, and rolled his window down. Anyone nervous yet? At this point I had one foot on the brake and one on the accelerator ready to move in an instant if a weapon were brought into this picture. No, I was not armed at the time (yes, I've been giving that some serious contemplation). I started my combat breathing to keep myself calm, centered and focused. I was ready for whatever may come! The driver, clearly a gang banger in his 20's, yelled "Bitch" at me and then drove off. Yep, I was the victim of a drive by yelling!
Nope, never seen him before in my life. I have no idea why this low life piece of human feces singled me out that day. My daughter summed the experience up nicely by saying; "Boy Dad, he must be having a bad day".
So, why share this story. Because we must acknowledge that life can challenge us from time to time. It seems I find myself facing some type of a threat at least a few times a year, (not sure what that says about me), but it really doesn't bother me because I've trained my body and mind to deal with these situations. You don't have to have a background in law enforcement or the military to deal with things like this, all you need is the right mindset and the strength of character to take personal responsibility for your safety through simple training.
Then you too can deal with the incredibly dangerous drive by yelling!!!
By Lynn Ravazzini, Owner: Nutrition Within, Lynn4nutrition@sbcglobal.net
Supplementing with omega-3 essential fatty acids is becoming an increasingly popular practice-and for good reason. The benefits of these "super nutrients" are associated with a wide range of body systems, including: Cardiovascular health, brain function, joint health, blood sugar metabolism, pregnancy and child development and much more!
So what are the best ways to include omega-3s in your diet? As far as whole food sources are concerned, cold water fish (cod, tuna, herring, and non-farm raised salmon) are naturally rich in the omega-3s: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). But recent concerns of environmental toxicity-as well as convenience, cost, and taste factors-leave many people concerned about the quantity of fish required to achieve a steady supply of omega-3s in the diet.
Fortunately, advances in refining techniques of fish oil allow patients of all types to include pure and concentrated doses of omega-3s with ease. Indeed for many people, supplements can fill the dietary gaps as well as provide the higher levels of omega-3s that have been shown to be beneficial in promoting health. For example, some studies suggest the daily supplementation of EPA-DHA (1 gram plus) significantly reduces cardiovascular risk (Table1).
Of course, it's important to purchase only high-quality fish oil supplements. Because the differences in quality can mean the difference in your health!
Unfortunately, not all fish oil products are safe and effective, as many factors can negatively affect the formula. This makes the processing technology utilized to purify the formula absolutely critical. Be sure to choose a fish oil supplement that is purity-certified and assayed for heavy metals (e.g. mercury), pesticides, and other contaminants.
Also, you should be able to sense the difference of a purity-certified omega-3 formula: they virtually have no fish taste or smell, and possess a light, clear color. And some manufacturers now offer lemon-flavored and enteric-coated softgels that reduce the occurrence of the 'fishy' smell and aftertaste.
Because flaxseed oil contains concentrated amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, some patients are confusing the benefits of flaxseed with fish oil. Although they are similar in structure, the omega-3s in flaxseed, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), is a precursor or "parent" to the omega-3s that are found directly in fish oil, EPA and DHA. In your body, ALA converts poorly into EPA and into DHA. Typically, this means between 7 to 11 grams of flaxseed is needed to produce the same benefits as one gram of fish oil. Of course, eating foods high in ALA is much better than not receiving any omega-3 fatty acids at all.
Are you concerned about getting enough health-promoting omega-3 fatty acids in your diet? Please schedule an appointment at my office. We can discuss how a purity-certified omega-3 formula may supplement your dietary needs.
By Starr Brown, Owner FEEL Fitness, http://www.feel-fitness.com.
The central nervous system (CNS) is composed of the brain and the spinal cord. It functions to detect changes in external and internal environments and to respond with appropriate responses in muscles. These responses occur through a feedback loop system that senses, determines action, and reacts with a motor output (muscular contractions). For example, when you wish to pick up a heavy box, your CNS is sensing effort in the muscles (hands, feet, ankles, low back, thighs, etc) throughout your body and is responding with a motor output informing which muscles to engage and with what effort. If your feedback loop is not programmed to move with the least amount of stress and proper body mechanics, your body will incur repeated strain each time the activity is performed.
Through core training and proper body movement education such as Hanna Somatic Education(r) you can change your muscular system by changing your CNS. The primary task when training your body should be to focus attention on the internal sensations of movements. Developing greater sensory awareness of each movement will give you a direct way to maintain control over your movements. Education and knowledge of your body will result in freedom from pain and injury and greater success accomplishing physical goals.
As a side bar on another added benefit of Hanna Somatics, if you have chronic pain in certain muscles groups, this training will help you tremendously to relieve pain you may have been having for years! For more information about the amazing process of Hanna Somatics please contact Starr through her website at the link above.
This month's mantra is a blast from the past, but it seems appropriate for this newsletter: "I can control my fear at all times."
Now, sit or lie back comfortably. Take three deep breaths, pausing after you inhale and then exhale fully and completely. After you have taken your first three breaths, just breathe normally. Close your eyes and let any tension you may be holding in your muscles just begin to melt away. After you center yourself and you feel your breath quite down, repeat the mantra; "I can control my fear at all times" to yourself for the next five minutes. See yourself accomplishing the changes you have set for yourself and believe with all your soul.
As many times as you can throughout your day, stop what you are doing, take one deep breath and repeat this mantra. You can do this when the phone rings, or when you look at your watch, or anytime you feel the need to just slow down for a brief moment and focus. The power of setting a positive intention throughout your day should not be underestimated. It can literally change your life. Make this short time commitment everyday and begin on the path of empowering yourself to survive.
Well, that's all for now. Stay trained, stay tactical, stay safe!
Rodger
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