Honor the body

Inspiration: To be true to what is.

I was always very strict about my fitness and food regime. For years it is safe to say it was an addiction. When summertime would roll around, I would have to be thin and muscular. I usually happened to get there. The funny thing is that I was never happy. All of the underlying feelings would really be at the surface then.

This is one of those times. I have again, rechanneled my feelings into exercise. This past week, I even fought what by body was telling me. I noticed that my toe nails were getting thinner. Then a couple of days later one happened to break off. I knew this was not a good sign.

So I reached out to my acupuncturist and he prescribed herbs. He told me my adrenals were very fatigued. This is called a kidney deficiency in Chinese Medicine. The adrenals are responsible for our "flight of fight" response to stress. When we are extremely stressed and put further stress on the body, it creates a weakened environment, physically speaking. This is about the fourth instance in the last 1.5 years that I have been on herbs for one thing or another. The body is a great teacher. If we do not pay attention it speaks louder and louder.

It is now almost summer, and there is "pressure" from both ourselves and the media to get into shape now. Please continue to honor your body and what it is telling you. Once you get to your desired outcome, you are really left with your feelings and emotions. They do not "miraculously" dissolve because you are thin.

Be good to you..... Warmly, Denise

Transformation

Inspiration: To bloom like a butterfly.

Last night I went to a group mediation class at the Cultural Center in NYC. This is a place that hosts events on a monthly basis. The last time I was there was in December 2007. I was “guided” to go again yesterday. I had a feeling I would see some familiar faces and experience something surreal.

Amongst the 40 or so participants, two women who were there have helped me in my journey. One woman named Debbra, helped me to change my dietary habits when I was faced with some female issues in 2007. Elana, my gifted intuitive counselor I have been seeing for years, was also present. It was no coincidence they were both there.

At the onset, the host, a gentle, vivacious initiative named Tony Leroy asked us all to pick a tarot card. This is something I have minimal experience with. I asked Debbra, who was nearby what the “Prince of Swords” was. She said it was getting past the mind chatter. Cutting through the crap so to speak. The night was filled with insights and two guided meditations. The second one was long so Tony asked if anyone wanted to sit on the floor. I complied. During this meditation, I could not find stillness but “resistance”, a lot of it. The subtle words came through “to heal”.

Afterwards, we went around the room and Tony asked each of us what images or messages we had. I did not have any except resistance, resistance, resistance.I happened to be the very last person in the room to be asked this question. I was tired and it was after 10 pm. I was extremely surprised to hear his response. He got really silent and then said "I see a man standing behind you.
I was like “okay here is a message from someone, great!" He asked if I had a fraternal relative that had passed. My reply was no. He said this person was really, really, sorry and apologized for attempting to make me into someone I was not. Tony again asked if there was some relative who had been trying to do this. Again I replied with a definitive "NO". Then it hit me. There is only one person who I could recall. This was a man I was briefly married to.

I was crying, my heart was ripped open, in public no less. All the private sessions and in public I hear this great apology. If you are reading this and are a bit confused, this was the individuals "higher self" that was apologizing. It was not the physical, life person. A higher self can be called soul, or spirit, that is beyond the physical realm. This part is connected to the greater Oneness that exists beyond time and space. Afterwards, both Debbra and Elana confirmed it was in fact this man's Higher Self.

I thanked Tony for the information and he gave me a big hug. Great guy !!!!
As I left, the floodgates continued to pour all the way home (which was only two blocks). I felt an opening and releasing in my heart center although I was very sad. Sad for the past, my choices and where I am now.
Only when we allow whatever messages or teachings to come through that are painful can we truly feel whole. Today, I feel a bit raw but excited about the possibilities that exist for me now. Continue to honor all of your feelings. The most painful ones bring us to great healing.

May you all experience great transformations.

With Love,
Denise

Children's Birthday Party

Inspiration: To continue to be inspired by the miracle of a child.

Working with children is something I have been “guided” to do for a long time.

Children are an opportunity to see the innocence that exists in our world. Looking into a child’s eyes, one can see the promise and the light. It makes me feel that age has no boundaries. . Last year, I completed the Karma Kids Yoga Teacher Training. It is time to put my training to good use.

Most recently, I was given the opportunity to host a children’s birthday party. This was at Club H Fitness in Hell’s Kitchen. It was sheer joy to watch the little ones as we played yoga games, ran obstacles courses and just had fun!!!! WE celebrated with good food,
cake, face-painting and temporary tattoos. Even some of the parents played along .:)

Here are some photos from that “magical” day:









For any additional information, please feel free to contact me at denise@clubhfitness.com.

Embrace the child within. Warmly, Denise

Living in the MOMENT

Inspiration: To experience each moment without any future projections.

What does it mean to live in the moment? We see this in many new age books and spiritual teachings. For me, it means to be a witness to my feelings and surrender any expectations of the future. This is a constant,ongoing practice. It sounds simple enough, so why are we not all doing it? It is easier to cling to our fears, disappointments, and unfulfilled desires than to embrace the Now. A wonderful book written some years ago is "The Power of NOW" by Eckhart Tolle. Also ,last year" A New Earth" which he also wrote, found its way to the mainstream Oprah audience.

Each moment of each day is an opportunity to embrace the joy of being alive!! Feelings are a natural extention. Breathe your way through knowing that each moment creates the next, which will ultimately bring us to our true calling.

Have a very "peaceful" day.

Best, Denise

Finding an Inner Sanctuary

Inspiration: To find the peace that only exists within.

How do you define peace?
For some it may be reading an amazing novel, for others a beautiful sunset. Whatever touches your core being can bring you to that state.

For me, it is easy to find peace as I feed the birds in Central Park. Their ability to exist in the moment with no agenda, soothes my very soul. At times, I am brought to tears depending on what I am experiencing. I especially love the "little" birds. They are the smart ones. Their small but significant innocence warms my heart. It is in the allowing that peace can enter. Striving to find it is futile.

Another practice that helps me stay connected is Yoga. During the class it is interesting to watch my mind wonder at times. I can tell for sure when we are in a balance pose and I fall over. I smile as a gentle reminder to be here now. Yoga is for everyone. All levels. It is about finding a class and a practice that is resonate for you.

I took my first yoga class at Equinox in 1996. It was Power yoga. At the time my ego was at a different place and I decided to take class after a long workout. I wanted to "meditate". Well the relaxation was about two minutes and the class one hour and fifteen. I laughed as I looked around not knowing what the poses were and these silly purple blocks. I thought to myself, "This is a complete waste of my time." I did not walk into another class until eight years later.
I am happy that I did and now it is part of who I am. I invite those of you that are reluctant to just surrender to the possibility of finding yoga as a healing sanctuary. Explore, stay open and breathe.......:)

Namaste,
Denise

How much exercise is enough?

Inspiration: To move in an authentic and nurturing way to my body.

Exercise. We constantly hear how we must exercise to stay healthy, fit and vibrant. For some of us this is an easy calling. For others, not such the case. Over my years as a fitness trainer, I have worked with a myriad of clientele. From pre-teens to older adults, I have been a witness to a lot of different situations.

Personally, I have been active my entire life. It was never an issue. Let's say I was a hyperactive kid. So my chosen vocation (second career) has suited me well. Over the years I have seen my exercise change to the condition of my physical body. Through countless injuries (and still counting), I have always found a way to move the body. It is one of the key elements that is necessary for a harmonious life.

Now,just a few questions for introspection and reflection.

How are you moving?
Are you moving consistently?
What is keeping you from feeling "vibrant"?

The media and the next "new" thing, does not make it any easier for us. The weather is now getting warmer and it is a time for us to "bloom". Like the butterfly that emerges from its cocoon. It is time to honor, listen and move the body in an authentic way. :)

Have a very "peaceful" day.
Warmly, Denise

On Gratitude

Inspiration: To be grateful for everything in my life right now.

What are you grateful for?

We tend to take things for granted. We focus on what is missing in our lives rather than what we already have. When you practice an attitude of gratitude, you are saying to the world "Thank you for all that I am and all that I have. " This elevates your vibration and the ability to attract people, events and circumstances into our lives in an eloquent way. When we complain, feel bad for our predicaments, we actually create an elongated situation of what we do not desire.
This is a difficult practice, especially when you do not "feel" grateful. It is best to focus on what we do have; health, good friends, family or whatever resonates for you.

This is something I recently started on a daily basis. This helps me feel better in the midst of whatever is going on in my external world. Since the weather is becoming much warmer, I find it healing to go to the park in the morning and sit. Even for just a few minutes and really say "thank you" for what is in my life. It is also nice to take a journal or writing tablet and scribe some positive affirmations of what you would like to bring in to your world. Just like everything else, it requires practice and discipline. But I promise, it feels really healing and over time your external world will change in a very positive direction. Time to go to the park. Have a very "peaceful" day.

Warmly, Denise