Tending to a Classic

Good Morning. There are a few things here for you today, so settle in with a cuppa and explore: 

• Thoughts (and homework) on health change
• The BEST practice for finding relaxation
• A mental health study looking for participants
• How to find me this week

CHANGING OURSELVES

Last week I wrote about how time is short - and how ultimately, we have no control over how or when our time will end. (Thank you for ALL of you who replied to me). 

I suggested some homework - around relationships - and encouraged you to reach out to someone who really matters. I hope you did. How did it go?

Let's face it, relationships are one of the cornerstones of our happiness as humans. 

Another is our HEALTH. And whilst Fate might decide to strike us down at any moment, that doesn't mean we should neglect the health of our body or mind. 

As a healthcare clinician, I see ill-health daily. Let's face it, it's why patients call me. It's part and parcel of life. The arrival of ill-health or 'dis-ease' might be anticipated, or it can be sudden. Some of this is within our control, but some isn't. 

This might make us tend towards nihilism, but it shouldn't. The body is our machine and it helps us live our Purpose ('Dharma' in Hindu philosophy) so it's our Duty to look after it, whatever state it's in. 

We all want better health - so why do we (sometimes) neglect it? 

At yesterday's class, I showed the group a skeleton. Many hadn't looked at one before. 

If we owned a classic car, we would polish it, protect it from the elements, feed it with the best fuel and spend hours pouring over manuals, websites to learn about it. Why don't we do the same about OUR (classic) body?

(There's a whole discussion here about the politics of this & prevention in public health, I'll save that for another day). 

But WHY don't we look after our body as much as we do our machines? We can't just pop to the shops and buy another one. Is it fear, is it knowledge, are the trappings of the outer world too seductive?

This isn't about hectoring you

I'm the same - I go through periods of good & not-so-good health behaviours: I love baking & I'm partial to carbs, I push myself too hard in work. I often start a healthy-eating plan and then lapse, even though I know it makes me feel better, it is good for my inner workings & might help me live longer. Why is it so hard? 

What are YOUR blocks to better health? 

Time? Knowledge? Motivation? Resources? Stress? 

When we sit down to think - why do I have back pain, why am I overweight, why I am stressed - we often know the answer (even if we don't want to acknowledge it).  

As Humans, do you ever feel that we are really good at making simple things TOO COMPLICATED?

How many self-help books do you own? Books on Mind, Diet, Behaviour, Improvement, Meditation??? It's a huge business and there is always someone making things more complicated with a new method, a new model, a new SOMETHING.

(Humans are good at increasing complexity & it leads to excess mental noise. there's learning from the Vedic Upanishads about this from about 800 BCE, but we can save this for now).

A few weeks ago, I was asked to come up with a simple phrase for what I do - in the clinic, in the yoga studio, in coaching. My dear friend & coach, Chris, summed it up as follows:

"SIMPLE WISDOM FOR BETTER HEALTH"

If you've worked with me, you know my approach. Simple, powerful things to encourage better health. I encourage a distillation - pick the 3 things that you need to do RIGHT NOW for better health. Don't start with over-complex plans & methods. We all know enough about our bodies & minds to know what we really need. (and yes, I see the similarity with Dr Michael M in my approach). 

We also need to make these things easy to do - so 30mins of exercise twice a week is better than a complicated daily plan that you won't stick to. Or cutting out ONE food is better than diet sheets that you will ignore.

Here are the things that YOU highlighted in the recent survey that you need to deal with:

• Less sugar / better food
• Better sleep
• More movement
• Focusing on what is really important

I was going to set out an academic model about behavioural change - but you don't need that. You need to pick one thing and get to work.

What's the motivation? Taking care of yourself and this classic model that you inhabit. Whatever you choose - it's a HUG for yourself, not a punishment!

Homework: (always optional, always practical, always simple)

• What is the one area of health you want or NEED to change?
• Who are you doing it for?
• What is the most simple step you can take right now?

If you need outside help - acknowledge that - and ask me if you don't know where to start. My email is anji@backcarefoundation.com. (More on getting help next week). 

Take care of yourself - there's only one of you x

Back Pain? Low Mood? Stress? Insomnia?

The equivalent of a Valet - 5 min daily practice from Therapeutic Yoga

Simple things are often the most powerful. And "An ounce of practice is worth a ton of theory"

This is the most well-received Yoga posture of them all. It helps with low back pain, stress, insomnia & is tolerated by 9/10 people. (remember, if it doesn't work for you - stop). It's an 'undoing' doing - and in a time when most of us are overloaded - physically & mentally - this can be the best therapy. It's called Viparita Karani but that doesn't matter right now!

• You need: 2 blankets, a belt or scarf, a chair or sofa. 
• Best time of day - as a break after a long meeting, before bed, anytime. 
• Lie with a blanket under your head and the other under your low back (if you have back pain you might need 2 blankets under the back). 
• Pop your legs up on the sofa or chair.
• (optional but Rolls Royce level of comfort) tie your legs together at the thigh. 
• Rest here for 5-10 mins - listen to music or lie in silence. 
• Just breathe normally and allow your body to rest. 
• When you are ready, come out slowly. 
• Sit up and breathe for a couple of minutes. 
  

Don't overthink this - just do it. You don't need perfect props or a quiet space. I'm often to be found doing this in the middle of the living room, whilst the boys are watching football and the dog is sitting on my belly. Just. Do. It. 

Disclaimer etc: If anything makes pain worse, stop. 

The GLAD Study

Kings College London are running a HUGE study into the genetic links to anxiety & depression. So many of us are dealing with challenges to mental health & these traits often run in families. It's a great area of research

They are recruiting here and need more participants, particularly if you are from an ethnic background. Easy to sign up, easy to help - go for it. 

Spain trip October 2024:

6-night retreat to the fabulous Santillan retreat centre in the hills above Malaga. 

My retreats are focused on 'Finding Health'. Whilst we practice movement daily, it's not all Yoga. These are grown-up retreats for grown-up people, with excellent food, quality teaching & beautiful surroundings. 

Yes, there are 4-5 hours of practice a day - but these include movement, rest, breath, contemplation, meditation & more. Nothing is compulsory & you are ALWAYS the boss of your own body. Please call me if you have any questions. Don't let fear hold you back from change. Be brave. 

Only one single left. Sharing rooms are large twins - so recruit a friend & join us . All details on the link. We can't wait to be there with you. 

Where to find Anji this summer and beyond - Other than the clinic!

Booking links to be found on the website - link below

August 1-4th - World Yoga Festival, Henley-on-Thames - I will be teaching here 3 times over the weekend alongside some of the world's most authentic teachers & philosophers. One really not to be missed. No brands, no posturing, normal people, it's really recommended. 

Oct 13 - 19th Santillan Spain 6-night Yoga retreat 

Dec 8-12 Santillan Spain 4-night Retreat tbc

Dates for 2025: (all tbc)

Santillan Spain: March 2-9 / Sept 28 - Oct 4 / Dec 2-5

UK Women's retreat: Early Summer TBC