Keeping a Beginner's Mind

When I started my training in Bodywork, my teacher Dave said, “In the expert mind the possibilities are limited, in the beginner's mind the possibilities are endless. Keep a beginners mind!”

At the time, I thought to myself, “What do you mean? I want to know it all already! Take my beginner mind and download all your expert wisdom!” But as time went by, I started realizing what he meant.

When people keep a beginner’s mind, they will remain open to new opportunities, continue to evolve and always strive to get better. We all have things that we are interested in, and knowledgeable about, but there is always more to learn.

Most life practices are LIFE practices, and should be mastered and evolve through time and other experiences. People that “know it all” will not grow, and having that type of mentality is a turn-off to others. Let yourself accept new information from all directions. In Hebrew, we say, “a wise man learns from every men,” it stimulates the mind and helps build a more complete heart and well-rounded person. Whether you want to learn about ways to combat shoulder pain, arthritis or underwater basket weaving – keep a beginner’s mind.

Going back to my training, one of the most inspiring students I met at school was an 83 years old lady, and she had just started 1000 hours of HHP training. Lifetime learners are the most educated, knowledgeable and personable types of personalities. They are always striving to get better, remain busy and stimulated with new projects and information. Challenging the mind that way is the best strategy to remain young even when your body ages. Your mind is just like anything else, if you don’t use it, you lose it.

If people keep a beginner’s mind, they will remain open to new opportunities, continue to evolve and always strive to get better. We all have things that we are interested in, and knowledgeable about, but there is always more to learn.

Watsu: Part 2

The experience of Watsu can be very powerful and liberating, the practicioners roll is to support and facilitate the moves, but not to control or to “intervene” with the need, the rhythm and the tempo of the clients body. Being in this neutral environment allows the nervous system to let go and “magic” begins.

The “magic” I talk about is what I feel both in the practicioner side and as a receiver. Its when the body is in flow with breath, the water suggests in motherly manner that we can let go of the knee or shoulder and the body and it allows soft shifts to happen. In some other aquatic styles we get in the water in a beautiful dance of breath patterns and movement through the water, once again, the experience of breath exploration is very expensive and freeing.

If anyone is interested in Watsu, your local Ocean Beach Massage Center, That’s Your Body offers these sessions. Just ask Gal for more information and when you can get a session scheduled.

Watsu: Part 1

The quickest and most relaxing checkout I’ve ever experienced. Watsu is a combination of body work, trigger points and therapy – but it’s in the water. It’s great for back pain san diego, neck pain san diego or any chronic pain. The body is in a completely neutral environment, you are not affected by gravity, the water is body temperature so you are not cold or hot, but perfect. The water is serenated with a light salt complex, and you are guided through the water by a Watsu practicioner.

Regardless of what body type you have, everything is evened out in the water. Since gravity is not an issue, the body can stretch and lengthen as it is being dragged through the water. And once you are into the session and relaxed, part of your head and ears fall below the water so noise reduction becomes another factor in the relaxation.

All along the way, your senses are distorted. You don’t hear anything since your ears are under the water. As you inhale and exhale, your body sinks and rises, which in a way, brings you back into touch with your body. The entire process and experience can feel disorienting, but that feeling soon turns into RE-ORIENTING. It re-orients you back to where life started – in the womb. Between the warmth of the water, lack of gravity and noise, and the nurturing nature of being held in someone’s arms – you get taken back to the part of your life spent in the womb.

Herbs: The Everything Solution

Natural herbs are really the “Everything solution.” If something requires soothing, is infectious, soars, or anything that would require anything that needs to be clean. This mix of lavender, garlic and mint is my cure-all. Sage, Rosemary and many other herbs have so many healing properties in them, and they have been used for 1000s of years to treat all sorts of illnesses and wounds.

There is also a way to test what herbs can work for your specific body. By holding herbs in your hand and paying attention to the reaction from your body will let you know if that herb is optimized for you or not. This test is used by nutritionists, acupuncturists,  alternative healing professionals, etc.