pA:13, v7.27 — Healthy Lifestyles

Healthy Lifestyles

Mountain Views News Saturday, July 6, 2013

MVNews this week: Page A:13

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HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

Mountain Views News Saturday, July 6, 2013

HOW CAN YOGA HELP

ARE YOU FREE ?

ene
by Lori Koop, Right Brain Business Coach

On my office wall are the words “BE YOUrself.” My BIG message to the world.
The mission of my life. Two little words to guide a lifetime of choices, for you
and for me.

I knew it could be a challenging path to follow, but a colleague recently commented
that it was scary. I had never considered that! He had grown up in a
situation where there was intense pressure to conform: there was punishment
for standing out, and praise for blending in. Every family teaches this to some
degree. School certainly reinforces it. And at work, it is the team players that
often get the biggest paychecks.

Yes, there are plenty of places
we are asked to follow the pack. Required, even.
While it is often safest to follow, it is sometimes
necessary -- and often empowering -- to lead. To be
courageous and stand right out there, as Ourselves. To
use our uniqueness and passion for the reason it was
given. To forge a road that is as individual as we are.
This is true in business and in our lives. It’s one-of-a-
kind-ness that make us like no other. Ever. It is what
will help us make that difference!

As you have those essential self conversations, you
discover your preferences, your passions and your
pathway. It does take courage to stand up to peer
pressure, to think for yourself, to do “what you want”
instead of “what others want you to do.” It requires self
confidence and determination. A connection to self
that makes being YOUrself the most satisfying option.
And, after awhile, it becomes the only option. Because
it is the only place of peace.

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really
are. ~ E. E. Cummings

Lori Koop, The Right Brain Business Coach

Get clear about The Real You and what’s TRU, for you and your business. Schedule a complimentary coaching
session at The Center for Wellbeing, 626-355-2443. www.LORiKOOP.com

I have been thinking so much about freedom lately
- what with our wonderful holiday and all. We are
such a fortunate people to be free. But I continue to
come back to what freedom really is. Are you free?
We all think that freedom is being able to do what
we want, say what we want, eat what we want,
drink, think, feel, behave. And then what do
we have really? Excess. Excess weight, extreme
behaviors, drinking problems, emotional
turmoil and the ability to be a slug and not take
care of ourselves. Hmm, then comes illness
or the inability to run or even touch our toes.
True freedom is the ability to adapt. Adapt
to our surroundings and the needs of our
bodies; the ability to adapt to a situation
and thrive. To make the right choices and
breathe into adversity - THAT is freedom.
Freedom is not the constraint of our beliefs, or slavery
to our ever-chattering minds, or the pressures
of the lives we have created. That is suffocation.
How do we then explore our freedoms? Get
on the mat, of course. Learning about how we
can transform ourselves, learning about the
possibilities, getting to know our egos, our
fears, our edges, getting stronger and feeling
the empowerment, learning to fly (ardha
chandrasana), these are freedoms. It’s not about
a diet it’s about making the food choices that
will allow our bodies to do paschimotanasana
(forward fold) or hike up the Mount Wilson Trail.
It’s about staying in balance so that we have a better
chance of surviving by not getting sick. The best
freedom of all is for our minds to be calm, for us
to learn to love ourselves and for us to be happy.
So once again, I advocate getting on your mat
every day. Create a discipline for yourself that
will allow you to be free!

Namasté, René

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