Why I don't have a New Year's resolution!

Happy New Year and healthy 2018

Yes, it's that time of year when people make New Year Resolutions.  As they are usually to do with health, you might be surprised that whether you have made one or not, is not important to me. Why? Because I know that most people who set one break it before the end of the month.

The 3 reasons I think most resolutions are broken is because:

1) They are not necessarily congruent with our values
2) They are often based on what other people think we should do.
3) Though they might help us reach a set goal, they are laden with rules, regulations and often everything but fun!

Steps to a healthy life

I don't have a New Year resolution, but if you want to take steps to a better life, here is an idea of what you could do.
What is important to me, is to take time to become clear about what our values are. Then it becomes clear what steps to take to live by them.
If one of your top three values is health, like mine is, then when you are making decisions about what to eat or what to do, for example, you have clarity as to whether it will serve you and therefore live congruently.
I have my values that I live by. We all have different combinations of them and a short version of what mine are, look something like this.

What matters to me is to do things that are:

1) Good for my health. (why I do at least swimming, pilates or yoga every week)
2) Sustainable in the long term and does not inflict pain or strain on my body so I can do it in my 90's if I want to. ( why I would not do a marathon for example)
3) Give me freedom to be me and do things how I want or in my time frame. (Hence why I am self employed)
4) When I do them it is fun, enjoyable and I feel good.


I have found something that fits all these criteria, which is why I love it so much. It is a form of mindful movement meditation called '5 Rhythms' developed by Gabrielle Roth. You have fun and can be just who and how you are, not withstanding the fact it is good for your physical, mental and emotional health.

 

Suitable for everyone! Whatever your level of fitness or unfitness, wellness or illness. No experience of any form of exercise required. All you need is to wear loose comfortable clothes, layers to remove as you warm up & put back on as you cool down and bring some water.

So, if you haven't got a New Year resolution and still feel you need one, or  decide you would like to change it, can I suggest you commit to attending one of the 5 Rhythms sessions held in Liddington or elsewhere in the country if you are not near Swindon to find out if it is for you.

Here are the details of the first 2  if you would like to join me and I wish you a happy healthy 2018

Dancing the '5rhythms’ is a beautiful exploration of our ability to be conscious of how we are in any one moment and to express this through movement.  

Booking is essential to avoid disappointment as places are limited to 16.

Dates: 21st Jan 2018 and 18th March 2018. More to follow later in the year.
Venue: Liddington Village hall, Nr Swindon SN4 0HB Free parking. Just 5 min from J15 of the M4
Teacher: Gay Murphy  www.joyfuldance.co.uk
Time: 2pm to 5pm
Value: £20 Early bird by 6th Jan £18 Book 2 places get £2 off
and  Early bird by 3rd March, Book 2 places get £2 off
Booking: email me to let me know how many places you want to book and how you are paying so I can reserve your place.
Cheque: payable to Julie Nicholls sent to Natural Therapy Centre, 5 Bibury Road,  Swindon, SN3 1DD
Transfer: Miss J K Nicholls, Lloyds Bank, Old Town, Swindon branch, Sort code 30-98-41 Acc No 00354423

Feel the joy of a flowing life.

A short video with a bit of what happened last time: Gay Murphy tell us what 5 Rhythms is about.

Find out more: the international site with all classes listed https://www.5rhythms.com/

The facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindfulmovementspace/

More info: www.body-mind-coaching.co.uk  Julie@body-mind-coaching.co.uk  01793495551

"Movement Meditation a “5Rhythms Taster Day” in Swindon

I started dancing 5 Rhythms, developed by Gabrielle Roth,  about 6 years ago.  Even though I knew it could be transformational, having seen first hand how it helped a school friend, at first I just did it for fun and the exercise.  It is easy because there are no steps to learn ( I had enough going on in my head, without having to learn something else) and no partners needed (ideal as my husband hates dancing).

It took a while for me to feel the benefits, other than getting out and having my own space, which anyone who has or can remember having a 2 year old around will understand is of great value in itself.  I was getting space by going to my pilates and yoga classes but 5 Rhythms was different, it was about being me, not following someone else.

The beauty of it is that you dance your own dance, within your own comfort zone so there is no need to do anything that strains your body. There are no steps to learn and you can never get it wrong. This brings so much freedom to the body that it frees the mind and the mind is so free to explore that it frees the body.


The classes and workshops have helped me be more in tune with what is going on in my life. I am more aware and respect the different rhythms that go on all around and inside me. Now it brings back the freedom and fun in my body that gets lost with the every day demands of bringing up a child and running my own business from home. It allows me to receive in the way I give to my clients.

 Can this really help me?  
Dancing benefits in the press!

Dancing out of depression with 5 Rhythm classes  

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/11066789.display/?fb_action_ids=528323917284107&fb_action_types=og.likes

 

Shall We Dance? Science Says ‘Go on, It’s Good for You’  
Studies have started to emerge on the positive impacts community dance activity can have on different populations, across a range of issues.
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/imogen-aujla/strictly-come-dancing_b_8581938.html?utm_hp_ref=uk

You can come and find out for yourself during our taster session on the 29th October 

DISCOVER HOW CONSCIOUS MOVEMENT CAN HELP YOU TO BE MORE AT PEACE AND COMFORTABLE WITH THE RHYTHMS THAT RULE YOUR LIFE…

Dancing the 5rhythms’ is a beautiful exploration of our ability to be conscious of how we are in any one moment and to express this through movement.  

“For me the healing occurs when someone finds their own dance, whatever it feels like, and goes with it, finding something new for themselves; and giving themselves permission to be just as they are.”

PROGRAMME

During the morning session we will go through the rhythms so that you can begin to feel them in your own way; I will encourage you to "FLOW"  for yourself then to allow the beat to take you into "STACCATO",  to then move into "CHAOS" with curiosity; to drop into "LYRICAL" and find that part of yourself that wishes to sing and embrace everything and then lastly to find peace and quiet in "STILLNESS". 

In the afternoon session, we will go through the 5 Rhythms again but with more focus on being conscious of what is present for us in the moment and how our movement is affected by our thoughts and our feelings.   At the same time I will explore with you how each rhythm has its' own flavour and each session is an exploration into being mindful and in the present.

We will look for the "sweet spot", the place where we feel wholly together in body, feelings and mind; together with another, the group and the setting.  Searching for this combination of the whole self, and repeating the dance as we feel it, can lead into that energetic space where there is only the beat, your breath, your heartbeat and the space to be you

The music is varied: electronica, jazz, classical, pop, rock and roll, alternative, some fast some slow.  

Gay Murphy 5 Rhythms teacher

No previous experience of dance needed, and all are welcome.   There are no steps to learn and no judgement from the teacher during a session.

Really look forward to meeting you on the dance floor

Venue: Liddington Village hall, near Swindon, SN4 0HB Free parking
When: 29th Oct 2017  
Teacher: Gay Murphy
Investment: For the morning 10.30 to 12.30 donations to help us cover the cost of the hall and the teacher's travel from London. 
For the afternoon  2 to 5pm £15 -  Book by 1st Oct: £2 off  - Bring a friend: get £2 off

Booking is essential to avoid disappointment as places are limited.

Suitable for everyone! Whatever your level of fitness or unfitness, wellness or illness. No experience of any form of exercise required.Wear warm, loose, comfortable clothing. Bring some water and lunch if you stay for the afternoon.

Feel the joy of a less stressed life.

Join the FB group to know about future events:https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindfulmovementspace/

For more information or to go on the mailing list contact:

Julie Nicholls  01793 495551
julie@body-mind-coaching.co.uk
www.body-mind-coaching.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/BMChealth

It's your age! Or is it?.....

As another year passes, is it really our years that determines how well we are?

 Many clients come to me and tell me that their problem is due to their age.  If it is a knee problem for example then I have the following story to tell them: an 70 year old lady goes to the doctor with knee pain on her right side.  The doctor says well it's your age!  She sais, well my left knee is the same age and that doesn't hurt!

Research is showing more and more that what we think, how we perceive ourselves (often based on how others see us), which is what we believe, affects our well being and our physical health. Even to the point that it affects our age.

This body - mind connection is well known in the use of the placebo effect but those of the nocebo effect are much more powerful in my view.

As the article below mentions becoming mindful not of our breathing but of our thoughts, habits and what we have accepted to be true so far without questioning is the way forward for all our health.

This is key to my Body~Mind Coaching sessions.  I ask lots of questions and offer different perspectives that make my clients think (making them more mindful) and that can help them change their expectations of how well they could really feel. The process also helps them feel physically different which can re-enforce a new belief about themselves that feeling better is possible.

Read more about the studies and the fascinating results on perceived age, eyesight, the immune system and general well being.

So you might want to ask yourself: what am I ready to question, challenge and let go of to make next year the one where you turn your life around and live to your full potential?  

If you can do that on your own that that is brilliant, if you want help with the process then contact me and I would be happy to go through it with you.  Have a happy New Year and a fantastic 2015!