I recieved an email asking how I integrated spirituality into my health and wellness profession.   This post flowed very easily from that excellent question.

I was introduced to true physical culture at 17 in the form of martial arts. My instructor was in his 40’s and could barely speak English. There was not a shred of western culture or mindset present once inside the doors of his dojo. In a matter of fact way, the philosophy of the body as a temple, self defense as a means of decompressing violence, commitment to cultivating the mind, and working through life from a base of harmonious integration was always in the air as we trained our bodies. Every training session started with 15 minutes of sitting meditation, followed by another 15 minutes of form movement gradually increasing to full speed movements. Training was completely engaging of our total physical and mental self as we practiced refining our strikes, kicks, attacking and evasive movement, defending techniques, interspersed with fitness exercises for strength and athletic explosiveness for 90 minutes, 6 days per week. We trained without acting the fool, showing emotion or taking a fraction of our focus and concentration off our actions. This was my introduction to physical culture and spirituality. For 10 years I floated in and out my practice, at times getting as far away from a spiritual base as one could. After enough futile effort at living a selfish, unhealthy, external based life I returned to my base and have never swayed. The paths to self realization are many and varied, one certainly does not have to be an athlete or practice a martial art to find enlightenment. One must, though, take care to do all within one’s ability and means to illuminate  their personal health and energy.

“Your body is precious. It is your vehicle for awakening. Treat it with care” - Buddha

I believe that energy capacity is paramount in getting through life’s winding, at times, uneven, and challenging terrain. To navigate this physical path, and integrate into its limited time space our personal self realization takes optimized energy. It is not about getting in shape but creating a system of continual enhancement so as to be able to serve at the our individual capacity and potential. It must also be noted that with an applied system of continual enhancement, capacity and potential is continually expanded allowing you to increase your value to the world.

“….man acts as a guardian of his body. It becomes his duty to take such care of his body as to enable it to practice the idea of serving to the best of its ability.” - Gandhi

Creating a healthy vibrant, performance able, physical vehicle is each of our obligation to God, self, and humanity. Outside of physical limitations there is no rational to argue or excuse of not pursuing such a state of being. It is not about muscles, and sexiness, but about creating a capacity that allows us to perform physical labor, have balance, compassion and empathy in our emotions, clarity and stamina in our intellectual efforts, and a harmonious, humble, altruistic spirit.

Whether my client be a senior rehabilitating, an athlete improving performance, or a fitness client desiring more energy, improved health or cosmetic body improvement my guidance, educating, and recommendations include an integrated approach of breathing meditation, sound nutrition and hydration, functional movement training, and energy system development incorporated into their program. To provide anything less would be irresponsible, and a gross underachievement on my part. It is my belief that to provide those I touch with the means of improving their ability to accept responsibility, and self manage their own health, fitness will help them serve better and find their own desire and pursuit of self realization.

A state of integrated health and fitness supports a natural transition of evolving spiritually — Blue Collar Zen

Go out of your way to make others happy. You cannot please everybody, but to those souls who cross your path, give kindness and love. - Yogananda

There is a great emphasis put on the circular energy of specific actions and thoughts, right and wrong, good and bad. It is a classic example of man’s ego and arrogance to control all of which leads to such wastes of time. Man’s deep seeded insecurity and refusal to admit truth leads to his propensity to love nothing more than a man on a pedestal preaching. The only thing more ridiculous than the preacher is all the, conditioned not to think, masses listening to the orator on the pedestal. The true, great one’s speak softly from the floor with limited insistence but much encouragement and a firm demanding of self thought and awareness. A simple, self declaration of unconditional love for self, humanity and earth makes elementary conclusions of all the exhausting, infinite efforts of pious enlightenment, integrity and character.

Perpetual devotion to what a man calls his business, is only to be sustained by perpetual neglect of many other things.

- Robert Louis Stevenson

Man’s relentless obsession with power and wealth is incompatible with love and harmony. Love and harmony resonate from within. Power and wealth are purely external actions whose euphoria is only present in the midst of the action. Love and harmony are directly linked to the heart and energize one’s total energy.

All life is a manifestation of the spirit, the manifestation of love. The Art of Peace is the purest form of that principle. A warrior is charged with bringing a halt to all contention and strife. Universal love functions in many forms; each manifestation should be allowed free expression. The Art of Peace is true democracy. - Morehei Ueshiba, The Art of Peace

The power of wealth is made impotent by the presence of physical dominance. The motivation of power and wealth is founded in the insecurity of masculinity. The essence of a true warrior is beyond the comprehension of the wealthy and powerful. The powerful rule for control. The true warrior exists for love and humanity.

Train to keep your body able, meditate and practice compassion and empathy in thought, word and interaction. This formula will make you smile easily and greatly reduce the energy, health and life decimating effects of stress.

For Performance, Health, and Stress Reduction

Meditation has been scientifically proven to provide many physiological, mental, and emotional benefits. Many athletes, corporate executives, entertainers understand the benefits and employ them as an integral part of there lifestyle as well as a tool to prepare them for their performances. For athletes, corporate executives and entertainers their performances are their livelihood and the quality of each performance impacts their value, thus allowing them to keep their positions in these highly competitive fields. Today I am going to introduce you to a very easy meditation application that will help you whenever you need a break to increase your energy, clear your mind, or reinvigorate your mental focus.

Power meditation is much different than a power nap. A nap by definition is sleeping for a short period of time. A power nap is a 20-30 minute nap that purposely falls short of attaining deep or slow-wave sleep. Getting to a place where one can sleep, power napping, and getting back to your days work is not logistically possible for most. Compound that without being able to close off your mind, little emotional rebalancing, mental clarity, physical energy is going to be gained and you have the reason for its lack of popularity. Where the power is derived from a “power nap” is evading my understanding and imagination completely. The term “Power Nap” is arguably an oxymoron. 5 - 20 minutes of “Power Meditation” on the other hand, with a focus and technique on breathing and clearing the mind produces a noticeable calm and increased energy state. I state my case!

Studies have found a direct correlation between meditation and the performance level of sports professionals. Meditation strengthens the mind as it comes under control, providing an enabling of effective guidance to the physical body (including the brain) to proficiently executes desired efforts. Meditation has many health benefits. The deep, rhythmic breathing techniques of meditation increases circulation allowing cells to receive oxygen and other nutrients in great quantity. In recent years meditation has been implemented in the management of many life threatening diseases and psychological disorders.

Benefits of meditation:

• The lowering of oxygen consumption
• The decreasing of respiratory rate
• The increasing of blood flow and slowing of the heart rate
• Increases exercise tolerance in heart patients.
• Leads to deeper levels of relaxation
• The lowering of high blood pressure
• Reduces anxiety attacks by reducing levels of blood lactate
• Decreases muscle tension, pain due to tension, and headaches
• It increases mood and behavior influencing serotonin production, in which low levels are associated with depression, obesity, insomnia, and headaches
• Helps in chronic diseases like arthritis, allergies, etc.
• Reduces Pre-menstrual Syndrome
• Helps accelerate post-Operative recovery and healing
• Reduces the activity of viruses and emotional stress
• Enhances the immune system

Power Meditation Technique:

• Turn off your phone ringer.
• Find a quiet place or lock the door and put on some soothing music.
• Set your watch or phone to your desired time of meditation.
• Find a comfortable place to park your body. Whether that be sitting upright in a chair, in a recliner, lying on your back with knees bent, or sitting on a matt in the lotus, ½ lotus or seiza position.
• Take a couple of deep breaths to open up your lungs and clear them out.
• Take a minute to consciously relax, find a comfortable posture
• To start, close your eyes and focus on breathing relaxed full breaths. Breathe in and out through your nose at the same pace.
• Focus your hearing to the music or peaceful silence while you concentrate on your full, relaxed rhythmic breathing.
• Keep your attention on your breathing, feel the inhale and exhale. Withdraw your attention from the past, future or responsibilities at hand and focus on deeper immersion in the feelings of your breathing.
• If you find yourself distracted with thoughts, gently bring yourself back to the feeling of your breathing. Allow the thoughts to pass by as they come. Don’t try to hard, just do your best to return to your breathing and allow any thoughts to exit.
• Don’t worry if you find yourself thinking a lot. This is normal. Over time, you will gain the ability to quiet yourself more and more. Like anything else, it just takes practice.
• If you experience some physical discomfort during the meditation, make the necessary adjustments to bring yourself back to the comfort zone. The adjustments might be very subtle muscular, skeletal, or attitudinal shifts. Just do your best to relax and remain as still as possible during your meditation.
• Whether you perform 5 minute meditations when needed or use a scheduled time in your day, you will feel the relaxing, energizing effects of taking a break from the world and breathing therapeutically.

Your performance in life is how you are judged, both by yourself and others. Take charge of your own performance potential by maintaining peak performance ability. Energy management is a must in todays over the top, busy world. Meditation, combined with daily management of your nutrition, hydration, physical activity and sleep will help you obtain your optimal performance in life.

Namaste.

Greg Alario

Blue Collar Zen Master

Is it their talent and sensuous, creative efforts that pleases and stimulates our senses, bringing us a level of external joy, that has led cultures throughout time to honor, respect, and admire artistry? Or is there more to it? Could the mindful, arousing, original expression of true art resonate within us and create a brief glimpse of true living, and the joy and bliss that accompanies it. Is it the purity and satisfaction of mindful action  that artists emote in their work be the true source of our infatuation, and desire to emulate them?

Mindful expression is available in all the actions of life. Physical culture, work, sex, cooking, etc., can all be expressed with artistry. Anything we do can be done meditatively, with total, integrated focus on the moment, and action or thought at hand. We all have moments of being “On”, or in “The Zone.” Being able to call on this state on demand, though, comes less easily. To have this ability on hand takes a little consistent discipline to develop. It is not difficult, but it takes time. Meditation is a very useful tool in learning to control the mind and access our true self.

Viva Degas

In recognition of Women’s history month, as well as providing an  example of artistry, mindfulness, and original expression,  I felt Edgar Degas’ work would fit nicely.  He not only poignantly captured the romance of the ballet, he also expresses his deep fondness and appreciation of the female form, mystique, energy, and grace in the following pieces.

The many components of the art of mindful living will be explored indeptly In future posts and, “BLue Collar Zen  Holistic anti-aging, optimal performance, and contentment through physical culture and self realization.” Until then think about it and enjoy the supreme efforts of Edgar Degas.