I recently completed the Alberta Fitness Leadership Certification Program.  There was a great deal of talk about how to keep your participants engaged in a fitness program.  What was not discussed was the fact that different types of activities will resonate with different types of people.  The KEY to keeping participants engaged is to find out what works for them.  In Ayurveda, it is not a " one size fits all" approach, but rather sees each individual as having different needs and aims according to your dosha. People with a mostly Vata constitution will find that gentle, grounding forms of exercise will help them feel balanced.  Yoga and Nia are perfect activities for people with the elements of air/space.  Pittas have a love for competition and a great deal of focus and concentration and excel at sport. Any activity that cools them down mentally and physically would serve well. Skiing and hockey are great activities. Regular, non-competitive exercise will bring balance such as golf, swimming, sailing and yoga are all good choices.  Those dominated by Kapha will find that vigorous forms of exercise will keep you engaged.  Kaphas' biggest challenge is to start exercising as they have a natural urge to sit on the couch.  However, mental and physical exercise are vital to the feeling of well being to Kapha. They need vigorous movement more than the other two doshas and prefer to participate in group exercise. A traditional aerobics class  would suit you.  Next week we will discuss what kinds of activities each dosha should avoid.  Have a great week everyone!

Getting back to regular routine has been tough, but I am back.  It has been a while since we last discussed the difference between "doing" and "being".  The last sign that you are in the doing mode is that you find yourself speculating.  You wonder if there will be refreshments at the party, or wonder if your home insurance will cover you if you break your glasses.  Taking your mind into the future, whether anxiously, hopefully or with pleasurable anticipation are all signs that you are not living in the present moment.  Instead try attention.  Focus your mind on its own experience in the moment, and if it gets distracted, gently returning your focus to the object of your attention.  There you have it! Easy huh???

If I actually had people who were following my page on Facebook, some one may have noticed that I have missed a couple of weeks of blog posts.  Sadly, I was with my mother who was in the process of leaving her body.  As I sat with her as she slowly let her body finish what it was here to do, she seemed to be having a difficult time with the transition.  Was she waiting to see someone before letting go?  Was  it was my sister, whom had estranged herself from the family after my father's death?   Was she afraid to see people who left before her?  My mother's relationship with my father was, at best, tolerable.  Maybe she didn't want to see him again?  That is the question that I asked the only person I knew who would have insight into the answer.  

Often at our Tuesday evening meditations, we would discuss what it could be like leaving our physical world.  I sent an email to Ian Hayward, from Elemental Life Solutions, and asked him that question.  The response he provided was just what both my mother and I needed to hear.  This is what he said, " When you die your physical, mental & emotional bodies, hardness and meanness, way of being and ego all die, leaving you with pure consciousness, pure love.  As consciousness your parents will meet and love in a way that they could not in life.  There is nothing to fear, it will be a healing for both.  Everyone you have ever met will be greeted again when we pass.  This is why living from your heart is so important as it is the only true reality that transcends life."  I read this to my mom, she seemed to let out a sigh of relief.  It was what she needed to know before leaving.  Thank you, Ian.