Yoga and movement therapist Steve Bracken is sharing his expertise with guests at Constance Halaveli this month. Here, Steve outlines health tips we can all follow.
Steve Bracken, yoga teacher and bodyworker
Movement therapy
My approach to health, yoga (movement therapy), fitness and bodywork was influenced greatly by the work of KRI Jagadish when I volunteered at his clinic in Mysore, India.
In his clinic people are treated with soft tissue manipulation, massage, yoga therapy and only food is used as the medicine. There I literally saw miracles of recovery on a daily basis and I came to realise the importance of treating health in a holistic manner.
Holistic approach & the health mandala
With the knowledge I gained there, combined with what I already knew, I put together the health mandala ? a holistic approach to improving health that looks at the areas of exercise, diet, vitality/energy levels and our attitude. If we want to improve our health we need to look at all of these areas in relation to our health goal.
However, to begin we first must check that we are not coming from a place of self-blame or recrimination for any health or body issues we may have. If we attempt to make war on our body to force it into a healthier state we will ultimately fail. We need to accept but not necessarily like that we are in our present condition due to our unique life history.
Positive thinking
The next step is to focus on positive outcomes and understand the benefits of those outcomes. We can visualise living a healthier life and enjoying the benefits. We also need to have a highest goal that is not dependent on outside validation or an ideal image of ourselves. For example, instead of trying to lose weight we can focus on feeling healthier, lighter and more energised.
This is a goal that is growth orientated and flexible. It does not set us up for failure if we don?t reach our specific goal. We may still aim to lose weight, for example, but it should not be our highest goal. When we feel good about ourselves it is easier to treat ourselves well.
Steve Bracken at Constance Halaveli, Maldives
Stress relief
Another tip is to learn to listen to the messages of the body. The body will respond to any unhealthy stresses, especially if they are chronic, that are placed upon it in a negative way whether it is from food or drug toxins, nutritional deficiency, harmful physical activity or inactivity, emotional or psychological stress and so on.
The body is hard wired for health and happiness and lets us know when we are going against its best interests. Hence, an awareness of what causes us stresses and a willingness to deal with the cause through this mindfulness will change them or our attitude to them, and guide us to a healthier and happier way of living.
Steve?s holistic health tips
- Exercise regularly and do something you enjoy but generally work to only 70% of your maximum capacity.
- Eat less meat and that includes chicken. People generally consume far too much protein.
- Watch less news and television in general. It is mostly negative, generally not the truth and does nothing for relaxation.
Find out more
Visit his website to find out more about Steve Bracken?s approach to yoga and movement
Get Steve?s expert tuition online with his Simple Mobilisation video?
Read Tanya Kemp?s guide to improving your health through yoga
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