Have you heard about Buddhas second arrow?
There is something philosophical in the phase ‘unlucky in life’. It can feel like the world is against us with one thing happening after the other: a parking ticket, a flat tyre, a job loss, a break up, a cancelled flight, an illness, a bereavement……..and so on.
There may be an event or situation in your life that is the first arrow making you feel stressed, bad, not okay, unhappy, unsettled or upset. As humans we tend to overuse our left brain and over think and look for a reason all this has happened or even point the finger at someone else. We say things like: its my fault, there is something wrong with me, I brought this on myself, I’m not good enough, I’m too fat, too ugly, too old , too young, not qualified enough, don’t have enough money, its a punishment from God and so many more phases I hear clients say.
In Buddhist teachings the second arrow goes as follows. A Buddha once asked a student: “If a person is struck by one arrow, is it painful?’. The student replied: “Yes it is”. The Buddha then asked:“If the person is struck by a second arrow, is that even more painful?”. The student then replied: “Yes it is”. The Buddha then explained , “In life we cannot always control the first arrow. However the second arrow come from the possibility of choice”.
While we can’t change the outside environment , we can with practice change the inside environment of the second arrow of self blame. When you are in a deep crisis of anxiousness or depression we can feel that everything is our fault and self inflicted. The second arrow syndrome I hear from clients: “If only i’d done this, done that, eaten this , eaten that, said this , not said that and the list goes on……
Learning to notice these patterns and be kinder to yourself is difficult and sometimes we need outside feedback as it helps us to reframe what is happening and not about our failures but our success’s. And most important it reminds us that these thoughts are common, that everyone has them and that it is normal and part of being a human being.
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Nisha is a certified level 3 Chek practitioner and holistic lifestyle coach specialising in Pilates and Yoga. Her journey started when a visiting Laban teacher introduced her to Pilates at Dance College in a contemporary class during her first year.
Its effects were forgotten but she then re-discovered Pilates through Michael King eleven years later whilst running her dance school.
Her background spans over 32 years with formal training in classical ballet, modern dance, tap, national choreography, stage production and theatre.
Her formation includes Pilates, Thai bodywork, Yoga, GYROTONIC, GYROKINESIS, Garuda and anatomical studies. Her particular interest is fascia, and the connective lines and movement patterns that allow a full moving structure rather than the isolation of bones and muscles.
Her fascination with questioning the traditions of modern medicine and fascination with searching for meaningful answers has taken her in many different directions and has offered her an abundance of opportunities gaining a wealth of knowledge. “I tried many movement modalities and extended my search after experiencing fascia, because of its connection of movement. Quickly, I noticed my own body changing, as well as the bodies of my own clients. In the last 32 years of teaching I’ve developed my own movement and lifestyle philosophy".
Throughout her studies Nisha has done numerous dissections with Julian Baker, Mel Cash and Cery Davies and has the opportunity to take lectures and courses from James de Silva, Robert Schleip, Joanne Avison, Tom Myers, Matt Wallden, Leigh Brandon, Emma Lane, Gary Carter, Paul Chek, Dan Hellman, Peter Blackaby plus many more.
Nisha's teaching method promotes reflective self-discovery and provides the requirements to integrate a shift in consciousness for attaining individual goals.
Nisha teaches in her own studios in St. Helens and Manchester, plus she also has an online following. Throughout her career she has also taught Sting, Sir Ian McKellen, Cirque de Soleil, Will Young and Belinda Carlisle. She has also worked in professional football and both Rugby League and Union for over 20 years. Players she has provided a specific program for were former Manchester Citys Vincent Kompany, Everton's Steven Pinnear and goal keeper Jonas Lossi.
She maintains that an attitude of compassion, consistency and joyous humour are excellent components to growth and expanded potential.
She welcomes all level of movers from the beginner to the seasoned athlete who have a desire to increase their skill potential, also teachers and students. Her specialties include assisting post rehabilitative back pain individuals, injury prevention for athletes and spine health for everyday people.