The biggest gift we can give each other is to be present! - Part 1 - Yoga Anatomy in Manchester a Revolution in Movement

The biggest gift we can give each other is to be present! – Part 1

Whether it’s Christmas, birthdays, sickness, christenings, weddings, funerals and the list goes on…

Are we truly present with ourselves and each other?

We are distracted by the outside world and rarely tap in to our true potential.

We live in a frenzy of monkey mind, but when the mind is at peace we are truly at rest, and are lifted into the eternal present.

Next time you spend time with someone whether it being a family member, friend or person you encounter in the street, are you listening to what they have to say?

Are you making eye contact?

Or are you a slave to your device whether it’s the phone, PC, Ipad, news or media?

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, or not to anticipate troubles, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly – The Buddha

The past and the future exist in the mind. When the mind is at rest there is no past or future. Being resentful, guilt ridden and constantly desiring stops the flow of energy.

Our tomorrow is a result of what we think and do today. The present and future is truly in our own hands.

Every minute of the day we are faced with a choice. Our choices either take us closer to our health or further away from health. The present is the only time there is.

The past no longer exists, every time we focus on the past it prevents from being in the moment.

Having a healthy body and mindset will guide us with intelligence in our every interaction in life. When we let our past fears, beliefs and perceptions become our reality, we become clouded to other opportunities.

When life becomes challenging, we not only project it outside, but we project it inside and embody the experiences into our fascia and tissues. When we let our fears of the past embody us they become acts of separation and segregation.

Arnold Patent’s universal principles tells us to let go of our outside linear experiences and perceptions in order to access our true consciousness and potential. To use our intuition, we must be willing to let go of pre conceived behavioural patterns on what we or others should or should not be doing in our life (gossip/judgement).

So from a movement point of view I am going to ask you to feel five important questions:

1. Are you truly present with yourself and can you be in complete silence and stillness without any activity to do?

2. How is your breath?

3. How is your mind?

4. Are you just flowing through movements in class without awareness to flesh and bones?

5. How much of your body is connected to mother earth and how much is lifted in tension?

‘Every moment of our life can be the beginning of great things’. – Joseph Pilates

Bibliography

Arnold Patents universal principles

Paul Chek media

Kira lamb media

Patanjali yoga sutras

About the Author: Nisha Srivastava

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.