How did a farm boy from England, now in his early 60s, come to guide South Dayton residents toward a healthier lifestyle?
Growing up, I took for granted physical activity, homegrown food, and a supportive community; yet, knowing there was a whole world out there to explore, I left home for college at 18. That was the beginning of a long, slow decline in health, from stressful desk jobs, poor diet, limited exercise, and lack of purpose. The inevitable breakdown came in my early 30s, following a bitter divorce that left me in despair.
After finding meditation and yoga practice, I began to take responsibility for my own health and well-being, subsequently sharing this knowledge and experience as a professional stress management consultant. Championing the new Wellness Revolution became my “dharma,” or life’s purpose.
Do you have back pain, poor sleep, low energy, a few extra pounds, or perhaps a chronic illness, such as diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, or cancer? This is the “other pandemic,” possibly deadlier than the one making the news. Our medical system is wonderful in an emergency and for acute conditions, but less successful with these lifestyle conditions. The growing field of “lifestyle medicine” is not well supported by most health insurance. Some would say that we have a disease-based system, rather than a health system.
Most people are aware of what they “should” be doing, in terms of diet, exercise, and combating stress; however, seemingly simple lifestyle changes are notoriously difficult to implement in practice. Witness the annual outbreak of gym memberships and diet club subscriptions every January, followed by falling attendance within a few weeks.
Some try yoga and meditation. Unfortunately most yoga classes are targeted at the youngest and fittest 20% of the population and are not necessarily suitable for the rest of us—especially those over 40 who have not been physically active. If you are in that demographic, you likely feel intimidated to join these classes, fearing judgment or ridicule if you cannot keep up. I believe in nurturing and reassuring beginners. Indeed, it is essential to practice safely by respecting their limits.
It’s not easy to create a new habit; some say it takes at least 30 days of commitment. But what happens after that, when there is a crisis at work, a family illness, a vacation, or simply a change of season? Many of my clients feel that if they can’t make every desired change almost immediately, it’s not worth making any effort at all. Without support they are doomed to fail. They need compassionate support and accountability.
After training as a yoga teacher in 2009, I lived and served at a yoga ashram in Virginia. The community there has a daily schedule in which work fits around practice times—not the other way around. When everyone else is up and meditating at 6am, it becomes much easier to join in than to stay in bed. Communal meals with a plant-based diet also contributed to a sense of belonging.
After 10 years of extensive training in yoga, Ayurveda, and yoga therapy, I arrived in Dayton in late 2019. My intention was to develop in-person retreats, workshops, and trainings with my new partner, a local yoga therapist and exercise specialist. Then came COVID-19.
Since that time I have been studying what it really takes to establish a personal health and wellness routine that is consistent and sustainable, no matter what is going on in your life or in the wider world. My 12-month program is based on:
· The 10 essential daily habits of Body Thrive
· Kaizen (small steps) and other habit evolution strategies
· Group coaching and support
· Individual coaching and guidance
· Weekly yoga and meditation classes for complete beginners
· Short practices for home, work, and vacation, whenever you have a few minutes between commitments
· Access to practice resources 24/7
The pilot program launches in Feb. 2022. It will be a fantastic opportunity to establish the habits necessary to regain health and vitality through to the retirement years.
[SIDEBAR]
You may have substantial pension savings and be financially secure; however, this will not help you get down on the floor to play with the grandchildren or enjoy the hobbies and travels that you have planned, if your mind and body are not well taken care of.
I am offering South Dayton Lifestyle readers a free discovery session, to discuss your biggest health and wellness concerns and find out if you would be a good fit for the pilot program.
Use this link to schedule a telephone/Zoom video meeting:
tinyurl.com/8uke9rst (Use discount code SDLIFESTYLE.)
I also offer personal yoga tuition and yoga therapy for holistic healing. I teach weekly classes and monthly workshops at Club Yoga, 21 W. Whipp Rd., in Washington Township, and at the South YMCA in Kettering.
Find out more at https://raama-das.OfferingTree.com. Contact me at (540) 395-6643 or raamayoga@gmail.com.