Finding Places Trading places

The last two weeks was all about processing the reality of committing the next 2 years towards this program.  What was most interesting was assessing how I spent my time. Sleep, work, physical activity, silence practice, errands, tv, reading, meeting friends, taking care of business entries, reading assignments, writing assignments, emails, facebook, connecting with family and friends in the Caribbean, cooking…etc., I am just grateful that I can even reflect on doing all of the above. Over the next two weeks I’ll be looking for those spaces I yet have to discover ( 4-5 am) and use them wisely to apply some initial structure that allows me to maintain, in the coming months a healthy, fun, balanced, and of course, an active lifestyle.

Life is about learning and discovering the things that inspire us; it’s about inquiry and curiosity; taking risks and staying safe and, finding spaces and trading places. The two weekend classes we’ve completed were the most inspiring and fun filled classes I’ve attended in a long time. I never imagined graduate studies would be fun! Inspiration and fun can only be possible when learning occurs in a safe, nurturing and supportive environment, and this I saw, heard and experienced from our instructors. Dr. Smith, Jacqueline and Kathryn thank you for making sure we heard this several times during these first two weekends. Your openness and honesty about expectations, group dynamics and instructional styles were enough for me to know that I was in the right place with the right people. To my cohort group …wow…wow… and double wow. How lucky am I!!! I am in awe at your diversity, warmth, openness, creativity…I so much enjoy your laughter and playfulness. Yes we played sock poi, juggled soft balls and scarves and danced tiniking (Philippine bamboo dance).

Synaptic sprouting

Then there were these new long words like Phenomenology and Salutogenesis. We discussed notions of health, vitality and embodiment, we explored the Social Determinants of Health and discussed the biomedical, sociological, sociocultural and psychological tensions that exists. Mind-body interactions as an internal factor in determining health we will continue to debate. I look forward to the evolution and transformation of our group in the coming months.

Over the last two weeks I’ve reflected on both my personal and professional lives. I’ve maintained a somewhat active lifestyle, walking, hiking, yoga, stretching, beach days working on my tan (it can be lots of work); however after these classes I was inspired to become more attentive to how I choose to live life. I can feel the beginnings of synaptic sprouting creating new neural patterns and grooves in what was once a flat dry land. While my yoga and silent practice is more consistent, and I am more aware of my movements, posture and eating habits, it’s become clear to me that I must pay more attention to breath awareness during all daily activities, not just while in silence.

In my professional practice I have become more attuned to clients concerns. We engage in more meaningful discussions about health promoting activities and together look at developing fun purposeful strategies that they can incorporate into their daily lives.

Stay safe all…until the next post