Sunday, May 30, 2010

Finding the right yoga style and class

On The Jenny Gallagher Your Wellness Coach Show this past Wednesday I talked about yoga styles and decided to share some details here as well.

Hatha yoga focuses on physical health and well being. Almost all yoga classes you will find will fall under this umbrella. There are other types of yoga but this is the physical practice most people are used to seeing/hearing about. Hatha means 'sun/moon' and strives to find balance to opposites such as front and back, top and bottom, right to left, up and down. Yoga means to yoke or unite. Yoga is meant to bring balance. Since there are many body types and reasons people want to take yoga there are many styles to choose from. Here are some guidelines:

1) First make sure you are clear on what it is you want to accomplish. Do you want to get strong, get flexible, prevent sports injuries, relax, restore? This will help you determine the class you select. If you already exercise you may not need strength from your practice. If you get bored moving slowly (and are already physically fit) you may want a more invigorating class. If you are recovering from an illness or injury please find a gentle or restorative class.

2) Determine if you want a group class or private lessons. Many times people will take a private lesson or two if they want to learn how their body will perform in the postures in a one-on-one setting. The price may be more but well worth it because in one hour you can learn more about yourself than you would in weeks or months of group classes. If you want accountability both will work. Sign up and then go.

3) Find a style that matches your personality. Do you like to move slowly? If so then consider a gentle hatha class or try alignment based yoga such as Iyengar or Anusara. If you like moving more quickly and are fit then try vinyasa; also known as flow. The poses flow together and you may notice more physical warming in this type of practice. Vinyasa came from Ashtanga yoga which is a challenging yet fun practice. You can also take a power yoga class if you like a heated room. Hot yoga the room is even warmer (104 vs. 98). Bikram is a form of hot yoga where you do the same 26 postures in a row; twice. There are other styles like yin, restorative, sivandanda, kundalini and so on. First get information on the class and the teacher and then give it a try. If you don't like it then find another style. You can always find a style that will suit your needs and desires.

4) Don't skip levels. If you are new to yoga take the series one or level one classes. Form first.

If you want more information just let me know.

Namaste.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Overview of topics covered on The Jenny Gallagher Your Wellness Coach Show

What a great first two weeks with my new talk radio show. If you want to start listening in go to http://www.wksc1300.com every Tuesday through Friday from noon to 1:00 eastern time. Just click on Listen to Live Radio. Pretty soon there will be recordings of the shows and I will be on other stations. I will keep you posted.

The first week I focused primarily on creating a basis. I introduced myself and wanted to make sure my listeners know I am their wellness coach. While the results may not be as good a phone coaching (because I cannot have a two-way conversation); my objective is to share coaching, nutrition, fitness and wellness tips. I want to educate and motivate. I want you to get started today with your goals. If you are too busy then your goal is to make the time or find the resources so you can get going.

I shared my definition of wellness; which is wholeness. Wellness is everything: health, finances, relationships, career, selfcare...

I talked about nutrition and the importance of providing the body with nutrients. A diet high in refined carbohydrates leaves the body starving and contributes to over eating. Plus too much sugar (yes you get sugar from breads and pasta) makes your body rely on insulin and over time can create resistance. Good foods give you energy; they don't take it. So if you want to start to feel better immediately begin to consider small changes you can make with your diet. Maybe replace one bad habit with a new good one. Did you know an apple will wake you up more than a coffee? Especially if there is sugar in the coffee.

I talked about fitness and in the upcoming weeks I will have guests on my show to share their success stories and products they like. Some will talk about nutrition as well. Both diet and exercise will help you to feel better. But think of exercise as play time. Even a 5 minute walk will improve your mood. Start small. The small successes will lead to bigger ones.

My book Four Steps to a Better Life was the topic this past Tuesday. Just remember I-C-A-N. If you want more information about my book go to http://www.gallaghersolutions.com/book.html.

Wednesday the topic of emotional eating was covered. Why we do it and also what unmet needs are. If you are eating because you are bored, lonely, or even as a way of celebrating it is possible you are over doing it. Stop and think about what you are eating and why. And most importantly don't eliminate the foods you love. There are no bad foods; just moderate. Have those cookies today and an apple tomorrow.

Thursday life balance and life style topics were covered. Many times we are suffering from over load. If you are feeling stressed out there are solutions. Consider scheduling a one-hour coaching call to figure out what those solutions are for you.

Friday my guest was Kathi Joy and she talked about Vitamin G, which is greenery. Getting outside or brining the outside in can really help you to find balance and gain clarity. If you want more information about Kathi you can go to http://www.thejoyresolution.com/. She has free videos you can watch. Check it out!

Next week I have some really great guests so listen in. Here's to a great week and Live Well!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Wellness Exercises Worksheet

I prepared a worksheet for a workshop I am doing tomorrow and thought I would share it with all of you. If you want more information on this topic please listen to www.sportsbeatradio.com Tuesday May 11, 2010 from 9-10 pacific (noon eastern). I will be on every Tuesday through Friday.

If you want to actual worksheet (Word document) just let me know. Start your path to wellness by creating a sense of wellbeing. You can change how you feel immediately.

WELLNESS EXERCISES WORKSHEET

Exercise # 1 - Diet (nutrition)
•Sit quietly and enjoy your meal. Don’t read, work, watch television, gossip, etc.
•Only eat foods you love and when you do savor them vs. feeling bad about yourself.
•Write down one unhealthy eating habit & a healthy replacement. Do this for 21 days.

Exercise # 2 - Fun Activities
•Think of something you love to do and write down when you will do it next.

Exercise # 3 – Lifestyle
•Write down an unsatisfactory habit & a healthy replacement for one week. Do this for 21 days.

Exercise # 4 – Reduce Stress
•Present moment practice – Focus on breath and the five senses.
•Guided visualization – the 2 minute vacation
•Write down one change you can make to beautify your environment. Maybe de-clutter or rearrange.

Exercise # 5 – Affirmation•Write down a simple affirmation that you can repeat to yourself several times a day and when you are falling asleep.

All rights resevered - Gallagher Solutions, Inc. 2010

Sunday, May 2, 2010

My new talk radio show

Starting Tuesday 5/11/10 I will be on WKSC1300 AM and www.sportsbeatradio.com from 9-10 am pacific time (noon eastern time). The show will be called Jenny Gallagher Your Wellness Coach and I will provide information and motivation to get you going on your path to wellness. The show will be on every Tuesday through Friday and I hope you can join us.

Wellness is an overall sense of wellbeing and a big part of wellness is a healthy mind and body.

To have a healthy mind you must learn how to relax and how to focus on positive thoughts. There is scientific proof that positive thoughts improve health and can even have miraculous healing qualities.

To have a healthy body you must take care of it. This includes a healthy diet and exercise but neither need to be 'hard'. The show will share ideas so you can connect with feeling good about your choices; of which there are many. Other factors things like your environment, which includes decluttering, and getting plenty of rest.

For every excuse you have there is someone out there to prove you wrong. You may think you are too busy or don't have enough money but trust me -- there are people out there busier and poorer that are doing it. The show will share these inspiring stories as well.

If you ever want to be a guest on my show please let me know. We'll schedule some time to talk about your topic and see if it is a good fit.

Just don't give up. Let's enjoy life and create wellbeing.