Fighting for YOU

Congrats to all of the Olympians this winter for fulfilling their dreams and competing in the events. What a great ride with the snowboarding, skiing, skating, hockey & more! All of the hours, weeks, months & years of preparing for their moment in time... And just like all the time they put into prepping their bodies & minds for the event, we all prepare for the moments life presents. The question is if we'll be ready for the challenge. Whether playing with kids or grandchildren, stepping up to drive on a long par 5, enjoying a hike with friends, or a fun match of tennis... life presents opportunities and moments. Be ready. What you do now counts. -PS

The Fight for "YOU" When's the last time you had a fight with your self? Maybe it was just now when you had to decide whether or not to spend the time reading this. So, who was it that you were fighting with anyway? As humans, we all share the gift of self-awareness. This ability allows us to distinguish between our thoughts and our "self" that is thinking the thoughts (and reacting or interacting with events and the environment). The good and bad of this awareness is that we can have thoughts that encourage and empower, or judge and criticize. At some point, we identify our self as a sum of our actions. In other words, what we DO is a part of who we are. In looking at others, comparing and associating, we may identify others by the sports they play, the way they walk, or their helpfulness in cooking, cleaning, etc. And while these actions should by no means be the complete sum of who we are -- if we lose the ability to do, we lose that part of who we are. I can remember injuring my knee in a snowboarding accident and having to be laid up for weeks. I couldn't walk without crutches much less run, couldn't drive, couldn't play sports with friends, couldn't give my girl a bear hug, couldn't do a lot of the activities that I identified with that made me feel strong, free and alive. The frustration level was high as I judged and criticized myself for the accident and for being unable to be active. Questions ran through my head about having to redefine who I was and how I viewed myself. It's a scary proposition to have to re-invent yourself or to have to find alternate activities to those of first choosing. Fortunately, I was eventually able to regain enough function to get back into activities I identified with. But for many, this doesn't seem possible given their current critical, judgmental thoughts that may be defeating the real 'you.' In the absence of an objective view of your self, the path to getting back into daily activities, sports, or just being free and feeling strong may seem insurmountable. So here's what I suggest. Come in for a FREE consultation at our clinic. We'll take some postural photos and go over your condition. Along with that, we'll give you straightforward answers on what it will take to get you back on track and how you can rediscover much of what you thought was lost from the true YOU. Call to set up an appointment for your consultation. You have nothing to lose but the limiting beliefs gained since your injury or pain started. You have everything to gain, including the self you once knew, loved and appreciated. Call to set up your free consultation and find out the best path for your personal condition at 310-450-2549.

For the complete Egoscue Santa Monica March Newsletter, click here:
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs043/1102261740810/archive/1103127145012.html

Lizard Brain doing your Thinking?

Overcoming the resistance to act means conquering the lizard in your brain!

In Seth Godin's latest book, Linchpin, he describes the lizard brain and how it is seeking the simple path in life. "The lizard brain is hungry, scared, angry, and horny...and only wants to eat and be safe." And while this reptilian side of our brain will cause us to fight when necessary, it may also keep us from reaching out beyond our comfort levels.

The lizard brain wants you to order in versus venturing out to a new restaurant. It would rather you watch a movie you've already seen (possibly several times) instead of seeing a new movie or a touring play. The lizard brain may also be what's keeping you from trying something different to overcome your pain. It would rather have you sit on the couch and live with physical limitations and less activity than get out and play.

Your lizard brain says, "Oh, I've already tried everything." This statement give security and certainty in only one thing -- that you don't have to try any more. The unintended consequences, however, are devastating and include loss of desire & motivation, lack of creativity, depression, and hopelessness.

Another comment the lizard brain makes is, "I would, but it costs too much." As with the last comment, this will lead to safety & security, and create a scarcity mindset that things-are-only-getting-worse. Investing in yourself is not a lizard-brained idea because it would cause you to think ahead... think of the success, achievement and hope of actually getting better, enjoying a lifestyle you once had.

"It's too far, too complicated, takes too much time, too hard, too much effort, etc., etc." Your lizard brain will go on and on about how much you'd rather live with the pain, succumb to a less-than-optimal lifestyle, or simply wait for an act of divinity, before coming out of the safety zone. After all, drugs are cheap, surgery may be covered by insurance, and I need to save all the energy I have left! And while these comments may be justifiable, the truth is that you have more in you.

You have a gift, a birthright, to being pain free. Conquer the lizard and get back your higher functioning self. You'll thank yourself that you did, and so will those around you who've been living with the lizard.

Egoscue Pain Free1

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Egoscue Pain Free1

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Up & Running in the New Year?

Along the beach, boardwalk, parks or on the street, there are plenty of runners in Santa Monica and throughout LA. (After all, look at our weather compared to the icy mess back East!) And while most will tell you to start with selecting a good pair of shoes and equipping yourself with the right gear, our advice is to start from the "inside-out" by starting with preparing your body.

The proverbial "wall" that you hit with running should be from endurance and having to build up your cardiovascular system. Most people, however, will hit the wall that comes in the form of musculoskeletal pain. Whether knee pain, foot pain, hip pain, back pain or otherwise, the joints of your body that are not functioning properly will start to complain.

Pete Egoscue says in Pain Free;

Running gets the worst rap of any major sport, and many of its loudest critics are former runners. Their primary objection to running is its impact on the load-bearing joints. When those joints are unstable and out of alignment, their capacity to manage the shock of each foot strike is indeed impaired. Fancy shoes and knee braces won't help, nor will adjustments in (running) technique.

So, before you run out to get the best shoes and the stylish garb, spend some time restoring proper function within your body by doing some simple e-cises. If you've taken a significant break from running, it is likely that your gait muscles have become dysfunctional from the time off. Wake up these dormant muscles and your body will thank you for it, and you'll be able to stick to your running program a lot longer!

Egoscue can help you identify what is causing your pain or help you get on track with your workout routines by setting up your posture and function for success. Come into the clinic for a free consultation or get started by reading one of Pete Egoscue's books. I recommend "Pain Free" if you have symptoms. You can also get started with the exercises on Egoscue.com. Call to set up your free consultation and find out what the best path is for your personal condition at 310-450-2549.