Brain Respiration - Versatilizing

I am still reading that amazing yoga book right now, Human Technology A Toolkit For Authentic Living by Ilchi Lee. I am now on the chapters about Brain Respiration (BR). Why do I want to talk about this? Because I gaining a better understanding of why my newest “self” project is the marathon. Oh yes, I recognize what I do. I've never picked a challenge quite so physically demanding though. And at my age! Getting ready for a marathon, when done right, is filled with lots of changes. And I am uncomfortable with change. Sounds funny, but I am. With this marathon I recognize some changes will be easy, some harder. But it is a change I have asked for and that  is under my control and hopefully I will learn and grow from. I’m looking for something from myself. I get that. I hope I find it this time so I don't do this to me again. lol. It could happen.

Quoting from the book: So what is BR?  "It consists of a variety of physical, emotional, and mental exercises, progressing through five stages: Sensitizing, Versatilizing, Refreshing, Integrating, and Mastering." One comment on the Versatilizing stage is what I want to touch on.

"Our preconceptions prevent us from being flexible in thought."

My preconception in this case is that I have always felt I couldn't run distance. As I talked about it when I started my blog last year, I didn't pass the presidents physical fitness 1 mile run in grade school. Passed all other requirements. So now at 55 I am going to prove to myself I can run. Makes sense doesn't it. Actually, I already have by now, but since I am already signed up for the race I'll finish what I have started.
So more about the BR:

"Brain refreshing can be divided into two parts. In the first, we free our minds of negative preconceptions and unwanted memories. Second we fortify ourselves against the influence of destructive information."

"When we allow a preconception to rule our behavior, we are actually allowing our past to control our present and future."

"The past exists in the present only as a piece of information.  When we realize that the past is only information, we will have taken our first step towards freeing ourselves from it."

I will be doing the specific Human Technology exercises to help me with this, like most people I have more than one preconception hanging around in my brain.

Dahn Yoga

Dahn Yoga is a practice learned through experience, rather than acquisition of knowledge. However, there are some key concepts that will help practitioners understand how Dahn Yoga differs from other exercise programs.

Three Studies of Mind-Body Development: Study of Principles, Study of Practice, and Study of Living

1. Principles The principles of energy transform a basic stretch into a yoga posture. Three main exercise principles are:

   Shim Ki Hyul Jung: From mind to matter. Energy follows your mind, moves your blood, and makes creation in reality. The basic application of the principle in regular class could be: bring your mind to the moment while practicing to actualize changes in your body.

   Seu Sung Hwa Gang: Water Up, Fire Down Water energy goes up to keep the head cool and chest comfortable. Fire Energy goes down to keep the lower body warm and healthy.

   Jung Choong Ki Jang Shin Myung: From Health to Happiness to Peace. Through stabilizing your physical health, you will purify emotional energy, leaving a clear mind that will light up spiritual energy.

2. Practice The principles aren't learned through intellectual knowledge, but through the body. If a person practices with honesty and diligence, then they will experience the benefits in body, mind, and spirit.
3. Living If the principles of yoga are practiced only in the center, a person will never master them. Practice naturally spills over into everyday life.

Feeling Ki Energy What is Ki energy? The Ki energy system, comprised of meridians and chakras, is inherent in the wisdom of many older cultures. It has been practically unknown to most in the modern day, especially in the West. Your instructor will refer to it as Ki, or just 'energy'.

Ki is not something you can see, or touch, or even prove that it exists. However, you will be able to feel it with practice.

Ki serves as a bridge between body and mind, and will help you feel how your mind's condition affects your physical health. By awakening the Ki energy in your body, you will become more aware of how keep yourself healthy, and how to communicate with your inner self and how to better relate to others.

Brain Management, using the Brain Operation System (BOS) "Our brain is designed to realize what we wish, without any minor errors. If you want success, it will create success. If you want happiness or health, it will create them. Anything is possible, as long as negative thoughts and emotions don't interfere." Ilchi Lee, Brain Wave Vibration

Brain Management is a term coined by Ilchi Lee to express the art of managing your brain, which includes managing every thought, emotion, and movement, to create what you want in your life.

Ilchi Lee created BOS - the Brain Operating System - to express how to manage your brain well. It is comprised of 3 elements:

1. If you choose it, you can create it. If you decide to create something with unshakeable determination, you will be able to make it come true.
2. Good news makes a good brain. Think positively on the path towards realizing your creation, turning obstacles into opportunities.
3. Pay attention! Stay in the moment and pay attention, and your brain will become aware of what action you need to do for achieving your goal.

Dahn Yoga with Jerrie

Today I was able to visit with another family member who moved to Arizona years ago, Jerrie Gathe. She is my second reason for making the trip. I was able to reconnect with Jerrie back in December when Jan and I were here for Christmas with Alicia and family. Jerrie took the time to share with us a little bit about how she had healed herself through Dahn Yoga. This really interested me because of the peace I felt coming from her. I wanted some of that. But you know how Christmas is and there wasn't enough time to find out more, so I knew that I had to get back I just wasn't sure how or when.

On my quest to reconnect with my true self, because I think that is what is happening, there are people in my past who can help me get back to what matters most. And I find myself seeking them out. And as I present that as a need I am given the opportunities to make it happen. It is called the Law of Attraction and I really believe it works.

I am desperately trying to simplify my life but as I do I add more activities to it. I just can't quite figure this out yet and I know I am going to have to be patient with myself as I go through this process. I want to be able to relax and enjoy. Enjoy my family, friends, dogs and activities which are part of it.

Jerrie first looked at my aura and we spent a few minutes talking about what it showed. One of the things was that I am not using my energy wisely. I need to focus more on my core. But many, many good things were happening and I am headed in the right direction. I find it very very hard to relax. Almost impossible sometimes. Most of the time I try to do two things at once if possible. Multi-tasking. I am good at it. But is that a good thing? I'm not sure.

Jerrie showed Alicia, Melanie (Alicia's sister in law also visiting from Utah) and I many stretches that will specifically help me loosen my muscles for running. I am a lot tighter all over my body than I initially thought I was. I think that I have been that way so long that I am use to it. It feels normal to me. I really want to change that.

We went through lots of relaxation techniques and I felt so good and relaxed afterwards. What a nice afternoon. I know I am on the right path. Jerrie gave me a book Human Technology A Toolkit For Authentic Living and I am anxious to read it. Lots of homework ahead for me.

"If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most." President Uchtdorf