"Life
is a journey from I to I am” - Vedas
 |
| Paul Newell (Source: Balance Wellness) |
Shortly thereafter, I again heard of the benefits of “Mindfulness”, Tai-Chi, Yoga, Ayurveda etc. while attending a Holistic Wellness event in Harlem, New York. In April 2012, I attended an all-day Holistic Wellness event at CCNY. At both events, key panels were moderated by Dr. Terri Kennedy of Power Living. I was also very lucky to get an autographed copy of Dr. Kennedy’s book, “The Power Living Pledge” which is a very helpful self-guide to wellness, positive health and lifestyle.
It is
often said that it is important to listen, understand, appreciate, and
moreover, put into practice valuable knowledge, experience, and wisdom of renowned experts who have been there and done that. Unfortunately, due to my own innate
ignorance, stubborness, lack of attentiveness and sheer apathy, I did not pay serious heed to “Mindfulness”,
Tai-Chi, Yoga, Ayurveda, etc. as for me it was literally into one ear and out
the other.
During various speed, interval and distance workouts and competition, there are repetitive signs of deep exhaustion, nausea, stress, strain and fatigue which are continual and ongoing since my earlier competitive days at Herbert Hoover High School, Glendale Community College and University of Southern California where I was basically battling early signs of diabetes, nephrotic syndrome and other health issues (all diagnosed in later years including various forms of fatigue; metabolic, neuro-muscular and central nervous system etc.). I was not at-par with any of the many championship-level and elite athletes on the various teams.
During various speed, interval and distance workouts and competition, there are repetitive signs of deep exhaustion, nausea, stress, strain and fatigue which are continual and ongoing since my earlier competitive days at Herbert Hoover High School, Glendale Community College and University of Southern California where I was basically battling early signs of diabetes, nephrotic syndrome and other health issues (all diagnosed in later years including various forms of fatigue; metabolic, neuro-muscular and central nervous system etc.). I was not at-par with any of the many championship-level and elite athletes on the various teams.
As 2013
started, due to ineffective training resulting from the lack of putting
“Mindfulness” into daily practice, I missed the entire indoor track & field
season. In March, the outdoor track & field season commenced. In late
March, during the 200 meters at Monmouth University Invitational Track & Field Meet, as I crossed the finish-line, I felt onset
of fatigue, stress and strain of right-leg hamstring, quads, abductors,
adductors and calve muscles. I continued speed-training into April-May and developed intense
plantar fasciitis as well as shin splints and scratched from competing in the 200
meters and 400 meters at the New Jersey - USATF Masters Outdoor Track & Field
Championships.
In early June, at the Mid-Atlantic – USATF Masters Outdoor Track & Field Championships, I went through normal warm-up sequence and drills. I scratched from competing in the 400 meters fearing fatigue and related issues. While doing wind-sprints, I sensed some odd feeling and did not pay any attention at all.
At the
start of 200 meters, I felt right-leg hamstring pull, strain in the adductors
and extensive knee pain. I immediately informed Coach F. Eugene Driver III of Trojan Masters Track Club and he consoled me by text message and said he knew
exactly how I felt. Subsequently, I had to pull-out of competing in the USATF Masters Outdoor Track & Field National Championships, Empire State Games
and States Games of America.
In early June, at the Mid-Atlantic – USATF Masters Outdoor Track & Field Championships, I went through normal warm-up sequence and drills. I scratched from competing in the 400 meters fearing fatigue and related issues. While doing wind-sprints, I sensed some odd feeling and did not pay any attention at all.
The long
six (6) month journey to full-recovery was steady progress while putting into daily
practice Coach Driver’s very specific instructions on preparation for competition, tips on dynamic stretching, guidance and advice on acceleration / sprint / speed-training as well as often hearing his kind words of encouragement. Moreover, the credit
of accelerating the path to full competitive training was due to actually integrating
“Mindfulness” while leveraging the benefits of Tai-Chi, Yoga and Ayurveda etc.;
I guess I had
to learn it the hard way.
In
January, I am really looking forward to the start of 2014 Masters indoor track
& field season followed by the outdoor track & field season. I fully realize it
is all about truly putting into everyday practice all of the vast knowledge,
experience and wisdom of renowned experts such as Coach Driver, Dr. Kennedy and Paul Newell.
There
are no “silver bullets”, short-cuts, frills, fads or gimmicks when compared to practicing
sound fundamentals of high quality holistic training in an effective manner. It
is paramount to integrate and incorporate “Mindfulness” while undertaking various
time-tested methods, techniques, skills and drills.
References:
The purpose of any and all mentoring, focusing on holistic wellness, health, sports, fitness, nutrition, yoga, ayurveda and related is to promote healthy lifestyles and balance between Spirit-Mind-Body. This includes any and all associated proven processes, methods, techniques, therapies which may also include educational purposes with the goal of creating awareness and disseminating information. All information on the Website in no way precludes the mandatory need for seeking definitive prior advice, diagnosis and/or treatment from a qualified medical physician and/or specialist related to Spirit-Mind-Body fitness and/or training program(s). Prior to starting any Spirit-Mind-Body fitness and/or training program(s), it is mandatory to get a thorough examination by a qualified medical physician and/or specialist. In addition, a medical physician and/or specialist’s approval must be obtained prior to undertaking any Spirit-Mind-Body fitness and/or training program and as well as continual examination(s) by a medical physician and/or specialist during the entire duration and course of undertaking any Spirit-Mind-Body fitness and/or training program(s).
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