Mind-Body Podcast Episode 1: Awareness and Mindfulness

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Welcome to the very first edition of the “Mind-Body Forum”.  The Mind-Body Forum brings together professionals from around the world to discuss topics relating to a 360 approach to fitness, health, and wellness.  Each week we focus on a topic relating to fitness and exercise, sports performance, rehabilitation, and everything in between!

Inspired by a year filled with major sporting events that happen once every four years (i.e., Olympic Games and World Cup), today’s discussion will be on the “mental” side of sport, physical activity and exercise.  On today’s panel we have Kris Eiring, a licensed psychologist specializing in sport psychology, Colleen Hathaway, a chiropractor specializing in gentle adjusting techniques, and myself, the fitness nerd!

THE CAST

Kris Eiring – Sport Psychologist

I am a licensed psychologist in WI with an emphasis in sport psychology. I have a private psychology practice where I see a variety of athletes, such as golfers, runners, soccer players and hockey players. I generally see people who want to improve their mental game. Typical issues might include helping athletes learn techniques for relaxation or focus. I teach a lot of breathing exercises and the idea of mindfulness in sport. I have a philosophy that there is more to the mental game than just being mentally tough. I like to think of it as more about being mentally smart and aware. www.psychologyofsport.net

I got into sport psychology when I was competing as a sprinter for the WI Badgers. I took a sport psychology class and got hooked! I love learning about how powerful our mind is and I also love working with athletes to help them become their best.

I began working more with Colleen when we both moved into the same office complex. We realized we had a lot in common and sometimes we referred to each other. We then developed a class on mindfulness for athletes where we discussed the mind-body connection. Our book on mindfulness evolved from our hand-outs and discussions with athletes in class.

Colleen Hathaway – Chiropractor

I graduated from the University of St. Thomas in 1993 with a B. S. in Corporate Fitness Science and Athletic Training.  I played basketball all four years and was the starting point guard on the 1991 NCAA Championship team. In addition, I served as a student athletic trainer for football, soccer, baseball and track and field. My athletic background brings a unique perspective to athletic performance, balance and well being.  Recently, I co-authored a book, Mindfulness and Sport Psychology for Athletes: Consider Awareness Your Most Important Mental Tool with her colleague, Dr. Kristine Eiring.

I attended Northwestern College of Chiropractic from 1993-1997 and I have been in private practice for 17 years. My practice incorporates principles of gentle chiropractic and craniosacral techniques, including light touch energy work.  Essentially, I work with the body’s innate wisdom by helping remove interferences from the nerve system.   Removal of this interference brings balance and harmony to the mind, body and spirit allowing for optimal performance. I enjoy educating patients on the direct connection between their mind and body.  Empowering people to become aware of their thoughts is one of the most rewarding aspects of chiropractic care.

Andrea Oh – Fitness Professional

I graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Physical Education degree, majoring in Sports Performance and Exercise Physiology (so … I am the resident “fitness nerd”).  I played varsity women’s volleyball (winning four consecutive National Championships), was a member of the National Team program, and played professionally overseas (until an injury ended my career).

I have taken an unlikely path in the fitness industry over the past two decades, as one of the very few “Jane of all trades”.  I started out working my way through the ranks at a commercial fitness club (from cleaning toilets to teaching classes, training clients, selling memberships, and managing operations).  I then opened up my own studio and trained sports teams and elite athletes.  Opportunities to grow and expand then led to my role working with equipment vendors, education developers, and corporate wellness providers.  Unexpectedly, my career then began to focus on areas of technology and innovation in fitness the fitness industry (i.e., active gaming technologies, virtual simulation fitness equipment, medical grade vibration devices and non-pharmaceutical interventions to prevent bone loss).  After recently moving back to Canada, in my spare time, I coach and am the sports and conditioning specialist for an elite volleyball club (ages 13-18).

The culmination of my knowledge, and the network of professionals I work with, has recently led to the creation of the fitness authority website, www.todaysfitnesstrainer.com.  I have recently published two books (“The Business of Personal Training: Essential Guide for the Successful Personal Trainer” and “GET MOTIVATED! Powerful Quotes and Exercise Tips to Inspire 52 Weeks of Extraordinary Workouts”), with a third one scheduled for release in late fall 2014.

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION

1. Mind-body connection (golf is a great example, uptight mind = uptight body)
2. How self talk and emotions relate to actions and keeping ourselves motivated to train or stay fit is often a mind game
3. How all of us as athletes at different levels talk to ourselves to reach our goals
4. Awareness is so key! Where do you put your focus?
5. Thoughts Are Things (what you think about you bring about).
6. What does it mean to be aware and why is that so valuable?
7. The 3 A’s of Mindfulness: Awareness, Acceptance, Action
8. How can I practice being aware: 3 simple every day actions to highlight awareness
9. Explaining the quote, “One is only as strong as they are flexible” in mind and body.
10. Ignorance of “self” in traditional fitness (i.e., group fitness, fitness club environment)
11. Awareness as it relates to motivation and goal-setting
12. Environment and how it plays a role in promoting awareness (different people gravitate to different things)
13. Awareness in athletics and elite sports (i.e., How is it applied in a sports environment?, What are limiting factors?, How does it make a difference in performance?)