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Subscribe for FREE wellness Lauren Muney at age 40: |
Books to Rock Your World This list takes books of different wellness subjects, and offers them non-stressfully in case you are interested in good reads 'for your health'. Some of the health books have dietary recommendations, but mostly they are highly educational and will help you understand your body, your time, and your stress in a whole different light. I highly recommend each book. If you are looking to become 'an expert' in fitness or health, these books will not provide any expert credential; however, these are wonderful beginnings to your journeys.
--------------------------------------------------------- LIFESTYLE:
This book describes how managing nutrition, time, exercise, and stress, you can discard previous habits and start on new, healthy habits. The discussed information is based on the idea that a human being needs to "renew" itself periodically so it can function better in all facets of life: home, work, play, exercise, etc. A very fast read with good examples, this book can help you discover that even small changes in your life- and work-style will add up to big, joyful, stress-reduced results.
Biologist, fitness expert and anthropologist Frank Forencich offers a new vision of the human animal by exploring current [modern-day] living versus our earlier origins: food, play, movement/exercise, stress, nutrition. This book is packed (packed!) with amazing insights into our human needs, their origins, and how typical modern society often leaves us unfulfilled. Far from being a depressing anthropology book, this book is an encouragement to pulling us from our societal rut(s) so we can find joy and the youthful vigor again - no pills, diets, fancy equipment, or expensive toys needed. ----------------------------------------------------------- NUTRITION:
The best, easiest-to-read book on nutrition I have ever encountered. The chapters run the gamut from describing nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, to weight loss, and even healthy hair, skin, and healthy lovemaking nutrients! A very good read for even easily-confused people, this books describes plenty of education to begin (or continue) your health quest. Crayhon is a respected nutritionist and founder of a nutritional institute and yearly conference.
An absolutely astounding book which describes how omega-3 fatty acids -- "the good fats" -- improve our brains and bodies. Scientific and medical researchers have been discovering how the reduced-fat diets, extolled by diet-gurus for over two decades now, have increased the depression, bipolar, and other brain-chemistry disorders throughout the North American continent. Replacing the needed fats with fish oil and/or flax seed oil has improved depressive/bipolar/OCD patients... sometimes to not needing medication. This book cites many examples and health recommendations using "good fats" in the nutrition base. ---------------------------------------------------------- FITNESS:
Although I've met the author and we've exchanged several emails, I can't say that I know him; however, Phillips writes with one of the best outlooks on fitness that I have ever encountered: he treats it holistically, as a whole-body outlook. While I don't recommend my clients purchase any thermogenic ("fat-burning") supplements like Phillips mentions, the rest of his advice is presented in a philosophic and beautiful way. The pictures are inspiring to men and women alike; not the typical bodybuilding photos, but the body as 'art'. Phillips actually has quite a spiritual outlook on training, and recently he was featured in "What is Enlightenment?" magazine. His website is beautiful also.
With more information about building a healthy lifestyle, former bodybuilder Bob Paris discusses training, exercises, healthy lifestyle, and (somewhat) how-to's for the exercises. A great must-have book.
This author really knows how to hit the main body parts to train them for use! With some extra information for nutrition and motivation, this will give you some extra lessons in movement - even at home.
Bill Phillips brings and easy to read book with exercise directions and eating recommendations. One of the best and simplist fitness books that one can purchase. It is not a diet - and i recommend staying on it 'for life', not "12 weeks".
Physician and optimal life specialist
Dr. Pamela Peeke takes a deeper look at women's fitness and also their
issues for fitness, wellness, and health. Quite a well-known doctor
of women's health, Dr. Peeke's materials have taken the health world
by storm - and now with the succession book to Body For Life, she helps
women understand their bodies and help transform them/ ----------------------------------------------------------- STRETCHING / FLEXIBILITY / FEELING BETTER:
Both men and women (even the tough strong men) rave about Bryan Kest's yoga! The online reviewers love his work - it's hard to impress people with DVDs, so if all types of people love his work (including a male bodybuilder friend), perhaps this will work for you also.
I'm not a stretching person normally, and this book has incredible photos, descriptions, and even routines for almost any amount of time you have available to stretch (10 minutes, 20 minutes, etc). The other review has wonderful comments about the book(s), and there is a description about why stretching is needed, what happens in the body during and after stretches, and a reader never has to feel like he/she is not a gymnast and cannot do these. It's not really yoga and it's not quite anything else... ----------------------------------------------------- RELATING / INTERACTIONS WITH OTHERS:
Far from being any book about any religion or practice (it's not really Buddhism), psychologist and counselor Kasl describes how to communicate with a partner, how to recognize difficulties in oneself, and how to treat your partner with love and not neediness. Based within several spiritual traditions (including gentle Buddhism, grateful Christianity, loving Sufi) and also understanding the complex chemistry of addictions, Dr. Kasl encourages partnership without the "self-help" genre.
Although this book is authored by a leadership-training company, the book is written in a 1st-person narrative novel-like style. It is the story of an average manager in a corporation who is confronted by his management-leaders; while he thinks he is a hard-working staff member, they see that his ego-centered attitudes actually endanger the business atmosphere. (This is the "self-deception" in the title). This book describes the process of finally seeing other people as humans, and actually parallels the spiritual value(s) of "inter-being": that we have to recognize others as having feelings, and when we are 'open' to others, all our business and personal relationships will be smoother and more successful.
-------------------------------------------------------- PET OWNERS The
New Natural Cat: Complete Guide for Finicky Owners If you are treating yourself with health and wellness, why not do the same for your pet? I haven't read Dr. Pitcairn's book, but it comes highly recommended; I have the cat book. Most animal problems may be from poor nutrition and ineffective treatment. Learn how even table scraps can help your animals be healthy. These are wonderful books to create a loving household which includes animals who come when they are called (cats too!), don't mind their claws being clipped (cats too!), have healthy, shiny coats and no overweight problems! Animals should have fluffy coats, slim bodies, alert and playful minds; if your animals are not like this, perhaps you need this book. --------------------------------------------------------- SPIRIT / "INTERNAL LANDSCAPE"
I don't do aikido, a martial art which centers on loving the attacker and improving the self. So it might be strange why I am recommending a book which centers around aikido principles. Wendy Palmer, a 6th-degree blackbelt in her late 50's (but who looks near 30) writes from her own varied experiences of discovering ways to aligning back to "center", a place where even in confusing or difficult situations, one can find peace enough to make correct decisions. Whatever spiritual or faith center that the reader comes, Palmer Sensei (sensei means "teacher") describes how to discover his/her own moral compass, or "verticality", how to encounter difficult situations by pausing, and how to accept stress by facing it head-on. She quotes from St. Francis as well as from Lao-Tse, the Buddha, and other teachers. And she uses examples from her work within women's prisons to describe how even in incarceration, emotional and spiritual freedom can be found.
Conscious Embodiment is a practice derived from the revolutionary non-aggressive martial art of Aikido. This practice allows us to unify the energy of the body and thus learn to trust our sensations. The DVD contains two hours of different segments such as Centering under Pressure, Business Scenarios, Partner Exercises, and Meditation. These practices will help you:
This is a new-classic treatise on understanding higher levels of excellence, whether your interest lies in sport, career, relationships, or other subjects. This is a very small book which understates its important lessons; be ready to underline or highlight its pages and return again at a future date. This book incorporates psychology, somatics (of the body), anthropology, and systems-thinking, as well as Eastern philosophy in Western context. As stated, it's very understated in places: some important subjects use only a few sentences: get ready to consider the deeper implications of this book. This book can be a shortened version of the above Wendy Palmer book. (Ms. Palmer and Mr. Leonard have been colleagues for years).
This book is a must read for anyone who has ever struggled with his or her own faith, has a deep faith already, or even considers him/herself an atheist or agnostic. Written by Christianity Today editor Philip Yancy, the book explores Yancy's own struggles with his childhood church tenets - so he embarked to seek 13 spiritual leaders who impacted him greatly, often with their own creativity, depth, and commitment. These personnages (of several faith backgrounds) include Gandhi, Dostoyesvski, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Dr. Paul Brand (who works with lepers), and many others who have sought their own moral compass --and how their own journeys created their legacies. This book is an encouragement to all, of any faith (or of no faith).
I discovered this book years ago, and have always loved it as a process to "wake up" to the world: Leonardo was a man who fully investigated everything around him and then based his ideas on what he discovered - and what he could make better. This book can help you understand these processes and how to do this in your own life.
I can't rightly describe this book; it's a collection of thoughts, exercises, essays, primative drawings, engravings, postulations, all intended to spark the spirit of the reader. It's not linear - that is, it doesn't have chapers which flow form one to another - but basic concepts which the author pieces togther his own thoughts, thoughts of philosophic writers, poets, mythologists (Joseph Campbell, Jung), spiritual thinkers, "news", and other soul-provoking wanderings. The basic concept is that the world is amazing - don't glumly focus on the terrible stuff because that's only a fraction of the great stuff occurring - and the author invites you to notice your own 'pronoia'.
Zen Buddhist psychotherapist David Brazier gives his view of the humanities of life, in his interpretation of the Buddha's teachings. For anyone who has never studied Buddhist concepts, this may be a good beginning, as it describes in plain English the concepts. He also comes from a psychologist's understanding, which is very helpful as well. "Traditional schooled" Buddhists may not like his gentle explanations, but Brazier also offers that anyone discover his or her own path.
For more ideas on fitness, health, or "alternative" methods for your lifestyle, contact Lauren for coaching solutions! |
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| DISCLAIMER: Any application of the recommendations set forth in this website or in personal consultation is at the reader's discretion and sole risk. The advice and coaching from Physical Mind and Lauren Muney is intended for people in good health. Anyone with medical problems of any nature should see a doctor before starting a diet and exercise program. Even if you have no known health problems, it is advisable to consult your doctor before making major changes in your lifestyle. Any recommendations regarding diet or nutritional treatments should be discussed with your doctor. | |||||||||||||||||
Last website
update: 03/8/2007
Physical Mind Fitness is NOT affiliated with the
PhysicalMind Institute
of Pilates training and certification,
which can be reached at
its own website.
Everyone
has their favorite books . . . and sometimes one's books are based on
a sentimental time in one's life, a favorite passion, or simply a good
story. This list is none of those. (kidding).
The Practice Of Freedom: Aikido Principles as a Spiritual Guide
Conscious
Embodiment DVD
How
to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci
Pronoia is the Antidote for Paranoia