Passion 4 Life Ltd

Did I mention headstands yesterday? x Lol.

I came across a fascinating blog today that truly describes and understands my relationship with technology in a word! Or indeed how it feels when I’m using my artistic and innovative brain to do headstands in a non-literal way. I much prefer to go for walks in Dulwich, with the aid of technology, ie my ipod on the rare ocasion.

Using this platform, then, another big thank you goes out to a recent follower on Twitter @HowToMakeMyBlog – Marko Saric, the dude Rocks! And seriously knows what he’s talking about. It’s probably the first time that I’ve been able to follow advice without scouring around in the dark due to the complexities of language and all sorts. He’s encouraged me to go through the arduous task of tidying up my blog and learning about Feedburners and plugins.

To this I must add today, that I’m a work in progress, but I’m aiming to keep my blogs short, visual(eventually) and simple(eventually).

Of course some of you know how I love my scenarios and narratives and this week, I’ve deliberately held off on that serious temptation, however the addition of Tips especially for this week’s ‘walking challenge,’ is to really help you get to grips with the heart of the matter.

Warmed up and ready to go, how was your walk yesterday? Were you able to increase your walk to 30 minutes by day 4. If you started with a 15 minute walk on day 1, for instance and increased it by 5 minutes daily, then by day 4, voila – 30 minutes and you are rocking ladies and gentlemen.

And if I’m using the formula of the lovely Mark Hughes (who walks up to 12km every morning in Prague before him and Dana open their flower and craft shop ), then that would be the equivalent of 3.3 km/2 miles in 30 minutes.So well done.

One of the most important things to mention is posture. Make sure that you are standing straight and tall with relaxed shoulders and that your eyes are looking outwards and in front of you, (during your walks) being open to your environment.

Looking down at the floor is only going to encourage you to disappear into a world of …… well….need I say more? Opening up the chest so that you can breathe better and present to the world in a more positive way is really what I’m talking about here, yes? lol.x

Now some tips for Cooling Down, as your walk, comes to an end.

Tip 1
Slow your pace down gradually during the last 5-10 minutes of your walk, so that your cardiovascular and respiratory systems readjust accordingly to your pace slowing down. It’s much better and perhaps kinder than coming to a complete halt, with all that cardiovascular and respiratory pumping and exertion going on.

Remember that the aim is to move gradually towards a balanced body at all times. lol

Tip 2

Hydration – I bet you wondered when I would get back to the aftermath of ‘the water challenge’ and my clear obsession with this beautiful compound?

If you are able to take a small water bottle with you on your walk, then all the better. These days, there are all sorts of jackets that come with slots in the upper sleave for a water-bottle.

Otherwise, make sure that when you get in from your walk that you drink up to half a litre of water which is 500mls/ 16.9oz(US)/ 17.6(UK) and do this slowly as you cool down and stretch.

Tip 3
Take your trainers off and if possible rinse your feet under the shower. (A habit I picked up in Thailand in 2007, that makes my feet feel wonderful)

Repeat the stretches (Tip 2 – 6 ) from yesterday’s blog.This time invest some time in the stretches and take 5 slow breaths with each stretch. So for instance in the quadriceps stretch of Tip 5, inhale and exhale 5 times when stretching your left leg and then inhaling and exhaling again when stretching your right leg.

Tip 4
Prop the toes of one foot against the wall infront of you (hands resting against the wall and your opposite leg slightly behind, hips square and facing towards the wall) so that your heel is on the ground and bend into your knee giving your achilles a nice stretch as you inhale and exhale 3 times. Repeat on the other foot.

Tip 5
With your hands still against the wall, bring both feet together and rise up onto the balls of your feet, inhale and exhale 3 times and then lower your heels and shake your feet out.

Tip 6
Lie down on the floor, knees bent and feet firmly planted on the ground and take some nice easy breaths here. When you are ready, keeping your right knee still, open your left knee outwards moving down only as far as you can go to stretch your adductor and inhale and exhale slowly 3 times. (The sole of your right foot will rest against the inner aspect of your left foot). Repeat on the left side. Then bring your knees back in towards you. Hug your knees in towards your torso if you can and rock from side to side. Arch your back slightly before turning onto your side and getting up gradually.

Tip 7
Gluteal & Adductor Stretch.
Sitting on a chair, lift your right leg across and rest it on your left thigh just behind your knee and take an inhale. As you exhale bring your upper body forward in one piece. You will feel a deep stretch in the muscles of your buttocks. Take 3 complete and slow breaths here, before relaxing your right leg and placing it back down on the floor. Repeat with your left thigh.

Relax and sit back in your chair and listen to this audio Podcast or if you choose to, have your shower first and then come back to the floor and relax with this.

Perfect…….

More on the horizon tomorrow. I’m off to saunter and commune with the tweeting birds in Dulwich. x and then later with the trees. x

Many blessings.x

You can see the smile on my face, … That tells a lot.

David Terrell