Saturday, November 29, 2008

Practicing Discipline

Discipline is the ability to obey yourself. Most of us would agree that discipline is an important attribute. Discipline helps us stay focused and enables us to meet our personal goals. So how do we develop the ability to have discipline in our life? Try following my method -- Each month I decide to increase or delete something that adds to my health or my spirit. For example: in December I will be doing pushups and I will be adding omega 3 to my diet. I will do this six days a week during the month of December. So each month I am rewarded with both the physical benefits of what I do and the psychological uplift of knowing that I am a disciplined person, that I am obeying myself. You might want to start with something important but reasonable in effort. Start with just seven days, and each month add a week. Have fun and take your time as you add this wonderful practice to your life.

Tai chi thought of the week:
During these difficult times, try to remember what Theodore Roosevelt said: "Do what you can-where ever you are-with what you have!" It’s a great way to make the best out of any situation.


Stay centered, enjoy the day, and be careful out there.
Sifu Mike

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Four Steps to Lower Blood Pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) is so common and silent that most of us do not take it seriously. One of every three Americans have pressure over 120/80. So what can we do about this? Most of you know that I do not like taking medicine unless absolutely necessary and then only after changes in diet and exercise have been made. Here are some tips: 1) DIET. Get more potassium. We need to get 5x more potassium than sodium (I bet you're not!)...sweet potatoes-bananas-green beans-orange juice-cantaloupe-tomatoes and prunes will do the trick. Do not take supplements unless prescribed by your heath care provider. 2) Boost your vitamin D level by spending 15 minutes a day in the sunlight. 3) Learn how to meditate through exercises like YOGA and/or Tai Chi, and of course keep walking as much as you can. 4) Learn how to do "belly breathing" (diaphragmatic breathing) and spend 5 minutes 3 times a day relaxing, and smiling and breathing and counting our blessings. Try it you'll like it.


Tai chi thought of the week:
The purpose of a discussion or argument should be PROGRESS not victory. Sometimes it’s better to be NICE than RIGHT.


Stay centered, enjoy the day, and be careful out there.
Sifu Mike

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Weight Loss Tips

Lots of us try to lose weight and find it very difficult. We seem to start off with a loss, and then we put the pounds back on. One of the reasons is that we don't fully understand what to do to succeed. Here are 5 tips to overcome this challenge. 1) 3,500 calories equals 1 pound, so if you want to lose 2 pounds a week you have to reduce your calories by 7,000, or 1,000 a day. Most of us cannot cut back by this much food per day, so exercise is a MUST. 2) How much time are you giving yourself to succeed? We all need to be patient and realistic with our goals, and with OURSELVES. 3) The Masters say it takes 100 days to change a habit, including a few set backs along the way. 4) Do not skip breakfast, and pay close attention to what you DRINK. 5) The good news is that one of the few things in life that we really can control is WHAT WE PUT INTO OUR MOUTHS! Don't you agree?? Good luck on this very important health issue.

Tai chi thought of the week:
There is no failure, only different outcomes. Remember, what the caterpillar calls the end, the Master calls a butterfly.


Stay centered, enjoy the day, and be careful out there.
Sifu Mike

Sunday, November 9, 2008

The Five Superfoods

Our goal is to not only live a long life, it’s also to live a healthy one. What we eat will have a profound effect on our longevity and our abilities. Super foods are a great way to start .SALMON (wild not farmed); BLUEBERRIES (frozen is fine); ALMONDS (lightly salted or no salt); TEA (all types especially green, with no sugar); BROCCOLI (not loaded with butter or cheese). Please add these wonderful foods to your weekly diet and review how you feel after 100 days. Enjoy the journey.

Tai chi thought of the week:
Before you speak, ask yourself: Is it kind, is it necessary, is it true, and does it improve on the SILENCE?


Stay centered, enjoy the day, and be careful out there.
Sifu Mike

Sunday, November 2, 2008

The Three P's

All health improvements start with the mind--we have a idea on how to improve ourselves and then we start---and then we stop!! What happens is, we forget to add PATIENCE-PRACTICE -PERSEVERANCE. So next time you start a diet or exercise please add the three P's and see if that helps. Do not rush the process or the results. Small but steady steps on your journey will work. Be like the turtle and win the race.

Tai chi thought for the week:
"Embrace the TIGER" means to calmly accept conflict as an opportunity to learn about self, grow and do the extraordinary.


Stay centered, enjoy the day and be careful out there!!
Sifu Mike