Get Respect

We hear the word "RESPECT"  every day:

‘Respect your elders.’
‘Don’t disrespect me!’
‘Show some respect.’

Every living being deserves respect. It cannot be gained by demanding it. First you have to respect yourself!

Respect your wonderful body! It allows you to stand, walk, run, eat, talk, feel, play sports, swim…your body is your most precious asset and the only one you will own in this lifetime. Always visualise yourself as beautiful and healthy and say ‘No’ to anything that would be unkind to your body.

Respect your brilliant mind! Never undervalue, underestimate yourself or sell yourself short – you are original, irreplaceable, amazing and unique! There won’t ever be anyone else in the world quite like you. Never be afraid to speak from your heart and always refuse to think negative thoughts about yourself or others.

Yoga is a fun and challenging way to keep fit, improve concentration, reduce stress, increase energy and promote well-being. Some techniques are thousands of years old and can help you deal with unkindness and bullying, helping you instead to develop better relationships, better grades and a feeling of belonging. It requires mental focus and physical control, and is fantastic therapy for depression, raging hormones or feeling out of control. Yoga means unity and it includes exercises for the body, breathing exercises, meditation and reflection that help free your mind from fear, guilt and anger.

Everything in nature has a rhythm. The sun rises and sets. Summer follows Spring.  Our breath too has a natural rhythm and you can empower yourself through breath work and bring harmony between mind, body and emotions.

Poppy field at sunset by John Short

                                    

Spring Lambs by John Short

 

When we are feeling highly emotional –  eg. distressed, angry, excited, or in love - the rhythm and pattern of our breathing changes.  So when you are nervous about a test or any other situation, BREATHE!  Increase your exhalation so it’s longer than your inhalation:  breathe in for 4....hold for 4.....release for 6. Do this a few times. You are flooding yourself with happy hormones and releasing toxins from the body.  

When you are feeling unsettled and nervous, check your mind and be 100% in the present moment.  Take your inspiration from nature - observe how animals with slow heart rates like the elephant and the tortoise live much longer than agile and nervous animals with quick heart rates. Learn from the world around you - bask in the warmth and energy of the sunshine, stretch upward, open your eyes and strive to see the good in everything, and smile!

The Kind Hearts’ Way:

  • Eat 5 luscious fruit and vegetables a day   
  • Start every day with a smile, gentle yoga and a healthy low fat breakfast
  • Avoid fatty foods loaded with sugar, salt and fats
  • Don’t smoke, take drugs or drink alcohol
  • Keep active through exercise which you enjoy
  • Go on to www.bhf.org.uk/yheart to find out more from the British Heart Foundation
  • Always drink lots of water every day to flush out those nasty toxins
  • Think happy, kind thoughts and banish negativity.  Think it to be it.
  • Don’t pollute your world with litter, or with negative thoughts
  • Be proud of your body no matter what shape or size you are in.  We are all different and that makes life fun.  Can you imagine a world where everyone is the same shape, size and colour?
  • Celebrate what is different about you but honour and respect each individual.  We are all one family - the human one!