strength - Minorsan

Why-What of Hemp Oil Extract

November 12, 2017 by Clara E Minor Leave a Comment

Those of you who take my classes have heard me mention this after class: my ‘crazy’ energy is from PMB Hemp Oil Extract (and just a dose of Clara too).

What is PMB Help Oil Extract?
I’ll explain in a bit. First, I want to give you a bit of the history. I have been introduced to the next level in our quest for healthier bodies/minds/souls/spirits. It is one of a few ‘revolutionary’ discoveries. There has not been a greater discovery in the scientific/nutritional community in the past 30 years. This is huge!

Nanotechnology Opened Up Our World (and it is not scary…)
In 1992, Dr. Raphael Mechoulam and his colleagues, using the newly developed technology (the ability to break particles down into infinitely tiny particles—under 0.1 micrometer), discovered the endocannabinoid system in the human body. Ever since scientists all over the world have been clamoring to find out more about it. They realized that we have ‘receptor sites’ all over our bodies, influencing our nervous system, hormone system, and immune system. Humans have been on the planet for how many years now? So this is a very recent discovery.

And Just What Are Receptors?
Receptors (on the edge of our cells), as in ‘receives,’ receive information from our blood; they respond to hormones, neurotransmitters, signalers throughout the body and they take cues from what is presented through the normal process of our bodies, and turn them into proteins and organize the biochemistry around the things that are hitting the receptors. (Yes, this is kinda scientific, but bear with me for a bit.)

The receptor ‘sites’ are everywhere in the human body (the biggest class of receptors in the human body are the cannabinoids), with a predominance in the brain and the central nervous system, and in the periphery on the immune cells; plus women have a large cluster of receptors in the lower abdominal region (uterus/ovaries, etc).

Cell to Cell Communication
This happens through the cell membranes. When the membranes are damaged, cell to cell communication, and communication within the cell, is compromised. Healthy cell to cell communication demands healthy cell membranes. All of this, and more is explained in the 45-minute video posted below.

(You’ll need to get past the whoops and hollers, as Dr Christopher Shade, a well-known award recipient in the world of advanced nutrition, and considered by his peers to be the ‘expert’ in the science of detoxing the body, is preaching to the choir here—filmed at the PMB launch conference in June 2017).

It is extremely insightful in learning about this newest scientific/nutritional discovery. Watch his hour-long video at the link below.

In short, we make cannabinoids inside our bodies, with our endocannabinoid system. They modulate our hormones, the way we run our immune system and the way we run neurotransmitters in the brain. The scientific evidence around the healing properties of the hemp plant is well-documented. Dr. Christopher Shade has been working on this formula for years. (Oh this is so scientific!) Watch the video below.

Why am I telling you all this?
Because to not tell you would be a disservice on my part. I educate people whenever I can. If I am wrong, I will stand corrected. I educate myself, so I can educate others. People then make their own choices. The discovery of vitamin C was huge. So is this. And, yes, I will tell you up front I am using the PMB product. I am also making it available to others. How could I not? I truly want everyone to know about this option. It is truly revolutionary.

How many people do you know:

• that feel sluggish most days
• feel ‘out of whack’
• have ‘brain fog’
• are depressed
• feel low
• think a lot of negative thoughts
• have no energy
• just can’t get anything done because they are lethargic
• have sleepless nights
• are dealing with chronic health issues
• hate exercising
• have immune disorders
• have constant infections
• get sick a lot
• have mental illness
• get exhausted easily,
• are exposed to environmental toxins (think car exhaust/diesel fumes)
• or lack the wherewithal to make positive changes, etc.?

This is not ‘normal,’ however, it is the ‘norm.’ Being ‘the norm’ does not make it ok. There are many people who don’t have any of these issues, and say they ‘feel ok.’ Being in a sickened state, or even feeling ‘ok,’ is not normal. It is imbalance.

What is Normal?
Feeling vibrant and energetic, in a content and happy state—that, is normal. Facing challenges with a positive and open attitude is normal. The human body was made in a perfect manner. It has the ability to heal itself, given the proper tools. Yes, it can get complicated to think of all the ‘proper tools’ for any imbalance, be it a cold, or cancer, or autism; however, it is possible.

Most of the time we need expert advice and/or expert help. Some expert advice/help can assist us in making our condition better. Some of the expert advice/help can even assist us to regain full health. Full and vibrant health is normal. Most of us know know that to ‘heal’ anything, we need to get to the root of the problem, not cover it constantly with bandaids. As long as there is no ‘cure’ or answer, we must use the bandaids. I’ve always (as long as I can remember) been about finding the root of the problem: what, when, where, why and how? Thus, I had to open my mind when people began to tell me about this hemp stuff.

Homeostasis: ‘Coming Home’ to Our Bodies
This revolutionary dietary supplement and it’s amazing properties allow our bodies to reach homeostasis, the process whereby our bodies work like they were meant to work. Most babies have perfect to near-perfect homeostasis at birth. As our bodies gather more and more toxins from our environment, with each added year, homeostasis becomes more challenging, thereby compromising what our bodies are meant to do to be optimally healthy. Toxins can make our receptor sites shut down (cell membranes become unhealthy). As adults, many of us live our lives in less than optimal health.

Why is this dietary supplement so revolutionary? There is no other growing thing on this Earth for which we have receptor sites, like we do for the hemp plant’s extracts.

Let’s Talk About Hemp
Just the very word brings up images in many people’s minds, mostly related to illegal substances. When I first heard about this product, I had no interest in taking any into my body, as I too had preconceptions about it’s relationship to other illegal substances. ‘Just don’t talk to me…I’m not interested,’ was what I was thinking. And then I decided to just listen, as I was closing off my mind (something I strive to overcome when I hear something I disagree with).

The hemp plant has been around for 5,000 years. There are a multitude of uses for this most amazing plant, from healing, to clothing, to industrial use. And, it is a legal plant in all 50 States.

Dr Christopher Shade’s formula is PrimeMyBody’s Hemp Extract (Oil)
This formula contains synergistic (the sum of all work better together) ingredients that have been specially formulated to make this product the absolute highest quality on the planet, and to make it the most ‘bio-available’ (more about in the video), of all hemp oils in existence. All ingredients are organic. Each ingredient has passed the EWG’s (Environmental Working Group) tests for purity and the least toxicity. Ongoing quality-assurance testing is conducted for each ingredient. All are tested to be GMO-free.

So What is ‘Bio-Availability’ and Why Does it Matter?
Bio refers to our biological system, the way our muscles, nerves, blood, bones, hormones, etc, all work together. ‘Available’ refers to how the body uses the foods and liquids that we put into it. How much of the ‘usable’ parts of any food or drink (nutrients) actually can be used by the body, as opposed to being excreted as they go through our small intestines into the large intestines and filtered out through the liver, kidneys, urine, stools, and skin, is the ‘bio-availability’ of the product.

The bio-availability of PrimeMyBody’s Hemp Extract is more than 90%. This means that your body uses 90% of the product. There are other hemp oils on the market. Their bio-availability is about 6%-10%. (Yes there is scientific research to back this us. Watch Dr Shade’s video.) So even though other brands cost less, you have to use/buy more to get the same result. And it takes longer to achieve results. This is a huge difference.

How Does the Bio-Availability Happen?
The PrimeMyBody Hemp Extract is administered with exact precision (small pump on the bottle), and is taken under the tongue. The ‘oil’ is nano-enhanced, which means that the particles are so small that they can absorb through the membranes in the mouth. Within 30-90 seconds it is absorbed into the system (placed under the tongue). The other oils are taken internally and go through the digestive process, therefore they are not absorbed quickly and directly. Much is destroyed in the stomach alone. This is where the bio-availability is compromised.

Homeostasis Discussions
You have heard me talk about homeostasis in classes, especially in Tabata Bootcamp, as it relates to the muscles needing to recover. The muscles can only recover when your body reaches homeostasis. The muscles need to relax in order to repair and rebuild. This process then boosts your metabolism, thereby making weight loss easier, by making your muscles leaner (which require more energy to sustain themselves in their new leanness), and your bones become more dense (which combats osteoporosis).

Your body needs to be functioning in the parasympathetic nervous system to repair and rebuild. This is where it goes when we sleep soundly. When we ‘can’t get to sleep’ our sympathetic nervous system is active. PMB’s Hemp Extract helps the body to reach homeostasis and easily go into the parasympathetic nervous system when it is time to rest and sleep. You can also get there through meditation and deep breathing. (However, this can’t fully heal the cells’ membranes.)

When our brains are ‘on fire’ (when our sympathetic, fight-or-flight nervous system is activated), we cannot truly rest. If there is inflammation in the brain, we cannot truly rest. And inflammation in the brain causes many mental ‘instabilities.’ When we are in normal waking hours (daytime) we need energy. This product then enables us to feel the pure energy of our bodies without adding stimulants.

If our bodies are in constant high-energy expenditure, and don’t have time to rest, then the body cannot recover to do what it is supposed to do best in homeostasis: repair and rebuild. Our bodies are wonderful works of perfect art. We are the ones who mess them up. And by ‘we’ I mean humans create the toxins in our air, food and water, and we are even subjected to toxic people.

Sometimes as individuals we have no control over what others choose to do. Their choices can affect us, an entire community, and even the entire world. We have the choice to do something about it. We can start with our own bodies/minds/souls/spirits. Fix that first, then we are set to begin helping others find their true fix, and dealing with larger problems in the world.

Our ‘Cultural Default’
Many conditions of sluggishness, inactivity, always feeling tired, brain fog, lackluster existence, and generally being in a state of unhappiness are common. We are toxic. It is the ‘norm’…however it is not normal. It is (as Robin Holland stated to me), our ‘cultural default.’ There are so many of us feeling so much less than optimal, that we take it as a normal thing. “Oh yeah, lots of people I know feel this way too.” Therefore, we make it ‘normal.’ It is not normal. It is the norm. Again, not really ok if you want to reach your highest levels of vibrancy, energy, nutritional balance, and health.

I am giving you this information because if you ever get to a point where you are just fed up with your health as is, the ‘cultural default,’ and you’ve tried ‘a million things,’ here is a great option that could very possibly help turn it around. You just have to give it a chance…Just give it a chance.

Text me, IM me, contact me however you can if you want more information, or if you are ready to make a purchase.

You can purchase this oil at minorsan.primemybody.com

If you’d like a small sample bottle for $35, let me know.

My Mission is to ‘Heal the World—One Person at a Time, and It Begins with You’

It took me all day to write this…(lol). I spent this time because I truly want as many people as possible to know about this discovery. And if it moves you too, spread the word.

Watch the video HERE.

Sincerely,
Clara E Minor

Minorsan Has Moved!

October 4, 2016 by Clara E Minor Leave a Comment

Minorsan has Moved and Morning Classes are at The Tannery

Monday – Friday morning classes are being held at The Tannery!

Classes start October 3, 2016.

We are very excited about this collaboration with The Tannery. It is such a great space to just be, and a great space to move. See our online Schedule to see the class times/room. Please bear with us as we work through all the details of the Schedule. Some slots may change.

Our biggest change is for Wednesday morning: Zumba is at 11:30 am, and BodyPump is at 12:30 pm. (Now Wed & Fri Zumba both at 11:30 am!).

And we are very excited to begin evening and Sat/Sun morning classes on October 25, at Garfield Park Community Church! This is another great collaboration within our community. Another great venue to hang out, and to move our bodies! The Church and its entire campus has been revamped, renovated, and is now a beautiful space.

In the meantime, we are offering Tabata workouts (30 mins each) to all members of Minorsan, at 6:00 pm on the Garfield Park Church Lawn. The first was October 3, and it was a hit! Even if you have never taken a Tabata class, you are welcome to join us. Bring a friend and check it out together. It’s always more fun with 2, or 3, or 4 or 5! Bring as many friends as you would like. Anyone new to Minorsan can take one free! Anyone can do a 30-minute class…

We will update when we are open at Garfield Park Church for all classes.

Minorsan’s New Locations Effective 10/3/16

September 28, 2016 by Clara E Minor Leave a Comment

Minorsan is moving! Effective October 3, 2016. Closed Oct 1 & 2 (so we can move!)

We are Pleased to Announce…

Studio B (in 110)

All early morning thru noontime classes, Monday-Friday will be held at The Tannery World Dance Center!

We know you will be pleased too with this beautiful campus.

Most classes will be in Studio B and some in Studio 111 (original dance studio).
Click here to see the locations on the campus.

Our locations are the ‘green’ colored buildings on the graphic. Scroll down more and you’ll see the numbers of each building. Studio B is in 110.

Entrance will be thru the middle gates near Studio 112. Walk through the courtyard to Studio B (Building 110). Bathrooms will be to your left.

All Classes at our Mission St location will end on September 30.

Morning—Noontime Classes, Mon-Fri, will begin at the Tannery Monday, October 3, 6:00 am BodyPump!

And did we say The Art Bar Cafe is located in the courtyard? Easy to get refreshments after class, and get extended time with your friends.

Our Other Exciting News….

All late afternoon/evening and Sat/Sun classes will be held at Garfield Park Community Church campus. We’ll be starting there the first or second week of October.

We are helping Christopher Drury, Pastor, to mobilize his venture for both the community and for Minorsan, as it brings much to both for the foreseeable future. You can help support this effort for yourself and for the community in these three ways:

1- Helping with fundraising efforts by donating

2- Sharing the gofundme link on Facebook (and in your emails) to your friends (this can go a long way). You can even forward this blog.

3- Getting the word out that the pews are for sale. They are in great condition, beautiful wood, red cloth covered seating. They can be sold as is, or repurposed!

Phase 2 includes removing all the pews in the Sanctuary and replacing them with movable tables and chairs, which is the space we’ll be using for Minorsan’s classes, as well as for other community-wide events.

This can be done in one day. He can’t move the pews until he has the tables and chairs. He can’t get the tables and chairs until he has at least $6,000.

The Church needs at least $6,000 of the $12,000 they are seeking to purchase tables and chairs. The remaining $6,000 will go towards the purchase of new audio/video equipment and high-tech wifi for the live-streaming of events. Can you imagine watching an event live from home (anywhere in the world really) because you could not go? How exciting!

You can make an immediate difference by donating here: Garfield Park Community Church GoFundMe

If 60 people contribute $100, the $6,000 will be there! If 120 people contribute $50, the $6,000 will be there. ALL amounts welcome. Even $5 will help! These are tax-deductible donations, as he has a 501c3 non-profit status. You can donate here: Garfield Park Community Church GoFundMe

The Sanctuary is just to the right in this photo.

Christopher Drury has a long-term vision for his church:

• A community venue for events (seminars, weddings/receptions, special events, talks, workshops, entertainment, including live streaming, and classes/programs for various non-profits and for-profits)

• A leading-edge Church that is all-encompassing of community members with different needs, who all wish to contribute to our community. He welcomes people of all persuasions to participate in any event/activity at his Church. He is truly all-inclusive.

• Continuing with Phase 3 of development, which will include a cafe, serving espresso drinks, beer (preferably his own brand) and wine, plus small bites (possibly expanding to more later)

> Members of the Coryell Autism Center will work at the cafe, learning real-life skills and social interaction

> All proceeds from the cafe will go right back to the Coryell Autism Center

> Everyone who makes a purchase at the cafe will know they are making a direct difference right in our community.

If you wish to donate, click this link for the gofundme page. Any amount works! And share-share-share!

Thank you for anything you can do. It is truly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Clara E Minor
Master Trainer-Instructor
Minorsan Self-Defense & Fitness

Fruits, Sugars, Diets, and Weight Loss

August 9, 2016 by Clara E Minor Leave a Comment

Fruits, Sugars, Diets, and Weight Loss can be so confusing!

Why is weight loss so difficult? Why are ‘diets’ challenging? Why is ‘sugar’ so confusing? I have a link below that explains sugars, refined and in whole foods, for easier understanding of how all these sugars affect our bodies.
There are specific ‘diets’ out there that are tailored for weight loss. And some of them actually work. In a controlled environment—i.e., your kitchen. Yes, you can eat on your ‘diet’ when eating out, however it can be challenging. It can be done when you are highly motivated. You must stick to the parameters of the ‘diet’ and you will surely lose the weight. I have seen it. There are so many ways of eating out there, and the common bond they often share is they promise ‘weight loss.’ As I said, some of them work, for a while, and as long as you stay on them. Great if you stay highly motivated. What happens when you lose the motivation? The problem is that if you make a sudden and drastic change to your eating habits, most people will get a response from their bodies that is so powerful, that they must go back to the foods, and the ways, they left behind. The body was ‘shocked’ too fast, and it simply does not like to be shocked. You will be craving those foods you are used to eating, and those which you’ve been eating for a long time. It is easy to go back to how and what you used to eat. Then you think there is something wrong with you, or you just don’t have the will power. Remember you are fighting you body’s cravings. Your body craves the long-time food. Our bodies are brilliant, and they love security too. They want to stay the same. Each of us has a set point (metabolism), and each of us has eaten in a specific way for a long time. Whether it’s in a haphazard way at attempts at weight loss, or it’s always the same-o same-o. We always buy the same foods. Therefore, our bodies always crave the same foods. So, how do you change this? Seems like an impossibility, right? Wrong. Here is what you need to make this work: desire, persistence, knowledge, and a huge dose of patience. Yes, take your time making changes. When you make changes slowly, your body does not go into ‘shock’ at the change. It is gradually getting used to the new foods, new ways, new habits. There is no magic pill, no magic time, no magic food. It is truly desire, persistence, knowledge and patience. We have an abundance of foods from which we get all the nutrients our bodies need. We cannot get everything we need from just fruits and vegetables, even though they are ‘healthy’ for us. We need protein too, and we most certainly need healthy fats. Even ‘unhealthy foods’ have their place. If nothing else, they remind us (after we have consumed them), that we might not want to do that again for a bit. When I eat ‘unhealthy’ foods, it is almost always with someone else. It is when I eat out, or share food, or go to an event. I stay pretty regimented when I eat at home, however, I am not strict! And this regimentation is because I have eaten this way for so long. Remember, above I said that your body craves what you eat the most? Yes, because I have been eating this way for so long, my body craves healthy foods. (I know somewhere out there that dark chocolate is in this mix..lol…yes, that is my go-to fun food.) And, btw, in my search to avoid (remember, I said ‘avoid,’ not eliminate entirely) sugar, I found some organic unsweetened dark chocolate chips. I am discovering different ways to make them palatable (i.e., sweet) without adding refined sugars, and how to use them to make my fave chocolate goodies. When speaking of sugar, people often throw anything with ‘sugar’ in the mix, such as grains and fruit. Yes, these have natural sugars in them, and research shows they react in an entirely different way when they go through the digestive process and are used by our bodies. Eating whole foods in their natural state gives us a feeling of satisfaction (even from the beauty of the food and all the colors in fruits and vegetables), and satisfaction that you just can’t get from refined sugar and sugary foods and drink (although these can be satisfying in other ways).
Here is the link to the article on how this happens. Yes, you can stuff up on a plate of brown rice, or a huge piece of cake, or or even a huge bowl of iceberg lettuce, but remember that eating too much of anything is not a good thing.The lettuce will leave you feeling full for just a bit, and then that ’empty’ feeling sets in, the brown rice alone won’t give you the vitamins and minerals you get from fruits and veggies, and for the next few hours, you might not feel so good if you ate a lot of sugar. And sugar drains your energy. Even the next day you can feel your body reacting to the sugar you ate the day before (dull, sagging energy). You can eat too much fruit, too many vegetables, too much protein, too many complex carbs, and too much healthy fat. So, in order to achieve that which you wish (getting healthier and feeling more fit, and even if weight loss is not a part of your intention), do it s-l-o-w-l-y. Your body will be happily surprised without the shock. And if you are looking for more support with your weight loss and fitness goals, check out our next Tabata Healthy Weight Loss and Fitness Workshop FREE and coming up Saturday!

Laters! Clara E MinorMaster Trainer-InstructorMinorsan Self-Defense & Fitness
contact@minorsan.com
www.minorsan.com

Lessons from the Wharf to Wharf

July 26, 2016 by Clara E Minor Leave a Comment

This past weekend I ran the Wharf to Wharf with a bunch of fun crazy ladies (and one gent, the Beekeeper) who were all promoting Hive & Hum, a new business on River Street, focusing on the importance of our winged friends…especially our BEES. (It is a beautiful store with lots of goodies for everyone!). Every single one of them has been to MINORSAN Self-Defense & Fitness. Crazy-fun crew. (Yes, I am promoting Hive & Hum, as I believe in their vision. OK…done. Just go there and check it out.)

So today, two days later, I am still feeling the ‘run.’ Have to laugh at this one, as many people do not truly ‘run.’ Many jog/walk and could care less what time we get to the finish line. (That is the best part of this local Santa Cruz event.) And either way, our bodies still feel it. I know it would be ‘smart’ to do many practice runs before this ‘race.’ I’ve ran it twice before this year. Each time, my muscles talk to me. It’s in a loving way, but they do talk loudly to me. I ignore them. I’ve had this lesson now three times. And I choose to say…’meh.’ No big deal. Muscles heal rather quickly. Mine will be good by tomorrow. Really, in the greater scheme of things, no biggie. (Throw this in with ‘first world whining.’)

I run now once per year. This is it. The Wharf to Wharf. I don’t even ‘practice’ for it. I just get out there and jog it. This year I walked a bit too cuz I was with so many other people, and we were all attempting to stay together. Everyone in the group of ‘bees’ did just that. We stopped and danced at many of the bands along the way. We stopped to take photos or video. Pure fun.

Turns out, lots of MINORSAN members also participated in this race. We were randomly dispersed throughout in small groups. Most are not ‘runners’ either. I used to run (years ago before I had any purely fitness workouts at my Studio.) I also went to local ‘gyms.’ Had to get in those weights and the cardio (besides doing my martial arts workouts, which are more anaerobic and work the muscles in an entirely different way). That’s when I used to run. All along West Cliff, in fact. These days, time is even more limited and I have to pick and choose my workouts. So running is a back burner thing. Random. Still, I love this little race called the Wharf to Wharf, from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk/Wharf to the Capitola Wharf in our little slice of paradise located in California. One of my favorite local events.

What got me thinking about this, is that so many locals participate in this this ‘race’ every year, and this year it sold out in 45 minutes! 16,000 people. That is phenomenal. You’d think we were purchasing tickets to see the most beloved person on the planet. Even more impressing was that all abilities were out there participating in this event. And so many local bands and performers were out there supporting the runners/walkers/joggers. The bands help make it so much more fun!

What struck me the most this year, was that there were people who’s bodies didn’t run, and instead, afforded them the ‘walk.’ They walked the entire time. And it was with effort. And they did it. One was in our very group. I also saw a gentleman who was ‘running’ his 44th Wharf to Wharf!!! Yes, he has participated every single year of this event! This time he was walking, and had the aid of two people with him, and he was doing it! There were no excuses. None. He was proudly displaying a sign stating that this was his 44th run of this little race. Simply amazing. Shows how powerful the human spirit can be when we want to achieve.

Yes, I get the lessons about the muscles (which I choose to ignore). However, this lesson from these people who have no excuses, are a bit less able than most of the others ‘running,’ and still get out there and do it, is such a huge inspiration. And a lesson to anyone who uses excuses for anything. At some time or other, we have all come up with excuses. Easy to do. Harder to do is to set excuses aside, thank those excuses for showing up, and then move on ahead, way past those excuses. Why thank them? Because they allow us to pass them up. When we pass up our excuses, we get stronger in mind and spirit. We find more power within. And that is what we are programmed to do. Find ways to accomplishment. Passing up our excuses is the first step to achieving.

This is by far one of the best local events ever. And I will continue to ‘run’ it every year (if I’m in town). And I will probably continue to ignore the lesson my muscles give me every time. After all, I could use that as an excuse. Besides…I’m not THAT sore. Thanks to my other workouts. (Check the rest of my site for what we do.)

So I leave you with your excuses. Me with mine. We can all choose what to do with them. Here’s to happy choosing!

Sincerely,

Clara E Minor
Master Trainer-Instructor
MINORSAN Self-Defense & Fitness
831.458.0900
contact@minorsan.com
1320 Mission Street, SC CA 95060

What is #BadassCourage?

January 18, 2016 by Clara E Minor Leave a Comment

Every move re-educates the muscles.

Ahhhh...Courage—

It evokes pictures of some courageous and strong people we all know, or have seen in movies—I think of Braveheart, Wonder Woman, and other SuperHeroes.

The Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr., airline pilots (who have successfully landed an ailing aircraft full of people), and others we hear about in the news, are the ‘big’ people.

They are ones who have an impact on many. They are all ‘BadassCourageous.’ There is even a local SuperHero who saved another woman from a continued sexual attack. Here she is. And she is 15 years old.

When I think of people I know, besides our Local SuperHero mentioned above, those who come to mind are the ones who:

• decided to quit their job and go back to school

• broke off a toxic relationship

• decided to move to the other side of the World

• have opened a business solo

• went overseas alone (knowing only the English language)

• decided to get up on a stage for the first time

• presented an idea to ‘experts’

• published their first book

• decided to confront someone in power

• told her/his employer why they deserved the raise

• confronted the bully in their office (or at a school)

• moved out of a house that no longer served her/his needs

• left a relationship that was toxic

• and so many more

We have all accomplished courageous things in our lives...and not always recognized them as being courageous. Just walking into a fitness facility or a martial arts studio takes courage for so many.

What about you?

What courageous acts have you created so far in your life? Absolutely no need to be a SuperHero to have Courage. We all do courageous things all the time. Most often we see them as ‘life challenges.’ And life challenges absolutely cultivate our courage. Everyone has a story. What are your stories?

The one fear I hear the most in my line of work is the fear of going out alone. What is the true fear here? It is the fear of getting hurt by an attack, and not knowing what to do, or having the resources to be safe. It is so much easier to stay home. So we limit ourselves. We limit our life experiences. We limit our freedom. We settle for limited lives.

The fear of embarrassment and rejection, often go hand in hand. For this reason we don’t introduce ourselves at an event where we might not know very many people. Some of us won’t even go to a party alone. If we do go, we might sit in ‘our spot’ the entire night.

Or we fear getting up in front of a group of people and speaking our minds. How many times have you seen an empty dance floor…only to begin filling up after one brave soul went out there to dance (that would be me…lol. And I usually don’t wait long. When a danceable song I like comes on, I’m there).

There are so many instances whereby we allow our fears to stop us from living a full, free, and happy life. It’s easier to be mediocre, normal, let others have their way, and we settle for where we are because it is in our comfort zone.

‘Confrontation is just too hard'

We can only develop courage when we charge ahead through our fears. This is the only (and I emphasize only) way to build courage.

Learning to 'follow-through' ensures you will hit with all ya got

So now think of how you would respond if your life was in danger. Is it scary just thinking about it? Our brains all ‘think’ of what we would do. You can think it over and over, and you will end up reacting with what is in your body at the moment. You will truly never know until it happens. Being prepared is absolutely one of life's 'best practices.'

From my experience in teaching self-defense and martial arts programs these past 36 years, our bodies are the ones who will respond. Not our minds.

Courage is not in our heads. Courage is in our bodies, as are all emotions. Think of sadness. Have you ever lost a loved one? Lost a love? Lost anyone in your life whom you valued? Where do you feel the pain? In your head? I don’t think so. The pain resides in our hearts. The pain is real.

If we could do it, most of us would just pull out the pain with our hands. However, because it is energy we cannot ‘pull’ it out. Most of us simply cannot physically ‘grasp’ energy. We cannot ‘will’ it away either. (If you can, show me how please…(I want to ‘lol’ here, as I don’t think anyone will come thru with the ‘how-to’ on this one.) And what is the most common method to release that pain? Tears. Tears allow healing, as they allow the emotion to release. This is not news. We all know this.

How will courage work In confrontations?

We have three choices: Fight - Flight - Freeze. Which one will work for you? In any situation—even in a conversation with a relative, or the bully at work, or school, or someone in power, which response will your body elicit?

Gonna talk about ‘freeze’ for a sec here. When we ‘freeze’ as in paralyzing fear, or someone says something to us that makes us clam-up (and we truly didn’t want to clam-up!), how do we get out of that frozen state?

Maybe the person walked away before we could say what we really wanted to say. Then we’re left depleted, discouraged, dis-enheartened, belittled, feel like we ‘lost,’ etc. And it can easily bring tears.

What could you do to get out of the ‘freeze response?’

What in your body allows you to move this frozen energy? If you guessed ‘take a deep breath’ you are correct. Is that a thought in your brain? It could start as a ‘reminder’…”oh yeah, breathe.” However, the breathing itself is a body-response. Your deep breath clears your mind, as it allows fresh blood to flow into it with the renewed oxygen flow, thus unfreezing your body. This is another gift we were given as humans. This deep breath allows you to also relax which is the cornerstone for stress-reduction.

So now let’s look at someone physically coming at you in a threatening manner. Time and again I have asked people new to ‘quick-reaction-body-knowledge’ to show me what they would do.

I even let them know what I am going to do (how I will ‘attack’ them). Now bear in mind, I make sure that everyone is safe in this exercise—no one is getting punched out or knocked to the floor).

Time and time again, they freeze, or move in a way that would allow me to continue to overpower them or re-attack (if I was a ‘bad’ person). Even though in their heads they may have thought of what they will do, their response is quite short of what they were thinking.

Sometimes I tell them exactly how they will be confronted, then show them exactly what to do, and they still do something different. Why is this? Because that is what is in the body. That is the memory of the body—the knowledge and intelligence of the body. The body’s brilliance.

The muscles can only move with the knowledge the body contains.

Our entire lifetimes we are inputting information (emotion) into our bodies. When therapists can elicit something that was ‘deeply buried’ inside of someone, where was it buried? Our brains are only thoughts. The energy of that past experience is buried in our bodies. It comes out most readily with our tears.

So then, how do we change the response of the muscles to move in the most efficient way to be safe?

It starts with the input the nervous system receives. When physical confrontations happens, the messages are sent through the eyes into the brain’s nervous system and then into the body. In order to change how the muscles react, we must re-educate them.

This does not happen in one hour or even one day or one week. It takes hours and hours of time, depending on the severity of the response (or non-response) to re-educate the muscles.

When the muscles have this new knowledge in them, it creates a response in the brain that gives us the confidence needed to move through fear and challenges with courage. When our bodies know that we can knock out a perpetrator, the confidence rises, we become more relaxed, and we have now created what I call #BadassCourage:

• the ability to stand your ground

• centered and balanced

• speak your truth, regardless of what other people think or say about you, and regardless of the possible consequences

• find your own freedom

You fight to defend yourself, and come out on top (it may all be verbal). You are not fighting for mediocrity. Who wants to 'kind of-sort of' feel good? You are fighting within to ‘win the battle.’ You might end up with a few ‘battle scars.’ And those are good, because you fought the fight. You did it. You defended yourself. I see these as ‘Badges of Badass.’

You will find your voice when you develop your #BadassCourage. Start by collecting your own Badges of Badass.

Finding your voice allows you to make the choices that work for you (and those you love). It allows you to stand up for yourself. It allows you to speak up. Be bold. Be creative. Achieve your own freedom. And that is where you will find your happy place. It will allow you to live the life you want.

Contact me if you are interested in finding out more about your own BadassCourage (complimentary consultation), and how your life can totally change in a positive, powerful way.

Sincerely,

Clara E Minor
Master Instructor/Trainer
MINORSAN Self-Defense & Fitness

#badasscourage
#fight4YOURlife
#badgesofbadass
#selfdefense
#martialarts
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#womensmartial arts