Transpersonal Health and Wellness Guide for Adults

1. Transpersonal Health and Wellness Guide for Adults Transpersonal refers to the self-sustaining aspects of the individual’s spiritual components with regard to complete health and wellness. In order for optimal health and wellness, traditional medicine should incorporate the spirit and soul along with the mind-body areas that are typically addressed. The below are some examples of how one can incorporate these transpersonal aspects for complete mind-body-spirit wholeness and optimal health and wellness.

2. Meditation Dr. Andrew Weil recommends a minimum of 2 minutes of meditation per day to see significant changes in stress-reduction, clearing of the mind, inner peace and relaxation. This is a great basic site for reference on breathing techniques and other deep meditative practices: http://www.how-to-meditate.org/

3. Meditation Practice breathing meditation exercise 1. Sitting in chair with back straight to keep mind from becoming sleepy or sluggish. 2. With eyes partially closed, pay close attention to breathing. 3. Breathe naturally through nostrils and become aware of the breath as it enters and exits the nostrils. 4. This sensation is the object of the meditation and concentrate on it with full attention and without distraction. 5. The mind may become distracted but be mindful of bringing your attention back to your breathing. 6. This state will clear the mind with practice and can be done for a few minutes as needed or for longer periods of time to experience calm mental state.

4. Spiritual Practices People often confuse spirituality with religion. Spiritual practices are those that energize, revitalize and enlighten the human spirit. These can be as simple as love, compassion, play, nurturing, peace, silence and listening. A complete listing with definition and examples can be found here: http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/

5. Yoga The benefits of yoga have been found to be endless ranging from lowering blood pressure, weight loss and stability, flexibility, strength, improved energy, and stress reduction. There are simple poses, and with increased practice and stability, there are more complex poses for the advanced enthusiast. There are also many specific yoga styles and teaching methods. Some video examples can be found here: http://www.simpleyogaposes.com/simple-yoga-tv/ Let’s try a few simple poses.

6. Yoga

7. Aromatherapy The use of fragrant essential oils has been found to be therapeutic for relaxation, stress-reduction, anxiety, and many other uses. Some popular examples are Lavender, Chamomile or citrus oils for relaxation. You may find a complete listing and what each fragrance is often utilized for here: http://www.aromaweb.com/essentialoils/default.asp Let’s sample some of these aromas.

8. Aromatherapy • Lavender: known for its health benefits of reducing nervous tension and calming, soothing properties, pain relief, as a disinfectant to the skin, enhance circulation and clear respiratory problems. • Chamomile: known for its antidepressant qualities, antiseptic, earaches, allergies, insect bites, insomnia, headaches, PMS and arthritic disorders. • Citrus blend: uplifting and energizing, cleansing, also used to purify and renew the spirit and the mind.

9. Some great books for recommendation on the spiritual attention one may find beneficial: “The Miracle of Mindfulness” By ThichNahtHanh “Discovering the Body’s Wisdom” By MirkaKnaster “Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation” By Parker Palmer And be sure to look for the “Natural Awakenings” free monthly publication for local listings on many Transpersonal practices, yoga classes, Acupuncture and practitioners in your area for optimal mind-body-spirit wellness. Their website is http://www.naturalawakeningsmag.com/