Living by what you value most

In order to understand your core values, you must first become aware of which areas require attention in your life in order to accept and promote change.

My recent insights to working with Indian weightlifters has brought about deeper thought, as to what maintains their continual personal growth, enthusiasm and inquisitive nature towards their sport and life purpose? If one of these athletes begins to loose touch with their passions, activities and immunity, why might this be? what value has been acutely/chronically suppressed.?. and most importantly, which areas require the most missing attention..?

Everyone/thing will have their unique degrees of appreciation, love and value for areas that influence their living experiences. 
The mango tree, for example, will undoubtedly crave the rising of the morning sun after 10 hours of "stressful- depressive- darkness", whereas the owl will likely be keeping its eyes rested for the coming nocturnal hunt and the 'high rise' city communications manager, will only see light of day if her "skinny latte" is timed to perfection. 
Its obvious throughout collective societies that each and everyone of us value such an aurae of experiences, and this can be seen not only in ones psycho-physcial representation but also how we each aim to balance our lives in search of what we perceive to be, vitality and happiness.

Studying the 'CHEK' philosophy and many avenues of physiology has given me the opportunity to begin to appreciate firstly, what is function and what enhances function, so when it comes to 'what causes dysfunction'? the answer is simply 'anything that overrides and impairs our balance/homeostasis'. In relation to enhancing ones understanding of what they 'value most', and relating this to their overall health, I have taken, adapted and created with the help of Gee photography, a holistic template that signifies areas that must be considered in balance if one is to maintain a high degree of vitality and effectively prevent dysfunction.

As you'll hopefully be able to see, the picture at the top of this post represents 'six areas of practice', six unique, yet broad, yet closely influenced concepts, that are required to sustain life of any warm organism (as we know it). I will offer my thoughts on the importance of establishing a healthy relationship with these six areas. 

The Foods of life:
Knowing what foods you should eat seems to be the question of the century, right?. I don't think its a coincidence that populations all over the globe have exposure to athletic physiques, widely formed skulls, minimal chronic diseases and individuals who experience pain-free longevity, whilst they all seem to eat vastly different food types, ratios and frequencies. Most of the structures that make up the human body as well as other animals and plants are made from three basic classes of molecules: proteins, carbohydrates and fats. These molecules play a vital

Digestible, cellularly supporting,
tropical fruits

role in metabolic function in both making these molecules during the construction of cells and tissues, or by breaking them down and using them as a source of energy via digestion.
Most of the nutrients being consumed today are out of balance (common), infrequent, undigestible (very common), not enough or too much for the individual consuming them. 
Whatever stage of healing or performance you may be at, its important to realise that for optimal development and or regeneration you must approach your organism as a system of systems, by that I mean, you can't aim to influence only one site, organ, muscle or tissue without effecting your whole biological makeup. Food does heal. It is a matter of finding the right nutrients in the right amounts and in the proper frequency based off what your body is expressing metabolically. This is the ONLY way to define the perfect diet for you!

The ticking mind:
Influenced by our environment and a continual continuation of meaning hidden behind stories…The fast paced concrete jungle forces us to suppress emotions, ignore transparency and cover our insecurities in order to prevent heart vulnerability. I may be stereotyping my way through a lot of the population, but from what I've observed, that stereotype isn't going anywhere. Though from the "Funcomfortable" people that i've been exposed to and the teachings of certain authors that have struck deep into my pineal gland, their message is simple; 'learn to reveal what you'd most typically conceal'. As i'm aware, that concept is likely going to cater for an honest and transparent (otherwise known as "uncomfortable") conversation. 
Whats most personal is generally most universal, so by opening yourself to vulnerability (emotionally) and authenticity from others, you'll likely find that the pain of denial will disperse and the exposure to their expression of judgement towards you will often promote connection. Turn the suppression of anger coming inwards, out, by communicating openly and authentically with yourself and the ones closest to you! Keep growing…

Your depth of breath:
Your ability to efficiently pass air through the nasal cavities and effectively diffuse oxygen within the membranes of every red blood cell (with carbon dioxides help), is considered the most foundationaly-basic-essential function of most organisms. Without an 'optimal' breathing state, you'll likely be "centrally- a nervous wreck", and whilst you can open yourselves to more info regarding the importance of nasal breathing (Solutions for the mouth breather), you might just like to start by slowing down, laying down, retaining some CO2, putting your tongue to the roof of the mouth and begin to create a closer relationship with your breath.  

Movement matters:

Even if your "loosing", keep moving

Keeping it simply stimulating, dynamic and fun is by far the most realistic way of maintaining a pattern of movement that engages your body and mind everyday. Your body has chambers of the heart to pump the blood, but the water and lymph require you to move your arse against gravities presence. Most people cannot afford the energy to undertake excessive stressful exercise, so only if all foundational systems (digestion, elimination, reparation, circulatory patterns, body temp etc..) are catered for first, then you could consider  episodes of higher intensity work. The best movement is the one your willing to do most regularly and by keeping it consistent, you'll make a habit for life.

Rest and regeneration:
Restoring sleep requires fairly vigorous metabolism and a normal body temperature. In old age or over exposure to stress, the metabolic rate is decreased, a lack of tolerance to the cold sets in and sleep steadily becomes defective. As mentioned before 'we are a system of systems' both physiologically and across the foundational levels too. Its no surprise that the foods you eat or do not eat, the perceived positive/negative emotions your exposed to, the amount of sunlight you get etc.. all effect your ability to enter deep, restoring REM (rapid eye movement). From my observations chronic fatigue is probably one of the most undiagnosed issues associated with todays population and to approach this 'problem' intelligently, requires a closer look and appreciation of the six/seven foundational practices, if one is to regain sound sleep.   

Cellular hydration:
Most foods contain more than 70% water and its important that we understand that we can get sufficiently hydrated with the correct, digestible foods that we choose to consume. Some water is also produced in the cells via metabolism. Water is key and at times depending on the status and environment of the individual, dilution can really be the solution. Consuming enough to halt thirst, first thing after a 8-10 hour night fast with added salts is important in order to down regulate the stressful effects that darkness has produced (RP, 2007). 
Water may play an essential role, but if one is in a deficient metabolic state and producing

A balanced hydration source;
no filters, no chemical waste,
no chlorine, no fluoride etc.. 

excessive lactic acid, estrogen, serotonin or polyamines i.e. causing excitation, then its likely that their tissues vascular endothelium's and the cells which have a more affinity for water (salt decreases the cells affinity for water) will be holding onto and taking up water, causing excess swelling, inflammation and oedema. So rather than prescribing 'more' water, lets consider the physiology and use nutrition/lifestyle to influence the hormonal status and to heal the metabolism effectively (By simply adding quality salt to water we can look to down regulate the adaptive metabolic state and reduce waters holding in the tissues, and more so in the blood).



and just to really establish a strong hold, I might have added in the importance of getting enough clean solar rays in relation to darkness. That being said, no harm would come of moving outside in the midday sun and eating outside during the morning rise/evening fall.

Its important to note that if at any stage of your journey through cyber space you encounter episodes of emotional suppression i.e. depression, or if fear begins to dictate your life or even any kind of physiological status begins to feel weird… Sitting down (of laying down) and openly re-evaluating the six areas of foundational practice and your own core values is an essential process to see if you are still living the path of your dream.


Live with purpose.

Beatle.



Broda Barnes (its not your mind its your liver)
Chek HCL 1/2
How to eat move and be healthy (PC)
Hans Selye articles
5 yrs of clinical/personal observations/experiences
Eastwesthealingandperformance.com