Weekend Design & Wellness Project
Om My Gong
A Harmonious blend of pranayama breathing and sound meditation healing
Yogini Kim and gong practitioner Michael O bring together these two calming practices taking the mind and body into a realm of healing and clarity.
Our world is full of stress, anxiety and negative vibrations, take time for yourself and clear the chatter. You and only you can begin this journey to a clear and uncluttered mind.
“If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.”
Music is a perfect example of how design/art and wellness come together. Instruments reach frequencies that tap into the human body on a cellular level. A balanced and healthy body resonates from 62-72MHz. DisEase begins when the frequency of the body is 60MHz and below. At lower frequencies the immune system is compromised and body becomes susceptible to a variety of DisEases. The gong is a powerful instrument that raises the frequency of the whole body and aids in healing cells vibrating at lower frequencies.
Here is your Weekend Design & Wellness Mission should you choose to accept it (accept it, you’ll love it)… take some time to explore the powerful and invigorating effects of meditative gong sessions created by Kim and Michael O.
Visit Om My Gong for insights on breathing, yoga, chakras and go on a sound journey on their YouTube channel. Be sure to share this with friends and family that need to take a bit of time to reset and recharge their mental state.
Feeling Fit with Danielle
FEELING FIT
Danielle Ulrich O’Driscoll, certified personal trainer creating effective fitness plans for active lifestyles.
Danielle manages to balance her busy life as a super mom, awesome wife to her lucky husband, Dan while taking care of her clients as the creator of “Feeling Fit with Danielle.” She definitely makes it all look so easy. That’s why this unicorn of a lady needed further investigation. Here is a very real and intimate look into how passionate Danielle is about her family, career and improving the lifestyles of her clients. Thank you Danielle, for pouring your everything into these answers as so many people will appreciate this and put your advice into action. Links to Danielle’s videos along with fitness and nutrition tips are provided below.
Q & A with Danielle
Q: What inspired you to be come a Fitness Professional?
A: While working as a Swim Instructor at a fitness center, I began taking group exercise classes - especially strength training classes. I loved the workouts and the way I felt after taking them. One day, the Instructor could not make it to class last minute and I offered to teach the class as I felt I had a good idea of what to do. I was stopped by fitness staff after a couple of minutes because I lacked the proper certification to teach, but decided to sign up for a course that very night. This led to my first certification in Total Body Strength which I applied to teaching Body Shaping, Boot Camp, and Abs classes. Soon after, I left a full-time job at a buying office to work at the fitness center. The new role was exciting and challenging and I felt immediately that I was helping people with their health and fitness goals. It was so rewarding!
Q: What certifications do you have currently?
A: In addition to Total Body Strength, I also have a certification in Barre Above - a ballet-inspired toning class. I was drawn to the class because it is completely different than weight training or cardio and is great for those who need a low impact exercise option. Following that, I received certifications in Personal Trainer I and very recently Personal Trainer II and have worked with a variety of clients through in-person training as well as virtual training. In 2019, I completed a course to become a Sports Nutrition Consultant, which provided proficiency on supplements and food components and how our bodies use these things. I have a deep interest in Nutrition and feel I have just scratched the surface of knowledge in that field.
Q: How would you guide a client in getting started with a fitness plan after a few months or years without a health routine?
A: The biggest mistake that people make when returning to a healthy lifestyle is too much; too fast. They set unattainable goals then many quit when those goals aren't met. I am a huge proponent of starting small and adding when you can. For instance, my online fitness plans - which are composed of videos, instructions, and charts - have clients working out 4 days a weeks and doing the same exercises for 4 weeks. I encourage them to increase repetitions and weight (when applicable) as they move through the plan. The other important component is not giving up. They should strive for consistency, but if they have a day, week, or even a month where they don't meet their goals in fitness and/or nutrition they should not quit - keep moving forward! Nobody's perfect!
Q: Have you had any physical setbacks or injuries that you had to overcome? What is your advice to clients recovering from injuries?
A: Yes - during the time that I've been a Fitness Professional, I have had surgery on a tendon in my wrist, two pregnancies, and ongoing back and knee issues. For all of these, I've followed these rules: 1.) Ask specific questions of your doctor and follow the guidelines they give you; 2.) Don't be afraid to start back slowly or unconventionally...it doesn't have to be "all or nothing." After my wrist surgery, I used no weight or lighter weight on my recovering side than on my unaffected side. I also avoided planks for a period of time following surgery; 3.) Be proactive...do everything you can to recover from or help with an injury or condition - this can include supplements, stretches, and even specific foods. Do research—there is so much information out there! I see a chiropractor regularly and perform the exercises he advises for me. I also drink turmeric tea and take fish oil to assist with joint health and reduce inflammation. 4.) Be patient with yourself and don't do anything that causes you pain that is more than the usual muscle strain attributed to a workout.
Q: If you could only do three exercises for the rest of your life, what would they be?
A: I'm going to cheat a little and pick three exercises that have lots of variations. 1.) Planks and plank variations that could include rows, leg lifts, and many other options. 2.) Crunches...but not just the regular kind. There's also reverse crunch, standing crunch, twisting crunch, and lots more. 3.) Some kind of cardio: I find that I value and even enjoy cardio more and more as I get older. It's so important to keep your heart and lungs healthy, burn calories, and maintain a strong metabolism. My favorite forms of cardio are HIIT workouts, walking, and the elliptical.
Q: What is your ultimate vision for your personal training career?
A: Fitness/exercise is an intriguing field because new developments and ideas are constantly emerging. My goal is to stay on top of the latest news in my field and to use that to build a strong client base. I feel that I am unique as a personal trainer because I have a background in exercise but also swimming, dance, and cheerleading and also because I am comfortable working with both adults and children. It is important for me to draw on all of my life experiences and knowledge to best train and help my clients. As I mentioned earlier, Nutrition is a fairly untapped part of the industry for me. Earning a degree in Nutrition and/or Food Science would greatly improve the services I could provide to clients (building meal plans, etc.) and help me to improve their overall health.
Q: How has the pandemic impacted your ability to work as a Group Exercise Instructor/Personal Trainer?
A: It has definitely been challenging at times to find a way to reach people and help them meet their fitness goals. The fitness center where I work was shut down almost 8 months of 2020, eliminating the possibilities of teaching classes in their studio and training clients in the facility. We quickly regrouped and started broadcasting live workouts through Facebook. I was flattered to be asked to be a part of this, but also very nervous about the aspects of the live classes such as technical issues and noise/distractions from others living in my home. However, teaching this way has improved my classes and allowed me to reach many more people than I have ever reached. The online classes as well as outdoor fitness groups I offered during the pandemic have allowed me to build my client base and grow as a Fitness Professional. It is so crucial to keep up with fitness goals at this time to maintain overall health physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Follow Feeling Fit with Danielle for healthy recipes and fitness tips along with Danielle’s fitness videos.
Be sure to follow, like and share her videos with anyone who could use some motivation with their health and fitness goals.
*As always please consult a physician before attempting a fitness regimen or implementing any dietary changes. Listen to your instincts when it comes to your health and wellness and always ask questions.
OP ART
OPTICAL ILLUSION ART CREATES MOVEMENT THAT APPEARS TO “TRICK” THE EYE
Photo by: Coline Haslé @kohlun2000
Op art is a style of abstract art popularized in the 1960, yet dates back to the 1938 with Victor Vasarely’s painting Zebras. Vasarely often used linear perspective which manipulates abstract forms creating a balloon effect. Linear perspective is said to have been invented by Filippo Brunelleschi, a Renaissance architect and sculptor in 1415. Op artist, Bridget Riley introduced the use of color in her optical art and is quoted as saying, “Focusing isn't just an optical activity, it is also a mental one.”
These optical illusions consist of converging black and white lines and shapes arranged in patterns that vibrate, shift, flash and warp as the viewer blinks or approaches the art. Op Art is interactive and visually kinetic. It has even made its way into neuroscience and was declared a phenomenon known as center/surround antagonism, explaining the visual effect of a black circle on a white background appearing darker than that same circle on a gray background.
There are talented op artist today creating realistic chalk drawings on streets around the world. Here some examples of street opt art on Pinterest.
Warning: Some Op Art can cause pain in the eyes or induce headaches (It’s a definite love/hate for me).
FURTHER READING:
Ludimar Hermann’s - Hermann’s Grid
“How To Use Your Eyes,” by James Elkins
Iridology
Iridology
“Diagnosis by examination of the iris of the eye.” - dictionary.com
Iridology is the inspection of the iris used for detection of previous, current or potential health issues. Iridology is an alternative method among many to be explored during a health evaluation. The information on Iridology is very mixed. I can speak from experience that it is non-invasive as it consists of a picture taken of each eye. The photo is then magnified with a diagram overlay of correlating organs in the body. The idea behind it is that each organ is represented in sections around the eyes. Color variations, lines, dark and light spots all indicate deficiencies or imbalances. As with other alternative modalities, Iridology has its skeptics calling it pseudoscience that uses the technique of cold reading. Cold reading is where a practitioner, healer or a physic asks basic questions to start as a guide to get started down a particular path to a root cause or a solution. Cold readers are body language experts as people naturally respond with their bodies and facial expressions so it makes their job easier. I have met some bad cold readers before I’ve found it best to perfect a poker face to frustrate them and get away as quickly as possible. There are plenty of intuitive and dedicated, true healers out there, it may just take some research and screening before committing to someone.
As for my experience, I enjoyed it and found that the outcome was precise to my actual medical history and imbalances at the time. My recommendation for anyone looking to explore Iridology, is to have conventional medical tests and scan results with you and hold them until the end of your Iridology session. This way, you can line up the similarities and take notes on any extra information that was provided. The cost of Iridology is another issue as most insurance companies do not cover some alternative modalities. Using an HSA account is one option as the cost could be a few hundred dollars depending on the facility and location.
As with all things, listen to your instincts and be open to explore new modalities of healing and wellness especially if they are non-invasive practices. Integrated healing empowers individuals to have an active roll in the wellness process. Taking ownership of personal healthcare and treatments is a giant step toward self-love.
***Please consult a licensed medical professional before incorporating any alternative medicine or modalities into your wellness plan. Be sure to trust your instincts, ask questions and be your own health advocate. You are worth all of your efforts.
Photo by: v2osk @v2osk
Clothing Clutter
If It Don’t Fit, You Must Omit
Photo by: Hannah Morgan @hannahmorgan7
Most people have clothing taking up real estate in their closets and drawers since the original Karate Kid was released. These closets are serving as time capsules rather than proper storage for active clothing. If you’re still reading, then you guessed it, it’s time to remove some of these items, but not necessarily forever. Take out anything that is too tight, too loose and anything that you would not go out in public wearing today and place them in a donation pile. Remove any clothing that you haven’t had an opportunity to wear in a long time including those goal weight items from closets and drawers and create another pile. These items can be stored in airtight storage bags to be revisited in six months. This will give you time to see if these items could be reintroduced to your wardrobe or donated. Place special occasion clothing that holds significant memories from events such as; birthdays, anniversaries, graduation, prom and weddings into airtight storage bags with a label. Sentimental pieces are anything that belonged to family members or friends that have passed on so these items need to be preserved and accessible. Try to add the sentimental pieces to a garment bag or an airtight storage bag with a cedar block. Garment bags, airtight storage bags and cedar blocks are sold in Target, Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond and some Dollar Stores.
Another benefit to cutting down on clothing clutter is that it will provide space to keep your regularly used clothing wrinkle-free. You will also be grateful for the accessibility on those rushed mornings and evening quick wardrobe changes.
