Donna Eddy - Coach Eddy

2011 in review

2011-12-30T15:59:00.000-08:00

My year in review....
2011 was a flash compared to other years, yet there was also a lot that changed and was achieved.

Here is the picture of my reading list for the year, achieving slightly more than a book a month.

Feb/ Mar was consumed with a six week Educational Tour of the USA & Canada. I spent 5 weekends out of 6 in the class room soaking up Movement & Neuroscience like a kid in a candy store.

Winter came and went and apart from maintaining the flow of Clinic & Class, managing other business and developing the next phase for Posture Plus & Donna Eddy dot com. Winter passed rather unremarkably.... and unfortunately without a visit to the snow!

Spring came (well at least the dates did, not so much the weather) and my focus turned to my physical training. For the months of Sept to Dec I almost lived at the Dojo. Dec 2nd, 3rd & 4th was my first ever Black Belt Grading and I joyfully came to the end of the year and the start of Summer ~ a Northstar Black Belt

The Summer (again date reference here rather than weather, although our Xmas weekend was hot & happen'n @ Bondi)
My short "festive" break and the Summer is being spent completing a new collaborative project (which for now is top secret) and FINALLY piecing together the content for Posture Plus Online and donnaeddy.com. A lot of filming is going to be happening in Jan!

So Cheers to the New Year! 12 hours till the start of 2012.
What does the year have in stall for you? Do you have plans laid out? Have you particular goals to achieve?
I'm the most excited i've ever been about a new year turning and you will see the results of many many hours of "behind the scenes" work when the Aussie New Year turns in Feb!

Twenty one two.... what will it be for you?

Myths around stretching

2011-09-25T17:28:00.000-07:00

Below is an email and my reply just sent to the patient.
My passion is movement and my aim is to inspire informed and enthusiastic converts to DMP (Daily Movement Practice). The premise of DMP is moving with intention; awareness and total understanding of what is being done and why.

In the email just received an replied to, are typical questions regarding movements I set as "homework" namely stretching. Understanding the nuances of movement, the intricacies of your body and the adaptability of the human form, much can be achieved and changed under your own volition and diligent practice.

Below are the emails....

On Fri, Sep 23, 2011 at 9:43 PM,****************** wrote:
Hi Donna,

Thank you for sending those, it really helped! Just got home from work and did them... I'm sweating! :)
Just a couple of questions, how long should I be aiming to hold the stretches for? Also, is there a reason I'm doing just the left leg for one stretch, and just the right for another?
Sorry, I could have asked this when I saw you.

I woke up with very little pain in my back the day after seeing you! The difference is incredible, thank you soooo much! You're amazing!

See you soon,
Lyndal

Sent from my iPhone

My reply:

Yes the difference in your homework (for now) is to address the difference in your structure (as it stands currently) doing the "lopsided" practice is aimed at squaring you up, when you come in for your follow up next month, we'll be adjusting your practice according to your progress.

Stretches are not held "for time"... they are not held PERIOD!
Read the directions and pay attention to the movement you are aiming for, so with hip stretches it is the sinking of the pelvis. This is not a timed thing nor a set number of breaths, your body will release in its own time, some times its 5 breaths some times its 15 and each side of your body each exercise is going to be different.

This is ALL ABOUT getting you IN to your body and being 100% focused on the movement; sensation and intention of the exercise. That way you are being complete ~ specific and self challenging to create change and lasting results.

Be diligent with your practice EVEN WHEN THINGS ARE "fixed" and feeling good!
Some exercises you will do EVERY DAY from this day forward, others will change as your body changes. Daily Movement Practice is now part of your daily routine.

Enjoy.
will be in touch in approx 2 weeeks.

Cheers
Donna

A true teacher

2011-07-19T15:11:00.000-07:00

A true teacher touches your soul ~ lifts your spirit ~ challenges you in ways you never knew you could (let alone need) to be challenged!

A true teacher can reach you beyond their death and stimulate learning ~ love ~ and emotional contemplation, changing your perspective ~ goals ~ attitude ~ and passion.

A true teacher is always with you, because you embody the learning and relive the lessons with every day beyond their teaching.

In memory of a teacher gone too soon. You'll be missed greatly. Geoff Wilson ~ Art of Health, you were my teacher for only a short while but I grew and took in so much in that time. Thank you.

The Seasons turn....

2011-03-24T21:20:00.000-07:00

It always amazes and excites me travelling the world. Adventure, the unknown, the world in your hands (or the Golden Gate Bridge, if you position yourself to do so!) As I write, I am still in the Northern Hemisphere (8hrs ahead but a calendar day behind) away from "home".

I left during the hot and humid tail end of Summer, I return to Autumn and the end of Daylight Savings.

My most memobrable travel/ time/ season distortion was arriving home to Sydney and standing on the beach (toes enjoying the water) looking out to sea, feeling the heat from the Sun and marvelling at the fact that only 12hrs prior I was standing in Snow 20 degrees below freezing in Japan!

With fondness I am aware of my fortunate life, being able to explore this world of ours.
The travel bug got me fairly early on in life. At 18 my first international journey was all it took, a safe introduction to the wonders of travel. I was one of 200 high School students on a performing arts tour around the USA.

During this first trip I decided that I would explore the world and made the commitment to myself to travel once EVERY YEAR outside Australia. The initial promise was for the first ten years out of school (1992 was that introductory trip) and I can quite happily say ~ I did it (and then some). Some years i've had more than one trip and more often than not more than one country within each trip.

Since 1992 I have only missed one calendar year 2006 and that was only because a snow trip got bumped from Dec '06 to Feb '07! So how far have I travelled? How many countries have I been to? What was my favourite place? Where was my most memorable moment? Hard to say! I've done it for the experience.... not to keep stats.

I've had the pleasure of travelling alone (USA as a nanny/ summer camp counsellor/ storm chasing. Europe and Canada)~ with Friends (snow trips to NZ & Canada, Bali and Thailand) ~ with fellow students (1992 USA Rock Eisteddfod & 2004 UTS to China) ~ with colleagues (Europe, USA & Canada CST tour) ~ with loved ones (China, USA, Phillipines, Malaysia, Canada and Singapore)

And I am yet to get to India, South America, most of Europe, Africa's, Antarctica & Arctic Circles, Ireland, Iceland and many many more. So as my current travels come to an end ~ 12 hours till I board a friendly and familiar Qantas flight from LA, I reflect on the journey thats been the past 6 weeks...

AND i'm drawn to the excitement of planning the next one!
For now, back to the future, back to the land of Oz ~ home.

The year in review....

2010-12-16T20:04:00.001-08:00

There is always time to expand your mind. The pic is of my reading stack for 2010.
Books- journals- magazines- course manuals, all ingested and enjoyed for the year.

The titles are listed below and I recommend them all!
My favourites were the "Flow" books by Milhay Csikzentmilhalyi and "The Brain that changes itself" Norman Dioge.

Magazines

Nett Magazine 4- Feb; March; April; May
Australian Yoga Life 2- Mar/May; Jun/Aug
Fitness Life NZ 5- issue 44; 45; 46; 47; 48
Alive Australia 1- Summer issue 2
Network 2- Winter; Spring
Australian Yoga Journal-2 Apr/May; Aug/Sept

Journals
ATMS 3- Vol 16 issue 1; 2; 3
Sports Injury Bulletin 7- Jan; Feb; Mar; Apr; May; Jun; July

Educational Notes
Going Ballistic: Brandon Jones (CST)
How to write Headlines: Mal Emery
No Bull- Speed selling: Mal Emery
The Ultimate Million $ mkting: Mal Emery
Chiball Method Instructor training
CST Head Coach Training
Gua Sha TCM techniques

Books
~Let’s Read Our Feet: Jane Sheenhan
~Full Body Flexibility: Jay Blahnik
~Orthobionomy: Kathy Kain
~The Chakra Bible: Patricia Mercier
~The Book of Five Rings: Miyamoto Musashi
~Success in Your Business: Mic Pilon
~Bodymind: Ken Dychtwald
~Deep Simplicity: John Gribbin
~Finding Flow: Milhay Csikzentmilhalyi
~Flow- the Psychology of
Optimal Experience: Milhay Csikzentmilhalyi
~Creativity: Milhay Csiczentmilhalyi
~The Genius of Flexibility: Bob Cooley
~Rooms for Improvement: Geoff Wilson
~How the Catholic Church
Built Western Civilisation: Thomas. E. Woods
~Dying was the Best Thing
that Happened to me: William Hablitzel
~The brain that Changes
Itself: Norman Dioge

HOW DID I MANAGE TOREAD ALL THESE?

No i'm not a speed reader.
Yes I am a geek! AND I am also a master @ time management...
Neally all this reading was done whilst driving. Well not literally (although those that know me won't believe that)I read all this whilst sitting in traffic/ @ red lights. I started with journals, as they had short articles that are easy to read. Then i picked up my reading pace a little, but more importantly committing to memory what I had read so I didn't need to re-read anything the next time I picked up the book!

So get yourself some 'redlight' reading and nourish that plastic thirsty brain of yours! How much can you read in 2011?

Cheers to the New Year. 11 is a GREAT number.... big things are coming for Posture Plus and "Donna Inc".

Movement is Life

2010-10-02T00:31:00.000-07:00

Life should be experienced with vibrance and animated vigor.

You – your body, should be able to do anything at any moment.

The more you are willing to move, the more you will look for new ways to move- the world becomes that playground it once was. Climbing a tree is not just for kids; play equipment becomes a fantastic (and fun) free gym session.

All you truly have- all you “are” is your body. If that does not function with all its dynamic options….. What sort of life are you living?

Sadly we modern day adults are conditioned out of dynamic movement. When was the last time you sat or laid on the floor? When was the last time to skipped (with or without a rope). When was the last time you felt your stomach drop from the exhilaration of successfully completing a challenging physical manouver?

Most of the above activities are done when in the 'rehab' phase of an injury that suddenly 'happened TO US' or activities we watch others do. We are ignorant of the magic of our body's until we desperately want it to heal, so we can 'get on with it' and ignore it once again.

2011 will bring the opportunity to service your physical needs and still 'get on with life'. The secrets and shortcuts of injury prevention and fantastic fitness will be available through Posture Plus and the new site that is coming. Keep your eye on this blog and be ready to take action!

This body is your only body and the only thing that you truly posses! Be mindful of its service to you and aim to do one new/ different movement each month, then each week, then each day.

More to come soon!

Video of training tour

2010-06-20T16:15:00.000-07:00

With my life being my work and my work my life... Mastering the Art of Living is a pleasant journey... even if some if it LOOKS like torture from the outside. Inside the journey is bliss. Click the link below to see what I call a days work....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOJi5H_m0Zo

To my colleagues and friends visible in the video and whom were present @ the time of filming (both along side me in the training and being the person (Mike Lasnier) capturing the footage) THANK YOU!

Thank you for being who you are and being part of my journey.
to those interested in what 'they work- my work' is...

www.postureplus.com.au

and

www.cstaus.com.a

If you like what you see, make contact and join us on the journey.
Make daily movement part of your journey and flow through life with a mindful attitude and a playful energy.... that is infectious.

Breath Training and Being Breathed.

2010-06-06T02:02:00.000-07:00

Breath Training and Being Breathed.
From limited breath work training (outlined below) the following is new insight to a broad and deep topic.

*this was posted in 2008 and is an extract of the original article.....

Conscious/deliberately practiced breathing has been a significant part of my class program Posture Plus™ since the outset. My initial training in Pilates introduced the conscious practice of timed breathing which allows one to contract core muscles fully, aiding Pilates based exercises.

Following my introduction to breath work with Pilates came Stretch Therapy™ with Kit Laughlin (www.pandf.com.au). The Stretch Therapy™ training developed my breath work appreciation further utilising diaphragmatic breathing to take the body towards a relaxed state whilst also enabling one to manipulate and influence stretch/ exercise results.

As my Pilates teacher said (often) “breathing makes the exercise”. This I believed, but did not (until now) fully comprehend. I have recently been introduced to a new concept with regards breathing and that is 'Be Breathed'™ by Scott Sonnon. (www.cstaus.com.au)

In April of 2008 I was introduced to the concept of letting the body breathe you through out your training. It was not until I started playing with my Clubbbells™ that I actually grasped this concept. To 'be breathed'™ rather than controlling the breath was the opposite to what I had been doing and teaching for seven years!

After initial fear and resistance… I did not have to undo all my training and teaching (phew).

July I started playing with the 'Be Breathed'™ DVD. The movements and philosophy within the 'Be breathed'™ routine run very close to the way 'ab' work is taught within Posture Plus™. The CST 'Be breathed'™ routine has a few extensions (figuratively and literally) but the sequenced use of breath is similar.

The story I wish to share is the insight I gained during my week at my mothers bedside. My mother suffered one of the cruelest diseases known; Motor Neurone Disease (www.mnd.asn).
In the Northern Hemisphere ALS (Lou Gehrig's); SMA or Kennedy's Disease.

I started writing this whilst in my mothers room, listening intently to her breathe. The significance of her breath was due to the nature of her disease. Whilst being present with my mother in her final week we were intently focused on her breath. My mother had made it clear she was ready to depart and wanted the supplimentary oxygen off. Taking off the oxygen we (Drs included) all thought would mean a quick end to her suffering.

To our astonishment mum lasted nearly a full week without the oxygen. Her breath (when fully sedated) was relaxed and rhythmical. As the days passed it was obvious the body was slowly shutting down, but her pulse was strong and her breath remained rhythmical. By the third day (off the oxygen) it suddenly occurred to be that we are breathed!

As Scott states in the 'Be breathed'™ DVD

“be breathed is not something you do, it is something
you are/ become”

This is true in relation to movement (as mentioned at the start of this story) but it is also true for the Spirit. Without conscious beliefs/ fears blocking my mother’s breath, the body was being breathed in a calm relaxed manner.

So how can this be?

Putting aside the power of the mind with its ability to convince oneself of how things 'are'. In my mothers case “my disease has progressed to the point where I need oxygen”. She did 'need' the oxygen, as a pacifier to keep her calm and comfortable. Once she was sedated and the mental fears were eliminated, the body kept breathing… she didn’t NEED the supplementary Oxygen.

How is this so?

After witnessing the continual breath in. The automatic internally driven breath in. I now believe this is how it is! We don't breathe to stay alive, we are breathed.

What we think of as breathing, is our manipulation of the inwardly driven breath in. We manipulate breathing via our responses (both conscious and subconscious), as a result of stress; physical movement and emotional challenges. This responsive or controlled breathing is usually a shallow breath driven by accessory muscles- not the diaphragm. But in an unconscious state (as in sleep) we are breathed; we can breathe completely...unrestricted.

So what can be taken from this?
With the nicest of intents...that is up to you.
For me, it takes the pressure off literally. Breathing will happen as a matter of fact; as I experienced (but did not absorb) in the past few months with my Clubbell™ training. As I witnessed in the past week with my mother, and as I experimented out running this week. You can extend yourself physically if you train trusting that you will be breathed.

As I move in to my first ever Yoga training... I will add to these insights on breath work and breath mastery!

The "Donna Domino"

2010-05-05T04:10:00.000-07:00

I just finished a session with a girlfriend and she reminded me the value of my unique approach to training and movement coaching. As it has been said before ‘there are no wrong or unsafe exercises- just incorrect execution leading to injury or an ill informed- ill prepared body performing the exercise’.

A perfectionist @ heart (driven by an ego that fears being ‘wrong’) my client/ friend kindly gave me a new insight to the value of my pedantic/ precise coaching. She called it the “Donna domino effect”.

What this client was referring to was her new found understanding of how her body functions and the fact that no one has ever taken the time to ensure she ‘gets it’.

My focus is connection and understanding. Core strength and stability work are phrases that are now part of our everyday language. You don’t have to be a gym bunny to know what these phrases are referring to.

The missing link to that ‘knowing’ and physically connecting to and understanding the true value of these (and many more) ‘gym’ phrases is me! Gaining an edge is all part of the plan for most people. Athletes want the edge on competitors and other teams; corporates want an edge on the market and competitors; Mr & Mrs ‘round the corner’ want the edge on the neighbour or ‘Jimmy’s’ parents at school.

To gain the edge on any level means one has an advantage; one has insight and understanding that they embody and have as part of them. The edge is within, it is not an add-on. To have the physical edge you want to have a Definite Edge. Donna’s domino effect provides a connection to exactly that… an edge; the edge; your edge.

My client saw the ‘domino’ knock –on in her physicality when she finally ‘got’ what it actually felt like when she consciously felt her pelvic floor contracting. Previous to today’s jubilation she had a cognitive understanding of what she was doing and why, but it wasn’t until she not only felt the pelvic floor move, but also the flow on from that of her Centre of Gravity being stabilised as a result.

What my client felt was the pelvic floor being contracted without all the usual movement cheats that the body innately does (thinking it is helping). What she felt was a conscious squeeze of the muscle; the resultant internal pressure that contraction produced and the flow on shift of the Sacrum (tail bone) which locked her Sacro- iliac joints into place (anatomically called “forced closure”).

The excitement around this was not just the fact that she felt all this happening on her command, it was the fact that she linked the functional benefit of having TRUE stability so that she didn’t “hurt” herself when she trained!

You see, why my dear friend finally came to me was b/c she had been through as many personal trainers and gyms as she’s had birthdays. (not to mention the thousands of dollars spent at her local physical practitioners- no need to name these here as she has been through all the modalities you care to list!)

My friend (like most) had almost given up the goal to be fit; healthy & pain-free. She just accepted that her ‘problems’ were part of getting older. To me she came because I’ve recently moved to the same suburb as her, so we meet at the beautiful Bondi beach to train.

Like most people of the 21st Century my friend saw exercise as a chore and spending time REALLY looking after herself and putting her physicality first was just too time consuming; effortful (energetically)
and a luxury (financially).

My passion is to get people not only moving but moving with conscious connection to that movement and enjoying it! So, my friend has had a physical shift in understanding and connection to the functional anatomy of her body, and as a result is confidence she won’t hurt herself. She now actually engages the necessary support to ensure she doesn’t load and strain her back. To her exercise equalled pain, so mentally it was a battle to get going and stick with any level of activity.

A chore no more, my friend I am excited to write is training daily AND loving it! I receive a message every couple of days updating me excitedly about her progress AND her enjoyment of the new journey she is skipping along, and the fact that she is not only doing all this without flaring up her ‘problems’ she is actually moving better than she can remember.

So how can knowing this help you?
I am here to offer direct/ hands-on help and assistance to those in the Sydney region. Those geographically disadvantaged a Definite Edge is only an email away!

Me and all my hats are going global with free online training tips; downloadable programs and blog articles which will include: Definite Edge™ Training (personal and corporate) - Aussie Possum™ (CST Coach) and Posture Plus™ (posture corrective stretch therapy program and products… Posturenasium™ & Stretcharium™ online coaching)

Sign up to follow my blog; follow me on twitter and facebook.
Soon to come on you-tube you will see a new level of instructional/ coaching detail, new indepth remedial detail to training with the goal to inspire and excite all those whom join me in the Posturenasium™ and Stretcharium™. CSTers you will gain new insight and progress exponentially with your mobility and clubbell swinging achievements.

A public congrats goes out to my dear friend Phillipa. Well done girlfriend, thank you for enduring my picking and taking in all the tips and corrections (and thank you for premising me to share all this).

Heres to you and your progress and to happily talking about all body functions and ‘getting’ it!

Movement is not an inconvenience
Donna/ Coach Eddy
(aka- Aussie Possum)

The sensation of progress

2010-03-08T22:35:00.000-08:00

Below is an extract from Mastering the Art of Living.

This is the first draft of the book "Mastering the Art of Living". The book is a compilation of teaching experiences and programming developments from the Posture Plus training program which can be utilised to assist in animated pain-free living and hopefully inspire the reader with insights on how to get the most out of your body- your mind and your experience as a physical being with all of lifes distractions and easy ways out of actually living.

I thought i'd share a little of its progress!
Obviously a work in progress, so send some feedback and any ideas- information you want included/ discussed within the book.

No sensation – No success

Most people would agree PAIN is BAD. Pain is unpleasant and we humans spend our lives avoiding or moving away from pain. Those who join the Posture Plus program are surprised to learn that most ‘pain‘ is not true pain. There is a lot of unnecessary avoidance of the necessary and success producing sensation that our scared- weak- unchallenged brains tell us is pain!

The 'p' word is not allowed in a Posture Plus class and at first that sounds tough or callous but infact this is the foundation of our success! The sensation beginners know as pain is precicely the very sensation we teach them to aim for. All “pain” when stretching is in fact not “pain” and thus we teach participants how to read their body through the noisy signals it lets off.

The Posture Plus program teaches you how to get the most out of your body and training. Getting the most and striving for change usually means some level of discomfort… think of it as growing pains! You can't break out of your shell of comfort and be able to open movement, get on the floor with ease and perform manoeuvres without breaking the bounds of what your timid little mind will normally allow. (and what your social conditioning will tell you is 'normal'… that is another topic!)

Learning to read the signals and decipher the sensations will open you and your body to a whole new level of existence. What these signals mean is completely different to each person and changes with the development of body awareness and confidence. Subtle yet significant differences actually signal completely different meanings and thus require different responses (if one is actually needed at all!)

Learning to read the signals from your body means you will know when to train, when to rest, when to push, when to seek assistance. Knowing what to do and when eliminates time consuming guesswork and hesitant agitation/ distress.

You will discover with the Posture Plus Program that there is stretching (or in a broader sense- training) and then there is stretching (or training) effectively! The one’s that “hurt” are the ones you need - and if there is no sensation, there is no success (progress). What you feel is NOT pain, what you feel and are aiming for is the sensation of progress.

The Missing Link

Hands on slow training is rare and sadly avoided by most people and trainers.
The missing link for training success (and in my clinical therapy practice) is slow deliberate step by step teaching and practice of what ever is being done.

Those of you who have my Posture Plus DVDs (set up link to products) know...

____________________

Share your thoughts and send through any topics you want covered!
More to come… much more to come.

in for the long haul... self investor

2009-10-05T23:20:00.000-07:00

"A person with integrity will stand the test of time, because they are true to their cause, instead of doing something because of hype driven insecurities. Such a person is a seasoned investor- because they are investing in themselves." Tung Chi

Do you invest in yourself?

My list of qualifications is vast, long and incomplete.
This is not so I can say 'ive got this or that'. It is, as the quote above highlights... an investment in myself.

I am thankful ive found my 'right living' and i will be investing in my learning till the day i depart this fine world of ours.
For 2009 I have been delving into the depths of Daoism- Oriental Psychology. And the list for 2010 is up and awaiting the calendar to turn.

What have you learnt this year?

Have you invested in yourself? Will you now plan to invest in 2010?

donnaeddy.tv- The Aussie Possum is on youtube

2009-07-13T00:32:00.000-07:00

Click the link below to see my entry for the CST Global Clubbell Challenge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTGUDVZgF70

I have set the ball rolling and will now post regular clips of my personal practice for my coaches to review and critique (rmaxinternational.com), and possibly inspire more vigorous movement (or regular movement)for some. I will also post educational clips to show the effects and benefits of Posture Plus (www.postureplus.com.au) unravelling the how & why of movement and common restrictions from 21st Century life.

Post your requests and questions about movement; postural corrective exercise; pain management and the like here and I will endeavour to send through a response. The response may be a youtube posted clip; an article or a link to the relevant source of help and inspiration.

Another clip that has been up for a while.... a CST take on 'ab' work....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6SVmMotBQw&feature=related

Enjoy and post your requests.

Donna

PEARLS OF WISDOM

2009-07-03T06:25:00.000-07:00

Go placidly amidst the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence... Be on good terms with all people... Speak your truth quietly and clearly.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble... Exercise caution in your business affairs: for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is... Take kindly the counsel of years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you against sudden misfortune... you are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars: you have a right to be here... It is still a beautiful world... strive to be happy.

reference unknown.

One cannot sleep with the lights on

2009-04-09T06:44:00.000-07:00

The plan was to follow on from the "no pain no gain' article but in light of being burgled tonight i digress....

One cannot sleep with the lights on

How does one remain resilient when there are waves of evil thrust upon your world?

How does one sleep when on has ALL the lights on to ward off the evil and keep peace and purity within?

How does one not become cynical and petty staking perimeters and ownership to protect what remains?

How does one let go of irreplaceable memories when one feels ill at the acknowledgement they are gone?

How does one cultivate love and joy when the dark and sad weighs so dominantly and disperses throughout ones entire being?

How does one not see others as the enemy… the perpetrators and starts to see humans again?

How can one feel so isolated and alone amongst millions, so vulnerable and small with the walls of a sturdy house?

How does one not feel invaded- violated- cheated- targeted- angry- disappointed- sad?

How does one find the lesson within?

How does one not show how alone they truly are?

How does one stay on their path when the gradient is ever increasing and the rest stops do not allow sufficient refuelling?

Life suddenly became effortful and this one does not have the energy….

tonight.
Tomorrow is another day- energy is renewable.

So what is the lesson?
What is actually lost?

No pain- no gain.

2009-03-08T14:30:00.000-07:00

No pain- no gain.

Those whom attend the Posture Plus™ program know that the ‘p’ word does not exist within the Stretcharium™ walls. It is quickly outlined and defined, that what participants are experiencing when in class is merely a sensation. Albeit a strong sensation, but what participants are experiencing (and tuning in to) during class is far from true ‘pain’.

The being (that presents as our physical body in this case) spends its life moving away from pain and towards pleasure or in spiritual teachings we humans spend our time seeking joy/ happiness.

So where does the saying ‘no pain- no gain’ fit in?

Some of the meanings attached to this phrase are included below. Please add to this incomplete list of descriptive scenario's following the article….

In gymnasium/ body building terms this term 'no pain- no gain' has two meanings.
First the ‘burn’ you feel actually lifting weights, is the sensation felt when fatiguing the muscle. One does not ‘gain’ training effects if one does not fatigue the muscle. Thus 'no pain- no gain' is advocated in gyms and workout sessions globally.

Secondly, post weight training, one feels the all too familiar ‘DOMS’ which is Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. You know that feeling of intense sharp discomfort on movement when you have done something out of your usual weekly schedule. Most are familiar with this muscle soreness after completing a new activity or lifting heavier weights than usual.

DOMS is the repair process in action, the healing and the ‘gain’ actually taking place. Thus 'no pain- no gain'!

In spiritual teachings, loss or pain, is a stimulus for growth. As the saying goes ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ and thus 'no pain- no gain' can be attributed to the most hurtful, saddening situations, because out of it comes growth and insight.

In the Posture Plus™ Stretcharium™ there are no improvements in range of motion and flexibility without the challenging/ intense sensation of extending yourself. The teaching and direction in a Posture Plus is to move towards the intense discomfort.

In life, out in the real world, to learn the value of (and have some respect for) material possessions ‘hurt money’ as one of my patients described to me is the ‘pain’ of having to pay for said item, or part there of. The ‘hurt’ money adds value and appreciation.

What insight can you shine on the 'no pain- no gain' philosophy to life?
We’d love to hear your experiences and stories.

stand up for yourself

2009-02-02T16:37:00.000-08:00

The most recent addition to my list of teachers and mentors- Scott Sonnon wrote an inspiring article about self empowerment through looking after yourself. Click link to see full article. My response below expands on the theme with my personal experience of being a patient before becoming a therapist. Take care of YOU….

www.rmaxinternational.com/flowcoach/?p=406

Ask questions until you are satisfied with the answer.
As a physical therapist and a psychotherapist I cannot express strongly the importance of finding a practitioner (medical- paramedical- ‘voodoo’ of otherwise) whom actually is interesting in YOU!

I ‘fell’ in to being a therapist after being on the patient circuit for 3.5yrs and not getting any “better”. Until I met my now mentor of 10 years Dr Paul Conneely. I got help all those years, but no answers.

There are many reasons why, but a significant factor in my healing was for the first time in all those years, Dr Conneely explained to me what was going on in my body and why!

It was this life changing insight that changed my career and spawned the business’ I now run. (www.postureplus.com.au) So I urge you to find a practitioner that takes the time to explain to you what is going on WITHIN and FOR YOU.

Find a practitioner that is going to join you on the journey to find the source and teach YOU how to resolve it, or at least maintain the gains you achieved in your therapy session.

I rarely book patients in after their second visit. Majority do not NEED therapy, they just need to get moving. So I direct them to the Posture Corrective class program I developed- Posture Plus, or, guide them as to what their body needs and send them back to the exercise modality they once enjoyed.

If you are under the care of a practitioner and they do not give you guidance- specific care instructions- home therapy or exercises then I assert they are not there for you!

If your practitioner almost ‘panics’ when you leave with out another session booked, I assert they are not there for you!
Your therapy is for YOU. You know yourself better than anyone else. If you are not being heard, not getting questions answered or any clear direction, and even worse than all that- not seeing results, find another practitioner.
I wish you all a smooth journey and recommend seeking a few different therapists/ practitioners whom specialise in areas you need assistance. One practitioner cannot do it all!

If you are not sure keep looking till you feel 100% comfortable with the therapist, the therapy and your results.

A healing hug from down under.

Coach Eddy

Alternative and Complimentary Health

2009-01-26T02:58:00.000-08:00

Alternative and Complimentary Health

I am the founder of The Posture Centre- TPC (which provides Integrative Manual Therapy) and Posture Plus™ (the Posture Corrective Stretch Therapy program). Both are the culmination of a decade of study and living a life of complimentary health. My ‘work’ is my life and my passion, my vocation and my vacation. Both services (TPC & Posture Plus™)offer healing-remedial oriented outcomes. The premise is to teach YOU how to look after yourself. Posture Plus™ is now being positioned in the health & Fitness industry as ‘the initial step’®. www.postureplus.com.au

Do you want to compliment your health and take your physique to the next level?
What is it you desire for your self and your body?

I assert you would be thinking a healthful body, all round fitness, a lean and supple physique, energy for anything and everything, and pain-free movement.

So how do you get ALL that?

If you have current pain (acute or chronic) a physical overhaul may be on the cards through TPC, or learning how to move with Posture Plus™. BUT if you are reasonably unscathed by life and have 'typical' aches and pains (you put down to 'getting older') then for you it is CST and FlowFit™ ….. That is all that needs to be said!!

For those unaware of the magnificent gifts that dynamic-diverse physical function provides read on …….

For those immersed in Posture Plus™ and/or CST practice- I sense your smile and joy from here. It radiates doesn’t it!!
If you are in Sydney on Saturday (yes THIS Saturday... 31st Jan) you can join the first 2hr Posture Essentials program for '09.
If you are in Sydney next month…you can join a 3hr CST mini workshop training session to refine your skills (Sunday 15th Feb).

No idea as to what this ‘CST’ stuff is?
Feeling a little deprived? You should, because you have sadly been deprived something truly wonderful… until now!

The first wave of CST is coming. FlowFit™ will be the first segment of the Circular Strength Training (CST) program from the USA and ‘flowcoach’ Scott Sonnon to be presented here in Sydney by Aussie Coaches.

Being one of Australia’s first CST Coaches I am extremely excited to announce the first FlowFit™ workshop is coming in March. To give you a taste of the CST system there is a 3hr CST mini workshop in only a few weeks. Put Sunday 15th Feb in your diary NOW!

YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS!

Go to www.postureplus.com.au or www.flowacademy.com.au for details and to book.

See you at the workshops
Coach Eddy.

How much time do we have?

2009-01-13T16:07:00.000-08:00

How would you live if you knew that your time was already half over.
How hung up would you be on the trivial things, on the “what ifs”?

I hear a song that reminds me of my late mother whom I still freshly mourn…..it has been 4 months. She (like us all) planned for the future- worried about retirement and sadly didn’t get to enjoy it. Dying at 62!

62 – I turned 35 last month and that could mean my life is potentially more than half over.

How much of your life is left?

With that perspective- how important is your time???
How closely do you cherish moments with loved ones?

How much more would you love, knowing, that each moment is one more moment off the board and one more opportunity to be open- honest- caring and real- gone.... Irreplaceable

Spend time absorbing the moments. Spend time creating memories- not spending money accumulating more objects- toys- love stifling distractions. Turn off the gadgets, turn on your heart and give yourself to your family and friends.

2009 could be Devine…
May enjoyable things come your way and you take the time to enjoy them.

2008 in review below. What did you achieve? What can you plan for in ’09?

May the angels of loved ones past whisper reminders to spend time- stimulate the heart in yourself and others and share love with all.

Happy New Year- make it memorable.
Xxx De

2008 in Review

2008 was destined to be great!

2007 I won the Springboard award at the National College of Business….. How could 2008 be anything but a flying adventure?

January A photo shoot for book “stretching for everybody”

February My third National tour for DVD promotion

March Blue to Browntip grading!!

April The First CST Workshop and another photo shoot, this time for Pilates/stretch book.

May Graduation- Grad Dip Psychotherapy/ Counselling.
Some unexpected down time……. # cracked rib!!

June Holiday time!! A week in my potentially new home – Van City. Three days with my beloved teacher- Lawrence.
Then the fulfilment of a major dream- STORM CHASING! 4800kms across the USA chasing storms- under the eye
of two potential Tornados. I will do that again!

July Family reunion! CST DVDs arrive- practice begins.

August Back to WA (7th trip) Mum made 62!!!!

September Final visit to WA….Mum passed away. Brown Belt grading.

October From CST instructor to Australia’s first CST coach.

November Posture Plus goes GLOBAL!!! Another injury…. # foot.
Certified as a Workplace Trainer and Assessor

December The start of my writing career, co- authoring Prasara book
with Scott Sonnon.

Me and my year……

A turbulent- spiritually challenging-exciting-stimulating year.

I read for pleasure- to stimulate the senses. 17 books for ’08.

Anatomy books to please the mind’s desire for clarity.

Spiritual development books to please the desire to be fun and loving.

Business books to please the ambitious workaholic.

Course work books/ study to please the desire to expand and grow and aid the healing potential.

I’m a realist. A creative adventurous realist, but a realist none the less. Fiction...you’ll lose me in a flash.
So movies and I it is seldom I indulge. With all my travel in 2008 though, I did catch a few flicks in-flight.

Kungfu Panda The martial artist in me could not resist!!!

Premonition Psychological thrillers, my favourite!!

Jumper Okay a little make believe. But my one ‘genie in a bottle’
wish has always been to tele- transport my self!!

WINS

 Ist CST coach in Australia (www.flowacademy.com.au) and a whole new global family/ network to meet and get to know.
 A stronger bond with my two sisters. Through the loss of our mother we have changed our interpersonal dynamics and I
have won a new bond and enthusiasm for the simple things in life…human connection. Acknowledging others- making
time and doing simple things, just making contact and spending time.
 Faith in life and love. I am absolutely unlimited- 2009 WILL BE DEVINE… 2009 WILL BE MINE. (year of the Ox!) 

LOSSES

 The little girl too shy and scared to launch off that ‘Springboard’…..I am out there now
(thanx Coach Sonnon- www.rmaxinternational.com) and I am ready to fly in 2009.
 My cherished – courageous mother. I miss her strength and Noust.
I am grateful for all the trips I took across to WA to spend time. So many moments etched into my heart.
 A little more of my ego. A little less driven/triggered to be right! Things happen, life happens…
most of the time I can see things just are.

Plans

Projections for 2009…

A year filled with book writing and compiling instructor training manuals.
Training new trainers/ instructors in Posture Plus (www.postureplus.com.au) and CST- Flow Fit.
Treating and healing patients in the clinic.
Travelling to teach and present; travelling to play!
Training for my first Black Belt… potentially by Dec ’09.
Studying- Oriental Psychology; Yogalates; to become a CST Head Coach.

A year filled with fun- plenty of play time and momentus memories.

Today 14th Jan is the mid point b/t Western New Year and Eastern!
Cheers to the new year.

Official blog by donna eddy- postureplus

2009-01-05T15:40:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Donna Eddy- Posture Plus (Aussie Possum) blog!

I think there are enough names to cover all my personalities... and no 'pain master' does not need to be added nor any related names.

The purpose of this blog is the very reason I get up each day. To "affect as many people as possible; to inspire dynamic functional movement; to guide and motivate self healing; and animate those I reach to create joyous memories and leave all intoxicated with energy and love"

Through this blog the above will be achieved by posting articles written by myself, and attaching/ linking related- inspirational- educational articles from my contacts and friends.

I will link this to my website and will tinker with the layout. All in due course.

Till then I plan to email you entries. If you wish to 'opt out' of this mailing list please title a reply 'opt out' and your email will be removed from listing.

For now... Cheers to the New year.

2009 will be devine.

Thought for the month... 'force is only needed by those who don't have power'

Unconditional love and warm wishes

xxxDe