Mystic Bodyworks
Overcome Obstacles and Uncover Extreme Wellness. Discover Your Own Optimal Physical and Mental Wellb
Pre-determined goals and an intuitively integrated methodology make Mystic BodyWorks a unique and transformative personal training studio and post rehab center for EVERY BODY. We help people in all stages, ages and walks of life achieve optimal health and wellbeing.
10/08/2024
The giraffe, as a spirit animal, imparts profound lessons in grace, perspective, and the transformative power of letting go—especially when it comes to releasing tension in the neck and fostering a deep connection with the core. One of the most astonishing aspects of the giraffe is that, despite its towering height and elongated neck, it has the same number of neck bones—seven—as humans do. This surprising fact emphasizes the deep, mystical connection between the giraffe and the human spirit, underscoring the power of integration and harmony within the body.
The Power of Letting Go: Releasing Neck Tension:
One of the giraffe’s most significant superpowers is its ability to move gracefully and effortlessly, without holding tension in its neck. For the giraffe, the neck is not a point of strain or control; rather, it is a conduit for the seamless flow of energy from the core to the head, and vice versa. This ability to let go of neck tension is a powerful lesson for us. It teaches us that when we release the unnecessary stress we carry in our necks, we allow for a freer, more natural movement that is initiated from the core, specifically by the diaphragm and deep spinal muscles like the multifidi.
The giraffe shows us that true strength comes from integration—when the neck, spine, and core work together in harmony, the body moves with effortless grace. This integration is not just physical; it is also energetic and spiritual. By letting go of neck tension, we allow our bodies to align with our deeper self, fostering a sense of inner peace and balance.
The Power of Seven: A Symbolic Connection:
The number seven, shared by both giraffes and humans in their cervical vertebrae, carries deep spiritual significance, often representing completeness, perfection, and the unity of physical and spiritual realms. For the giraffe, this alignment allows its neck to serve as a bridge between its powerful core and its keen sense of perspective. For humans, this same alignment is crucial for allowing energy to flow freely between the mind and body, enabling a state of ease and relaxation rather than tension and strain.
Integrating the Seven with the Twelve and the Five:
The giraffe’s wisdom teaches us that the seven cervical vertebrae must harmoniously integrate with the twelve thoracic and five lumbar vertebrae to create a single, unified spine. This integration is essential for achieving true mobility and fluidity in movement. When these three sections of the spine work together as one, they provide the foundation for the entire body’s stability and flexibility.
The giraffe's ability to move with such grace despite its height is a testament to this integrated approach. The number twelve, representing the thoracic vertebrae, often symbolizes cosmic order, cycles of time, and completeness. The number five, representing the lumbar vertebrae, is associated with change, freedom, and adaptability. Together, these numbers represent the giraffe’s ability to move through life with both stability and adaptability, grounded yet flexible, much like how humans must align their body and spirit.
The Diaphragm: Initiating Movement from the Core:
At the heart of the giraffe’s movement is the diaphragm, the deep core muscle that initiates all motion. The diaphragm’s role is not just to facilitate breath, but to activate and mobilize the entire spine, including the multifidi—the deepest muscles of the spine. These muscles work in concert to maintain balance and support the spine’s intricate movements, ensuring that the giraffe’s neck, despite its length, remains supple and free from tension.
For humans, the giraffe’s example is a powerful reminder that true mobility and grace come from the core. By allowing the diaphragm to initiate movement, the neck and spine can follow naturally, without unnecessary strain. This creates a harmonious flow that not only enhances physical movement but also aligns the body with the mind and spirit. The giraffe’s gift here is clear: let go of tension, and allow your body’s natural intelligence to guide you.
Sacred Geometry in the Giraffe’s Fur Pattern:
The giraffe’s fur is adorned with intricate patterns, predominantly shaped as irregular polygons, most often resembling a series of interconnected pentagons and hexagons. These shapes resonate deeply with the principles of sacred geometry, representing harmony, balance, and the interconnectedness of all life. In sacred geometry, the pentagon and hexagon are considered powerful shapes that symbolize the structure of the natural world and the balance between the elements.
While these patterns serve the practical purpose of helping the giraffe blend into its environment—a slightly comical endeavor given the giraffe’s towering height and visibility—they also carry a deeper significance. The patterns on the giraffe’s coat are a reflection of the universe’s underlying order, showing how even in its immense size, the giraffe is part of a greater cosmic design. This teaches us that, like the giraffe, we too are connected to a larger, harmonious whole, where every part of us has a place and purpose.
Giraffe’s Spiritual Powers: Grace, Perspective, and Deep Wisdom
Beyond its physical symbolism, the giraffe as a spirit animal offers several profound spiritual gifts:
Heightened Perspective:
The giraffe’s ability to see far into the distance symbolizes our capacity to rise above the immediate and gain a broader, more enlightened view of life. This perspective helps us navigate challenges with wisdom and foresight, understanding that our present circumstances are but a part of the greater journey.
Effortless Grace:
Despite its towering height, the giraffe moves with a quiet, almost serene grace. This teaches us the power of moving through life with ease, allowing our actions to flow naturally from a place of inner balance rather than force.
Deep Intuition:
The giraffe’s intuitive connection to the earth and sky represents a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms. It reminds us to trust our inner guidance and to remain grounded even as we reach for higher understanding.
Resilience and Adaptability:
The giraffe’s unique physiology is a testament to its ability to adapt and thrive in various environments. As a spirit animal, it encourages us to embrace change and to adapt with resilience, trusting that we have the inner resources to overcome any obstacles.
The Giraffe’s Wisdom in Everyday Life:
Incorporating the giraffe’s teachings into our daily lives means learning to let go of the unnecessary tension we carry, particularly in our neck and shoulders. By focusing on breath and allowing the diaphragm to guide our movements, we can cultivate a more relaxed, intuitive way of being. The giraffe reminds us that true power comes from within, from a calm and centered core, and that when we release the need to control, we open ourselves up to a world of grace, wisdom, and profound connection.
As a spirit animal, the giraffe encourages us to stand tall, to see beyond the immediate, and to trust in the natural flow of life. By doing so, we align ourselves with a deeper, more intuitive way of living that is both powerful and peaceful, grounded and transcendent. The giraffe’s gift is the understanding that when the spine is aligned, integrated, and mobilized by the diaphragm, we can move through life with the same effortless grace and wisdom that this majestic creature embodies.
Letting go of neck tension is not just about physical release; it’s about embracing the giraffe’s wisdom of moving through life with ease, trusting in the natural flow, and allowing our innate grace and power to shine through.
25/03/2024
To Live Past 100, Mangia a Lot Less: Italian Expert’s Ideas on Aging Valter Longo, who wants to live to a healthy 120 or 130, sees the key to longevity in diet — legumes and fish — and faux fasting.
01/10/2023
How Content Are You In Your Life?
What Gives One The Feeling Of Contentment?
It all begins from the Inside Out and its always a process and a journey.
Even though we may try to maintain what we have and avoid those things that we don't want...it all changes every moment.
It is elusively obvious that when we let go of the Ego's big plans and embrace what is already present, as if by magic, balance appears and our own superpowers reveal themselves.
The Soulful Spine Process is a body and mind one on one program at Mystic Bodyworks that works from the inside out. The SSP releases deep rooted muscle tension, resolves chronic pain and activates the intrinsic core system. Get in touch to find out more.
-baby great horned owl photo by: rodolfo mari
01/10/2023
How Facial Botox Changes Your Brain—Literally The limited facial paralysis alters the brain’s sensory maps of the hands.
13/09/2023
The Tissue That Connects Our Muscles May Be a Key to Better Health Fascia is more important than previously thought. Here’s how, and why, you should care for yours.
14/08/2023
The ‘World’s Happiest Man’ Shares His Three Rules for Life A searching, playful, provocative discussion with the Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard.
The Mystic Body Bridge Table~
The pathways from the body to the mind and back are not always easy to navigate, there may be a few forks in the road and more than a couple of bumps…but once the ways and byways are traveled and traversed a time or two…then the road gets smooth and new adventures become possible.
11/05/2023
The Link Between Highly Processed Foods and Brain Health Eating packaged foods like cereal and frozen meals has been associated with anxiety, depression and cognitive decline. Scientists are still piecing together why.
17/01/2023
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/11/well/move/bodyweight-strength-workout.html
You Can Do This 10-Minute Workout at Home With No Equipment Build strength and mobility anywhere, anytime.
17/01/2023
Enjoying nature may lessen need for some medications, study finds | CNN Get outside into nature to improve your health and reduce your need for medications for high blood pressure, depression and anxiety, a new study says.
30/11/2022
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/25/well/move/back-pain-exercises.html
How Simple Exercises May Save Your Lower Back Back pain is common and complicated. But altering your workout to build control and stability can help prevent it.
21/11/2022
How to Use Smart Lights Better Smart bulbs and plugs can do so much more than just turn on and off with an app. Here are a few easy tips to get the most of smart lighting.
22/10/2022
https://www.nytimes.com/article/flu-cold-home-remedies.html
Zinc? Honey? Ginger? What Actually Helps When You Have a Cold or the Flu? Here’s what we know about some of the most popular remedies that show at least a little promise.
11/10/2022
What's the magic number of steps to keep weight off? Here's what a new study says | CNN Taking nearly 9,000 steps per day is linked to a lower risk of chronic disease, but if you add extra effort, you can lose weight and prevent obesity, a new study says.
You Can Turn Back The Hands Of Time!
At least as fair as the flexibility, pain-free-ness and mobility of your spine are concerned. Joseph Pilates said that we are only as young as our spine is flexible and I believe that is mostly true.
At Mystic Bodyworks we work one on one with you to create a plan and help you to restore mind and body to optimal mobility and wellness.
Send us a message to find out how to get started.
17/08/2022
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/12/well/move/balance-exercises.html
Can You Pass the 10-Second Balance Test? This simple, often neglected skill can pay huge dividends later in life.
We can all integrate being, balance and breath and uncover our ultimate well-being…all we need to do is practice a little every day.
What inspires you to engage with the exploration of your own well-being?
The HalfBike I’m riding in this video is a fun way to challenge being upright while staying relaxed with no tension. I have only been riding ot for one week and at first it’s quite a challenge to just stay on but the mind quickly adapts and gets the knack of it.
At Mystic Bodyworks we use all means necessary to help clients integrate their being, balance and breath and then uncover their true core power. Yoga, Pilates, Neuromuscular activation, craniosacral therapy and massage therapy are just a few of the methods we have mastered and and use to help clients advance in their daily practice of Body-Being.
Get on touch for more info or to take the Halfbike for a test drive 👈🏼
22/06/2022
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/shiitake-mushrooms
Why Shiitake Mushrooms Are Good For You Shiitake mushrooms are prized for their rich taste. They may also have benefits for your heart health, immune function and more.
05/06/2022
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/02/well/mind/vagus-nerve-mental-health.html?smid=url-share
This Nerve Influences Nearly Every Internal Organ. Can It Improve Our Mental State, Too? On social media, exercises that aim to “tone” one of our body’s longest nerves have been touted as a cure-all for anxiety and other psychological ailments. Here’s what the research says.
03/06/2022
What Brings You Joy?
Things may not always be full of joy but we can decide to have a joyful attitude. It may not always be easy but a little goes a long way.
One way to bring up the joy level is to practice training your body and mind. Mindful movement practice can wake up the whole body and mind, everything can shift in one quick session.
Many times workouts can be machine-like, like you’re going on auto-pilot, and feel like a grind…we may even crave that grind just as an escape but that same workout can change from the same old grind to a mindful exploration of mind and body.
Routines do not evolve; a mindful movement practice will help you evolve a whole new level of awareness and ability by expanding your understanding of how the mind and body work together.
the MoBiLiZeR
This one move can rejuvenate the low back and energize the entire body.
The low back is the fountain of youth because it is the true core center. Even though it is called the low back it is also the low front and sides…it is three dimensional and the true power is in the deep muscles that connect to the five low back bones 👉🏼 the lumbars: L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5.
The diaphragm is the breathing muscle and it connects to the low back bones…this is why activating deep core breathing is the key to uncover true core power.
For this MoBiLiZeR flow movement be as relaxed as possible and let the breath move you…inhale as you come up and be so relaxed that you are almost shrugging and letting the arm bones hold you up. Then wait for the exhale from the deep core to initiate the movement to go back.
31/05/2022
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/27/well/move/swimming-workout-exercise.html?smid=url-share
Make Swimming Your Summer Workout With just 30 minutes and a few useful tricks, a trip to the pool can become serious exercise.
The Body Problem ~
The problem of the body is that the mind creates problems. 🧠
The body is never the problem because the body can only express the present moment.
The mind interprets the information received from the body in any number of ways and many of those ways quickly depart from the reality of the moment.
Unless it is trained otherwise the mind does not like to respond in organic or innovative ways…the mind wants automation and easy solutions even at the expense of the body. 🤖
The only way to break out of the machine-like functioning of the mind in relation to the body is to use the mind to observe and train the body without judgement and with total clarity.
Instead of being task driven there needs to be time to train the mind to observe.
The solution is in the practice.
The 4 things to practice 👉🏼
•Step into stillness•
•Uncover your true core power•
•Understand the breath•
•Move from center•
what you think you become 👈🏼
what you feel you attract 👣
what you imagine you create 👁
Outer Space 👁
The best thing to do for your body is create space.
Its easy to feel what its like to have a clear head…when you go into your mind on a good day and there is not a bunch of thoughts or noise filling up space…as if all the guests have gone home and the kids are in bed sleeping soundly. But what about the body? What does it feel like to have space in the body?
There is so much to explore and attain by exploring our own inner space. Navigating the inner space of our own being leads to the understanding of our own inner posture.
Inner posture is a synthesis of many essential elements that create a state of being that is aware in the inside and can engage freely with the outside.
The unexplored places within our inner body already exist and all we need to do is move within and feel the expansiveness.
The key to inhabiting our own inner space is the breath…this is elusively obvious and even if you have this key in your keychain it is easy to forget to use it.
The breath is like the music in the tango of life…you can easily move and navigate without the music but without the music there is no inspiration.
Begin with the breath 👨🏽🚀
The next level for our own practice of human Being is carving out new areas of resilience and integrating them into our way of life.
Finding center is a great journey that never ends!
24/05/2022
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/24/well/move/joy-workout-exercises-happiness.html?smid=url-share
The Joy Workout Six research-backed moves to improve your mood
24/05/2022
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/19/science/dolphin-skin-care.html?smid=url-share
How to Get Dolphin-Smooth Skin For skin care like a cetacean, you’re going to need corals, sponges and the ability to hold your breath for a long time.
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