Getting better at anything requires an increase in awareness. The faster and more completely our awareness increases, the faster we will improve at whatever it is we wish to get better at.

     What does an increase in awareness mean? First, it requires that the SENSITIVITY of our perception is enhanced. We pick up greater subtleties with our senses.

     I was recently watching a Netflix series on some of the greatest BBQ pit masters in the world. Instead of using thermometers to know if the grill is the correct temperature, they simply place their hand on the grill and instantly know if and how many more coals must be added to the fire. This is subtle awareness.

     The second part of increasing awareness is being able to hold multiple perspectives. This means that we can be aware of more and more variables at the same time. This is essential in learning how to drive a car. At first we place all of our awareness on each piece of driving (gear, then clutch, then mirrors, then steering, etc) but after a bit of practice we can hold awareness of all of these perspectives at the same time (and be much safer and more effective at the same time). A NASCAR driver must be able to hold many MORE perspectives at once in order to succeed in a race.

     One of the key features that is distinct about the Neurospinal Optimization care we provide at Nexus Chiropractic is that we know that increasing awareness is absolutely required for long term success. In my opinion, awareness is a too often ignored piece in many forms of health care. In fact, many health care interventions actually look to DECREASE awareness, which over time, can be quite detrimental.

     When we intervene without increasing awareness – or worse, deadening awareness – we leave ourselves vulnerable to repeating the same problems over and over again.

     When we increase awareness, not only are we less likely to end up in the same predicaments, we will be more adaptable and have greater resourcefulness when problems do arise in the future.

     For those of you who have had care at Nexus, you know that we ask you lots of questions. All of these are designed to enhance awareness  What did you notice happening during the visit? What changed after? Did you feel what just happened? Are you aware of how your spinal structure just shifted? What do you think that pain/tension means? Is there a larger pattern involved in your condition? Did you feel how your breath got deeper and moved through your entire spine?

     We also give periodic questionnaires so that we can more specifically know if your awareness is matching up with clinical observations and if more or different coaching and cuing is required.

     The SomatoRespiratory Integration (SRI) exercises we teach are also designed to increase body awareness. First they improve our ability to notice more subtlety of breath, movement and energy. Next, they expand our awareness of multiple perspectives as we can pay attention to all of these factors (and more) at once.

     How can we start to increase the awareness of our bodies and health at home? I use this exercise with many of my patients and you can do it too.

     Use the moments of transition between pain and less/no pain, or feeling crappy and feeling good as an opportunity to develop more awareness.

     When you find yourself feeling bad, whatever that means for you in the moment (physically, mentally, emotionally), catch yourself and STOP.  Now notice as many things as you can about yourself in that moment of feeling bad.

     What is your posture like? Are you breathing shallow or deep? Is the breath in the nose, out the nose, or something else? How are you moving (slow or fast, smooth or rigid)? What have you been doing recently? What have you been eating and drinking? What is your emotional state? What have you been thinking about? What was your last thought before you noticed you felt ‘bad?’

     You get the idea. The point of this exercise is to notice as many subtleties as you can (be creative). Create the clearest and most detailed picture of what you feeling ‘bad’ looks like. I have found this exercise works best when you write it down.

     Now comes the fun part. When you notice that you feel better, good or even great, do the same exercise. Go through the exact same questions as above. Write them down.

     Once you have those two descriptions of you ‘good’ and ‘bad,’ you can use this new awareness to your advantage.

     If you find yourself feeling ‘bad’ and you want to feel ‘good,’ look at your contrasting lists. Change your posture to the one that is associated with ‘good.’ Shift your breath to the one that works best for you. Move your focus to something that energizes you instead of bringing you down. Perhaps you can exercise or move your body in a way that changes your entire experience.

     This is only the beginning of the process. As you apply this exercise more and more you will start to become UNCONSIOUSLY aware of when you start to move towards ‘bad’ and UNCONSIOUSLY start to shift back to ‘good’ automatically. This is when profound, long term results start to show up.

     Awareness is a powerful and necessary tool in creating long term health, and to achieve lasting results in any endeavour. Unfortunately it is rarely harnessed and often ignored.

     How and where can you seek out greater awareness in your life and health?

Thorin Gault, D.C.

Sept. 11, 2020

January           17       Introductory Presentation – Head to Toe           Neurospinal Show  

January          23        The 12 Stages of Healing – Somato Respiratory Integratio              

February         27        Introductory Presentation – Head to Toe Neurospinal Show

March              14        Neurospinal Optimization Demystified

March              21        Introductory Presentation – Head to Toe Neurospinal Show

April                11        Pain To Progress

April               25        Introductory Presentation – Head to Toe Neurospinal Show

May                 23        Improving Your Energetic State

May                29        Introductory Presentation – Head to Toe Neurospinal Show

June                6          The 12 Stages of Healing – Somato Respiratory Integration

June               13        Introductory Presentation – Head to Toe Neurospinal Show

July                  11        Introductory Presentation – Head to Toe Neurospinal Show

September      12        Introductory Presentation – Head to Toe Neurospinal Show

September      18        The Triad of Progress – Getting Great Results in Health and Life

October           17        Introductory Presentation – Head to Toe Neurospinal Show

October          24        Eating for Immunity

November       13        Pain to Progress

November       21        Introductory Presentation – Head to Toe Neurospinal Show

December       5          The 12 Stages of Healing – Somato Respiratory Integration

All Presentations are by reserved seating so please do so several weeks in advance to secure your spot. Dates are subject to change and will be updated if and when those changes occur. These events do fill so please only reserve a spot if you know you will attend. Phone 613-932-8111 to reserve or get more information.

In the 4 part of this series we delved into the traps that keep us from winning in the game of life. Very few people are winning their lives because these traps are the stories (not necessarily true ones) that become justifications and excuses for failure. In this article we will present the Secrets or Solutions to Winning the Game of Life.

How do We Win?

Now that we know what the traps are and how to avoid them, how do we actually win the game? What is the difference between someone who is winning the game of life, compared to most people who just get by (if they are lucky)? After all, don’t we all have the same 24 hours in a day to deal with similar stresses? Why are some healthy, happy, enjoying life and thriving while others struggle so hard?

In researching this topic we found 3 main areas where those who are happy and successful do things differently. Within these areas are the solutions to winning the game of life.

Area #1: Awareness

Area #2: Behaviour (Action)

Area #3: Structures

In the area of awareness, happy and successful people are always cultivating the expansion of their own awareness. They study what others are doing and thus take power and responsibility over their health, relationships, finances and anything that is important to them.

What Time is It? NOW.

These people live in the NOW as opposed to dwelling in the past or future. They acknowledge the reality of what IS without worrying about what might be or fantasizing as a way to avoid the truth. This presence can be cultivated with meditation or exercises such as T’ai chi or Somatorespiratory Integration.

Physical Awareness

Physical awareness is also essential to vibrant health. Being aware of the subtle cues of your body is required to be able to take action for your health before a crisis occurs. This also gives us access to high levels of energy at all times – and couldn’t we all use more of that? Exercises like yoga and dancing enhance physical awareness, as do gentle systems of bodywork and certain forms of chiropractic. In fact, these systems actually have the ability to use pain and stress as opportunities to increase our awareness and energy!

Emotional Awareness

Emotional awareness is equally important to the game of life. Successful people are keenly aware of their emotions and do not run from them even if they are uncomfortable. They understand that the purpose of all emotion is to motivate immediate action and for this reason no emotions are “bad.” Techniques such as EFT, The Emotion Code, and Network Spinal Analysis help us to work with the emotions stored as tension in our bodies. When we become aware of our emotions it frees us to take the appropriate actions, which leads us to our next area of solutions…..which we will continue with in the next article.

Start Now!

In the meantime, start cultivating your own awareness, both physically and emotionally. Notice what is, accept it and then decide on what must come next. If you catch yourself dwelling on the past, worrying about the future or fantasizing as a way to escape the present, pull yourself back to reality and ask yourself, “what is REALLY going on here?” Consider incorporating some of the awareness building practices mentioned (or others) into your daily and weekly routines.

By flexing these new muscles immediately, you will be more than ready to start applying the rest of the solutions we will be presenting in the following articles.

As a bonus for reading this far, here is a very funny video to test your awareness, click on the link below.

Awareness

A few weeks ago I was in Denver attending the annual Advanced Network technique seminar. In addition to it being a fantastic seminar I had the opportunity to be included in a hands-on group with some of the best and most experienced NSA doctors in the world.

Q:”Why are YOU successful?”

On the Sunday evening after the program ended I had dinner with a large group of doctors that included the most successful and influential in the network community. At one point during the meal, Dr. Pierre Bernier (my mentor) began asking us, “Why do you think you are successful?”

A: “Pain”

This conversation went back and forth for some time and it wasn’t until I replayed it in my mind later that each of us felt that something painful, uncomfortable, or fearful had played a large part in making us successful today. For one it was a sense of low self esteem throughout their lives. Another had always felt like an outcast. For others painful events or health challenges became their motivation to succeed.

So What?

This got me thinking about what we do in my office. People come to me every day asking for me to fix or relieve their pain. Honestly, I don’t care that much about their pain. Seriously.

Care MORE about the PERSON than the SYMPTOM

What I DO care about is the person with the pain. In reality, the fact that I don’t care that much about their pain allows me to care for them much more deeply – without the distraction of being fixated on their symptom or disease.

Why do I not care that much about their pain or symptom? Because I know – through my own experience and that of hundreds of others – that the pain, disease, or discomfort that they are experiencing may very well be the fuel and motivation that will create the greatest success, joy, fulfillment and contribution of their entire lives. What if any of those doctors I mentioned earlier (including me) had had their pain ‘fixed’ when it first arose? That’s right – no success and no contribution to others.

Now, for those of you getting ready to lynch me, allow me to be clear. I do not enjoy seeing people in pain. I also love to see people resolve their pain and diseases. I love it when I am a part of that process and help them to get there and this happens daily in my office. However, this only excites me if it is done in a way that they use the symptom to wake up, become more aware and improve the lives of themselves and others as a result of it. If they ‘fix’ their problem by lowering their awareness, putting themselves to sleep, or through various other distractions I have no interest.

We have been so culturally indoctrinated to think of pain and discomfort as ‘bad’ things needed to be ‘fixed’ that we don’t even think about our response to them. Do you really think that any phenomenon so central to everyone’s human condition can be bad?

The way I see it, pain is a calling. It is an opportunity to increase our awareness and sensitivity and to learn and create something new in our lives. It is also a guide that keeps us on track. Sure, there may be times when we need to treat it, but can’t we at least pay attention to its message first? We are all going to experience many types of pain in our lives and there is nothing anyone of us can do to prevent that. We might as well use it as a way to wake up, not go further into sleep.

The next time you have pain I invite you to look at it closely. Ask yourself how it could be a gift, an opportunity, or a guide. Regardless of what you choose to do afterward, you will start to flex new muscles that can lead you to a new destiny. We all know that how we handle adversity will say alot about the quality of our lives. It is no different with our health and how we handle its challenges.

If you would like to learn about how NSA and SRI can help to facilitate this process, join us at our upcoming workshop on Feb. 13^th, 2012.

Thorin Gault, D.C.

We have now defined our Prime, Keystone and Drain sides of the Triad of Change – if you haven’t go back to the previous articles before reading this. We are now ready to use the Triad to create success in any and every part of our lives. We are now ready to use our personal combination of Structure, Perception, and Behaviour for optimal results.

First, decide on something you are committed to changing, improving, or getting desired outcome in. Using the Triad is a muscle that will get stronger in time, so I would recommend starting with something simple. One of your New Year resolutions (even if you have already dropped it) is a great place to start. What are you COMMITTED to changing?

Now comes the magic of using the Triad. The reason most attempts at change fail is because people tend to attack the wrong (drain) side of the Triad. Using our new model we will address our strengths (prime and keystone) and then merely observe the shift in our drain.

When we shift any 2 sides of the Triad, the third automatically and effortlessly will become congruent with the others! Let’s say you want to lose weight and behaviour is your drain. Most people would focus on exercising more and eating better food. This won’t work in a sustainable way. A more successful approach would be to create a Structure of perhaps scheduling workout times, setting up a home gym, only shopping on a full stomach, and keeping a food diary as well as changing Perceptions by reading affirmations, doing SRI exercises, envisioning a new thin you, imagine being a beacon of health for your grandkids, etc.

Do you see how when you change your perceptions and structures, the behaviour will have no choice but to shift also? If you took the above actions you would naturally and effortlessly exercise, eat better and therefore lose weight, however if you focused on those things with a behaviour drain it would be a struggle and inevitably lead to failure.

So, this process can seem very complex – especially if it is your first exposure to it. Allow me to attempt to simplify the steps:

1. Decide what you are absolutely committed to changing.

2. Address your Prime and Keystone sides of the Triad (DO NOT go after your drain).

3. Be certain that you are congruently using all of your fuel sources (from previous articles).

That is it! You will see that success is addictive and as you build your muscles you will be able to apply this to more and more things in your life.

In case you need some motivation, mastering these skills is much more important and urgent than losing some weight, winning a game or making some extra money. Our world is changing and we are moving into a period where resources will be scarcer and institutions we have grown up with will be thrown into instability. The greatest asset you can possess in these times is resourcefulness and adaptability. Those who have it will thrive while others will struggle.

Things like the Triad of Change, SRI exercises and NSA care are designed to provide resourcefulness and adaptability. Commit to mastering your Triad and not only will it allow you to create the life you deserve in any climate, but it will set the stage to create a legacy for your loved ones and everyone to come after you. The time is NOW.

I would like to thank everyone who made it to our 2 Making 2012 the Best Year of Your Life Workshops last week at Gault Family Chiropractic. I look forward to hearing all of the success stories.

Stay tuned for some exciting programs that are being created in the community that can help you take your life to the next level in so many ways!

and What is To Come in 2012

In the past I have reserved the last article of the year for listing all that I am grateful for. This is a great exercise and one that I planned on for this year as well. Having plenty of time over the past few days, I realized that something was causing me to put off the article. It wasn’t that we did not have lots to be grateful for – just the opposite. After quite a bit of thought I realized that in my own evolution I have become much more able to experience gratitude in the moment and that reflecting back to do so has become irrelevant. In fact, it would only serve to detract from being present with what is happening now and what must change in the future.

So, this article will be more about Gault Family Chiropractic’s vision for 2012 and the part I will be asking you all to play in support of that vision.

Recently, my staff and I created what is called a catalyzing statement for the practice. This is a statement that not only motivates, but directs all decision making within an organization. Our catalyzing statement is:

To make Cornwall and area the leader in sustainable, transformational health care.

I recently shared this with a group of ambitious and successful chiropractors I regularly meet with on the phone. The one member familiar with our fair city audibly gasped at how big a job this will be. I totally agree and that is why I know it is possible. Great people and great organizations who truly change the world always find a way to use their darkness and wounds to create unprecedented healing and light – and this is my exact plan. From great challenge comes great opportunity.

For this to happen, my focus must shift. Over the past 10 years I have focused my efforts on building one of the top NSA practices in the world and delivering clinical care at the highest level possible. This will not change, however it is not enough.

The fact is I cannot personally look after everybody in town. Even if I were to hire several amazing doctors to work with me, our reach would still be limited to a relatively small demographic. While in my opinion, receiving Network care, doing facilitated SRI and having personal Reorganizational Healing coaching is the most powerful and efficient way to create strategies for sustainable and transformational health and wellness, it is certainly not the only way.

This year we will be creating more of a community not only within Gault Family Chiropractic, but also outside it. We will provide strategies and support for those who will never receive our care. This may be in the form of community workshops, online powerpoint presentations, videos, books and articles. Some of my more advanced practice members have already stepped up into a leadership role by inspiring people (such as Rachel Wolff’s book of photos and words you can see HERE) outside the office and I will be calling on and facilitating more to do so.

We have an opportunity to make this community a healthy, vibrant and amazing place that can inspire the rest of the world. Our society and culture are in for some chaotic years and only people, organizations and populations with the awareness, flexibility and resourcefulness to rapidly adapt and shape their future will thrive.

Governments cannot give us this. Large corporations cannot give us this. We must do it one person at a time. I am willing to lead when required, but it will take each one of you to be an epicentre of transformation. We can do this.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my life this year! Thank you for reading these articles. Thank you for helping me, whether it was as a supporter or a challenger. Together, 2012 will be even better than 2011!

Stay tuned for our series of articles on Making 2012 the Best Year of Your Life, starting next week and our complimentary workshop of the same name right after I return from the Advanced NSA seminar in Denver, on Tuesday January 17^th at the office and Wed. January 18^th at Caveman Strong. Make this the year you finally keep your resolutions and achieve the results you deserve. Phone the office or gym to register.

« Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. »
Dale Carnegie

In Last week’s article we discussed how you can stay healthy and still have fun during the holidays. The message was essentially to keep doing what makes you healthy all year round – eat good stuff, exercise, relax and get entrained regularly. I have had feedback from some of you looking for more specific practical tips to survive and thrive during such a hectic and stressful time of year.

So, here are some easy and time efficient ways you can WIN this holiday.

Make Treats, Treats. If you want to eat goodies, do so but make them treats. At mealtime, eat good nutritious food. I try to do this with my kids all year round. We start every day with a nutritious smoothie, pack them a good lunch and then meat and veggies for dinner. Through the holidays minimize sugar, grains and anything processed during meals. Then savour the cookies and plum pudding(my fave).

Optimize Vitamin D Levels. This is an easy and inexpensive way to boost your health – especially during Northern winters. Most northerners are vit. D deficient and need to supplement during the winter. Get a good quality supplement and if you are concerned with your levels ask your G.P. or Naturopathic Doctor to be tested.

Get Intense Exercise. Sometimes during holidays time can be of the essence. This is no excuse to not exercise. With high intensity training you can make a huge impact on your energy levels, metabolism, and immune system in just a few minutes per day. This is easy to do in a gym by lifting weights. If you are travelling and don’t have any access to equipment you can do 20 seconds on/10 seconds off intervals of air squats, pushups, planks, jumping jacks, stair climbing, burpees or even walking. Be creative. Only 5 minutes of this a day will make a world of difference. Remember intensity is different for everyone, so be aware.

Alone Time, Daily. If you keep a daily schedule put this in first! This could mean meditation, affirmations, a warm bath, reading, prayer or personal reflection. It could take an hour or 5 minutes but do it every day. It is amazing what a few minutes with yourself while everything is turned off can do for your mindset and health. See this as a daily pressing of your “reset” button.

Get Entrained or Do SRI. Not only is NSA great for releasing physical, emotional and mental stress it actually makes you more adaptable to it by connecting you to your internal resources. If you are out of town or your NSA office is closed, commit even more to your Somatorespiratory Integration exercises. I will personally getting 2 entrainments on Dec. 21^st and arranging a visit to an NSA friend the week between Christmas and the New Year.

I hope these simple tips are helpful. Taking action starting NOW! will help you to not only survive this holiday, but THRIVE!

Thank you for reading this far. Click HERE for a classic and funny Christmas movie moment.

« There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness. »
Dalai Lama

« One needs to be slow to form convictions, but once formed they must be defended against the heaviest odds. »
Gandhi

How much pain and suffering will it take you to ……?

Exercise regularly?

Start eating better?

Meditate each day?

Get working on that project?

Upgrade your skills?

Confront the person taking advantage of you?

Make time for your kids?

Make time for yourself?

Truly commit to your relationship?

Practice SRI daily?

Get entrained regularly?

The answer to these questions will give you a pretty good indication of your current quality of life.

Remember, if pain is your prime motivator – expect lots of it. Same goes for contribution, fulfillment, growth, health, vitality and happiness. Choice is yours.