This post is a tribute to my clients. I cannot say enough about how absolutely courageous, determined, strong, resilient, independent and self-reliant they are.
At a networking event two months ago I was introduced to a woman who wanted to know about Vital Directives. The conversation went something like this:
Her: So what do your clients learn?
Me: They learn how to create a powerful health-promoting mindset so that their bodies start responding to the exercises they ….
Her: So you teach them exercises! I got it.
Me: That is one part of what we do together, yes. In fact…
But her attention and her body quickly lunged at someone else across the room.
I found myself laughing at the exchange while listing in my mind what my clients learn in the Vital Directives programs. I came up with quite a list.
Wanting to see what my clients thought about this list, I first emailed it to them.
The response I got filled my heart with joy. I received so many powerfully positive and heart-felt messages that all the years I’ve worked really hard to develop the Vital Directives Programs became worth their weight in gold :).
My clients are heroes: they take full responsibility for their well-being and state of health and completely transform their bodies and their lives… even when the odds are perceived to be against them.
Here’s the list I made. The Vital Directives clients:
- Have a health-inducing mindset, rather than a pain-promoting mindset.
- Focus on what is working and on their constant progress rather than on what is not yet working or the discomfort they might feel in the moment.
- Are passionate about teaching their family and friends that they do not have to live in pain.
- They enjoy the freedom that comes with a healthy, agile, stable and strong body.
- Create space in their joints, improve their overall mobility, flexibility and strength.
- Minimize the effects of wear-and-tear that have previously caused their bodies to hurt and put in place the strategies to prevent future damage.
- Know that THEY are the utmost authority in their own lives when it comes to their well-being, fitness and health (and everything else).
- Trust themselves, what they know and their body’s innate healing capacity.
- Understand that it is not a specific method, movement modality, therapy, trainer or therapist that has the power to create the most significant change in their bodies… it is them, their understanding of how the body works and the way they apply it every day and in everything they do.
- Know that there might be ups and downs in their healing or their progress towards a healthier, more capable body, but if their focus is unwavering and they ask for the support they need, they will definitely achieve their goal.
- Are aware that fear might come in from time to time, especially when the body hurts, but they have many tools at their disposal (tools that they are very well versed in, and know how to make use of) to diminish their discomfort and fear.
- Appreciate that whenever the body is going through a realignment process, some areas might start to offer a stronger physical sensation, but that is something to be embraced as a positive change and not be afraid of.
- Are part of a community of people who share the same beliefs and have the same practices. That puts their mind at ease and offers them a safe space to practice, workout, and share, enjoy and communicate without fear of being judged.
- Know that the body is a unit, therefore focusing solely on the area that hurts will not get them the results they want. As Plato said: “The part can never be well unless the whole is well.” So it might take a little longer, but their results will be solid and long-lasting.
- Know what to do to re-balance and stretch and have the confidence that what they are doing is correct, so when they are on vacation and traveling around the world, they feel safe in their body; they know what to do to counteract the effects of long flight or car rides, strenuous hikes or bike rides.
- Are fiercely protecting their time to connect with themselves, to do their exercises at home and to come to their sessions at Vital Directives because when they take exquisite care of themselves, they inspire and give permission to everyone else in their lives to do the same.
This is quite a list, isn’t it?
My clients are doing all that and more and I believe that it is quite impressive!
And she thought I teach them exercises…
Love,
