Feedback From the Field: Mind-Body Fusion

In a previous issue of Inner IDEA Body-Mind-Spirit Review, we asked: Have you created any unique mind-body fusion classes of your own? What are the components of your program?

“The class I have created is called BLISS: Body love integrated with Strength, Stability and Stretch. For the warm up, I incorporate floor exercises and relaxation and I use songs that have inspirational lyrics. A large portion of the class is done to African drum music, which inspires a primal movement pattern. This class is all about finding your path of least resistance. Follow the patterns that your body wants to take. It is truly an internal workout. The class is done barefoot, with eyes closed or gazing downward and mostly on the spot on a yoga mat (to prevent collisions).

“As a student of osteopathy, I have learned the body’s many natural movements and its normal physiology. I attempt to help participants tap into those aspects by tuning into them. It is all about the movements the body wants and creates. Follow your bliss and give your body love.”

— Andrea Mounce-Halasz, Chester Basin, Nova Scotia

“I am a physical therapist with a masters of science degree in oriental medicine and a physical performance and agility trainer who utilizes Eastern and Western health, fitness, and wellness intervention strategies. I have created the Tao-Well: Total-Body-Workout program which addresses all components of fitness with a product I invented called the Tao-Well.

“The classes I have designed combine principles found in Pilates, yoga and the martial arts. The movements utilize whole-body, multi-planar training that incorporates functional strength, flexibility, aerobic conditioning, whole-body coordination and dynamic balance training.”

— John Burns MS, MPT, LAc

“I am a master instructor for Spinning® and I present a workshop called Vinyasa on the Bike. I teach this class as if it is a yoga class—to me they are the same. In the class we use breath to control heart rate. I stress the importance of paying attention to what is happening in the body. If you check out, you miss what is going on. I integrate yoga terminology, breath and flow—all on the bike. We work on staying present in the moment, linking breath and movement, creating a flow and following our breath (moving with the inhalation and exhalation as you would in yoga). There are three hand positions (our mudras) and five core movements (our asanas).”

— Tami Reilly, Hamden, Connecticut