"Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way round or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves.
Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water my friend." - Bruce Lee

Water! The great facilitator of life in this here 3rd dimension

• Increases Energy. Although water does not provide energy in the same way carbohydrates and fat do, it plays a very important role in energy transformation. Since water is the medium in which all energy reactions take place. If you become dehydrated you will become lethargic, can experience cramping and endurance and strength performance will suffer. In fact, athletes that do become dehydrated often find reduced performance in the days following.

• Healthier Digestive System. Water also helps improve the digestive process and is imperative in maintaining a healthy urinary tract and digestive system. Water is also important to properly metabolize food and drinking sufficient amounts of water will help reduce constipation.Drinking sufficient amounts of water will help the body process and transport nutrients and excrete any waste products once they are metabolized.
• Reduces Fatigue. Although water does not provide energy in the same way carbohydrates and fat do, it plays a very important role in energy transformation.Since water is the medium in which all energy reactions take place. If you become dehydrated you will become lethargic, can experience cramping and endurance and strength performance will suffer. In fact, athletes that do become dehydrated often find reduced performance in the days following.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
• Helps In Weight Loss. Water can suppress the appetite naturally and increases the body's ability to metabolize stored fat. Studies have shown that a decrease in water intake will cause fat deposits to increase, while an increase in water intake can actually reduce fat deposits. This is thought to occur because a reduction in water decreases the efficiency of the kidney's, which results in some of the kidney's functions being shunted to the liver. Since one of the liver's primary functions is to metabolize stored fat into usable energy for the body, it metabolizes less fat while performing functions normally performed by the kidney's. This results in less stored fat burned, and a reduction in weight loss.
• Healthier Teeth & Bones. Water also makes teeth and bone stronger. The additional fluoride added to our water supplies provides extra strengths and bone density to our teeth and bones.
• Healthier Joints. Water is extremely important to the joints. Because the synovial fluid contains water, if you become dehydrated less synovial fluid is available to protect the joints. This is very dangerous to a bodybuilder since bodybuilders are constantly sweating (losing fluids) and putting great stresses on their joints through intense workouts.
• Reduces Joint Pain. The spinal joints are dependent on different hydraulic properties of water which is stored in the disc core. Back pain is frequently alleviated with hydration. Water lubricates the joints. Cartilage tissues found at the ends of long bones & between the vertebrae of the spine hold a lot of water, which serves as a lubricant during the movement of the joint. Increasing water intake and properly hydrating yourself can help replenish the water in these tissues. When the cartilage is will hydrated, the two opposing surfaces glide freely, and friction damage is reduced. Failure to do so will increase the rate of "abrasive" damage, resulting in joint deterioration & increased pain.

• Reduces Fluid Retention. Drinking increased amounts of water is the best natural treatment for fluid retention. As many bodybuilders already know when the body gets less water, it perceives this as a threat to survival and begins to hold on to every drop. Water is stored in extracellular spaces (outside the cell) which can result in swollen extremities (feet, legs and hands). Diuretics offer a temporary solution, but can cause more harm than good if abused. Why? Because they will cause the elimination of the water, along with essential nutrients. Also the body will again perceives this conditioning as a threat and replace the lost water at the first opportunity, causing bloating and fluid retention once again. Drinking plenty of water will eliminate this problem.

• Helps Build Muscle. Water is needed to transport nutrients to your cells and transporting waste out of the body. Water helps form the structures of protein and glycogen. In order to move and flex your muscles, you need water. If your body is dehydrated, your muscles will be deprived of electrolytes and cramp. Since muscles are controlled by nerves, without the proper water and electrolyte balance muscle strength and control will also be impaired.
• Increases Muscle Tone. Muscles are made primarily of water. Dehydration can prevent muscles from properly contracting, reducing muscle tone. Increasing water intake will help prevent muscle cramping, improve the strength of muscle contractions and quicken muscle response. Preventing dehydration will also help prevent sagging skin, since water will fill out the muscles, resulting in clear, healthy and resilient skin.
• Reduces Risk of Disease. Studies have shown that increasing daily water intake has shown to decrease the risk of colon cancer by 45%, reduce the risk of bladder cancer (by 50%) and it can potentially even reduce the risk of breast cancer. It is also believed that water may prevent many kidney stone and urinary tract infections.
• Other Known Benefits. Water also aids circulation, and helps regulate the body's cooling system.

Natural Movment Pt. 1

The sun of man hanging out after some "rope climbs"

I am thankful for many things, today however I am giving thanks for one of the most important and often taken for granted abilities that I've been endowed with - MOVEMENT - I am a mover. We are movers.

Thinking back to our inception, I have always been a mover, moving as thought before there was any physical body then as light in my astral/ cosmic body and now in the gross manifestation of the physical realm, we move in a Human body. MOVE - the ability to move being one of the characteristics essential to all LIFE I ask you this question today: Are you a mover? If so, how do you move? When and where do you move? and What types of movement patterns do you find yourself in on a daily basis?

All life moves - the birds fly, the horses gallops, the chimpanzees climbs, and the human... does what he will. I say that to say that we have the unique opportunity and potential to do whatever type of movement suits us on any terrain in any environment on this planet. I hold the understanding that this world called Earth was created specifically for the human race - the rolling hills and great plains, the deep oceans and running rivers all created for the human or earth man that we may work out the mastery of self. Man has reached great heights in the little time that he has inhabited this world. From the hunter gatherer paleolithic man to the modern man of the agricultural revolution our movements have changed dramatically. No longer are we responsible for working each day for our food, spending countless hours searching for, gathering, and preparing our foods. No longer does man find need to hunt for his meat. If man has hunger now he need only pick up his phone and have his meal delivered or if he's feeling "adventurous" he might get into his auto mobile and visit the nearest fast-food drive though. All of this leads us back to the question: How do you move?

the #zoohuman in its natural habitat

In a day and age where we no longer have need to work for our sustenance and where we have created a world of uniformity in boxes. How do you move? Is it from your box house, to your box car perhaps? and then Where? to your box office or your box gym? I know all too well the life, moving from box to box day in and day out. from the seat in the office to the seat in the car to the seat in the most holy of hollies at your home. I had almost been conditioned by our modern society with all its trappings but, I heard the cry of a child and could not turn him away.

Even the child retains the ancients instincts to move - most children have a hard time not moving, there is a deep drive from the moment they are born to get to it, to master their bodies and take push the limit yet our progress is stifled by the very culture that we have created. It seems that we have exchanged vitality and longevity for convenience, sacrificing the pristine and nourishing offerings of nature for the crude and debilitating constructs of comfort and advantage. Enter the #zoohuman...

Though I have always seen and known #zoohumans the term was first presented to me back in 2008 by a gentlemen named Erwan Le Corre, the founder of the MOVNAT training system and philosophy. I have always loved to move - even now to sit still for any length of time when not at rest takes considerable discipline - running, crawling, jumping, and rolling a round are some of my favorite movements from childhood. I have since added and refined my movements to include catching and throwing, kicking, punching and defending as well climbing and a host of other movements to my ever expanding repertoire of movement.

MOVEMENT IS EXPRESSION... IS ART... IS SCIENCE.

Optimal Immunity

When the seasons change are you generally left feeling under the weather and reaching for those over-the-counter meds? When we feel sick, our body is actually telling us to get back into BALANCE and flush toxic buildup out of our system. Taking medicine can actually suppresses our immune system’s natural response to illness, which over time weakens our bodies inherent ability to heal. Fortunately, there are lots of natural ways to kick a cold and supercharge your immune system, and you needn't look any further than your kitchen pantry or local health food store!

Garlic

Garlic, the stinking rose, is nature’s antibiotic. It’s a fantastic thing to add to your diet if you start to feel under the weather! Substances called allistatin, allicin, garlicin and ajoine are the strongest antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and immune-enhancing compounds found in large quantities in garlic. Fresh garlic is best, and should be crushed and allowed to sit for approximately 15 minutes prior to eating. Crushing the garlic allows those all important enzymes to reach full potential before ingesting,so go ahead, crush it and start adding it to your meals. 

Fermented Foods

If you want to boost your immune system in a major way, adding fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi is important. Fermented foods contain healthy, friendly bacteria (probiotics) that help to balance your gut flora — this is where 70% of your immune system is housed! Keeping your gut in working order is essential to good health, and fermented foods are powerful.

Probiotics

In addition to adding probiotic-rich foods to your diet, consider a probiotic supplement. Having a healthy intestinal tract is the most important part of an optimally functioning immune system! Probiotics fill your gut with good bacteria and can kill off invading pathogens, harmful bacteria and fungi. 

Turmeric

Turmeric is one of the foods with the highest antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, is anti-viral, anti-fungal and can help protect against cancer. Inflammation is the cause of many chronic diseases that cause health to deteriorate, so turmeric is your anti-inflammatory superhero! When you mix turmeric with black pepper, you increase your body’s absorption significantly.

Vitamin D

Adequate levels of Vitamin D are essential for our immune systems to function properly. Most of our Vitamin D intake comes from sunlight, so to optimize your levels a Vitamin D3 supplement can be enormously helpful. This is one of the most important things you can to do ward off sickness and keep your body in tip top shape! To find out how much vitamin D you’ll need, get your Vitamin D level checked by your doctor. 

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has many unique health-promoting benefits. It contains a compound called lauric acid, which has been shown to enhance immunity and improve heart and thyroid health. It’s also anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral, so making it a staple in your diet is a smart idea if you want to feel your best! And don’t be concerned about the fat — the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil are converted to energy quickly in the body, as opposed to storing it

GMO's and Monsanto

GMO FACTS

What are GMOs?

GMOs, or “genetically modified organisms,” are plants or animals that have been genetically engineered with

DNA from bacteria, viruses or other plants and animals. These experimental combinations of genes from different species cannot occur in nature or in traditional crossbreeding.

Virtually all commercial GMOs are engineered to withstand direct application of herbicide and/or to produce an insecticide. Despite biotech industry promises, none of the GMO traits currently on the market offer increased yield, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition, or any other consumer benefit.

Meanwhile, a growing body of evidence connects GMOs with health problems, environmental damage and violation of farmers’ and consumers’ rights.

Are GMOs safe?
Most developed nations do not consider GMOs to be safe. In more than 60 countries around the world, including Australia, Japan, and all of the countries in the European Union, there are significant restrictions or outright bans on the production and sale of GMOs. In the U.S., the government has approved GMOs based on studies conducted by the same corporations that created them and profit from their sale. Increasingly, Americans are taking matters into their own hands and choosing to opt out of the GMO experiment.

Are GMOs labeled?
Unfortunately, even though polls consistently show that a significant majority of Americans want to know if the food they’re purchasing contains GMOs, the powerful biotech lobby has succeeded in keeping this information from the public. In the absence of mandatory labeling, the Non-GMO Project was created to give consumers the informed choice they deserve.

Do Americans want non-GMO foods and supplements?
Polls consistently show that a significant majority of North Americans would like to be able to tell if the food they’re purchasing contains GMOs (a 2012 Mellman Group poll found that 91% of American consumers wanted GMOs labeled). And, according to a recent CBS/New York Times poll, 53% of consumers said they would not buy food that has been genetically modified. The Non-GMO Project’s seal for verified products will, for the first time, give the public an opportunity to make an informed choice when it comes to GMOs.

How common are GMOs?
In the U.S., GMOs are in as much as 80% of conventional processed food. Click here for a current list of GMO risk crops.

What are the impacts of GMOs on the environment?
Over 80% of all GMOs grown worldwide are engineered for herbicide tolerance. As a result, use of toxic herbicides like Roundup has increased 15 times since GMOs were introduced. GMO crops are also responsible for the emergence of “super weeds” and “super bugs:’ which can only be killed with ever more toxic poisons like 2,4-D (a major ingredient in Agent Orange). GMOs are a direct extension of chemical agriculture, and are developed and sold by the world’s biggest chemical companies. The long-term impacts of GMOs are unknown, and once released into the environment these novel organisms cannot be recalled.

How do GMOs affect farmers?
Because GMOs are novel life forms, biotechnology companies have been able to obtain patents with which to restrict their use. As a result, the companies that make GMOs now have the power to sue farmers whose fields are contaminated with GMOs, even when it is the result of inevitable drift from neighboring fields. GMOs therefore pose a serious threat to farmer sovereignty and to the national food security of any country where they are grown, including the United States.

How can I avoid GMOs?
Short of growing your own food you can shop local farms which typically use organic processes. Its always a good idea to verify if indeed the farmers markets or growers that you shop with are using organic and sustainable practices also, Choose food and products that are Non-GMO Project Verified! Click here to see a complete list.

as reported from http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/

TOOLS

Check out the TOOLS page to find out just what instruments you have available to help you forge fitness and wellness for your life. All tools have been and are being implemented by me and I provide a complete review and breakdown of each with its description.

Its important to note though that the goal is to use and cultivate the tools that we've been naturally endowed with - i.e. intelligence, discipline and moderation. The tools I showcase will give an edge in today's SEEMINGLY fast-paced and busy life. The truth is that there is no substitute for eating a well balanced whole-foods, plant based, diet while getting required rest and maintaining an active lifestyle. The body was created perfectly, to heal and detoxify itself, and that's exactly what it does when balanced and functioning at even sub-optimal levels. So drink pure WATER, bathe in the SUN, and enjoy fresh AIR for these are the strongest tools.

Remember the tools are here if you need them but the goal is to CULTIVATE LOVE for self and others, DEVELOP STRENGTH, CREATE PEACE, & ACHIEVE MASTERY!

WE can do it, lets believe in each other and GO HARDER!

TRAINING

TRAIN DAILY! TRAIN HARDER! TRAIN SMARTER!

Here we learn our ABC's... that is to say Always Be Conditioning! The fundamental elements of a solid training pracitce are for the most part trifold.

• Consistent training schedule with proper periodization

• High Intensity  - Push your limits!

• Volume of training must be sufficent to reach desired goals

The bird flies, the horse gallops, the shark swims, and the HUMAN...? We live out most of our civilized existence in a box, or traveling to some type of box. The buildings that we carry out our work in, the cars that transport us to and fro, even our homes and the gyms that we go to for exercise and recreation are boxes

The importance of consistent and varied training that tests our limits can not be understated. All battles ever waged and all test ever passed were done so long before those events themselves took place. Training takes many forms and striking a balance between training for the mind, body, and spirit is absolutely necessary to achieve the higher levels of fitness.

enter the daily routine…

The Daily Routine:


Between this and the METHOD pages we will discuss all of the training systerms that I have discovered and found to be most efficient in achieving positive results in our endeavors here. These are only TOOLS in your kit, remember that YOU are the guru, you are the master builder that wields them.

METHOD

Change is such a natural and effortless phenomenon but for some people, myself included it can be one of the most difficult and terrifying experiences in life. especially changes that challange us to move outside of our curent areas of comfort and knowledge.

Do not despair, weve put together here for you ages of wisdom and knowldege on how to make effective and lasting change in your life. its not so much about stopping bad patterns or habits as much as it is starting new and contructive ones.

if youve ever strugled with change, especially making healthy lifestyle changes check out the METHOD page and find out what masters have been doing for thousands of years to subdue their carnal selves and achieve liberty in a world that would have you bound.

find out how to free yourself from addictions of all sorts
learn how to unlock increased vitality and strength at any age
discover hidden mental powers and achieve greater clarity
develop internal peace and increased awareness