The "BEST BREATHING EXERCISES" Health, Fitness & Personal Power Blog

How Having A Strategy Helps You

Strategy is a word often used in the context of
sports, war and business.

When it comes to your personal life, it’s probably
not something you think about.

But strategy – having a strategy, thinking
strategically, and so forth – is a skill that you
can and should apply. Having a strategy or plan for
your life, and thinking strategically over the long
term, provide a way of avoiding fatigue and burn
out…because they focus your intention and give you
a definite objective for your actions in this world.

In these Daily Tips, as well as in my programs, I
often mention the fact that “Energy flows where
intention goes”.

Having a strategy or a plan, as well as goals, helps
you focus your intention so you can better apply all
of your talents and energies to achieving what you
want in life.

Hold the thought of how you want your life to be –
focus on this thought, this vision – and then release
this vision to the universe and give it the chance
to manifest.

This is a metaphysical principle: when you release
your well-thought out and emotionalized visions, goals
or intentions to the universe, the universe recognizes
your commitment…understands you are serious…and goes
out of its way to ensure you get what you want.

From a more realistic standpoint, I think when you
know what you want, and hold it in your mind and in
your heart, it provides a direction for your life.
You focus on the things - AND you take the actions -
that make your goal possible. Because you are focused
on what you want, you ensure that your energies
automatically and naturally follow your intention.

When you can believe and trust that things will go
your way – rather than always trying to push, pull
or force things – you will find that things start
to happen for you and with you. A key point is to
see, feel, hear, smell and taste the life you want
to have...as if it is happening now.

Whether your goal is large or small, short term or
long term, focus your intention and your emotions
on it and live as if it is already here. You may
be surprised at the energy and persistence you
aquire as you move inexorably towards that new
you or new life you have imagined.

You Can Do It!

Karen Van Ness
http://www.BestBreathingExercises.com

P.S. Breathing is the direct and instantaneous
way to tap into the life force, the vital energy
that flows through each of us. Performed properly,
deep breathing coupled with dynamic exercises - like
those in the Secret Power of Dynamic Energy Exercise
program - is a powerful method for accessing and
flowing your internal power. Doing these exercises
strengthens your body and spirit from the inside out,
and has a more profound and lasting effect. 

For more information, or to order your own
copy of this life-enhancing program, go to
http://www.bestbreathingexercises.com/dynamic_energy2.html. 

Copyright, KVN Enterprises, Inc. 2008

**The contents of this daily email are not to be considered
as medical advice. Always consult a physician before
beginning or changing any health or fitness regimen.**

FIrst Things First

Boy do I feel great this morning!

I had forgotten how good it feels to do my deep breathing exercises first thing after I wake up. I had stopped doing this for awhile.But for the past week, I have been making time for myself.

As those of you with young kids know, they are usually 'up and at 'em' pretty early in the morning -- often before you are ready to wake up. Those human alarm clocks are pretty regular, too.

As I've mentioned before, I'm not much of a morning person. I have much more energy at night and tend to get a lot more done in the evenings.

Going to bed earlier so I could wake up earlier had not been working. This made it tough for me to get up early enough to do my exercises.

I usually found time to fit them in later in the day. And I think doing them in the evenings is a good variation.

But some days my schedule was so hectic that I didn't do them at all. And I really felt a difference in my energy levels and my breathing.

In the Secret Power of Dynamic Energy Exercise Course, Volume 2 -  http://www.bestbreathingexercises.com/dynamic_energy2.html -  I recommend you do the Dynamic Energy Routine in the morning, before breakfast.

Mornings can be a low energy time for many people. Exercising first thing can help you establish control over your breathing, your outlook, even your stress levels, for the rest of the day. The exercises in the Dynamic Energy Routine also energize and focus you.

I make the same recommendation in the 'Fire Up Your Metabolism' Program - http://www.bestbreathingexercises.com/metabolism.html .

The exercises which form the core of the program are also best done first thing in the morning. From a weight loss perspective, performing the exercises before eating your first meal forces your body to reach into fat stores immediately.

You also jumpstart your metabolism and keep it higher throughout the day. Not to mention, you have more energy right off the bat. This is a big deal if you have to be off and running every morning.

The other benefit of these exercises is that they help improve digestion and elimination. Within a day or so of beginning them, you will become a lot more 'regular', if you know what I mean. And this is an infrequently discussed yet critical 'secret' to losing weight AND keeping it off.

So, for the second week in a row now, I have decided to listen to my own advice again. I got up a little earlier than usual and did my exercises. No one else awake yet....so I went outside and got the paper. Had a cup of coffee and read the paper.

I can't remember the last time I actually read the paper in the morning.

I felt so much better and had so much more energy. I had a great time playing with my son before we had to get ready. And I'm still buzzing with energy even as I write this.

So,  if you're not already doing this, give it a try.

Wake up 15 minutes earlier than usual and do your breathing exercises. Experience the difference it makes in your energy, outlook, and how smoothly your day seems to go.

As for me, I have re-committed myself to following the advice I so readily give to others. 'Do as I say and not as I do' just doesn't fly, does it.

You Can Do It!

Karen Van Ness
http://www.BestBreathingExercises.com

P.S. If you're serious about finally dropping the weight, losing the paunch, and strengthening your core, then the 'Fire Up Your Metabolism' Program is for you. Learn how dynamic breathing exercise can help you unlock the fat burning potential of your body at http://www.bestbreathingexercises.com/metabolism.html.

Copyright, KVN Enterprises, Inc. 2008

**The contents of this daily email are not to be considered as medical advice. Always consult a physician before beginning or changing any health or fitness regimen.**

 

The Magic of a Good Start

It's funny, but every time I write about getting
up a little earlier in the morning and doing
some exercise, I always receive at least a few
emails from Daily Tips readers asking whether they
"have to" do their dynamic energy exercises in
the morning.

Of course, the answer is no. You can do them
anytime, day or night.

But the issue for these readers isn't so much
the timing of the exercises. The issue is about
having to wake up earlier.

Many people complain about my suggestion to get
up early and devote some quality time to themselves.
As if I am going to show up at their house, bang
some pots and pans to get them out of the bed, and
force them into moving.

Which reminds me of a good friend whose dad used
to roust him and his brother out of bed by turning
on all the lights, pulling off all their covers, and
shouting "Get up!".

Kinda harsh. But, according to my friend, pretty
effective.

At any rate, I do have sympathy for the whiners who
don't want to get up one second earlier than they
absolutely have to. I am not a morning person
myself, as anyone who knows me well will tell you.

My ideal schedule would probably be to stay up
til midnight or even 2am, and wake up between 8am
and 10am.

Waking up early used to make me physically ill.
However, over years spent working, I gradually
shifted my internal clock to an earlier hour.
Having kids helps with this too.

On the other hand, anytime I am doing something
fun, I seem to have no problem getting my arse up
out of bed. For example, I can't tell you how many
times I have been up at 4am so I could catch an
early morning boat to go do some scuba diving.

And I truly like to exercise first thing in the
morning. I find that the dynamic energy exercises
I love to do - and teach in my programs - are ideal
for waking up my body and brain, shaking off the
cobwebs and stiffness, and inciting my enthusiasm
for the day to come.

In fact, I'll wager that if you spend only 10
to 15 minutes of a morning on the exercises in
the Secret Power of Dynamic Energy Exercise
Course, Volume II ( go to
http://www.bestbreathingexercises.com/dynamic_energy2.html
for more information), you'll experience a
remarkable difference in how you feel - not
just after doing the exercises, but for the
rest of the day.

Here's the deal: if you have enough reasons to
do something, then you will do it.

This goes for just about anything you do in life.
Right now, I have more reasons than ever to get
up and get going on the things I need to do each
day...which will ultimately lead to the things I
want to manifest in my life.

As Goethe said, "Everything is hard before it is
easy".

If you apply yourself to this one small thing:
getting up a little earlier and taking some
quality time for yourself - whether to breathe, to
stretch and exercise, to read something inspirational,
or to plan and work - you will soon find it becomes
easier and easier.

AND you will find that this application of
self-discipline in this one area will radiate out
and affect other areas of your life as well.

You Can Do It!

Karen Van Ness
http://www.BestBreathingExercises.com

P.S. Breathing is the direct and instantaneous
way to tap into the life force, the vital energy
that flows through each of us. Performed properly,
deep breathing coupled with dynamic exercises - like
those in the Secret Power of Dynamic Energy Exercise
program - is a powerful method for accessing and
flowing your internal power. Doing these exercises
strengthens your body and spirit from the inside out,
and has a more profound and lasting effect. 

For more information, or to order your own
copy of this life-enhancing program, go to
http://www.bestbreathingexercises.com/dynamic_energy2.html.

Copyright, KVN Enterprises, Inc. 2008

**The contents of this daily email are not to be considered
as medical advice. Always consult a physician before
beginning or changing any health or fitness regimen.**

Try This Every Morning

If you've read these tips for any length of time,
you know that I am a huge proponent of getting
up a little earlier in the morning and spending
some quality time with yourself.

Early morning hours tend to be quiet hours. They
are good for focusing on what is important to you:
your health, your goals, and the important things
you want to get done today.

I like to exercise first thing in the morning.
Nothing too harsh, mind you. I find that the
dynamic energy exercises I love to do - and
teach in my programs - are ideal for waking up
my body and brain, shaking off the cobwebs and
stiffness, and inciting my enthusiasm for the
day to come.

In fact, I'll wager that if you spend only 10
to 15 minutes of a morning on the exercises in
the Secret Power of Dynamic Energy Exercise
Course, Volume II ( go to
http://www.bestbreathingexercises.com/dynamic_energy2.html
for more information), you'll experience a
remarkable difference in how you feel - not
just after doing the exercises, but for the
rest of the day.

I just went through a period of time during which
I did not follow my usual routine. Instead of
waking up when I decided and getting ahead of
the day, I slept in a bit and waited for my
"human alarm clock" (my son) to come in and
jump on me to wake me up.

Even though I treasure those first few moments
snuggling with my little one, I realized after
just a few weeks that something was off.

I did not feel as in control of my energy, my
schedule, or even my mental state. Not only did
I not get my early morning dose of deep breathing.
But I also lost that time I usually spend reading
and writing, or reviewing my goals.

I'm happy to say that I'm back on track with my
usual routine, and I feel all the better for it.

One of the leading success and motivational
speakers, Brian Tracy, talks often about getting
into a daily goal setting habit.

He says you should get up a little early each day
and take 15 to 20 minutes to write down your goals.
You might rewrite your 10 most important goals
that you want to achieve. You can also write down
your goals for the day - you know, the important
stuff you want to accomplish...which so often
falls victim to the minor, unimportant stuff.

I've had customers write me and tell me they
combine their breathing exercises with reading
the Bible, Quran, or other inspirational works.
This double dose of inspiration - the physical
and the spiritual - sets a positive and uplifting
tone for their day.

I see this early morning focusing ritual -
whether it involves physical, mental, or
spiritual exercise (or all three) as akin to
the captain of the ship shooting the sun
and the stars.

Each morning the captain shoots the sun, and
each evening he shoots the stars, to determine
exactly where on the planet his ship is. In
doing this, he can tell the longitude and
latitude of the ship...and he can tell where
he is in relation to his destination.

Taking this time to focus on yourself helps
center and ground you where you are now...and
helps you see exactly where you need to go
to achieve your goals.

You Can Do It!

Karen Van Ness
http://www.BestBreathingExercises.com

P.S. Breathing is the direct and instantaneous
way to tap into the life force, the vital energy
that flows through each of us. Performed properly,
deep breathing coupled with dynamic
exercises - like those in the Secret Power of
Dynamic Energy Exercise program - is a powerful
method for accessing and flowing your internal power.
Doing these exercises strengthens your body and
spirit from the inside out, and has a more profound
and lasting effect. 

For more information, or to order your own
copy of the program, go to
http://www.bestbreathingexercises.com/dynamic_energy2.html.

Copyright, KVN Enterprises, Inc. 2008

**The contents of this daily email are not to be considered
as medical advice. Always consult a physician before
beginning or changing any health or fitness regimen.**

You Can't Just Read About It

When it comes to working with and improving your
breathing, you can't just read about it. You've
got to actually DO it.

Of course, it's important to gather as much information
as you can find - or can process - in order to get
off on a good footing with any new endeavor.

And when it comes to breathing and energy exercises -
like the series of incredibly powerful exercises
I teach you in the Secret Power of Dynamic Energy
Exercise Course, Volume II -
http://www.bestbreathingexercises.com/dynamic_energy2.html -
it's also important to begin with exercises and
visualizations that are accessible.
 
I have found in my travels that it's quite easy
to add on layers of complexity to things that
actually should be quite simple.

Breathing, energy exercises, chi kung (qi gong)
and so forth are no exception to this. Many
of the teachings, especially the more advanced ones,
go into the complicated and esoteric. Which is OK, if
you want to make a career of it.

But most of us have this thing called our lives
that take up most of our time. While we want to
engage in a practice that helps promote health,
energy and clearmindedness...we may not always 
want to devote hours and hours to the practice.

One of my missions is to make the benefits of
breathing and dynamic energy exercises available
to as many people as possible. And an important
cornerstone of how I operate is to make the
complicated simple...the inaccessible accessible...and
the hard-to-understand understandable.

When it comes to your own practice, keep this in
mind: breathwork and energy exercise is an experience,
not just a gathering of knowledge.

The exercises I teach are a means to an end: to
induce energy flow in the body.Your form or breathing
does not have to be perfect. Each of us has
our own unique "style" or variation on a particular
exercise. It's kind of like watching people running
at the park. Everyone is doing the same activity. But
each person has their own way of moving their arms and
legs, holding their head and posture,and so forth.

So don't worry about whether you are "doing it right".
Just do it! Your efforts AND your intention are the
important thing.

Qi gong masters say that in your training, what
you breathe in is not just air, it is cosmic
energy. Energy can not flow in a restricted
environment. So one of the most important principles
to follow is that of relaxation.

Don't get uptight about your form. Don't force
your breath. Relax! And keep your mind free
from distracting thoughts by focusing on your
breathing.

Strive to become as natural as possible in your
practice. Think of it as play.

Tomorrow I'll be back with a simple exercise that
I think you will really enjoy.

You Can Do It!

Karen Van Ness
http://www.BestBreathingExercises.com

P.S. Devote just a little bit of focused, discipline time
on your breathing, and you will amaze yourself at just how
much resilience, stamina, and inner fortitude you actually
have. To learn how to improve and focus your breathing
and energy, get a copy of the Secret Power of Dynamic Energy
Exercise Course, Volume II. You can read more about it at ,
http://www.bestbreathingexercises.com/dynamic_energy2.html

Copyright, KVN Enterprises, Inc. 2008

**The contents of this daily email are not to be considered
as medical advice. Always consult a physician before
beginning or changing any health or fitness regimen.**

Follow Your Bliss

Warning: today's tip has absolutely nothing to do
with breathing.

It's about living.

The other day, I mentioned a quote I've always
liked by Joseph Campbell, who is famous for his
research, writings and teachings about mythology.

He was fond of saying, "Follow your bliss".

I heard him once on a CD saying that he meant this
from a career perspective: in other words, choose
your career based on what you are truly passionate
about.

On this CD, he said he also meant this in purely
personal terms. Do the things you want to do,
love the person you want to love. Don't worry
about what others may think or say. It's your
life!

As I recall, he also told the story about how he
met and pursued the lady who would become his
wife. He was intimidated at first, because she
was this world-class dancer, had a lot going on
for herself,and he wasn't sure he was worthy.

But he knew he loved her, so he went for it.
Apparently she loved him back. And it was a
good match, because they were happily married
for many, many years (until Mr. Campbell's death).

Earlier this year I heard from an old friend from
high school days. We had not been in touch in
many, many years. You know how people move on
and go in different directions.

While our relationship was strictly platonic,
we definitely shared a special connection. We
just never acted on it. I was always dating other
guys from my high school. I suppose we were clueless
about how we really felt.

Ah youth! What's that saying, "Youth is wasted on
the young"... if only I knew then what I know
now.

Well, at any rate, my friend contacted me out of
the blue, and we hit it off immediately, just like
old times. We shared stories of past marriages,
good and bad relationships, jobs, kids and
various adventures.

With the friendship re-established and a few (actually
many) more years of experience and maturity since we
last saw each other, we both realized that the
connection was still there.

If anything, it had grown stronger.

So, we are going to see where this romance takes
us. I can tell you that it came out of the blue,
when I least expected it. But isn't it always that
way?

And we will either share one of the great love stories
that people hear about and wish they could
experience...or we will crash and burn.

I feel in my heart that we won't crash and burn.
And I have to continually pinch myself to make sure
I'm not just dreaming. To have such a special person
re-enter my life in such a special way....pretty
amazing!

That's all I'm gonna say about it for now. I just
wanted to let you know what's been going on for me
personally. Although I am a private person, I do
share a lot of personal details from my life with you,
because we are all in the same boat, dealing with
many of the same challenges in life - and it's good
to share, commiserate, and celebrate together.

By the way, if you have your own crazy or special
love story and would like to share it, send me an
email. I may post some of them in a tip or on the
Best Breathing Exercises blog (which you can access
at http://www.bestbreathingexercises.com).

Well, wish me luck! I don't kiss and tell...but I
will keep you posted on how things are going
from time to time.

I'm off to follow my bliss.

You Can Do It!

Karen Van Ness
http://www.BestBreathingExercises.com

Copyright, KVN Enterprises, Inc. 2008

**The contents of this daily email are not to be considered
as medical advice. Always consult a physician before
beginning or changing any health or fitness regimen.**

A Post Independence Day Message

This is a message I meant to send out over the
July 4th holiday weekend. However, I declared my
independence from work all weekend, and instead
enjoyed the company of family and friends.

I hope you had a nice holiday weekend as well, if
you're here in the States. For my friends overseas,
I hope you had a great weekend, period.

July is chock full of independence days, isn't it?
The U.S.'s birthday is July 4th (although technically
the Declaration of Independence was ratified on
July 2nd, 1776). Canada Day was July 1st. And my
friends from Peru will be celebrating their country's
holiday in a couple of weeks.

All this independence day stuff got me to thinking
about how important it is to declare your own
personal independence once in awhile.

Independence from worry. Independence from anxiety.
Independence from always worrying about what other
people think about you.

That's a big one, isn't it? Worrying about what
others think about you.

It has been said that liberty and freedom are the
ultimate power. When you look back at the huge
achievers in the world - in modern times as well
as throughout history - you typically find people
who didn't care what other people thought about
them. They forged ahead with their visions and
their dreams, even though they often had to endure
criticism and censure.

I think many of us - myself included - often worry
too much about what other people will think about
us. This is an insidious form of worry, because its
like this constant dialogue going on in your head,
slowly sapping your energy and spirit. This form of
worry often leads us to shy away from what we
really want to do with and in our lives.

For example, I have a friend who is getting divorced
and has to go back into career mode (she's been
staying home with the kids). I keep encouraging her
to start one of those consulting businesses where
the consultant comes into your home and helps you
get all the crap and clutter organized, and helps you
get control of your house and your life.

She would be perfect for this kind of work. She is
a natural born sales person, and she is a freak
when it comes to keeping things picked up and
organized.

She's interested, she really is. She knows she would
be good at it. But she's worried about what her family
and friends will think. She's being told she should
be sensible and get a "real job" where she will be
making a dependable salary and have some security.

News flash: the corporate world ain't so secure
anymore. The only real security you have, job and
career-wise, is to invest in yourself, continually
learning and improving in your particular area of
interests and talents.

This dilemma my friend faces is very common. We
worry about what others will think if we decide
to follow our heart and do what we really want to
do...or embark on some challenge, like learning
a new skill...or choose to love the one we really
want to love.
 
Joseph Campbell, who is famous for his writings and
teachings about mythology, was fond of saying,
"Follow your bliss". I heard him on a CD once
saying that he meant this from a career perspective:
in other words, choose your career based on what
you are truly passionate about.

On this CD, he said he also meant this in purely
personal terms. Do the things you want to do,
love the person you want to love. Don't worry
about what others may think or say. It's your
life!

So, here's my appeal to you: just for today, declare
your independence.

Just for today, turn off that internal dialogue that
is telling you that you can't do something or
shouldn't do something...or that is warning you about
what others might think if you do.

Just for today, follow your bliss.

You Can Do It!

Karen Van Ness
http://www.BestBreathingExercises.com

P.S. One of the most direct and rapid ways to expand
your thoughts, your energies, and your horizons is 
through deep breathing. Breathing properly has an
immediate and profound impact on your body, brain
and emotions. Learn how breathing can help you
get more out of life by going to the Best Breathing
Exercises website at http://www.bestbreathingexercises.com .

Copyright, KVN Enterprises, Inc. 2008

**The contents of this daily email are not to be considered
as medical advice. Always consult a physician before
beginning or changing any health or fitness regimen.**

True Experts Remain Students, Part 2

In your previous tip, I talked about the importance
of always remaining a student. No matter how competent
or expert you become, there is always more to learn.

Even though I've learned a lot over the years, and like
to teach and share the things I think can be helpful to
you, I am acutely aware of how much more there is to
learn. More to read, more to experiment with and try...it's
a never ending cycle.

I'm always happy to hear from others who teach and share
in the same general areas of fitness, health and improving
personal power.

It''s interesting to me to hear about the different
approaches people take. But my sense is we often adhere
to many of the same fundamental principles.

Here are a few people I have heard from recently - I
think you will benefit from their concise but very
practical advice:

Karen,

I am a massage therapist as well as a Tai Chi instructor
for almost 19 years. I have been listening to your practical
words of wisdom for the past year or so. Breath to me is the
bottom line to self awareness. My classes are geared toward
beginners. Learning Tai Chi can be a slow process; breath
work however brings a surprising opening to the connection
to our body. Everyone feels safe to begin with their own
breath. I truly love to see a countenance change which
then inspires perseverance; it makes for a fun class.

Well any way I mostly wanted to thank you for finding such
a way to share your knowledge.

Sincerely,
Nan

KVN: Thanks for your message, Nan. I agree wholeheartedly
with your with your having your students focus on their
breath as one of the foundations of your tai chi practice.
Usually, when learning tai chi, the student is so focused
on learning how to do the movements, and they do not yet
have the feeling for internal energy. It can take quite
some time working with the movements before you truly begin
to benefit from the energy flows. The breathing can help
shorten this process - and, as you know, the breathing
in and of itself provides its own rewards.

Hi Karen,

I always enjoy your thoughts. As I remind my stress management
clients, we are human beings, not human doings. Sometimes we
just need to "be".

Blessings,
Barbara

KVN: Great advice, Barbara. We so often define ourselves by our
roles in life, or by what we do, or by what we have achieved.
Taking the time to just "be", as you suggest, is a great
way to get in touch with the person you really are, and
what is really meaningful to you.

Karen,

I've been in breathing, exercise, etc. for years and I love
your stuff! Keep up the good work.

Robbie

KVN: Thank you Robbie! Thanks for taking the time to write
(and read), I appreciate it.

Well, that's it for today. Have a great holiday!!

You Can Do It!

Karen Van Ness
http://www.BestBreathingExercises.com

P.S. Did you know you can expand yourself mentally,
emotionally and physically through your breathing? Devote
just a little bit of focused, discipline time on your
breathing, and you will amaze yourself at just how
much resilience, stamina, and inner fortitude you actually
have. To learn how to improve and focus your breathing
and energy, get a copy of the Secret Power of Dynamic Energy
Exercise Course, Volume II. You can read more about it at ,
http://www.bestbreathingexercises.com/dynamic_energy2.html

Copyright, KVN Enterprises, Inc. 2008

**The contents of this daily email are not to be considered
as medical advice. Always consult a physician before
beginning or changing any health or fitness regimen.**

True Experts Remain Students

It's easy to reach a level of competence and
capability - even mastery - of a subject matter,
skill, job, or base of knowledge, and feel like
you don't have to push anymore.

Many people achieve a certain level of skill
or capability and then rest on their laurels.
They get into a comfort zone. They know what
to do. In fact, they could probably do their
job in their sleep, with one hand tied behind
their back, standing on one leg, and chewing
gum.

That's kind of silly, but you know what I mean.

I saw this quite a bit when I was an up and coming
martial arts student.

The (usually) older red and brown belts would train
hard and regularly for the chance to test for black
belt. They served as an inspiration for those
of us who still had a long way to go before we were
even eligible to test.

But what do you think happened once they achieved
black belt rank? Did they immediately set their
sights on working towards and achieving second
degree rank (the next level up). Did they begin their
training anew, with zest and energy, because they
knew they had reached only the first step in a
lifetime of learning and mastery. Did they take
their skills, conditioning, and teaching abilities
to new levels, so as to continue to serve as role
models and mentors.

Unfortunately, for 95 percent of them, the answer
was no.

Most of them would come to the school, put on their
brand spanking new black belts, and basically
preen around the studio.

Oh, they might stretch a little, or throw a few kicks.
But mostly they wanted to be admired and revered for
simply having a black belt.

No more hard training. No attempts at learning new
forms or skills. Just preening and strutting.

occasionally they might butt in and critique or
correct what students were doing. The students
would respond with respect. But after awhile,
the critiques and corrections became unwelcome
intrusions - because the black belt had lost
credibility with the students.

I see this same thing happen in the business world,
the fitness world, in fact just about anywhere.
I see it happen in peoples' personal lives, and
in their relationships.

People reach a level of competency, and they know
enough to get by, perhaps even do a decent job.

But then something happens. It's almost like a
switch gets turned off. They stop being curious.
They stop learning. They stop making the effort.
They rest on their laurels.

I guess I'm lucky, because I have always had an
insatiable curiosity about how the world works, and 
why people behave as they do. And I'm always seeking
new knowledge - especially in the areas where I
already know a lot.

In fact, I have to watch myself, because I can become
quite compulsive about an area of interest and
become totally obsessed. That's one reason why I
gave up playing golf.

But I prefer this state of being to the complacency
I see in many people. And I admire other people I
know - colleagues, friends and family members -
who are always seeking and striving for more.

In fact, one of my martial arts masters once told
me that the mark of a true expert is that the
expert is always learning from everything and
everyone - because he or she realizes that, even
with all their knowledge and experience, there is
still so much more to learn.

I'll talk more about this in your next tip. In the
meantime, think about your own life - personal,
career, hobbies - and how you might put this
idea into action for yourself.

Or, if you feel you are a learning and expanding
machine, write me and tell me how this affects your
life. If I get some good emails, I may include
them in a future tip.

Till then, have a good one!

You Can Do It!

Karen Van Ness
http://www.BestBreathingExercises.com

P.S. Did you know you can expand yourself mentally,
emotionally and physically through your breathing? Devote
just a little bit of focused, discipline time on your
breathing, and you will amaze yourself at just how
much resilience, stamina, and inner fortitude you actually
have. To learn how to improve and focus your breathing
and energy, get a copy of the Secret Power of Dynamic Energy
Exercise Course, Volume II. You can read more about it at ,
http://www.bestbreathingexercises.com/dynamic_energy2.html

Copyright, KVN Enterprises, Inc. 2008

**The contents of this daily email are not to be considered
as medical advice. Always consult a physician before
beginning or changing any health or fitness regimen.**