You mention that optimal health is integral to your approach—are there any specific practices we can use?
Specific practices are simple to learn but not so easy to follow. Rather than discussing specific practices it might be better to discuss areas of address. The first thing to understand, in terms of health, is that balance is the key. Many people focus on building up muscle and strength but this should always be balanced out with building of coordination and removal of acidic by-products. People want to do a lot of exercise, and take protein drinks—both of which are highly acid-forming—but they don’t understand how to balance this out with alkaline practices. The acid-alkaline balance is the most critical balance of the body; when we become too acidic (which often occurs as a result of eating acidic foods, excessive exercise, stress, etc.) our whole system is thrown out of whack. The blood is not able to carry the optimal amounts of oxygen, we lose minerals, our breath gets shorter, and we tend to become dehydrated. So, how acidic are you? You have to know the answer to this question, and then take informed steps to bring about an optimal acid-alkaline balance. Another crucial balance involved blood sugar. When blood sugar is too high (or too low) all kinds of bad things happen; and, as it relates to immediate performance, when blood sugar levels are deregulated the blood cannot carry sufficient amounts of oxygen to the muscles or the brain. Proper hydration is needed to regulate blood sugar levels.
In terms of this notion of always building up, let’s look at the lymph system. Athletes tend to put a lot of effort into “building up” because that is the general mentality but what about the removal of waste? All this building up and hard-core exercise produces large amounts of waste or by-products. As we build up our exterior muscles we pollute all our inner organs with that excess waste. So, we must take steps to remove these excess toxins on a regular and consistent basis. If we don’t remove the excess waste, there is no room for the cell to take in nutrients and repair itself. If the waste is not removed, and there is a “back up,” then all the supplements we take will have a minimal effect. The only way to remove the waste is to keep the lymph system active. Luckily, this is not much of a problem for athletes because the primary way to keep the lymph system moving is through regular exercise and movement. However, working out once a day only clears the lymph for one cycle; what we need is regular clearing, throughout the day.
In an ideal scenario, the lymph system should be pumped every ninety minutes. So, one should engage in some form of movement, and muscular engagement, every ninety minutes. The only remedy for this, when all-day exercise is not possible, is a special breathing-exercise method, that takes a minute or two, and which“pumps” the lymph system about 50 times faster than regular exercise. Even for an inactive person, using this method every two hours or so, would provide the same benefits (in terms of moving the lymph system) as someone engaged in regular exercise throughout the day.
Here is one more thing to think about: How come right after a sporting event the muscles do not all that feel sore but feel pretty bad after waking up the next morning? I thought that the eight hours of rest was supposed to be a time when the body could repair itself—yet, it seems, that things get worse. How could this be so? What goes on during a restful night—or what does not go on—which causes this morning soreness? Well, the lymph system remains dormant and the excessive waste (which includes blood proteins that are forced into the lymph system during strain or injury) “clog up” and cause low-level inflammation during the exercise-less night.
We must also address the heart and circulation because this system is vital to life and peak performance in sport. This is a field of study which every top athlete should become familiar with. One should know about various methods that promote heart health and improve circulation. Such methods include the use of bromelain, lecithin, apple pectin, and other such supplements help keep the arteries clear; proper use of vitamin C, bioflavanoids, and quercitin, provide for arterial elasticity and greater integrity of the arterial wall; potassium citrate and lemon juice to increase zeta-potential and "flowability" of the blood; and specific supplements for the heart, including CoQ10 and magnesium (taurinate, citrate, or malate). In terms of oxygen-carrying ability of the blood, sufficient amounts of chlorophyll are needed. This can be gained from various “green” drinks and/or eating sufficient amounts of leafy green vegetables. Perhaps the most powerful oxygenator of the circulation system (which allows the cells to pick up the oxygen in the blood), is flaxseed oil mixed with a sulfur-based protein (such a cottage cheese, whey protein, or “quark’) The sulfur protein “hydrolyzes” the oil, making it water soluble. This allows the body to utilize the essential components of the oil far more efficiently than taking regular oil. The regular use of cod liver oil can also be very beneficial. (Likewise, one should avoid all hydrogenated oil, as well as oil which has been cooked or which has become rancid).
Another key to improved heart health and circulation can be found in formulas which increase the “zeta potential” of the blood, which means it increases the electro-magnetic charge of the various elements in the blood, making each element more discrete by “pushing” itself away from its neighbor. It’s like having two magnets which are highly charged and which push away from each other. If the particles have a low charge, then they tend to “clump together” and have little force to “remain in solution.” This decreases the ability of the blood to flow. (In terms of diet and food, the only thing that will increase the zeta potential, and flowability of the blood, is the regular consumption of lemon juice in water; supplementing with potassium citrate is also very helpful).
A thorough (and somewhat technical) discussion of “zeta potential” can be found in Chapter 22 of Control of Colloid Stability through Zeta Potential by Thomas Riddick. (www.hbci.com/~wenonah/riddick/chap22.htm). In sum, a very effective way to optimally increase zeta potential is to take approximately 1.5 grams of potassium citrate per day. Do not take this in the form of a pill; the potassium citrate must be mixed in a water solution and taken in small amounts throughout the day.
"So long as matter remains in a solid state, it is subject to the forces of the
the earth. But once it moves into a liquid state, it undergoes the influence
of the cosmos." ~ Rudolf Steiner
What about bottled water that comes from a pure and natural source? How good is that?
Bottled water, stored for extended periods of time in plastic containers, is not that beneficial, even if it comes from a pure source. If you understand a few basic principles of water you will understand why this is the case. So let me explain: The first principle of water is that water is the carrier (and conveyer) of life; as such, it has to be moving. Water in nature is always moving; if not it “dies” and becomes stagnant. When water is held stationary for more than 24 hours it begins to loose its livingness and life-force. Another thing to know about water is that it is supremely sensitive; it picks up whatever it comes in contact with both in terms of physical elements (such as mineral and toxins) as well as “conscious vibrations.” Bottled water, for example, picks up the elements and vibrations of the plastic in which it is imprisoned. In addition, I often see bottled water sitting in direct sunlight. Not good. And really not good when this heats up the plastic! Water exposed to direct sunlight is enervated, depleted, and debilitated—and it has a similar effect on the body. (Exposure to moonlight, on the other hand, enhances the life-giving properties of water). And the actual water that is placed into the bottle—well, I’m not sure about that either. Nor about how the water got to the bottle. When water is pumped under pressure, through metal pipes, it de-structures and magnetizes the water, creating a kind of water that is difficult for the human body to assimilate. This is the condition of regular tap water and quite often the fate of bottled water. In nature, water never moves in a straight line; it is always winding and spinning in vortexes which enlivens and structures the water.
In general, I would rather drink bottled water (stored in hard plastic bottles) than regular tap water, which has been laced with chlorine, fluorine, and who knows what before it reaches your tap.
The optimal way to drink water is very regularly—a half a cup every every half hour is best but one cup every hour is also good. Mixing in a small amount of lemon juice to your water (every hour or so) helps remove excess acid, clear and build the liver, and increase the electro-magnetic potential of the blood, thereby increasing blood flow and oxygenation.
Practically speaking, the best water to drink is pure artesian well water. If that’s not available (and it rarely is) then use well-water or water that has been purified through distillation or reverse osmosis and properly energized. (It is also important to store water in a glass or earthenware jar, and prepare it fresh everyday.) Low micron carbon filters are OK, depending on the initial quality of the tap water. Most bottled water, regardless of the source, is pretty much “dead” (and often plasticized and depleted). Regular tap water, which has been laced with chlorine, fluorine, and who knows what, is usually not drinkable. Whenever you drink low-quality water it vitiates the water element in the body and throws your whole system out of balance. Water is the carrier of life; every dedicated athlete should form a beneficial relationship with this vital element.
An excellent book on the subject of revitalizing water is, The Healing Power of Energized Water by Ulrich Holst. Also see: Colloidal Minerals and Trace Elements by Marie-France Muller.
Unataja kwamba afya bora ni sehemu muhimu ya mbinu yako <unk> kuna mazoea yoyote maalum tunaweza kutumia? Mazoea hususa ni rahisi kujifunza lakini si rahisi kufuata. Badala ya kujadili mazoea maalum inaweza kuwa bora kujadili maeneo ya kushughulikia. Jambo la kwanza la kuelewa, katika suala la afya, ni kwamba usawa ni ufunguo. Watu wengi hujishughulisha na kujenga misuli na nguvu, lakini hii inapaswa kuwa na usawa na kujenga uratibu na kuondoa asidi. Watu wanataka kufanya mazoezi mengi, na kuchukua vinywaji vya protini - vyote viwili ni sana asidi-kuunda - lakini hawaelewi jinsi ya kusawazisha hii nje na mazoea alkaline. Usawa wa asidi na alkali ni muhimu sana kwa mwili wetu, na kwa sababu ya chakula cha asidi, mazoezi ya kupita kiasi, na mkazo. Mfumo wetu wote umepigwa. Damu haifanyi kazi vizuri na inapoteza madini, pumzi hupungua na tunakuwa na dehydration. Kwa hiyo, wewe ni mwenye asidi kiasi gani? Ni muhimu kujua jibu la swali hili na kuchukua hatua za kutosha ili kupata usawa bora wa asidi na alkali. Usawaziko mwingine muhimu ulihusisha sukari ya damu. Wakati sukari ya damu ni ya juu sana (au chini sana) kila aina ya mambo mabaya hutokea, na kama inahusiana na utendaji wa haraka, wakati viwango vya sukari ya damu ni deregulated damu haiwezi kubeba kiasi cha kutosha cha oksijeni kwa misuli au ubongo. Maji yanahitajiwa kwa usahihi ili kudhibiti kiwango cha sukari katika damu. Kwa suala hili la daima kujenga juu, hebu kuangalia mfumo wa lymph. Wanariadha huwa na kuweka juhudi nyingi katika <unk>kujenga<unk> kwa sababu hiyo ni mawazo ya jumla lakini nini kuhusu kuondolewa kwa taka? Mazoezi haya yote ya kujenga na ya bidii hutokeza kiasi kikubwa cha taka au bidhaa za ziada. Kwa kuwa sisi kujenga misuli yetu ya nje sisi uchafuzi wote viungo vyetu vya ndani na kwamba taka ziada. Kwa hiyo, ni lazima tuchukue hatua za kuondoa sumu hizo za ziada kwa ukawaida na kwa uthabiti. Ikiwa hatutokuondoa taka zilizozidiwa, hakuna nafasi kwa chembe kuchukua virutubisho na kujirekebisha. Ikiwa taka haziondolewa, na kuna "kuhifadhi", basi virutubisho vyote tunavyotumia vitakuwa na athari ndogo. Njia pekee ya kuondoa taka ni kuweka mfumo wa limfu ukiwa hai. Kwa bahati nzuri, hii si tatizo kubwa kwa wanariadha, kwa sababu njia kuu ya kuweka mfumo wa lymph katika mwendo ni kupitia mazoezi ya kawaida na harakati. Hata hivyo, kufanya mazoezi mara moja kwa siku hutakasa lymph kwa mzunguko mmoja tu; tunachohitaji ni kusafisha mara kwa mara, siku nzima. Katika hali nzuri, mfumo wa limfu unapaswa kusukumwa kila baada ya dakika tisini. Kwa hiyo, mtu anapaswa kufanya aina fulani ya mwendo, na utendaji wa misuli, kila baada ya dakika tisini. "Uchunguzi wa ""kupumua"" ni njia maalum ya mazoezi ya kupumua ambayo inachukua dakika moja au mbili na ambayo hupumua mfumo wa lymph mara 50 kwa kasi zaidi kuliko mazoezi ya kawaida." Hata kwa mtu asiye na shughuli nyingi, kutumia njia hii kila baada ya saa mbili au zaidi, ingetoa faida sawa (kwa suala la kuhamisha mfumo wa lymph) kama mtu anayehusika katika mazoezi ya kawaida siku nzima. "Kuna jambo lingine la kufikiria: ""Kwa nini baada ya mchezo wa michezo misuli haihisi uchungu lakini inahisi vibaya sana baada ya kuamka asubuhi inayofuata?""" Nilidhani kwamba saa nane za kupumzika zilipaswa kuwa wakati ambapo mwili ungeweza kujirekebisha - lakini, inaonekana, mambo yanakuwa mabaya zaidi. Hilo linawezekanaje? Ni nini kinachotokea wakati wa usiku wenye kupumzika - au ni nini kisichotokea - kinachosababisha uchungu wa asubuhi hii? Mfumo wa lymph unabaki usingizi na taka nyingi (ambayo inajumuisha protini za damu ambazo zinalazimishwa kuingia katika mfumo wa lymph wakati wa mvuto au jeraha) <unk> hufunga <unk> na kusababisha uvimbe wa kiwango cha chini wakati wa usiku wa mazoezi. "Tunapaswa pia kushughulikia moyo na mzunguko wa damu kwa sababu mfumo huu ni muhimu kwa maisha na utendaji wa kilele katika michezo. """ Hii ni uwanja wa utafiti ambao kila mwanariadha wa hali ya juu anapaswa kufahamiana nao. Mtu anapaswa kujua juu ya mbinu mbalimbali zinazoendeleza afya ya moyo na kuboresha mzunguko wa damu. Kwa mfano, bromelain, lecithin, pectin ya apple, na virutubisho vingine vinavyoweza kusaidia kuweka mishipa safi, matumizi sahihi ya vitamini C, bioflavonoids, na quercetin, hutoa elasticity ya mishipa na uadilifu zaidi wa ukuta wa mishipa; potassium citrate na juisi ya limao kuongeza zeta-potential na "mtiririko" wa damu; na virutubisho maalum kwa moyo, ikiwa ni pamoja na CoQ10 na magnesium (taurine, citrate, au malate). Kwa habari ya uwezo wa damu kubeba oksijeni, kiasi cha kutosha cha klorofili kinahitajika. Hii inaweza kupatikana kutoka kwa vinywaji mbalimbali vya "kijani kibichi" na / au kula kiasi cha kutosha cha mboga za majani ya kijani. "Kama ""oxygenator"" ya mfumo wa mzunguko wa damu (ambayo inaruhusu chembe kuchukua oksijeni katika damu), mafuta ya linseed ni mchanganyiko na protini ya msingi wa sulfuri (kama vile jibini, protini ya whey, au ""quark") protini ya sulfuri ""hydrolyzes"" mafuta, na kuifanya maji mumunyifu." Hii inaruhusu mwili kutumia vipengele muhimu vya mafuta kwa ufanisi zaidi kuliko kuchukua mafuta ya kawaida. Matumizi ya kawaida ya mafuta ya ini la samaki yaweza pia kuwa yenye manufaa sana. (Vivyo hivyo, mtu apaswa kuepuka mafuta yote yenye hidrojeni, na vilevile mafuta ambayo yamepikwa au ambayo yamekuwa na rangi mbaya). "Kifungu kingine cha kuboresha afya ya moyo na mzunguko wa damu kinaweza kupatikana katika formula ambazo huongeza ""potential ya zeta"" ya damu, ambayo inamaanisha inaongeza malipo ya umeme ya vitu mbalimbali katika damu, na kufanya kila kitu kiwe tofauti zaidi kwa ""kujitokeza"" mbali na jirani yake." Ni kama kuwa na sumaku mbili ambazo zina malipo makubwa na ambazo husukuma mbali na kila mmoja. Ikiwa chembe hizo zina malipo ya chini, basi zina mwelekeo wa "kuungana pamoja" na zina nguvu kidogo ya "kubaki katika ufumbuzi". Hii hupunguza uwezo wa damu kutiririka. Kwa upande wa chakula, kitu pekee ambacho kinaweza kuongeza uwezo wa zeta na mtiririko wa damu ni kunywa maji ya limao mara kwa mara, na kuongeza kwa potasiamu citrate pia ni muhimu. "Mtazamo wa ""zeta"" unaweza kupatikana katika sura ya 22 ya ""Usimamizi wa Uimarishaji wa Colloid kupitia Zeta Potential"" na Thomas Riddick." (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (HB) (H (H) (H) (H) (H) (H) (H) (H) (H) (H) (H) (H) (H) (H) (H) (H) (H) (H) (H) (H) (H) (H) (H) (H) (H) Kwa ujumla, njia bora ya kuongeza uwezo wa zeta ni kuchukua gramu 1.5 za potasiamu kwa siku. Kwa sababu ya hali ya kawaida ya matumizi ya dawa, potassium citrate inapaswa kuchanganywa na maji na kuchukuliwa kwa kiasi kidogo kwa siku. """Maadamu vitu vimeendelea kuwa katika hali ya imara, vimeathiriwa na nguvu za dunia." Lakini inapokuwa katika hali ya umajimaji, huathiriwa na ulimwengu". Rudolf Steiner: Maji ya chupa yanatoka kwa chanzo safi na cha asili? Hilo ni jambo zuri kadiri gani? Maji ya chupa, yaliyohifadhiwa kwa muda mrefu katika vyombo vya plastiki, si yenye manufaa sana, hata ikiwa yanatoka kwenye chanzo safi. Ikiwa unaelewa kanuni chache za msingi za maji utaelewa kwa nini hali iko hivyo. "Kama ilivyoelezwa hapo juu, ""Msingi wa kwanza wa maji ni kwamba maji ni mtoaji (na mtoaji) wa maisha; kama vile, lazima iwe inazunguka.""" Maji katika asili daima ni kusonga; kama si <unk>dies<unk> na inakuwa stagnant. Maji yanapowekwa mahali pao kwa zaidi ya saa 24 huanza kupoteza uhai wake. "Kitu kingine cha kujua kuhusu maji ni kwamba ni nyeti sana; huchukua chochote kinachokuja kuwasiliana nacho, kwa suala la vitu vya kimwili (kama vile madini na sumu) na vilevile ""mzunguko wa fahamu.""" Kwa kuongezea, mara nyingi mimi huona maji ya chupa yakikaa chini ya jua moja kwa moja. Si jambo zuri. Na si nzuri sana wakati hii inapopasha joto plastiki! Maji yanayowekwa chini ya mwangaza wa jua husababisha ukosefu wa nishati, kupungua kwa nishati, na kudhoofika - na yana athari kama hiyo kwenye mwili. (Kinyume chake, mwangaza wa mwezi huongeza uwezo wa maji wa kutoa uhai). Na maji halisi ambayo ni kuwekwa katika chupa <unk> vizuri, mimi si uhakika kuhusu kwamba ama. Wala kuhusu jinsi maji yalivyopatikana kwenye chupa. Wakati maji yanapopigwa chini ya shinikizo kupitia mabomba ya chuma, huondoa muundo na magnetize maji, na kuunda aina ya maji ambayo ni vigumu kwa mwili wa binadamu assimilate. Hii ni hali ya maji ya bomba ya kawaida na mara nyingi ni hatima ya maji ya chupa. Maji hayawezi kusonga katika mstari wa moja kwa moja, lakini huzunguka katika mviringo na kugeuka katika mviringo, na hivyo kuimarisha na kuunda maji. Kwa ujumla, ningependa kunywa maji ya chupa (yaliyowekwa katika chupa ngumu za plastiki) kuliko maji ya bomba ya kawaida, ambayo yameongezwa klorini, fluorini, na nani anajua nini kabla ya kufikia bomba lako. Njia bora ya kunywa maji ni mara kwa mara - nusu kikombe kila baada ya nusu saa ni bora lakini kikombe kimoja kila baada ya saa pia ni nzuri. Kuchanganya kiasi kidogo cha maji ya limao na maji yako (kila saa au zaidi) husaidia kuondoa asidi ya ziada, kusafisha na kujenga ini, na kuongeza uwezo wa umeme wa damu, na hivyo kuongeza mtiririko wa damu na oksijeni. Kwa kweli, maji bora ya kunywa ni maji safi ya kisima cha artesian. Kama kwamba si inapatikana (na ni mara chache ni) kisha kutumia maji ya kisima au maji ambayo imekuwa kusafishwa kwa njia ya distillation au reverse osmosis na vizuri energized. (Ni muhimu pia kuhifadhi maji katika chupa ya kioo au ya udongo, na kutayarisha maji mapya kila siku.) Vichujio vya kaboni vya micron ya chini ni sawa, kulingana na ubora wa awali wa maji ya bomba. Maji mengi ya chupa, bila kujali chanzo, ni pretty much <unk>mfu<unk> (na mara nyingi plasticized na depleted). Maji ya bomba ya kawaida, ambayo yamechanganywa na klorini, fluorini, na nani anajua nini, kwa kawaida hayawezi kunywa. Wakati wowote unakunywa maji ya hali ya chini, huathiri sehemu ya maji katika mwili na kuharibu usawa wa mfumo wako. Maji ni mwendeshaji wa maisha; kila mwanariadha aliyejiweka wakfu anapaswa kuunda uhusiano wenye manufaa na kipengele hiki muhimu. Kitabu kizuri sana juu ya habari ya maji yenye kuimarisha ni, The Healing Power of Energized Water cha Ulrich Holst. Angalia pia: Colloidal Minerals and Trace Elements na Marie-France Muller.