A Review in Vital Juice for Soma Get Fit

Check out our most recent press in the daily healthy online magazine Vital Juice.

We hosted the LA editorial team here for one of our weekend retreats and they absolutely loved it.

Click below to read the full review and save 20% off your next retreat.

http://vitaljuice.com/entry_detail/la/1037

This entry was written by scrawford, posted on January 13, 2010 at 8:16 pm, filed under Bodywork, Experiences, Fitness, Food, Green Lifestyle, Hiking, Life is Fitness, Lifestyle and Spa, Los Angeles, Meditation, Nutrition, Outdoors, Press, Retreats, Santa Barbara, Stand Up Paddle Surfing, Yoga and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

Foundation – Returning to the Basics

by Nina Bennett

Upon completing my through hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, I found myself in a peculiar situation. I had no major ties to anything. No job, no relationship, no responsibilities. The world was my oyster, so to speak, yet I found this to be an overwhelming and stressful position to be in!  I would oscillate between dreaming about all the amazing places I could settle down, jobs to pursue, potential relationships to be cultivated, and being completely lost and without direction, overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices. My internal compass was spinning uselessly!  Having no clear idea in which direction to focus my energy, my mind used the energy to wind itself up even more! An unfocused mind quickly becomes destructive, pondering the “what- ifs” and worries it likes to create. Things that are not actually a truth in the eternal NOW. Stress is a construction of an overly active mind.

During stressful times in our lives, so many of us do not know which way to turn, what action to take. Our minds spin, out of control, mulling over the millions of possibilities, attempting to figure the answers out through logic. My brother, recently through with college, is in the same situation. “Where should I choose to settle down, to start my life? “ he asks me. Another friend, unhappy with his relationship and living situation also finds himself a victim of his highly creative mind. He wants his life to be different, but doesn’t know how to make it happen. There are so many of us seeking direction; people who have recently lost a job due to the state of the economy, people needing change, people who have lost a loved one. We are all so lost in our thoughts, we are incapable of taking action in the physical world.

So what do we do when we find ourselves in these situations? How do we pull ourselves back into the present moment, back into our bodies, and out of the mental realm in which we have become lost?

My sister is fond of saying “root down to rise up.” The key lies in building a strong foundation. The strength and integrity of the tree begins with its root system. The stability and ability of a building to endure starts with a strong base, a solid foundation. The peace, grace, and sense f direction in our lives begins with the cultivation of our most basic needs. We cannot expect our minds to be healthy and able to make good decisions in regard to our actions if our bodies are unhealthy.

Step 1: Slow Down

The first step to building my strong foundation was to give myself permission to not take any action. I decided that I would allow myself a month to get my body in good health before I made any decisions or took any major action steps. Not only does this reduce the immediate stress of feeling the need to make a decision, it allows the foundation of good health to build slowly, which translates into sustainability in the long run.

Slowing down also brings you closer to the present moment, which is the only place we truly have any control or influence over out lives anyway. In stopping, we can look around us and really see what IS true in our lives at this moment. Not with our minds, but with our total being.

Have you ever tried to draw a flower? Did you draw the traditional “daisy?” Then what if you try to draw one specific flower? Look closely at it and all its unique individual characteristics. The way the light casts shadows, its petals, perhaps the imperfections of it’s specific form. When you look at the flower as one unique flower unlike any other out there, it takes your complete attention. So do this too with your life. Instead of taking a quick, cursory glance at it and saying, “yeah, I know it,” look at it closely and see all the intricate detail. Really study all the minute details. Try not to think about and attach meaning to what you are seeing, just observe. We are able to make an accurate assessment of our situation with the knowledge provided by clear vision.

Step 2: Eat Well

On a chemical level, we are what we eat. Whatever you put into your body is what eventually makes up your body. And your brain! Proper nutrition can go a long way in affecting your experience of life. Trail life made this, too, abundantly clear! My usual meals consisted of nuts, dried fruit, hummus, lentils, couscous, granola, dried milk, and the like, and usually I had plenty of consistent energy to hike 30 miles a day. One resupply, I was unable to get my normal fare and I ended up eating pop tarts and crackers for every meal. Needless to say, I did not feel well physically or mentally. I struggled up hills and was in tears by days end. My malaise did not pass completely until almost three days after resuming normal eating patterns! I observed this trend with other hikers as well. Those who ate healthy foods tended to be more consistent hikers than those that chose refined, sugary, and starchy foods.

There are millions of books and articles out there on diet. Find what works for you. Don’t let diet become another avenue for stress to enter your life! As a general rule, choose foods that are closest to their natural state; the less processed the better. Pay attention to how you feel after eating certain foods. The power of observation applies to all arenas of life! Your body will let you know how particular foods affect you. Keeping a food and feelings journal can be quite illuminating. I discovered that caffeine makes me happy for a few hours after I drink it, but that the next day, I feel like a toddler that hasn’t had a nap! Cranky, uncomfortable and inconsolable! With a little time, attention and experimentation, you will find a diet that optimally supports you .

Step 3: Get Some Exercise

Exercise releases endorphins. Exercise makes our bodies healthy, toned, vibrant. It increases self confidence. Exercise makes you breathe deeply and increases your heart rate, assisting your body in the release of metabolic waste. There is no excuse! Get out there and find some physical activity that you enjoy! And do it! Your stress will decrease immediately!

Being physically active anchors you back into your body, helping you let go of thought for awhile. Pay attention to the physical sensations in your body. Notice your breath, your heart beat. Bring your senses into the present moment. As you become more accustomed to experiencing life through your body during exercise, you will be able to maintain this in leisure as well.

Step 4: Get Plenty of Rest

Sleep is important. It is when our conscious thinking turns off completely. Our bodies go into repair mode. Do not underestimate the importance or rest! Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night.

Try bringing your awareness to these four things, as an experiment, and see where you are in month, or whatever time frame you give yourself. If you find yourself off course, confused and stressed, just patiently bring the focus back to the foundation. In doing so myself, I have found my internal compass has begun to direct me again! In leaning to be here, now, observing without preconceptions, magic happens. Clarity occurs. The unimportant and unnecessary fall away. Give it a try and I have a feeling that you will discover some healthy sprouts rising toward the sunshine, sustained by a sturdy, supportive root system!

Peace and patience on your journey!

Namaste

This entry was written by nbennett, posted on January 12, 2010 at 5:42 pm, filed under Experiences, Fitness, Green Lifestyle, Life is Fitness, Lifestyle and Spa, Outdoors, Santa Barbara and tagged , , , . Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

Wine Enthusiast Gives Soma a Shout Out for Equestrian Wine Tours

The Wine Enthusiast gives Soma’s Equestrian Wine Tours a mention in their lastest review. If you love horseback riding in the beautiful Santa Barbara wine country you should certainly join us.

This entry was written by scrawford, posted on at 4:11 pm, filed under Experiences, Food, Green Lifestyle, Horseback Riding, Life is Fitness, Outdoors, Santa Barbara and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

ORGANIC MAGIC-SOMA GET FIT

by Scott Crawford, MABS, MABC, LMT, MFTi

People have very different views of magic.  The commonality of magic is the ‘wow’ factor, how did they do that, how did that happen.

This company (SOMA GET FIT) or concept organically develops magic.  The magic I allude to is one of synergy relating to inspiration, love and connectedness.  The common Denominator: Health-Wellness-Nature-Love-Full-Potential-Release-Beauty-Creativity-Giving-Sharing and much much more.

Susan Aposhyan described SOMA-atic psychology as the ‘body experienced from within.’

Original thought was to bridge a therapeutic model through Psychology utilizing movement and touch.

Life organically created this dream in which a unique emergence of a concept, from our retreat perspective, that allows an individual, couple, small-group to enjoy an experience that can be life transforming.  This concept promotes disconnection from life’s distractions, it puts the guest into natural environments which in of itself provide a spiritual intrinsic opportunity for depth experienced from within. Each guest is empowered at every turn within their journey as they process mentally while enjoying movement as sustainability in their past, present, future body.

The Team is comprised of the Best of the Best not only at what they do, but each possessing a loving caring unique eclectic persona.  This is truly what sets us apart.  The guest will feel the love and brilliance/talent as they work with each team member.  The ability of adaptability allows each guest to feel a connectedness in a day and age traveling into entropy of technology.  This connection is the magic shared by all parties from the inside out.

The magic as the guest works with the chef, who works with the dietician, who works with the bodyworker, who works with the fitness instructor, who works with the medical director, who works with the SUP instructor, who works with the hike guide, the list of talent continues, but the magic comes from within of each person outward to touch the guest in turn touching each other.  The magic that occurs is the thought of change, the presence of love, the felt sense of gratitude, the focus on self in a shared journey with health as the ideal.  This magic evolves into lifestyle through spirit each guest and team member refreshed, revived, inspired, reconnected with opportunity to create change for the love of their self or body experienced within.  The magic is intuitional, the spirit of a shared feeling.  The feeling(s) have an everlasting affect and effect.

Each person travels forward returning in the day to day world with a new idea, a new presence that then inspires  and touches others around them.  There are no limits.

RECENT COMMENTS REGARDING THE MAGIC:

Edward Farwick, “I still cannot believe this….wow, wow, wow….I still feel great and HAPPY : )…

Daniel Alcheh, “give yourself the chance to do that dream idea that you never tried, made time for or knew how to begin…”. Always wanted to water ski? Dreams of sky-diving? Make SOMA your dream catcher.”

Jamie Kiffel Alcheh, “Wish working out could feel like…a vacation? Turn your exercise routine inside-out with a SOMA Get Fit Retreat weekend! Escape to Santa Barbara, where the mountains, ocean, sun and sky will become your gym. Walk on water by stand-up paddle surfing with a pro. Discover the power of balance training, surrounded by roses and historic architecture. Ride a horse through leafy trails. Eat the finest farm-to-table organic food, prepared for you by a star chef. The possibilities are endless: you choose your experience, and SOMA will provide the world’s best experts to guide you for two days, a week, or even longer. Jump start fitness, clear your mind and set fire to your creativity–your life may never be the same.”

Erin Harris Mahoney, “think it’s brilliant that Soma makes use of existing landmarks, parks and hotels. Another part of my retreat which I found incredibly invigorating was working out in the fresh ocean air – such a difference from being in a gym, or even being outdoors in many of the polluted parts of Los Angeles. Breathing clean air and looking up at the sky makes a significant difference in how you feel while you exercise.”

Melissa Beaugrand, “It was so rewarding for me to cook for Edward last month. We met at the beginning of his stay here at the farmers market, and I tried to get a sense of what he liked and disliked.  Because he was so agreeable and open and easy to talk to, I really feel like I got to know what  his general eating habits were.  I was able to tweak his meals based on what I thought he normally eats, yet make it healthier and more low calorie.  I also got to get feedback!! Yay!  Because of what I learned about him, I added more cilantro, I made sure all the carrots were raw.  I added lowfat cheese.   The feedback was first person – he was able to tell me face to face that he loved something – and it was so rewarding to see his eyes light up thinking about a meal that he had eaten.  I think that is what I am going to enjoy the most with SOMA forthwith.  I will get to not only meet great people, but get firsthand feedback and be able to make them happy with the food that they are going to eat.  Food makes people happy.  Food makes me happy.  Seeing my food make people happy is priceless.”

Janet Rifken, “I am writing to you about Scott Crawford who has been my trainer since the beginning of September. To say that my experience with him has been life-changing would be an understatement.”

This entry was written by scrawford, posted on January 11, 2010 at 12:36 am, filed under Experiences, Green Lifestyle, Life is Fitness, Los Angeles, Outdoors, Press, Retreats, Santa Barbara and tagged , , , , , . Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

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