I am going to Haiti in February!

I am excited to tell you about the my upcoming mission trip to Haiti.  I will be going to Haiti February 15th-22nd, 2014 with eleven other people from Trinity Anglican Mission Church.  Since I left Papua New Guinea in September of 2012, I have been looking for my next opportunity to serve in medical missions.  This trip will be geared towards supporting the work of Pere Val and Carmel Valdema.  Carmel directs a health clinic just outside the capital city, Port-au-Prince, that provides free care to about 1,500 people each month.  Our team will be be engaging in medical work at the clinic and minor construction projects that will support the churches and schools under Pere Val’s care.  

As I mentioned earlier, I am going with a team from Trinity Anglican Mission Church.  Our team from Trinity has been meeting monthly since October to prepare for our time together in Haiti.  Like most mission trips, flexibility will be needed.  Our team of twelve has a wide range of medical training.  Several nurses are on the team as well as a psychiatrist and a medical doctor.  There are also a couple of people going with remodeling skills for the minor construction projects we will be doing.   I am the only athletic trainer, and I am excited to teach therapeutic exercises or carry bricks if that is needed, too.  

I would love to have your prayer support for this trip. My personal prayer is that God would provide connection with the people I meet in Haiti whatever role I may be called to play.  A week is a short time to bring health and healing to the long-term needs in this area; therefore, I am so thankful that we will be joining in the long established work of  Carmel and Pete Val that have been serving this area for 25 years.

Also, I am raising financial support for the trip. If you would like to contribute financially to the trip, our team has a paypal link available. This is the paypal link. The first screen is where you will enter the amount, credit card and personal information. On the next screen (the confirmation screen), there is a title called "gift designation" with a plus sing next to it. If you click on the plus sign, it will provide a box where you can indicate that you want the gift to go towards me. 

Here is a picture of me at Lazarus Ministry's Health Day in downtown Atlanta back in September.  Not too may people were interested in learning some yoga moves, but these two were great.  They were naturals with the front lunge! 

I plan to be posting more regularly as the trip approaches.  Thanks for reading and may we continue to "ponder anew what the Almighty can do."

 

Monday Moves: Diaphragmatic breathing

As we continue to break down the breath in this Monday Move series, today I was going to focus a bit on diaphragmatic breathing.  According to Blandine Calais-Germain in the book Anatomy of Breathing, this type of breathing is often called stomach breathing or abdominal breathing.  It especially affects the inhalation phase and is most often practiced while at rest, breathing normally.

Diaphragmatic breathing works by 2 principle mechanisms.  In the first, the diaphragm is lowered as the central tendon pulls the diaphragm toward the pelvis on the contraction.  We will talk about the other principle mechanism next week.  But here is an exercise that demonstrates what happens to the  belly with this type of breathing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-_NNCrrdus

Monday Move: Dedicated to the Diaphragm

Last week I started a Monday Moves Series on the breath.  This series was inspired by the studies that Mike Reinold used in his blog post about breathing disorders.  The first study he quoted basically showed that the muscle activity of the neck increased while the muscle activity of diaphragm and the abdominals decreased while performing a simple daily activity like typing.  Breathing with increased neck muscle activity and decreased abdominal muscle activity leads to shallow breathing.  Since shallow breathing was designed to be more useful to us when a bear is chasing us, it stimulates the sympathetic nervous system (aka - the fight or flight response).  Although this is subtle, being in a constant state of fight or flight can have other effects on our overall health and well-being.

Now that you have observed your breath a couple times in the constructive rest position (see last week's blog post) let's name some of the players in the breathing team.  The diaphragm is definitely a major player.  This muscle transverses and divides the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity.   It is almost as though it has double sided tape on it, sticking the neck and belly cavities together.  When it contracts on the inhale it expands and pushes down on the belly cavity below. On the exhale it returns to its relaxed position which is a concave, parachute looking position.  This video gives an excellent 3D view of the movement of diaphragm.

So as you can see in the video, the diaphragm is a muscle.  It is part of the inner core unit.  We just tend to forget about it's function because we don't think about breathing (until we see studies that tell us we have adapted to our daily activities in a way that might be leading us to breathe in a less optimal way).  Also, we tend to forget about this muscle since we don't see the direct movement of this muscle like we can see the direct movement of other muscles. For example, as you perform an arm curl you see  the effects of the sliding together of our bicep muscle filaments because forearm gets closer to the upper arm.  However, as we have seen in the video due to the relationship it has with the cavity below it does push the organs downward during an inhalation.  Through contraction of the diaphragm fibers, the diaphragm lowers and the pelvic floor and stomach muscles widen (more to come on these players in future posts) in order to receive the organs.

Eric Franklin says "Breathing is the simplest thing in the world until you start thinking about it and analyzing it."  Which I find is so true!  The goal of today's move is to just visualize the movement of the diaphragm.  Return constructive rest position.  Set your cell phone timer for 3-5 minutes.  And as you close your eyes try to visualize the movement of the diaphragm.  When you breathe in, the muscle filaments slides together contracting the muscle which pushes down on the organs below.  When you breath out, the muscle filaments slide apart the diaphragm stretches and widens.  Do this visualization exercise for 10 to 12 breaths.  Then forget all breathing visualization and just feel the breathing until the timer goes off.

Monday Move: Full commitment to the Exhale

Life has been pretty unsettled over the last few months, but now I have reached a slower season and am returning to my Monday Move blog posts.  My imagination was ignited to post about the breath when I saw this posting on Mike Reinold's webpage about breathing pattern disorders.  Yoga is all about movement and the breath.  The third principle of Alignment Yoga is "full commitment to the exhale."  The two studies that Mike quoted in his article about breathing pattern disorders show that for us Westerns this principle of full commitment to the exhale is lacking in our daily life activities.  Here is Mike's review of the two studies:

• Two studies that document the correlation between breathing and some of our daily activities.
• In one, the study examined typing on a keyboard and showed that EMG activity of the scalenes and trapezius increased and thorax and abdominal activity decreased while typing.  Perhaps this is a primitive reflex but it causes us to breathe more shallow, with less diaphragm, and with more upper chest and neck.  Since we all likely spend a good chunk of our day typing, this is very prevalent.
• In another, the study showed that people held their breath, increased their respiratory rate, and experienced sympathetic arousal when sending AND receiving text messages.

After reading about the first study Mike mentioned and thinking about how much I sit at the computer made be want to jump start those breathing muscles that might not be fully turning on during my daily activities.  So for my next few Mondays - I am going to be dedicating some serious time to the breath. 

First things first.  Let's start today with just observing the breath. The first action is non-action. Lie on your back in Constructive Rest Position (see above picture).  Start here for 3-5 minutes.  Try not to manipulate or control your breath.  Evaluate and observe the breath, just as a physician evaluates a part of the body that might not be working properly, observe your breath. What body parts move as a result of the inhale?  What part moves as a result of the exhale? Where does your grounding come in this position?  Can you tuck your shoulder blades underneath you more to get more connection with the earth, or grounding, through your shoulder blades?  No crazy tricks of the trade today...just breathe.

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What I have been up to

In going with my theme of 31 ways to challenge myself/make myself a little uncomfortable, I have signed up for  couple of classes.  I dropped some serious money on an online medical biochemistry class, but I am balancing that out by taking some free MOOCs online.  What is a MOOC you ask?  MOOC stands for "Massive Open Online Class."  Right now, I am enrolled in a class covering Primary Health Care taught by a professor at Johns Hopkins University.  At present, 14,510 persons are enrolled in the course.   My classmates are from all over the world. 41% are from North America, 15% from Europe, 15% from Asia, 16% from Africa and the Middle East, 15% from Central and South America, and 3% from Australia and New Zealand. At our midpoint update, it looked like about 1,200 of us are now on track to complete all the assignments.  Did I mention this is free???    Check out Coursera Online...who knows you might even find a class that interests you.  

Our first few lectures covered the Declaration of Alma Ata. The document was written in 1978 as a way to set out on achieving health for all.  We also have heavily reviewed Dr. Carl Taylor's work who pioneered primary health care programs in India and China.  We were asked to right a paper on Dr. Taylor's work and I thought I would share it with you.  It might seem a little bit out of context, but maybe these 400 words or so can give you a better idea of work that is going on all around the world.  I hope to once again get back on my Monday Moves postings next week.  Enjoy!

The work of Dr. Carl Taylor demonstrated key principles that support the goal of “achieving health for all.”   Maintaining a community focus and a comprehensive method to providing primary health care are key principles in the horizontal, community-based primary health care approach.  Dr. Taylor demonstrated in his lecture that these principles of primary health care can be traced back in history.   

The horizontal approach to primary health care includes a community focus.  Dr.Taylor seemed to be urging for more community focus in not only his lecture but also in the programs that he developed such as the Seed-Scale.  His interest in community-based primary health care seemed to be more about “people rather than numbers.”  Current horizontal programs such as the Tiyatien Health Project incorporate this community focus into each level of their programming.  By training “front-line workers” in the remote, rural areas of Liberia, individuals in the community are trained and then partake in the program implementation.  Dr. Taylor spoke of how ancient systems utilized this community approach.  The people in ancient Babylon would bring the sick in a bed to the square and people from the community would give advice on how to improve their health.  This example demonstrated the focus of the community in the historical roots of primary health care.

Another principle of primary health care that Dr. Taylor reiterated is the need for an integrative and comprehensive approach.  This principle was also demonstrated in the  ancient systems that Dr. Taylor discussed.  For example, the traditional Indian system of  Ayurveda which translates to “the science of life” is both preventative and holistic.  Dr. Taylor used this example to demonstrate how different cultures not only have established health systems but that the ancient health systems also utilized a comprehensive approach to health care.  This integrative delivery of primary health care has a stark contrast to the selective systems that typically bring interventions that are strictly disease focused.  Horizontal campaigns like Jamkhead Comprehensive Rural Health Project include educational interventions and community development to improve the overall health of the community.  Jamkhead also demonstrated this integrative approach as it seeks to tackle the “first causes” of health care through education and training.

At times the magnitude of the problems can dishearten even the most passionate of people.  When reflecting on her experience working with orphaned children in Uganda, Katie Davis said that  “sometimes working in a Third World country makes me feel like I am emptying the ocean with an eye dropper.” As each person is asked to assess and analyze what his or her eye dropper could be in achieving health for all, it will be important to remember these two principles taught in Dr. Carl Taylor’s lecture and in his life work.

Monday Moves: The Brugger Cog Wheel

Today's Monday Move picks up where we left up with posture.  It is really a thought with a great picture that you can apply to any seated position.

Alois Brugger, a Swiss neurologist, demonstrated his concept that there is an interplay between the spinal segments with the cog wheel model.  If you think about the segments of the spine acting like a cog wheel you can see the effect that one direction has on the other.  It also demonstrates the Phyics principle: "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction."  You can see the difference in actions between the two pictures and also see the different outcome.

Simply grounding down through the sit-bones, can cause a reaction of a lift chest bone bringing one to a more upright posture.  Also, it seems like using this method exerts a whole lot less effort than the typical way we react when we are told by our mothers to "stand up straight."  This concept is not a new one.  But I think the model that Brugger created gives a great picture for us.  It reminds me of the first principle of Alignment Yoga - grounding.

Now you're turn.

31 Ways to be Uncomfortable

In honor of my 31st year, I am going to try to come up with 31 ways to get out of my comfort zone.  This is the place where I grow.  I am not made to get comfortable yet I get comfortable in life and my walk with the Lord so easily.   I am going to be on the look out this year for ways to get uncomfortable.

I saw the cutest movie this weekend with my friend Bronwen (aka - Bee).  It is the one with Matt Damen called "We Bought a Zoo."  One of my favorite quotes from this movie was that "it only takes 20 seconds of courage."  And after that a whole life can change or world can change or belief can change.   I am going to shoot for at least 620 seconds of courage over the next year.  I might not blog about every event.  But I hope to share what I learn from these little challenges as they come up.  Here is my first uncomfortable situation.

Signing up for a 5K.  It is not that a race or competition is all that foreign to me.  I have been known to sign up for any competition that keeps a score.  The thing that made me uncomfortable about this situation is that I have not been running.  I know how many injuries can result from improper training.  I thought I was heading directly towards this long list of overuse injuries because I was not prepared....at all.  I could list all the reasons why I am not running but that is besides the point.  I was just going to the race to hangout with some friends and because on that Saturday morning there just wasn't much to do.  I began to see the worst possible scenerio in my head when we got to the race and found out it was actually a 5 mile race instead of a 5K.  I figured I would be walking across the finish line, but since it was such a beautiful January day in Western Tennessee - I just couldn't say "no."  I started with Bee at approximately a 11:45 minute mile pace.  We had good conversation going and at the 4 mile mark, I was still feeling pretty good.  In fact, I was feeling GREAT.  So I picked up the pace and was pretty much amazed that my body was able to finish that last mile.  This made me realize in broad daylight that when I put myself out there, I may just be surprised at the outcome.  Sometimes I can over analyze to the point that I can talk myself out of just about anything.  But in my own calculations I tend to forget or have no ability to predict the amount of grace that my good Father will pour out over my endeavors.  I don't control it.  I can't earn it.  It just shows up.  It is a gift. Whether I see it or not.  Whether I receive it or I don't.  Whether I am thankful for it or not.  It is all grace.

I am not recommending jumping into just any race with out the proper training.  I think the boring ways that I get my cardio workouts in such as hopping on the elliptical for 30 minutes or swimming a few laps each week and spinning on the indoor bike contributed to the success of this race day.  But I know that it's all about grace.  And that I tend to forget this variable when I am making those big life decisions and also those everyday choices that make-up a life.

2012 in Review

It's the eve of my 31st birthday, and I just can't help looking back over all the blessings I have been showered with over this past year.  I must recap.

January 2012:  I turned 30!

I loved the twenties.  Since my twenties included a lot of stories about trying new things - they also included a lot of stories about starting over.  So far the trend of starting over has held true for my thirties as well.

My end of a decade celebration started at one of my favorite Madison restaurants with some of my favorite Madison people.  By far the best burger lives at the Old Fashion.

Then I left my twenties behind and flew to Nashville to celebrate with some of my dearest friends.  We gathered together for the hottest Nashville wedding of the year.  It was so great to see Marisa as a bride.  We got to roast her with a little farewell to John Mayer and hello to Jeff Pardo toast at her rehearsal dinner.





February of 2012:  Back to school.

February is cold in Wisconsin.  This year I kept warm by firing up my brain back in the classroom.  Always in search of a challenge, I figured jumping back into the classroom would do for now.  During February, Emily and I had many study dates.

March of 2012:  I got to meet my favorite author.  

Shauna Niequist has been my favorite authors since my friend Bronwen gave me her first book Cold Tangerines.  When I read her books, I feel like she is my best friend and that she gets me and my ups and downs and can put them to words way better than I can.  When I heard she was coming to Madison to speak at a conference our church was putting on, I decided to do whatever it took to meet her.  Needless to say, I had a little built up expectation about this first meeting.  Right when I saw Shauna, I went right up and introduced myself...even though she was talking to someone.  She was gracious and funny, just like I had imagined.  Well, we didn't exchange numbers, and she didn't see me and want to set me up with her brother (yes, this thought had actually crossed my mind).  But during her talk she spoke some words that might have helped change the course of my year.  She challenged each member of the audience to take charge of their own inspiration.  I had never heard "The Man in the Arena Poem" until she read it that day.  After hearing her talk, I began to ask myself and the Lord some different questions.

April of 2012:  What Would You Do if You Had No Fear?

After Shauna's talk, my head was spinning.  Another book came along called, "What Would You Do if You Had No Fear?" and from there I was looking for a chance to explore.  In April, I was accepted to volunteer on the  YWAM Medical Ship and the planning of my trip began.

May of 2012: Pacific Coast Highway.

My cousin was getting married in Southern California and my friend Cheryl lived in San Fransico, thankfully there is a road that connects these two places.  The week before the wedding, I got to meet Cheryl and see her life in San Fran.  When she went to work, I rented a bike and biked across the Golden Gate Bridge and other parts of the city.

Then I met Caro and we started our trek down to Laguna Beach.  Of course, we made several stops along the way.  Stopping at the breathtaking views of Big Sur was my favorite spot.

 We made it to Laguna, and Kt said, "I do."

One of my favorite moments from this wedding was catching Granny's face on camera after the Best Man's toast.  If you would have been there, you would understand why she had such a big smile on her face.

June of 2012:  My time at UW came to an end.

June 29th was my last day as a UW employee.  It was such a privilege to spend 5 years with such great people.  Since it was such a great "first job" for me, it was very hard to move on from this place.

July of 2012: A garden in paradise

I left the US on July 4th and my first stop was in Northern Queensland at the Kanjini Co-op.  See my blog post from July for a full review of this week working on a farm in Australia.

August of 2012:  "I want to live"

Hands down, my favorite moments of the year occurred on the YWAM Medical Ship.  If you look at any of my "signpost" blog posts or any posts from August or September, you can get the whole story.  A friend in Madison summed up the trip as  "doing reverse piracy."  Yep, in the most naturally beautiful place I have ever seen.  Serving for the most beautiful people I have ever met.

September of 2012:  Do I really have to come home?

Ten weeks was really not long enough.  I begrudgingly got on the plane home on September 17th.  And I do admit, it has been good.  In a different kind of good way.  If my 10-week adventure was the mountain top, the time back has been the valley.  But I truly want to believe that the valley experience is where you grow.  The valley is where convictions form that will last.  The valley is where you have to fight to believe the Truths that were revealed to you on the mountain.  Thankfully, God has provided an amazing family that has supported me since I have returned.

October of 2012:  You can take the girl out of the South...

This month I did a tour of the Southeast.  I got to soak in some quality time with family and friends and share as much and as often as possible about my time in PNG.   Around this time I decided to set up my home-base back in the South.  As the author of this Southern Living article wrote:

"Moving back South is something Southerners do."

 I am not sure how long this stint in the South will last as every other thought jumps to what is next.  But for not, it is right where I am supposed to be.

November of 2012:  Reunited

I just love Madison.  The vibe, the flavors and most certainly the PEOPLE.  It was a blessing to go to this second home for 3 weeks at the end of October and November.  Thankfully, God provided a job in Atlanta, otherwise - I still might be living in Kate's basement.  I can't wait for my next visit.

December of 2012:  

It has been a highlight of my December to be back in the athletic training room.  This current job has been just the challenge that I needed right now, but it can't beat getting hugs from the two coolest kids I know, my niece and nephew.  

I really can't believe all this has happened in one year.  I am so thankful that following Jesus day by day is an adventure.  May there be more moments of living in this expectancy next year and less moments of living in fear, doubt and unbelief.  May He lead each of us to "ponder anew what the Almighty can do" as we all get started with 2013.