Life Does Not Have A Remote

Do you KNOW you need to make some changes to be healthier?

Do you WANT to make some healthy changes?

Are you READY to make some changes to be healthier?

Simply KNOWING and WANTING to make change is unfortunately not enough. More importantly -You must be READY!

Do you know why you make the choices you do? How READY are you to change? Could the key to sustainable change start with you spending time observing and learning about yourself and your preferences? Taking time to really gain an understanding of how you got to where you are today, then moving toward a clearer picture of where you’d like to be.

Life does not have a remote.

Are you READY to get up and make a change and choose a healthy path yourself?

Do you need to "Adjust" the volume?

As a Health Coach, Mindfulness Yoga Teacher and Massage Therapist; I coach my clients to be aware and “Tune In” as our bodies “Talk’ to us our entire lives… through pain, stomach discomfort/digestive issues, skin irritations/rashes, muscle restriction, joint stiffness, chronic sinus issues, sleeplessness etc.

This may require small or large changes in how you care for your personal health and wellness.

The body is designed through functional movement and chemistry to work synergistically. When there is an imbalance -anywhere is the system… your body will let you know. Sometimes its necessary to take a Pause … Tune in… Listen… Adjust.

What is Mindful Movement Really?

As a licensed massage therapist specializing in chronic pain for almost 20 years I felt there was a need to bring a form of yoga to many of my clients. Massage therapy is beneficial for many, especially those dealing with chronic pain.  However, what I’m able to offer as a massage therapist in a session, is short term.

… retain / regain movement function typically lost with aging and chronic pain.

I’ve been suggesting yoga to my clients who are typically between the ages of 40 and 75, equally male and female.  Most of them are dealing with some form of chronic pain including frozen shoulder, scoliosis, neuropathy, disc herniations, migraines and joint replacements to name a few. 

The response from my clients when I’ve suggested trying yoga has been… “there’s no way I can do yoga, I’m not flexible, my body doesn’t move like that”.

 I decided to focus on developing a type of “Mindful Movement” program that was inspired by some basic yoga poses.  The intent is to assist my clients on improving the quality of their lives by sharing ways to move daily to manage some of their chronic pain when they’re not in a massage session with me.

• Participants are diverse in age, gender and abilities.  Use of the chairs has been an important aspect for some, especially as we have been focusing on balance and stability. 

• Each session begins slowly with mindful breath work. 

• We then moved into a series of movements to warm up joints and various muscle groups to increase movement and flexibility. 

• A flow of a standing yoga poses, with chair modifications for those in need is where we pull our movements together. 

• Sessions end with additional breath work and a short meditation.   The overall focus is on being mindful of posture, movements and intention of activity, emphasizing how beneficial even gentle movement can be daily.

What people are saying:

-my shoulder pain is 75% better immediately after class and continuing on.  

-thank you for the session this morning, it lifted me physically and my spirits.

-this is exactly the movement I was looking for, not too little, not too intense.

-as you know I have always been resistant to going to yoga classes for many reasons. however, you have made your class such a safe place to practice yoga regardless of ability.

Pace yourself

When we move too quickly or jump from one step to the next, we risk stumbling, falling and becoming stuck. We then have the natural tendency to become frustrated, overwhelmed and may stop moving forward all together.

In the same manner if we move too quickly through making healthy choices, there is little opportunity for those choices to become healthy habits.

A series of small steps will take you where you want to go; each of them provide the balance and support to take the next step.

Healthy Self - Heal Thy Self

When you start taking care of yourself, you start feeling better, you start seeing yourself better and you start getting healthier.

You are choosing to live better, and choosing not to simply exist.

As we age, the more personal responsibility we are able to take; the greater the results and the more truly golden are the retirement years.

Do you know why you make the choices you do? How READY are you to change? Could the key to sustainable change start with you spending time observing and learning about yourself and your preferences? Taking time to really gain an understanding of how you got to where you are today, then moving toward a clearer picture of where you’d like to be.

What are you drawn to?

Opioid Alternative - Chronic Pain Management Update for NYS

As a wellness professional for almost 20 years, I have specialized in supporting my clients in managing chronic pain through Therapeutic Massage, Healthy Lifestyle Choices and Yoga inspired Mindful Movement sessions.

Consider why you stopped...

You’ve had success in the past. Things were going well. You were feeling good had more energy and less brain fog. You were sleeping through the night and waking ready for the day. You lost a few inches and pounds. You were more active and simply healthier than today.

What happened? What healthy choices did you stop making?

• Did you start saying YES to everyone and everything - and NO to yourself?

• Did you stop planning your meals before going for groceries?

• Did you start skipping meals?

• Did you start snacking more on convenience foods?

• Did you change the amount of water you were drinking?

• Did you stop taking supplements that were filling the gaps in your nutrition?

• Did you get caught up in social media and begin spending less time moving?

• Did you let your self-care routine slip away?

Being healthy is about having a kind, supportive, caring and nurturing relationship with yourself.

You made your relationship with yourself a priority in the past. You can do it again. You may not need to be searching for something new… return to the routine and choices that worked before.

Curious about working with us?

Hear what our clients are saying about working with us.

What direction should you go?

Mediterranean? Keto? Vegan? Vegetarian? Intermittent fasting? Low-Glycemic?

These are just a few and there are so many more “diet approaches” to choose from! How do you know which to try or is right for you? Before going down one path or another; consider these questions honestly. Changing eating habits is hard enough -Don’t set yourself up for self sabotage and failure by not planning and making a solid decision on which path to take.

• What is you goal or objective? Losing weight? Getting healthy?

• Does it fit into your current lifestyle? Meals made at home? Food ordered in? Dinning out?

• Is it flexible? Or is it ridged and based on extreme restrictions?

• Is it sustainable? Is it for a lifetime of habits? Or a quick fix?

• What is the financial cost involved? Is that sustainable?

• Do you have regular access to the food?

• How much time is necessary for preparation? Are there time saving options?

• What is your motivation for choosing one over another?

• Is it based on counting, measuring or recording consumption?

Your success will be based on the results of an honest assessment of these questions. No matter which approach you decided these items should definitely be part of your path:

• Sustainable

• Balanced food groups

• Flexible - because life happens!

• Based on non-processed food choices

• Mostly real food choices -not made in a Factory

• Proper hydration

• Cost Effective

• Well supplemented to cover the gaps in nutrients

• An approach that is coupled with physical activity and restorative sleep.

Who’s path are you on?

What are your food triggers?

Some are harmless. Some are mild annoyances. Some are a bit overwhelming. Many are habitual. Some are food based. Some are based on certain places or people. Some are rooted in certain activities or situations. Some can be addressed by changing a current choice for a healthier one.

We all have them. Can you identify yours?

Wine with Pasta

Pizza with Wings

Dessert with Coffee

Beer with Pretzels

Chips with Dip

Our attitudes reflect in our health and well-being

We all need reminders, nudges or words of motivation to focus on what we have, what we have gained and what is truly important.

A serving of empathy and humility will guide each of us through process… and improve the health and wellness of our mind, body and spirt.

• Healthy - take sometime to think about it

• Healthier -take sometime to write it down

• Amazingly Healthy for you and another - take the time to demonstrate to another

Studies have shown that shifting our focus toward gratitude can have long lasting health benefits as we age.

How do YOU demonstrate GRATITUDE ?

Definition: the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

How do YOU demonstrate EMPATHY ?

Definition : the ability to understand and share the feelings of another; to be with and understand others' emotions. To hold space for another unconditionally.

How do YOU demonstrate HUMILITY ?

Definition : the ability to be confident in your decisions, and not need or desire others to pay attention to them. To do what needs to be done without explanation or fear of judgement.

Re-steady your Balance

Being healthy is about Balance.   The most practiced yoga teacher cannot hold a tree balance pose constantly. Somedays are easier than others. Its about making small adjustments to "re-steady" our Balance. The more practiced you are at re-steadying yourself -the more habitual it will be.  

Small adjustments help us re-steady and find balance.

Approach to Sustainable Change

A productive approach to sustainable change…consider the positive habits you already have concerning a healthy lifestyle and amplify those behaviors.

Change that is motivated by fear, guilt, regret or a desire to fix a perceived weakness often leads to negative a self-defeating cycle in which we try and fail and keep being reminded of what is not working.

Focus and build on the positives, leave the negatives behind.

Everyone Feels Anxiety at Some Point

Manage anxiety with mindfulness.

Mindfulness is about focusing on the present moment and being fully there. You can practice this while sitting still, or it may be easier to start with guided breathing or a yoga or meditation session. With practice, mindfulness can help you redirect or quiet the anxiety.

Curious on how to begin simply? Start by closing your eyes, now observe your breath by focusing on an inhale and then an exhale, repeat. Become aware of the areas of your body that move by your breath. You have just been mindful and fully in the moment.

It takes practice, there is no perfect, no judgment.

Mindful Movement -Anxiety and Mild Depression

Anxiety and mild depression tend to interrupt the ability to focus…

The delivery of Mindful Movement provides an opportunity to gently realign the thought process and promote awareness of quieting the mind, simply listening, and moving.

Mindful Movement facilitated by Rebecca Albert, LMT INHC RYT200 of Body Be Well Solutions is a yoga-inspired program designed for those interested in a physical experience to maximize movement and increase body awareness. We work through various movements and focus on mindful breath to improve balance, focus, strength, and mobility.

Does aging always equate to having pain? Your Choices & Mindfulness

Why is it that we ignore the small discomforts in our bodies and don't respond until we're in full blown pain or have lost the function or ability to do something?

As we age, many shrug off small messages coming from our bodies as simply aging. However, what if we started paying attention to those subtleties?

A mindful part of aging would be to respond and be in the moment with curiosity about the discomfort that we're experiencing.

Consider an example if we are experiencing chronic shoulder pain and it turns out that pain is our dominant hand that we all hold our cell phone or our mobile device with. That particular position is chronically causing repetitive strain on those muscles.

Potential solution -put the mobile device in another hand when the discomfort or the tiredness in the arm is experienced; take a stretch or even put the device down for awhile to allow for rest.

Respond instead of delaying and waiting for full blown pain and loss of function and the need to react!

Hello! I'm Rebecca.

What support can I offer you?

I am a Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach- I have studied 100s of different dietary theories, practical lifestyle management techniques, and innovative coaching methods. I recognize and appreciate, one size does not fit all when it comes to making healthy choices. I practice a “whole person” approach to healthy habits by embracing your current preferences and guiding you through change for alternatives.

I am a Licensed Massage Therapist - I am familiar with the aging body and the chronic pain associated with it, I understand the limitations this causes in physical activity.

I am a Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher -I don’t teach headstands or other intense yoga poses, I teach moving mindfully and create mobility where stiff achiness generally resides.

I am a Wellness Consultant -I am aware of the impact that too much or not enough of certain things cause imbalance in our bodies and ultimately our health.

I have been a successful participant with losing and managing weight-loss -I have personally experienced the Mind over Matter struggles with changing habits.

I am familiar with depression, anxiety and their associated mood and health effects -I understand that everyone is unique and requires a different type of support.

I am familiar with Diabetes, Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Eldercare -I am intimately aware of the challenges life brings at times, and am able to provide approaches to managing self care.

I am a wife, mom, stepmom, gramme, daughter, caregiver, friend, introvert, excellent listener with the ability to ask thoughtful questions and provide empathy, feedback and make connections between choices, habits and identifying the impacts on one’s health.

I am on this journey as are each of you…life with it twists, turns and …. well all the things.

Mindful Movement for Young Dancers & Moms too!

Many struggle with the mindset of not being flexible…

Resulting in lost opportunities of fully experiencing the simple movement of the body. Mindful Movement carefully takes participant through a series of stretches of mindfulness to promote each to being the best version of their own body no matter the size, shape or age.

Mindful Movement is a yoga-inspired program designed for all ages interested in a physical experience to maximize movement and increase flexibility. We work through various movements and focus on mindful breath to improve balance, focus, strength, and mobility.

Mindful Movement is offered by Rebecca Albert, owner of Body Be Well Solutions. Rebecca is a successful local Massage Therapist, Health Coach and Trauma- informed Yoga Teacher.

Special offering - “Delaney Schroer Dance Special” - 10 sessions $100 purchase now through 09/01/2022

bodybewellsolutons.com / 716-316-2511

A Shift in Perspective

Not sure how long ago I came across this, or even where I did. But it seems whenever I need to make a slight adjustment on where I’m going or what I’m focusing on… I stumble across this.

Strange how what we need, is generally right there when we need it… everything happens for a reason.

One day a professor entered the classroom and asked his students to prepare for a surprise test. They waited anxiously at their desk for the test to begin. The professor handed out the question paper, with the text facing down as usual. Once he handed them all out, he asked his students to turn the page over and begin. To everyone surprised there were no questions… Just a black dot in the center of the page.

The professor seeing the expression on everyone’s face, told them the following; I want you to write what you see there. The students confused, got started on the inexplicable task. At the end of the class, the professor took all of the answered papers and started reading each one of them aloud in front of the students. All of them with no exceptions, describe the black dot and its position in the middle of the sheet. After all, had been read, the classroom silent, the professor begins to explain -

I am not going to grade you on this, I just wanted to give you something to think about. No one wrote about the white part of the paper. Everyone focused on the black dot, and the same happens in our lives. We have a white paper to see and enjoy, but we always focus on the dark spots.

Life is a gift, with love and with care and we always have reasons to celebrate..  nature renewing itself every day, our friends around us, the job that supplies our livelihood and the miracles we see every day. However, we tend to insist on focusing only on the dark spots, health issues that bother us, the lack of money, a complicated relationship with a family member, the disappointment with a friend etc.

The dark spots are very small compared to everything we have in our lives, but they are the ones that pollute our minds. Take your eyes away from the dark spots in your life. 

Synergy with Others

We are not going to always agree with everyone.  We are not going to have the same beliefs.  We are not going to have the same goals.  We are not all going to have the same experiences. 

One cannot spend energy helping another, without finding an even larger benefit for themselves.

Look for and recognize the good in others -ultimately find the best in yourself.