Fellowship Wellness
Physical Management routine suggestions
-Qi Gong-
When I received my cancer diagnosis my stress levels went through the roof. The months that followed were filled with a flurry of doctors visits, scans and tests, and multiple surgeries. Through all of it I used a few techniques to bring my stress levels down to a some what manageable level.
One of the techniques that helped me greatly was suggested by my partner, Rebecca. A massage and craniosacral therapist, as well, she's very body and mind health conscious. So her suggestions carry some weight.
Qi Gong, pronounced Chee Gong, is a low impact exercise. It's quick and easy, and more importantly it helps break the cycle of despair and negative mindsets. Give it a try.
-The Big Six-
Another daily exercise that I do Is the Big 6. There are plenty of different videos available to watch about the big six but the process is the same. Six super easy low impact exercises to get and keep the lymph system flowing properly.
I was diagnosed with cancer last year and this exercise helped me to feel a bit better physically but it also gave me a sense of empowerment. That I could do more than just wait for the doctors to fix everything.
I cant say for sure if these exercises have done much on their own as I have made multiple lifestyle changes to deal with my diagnosis. But I can say that since I have I have more energy and balance. Now, I am one year cancer free.
Alphas: Adventurous spirit
or toxic scourge
Researchers in Yellowstone National Park discovered an intriguing reason why some wolves become Pack Leaders. Gray wolves exposed to Toxoplasma Gondii are more than 46 times more likely to become a pack leader than uninfected wolves.
Toxoplasma Gondii is a parasite that causes the disease toxoplasmosis. The researchers identified associations between parasite infections and higher risk behaviors in both males and females. The researchers hypothesized that the infection could lead to gray wolf packs being led into higher risk areas. Previous research has identified associations between "T" Gondii infections
and increased boldness in hyenas.
American biologist L. David Mech was the researcher who coined the term "Alpha Wolf" in the 1970's. He wrote multiple books about the subject of grey wolf biology and social frameworks.
However, with more research over time professor Mech has had to rethink the phrase he created all those years ago. Since then he has spent the rest of his twilight years trying to correct this mislabeling of grey wolves social structure.
The rise of "alpha culture" in modern western society has made his job exponentially harder.
Dr Robert Sapolsky is a neuroscientist, primatologist and professor of biology, neurology, and neurosurgery from Stanford University.
In his early field studies of baboons, he observed one troop for many years. One day tragedy struck the troop under Sapolsky's watch.
The troop while out scavenging discovered a hunting camp's garbage dump, and within a few years all of the troops dominant aggressive males died of tuberculosis.
This event led to some fascinating unexpected shifts in the troops social structure and behaviors.
How bodies store trauma
Acclaimed psychiatrist Bessel van der Kolk, author of “The Body Keeps The Score,” discusses the widespread existence of trauma and how it manifests in our bodies.