Like many of the great talents out there, Martha McCallum wears several hats. Titles include master herbalist, yoga instructor, hiking guide and Hakomi Psychotherapist. She is the artist of her own life and boy has she created a cool one for herself! As a helicopter hiking guide, she enjoys the best of the Rocky Mountains every single week. When she's not out in nature, she's helping others live mindfully through Hakomi therapy. How did this cool lady score such a cool lifestyle? Well, she let that inner voice guide her, even when it wasn't exactly clear where she was going. In fact, there was a time where she felt scattered, like she was hopping from one thing to another. Nonetheless she trusted that inner knowing and followed what felt peaceful, what felt right. Heeding to the gut-brain (aka. heart, inner wisdom, organic body....take your pick) is the heart of Hakomi therapy. Listen in to learn about what Hakomi therapy is and how you can use it to tap into your inner wisdom.
Key Nuggets:
- Stress is harmful and is the root of innumerable physical ailments. You already knew that though. So here's the real kicker: Our thoughts alone can trigger our stress reactions (ie. flight or flight)
- This means that your negative thoughts are harming more than just your mood
- Mindfulness can help alleviate your negative thoughts and in turn keep you healthier in mind, body and spirit
- We aren't granted a line of sight for how our lives will pan out. That's why you may be teemed with life worries such as "How does it all come together??" "How do you know??"
- Well as we learn from this episode (along with many previous episodes), you already know. It's not exactly provided to you the way that you want to know - like I mean, I Ydon't know if you'll be the next singer/songwriter sensation, and you don't know either. But your inner knowing will guide you to what your next best move is. You just need to listen and allow life to unfold for you.
- That leads to Hakomi Psychotherapy. A mind/body tool to help you get deeper into mindful living.
- It helps you tap into your body's inner wisdom and get good answers from your own body about areas of discomfort or stress. If these answers are coming from your inner wisdom/gut feeling, it help you replace negative thought patterns with more positive ones.
- Start by getting to know your inner yes. Choose what feel most peaceful, most right. Use it for choosing even the small things like what to eat for breakfast. It will help you strengthen the gut feeling.
- It can also help to remember the times that you just knew you had to do something. What did that feel like?
- Our thoughts are getting in the way. Just like clutter in our car or our offices, we should clear the clutter from our minds. We can connect to the place where we feel love, peace….once that clutter is gone (ie. Meditation)
- A strong meditation practice on the mat will allow you to better calm yourself off the mat when faced with adversity
- Ex. Not bursting out in responsive anger
- Mindfulness is when you are living each moment on purpose
- Mindfulness exercise that you can do throughout the day: have an experience and observe yourself in your experience at the same time. If you're stressed, watch the stress happening while it happens
- Practice tip: just keep coming back to present, rework your negative thoughts to ones that feel good
- Martha's favorite Einstein quote: “the rational mind is a faithful servant, the intuitive mind is a sacred gift”
One of Your Biggest Lessons So Far:
You are the artist of your life. Listen to your inner wisdom and use it for choosing what you do or don’t do. It will give you directions for the most peaceful, most right path.
Links:
If you have any questions for Martha or want to learn more, connect with her through:
Websites: marthashelihikes.com, feelyourbest.info
Email: Martha@marthahelihikes.com