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Soul Surfing!
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"You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf."
- Jon Kabat-Zinn
Don't miss our weekly inspirations below!
This week, The Weekly Beet is back in the water, reporting from the epic swells of the Atlantic Ocean. Mary Kent goes surfing, revealing the benefits that riding waves can have on the body and also the soul.
Is it a religion, a sport, or maybe just a way of life? Known more for being a lifestyle than a sport, surfing is one of the most rewarding 'experiences' that truly addresses all aspects of the mind, the body, and the spirit. From paddling to riding goofy foot, surfing can be labeled as a sport in that it keeps the body in physical check, while keeping the mind in present perfection. However, it's truly more of a lifestyle in that lovers of the surf carve out a world of their own that definitely reaches far beyond the moments spent riding epic waves. For starters, surfers have their own lingo (check out the Riptionary to see for yourself), they have a serious appreciation for nature, and they even have a philosophy that borderlines the spiritual words of the gurus from the Far East.
But, perhaps it's simply that surfing brings out the authentic lifestyle that we are all meant to live: an energetic connection between ourselves and Mother Earth. This is evident as the 'rider' can easily feel at one with the force of the wave during a surfing session. As wind, tide, and topography of the seabed all synchronize to produce the perfect swell, dedicated surfers incorporate skill, balance, and definitely a bit of weatherly luck to mount the board and ride out Mother Earth's barrels as they come crashing toward the shore. Paddling back out, a surfer recreates the experience over and over to feel the incredible connectedness that surfing provides. And, yet somehow the experience of the session doesn't just end at the beach. Surfers recount stories of their rides forever, keeping these memories tucked deep within the energies of their soul. That's soul surfing to the max and that's what we call unBEETable!
Here's what riding the big waves can do for your lifestyle! Surfing helps:
- Increase muscle strength in arms and legs.
- Enhance balance and stability.
- Promote heightened awareness.
- Increase intelligence and improve critical thinking.
- Enhance relaxation, allowing the surfer to totally be in the moment.
- Increase happiness.
- Keep humility levels high.
Interested in adding a little surf to your life? All you need is a board (long or short depending on the waves), a rashguard if you're a chick, some surf wax, (our favorite is Sticky Bumps) and some epic waves to ride out into the sunset! Learning the art of surfing takes practice, time, and lots of patience so don't give up if you're not standing tout de suite (right away). Here are a few things that will help buff your bod to surfing perfection:
 - Swimming. Helps build muscles needed for paddling through those crashing waves!
- Running. Awesome cardio-vascular workout and the perfect land exercise to complement surfing!
- Weight Lifting. Rows, tricep extensions, and front should press build upper body strength!
- Pull Ups. Builds arm strength essential for paddling.
- Yoga. Strengthens, aligns, builds, and stretches the body. Increases flexibility!
- Meditation. Helps to quiet the mind.
It's a must to be in excellent shape to experieince surfing. Click here to increase your surfing performance in less than ten minutes.
It's swell to surf! Everyone should try it! Don't miss a Beet. Stay tuned for next week.
Love,
Mary Kent
PS. Mary Kent is wearing rash guard by Carve Designs and surfboard by Bing.
PPS. Check out Mariel Hemingway, Actress & Author of Healthy Living from the Inside Out, on Ladies Who Launch.
"The Weekly Beet is simply exciting! Never before has Alternative Medicine been
researched and presented in such an 'upbeet' way."
- Dr. Andrew Weil
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