All posts filed under: Meditation

Checkers and Chess

Published by Colin Nanka

Forced anxiety helps you grow. I was taking a break in Bryant Park next to Salesforce Tower NYC and sat down in an area designated for games (lots of kids!) and a mature crowd playing Chess. There has been some great chess movies over the years, that highlight youth learning to play in speed chess. As I watched these two veteran players, the speed (and corresponding time tracking device they hit after each move) they played at was amazing. They were putting one another under pressure, under forced anxiety as they pushed to win the match. After playing the same game (Chess) every game, BUT never playing the same configuration, they recognize opponents moves and are able to react faster, think many more steps ahead and learn from mistakes with post opponents. How can you put yourself into more forced anxiety situations with the safety net of camaraderie behind you? Colin

Mindfulness for Kids

Published by Colin Nanka

“Shhhh we are relaxing and being calm” says no kids.  We stayed with friends this weekend in Toronto and got to spend time with their kids. Other than getting woken up at 7am, not our regular rise time on weekends, we had a fabulous time.  After brunch with their extended family on Sunday, the 7 year old Avery wanted to know what the meditation headband was about I was using when she came to say hello that morning. I explained what it was, and how to use it and so we set her up to try it out.  After 3 minutes listening to Ocean waves she said she felt calm and relaxed. So did her cousin as she tried it next.  Pictured above are both of them sharing an ear bud each listening to calm music. Just prior they had been running around with other cousins in typical chaotic morning fun.  Kids seem to appreciate the quiet time too. A few min of calm brought them down a notch and mindful.  Sleep stories can be …

Blades of Grass

Published by Colin Nanka

Hello from Provence, France! Four years ago I was working on my breath training in yoga. I was also working on balancing out the muscles in my legs and back strength. One of the exercises I focused on with my yoga teacher was “half moon pose”. Using a yoga block I would place it 6 inches in front of my front foot, which I grounded and stretched my back leg straight behind me. I would take my arm and stretch it up above me to open up the chest and stretch out the fascia in my body. I could barely hold the pose, and poorly a few seconds at a time. This was a practice for breathing, balance and strength. When I saw myself on film it really hit home how far I had to go. Seeing from another’s point of view really gives perspective. I usually practice once a week during my stretching day. To slowly improve over time, check my progress and remember to breath as I open the pose. This week while …

Calm In The Storm

Published by Colin Nanka

I started dabbling with meditation 5 years ago. I went to a meditation class on recommendation from a friend. It was great, I felt relaxed and calm during the session. 6 months later I tried another one. 6 months after that our yoga instructor took us through a meditation body scan. Again, great. I continued to enjoy the meditation session in yoga every few months. Another year later I attended an all day meditation retreat in Santa Cruz, CA with a couple friends. A rejuvenating experience. Then 6 months later I tried an online app. I started with 5 min a day, three times a week and grew from there. Using a competitive, gamified, simple and easy to use approach, I slowly started to improve and grow my calm time. That was the start of 2016. By half way through the year I was at an average of 10-15 min per day. By the last few months of 2016 I was at 20 min per day. Based on the success, the impact and calm meditation …

Frozen Eggs

Published by Colin Nanka

I woke up one morning this week while on the road.  I finished my meditation and headed down to the gym, got on the bike for a quick sweat and back up to the room for a shower, quick bite, pack and leave for the airport.  I had ordered an omlette the day before and it was huge.  So, I ate half, and put the other half in the fridge.  I had one brought up (the one in the room didn’t work) to keep my liquid probiotics cool.  Part of my travel routine. The attendant plugged it in and asked me how cold I wanted it.  I said medium.  I expected it to be cool.  When I went to grab the eggs out of the fridge the next morning, I noticed a really cold feeling sweep across my hand.   It was really cold!  The eggs were…frozen!  What?? How frozen?  Rock solid!  So, I put them on the table and thought maybe they would “thaw” while I packed up and showered. No chance.  So, for a …

Chop Wood, Carry Water

Published by Colin Nanka

I share this quote with a couple of my alumni every once in a while, to keep them thinking and poke some fun at their and my progress.  When it was first shared with me, I didn’t know exactly what it meant. I had another ah ha on it this morning.  I started my day with 20 min of meditation.  The goal is to increase the amount of calm time or the % of time you are calm, vs. neutral or an active mind.  My meditation device from Muse measures this. I get better at it every week.  On any given day, the mind can be distracted or really calm and the focus during the session is to keep the calm or reduce the activity. I have had some truly amazing calm sessions.  Upwards of 85-95% calm!  What does it feel like? Like taking deep breaths that pulse from your lungs and bring a blue calm across the center of your forehead. This morning, unexpectedly I surpassed a new milestone.  I’ve been as high as 98% calm …

4 Meditation Keys I Learned While Training in Antarctica

Published by Colin Nanka

I’ve heard about the benefits of meditation for much of my life. Five years ago, I tried to get into it. I went to local classes and yoga. I even did an all-day retreat. As much as I tried, I couldn’t translate these experiences into my non-Namaste life. My breakthrough came at the start of 2016. I tried an online app and started with five minutes a day, three times a week. The app is easy to use and keeps me engaged with fun, competitive games. After six months, I was at an average of 10-15 minutes per day. In the last few months of 2016 I was at 20 minutes per day. How has meditation made a difference in my life? And more important, what can it do for you? I notice small changes throughout my day-to-day. But recently I had a huge challenge I was able to overcome thanks to my meditative routine. I love to run extreme marathons. For 2016, I joined up with 60 other crazy runners to take on Danko …