On January 21th 2012 my sister was transferred to ICU in Ottawa with a critical health issue which nearly took her life away.
After spending 8 days in a highly stressed environment, I felt scared, confused and peaceful all at once. It is like my fear of losing my sister has come to reinforce my acceptance and understanding of the laws of impermanence and detachment. During the time I visited her at the hospital, I nervously felt like filling up a gap with answers and reassurance to feed my mind. Because of the overwhelming nature of the situation, I also had to let go of all the scenarios about what could or what would happen to her if...
When pushed outside of our comfort zone, we as human being always try to search for an answer, a lesson to learn, or a meaning. I don't understand? Why me? What is happening? The truth is, life doesn't need to justify itself, nor it needs to give us reasons for creating, maintaining or destroying. Nobody knew exactly what happened to her. Even the most qualified doctors didn't have all the answers.Our ego mind excels at searching, wondering and questioning in an infinite loop until we fall into a maze.We must welcome the reality of our life whatever it is we are facing, like we breathe in and out automatically. It is the fastest way to free ourselves from suffering. Retained feelings and painful memories can be toxic to our mental health . Like our lungs release carbon dioxide, and allow oxygen to nourish our body, the mind has to process the same way what he lets in and out. Most of us have coping mechanisms to deal with personal issues Exercising , communicating, and creating, are some of the possibilities to channel in a positive and a constructive way the negativity generated by a trauma. But what if coping is not sufficient to alleviate the psychological and physical effects of a traumatic experience? When I was waiting at the hospital for my sisters to wake up, I tried to meditate, to talk to people, or to entertain myself, but none of this actually worked at that time. Then I decided to allow the void within, without trying to fill up the blank. My sister inspired me, when I observed her trusting intuitively the process of her serious situation, as she surrendered to life with no attachment to outcome, as she surrendered to the void. How much do we truly know about ourselves until we stop hanging on to our intellect and our certitudes to rule our existence? The void is the infinite solver of all questions, because there are no response to be found, nothing to understand or to grasp. From that space, I found just enough serenity within to help me keeping mental clarity during this time of confusion. It seemed to be the secret path which lead me to stay in the "here and now". It is a short bypass to avoid the trials and tribulations of the ego mind, often on a quest for irrevocably, continuously and compulsively trying to explain what is not always understood.
Zenergie is a private fitness studio owned and operated by Christian Heno, BCRPA-Certified Personal Trainer, martial arts instructor, and practictioner of Tui-na, traditional Chinese massage. Zenergie's professional staff specialize in working with both the body and mind to enhance health, improve fitness, and restore capacity in our clients.
Friday, 16 March 2012
Friday, 9 September 2011
Going back to the genesis of Zenergie.
After being a professional in the fitness industry for the past 25 years, I consider myself very fortunate to make a living from my healthy lifestyle. My passion for sport fitness and overall wellness comes from a long way. As far I can remember, I have always been physically active playing soccer and practicing Martial arts. One of my best inspiration was my father, who as a good mentor, and even a better doctor, used to tell me, that the most important thing to be healthy, was to make sure that the body and the mind remain balanced: "men sana in corpore sano". He also talked to me about mental and physical homeostasis.
Since the age of 4 years old , I would spend quite a bit of time following him around, when he was doing his martial arts , and his meditation practice.He would also take me often to his clinic where he would show me anatomical charts of the human body. His motivation to teach me about anatomy was combined with spiritual and metaphysical lectures about the meaning of life. Such as "our time on Earth is short, so we should use it meaningfully to help others". Most of the time I didn't care about his long speech. As a young boy, I just wanted to go play outside with my friends. Much later, I have realized that most of what he has told me, has stayed deep inside my mind, even up to this day.
As a Physician, he was a big advocate of treating his patients using natural medicine, combined with conventional treatment. He used to tell me that the body has its own healing mechanism, and we have all it takes within us to heal without using too many drugs. In the 70's, he opened one of the first clinic in France where patients could be treated with Homeopathy , Acupuncture, Manual therapy and Western medicine.
It was unconventional, and very risky at that time , especially in France. My whole family and I were also treated for years, when needed, with his method of health .Forty years have passed, and nowadays many Physicians commonly integrates alternative treatment into their practice.
At the age of 21 years old, a terrible event rocked my life. The passing of my dad left me empty and lost. What do you do as a young man when suddenly the pillar of your life disappears? This big hole had to be filled up one way or another.Without my father around as my mentor and my educator , I was forced to realize that I was now the creator of my own life.
We cannot control our life's challenges, but we can at least control how we cope with them. I have learnt many great things from my dad , but he never taught me how to live without him. Probably because he thought, that he would be looking after us forever.
Zenergie was born in my mind, the day I felt that I had to use the knowledge he gave me to start reconstructing myself. The timing was perfect to put into action what I was taught. That is what I called later in my self defense program , "Making the best of a bad situation". Each challenge in life is an opportunity to grow.
When the body or the mind is hurt, there is a natural order of healing that we shouldn't try to interfere with.
Acceptance is the key to a better and a faster recovery. Recognizing the damages caused by a trauma is the hardest , most of the time we tend to resist to the fact that we are hurt .But what we resist always persists, so learning acceptance is crucial.
Being in the NOW was another thing that my dad taught me .In order to allow healing within us, one must try not to revive the memory of suffering from the past.
Staying connected to the HERE and NOW concept was a big savior for me. I remembered how my dad used to sit quietly in Meditation, recovering from a long day at work. So I decided to start meditating. Trying to pacify my nervous mind, and to control my shallow breathing, was a big challenge for me.But after few months, I could find more peace and serenity within.
During that difficult time, I met a Chinese doctor who helped me out with Acupuncture and Qi gong. One day, he gave me some Acupuncture needles and prescribed Qi gong exercises, and he told me" I want you to practice on yourself, when you are not feeling well, do these points and you will feel better " So very methodically, I practiced the acu points on my body, and I did the Qi gong .I was able to deal by myself with minor anxiety symptoms. By being in charge of my own health, I felt more and more convinced that I could heal much faster. Fascinated with my Chinese doctor's eastern knowledge of the human body and mind , I decided later to go back to school, and in 1994 I became a Clinical Acupuncturist.
Reconstructing yourself , is called "Pro-active rehabilitation" , which means that you become actively involve with your own health. From an "inactive patient" you become "actively impatient to heal".
The body often feels weak and vulnerable after you have lost a loved one. It's like all my physical energy was sucked in by the grieving process. So I needed to regain my physical strength. I was 23 years old, when I took a membership in one of the local Fitness center of my home town.. Each day, I would show up for my work out , and after few weeks, I begun regaining muscle and cardio strength quite fast. It is amazing how much the body can remember, when it has been trained for a long time.We say that the mind has a memory , but so does the body.
Looking at my great progress, the fitness owners recommended me to apply to the National school of sports and fitness to become a Fitness instructor. In 1987, I registered to take the program, and I graduated in 1989. Three intensive years, where I was able to learn physiology, anatomy, methodology of training for special population. All the students from my class and myself shared the same passion; which was to stay fit and healthy, so we could help others.
Zenergie is more than a business , it has been a way of living for me for over 2 decades. It is has now become a concept which combines various health related services to help people seeking better health. I have applied in my life and in my work, the knowledge I have received from great teachers and mentors.They all said the same thing " Courage, determination and commitment are the 3 treasures of personal growth". That's true, we most often learn and progress physically or psychologically through hard work and dedication.
When my clients come to me with their own personal needs, seeking better health or trying to cope with an illness, I know that I can make a positive difference into their life. Because I was once in their situation, I can understand them better through my own experience.
Over the past 4 years, Zenergie has attracted other professionals who have added quality to the company. Together, we have built a strong connection based on a similar philosophy of wellness, which has created the true spirit of Zenergie.What connect us, is our desire to motivate, inspire and educate everyone who wants to engage in the path of better health.
Since the age of 4 years old , I would spend quite a bit of time following him around, when he was doing his martial arts , and his meditation practice.He would also take me often to his clinic where he would show me anatomical charts of the human body. His motivation to teach me about anatomy was combined with spiritual and metaphysical lectures about the meaning of life. Such as "our time on Earth is short, so we should use it meaningfully to help others". Most of the time I didn't care about his long speech. As a young boy, I just wanted to go play outside with my friends. Much later, I have realized that most of what he has told me, has stayed deep inside my mind, even up to this day.
As a Physician, he was a big advocate of treating his patients using natural medicine, combined with conventional treatment. He used to tell me that the body has its own healing mechanism, and we have all it takes within us to heal without using too many drugs. In the 70's, he opened one of the first clinic in France where patients could be treated with Homeopathy , Acupuncture, Manual therapy and Western medicine.
It was unconventional, and very risky at that time , especially in France. My whole family and I were also treated for years, when needed, with his method of health .Forty years have passed, and nowadays many Physicians commonly integrates alternative treatment into their practice.
At the age of 21 years old, a terrible event rocked my life. The passing of my dad left me empty and lost. What do you do as a young man when suddenly the pillar of your life disappears? This big hole had to be filled up one way or another.Without my father around as my mentor and my educator , I was forced to realize that I was now the creator of my own life.
We cannot control our life's challenges, but we can at least control how we cope with them. I have learnt many great things from my dad , but he never taught me how to live without him. Probably because he thought, that he would be looking after us forever.
Zenergie was born in my mind, the day I felt that I had to use the knowledge he gave me to start reconstructing myself. The timing was perfect to put into action what I was taught. That is what I called later in my self defense program , "Making the best of a bad situation". Each challenge in life is an opportunity to grow.
When the body or the mind is hurt, there is a natural order of healing that we shouldn't try to interfere with.
Acceptance is the key to a better and a faster recovery. Recognizing the damages caused by a trauma is the hardest , most of the time we tend to resist to the fact that we are hurt .But what we resist always persists, so learning acceptance is crucial.
Being in the NOW was another thing that my dad taught me .In order to allow healing within us, one must try not to revive the memory of suffering from the past.
Staying connected to the HERE and NOW concept was a big savior for me. I remembered how my dad used to sit quietly in Meditation, recovering from a long day at work. So I decided to start meditating. Trying to pacify my nervous mind, and to control my shallow breathing, was a big challenge for me.But after few months, I could find more peace and serenity within.
During that difficult time, I met a Chinese doctor who helped me out with Acupuncture and Qi gong. One day, he gave me some Acupuncture needles and prescribed Qi gong exercises, and he told me" I want you to practice on yourself, when you are not feeling well, do these points and you will feel better " So very methodically, I practiced the acu points on my body, and I did the Qi gong .I was able to deal by myself with minor anxiety symptoms. By being in charge of my own health, I felt more and more convinced that I could heal much faster. Fascinated with my Chinese doctor's eastern knowledge of the human body and mind , I decided later to go back to school, and in 1994 I became a Clinical Acupuncturist.
Reconstructing yourself , is called "Pro-active rehabilitation" , which means that you become actively involve with your own health. From an "inactive patient" you become "actively impatient to heal".
The body often feels weak and vulnerable after you have lost a loved one. It's like all my physical energy was sucked in by the grieving process. So I needed to regain my physical strength. I was 23 years old, when I took a membership in one of the local Fitness center of my home town.. Each day, I would show up for my work out , and after few weeks, I begun regaining muscle and cardio strength quite fast. It is amazing how much the body can remember, when it has been trained for a long time.We say that the mind has a memory , but so does the body.
Looking at my great progress, the fitness owners recommended me to apply to the National school of sports and fitness to become a Fitness instructor. In 1987, I registered to take the program, and I graduated in 1989. Three intensive years, where I was able to learn physiology, anatomy, methodology of training for special population. All the students from my class and myself shared the same passion; which was to stay fit and healthy, so we could help others.
Zenergie is more than a business , it has been a way of living for me for over 2 decades. It is has now become a concept which combines various health related services to help people seeking better health. I have applied in my life and in my work, the knowledge I have received from great teachers and mentors.They all said the same thing " Courage, determination and commitment are the 3 treasures of personal growth". That's true, we most often learn and progress physically or psychologically through hard work and dedication.
When my clients come to me with their own personal needs, seeking better health or trying to cope with an illness, I know that I can make a positive difference into their life. Because I was once in their situation, I can understand them better through my own experience.
Over the past 4 years, Zenergie has attracted other professionals who have added quality to the company. Together, we have built a strong connection based on a similar philosophy of wellness, which has created the true spirit of Zenergie.What connect us, is our desire to motivate, inspire and educate everyone who wants to engage in the path of better health.
Thursday, 16 June 2011
We are the change
Hello all;
What happened last night in Vancouver was a pure reflection of individualism. Most young people do not know how to connect collectively with each others anymore, and when they do, they lose control. It is not a recent problem, but it is rising in intensity.Our youth is sad and lonely, and the only way for them to express it, is to create violence.The black blocks, the Skins parties, the raise of suicidal rate among youngsters, are manifestations of this internal violence, who is unheard. 'Without a compass, one cannot find its heart" This old chinese proverb means that without any ideal , any vision or a dream, we are lost.
It is exactly what is happening to our youth . No compass, no path to follow. The proof is, that It took only a hand full of thugs to ignite downtown, but as I was watching TV until 2 am, I realized that the few trouble makers had multiplied into larger groups. Most of these kids who were involved later, didn't even seem to know why they were fighting. No compass.
We live in a modern society where ME tends to be primary and WE secondary. Me me me! Most people don't listen, most people don't communicate from heart to heart, from soul to soul. Cell phones and computers have taken over.Our world of communication has become anti communicative. Our youth needs to be heard from the heart. Hockey like any other mass entertainment activities is a catalyst which concentrates for a short period of time an enormous amount of energy. When trapped for too long, it can be devastating. Alcohol and drugs only help to unlock this energy within each individuals. But don't be fooled, it is not the drugs and the alcohol which is responsible for the chaos we saw last night. There are only suffering masking substances . No compass.
I have a beautiful boy who is now even more scared of the world that he was before, how am I suposed to make him feel more secure, if as a father I do not take action to be the change in my world. We are the compass. I have heard today that 15 .000 people have offered their help to clean downtown. I would like to do that for my boy, and for our kids, to show them that the majority of us walks to the light, and care for each others.
If you resonate with my words, come and join me. Let's get organized and all go together to clean our city. ONE ACTION is better than a 1000 words.
I don't want to appear too cynical, so I apologize in advance to those who think that I am .This is my point of view, and I invite you all to share your opinion with me
I wish you all a great day.
Friday, 10 June 2011
Improving our health care system
For the past 20 years I have nurtured the idea that Canada would become a world leader in medical care by making alternative health and fitness services tax deductible or, covered by our medical system. The project to socialize our health care is aimed at not only improving the health of our population, but also to aid in a better economy for this sector of business.
Nowadays, most political debates are about how to pay for health care, and do not address the other problem that is rising, which is the need to redefine the fundamentals of health care. The world has the belief that health requires outside attention only, which it does, when the body or the mind are ill.
For centuries, other cultures have included in their health care system the concept that good health is partly the result of living in harmony with the universal laws. Healing occurred inside the body, and most outside intervention will not make you healthier in the long run if your own self healing mechanism (immune system) is not conditioned to respond, or doesn’t adapt fast enough to an illness.
Conventional treatments do have a positive impact on the body, however they would be more effective if people with special considerations would be given as a complementary service, "customized health prevention programs" geared to reinforce their vitality.
These would include, lifestyle changing habits such as diet- exercises- and stress control methods...
One of the key work of Traditional Chinese medicine is to explore ways to increase internal resistance, so the body could resist harmful influences more effectively. ( Yang shen fa)
By embracing this principle, funding educational programs would be fundamental and essential to our health care system which could emphasis "practical" health prevention.
Canada has already moved forward in this direction and has stated to provide programs based upon this principle. These programs need to be more available to the people who need them the most (our children- our elderly, the sick people and specially the low income population). Re: Social health care system.
My belief is that the role of the integrated health and fitness industry is to search for more health alternatives to insure Canadians a healthier lifestyle.
The most cost effective option would be a health care system that teaches us how to remain in good health until we are elderly and how to prevent illness. Integrated health and fitness services with an emphasis on strengthening our healing system should be a part of the medical care system. This, in the long run will save our population money because in many cases the body can heal itself, or, at the very least, improve its health.
Empowering the people and giving them the tools they need to be in charge of their own health is our ultimate goal. What they know about their own health now, is what will keep them healthier in the future.
Friday, 6 May 2011
About healing...
We all know how much life's challenges can affect us all. For many years, I have wondered why do we feel so exposed when we are going through life transformation ? After experiencing deep suffering myself few times in my life, I am convinced there is ALWAYS a stable and strong presence within us, when trapped in the middle of chaos and confusion,. Surprisingly, being exposed and feeling vulnerable seem to have the potential to release our inner strength.
It is our higher self steadily waiting for us at the end of the tunnel. At any critical point in our life, and in any circumstances, it is there for us. We shouldn't have any doubt about this. To access it, we need to fully accept the situation we are living, and completely surrender. Some will call it FAITH; I call this recognition of the divine within you. We must look at our life's challenges as a journey, and not a destination, to encounter who we truly are .Which is our sacred part who will guide us through healing process.
Experiencing physical or emotional suffering shouldn't be taken as a life sentence, but only as a conduct. The circumstances and the consequences of our diseases are less important than the attitude we use to approach them. The key is to focus on our inner strength to cope with any challenging situations, and not so much on the outcome of a problem. Our clear intention to heal will ignite our power within, which in fact, is the engine to find better health.
If we pay too much attention to the manifestations of an illness, we lower our vibrations to the level of fear and worries. Sooner or later we will dissociate to the past or to the future. We need to remain in the moment, here and now, in fusion with the present, if we want to regain control of our health.
Before we can allow healing in our body and mind, we must make it very clear that we want to be freed from suffering. Worries and fear act are like toxins, they create a shield between us and what we need to accomplish in order to heal. It is essential to acknowledge that fear and worries are there, but one shouldn't let them leading the way. The question is how do we stop them from interfering with us? Simply by accepting them as they are (nothing really!) without resistance. What we resist always persist. We are not our fear, it is simply an illusion.
Saturday, 23 April 2011
Easter, Spring, Renewal
Good Morning Everyone,
This weekend is Easter. Religious or not, the metaphor is strong: rebirth, renewal. It is a theme that one cannot miss in the bounty of beauty that we see everywhere we go on a fine morning like today.
I am reminded of the "renewal" that I witness daily, year round in my personal training, self-defense and massage clients. Independent of age, gender or capacity, each person in their own way, at their own pace experiences renewal.
As I work with both the body (personal training, yoga, Qi-gong, Tui-na massage) and mind (meditation, breathing, Yang Shen Fa) of my clients at Zenergie, I bear witness to renewal in both of these hemipsheres of our being.
Clients have overcome cancer, depression, loss of capacity and far more than can be listed here. But the thread of continuity that weaves together all stories of recovery is the idea that body and mind are inseparable. To work with one without the other, to pay attention to one without the other - is really not possible. Even if there is no conscious intent to renew the mind, it follows that mental function, for example, improves through regular exercise. Meditation, although a subtle mental practise, weeds out bodily stresses, and often the aches and pains that accompany a stressful life melt away as relaxation infuses the body.
Renewal and rebirth are the result of paying attention to one's physical and mental well-being. It is almost automatic that one follows the other. And the process begins with the first step. It may be as simple as taking a half-hour walk each day where relaxation, mindfulness and breathing are the focus. Try it for yourself for four days in a row. Pressed for time? Start with 15 minutes of a walk in your own neighbourhood in the evening. See how you feel the next day.
I am always grateful to witness the progress of renewal in my clients. It inspires me and confirms my belief that conscious living through healthy choices is the most powerful medicine we have.
Thanks for reading,
Christian Heno, Owner
Zenergie Holistic Health and Fitness Studio
This weekend is Easter. Religious or not, the metaphor is strong: rebirth, renewal. It is a theme that one cannot miss in the bounty of beauty that we see everywhere we go on a fine morning like today.
I am reminded of the "renewal" that I witness daily, year round in my personal training, self-defense and massage clients. Independent of age, gender or capacity, each person in their own way, at their own pace experiences renewal.
As I work with both the body (personal training, yoga, Qi-gong, Tui-na massage) and mind (meditation, breathing, Yang Shen Fa) of my clients at Zenergie, I bear witness to renewal in both of these hemipsheres of our being.
Clients have overcome cancer, depression, loss of capacity and far more than can be listed here. But the thread of continuity that weaves together all stories of recovery is the idea that body and mind are inseparable. To work with one without the other, to pay attention to one without the other - is really not possible. Even if there is no conscious intent to renew the mind, it follows that mental function, for example, improves through regular exercise. Meditation, although a subtle mental practise, weeds out bodily stresses, and often the aches and pains that accompany a stressful life melt away as relaxation infuses the body.
Renewal and rebirth are the result of paying attention to one's physical and mental well-being. It is almost automatic that one follows the other. And the process begins with the first step. It may be as simple as taking a half-hour walk each day where relaxation, mindfulness and breathing are the focus. Try it for yourself for four days in a row. Pressed for time? Start with 15 minutes of a walk in your own neighbourhood in the evening. See how you feel the next day.
I am always grateful to witness the progress of renewal in my clients. It inspires me and confirms my belief that conscious living through healthy choices is the most powerful medicine we have.
Thanks for reading,
Christian Heno, Owner
Zenergie Holistic Health and Fitness Studio
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