Up at four this morning to practice what I am calling “Hā Walea,” a technique of mindful breathing I am working on.
We have been working so much over the last several years, and not being mindful of our health, that unhealthy habits and practices have grown. Over the past decade I have developed type II diabetes, and stage two hypertension.
I sleep under such tension that my dentist tells me I grind my teeth all night. I’ve actually shattered some of my teeth and had to have them pulled!
Over the past year I have managed to get my diabetes under control through exercise and dietary changes.
The blood pressure (averaging around145/103) has not come down so easily. It has taken adding a third component to get my BP down.
I’ve tried many techniques, but none really worked for my lifestyle. But one early morning I could hear Aunty Nona’s voice, “Dahling! Remember your basics! when you have difficulty, always go back to your basics! Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.”
So, I began working on my hā, breathing the way she taught us for hula. So simple! Why did I ever mislay that?
I still let myself stress, but I am getting better.
This am, I awoke with a BP of 136/88, which is just below stage 1 hypertension. After a 20 minute session of Hā Walea my BP is now 119/78, right at the top of normal. No medications.
If you would like to join me in this journey to hula back to health (Or as one friend calls it “Leilehua’s Ol Fut Remedial Hula”) I would be honored.
Participating in Hā Walea and warmups is free.
Gather 11:00 am Mondays in the lobby of the Naniloa. This class is on hold until after the Christmas holidays. It will resume 9 January, 2017.
