serious health or fashion risks

Good Morning,

Recently, I sat listening to my Buddha teacher Gil as he taught a meditation class to a room full of people new to meditation. He started fielding questions from the beginners when...

One woman with an edge to her voice said, basically, hey you little weasel why don’t you grow a pair and come down off your little Zen cushion! If you’re offering yourself as an expert in this meditation business, why don’t you give us something we can use like YOUR story!

He had one minute left in the class to tell her his story and the lessons he's learned in his 30 year history with Vipassana & Zen Buddhism.

He then pulled out the most masterful tool in the master teacher's toolbelt...he turned it back to her!

(oh this should be good)

If I may, can I show you how this works? He said...

"I'd like to, if i may, turn it around a bit and the question here might be to ask yourself what inside you makes it so you feel [right now] you need to ask this question?"

She was livid. Above the murmur you could hear the barely restrained anger in her voice…"SEE YOU AREN’T EVEN ANSWERING MY QUESTION!

Your avoidance proves to me your ignorance on this topic!"

waoh...when i asked Gil what this was all about!???? what do i do if someone ever attacks my credibility like that?...he told me i should breathe...

i don't think he's ever wanted to be a personal trainer.

I did not write "The Book on Personal Training" but I am reading it. i have a goal to become certified as a personal trainer putting my years of dedication and practice to a better use.

Not surprisingly i'm finding "The Book" was not written for scholars. After you get through the basic building block chapters (muscle anatomy and physiology) the rest is pretty much common sense.

"The Book on Personal Training" says it's important to identify and stratify potential clients. says it's good for business.

I've been lookin around...i say that's a bit harsh. most people walk through the gym doors a little self-conscious about the "junk in the trunk" already. they don't need trainer's walking around with the FAT stamp or VERY OBESE!!!

okay, anyway here's my list of potential clients so far. i've chosen to classify based on serious health or fashion risks...(and to practice what i might say : )

client 1- the guy who keeps giving himself a wedgie

solution: it's important not to have the fitness short stuck in the butt. Consider switching from cotton (which might cause chaffing) to a lycra-cotton blend. this will be more slippery and hopefully not get stuck as bad. you might also consider wearing underwear.

client 2-anyone wandering aimlessly in black socks and white tennis shoes

solution: Make sure the color of your socks does not match the color of your fanny packs or lifting gloves. Lifting gloves come most often in black, i've also seen them in blue, green, red and on occasion pink (...with socks to match). let's avoid this.

client 3: Dear elderly Asian man...

Long sleeve button up shirts and sweats pants is an okay look for the hospital but perhaps a little too formal for the gym

solution: Along with any medications you are taking please bring your fitness clothes to your first meeting with the trainer. set goals to determine when you should be wearing them.

client 4 Fabulous and 40’s –women in tight fitting leotards…you are liberated and happy with yourselves or just do not care...fabulous

solution: Along with any medications you are taking please bring your fitness clothes to your first meeting with the trainer. set goals to determine when you should be wearing them.

client 5: Misfit people like me...e.g., always wearing the same old sweatshirt

solution: patience. Auburn sweatshirts are always okay to wear.

sorry so long and rambling today.

Happy Monday

Amanda