What Are Your Health Goals and Obstacles?

Here is a sample portion of an assessment I use when beginning work with clients on their health goals. My objective is to assist clients in designing a training that becomes something they want to do, enjoy doing, and continues to provide enough value that it is integrated into their daily life. To create a practice that serves these purposes, we look at goals, skills, interests and obstacles.

When you contemplate mind/body training, what do you hope to gain? Typical answers are:

• Increase Strength
• Increase Flexibility,
• Increase Endurance
• Decrease Tension/Stress
• Increase Energy
• Enhance Sports Performance
• Body Sculpting/Toning
• Improve Fluidity of Motion
• Improve Mind Focus
• Improve Breath Control
• Improve Balance
• Enhance Creative Expression

Reasons people give for not being physically active – do any apply to you?

• Its hard work
  
• I am usually too tired
• Weather is too bad
  
• I do not have anyone to exercise with me
• I am overweight
  
• There is no convenient place
• I do not enjoy exercise
  
• I am afraid of being hurt or falling
  
• Exercise is boring
  
• I do not have a safe place to exercise
• I do not have the time
• I am too old
• I have no endurance
  
• I have a health condition

You can overcome your obstacles by focusing on your goals and observing how each practice you cultivate helps you to achieve them. Once you understand and feel the benefits of daily movement, mind focus, and breathing techniques, you will want to do them daily.