Be aware. Be safe.

Big shout out to Tony Thompson, partner and owner of West Coast Tae Kwon Do, for teaching a great “assault awareness” class this past Sunday.  Some people tell you they care while others are willing to show you they care by challenging you, and investing the time in you to bring out your very best. That's Tony. He is a big powerful man with a big smile and gentle demeanor.

Last week a young girl, Sierra LaMar, was abducted from our town of Morgan Hill.  Morgan Hill is a small community that tries to maintain its hometown quaint “feel”. The story has shaken all the families in our town and left parents confused.  For that reason, our friend, Tony offered to teach a few girls in our community assault awareness techniques.

Being aware of your surroundings and maintaining an assertive mindset is very important, in any situation.

After the initial giggling from the girls at the discomfort of the physical contact during the drills, the realities began to sink in.  Many girls froze when grabbed and others where far too gentle.  Tony helped them get through their timidity and use force.  He also taught them to be intentional in their mindset by having them repeat ,"I will escape".

Although, the class was designed for teen girls, I learned some key tools too.  Tony taught us to get in the habit of scanning.  Always scan from left to right.  Notice people, exits, and furniture or items in the room.  Scanning your surroundings is the first step toward assault prevention.  Often teens are distracted with phones, iPods, or friends and they don't notice potentially dangerous people or situations.  Teach your kids to scan when you enter a grocery store, restaurant, or parking lots.  Make it a game and a normal thing that you do.  I often ask my children after walking through a parking lot, "so how many people did you see in the parking lot and what did they look like?"  We act like it’s a fun detective game.

Tony taught the group ”5 key escape techniques”.  I have been to many self-defense classes that are a bit overwhelming with techniques that I forget how to do them but the techniques Tony taught were easy to remember and use.  And Tony is so smart, he asked each girl to choose one technique and promise to practice it everyday for 21 days.  Tony says if you practice anything for 21 days straight it will become a habit.

Although, I can't teach all the 5 escapes on this blog I highly recommend that you find an assault awareness class in your area.  The abduction of Sierra LaMar was a big wake up call for many families; having some key escape techniques and being aware of you surroundings is invaluable and can empower you not to live in fear.

If you want information on workshops that Tony teaches or about West Coast Martial studios, send me an email and I will forward your request.   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Live abundantly healthy!!  Be safe!

Denise Locsin

72 Year Old Woman Rocked My World

I met her, the woman I want to be when I grow up.  She was silly, she was playful, she was spontaneous, she was inquisitive, she was courageous and she didn’t care what people thought.  Was she real?  Or did she just cross my path to show me how this life is done?

Her name is Jeanette.  I met Jeanette on my flight home from Philadelphia.  The Southwest flight was full and I was moved from the seat I originally chose, and that is how I found Jeanette.  The first thing she said to me was, “Now you want to sit with us because they don’t want to be your friend”.  I laughed and the fun began.  I sat between Jeanette and her husband (who was equally warm).  He wanted the window and she wanted the aisle.  Besides, they figured they were going to be together for 10 days so a little distance away would be nice.

I wish, wish, wish, I could tell you every story and adventure about her life that inspired me.  Jeanette currently lives in Philadelphia with her husband and dog.  Her three boys are all grown up and is just part of the reason why she came to California.  She also came because, Jeanette lives and works in Yellow Stone National Park during the summer months and hikes everyday while there.   She has some amazing stories of bear encounters, coyote sightings and campers being silly.  Jeanette tells about how she use to run the bell choir at her church for 10 years, even though she couldn’t read music and had no musical experience.  She figured they needed a conductor and “how hard could it be if you just learn one note at a time?”  I love it, she lives with courage and adventure in the biggest and the smallest of things.

Jeanette said she has a goal to hike 100 miles per month. “Hike?  Where do you go hiking in Philadelphia?”  I asked, “Around my neighborhood.” she replied,  “What is the difference between hiking and walking?  Inclines! Isn’t walking and hiking the same thing, just different terrain and different environment?”  Yes!! ‘Aha moment’.  Walking is cute, but hiking is a sport (really the same thing, but a change in mindset).

The second ‘aha moment’, which I hate to admit, is “the secret is in the calendar”.  Jeanette says you must track your miles on a calendar otherwise you have no motivation because you can’t see what you have accomplished.  Don’t make it complicated just get an ordinary calendar and write the number of miles in the box.

The greatest inspiration I got from Jeanette was to live this life with adventure and fun.  So, get your pedometer and start hiking!

I wish you all the best and have an inspired day!

Create Your own Spa Day Experience this Valentines Day!

Does Valentines Day conjure up feelings of love and appreciation or disappointment and loneliness?  I think Valentines Day is a day to recognize the people you love with a simple “Happy Valentines Day” wish or some type of celebration.  But, the one we often neglect to appreciate is ourselves.  It may seem silly, but by celebrating your life it rubs off and you make everyone around you feel happier.

This February my birthday came and went, but this year I did something totally different.  Now that I am in my 40’s I realize I want to savor life a little more, and not run so fast as time slips by.   On this 42^nd birthday I spent the entire day getting to know me.   We often spend so much time working, and taking care of everyone else that we forget to take care of ourselves.  Taking care of ourselves helps us manage all our other responsibilities with more energy and a better attitude.  You got to re-charge your batteries once in awhile.  What better time to do that (without guilt) than on your birthday.   I am giving you an example of my spa day.  I hope it inspires you to have your own spa day or simply do something really fun for yourself this Valentines Day.

After my family wished me happy birthday I was off for my adventure.  I started by listening to a book on CD about an autistic man.  This book helped me get perspective on how the mind works and how not to take life so seriously.

9:00am yoga class at Downtown Yoga Shala in downtown San Jose.   I was looking for something really authentic.  It was a wonderful experience and the atmosphere was very warm.  They have a large selection of classes and I highly recommend the studio.

11:00am Still taking my time as I drive calmly with no rush to get to my destination.   I ended up going to Oakridge mall to walk around until Cheesecake Factory opened.  Instead of shopping to accomplish something I shopped to just look at things and people.  Fun!

11:30am I enjoyed a wonderful lunch by myself.  The Chicken Luau salad at Cheesecake Factory is excellent and beautiful.

1:30pm appointment to Colon Hydrotherapist.  Yep, I had a colonics session for my birthday.  New Breathe of Life in south San Jose is wonderful.  Beautiful music and comfortable atmosphere.  I walked out with a flat tummy and feeling relaxed.  Having a series of colonics is a great way to detox and heal the gut.

On my way home I stopped to have my car washed. Finally!  I envy those people who always have a clean car.

3:00pm Of course, what better way to feel beautiful than to have your nails done?  The people at Lavender Nail Salon in Morgan Hill are so nice that they made it a wonderful experience.

By 4:30pm I had to go home because I was wearing those silly slippers they give you at nail salons after a pedicure.   I snuck into my room for a wonderful cat nap.

I ended the day by going to dinner with the family to CreAsian Japanese restaurant in Morgan Hill.

This was a wonderful birthday.  It felt like I created a Canyon Ranch Spa experience right here in our own town.  If you happen to have a free day and can indulge a little create a spa day for yourself.  It is not so much what you choose to do, but how you allow your mind to relax enough to notice everything around  you.   If you don’t have an entire day then take a few hours to relax, recharge and remind yourself all the wonderful things in our life.

· Here are some other suggestions to add to your spa day experience:

· Walk on a park walking trail

· Visit a university campus to walk around

· Visit a zoo

· Take a Zumba class

· Try a new dance class. I was looking into Halanda Bellydancing  Studio in San Jose.

· Get a massage

· Visit a new gym

· Journal write at a local coffee shop

· Of course, my favorite healing place – the beach

· Have lunch at a Whole Foods Market

· Hang out at a bookstore

· Schedule a tour of PacBell stadium

· Pick some books or books on CD at local library

· Try Acupuncture

The list is truly endless with ideas to make your spa day wonderful.  What better time to pamper yourself than Valentine’s Day.  If you have a special someone you can include that person in you wonderful spa day experience.

Have fun it is well worth it!

Denise T. Locsin

:)

Welcome to Hi5 Health Network! We are so glad you are here.  This online community was designed with you in mind.  The question we asked ourselves was, “how could we help people make their journey to great health easy, fun and effective?”  So, here is what we’ve done.

We have built you an online community to offer you a network of tips, recipes, reviews, recommendations and a lot of great discoveries in the area of health.  Most importantly, it is a community where you can share your health journey.  Tell us about your goals, discoveries, roadblocks and victories.

The community website is a companion to my book Strategic Health Solutions. Because you become what you think about on a daily basis, we wanted to help you keep healthy living at the forefront of your mind.  The book is your guide and the community is your support.

Where to start

1. Explore the website and check the pages frequently as information will be added daily.

2. Get your hands on the book Strategic Health Solutions. This will be your greatest tool and roadmap.

3. Invite your friends and family to support you on your health journey by following you on your blog page.

4. On your blog page, tell us about your workouts, fun activities, healthy restaurants and other great discoveries.  Post photos of your healthiest meal of the day.  We will be inspired by your goals and encouraged by your victories.  And we will offer support with your challenges.

5. Please read the website guidelines to ensure we keep this community vibrant, uplifting and valuable.

Cheers to your health and many blessings,

Denise Locsin RN