Sifu Karl Romain's Blog

July 6, 2016

Life Coaching: Ideal New Career for Baby Boomers?

Below you will find the top 5 reasons why Baby Boomers make great life coaches

1. Help others and leave a legacy- They understand by becoming a well prepared life coach, they not only improve their own lives, they can leave a lasting legacy and make our world a better place, by coaching one client at a time. They believe successful coaching can help to create long lasting positive changes that can affect generations to come.

2. Excellent earning potential- According to a 2012 global study of the coaching profession conducted by the International Coach Federation, the average fee for a one-hour coaching session for coaches in North America was $214 and the number of active clients was 11. With most coaches meeting with clients once a week, many professional coaches are convinced they can quickly build an economic advantage for themselves and their families.

3. Perfect time to get started-Another advantage boomers see in the coaching profession is the opportunity to get in on the ground floor. Life coaching has only been around a couple of decades and with more and more potential clients understanding the many benefits of having a coach, the demand for well-prepared coaching professionals continues to grow.

4. Easy to run and very little start up - Coaches do not need to purchase expensive management or bookkeeping systems, endure the hassle that comes with having employees or sign a long term lease. All a coach really needs to get his or her practice up and running is a telephone, computer and internet access.

5. Coach from anywhere -There is a study that suggests telephone coaching may be even more effective than face-to-face coaching. The study states that a lack of visual distractions makes a difference. The good news is clients don’t have to live in a coach’s local community. They can live anywhere in the world as long as they have a phone or internet connection. And, more good news – the coach can provide great coaching to their clients from anywhere they happen to be. It is this type of flexibility and freedom that is attracting more and more baby boomers to become certified coaches.

To find out about Life Coaching Certification programs go to www.sifuromainlifecoachtraining.com
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Published on July 06, 2016 06:33 Tags: baby-boomers, certification, earning-potential, icf, karl, life-coaching, master-coach, profession, romain, sifu

September 8, 2014

Finding Balance in a Stressful World

Our 21st century lifestyle in a word: Stressful. While stress can be positive (it motivates us to get things done), it’s usually overwhelming which can pose a serious effect on one's health.

Almost everyone knows how it feels to be stressed: Stomachaches, headaches, and sweaty palms are all symptoms of this condition. These are normal body reactions to threats, changes in routines, or challenges. However, chronic or prolonged stress caused by work, relationship problems, or financial concerns may hamper emotional balance and increase the risk of chronic illness.

Chronic stress has been connected to serious health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, anxiety disorders, and an increased risk of stroke. People who experience chronic stress also experience lower immunity, suppressed digestive systems, sleep problems, and impaired memory and concentration. What’s more, ongoing stress seems to worsen conditions such as type 2 diabetes, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, and psoriasis.

7 Ways to lessen the impact of stress and live a more balanced life

• Learn relaxation techniques, such as meditation and Tai Chi. Tai Chi is known as a moving meditation due to its emphasis on breathing and slow, relaxing movements. Research has shown that it reduces stress and stress-related issues. It works on both the physical and mental levels to bring balance, and is particularly helpful for people experiencing tension and anxiety.
• Exercise 30 minutes every day. Tai Chi fits the bill, as does walking for a half hour daily, which has been shown to boost mood and reduce stress. The key is consistency. Get into a groove, and stick with it.
• Eat a well-balanced diet. Not only does stress increase cravings for unhealthy foods, but the stress hormone cortisol may increase the amount and/or enlarge fat cells in the body. The result: fat accumulation in the belly, which has been linked to heart disease.
• Set priorities. Know what needs to get done, and what can wait. Chances are, you won’t complete every item on a to-do list, but when you review what you did do—the priorities—you will have a sense of accomplishment.
• Learn to recognize your symptoms of stress. Everybody responds differently. For instance, you may feel down, always on edge, fatigued, overwhelmed, or withdrawn.

• Connect with friends. Spend time with friends and family.
• Tap into your spirituality. Your belief system helps define a sense of purpose (which helps you set priorities) and gives you a sense that you’re not alone. Knowing that you are part of something much bigger allows you to relinquish control, and yes, relax.

If you’re still having problems due to stress, consider professional help. A mental health counselor, life coach, even your primary care physician can suggest ways to improve balance in a busy world. Or, if you wish to experience a dynamic, interactive and multi-level approach to achieving balance, click here http://www.americaslifedevelopmentcoa... for information about my upcoming workshop.
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Published on September 08, 2014 11:29 Tags: chi-gong, life-coaching, life-work-balance, meditation, personal-deveopment, tai-chi

October 29, 2013

My Life’s Not That Bad…But It Could Be Better

An Intro to Life Coaching

“So, how’s life?” asks a friend you haven’t seen in a year.

“Pretty good… well, not perfect, but it’s not that bad,” you answer.

Immediately after replying, you feel a bit of doubt sink in. It’s not that bad? You have a lot of personal and professional goals, but you’re not any closer to reaching them this year than you were last. Your life is in stasis, but you’re not sure how to break out of your rut. Could life coaching help? You’ve heard of it, but you’re not sure how it works or if it will help.

What is Life Coaching?

Life coaching is a learning and mentoring process that takes place between a life coach and a client. The life coach serves as an active partner in supporting their client’s personal development and growth and holds them accountable to their goals. Coaching helps support psychological and emotional growth, but it is different from therapeutic counseling psychology.
In traditional therapy, counselors focus on resolving traumatic events, improving family dynamics and offering coping skills to deal with psychological issues and stress. In comparison, life coaches focus on positive self-development and actualization to help clients achieve their goals. Life coaching is best for clients that are basically psychologically healthy, and counseling is for individuals with more serious psychological issues that need to be addressed.

What are the Benefits of Life Coaching?

A great life coach can help you take your life from decent to amazing, by partnering with you to achieve your goals. Here is a list of benefits that are possible when you connect to your true potential with guidance from a life coach:
• Better physical health and fitness
• Increased self-confidence and self-esteem
• Improved emotional intelligence and maturity
• Help through a difficult life transition
• Reduced fear and anxiety
• Assistance with weight loss and diet
• Improved well-being and quality of life
• Advancement of your career
• Healthier and more fulfilling relationships
• Help getting out of debt
• Achievement of financial goals
• Support in gaining spiritual and religious connection

What Should I Expect?

A life coach assists clients in becoming more whole, integrated and content, while helping them achieve success in many areas of their lives. In many coaching practices, the client is asked to evaluate their level of happiness in the following six areas: health, finances, relationships, spiritual, well-being and career. Then the life coach partners with the client to develop measurable, achievable goals in each area. As a part of the goal-setting process, the coach acts as an accountability partner to hold clients to their promises to themselves and their personal growth.
A good coach will use “world” exercises, not just “word” exercises, to give clients real-world learning experiences that promote personal growth. They will also help clients uncover belief systems that are sabotaging their success. With this knowledge, clients can transform or eliminate unhealthy beliefs so that their actions are unimpeded by faulty thinking, destructive behavior and old habits.
With consistent coaching, clients remove the barriers that are preventing them from reaching their goals. Their lives start to unfold in alignment with their intentions. The next time they’re asked about how things are going with their life, they’ll answer honestly, “My life is going really well. Each year gets better than the last. I’m happy.”

About the Author
Sifu (Master) Karl Romain is a World Champion Martial Artist, owner of the Edgewater Kung Fu Academy, and Certified Professional Coach. Sifu Romain is a published author and has appeared on the Dr. Oz and Oprah Show. Romain is no stranger to adversity. He overcame injuries from a serious car accident to accomplish his dream of becoming a world champion by age 22. He has taken the knowledge gained from his experience and created “Champions for Life” seminar. This seminar is designed to motivate and inspire people to live their dreams and win at life despite adversity and challenges.

Deepening his commitment to helping others achieve their goals, Sifu Romain has completed his training as a Certified Professional Coach. As a business consultant, he has worked with many business owners to assist them in achieving personal and professional success. His belief in the “inside out” philosophy of personal development mirrors his experience in martial arts: growth starts from within, and then eventually ripples out to all aspects of a person’s life.

To set up a personal or group coaching session or find out more visit http://www.americaslifedevelopmentcoa...
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July 22, 2013

Tai Chi for Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis is an inflammation of the tissue in the arch of the foot, between the ball and heel. The bones in the feet are connected to ligaments that support the arch, and they can become inflamed and painful when aggravated. Sometimes this condition can be caused or aggravated by running.

Tai Chi can help remedy the pain of Plantar Fasciitis, through gentle stretching and balancing of the muscles in the feet and legs. Because it’s a low to medium-impact exercise, it can be used every day from 20-30 minutes.

Because Tai Chi focuses on slow, stretching movements of the feet and ankles, it has been proven to improve plantar sensation and balance. Within a few weeks of practice, there should also be more flexibility in the ankles, calves, feet and legs. Over time, strength will be built up in the plantar fascia, which can decrease pain and prevent further injury.

When practicing Tai Chi to help Plantar Fasciitis, the most beneficial exercises are those that involve standing on one foot and shifting the weight from one leg to another. This helps to stretch and strengthen the muscles in the feet and ankles. The Tai Chi walk is a technique that involves these movements and can be a great place to start. Over time, you can incorporate crane stance and repulse monkey to increase balance.

This video, featured on the Dr. Oz show, (http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/tai-ch...) features the Tai Chi techniques that can treat Plantar Fasciitis. The best option is to study with an experienced practitioner who teaches Tai Chi for pain relief and increased flexibility. If you would like to learn more about our at home training program (click here- http://www.taichiforhealthyliving.com...).
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Published on July 22, 2013 09:24 Tags: dr-oz-show, fitness, pain-relief, plantar-fasciitis, strength, stress-reduction, tai-chi

July 11, 2013

What is Tai Chi?

Tai Chi is a slow, gentle flow of movement. Tai Chi is well-known as an ancient martial art. It can also be a very effective workout to deal with the stress of modern life. Because Tai Chi works on both the physical and mental levels of the individual, it is particularly helpful for people experiencing tension and anxiety. Although it isn’t a strenuous activity, it conditions the body while promoting healthy breathing by harnessing the power of “chi,” the life-force energy.

One of the strengths of Tai Chi is that it can be done by all ages and fitness levels. Tai Chi doesn’t require any special equipment, so you can practice at home or in the office. It promotes self-awareness, and is recognized for being a low-impact physical workout that centers the mind and body.

A beginner can start to reap the benefits of the practice from day one while learning the movements and postures.Over time, the practitioner will notice increased flexibility, balance and strength. Because of the slow, fluid movements and focus on the breath, Tai Chi promotes healthy joint, heart and lung function as well. When practiced on a regular basis, Tai Chi workouts can be a helpful tool to prevent disease, stress and pain.

Health-conscious individuals and world-class athletes use Tai Chi to train and strengthen both mind and body through a series of slow-motion postures. For individuals with diseases and illnesses, Tai Chi can be especially beneficial since there are specific movements that can be used to ease pain and direct chi to areas that need healing.

The best way to learn Tai Chi is under the instruction of a skilled teacher. If you’d like practice at home, our on-line training program (click here http://www.taichiforhealthyliving.com...) is a great way to learn the movement at your own pace and develop your skills. No matter your level of experience, Tai Chi is a great workout that is unique in its ability to increase the mind-body connection.

Watch me Monday July 15th on the Dr.Oz show as I will be discussing Tai Chi For the immune system.
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Published on July 11, 2013 08:18 Tags: dr-oz-show, fitness, immune-system, strength, stress-reduction, tai-chi

July 8, 2013

Tai Chi Promotes Balance in Seniors

At a park in your neighborhood, you may have seen a group of seniors practicing the gentle back-and-forth flow of Tai Chi. It seems an appropriate exercise for those in the later years of life, because of the low-impact movements that are easy on aging joints. What you may not realize is how helpful Tai Chi can be in preventing dangerous falls in older adults.

Tai Chi incorporates exercises in which participants raise and lower one leg at a time in a series of slow, rhythmic martial arts forms. Over time, these exercises build muscle strength, promote balance and increase mobility. Because Tai Chi focuses the mind, participants become more aware of their bodies and how to avoid injury, which further supports their health. On an emotional level, practicing Tai Chi helps seniors feel steadier on their feet so that they are more confident and less afraid of falling.

Recent research has confirmed the impact of using Tai Chi for fall reduction. In a study of seniors from ages 70 to 92, participants practiced Tai Chi three times per week, and were compared to a stretching control group for a period of six months. The number of falls was dramatically fewer (46% compared to 28%) in the Tai Chi group, and there were also less falls that led to injuries (18% compared to 7%). Additionally, Tai Chi participants experienced greater functional balance, physical performance and decreased fear of falling.

With so many benefits, from reduced falling, to increased confidence, Tai Chi is an ideal exercise program for seniors. To get started, visit our online training program here (http://www.taichiforhealthyliving.com...) or check us out in person at Edgewater KungFu (http://edgewaterkungfu.com/).
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Published on July 08, 2013 10:53 Tags: balance, falling, preventing-injury, seniors, tai-chi

June 13, 2013

Tai Chi and High Blood Pressure

As many Americans grow older, they have become more concerned with staving off high blood pressure, which leads to strokes, heart attacks and kidney disease. These life-threatening diseases can be mitigated by the relaxed, slow movements of Tai Chi, a practice that prevents and even lowers blood pressure.Fortunately, it can take only weeks to start experiencing the benefits of a regular Tai Chi practice.

In a number of recent studies, Tai Chi has been clinically proven to lower blood pressure. In a study conducted by Taipei Medical University, two groups (a Tai Chi group and a sedentary control group) of 76 individuals with mild high hypertension were compared. After 12 weeks of practice, the Tai Chi group’s blood pressure decreased by an average of 15.6 Hg. In addition, the Tai Chi group’s cholesterol and anxiety levels were lowered.

In another study of elderly subjects, Tai Chi was found to improve blood pressure, vascular resistance and pulse pressure, all signs of good cardiovascular function. Because of this and other similar studies, Tai Chi is recognized as an ideal form of exercise for older populations, since it is a low-impact exercise that has a significant impact on heart health.

Even with a weekly practice of an hour and a half, the positive effects of Tai Chi can be reaped. Start with a program that includes a 10-minute warm-up, 30-minute Tai Chi exercise, followed by a 10-minute cool-down. Visit my website (http://www.taichiforhealthyliving.com) to start your heart-healthy Tai Chi program today or study with me at Edgewater Kungfu Academy.(www.edgewaterkungfu.com).
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May 31, 2013

Tai Chi in the Workplace

Stress and illness costs U.S. businesses approximately 300 billion dollars annually. Companies lose this money and productivity due to employee illnesses and rising healthcare costs that can be prevented. Establishing a workplace Tai Chi program is a cost-effective way to improve the wellness of employees.

A gentle form of meditative exercise, Tai Chi has been proven to combat chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure, conditions that are at near epidemic levels and result in huge healthcare costs. In addition to improving the outcomes of chronic diseases, Tai Chi strengthens the immune system and helps the body fight off colds, flu and viruses. These types of infections occur very frequently and account for absenteeism, which can be very costly to businesses.

Tai Chi is best offered as a voluntary activity for employees during break time or lunch time. This way the activity empowers employees to take positive action to support their health.Tai Chi classes are usually guided by an experienced teacher, and companies will certainly reap savings in higher productivity by hiring a professional teacher. If a company is on a tighter budget, an even lower cost method is to use online workouts like ours (go to http://www.taichiforhealthyliving.com...). The added benefit of an online program is that employees can continue their workouts into the weekend.

Find out more about how to incorporate a Tai Chi exercise program at your place of business by contacting me at sifuromain@gmail.com
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Published on May 31, 2013 05:40

May 23, 2013

Tai Chi for the Immune System

Practicing Tai Chi has been scientifically proven to improve the immune system. During a Tai Chi workout, there is a flow of steady, meditative movement and breath that focuses the mind and conditions the body. Experts hypothesize that these slow, gliding movements and controlled breathing combine in a powerful force against toxins and diseases. By bolstering the lymphatic system, the body’s natural defense system, Tai Chi protects against colds, flus and auto-immune diseases.

Researchers tested a group of experienced Tai Chi practitioners for twelve weeks to measure the impact of the martial art on immunity, and discovered that it significantly boosted the regulatory action of T-cells. These white blood cells are instrumental in fighting against cold and flu infections and help the body combat chronic diseases like diabetes.

Because Tai Chi improves T-cell function, it is able to alter the immune response in individuals with type 2 Diabetes by controlling blood glucose levels. In addition to regulating blood sugar, Tai Chi improves physical functioning, vitality and overall mental health in individuals with diabetes.

Tai Chi also seems to have an additive effect on the efficacy of vaccines. In one study, two groups of individuals (control and Tai Chi group) were compared to determine if the influenza vaccine increased immunity antibodies created by the vaccine. The group practicing Tai Chi was found to have significantly more antibodies fighting against the flu. In a similar study with individuals who were given a varicella zoster virus vaccine (shingles and chicken pox virus), 25 weeks of Tai Chi doubled their immunity against the virus in comparison to a control group.

Not only is Tai Chi potent medicine against the common cold, the practice can boost immunity for those with compromised immune systems. For more information on the Tai Chi Immune Response, watch me on the Dr.Oz Show Wednesday, May 29th. Check your local listings. Also,visit my new website www.taichiforhealthyliving.com
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Published on May 23, 2013 18:51