Steps to #OwnTHISDay

So, if you have been following me for a while now, you know that one of the phrases I use on a regular basis is “Own THIS Day”.

I came up with this as a way to honor DDP’s “Own Your Life” and “Live Life @ 90%” catchphrases, of course.

But, more importantly, it is also a reminder that Owning Your Life is not a Part Time Decision.  It is something that has to be done every single day.

This thought came to me pretty early in my journey, when Jake “The Snake” Roberts was just coming into the Accountability Crib (Dallas’s home, for those of you that haven’t see The Resurrection of Jake “The Snake” Roberts, yet).  As Jake was battling Alcohol & Drug addiction, after a few weeks he thought he could get away with just having  1 or 2 beers.  He found out that this was not the case.  So, he took steps to make sure that he can stay on task.  He also had bumps in the road that he didn’t have control over (food prepared with alcohol is one of the examples that sticks in my mind).

What I have noticed, whether it is looking back on my journey or talking to people about theirs, is that when we Fall, we are inclined to tense up and create drama around it.  When that happens, it takes a lot longer for us to get back up and move towards where we want to go, especially if it is something that we don’t have direct control over!

The other thing I notice is tensing up at the thought of making it a Day-To-Day effort.  That Addiction To Nothing gets really strong, particularly when we wake up in the morning!

So, what are the steps to Owning This Day?

1.       Breathe.  It’s the first thing we learn in DDPYOGA.  Dallas says (and everyone else agrees) that it’s the Most Important Thing We Do.  It gives us Life.  It is also what we can control right now!  Since getting control over whatever the Chaos of Life throws at us is Game of Moments, it makes sense to start by controlling what you can right now… the air going in & out of your body.

If you focus on your breath and know that no matter what else is happening… you have control over that one thing… then great things will happen.  Your Body will relax.  Your Mind will calm down, since you are focusing on the one simple thing.  Think of this as your Safety Zone.

2.       Engage.  Now that you’ve given yourself a base, you can start building on that foundation.  You do that by Engaging Your Body & Your Mind.  Dallas talks about Changing Your State In An Instant, which he got from Tony Robbins..  

You Engage Your Body by standing or sitting up straight,pulling your shoulders back and laughing. If you’re shoulders are slumped forward and you are looking down, your are restricting your air and your your circulation.  Plus, your focus is down at one spot. When you straighten your back, stand up and pull your shoulders back, you are not only making it easier for you to Breathe easier, but you are Looking Forward

Then, you Engage Your Mind.  This can be by Changing The Story You Tell Yourself or just getting yourself into a Positive Mindset. Instead of thinking about what’s wrong with right now or thinking about why things can’t work for you (in other words, looking down), think about what you can do to move things in the right direction (in other words, Look Forward).  Thinking about the Possible is what’s going to help you make the Previously Impossible Happen!

3. Move With Purpose.  When we do DDPYOGA, there is very little wasted motion.  Every move has a Purpose, whether that is to get to the next Position or to to Work Your Body in a certain way.  

Now that you are Breathing & Engaging Your Body & Mind by Looking Forward, you put the work in by taking those Positive Steps you were just thinking about.  Positive Energy does not stand still, but is always Moving Towards an objective… no matter how big or small that is. You can’t go anywhere until you move towards it.     

4. Achieve.  In other words, keep moving toward your Objectives and looking at new Goals.

Whether you talking about getting through the next week, day, hour or minute, keep looking at achieving better things for yourself.  That can be from doing a Psycho Push-Up to just getting up off the ground without assistance. This can be running a marathon or being able take a walk to the end of the block and back.

Achieving means not just wishing that something would happen, but using all of the things we talked about to get where you want to go.  If you fall down along the way, it doesn’t mean you are starting all over.  It means you are willing to find out where the ground is solid and where you can take that next step forward to where you want to go.  

As the t-shirt say “NEVER GIVE UP.”  No matter what you encounter in your life, you have the tools and the strength to…

#OwnTHISDay

Travis “Midwest Strong” Roberts

The Thanksgiving DDPYOGA Post: 3 years & Running

Today is a very Special Day! Today marks 3 years of deciding to Own My Life using DDPYOGA.

For a review of where I started, check out last year's post:

The Thanksgiving Thursday Post: My Thanksgiving 2014 & 1st Day of Year 3

                                                               November 26th, 2015

By this time tomorrow, I will also be celebrating my first year as a Level 1 DDPYOGA Instructor.  

So, what has happened with Year 3 of the DDPYOGA Journey?  

I've got a couple of DDPYOGA Classes going, spanning three days out of the week.  The classes are small, ranging from 3-5 per session.  This is good because I get to give each person attention to help them improve.  

I have also been continuing my Silver Bullet Express Online Workouts.  I do this as a way to give back to my DDPYOGA Family, providing new challenges and getting people to think about what they are doing and improving their overall worouts.

More importantly, I have also been Mentoring other people to become Great Certified DDPYOGA Instructors.  I have come across some great people in my journey, so far.  They have, in turn, become DDPYOGA Instructors and are spreading Inspiration every day.  People like Mary Callicoat, Kristin Pasquill, Jerry Loewe, Jesse Rugierre & Bryan Durran... all of them prime examples of what DDPYOGA Instuctors and friends should be. I've been able to do some Live Events and inspire people.   

The year has not been without some disappointments.  But, it wouldn't be Real Life without some Downs.  I choose not to focus on those Down Times.  Not because they are not important, mind you.  Its the Down Times that make the Up Times that much better.  They help define the Good Things we have.  However, I choose not to focus on those Down Times because doing so gives them gravity and do not help me Move Forward.  

So, what is in store for Year 4 of my DDPYOGA Journey?  

First of all, I am going to continue Mentoring other Certified DDPYOGA Instructors. One of my greatest joys is seeing people not only improve what they do, but then take what they learn and spread it to other people.  Along with this, I will be going for my Level 2 DDPYOGA Certification, so I can improve what I do and make an impact with as many people as possible!

Secondly, I will be making my way to the DDPYOGA Performance Center  I know a lot of  people over the past few months have been to the PC.  I would be lying if I said that there wasn't a little bit o jealousy.  

At the first part of last year, I was at work on a slow weekend and chatting with a few fellow DDPYOGA family members.  I made a comment that my Pie In The Sky Dream was to work at the Performance Center.  Not more than two minutes later, Dallas comments about Manifesting Dreams Into Reality.  You can see my blog about that by clicking here. 

To get to that point, I need to make my way to Smyrna, GA.  I've seen the pictures, talked to people that have been there.  But, in order to see this happen, I need to Move With Purpose and be there... workout there... maybe be allowed to teach there.  

Since flying is at tad on the spendy side to most places from Sioux Falls, SD, the plan is to drive down there sometime in the next six months.  This will allow me to visit family in Maryville, TN on the way down there & maybe even be able to visit another great DDPYOGA Instructor... Nolan Bobbitt.

In the meantime, I will also be continuing to do Live DDPYOGA classes here in Sioux Falls.  I have some great students here and want to see them enjoy the same things that DDPYOGA has done for me and so many others!

Physically, I'm still whittling away at my core.  Last year, I said that I wanted to get Superhero Push-Ups as a conquest.  I'm still working on this, but it is not a priority for me.  I would rather improve the things that I can help others with.  The Advance Moves will get there,in time.

Over the next few months, you will also see me define more on what it means to me to Own THIS Day.  For those that have done workouts with me before,I have talked about it briefly.  But, with more people starting to use it, I want to develop it so that you can do whatever you can to Own YOUR Life!

Finally, I want to thank everyone that has helped me on this journey! 

To Diamond Dallas Page & The Yoga Doc (Dr, Craig Aaron) - Thank you for not just putting out a great program, but for Being The Inspiration in everything you do with your Lives (the Highs & the Lows). I'm looking forward seeing you in person again soon!

To  Brad Walker & my Dakota Budokan Family - Your Dojo was the catalyst for my DDPYOGA Transformation.  Without your Friendship & Support, none of this would have happened.  Thank you for everything you do for Morgan & me.

To Mike & Kim Stroeh  - You two have done done a lot for me in getting started as a DDPYOGA Instructor.  You're friendship & your down to earth attitude are invaluable! Thank you for giving me the building blocks to be the DDPYOGA Instructor I am today.

To Nolan Bobbitt - The master of Choosing 2 Change!  Your wisdom & support has done so much for me!  Thank You for taking the time to talk with me and being a source of personal Inspiration.

To Christina Russell & Liz Collins (The HardCore Sisters):  We have all started roughly around the same time.  It is amazing to see where we are now from where we were 3 years ago!  Thank you for your kindness, your insight and the Inspiration of your Hard Work!

To The DDPYOGA Facebook Admin Group:  Thank you for letting me contribute to making the DDPYOGA the place to for encouragement & support for everyone.  

To Mary Callicoat, Kristin Pasquill, Jesse Rugierre, Kevin Tankersley, Jerry Loewe, Bryan Durran, Faron Tbo, Allan Craig, David Orth, Roger Sararas, Audrey Lee, Cat & Ava Arnett, Stacey Morris, Audrey Lee, Garett Sakahara, Stevie Richards, Roger Lowery, Nakia Natali, Cliff Able, Frank Schlegel, Kelly Barta, Lexy Daniels, Brad Brown & Beverly Bouma (in no particular order) - I have met so many people over the years and have the privilege to call them Friends & Family.  You are the reason that I do what I do.  There's a lot more I can put on this list, but to do so would having me typing all night!

Well, on to Year 4 of the DDPYOGA Journey!  May this year be even better & brighter than then last!  I hope to continue to help you Breathe, Engage, Move With Purpose & Achieve!

Or, in other words....'

Own THIS Day & Own YOUR Life!

Travis "Midwest Strong" Roberts

A.K.A: Tenacious T