The Daniel Adler Clinic Newsletter: Issue 6, Discipline

In this issue:

Happy Winter, everyone!

With the Lunar New Year now starting, I wanted to explore the idea of discipline as it applies to your health and well-being.

When I was growing up, the word “discipline” was often used negatively, implying a lack or deficiency in character or strength, like “not enough discipline to achieve something.”

Through time, a second concept of discipline started to emerge. This one was more positive, as in “it takes great discipline to achieve (whatever goal)”. While this is more encouraging, it still carries a hint of punitive force with its “all or nothing”, “you have it or you don’t” approach.

More recently I have started to view the idea of discipline differently, and I would like to offer what I hope is a more sustainable and gentler approach (please note that gentle does not mean weak).

Instead of a top-down, punitive approach of “hard” discipline, I would like to suggest discipline as regular skilful practice done with consistency.

So rather than a thing you have, consider discipline as a thing you do.

Taken in small, manageable amounts, this practice has the potential to set a person up for much longer-term success than random, haphazard “boot camp” approaches. Because when you focus on small, consistent actions, you build habits that support your health and well-being without the pressure of perfection.

This approach allows you to be realistic about your desires and goals, working towards them incrementally but consistently, over time, allowing for “failures” (such as when you forget or when you do not have the time).

So, for this New Lunar Year, I would like to propose a new working concept of discipline. An approach that is steadfast, simple, sustainable, consistent, gentle, hopeful, and powerful:

What do you think? Are there ways you can start to implement this working model into other areas of your life?

Happy reading!

As I mentioned in the intro to this issue, discipline is sometimes misunderstood as something burdensome or a sign that we are flawed (that we “lack discipline”).

In truth, it's a powerful tool for building a consistent framework for growth.

With our new definition of discipline in hand (consistently engaging in regular, skilful practices), we can nurture this skill specifically to help improve our health and body-mind connection.

We start by focusing on small, achievable steps, and build long-lasting habits that promote vitality throughout your life.

Tips for Building Health Through Discipline

Consider Your Constitution

First off, remember that each of us is born with different genetic strengths and weaknesses. While some may have a robust constitution, others might struggle with specific health issues. The journey towards better health is about recognizing these differences and working within our own limits to improve our well-being.  Engaging in regular practice and treatments can help you gain insight around your own constitution.

Focus On Your Own Progress

Not to sound like a broken record, but this journey is personal and should not be a competition with others. It’s essential to focus on our own progress rather than comparing ourselves to others, as comparison can undermine our vitality and self-worth.

Move Your Body

Current research supports the idea that early engagement in exercise yields immediate benefits that extend into later life. However, it is never too late to begin! Integrating movement into your daily routine, whether through walking, yoga, or any activity you enjoy, helps strengthen both body and mind. Start with activities you find enjoyable and gradually build up the intensity and duration to suit your level of fitness and comfort.

Establish a Bodywork Routine

Clearly I am biased here! However, in my ideal world people would be in the discipline of receiving some form of bodywork or touch therapy as part of their healthy life habits from a very young age. In my opinion this would make a huge impact on world peace and harmony. I would like to encourage you to consider establishing a regular bodywork treatment routine. It doesn’t just have to be with me!

Eat Mindfully

Discipline extends to how we nourish our bodies. By practicing mindful eating – paying attention to what, how, and when we eat – can improve our relationship with food. By focusing on whole foods and balanced meals, we can fuel our bodies with the nutrients needed for energy and well-being. It’s about making thoughtful choices rather than adhering to restrictive diets.

Know When To Rest

Acknowledging when to rest is as important as keeping active. Our bodies and minds need time to recover, so incorporate regular rest periods into your routine. Quality sleep and downtime allow us to recharge and maintain balance, enhancing our ability to maintain disciplined practices.

Seek Support

Many people may find it challenging to establish routines on their own. Seeking help and guidance is a sign of strength, not weakness. Investing in our health is an investment in our future well-being.

We Can Develop A Plan Together

Whether it’s through diet, sleep, or exercise, starting small and setting achievable goals is vital for building lasting habits. If you would like help in one of these areas, please ask me!

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My “Zen Friend” Anjali gave me the above (excellent) advice when it came to establishing the the discipline around my practice.

We are all busy. And we all want to feel and do better.

Simple, consistent practice is something we all can do. Of course we “fall off the wagon”. Gently pick yourself up the next day and carry on.

This is discipline.

have many patients who see me once a month for Zen Shiatsu / Acupuncture and go for a massage once a month as well (or every other month). Surely, making such a commitment and maintaining the schedule requires some discipline. But doing so will have an immensely positive effect on your health and well-being.

Below are some of the stories of patients of mine who have achieved extra-ordinary levels of vitality by starting out with small, simple, gentle and sustainable measures.

Here are just a few I would like to share.

Support

A conversation with an older patient highlighted how school sports accolades do not guarantee long-term health. He recalled being a strong athlete in his youth but struggled with health issues in later life. This led me to reflect on how educational systems often fail to promote sustainable, healthy habits. Instead of nurturing lifelong fitness, they tend to focus on short-term accomplishments and not on building long-term skills like discipline. It took some time working with him on a consistent basis to release blockages from his joints  and to regulate his meridians to relieve pain and tension. In so doing, he has been able establish (and enjoy) regular exercise and rediscover that he is strong and physically vigorous.

Accountability

Another patient in her 60s faced challenges in her gardening due to physical limitations. Recognizing her difficulties, she sought the help of a personal trainer, committing to sessions twice a week. She has also been working with me almost every three weeks since 2018. This proactive approach allowed her to rebuild her strength and vitality. Today, she enjoys gardening again, demonstrating how accountability can foster discipline and create positive change.

Consistency

I have a patient in his 90s who has maintained a consistent gym routine since his 30s. His long-term commitment to exercise has instilled in him the ability to adapt to new challenges without hesitation. This “discipline” which he has cultivated and maintained throughout his life makes it very easy for me to suggest certain exercises for him to adopt. His experience really shows how developing sustainable habits can significantly contribute to our health as we age.

Resilience

A remarkable case I had involves a patient who fell down a flight of stairs in her 70s. Thanks to her 40 years of yoga practice, she emerged from the incident with only minor injuries. Her body awareness and flexibility helped her absorb the impact effectively. Her years of discipline in physical practice prepared her for unexpected challenges.

Over To You

These stories highlight the many facets of discipline and its role in building our health and well-being. How are you incorporating these principles into your life? How might you?

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I Provide Support

I want you to be strong, vital, and healthy. I want you to implement changes in your lifestyle that are realistic and sustainable, those that set you up for long-term success. Whether we are talking about diet, sleep or exercise, developing sustainable habits is hard work and requires sustainable, supported discipline.

I regularly work with people to provide this sort of support on a daily basis.

I Provide Regularity

I'm often asked, “How often should I come for treatments?” The answer is nuanced, but one core principle is regularity.

For genuine vitality, our bodies respond better to regularly scheduled treatments. This becomes particularly evident at year's end when many rush to use up their extended health care benefits, seeking multiple treatments in a short span. While beneficial short-term, this approach isn't ideal for long-term, sustainable health. Seeing me once a month or every three weeks throughout the year would be more effective.

The same applies to patients with chronic issues who only seek treatment during crises. While I can help during flare-ups, regular visits (every two to three weeks) are preferable to manage and regulate their body-mind consistently.

I Provide Accountability

Accountability is key in maintaining our definition of discipline and making consistent progress. By committing to regular sessions, we create a structure that encourages you to stay on track with your health goals. This helps reinforce positive habits and ensures you are consistently moving towards better health and well-being.

I Provide Expertise

With 25+ years of hands-on experience and specialized knowledge in holistic health, I offer guidance and bodywork tailored to you. My expertise allows me to develop personalized treatment plans that address your specific concerns and support your health journey. You can trust that the advice and treatments you receive are based on a deep understanding of both traditional and modern practices.

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Whether you're maintaining your current health or addressing ongoing issues, I'm here to provide guidance and care.

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The path to better health through discipline is rarely straightforward, and that's perfectly okay.

Every challenge is an opportunity to demonstrate resilience.

Remember, discipline is not about perfection but consistent effort, even when things get tough. Think about small ways you can strengthen these habits, adding a touch more discipline where it matters most to you.

In what areas of your life could a little extra discipline have the most positive impact?

– Daniel (T’agyol) Adler