I sat down over coffee with wellness and fitness expert, Randy Ranukah Harden, to discuss the art of his AARK movement and the benefits of living a holistic, healthy life.
Dorian: Where are you from, and how has that impacted your world view?
Ranukah: I was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, which is a fairly large city in the heart of the Midwest surrounded by green flat land and cornfields. I grew up with two young parents who, despite their youth, did an amazing job of keeping me safe and out of trouble.
I grew in a middle class neighborhood with a mixed family of African American and Anglo-Saxon descent. I did not see too much of a separation between the races. The Midwest tends to have characteristics of the West coast, East coast and Southern regions of the United States. This has contributed to me having a fluid connection with diverse groups of people.
Dorian: How long have you been into fitness and holistic wellness?
Ranukah: I started sports at five, first participating in martial arts, then playing football. At nine, I began competitive swimming, wrestling and track and field. These activities carried on year round until I graduated from high school. My interest in holistic wellness started when I was serving in the US Marine Corps as I began doing healing sessions on some of my comrades.
First, I attracted people who were in need of physical therapy and massage. Over the years, I learned to tune into a subtle and intuitive expression of healing. This led me to into assisting people with a history of trauma, physical abuse, psychological issues, depression, and many who were suffering from life-threatening diseases. Each person that came to me with some form of illness gave me the opportunity to investigate that ailment.
Over time, I began to see patterns of how pain, suffering, and disease originated. For over twelve years, I have incorporated the science of yoga, breathing therapy, meditation, Chi Gong and other forms of holistic fitness into a comprehensive approach to movement. My passion for fitness and healing go hand in hand with helping my clients experience strength and awareness, eventually leading them to true freedom.
Dorian: It’s amazing how you are able to help many people get well. Tell me about the AARK Movement model?
Ranukah: AARK is an acronym for Archetypal Anatomical Regenerative Kinetics. Through specific forms of movement, you are challenged to discover aspects of your inner and outer being. This helps to regenerate the anatomy of the mind and body, leading one to experience the archetypal self, or the original you.
Dorian: I’ve heard people say that fitness is 70% what you eat and 30% living a healthy lifestyle. Is that accurate?
Ranukah: I would say health is 100% of how you think, for thought is the ancestor of all action.
Dorian: I attended one of your sessions, and to be honest I was expecting three hours of meditation. I was pushed to my physical limits and loved every moment of it, even though I sore for three days! Who knew aspects of yoga could be that intense!
Ranukah: Yes, we design our workshops and training sessions to challenge various aspects of your being, so you may learn to find comfort in being uncomfortable. Life will consistently present us with this scenario.
Dorian: At the end of our session, we were asked to do meditate and envision ourselves as a child. What was the purpose of that activity?
Ranukah: When you are a very young child, for the most part your nature is still imbued with innocence, but as we grow, we have experiences that may cause us to lose connection with that pure being inside. The purpose of the mediation is to help recapture those beautiful and loving memories of when we were still innocent. These memories brought forward can bring to you tremendous power for healing.
Dorian: What are your thoughts about the UAE? How long do you envision staying here?
Ranukah: I see the UAE as an amazing place with much potential. I am not for sure how long I will stay, but, at some point, I would like to introduce the training into schools, colleges, and the military.
Dorian: Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Ranukah: I see myself working world-wide to bring about the idea of individual responsibility, accountability, and the adherence to divine law for the purpose of living life as an art.
Dorian: How do you define happiness?
Ranukah: Happiness to me is another word for peace. When one has true peace, they do not waver from one extreme to the next. When times are challenging, they remain the same as when times are not so challenging; you love even when you’re not loved. Happiness is a very personal revolution.
Dorian: Do you offer private sessions?
Ranukah: Yes, we offer private healing and training sessions, group training sessions, and corporate consulting.
Dorian: How can you be contacted on social media?
Ranukah: We can be contacted on Facebook at AARK Movement https://www.facebook.com/AARKmovement
Dorian: Do I email you a copy of the check for the coffee and croissants or should I post it on your Facebook page?
Ranukah: *Lets out a meditative sigh so as not to lose his calm.
