Try Something New

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Photo by: Berkay Gumustekin @berkaygumustekin

Photo by: Berkay Gumustekin @berkaygumustekin

Puppy Yoga, Goat Yoga and BrewAsana integrate special interest with yoga postures. Some puppy yoga or Doga classes are can be an opportunity for pet adoption organizations to find homes for the many puppies that need them while others are for bringing your own dog to a yoga class. Goat yoga allows goats to do their little goat thing and jump on your back while you’re adjusting your down dog posture. Now, BrewAsana involves getting to drink a pint of beer between poses. BrewAsana classes may also be held at a brewery and include a tour and tasting. There are yoga concepts to fit most interests and hobbies so there is no excuse for not trying yoga. Who knows, maybe you will create the next wacky yoga class craze.

Healing Power of Nature

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Walking in nature has magical healing powers filled with trees, flowers, water and animals living their daily lives and surviving. Animal instincts can teach us a lot about adaptation and acceptance of the cycle of life. We humans seem to struggle with detachment and letting go of control in general. It is amazing to watch birds search for food and herd their babies crossing a path. Breathing in fresh air throughout the four seasons is refreshing and healing for all of the cells of the body. Mental clarity and peace can be found at a local park, stream, path or even your backyard. Find some nature, close your eyes, pay attention to sounds, take a deep breath and let go of anything that does not serve you. Enjoy.

Movement

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The Art of Healing Movements

Tai Chi & Qigong

These healing movements provide physical and emotional wellbeing. Both practices aid in improving overall functionality of vital organs while reducing stress.

Tai Chi - “The Source, the Beginning”

"The soft and the pliable will defeat the hard and strong." - Lao Tzŭ The Tao Te Ching

Five Elements: earth, fire, water, metal and wood

A healthy body has physical and emotional balance. Energy or Chi originates in the kidneys, holding two opposite elements, fire and water. The balance of these two element affects the other organs. The kidneys are in charge of filtering the blood that circulates throughout the body. It is important to keep the kidneys in great health in order to keep the whole body in balance.

Traditional Chinese Medicine uses the five elements in the practice of acupuncture to provide balance and harmony in the body. Energy travels through meridians along the body connecting all organs. Think of meridians as highways connecting from head to toe. When there is an imbalance in the body, the highways get backed up and creates a traffic jam. This traffic jam results in aches, pains, adrenal, sleep and emotional imbalances, autoimmune disorders and diseases (dis ease).

The movements of Tai Chi & Qigong (Chi Gung) massage the belly near the kidneys activating a flow of energy to then be distributed to the other organs. Adding Tai Chi to your physical and mediation practices nourishes the kidneys and balances the whole body. Some of the many benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong; improved sleep, flexibility, mood and balance, reduces stress and creates circulation for the blood and lymphatic system.

Beginners Tai Chi by Don Fiore - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxcNBejxlzs

Qigong or (qi gong, chi gung) Chi = Life Energy

The main principles of Qigong:

  1. Breathing

  2. Movement

  3. Focus

  4. Visualization

  5. Sound or Chanting

Beginners Qigong by Thicke Man Tue - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFg61faohLY

Tai Chi and Qigong can also be performed in a seated position.

Be patient with yourself especially if you’re used to Cross Fit or HIIT (high intensive interval training) style of exercise. Tai Chi and Qigong are practices with little to no immediate visual transformations, the shifts happen subtly with time and consistency. Calmness will mostly likely be the first noticeable difference with beginner Tai Chi and Qigong. Be safe and stay balanced!

*Consult a licensed medical professional before attempting any new physical activity if you are under the care of a physician or have a serious diagnosis. Do your own research, ask questions and listen to your instincts when making decisions for your personal healthcare.

Home Sanctuary

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CREATING A SPACE FOR MENTAL WELLNESS

“In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you.” - Anonymous

  1. Find a small corner or spot near a window.

  2. Think about what scent make you feel at peace. Some examples are Lavender, Vanilla, Citrus, Peppermint, Sage, Sandalwood and Palo Santo (my favorite) just to name a few. This scent can be in the form of essential oils, candles, room sprays or incense.

  3. Choose calming music like; Tibetan singing bowls, nature sounds, theta waves, ASMR, a guided meditation or silence if you dare. There are YouTube channels for each of these examples. Also, set a timer if you are new to meditation or if you’re incorporating a meditation practice into your busy daily routine. Now, choose a word like; peace, focus, me, health, love, strive, strong… to repeat silently when your mind wanders.

  4. Use a floor pillow, couch cushion or a folded blanket for support. Sit with a straight back, chin parallel to the floor, hands resting on your knees, shoulders, neck and face relaxed. A way to ensure you are relaxing those muscles is by tightening all of your muscles and holding it for 5 seconds and then let it all gooo.

  5. You’re all set. Enjoy and go easy on yourself since this is a practice.

Deep Breathing: Take 30 deep breaths slowly. It’s okay if you feel lightheaded for a minute. It will pass and you will feel invigorated.

A Random Message From The Tao

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The Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu ~ Verse 8

Translation by Jonathan Star

“The best way to live

is to be like water

for water benefits all things

and goes against non of them

It provides for all people

and even cleanses those places

a man is loath to go

In this way it is just like Tao

Live in accordance with the nature of things:

Build your house on solid ground

Keep your mind still

When giving, be kind

When speaking, be truthful

When ruling, by one-pointed

When acting, remember—timing is everything

One who lives in accordance with nature

does not go against the way of things

He moves in harmony with the present moment

always knowing the truth of just what to do”

The TAO TE CHING has been a grounding guide book for my life with its many twists and turns over the years. This particular book was left for me by a former partner and I think it was the greatest thing he gave me. People come into our lives for reasons we may never know with each of them having an impact in how we reshape ourselves once that relationship expires. I frequently refer to this ancient guide for navigation especially when I struggle to quiet those voices and moments of overwhelming anxiety. These verses have brought me great peace and I suggest anyone experiencing a conflict or feelings of emotional imbalance to open the Tao Te Ching to a random page and read the first verse they see. It is not a cure all however, it will create calm for that moment. One moment, one step, one action leads to another.