Weekend Design & Wellness Project

March 19, 2021 by natalini in design, wellness

TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS, TUNE IN & ASK YOURSELF WHAT YOU NEED AND WANT?

This is a great opportunity to write a letter to yourself. It can be addressed to the child you once were, to the older person you hope to become or to your current self. Include advice, praise or explain a situation or circumstance in terms that you at any age will understand. The purpose of this exercise is to connect to the you that doesn’t have the world depending upon you or the titles you carry in your social and family life. This is about your relationship with yourself, the most important relationship you will ever have. The creative part of this exercise is that you are to tune into your inner knowing (that little voice or feeling in your tummy that says “yes” or “no.”) Ask yourself what would bring you the most joy this weekend. It doesn’t have to cost anything or take up too much time, but if those things are available to you, then go for it. This is all about you feeding your soul with what lights you up so you can be an even better whatever you are to others. Love all up on yourself and know that you are beautiful/handsome, talented, strong, intelligent, lovable, creative and worth the time it takes to work on loving yourself. Did I say love yourself enough? Okay, so do it. You will feel amazing when you wake up Monday morning.

Savasana

March 18, 2021 by natalini in wellness, savasana, yoga

Savasana (shah-VAH-sah-nah or shih-VAH-snah - The final resting pose at the end of every yoga class and the most favored of all poses. In savasana, a yogi lies in relaxed stillness while the nervous system, heart rate, blood pressure return to a normal rhythm. There may be a tingling or vibrating sensation throughout the body. This is the moment to feel accomplished that you showed up for yourself on your mat and made it through a challenging class. Savasana is the hard-earned reward for your mind and body after they have worked so hard to get along during the whole class. The mind tells the body to be still or keep going while the body refrains from telling the mind to “F” off when the body falls out of a position. Ahh, unity!

Savasana can also be had at home on the floor with a yoga mat or blanket. It helps to tighten all of your muscles, hold for a five seconds and then release. Position your body in a mid flight snow angel shape and let your feet flop to their respective sides. Keep the mind focused on the tingling sensation of the body for 3 to 10 minutes. When you’re ready to get back to life, slowly wiggle your toes and fingertips and gently start to roll to the right side and then up to a seated position. Moving too quickly can be dizzying so give yourself enough time to ease out of this relaxed state. Namaste!

Side note: When I lived in California I went to a few hot yoga studios where during savasana, the instructor would walk around the room and wave a lavender scented towel over everyone. I wish every hot yoga studio would do this. Hint, wink, nudge, yoga instructors of Philadelphia.

Archive of Achievements

March 16, 2021 by natalini in wellness, achievements

Achievements large and small are deserving of acknowledgement. Today is for creating a timeline of events from as far back as you can remember consisting of new experiences, achievements, promotions, awards and tough lessons learned through major losses. The lessons through losses are probably the most ingrained memories since the ego and confidence took a hit before they were ever realized. You are granted permission to spend some time on self recognition for the events or moments you’re proud of surviving. If it helps, make a rough list of anything that comes to mind and put a year or age next to it to get started. Take a few days as it may take that long for memories to surface. Once you’re content with the list of achievements and experiences, put them in chronological order. Save the list and revisit it in those difficult moments so you can see how far you’ve come and then add this one to the list. Maybe this is the push or hard shove you needed to write that memoir you’ve been mentally writing for years. Cheers to you and all you’ve grown through in your life, keep going.

For a lighthearted read about life lessons, check out “Little Joni’s Life Lesson,” by Joni Myers, available on Amazon. Hint, if you’re from the east coast you can try and guess where Joni grew up from the various “clues” throughout the book. This is a great book to add to your summer reading list that will have you laughing on the beach.

Photo by: Sarah Derweilen @sarahdorweiler

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Weekend Design & Wellness Project

March 12, 2021 by natalini in design, wellness, art

Create Abstract Art!

That’s it. Go make a mess with some paint on any surface you can find. Yes, you can use the 75 paint sample jars you accumulate trying to find the perfect color for your home office. Have fun and don’t forget that blindfolding yourself makes this activity free from self judgment. Want to make this even more fun? Rope your family, partner or a friend in to join the creative fun. I promise you will start to belly laugh at some point. If not, well, this was a free activity so this is a no money back situation. Enjoy.