14

Jul

Yin Yoga: Will Unwind for Strength

Yin Yoga is not what it appears to be. If you were to observe a yin class, you may think: “Oh, not for me. That’s why I don’t do yoga to begin with…too slow.” Yes, it’s slow. Yes, it is juicy, perhaps more so than a daily vinyasa practice if you are slow to acknowledge the need for breaks. Yes, it is liberating, and can be more rejuvenating for the emotional AND energetic bodies than an intense vinyasa class. Who? What? Yin why?

Yin yoga as a practice works on the connective tissues, ligaments and joints to circulate the chi in order to open the body on a deeper level. In a regular asana practice, you work on the muscles and the bones, aligning bones and wrapping muscles around the bones to support the muscular structure. In yin yoga, you work on what does not get worked when you are busy in your daily life, to unravel the tension that gets stuck by making yourself be in a pose that is comfortable, yet sill using muscular strength, and then when you most want to come out, by allowing yourself to stay with it, a softening, opening and healing may occur. That’s why it’s deep. Because it is not only comforting to the emotions by embracing all of which is going on, but it is challenging in a way unlike we are used to in our culture, in a way that allows us to be with ourselves, where compassion is the way through to freedom and serenity is a natural by-product of wrapping your breath around the places in your body that are not getting loving presence simply because they have not been paid attention to. This same scenario takes place in an asana practice, yet in yin the depth of release is more apparent. You feel grounded and more rooted, connected on a deeper level and less stimulated after a yin practice. When to practice yin yoga? When the muscles are cool, not overly warmed up, such as: first thing in the morning or before bed.

Why? If you are stressed, feeling overworked and lethargic, have overdone asana practice or done an intense series of workouts, have emotions that need attention, can’t seem to get over a hip, hamstring, shoulder or pulled muscle injury, just because you want to give yourself the gift of slowing down, letting go, rejuvenating your lymphatic and immune system.

Where? I teach private yoga sessions in Nashville in the Gulch at the Terrazzo and group classes @ Kundalini Rising Yoga. Yin classes are Fridays @ 11-12:15 am.

Other resources:

320 days ago Short URL Comments

meditation/Recovery/Sexuality/Weight/yoga

12

Jul

A Pathway to Greatness

I have a confession to make. I am fascinated by Twitter and my “followers”. I wish there was a little birdie (or an app) which showed how people come to follow you on Twitter. I am inspired when people post what inspires them or what is working in their business. I love social media because it invites the possibility of meeting people of like-mind who understand the power of connection, even if from afar. If you follow me on Twitter, I may buy your book, I will check out your website and I am fascinated by who you are.

I am also fascinated by the concept of “self-compassion”. I used to think self-esteem was a registry for how to embody recovery from anorexia and bulimia. This is sticky territory, especially if the core of your suffering is so widely accepted that it is almost encouraged (seen by the media) in a culture such as America where 9 out of 10 women are dissatisfied with their bodies. Imagine if there was a registry for inner talk.

Self-esteem is more of the reflection you have of yourself based on the outside world – including the beliefs you have about yourself based on history, genetics and culture, as well as your measure of success. If you look around, you may never be good enough. There will always be someone with more money, a better ______ than you, and on and on. Which is why self-esteem may not matter much in recovery or in your ability to lose weight and keep it off, develop a healthy body image and ultimately to LOVE YOURSELF.

The type of love I am referring to starts from within. It does not come from others, it does not come from how good you are, how much you give back, how much you left behind or how much you care about other people. It is not measured nor can it be negotiated. It is like the distinction between asking God or your concept of a Higher Power to help you find a job or a lover, and having a conversation with the Divine as you embody your greatness no matter what is going on in your life.

Self-compassion is the ability to transcend what is going on in order to fully embrace your suffering. It comes with gifts. Big ones. The sort of gifts that keep on giving and do not depend on Karma. It naturally attunes you to having positive karma, not because you have to make up for a shortcoming, but because you want to fall so deeply in love with life, that you feel called to give back.

I recently watched a video by Happiness expert and Stanford psychologist, Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D., on self-compassion, which shows the parts in a brain that are not firing when someone is depressed, and the parts that get activated with someone allows themselves to be with their suffering. She explains a study that was done where participants journal at the end of the day about the worst thing that happened to them during the day and talk to themselves as they would a good friend with the same experience. The conclusion of the study was that by looking at their suffering, depression and negative feelings were alleviated. It is as simple as this. The people involved in the study were doing a service to themselves to dive deep into what was perhaps the worst part of their lives and could naturally develop a conversation with themselves that elicited lightness of being.

What does this mean to weight loss? To recovery from an addiction to a person, substance or behavior? To overcoming anorexia or bulimia? First off, it does not happen all at once and it does give your freedom from the pressures that overwhelm you such as wanting to look better, have more money or a better life than someone else.

Self-compassion is a practice, that can be started in any moment. It is an antidote to choosing a self-deprecating behavior, yet it is what is beyond perfection and because of your humanity. It is being with truth even when it hurts and embracing the parts of yourself that are shameful, not your best and hidden form others in embarrassment or limiting beliefs (such as not being good enough). As Debbie Ford says in the Dark Side of the Light Chasers, “You must go into the dark in order to bring forth your light.
Our full magnitude is more than most of us can ever imagine.”

The alternative to self-compassion is to micro-manage the parts of ourselves that we feel bad about, rebel in shaming behaviors and never let ourselves fully discover the wide range of emotions available to us as human beings. Denial leads to shame and shame may lead to denial. Self-compassion is a way to understand that we will never be good enough if we are trying to measure up to a standard. Life is an organic process of shifting in subtle ways in order to achieve greatness. Greatness we may see in others may be the illusion that they are more free than us in a way that creates a pathway of shame in our heart.

True greatness is the pathway that exists and is always available to us, in the center of our heart, as the feeling of love, compassion, forgiveness and joy, simply because we can. Take a deep breath into the awareness that you are home. All of you is welcome here and that your body, breath and life are good enough to exist in this moment as a whole, healthy, happy and healing person.

*One more note: self-compassion is not a way of avoiding accountability or responsibility for our emotions. It makes us more accountable, to love ourselves more fully so that we let go of the illusion that we will ever be good enough than we might have been in order to become who we truly are: which is truth and love, constantly seeking expression….

Follow me on Twitter :)

322 days ago Short URL Comments

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31

May

Radiance as a Heart Opening Process

More and more each day, I see people and clients who are attracted to the possibility of being present, in their body, feeling better and connecting on a deeper level. Perhaps we have the financial or energy crisis to thank for this, or maybe it is even coming from a place in the earth, the stars the moon or the planetary alignment. Whatever it is, people get it more than they used to.

I started practicing yoga at 16 when I was terrified of being in my body. Until I discovered the limiting belief that was guiding my ship (I am not good enough/Their is something wrong with me) I could not practice yoga in peace. Now, I teach what I previously struggled to learn and absolutely must share, otherwise a part of me forgets what is true. So, here I am to share what works to embody your feelings, in the moment and to deeply connect with a purpose of existing here together in balance, being supported by earth and using our resources wisely.

1. Notice the conversations you are having with yourself.

2 .Own your stuff: I wish I could say there is a way to remind ourselves constantly of what is true or to be rigorously honest. Imagine what you are thinking when you express anger to someone in an inapropriate way. Perhaps you are aware of simply what is bugging you about how they are showing up. And then consider: what is my role?

3. Look within. If you are trying to make a decision, pushing yourself to move ahead in life or work, moving towards a moving target and consistently disappointed, you may check in with yourself and acknowledge your intentions. Something like: What am I trying to get out of this? What do I need to fill my tank?

4. Wake up to your life. Do whatever it takes to become happy. Celebrate yourself by trying something new. Do today in a whole new way by getting out of your comfort zone. You may drive to work in a new way or go to a new restaurant, reach out to make contact with someone who seems beyond you to connect with and do the work that it takes to make yourself visible!

5. There is so much more. All for now. I have to go now to do my homework for b-school! Check it out: have your heard of Marie Forleo or Laura Roeder? They are the bomb for inspiring you to come out now and use your gifts to wake up others.

Bye for now ;)

 

364 days ago Short URL Comments

Lifestyle/meditation/Recovery/Sexuality/Weight

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24

Jan

Eating Disorder or Identity Crisis

I hate to admit that the theme for this post came from a search from a previous post, but I do like to know what people are interested in and how what I know may resonate what you want to read. The topic of whether you are struggling from an eating disorder or going through an identity crisis hits very close to the center of my heart.

First, a coach I have worked with in the past, Heather Fougnier – who is recovered from bulimia and helps women to recover, as well as is a business coach, reminded me that if I am struggling with any aspect of my eating disorder, a new door may reveal itself for me to walk through. This does not mean that if you are in between jobs, school, relationships or on vacation, that you should make it a time to over or under eat. It does mean, that a lack of structure in one’s life may make it more difficult to maintain structure in all areas of life – unless, you are doing it for survival and understand fully the consequences of not taking care of yourself.

There are simple, practical ways to set aside an unhealthy relationship with food RIGHT NOW. If you are struggling with anorexia, bulimia, compulsive over-eating and are at risk, I do not claim to be diagnosing your condition or able to treat you, but I can offer you healthy habits to add in TODAY to start to feel better. And, in my 14 years of recovering from anorexia, bulimia and any form of eating disorder there is, I know that #1 way to maintain a recovery mindset is through balanced nutrition. THis is a matter of feeling starving and wanting to binge, starving and wanting to keep on starving or overeating and not wanting to stop, there is one way to heal all of these conditions and it is by getting enough of the right foods to eat at regular intervals and doing so with mindfulness and compassion.

When I first started recovery, and at points I still practice this when I remember to it is to say a blessing over your food, and when you do to remember any one who has ever struggled with an eating disorder or who is currently struggling. This can look like: Please bless the lives of all those men and women who have ever and are currently struggling in their relationship with food. Help them to breathe deeper, eat more mindfully and be nourished by the food they put into their bodies. Doesn’t it feel better to acknowledge you are not alone in the struggle? It has for me and I bet it will for you also!

What are some other ways we can move beyond having the eating disorder as an identity? See it as such. When you are not fully taking care of yourself, there are many things that might have triggered you to get off course – mental, physical, emotional and spiritual. We are multi-dimensional people with holistic needs. The food is one piece out of the pie, but it is a necessary and vital piece which makes the other pieces fall into place mmore effortlessly. Imagine when you are satisfied by a meal are having been starving to eat and how much better you feel and easier it is to think and feel! When you are under or over fed, this may not be the case. Overeating can cause the same symptoms of lethargy and sleeplessness, combined with anxiety and depression, all of which lead to feeling confused about what to do and what you may need to get back on track.

So, to move toward your goals today, start by balancing your plate. What does a balanced plate look like?

A meal should have:

  • 1-3 servings of starch, preferably gluten free (whole grains or whole grains crackers/breads)
  • 3 servings of protein, about 15-25 g of protein
  • 2-3 fats – up to 1 T oil (coconut, flax, olive, ghee)
  • veggies – as many as possible, preferably most of your plate

A snack:

  • 1 starch (ie fruit, crackers, rice cake)
  • 1 protein (cheese, nuts, hummus)

Eating every 2-3 hours is a smart way to keep your brain supercharged and blood sugar stabilized. Doing so is your ticket to a healthy recovery and a life of healthy, sustainable nutritional habits.

491 days ago Short URL Comments

Food and Mood/Gluten Free/meditation/Recovery/Weight

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29

Jun

Awaken Radiance

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Look within. There is a light within you that is waiting to shine at all times. No matter where you are in your life, you can connect with the Source of your light. Your inner radiance is there, constantly seeking expression and awaiting an invitation for you to allow it to shine. Left alone, this part of you will grow dark, dense and heavy with the energy from society—the messages from the media and the collective subconscious reminding you that you are not, will never be and cannot become the light that you are simply by being. The world is designed to sell you more that you will ever need to be who you are. Radiance is your natural birthright and cannot be bought, sold, molded or taught. It is your essence, your beauty, that which you see and feel that you love. You have the permission to allow this to come through you and to follow the guidance that is leading you into full self-expression.

Brought to light, your radiance will lead you to a path with heart. Once you awaken this part of you, your life will never be the same. Your responsibility in this life is to connect with the source of that which brings you into the flow—the radiant light of your heart that is within you and all around you.

Start by noticing what you love. You can go within, and think of a time or place that brings a smile to your face and an uplifting sensation to your heart center. Notice the sensational experience of positive thinking. Rest there for a moment. Feel the heart center opening, safe and expansive, accepting what is there and inviting more light to come in and shine forth. This is your key to awakening to radiance. You can allow this feeling to guide you through your life. As long as you are able to breathe in and follow your inspiration, breathe out and away from your past—you awaken to a faithful journey of awakening to your radiance–the flow which is always available to you.

If you are not consciously connected to your radiance, you are always one breath away from accepting your light and shining it as never before in a whole new way. Your reflection will continue to brighten in the world as you keep coming back to this light within you. You may notice yourself attracting more positive energy—people will want what you have and those who formerly sucked you dry, will follow you along more effortlessly than before. As you move away from thinking there is something wrong with you, you invite your light to shine and others to come out and awaken their lights to shine.

Meditation for Radiance:

Come to a comfortable sitting position. Feel your tailbone slightly untuck and your sits bones blossoming. Allow yourself to go within for this next segment of time. Inhale, soften and receive the breath. Exhale, relax, release, let go. Inhale, draw the breath in through the nose, exhale, release it through the mouth with a “ha”. Allow the attention to follow the breath for a minute or so. Bring the attention to the heart center. Feel the feelings of grtitude for your heart center, for all the energy that is there–allow it to open, unravel and expand–healing your energy and spreading down out and the fingertips–passing along the love that is within you, connecting your heart to all beings everywhere. Drop your attention down into the lower abdominals. Feel soft and expansive in this area. Cultivate a vision–perhaps feel the qualities of an animal (ie a dolphin or bird that calls to you) or a place in nature (ie waterfall or ocean)–that emobodies space and expansion for you. Rest there, calling on guides or images that connect you to the Source of Universal love that is within you and all around you. Rest here for a few minutes. Allow you radiance to awaken as you sit peacefully in the truth of your existence: you are a radiant being who is here to awaken and shine your light with the world.

Namaste~

1065 days ago Short URL Comments

meditation/Recovery

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28

Jun

Just Breathe

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Notice how you are breathing now. Assuming you are staring the computer, it is not likely you are gazing from a relaxed state of mind. You may notice yourself looking as you read, from a place of trying to figure it out, rather than allowing the information to come to you. This is your body’s reaction to the fight or flight response from over-stimulation, and your seeking ways to feel better is your body wanting to come into alignment with your natural well-being . It is remarkable that you have made it to this information: your life is never going to be the same as you learn to take in life and relieve yourself of the burden of restricting the flow. Life is being lived through you, and as you learn to breathe, you will release the natural flood of well being. Welcome to the sensational experience of this life. Welcome home.

Breath is life. Learning to breathe is a natural response to individuality assuming responsibility of empowering the world simply because of the embodiment of space. Notice when you are around someone who is stressed out, the natural instinct to restrict the breath. Notice also, when you feel relaxed, and can’t be bothered by other’s stress, you are less likely to take it on and so feel grounded in yourself and more than likely breathing! It is nearly impossible to allow your energy to be absorbed by negativity if you are breathing deeply. Inhaling, you have the option to take in new life in this moment now, and exhaling, you are granted the ability to release and let go of what is no longer serving you in order to awaken to a deeper experience of life. From here, you step forth on the journey, one breath at a time.

Deep belly breathing will give you the power to heal your life from the inside out. Fill your lungs from the bottom up, and release the air from the top down to the bottom is a smooth and effortless and natural process, which may have been interrupted if you are a human being alive today. What are some ways to grow more conscious with the breath? Teach yourself to breathe by focusing in on the breath. You will discover you have everything you need within the breath. Try this: the next time you are stressed about something, such as a relationship or needing to be other than you are at any point in time, bring your attention to the breath. Are you still trying to figure out what’s wrong with you or the world?

Become aware of the quality of the breath and how you are feeling. From there, as you inhale, push the stomach forwards as you breathe in. Then, push the ribs sideways while still breathing in and finally, allow the chest and collarbone to lift up while still breathing in and pause for a moment. Allow this process to be continuous, a flow of breath moving in, opening you up, creating space in the body, to prepare for the exhalation. Exhale, allow the collar bone, chest and ribcage to relax–the air will release automatically. Next, close off the ribcage and then allow the stomach to draw in slightly, expelling any remaining air in the lungs. The exhalation should be passive, not forcing the breath out at any given point, yet allowing it to flow out of you, and a bit more–emphasized by the drawing in of the abdomen.

To practice deep belly breathing, come to an upright and dignified posture. You may sit comfortable cross-legged or in a chair, whichever works for your spine to feel most erect. Visualize a waterfall flowing in through the crown of your head, and continuing all the way down the spine, grounding you down. Feel the sensation that all is well and the support coming up from the Earth beneath you, supporting you letting go, while expanding and growing tall.

Inhale the breath into the abdomen, filling up from the bottoms of the lung, expanding the ribcage, and all the way up to the collarbones. Feel the shoulders melt down the back. As you exhale, release the head neck and shoulders fully, melting the chest, ribcage and abdominals. Continue this deep belly breathing, from the bottom up, and the top down, releasing, relaxing and restoring your natural radiance.

1066 days ago Short URL 1 Comment

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23

Jun

Recover Your Radiance

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You can have the life you want. You can create your life according to your inner vision. You can be, do and have everything that you think about that you want.

It all starts with a desire. If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you will keep getting what you always got. So, if you want a better life, you have a desire to feel better in any or all areas of your life. Your responsibility is to allow the inner urge to feel better to come through you, and release the past and all negative beliefs and habits that hold you back, in order to create space for allowing life to be lived through you. Thanks to the law of attraction, you can see what you want and feel your way to limitless self-expression. You will discover as you step into your power, that you are transcending your limitations and transforming your life.

Life is an expression of your Soul. You came here on a mission and everything you have ever felt, thought or experienced up until now have formed who you are now, but have nothing to do with where you are going. The process of creation begins each moment as you keep going within and connecting with the well-being feelings within you (joy, peace, happiness, enthusiasm, abundance, love, etc…). As you follow the positive feelings, you will find you are led to people, places and things that are supporting the expansion of your Soul.

A limited Soul in need of blessings may act against itself, and may be held back by an addiction to substance or food, depression, anxiety, health condition, stress or attachement to stress or struggle, thinking only about what feels bad about life. As you think, so shall you become, and the Soul who is meditating on the pain of existence, is going to digest pain in the body and assimilate pain in the thoughts that perpetuate the cycle of an eating disorders, compulsive behavior, or any other crisis.

Healing on a Soul level is available to you. The Soul is constantly seeking expression. Left untold, the story of the Soul feels limited by life. Given the strength, courage and wisdom, the Soul will transform your life beyond your belief.

What are some ways to transform you life on a Soul level?

1—Meditation
Create Radiance offers Customized Meditation CDs to heal from eating disorders, substance abuse, hormonal imbalances impacting menopause or PMS symptoms, stress, thyroid issues, digestive disturbances, insomnia and more.
2—Life Coaching
The process of coaching is a gift you give to reclaim the gifts you were meant to receive and feel support in stepping into your greatness as you take action that align with your Soul’s values.
3—Yoga
Go within. Learn to breathe deeply through the resistance and awaken to your inner light. Each time you step on the mat, you will discover a deeper connection to your Soul and more meaningful experience of life. Stay tuned for a series of Create Radiance yoga videos.

Call 615-618-6556 today for a free phone consultation to discover your light and shine!

1071 days ago Short URL 1 Comment

Lifestyle/meditation/Recovery/Weight/yoga

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13

Jun

Soul to Mother Connection

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Find a comfortable place to sit or lie down. Feel your body making contact with the floor or the chair. Feel the support coming up from the earth and fully allow your body to let go. Take a few moments to deepen the breath, inviting the breath to move into every cell of your body. Breathe in Infinite Love and Gratitude and breathe out judgement, resistance and negative energy. Stay with the breath as long as you need to ground yourself into the moment. You will know you are ready when the mind quiets down and you feel the energy flowing effortlessly through the body.

Take yourself to a safe place in your mind. Go deep. You may want to focus your inner vision on your third eye, the space in between your eyebrows and keep it there for the duration of the meditation. Create the safe place from a memory of somewhere you have been—a beach, or an special place in your home, favorite vacation spot, or create your own secret garden. Call on what you need in your garden—animals: birds, dogs, butterflies. Surround yourself with animal guides who are harmonizing your spirit with its natural rhythms. If there are people who ground you and remind you of your strengths and symbolize what you need to feel at home in your skin, invite them into the picture as well.

Keep feeling yourself letting go and being supported by Mother Earth and the energy freely circulating throughout the body.

Drop down into your lower belly. Visualize the color orange circulating a few inches below the navel. Notice what’s there and allow anything that needs to be revealed to speak to you. Tell your Soul you are going to take this time to talk to the Mother within you and ask some questions. Remind this Mother that you are the Soul here to love her unconditionally, and that she is your protector, will never leave your side. Allow your Mother to have a voice. Perhaps get a visual or a feeling from her—and acknowledge the qualities that she embodies (ie courageous, confident, charismatic, receptive). Allow your Soul to reveal to your Mother the gifts that she is bearing and to remind her what she is here to offer the world. Allow them to speak to one another about the possibility of creating life deep in the womb. Feel the sensation of support and connect with the feelings that are there when you visualize a seed growing in your womb. Feel yourself nurturing this seed and see what comes up for you. Let yourself go there for this next segment of time. Allow the feelings to come up and trust that they will pass. Cultivate the qualities that you feel passionate about passing along into this world in your womb. For now, make a commitment to continue cultivating the seeds of your Soul. You can come back to this place anytime you need to know if where you are going align’s with your Soul’s wisdom by placing your hand on your womb and asking yourself a question and trusting the first thing that comes to you is what you are needing to know.

This process is not to decide whether or not to have a child, but to integrate the Mother within you with your Soul’s wisdom. The decision to create will come in Divine time, and will come through you. Desire is the beginning of all creation. In allowing your desire to come to you, you gain the satisfaction of having received it—you also gain a whole new perspective from which to desire more.

1081 days ago Short URL 1 Comment

meditation/Recovery

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