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Guest Post: Time to Cleanse your Chakras

10 Jan

Thanks to Amanda for this guest post!

If you need help with chakra balancing, you will benefit from this chakra cleanse ritual.

Chakras are the energy centers of the soul. Are your chakras open or blocked? There are many reasons for the blocking of a chakra, including trauma, bad habits, and injury. If you handle the stress in your life in an improper manner, you could have a blocked chakra, resulting in physical and emotional health issues.

A person who is balanced is in touch with their physical needs and takes good care of their body, feeding their mind, spirit and body, healthy thoughts, emotions and nourishment. They are peaceful and serene; they are healthy and active. they are conscious of their feelings and the feelings of those around them, and they can facilitate their own processing of feelings as well as determine how to handle the feelings of the people in their sphere of influence. They are spiritually minded and feels that they are one with the universe. They speak their truth honestly and without hindrance, and they are able to listen to the needs and desires of others as well. They are creative and solution-oriented.

If your chakras are imbalanced, you can balance your chakras through a combination of yoga, meditation, color therapy and the use of stones.

Choose one stone from each of the following categories so you will have one stone for every chakra:

First Chakra – Black, Red or Brown Stone
Black Tourmaline – Good for when you feel your ability to survive is threatened
Hematite – Protects your emotional space if others feel invasive
Tiger’s Eye – Physical security

Second Chakra – Red or Orange Stone
Bloodstone – Energy
Carnelian – Sexual energy or creativity
Red Jasper – Flowing energy of earth
Ruby – Passion

Third Chakra – Yellow, Coral, Yellow-Green Stone
Argonite – Calming
Citrine – Manifest abundance
Golden Calcite – Personal empowerment
Malachite – Creativity, solar plexus

Fourth Chakra – Pink or Green Stone
Aventurine – Heart health
Emerald – Love
Green Tourmaline – Opens the creative aspect of the heart
Lepidolite – Calms the heart, relieves stress
Pink Calcite – Release emotional pain, learn to love again
Rose Quartz – Self Love

Fifth Chakra – Blue Stones
Aquamarine – Serenity while communicating
Blue Topaz – Fearless communication
Chrysocolla – Confidence in self expression
Larimar – Deep, vulnerable, honest communication

Sixth Chakra – Dark Blue or Purple Stones
Amethyst – Tranquility
Azurite – Release old beliefs and form new ones
Charoite – Overcome fear
Kyanite – Sense of Purpose

Seventh Chakra – White or Clear Stones
Clear Calcite – Spiritual perspective
Danburite – Serenity when life is difficult; eternal perspective
Herkimer Quartz – Dissolves chakra blockages

The one crystal you will really want to have for a chakra cleansing ritual is Herkimer quartz – this stone clears all chakra blockages.

You can either wear the stones or perform a ritual where you place the appropriate stone on the appropriate chakra and meditate. Follow this ritual with a regular yoga practice, ask your yoga instructor to teach you how to perform poses that will open and balance your chakras.

About the author: Amanda Tradwick is a grant researcher and writer for CollegeGrants.org. She has a Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Delaware, and has recently finished research on grants for graduate students and free federal education grants.

go go Ganesh!

11 Aug

Last week I had the pleasure of taking part in a lecture on Indian deities at Dr. Manoj Chalam’s Unique Arts. I was invited as a guest of Prana Yoga‘s summer intensive teacher trainees and happily tagged along. Dr. Chalam is a scientist and expert in spiritual art, symbolism and mythology. He works closely with Deepak Chopra and John Friend, knew MC Yogi before he was MC Yogi, and recently spoke at the Yoga Journal Conference in New York.

I wish I had taken photos of the space (and hope to go back to get a better look at the temple and warehouse), but you’ll just have to imagine it: high ceilings, carpeted floors where we sat like children, eager to gain new insight into the spiritual and mythological aspects of yoga, shelves full of intricate metal statues, and a beautiful little temple tucked into a back room.

Manoj didn’t disappoint. He started with the basics and told us stories of Shiva and Shakti and their sons, Murugan and Ganesh. We spent most of our time on Ganesh (there’s a lot to talk about – Ganesh is pretty awesome), exploring the intricacies of his symbolism.

Like a good student, I took notes!  (more…)

relax! vacations are good for your health

2 Jul

We live in a crazy world. If you’re anything like me, you go from one thing to the next without taking much time to rest. Our technology-filled world keeps us constantly connected, so much so that we often forget to just be in the present. I sometimes feel like taking one day off will leave me feeling more stressed or behind than rested, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

My lovely little sister, Stephanie, passed along this article from Brenda Wilson on why vacations are so vital to our health and wellbeing. From lower blood pressure to improved connections with friends and family, relaxation and rest give our mind, body and spirit a welcome break.

A pic from our February trip to Puerto Rico. Ahh!

This weekend, I’m challenging myself – and you – to take some vacation. Even if it’s just a day, try to disconnect. Focus on living in the present, really being with the people (or nature or book, you get it) you have right here, right now. If you can do it, ditch your cell phone for the day (or at least put it at the bottom of your bag and only use it for emergencies).  We’re taking a stay-cation pool/BBQ day on Monday and I’m soo looking forward to laughing, swimming, eating and catching up with friends.

I hope you all have a very happy and safe 4th of July weekend and remember to relax!

Sunday Night Santosha

6 Jun

Rather than worry about all the things on my to-do list (those lists are never-ending, anyways), I consciously took time this week to take breaks, let down my guard and open up – and I’m glad I did.  Tonight’s santosha is thanks to just that: opening up to the beautiful energy of others.

- I took a hot yoga class (not my preferred style) on Wednesday at a studio I’d never been to and was pleasantly surprised with the class and the friendliness of the staff, who welcomed me with open hearts and fun conversation. I will definitely go back.

- What could’ve been a one-time business exchange on Friday turned into an hour and a half of deep discussion on spirituality, yoga, and life, and hopefully the beginning a long-term friendship.

- And today I had drinks with an old family friend in town for the half marathon, and we ended up being a group of 8 friends-of-friends (2 from Chicago, 1 from Houston, 1 from Hawaii, 1 from Riverside, and 3 of us from San Diego) and we all talked and laughed as if we had known each other for years, rather than hours.

Had I not been open, all these encounters wouldn’t have been anything special, but because I was, they were all special and I made many new friends. Pretty sweet how that works.  Have a great week!

Sunday Night Santosha

31 May

It’s not technically Sunday (although it is the end of the long weekend so I’ll allow it) and I wanted to share a little love with you.  I’ve decided to start a weekly blog sharing simple life inspirations and/or happenings I’m grateful for, and hopefully create positive, peaceful energy to start the new week.

Why “Sunday Night Santosha?” Santosha (सन्तोष) means contentment or a “peaceful kind of happiness in which one rests without desires;” it’s one of the five niyamas, or personal observances, in yoga. (Niyama is the second of the eight limbs of yoga.)  Practicing contentment allows us to be present and grateful for each moment – one of the best ways to be truly happy.  Take a look around and for at least a moment, realize you have everything you need right now and that you are fine. It’s that simple.

Fresh flowers always make me happy!  Thanks to A for the beautiful flowers and G for the lovely vase. 

Tonight’s santosha has been inspired by good friends and simple beauty. I can only be content when I stop and take in the love and beauty that surrounds me: visits from dear friends, yummy food enjoyed over laughter and lively conversation, the amazing scenery of La Jolla, and outdoor yoga – the earth directly below us, the sun beaming down on us, and maybe a sprinkler shower (I mentioned laughter, right?). Life is good.

I hope you all took some time to recharge and be content. Happy Memorial Day! Here’s to a new week!

sensible yogi says…

10 May

I found this flow chart on the Yogis Anonymous Facebook page and wanted to share.  It’s a great reminder to let go and not stress about things we have no control over, as hard as that may be sometimes.

 

Guest Post: Mood Food: 5 Tasty Ways to Beat the Blues

3 Mar
Big thanks to Wendy Lau for this submission!
—-
Wendy Lau is a guest blogger for My Dog Ate My Blog and a writer on getting your bachelors degree online for the Guide to Online Schools.

When feeling tension or down, or sad, there are many ways people go about finding comfort. Some people go shopping, others resort to alcohol and then there are those who turn to food. Turning to food can be an issue if you are overindulging yourself in unhealthy food. There are foods you can turn to that are healthy and that have properties to help make a person feel better.

Some healthy foods act as stimulants to elevate mood and help the body release serotonin, or “pleasure hormones.” Many of these healthy foods also improve the immune system so you have a quicker recovery process to any challenges that come your way.

There are many foods to help you beat the blues, and we nailed down five of them here that should be easy for you to find at the grocer or supermarket. These are also foods that are readily edible or that are easy to prepare.

5 Healthy Foods That Can Help Change Your Mood

1. Almonds

Faced with tension, almonds are who you need to go to. A handful of almonds will pack your body with vitamin B and E.  Vitamin B helps improve the function of red and white blood cells, while Vitamin E is an antioxidant that bolsters your immune system. A handful of almonds a day may also help maintain a healthy cholesterol level, according to the Almond Board of California. This is a much healthier way to beat the blue than popping Doritos in your mouth. (more…)

Yoga in Fiji – 2012

1 Mar

- Coming Soon –

Yoga in Fiji – May/June 2012

Join Helen and Abbi for a beautiful and relaxing rainforest and beach yoga retreat an hour and a half drive from Nadi International Airport on the main Fijian island of Viti Levu.

More information coming soon.  Please email if interested! balancingwellness@gmail.com

 

4 steps to sustain peak performance

18 Jan

I’m borrowing these from Keith Ferrazzi’s blog and because they’re so right on, they don’t need much commentary.  These tips come from Scott Peltin, author of Sink, Float, or Swim.  They’re great for both personal and organizational wellness programs.

 

1.    Mindset: You have over 60,000 thoughts a day. Reframe thoughts that drag you down. Instead of thinking “I’m overwhelmed, “ think “I am present.”

  

2.    Nutrition: FORTY PERCENT of how you feel right now is due to your last meal. Did you eat a meal that set you up for success? Make sure that every meal you eat fuels you properly for your activities of the next three to four hours.

(more…)

New Year’s detox?

6 Jan

We can all use a good detox every once in awhile (whether that be physicial, emotional, spiritual, etc) and the start of the new year is a very popular time to do it!  Just a few days ago the new year felt so fresh, but my body, brain and work inbox are already in serious need of some detoxing (I get so many emails that even if I’m constantly responding, I can’t get below 40 unread messages…booo…but that’s another story for another day).

My man and I are going to Puerto Rico in February for a friend’s wedding and while I’m usually not much of a diet-for-the-event kinda gal, I think I may use the trip as an excuse to treat myself to the below detox program that Prana Yoga and Linea Chiropractic are organizing.  I could certainly do one on my own, but I usually can’t last more than a week on my own willpower (admitting it is the first step, right?).  I think the structure of a group setting will really help me.  There’s an info session next week, so more to come!

21-Day NEW YEAR’S PURIFICATION PROGRAM, in cooperation with Linea Chiropractic Center, Patricia Lotufo, D.C.

Pre-detox & info meeting: January 11 at 7:00 – 8:00pm

Location: Community Health Loung, 7730 Herschel Avenue, #K

Kick off the new year with a 21-day group detoxification program through nutrition & Yoga!

  • Boost your metabolism
  • detox your body
  • clear your mind 

while making a commitment to lasting health, balance, inner calm and well being. 

This 21-day group detox includes unlimited Yoga. Exercising during body detoxification is safe and highly recommended. Exercise accelerates the detoxification process and increases your cardiovascular capacity. Let alone increasing muscle strength and flexibility.

Fee: $365 for early sign up discount, or $439. 

Includes all whole foods nutritional supplements, physical and nutritional exam by Linea, unlimited Yoga, weekly group meetings, daily emails with healthy recipes and updates.

RSVP to info@prana-yoga.com for early bird discount (20%).

Also available is pre- and post lab work.  You can utilize your health insurance, or get a cash price discount through Linea’s lab co-op network.

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