I Surrender...

I Surrender...

Today wasn't perfect, and that's actually great. In my quest to explore the boundaries of my body, I wanted to approach my practice today with a sense of abandon, and just simply let go. I've been focusing in on my root chakra and reflecting on what Mercury Retrograde might mean for me as it dials back it's trajectory on December 3rd. I wore two grounding crystals, red jasper and black tourmaline to assist in healing my root chakra. I thought about what Ken Dychtwald was saying about some my body imbalances in my root chakra that cause me to grasp for control on hold on too tightly out of fear and my past trend of rationalizing them and my current mode of acceptance. I knew that today would shake up this stuff in some way. I felt it.

I realized that I might not make all my deadlines when I was on the BART today, I got to class and made peace with that. I left my backpack inside the my office at The Guardsman, the City College of San Francisco Newspaper where I've spent the last year as a reporter and now a culture editor. That backpack had some stuff I needed in there, including my "Energy Oracle" tarot deck and my copy of "Bodymind". On the way to my jazz improvisation class where I sing, I bumped into a women who should have pushed all my triggers. She asked me if I wanted to go to a bible study. I told her I was more spiritual than religious, and what could have turned confrontational, actually helped me realized just how far I have moved beyond my bitterness of having been raised in a cult religion and my migration to a place of acceptance. More root chakra issues. I plan on exploring my inner child and facing more root chakra places where I am stuck. All in all, I'd say that today went pretty well. I plan to practice meditation and tap deeper into my root chakra. There is more gold to be mined there. No doubt Mercury will further help me to uncover any other unfinished business inside my root chakra. I am making it a point to consider all the ways in which I can unpack and let go of all the stuff, psychic debris, attachments, persons, energies, places and things that no longer serve me. I am ready to completely unveil a new me on the inside and the outside! It's time for an ultimate cleansing of mind, body and soul.

I Am Focused

I Am Focused!

Today I had so many tasks to complete, that this yoga practice was a god send. I am eternally grateful to all the practices that the Yoga With Adriene channel posts on their You Tube. They have been a source of immense benefit to both me and my massage therapy clients. I am learning to accept the challenges that my body and mind is giving me. I am tending to my first chakra because my circumstances are asking me to address my basic needs for survival at this time. As always my practice "has my back" to quote Adriene. And also so do my many spirit guides and angels. This statement may not connect with you, but take whatever works for you and let go of the rest. While I truly believe that there are beings in the spirit world that serve as helpers for humanity, that's not what gets everyone through their lives when things seem like they are weaving complicated webs. And that's OK. Yoga today has helped me to be mindful and to notice areas where I am gripping on all it's worth and not living in the natural flow of things with ease. Ken Dychtwald's "Bodymind" book is doing the same. I've been reading it voraciously all week. It's time for me to accept the changes that are flowing into my existence and live to my fullest potential!

I Enjoy!

I Enjoy!

I didn't enjoy today when I first woke up. But this little gem of a practice was powerful motivation for me to do just that. I realized later in the day that I did a significant amount of releasing of emotions. I was led by the universe to pick up a book that I've often revisited over the years called "Bodymind" by Ken Dychtwald. Every time I read this book, I discover something new. I realized that I was onto something earlier this year when I decided to devote two weeks to each chakra. According to the book focusing on one chakra at a time seems to be a way to support the energy body from the ground up -- literally. Only this time instead of only devoting two weeks, I'm going to devote at least two months instead and then at the end of that time, explore whether or not I feel as if I've done enough journeying there. I feel like deep healing is needed energetically in my financial and stability center. It's time to get rooted and grounded. This 30 day practice is only the beginning! I feel the change coming on, and I welcome it with open arms.

I Am Open!

I Am Open!

Halfway there! I'm almost there. I am staying open to whatever the universe has to offer me. I am open to change and open to letting go of the things I no longer need. I have learned a lot of hard lessons over the last 2 years and I see that Saturn is still teaching me. Mercury is around the corner and somehow this feels different. It feels like a lot of more impactful things could happen to me before this year is out, good and bad. I'd be lying if I said that I didn't feel a sense of trepidation. But I'm trying to be open to that too -- to embrace uncomfortable feelings and deal with them. It's tough allowing myself to be this vulnerable. It's raw and it's grating, and necessary and truth.

Going With The Flow

Going With The Flow

Today It was all about going with the flow. I woke up very sleepy and I just couldn't get going with any sort of real drive. I took my puppy outside to go potty and it was raining. I realized that I was kind of in a funky mood. And  you know what, that's ok. It's where I was and I just had to go deep into the breath of my yoga practice to assimilate those emotions and process how I was feeling and expressing them. to quote John Lennon, I just had to "let it be." I listened to two guided meditations, one a 10 minute meditation by "The Honest Guy's" YouTube channel, and one that was a chakra meditation that brought me back to myself. Mercury Retrograde is also just around the corner on December 3rd, and I'm dealing with being in it's shadow. Something tells me that I'm going to have to hold on tight this Mercury. But I'll be just fine, as long as I don't fight the waves of unrest, but surf them, continue to let go of what no longer serves me, and  finish, unfinished business. I'll follow the signs of the universe and navigate the uncharted waters with ease and grace. I'll step into the shadow with bravery and face the parts of myself that I find difficult. I'll end my time in Saturn with a show of strength, giving it all I've got, and come out on top!

 

 

I Deserve!

I Deserve!

For some reason, I had a hard time with this one later in the day. I told myself I deserve, peace, joy, love, abundance and yes forgiveness. I am thankful, immensely so, but I had trouble quantifying my worth in this way. I guess that just means that I still have some work to do. But I also have to accept where I am now and just continue to release what doesn't serve me. I will keep towing the line and continue on with my yoga practice, while accepting myself and accepting change. Ready. Set. Let Go!

I Trust

I Trust

This beautiful heart-opening practice allowed me to just sit with my emotions, and to examine all the areas where I resist situations and states of being. I could be present with all the uncertainties that have arisen and make peace with them. The battle is won just from being aware and allowing for all of the happenstance and unpredictable stuff. I was really able to "just ease into it and find what feels good," as Adrienne always says. This is the day after Thanksgiving  after all. Who wants to do very much of anything. I will use this time to reflect, reassess, realize and then move mindfully to down the next step on the path, knowing that my footsteps will land strong and sure. "I Trust".

I Release...

I Release...

Today "I Released" all the things that no longer serve my highest good. I woke up this morning feeling tired and depressed and turned to my yoga practice. Yoga Camp day 11, has been so rewarding. I realized that when you let go off the stuff you no longer need, that becomes like psychic junk that clogs the forward momentum of your life, you can move farther along a path that is closer to your destiny. From there you can begin to arrive in the places you need to be, what Janet Attwood in "The Passion Test" calls your "markers" -- the spots that serves as dogears to the pages in the book that is your life. And the things you need for your journey begin to show up effortlessly.

Today, I enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving meal with my close friend Jay at the house of some of his dear friends. I had a Friend's giving. I felt so welcomed as we all held hands around the table, expressing what each of us was grateful for. We had fun and played games, and there were moments when I laughed so hard, I almost cried. I haven't done that in so long that I can't remember. I had this overwhelming sense that I was right where I needed to in in that space in time. I am truly grateful and blessed, and I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

I Am Present

I Am Present

Today's mantra "I Am Present", reminds us to take notice of every little thing and to be totally there in the moment. Going through the motions can sometimes be us unaware and dull our senses to the full experience of life. If we are going through a time in our life where we feel numb, out-of-it, listless, unfocused, a great first step toward wholeness is to simple notice.

Earlier before my yoga, I was at my friend Meo's place again and I walked to Safeway to get something I needed. When I came across the Starbucks they had inside, I found myself craving a latte. When you are in a financial state like I am at the moment, where everything is budgeted, you can start to feel sorry for yourself. I remembered at the point, that I had a three dollar balance on my Starbucks card. All I had to do was add another dollar or two and YAY latte! As I walked back to Meo's sipping my latte, I suddenly remembered all the times when my finances were better, that I purchased several lattes a week without a thought to how lucky I was. I savored each taste of my latte with a renewed sense of appreciation and gratitude. I made a resolution then and there, that I would be grateful for each reward and joy in my life not matter how small. The next time I am able to purchase lattes whenever I want, I will treasure each and everyone and feel blessed. Meanwhile, as I was really enjoying my current cup of coffee, I realized that if I wanted another cup, all I had to do was put that intention out into the universe and one would show up. When I got back to Meo's place, I noticed a coupon for $1 off a latte at Starbucks Safeway. I took that as I sign that there were more coffee cups in my future.

I was with this attitude of positivity that I rolled out the yoga mat I borrowed from Meo and started Day 10 of Yoga Camp on the Yoga With Adriene YouTube channel. I feel so happy that this channel is on there to enjoy, and that people like Adriene take time out of their busy schedules to allow people to benefit from the practice of yoga, so that even if it isn't in their current budget to attend a yoga class that can still deepen their practice. In her practice I was reminded yet again about the importance of being present. I could see the colors of the artwork around me, the masks and plants, the light flowing in through the window, and hear the rhythmic inhalations and exhalations of my breath. I thought to myself, this is yoga! "I Am Present!"

I Am Bold

"I Am Bold"

I am making bold statements today. Clearing the air about misunderstandings, making myself heard, and setting boundaries. It is time for me to create the life that I want, to get out of my current financial quandary, and move ahead to a brighter, bigger and yes, much bolder future. Adriene has been such a reminder for me that I am a whole and healthy individual who deserves respect and that I am enough. In the soft light of this Scorpio new moon, it's time for deep reflections, even deeper feelings and to live with all the passionate fervor that my body and soul can muster. Even if I make mistakes or stumble, that's OK. I pick myself up, dust myself back off and remember to breathe. I just take my days one breath at a time and live from my truth with an authentic mind and heart until my very being vibrates with the joy and rightness of it!

I Choose! 11/20/17

I Choose!

Today I woke up feeling a large amount of anxiety about the current status of my financial well-being. I started worrying and fretting and feeling at a loss. Where was all my support? Falling away. That is when my close friend Jay enfolding me in his arms and I was reminded that there are a myriad of people around my who do support me. I remembered the lessons of yesterday's practice and started to take slow deep breaths, repeating the mantra "I Am Supported" with every inhale and
allowing the toxic thoughts of stress to flow out on every exhale. I went into my the Yoga With Adriene Yoga Camp practice this morning with some residual fears that started to melt away with the affirmation. "I Choose". I choose to be peaceful, loving, grounded, safe, supported and kind to myself and others. There are a variety of ways I can choose to spend my existence and a myriad of positive intentions I can choose to bring into my world and thus spread out into the world. "I Choose."

Note: Today I will be posting two separate blogs. This is actually yesterday's blog which I didn't get to post. So do today there will be two blogs, one for today and another for yesterday.

I Am Capable!

I Am Capable!

What am I capable of? I pondered this question as I flowed through the challenging poses in Day 7 of Yoga Camp on Yoga With Adriene. The answer I keep coming up with is ANYTHING! So then why am I procrastinating, putting "hard tasks" off for later, doubting myself, fearing the outcome of decisions, limiting my dreams to safer options, wondering what other people will think about certain life decisions? Of course the answer is fear. I read a blog about a week ago where this amazing woman said that she had made a choice to give up on fear after remembering a question her sister had asked her. The woman's sister had said "How would your life be if you never considered fear?" I decided that I was going to put that into practice. For better or for worse, I'm going to put concerted effort into conquering all the fears I noted above -- the unknowns. I invite my readers to as well. Only you know what those are -- the monsters that lurk deep in your subconscious. It's time the air them out and turn them into fuzzy stuffed animals. Go ahead and try it. I know all of our lives will be better for it. We are capable!

I Am Supported!

I Am Supported!

It's wonderful to feel supported in your life in your goals and hopes and dreams. I love repeating this mantra. When you feel supported, it affirms your place in the world and your self-assurance that you live in a state in which you are loved by those around you and in which the very universe itself has your back! This is an amazing zone to be in. It is the home of the nourished and balanced root chakra to solar plexus connection. You realized that you are grounded into the all the bounties that mother earth has to offer by accessing a healthy root chakra. Your sacral chakra is swimming and navigating the waves in the ocean of your existence with ease and fluidity, flowing around each bump and bend in the river. And your solar plexus is beaming with sunny energy and you are in control of all of your emotions, happy to see the joy that others can enjoy and you use your considerable amount of personal power for both your highest good and for that of others. This flows into you heart chakra and the path of enlightenment grows upwards from there. Imagine this. Be it. Live it. Say "I Am Supported!"

I Am Alive!

I Am Alive!

Today's yoga practice reminded me that I am alive and that I am full of gratitude to be so blessed to be living on this planet at this time, when the work that I am choosing to do as an energy practitioner and healer, as a writer and creator and as an soul being, is vital and important to the amount of healing that is needed in the world. If I can be just a small part of that positive equation than I can count myself lucky. Today, I am alive with strength, creativity, truth, love and joy. "I Am Alive!"

I Awaken

I Awaken!

"I Awaken!" joy, truth, clarity, peace and understanding. I showed up to my yoga practice today because sometimes you just have to get onto the mat and let it all out. I can feel the seeds of commitment to my practice taking root and bearing fruit. My practice today signaled the start of some deep hidden awareness from within me. I opened space for questions of existence and awareness. It let in infinite possibilities.

I Embrace

"I Embrace"

Day 3 of the Yoga Camp 30 Day Yoga Challenge on the Yoga With Adriene Youtube channel starts out perfectly. I'm am spending the day with my close friend Meo who is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) student in training. I have had a particularly stressful week fulfilling my duties as a Culture Editor at the City College of San Francisco (CCSF) newspaper The Guardsman. And that week is not yet over. I'm pursuing a liberal arts degree at CCSF, with a focus on journalism and
music. I'm am under constant deadlines and the tension that can build up in my body is literally palpable. I have been able to unwind with this 30 day practice in ways that I cannot even begin to express. Being at Meo's place also allows a sense of calm and focus to take place within my energy body. His house always smells of the homemade incense he cooks up, and herbal teas and is alive with positive vibes and crystal energy.

It was an honor to be able to practice yoga in his space and be treated to the wholesome vegetarian fare that he serves. Day 3's motto is "I Embrace". There couldn't be a better phrase for me right now. The practice reminded me that even in times of chaos, the universe can provide a quiet sanctuary in the eye of the storm - a balm of succor for the weary soul. It can be a portal into the realms of love and joy. I realized that "I Embrace" a lot of things. "I Embrace" myself, understanding, peace, joy, love, life, hope and change. And most of all I even "Embrace" the chaos, the pain, the fear and
the sadness and learn from the realness that they have to offer my life as well. In this state of acceptance, I can move past all of these intense emotions with a sense of levity and ease. I know that "this too shall pass" and that there is a rainbow on the other side of the tunnel and the brightest burst of sunlight is awaiting me.

Meo's Place

I Create!

I Create!

Today's affirmation in my 30 Day Yoga Challenge called Yoga Camp by Yoga With Adriene is "I Create". It has made me really examine the things I am actively creating in my life right now, what I kind of life I would like to envision and what things need to come into alignment in order to make those changes. There seems to be within me a force bubbling up that wants to do so many great things. And then theres this equal push toward completion,  the dedication to the process of getting there and the amount of follow-thru that is going to be needed.

Even while typing the words that are contained in this blog, I am examining what intentions will help me to go further in the pursuit of my dreams. Sometimes we get stuck in a reality. And I think that I have been. It's time for me to go beyond the box and really color outside the lines. I was only able to do one half of the 2nd day Yoga Camp video, and I was about to beat myself up over that. Then I had to realize that that simply commiting to the effort of changing is enough. I will make an effort to finish the rest of the practice or maybe even restart the whole yoga video later. And if not, no big deal. Better luck tomorrow! This experience of getting everything in where it fits in will help me adapt to the times when not everything goes as planned. Finding what works is sometimes my greatest asset. I have to remember that. I choose to let go of all the things that no longer served my highest good and move into a space of strength, vitality and movement. I have so many beautiful things to create both with and for the world!

I Accept!

I Accept!

 I haven't written in the That Healing Girl blog for such a long time. I've decided to recommit myself yet again to this journey towards wholeness.  I guess I never really left that journey. Recently tragedy has struck again, leaving me reeling in the aftermath. I've struggled to reconcile the dichotomy of so many amazing things happening to me amid the dark times. My creativity has blossomed, I have gained more clarity about my role as the wounded healer (more on that later) and I am developing my skills and talents as a singer, communicator, body worker, writer and many of the other hats I find so fascinating to wear. Yet I have experienced the loss of many dear loved ones. Just at the beginning of
August of this year, I lost one of my best friends who was like a sister to me and a month later my cat of over 9 years died.

 There are many times when I have been devastated by my emotions. In those periods of turmoil, I have turned to my yoga practice, crystal healing and meditation as well as Reiki and other energetic therapies and mindfulness practices. I have found them to be invaluable to me and have also turned to the practice of expressing gratitude for all the good that is still flowing through my life despite the trials and tribulations. It has been a hard road in the last few years, especially the last two years because am a Sagittarius who is nearly at the end of Saturn flowing through her sign. Saturn has been a firm taskmaster since the end of 2015 and hasn't let up much since. Now with the some of the lessons of Saturn behind me and possibly a few more to present themselves before the harsher vibrations of Saturn move away completely, it is very important that I take stock of the road ahead. Sagittarius goes in to Mercury Retrograde just as my sign exits Saturn, almost as if there will be more things for me to learn.

 It is the most appropriate thing in the world that I revive this blog with a 30 day yoga challenge. All the more so since it a yoga challenge was the exact seed of inspiration that allowed this blog to come into existence. It is also the vehicle through which I will re-enter this reflective terrain. I started today with the 30-Day Yoga Challenge called Yoga Camp from Yoga With Adriene. I've been following Adriene's yoga journey since 2015 and she has pulled me through so many hard. The videos and sentiments on her channel have helped me to channel my angst, grief, heart-breaks, and traumas. I began Monday
the 13th with the mantra, "I Accept". And I do accept all that life has thrown at me. I endeavor to keep breathing with grace and keep my vibrations elevated. I move through the uncomfortable parts of my life in surrender. "I Accept."