Getting Centered and Feeling Better

Have you ever noticed that when you feel “out-of-sorts” you might just need to take a break from what you’re doing? Sometimes if you switch up where you are, you can quickly change your perspective too. For me, I often just need to walk outside and literally smell the roses. Yes, I’m “smelling the different air” and in reality I’m putting myself in a different environment that allows my brain and my senses to make different connections and create a new way of being in that instant. And when I’m really in a stuck place, getting dirty in the garden is more often than not the perfect solution for me!

Kids have the very same need as we do to make a quick shift from blah to better. Emotions and feelings and that sensation of “I don’t know why I feel this way, but I do” can often be so all-encompassing that they can literally take over and cause a “no rational thought can even happen in this space.” When that happens to a child, you can make a big difference by helping them create new habits and patterns.

When you notice that your child and/or student is really having a rough time, create a diversion which can help them get unstuck and experience a different way of being. Be supportive of what your child is experiencing and validate what is being felt. You just might help create the moment when they realize they can be in control of their own energy and the way they feel — a true moment of empowerment.

Hit the Reset Button

Some possible diversions that can trigger a reset are:

• Come up with a favorite outside activity, like “want to go ride your bike?”
• Or “Let’s go for walk. I could really use a break.”
• “Will you help me_______?” (choose something you know your child loves to do)
• And one of my absolute favorite suggestions is to do the Daily Clean Your House Flow or at the very least the Jumper Cables, which is the last step of the Daily Flow.

When we bring a daily practice of energy balancing into our lives, the body “knows what it feels like.” It will more easily go to that place of being in balance and being centered as soon as you start doing some of the energy poses.

Case in point – I was having a rough day last weekend. Old feelings of loss came up when I was spending time with an old friend who knew my husband and me when we were in college. I could tell that I had “lost my center” so I went down to the garden and spent some quiet time doing some energy work. Within a few minutes, I could feel my breath expand and I could feel myself becoming okay with where I am now. I got back in touch with “being in the moment.”

It doesn’t matter how old we are or what we’ve experienced, sometimes we just need to change up the pattern and give ourselves a reset.

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School Daze

School is right around the corner! Now how can that be happening already? As a parent, you might be noticing the kids having some anxious moments as the first day gets closer. And, as a teacher, you are probably recognizing that there will be a few of your students who are nervous and a bit unsure of what to expect.

So, it’s easy to help them be better prepared, whether it’s the weeks before or those first days.

Do the Daily Clean Your House Flow! Many of you already know how to do it, but are you aware that your kids can follow it via an animation video?  Check out the trailer video on www.dailycleanyourhouseflow.com.

Tips for Productive, Confident Kids

Here are a few tips to help let go of those nervous, anxious moments and to even prevent them! Show your kids and they can do it for themselves.  It’s all about learning how to become a partner with your own body. And if we make it an easy process, we’ll do it – whether we’re young or older!

• Right hand – cup your sternum directly below the collarbone
• Left hand – hold your fingertips in a vertical pattern on your tummy.
• Right hand – hold your fingertips on the outside of the right knee
• Left hand – hold fingertips on the outside of the left knee.

Let me know how your kids are doing! I love hearing the results and the stories!

The Dog Days of Summer

The “dog days of summer” occur during the hottest and muggiest part of the season. Webster defines “dog days” as the period between early July and early September when the hot sultry weather of summer usually occurs in the northern hemisphere.

In the summer Sirius, the “dog star,” rises and sets with the sun. During late July Sirius is in conjunction with the sun, and the ancients believed that its heat added to the heat of the sun, creating a stretch of hot and sultry weather. They named this period of time, from 20 days before the conjunction to 20 days after, “dog days” after the Dog Star.

So – that being said, how are YOU doing with the stretches of time when the heat can be unbearable?

I’ve found that it’s all about helping our bodies NOT be in reaction. Doing a daily practice of energy work definitely helps our bodies be better prepared for what might come at them – including heat and mugginess.  And here’s some energy tips to help you do extra prevention and to actually let go of the reaction.

Tips for Overcoming Reactions to Heat

• Right hand – hold fingertips at left upper arm
• Left hand – hold fingertips on base of right ribcage
• Right hand – hold outside of right knee
• Left hand – hold outside of left knee

Banish Hot Flashes

This flow can really stop the “flash of heat”

• Right hand – cup sternum directly below the collarbone
• Left hand – hold fingertips on tummy
• Right hand – hold base of spine at tailbone
• Left hand – hold outside of left knee

Let me know how it’s going! AND hoping the rest of this summer is ALL you want it to be!  It’s all about enjoying what Mother Nature has created for us. AND it’s about finding ways to enjoy every moment.

Visit the Daily Clean Your House Flow

Visit the Daily Clean Your House Flow website for ways to support happy, healthy kids in school and at home.
 
 

Coming Soon

I’ve been on an adventure for the last year!  Many of you know that I created a video and book of the Daily Clean Your House Flow. Since October of 2014, the video has been used as a pilot program in five classrooms. The teachers and the kids have noticed big changes, and the kids love doing the Daily Flow! The teachers are excited about being able to share the program with other teachers and with parents as soon as we announce our product launch.

Well, it’s closer!!!! The launch of the new Daily Clean Your House Flow website, and the Daily Clean Your House Flow™ Classroom Kit and Family Kit are coming in the next few days!

It’s been quite a journey. I’m almost at the destination. So, stay tuned!!

Happy Kids Make for Happy Lives for Everyone!

It’s summer time! And life is super full — especially if you have children in your life. Whether you’re a parent or a grandparent or a caregiver or a teacher in hiatus — some portion of some days are spent keeping those kids happy. Happy means that they are active with something that keeps their attention and that they are content with what is happening. All of requires that they are content within their bodies. What on earth do I mean by that??!!

Content within our bodies means that our bodies are in a place of ease and balance, that our bodies are energetically prepared for what we’re going to ask them to do and prepared for what might come at them. THAT means we will have clarity and focus, ease in actual physical movement and ease in creative expression. In addition, balance brings the ability to handle our emotions so they don’t get too big, take our breath away and cause us to get stuck IN the emotion.

For example, have you ever noticed that irritation can sometimes lead to frustration and maybe even anger? When we don’t address our reaction to what is creating the irritation, it can quickly turn into a bigger, more intense emotion. That increase will be what takes our breath away and causes us to be in the throes of the emotion and then everything escalates.

So imagine what a child is experiencing when all of what I have described is happening and they have no experience in how to handle irritation or frustration or anger. Dealing with emotions so they don’t get too big is a learning journey. You can help the children in your life more easily experience their emotions, get the information they need from the emotions, and gain life lessons. Here’s how!

Show them the Daily Clean Your House Flow! And see how much easier life can be — for them and for you.

In the next few days my new whiteboard animation video of the Daily Clean Your House Flow will be available! Children and adults are finding the video fun to watch and it makes the nine steps of the Daily Flow easy to follow and learn. But even bigger than that — the Daily Flow makes a huge difference in how your children experience their emotions and it will help you create smoother days.

You will notice: increased attention span, reduced stress, improved performance, improved health with less illness, increased cooperation, less acting out and increased self-esteem.

Stay tuned for the announcement that my new website www.dailycleanyourhouseflow.com is up and ready for you to check out!

Flower Miracle

Imagine walking out to the deck one morning and seeing this flower on a cactus!

We’ve had that plant for at least five years. It had never bloomed before and I didn’t even realize it could or would. We have had four blooms over the last two weeks, each coming one at a time. The flower pods would show up, opening into blossom, and each one would last three to five days. What a glorious experience! It doesn’t look like there will be any more blossoms, but I’m willing to be surprised.

Will this ever happen again? Was it something that occurs as a fluke, was it a miracle, or does that cactus bloom in five to seven year increments? Right now it doesn’t matter what the answer is, but it would be awesome if it happens again. And it would be great if I didn’t have to wait for another five plus years to see this bit of magic take place.

Do you have occurrences in your life that you weren’t expecting and when they landed in front of you they made a huge difference in possibilities, in planning and in your hoped for outcome?

Watching these amazingly beautiful flowers magically blossom allowed me to reflect that there are similarities to allowing magic and miracles to happen in life.

I decided that I was going to address projects and dreams like watching this cactus bloom — a state of being in wonderment and of being willing to be in that place of anticipation of what can occur. I’ve consistently been in awe of what life brings, but sometimes I need to be reminded to allow — to get out of my own way and just be ready for what can show up.

And that is what has transpired in the last week! I’m so close to having my whiteboard animation video of the Daily Clean Your House Flow ready to show you!  I have had the most amazing team helping me create the project. And with the extra juice and support that has just showed up, I’m experiencing another surge of excitement and anticipation. Life and surprise flowers are full of magic. Enjoy!

Breath Makes the World Go Round – Even for Kids!

Children Can Let Go of Stress and Be Happier

Stress can show up in lots of ways in our bodies. As adults we can often see what that looks like and feels like. What’s sad is how many children in our world are experiencing stress. Have you noticed a young person who is experiencing loss of energy, sleeplessness, extreme up and down emotions, chronic illness (even just ongoing colds), or inability to stay on track and focused? THESE are early symptoms of stress. What’s super sad is how many children get so stressed that they end up in the throes of anxiety and even develop respiratory and digestive issues.

I see these early signals of stress in so many of the children I work with. Their parents want to help them change that picture which is why they come to see me. What’s beautiful is that their bodies “decide” they don’t have to create the bigger issues. Instead, their bodies recognize that they don’t have to respond to the stress and the stressful moments that are in the world around us.

So, what to do? The trick is to let go of stress build up and “create” a body that doesn’t experience symptoms of stress. It’s all about getting the energy to flow and helping the breath be open and expansive. When the body is more open to receiving the inhale and letting go on the exhale, there is ability for the body to create the space for a healthier way of being. The children I work with recognize huge changes taking place when they do the Daily Clean Your House Flow. And many of them do it more than once a day — because they notice that their body is happier.

Here are some of the comments that I’m hearing from the children in my life:

“I’m going to sleep as soon as I go to bed.”

“When I wake up it’s easier to get ready for school.”

“I’m not falling asleep at my desk or when I’m studying.”

“I’m not missing school because I’m not getting sick like I used to.”

“I’m getting more done and getting better grades.”

“I’m not getting in fights with my brother.”

“I’m getting along better with my friends and we’re having more fun.”

So, folks — our bodies are hungry to be in balance no matter what our age! And our bodies want breath to be happening — easily, consistently and expansively. Do the Daily Clean Your House Flow whenever your body asks for it. Remember: “There is no such thing as too much self-help!”

Breath Makes the World Go Round – Including Baseball!

I’m a happy girl! Baseball is back! And I love it that it comes at the same time as gardening. Several years ago I was lucky enough to get a Mother’s Day gift of a radio for the outside deck and outside speakers. So when I’m out in the garden, my true oasis, I can also listen to the Giants game. Who could ask for a better way to experience life? My neighbors are even okay with it — they get to listen to the game in stereo. So until I’m told differently, that’s what happens when I’m in the garden. But I do have to admit that my television is set to record every Giants baseball game and many a night is spent watching them — no matter how they’re doing. I just love baseball.

I love watching the players and seeing if they’re in tune with the messages their bodies are giving them. Even if you’re not into baseball, I want to invite you to watch at least one inning of a game and really look at the players and how they “work in” their bodies. Watch them breathe. And think about what YOU are doing during your daily activities. Consider using the baseball game as a lesson in how to be connected to your breath and body movement.

Watch the pitcher and notice whether the diaphragm is open or whether it’s constricted. When the diaphragm is open, the torso easily stretches and the pitching arm seemingly flows through a specifically planned and orchestrated movement. If the breath is “caught up high” you will notice that the torso and arm don’t move as easily together. The dance isn’t there. Do you notice times when YOUR body and breath aren’t moving in an easy, effortless dance? To open up your breath, consider holding your upper arms.

Now notice a batter and how the time at the plate is all about being in breath. Notice the placement of the bat while waiting for the pitch, the flex in the knees, the lumbar curve, the uplifted torso, and even the relaxed jaw. All of these pieces allow the batter to be in good alignment, allow the breath to be fully present, and create readiness to connect with the ball that is coming over the plate. When you see all of these body areas working together you will easily recognize when it isn’t happening. If the alignment and breath are not present you have a batter who is in distress. Do you want your body to be able to always step up to the plate and do what you want it to do? Sit on your hands! That simple “hold” connects with vitality and creates lumbar curve. Then cup the sternum with one hand and with the other, hold your tummy. That opens up breath by relaxing the diaphragm and releases tension throughout the torso.

I love watching the catcher. He’s all about proper body placement. If he wasn’t, we would see him being stuck and not able to stretch and reach for the ball. His position is one I’m often in when I’m in the garden. And if I didn’t have my breath and body ready for that squat and reaching movement, I would probably be a hurting girl. To make sure that I won’t go into reaction when I’m going spend time in a squat, I do these simple energy steps. First I hold by sit bones and then I hold the inside of my knees.

So, folks, learn from the baseball players! No matter what you’re choosing to do for your spring and summer activities, help YOUR body discover alignment and easy movement AND help it be in breath. Prepare your body for what you’re going to ask it to do.  At least one time a day I do the Daily Clean Your House Flow. Off and on throughout the day, you might see me do the first step of the Daily Flow – holding my upper arms by folding my arms across the chest.  THAT opens up breath.  And when I’m in the garden, I’m doing the third and fourth steps — sitting on my left hand with my right hand on the left shoulder and then switching. THAT is helping my body be ready for the lifting and digging and weeding and planting.

Have fun with all you do in your world!

Your Body is Hungry for Balance and Breath!

Our bodies are hungry to be in a state of balance because they just want to be happy! We just need to give to them what they ask for and feed them with moving energy and breath. Maybe you’ve heard me say that we can prepare our bodies for what we’re going to ask them to do and prepare them for what might come at them. It’s actually very easy to do so! There are simple energy balancing points that you can hold in a few short moments to help your body be ready for the activity you’re planning to do.

And when you’re doing that, you’re also making sure that when “whatever happens” your body won’t go into reaction. YOU can make a difference in the health of your body: physical, mental and emotional. So here’s a simple pose: cup your left shoulder with your right hand and hold your left hand at your sit bone. Then switch your hands. You are helping your body “let go and get ready” and allowing your body to step into the activity easily without going into reaction.

To help your body “feel the breath,” all you need to do is help it fully experience the expansion that is possible. Simply hold your upper arms by folding your arms across the chest and then hold the inside of your knees.

My desire for you is to live in a body that is happy, healthy and responsive — ready for all you want to do! I’ll share more energy pointers with you in upcoming posts.