Allergies Getting the Best of You?

All of that rain followed by heat and here comes more rain! Then pollen is released! If you have allergies, this may be a recipe for suffering.

Is your body in reaction?

You can get on the other side of it by helping your head empty the build-up. And you can potentially do it without using over-the-counter drugs. Make use of your fingertips and do a few acupressure flows!
The reason that allergies can create so much havoc is because a suppressed or depleted immune system will allow your body to react more readily to the allergens that are all around you. Build up your immune system and you can increase the chances that your body can change its pattern and not react to the allergens.
Build a strong foundation to support balance and harmony by doing the Daily Clean Your House Flow.
Here is a sneak peek of my soon to be released Seasonal Allergy Relief: The Insider’s Guide to Feeling Good Every Day. 

Help your head feel lighter and provide relief for tired eyes by following this simple tip:

• Hold fingertips on the right side of your forehead with your left hand
• Then, hold fingertips at left base of your skull with your right hand

Check back soon for how to get your copy of the Insider’s Guide.

My Gift of Energy Tips for You!

My gift of energy tips for you!

Prepping for the Holidays

Prepping for the holidays is all about finding the time to do all you want to do! Maybe there’s some “I should do this” in the mix, but let’s just see how we can make it more manageable.

Your list can be pretty extensive: making the shopping list (we’re talking the gifts you’ve decided on), the shopping itself (usually requires multiple trips out), decorating, the clean-up that follows, wrapping gifts, baking, planning your own entertaining (definitely lots of steps involved including the food preparation on the day of your event), making time for all of the events you want to attend (don’t forget to make your reservations and get your tickets), getting those wrapped gifts delivered (either personal delivery or setting up shipment).  Okay — I bet there are more than a few things that I’ve forgotten.

Are You Tired Yet?

You don’t have to be. In fact you can be totally with it and ready for the next thing on the list. And you can feel that you have it handled, with no built-up stress and anxiety about anything you have planned and still need to do.

The key is to have clarity and focus, energy to do what you want to do, and feeling rested for next “thing to do.” Here are easy-to-do energy tips to help you feel great about your holiday and all of your plans.

Holiday Energy Tips

1. Start each day with the Daily Clean Your House Flow
2. Consider doing the Daily Flow in the middle of the day to give you an extra boost.
3. When you feel “out of sync” or “I’ve lost my juice” do this to help you get centered and grounded and to feel revitalized:
   With one hand: cup your sternum under your collarbone
   With the other hand: hold fingers on your tummy
4.  If you feel “out of breath” or feel “anxious about the crazy list I’ve created” do this to create breath and feel empowered:
   Hold your upper arms by folding arms across your chest
   Or gently cup your thumbs (let’s go of worry)
5. If you feel unsure and unclear of the plan and have lost track:
   With one hand: cup your forehead
   With the other hand: cup the base of your skull
6. To get a really good night’s sleep (and in the middle of the day, to feel like you actually took a nap)!:
   Place fingers on right and left base of skull
   Jumper Cable! Gently cup each thumb and finger for several good breaths.

Holiday Momentum

Okay! I hope you feel more prepared for your holiday season and for all that you want to create!

Mine is going forward with full steam ahead momentum! I love this time of year and I love being fully engaged with each and every part of my list. In fact, the list is “just there” and the time somehow appears for the items to be taken care of.  As you can see, decorating my tree is an important item on my list. And the rest of the house reflects my love of “decking my halls!”

I wish each and every one of you a magnificent holiday season!

Expectations and Transitions – Allowing Change to Happen!

Expectations and Transitions – Allowing Change to Happen!

It was just one year ago that we were lucky enough to see a red moon!  And it was a glorious experience.  So we must be doing something right to have it happen again!  Last Sunday night was a gorgeous, clear night and just before the eclipse of the full moon, the moon became flame red.

(See the post for Oct 8, 2014: A Dragon Eats the Moon)

And then the moon was gone. It was a surreal moment when the night became so dark that I couldn’t see the path, much less my hand in front of my face. It was immediately so still that there was not a tree or an animal moving.

CHANGE – It’s what life is all about

The energy of those moments was truly one of “quiet expectation” as the earth was transitioning from one way of being to another. It was preparing for change. Have you ever noticed that quiet way of being as YOU are preparing to make a change, especially a big one? You were busily going through all the steps – coming up with an idea, creating and planning, checking off the items on the to-do list, and getting closer to the completion. Then you wait for the movement, for the change, after the completion. It’s in that “waiting” when we experience the sense of the possibilities that are right around the corner.

THAT is the moment where we allow the magic to happen. Want more magic in your life? We can help ourselves step into our potential and destiny by balancing our energy to allow change to take place. Spend time doing your energy work, meditating, contemplating, and dreaming. All of that will bring you more easily to what you want to receive.

ENERGY TIP TO ALLOW CHANGE

By the way, the energy balance area that is “hungry to be in balance to allow that change to take place” is at mid-back at the level of the kidneys. Just hold that area, left fingers on left side and right fingers on right side, with light gentle touch. Your body will appreciate the signal to “step into change easily and effortlessly.”

ARE YOU HUNGRY FOR CHANGE?

ARE YOU HUNGRY FOR CHANGE?

There’s a reason if you are noticing that you are searching for something to make different. Autumn is the time of year when everything around us is changing, so we subconsciously mirror that pattern and the desire to be in that pattern. On top of that, the bodies we live in are all about change. There is no part of us that likes to be stuck whether we’re looking at our physical, mental or emotional bodies.

GETTING READY

So put it all together and the question is, “Are you ready for the change that is probably coming your way?!?” To create readiness for transition, it’s a necessity to not be holding onto blocked, stuck energy. I would like to share a few simple energy tips to help you more easily step into what you want to do:

1. Cross your arms and hold your elbows or upper arms. Yes, it’s the first step of the Daily Clean Your House Flow and is all about opening up breath. AND it’s an energy balance area that connects with the energy that allows for all parts of you to be ready for transition
2. Continue holding your fingertips on one of your elbows and with the other hand, hold the opposite inner thigh or knee. This energy movement will help you step INTO the transition – whatever it looks like for you and your world.
3. Then move the hand that is on the inside of your knee to the outside of the knee. You are now holding an energy balance area that is all about rhythm and strength. In other words, being grounded and balanced so you CAN let go and do all you want to do.

YOUR JOUNEY TO YOUR DESTINATION

These energy tips will help prep your body AND help you be in a state of conscious awareness and mindfulness. When you’re grounded and energetically balanced, ALL parts of you will be along for the ride and you’ll discover your journey is a whole lot easier than you even expected.
Listen to the recording of my teleclass that happened on August 26th. It’s all about opening up the flow of energy so you can be the creative being you are meant to be.

The Perils of Being Unconsciousness

Be Here Now

Have you caught yourself being un-conscious, that is not aware of where you are at a specific moment or not being aware of HOW to be where you are?

Bambi Alert

I’ll give you an example from my life! In the past few weeks I’ve been unlucky enough to have deer jumping the fence and getting into my garden. Now that is a bummer! I’ve lost tomatoes, strawberries, lettuce, flowers and who knows what else. I know they’re hungry and searching for food and water, but in MY garden? I have a really tall fence all around the garden, but I think they’re jumping onto the deck and then over the railing into the garden itself. Now, those deer are truly persistent.

One of the first mornings I discovered three deer (a doe and two little ones) meandering around and chomping away, I rushed down without thinking about what was on my feet. Big mistake. I should’ve been wearing tennis shoes, not sandals. In the process of herding them through an open gate, I stubbed my toe and really hurt it.

My Wake-up Moment

I know that accidents happen. But I truly was not being in a state of conscious awareness of where I was putting my feet and how I was moving. Well, those deer are still getting in, but I’m not going into “frantic mode”. It is what it is and I’ve decided to move more slowly and deliberately as I meander my way into the garden and herd those “sweet looking beings” out the gate.

The Lesson of My Story

BE in a conscious state of awareness by allowing every part of you to fully feel your body, where you are in time and space, and how you are experiencing your surroundings and emotions. One way to get yourself there easily is to “do” a daily practice of mindfulness. Maybe it’s doing the Daily Clean Your House Flow, maybe it’s meditating, maybe it’s a practice you’re already putting into your day. Whatever it is, allow you and your body to feel the breath and feel the movement of energy.

A Quick Energy Tip for Mindfulness

A real quick energy tip to bring in breath and bring you and your body to full awareness is to:

1. Right hand — cup sternum directly below the clavicle
2. Left hand — hold fingers in a vertical pattern on your tummy

This simple energy movement will remind your body to breath and to go to that place of centered and grounded. THAT is where you will experience “conscious awareness” and truly be present.

I’ll give you more next time — both the story and the energy tips.

Enjoy being in the moment!

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.

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!

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.