Category: Healthy Activities

Categories
Beautiful Deeds Beautiful People Beautiful Rituals Healthy Activities

Reiki Healing – Focus on the Heart Chakra:)

IMG_5685

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday’s Red Bean (azuki) soup was actually a dessert dish at Shinobeau’s No-Salt Detox Cooking Class (tastes sweet but no sugar – can be served hot or chilled) … I am on my Day 2 as I decided to stay on this detox menu until Wednesday evening when we can look up at full moon…I like to experiment using my own body as a guinea pig.. (for the advancement of science – LOL).  I suspect all yoginis have such tendencies. We want to be in touch with our mind and body.

***

Today was a treat for me as I finally had an opportunity to experience Reiki session under the expert hands of my dear friend Sachiko.  Sachiko is originally from Osaka-Kyoto area… and carries herself with a certain other-worldly air befitting someone from that ancient capital region.  A beautiful soul who also volunteers at Stanford Hospital’s Cancer Center despite her busy schedule juggling her family life with that of her passion for Reiki and all things spiritual.  Maybe due to this process of growth and evolution, I actually believe that we meet another human being, even in passing, for a reason.  I had not been to her home for over 5 years (Last time was Bio-Foods Macrobiotics luncheon she hosted for late-Ayako-sensei) but to reconnect again at her place was special – there’s always different colored vibrations you feel at people’s homes – I felt tranquility and nature at her space filled with light and shades – both Yang and Yin…. I am sure we have both taken many a different paths during the past couple of years, some easy, some not… but to have our paths cross again, is as though… it was already meant to be.  We spoke the same language as I so understood and empathized with her.

Many of us have become so accustomed to the notion of what’s really good for us – we tend to think harder the better, don’t we?  Rather, shall I say, we have been brainwashed to think, the harder, and tougher, the more challenging, the better – the stronger, louder and sweatier the better… So there’s the prevalent and common mantra among us, “No Pain, No Gain” or “Tougher the Better” or better yet… ”When the going gets tough, the tough get going”…yes, inspirational but does it always have to be that way? Hard? Always?

All those sayings to make you strong and tough and powerful?  invincible? and … healthy? For example, the harder the hug, the stronger the squeeze, it that better?  Is stronger the pressure as in massages – the more kneading, pressing and squeezing the better for bodywork?  Whether it be shiatsu or Swedish massage…and while those methods have their benefits…you have to ask… harder the better? Really?   The truth is… that’s not necessarily  the case, not always. There’s a refreshing change to the delicate tenderness we don’t give ourselves permission to feel – There’s so much strength in tenderness, softness and gentleness… Sometimes, feather is stronger than steel; mouse stronger than a lion…

Thank you Sachiko-san!  The multiplier effect on my vinyasa flow practice is already felt:) AND restorative should feel so lovely tonight as our body carries an imprint – has a memory of anything pleasurable from days past…enabling us to live in the present.  Arigato to this sweet angel on earth:) What sets her apart is probably a word so appreciated in Japanese culture, that of 思いやり…”Omoiyari”… Translated to mean something like kindness with empathy… Consideration and thoughtfulness.  It’s a practice she cultivates with ease.

 

Categories
Beautiful People Healthy Activities

Tension Release Exercises (TRE)

7f44ffc7ec2b035ce8fd92cbd3b4c1c1_1024

Thanks to a beautiful soul of a friend, checked out TRE taught by Nkem Ndefo, certified TRE trainer from LA. Having had another yoga friend talk about a yoga instructor who incorporates this technique into her yoga teaching, I found this workshop to be very interesting. I have a tendency to compare all forms of exercise to yoga and so here I was analyzing each exercise vis-a-vis yoga… yet again – prisoner of my own habits lol…

All the exercise presented,  were in my mind, essentially series of extracted yogic poses; and the breathing technique was, to me,  very familiar as one of many pranayama techniques available in yoga traditions.  I am always amazed by the wisdom passed down from our fore-bearers…here presented as modern medicine breakthrough. For those needing modern medicine evidence based theory to be convinced, this is developed by a doctor with yes, MD behind his name – so … there’s that validation if not for your own experience in this experiment.

I can see how TRE appeals to many for it’s very Western presentation.  The very practically minded is easily sold on the idea as this method gets the job done fast for PTDS and to lesser degree any level of stress/tension.

1.  again, it’s practical and efficient;

2. appears to be an Effective fix;

3.  Easy and simple;  anyone can do it.

4.  Medical not spiritual; not Eastern and foreign or exotic.

5.  No stories nor tales; just gets the job done without the personal narrative or profound transformation – none required.

There’s no poetry, mystery/mysticism or alchemy … no emotions nor artistry… Rather, just like going to the hospital for a procedure, as a medical self-care exercise, it appears to be effective do at home or any place (BR at workplace was mentioned) technique.  To me, if there’s relief to the suffering, it’s all good. That’s what matters – to put an end to suffering and misery of any kind. Brings back the joy in life.

************

Releasing the jaw?  Yes, that’s Lion’s pose:)  None of the emotional, mindful or spiritual stuff or the abstracts to distract you if you want just very no-non-sense way of releasing tension.  We are lucky but some just can’t afford the more gradual healing process… Very straight forward, efficient, simple and accessible.  While the verdict is still out, most important to many, you get the relief you need in a jiffy like a car getting a tuneup.  It’s all about the body and our nervous system… Very Western and perfect for someone looking for a relatively simple and efficient self-care method. Nkem is knowledgeable and a lovely teacher – her background as a RN and Midwife gives her the great range of experience to bring this technique to so many people in need. I was thrilled to get to experience the tremors that I had been so curious about … human body is truly something to marvel at!  To some who have been repressing so much tension and holds that’s gotten into tight knots, the release is uncontrollable – and because of it, some break into giggles and laughs… and let me tell you, nothing is more of a release than laughter:)  Anything pent up will release with laughter… so that’s why I try to find comedy in any situation.

Personally, I cannot do TRE alone for there’s so much joy to be had from yoga practice  – I just love wisdom that’s been passed down from the ancient times and I love the beauty of it…and I am especially in love with its poetry ( just the naming of the poses is a poetry in motion –  “from child’s pose into a puppy pose then into down dog, up dog, Chaturanga Dandasana into cobra… I mean it’s like a fun game – a rhythm of incarnations – okay, I admit sometimes it’s not quite poetic when I lack strength and fall in my face 🙁 To me, incorporated into a yoga practice, TRE would be the perfect prescription for addressing stubborn tension and stress in our bodies while allowing our mind to come to that still-point through yoga’s meditative practice.  With a little artistry and creativity, TRE’s “science” based method, interwoven into the “art” and “spiritual” aspect of yoga.. that would be the melding of the best of two worlds.  Kind of like carefully folding the foamy meringue (another technique)  into creamy nectar-like batter base (yoga:)  to make the best “angel” cake! “Bundt” to feel so light:)

I respect any form of healing modalities that give people relief – to cite some examples: Reiki; Accupuncture; Hypnotherapy; Harmonic Resonance Therapy; Accupressure; Hoʻoponopono; Somatic; Ayurvedic medicine … & the list goes on  …We have so many tools available to us but yoga… to me is all encompassing and powerful especially combined with any of the alternatives (& did you notice?  Thanks to Mari-sensei, Aromatherapy is my love:)

We can liberate ourselves from the struggles and suffering – in body, mind and spirit.  I embrace all those in the healing profession.  Thank you for a very educational workshop Nkem!  Highly recommended:)

Should you be in LA and interested in TRE from a qualified teacher, contact

Nkem Ndefo, RN, CNM

Level 2 TRE Practioner

nkem@trelosangles.com

 

Categories
Healthy Activities Yoga

Tomorrow at 7:40am – Circle the calendar…

Bay Club, Redwood Shores – as I sub for another lovely soul, Myra.  All around me signs of spring.  Spring is here.  Cherry blossoms are blooming and wisteria too;  gardens awash with pinks and lavender … pastels and light abound … beautiful .. and my eyes are tearing and my voice is hoarse and scratched – BUT, hope with some neti pot, I will be healed by tomorrow AM.  At least, it’s not a cold; just an allergy.

I know at least 3 who are down with a cold and fever and suffering at home while the weather is sunny with blue skies outside.  The change of season from winter to spring is a time of transition and all of us are adjusting.  While you are feeling antsy as with onset of spring fever and thoughts of summer – then thoughts of weight loss and exercising like crazy to achieve that “image” –  All good if not excessive and paying heed to your body’s signals.  Eating right first and foremost and Rest is the key… Hope to address that tomorrow AM with a practice to boost your immunity.  I need to rest…  As Judith would say “Changing the world, one Savasana at a time.”  Luckily I learned from her … ahhh. Stress?  What stress? (did someone call me on my practice of “denial”? lol)