Balance Archives - Page 3 of 3

April 19, 2016

Moving In – The Most Important Physical Relationship

To learn, at least in this physical plane, if something hurts, how does it want to be treated in order to heal?

We know instinctively, intuitively what is good for us, the body is an accessible tool to help find answers within.

Physical manifestations of pain have been said to start in the psyche, i.e. something jabs us emotionally and perhaps it’s felt in the gut, or your shoulder got stuck..

Listen to oneself.. ..DEEPLY..

Listening to how the body responds when making the most simple of movements can be a tool to self-empowered healing.

Learning how a bone rotation of 3 degrees can cause the firing up and lengthening of different strings of your muscles fibres, contrasting to the regular pattern of shapes your body makes..

Being mindful not to just feel the burn, but to learn from the edges of it.. To be where the heat is at its most intense, feeling when there is an internal response to that edge and the burn kicks in, momentarily finding that magic spot..

Re-engage your focus, to enquire How to play curiously with the movement of your structures and to once again move through those fire..

As like fire, those intense places, those edges and spaces within us, are never still. Constantly shifting and changing, moving and grooving with its constituents and where these input variables each meet their environments.. The only constant is change. You think you found your magic edge, think you got it, then look again! ..It changed!..

To stay in one’s zones of comfort. To always be using the same line of action and enquiry, reinforcing the known and further disempowering the rest…

By mitigating ones usual placement, the resonance points can be heard from where one can strengthen those parts which suffer from less frequent action and engagement..

Being blessed, with such a physical system as this.. The human physical, our complex and epic instrumental tool for this life.. And to only access a fraction of its abilities..?!.. Please..

Working with the body is an amazing way to empower yourself physically but it’s also a stepping stone to something much deeper..

April 5, 2016April 5, 2016

Flow Forwards..

If water doesn’t flow it stagnates. You can’t drink stagnant water, it becomes toxic. Just like water, if we stand still we’ll stagnate. Some of the hardest lessons can be to let go of the familiar.

Letting go of stable jobs, ideals for how you saw yourself living, people, places, things.. By holding on to the edges, or those things you need to surpass, you limit the flow in life and in essence, deteriorate, loose vitality.. Allowing the rawness of new territories, fully feeling the flow cannot only be painful but liberating..

2 years ago I left my cushy office job. I had fantastic bosses, space to do handstands in the kitchen, easy work, good pay and walked to the office in no time from my studio flat. It was amazing. All except the fact that I had a constant deep gut feeling that I didn’t belong there (that and the fact I was the only one who would practice yoga in the office space, why not?.. ). It was far from easy but it was simple. I ended up landing a lot of new work very quickly under the wing of an amazing woman who needed lots of help with her work, it got me started.. It’s beautiful when you trust and let go into the flow, nothing can stop you! It’s that trusting to let go part which is the hardest..

If it excites you, you’re on to a good thing for your flow.. If there are still too many obstacles which you cannot yet clear, then there is something still not right for that particular alignment. You can only make the move if you really believe in yourself and what it is you are sharing, confidence helps, a lot (even if it’s only based on a feeling of it’s do or die!).

2 Months ago I left my marriage. My wonderful adoring husband, someone who loved me more than I had experienced anyone else loving me. But again, it didn’t feel right. Although I was growing in other areas of my life I felt I had stagnated in my relationship, thus realised it was time to get back into the flow. This decision was not made overnight but there were signs that it was no longer right for me. The self-doubt I was carrying felt crippling, how could I leave someone who loved me so much?.. Someone so professionally and personally grand; such a fantastic human being.. Was I mad?.. Heightened insecurities creeping in at every opportunity, the stagnation of my situation further feeding into making it even harder to feel the clarity about leaving or not. Learning to find my centered space is what was ultimately the key, finding that central channel which connects self to source.. I couldn’t have done it without once again tuning into my flow..

Less than 2 weeks ago I left my home! MY home, with a separate yoga room I would teach classes, clients and workshops from; MY kitchen and bathroom (shared with your partner doesn’t really count I feel ha), my space, my front door.. It was comfortable but again I could feel myself stewing in there.. This was of course an inevitable part of what had happened earlier, but life was raw enough.. Trying to find a place to live in London ain’t much fun, consider the rat race on steroids is how I view the rental market here.. I found yet more of myself and my centre through this process, one easy and convenient option found me, after nearly pushing it away due to it being TOO easy I realised further about ALLOWING the flow within my life..

Like the work which just came up (and the angel(s) who provided it!), the room which was just so, making the decision I had been toying with for some time, it is all about the flow. But without your centre, your flow isn’t your own, it can be pulled and pushed and [unintentionally] manipulated to help your environment rather than your soul and that, is unsustainable.

Over this time my yoga practice has been changing a lot too – much more about bringing everything back in, I save the acrobatics for other types of training now.. For me this helps. If you’re in tempestuous times, have decisions to make or waves to ride, just remember, find your centre and you’ll find your flow. If you can’t find your centre find yourself a good yoga or meditation teacher, book, or whatever else resonates for you..

December 11, 2015December 11, 2015

Reiki, energy medicine

Photo Credit Miguel Echiveria

The word ‘Reiki’ is more common place than “Reiki & Seichem”. This is because Reiki, on it’s own has been in the West a lot longer than being offered in combination with it’s sibling energy, Seichem, read below for a break down on these.

I hear some skepticism around Reiki & Seichem, and I can’t blame people. It took a long while for me to really trust in what I was feeling, and to appreciate what I’m working with. My journey working with other kinds of medicines and healing techniques just keeps bringing me back to the energy, i.e. Reiki & Seichem; and the more I work with it, the more strongly I, and my clients can feel its charge.

If you’ve any science or physics to your back ground (I have quite a bit of science, in the form of a bioinformatics degree; but physics only to A-Level, hence taking my time to fully appreciate this), you’ll know about energy, atoms, protons, neutrons, electrons, and perhaps quarks, neutrinos, taos, anti-matter etc etc.. Trying to keep things on a level here, not too technical I mean (apologies if it does get a bit geeky); everything, even air, is made up of atoms and atoms combine to make molecules (O2 being the chemical formula for oxygen); therefore everything has a charge, or a current to it; as everything is made of atom (and all atoms have electrons, protons and neutrons).

Within molecules, inter-atomic forces are at play, and can attribute to the atoms vibrating to and from their equilibrium points, this movement plus rotations of the negatively charged electrons, help to play a part in the vibration of particular atoms or molecules. Thus, the atoms (particles) move in a wave-like pattern (look up wave-particle duality theory for more information). The electromagnetic spectrum is also another great way science can help illustrate where this wave oscillation and vibration works within our world.

The electrical current which flows through different materials has different levels of conduction (i.e. how easy it is for electricity, or let’s say energy, more broadly speaking; to flow through it). Energy moves therefore, at different frequencies and at different wave lengths depending on its charge and conduction through different atoms and molecules (i.e. air, matter such as your computer, your brain and body..). Energy is never created or destroyed but, somehow it manages to change state, a lot, depending on where it came from last and what it’s passing through, and a whole host of other variables. I consider Reiki & Seichem to be super conductive energies with a healing intention, coming from an unlimited source; you hear about people wanting to re-connect with source; the Reiki & Seichem currents are uninterrupted and pure channels from this source; the place where we are all, as one.

I wanted to get into a little bit of physics to open (or re-open for some) the conversation that, everything isn’t only what we can see with our fantastic, yet finite left and right eyes. We can’t see air yet there is a lot going on there. We can’t see through ‘solid wood’ yet the wood is never any more solid than the air, or ether, around us. To expand our horizons and push the boundaries of what we ‘know’, is where we can continue/start to grow..

Reiki & Seichem are channeled through a person who has been opened/attuned to these particular energy channels. This energy channelling is then done within a session, or treatment, which can last anywhere between 10 and 60 minutes (you can probably get longer sessions but I personally find this is the most I feel ok to work per session). It is said to be a ‘hands on’ method but this doesn’t mean you’ll have hands on your physical body, generally the work is done in your energetic body, or aura, which means no touching necessary; but working a couple of inches above your physical body. Everyone works differently, some people will go to chakras or points of trouble for the patient, where as I like to let me hands guide me, intuitively; it doesn’t matter so much where the therapist is positioned as the energy has an intelligence of its own, it knows where to go, and seeks to heal and balance where ever it is needed.

In order to practice Reiki & Seichem you need to be attuned to these specific frequencies. Of course, anyone can channel their own energy or any other source they can tap into but, just be mindful, a) not to deplete yourself if it’s your energy you’re channeling, b) about what energy it is you are sharing, as everything has different properties, it’s important to be aware with what it is you’re playing with. If you think of the string theory, and then have Reiki & Seichem as one of those strings, consider all the other potentials too – with all their other properties, a potential mine field, but also very interesting.

Reiki [ “Ray-Kee” ] and Seichem [ “Say-Keem” ] are the names given a set of 4 elemental, universal energies which work in harmony with each other. The energies are:

Reiki – Life force energy which is connected to the earth element but is NOT energy from the Earth (i.e. not from our 3D planet Earth manifestation), it pervades the entire universe through all dimensions. Reiki energy can be beneficial for physical, mental and emotional health and sets the groundwork through which the other energies can work. It can be experienced as hot or cool energy.

Sakara – Elemental fire energy works effectively in the body’s electro-magnetic aura. Sakara cleanses the chakras and burns out the things which no longer serve you, burning through blockages and thus can be experienced as a hot or tingling energy.

Sophi-el – Elemental water energy which works deep within the emotional body, it helps to find the core cause and effect of issues. Sophi-el therefore also supports emotional and sexual healing and opens the heart to receive love and feel compassion; it is known to assist in increasing the healer’s psychic awareness. It can be experienced as gentle and cool or even ice cold!

Angelic Light – Elemental air energy which can enhance the healer’s 3^rd eye perceptions and forms a link with the angelic realm. When people receive this energy it is generally experienced as a cool and gentle breeze, and can sometimes feel like the healing work is being carried out nowhere near where the healer’s hands are.

The above 4 energies all work together, in harmony to bring about the potential for profound healing to the receiver.

If you’re interested in getting a treatment it’s always a good idea to check out your choice of therapist, or even to find one through the RASA (Reiki & Seichem Association) website, as here all the people listed have had their lineages checked and you’ll know you are working with someone legitimate. Equally, if you’re local to London, drop me a line.

Warm regards and with SO much Love x

December 4, 2015

When to go to yoga Vs. When not to go to yoga

Photo on left curtousy of Miguel Echiveria, Photo right taken by C Suzuki @Froguesthouse, Lima

It comes up relatively frequently for me, as a hunch, intuition or sometimes a humanistic rash judgement, without knowing someone’s full situation first (one reason I wanted to write this, to encourage people to open a dialog more before session starts); thinking someone might had been better off to stay at home. Or, upon hearing the reason for someone’s absence, feeling maybe it could have helped if they had joined in. I had a friend/student call me last night with regards to if they ought to join the class or not; they had been sick in bed all day, felt pretty rubbish but were very excited to come to practice; my answer was to stay in bed.. Generally I won’t turn some one away, and intend to not interrupt their process as you never know the kind of day or week that has been had. Unless it’s a medical condition or, compromising their health or recovery, everyone is welcome; discernment taken by each individual about their own abilities, in each moment with conscious and with clear intentions, not just when a part of the self has become compromised.

Classes tend to be a mixed bag of bodies and souls, bringing your body to class with all it’s nuances is anticipated; but if the nuance/sickness/pregnancy is new and you don’t know how to handle it, then ask your regular teacher and if they can support you in your regular class. Communicate what you need, then if they aren’t confident to have your best interests at heart, it’s a really good idea to get some help in an/some individual sessions or specialist classes so you are more empowered in your practice.

When it’s a good idea to go to class (even if sometimes you feel a bit lazy, or cold or simply not sure):

Exactly that – if it’s cold outside, you’ve got too much on your mind, or if you’re in two minds about going to class, simply move your ass and go! However, if it’s your intuition saying no, a firm, deep no, then this is different, and needs to be listened to and respected. If it’s because you have too much on your mind or feel too ‘busy’ then go, particularly going to yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi or other similar discipline can help your busy mind to function better. In these modalities of movement where you to meditate on the moment, you allow your subconscious mind to work out all of those things which are bugging your brain. The more you try to solve a problem which alludes you, the further the answer will be.
If you’ve been ill but you’re getting over it. Clearly, if you’re still bed bound, don’t go and read below. When you’re mainly healed, it’s important you move your body, and get the lymphatic system flowing and draining properly, moving your muscles allows this to happen much more effectively. Laying still will not help you to rid yourself of toxins, and to feel fresher the next day; however if it’s a major illness you’re recovering from take it slowly; if you’ve been out of it for more than a few days, start really easy and make sure your doctor is happy with you rejoining class. Incorporate plenty of rest, nourishment and water or herbal teas after class, more than likely you’ll feel much better the next day.
If you don’t get out much, or trying to manage a condition which perhaps has special needs. Locate someone who feels good for you, even if you can only gauge it from a trusted friends recommendation, a picture, or a phone call. If you have issues which mean you might need help or have special needs during a class, talk to the teacher and see if they can facilitate for this and to enable you to make yourself comfortable. Being a part of a small group of people, in a mindful space, is a really good for body and soul. If a small group feels too much, book a 1:1 (sometimes can be at your home even), ensure you get a feeling for your guide/teacher first.
If your muscles are tight from stress, too much cardio or high impact, mega DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) perhaps. Get stretching! Find yoga or Pilates to recentre and realign your body and mind, and help relieve muscle tightness and stiffness. Muscles need lengthening, not just strengthening, and any good yoga or Pilates class with help you to do both!

When not to go to class:

If you’re sick and in bed. If you’re that sick you need to stay in bed. If it’s a cold or flu then also consider your class mates and teacher not getting sick too from you (this goes for being in public spaces, in Japan, the sick people are the ones wearing the face masks, might try this one myself if need to be out when have flu!).
If you’re in your first trimester of pregnancy or think you might be pregnant, or if you’re undergoing IVF. At this time class (although other teacher’s opinions will differ), you’re very sensitive, it’s when your body needs all of it’s energy to make a new home for your new baby! If you are yearning to move, find someone who knows about these times of life and have a 1:1, or if they run classes ask them if you can join. If you are advanced and consistent with your practice before your pregnancy, then this might then be different for you. But when there’s another life at stake, I’d always say take the easier and safer option, for the first trimester at least. If you are advanced and can’t afford a 1:1 – perhaps gentle home practice is better than a vinyasa high energy class, maybe pregnancy classes or at least get some basic advice about how to adapt BEFORE you get into any postures or move.
If you’ve recently had surgery or are being looked after by a doctor (heart, bone, blood, nerve, brain, respiratory, hormonal, digestive lymphatic issues, everything!) and not been signed off yet. I’ve sadly turned people away from classes for this kind of thing, it feels rubbish to do.. Unless you’re signed off, then you’re still fragile and your body needs to be kept resting, if you must move about, ask your doctor what you can do now, and always, always tell your instructor or teacher about things when you return to class or sessions.
If your gut, heart or intuition simply tells you not to. Because you’re going out drinking, isn’t an excuse. But if you feel it deep to your core not to go, never override these instincts; it’s usually the first instinct which is best as it is unadulterated by the mind. We’ve been taught for too long to ignore these instincts, it’s important to allow this sense of self to blossom within, it can save much time, effort and pain if we can listen to ourselves better!

October 5, 2014October 5, 2014

Flow

There’s something I feel is repressing,

Something trying to limit my expressing..

But in yoga my words can flow, like there’s no limits above or below;

When I try to structure my sentence for basic instruction,

That’s where I meet with my ugly obstruction..

I love to dance with the rhythm of each sound,

Finding it can be quite profound..

To express ones own uniqueness, showing of ourselves simply our best;

Rather than working to always be so concise,

My brain bores quickly trying make speech overly precise..

I live in colour,

What’s the point in anything other?..

Everything in my world seems more bright, each time I give up this outward internal fight..

If one could simply express without fear or feeling disturbed,

Perhaps my communications would be less perturbed?..

August 21, 2014August 21, 2014

Frazzled?

I’m being blessed with many sessions to instruct recently, from meditation through to strong Pilates classes, thus I see a lot of bodies and the majority of them seem to be more tired than I realised at this time of year!

Caffeine helps but for how long?

Getting more into instructing the physical side of my job (yoga and Pilates more so than Reiki or meditations), it’s great the more I get to know different groups of people so that they can appreciate I’ll give them a VERY hard work out if that’s what I feel I’m needed to give, but sometimes, the minds of many are up for super physical Ra Ra Ra!! (which is very fun to deliver!) But, their bodies and eyes seem to say something totally different to me, more like, “be kind and gentle with me, I’ve had a hard xxx”. This feels challenging to administer, as the mind/ego quite often will not thank you for leaving out the super sweatathon in favor of something more ahhhhhhhhhh than Ra Ra Ra (both session types require similar energy from me so it makes no difference except to my gut instincts)..

Finding this balance in my own life too can be mystifying when living in such a hardworking and fast paced city, I’m getting better at it, but, being freelance I’ve realised is rewarding but tricky to self-manage at times.

When you’re shattered and frazzled do you still push yourself 120%? Or do you listen and perhaps rest or go for more gentle activity?

Why is it so many of us seem ruled by the head rather than what our body maybe screaming at us about in signs of pain, fatigue or everyday niggles? This morning I had no choice, I missed my alarm to instruct a 07.15am class, *gulp*, so not cool but I guess this is the universe telling me I need to rest this morning! Not great for future of covering that class, but this is enough of a wake up call for me to ensure I get that rest when it’s feeling needed..

August 8, 2014

We all need a little extra care sometimes..

How are you? Really, not how are your problems but how are you feeling? Consider this a rhetorical question; as the only person who can give us what we need is our self. However, sometimes, when everything feels a bit overwhelming, it can help to have the objective input from another..

Sometimes even those who provide support (which is a lot of us!) need someone to share a bit of energy and love back their way. It may not be how we expect, but energy is energy – a hug, a smile, a conversation or in silence, a shoulder or even an amazing reflexology/Reiki, yoga or meditation session – every moment and intention helps..

Many thanks to the “The Hackney Healer“, Karen Ryx, today – another wonderful facial reflexology session; from fighting with tears to a true smile in my world. Now to continue my own internal work, but having that short time ‘holiday’ from the chaos which can stir up inside, helps me to see again my own path and strength.