personal power

Essential Yoga–Energy of Spring

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Spring adds new life and new beauty to all that is.

Spring is such a fantastic time to renew and rejuvenate our bodies. We can also look at our mind and clear out some of the thoughts we have that are getting in the way of our potential.

In this class we will use Yoga and intentionally applied essential oils to start that process. If you need essential oils samples to work with this class, please reach out to me.

For this online workshop you will need:

  • Quiet space to practice
  • A yoga mat or towel, block or pillow
  • Water in a glass or stainless bottle
  • Soft, comforting meditation type music (optional)
  • Essential Oils
  • Bare (feet)
  • Empty (belly)
  • Open (heart)

Essential Oils

PEPPERMINT & WILD ORANGE (AROMATIC/DIFFUSE):

PHYSICAL (PEPPERMINT): Supports healthy respiratory function –chosen to help us breathe freely to open up to let go–exhale what doesn’t serve us. Assists in lowering body temperature temporarily. Alleviates occasional stomach upset –relieves occasional gas and colic, relieves occasional acid indigestion. Freshens breath. Stimulating to the mind –wakes us up –makes us more aware.

EMOTIONAL: The Oil of the Buoyant Heart lifts our spirits and soul –gives us a break. Helps us feel free to move on and avoid get entangled in our difficulties. Energizing aroma allows us to see a bigger picture –increase our vision and tolerance for things that aren’t to our liking and make other choices. Helps us “stomach” any concerns. Used in our ENERGY theme today to encourage us to let go and move on with awareness and to help us make new choices and move on with renewed energy and awareness.

LIME (INTERNAL/DRINKING):

PHYSICAL: Included in our workshop, and taken internally as a gentle, internal cleanser for the body–delicious flavor in water and for antioxidant support. Supports a healthy immune function. Known to liftmood and relieve anxious feelingswith its stimulating aroma. Supports the healthy function of the lymphatic system –our system to remove excess water, proteins and toxins from the body. Supports a healthy respiratory system when diffused.

EMOTIONAL: The Oil of Zest for Life. Helps elevate those who are discouraged or grieving. Cleanses the heart of emotional toxins that have been repressed and stored.Dispels apathy and resignation, instilling hope, joy, courage and determination in the face of life’s challenges. Especially beneficial to those who are overly developed intellectually but need to further develop themselves emotionally. Encourages a balance between the heart and mind. Used in today’s workshop to lighten our mental load, release toxic thinking and physical concerns so we can move ahead, lighter, this spring.

CEDARWOOD

PHYSICAL: Relaxing to the body and mind, cedarwood is a calming oil. Dissipates anxious feelings. Letting go of “tightness” in the body to allow it to open to flow. Supports a healthy respiratory function to take in a deep breath. Promotes healthy, clear skin by supporting a balanced inflammatory response while soothing imperfections. (use caution with pregnancy)

EMOTIONAL: The Oil of Community. Helps us see we are not alone and that we have support. Good for those who tend to ignore potential help and become overly self-reliant. Brings people together to experience the value of community–bonds together families, friends, community. Inspires feeling of belonging –allowing us to both give & receive LOVE. Allows us to experience the joy of relationships. Used in today’s workshop to clean out stale thought patterns our bodies may be holding and relax so we can open up to new insights and connections of support in our world.

ROSEMARY

PHYSICAL: Supports a healthy respiratory function to take in a deep breath. Known as the Herb or Oil of “Remembrance” Helps us let go of mental fatigue so we can improve our recall and memory. Uplifting and exhilarating to awaken our minds to the spring season–especially if feeling a bit “foggy.” Energizes the heart and encourages blood flow in the body and to the brain. Helps us to open our conscious mind to take in our practice today.

EMOTIONAL: TheOil of Knowledge and Transition. Encourages us to look deeper within and excavate our true knowledge to discover our own answers. Supports a healthy ego –one that values itself and its purpose in this world. Helps us know we CAN learn new information and experiences and that although we may not see it yet –there is a grand plan for us, our destiny! Boosts our confidence and morale to have faith in our own potential. Used in today’s workshop to further clean out mental & emotional sluggishness on a deep level, opening our conscious mind to new thinking and optimism for our future

GERANIUM

PHYSICAL: The ultimate “balancing”oil that assist our body, mind & spirit to be well and healthy. (A little bit goes a long way aromatically. ) Assists with blood flow and circulation–a gentle oil used to calm nerves and lessen anxious feelings. Effective to use in supporting a healthy balance of skin sebum —balancing oily or drier skin and scalp. Supports a healthy circulatory system in the body –allowing the body to release and contract, release and contract in an effective way.

EMOTIONAL: The Oil of Love and Trust. Helps us restore our confidence in the goodness that surrounds us and in our world, to reestablish trust when trust has been broken by others. Reopens the heart –softening anger and helping heal emotional wounds. Instills unconditional love and trust with those who are stuck in the mind so they can begin focusing on their heart. Used in today’s workshop to help balance the life force within us, guiding us to release any anger or resentment or emotional wounds to encourage feelings of love and trust.

WILD ORANGE

PHYSICAL–Wild orange is a powerful cleanser and purifying agent for surfaces and for our bodies. Protects against seasonal and environmental threats –as it is high in antioxidants and supportive to the immune system. Uplifting aroma lifts the mind and body. Taken internally or applied topically, this oil can provide relief from occasional digestive discomfort.

EMOTIONAL— The Oil of Abundance. Helps reduces anxious feelings, and calm emotions. Inspires creativity, a positive mood and brings joy & peace, happiness and FUN into your day. Encourages creative thinking and fearlessness. Used in today’s workshop to both begin and end our practice by cleansing and releasing anything that no longer serves us, and opening us up to receive courage, creativity and peace. This oil encourages knowledge that the world is an abundant place that welcome us and the renewed energy we offer.

Purchase Essential Oils here.

Solar Plexus Chakra

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The solar plexus chakra is our third chakra. The energy of this chakra is to radiate your power in the world. Characterized by the expression of will, personal power, and mental abilities, the energy of the third chakra is mobilized when we assert ourselves in the world. This is the energy center where we make decisions, take action, have a strong sense of self, and exude confidence. The fire in our spirit is evident in this chakra.

LOCATION: above the navel center

REPRESENTS: our will power, motivation, get up and go, our action, vitality, and our sense of personal power

ASSOCIATED ANATOMY: Pancreas, liver, spleen, stomach, lower back muscles

BODILY FUNCTIONS: Metabolism, Digestion

PHYSICAL ELEMENT: Fire

COLOR: Yellow

AFFIRMATION: I do

Understanding the subtle changes in our physical body and emotions can lead us to understand more about who we are. By paying close attention we can find out throughout self discovery what we need to feel more balanced and harmonious.

Balanced: This center is open and balanced when you feel self-confident, have a strong sense of purpose, are self-motivated your third chakra is open and healthy. The third chakra is all about the perception of who you are and your relationship with yourself. This fiery chakra is the center of your self-esteem, your willpower, self-discipline, as well as warmth in your personality when balanced and open.

Excessive: When this chakra is overactive there is excessive anger issues, stubbornness, desire for control, perfectionism, and being overly critical. A person with an overactive third chakra can also display arrogance, selfishness and the desire to manipulate others.

Deficient:A deficient third-chakra imbalance may express itself through shyness, difficulty setting boundaries, and a reluctance to share our gifts and talents with others. Additionally, someone with a weaker third chakra may have trouble making decisions, following through with actions, and may be seen as weak and unable to show up in life with confidence.

ESSENTIAL OILS FOR THE SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA

Apply the essential oils to the bottoms of the feet and/or roll along the belly.

Aromatically: apply the oils to your palms and cup your nose and take deep, long breaths.

Cinnamon: Assists individuals in dealing with jealousy or the need to control. This essential oil encourages one to let go of control and be free. It also dispels fear of rejection and brings out confidence. Cinnamon is a great choice for helping those develop body acceptance, feeling accepted and have healthy intimacy.

Coriander: Helps individuals move from doing things for the acceptance of others to honoring and living from the True Self. Coriander teaches that there is something unique within each individual and to live with the connection of what one’s spirit urges and directs. This oil is a great choice to bring out integrity, inner guidance and the True Self.

Ginger: A dynamic oil for empowerment. This oil is a great choice for anyone looking to be fully present in life and to be committed to one’s path. Ginger empowers individuals to take responsibility for their life circumstances and to embody a warrior type spirit. This strong and spicy oil is perfect for those seeking to be empowered, committed, capable, purposeful and accountable.

Clove: Assists individuals in letting go of patterns that being a push-over and encourages courage to stand up for one’s self. This oil reignites the inner fire and encourages one to be independent, proactive and to live with one’s integrity. This hot oil is a perfect choice for those who perceive themselves as powerless of life’s circumstances and to find within themselves the capability that exists within.

Peppermint: This oil brings buoyancy to the heart and the soul. This invigorating oil reminds individuals that life can be happy and to not be controlled by fear. Peppermint is a great choice when faced with emotional pain as it gives one a chance to take a breath and can the optimism that exists within. Peppermint is the perfect oil for optimism.

GEMSTONE FOR THE SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA

Citrine: The Citrine crystal stone meaning harnesses the energy of the sun to bring sunshine and light to all areas of your life. It is not called light maker for nothing, as it projects light into our lives, it chases away the negativity from our lives and dispels anger. Ever ready to bring good vibes and grace to the table, this sunny stone has an instant effect on the health and wealth of your body, mind, and soul. Citrine works wonders when it comes to warming the physical body and bringing uplifting moods. Because of its association with the solar plexus chakra, the Citrine crystal meaning is effective in increasing your personal power and self-confidence. Citrine’s bright and happy energy fills your spirit with positivity and the highest vibrations, clearing any blockages or imbalances in your solar plexus chakra with its sunny energy. This makes a Citrine crystal ideal for happiness, confidence, manifestation, and wealth.

YOGA FOR THE SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA

When we feel stuck, we often isolate ourselves or seek to escape. Unfortunately this creates a cycle of feeling alone and disconnected. A balanced solar plexus chakra can bring with it sense of positivity and connection to own’s personal power. Balance your solar plexus chakra with the following yoga postures.

Warrior I: Warrior I is awesome for teaching body awareness and increasing the body-mind connection. The internal rotation of the back foot, combined with the squaring of the hips and full plant of the back foot, requires that one have a great perception of where their body is in space. Warrior I is great for opening the heart and developing courage. This pose has you standing really strong: one leg back, one leg forward, hips facing forward, and your chest lifted. This powerful stance can help you gain inner strength and courage, letting you open up to yourself and others.

Warrior II: Warrior II can be a practice in finding ease within effort. This pose offers a unique opportunity to practice finding where you can allow excess tensions to dissolve, as you continue to hold what needs to be held for stability and integrity within the pose. This work on the physical level can translate to work on the mental level as well—where are you holding unnecessary tensions in your life? Where you can you learn to relax, while you hold strength in other areas? Warrior II is all about finding peace in the moment, and peace within yourself.

Boat:Boat Pose is a challenging balance pose that engages the core. Beyond creating physical strength, it has the the potential to create great mental strength within us as well. It does this by showing us our ability to conquer difficult situations, firing up the belly and tapping into our inner reserves.

Supine/Seated Twists:Twists are wonderful postures if you deal with stress or anxiety. These postures will help to open the chest, shoulders and back, all of which can help to decrease feelings of anxiousness. You will be releasing stored tension in the body as you twist, which can have a positive effect on your mental state. Through twisting we lengthen the spine and get space between the bones. Then our energy can flow better. Twists give us an instant energy lift.

Plank: This pose is excellent for firing up the core and stoking the inner fire. Plank Pose will help to increase focus, stamina, and both physical and mental endurance. This pose helps enables you to continue challenging yourself.It ignites your passion and allows you to challenge your limits. This pose also calms your mind and eases the symptoms of depression. Along with that, it can also improve your mood and make you feel happy about yourself and your surroundings.

Curious to learn more about chakras, essential oils, and crystals? Just reach out to me or follow me here.

The Fire

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It doesn’t interest me who you know

or how you came to be here.

I want to know if you will stand 

in the center of the fire

with me

and not shrink back.

The FIRE.

Not only is this fire the experiences that we have endured in our lives, but I believe this fire is also the burning passion within each of us that ignites our purpose.  And are you willing to listen and not shrink back?

In other words this fire is the times in our lives when we feel that scorch of heat and the painful burn of life’s tragedy, or the gnawing hunger inside that ignites something that leads to transformation.

In my personal life, I have stood in the center of many fires; from the broken marriages to the deep loss associated to having a child with a disability, to the facing of my own fears, and ultimately realizing my deepest value and then finding my life’s purpose.

I am so grateful that my life has included so many roaring blazes because it is through those times that I have truly transformed.  I also allowed the fire of burning desire that is within me and I did not allow myself to shrink back.  Over the years I have admired the scars from the licking of life’s flames and have with grace been able move on and keep going.

This week on the mat (or in the chair) we will be diving deep into the fire inside and tapping into our third chakra, the solar plexus.  It is there that we find our personal power and access to choice.  We find the fire in our spirit and use it to empower and transform ourselves to stand in the center of our own fires not shrink back.

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