Spring Equinox Energy 2013

Waking from hibernation!

As many of you may know, I am a meditation teacher and therapist so I love doing readings about the seasons etc. Here is one about this week for your meditation work!

Spring Equinox Energy 2013

This time of the year is always a strong one, an extension of all the hard work you have been doingover the Moon months of Autumn/Winter and during the last few weeks with Mercury Retrograde… some might even say this should be the authentic New Year beginning! And especially this year, after the whole 2012 energy shift in the Winter that we are now finishing, there feels like an extra hit of restless energy to move on…

Spring cleaning gets deeper!

As we shift our energy from the lower chakras (emotions, personal connections to others and our material world, like job/home/etc) upwards, this Spring might feel as though there needs to be an extra ultimate change in some areas in your life, as well as the usual Spring cleaning of your home... Spring cleaning on a whole new level!

At this point, the energy calls us to be honest and brave… And ask: What is it I know really needs to go (physically/mentally/spiritually)? How can I do this?

Bursts of Solar plexus

This burst of energy comes from our Solar plexus and the Sun… Taking inspiration from nature, you may have already noticed sprinkles of yellow around you – like daffodils, sunshine etc. Nature is connecting to our Solar plexus, which is very easily opened and shut… it deals with moving forward, facing our fears, making decisions with tricky choices, gaining confidence to be honest to Self and others about the next step forward…

Your Solar plexus (lower chest chakra) is a great spot breathe deeply into when you are feeling down, overwhelmed with anxiety/lack of energy/confusion/facing fears etc. It is the perfect chakra to connect with for a quick boost of energy during the day, when you need to project confidence. A wonderful time to use this tool 

Set your intentions for the upcoming Sun months

Spring/Summer is ahead… yay  …A time for external focus, putting all the work you did internally over the last few months on show… a time for being playful, enjoying outdoor life, being more active and Self expression.

Take a moment to set your intentions… what would you like to invite and explore in Spring/Summer 2013?

Third Eye guidance meditation

A simple energy exercise to try: Focus on the point between your eyebrows, your third eye chakra. This is the place where we observe and spot opportunities, receiving clarity and inspiration. Breathe in deeply and ask anything you like… trust that when the time is right and with all your hard work, you will spot the answers.

Watch this video:

Return to the heart

And as nature wakes up, green is a key colour! Green connects to our heart chakra… the center that brings our higher chakras with our lower chakras. The center point.

Spring is the season of love – all types of love! This is a great season to focus on giving to your Self, to others and to what you do. Connect to the things/people/places that make you feel love…

The key work is *feel*. Connect with your feeling center – what makes you feel good, passionate and happy? Return to your heart 

Take A Walk Through... ABUNDANCE!

There are so many people I have met over the last few years that I admire... for different reasons - whether it is because they started up a new business, moved country or simply just did the BC for the millionth time time to get some new energy back! There are many more examples!

So, what did they all have in common - The belief in ABUNDANCE.

I had a chat with one of these friends and she put it so simply:

"In these testing times, we are constantly being told that there is NOT ENOUGH out there - there is no abundance... in other words, there is not enough of what YOU want to put out there and find in the world... whether it is that dream job, business, finding the amazing relationships/friendships and anything that requires you to be open to finding new things that suit your journey NOW. Do you believe in ABUNDANCE?"

And it put the whole topic of fear and courage into perspective. In order to move forward and take sensible calculated risks, there needs to be a huge dose of belief in abundance and trust in it.... And it also helps to let things go when you realise that you don't *need* to hold on to things in your life that are no longer serving your Higher purpose (or those involved too!). 

You realise (Real-I-Rise) that you can take that chance to believing that you can get to ______(fill in the blank)... that hard work, support and Self belief will get you to where you need to be. It won't be easy, there will be people who fear your changes (as it will begin to question their own journey/beliefs), but there will also be those with good advice/tips/opinions... listen to them and decide what it right for you!

Appreciate where you are, where you were and where you can go... believing in abundance is real!


Q: What has been your experience in your belief of abundance and how has this helped you or worked against you?

That B Word!

Wow. You probably have caught on to the fact that we just had a full moon and total lunar eclipse... and with it comes a lot of movements and changes that I know a lot of people  in my life have been feeling, including my Self! It's been wild lol! Testing at times. And my body responded to it so perfectly also.

((drum roll))

That B word is... BOUNDARIES.

Looking out for key topics at this point is crucial as it's a fab time to *really* question what it is that is not right in your life or that needs change or even a push towards a simple re-consideration/modification on your own viewpoint on that certain issue.

For me, this is the topic and the Universe has presented so many angles on this topic over the last 2 days... all at once. This video explains it perfectly and a true reminder to me of proper "energy management" in my life with boundaries. 

It's a topic that a lot of clients also discuss with me, almost all the time... and although I do go along the same lines of explaining it to them, it's easy to take it for granted in my own life. tut tut I know! Hey, I'm not perfect and I know this is a weak spot for me. The title for this blog post soon became very clear when I saw this video... Enjoy!

Ego Vs The Soul

Yeah!

Daily Holistics: Lavendar Water!

We all know how good drinking lots of water is for you... my SO calls me a fish because I always drink tons of water throughout the day! 

I posted up on lemon water before and now here is a simple way to infuse your water with more yummy natural ingredients that are SO good for you... I have used this for my clients and so far, I've had good reviews!

Please do check out Dr. Phyl's holistic website

Daily Om: "Look Around You" By Indigo Williams

How Power-full!

Wishing you all a very Merry Xmas ;o)

Think Of Something...

Your secret from Jean-Sebastien Monzani on Vimeo.

If It Takes 21 Days To Break A Habit...

21 days doesn't seem that long... what would you change?

I used to think of habits as a negative thing/word... like the time I had habis that I felt were holding me back, like smoking. But the more I look at this statement, the more I find positivity in the possibility that with the initial challenge of 21 days (and many boosters afterwards to maintain it in place), the word "habit" can bring a very real and positive life change...

Like the habit of praising your Self when you have achieved something and celebrating your next step forward or starting a new fitne plan like yoga.

What will you be changing and rearranging lol?

This Is MY Time... Bliss!

As always, this time of year is a space where I'm adjusting to season changes, creating more new projects and activities to start and generally getting excited about the new stage that is Autumn/Winter.

One pattern that seems to show up many times is that of being alone. Not in a boo-hoo sad way lol. But in the way that sometimes when you want to expand your comfort zone and do more things to nurture your Self journey, sometimes it's natural that most of your friends aren't interested in joining you or that everyone is so busy building their lives too that you can't stop doing things because friend X, Y and Z can't make it. There comes a point where you know you can't wait for others to do what you want in your life. Sounds obvious but in practice, it can be scary!

I was having a chat with a friend who found her Self in this stage and it was completely new to her. And she told me that she now realised that she always waited for others or she would rather spend it with people she didn't always "vibe" with, just so she didn't have to be alone to do things. She just felt that being alone in certain public spaces (like eating at a nice restaurant etc) was just not something to do alone.

I can see where she is coming from - I did often get periods of time when I had many people around me and then for reasons such as new changes, I or people moving away etc, I find my Self starting out again... alone. And then getting used to it... which makes Self feel vulnerable at times. Open, with no distractions. What a strange feeling it can be when you're used to having so many things to focus on.

And the funny thing is, it's not always because there are no physical people present - but because now we live in a time where it is second nature to always be communicating/interacting with familiar others (facebook, blogging, mobile phones etc). It feels weird at first to just shut it out and get comfy with just being.  It seems like a million years ago now that I was walking around with no mobile phone, no internet at home and being in a stsate of isolation from others in simple daily life (like walking down the street with no mobile phone) as a normal part of life lol!

Not feeling the need to always be connected!

Or maybe that's just me feeling that way lol!?!

And some people are natural loners who enjoy that freedom always! A recent example: I have one client who I see often and she celebrates the fact that she had always enjoyed space alone - she is completely successful in her job as a lawyer, has a great family and relationship. She just feels that her natural state is to be alone. And it's great to see that some people really embrace it and see the positive side of it - which is rare as most times it's almost programmed that you are a "loser" for being alone. This lady is most certainly not one!

I find it a vital part of my life now. And I do LOVE it. I have great friends, family and SO - but I know that time to explore Self alone is very important! And they know that too, which can be a challenge if I'm honest. It helps me to push my boundaries and stay in tune. Time to learn new things, try out new classes, enjoy new food etc. It often also gives a new space for things to enter your life - like a quote from  my favourite book says, "nature always likes to fill up vacuum spaces". It opens up the door to so many great experiences! Yeah lol!

I found this lovely cute video that celebrates being alone... 

So, please share!

What do you feel about being/doing things alone?

When was the last time you treated your Self to a space alone (eating out, dancing etc)?

Do you make time for it? Or do you find it a challenge?

All ideas/comments welcome!

Self Talk: Watch Out For Energy Vampires!

This topic comes up a lot in my life (and in this blog!). You will most likely have come across this topic/feeling too... just a few examples...

You just finished talking to someone and you feel drained/tired/headaches/negative afterwards... energy vampires. 

You walk into a room and get a bad feeling about something or related to someone/some people... energy vampires.

Or when you are in a situation with total strangers (on the bus, walking, etc) and you suddenly feel much more negative now than when you left the house in the first place - for no obvious reason... energy vampires.

Some people will disguise their Self to you as a friend and then either (intentionally or subconsciously) transfer all their negativity to you, always talking and not letting you get your thoughts in, only ever around when they need something or when they want to complain...energy vampires. (Note: There is a huge difference between a person asking for advice and sharing experiences to consantly wanting to take from you!)

These are just some signs (to me) that I am near or interacting (directly or indirectly) with energy vampires. And it affects me, whether I realise it or not. I'm being very careful to keep them away!

Here are a couple of videos that explore this topic perfectly.

Enjoy ♥

My first reaction when I sense one is to back off! To let them know politely that you need your space or to just literally avoid them.

But sometimes, it's not always possible... like at work. That annoying co-worker who you have to deal with daily. So, during these times I have found it much easier to let go and practice detachment - deep breathing, creating a mental barrier where I visualise a protective zone around me. And more often than not, they sense it. It's not something I like to do but I realise it has become an essential thing to do!

Have you ever come across this? 
And how did you deal with it?

My Vision Board

A while ago, I did my vision board to welcome the new season and keep motivated.

It began with a piece of paper, in sections that represented different areas of my life that I wanted to explore on my vision board and to get a little organised with where to put the cut-out pics...

And then came the stacks of yoga and health mags that I have collected over the years, it was so hard to cut them at first. My little treasures lol!

I found a huge cardboard and placed the grid in the middle to be reminded of what pictures I would work on...

And then it got a little wild and I cut more images and words than I needed! I got carried away... The sections didn't work any more...

And finally I got a little organised and arranged them where I felt best...

Ta da lol!

Self-Sabotage.

Capoeira Inspired.

Holistic Inspiration: Leah Salmon

Leah Salmon is a UK based holistic practitioner - see her website! She has a series of fantastic videos on youtube to give you more inspiration on your health journey! Here is one that I feel strongly about... the dreaded microwave!!!

Summer Solstice 2010

Summer Solstice 2010 is coming fast!

This weekend leads up to it...

What will you be doing?

I think this is such a perfect time to start new projects, visualisations, ideas and get the creative juices flowing!

I'm taking up the liver cleanse detox and working on my vision board! I've already started the process of going through my huge pile of magazines... at first it felt painful cutting any images up... I just love them so much lol! But soon enough, I have found that I've cut out almost too many images now lol!

There is a festival in my local park, I HOPE the weather stays bright for it!

I'm also working on my new website for my holistic health centre, which I am looking forward to! We have 8 wonderful therapists in different fields working there now and growing! I work within a very corporate environment/location in London, so it's a blessing that a lot of the therapists/clients/local staff have commented that it's a refreshing relaxing space within such a hectic part of town. I am grateful for this opportunity!

All in all, a progressive weekend to get things moving in different areas in my life ;o)

Great Videos: The Body Image Project

Happy JUNE!!! 

This month is very much a focus on body image for me and new directions- what I feel about my body and general Self-confidence in my Self and direction in life. I feel that I am in this transition point and it has been very testing! Just another sign that I am growing and it's exciting and scary, all at the same time lol.

As women we are constantly put under pressure by  the "should-look-like", "should-be-doing", "should-be-working-as" perceptions that the media blow out every day, even on a totally subconscious level. It saddens me that in some occasions, women are usually the ones who Self-hate on eachother, instead of lending a foundation of support! And worst of all, maybe we are our own worst critics most times lol!?!

I came across the body image project, which features a selection of videos exploring Self image and our true feelings about our own body. Very interesting!

Here are some that inspired me...

Introducing // The Body Image Project from Body Image Project on Vimeo.

Tiffani Sheriff // The Body Image Project // Review from Body Image Project on Vimeo.

Porscha Galloway // Body Image Project // Review from Body Image Project on Vimeo.

LaTasha Williams // Body Image Project // Review from Body Image Project on Vimeo.

Re-AFFRIM-ed.

Today I HAD to re-affrim a few things in my life... 

I am the total of my own choices - and I have no regrets about them.

What may have seemed wrong now was the best thing at the time, for what I knew at the time, for how I was feeling at he time... At the time, this was my best choice. I trust my Self enough to know that I cannot compare what I know now to then... At the time, I was who and what was good for me... at that time. No regrets, just good lessons. And now that I am here at this time, I know I have learned so much!

My body is my responsibility.

... And no one else's. I decide how to treat it and if I am not nourishing it and keeping it in tip top form, then it's my responsibility to put that right. My body is a Self expression of who I am - how I dress it, how I choose to wear my natural hair, who I choose to share it with... it's all my business and responsibility. I will make sure that I do my best to treat this spiritual vehicle the best way I know how. And during those days when I can't fit into my skinny jeans, when my belly is growing with a child or my hormones are jumping off the walls, I will trust my Self to know what to do because this body is changing, growing and evolving with time and age - different stages of life. And somehwre in the future, when I look into the mirror and glance at my laughter lines, I will laugh harder and appreciate how far I have come with this body of mine!

Re-defining Self is just a natural way of moving on.

Change is transition. Change is natural. To re-invent your Self is about exploring Self and experimenting. The sooner I get used to regular changes, the sooner I can start to learn that detachment from a stage will bring you to another level of being... happy. I am not afraid of change. I am not afraid to experience the discomfort of leaving my comfort zone. It just means I am growing... and it should be a time to celebrate the next stage ahead.

There is a reason for everyone you meet.


...Whether they become a close friend for life or just a casual good morning nod on the neighborhood street, there is somethng amazing about connecting with people. Everyone has a story to tell. Maybe it's time to stop and listen for a while, take the time to actually listen to some of the people who pass you by in life. What would you learn? For once, stop indulging in my own world and detach from it for a while to really see others.

The great outdoors.


Yes, the UK is pouring with rain most days of the year and when it actually does shine, people often moan that it's too hot outside lol. Can we ever win?!? The great outdoors is a topic here. And am I guilty of getting lazy because there is no sun? Yes. But when I start to think about how amazing the seasons are, I start to appreciate the cold, the snow and now... the sun. maybe its time to get to know more green spots around me. Stretch. Sit for a while - in any weather - and just enjoy! I LOVE the sun, but I think the great outdoors should be  just as great at other times of the year too!

Never box LOVE.


... it just makes sense on many different levels/meanings.

Being alone is valuable time.


There will be times when you will be alone - you will want to go to a concert and no-one is free to go or when you pass by an inviting restaurant and have no one to share a meal with... So what then? Just go and do it alone! I have friends who hate the thought of their own company... they would much rather go somewhere with a person who they don't like that much just so they are not alone. "Little Miss No Mates". There is freedom in doing things alone. It's empowering and enjoyable... and whats best, there is no one you need to explain your Self to. Why stop trying and doing things just because your friends are out of town? Who knows who you might meet and what you might learn?

This moment is perfect.

... Enough said!     ;o)

... So it may not be right for everyone, bu this is my version to re-AFFIRM.

Time To Work On Inner-Fire: Metabolism!

I am being so inspired by a lady I see every week to do therapy swaps with. Between workouts, therapy sessions, sharing experiences and long thai yoga massages, I'm learning more and more about what it means to be grounded and trying to find new ways to get my body running as healthy and efficiently as possible! So this is a topic that will keep the body flowing much better and with more fire energy!

Twelve Ways to Revive and Boost Your Metabolism
by Mary J. Shomon

(see original article)

When you're hypothyroid, fatigue, difficulty losing weight, or continued weight gain can all be attributable to a drop in the metabolism that frequently accompanies hypothyroidism. Even after your hypothyroidism is properly treated with thyroid hormone replacement, you may find that your metabolism has not bounced back to where it was before. This sluggishness in your metabolism can leave you feeling exhausted, and finding that you can't lose weight, despite a healthy low-calorie diet.

Here are some ways you can help revive and boost your metabolism.

Make sure you eat breakfast.

If you don't eat breakfast, you slow down your metabolism and send the body into "hoard mode," thinking it's starving because you're going a long period of time frequently 8 to 10 hours or more, without food.

Eat the majority of your food earlier in the day.

Dinner should be your lightest meal, and some experts recommend you don't anything after 8 p.m., or any later than 3 to 4 hours before bedtime. This helps your body process and burn the food when you're aware and moving around and burning more calories per hour.

Don't starve.

Dropping your calorie intake below 1,000 calories a day will signal to your body that you are in starvation mode, and will slow down your metabolism.

Eat smaller meals more frequently.

Smaller, more frequent meals keeps your blood sugar stable and provides a steady source of energy to fuel metabolism.

Get enough aerobic exercise.

As much as you can is really a help for your metabolism, and if you do it in the morning, you'll raise your metabolism all day.

Build muscle with weight training or resistance exercise.

At least two to three times a week, you should add weight training or progressive resistance exercise that builds muscle. Muscle burns more calories than fat, and the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn, even at rest!

Water, water, water!!

You've heard it before, but drink those 8 8-ounce glasses of water every day. The energy burning process of metabolism needs water to work effectively.

Get enough B vitamins.

Among supplements, if you are suffering from flagging energy, you need to make sure that you are getting enough B vitamins. Vitamin B-12 in particular is one that is essential for energy. To ensure you're getting enough B vitamins, consider taking a B complex, plus a separate sublingual B-12.

Try a supplement for fatigue.

Another type of supplement useful for fatigue is in the area of substances that the body naturally produces for energy production. Supplements in this category include:

Co-enzyme Q10, also known as CoQ10, which supplies energy to muscles

L- Carnitine

NADH (Nicotinamide Adenine Finucleotide) which helps cells convert food into energy

Green Tea extract

Try Chinese Herbs

In terms of herbal remedies, while you should avoid ephedra and ma huang stimulants, you can ask your practitioner about schizandra--a Chinese herb that is used for fatigue. Ginseng is also popular for energy. Before trying any herbs, supplements, or vitamins, you should of course consult with your practitioner to ensure they are safe for you. Ginseng, for example, is not recommended for someone with high blood pressure and many herbs and supplements are not recommended during pregnancy.

Try mate tea

In the process of writing my book, Living Well With Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know, I had the opportunity to interview herbal and aromatherapy expert Mindy Green of the Herbal Research Foundation. I asked her what, as a person with hypothyroidism, I should reach for when I'm just completely out of steam, and am ready for a giant double espresso in order to make it through the day. Mindy, said, unquestionably, mate tea. Mate, pronounced, "mah-tay," is an herbal tea native to South America. Mate is considered far more nutritious than black tea or coffee, and though it also has some caffeine, its effects are energizing, rather than making people jittery.

Consider Energy Work

Energy and bodywork , such as yoga, tai chi, qigong (pronounced chee-gung), and Reiki, can all help in adding and balancing energy. In qigong, tai chi, and yoga, gentle movements are used to move energy along the energy pathways of the body. In Reiki, a practitioner helps open up energy channels.

(Remember to always check with your practitioner before starting any herbs or supplements.)

My First Video! 3 Tips For Positive Energy!

I had a few people ask me to post up a video for this blog which made me a little nervous lol - but hey... I'm happy to give it a try lol! 

Here is a video on a question I get often...

The Growing Relationship With Your Body

Today reflection was on how I felt about my body in the here and now...  And I asked my Self these questions:

How has your relationship to your body changed as you have grown older?

Do you like what you see?

Does your body bring about more fear than it used to?

Do you honor the body changes that mark events (child birth etc)?

What has made your body change most over the years?

If you could write a "Dear Body" poem or tribute, what would it say?