Let Your Life Bloom

Thinking of you

Hello blog world and readers of Let Your Life Bloom,

I hope you're doing well, enjoying the season change, and up to whatever fulfills you.

If you've read any of my posts on intuition, or have attended my Get Clear series, you know that I first and foremost trust my inner guidance. In doing so, it sometimes directs me in different ways than what my ego wants or expects. In learning to go with the flow of my own natural rhythm, it's become clear that for right now, it's time to step back from posting while other seeds are germinating.

Last week was the first time I didn't post 5 days a week since the beginning of this year. I love writing and sharing information and stories with you. Which means I'm looking forward to when it's time to start up again. I may post sporadically, because I just can't help myself! ✿

Thinking about you and looking forward to returning when the time is right...In the meantime, chat me up on Twitter and Facebook. 

Wishing you good things,

Coach Vanessa

Creating health through Nia

*Posts will be short & sweet this week with a focus on sharing a resource or two, as I'm up in Oregon for a family reunion and other unexpected adventures...Thanks again for reading!"

Have you heard of Nia? It's a combination of martial arts, dance, and the healing arts. The philosophy of it is - "Through movement we find health." At the end of the week I'll be in Portland, Oregon, home to Nia founders and a mecca of fun and healing movement. Attending a class there is an opportunity I can't pass up. To find a Nia class in your area, click here.

What's behind the body language?

Have you ever noticed how people change their physical shape depending on what they're talking about? We use our bodies to emphasize a point, to convince ourselves and others that we are speaking the truth. Often times we do this unconsciously, and even out of defense. The most typical stance is crossing our arms in front of the chest when we are trying to make our case about something (which is more about being scared to be "wrong" or vulnerable). There's also the hunched shoulders, the leg tapping, the elaborate hand gestures.

These are usually thought of as tics or bad habits to break. I disagree.

Body language gives us clues as to where the person is coming from. There are so many different ways that we can communicate with language. Have you ever found yourself feeling reactionary to what someone has said? Or noticed someone being reactionary to you? Paying attention to and being curious about the body language someone is using can help you let go of the judgment, and become more compassionate. To be able to listen openly.

What if we drop down underneath the physical movement to see what motivates us to change our shape? From here, you'll find that ultimately, we all want the same things. We want to be believed, supported, acknowledged, related to, and understood.

How often have you taken a deep breath, got yourself good and grounded, and stood up tall before you spoke? Doing so gives you a minute to collect yourself and get clear on what you really want to express. Even if you're not the one speaking at the moment, when you do this, the other person in the conversation will match your physical stance without even realizing it. This match will open the door to a deeper understanding of each other, and alignment with your own truth. 

Notice your body the next time you speak. Make a conscious choice to breathe, ground, and stand tall as you continue talking. Feel the difference.

Quotes on the body's wisdom

One of my favorite body oriented books is...

Discovering the Body's Widsom: A comprehensive guide to more than fifty mind-body practices that can relieve pain, reduce stress, and foster health, spiritual growth, and inner peace.

Not only is it filled with lots of practical information, it's also incredibly inspiring. There are quotes throughout the book. Here are some of my favorites:

"Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom." ~ Tao Te Ching

"The physical body is the mediator of all our experience. If it seriously malfunctions, everything we perceive is distorted. If it is relaxed and in balance, many of our difficulties fade to insignificance." ~ John Mann and Lar Short

"The prophets preach...that pleasure, not willpower and coercion, is how you most deeply transform people." ~ Matthew Fox

"Pain is the body's cry for help. You are doing something that the body can't take any longer. The body is very patient. It takes a lot of tension and abuse before it makes pain." ~ Marion Rosen

"It is not only possible but natural for each of us to love our bodies, to find ourselves beautiful - no matter how different, disabled, old, or battle-scared we may be." ~ Harriett Goldhor Lerner

I love growing my library. What other books on the body do you recommend?

Create health by talking with your body

Our bodies are always talking to us, hoping that we are listening deeply and honoring what they need. The language is usually in the form of physical sensation. When you start actively engaging in conversation with your body, a distinct voice may emerge just like your intuition.

Talking with your body may sound like a silly idea, but it's actually a form of preventative medicine. You can use the conversations to set the stage for health. Part of that is learning the right questions to ask.

Often, we either complain or ignore our bodies until a physical pain (generally) is too much. There are those who even think their body is against them, as if they were somehow a victim to what is happening. We always have the power to create health for ourselves and talking to our bodies is a step in that process.

Conversation starters for talking with your body:

✿ What foods would nourish you right now?

✿ What would you like to do for fun (relaxation, pleasure, challenge, activity) today?

✿ What relationships feel supportive, and which don't?

✿ What would you like to tell me?

✿ Here's what I appreciate about you: (being able to breathe, walk, talk, see, smell, a healthy digestion, a strong immune system, etc). 

Ask yourself one of these questions. What response do you get?

Want confidence? Shift your body

Ready to increase your self-esteem? Affirmations not working as well as you'd like them too?

Picture this: You walk into a party feeling a little unsure, don't know anyone there, and are trying to talk yourself into being more comfortable. Or, you're waiting for that blind date or job interview or seeing your ex or are about to give a presentation. There's a variety of scenarios that can leave us feeling less than secure about ourselves, especially in situations when we have an emotional attachment to the outcome.

Generally, we pump ourselves up with positive self-talk. It's good to let our inner cheerleader have a few words. Yet, the quickest way to experience more confidence, in the moment you need it, is by shifting your body. 

Let's start now. Lift your head up, looking slightly over the straight ahead horizon. The next step is to roll your shoulders back. Usually, when we do this, we go into chicken stance and the chest pops out creating an unnatural curve in the spine. This time, with the shoulder roll, have your shoulder blades (or angel wings as I like to call them) rest flat on your back as if gravity is gently pulling them down. This puts your body in alignment.

Physically, your chest widens rather than extends out, and you sink into proper position in the core of your body. Your shoulders relax. Your pelvis rolls under. Your legs feel stronger. You feel your feet on the floor. When our bodies are in correct alignment, we feel more grounded, capable, clear, and ready for what comes our way. When we take action, we are more effective.

Watch how people stand. It's pretty amazing to see their confidence or lack of it reflected in their body. Little shifts, like the two I mentioned above, with looking up and correctly rolling your shoulders back will make a world of difference in the times when you need it.

What else do you do to feel more confident?

Beyond stretching

This weekend I had the pleasure of attending a celebration party for Yoga Toes studio in beautiful Pt. Reyes, CA. It was held in an old barn, with people dancing on hay bales (myself included) to the beats of MC Yogi. During the performance, some very talented Acro-Yoga guests took the stage and put on an amazingly flexible show!

Our bodies are so phenomenal and have the capacity to do so much. Watching the acro-yoga confirmed that even more. Each twist looked like it was massaging their internal organs. Each turn or new position was a testament to how much trust they had in themselves and each other. 

Self-massage techniques for health

Two weeks back I wrote about the benefits of massage for health. You may know that my (professional) introduction to the holistic health field was as a Massage Therapist. I was reintroduced to massage recently when I started working with an Ayurvedic practitioner. One of my assignments was to do a self-Abhyanga. Read on to try that one out for yourself.

The Self-Abhyanga - Using generous amounts of oil (sesame or coconut), apply quick up and down strokes to your body. Use a circular motion when going over the joints. The oil is warmed, filled with herbs particular to balancing your dosha, and scented with an essential oil. I use Floracopeia's Dawn Blooming Jasmine. I keep the oil on for 20 minutes, do yoga for 15 and meditation for 5. This is part of my morning ritual and really sets the tone for the day. Here's a more detailed how-to for the Abhy.

Give yourself a good squeeze - Pretty simply stated, take your hand and use it to squeeze other parts of your body. Places I found this especially helpful is on my feet, ankles, and forearms (definitely do this if you are on the computer all day). You can use your the pads, tips, and length of your thumb to apply more specific pressure in those sore spots.

Play yourself like a drum - Percussion, using your hands to quickly pat yourself up and down the whole of your body. This one is an energy rejuvenator. If you have had a draining day, feel like you picked up someone else's energy, or just need a little more juice - this is one of the best ways to feel better. It's a fun one to do with a partner too. 

As always, to your health!

Our bodies are miraculous!

Last week, I wrote about how important massage is for your health and promised to share a few easy techniques with you. That's still the plan...for next Movin' On Monday. First, I have to share this video with you. Having a context for how amazing our bodies are gives you more reverence and respect for being alive, treating it like the temple it is. (If you are seeing this note on Facebook, make sure to visit my blog so you can see the video).

Rub your feet

...and your legs, arms, belly, neck, shoulders, and make sure to get behind your knees and near your armpits.

Massaging yourself is part of your daily self-care routine, right? Chances are it's not. It wasn't part of mine until recently, and I used to be a massage therapist so I know the health importance of massage. Isn't it funny how we walk and sit and move in these bodies, yet don't really touch them?! I noticed this the other day when I decided to rub my ankles. I felt the urge to do so, followed my body's instructions, and dang it felt good!

Skin is our largest organ, we detox through it. When you massage yourself, it stimulates the lymph system. This is a good thing because you're stirring up toxins so they can be released. When this doesn't happen, those toxins sit around in our bodies, and disease forms. Just like there are many ways to accumulate toxins (air, food, attitude and belief systems, lack of movement, drink, not living your passion, etc.) there are even more ways to heal yourself and restore your body to health. Massage is one of those ways. You don't have to wait for the spa, you've got you and your body at your disposal at all times!

The nice thing about taking care of yourself, in any way, is that there's a domino effect. It becomes easier to check the items off your self-care to do list. In fact, it becomes less of a to do list and more a way of life. Next Movin' On Monday, I'll be sharing different ways to give yourself a healthy rub down. Now, go give your hands and feet a good squeeze and notice the difference.