Thursday, July 01, 2010
A Healthy Dose of Play
Coming off of a very full spring, a few times, I found myself letting out a big sigh and saying, "I need a vacation!" I also, noticed how my tone became more serious and my body a bit more contracted. My actions also became very precise, rather than spacious, fluid & creative. I had been working 7 days a week for 6 weeks straight. Since the end of winter was quite slow here in Portland, Maine, I felt the need to ride the wave of abundance showering down upon me. However, after a while I found it was time to get off the tread mill because the "all work/no play" lifestyle was not serving me or others.
I began planning my summer & scheduling in more social events. Honestly, I did not care what it was, as long as it got me away from my work/home environment and allowed me to break the work cycle. Now, I feel I have scheduled so much play that I am beginning to mix up days a bit and easily lose track of time.
There are times when we think we may need to focus, especially when we fall behind. However, in my own life, I have seen time and time again that when I take excellent care of myself and live my life with integrity and presence, I am always provided for.
When I have a good dose of play in my daily life, I find that everything flows smoother. Because I am doing what I love to do, I feel lighter and my heart is more open. As a result, I attract more into my life. People want to be around me. All my relationships are healthier & more fulfilling.
Have you forgotten how to play?
After years of carving a place in this world for oneself; creating a viable job, maybe a family, many have forgotten how to play. Here's how I remember...
I feel into what makes me happy everyday. I move toward, and engage in, activities that give me pleasure and health.
Long ago, I noticed that some activities that we associate with pleasure, ultimately do not bring lasting joy, like overuse or misuse of food, alcohol, drugs & sex. A little of any of these can surely enhance a playful experience, but notice if you are overdoing it and instead numbing out a part of your life where you are not living your Truth. I encourage my coaching clients to find healthy ways to play. If drinking a beer or having a dessert makes it that much better, that's fine, as long as you feel better afterwards and not worse.
Children are great teachers for play. Watch them and let them remind you what brings you joy and pleasure. Something I remember, and do my best to recreate as much as possible in my life, is the timelessness of childhood. How can you create opportunities to get lost in your playtime? No cell phone. No time to have to be back to take care of other responsibilities.
We do this at least one day a weekend, where we do not operate on a schedule and just flow with the day, one moment at a time. I often do this with my husband, which can end up creating some scheduling, when we choose to do separate things for our play time. However, we do our best to give each other plenty of time to dive deeply into our alone time play before coming back to each other.
Playing alone helps you to get a true sense of what it is that brings your soul pleasure. We are all very different in this way. Alone time can be a very valuable teacher to guide you back to your Truth. That which brings you bliss. According to my yoga teachings, this is our purpose for being here. If we choose to live a yogic lifestyle, then work is play and play is work. When we find our true calling, our work or service, done in balance and with gratitude, becomes play.
Once you've discovered how you like to play, then you might take it a step further and see how you can blend this play into your work.
Simple Formula for Relearning How to Play:
Create time
Take a moment alone, check in deeply and ask yourself, "What would really be fun to do right now?"
Notice how your body responds to your ideas. Does it contract with obstacles or old messages telling you not to? Does it vibrate with excitement?
Release the obstacles, create new thoughts that are supportive and nurturing and PLAY in the vibration that is exciting, fulfilling and nourishing!
If obstacles come up, like money, time, etc., then be creative and find ways to create a satisfying experience that is within reach. For me, it is as simple as getting on my bike and riding to the beach or calling friends for some recreational time (a walk, dinner out or tea). We also just act goofy as much as possible. All very affordable healthy activities that do not hurt a soul, but instead inspire you and others. Create a satisfying life now and make it a pleasurable experience. Do your best to push away any old messages like "I am too old for that" or "I will look stupid". Honestly, who cares? It's your life. Live it! Why put so much weight into a stranger's opinions of you. Dance on the beach! Hoola hoop! Play music. Create art. Go for it! Have fun! Let me know how it feels.
"May we all shine our light upon others and heal, one authentic, truly joyful smile at a time." ~Prana
The Dance New England Dance Community provides many opportunities for healthy play. It's not all about dance either. Visit www.dne.org for more info and events near you. We'll be at Dance Camp Aug. 20 and 21st, and possibly a few days before and after, sharing Therapeutic Yoga and giving healing sessions. Come play with us!
Coming off of a very full spring, a few times, I found myself letting out a big sigh and saying, "I need a vacation!" I also, noticed how my tone became more serious and my body a bit more contracted. My actions also became very precise, rather than spacious, fluid & creative. I had been working 7 days a week for 6 weeks straight. Since the end of winter was quite slow here in Portland, Maine, I felt the need to ride the wave of abundance showering down upon me. However, after a while I found it was time to get off the tread mill because the "all work/no play" lifestyle was not serving me or others.
I began planning my summer & scheduling in more social events. Honestly, I did not care what it was, as long as it got me away from my work/home environment and allowed me to break the work cycle. Now, I feel I have scheduled so much play that I am beginning to mix up days a bit and easily lose track of time.
There are times when we think we may need to focus, especially when we fall behind. However, in my own life, I have seen time and time again that when I take excellent care of myself and live my life with integrity and presence, I am always provided for.
When I have a good dose of play in my daily life, I find that everything flows smoother. Because I am doing what I love to do, I feel lighter and my heart is more open. As a result, I attract more into my life. People want to be around me. All my relationships are healthier & more fulfilling.
Have you forgotten how to play?
After years of carving a place in this world for oneself; creating a viable job, maybe a family, many have forgotten how to play. Here's how I remember...
I feel into what makes me happy everyday. I move toward, and engage in, activities that give me pleasure and health.
Long ago, I noticed that some activities that we associate with pleasure, ultimately do not bring lasting joy, like overuse or misuse of food, alcohol, drugs & sex. A little of any of these can surely enhance a playful experience, but notice if you are overdoing it and instead numbing out a part of your life where you are not living your Truth. I encourage my coaching clients to find healthy ways to play. If drinking a beer or having a dessert makes it that much better, that's fine, as long as you feel better afterwards and not worse.
Children are great teachers for play. Watch them and let them remind you what brings you joy and pleasure. Something I remember, and do my best to recreate as much as possible in my life, is the timelessness of childhood. How can you create opportunities to get lost in your playtime? No cell phone. No time to have to be back to take care of other responsibilities.
We do this at least one day a weekend, where we do not operate on a schedule and just flow with the day, one moment at a time. I often do this with my husband, which can end up creating some scheduling, when we choose to do separate things for our play time. However, we do our best to give each other plenty of time to dive deeply into our alone time play before coming back to each other.
Playing alone helps you to get a true sense of what it is that brings your soul pleasure. We are all very different in this way. Alone time can be a very valuable teacher to guide you back to your Truth. That which brings you bliss. According to my yoga teachings, this is our purpose for being here. If we choose to live a yogic lifestyle, then work is play and play is work. When we find our true calling, our work or service, done in balance and with gratitude, becomes play.
Once you've discovered how you like to play, then you might take it a step further and see how you can blend this play into your work.
Simple Formula for Relearning How to Play:
Create time
Take a moment alone, check in deeply and ask yourself, "What would really be fun to do right now?"
Notice how your body responds to your ideas. Does it contract with obstacles or old messages telling you not to? Does it vibrate with excitement?
Release the obstacles, create new thoughts that are supportive and nurturing and PLAY in the vibration that is exciting, fulfilling and nourishing!
If obstacles come up, like money, time, etc., then be creative and find ways to create a satisfying experience that is within reach. For me, it is as simple as getting on my bike and riding to the beach or calling friends for some recreational time (a walk, dinner out or tea). We also just act goofy as much as possible. All very affordable healthy activities that do not hurt a soul, but instead inspire you and others. Create a satisfying life now and make it a pleasurable experience. Do your best to push away any old messages like "I am too old for that" or "I will look stupid". Honestly, who cares? It's your life. Live it! Why put so much weight into a stranger's opinions of you. Dance on the beach! Hoola hoop! Play music. Create art. Go for it! Have fun! Let me know how it feels.
"May we all shine our light upon others and heal, one authentic, truly joyful smile at a time." ~Prana
The Dance New England Dance Community provides many opportunities for healthy play. It's not all about dance either. Visit www.dne.org for more info and events near you. We'll be at Dance Camp Aug. 20 and 21st, and possibly a few days before and after, sharing Therapeutic Yoga and giving healing sessions. Come play with us!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Practicing Healthy Use of Technology
Over the past few months, I have been exploring the use of technology as a way to expand my services. I remember over a year ago, I often sat in my living room with my husband relaxing for the evening, as he duel screened...television on and lap top open. Intuitively, I felt it was unhealthy. Not only was he working at night, during his only down time, but also immersing himself in technology at all times, except when he was sleeping. It was a demanding work period, but he also grew used to it.
That winter my step daughter helped me decide to start using Facebook. I saw her looking at all her friend's pictures and we had a long discussion about it's value. I had been contemplating it, but was trying to figure out, in my own head, whether it would serve me.
After that discussion, I opened an account and began my dance with social media. I am a very social person and rarely get my needs met in this busy culture. Facebook was the answer. I use it as a marketing tool and as a way to stay in touch with friends long distance. I also have made wonderful new friends and colleagues. It has expanded my social and professional world globally. My big success story with Facebook is that last winter, I was hired by a colleague that I met on Facebook, to help her open her yoga studio in Panama. A two month position that profoundly changed my life. I was sold and began selling it to all my friends & colleagues.
Soon, I started using Twitter. Although I met a few good friends there, marketing has not been fruitful and the layout is too over stimulating for me, so I link Facebook to Twitter. If people want to reach me, they reach me via Facebook.
So that is my social media story. Now I am onto thoughts about offering services on line. "Hold on! Put on Brakes! What am I doing?", my inner voice shouts. I began noticing that most evenings, my husband and I were both duel screening. We rarely spoke to each other at night while relaxing. My screen time doubled during the day, doing outreach on Facebook and e mail. Soon, I began to notice, my professional practice was not benefiting anymore. I needed to get out and do some face to face networking again. This was this past summer. It was such a joy to share my work at festivals and TOTALLY unplug. I began to feel my body again. My own natural rhythm.
This Spring, I am offering a workshop called Law of Attraction and Marketing for Small Business, with marketing maven, Kaitlin Maud. She says, aside from all the many ways to market, which are all valid and effective, that still; even in this technology age, "Word of Mouth" is THE MOST EFFECTIVE way to market your work. Technology use is a great way to remind people of days and times. It can supplement your outreach verses be your only source of outreach.
In my own exploration of technology use, experiencing the pull to offer healing services on line; in this moment, I have made a clear decision that a healthy moderate use of technology is best for me. I enjoy sitting at my altar meditating before a client comes. I enjoy helping my clients to learn to relax, heal & reach their intentions without the interference of Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) and the high pace that is a side effect of technology use. I enjoy offering "in person" workshops, where we create a healthy and spiritually conscious community, sharing healthy lifestyle practices that don't involve use of technology. Yes, we use an ipod for music and I do my marketing on line. It's about creating a healthy blend that works for your body and your needs.
Some suggestions...
Magnet technology can assist in blocking the EMFs coming off your computer screen (and from T.V., if also on in room). I purchase my magnet technology from Colleen Myers, Nikken Wellness Consultant. She can be reached at ourwellnesshome@yahoo.com
Himalayan Salt Crystal products also dissipate EMFs when heated by candle or electric light bulb. I have also been guided to put them in my bath to clear energy. You can find them at health foods stores, New Age shops, as well as on line.
Before you automatically plop down in front of the computer each day, check in with yourself and ask these questions...
*Is this what my body needs right now?
*Can I connect with people in a more personal way?
*Can I accomplish this task in a more personal way via phone or setting up a meeting?
Notice how you feel when you are on the computer for an extended period of time. Do you feel better or worse?
If you feel worse, how can you monitor your own technology use?
Only go online at certain times of the day.
Choose a number of hours and keep track in your calendar, if need be.
Physically separate from your technology. Store in cabinet or another room.
While using the computer or handheld device, notice your breath. It is deep and steady or shallow and sporadic? Are you holding your breath?
Also, slow your typing to your natural rhythm...the way you type when your breath is long and deep, with complete exhales.
Check in and decide when you've had enough and it's time to switch to nontech activities, like walking, creating (art and music), spiritual practice, cooking, watering plants, cleaning tasks, visiting friends, playing with your pet and more. Notice how you feel when you do these types of activities.
Alternate with handwriting. Everyone loves to receive a handwritten note or card. Also hand write some of your work. Use an idea journal. If you buy a journal with unlined paper, you can also draw in it.
If you find you have spent too much time on the computer and need to ground, practice qi gong, restorative yoga, alternate nostril breathing, three part breathing, get a hot stone massage or tong ren treatment, take a hot bath, take a walk in nature or any other relaxation techniques that work for you.
I'm playing with all this myself. Let's help each other to live richer healthier lives.
Below is a link to a very informative documentary called Digital Nation. Learn how the brain functions and is effected by technology use (multi tasking) & how technology use has become an addiction for many of our youth...
www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/digitalnation/view
Law of Attraction and Marketing for Small Businesses will be held Sunday April 25 (Portland, Maine) and Saturday May 1st (Boston, Mass.) For more information and to register, www.pranaheals.com/workshops.html
Over the past few months, I have been exploring the use of technology as a way to expand my services. I remember over a year ago, I often sat in my living room with my husband relaxing for the evening, as he duel screened...television on and lap top open. Intuitively, I felt it was unhealthy. Not only was he working at night, during his only down time, but also immersing himself in technology at all times, except when he was sleeping. It was a demanding work period, but he also grew used to it.
That winter my step daughter helped me decide to start using Facebook. I saw her looking at all her friend's pictures and we had a long discussion about it's value. I had been contemplating it, but was trying to figure out, in my own head, whether it would serve me.
After that discussion, I opened an account and began my dance with social media. I am a very social person and rarely get my needs met in this busy culture. Facebook was the answer. I use it as a marketing tool and as a way to stay in touch with friends long distance. I also have made wonderful new friends and colleagues. It has expanded my social and professional world globally. My big success story with Facebook is that last winter, I was hired by a colleague that I met on Facebook, to help her open her yoga studio in Panama. A two month position that profoundly changed my life. I was sold and began selling it to all my friends & colleagues.
Soon, I started using Twitter. Although I met a few good friends there, marketing has not been fruitful and the layout is too over stimulating for me, so I link Facebook to Twitter. If people want to reach me, they reach me via Facebook.
So that is my social media story. Now I am onto thoughts about offering services on line. "Hold on! Put on Brakes! What am I doing?", my inner voice shouts. I began noticing that most evenings, my husband and I were both duel screening. We rarely spoke to each other at night while relaxing. My screen time doubled during the day, doing outreach on Facebook and e mail. Soon, I began to notice, my professional practice was not benefiting anymore. I needed to get out and do some face to face networking again. This was this past summer. It was such a joy to share my work at festivals and TOTALLY unplug. I began to feel my body again. My own natural rhythm.
This Spring, I am offering a workshop called Law of Attraction and Marketing for Small Business, with marketing maven, Kaitlin Maud. She says, aside from all the many ways to market, which are all valid and effective, that still; even in this technology age, "Word of Mouth" is THE MOST EFFECTIVE way to market your work. Technology use is a great way to remind people of days and times. It can supplement your outreach verses be your only source of outreach.
In my own exploration of technology use, experiencing the pull to offer healing services on line; in this moment, I have made a clear decision that a healthy moderate use of technology is best for me. I enjoy sitting at my altar meditating before a client comes. I enjoy helping my clients to learn to relax, heal & reach their intentions without the interference of Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) and the high pace that is a side effect of technology use. I enjoy offering "in person" workshops, where we create a healthy and spiritually conscious community, sharing healthy lifestyle practices that don't involve use of technology. Yes, we use an ipod for music and I do my marketing on line. It's about creating a healthy blend that works for your body and your needs.
Some suggestions...
Magnet technology can assist in blocking the EMFs coming off your computer screen (and from T.V., if also on in room). I purchase my magnet technology from Colleen Myers, Nikken Wellness Consultant. She can be reached at ourwellnesshome@yahoo.com
Himalayan Salt Crystal products also dissipate EMFs when heated by candle or electric light bulb. I have also been guided to put them in my bath to clear energy. You can find them at health foods stores, New Age shops, as well as on line.
Before you automatically plop down in front of the computer each day, check in with yourself and ask these questions...
*Is this what my body needs right now?
*Can I connect with people in a more personal way?
*Can I accomplish this task in a more personal way via phone or setting up a meeting?
Notice how you feel when you are on the computer for an extended period of time. Do you feel better or worse?
If you feel worse, how can you monitor your own technology use?
Only go online at certain times of the day.
Choose a number of hours and keep track in your calendar, if need be.
Physically separate from your technology. Store in cabinet or another room.
While using the computer or handheld device, notice your breath. It is deep and steady or shallow and sporadic? Are you holding your breath?
Also, slow your typing to your natural rhythm...the way you type when your breath is long and deep, with complete exhales.
Check in and decide when you've had enough and it's time to switch to nontech activities, like walking, creating (art and music), spiritual practice, cooking, watering plants, cleaning tasks, visiting friends, playing with your pet and more. Notice how you feel when you do these types of activities.
Alternate with handwriting. Everyone loves to receive a handwritten note or card. Also hand write some of your work. Use an idea journal. If you buy a journal with unlined paper, you can also draw in it.
If you find you have spent too much time on the computer and need to ground, practice qi gong, restorative yoga, alternate nostril breathing, three part breathing, get a hot stone massage or tong ren treatment, take a hot bath, take a walk in nature or any other relaxation techniques that work for you.
I'm playing with all this myself. Let's help each other to live richer healthier lives.
Below is a link to a very informative documentary called Digital Nation. Learn how the brain functions and is effected by technology use (multi tasking) & how technology use has become an addiction for many of our youth...
www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/digitalnation/view
Law of Attraction and Marketing for Small Businesses will be held Sunday April 25 (Portland, Maine) and Saturday May 1st (Boston, Mass.) For more information and to register, www.pranaheals.com/workshops.html
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
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