Nestled between the heart and the throat sits an often unrecognized energy center which brings the consciousness and signatures of these two area's chakras together in a beautiful, harmonious, powerful way. Known by many as the “High Heart” or “Chakra 4.5” this chakra is all about living your personal truth and doing so with passion and conviction.
With awareness in the heart center, I invite my client to breathe into the chest and allow prana to fill the body and activate her Anahata chakra as we clear the emotions of a “heartwall” we have located during our session. This conscious breath sends healing energy throughout the body, reminding her to sing the “song of the self” as she lets go of years, life-times even, of unprocessed emotions which have seemingly “protected” her heart from pain.
Pranayama is an umbrella term for different breathing exercises. Some of these exercises have different goals than others, but the gist is the same: to regulate or control your breath, sink into the experience, and alter your energy through the breath.
Is it possible to look and feel your best while eating the most delicious food? Canadian nutritionist and founder of the Academy of Culinary Nutrition, Meghan Telpner, asks and answers that very question in her latest book, The Undiet Cookbook: the answer is a resounding yes!
Bringing Home the Dharma is a compelling historical and personal exploration of the nature of the mind, and it contains teachings and perspectives that are important for our times. You don’t need to move to an ashram or monastery to find inner peace and wisdom. “Your life, just as it is, is the perfect place to be,” Jack Kornfield shares.
Prana is everywhere, in everything. The “life force” exists even in those things we deem “un-living” or “without life.” Yogic thought—Hatha yoga, to be specific—is grounded in nature. Without nature, we cannot exist here in this life, and we cannot exist here in this life without prana. Prana exists in all of nature.
I have a shocking confession to make.
I have dreaded yoga and meditation a thousand times. Surprising words from a dedicated yoga teacher? Yes, I have dreaded yoga and meditation a thousand times, but I have never once regretted it. Resistance to the practice is something we might not expect, and when it arises it can really pull us off the mat or meditation cushion if we aren’t ready for it.
I was given a piece of Aquamarine when I went to visit the great Seer and Mystic Almine, at her home near the ocean in Newport, Oregon. I felt so deeply drawn through my studies of her material that I should go to where she was and see what transformations could be had in her presence. I have truly never met a more generous, loving individual in all of my life. When I departed, besides the many other gifts bestowed on me during my stay, she gave me a gorgeous piece of Aquamarine which reflected the depth of my visit there.
Many people fear change -- not because of the change itself but because they always assume it will take a lot of time, patience, and sacrifice to make a difference in their lives. However, this is not always the case – there are plenty of small activities you can implement into your daily routine and watch your life get better. What’s even better – none of these takes up more than 5 minutes of your day.
