spine

To those of you, who are relatively new to the world of energy, welcome. To those seasoned few I invite you into beginner’s mind.

“That’s what happens when you get old and don’t eat enough calcium.”

This statement gets repeated often enough it sounds like an old milk commercial.  It’s referring to the increasing, sometimes dramatic, rounding of the middle and upper back that happens in some older people—is that really the result of a milk deficiency?  And do some people start developing the beginnings of these changes, displaying some early evidence of rounding, much earlier? 

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is on my mind today after wildcrafting the root and leaf on a chilly, rainy morning this week. Despite the mud, wet days are great for root digging; it’s easier to unearth them.  And, as mullein is considered a noxious weed in many places, no one will likely protest should you dig it up!  Though disrespected as a lowly weed, mullein is a beautiful and immensely useful plant.

Sattva: Balance. Purity. Calmness. Neutrality. Equilibrium. Peace.

Imagine a raging fire consuming a forest of ancient trees, the charred branches left after the fact, the newly fertile soil, and then the regrowth of the shrubs, bushes and trees over time to again reveal a pristine woodland of animal life and nature. After the burn and regrow, there is a space and time of balance that is achieved and seems to be maintained over time, during which you can hang a hammock in the trees and fall peacefully asleep while crickets sing and water flows down the mountain.

How’s your posture looking these days? Are you often hunched or slouched over your computer? Although many people may not pay mind to its importance, good posture is more than just about looking prim, proper, and pretty. It’s about keeping the spine in balance, and preventing any potential, future pain or health issues which may arise from not doing so.

If you practice yoga, you’ve probably noticed that yoga twists feel very rejuvenating. If you haven’t tried a yoga twist, you may want to check out Yoga Journal’s overview of twisting poses. Much like the motion of wringing out a towel, they compress and then release the muscles and organs of our body and leave us feeling cleansed and looser. Twists can be completed standing, seated or even while lying down.

Hold the ground, that’s what I tell myself. Hold the ground. I’ve been telling myself this for the past few months. The term tree hugger has an entirely new meaning for me. Lately, I find myself clutching trees, holding trees, and hugging trees to anchor myself to the earth. Knowing how to work with the first chakra--also known as the root chakra--is essential to feeling grounded and confident in our ability to fulfill our potential. Located at the base of the spine, the root chakra is a powerful circle of energy that gives us a sense of well-being and safety.

“Better indeed is knowledge than mechanical practice. Better than knowledge is meditation. But better still is surrender of attachment to results, because there follows immediate peace.”  - Bhagavad Gita

Spine = Foundation

Have you ever heard anyone use the term "get a backbone?" Perhaps you’ve used it yourself.  Or "that person is so spineless." Well, there is a scientific reason behind these old adages. It turns out the spine is linked to many things, courage and confidence included.