September, 2009
So, another newsletter. My computer hard drive died (please groan aloud for me). Once I figured out my computer was wacky and not me and accepted I needed a new computer (have to admit that didn’t happen until I had no other options) and finished my tantrum (that part was quick) things have gone smoothly.
The flowers above are two of my favorites. Both are cosmos, although their foliage differ and the pink one (more likely seen in garden centers) is in high bloom earlier in the season, while the orange one is still going strong now. Both self-sow; the orange ones are more prolific. Both grow fairly tall (about 3’) and have loose foliage that blows softly with the breeze. I’ve gathered seeds from the orange (easy to plant—scatter in the spring); if you’d like some, let me know and I’ll pop an envelope in the mail.
As a refresher–last newsletter I wrote about breathing in a pattern that helps open the chakras to both receive and release smoothly. I’ll copy that part, then add the new piece to it:
* Position yourself comfortably (we’ve been working with “waterfall”)
* Do a few breaths, just to allow your tummy to soften and body to relax in general
* Inhale and exhale as fully as possible to clear and expand your lungs
* After an exhale, hold your breath for a few counts
* Inhale, and again hold your breath for a few counts
* Repeat the above two steps for several times-inhale, hold, exhale, hold, etc.
Ten times is pretty easy to do because you can count it off with your fingers. After some practice, you may get to the point where you can breathe in a “square”, with the same amount of time being spent with each of the four phases (inhale, hold, exhale, hold). Even this “simple” breathing exercise can be difficult, and you can learn a lot about your breathing patterns while doing it—what phase is easier for you? More difficult? The idea is that your energy centers are most active during the “hold”, so it’s desirable to help your body learn how to do it more comfortably (unless contraindicated by health issues; with high blood pressure, do a suggestion of hold).
Let’s add mindfully bringing your breath to a specific place in your body. If you’re a yoga person, this is natural for you; if not, it may seem a bit odd. Choose a specific place in your body that you’d like to assist in any way—something like help your chest to open, release some muscle tension, open a specific chakra, feel more of a connection between your breathing and your entire body; just about anything that floats into your thoughts is perfect. Using the breathing pattern described above, focus on bringing your breath in and out of that place as fully as possible. For example, if you’d like to address tension in your neck, imagine that your breath is filling up that place in your neck with each inhale; with each exhale, allow the tension to release out with your breath. This is NOT about forcing anything, just offering some fresh, clean chi (breath energy) to the tension and inviting it to choose if/what to release with the exhale. This requires focus, so actually becomes a meditation of sorts. A metaphor I use is to “see” in my mind’s eye one of those little whirlwinds coming in with my inhale and whirling about inside the tension, cleaning up all the stagnation during the “hold”. It then breathes right out with the exhale and I can notice how that space in my body has cleared. It’s common to have seemingly-silly and unrelated thoughts while you’re engaged in this process. Those thoughts are often related to what’s going on in that part of your bodily process; by immersing yourself in this exercise, you’re allowing yourself to process from an unconscious, natural level. It can be very nourishing, refreshing and healing. Again, it might take some practice to get into the routine of it, but it’s worth it. That’s it for now except for some notes below, along with this time’s recipe. Hope you’re all doing well!
Here’s a list of hand-made items you might consider for holiday gifts for clients: flaxseed eye pillows, buckwheat hull pillows (4 sizes), hot/cold rice sacks (different sizes), crocheted amulet bags and eyeglass/cell phone cases. Reasonable prices (only buckwheat pillows are over $10), especially for10 or more of any combo. Hopefully, an email with photos will follow in a week or so.
Gloria Piette (219-921-1737) has a lovely massage space in Chesterton and is looking for another bodyworker who has their own client base to share that space with her.
Feet I & II this coming Monday is a go; there’s one space available. An email with details will follow.
Energetic self-care October 24 & 25 is also a go; more spaces in that one because class can be a bit larger. We’ll be discussing and practicing things such as the above breathing throughout the class; it’s quite fun, and you can expect to learn and enjoy things you’re certain to incorporate into your day-to-day life.
Free Guided Imagery Meditations in October are Wednesday the 7th at 1:00 or 6:00 for about an hour.
MEXICAN DIP
(substitutions that I’ve successfully used are listed within the parenthesis)
First Layer
2 cans plain bean dip (OR 1 16oz can refried beans)
Second Layer
3 medium avocado, mashed (use the large, smooth ones for lighter fat)
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste
Third Layer
1 cup sour cream (OR 1 cup silken tofu)
½ cup mayonnaise (OR another ½ cup tofu)
1 package taco seasoning (OR your own taco spice mix)
Topping
Sliced black olives
Coarsely chopped tomatoes
Sliced green onions
8 oz shredded cheese (whatever you like to use for Mexican dishes)
anything else you like to pile on, to taste
Layer on a platter or large plate (best if layers are fairly shallow so it’s easy to dip all layers). Prepare and put together (except for toppings; add these just before serving) and refrigerate a few hours before serving. Serve with a crispy dipper such as corn chips.
If you have a recipe you especially like, please forward it to share!
To be removed from my mailing list, please reply with something like “no thanks” in the subject line.
Namaste, Cheryl