Meditation & The Heart Chakra

On Saturday I attended another Meditation Session at my Pilates Studio (also a Yoga Studio). The sessions are aimed at the yogi's but my trainer says that I am a yogi at heart! :-)

So, with it being Valentine's Day (almost), it was all about the heart. The heart chakra (Anahata), energy point of love, empathy and compassion towards oneself and others.

The session was made up of guided meditations interspersed with yoga poses that help to open the chest area drawing energy into the heart. It was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon, replenishing, re energising.

Sue had decorated the studio beautifully with hearts and candles, little white trees dotted about with tiny red hearts decorating their branches, music playing softly. I have come to think of this space as my sanctuary. A place I can just completely shut off from the pressures of work. The blue on the back wall & ceiling is a lovely deep blue, the rest white, such a soothing atmosphere.

Afterwards we went through to the studio conservatory, lit with gorgeous fairy lights and lamps casting wonderful colours & patterns onto the walls, and enjoyed fresh fruit, spritzers and 'love tea' from Pukka all whilst spending time with others looking for a little peace in their lives.

We all received a gift to take home; chocolate hearts, love tea and a jade heart necklace, such a sweet gift, with so much meaning attached to it. Memories made to treasure.

Do you do yoga or meditate? I keep thinking I should try yoga again, I might be more open to it....

Hope your week is going well!
XX

Good For Body & Soul

I have done three days back at work, on reduced hours. Today has been my day off. Already I have three A4 pages of things I need to do/sort/organise. Feelings of being overwhelmed have started. I don't know why this is happening to me. It started before I finished for my hysterectomy. This is how I know things need to change and I am hopeful that 2016 is going to be the year!

So, this got me to thinking. What will help? What can I do for myself, for my body and soul? What helps my coping mechanism? What puts me in a positive frame of mind - gives me an I can attitude? A friend once said "You have to be the most positive person I have ever met!" I wonder would he say that now?

If I had to write a list of what helps me to deal with everyday stresses and work what would be on it? What would I like to fit into my precious free time?  I wrote it down, and here I share it with you, in no particular order! ;-)

Reading - I joined with Laura over at Circle of Pine Trees and her Year in Books - my reviews here. A no pressure reading group, choose a book, do a linky to her site (this sadly no longer is how it works), do a quick review and name your next book in the first few days of a new month. No pressure, but you still feel accountable, which helps to keep your reading mojo up. I read every night without fail, especially as I no longer allow screen time to interrupt my circadian rhythm.

Walking Olly - My pooch gets me out of bed each and every morning. Yes, sometimes I feel sluggish but by the time I am home after a half hour morning walk, currently in the pitch black, those endorphins have kicked in and I feel more energised.

Running - Slowly getting back into it after my hysterectomy. Running is fab in that you are out and back as quickly as you want! No 'I haven't got time' excuses. Have 10 minutes spare? That's 10 minutes of cardio more than if you were sat down!! Running also helps to rid me of any tightness in my neck and shoulders and sets up other good habits - eating clean, drinking more water. 

Exploring New Places - Especially if it involves a historic house and parkland aka National Trust Membership which is what my parents bought me for Christmas - looking forward to planning! A small tip, if you purchase National Trust Scotland membership, it is cheaper but you can get into all the English National Trust places ;-).  It's good to learn new things about how people lived, to visit somewhere you haven't been before; shown to improve our mental capacity. Also it gives you something interesting to chat about!

Meditation - I am really getting into meditating. Most people meditate in the morning, but I can't find the time with walking Olly, juicing and the need to leave for work by 7.50am. I have been using my Headspace App - free trial here but also am going to try Tara Brach Meditations  as recommended by Leo from Zen Habits. I tend to meditate when I get in from work and find that it re energises me for the evening ahead.

Blogging! Yay! - I really enjoy sitting down to write. A creative outlet - or not? I am continually amazed that people visit this little corner of my world and come back!! I don't get lots of comments but when I do I love it, the interaction is inspiring, here and on Instagram!

Juicing - I started juicing in October 2014 and swear by it for improved all round health. Bright eyes, clear skin, more energy, a kick start to the day, no aches and pains, no tummy ache as it helped me to realise I have a gluten intolerance. 

Pilates - Once a week, more if I could! This says it all!! My Pilates Studio is my sanctuary. I go in and for the few minutes before the lesson starts lie on my mat with my eyes closed; heavenly. Something I definitely want to do more of this year, hopefully study and share the love ;-)

Family Time, Friends,  Loving & Laughing - Goes without saying. My family has grown by one and there is nothing better than seeing this little tink become a toddler. I am very lucky that I have a husband who makes me laugh every day - yes, really, even after 28 years. It really is the best medicine. I don't have loads of friends but those who I do have are the dogs, a positive influence, always encouraging, themselves inspirational, special indeed. Family time, especially when we are all together, a gift!

No Facebook - Came off Facebook in November. I include it here as a positive thing. I was disappearing down a rabbit hole with it. The telling thing is I haven't missed it at all!!! It's free'd up time to do all the things above haha! It was useful when I was leading my Beginner's Running Group but currently I shan't be leading as I start College next week. So, not needed!!

Other Random's - 

• Using my Clarisonic regularly - sounds a funny one, but it's two minutes three times a week well spent which gives me beautifully smooth skin.
• Having my eyebrows threaded and dyed every 6 weeks - adds definition helping to frame my face. The only beauty treatment I have regularly.
• Haircuts every 3 months, only at the College, but who doesn't feel better after a haircut?
• Painted toenails especially when I am running :-)
• Eating clean as in lots of fruit and veg, protein, limited gluten free carbs.
• Drinking water - I aim for 8 glasses (4 pints) daily for clarity of mind, ability to run without needing to carry water, clear skin, more energy.
• Cycling; another challenge for 2016 coming up!

Gosh, this has to win the award for the longest blogpost I have ever written. It's been good to give me some clarity of what I would like to fit into my week, to care for and nurture myself, both body and mind, aiding sleep and coping ability at work which is a good thing right?

How do you take care of your body and soul? What would you like to fit into your week? Do you manage to fit in things that you know are good for you?

 Do share! XX

A Little Bit Of Me Time.....

On Sunday I attended a 2 hour Meditation at my Pilates Studio. It was a wonderful 2 hours, which left me feeling utterly refreshed and revitalised.
Sue had set the room out beautifully, all of us sat in a circle of yoga mats, pillows and blankets, the room cosy and warm - sadly I had left my phone in the car so didn't get any photos. There were little trees with fairy lights, lots of candles and beautiful music.
The meditation was Yoga based, which I have not done for a couple of years it also incorporated the Winter Solstice, bringing the light and warmth in, saying goodbye to the darker days.
We started by chanting a Peace Invocation, something I have never done before, the words are
below.

We had to start slowly to say the Sanskrit, gradually increasing pace until it flowed from our tongues! The chant completed we  focussed on grounding the Chakras, followed by some strong yogic poses, Warrior!

Beneath the trees were envelopes, we each were to pick one; inside two slips of paper, one to write on what you hope to take forward with you into 2016 and one to write what you wish to leave behind. These were then to go home with Sue to be placed on a fire.

Lighting of a candle - this was done in a cold dark room, then brought back into the studio, again the symbolism of  light replacing dark, warmth replacing cold. We all placed our candles onto a tray in the middle of our circle, focussing on the dancing flame of our individual candle, eventually closing our eyes, if we were lucky, seeing colour, which I did and only can when I am thoroughly chilled :-)

Finally, we got to lie down for relaxation, I could hear Sue's voice drifting gently away..........when I sat up, everyone was already sat up, ooopppsss. This is my body, telling me I need sleeeeeep!!

Finally, we were presented with a little gift from Sue. I have waited until I was on my own to open mine, I have the perfect time now whilst Mr. & Son walk the pooch. Oooohhhh, the candle that we had lit, contained within, along with a gorgeous smelling soap of lavender and patchouli, Pukka tea to enjoy with a Ferrero Rocher chocolate. Perfect. The whole session was a gift from Sue to 'us' and it is one I am so grateful for and has set me up for all that Christmas may throw at me! Thank you Sue, X

I hope wherever you are, you are at peace and enjoy the kind of Christmas you hope for.
Lots of Love, thank you for being here,
XX

& So, This Is Christmas

& what have I done?

I've wrapped presents beautifully, using a mixture of papers including scrunchy brown paper courtesy of Ikea (when I bought new crockery!) I'm all for recycling ;-) Love the crinkled effect once ironed!

Tried to buy consumable gifts; food, drink, toiletries, candles, useful items, not clutter!!

Shopped local and Fairtrade as much as possible; smaller shops struggle against big websites and stores - you know who I'm talking about!!

Took Sebby to see Santa for the first time, completely under awed, much preferring the lights!

Took my Nephew to the theatre to see 'Twas The Night Before Christmas'

Baked three christmas cakes - currently waiting in the kitchen to be iced, whoops; 1.00pm on Christmas Eve, best get a spurt on!

Meditated - used my Headspace daily!

Drunk cocktails with friends.....

Best of all, due to recovering from my hysterectomy, I have had the most chilled week, with no work pressure. Usually I cover the service I work for until 5.00pm Christmas Eve! It's been nice to have lazy mornings spent with my husband and Son home from Uni.

So, what have you done? What are you trying to get done? 

I wish you luck, whatever it is! XX

Loving Yourself

What makes you feel good?
For me looking after myself the best way I know how.
More important I do this at the moment with the running I am doing but also for my emotional health.

Taking time to do the things I enjoy is essential and I am surprised I have managed to keep it up the way I am - running, pilates, reading, walking Olly, cycling, writing, enjoying a nice cup of tea, spending time with family and friends but also solitude.

Solitude is not the same as loneliness, for me it means time to recharge and replenish, meditate, gather thoughts and do something for myself, by myself :-)

Looking after my body includes eating healthily - more protein than carbs at most meals, black or herbal tea, a juice every morning, plenty of water, lemon in hot water first thing, a good nights sleep, using my Clarisonic regularly - looking after my skin. All these things help me to feel good about myself.

We all deserve time to love and care for ourselves - it enables us to love and care for those around us.

Then there are the  summer essentials that all help towards that feeling of wellbeing - painted toenails, tanned legs, a facemask, a mini spa night! More about those later :-)

How do you look after you?

XX

Nurturing The Body

Way back in April, I set myself a Thirty Day Challenge. 

& here we are in August! How did that happen?

The challenge was to do yoga daily  - this challenge did not quite work out....

I did do a few sessions.......

I started Pilates one to one sessions at the same time, to improve my back pain - a preventative measure rather than a treatment, which is what I usually go for.

Since my third session my back has been so much better, slowly building up my core muscles, strengthening my back, making connections and improving my flexibility. 

I find myself concentrating on my breathing more and noticing and adjusting my posture. 

Bonus - my tummy is looking flatter too!!

I now attend a class once or twice weekly. 

Although Pilates isn't particularly spiritual, it has enabled me to 'meditate' 

in the calming studio before everyone arrives for class, something I am only able to do when thoroughly chilled - I love it, me time. 

So, the thirty day yoga challenge.....didn't quite work out, but I do do Pilates exercises at home a couple of times a week - this counts right?

Who else does Pilates?
Who manages to motivate themselves to exercise at home?
XX