VERONICA LEE

Yoga studios seem to be the Starbucks of fitness with new studios popping up in every town on nearly every corner. As well, yoga classes are one of the basic offerings at most gyms.
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Whether you can barely touch your toes, think pranayama is a new organic gluten-free dessert, or frequently sweat it out in a hot yoga class, the benefits yoga are far reaching. From head to toe, body to soul, Bhastrika breathing to kumbhaka, yoga offers us strength, discipline, awareness, flexibility, patience, striving, balance and so much more.  

Over the years I have taken numerous yoga classes, dropped out for a while, and recommitted to my practice when I found my way back. Starting again isn't easy, but I was once reminded by one of my teachers (and my body) that my body retains memory for the poses. More surprising to me, it craves them. 

Many times I struggled with the breathwork part of the classes and wondered, "Why do they do this?" Over time, my ability to breath deeply and healthily, feel calm and centered using my breath, and expand my lung capacity have given me the answer to that question.

If you have never tried Restorative Yoga, I highly recommend it! After 60-90 minutes of resting in these extremely simple poses, I was shocked to wake up pain free the morning after my very first class! No, I don't have any particular issues with pain, but those little aches and daily accumulation of stress-turned-inward simply dissolved.

Instead of Starbucks, perhaps this fall you wander into your local yoga studio, pull up a mat, and warm your body with some poses and breathwork. And since you've skipped the caffeine, just try not to fall asleep during Savasana!

As 2014 continues to guide us to become more of who we truly are, we will likely find ourselves less tolerant of people, situations and energies that are not us. That's a good thing. And, in all honesty, it can be quite uncomfortable. 

For one, if you are used to feeling love and kindness toward all, or have an easy-going personality, it can be quite alarming to feel disdain toward another person you used to tolerate.

As well, feelings of apathy may well up and suddenly you think, "Me? How am I supposed to help in this mess of a world that's been created?"

Maybe you're a go-getter and your feel you've lost your umph, or direction, or wonder if there really is a purpose to anything.  

What's more ironic, is you may not even feel "bad" about "feeling bad" which can really be confusing! "Geez! Someone must have disconnected my heart!," you worry.

In actuality, your heart is opening!

Remember that "this too shall pass" as you experience your intolerance. In fact, go deeper into the experience. Breathe in the unwillingness to expose yourself to ways that no longer serve you. Welcome your intolerance of a world that is out of balance and infused with negativity. Feel your commitment to yourself and humanity as you vow, "No more!"

Some of us can be so kind to others - make it our creed, even - but completely forget that anything we want for others, we must offer ourselves to truly live in alignment. 
Although we may want to be kind to ourselves, we may not realize the subtle ways we treat ourselves poorly. 

• Do you call yourself names when you get frustrated ("I'm such an idiot!")? 
• Do you negatively compare yourself to others?
• Do you look at your past as proof you are never going to succeed?
• Do you starve yourself to get to the weight you desire?
• Do you push yourself beyond the breaking point (like staying up too late at night)?

A simple way to monitor your actions is to pause and THINK.
In doing so, ask yourself:

T - Is it True?
H - Is it Helpful?
I - Is it Inspiring?
N - Is it Necessary?
K - is it Kind?

THINK! It is highly unlikely that you really are an idiot! Comparing yourself to feel like a loser is not helpful! Focusing on what you haven't achieved to this point can be discouraging. There may be plenty of ways to achieve the body you want without unhealthy deprivation. And pushing yourself way past your limits - though you may believe what you are doing is necessary - is not necessarily kind, now is it?

And, one last thing... not only is it a good idea to THINK before you act, you want to THINK about those thoughts you have about yourself. 

As we close 2013, I invite you to hold space for it in your heart. Whatever the year brought you, whatever you gained or lost, whatever 2013 meant to you, take time over the next day to bring its gifts and lessons into your heart. When we integrate our past, we release its hold on us. When we hold onto joyful times, we can get stuck wishing for what was, create a fantasy about how perfect things used to be, or long for time to stop or go backwards. Harboring anger about life's circumstances traps us in them. We relive the feelings associated with the events, play out victimized exaggerations in our current relationships, and project negativity which blocks our growth. 
 
If you choose to create a collage of your favorite personal highlights, spend a half hour meditating on 2013, or make a playlist of the year's best songs, allow yourself to honor and integrate it in ways that speak to your soul.  
 
As 2014 approaches, we can easily get swept into "futurizing" - projecting all our wishes into the future and longing for what will be. As we know, living in the present is the most "aligned" state, but can be challenging. In 2013 I created an audio which you are welcome to listen to and download for free: The Power of Being Present 

Blessings on your now... and every now that meets you in 2014.

There are many areas in which we can create greater ease and joy in our life just by simplifying. 
 
As we head into 2014, it is a great time to reduce the clutter in our lives - whether physically, in our calendars or energetically.
 
For starters, I suggest you pack up whatever you don't need and donate it to your local charity thrift shop... even if it's a brand new Christmas gift that you feel obligated to keep, but know you will never use.

Next, take a scrutinizing look at your obligations. What serves you? What do you really enjoy? Is what you partake in on a regular basis moving you toward the life you desire? Do your best to eliminate doing things that aren't of the "highest" quality - whatever that means to you.

And, for those in the Northern hemisphere, take advantage of the hibernating energies Winter offers. Spend ample time in your own quiet company doing as little as possible. Maybe you do yoga in your living room, create beautiful art, converse with your beloved pet, or take a walk in the crisp, cool morning. 
 
Cultivating quietude and simplicity aligns you with your true self, releases negative ties to people and things, and sets you up to take on bigger - more joyful - life experiences. 

I don't want to go into to great detail, but to get an idea of food frequencies think of denser foods as having lower frequencies and lighter foods as having higher frequencies. This isn't always the case, just an image. More importantly, of course, is the quality of the food. 
 
Purer foods, such as organic fresh fruits and vegetables, have a higher frequency which means that they not only allow for expanded consciousness more easily, they resonate really well for those already living in a highly awakened state. 
 
For those traveling a spiritual path, it is important to recognize the value of denser foods, such as meat, nuts, darker grains and animal products like dairy and eggs. Though they can still vibrate at a high frequency with good quality, they are denser in a more "physical" way, meaning they can meet the body's and soul's needs to be integrated and grounded.

When you pay attention to what your body is needing, you may find that it is asking for denser foods, especially during periods of deep spiritual work. And, as we continue to get "blasted" with extremely high impulses to expand our growth, much of our spiritual work is happening in spite of our conscious awareness. This makes it all the more important to learn to discern and consume what your body is requesting.

If you don't feel confident in your own ability, you can use a pendulum, muscle test yourself or learn another method to identify the food frequencies your body needs.  

As "time speeds up" we will continue to feel rushed and "behind." Remember, it is just an illusion.  
 
In our efforts to keep up and get "enough" done in a 24-hour period, many of us have been tempted to carve out extra hours by reducing the amount of time we spend sleeping. As a result, we feel tired, more stressed and can even start to feel depressed.
 
I have often described our growth into higher beings similar to that of a newborn. Our human-spiritual selves are shifting and expanding so quickly, we are utilizing a significant amount of energy. Just as babies spend much of their time sleeping because of their rapid growth, we will often find ourselves barely functional from exhaustion.

Whether you add extra hours to either end of your nighttime slumber, or take a catnap (or two) during the day, make it a priority to get enough sleep. And, this doesn't mean "just enough" to get by; it means getting more than enough!

Years ago, I remember Deepak Chopra stating that it was optimal to go to sleep by 10:00 pm and sleep until at least 6:00 am. Though not always successful, this is my striving (I prefer 7:00 am, if possible!). I found additional sleep tips on The Chopra Center website: How to Get Restful Sleep 

As you grow more intuitive and open, you may find that you are more sensitive to external influences. Though I believe we are all sensitive beings, I have discovered that some people are more sensitive than others (think allergies), while many others have had to desensitize themselves in order to function in an incompatible environment (think our very dense world). 
 
Whether a day job is heavy with "negative" people, or media feels too harsh to handle, or foods just don't seem to sit well in your belly these days, you are likely becoming ultra sensitive with your spiritual growth.
 
Rather than ignore these aggravations which drain your system, you can implement a few practices:

• Avoid media that makes you feel bad - news, reality shows, songs with demeaning words, horror films, etc.
• Imagine a "protective bubble" of love or light around yourself - shield yourself as often as necessary
• Wash your hands with water several times a day - "cleanse" energies that have attached to you
• Drink clean water and eat "pure" foods whenever possible - drink plenty of water and eat organic, whole and sustainably harvested foods
• Avoid crowds that are not in alignment with your values or intentions - pick your outings with care  
• Find time to meditate or be still to gather your own energies - allow for alone time and intentionally call your energy back
• Let go of healing others that haven't asked for it - pay attention to ways you try to "fix" others (energetically or otherwise) and learn to set boundaries and refrain  

In my own life I create circumstances that keep me "protected" from external forces that don't feel as if they are in my best interest. For example, I don't have a television, I don't subscribe to mainstream magazines, I live in a beautiful wooded area with very few neighbors, my children attend schools with like-minded families, and my social interactions are mainly with others that resonate with me and my values. 
  
Not only do I feel it is important to create a loving environment to nurture our daily lives, I have discovered it is imperative to refuel ourselves by spending quality time with those that inspire our souls.
 
This could come in many ways, but the deeper the connections, the more we gain from these sacred relationships. Of course, a spiritual service or church can offer such opportunities, but I would invite you to join the church's smaller communities, such as women's or men's groups where you can connect heart-to-heart and be seen and loved for who you are and gain inspiration from the richness of others. 

What if you gathered with a few deeply inspiring friends on a regular, perhaps weekly, basis? 

Whatever you choose make it a priority to connect, heart-to-heart and soul-to-soul on a frequent basis with people you feel deeply inspired by!

In addition to the scientific studies about the benefits of laughter, we know laughter is good for us because we feel it in every cell of our being. Whether something spontaneous makes us laugh, we hear a joke or watch a comedy, we have plenty of opportunities to laugh.
  
And if we can't find any opportunities to laugh, we can make them!  

One of the easiest poses in yoga is called Laughing Baby. If you haven't tried it before, you may wonder why it's called Laughing Baby. If you have, you probably felt a bit silly doing it, especially if your yoga instructor encouraged you to start laughing once you got into the pose! Whether it's sillier to do it in a class full of other adults or alone in your living room (laughter included, of course), is your judgment call. Either way, it's a fun way to stretch your body while lifting your spirits!

To make your way to Laughing Baby pose:

1. Lie on your back on a yoga mat or soft carpet.
2. Bend your knees to your chest.
3. Open your knees, bringing them towards your armpits.
4. Make sure your ankles are directly over your knees, so that your shins are perpendicular to the floor.
5. Flex your feet.
6. Either old the outer edges of your feet as you draw the knees towards the floor, or hook your forefingers around your big toes.
7. Start laughing - as loudly as you can, and deep from your belly - as you enjoy the full experience of becoming a Laughing Baby!

One of the hardest things for many of us to do is take time each day to connect with Nature. Many live in an urban density or a neighboring suburb and the closest thing to Nature is a household plant. Others are busy with day to day activities that, although they live in a more rural area, keep them at arm's length from dropping in to her bosom.   
  
Nature, however, is literally everywhere. Therefore, if our time is spent disconnected from direct access to grasses, trees or rivers, we can still make an effort to connect with what is available... naturally.

Yes, water those plants joyfully and bring even more into your home or garden. Take time to breathe in the natural air. Roll down your windows or open that sun roof. Allow water to flow. Drink plenty of fresh spring water (even if it is store bought) and take long, nurturing baths with sea salts and essential oils. Let spring showers wash over your face. As the spring mornings still chill the air, build a wood and kindling fire in your fireplace. Caress your animal companions with reverence and gratitude for offering you their bridge to the natural world.

And - ideally, if possible - slow down and find time to immerse yourself in Nature. Take a walk, drink in the sunrise, dig your gloveless hands in the dirt, and really smell those roses! Nature is our reminder that we are whole, perfect and in alignment with a grander order. At this time of seasonal and cosmic change, we certainly can use some beautiful reminders of our own Perfection. 

​Over the years, I've noticed a very common food and eating pattern for clients and those embarking upon a spiritual journey. As we move through our ascension process, foods can be harder to "digest" and match with our current state of awakening. Interestingly enough, even organic or whole foods can seem incompatible. 
  
As we expand spiritually, it can be hard for the body to keep up. Although we naturally align best with higher frequency, healthier foods, we may find that our shift has been so great, perhaps so expansive in such a short time, that foods just don't agree with us. 

If this is your experience, then do your best to stay within healthy eating habits, while acknowledging your body's need to assimilate all that is happening. Opt for whole, organic, non-GMO foods whenever possible. Drink lots of clean water, and do your best to increase proteins. Pay attention to your body, but don't starve it. Instead, learn to take in smaller amounts more often. 

At this time it is also very important to take in supplements. Though I am not a nutritionist or expert, I have found that many need to increase calcium and especially magnesium. 

As one year ends and another begins, it's easy to fast forward into determining our goals and desires for the new year.... to focus on those resolutions.
 
Instead, why not take time for reflections?
  
In our go, go, go world we can forget to stop, rest and reflect.  Whether you spend a day journaling your personal highlights of 2012 or set the intention to be in a reflective state in your next meditation, allowing the emptiness between what was and what may be can be both insightful and rejuvenating.

Here are a few ways to create the space for reflection:

• Journal - What was the summary, or highlights, of your last year? What areas did you experience growth? What lessons did you learn? Where were the obstacles and how did you feel about them?
• Meditate - Breathe and simply allow whatever arises. When a thought comes along, you can greet it with, "This is an interesting thought. Let me observe it." And do your best not to engage; merely witness.
• Peruse - Look at your personal writings, artwork or photographs you took from the past year. Contemplate them with as much compassion and observation as possible. 
• Feel - Reflect on the relationships in your life. How do they make you feel? What other feelings emerge when in a reflective state?
  

There is nothing wrong with resolutions (unless you use them as an excuse to beat yourself up) but making room for reflections can not only give us the time and space for contemplation, but we can - just might - discover gratitude in the process. 

For many of us, the last three months of each year can feel like a countdown of holidays that peak at Christmas and offer a sigh of relief as we watch the ball drop in New York City (that's if we stay awake late enough to see it). Each passing day seems to bring us many more to do's than we can gracefully handle.
  
Though there is an abundance of festive joy ringing in the malls and adding sparkle to our neighborhoods, we can often feel overwhelmed and obligated.

If you begin to feel frazzled, remember to tune into the simplicity of the season.

Getting through the holidays, with grace and joy, is mindfully possible:

• Let the weather guide you and slow you down.
• Go to bed soon after sundown, or at least consciously allow yourself to wind down.
• Eat nourishing and hearty foods.
• Light candles, build fires and take extra care to stay warm.
• Avoid errands after dark.
• Play holiday music instead of watching TV.
• Bake for fun.
• Take the time, just as you lay in your bed at night, to breathe into your heart and ask to be aligned with this sacred, inward time.

However you spend your holy days, remember to invite peace into your heart and keep your actions within the essence of that intention.

A simple, loving practice I have created for myself lately is a yoga-like free and easy movement to yummy music in the morning.

The moves are slow and flowing, and - like sensual dance moves - includes the loving caresses of my hands nurturing and blessing my body. My hands, first open to the heavens above, gather Universal Love and melt down my head, neck, shoulders and arms.  

Resting in Easy Sit position, I sway and churn my torso, while my hands comfort my back, buttocks and thighs, as I open my heart to the world and to myself.

With eyes closed, music loud and luscious, I allow my body temple to embrace the union of body and soul within me. During this sacred time, and for hours afterward, all of me feels alive and loved.

I encourage you to enjoy your own expression of uniting body and soul in a loving, nurturing way.

Are you losing your mind or just experiencing the awakening process?

A common pattern many experience as the illusionary veil lifts is feeling a bit out of it. Whether the mind starts to question everything, confusion arises, or there's an occasional dizzy spell, you can rest assured (once a doctor affirms nothing is actually wrong with you!) that your body and mind are simply adjusting to your spiritual ascension. 
  
Some ways to help ease the shifts include connecting with other like-minded people and comparing symptoms, taking a warm bath, journaling, reading spiritual literature, connecting with Nature, drinking clean water, and communicating with your pets.

Yep! Communicating with those wise, unconditionally loving companions will help you through the changes, but only if you take their advice. (Specifically, the advice of Mother Nature and your pets, that is!)

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we can find little, if any, time for peace and quiet. Sometimes our only private, quiet space is when we are in the bathroom! And, likely, it isn't a daily ritual to take a leisurely bath with candles, lavender and an hour of indulgence just for you.

Many of us have looked to the early morning or the late night hours to have a little hush time for ourselves... if we are not too tired or haven't used that time to squeeze in a few extra tasks, anyway.
 
Sure, meditation can be a wonderful way to find peace and quiet. To allow the mind, ears and voice to rest. To release thoughts and soak in the silence.

Yet meditation is not the only way to enjoy quietude. Reading, crafts, chores and driving can also be done in quiet. Rather than clicking the noise-inducing Play button on your electronic device to fill the space with music or speech, perhaps you integrate a little silence into your day. Don't worry if your mind wanders; perhaps it is simply wondering how to help you listen to the sound of the Divine in silence.

If only for a few minutes each day, why not allow yourself to be embraced by quietude?