October 09, 2007

SOCK a Few Zzz’s into Your Life

I realize many people cycle through bouts of insomnia at different times throughout the year for many reasons.

Deep breathing exercises often help, along with other relaxation techniques like meditation. I have been told by friends that they have nights in which no remedy can lure them into a deep, uninterrupted sleep.

Recently, I added the following suggestion posted by one of our blog readers to my garden of insomnia remedies:

 Our reader Coleman wrote...
“I read an article recently about an insomnia test that people with warm feet will fall asleep faster. The report recommended putting on socks 10-15 minutes before bedtime. Something about the heat in the feet triggers relaxation in the brain.”

I love this idea! Everyone should have a warm pair of socks, and how about in all kinds of funky colors.  I decided to try our readers suggestion and for the past two nights, I wore my favorite fuzzy socks to bed. I also practiced my usual Kundalini deep-breathing exercise. I generally find that when I eat well, exercise and also know when to take a break and relax that sleeping soundly arrives naturally.

I will write more soon on Kundalini breathing techniques as I find that I always sleep really and find I do not need long hours of sleep. I am sure it is due to my yoga practice.

So....go out soon and find yourself the coolest pair of warm socks and wear them tonight! Who cares how funny you may look (smile)! It is worth it!

September 27, 2007

Even Animals Meditate!

Hello from the Yoga Journal Conference in Estes park, Colorado!

I am engulfed in yoga, dance and meditation workshops, yet I wanted to write a quick note and let you all know that I will have some new blog material in the next few days on my experience here at the conference that you won't want to miss.

There are people from all over the world, who came to do yoga and learn how to eliminate stress from their lives.

I have to admit I was suprised to see the little cute furry animal (photo on the right) when I drove in to the conference.  He or she was simply sitting on the side of the field taking a moment and sitting in the basic yoga posture - it appeared that this furry being was meditating.

I guess animals have stress like the rest of us! 

August 29, 2007

Casting Call! So, you want to be a STAR?

Who wouldn't want their photo and story in a major magazine! This could be your chance for fame (smile).

We're looking for a few good stories for a major consumer publication that is interested in writing about some of our users and how Healing Rhythms has helped change their lives. Ssshh....We can't reveal which publication it is yet, but we can tell you it is all about people!

Has Healing Rhythms helped you to lose weight? Have better relationships? Reduce your stress dramatcially? Helped you to tap into what is truly important and therefore changed your life, and followed your dream? Share with us!

We will be selecting a few success stories (along with images if you have them) and if chosen, you may soon be sharing your story with many others that you may similarly be able to help.

Simply e-mail us your stories directly to editor@wilddivine.com. And remember to submit images if you have them (if it's a weight loss success, 'before and after' photos would be great).

Story deadline is September 15, 2007.

Good luck!

August 28, 2007

Proud to Announce the Healing Rhythms Podcast

We're very happy to offer you our new Healing Rhythms Podcast.

The Healing Rhythms podcast can be heard at http://www.wilddivine.com/podcast or through iTunes, Odeo and other popular podcatchers.

This is a medium we are very excited about. We will be making our best efforts to have regular monthly conversations with leading wellness experts such as Deepak Chopra and Dean Ornish.

Send Us Your Questions for Our Guests

We want the Healing Rhythms Podcast to be as interactive as possible, so we will do our best to give you advance notice of our monthly guest in order to get input from you. You can email your questions to us at: thewilddivine@gmail.com.

We're very excited about our next guest: Stephen Cope.

Stephen Cope, MSW, psychotherapist and senior Kripalu Yoga teacher, is author of Yoga and the Quest for the True Self and The Wisdom of Yoga: A Seeker’s Guide to Extraordinary Living. Director of the Kripalu Institute of Extraordinary Living, he is also creator of the Gentle Yoga Kit and is featured in the video Kripalu Yoga: Dynamic.

August 21, 2007

Sex. It’s About Time

Oprah’s talking about it. The blogs and magazines are on fire with it. The topic forced into the shadows for more than 2000 years is making an enthusiastic comeback.

Sex.

It directly connects to your overall wellness. Healthy sexuality is one of the basic ingredients defined for good mental health.

This is not new news. Long before the patriarchies stigmatized sex, cultures celebrated sexual union as a powerful expression of life force. Ancient cultures that honored the divine feminine understood a fundamental fact of life: sex is sacred. It unites you with another. It is also the creative force that channels the Divine and renews life.

In the frenzied pace many walk today, it’s difficult to find time for intimacy, much less time to explore the spiritual dimensions of sex. And, after a day packed with commitments and responsibilities, are you even in the mood?

Meditation and deep breathing exercises put you in the mood. Deep breathing exercises calm and center you. Learn to meditate on gratitude and notice how it enlivens your spirit and deepens your connection with your partner. Regular deep breathing and meditation practices alone and with your partner help deepen sexual pleasure, allowing the Divine to freely flow.

August 06, 2007

Stress Relief through Meditation

Wellness means good health, both in body and mind. When our minds are plagued by daily stress, true wellness is not possible. One of the simplest and most effective ways to eliminate stress is through daily meditation.

Our minds can easily become cluttered with worries, “to do” lists, and other little chattering voices. The goal of meditation is to clear your mind of that clutter, so that you are better able to focus on what’s important.

Through meditation, your mind and body both become relaxed and focused. There are numerous techniques and styles of meditation. The basics, though, are the same:

• Sitting or standing in a comfortable position
• Loose-fitting, non-restrictive clothing
• Deep breathing
• Quiet, peaceful environment (silence or soft music are both fine)
• An object or mantra to focus on
  

Next time you feel stress creeping in, take a moment to close your eyes, focus on your breathing, and clear your mind of all thoughts. You’ll instantly feel better, and you’ll find that your mind is refreshed and invigorated.

July 25, 2007

NYT Wellness Article

Kelley Holland of the NYT just wrote an very interesting article about Wellness. The article, Wellness Programs Try to Be Welcoming, Too looks a few areas of wellness that I find interesting.

First, this is coming off the NYT Your Money section - so it's a look at corporate wellness programs and their impact of total costs.

I like this expert:

"Employees respond best to wellness programs that are presented as a form of organizational change, rather than as a top-down imposition of new requirements, according to a study of 243 employees by Ellen Ernst Kossek, a professor of human resource management and organizational behavior at Michigan State University, and two colleagues."

You gotta love it when wellness is making it into the NYT's Your Money Section.

July 18, 2007

Have You Reached Your Wellness Potential?

Wellness is a state of optimal health, both mental and physical. As we strive for wellness, we’re actually striving to experience our full potential in life. When we’re balanced and fulfilled in all areas of our life, we find happiness and contentment despite living in a hectic and fast-paced world.

Achieving wellness is a life-long process. Throughout our lives, there are always ways for us to improve on the many areas of wellness. It’s a journey we can continue to enjoy for as long as we live.

Wellness is something we must consciously choose. Developing wellness involves commitment and some hard work. Wellness is the fruit of a most noble goal: taking personal responsibility for living a quality life.

Clearly, wellness is no fad. It’s a timeless, universal concept whose doors open to you all the time. You need only walk through and begin your journey.