Natural Health Therapist Denmark
Going bush, cars packed, dog housed – the escape bid south begins. Looking above the dawn freeway traffic jam, I see a bird hovering using the thermals to aid its flight. A vision that highlights how nature reunites us with our lost senses and draws us to think beyond our current situation. Wishing for wings leads me to an alternative route away from hostile, impatient traffic towards the coast.
Rebooting
Plug into Natures energy
Do we expire to inspire?
Breath out expiration
Breath in inspiration
An automatic, unconscious, reliable everyday action needed to maintain life. Expiration and inspiration are physical and philosophical functions that are so innocuous, it is easy to dismiss until the question is posed : Do we expire to inspire?
Expiration
Expiration, a passive or active response expanding the lungs making space for energy in the form of air to enter. Expiration can be passive not requiring additional muscular activity as it is a response to the elastic recoil of the diaphragm and chest wall. Active expiration requires energy to use abdominal muscles or chest muscles to compress air out. T. K. V. Desikachar stated:
Finding the natural link between breath and movement is the most important aspect of asana practice. It requires determining whether it is the inhalation or the exhalation that is amplified or made easier by a certain movement and then making sure that the breath is the one we combine with the movement on which we are focusing. (1995, p20)
Expiration for example can facilitate forward bends and twisting asanas.
As babes are born they expire, letting go of their tight fit in the womb to lustily cry – a wonderous sound heralded by those waiting to meet the new soul. In order to grow we abandon what we know, the familiar shores of home to find new spaces and adventures. Shunry Suzuki described this learning when he wrote
If your mind is empty it is always ready… In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities but in the expert’s mind there are few.
To expire to bring to an end: such as leaving a job, a relationship; the maiden to the mother or student to worker transition – the closing of one door with faith to open another door. Expiration of the past is to let go, to forgive, lighten the burden of guilt allowing to reconcile with friends and oneself. Our final act of giving to the world is to breathe out – to move on.
Inspiration
Inspiration is the active use of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles to contract. The diaphragm moves downward and the intercostal muscles pull the ribs up. This increases the volume of the chest and creates a negative pressure that draws air in. Air is energy, prana, fuel for the mind and body.
Inspiration is taking in sensory input – vision, hearing, touch and taste – to build our unique perspective of the world. The act of inspiring can also be described as making things happen, galvanising and heartening. Inspiration requires perspiration, effort just as our intercostal muscles lift up we to lift ourselves and others up as we inspire. There is a quote that I admire on inspiration, but I don’t know the author. The quote is
There is no need to be perfect to inspire others. Let people get inspired by how you deal with your imperfection.
Expiration to let go
Inspiration to let in Breath – Prananyama a life force
Reference
T.K.V. Desikarchar (1995) The Heart of Yoga
Passing it on or paying it forward.
Crazy ideas sometimes grow legs and run far beyond our expectations if the universe wishes to support it. Passing it on takes courage, perseverance, persistence, time and toil. It is an act of leaping faith into the area angels fear to tread. Fiscal reward may not occurr though the opportunity to expand oneself and witness people transform is the treasure of passing it on.
Love to self
Valentines challenge to all! How about not waiting for love but giving it to numero uno. Yes You! the one in front of the screen. Its exactly what you are longing for and deserve. The person you can rely on to call, post, front up is not so far away. It may sound cheap even cheesy but you have to start somewhere with love so aren’t you the perfect recipient. Your self worth, self esteem impacts on your courage and capacity to love.
Wait a while
Waiting, waiting, waiting
Time reference challenge
Patience and persistence
Waiting for a life to begin a pregnant women who is post due dates;Continue Reading
Shame – don’t talk about it!
“Ooh Shame !” that which we don’t talk about, hide, disown and disguise. We all have experienced shame and witnessed its effect on how we love, live and work. The cost of shame is life sustaining connections which impacts on our very wellbeing. The willingness to be vulnerable and courageous to share – that is what shuts down shame, builds relationships and empathy.
Fear of disconnection and banishment is the core of shame. We fear we are unworthy of being cared for and connecting with. Connection to ourselves and others is essential to our survival and heals shame. Connecting can be simple recognising my bodies needs or walking my dog or calling a friend and being a community member. Relationships can keep us alive – this was demonstrated in the overcrowded Romanian orphanages during Cecesceau regime where children’s wellbeing declined from lack of human contact.
Jin Shin Jyutsu
Jin Shin Jyutsu is a Japanese art which harmonizes the life energy (Ki) of the body. In bringing balance to the body Jin Shin Jyutsu promotes optimal health, wellbeing and facilitates our own profound healing capacity. It is a valuable adjunct to conventional healing methods as it reduces stress and enhances relaxation. Jin Shin Jyutsu is referred to as a physio-philosophy as it encourages inhaling to receive energy, exhaling to let go and reviewing how the attitudes: (anger, sadness, fear, worry and pretense) effect wellbeing.
JIN refers to human being with compassion and awareness
SHIN refers to source of life KI
JYUTSU refers to the art
Jin Shin Jyutsu employs 26 energy locks found along energy paths that fed into our bodies. When one or more of these energy locks becomes blocked the stagnation disrupts the local area eventually disharmonizing the complete path of energy flow. Holding these energy locks in combination can bring balance to mind, body and spirit. Jin Shin Jyutsu is a gentle art practiced by placing the finger tips over clothing on a designated energy lock on the body to harmonize and restore balance. A session lasts an hour does not involve massage, manipulation of muscles or use of drugs. Practitioners of Jin Shin Jyutsu are listed on the JSJ website under practitioners.
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As the clock chimes in 2015 we welcome the opportunity to attain new resolutions. New years resolutions particularly behaviour changes are a process beyond a revelry shout of ” I am going to… “. The mojo to keep changes can be lost or put on the back burner till another year – which can deter people from their goals.
Dorothy Corkville Briggs stated: “Growth is not steady, forward, upward progression. It is instead , a switchback trail; three steps forward, two back one around the bushes and a few simply standing, before another leap “.