Take a brisk walk in nature while contemplating what next step you can take.

A full two months has passed since my last blog post and I want to apologize for the hiatus. A lot of wonderful opportunities have come into my life over the past two months, one of which brought me to travel unexpectedly and others of which have caused me to reprioritize. Each of these opportunities were eagerly welcomed though, since they were all invited into my life by me earlier this year in my goal and intention setting.

Speaking of which, I wanted to reinvigorate each of you to connect to your original goals and intentions set forth for 2010 and to evaluate any breakthroughs or obstacles you’ve already experienced. What better day to embark on this than March 4th. Why March 4th you might ask? Well, one of my favorite days happens to be March 4th because within its very title it has the essence of powerful, deliberate action…get it?…March Forth!

March Forth has been one of my favorite little celebrations for several years now. I don’t recall where I first put “two and two together” but for a while now I’ve been using it as a perfect time to reconnect with the goals I set for myself two months prior on New Year’s, to beckon the energy of Spring closer (now only about two weeks away) and to ramp up my motivation, ambition and initiative. I remember leading a yoga class a couple of years ago on March fourth in which I instructed powerful poses like Warrior II and III as ways to embody the March Forth energy.

Whether doing strengthening yoga poses, courageously confronting an issue, or expectantly visualizing the change you desire, I encourage all of you to enjoy the energy of March 4th and to March Forth confidently in the direction of your dreams!

In Balance,
Jenica

Sometimes a practice can benefit from instruction or collaboration.

A practice is generally referred to as “habit or custom” as well as “a repeated performance or systematic exercise for the purpose of acquiring skill or proficiency.” While a practice can be a craft, skill, trade or profession it can also be considered a meditation, a discipline, or a commitment. In all cases, it involves continuous time and energy, as well as focus and patience which, with all the distractions of modern life, it seems that nearly everybody could benefit from. For these reasons I believe that “having a practice” of any variety, is a worthwhile pursuit for anyone.

Practicing something, whether it’s gardening or guitar, enables an individual to exercise not only their focus and patience but also their need for self-acceptance. Perhaps most important of all, it provides people with powerful evidence of progress which can lead to stronger self-worth. At the same time having a practice can take people within for solitary reflection and at other times can benefit greatly from collaboration with others. I’ve seen this in a recent recommitment I’ve made to yoga; one of the key practices in my life.

As a registered yoga teacher I’ve received many hours of yoga training and have provided yoga instruction for individuals ranging in age from 18 to 90. So recently when I joined the local YMCA in order to attend yoga classes, rather than teach them, I pondered why I was seeking instruction for something I already knew how to do. As I thought about it I discovered that I wanted yoga to be even more of a habit in my life than it currently was, which attending frequent classes would accomplish, but I also had the goal of acquiring a greater proficiency, which I hoped would come from quality instruction by other teachers.

In only two weeks, I have seen my yoga practice evolve to the next level, simply by joining my energies with those of others engaged in the practice, as well as being open to learning alternative styles and techniques from my instructors. For me personally, I realized that what my practice needed most at this time was the incorporation of the collaborative experience. At other times in my life, I’ve found the greatest rewards in personal practices in which I was my own best teacher.

Whatever the case for you at this juncture, I encourage you to practice, practice, practice.

In balance,
Jenica

Physical exercise can be a healthy and effective means for releasing negative feelings.

Conflict and confrontation can be two of the biggest balance busters, but having some coping mechanisms in your toolbox can go a long way toward helping you keep your cool and maintain your health and well being during a difficult difference of opinion.  Regardless of whether a dispute is with a spouse, friend or business associate the following methods can be employed to help you stay balanced.

1)       Get clear about how you feel.  Are you feeling frustrated, disappointed, slighted or confused? If it’s hard to determine what you’re feeling, try using a feeling chart.  Knowing how you feel is the first step in allowing your needs and desires to be effectively understood and communicated.

2)      Move the energy.  Energy is powerful, and negative energy has the power to make you sick if you don’t release it from the body.  Try doing something physical that corresponds with the emotion you’re feeling, for example; a vigorous walk for frustration, restorative Yoga for sadness, hitting a punching bag for anger, or core-strengthening Pilates for feelings of victimization.

3)      Express yourself. Once you’ve taken the time to get clear and get centered it should be less challenging to express your feelings in a constructive way. Staying focused on the needs of yours that are not being met (and how to ask that they be considered) is key, according to communication expert Marshall Goldberg.  Consult his landmark text Nonviolent Communication for excellent guidance on empathic and effective communication.

4)     Take extra care of yourself. During and after a challenging conflict or confrontation remember to do the things that keep your mind calm and your immune system bolstered. For natural ways to promote calm try taking a bath with lavender essential oil, listening to a soothing CD, meditating or taking Rescue Remedy, a natural remedy effective in promoting relaxation and sleep which, along with good nutrition and taking a high quality multi-vitamin, assists in strengthening the body’s defenses.

5)      Envision the best outcome.  Focusing on and intending your desired outcome is one of the best approaches to conflict resolution.  Thinking about the best outcome creates positive chemical responses in the body and mind and sets the wheels in motion for aligning your words and actions with that outcome.  When visualizing a resolution consider the question “what outcome would be for the highest good?”

In Balance, Jenica

My intention for this blog is for it to be a source of information and inspiration, so check back often for a dose of good energy and food for thought.  We’ll cover topics including but not limited to yoga, meditation, flower essences, reiki, spirituality, seasonal cycles, holistic health for people and animals, supplements, healthy eating, recipes and cooking, nature, gardening, conservation and more. If you’d like to be reminded when I post a blog, just subscribe in the upper right hand corner.

I’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Summer Solstice.  The longest day of the year is an opportunity to give thanks to the Sun and all the warmth and sustenance it provides us with.

I also want to wish everyone a Happy Father’s Day and to thank fathers everywhere for the role they have in our lives.

Today is a fitting day for celebration in many ways.  As you enjoy family, friends, food, fun, music, nature, or any combination of these, think of the joy these simple pleasures give you.

The power of joy and gratitude is immense; powerful enough to move mountains (and create balance).  So enjoy your day to the fullest!