ebb & flow

"There can be no transforming of darkness into light and of apathy into movement, without emotion."

                                                                                          --- Carl Jung

Svadhisthana, the Sanksrit word for the sacral chakra, translates to: "one's own abode", our home and unique, creative self.

As mentioned on the gong section of my "Services" page, chakras are spinning wheels of life....a revolving door of energy, if you will. These energetic centers can be moving fast, slow, stagnant or blocked, open or vulnerable. Here is a place where we take energy in and let energy go.

The sacral chakra in particular is represented by the color orange and is the house of our water element. This is the womb of creation...the place where all potential dwells. As we draw ourselves up from the root chakra, the source of foundation, stability, and structure, we explore the depths of the ocean....the ebb and flow of life!

I've recently come into contact with a great book called, Quantum Supplements: A Total Health & Wellness Makeover with Vitamins, Minerals, & Herbs by Deanna M. Minich.

Already it's an outstanding resource for connecting herbal health, nutrition, and chakras energy centers. I highly recommend this read as an easy-to-understand yet intelligently-insightful manual for correlating mind, body, and spirit.

The sacral chakra rules the kidneys, bladder, uterus, ovaries, testes, sacrum, and hips... all of the watery organs and "issues" within our low belly and genitals. Svadhistana draws our attention to the pain and pleasure of being alive. No, this is not always a cotton-candy factory people! Sometimes, especially through the practice of yogic techniques, we develop a practice that unleashes some of these emotional elements that were either hidden, neglected, unknown, or looming and obvious. But this is not a negative thing. We can use the hidden informations in the dark caves and crevices of ourselves to draw out the light of understanding, recycling that energy back into the Earth or taking it up into the space of the solar plexus, home of our personal power, self-confidence, independent thought and firey-action.

The sacral chakra teaches us to be playful in our behavior...to offer vulnerability and curiosity to our creativity. Here we discover the duality of our dimensional space.

...

Masculine vs Feminine

Light vs Dark

Sun vs Moon

Outward vs Inward

....

as so it goes

...

these are the differentiations of the polarities, hot-cold, yes-no, right-wrong.

Most importantly, this is the area where we tend to hold emotional traumas and triumphs.

Seemingly juvenile or elementary in one sense, this area of ourselves is known to be most influenced during the ages of 5-7. It is during this time in our lives we develop the attributes that will later define us as adults. But to reassess this space and reconsider our beliefs, habits, patterns, and tendencies is available to us at any time. It is completely relevant and mature to travel into this space. We can revisit our inner child and reconnect with who we are emotionally to support our endeavors here in this present moment!

In Hatha Gong Yoga this week, we will be exploring this space within ourselves, observing emotional reactions to postures, exploring the use of breath (prana) to create a flow with physical movement (asanas), and embody the ebb and flow of the changing watery tides as we acknowledge emotions and surrender to the natural fluctuations of life.

I hope this resonates with you right now, as it does me, and maybe you'll join me for class tomorrow morning!?

***Monday @ 8:30am at the Spirit of Yoga in Tempe, AZ for some vibration and rejuvenation!***

Also, come join me for an All-Levels Vinyasa Yoga Class, same place, same time, on TUESDAY!

We will also be flowing, moving with the tides, and strengthening our breath with focus on sweat, strength, energy, and fluidity! 

Much Love,

The Wise Owl

oxoxoxoxo

abundance!... the choice is ours...

I know a talented and beautiful lady named, Jordan who is not only a most fab yoga instructor but also works as an Astrologer to enrich the healing path of her clients. As I've been learning a bit more through her lately, I'm inspired to share a connection with lunar cycles and the themes of our lives.
Much can be learned from observing what is happening outside of ourselves in the bigger picture.

Do you recall the Hermetic phrase, "As above, so below,"? This philosophy illustrates that the macrocosm and microcosm reflect one another...that there is a harmony between human and universe. And it's such a sigh of relief to learn of Cosmological influences on specific times and situations, forces of movement and change, and even one's entire life path and lives past, based upon information held within the Zodiac. We are not alone and separate the Universe. We are full of abundance and potential, just as the Universe is infinitely powerful!
According to Be Yoga World/Cosmic Consciousness, a New Moon in Capricorn occurred January 11th, 2013. The energy of New and Full Moons affect us 3 days before and after the occurrence, mindful of what is also happening in our emotions. This is a time of acknowledgement for our Truth and Power, Relationships and Finances, Gratitude and Abundance.

Here is an offering for this current energy:

Celebrate and enjoy what you have, as well as what is also coming into your life. How abundance manifests is different for all of us, but there is one important key that MUST be present...
"YOU MUST ALREADY FEEL ABUNDANT FOR ABUNDANCE TO COME!"
(whoa....ya may want to read that again)
Take notice of where your Truth and Power reside.
Are you in alignment with what offers your life true depth and meaning?
Where are the sources of struggle or fear? Where in your relationships with others are you reactive rather than responsive? What serves your purpose as YOU TODAY?!

New Moons offer a time of intention-setting, cleansing, turning inward, and shedding the old...even the most challenging of days.

Set an intention to offer gratitude for the simple pleasures in life, for pleasure is one of the rewards for being alive. You need not earn it, you must simply partake of it. Set an intention to follow-through what you have set out to do, staying focused on patience and persistence. Set an intention to reconnect Self with Spirit during times of transition.

These are the themes for this week's Hatha Gong and Vinyasa Yoga at Spirit of Yoga in Tempe, AZ. I teach classes there on Sundays @ 11:30am, Mondays @ 8:30am, & Tuesdays 8:30am, respectively.  If you'd like to put your New Moon intentions into motion by combining the breath (pranayama) with invigorating physical postures (asanas) that calm the mind, strengthen the body, and ease the soul, please join me!


Cheers!
xoxoxo
The Wise Owl

MAKE ART!

Healing should not be held within the constraints of just merely physical medicine. Assuming the only relief to our depression, frustration or whatever ails us lies within tangible parameters is a bit silly! Overall wellbeing is much more than that. Let's not stifle our happiness, right?

When we feel confused or complacent or upset, and choose to be creative instead of brooding and worrying, we find ourselves exploring a deeper level to our humanity and happiness.

Our healing journeys encompass many layers and dimensions. One of those realms is undoubtedly ART. You know that feeling when observing a painting or design for the first time, and feeling the tug at your heart strings....this is indeed healing. A chord has been struck, a window opened, and light of appreciation illuminated.

In turn, creatively expressing oneself through artistic projects can release pent up energy, maddening inspiration, open up emotional blockages, help us cope with daily life, and bring joy and wonder to the mind. It may just illuminate a light in someone other than yourself!

When's the last time you drew a silly picture or practiced on a sewing or craft project? Do you take the time to express from the heart what is swirling around in your imaginative brain? You can draw, paint, finger paint, work with clay, knit, weld, build sculptures out of found objects, collage, hell even scrapbook! (that's not my thing but hey it's the ACT we're going for here)

 I know I'd like to make more art than I give my time to, but when I do get that wave of motivation I ride it!

Here are some of th fun things I made from this year and a couple years back. Feel free to comment and share what you like to do! Make even share a picture?!

Hope ya dig :)

He's a pretty fun guy. (fungi....get it? it's laffy taffy quality up in here)

The perfect touch for the lapel on some butt-flappin', outhouse-rockin', long red underwear. (Yes I live with the man who wears em)

Kiki's "heart on her sleeve". Looks pretty cute on the arm of her sweater!

Using up vintage fabrics and leftover buttons...owl see you later craft scraps!

"Verla the Vicious" 6 1/2 foot tall Squid. Don't know if I could do it again. A labor of love for sure. Best thing I ever did make though.

Verla's partner in crime, "Cycloptopus". She's no longer with me as I gave her away to this great guy http://www.brhltattoo.com/ as a tip for a kick ass tattoo. Check him out!

Oh, hey there! xoxo

Eye think I'll have another please...

Itty bitty cutie watercolor test

It's all about balance.....for T Money <3

For Amy and her playful spirit <3

What to do with random google-y eyes? Make mustachioed friends with em!

An embroidered wallet for my homegirl, Wren. 

The one and only. Age drew it, I stitched it. Sorry Age, it's on my cardigan now! ;)

the urge to purge.....set your intentions!

'tis the New Year and the time when most of us are contemplating how to keep on keepin' on with goodness in our heart and our minds on point. I agree!

The month of December has been intense, to say the least. This year in general really unraveled my knots, in a real good way, and got me thinking of myself, my loved ones, and my dreams in ways I never imagined. I'm sure you can understand. Each person I meet or revisit seems to carry a similar sense of self-reflection that ultimately leads to questions of, "How did I get here? Where do I go from here? What is my purpose?" It is this lulling out of the Kali Yuga, the age of destruction and the shadow self, into the light of the age of aquarius, that is required for us to reevaluate our present situation.

The end of this Gregorian calendar year of 2012 is an appropriate time to do just that. You survived...now what?!
Take a moment to set an intention or intentions for 2013...not just goals that are either passed of failed, but INTENTIONS...set the gears into motion for what your life calls for---even if it seems impossible!

I'd like to share one of my New Year's Intentions...

To be true and compassionate and sweet to all of the love in my life. To share love with all of those I meet.

Put your intention into motion with me on Sunday December 30th @ 11:30am and Monday December 31st @ 8:30am for Hatha Gong Yoga at the Spirit of Yoga in Tempe, AZ.
***Special Event***Intention-Setting Gong Meditation on December 31st from 10-10:30am at Spirit of Yoga.



"What better place than here, what better time than now?"
                                                           Cheers, The Wise Owl
            XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Compassion for Change

...
It's cliche but true...
CHANGE IS THE ONLY CONSTANT!
Life is about cycles and the changes brought into being as a result. These cycles, whether great or small, offer us an opportunity to reflect and expand our knowledge and awareness. I'd say this applies to just about anything considered a "life experience"...pretty vague but all encompassing,
we can find hidden and obvious lessons, bits of information, sweetness, inspiration, deep-seated fears...what-have-you, by merely acknowledging they happened. What might that mean?
I invite you right now, to take a deep breath in, exhale completely, and consider...

The human condition is to easily become attached to the world, attached to the material, and resistant to change. Yes, relationships and jobs and possessions are real, animating our worlds with amazing-ness. Yet, some day, when we least expect it, we are removed from these things and the soul is taken on a journey to a different life with different circumstances...taking off one cloak and putting on another, if you will.
Ya see...nothing ever stays the same and that's the truth. External validation, attachments to the world, and dependency on the approval from others for happiness only takes us so far.
We come into this life alone, and we go out alone. This is fact. Why do we hardly ever discuss it?

These ideas frighten most folk, so instead we distract ourselves by focusing on trivial, mundane satisfaction-makers like play-stations, crazy-staged drama real-life TV, celebrity distraction, professional sports....this is life. Don't get me wrong....I love a good mindless TV show like everyone else. But to stay in this kind of comfort zone all of the time is disheartening and numbing to the human spirit and our heart of hearts. 

The inevitable is that ALL THINGS WILL CHANGE AND TRANSFORM! We want to avoid it and ignore it, but everyone will die at some point, and ya can't take your winning status from that video game with you! If we have this idea stuck in our minds think we only get one shot at life, are we less likely to find compassion for what's going on and give meaning to the subtleties? We are negating an iceberg the size of the universe when we close ourselves off to this idea. I think great wisdom comes from pondering death and considering the depth of wisdom death may bring. It seems like when people find out they might die soon, they start to change, they reassess their lives, they do stuff they never thought they would.
Maybe it's because remembering that we will all die, even me, even you, someday....shifts how we live our lives right now.

The reason this topic has come on so strong is that I recently received the news my dear and beloved grandmother (who had an equal hand in raising my brother and me as youngsters) has a mass of tumors wrapped around her pancreas and kidneys, thus given a life-expectancy of 3 weeks to 6 months. She's almost 90, has survived the dust-bowl and poverty, worked a tough life on a farm, raised 4 children, could beat anybody at Wheel of Fortune, can shoot a gun and bake a cake in the same day, and is still as sharp as a tack. This woman was a pioneer, an herbalist a naturalist, and didn't even claim it. She is wry and witty and real. And honestly, I know she's ready to go. Yes, it's sad to think of her leaving, sad to think of how long my 98-year-old grandfather might make it after she passes, heart-wrenching to see my mother lose her mother... but at the end of the day...all things must change.

So, we find our happiness within. We cannot control what happens to our lovers or our mothers or anyone, and when we realize this we can reflect on an internal sense of gratitude and compassion. The paradox of all of this is, is our EGO...necessary for the human experience yet such a blockade in the mind about what potentially exists. However, when we stitch the fabric between our EGO, our individual self, with the heart, the seat of compassion, we acknowledge that there's something more.
This is my intrigue right now. Compassion is not just given...receiving compassion is equal in importance. This is the balance within the heart that overrides the fear and doubt of the mind, the fear and doubt of life and death. Purpose and fulfillment are found when compassion is in one's heart.
This is fact.
Why do we hardly ever discuss it?
It's seems as though it's easier to distract our minds rather than find the courage in our hearts to face these fears; because these types of ideas frighten most folk. We then push these fears deep down inside of ourselves and wonder why our lives are so chaotic and full of anxiety and stress!?


It all reminds me of the fabulous movie, Harold and Maude, which illustrates the beauty of living and the beauty of death. Check it out if you have not already and L-I-V-E......LIVE! Live now because all things must change and there's no sense in waiting.

From my heart to yours,
THE WISE OWL

When ya feel stuck, chant Aad Such! Who's with me?!?

Today has been one of THOSE days...

...one of those days where I realize I am not completely impervious to sadness, frustration, and confusion....

...one of those days where I need to deal with my student loan holder: strategizing how I might even begin to think of starting to initiate a re-payment plan-of-action for an insane amount of educational debt that makes me feel like I'm climbing Mt. Everest as a newborn baby....

...one of those days where I question myself, my shortcomings, my struggles, my dreams...

...one of those days where it seems like life is so overwhelming with possibility for either good or bad or happy or sad that I can't move myself forward to work on anything...

...just one of those bummin' days.

And that's the reality of life....we all have them...even the healers, the preachers, the bleeding-hearts, the teachers....

No one is impervious to the dark side and I think that's where most of our enlightening comes from. I suppose that's why I feel so devoted to Kali, the Mother Goddess of Black Time, Destruction, Courage, and Fierce Love. !!! She's our ally for exploring the darkness of oneself....to find the courage and love to face even the most terrifying aspects of reality...she helps us to see that it is from the darkness we are born and to the darkness we will return...

So it is this necessary darkness that engulfs us with fear, insecurity, despair, anger, and confusion we require to see the light of inspiration! Our world has become pairs of opposites....light, dark, good, bad, happy, sad, female, male, yes, no.....Every day we are faced with polarities and extremes. How might we regain balance to move forward with clarity and purpose?

There are many tools available to us for finding the courage to be present during these times of darkness and we can call upon and utilize these tools for support. We can breathe, walk, run, drink tea, practice yoga, scream at the top of our lungs, journal, have sex, pray, meditate, eat, sleep, go to the batting cages or shooting range, read, drink, practice mantra, oh wait....mantra?

A mantra is a tool or instrument used to "shake oneself out of a deep sleep".

This sleep may be general stagnation or fatigue, laziness, cyclical behaviors, self-destructive patterns, ignorance, confusion, lack of awareness, awareness but no desire or inclination to move forward, etc. 

When we practice mantra we practice letting go of the mind and instead surrendering to the inherent wisdom of the body and of our Higher Selves, of Spirit! We use mantras to open up a fresh perspective and change our self-defeating habits.

There are many types of mantras from all around the world, found in song, spoken word, drumming, art, etc., but today's mantra is a chant.

It's called "Ad Sach" a Kundalini Shakti Mantra, and is helpful for bad days, helps remove obstacles, useful for when you feel stuck or confused, and when you are ready to let go of something to create space for something new.

Ad Sach

"Aad such, jugaad such, haibee such,

naanak hosee bhee such"

Pronunciation

"Odd such, Jew-God such, 

ha-bay-such, nan-nak ho-ho-say bay-such"

Meaning

"True in the beginning. True throughout the ages. True as this moment, Nanak says this Truth shall ever be."  

According to Yogi Bhajan, "This mantra connects the speaker to the Infinite and the Infinite to the speaker." 

Chant this mantra aloud or even to yourself in your own mind, anytime you feel you could use it. You may devote yourself to chanting this for 2, 5,7, or even 11 minutes! In the grand scheme of things, what's 2 minutes!?!?

To really go deep and remove obstacles and habits, try chanting each day for a month! See what may happen....

I am also taking this challenge of devotion to myself...to find the light of balance and ease, to let go of the old and allow in the new!

Today I start 7 minutes of "Ad Sach" each day until the end of the year. 

If we don't like where we're at or what we're doing, then we should do something different to change it!

Would you like to join me??? What are you willing to let go of? What would you like to attract?

email me privately for more information if you need help getting started :)

From the deepest place in the heart,

CHEERS!

The Wise Owl

...

This chant was taken from the Book of Hatha Gong, my beloved yogic manual created and written by my Master Teacher Duane Armitage.

He is citing this chant from Yogi Bhajan's, "The meaning of Mantra" from The Aquarian Teacher.

Yogi Bhajan was the influence behind the movement of Kundalini yoga to the West.

You may also find youtube videos for different ways to interpret the sounds and rhythm of this chant.

Herbal Medicine is TOO LEGIT TO QUIT!

Herbs are sooo LEGIT! too legit to quit even!
and thank goodness, because we need plants now more than ever.

In this day and age it seems as though prescription drugs are the norm and herbal medicines are some weird, new-age, witchy-voodoo cult that is deemed illegitimate....like a bastard child.....le sigh....
It's a bit sad considering that the Earth has so generously provided the most fabulous tool box and First-Aid kit for us to use with honor, but is continually disregarded, sometimes deemed as illegal, and disrespected at best. (I do have some ideas and theories about why this is happening....yet another blog post to come....)

But did you know that before the age of pharmaceuticals (yes, there was life before Prozac) humans utilized plants for medicine and healing? It's only been around 100 years that the modern Allopathic Medical View has conquered the masses...in the grand scheme of things, think of it as trimming your pinky fingernail only once in your whole life of growing!

It's quite possible that, and keep in mind that I'm maintaing the utmost modesty and diplomacy here, the pharmaceutical industry actually "stole" their basis of medicinal efforts from the herbal community!
It's almost ridiculous not to ponder....let's take a look at aspirin.

The good ole pain-relieving pills developed by Bayer were actually derived from the naturally growing Meadowsweet plant (Filipendula ulmaria). 

Photo lovingly and respectively borrowed from http://celticawitch.wordpress.com/

(a super cool blog you should most definitely check out! thank you!!!)

One of the main active chemical constituents in Meadowsweet are a set of salicylates, AKA the chemical precursors for aspirin. We also find these naturally occurring chemicals in the White Willow tree (Salix alba). Both of these herbal wonders are anti-inflammatory, analgesic...relieving aches, pains, and rheumatic complaints, and with the help of diaphoretic properties, can help with fevers. Meadowsweet also contains anti-microbial properties and can help tackle the common cold and flu.

It is also worthy to note that these fabulous plants are not necessarily blood thinners like many OTC (over-the-counter) medications. Additionally, Meadowsweet supports the health of our guts, shown to treat ulcers, acid reflux, and indigestion. Hmm....I think Tylenol and Ibuprofen are a detriment to the lining of the stomach and intestines.....eating away at our ever-so-helpful mucous membranes.........
yeah not so good.

You can effectively take Meadowsweet and White Willow in tea, capsule, or liquid extract. Although very safe, always consult a professional herbalist before ingesting these wondrous plants. Why waste time, money, and energy by not having appropriate, educated guidance!

Desert Sage Herbs is a most credible herb shop here in the Phoenix valley (a place I can be found on Wednesdays and Fridays...open 10-6), and also a place to seek educated support on dosing and delivery systems (different methods to take herbs).

So the next time you have a fever, indigestion, or want to take away the pain of a hangover, consider the wonderful world of plants before you reach for that manufactured-by-corporations-that-don't-really-care-for-you bottle of pills.

That is the word and the word is good. Thanks for reading.....
THE WISE OWL
xoxo