Inhale to Exhale

You can only give what you have an abundance of; if you lack, then you cannot help others.

Being on the yogic journey means you understand the concept of Seva - or selfless service. As teachers, we are here to serve the wisdom and assure that it passes along to the next generation. Each of us knows just how much the yogic knowledge and practices have changed our personal lives, and how we have enhanced others.

At some point in life, you have likely reached a moment where you felt like you have nothing left to give - this means you have exhaled and delivered, and now it is time to inhale.

Inhaling not only with the breath, but inhale through learning. In this way, you will have more to exhale and give to whomever you wish to assist, maybe students, loved ones, a worthy cause or community.

No matter whom you help, remember to help yourself first - this is not selfish. To not help yourself first, often means others will then have to stop and care for you.

Think of boarding an airplane, and the announcement given. You are to secure your oxygen mask first, then help others achieve putting on their mask.

If you are not able to breathe, how will you help?

Whoever or whatever you want to help, be sure first to inhale...

Learn More https://www.zenwellness.tv/zen-yoga-wood-element-mastery

Still Waters Run Deep

There old saying 'still waters run deep'

Although it is credited as a Latin origin, the teaching may reach back further to a more ancient wisdom.

We know that we have three bodies. A physical one, most obvious of course. An energy or emotional body, we see this measured with EKG's and having a doctor take your pulse. Lastly, a mental or conscious body, much more subtle. 

What you do to one body affects the other three.

Lets take the physical body for example. It is understood that our physical body is 70-90% water (depending on who you ask). When you sit in meditation, the waters of the body become so still, that the 'waters' of the other two bodies follow suit. Once you have reached the pure stillness is when you can see deeply inward all the way to your higher self. 

The stillness from meditation allows the settling to occur producing a glass like surface for reflection. If you disturb the water on one of the levels, say having an excess amount of emotions or thinking, then the waters are agitated and unclear. This is how we lose sight of who we are and end up confusing ourselves for the turbid image.

Care for the three bodies. Still the waters to find clarity. Sit still and tall, let go of lingering emotions and learn to quiet the mind. 

Still the waters to run deep

Ch-Ch-Changes

Change. 

Today I wanted to connect with you over the word change. A six letter word to describe something so many resist. The thought of change may bring up a feeling of un-ease, as it usually implies the unknown or the undesired. However, that six letter word points to an inherent truth - change is the one constant in the universe. Change can be a blissful experience or a frightful experience, the perception is up to you…

One of the best ways I have found to embody contentment with change is to focus on the breath and the change between the inhale and exhale. I invite you to first meditate upon the non-resistance within your breath, and know that as you do a little each day your overall comfort will rise and your resistance will soften. Here are a few of my favorite quotes to add some inspiration! 

‘Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.’ - Wayne Dyer

‘Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.’ -George Bernard Shaw

‘You can not step in the same river twice.’ - unknown

‘People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.’ Rob Siltanen

‘Be the change you wish to see in the world.’ Gandhi

‘Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.’ -Rumi

Its a new day my friends

Can't or Won't?

Time is a created thing. To say “I don’t have time”, is like saying “I don’t want to”. - Lao Tzu

Life can be full. No question. HOWEVER, it is never to full to find time to clear your head in meditation. In fact, it is quite the opposite. The more you have going on, the more space you will need to be efficient and effective. 

'You should sit in meditation for 20 minutes a day. Unless you're too busy, then you should sit for an hour.' - Zen Saying

With so many roads that lead to meditation, taking the time to connect with yourself is something everyone can do daily. Usually, it's less of a can't and more of a won't. Mediation can be done moving, standing or seated and is best paired with intentional deep slow breathing. If you are a person who has trouble staying awake during seated meditation, try a moving meditation like tai chi. Or, if you are a person who is always on the go, then try standing qigong or seated meditation. There is a method for any and every one. 

With all roads leading to internal stillness, here is a music track to help you with any feelings that you 'can't' do meditation. This music is uniquely designed with a bell every four counts to aid you with building the muscle of balanced breathing. Listen to the music as you sit, stand or move and inhale on the first bell, then exhale on the next bell. Repeat until you feel calm and centered. Click here for the music.

Take the time

Calm the Fire

Did you know the tongue and heart are the only two muscles that do not get tired? Kinda a good news, bad news thing lol.

Both the tongue and heart belong to what is known as the fire element in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), and the fire element belongs to summer...which is why I bring this subject up at this time. 

If you ponder what the fire element of summer might be like for a moment, one might arrive at the idea that the fire element may be outgoing, lively and active explosive. The goal of studying this philosophy is more than intellectual - it is to help us integrate the teachings into a more balanced expression of our lives. With that said, lets take one idea of the fire element here - the tongue. When overly active, it drains ones energy reserves. When kept stillness or conscious movement, it not only helps retain ones energy however it also calms the heart. 

Here is how to experience this for yourself. Take a moment and sit tall. Soften or close your eyes (assuming you are in a safe place to do so) and take a few deep breaths. Now, as you inhale touch the tip of the tongue to the roof of the mouth right behind your upper teeth. On the exhale relax it down to the floor of the mouth. Repeat with each breath up to 108 breaths. Make sure you observe how you feel before and after...

Calm the fire

Standing in Darkness

There may come a time where you find yourself standing surrounded by darkness and negativity, and the only thing standing between remaining in the light or you becoming part of that darkness is sheer choice and strength of will. It is said "that which lives in darkness is unconscious, and that which lives in the light is conscious." This does not make one good or bad per se, simply that fundamentally we are conscious beings that are meant to remember that we are the light as we transit the unconscious material world of dark matter. 

Albeit a dark topic, the truth in the room is that it is easy to fall prey to heavy thoughts when surrounded by those who do not envelop the light. It is easy to identify with the world of form instead of our vibrant higher self. This is where the boldness of one's qi comes into play. Qigong literally translates into energy work. 

Just as it takes some form of energy to light up a lamp, it takes energy to light up your personal power to shine both as to see and be seen. Intuitively, we know that we want light in our life. Without light not only would we be in darkness, but also void of life.

To be the light you need to connect to the power source and a have guide to go within to that source of internal brilliance. Although it is difficult to explain this in a short email, I can give you a starting point. 

Start by taking a little time each day to go deep within and to recharge your battery using the process of mindful breath. Try using this music as a introductory guide...it is designed as a training tool. Listen for the bell and breathe in, then on the next bell breathe out. Repeat as often as possible.

Shine brightly

Your Energy Type

Did you know there are three levels or types of energy, and each person is mainly one type?

These three types of energy are called jing, qi and shen. People who are mainly jing type energy are your solid individuals who are usually unmoved by most events and the glue that holds families and organizations together.

A qi type person is highly energetic, involved in many pursuits and is highly sociable. 

The shen type person has an active mind, easily connects to spiritual philosophies and enjoys alone time. 

Of course, these are very general descriptions and can be expounded upon by looking deeper into each type and which of the five elements that are prodomoniate in your body, mind and energy.

I am sharing this concept, as one of the most important things to do in life is to know yourself and how to maintain your sense of balance. Each type has its positive (and not so positive) attributes. The more you know, the more empowered you are to manage your personal equlibrium. 

In harmony

Get your own Qi

Two ways to get energy...

Have some one give it to you, or get your own. In the field of qigong there are these two schools. One is based on Qi emission where a Qigong doctor would pull out stagnated qi and replenish with new. The later is based on teaching you how to do this on your own through physical movement, breath and visualization. 

One of the bigger concerns with having someone manage your qi for you is that although it gets cleaned at that moment, lifes natural law is that it will get dirty or imbalanced again with dailly life. So you will be tied to that individual to contstantly renew your energy.

When you learn how to do this yourself, you can keep up with the maintience of cleaning your energy on a regular basis and be empowered to manage your own well being. One method of this is moving the body in specific ways to unblock qi passages to increase circulation. In the summer months, this belongs to the passage of fire element energy of the heart. By raising the left arm and bending gently to the right on a exhale helps to alliveate excess fire energy and calm the heart.

It's the teaching 'Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime...'

Learn to fish my friends

Why do we get sick?

One short answer is stress. Stress takes us to a flight or fight response.

If we are in flight or fight mode, our blood and energy is in the hands and feet and not protecting our vital organs and in our immune system. We must have our blood and energy in our core digesting foreign invaders. Our digestion is THE most important process. 

Did you know that in both TCM and Ayurvedic medicine the most important process of the body is digestion? The ability to digest food, break down and digest unwanted forgiven invaders like harmful bacteria and viral material, and assimilate information or acquired knowledge is of upmost concern. In both modalities if you cannot break down or digest these items then the stresses of the material world will begin to increase the aging process. 

Ones ability and power of digestion is first attacked by stress. When one stresses the blood and circulation leave the major organs and immune system and go to the feet and hands for our fight or flight response to stress. This leaves our systems vulnerable. Research shows that all bacteria's, viruses and diseases are always present in our bodies and around us. The only reason we do not get sick and rapidly age is because we have strong digestion to manage the invaders. Wellness is not just removing stress, it is the inclusion of joy in ones life. We do this at Zen Wellness through a meditation where we breath out the emotion of shock on the exhale, and inhale the feeling of mindful joy. Simple enough to do anywhere.

Its time to de-stress and be in joy

Fake it Til you Make it

Saw a recent post...

"Can a smile change the way you meditate?'

Made me think of a meditation we do here at Zen Wellness known as the inner smile meditation. I'll keep the explanation short. The inner smile starts with a making a gentle smile on the face by remembering a time where you felt pure and natural joy. This eventually spreads all over the body in a specific method. This way you will actually feel and produce joy in this moment, not just as a memory. 

My point here is that with joy, you can 'fake it til you make it'. 

You are invited to spend a few quiet moments each morning sitting with a gentle upward curl at the corners of your mouth and relaxing into your breath. Set your day, and practice this as often as you can.

Smile til you feel it

Early to bed, Early to Rise

It never ceases to amaze me just how many sayings are embedded into our culture that are supporting the wisdom of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine).

TCM bases our daily activities to align with the natural flow of energy through our organ systems. Western thought has a similar idea called the 'circadian rhythm'. 

These rhythms show that during each segment of the day, the majority of our blood and Qi (energy) remains in one organ at a time acting like a maintenance and repair crew. When we live in harmony with this cycle determined by nature, then we live well over all. When we disregard this flow, thinking we know better than nature, then we tend to become more misaligned as time passes. 

Its kind of a big teaching for an email, however the basis of it includes rise early with (or before) the sun, sleep soon after the sun goes down. Do your analytical thinking in the morning hours and all of your actual actions in the mid-day and late afternoon. Make sure to destress in the early evening and spend some time at the end of the day with someone or something that brings a soothing joy. Sure there are more details, however this is a nice start :-)

Find the rhythm friend

Does the Song Matter?

The ancient wisdom was in closer connection to the understanding that we are more vibration than we are matter. Meaning, there is more space and movement inside us vs static form or material. 

Based on this knowledge, music and mantra's were used as tuning forks that doubled down as acupressure medicine. In the body there are energy highways, and on these highways there are specific points that are used to manage qi or energy flow. There are 84 points in the mouth that are stimulated by the tongue. 

The rhythm of the sounds are as important as the pronunciation, and projection or volume that resonates in the body are the three keys elements. What ever you sing the most is what you are tuning your reality to become...its the vibration you are choosing to be.

The song matters my friend

Headspace

Ever had a song that you just couldn’t get out of your head?

What makes something get trapped in your head that you just loop and loop? And did it get there on purpose? Or by happenstance?

Ideally, we want our headspace to only have things in it that we intentionally put there. If there is something that crept in, kinda like a weed in the garden, it needs to be realized and removed. 

Then the bigger question...how do you realize that there are things in your head that you didn't put there? The answer is…...meditation. The activation of the watcher of the thoughts is the most important piece of meditation. You are that which sees the thoughts, and that which whom can determine which thoughts remain or have to leave. 

If you feel mentally dark or heavy, there is a good chance there are a lot of thoughts floating around in your head that you did not put there on purpose. Sound like a big task? Try simply sitting and watching your breath first. See when you lose your focus on your breath and notice that it is because a thought came up. See what that thought is - decide if its purposeful or not. Repeat until desired result is reached. 

Try this simple 5 minute discipline: Be still, close your eyes and breathe naturally. Play this 5 min track (from my new album coming out next Friday).

Be still.

Ask yourself this question: I wonder what thought I am going to have next. Then observe your thoughts. See if you can have a moment of “not thinking." Empty the garbage between your ears :) Let me know how this goes. Here is the link to the new album.

Time to empty the garbage

Merry Go Round

Close your eyes and imagine walking up to a Merry Go Round…

You are about to step up and find your spot for the ride. 

Here is the question - do you look for a horse that calls to you? Or do you spend your time looking for the horse first in line?

Almost a trick question - there is no first horse in line because it is circular. You choose your horse by feeling the experience you want to have, not by logic of which horse will win the race.

Entering into the path of qigong or yoga is the same. So many people want to start from the ‘beginning’ but the problem is the path is a circular Merry Go Round. All you need to do is step ‘onto the ride’ (the path) and ‘pick a horse’ (teacher) then hang on and be in enjoyment of the ride. 

Its our western mind that needs a ‘beginning’ intro course to qigong or yoga. But the truth in the room is that the beginning is wherever and whenever you start. 

Are you ready to ride?

'Goo' and the Guru

We are all covered in 'goo' or 'gu'...

However, like the frog in boiling water, the goo has been so slowly layered on that we sometimes unknowingly don't realize the goo is a problem or even there!

The goo on us is our five element material body. The more we identify with the physical body, the heavier we feel. On a energetic level, the goo is old emotions that have not been cleared and are being stored. On the mind level, it is the old impressions of thoughts...kinda like how sometimes you can hear your parents voice in your head saying 'don't to this or do that.

The difficulty with this is that all of this is not your true self, it is that which is blocking the view of you true self. I like to think of this like bugs on a windshield...lets say you get in a vehicle and the windshield slowly gets covered with bugs. However, once you stop and get the windshield cleaned, the clarity is both calming and amazing!

This is how in past times a 'guru' aided us. A 'guru' is one who helps remove the 'goo' on you. They know that you are driving around with a dirty 'windshield' and want to help you gain clarity.

A 'guru' or spiritual teacher is a big part of ones transformational process. Our gurus taught us to manage this using a 'sit, stand, move' formula...

Sit each morning and focus on letting go of old thoughts. Use healing sounds (such as whoooo for worry) to purge old emotions, and move the body to dislodge the heaviness. After sitting, add some uplifting and new music for inspiring new thoughts that will inevitably replace the old.Here is a song to uplift you!

From my guru to you