Meditations & Colouring

Hey All!
Happy June!  I hope you are having a great day.

We are being reminded of the cycle of life in our fish tank these past days.  We have two tanks; a 30 and a 60 gallon.  It's the 60 gallon tank that is truly a teacher lately.

We've lost a few fish... Pretty died and we just had to put down Zeibs.  They were both our original fish in this tank which I believe is 7 years old.  Pretty was just old.   But Zeibs was being eaten by our pleco and beat up by the younger fish in the tank.  He did his best, but loss the battle and we didn't want to watch him suffer in his final hours.  It's always heart breaking to have to put down a fish.

Anyhow we've been thinking of getting 4 more fish for the tank to repopulate it.  Then yesterday I was watching my finned friends swim around and found two fry in there!  Our Electric Yellow Labs had babies!  It's so exciting.  Trouble is we can't get the fry out of the tank to protect them from the other cichlids.  Here's hoping the little guys make it and the other's don't decide to eat their young.

The ebb and flow of life in the tank, a reminder our own personal flow.

Remember I told you I'd let you know when my Totem Colouring Books would be updated with a meditation?  Well, they all set!  If you are interested in your animal totems go grab your copy today!   You can find them here at Amazon

Be well,
Tammy

PS.  Also featured on Amazon is This Stage of Grief, a book to support you through any grieving journey;  this was inspired by the loss of my brother and the challenges that accompany the grieving journey.  It's not an easy process as you may know.

And My Mantra Colouring Book - A Yogini's Journey... a fun whimsical girls book for you to colour and chant away with!

You can also have a look inside them there!

A Chest full of Healing

This week I taught a meditation to such a beautiful soul.


He said he felt blocked in his second chakra area ... he pointed toward his sacrum on the low back area.  He mentioned that it felt like he had a 'steel chest' locked there; somewhat like a magician's box. 


I asked him if he'd ever given himself the key to open the chest?  He said he didn't know where it was or how to get to it.


I talked to him about second chakra foods (2nd chakra vibrates to the color orange so ....anything orange like sweet potatoes, apricots, oranges, yes even orange smarties are OK)  and gemstones (using amber to help with healing).  And then I walked him through a chakra meditation I made up on the fly to get inside the chest (I love creating things on the fly sometimes as you can be so surprised by what you can come up with & often wonder where it comes from!)


Anyhow I took him to a place where I gave him a key to open the chest.  He made a sound.  I wasn't sure if he was crying or laughing.  I kept talking.  Inside the chest I placed a piece of paper folded with a message to help him along his path.


Afterwards he asked me if I heard him laugh.  I had to admit I heard something.


He told me when the chest opened he had taken a flame thrower and began to blast the contents of the chest.  When I said there was a piece of paper in there he had to quickly save the paper!  LOL


We laughed so hard.


It was amazing & I'm so grateful to have helped be a part of this man's healing journey.


Have a great week
Tam
x


PS. I'm off to eat some smarties

Third eye

I had such an amazing time yesterday teaching Reiki Level 1.  I adore this class, modality and even more enjoying how other's excitement blasts open when they learn how to use Reiki. For those that don't know Reiki is a Japanese relaxation technique; when the body is relaxed it heals itself.  You can check out more if you want on my site http://www.reikiandyoga.com


At the beginning of the class we do a grounding meditation.  It's a really simple one which takes you into an open field, you find a place to sit down and relax and connect with Mother nature.

As I was guiding the one student I had my eyes closed, talking away - teaching the meditation and doing it myself also.  As soon as we got to the portion of walking in the field I saw the woman clearly in front of me wearing a maiden's dress, smiling, laughing and spinning in a circle.  She looked so happy.  It was as clear as day.

It was rather odd as this is the first time something like this has happened.  I never normally connect with someone during a meditation - not this way....seeing her so clearly.  When we finished the meditation I shared this with her.

She then shared that this is her favourite meditation to do is imagine herself spinning in an open field!

The synchronicity of the entire day was incredible.  I felt so blessed.  I was also really happy about how open my third eye was on this day.

I have had maidens on my mind lately though so maybe that's why my brain put her in those specific clothes.

Did you happen to see my Healing Goddess Calendar over on Etsy... here's the cover of one:

The first one I was in ink - which I chose to keep black and white figuring people could add their own colour to it:

Aren't they cute?  I love them all.  

Speaking of cute you should see the little birds I've been playing with in watercolour!  So adorable.   I love them also.  I'll have to wait and post them at a later date though as I've made a few for Yule presents so I don't want anyone having a sneak peek!

Wishing you the best week - happy planning for the holidays,

Tam

x

PS.  Remember "Failing to plan, is planning to fail." ~Allen Lakein or as my Dad says, "If you don't have a plan, you'll get there." (Meaning.. no where! LOL)     

Peace begins with me meditation

I can't believe how fast this month has progressed.  I just realized I haven't made space to blog for so long.  I have had a nice time this month - been busy art journaling, writing and also teaching. 


This past week I was teaching meditation to my students and thought I'd share this one with you also.  This technique comes from Gabrielle (Gabby) Bernstein who has a Kundalini background.


Warning!  This will make you feel relaxed & enhance your wellbeing!!!


You begin by taking your thumb and touching each finger in turn.  As you do so you add in a mantra (japa) a silent repetition of the sentence, "Peace begins with me".


Take your thumb and touch your index finger and say "Peace"
Thumb to middle finger, "Begins"
Thumb to ring finger, "With"
Thumb to baby finger, "Me"


Here's how I taught it to my classes:
What I love about this is you can do it with eyes open or closed!  You can use it while waiting for a scheduled meeting, your turn in line or anywhere you choose.


1st time through spend several minutes connecting words with movement.


Next:
After several minutes change the timing according to your breath.  One repetition per inhale.  One repetition per exhale.


After several minutes change it again to two repetitions per inhale, followed by two repetitions per exhale.


Then lengthen it one more time to three repetitions of the phrase, "Peace begins with me" per inhale and three per exhale.


It feels simply amazing!


Have a great week.
Much love,
Tam
x


PS.  You normally do this with both hands but if your hands/fingers are feeling tender while doing this just skip the finger portion but keep the repetitions going mentally.

Self Compassion

There's a quote that says, "if your compassion doesn't include yourself its incomplete".
I believe this comes from my friend and fellow meditation teacher Jack Kornfield.


One technique he teaches is to connect with one consciousness in meditation.  Allow your awareness to fly into the sky and allow it to expand to how large it is.  This is not about an out of body experience, although some may liken it to one, but rather allowing yourself to connect with mind space.... you know the one, the final frontier?  LOL


Connect to the part of you that is all expansive, all knowing and all aware.  This is the part of you that is the highest vibration.  Now from this space look down upon yourself and offer loving kindness and compassion for the 'little you'.


The little parts rather that are not necessarily your best qualities, but at the same time make you, you.  This may be connecting to negative emotions, the part of you which emits jealousy, dislike, anger etc.,  or maybe its the part that has to have a coke a day, or some chips when this goes against what you are truly wanting.  (aka... that nasty little new years resolution to release those 10 pds that are still on today). 


Offer all of the parts of yourself love.
Offer all of the parts of yourself compassion.


And know it is perfectly OK to be you in the here and now.
Release all self judgement and remember....


In this moment, everything is already OK.
OM Shanti - peace
Tammy

Ripples

A great gift to those of you who own businesses.


This meditation comes from one of my past clients.  I just did this technique and was surprised with some of the answers!  Especially what my business entity looked like.  Give it a go - I think some of you will truly enjoy this one.

Check it out!

http://www.workandalife.com/2014/04/24/meet-your-business-energy/


PS.  Sometimes it is necessary to ask questions (not only of our businesses, but also of ourselves) 
Remember Einstein's words... "Problems are never solved at the same level they were created."  So, where do you have changes to be made?


Ah man... hate that question!  LOL


Have a great one!

Feeling lethargic?

Here's a technique for those days when you are feeling lethargic that you may or may not have heard of.  It's beginning to incorporate the Bhandhas throughout your day.

 

These are the internal locks applied similar to valves to direct the prana upward through the subtle energy system (nadis, chakras, meridians).

 

The bhandhas are mulabhandha (root lock), uddiyana bhandha (belly button lock) and jalandhara bhandha (neck or throat lock).

 

Like the breath they can be illusive as our focus slips away from them. Give it a try to see what I mean.  Begin to breathe deeply and evenly and allow the breath to be your sole focus for a least a minute.  If this practice is new to you it will be challenging as every 30 seconds or so we have a new thought to take our focus away. 

 

Traditionally they are used in a yoga practice which can deepen if the bhandhas are utilized. Apply them as you move through the asanas (physical postures).  However you need not be on the mat to apply them to your life.

 

Here’s how to apply the lower two:

At the end of the exhalation apply mulabhandha by drawing up on the muscles between the perineum and the anus. These are the same muscles that stop the flow of urination. Keep holding it.

Take a full breath at the end of the exhalation come to the belly button lock by drawing the abdomen in and up thereby applying uddiyana bhandha. It’s not a hard holding or crunch of the core, but rather a lifting … concentrated holding the abdomen up and in.

Here we’ll skip Jalandhara, but know it is mostly used for pranayama (loosely described breathing) practice. The bhandhas can significantly shift and change your yoga practice taking you to entirely new levels of concentration, focus and present moment awareness.

Give it a go even off the mat and see, sense and feel how your energy can & will change!

Let’ s begin to use them today. Here is link to a video I did awhile ago explaining locks further:
http://tinyurl.com/energylocks

Thanks for watching & reading!
Namaste,
Tammy






PS.  Joining in the energy today to honour our soldiers and give thanks for our freedom.  Lest we forget.

PPS.  Please subscribe to the youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/ganesharocks
 & follow on twitter @tllc

The Sound of now

Do you ever stop and pay attention to the sounds of life within your home?

This week I've been practicing much present moment awareness. 
I practice what I preach mostly because I know it works. 

Sometimes it's not as evident and has an effortless flow.  Sometimes I really have to work toward listening to myself.  This has been one of those weeks.  A week where I need to practice to be present.  A challenge with my inner self.  I've chanted....

I am, here now.
I am here.
Here I am in this present moment.
There is only this moment.
And I breathe.

It's been a process of forgetting in one moment.  A wave of anxiety.  A moment of remembering.  A soothing state of rest of relaxation.

Another tool I've worked with this week is listening to the sounds around me.

Here are some sounds which have brought me into the now....

-Fish tank water cycling.
-Sophie screeching for someone, anyone to throw her ball for her (yes she is one strange cat).
-Bella meowing beside her window (this is one Russian Blue that adores her window time).
-Rodney Yee's Yoga Burn playing in the living room.
-The Oracle's struggle with downward dog (he secretly hates down dog).
-Vishen Lakhiani's Envisoning Method Meditation playing.

I adore the sounds I live with.  Who knew how wonderful and blissful these sounds are?
It's been working albeit slowly.  Give it a go.  Listen then repeat after me:  "Every sound I hear draws me more into the presence of this moment."

And so it will be.

Wishing you much peace,
Tammy
x

PS.  A few changes over on my Etsy page - from its name to some new additions:

Mini journal covers....

 

 

And a book to journal in....

 

 

This is so adorable!  And a great reminder of what is needed this week.

 

Rise.  That's right....rise above it all.

 

Om Shanti Love

 

 

Guided toward WellBeing

Ok, so I was wrong about the Royal baby - there was a 50% shot that I was right.  Still think its funny he was born on a full moon though.

Just a fast post today as I promised to let you know when I had posted my Exercise & Wellbeing  product over on my Etsy page.

 So did you hear, I posted my 40 Day Mini Exercise and Wellbeing Journal Printable Weight loss guide and planner over on my Etsy page?  LOL

I had so much fun putting this program together.  The mini journal above supports 40 days of recording your behaviours & a place for you to pre-plan some changes.  Plus you get all of these:

 



Exercise Plan, shopping list, Weight & Wellbeing Journal, Health & Wellbeing script (all of these are 8 1/2 x 11") and more... go see them on the Etsy shop.  Anyhow they'll help you to get through the 40 days of shifting your behaviours. 

We can all have a plan, but it is those who write their plans down succeed more than those who do not.  The act of writing puts the plan into action and allows you to see where you are headed, record your success & progress and helps you to overcome resistances in this case to release.  This not only applies to weight release but all other aspect of life also.

That's really what it is about when it comes down to releasing whatever it is we no longer wish to hold onto.  Realize for the most part it is only a behaviour pattern and behaviours can be changed. 

Repeat after me, "Changing is effortless and easy"

Now you may not believe that, but the more you say it the more the mind will believe it.  It is our wish that you live your best life possible.  May you be happy, peaceful, loving & enjoy the health and wellbeing that is your birth right. 

May you be continually blessed and find peace.

Namaste,
Tammy

PS. Here's a mini meditation for today I stumbled upon written by Ram Dass:

"Ask yourself: Where am I?

 Answer: Here.

Ask yourself: What time is it?

Answer: Now.

Say it until you can hear it."

PPS.  Now if I can remember to use this later while I'm at the dentist it will all be good.  I did just write it down or type it (in this case) so in this thinking it will be!

So Very Blessed

"May love carry you and guide your breath, guide your thoughts, guide your actions, and guide your words. May you be a bright light in this world. May your soul catch fire... and with that light, light many other lights."
~Rod Stryker

I adore Rod.  A few years ago I took his meditation class at the Yoga Show in Toronto.  I remember leaving him feeling so light and airy - so relaxed as I had dropped so many layers of holding.

We all tend to have holding patterns - some we aren't even consciously aware of.  This can stem not only from the physical body, but also the mind. 

Think of the last time you crept facebook or any other social media site and felt less worthy than whomever's page you were creeping. 

This holding is so very damaging our psyche. 

In order to release this - stop yourself from comparing you to them. 

Let go of this holding. 

Remember you are a beautiful, gorgeous soul who is here to share your strength and your knowledge with the whole.

You are so very blessed.

Never forget that.

Namaste & sing it with me now ... "Come on baby light my fire!"

Love,
Tammy

PS.  I'm so excited and almost ready to reveal my Exercise & Wellbeing series on my Etsy Page - it will definitely help you to create a positive shift in your life (and waistline).  Speaking of holding patterns it will help you to release a few.  Watch for it.  In the mean time be sure to check out my Zodiac Series.  I had a blast creating these guys - aren't they cute?

 

Peace Love Happiness (*Metta*) Meditation

This is a technique you can use to meditate - eyes open or eyes closed.

I know that sounds funny but one of my teachers, Lil an 85 year old Yogini, said she never closed her eyes to sit down and meditate.  She revealed that everything she did was done in a meditative way.  (Including being seated and putting her leg straight up by her ear.... I still have no idea how she could move in some of the ways she did... guess that's why it's all about practice).  Anyhooooo..... yeah and if you watch to the end you'll see some art from my brand new Esty shop!  Exciting times indeed.

Enjoy & Namaste,
Tammy



PS.  Here's the link to my shop and mini journal https://www.etsy.com/listing/154433910/40-day-mini-healing-and-gratitude - let me know if you have a shop too and I'd love to follow along and see what you create! 
 

Metta and a grudge

This week while teaching meditation we explored "Metta".  Metta is a term which means loving kindness.  During the process of Metta we sent love to our loved ones, friends, work colleagues and those in general who help make our lives easier.

Then we sent love to someone we had a grievance with... ouch....much more challenging.

Some of the students when it was over shared they couldn't believe they were still holding onto this "________" (fill in the blank but realistically we're talking grudges here... fear, anger, disappointment... whatever it may be) for so many years.

Face it you may still be upset with "So and so"  for doing/not doing/overdoing "that thing" and have been for the past 8+ years.  Yeah, admit it, they still really tick you off! 

Here's the thing.  ______(so & so)________ hasn't given you a second  thought in all of those years!

Guess Buddha was onto something when he said, "Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned."

Rather than clearing the toxic emotions, you've held them, you're still getting burned up by them like a boomerang nothing has cleared.


......dang enlightenment!


Here's a process I've used for years to let people and grudges go. 

Maybe it'll work for you to?

Take a moment and focus on your physical heart or the essence of the heart center (anahatha) located at the center of the chest.

Begin to send your breathe into this space.

Imagine you are breathing from this heart center (not so much from the lungs, but rather the heart).

Allow yourself to expand love, kindness and compassion from this space.

Imagine you are a vessel sending love out to the planet, bathe the planet and all sentient beings with your love, your compassion.

Think of the one you need to release and say these (or similar words), "I forgive you, I release you, I let you go."

Remember to send these same feelings to yourself.
Much love,
Tam

"If you're compassion doesn't include yourself it is incomplete." ~Buddha

“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.” ~Rumi

PS.  You may have to chant these words like a mantra a million times before it takes, but trust it will. 

"I forgive you.  I release you.  I let you go."

PPS.  Oh and when you say "I forgive you" let it be to yourself first for not letting this go before now!  And while you are at it don't be hard on yourself you are human after all!

 

 

 

 

Oh Limitless Being

Do you understand that you really are limitless?   That it is you who sets the rules and regulations for your life? 

So many people blame someone else for their experience.  They give away their power and not allow themselves to thrive onward.  Sadly they have already given up.  They have forgotten how to connect.  They have forgotten life is not static.

They have become a slave to the mind (and even worse some to the cell phone... can't put the dang thing down when it sends a text notification they have to respond.  They can't help themselves...oops ... where'd that rant come from?  LOL  OK, ok, ... right now ....back on track..)

Our mind constantly lies to us.  It teaches us that we have a body, feelings, thoughts, time, space and limits. 

We are far more than these things.

If we can silence the mind we can discover this truth.  You my friend are a timeless, spaceless, witnessing being, one of spiritual abundance riding around in a physical body.

Here's an exercise to work with.  In meditation repeat the ancient words of Nisaradatta, "I am That" repetitively.

Notice how the mind will attempt to fill in the ____that_____. 

Go beyond the lies of the mind and discover the quality of all that "I am".

Remember who you really are.

Do not give up.  You are here to have a glorious experience.

You're only limitations are those you set for yourself.

Reach beyond your limitations with me & let's enjoy this ride!

 

 

.. not necessarily in Warrior 3, although it is super fun and be forewarned it may make you smile! 

 

A Place to be Free

When I was a kid we used to have a tree fort.  I loved that place as the magical center of the universe in those years.  Truth be told it was my brother's fort, but I used to love to climb up into it myself.

We lived on a hobby farm which had 4 acres of land.  Behind the house you would walk down a ginormous hill and at the bottom was the Dunford's rickety old fence which lead to where their dairy cattle grazed.  Just inside their fence was a huge Maple tree.  My Dad & brother built two platforms in the tree.  I remember how scared I was to climb to the top platform.

The memories of that tree always bring me such peace and happiness.  The years may have had challenges for other reasons, but for the moment in time it brought so much joy. 

We need to rekindle these feelings as adults. 

We need not be SO serious all the time.  And the places that bring these joys need not cost a lot of money, nor be far away.  (I mean, come on, I adore the Caribbean but I can't go there today.)

What places can you go to bring about the feelings of joy, playfulness in your life?  Where can you go back to basics where the simplest things made your heart sing?

If you don't have an answer, you're homework my friend is to find it.

You seriously need to.

Wishing you much more love & abundant play!
Tam
xo

PS.  Sending you the best eagle arms, warrior hug... ready.....

 

Earth Angels

I was just over at Leonie Dawson's facebook page and she posted a picture today which reads, "Earth Angels are everywhere."

I do believe this to be true.

We had a few issues this week with our front door, so 10 trips to the Home Depot finally solved it.  Funny enough though as we were there one man came up to me.  He says, "Can I help you?"

I replied, "I didn't realize you work here."

"I don't," he said, "but you look like you could use some help"

Cool, dontcha think?

I do believe angels are everywhere, sometimes obvious other times not so much.

 
Love,
Tam
xo


PS.  Have you seen some of Leonie's work?  She is so awesome.  Check it one of her amazing programs here:  http://tinyurl.com/tlangels

Foot update and videos

It seems that the shoes are staying on.  I can't say I was surprised when the Chiropractor said that he wants me to keep wearing my shoes all day for awhile longer.  My foot is doing better, however its still kinda sore.  Wouldn't it be nice if healing happened much more quickly? 

I can't complain too much about it ... rather have to suffer through this now than when summer arrives.

PS.  The past few weeks I've been doing some meditations on Youtube. There is some really great stuff over there! 

I came across some from a man named Shep - we've been talking, sharing info. etc.,  Then he posted this video referring to one of my videos: 
http://youtu.be/sXDkTCGkjaQ 

Isn't that awesome?!

If you like meditation check out some of his - they are really great!

Anyhow here's the video he was talking about on visualization if you're interested: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roFZPcfm-1I

Visualization Skills

Weights & Meditation

On Wednesdays I teach a yoga class followed by meditation. Another teacher in the same facility teaches a weight class with small 2 & 1/2 pound weights. To not interrupt my class she leaves the cart filled with weights outside the door which I put away after class is over.

Yesterday as I was doing this, one of the students said quite seriously, "You are using weights in meditation class?"

I responded with a, "No" and laughed.

Then I thought about it further.... isn't that the truth?

So much of our suffering is based in the pains of our past. It IS our weight which creates our burdens.

So apparently we do use weights in meditation!

So drop your weights today and keep on moving on
Om Shanti

How to increase your energy. Use the Bhandhas

Alternate Nostril Breathing

Be sure to sign up for the free meditation course!