​In just a few weeks, we will be honoring the first official day of summer!  The Summer Solstice is the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere. It arrives Friday June 21 at 11:54 EDT. The term “solstice” comes from the Latin words sol (sun) and sisters (to stand still). At the Solstice, the angle between the Sun’s rays and the plane of the Earth appear to stand still!

This is a perfect time for us to be still, and breathe in the wonderful light and stillness.  We are Light Beings having an earth experience.

Through life experiences on this planet, we forget how very powerful we truly are.  Jesus in Matthew 5:30-20 challenges us not to hide our light under baskets. 

As the Sun reaches her high point on this incredible day, make time to take stock in your incredibleness!!

Set aside a little time to find a quiet place.  If you have space, it is wonderful to set up a small sacred space. You could use it to retreat from the world, if only for a short time.  

Get comfortable and take three long, deep breaths.  Feel your body relax. Feel time and troubles of the world seem to slow down. Only feel your breath coming in and out slowly.  Slowly connect to the Light coming from the Sun.  Feel the Sun’s warmth coming down and filling your body with her warming and soothing Light. Feel this Light merging with your own.  Feel your Light becoming brighter and brighter.  Breathe in the Light and then send it out to the universe. The world needs your Light. Be a funnel of Light and Love!

You are a Light Being!  You have control of You!  

This is a practice you can do any time you want/need more Light in your life!

In our fast-paced world, we tend to live in the flight or fight response of the sympathetic nervous system.  We are constantly connected to our devices.  We are constantly living a fast-paced existence.  Most of us never take the time to slow down and really see the world around us. 
 
The human body is not designed to run fast forward 24-7.  If we live this way for too long the affects begin to take their toll.  We feel disconnected, tired, have trouble sleeping, feel anxiety, stiffness in our joints, shoulders, back, etc.  
 
It’s time to shift our focus to the slower and happier parasympathetic nervous system.  We need to take time to happily live in our bodies.  An old Yogic saying is “If we don’t take care of our bodies, where will we live!” 
 
Here are three ways to start slowing down and get back into your body:

1. Eating healthy & exercising: Reducing unhealthy carbs and sugar makes a huge difference in raising your energy level so you have more energy to start moving your body every day. Exercise doesn’t necessarily mean going to the gym. You can start parking farther away or using the stairs when you go places.
2. Connecting with friends and loved ones:  Taking the time to connect with family and friends on a regular basis reminds us that we have support and love in our lives which naturally connects us back to the slower pace of life or the parasympathetic nervous system.
3. Doing things to connect to our bodies is very important too:  As a massage therapist, I find that most people live in their heads and forget that they have a body to take care of.  They seem to think that the body will take care of them without giving it much thought.  Our bodies were designed to carry us through good times and bad.  But it seems lately we are giving our bodies mostly bad…unhealthy food, not much exercise, not much or no down time. 

 
Slowing life down with yoga, meditation, walks in nature, and body work, like massage, are great ways to reconnect with our true selves. This reconnection shows you that your body is your best friend. If you take care of it, it will take care of you.
 
As spring unfolds, it is wonderful a time to reconnect with nature and ourselves and take the time to take care of ourselves. Start now by meeting a friend for a walk, set a timer to remind yourself to breathe deeply and schedule a massage!
 
Massage can decrease anxiety, heart rate, cortisol levels, all of which are beneficial to overall health and well-being. “It just feels good.” The feel good, relaxation benefits of massage should not be dismissed as unimportant. When people feel relaxed, their outlook on life tends to improve which can lead to perceptions of happiness and contentment and decrease levels of stress.

In our fast paced world, we tend to run on empty.  Empty of the vital life energy that is so important to our well-being.  We burn the candle at both ends and then wonder at the end of the day why we are wiped out!

Just recently with Quantum Physics and advanced technology we are beginning to understand what ancient healers for thousands of years have known.  We are energy beings.  Our molecules are moving constantly and vibrating at a tremendous rate.  When they are flowing in harmony all is good. It gives us power to live our lives.

For thousands of years, healers of the East have been aware of energy channels running through our bodies. Through the years they worked with this energy and discovered ways to open and help this energy flow freely.  

The main energy vortexes of the body are the seven chakras. They run down the center of our bodies.  They are the circular vortexes of energy that are on seven different points on the spinal column.  They connect to various organs and glands within our body and are primarily responsible for distributing the life energy of our system. 

The signs that your chakras could be blocked include difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, feeling helpless, not being able to express yourself, feeling disconnected, tired, etc. Energy needs to flow freely.

Root Chakra (Muladhara)

• The Root Chakra is the foundation.
• It is the base and located at the bottom of of the spine.
• When is is open you feel secure, calm and anchored in your world.

Sacral Chakra (Svadhishthana)

• The Sacral Chakra is the center of your creative energy.
• It is located in the middle of the abdomen, roughly two inches below the  belly button.
• When it is open you feel inspired by life. You are more open to the changes of life and more able to roll with the flow of life.

Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)

• The Solar Plexus Chakra is the “personal power” chakra.
• It is located around the stomach area.
• When it is open you feel that all is good with you life, and that you are in the flow of life. 

Heart Chakra (Anahata)

• The Heart Chakra is connected to your capacity for love and compassion in all their forms.
• It is located directly above the heart.
• When it is open you are able to be emotionally open to others.  You also feel a deep sense of peace.

Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)

• The Throat Chakra regulates your self-expression in all senses.  It influences how authentically you convey your deepest self to the world.
• It is located in the middle of the throat. 
• When it is open you speak your truth to the world.

Third Eye Chakra (Ajan)

• The Third Eye Chakra determines to your intuition. It aids your alignment with the Universe, and your ability to see the bigger picture in your life. 
• It is located in the center of your brow. 
• When it is open you trust your gut feelings and plan according to your greatest goals. 

Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)

• The Crown Chakra is connected to your spiritual connectivity.
• It is located at the top of your head.  It is vital in creating a life you love and attaining a feeling of peace with the world. 

Now that we know of the Chakras and what they represent, what can be done?  

• Find a a quiet place away from the flow of your life.
• Get comfortable. 
• Take three slow breathes. 
• Slowly start at the first Chakra.
• Place your attention there.
• As you slowly breath, feel the energy moving in and out of this place.
• Use your intuition to feel the wonderful energy. 
• Take time don’t feel rushed. 
• Use this time to connect with yourself.

Our bodies work hard, we need to take this time to appreciate how it works for us. You can slowly work you way up the Charkas or stay on one. Enjoy this time for yourself!

If you feel that your chakras could be out of alignment, call or text me to schedule your chakra alignment session today. It's amazing how quickly we can bring your energy back into balance so you can have the energy to power your life!

Stressed who me?  No, I am a massage therapist.  I teach yoga and meditation.  I teach people how to relax.  RELAX!!!  So easy to say and so hard to do.  YES.  I am stressed.  The guy in front of me making me late for work.  My kids...another time.
 
We are all living in a time of fast time.  Quick, quick, quick, let us do more, spend more, worry more and fill our day.  One more email to check, one more tweet to send. One more person to text.
 
One day I was teaching a yoga class and someone asked my husband, who was also in the class, if I ever got stressed.  He laughed out loud.  Then quickly regained his composure and said...oh never.  After his nose stopped growing, I continued the class.  I teach this and I forget or don't think or don't take time.
 
We need to STOP. We need to REMEMBER.
 
We need to breathe....slow down and BREATHE.
 
Let's all try to slow down and maybe we can slow down the rotation of the world to slow time.  We need to take time to enjoy our brief time on this wonderful planet. 
 
When I have asked relatives who were elderly and close to passing what they regretted, many have said they wished they had spent more time having FUN.  They wished they had taken more time to walk in the woods, hug their kids and grandkids, taken more time to travel, dance and laugh.
 
Their time was over. Our time is now.  We must all remember to take the time. We need to have NO regrets. 
 
Let's stop and take deep healing belly breaths. 
 
1.As you inhale send the air deep into your lungs and make your belly go out. This is belly breathing.  It fills up the lungs.
 
2.Take three deep breathes and feel the energy surging through your body. 
 
3.Close your eyes and feel this healing energy circling and calming your systems. 
 
We can do this one breath and one walk in the woods at a time. 
 
If you are feeling stressed and need some time to yourself, contact me to schedule a massage and to learn more breathing techniques. I would love to help you destress. If you don’t take care of your body, where will you live?  Also, check out the class schedule on my site. I offer meditation, drumming and yoga classes.
 
http://www.dianesonne.com/contact.html