#self nurture

[monmood]

I’m adoring every version of you.

[decayingyouth]

Here lies a spell of good fortune and positivity.

[journey-to-balance]

Shout-out to everyone transcending a mindset, behavior, habit, belief, desire, emotion, or relationship that no longer serves them.

[lll-rani-lll]

Forward bends helps calm the mind and improve blood circulation, although that is not what most people think when trying to fold in half (Ouch, my hamstrings!). In yoga, this is called the "padahastasana pose". To bend forward safely and correctly, bend slowly from the hips, not from the waist. Remember to keep your back straight as you fold and refrain from "bouncing". Bend for as far as you can comfortably go without over-straining your hammys. When done regularly, you'll eventually be able to reach your toes.

[lll-rani-lll]

As we get moving through our weekly rush of schedules, we tend to hike, stomp, stride, “heel-sock slide” (sabay preno), scoot and prowl. And towards the end of a hectic day, we plod, trudge and then crawl into bed.  Hardly do we ever enjoy a good walk anymore.  I realized it is actually not so surprising why the number of people I knew who suffer from plantar fasciitis seem to be increasing.  Admittedly, I suffered from it too.

  Walking is considered an essential part of meditation for contemplatives such as Buddhist monks, nuns and priests.  Though mindful walking promises the experience of being in touch with the wonders around and within us, getting into the pleasure of mindfulness is a struggle for many of us.  The millennial culture that erroneously hails multitasking as a must-have skill, seem to keep us from enjoying the simple joy of walking.  We see our mind, heart and body as separate things that when we rush from one task to another, our feet do the walking but our minds are elsewhere.

  The first time I walked with my nieces from my office to Katipunan by taking the friendship walk, they were filled with wonder at how scenic the route was.  I realized, then, that I have been passing through that same path often enough but I have failed to appreciate it the same way that they had.

  Stepping away from our tasks to reboot by walking around – no purpose, no practice, helps us to gain understanding of how our heart, mind and body are interconnected.  Let go of everything – your purse, our phone, and just walk.  Walk free of aims or intentions and allow the absence of all that baggage slowly heal you.  Thich Nhat Hanh, a renowned monk, said “People say that walking on water is a miracle, but to me, walking peacefully on the Earth is the real miracle.  The Earth is a miracle.  Each step is a miracle.”

[lll-rani-lll]

After a long day packed with meetings and deadlines, now maybe a good time to look out your window, or step outside and gaze at the moon. Allow its pale light comfort you. You can make this a regular special date whenever the moon is available. Marveling at its beauty as you fix your gaze at the moon can actually be a form of trakata yoga. In trakata yoga, people empty their mind by gazing fixedly at an object, a candle, a pinpoint of light, a ripple on the water's surface... but now we'll focus on the moon. Simply gaze softly upon it, give your full attention to it, for as long as you can without blinking. Then allow the experience of quietly staring at the moon happen inside of you as if you're "taking it in", or, imagine yourself being enveloped by its soft glow. If at some point, you feel like going into tears, simply allow it to flow. You may also slowly close your eyes after some time if you feel your eyes need to rest. After staring fixedly at an object for some time, we tend to see an "imprint" or impression of it when we close our eyes and it's just fine. It would be an interesting experience if the imprint of the moon changes color. After a few dates with the full moon, you'll realize that you carry the moon's image in your mind's eye. And everytime you need something to calm you in restless moments of the day, simply bring the moon's image as you have experienced it, to mind.

Tomorrow, the 31st of January, is a special time to gaze at the moon because not only it will be the 1st of the 2 blue moons of the year, it will also be supermoon and a total lunar eclipse! All three in one full moon.

[kat-escapingreality]

[amueed]

Fall Self-Care: How to Nurture Yourself This Season

Fall Self-Care: How to Nurture Yourself This Season

Fall Self-Care at Home: Cleanse Colder weather means more time indoors. A cluttered environment doesn’t encourage comfort. Do a deep cleaning of your space. Declutter. Organize. Make your home inviting. And low maintenance, so you can keep it inviting. This is the season of giving and gratitude. Donate anything in decent condition that you no longer have use for. Doing good makes us feel…

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