Join the Movement

You are here: Home / Archives for Integrative Health

8 Holistic Ways to Manage Grief During The Holidays

//  Leave a Comment

Sometimes the holidays can be a reminder that someone we have loved dearly is not with us in the physical any longer, or that a new chapter in our life is beginning, which means another chapter, for better or for worse, is ending. Grief is grief. Anytime you go through a big transition, you will inevitably experience some sort of grief.  If that is the case for you, I am deeply sorry for your loss. I recently lost my step-father & his presence is definitely missed by my family.  With all that being so, I am feeling particularly grateful to be at home with my family during this holiday. Losing someone close can really put life into perspective. You realize what is truly important in life and that can make all of the difference in what you prioritize.

Here are 8 Holistic Ways to Help You Manage Grief During The Holidays:

  1. Gratitude: Expressing gratitude is one of this quickest ways to access your inner peace.  List what you are gratitude for and WHY. For instance, “I am grateful for my sight because it allows me to see all of the beauty surrounding me,” or, “I am grateful for the ability to take a deep breath because it helps to calm me down.”
  2. Surround yourself with good people: Stick with people who remind you of the good in life, uplift you, and that it’s also ok to be exactly where you are in the moment. Surround yourself with people who manage their own emotions in healthy ways.
  3. Meditate & Move: Meditation and movement will help to activate your para-sympathetic nervous system and actively get you out of your fight or flight response. This is a great meditation for Grief.  If you are looking for some easy, at home movement, here is a short Qi-Gong routine and a Yoga Sequence for Grief.
  4. Journal: Journaling has been scientifically proven to reduce stress and boost your mood. In addition to this, according to Cambridge.org, “Writing about traumatic, stressful or emotional events has been found to result in improvements in both physical and psychological health, in non-clinical and clinical populations. In the expressive writing paradigm, participants are asked to write about such events for 15–20 minutes on 3–5 occasions. Those who do so generally have significantly better physical and psychological outcomes compared with those who write about neutral topics. Here we present an overview of the expressive writing paradigm, outline populations for which it has been found to be beneficial and discuss possible mechanisms underlying the observed health benefits. In addition, we suggest how expressive writing can be used as a therapeutic tool for survivors of trauma and in psychiatric settings.”
  5. Ask someone else how they are doing today. The quickest way to get out of your head is to ask someone else how they are doing, and if they are not doing well,  be the Light for them. Remind them that it’s ok to feel what they are feeling and remind them of HOPE. At the end of our life we are remembered by our loved ones for how we impacted their lives. It’s not typically how hard we worked or what accolades we acquired. It’s how hard we loved and who we directed that love towards.
  6. Good nutrition: We have all been there. Emotional eating. When we feel stressed it’s easy to reach for the unhealthy carbohydrates. The more we lean towards healing our gut and improving our digestion + decreasing inflammation, our mood and energy levels will increase. Email me at Explorationsofself@Gmail.com to receive $50 towards your Superfoods Transformation.
  7. CBD: While more clinical trials still need to be done, there are rave reviews for the efficacy of this incredibly plant medicine. Consult your doctor before adding CBD to your regime to see if it’s right for you. If you would like 20% on your first CBD order through Explorations of Self, contact me at Explorationsofself@gmail.com.
  8. Prioritize Self-Care: Make sure that you are taking the time to tend to your self-care first and foremost. Take a bubble bath, treat yourself to a spa day, go to your favorite fitness class, read a great book, or take a nap. We can feel especially run down when we go through Grief. That is our body wisdom screaming at us to slow down and take care of ourselves. Be sure to listen.

If you are dealing with grief during this Holiday Season, I am praying for you. I pray that you are surrounded by love. I pray that you feel the nearness of your Creator. If you feel cut off or alone, please here me. You are not alone. There are communities around the world that want to support you. This is just one. Please reach out to someone and allow yourself to receive support. This is one of the best gifts you can give someone. When we allow others to be of service, we are being of service to them. Acts of service are what this life is all about. Learning to give and receive love unconditionally is so important in life because it is what connects us to one another. 

 

 

With much love and respect for your journey,

 

Alana Roach

CNS, E-RYT, Author

Yoga, Nutrition, and Wellness

Founder of Explorations of Self

 

Delicious & Creamy Mushroom Soup for Keto-Comfort

//  Leave a Comment

Baby, it’s cold outside! Are you craving an easy to make, comforting meal that’s easy to digest, filling and nutrient rich?

We made this last night for dinner and did not expect it to be as filling as it was! This is a great stand alone lunch or dinner recipe for those days when you’re craving something that’s both hearty and light on your digestion.

The holidays can be full of dinner and work parties, which can lead you feeling way off of your routine, which is all a part of the balance. Just remember the 80/20 concept. Allowing yourself the freedom to indulge 20% of the time and then making the concerted effort to eat clean 80% of the time. This subtracts the guilt associated with holiday eating. Eating well is a lifestyle, not a crash course. It’s something to be done, daily, for the rest of your life.

This recipe checks all the boxes for this functional foods conscious mama. We all know the famous Hippocrates quote,

“Let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food.”

Functional food, as described by, Mayo Clinic, “Are foods that have a potentially positive effect on health beyond basic nutrition. Proponents of functional foods say they promote optimal health and help reduce the risk of disease.” I love ALL nutrition. I went to an incredible nutrition school while I was pregnant with my daughter over 3 years ago and become a Board Certified Nutrition Specialist. I learned about all of these different food healing methods, which when combined, create a tailored nutritional regime for people on a bio-individual level. This system of thought goes in line with everything that I believe in. When I teach about nutrition, I invite you to think about what you believe in, what foods make you feel energetic and alive, and what habits you may have picked up from others growing up at any point in your life.

Ketogenic recipes are fun to use because they never include the unhealthy carbs, and they often still include delicious ingredients with healthy fat. Be sure to consult your doctor if you have pre-existing medical conditions to see if Ketogenic recipes are suitable for you! 

I love creamy soups, but often skip ordering them when I eat out because of the obnoxious, inflammatory ingredients. It’s SO NICE to be able to change a few ingredients and get an even better home made result with this Keto-friendly winter treat.

Portobello Mushrooms have naturally occurring B-vitamins which can boost your immune and digestive system during the chilly winter season. In addition to this, according to Livestrong.com, “Adding mushrooms to your diet can help increase your fiber intake, and lower your risk for heart disease.”

According to Ayurvedic Food Science, one of the oldest holistic healing systems, it’s best to consume a majority of warm foods during cooler weather to create a heightened digestive function in your gut brain (Also known as, Agni, or digestive fire.)

Whenever you browse recipes, I suggest taking into account all of the health benefits and risks. If you are beginning your journey into Mind/Body Awareness and fitness with functional foods, I suggest getting a journal. One exercise that really helps my clients is to write down how they feel after they eat a meal. Consider your mood and energy levels before eating the meal, during, and then after. Write it all down without judgement. Observe yourself like you would as if you were peering over yourself from a mountain top. It’s all perfect.  Nonjudgemental Awareness is one of the first steps toward you living a happier, healthier lifestyle, that over time, will become more and more effortless. When and if you get off of the beam, you will simply forgive yourself, and step back on. If you would like professional support to create a Functional Lifestyle to boost your health and wellness, go here for a free 15 minute Integrative Nutrition Consultation with me!

Are you ready to make this Delicious & Creamy Mushroom Soup for Keto-Comfort?

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Total time: 45 minutes

Servings: 4 small bowls of soup or 2 large bowls of soup

Instructions

  1. Prepare your vegetables! Thinly slice your mushrooms length wise. Dice your onion. Mince your garlic.
  2. Heat a large pot over medium high heat and melt your ghee. Sauté garlic and onions for 2 minutes, then add your mushrooms, italian spices, and thyme. Sauté for 5 minutes
  3. Poor in rice vinegar and sauté for 2 minutes.
  4. Scoop out 2 TBSP of the sautéed mushrooms and set aside for your garnish.
  5. Stir in the gluten free flour and low the heat to medium, stirring constantly for 3-4 minutes.
  6. Add your vegetable broth and bring to a boil. After it boils, reduce heat to a simmer and allow to simmer for 10-12 minutes.
  7. Remove soup from heat and add half & half.
  8. Add salt and pepper to taste!
  9. Garnish with sautéed mushrooms & gluten free croutons!

Enjoy!!

Author:

Alana Roach

E-RYT, CNS, Lifestyle Blogger, Wellness + Business Coach

Founder of Explorations of Self

Mother, Nature,Yoga & Surf Lover, Motivational Speaker, & Writer

 

 

You Already Have The Answers You Seek!

//  1 Comment

The truth is within. It’s not in opinions. You can’t find it through someone else’s filter, nor will you find it through your own fears. Creating time to BE with your Creator is essential to finding the answers you seek. Only you know what they are, and first, you must become still enough to hear.

🙏🏽☺️

I am navigating my own feelings around big transitions during my life right now. Sometimes I look back on what I’ve accomplished over the last ten years despite the challenges of the emotional heart that I have faced, and say to myself, “Good God, woman, look at you. I am so proud of you. You are STRONG & courageous. You must really TRUST your Creator.” Our life Path is not linear. I believe God is a Thee Wild Artist & if we choose to listen and trust God’s guidance, we will be taken on a fun, miraculous, delicious, delightful, not always easy, but worth it ADVENTURE.

🦋You are a masterpiece. Your life is an exquisite & unique expression of your DIVINE PURPOSE. It takes a lot of guts to do what you do and be what you came here to BE. Be proud of yourself. You, even in your lowest moments, are perfect & loved beyond what you could possibly even imagine👌
You got to where you are because of every moment that led to who you are right now.
“It couldn’t have happened any other way,” Joe Zumbo

🙏🏽🦋
Cheers to new chapters. Are you entering a new chapter in your life right now? What are some emotions you are experiencing around this? I would love to be your guide during this transition. DM me for more info on Integrative Lifestyle Coaching 🥰🙏🏽💫

 

Love,

 

Alana, Founder of Explorations of Self

You’re Going in the Right Direction, Full Moon in Aries

//  Leave a Comment

Journal Prompts for Oct, 13, 2019, Full Moon in Aries

 

What if you knew that you were and you ARE going in the right direction?

What if you stopped questioning your intuition and stayed the course.

Where would you end up in a year if you took more risks and followed your heart?

–

As we approach this Full Moon on Sunday, we burst forth as a shimmering and colorful butterfly after years of some serious growth as a caterpillar and chrysalis. We delight at this new embodiment and yet, we are getting to know ourselves again. This can feel emotional. It’s totally expected. 

Some grieving can take place in the LIGHT of the person we once were, especially because this newer version of ourselves can resemble our old-self at times. We must stay compassionate for ourselves and others, because this loss can sometimes involve other people, places, and things. When we change, others might not change in the same direction. That’s ok. It’s up to us to decide to follow the Universe’s call for us to step into full alignment with our PURPOSE here on Earth, and trust that everyone else is following their own PURPOSE as well.

When we take extra special care to follow our heart, despite what others say, we continue honor our Spirit. No one else knows what’s best for you, so it is VERY IMPORTANT that you get clear on what is. Being a yogi takes you on an inner Exploration. Whether that was your intention or not when you first brought your hands to heart center in that yoga studio. You were brought there for a reason beyond getting physically healthy. Yoga touched you deep down inside. It did so for reasons beyond explanation. You keep returning to your mat, for a reason. Listen to your Inner guidance…

It’s important to sit in prayer and meditation every morning this weekend to listen closely to our Creator for what that is. No one else can tell you, but the Creator.

My devotional morning practice has led me to yoga, love, travel, building a business based on my passions, the birth of my daughter, leading retreats all over the world (For 8 years!!!), amazing people, wonderful relationships, and continues to do so now as I am leaping again with a big home relocation to somewhere sunny where you can come to my home town and have an amazing Yoga & Surf Beach Retreat year round. (Details coming soon!)

..

A devotional prayer (Adapted from author, Tosha Silverman) can be something like this,

“Divine beloved, make me an open conduit for your PURPOSE today. Allow me to receive and give with complete ease and abundance. Allow me to know my own value, beauty, and worthiness without question. Let everything that needs to go, go. Let everything that needs to come, come. I am utterly your own. You are me, I am You, we are ONE. All is well.”

A meditation practice can be as short as 5 minutes (Or less!) Ideally we work upwards from 5, but I promise you, a few deep breaths in PRESENCE with the intention to listen to the Creator’s Guidance for YOU is enough. Establishing the discipline to make this your morning routine opens you up to Inner Grace to help give you a North Star throughout your day. Meditation master, Thit Naht Han talks about how just 3 conscious breaths can connect you to this all Persuasive Inner Wisdom. 3 breaths! That’s it. I am amazed by this. I’ve tested it out. It’s very true. Give it a try, let me know what you think.

Try this short daily, morning prayer , meditation, and journal ritual for 30 days in addition to your yoga practice (If you don’t already.) If it feels better for you to talk to Nature instead of the Universe, that works, too! Just keep an open mind and heart. I want this for you. You are amazing, and worth all of the Joy and Happiness in the Universe.

–

Much love,

Alana

 

I offer 1 on 1 Spiritual Lifestyle Coaching <<<< to help you evolve to your next Level. 

I believe in you. 

A Leap of Faith, New Moon in Taurus

//  Leave a Comment

A Leap of Faith, New Moon in Taurus
My dear friends,
 
It’s been awhile since I wrote you. I have been going through a lot of change this year and writing has taken a bit of a back burner. I am returning with my pen in hand (Or keyboard) to create monthly newsletters for you to contemplate, be inspired by, share with your loved ones, and enjoy. If you are not signed up for my newsletter yet, you can sign up now at explorationofself.com when the prompt comes up.
 
My daughter turns 3 this Saturday which happens to not only be, “May the 4th be with you,” (Putting my nerdy glasses on ?…) but also the New Moon in Taurus. What a special New Moon this is!!! She has been the biggest inspiration I have had to roll out my dreams and push myself beyond my comfort zone to insure that they come to fruition. Our children deserve to see us at our best, rocking it, changing the world for the better, and taking them along with us to experience all of the beauty that this life has to offer in great support to them because they will BE THE CHANGE that we wish to see in the world. She’s such a LIGHT. It’s incredible to watch her shine everyday… she embodies JOY. The children that are being born these days are just pure heart <3 . I know that their God given GRACE on this planet will be akin to angels walking on this Earth. They are reminding us of what WE ARE. Have you forgotten your inner GRACE? Let these beautiful examples remind you that YOU, too, are an angel walking on this Earth. The world greatly needs you to to know how loved and appreciated you are. It takes great courage to walk in your GRACE, and not succumb fear, but you got this.
 
This Sun conjunct Moon is giving us a lot of energy towards creating and setting our desires in full force motion. You may find yourself reflecting on old belief systems, habits, and patterns as you step into a new, more free YOU. Now is your time to shine.

New moon ritual:

1. Take some time to meditate and reflect.

2. Draw a line down the center of a page. On the left write OLD, and on the right, write NOW.

3. Write down negative belief systems that you have about yourself in the OLD column.

4. Write down the opposite of that belief system in the NOW column. (For instance, if you write, “I feel like I am no good in the OLD column, in the NOW column you could write, “I am SO amazing in every way.”

5. Cross out the OLD.

6. Go to a mirror and look at yourself lovingly and recite your NOW column in 1st person. Be sure to say, “I am,” before every NOW belief system.

7. Do this for 28 days in a row and watch your inner and outer world start to shift in a BIG way.

8. Have faith. Most of the time, having faith means believing in what we can’t see, and trusting that the Universe has us. Keep your biggest, heart felt dream, and allow the Universe to take care of the timing and details.

 

Author: Alana Roach, Founder of Explorations of Self

The Art of Slowing Down Is Life Changing

//  Leave a Comment

 Are you listening to the Universe? What is your current Spiritual lesson? What keeps coming up for you in meditation, conversation, song, road sign, yoga class, email newsletter, etc? Write it down, begin to explore it. None of these things happen by coincidence!

My lesson of late is balance through the, “Art of Slowing Down.” I call it this because it is literally that. Moving slower, breathing slower, taking time to pause even when my task makers say go. You are the liaison between thought and action, mind and body, you and him or her. What nourishes your soul nourishes the deepest part of mine, so when you start feeding yourself in a way that creates enough space for you to know you are following joy, you are inherently being of service to the world.

I recall a memory from when I was about 25. It was months before I moved to India and started truly listening to my passionate heart. I was waitressing at the time to put myself through college. The eatery was well known for it’s food and service. If you know anyone who has ever worked in the restaurant business, they will surely tell you that it is quick paced and not error proof. There are a lot of moving parts to make that beautiful plate of food come to your table whilst the food is still hot (We hope.) Maybe you have worked at a restaurant yourself and you are nodding your head as we speak. I was good at my job, but tired. I had picked up extra shifts to pay for my plane ticket for an upcoming trip to India.

 Thank God I had yoga and meditation at that time, but even that on some days did not feel like it was enough to slow my mind down. I have the tendency to be a huge people pleaser when I forget to take care of myself and place boundaries. It stems into the work place, and it definitely stemmed into that work place. Here is the exact memory to illustrate a busy bodied Alana and the little boy who changed everything for me that day with two simple words:

The restaurant’s Section 5 was closest to the kitchen on the left hand side. The kitchen was exposed so you could see the chefs, the food line up, the waiters/waitresses, and the food runners. I was literally running to the kitchen to grab table 55’s food, two hot plates of deliciousness in each hand with a cup of split pea soup stacked on a small plate resting on my forearm. I hurriedly walked to table 55 and successfully dismounted all of the plates, quickly smiled at beautiful brunette haired mother who was maybe in her 30’s, only to hear her 8 or 9 year old son say, “Where’s my soda?” 

Shoot, I said to myself.

“I’ll be right back with that.” As I went to turned around I remembered I had to plug in table 50’s order still, and it was definitely supposed to have happened 5 minutes ago. I must have looked stressed as I spun on my left heel to turn to the waiter station computer and banged my funny bone and this time I let out a very audible, “SHOOT.” I was tired and overworked, and I felt like crying and that little boy saw all of this and said in a very direct tone.. “Slow DOWN.”

Wow. He’s right. How did I forget?

For whatever reason his words stuck with me. The Universe is amazing that way. She will send you reminders and experiences to help assist you in returning to the present moment if you are seeking them. I made sure to slow down for the rest of the day. I felt much more centered and at peace with the pace that I was going because I trusted that if I just kept breathing slowly and doing the next right thing as it arose, all would be well. It was. 

How do we forget to slow down? Why do we hurriedly rush from thing to thing and cram out schedules SO tight that we exhaust ourselves to the point of burn out? Even Ariana Huffington, the creator of the Huffington Post and many other amazing businesses will tell you that taking time to slow down and pause is essential for your health, both mind and body. Even she, who is an incredible business woman had her limit when she collapsed from burn out and injured herself. That was her wake up call. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want that wake up call. She listened! I was listening to a podcast interview with her the other day, and she said that when she was in the hospital recovering from that incident, she was determined to find balance in her work and personal life. She did! 

 I want to stop that madness before it gets to that point.

Don’t you?

I still get gentle reminders today to slow down. I listen and try* to shift gears and re-find balance through slowing down when reminders occur. I know that those reminders get louder if I ignore them, just like ALL spiritual lessons do. It is very easy to get back to running the rat race because it’s all around me in the USA. I am so grateful for my yoga and surf retreat portion of Explorations of Self because it gets me out of my routine here and these retreats always, always, always remind me that life can be lived in a much fuller way when I slow down and keep things simple.

If this article is speaking to you right now, the Universe is most likely nudging you to take a pause and breathe deeply. Be grateful for what is in front of you right now. Any successful AND happy person will tell you that their happiness comes from appreciation of what and who they have in their life right now. Their appreciation from the NOW moment is what propels them into a forward flow of success. Gratitude for what we have and living a purpose driven, happy life go hand in hand.

So when you wake up tomorrow morning, I encourage you to ask yourself 2 things.

  1. How can I find balance in my day, TODAY? What gave you balance yesterday won’t necessarily give you balance today. Schedules change. Surprises arise. How can you adapt and find balance in each day? This is LIFE CHANGING and when you make sure you honor your balance every day, you will find more joy and happiness in your life.
  2. What am I grateful for TODAY? Write a list or mindfully review what you are grateful for today! My lists always start with God, my daughter, the people in my life, roof over my head, running water, yoga, Explorations of Self, the clients I have… etc. When you appreciate what you have, you send a vibration out that feels GOOD. The Universe feels what you feel, and when you feel good things, you are open to receiving all of the good things that life has to offer. Most importantly, you feel uplifted. Gratitude is empowering! Keep it simple. Try these 2 practices every day for a month and let me know what shifts for you!

Author: Alana Roach, Founder of Explorations of Self. Business Owner International Yoga & Surf Retreat Leader, Mother, Writer, and Social Media guru.

Harness Your Inner Strength, Truth, & Sensitivities with This Full Moon in Taurus Ritual!

//  Leave a Comment

This full moon’s theme:

Gravitate towards the things, people, and places in life that make you feel good, nourished, happy, & supported.
Shed the things, people, and places in your life that do the opposite.

For me, one of the places that offers nourishment and respite is nature. During today’s full moon in Taurus, the Earth element is beckoning to us to harness our inner STRENGTH, truth, and sensitivities.

 

Your full moon ritual today:

Alana Roach, Found of Explorations of Self Photo by: James Trudeau

Get outside. Even if it’s for a few minutes. Ground yourself in the beauty of nature, and as you do, journal on what lights you up inside! Ask yourself, “What makes me feel good, nourished, happy, supported?”

Write your heart out, don’t stop until you’re really done.

This is your full moon ritual. Tonight, go back outside with your piece of paper, and burn it under the full moon light with a silent prayer of, “Thank you,” to the Universe as you watch the smoke carry your full moon intentions away, reflect on the aspects of your ego that you would like to release… let them go with the smoke as well.

When you free yourself of the past, the present moment is an opportunity to lean into your best self more than you ever have before.

Remember, anything is possible, and you are a co-creator with the Great Spirit that made the stars, sky, Earth, cosmos.

Belief is everything.

Re-direct your intentions to the positive, always, always, always.

Much love,


Founder of Explorations of Self

This Is A Call To Your Spirit

//  Leave a Comment

Every single morning, when I wake… I pray & meditate.

I ask God/Goddess how I can serve.

My prayer stems from the Buddhist monks, who say something like this, before they chant:

Great Spirit, may I be a flute for your Divine whim.

That expression comes through all of us when we ask for it. It takes many forms. This morning it has taken form in smiling at my daughter this morning when she woke me up at 5:30am, making her breakfast with love in my heart, bringing my boyfriend coffee in bed, cleaning our kitchen, and then sitting down to write this gift for you.

If you’re reading this, then:

This is a call to your inner spirit.

Wake up.

Let your spirit glide and hold space for other’s to do the same.

Realize your potential as swiftly as possible.

Don’t hesitate another moment.

Love unencumbered.

Forgive often.

Bless everyone.

Create a safe haven for your friends and family to come to.

Create a nurturing environment for yourself.

Self care first.

Be an emblem of hope for your community at large.

Help at least one person today.

Give more than you seek to receive.

Receive with open arms, you’re worth it.

Smile when you wake in the morning.

Count your blessings next.

Don’t give up on yourself.

Realize your passions, and you’ve realized your purpose.

Go live your Purpose.

There’s only 1 you.

The world needs your best self.

The world needs your vulnerability & your truth.

Thank you for you,

 

 

 

Alana Roach
Founder of Explorations of Self, LLC. 

Spring Cleanses Were Meant to Be Broken

//  Leave a Comment

So you’ve cheated on your spring cleanse somehow. You feel guilt and shame. Why? Perhaps the cleanse was meant to be done imperfectly.

 

I can’t remember a cleanse that I didn’t do imperfectly. When I was living in Costa Rica years ago, I did my first 3 day water cleanse and guess what? I didn’t just have water. I had the fresh juice from a coconut

and I had bubbly water AND I stopped 2 1/2 days in because I could feel my body needed to. The last two 10 day superfoods cleanses I did, I enjoyed a full cheat meal at least once or twice because my body was craving it and still got tremendous benefits. I trust myself today. I trust that my body may need something else than was subscribed. I use cleanses or re-sets or whatever you want to call them as gentle guidelines to self-growth and purification. They always help me gain more clarity and lead to more peace. Always.

I urge you to allow the imperfections as being PERFECT moments in your, “Cleanse.” The main thing is to not give up on yourself because you decided to listen to YOURSELF rather than the fine print written by someone else.

How have you been imperfect today? How has that led you to trust in YOURSELF more?

 

Do you want to begin your imperfect and powerfully potent journey into health and happiness? Send me a private message to Explorationsofself@Gmail.com to chat about Life and Nutrition Coaching with Alana Roach.

Author:

Alana Roach

Owner & Director of the Explorations of Self Travel Community

Mother, Yogi, Business Owner, Dharma and Meditation Instructor, Surfer, Artist, Singer, Life and Nutrition Coach, Social Media Marketer, Lover or LIFE.

A Yoga & Meditation Practice to Balance Your Throat Chakra during Mercury in Retrograde

//  Leave a Comment

Hello EOS Community,

This month’s pose is, “Plow Pose,” aka “Halasana,” (In Sanskrit, India’s sacred language of yoga) accompanied with the fifth of the 7 main energy centers in our body called the, “Throat Chakra,” or ,”Vishuddha,”in Sanskrit which translates to, “Especially pure.”

This blue, 16 petaled lotus of the throat chakra is located in your throat.

This energy center governs our ability to speak our inner truth through accepting our authenticity . When balanced, not only will you be able to express yourself with confidence and compassion, but you will also be a great listener.. You will have a sense of personal integrity and honor. Maintaining a regular chakra balancing practice is necessary to cultivate the dance between communicating and listening, which is ESSENTIAL during this month’s Mercury in Retrograde.

Halasana pose helps to nourish our throat chakra by activating our glandular system & directing the life force energy of prana to this center for activation.  If this is your first time in Halasana, or you have a tight back,  grab a chair to place behind your head for the feet to rest on, please do so now. You can also grab a block or a folded up blanket to place under your hips for support in this posture.

Let’s begin.

1. Lie down on your mat after doing some gentle warm ups.

2. Breath in, and draw your knees in towards your chest, holding your knees with your hands, while gently guiding your shoulders and head towards the earth.

3. Allow your entire back body to feel as though it were melting into the earth.

4. On an exhale, allow your feet to draw up towards the sky, keeping your head and shoulders rooted on the earth while breathing deeply, start to lift your lower back off of the earth, either placing a blanket or block underneath of your tailbone or walking your hands towards your mid back, fingers facing upwards. Shimmy your shoulders underneath of your chest a little more, while walking your hands as close to your shoulder blades as possible. Keeping your gaze at your toes or the sky directly above your head, start to breath deeply in and out through your nose while slight constricting the throat.

5. Visualize your throat chakra in the center of your throat as a swirling 16 petaled blue lotus flower. Every breath in you see your flower grow brighter and brighter, and with every exhale you see it spin faster and faster. As it spins, you may notice old energy leaving this energy center as dark and oily drainage. This is completely natural and to be expected during this meditation. Breathe slowly and rhythmically.  Syncing your breath with your visualization will enhance this sadhana or spiritual practice.

6. Stay with the visualization for 15-20 breaths, and then slowly release your hands to use them as breakers while you unwind your spine vertebrae by vertebrae back down to the Earth. Stay in Savasana or Corpse Pose for a few minutes to allow this posture to marinate.

7. Feeling grateful for this time that you have taken to connect with yourself, smile softly, and blink your eyes, slowly coming back into the room to continue on with your day, a little more centered, calm, and happy.

Stay tuned to our weekly emails over the next 3 weeks to journey through yoga asana and the remaining 3 chakras!

Namaste,

Alana

Owner & Director of the Explorations of Self Travel Community