Rituals

Morning Magic or Shielding Mornings are the best time of the day to wrap yourself in an invisible, silky energy sheet. You can use this energy to protect yourself, or to feed from it every moment you need to feel centered, happy, and energized. As you inhale, visualize a beam of white or gold light streaming down from the center of the universe that slowly envelops your whole body. This shield will protect you from any negative, stressful, toxic or intrusive energy, but you can still feel what’s positive and loving. Intention:I allow my energy to expand and rise to such high levels it converts lower energies around me. A warm, bright light surrounds me everywhere I go, energizing and supporting me and those I love.

Grounding rituals are a set of tools that you can use to remain in the present moment whenever you feel overloaded by stress or overwhelmed emotionally. Expanding your toolbox of skills will help you to re-center and balance your energy faster.

Rooting Visualization This ritual may be practiced standing, sitting or laying down. There is no right or wrong way to bring ourselves back into alignment. If you are standing, feel the ground through all four corners of your feet. Let’s take three cleansing breaths. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth with a sigh. Visualize long roots extending from the soles of your feet, penetrating deep into the ground, soaring deeper and deeper toward the centre of the earth. Feel yourself grow stronger and sturdier, anchoring and rooting you to the earth. Once you feel this strong and powerful connection allows earth’s energy to nourish your body. Breathe in the calming connection to the earth, and let all the negative energy and thoughts melt away as you breathe out. Affirmation: I am connected to the Earth, I am strong and stable like a tree, deeply rooted in the ground, yet free to sway in the wind To practice this technique while at work, sit comfortably with the soles of your feet on the floor, pressing down on your big toe and practice the same visualization sequence.

The Grounding Chair This technique will help you to be more present in your body, and feel calmer and safer. Sit down in a comfortable chair, one where your feet reach the floor. Take a cleansing breath- inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth with a sigh. Press mindfully on the four corners of your feet. Inhale, lift your arms over your head, and as you exhale cross your arms and fold forward over your thighs, hugging your knees together. As you inhale, push your knees out against your arms resistance, slowly counting to 8. As you release the tension slowly, doubling the count, press on your big toe. Inhale, draw yourself back and sit tall. As you exhale, close your eyes, relax your palms on your lap, and observe each sensation in your body. You might feel how the energy is draining down from your mind, down through your body and out through your feet into the ground. As the energy drains from your head, feel how heavy each body part becomes, your arms, your torso feels heavy and now your legs as you relax those muscles. When stressed or overwhelmed we get caught up in negative thoughts, worrying about what’s to come. By re-focusing on your body and what you’re physically feeling, you get out of your head and divert your mind away from anxious or stressful thoughts into the present moment.

Do you find yourself struggling to get through the day, or are you experiencing an energetic crash in the afternoon way too often? Starring the day with as clear of an energetic slate as possible, allows you to live life to the fullest. Set yourself with a healthy morning routine and you’ll find yourself more productive, less stressed and anxious, better rested, and with a stronger immune system. Take a few minutes to rotate your ankles and your wrists before getting out of bed. If you are up to it, roll off your bed and rotate all your joins, especially your hips and shoulders to get the blood and lymph flowing.

Set an Intention

There is no better way to set yourself up for success than to direct your energy first thing in the morning. Create your unique morning routine that will make you thrive. Every morning before I wake up, after I go over my vivid dreams,I place my hand over my heart for just a few seconds, and I breathe, connect to myself, send love to myself, and send love to the day. Then I set an intention for my day. “Starting and maintaining a positive morning routine is an investment of a lifetime. It gives you structure, builds life-changing habits, and creates momentum for the rest of your day.”- Thomas Oppong For example, you could repeat this one at least 3x a day: I am in vibrational alignment with my higher, most receptive self. When you set an intention, you are activating your receptivity and manifesting and putting out that which you intend to attract and call into your life, and that is the power behind it. Try it out! What would you like to attract and manifest in your daily life? This technique could be coupled with the Shielding Technique.

Kapalabhati Breath or Fire Breath

This dynamic pranayama technique is also known as “skull shining breath” or “ breath of fire.” Kapalbhati pranayama will cleanse, energize and invigorate your body, mind and spirit. Is the perfect practice for the winter months, as it’s increasing your body temperature and energy level. To begin, sit in a comfortable position where your spine is straight and your abdomen is not compressed.

My favorite is sitting in Hero Pose- sitting on my heels with my knees bent, and shins tucked beneath my thighs. You can place a yoga block or two, in between your feet if you have any discomfort in your knees. Bring your awareness to your lower belly. To heighten your awareness, you can place your hands, one on top of the other, on your lower belly rather than on your knees. Inhale through your nose deeply. Contract your low belly or use your hands to gently press on this area, forcing out the breath in a short burst.

As you quickly release the contraction, your inhalation should be automatic and passive — your focus should be on exhaling.

Begin slowly, aiming for 65-70 contractions per minute. Remember to take it slowly at first, and build on your experience as you gain more control. Always go at your own pace and stop if you feel dizzy. After one minute of the exercise, inhale deeply through the nose, and then exhale slowly through your mouth. Depending on your experience level, you may repeat the exercise.

Contraindications:

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Hernia
• Pregnancy