Zen Blogs – Jyll's Zen Lounge

Bucket Lists

May 23, 2019May 23, 2019jyll5678Leave a comment

One evening on our vacation, the ten of us were relaxing and sipping on our night caps, when we began the discussion of bucket lists. Bucket List by rgaudet17 We started sharing what we had on them. Many shared places/destinations that they still want to travel to. Some desires discussed were: to jump out of a plane, drive fancy, fast cars on the Autobahn, and to foster/adopt children, become more philanthropic. It was a great conversation to have and we learned a lot about each other that night. I went to bed thinking of my bucket list because I really didn’t have much to add that evening. Actually, I’m still continuing to think about it.

Yes, when I was younger I had many, which I have accomplished, such as graduate from college, work in the spa industry, create and sell my own small day spa, travel Europe, live in a big city for a couple of years (I chose Boston).

Now, quite honestly, I don’t have a long list and I truly can only come up with one meaningful one. Yes, there are still places I will travel to and destinations I still have to see, but as to things that I still must do? Mine is to continue to, every day, build my relationships: with self, other beings and the world. I cherish my relationships with the people I hold near and dear. I want to be, in the most sincere form of the word, a true friend: to build deep, complex connections, to continue to grow these relationships as well as to continue to meet new beautiful souls and connect. I want them to grow by creating deep trust and wonderful memories and really learning the essence of myself and each person, and vibrate at the highest frequencies. And YES, this can be done by taking crazy adventures and traveling to new places and trying new things, which I am completely open to. Actually, the cool thing about really honing in on this one desire is that in order to do so, I have to continue to explore my internal depths to keep peeling away my own layers and by doing this means to take daring adventures, explore new places and new people and new cultures and new ways of being. WOW!

On that note, I can expand this thought and perhaps begin to outline what this looks like and add another bucket list item. I would really like to attend a destination, yoga retreat to do as mentioned above and to explore my spiritual journey on that level. Granted I love my yoga and spiritual journey that I attend to everyday rather it be on my yoga mat in my zen room, reading a enlightening piece of literature, incorporating yoga philosophy and/or just trying to be a good human being to myself, others, and the earth.

So I’m curious what are some of your deep desires, things to accomplish, places to travel to that are on your bucket list? We are only here for a short period of time, do not wait to tackle your list. Do it now and enjoy!

Zenfully Yours,
Jyll

Featured image by rgaudet17. Thank you.

Cleaning, Packing & Saucha

April 5, 2019April 5, 2019jyll5678Leave a comment

You know what I really love? VACATION!!!You know what I love on top of that? After having an amazing vacation, coming home to a clean house! There is something very gratifying about walking into a clean home, after a long day of traveling. The last thing I want to see is a mess. My husband and I have a 19 day vacation coming up next week. Therefore, I have dedicated this weekend to spring cleaning.While I would love to hire a cleaning service (maybe one day), I do take pride in keeping a clean, organized home. There is something therapeutic in deep cleaning your home. Well, at least to me. Perhaps, many would not agree with me.But I believe that a clean and clutter free home, leads to a peaceful, calm and clutter-free mind! Which on that note, I’m taking this opportunity to connect my spring cleaning to a yoga principal for you. See, you can practice yoga every day in some way!If you have been practicing yoga for a while you may be familiar with Pantajali’s Eight Limbs of Yoga, with the first two limbs being yamas and niyamas each containing 5 tenants of moral codes and restraints. The first tenant of the niyamas (the restraints: on how we treat ourselves and how to turn inwardly) is saucha, purity/cleanliness. While ancient yogis had, what I would call, some crazy ways to actually inwardly clean themselves, some that may actually churn your stomach; they also focused on purity of thoughts, tongue, diet and actions.Today, I’m applying saucha more lightly and on more of a superficial level. Purifying comes from an inwardly, disciplined practice while cleanliness is more external, both of which are connected. Applying saucha to our environment is just as important as purifying our mind, spirit and bodies. Our mind is a mirror of our environment. If our home is messy and we are surrounded by possessions we have hoarded over the years, our mind also is cluttered and distracted and may feel like you can’t find space to breathe, and you may actually feel scattered brained.I truly feel that having a clean, clutter free home is a sign of respect toward yourself, your loved ones and your yoga practice. A clean, organized home induces a relaxed mind and I believe even can ward off depression. Happy Cleaning! I know this post, may contradict a previous post of mine, but also part of practicing yoga is being in the moment and accepting what is and being purely present is each moment. Sometimes, our lives are busy and can get a little chaotic… and that is ok too. But sometimes, we set aside time to take a breath and organize ourselves. It’s truly about balance and being kind to yourself. Ahhhh, a yama, ahimsa. Ahimsa is practicing nonviolence. Not only being kind and not harming mother earth and other beings, but also not harming ourselves; our moments and our own thought processes. But I guess that can be another post.I know this post, may contradict a previous post of mine, but also part of practicing yoga is being in the moment and accepting what is and being purely present is each moment. Sometimes, our lives are busy and can get a little chaotic… and that is ok too. But sometimes, we set aside time to take a breath and organize ourselves. It’s truly about balance and being kind to yourself. Ahh, another yama, ahimsa. Ahimsa is practicing non violence. Not only being kind and not harming mother earth and other beings, but also not harming ourselves; our moments and our own thought processes. But I guess that can be another post.On another note, you know what I absolutely do not like doing? It kind of stresses me out. Packing! Fortunately my husband excels at that. It’s actually a win, win. For instance when we go up to camp, he’ll take the time before our weekend, to pack up everything up so nicely and he never forgets anything. Me? I’ll forget miscellaneous items, like, d’oh, my tooth brush. Like I said, packing stresses me out. After our time at camp, we’ll come home and he will unwind and catch up on emails and news while I unpack everything, clean and do the laundry. This seems to works for us!However, after my cleaning is done, I’m going to be kind to myself this weekend, and take my time and methodically pack my own suitcase. Then my husband will go through our checklist with me to make sure I have everything. I’ll have to let you know how I do.Zenfully Yours,
Jyll

There’ll be time…

March 1, 2019March 1, 2019jyll56781 Comment

A clean and organized home makes me very happy and gives me a sense of accomplishment. However, sometimes life is super busy and picking up and organizing can take a back seat.

Sometimes, my scheduled is very packed: between getting up early to squeeze a solid workout in before work, changing clothes to go to work all day, changing clothes to then attend a network function, then home again to only have to run out for another event/or hosting. With the whirlwind of go, go, go sometimes life gets a little cluttered (on many levels).

Photo Credit: Pixabay, Geralt

For my yoga practice, I love to practice in a clean, simple space with no clutter, usually in what I like to call my ‘Zen Room’. There was a time not that many years ago, if my days led to chaos and a mess, I wouldn’t be able to practice until my space was completely cleaned and everything put away. Sometimes, cleaning and picking up would take so much time that my yoga practice would suffer and I would only have a few moments to do yoga, if at all. Which I do not like to cut my practice, for it’s the one thing that keeps me sane and balanced.

Now, I’m not here to give organization tips or quick tips to stay on top of staying neat and tidy, there are plenty of people and websites offering that. I’m just here to share that it’s ok to step back from the mundane and the constant effort to keep things perfect. It’s much more important to spend your time on the things that make you happy. And for me, one thing that makes me happy is my yoga practice. I no longer need a perfect space to practice in. Sometimes I roll out my mat in the midst of a mess and move, breathe and be…. And that just makes me feel peaceful and happy and balanced.

There will be time to pick up and clean later. … then to practice in that space makes will make me even happier. OM!

I truly believe the most precious gift you can give yourself and to others is the gift of time. Choose to spend your time doing what you love and/or with the people you love.

Zenfully Yours,
Jyll

Mantras and Mala Beads

January 23, 2019January 23, 2019jyll5678Leave a comment

A whole new dimension to my meditation practice!

I’m very excited about my new mala beads. I have been trying to be better with my meditation practice and dedicating more time to meditating and I decided it was time to invest in mala beads. Wow, there are a lot of choices out there, but I’m a firm believer to go with your gut reaction and what your heart is drawn to first. So upon searching for my own mala beads, this was the first one I saw and loved. I continued to browse for quite some time… but I came back to these. When I opened the package, I couldn’t have been more happy with my choice.

They came in the mail, and I wasn’t home that day and was meeting my husband out for dinner. He brought the package with him to give to me. Granted, he had no idea what my package contained. I opened it over dinner, and I was in love. I told him, “I can’t wait to go home and meditate.” Really!?! Did I just say that? Yes, I did.

I have had several meditations sessions now with my new beads, and wow! First, I can sit much longer than before and completely be immersed in my meditation and not even realize how much time is passing by because I am so present in the moment of my meditation. Second, when I close my meditation I have a feeling of lightness and joy.

Third, I love the fact that not only does it enhance my meditation, I can wear this piece, in fashion, and every time I look at it, I remember my mantra and it induces a calm state in that manner as well.

This past week has been the first time I have ever used mala beads, and from what I have learned, they are generally used with mantras. Mala beads have 108 beads on them and the practitioner uses the beads to keep track of reciting their mantras 108 times. The definition of mantra is (originally in Hinduism and Buddhism) a word or sound repeated to aid concentration in meditation. Today people use that word more freely, meaning that’s it’s more of a person slogan. Why 108 beads and repetition of the mantra you ask? 108 is a sacred number in Hinduism and Buddhism. The mala beads are very similar to the Catholic rosary.

Side note, when I use to practice massage therapy I was trained and offered Thai Yoga Massage to my clients. If this is a new modality to you, it is very similar to Shiatsu, which for some reason, more people know that modality. In Thai Yoga, the practitioner used soft tissue manipulation techniques and assisted yoga postures, breathing and meditation focusing on working the nadis, or energy meridians, of the body to help the body enter a deep state of relaxation. Or as us practitioners like to call it, ‘Lazy Man’s Yoga.’

Nadis travel through our bodies and correspond to organs, chakras and elements of the body. According to the teachings there are over 72,000 nadis. I also remember learning that there are 108 nadis that extend from the the heart alone. In yoga, 108 refers to spiritual completion. Oh, the sacredness of 108. There is so much more on this topic that is quite amazing. If you are intrigued to learn more, I encourage you to do some research. It’s beyond cool!

My New Year’s Word that I am dedicating 2019 to is ‘Connection.’ Not only to connect with many beautiful souls to share our journey but to connect to my soul’s purpose. I found the most perfect mantra I feel resonates with this deeply. What I have chosen to use is ‘Om Gum Shreem Maha Lakshmiyei Namaha.’ Without going into the meaning of each of these Sanskrit words, I translate this loosely as connecting to the universal energy, removing all obstacles that stand in the way, to move into a state of abundance while increasing positive energy to connect to soul’s purpose to it’s greatest means.

What are some of your personal mantras you are currency using? I would love to hear what they are!

Zenfully Yours,
Jyll

Letting Go and Just Doing It

January 5, 2019January 5, 2019jyll5678Leave a comment

Sometimes we don’t even know we are holding ourselves back.

This morning, while not feeling 100%, I decided to climb onto my yoga mat and have a restorative practice followed by some meditation. Sometimes, before I settle into my dyhana practice I like to play with my sacred geometry cards. I like to hold them to my heart and ask to connect to a card that I need most in that moment. I pulled Guilt.

My first reaction was what?! Guilt? That makes no sense. I was a bit disturbed. But none the less, instead of dhyana, I settled into dharana practice, which is focused concentration. Focused concentration on guilt.

Wow! I get it. Guilt does not serve me, nor any one of us.
So this whole blogging thing I started back in September 2018 and trying to be more active on social media to share my passions has been a learning experience for sure! For the past four months I have been talking about going ‘LIVE’ on social media, but I was nervous and felt not ready. And as more and more time passed, I guess I began to feel a little guilty. Guilty that I haven’t been doing what my heart has been telling me to do, which is share my passions and connect to as many beautiful souls as I possibly can.

On the back of my Sacred Geometry Card by Janosh, it reads: “Guilt: When you are in balance with your true self, you will make intuitive decision. And when you act in your own best interest, other people might feel disappointed if they don’t understand you. This can result in guilty feelings. Feeling guilty prevents you from truly surrendering and choosing your own path. The energy of Guilt helps you acknowledge that feeling guilty serves no purpose. Not for you no anyone else.”

So, I’m proud to tell you that after I finished my session I had an ah ha moment, and I did it. I went live on my ‘Jyll’s Zen Lounge’ Facebook page…. and it wasn’t so bad.

Please find and follow my page for more zenful insights.

This also has me thinking of aparigraha, which means, non-grasping and letting go. It’s one of the 5 yamas (moral codes), which is one of the 8 limbs of Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga.
I need to let go the fear of putting myself 100% out on social media and being completely in the raw and organic. How freeing?!

I recently came across this quote that has resonated with me so deeply.

“Aparigraha invites us to let go and to pack lightly for our journey through life all the while caring deeply and enjoying fully.” ~Deborah Adele

What do you need to let go of to travel more lightly and be joyous in life? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Zenfully Yours,
Jyll

To Burn, To Diffuse, To Apply… Oh My!

December 16, 2018December 16, 2018jyll5678Leave a comment

I love opening boxes like this! This makes me happy.

So many wonderful essential oils so many wonderful things to do with them.

In 1996, I was a senior in high school, when I was given a Christmas gift from a friend of an aroma burner and some essential oils. What can I say? I loved it and have been using essential oils ever since. Granted, back in 1996 I didn’t know too much then, but over the years I have tried many different things and oils and now I use them quite frequently, and of course I am always learning more.

Funny story. When my boyfriend (now husband) and I started dating, he was in my kitchen and opened the cabinet and saw all my oils, droppers and bottles… he looked over his shoulder and asked me if I was a witch. I laughed and replied no. However, in retrospect, perhaps on some level I am. I guess it depends on what your definition of a witch is.

While there are many wonderful essentials oils by far, one of my all time favorites is still a very familiar one to many, lavender. My husband’s favorite is eucalyptus. I take both of our favorites and for the past thirteen years I have been using this combination in a spray bottle (with water) to spritz our sheets each night before bed. Initially I was doing this because I just enjoyed the smell and it helped ease me into a sound sleep. Along the way, I have learned that by spraying this in the air, eucalyptus can kill over 70% of airborne staph bacteria and is a expectorant, antimicrobial, antibacterial and lavender has been clinically evaluated for its relaxing effects and is also anti-inflammatory, and is really good for your skin. A win on so many levels. Who knew?

This time of year, you may hear of people using the essential oil blend called Thieves.

Interesting fact. “This blend was created from research about a group of 15th-century thieves who rubbed oils on themselves to avoid contracting the plague while they robbed the bodies of the dead and dying. When apprehended, these thieves disclosed the formula of herbs, spices, and oils they used to protect themselves in exchange for more lenient punishment. This blend of therapeutic-grade essential oils was tested at Weber State University for its potent antimicrobial properties. Thieves was found to have a 99.96 percent kill rate against airborne bacteria. The oils are highly antiviral, antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-infectious and help to protect they body against such illnesses flu, colds, sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, sore throats, etc.” This fact was pulled from a great book I have been referencing for years, “Essential Oils Desk Reference Compiled by Essential Science Publishing”.

This blend consists of Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus and Rosemary.

Over the past few years, I have seen more and more people using essential oils and companies selling essential oils. The brand I have grown to love and generally buy all my essential oils from is Aura Cacia (they have many more products than just oils). I have been extremely happy with this line for many reasons (which could be a blog post in itself). But first I find their products are of high quality. Aura Cacia works directly with the farmers and producers of their ingredients. They are a structured co-op, which I am more than happy to support. The main umbrella company is Frontier Co-Op. Therefore all the multiple owners and businesses involved in the co-op work together and agree on how to keep moving forward while creating high quality products and jointly advocate for doing the responsible thing not only for people, but for our planet. And even more than that, each purchase I make of Aura Cacia products supports organizations that help women transform their lives! How fantastic is that?! You can learn more about that through Aura Cacia’s Positive Change Project.

Just wanted to share my passion for essential oils, which is a continually learning process, but the benefits of using them are incredible and extensive.

If this is a new topic for you and you are intrigued to learn more here are few things to know:

Essential oils are highly concentrated subtle, volatile liquids (be careful when purchasing, steer clear of synthetic, fragrant oils and purchase 100% pure essential oils (not all oils are created equally).
Since they are highly concentrated, to use they must be diluted.
Granted there are only a select few that you could use directly on your skin, they should always be diluted down and if you choose to use directly on your skin, patch test first.
Be cautious of oils labeled “Clinical Grade” or “Therapeutic Grade.” These terms are not standardized in the industry. Instead I encourage you to learn the company you choose to buy from. While there are some very impressive companies creating wonderful products, there are also companies that are all about the ‘marketing’ and push not so high quality. I encourage you to find a company that is transparent in their production, quality and purity.
A great online source for more on aromatherapy and essential oils is aromaweb.

Again, so many wonderful essential oils, so many wonderful things to do with them and so many wonderful health benefits to using them.

Zenfully Yours,
Jyll

The Practice of Gratitude

November 30, 2018December 16, 2018jyll5678Leave a comment

The act of expressing appreciation for all that is! This time of year, we tend to resonate within the frequency of gratitude as the magic of the holiday season falls upon us. While I think this is absolutely wonderful, I encourage you to practice gratitude every day all year round.

Many different studies have shown the positive effects are practicing gratitude; such as becoming more patient and accepting, sleeping better, increased happiness, and overall better health and wellness. We all have our unique ways of showing our gratitude and exercising ways of creating greater gratitude in our lives.
Below is a short list of simple ways to express and increase gratitude in your life:

Sending a random note of thanks and love that is unexpected
Stating 3 good things daily (I love this one! And I absolutely loved seeing this in practice, when my cousin, at the end of each day, asks her two girls to tell her three good things that happened that day. Then they discussed each and talk about it further in detail. For example, she asks them how did that make you feel?).
Offering a smile to others
Giving hugs (There is nothing better than a welcomed, full, loving embrace. Science even says that if you can hold a hug for at least 6 seconds, it begins to have a positive, chemical effect in our bodies, by increasing the hormone levels of oxytocin, the “feel-good hormone” and lowering blood pressure and cortisol levels, the “stress hormone.” Hugs also increase our social connections and belonging). Hug on folks!
Saying Thank you. So simple, but yet so powerful!

…The list can go on, and while I practice all the above, my favorite is practicing gratitude on my yoga mat. Besides hugs that is. I love HUGS.

The energy of Gratitude begins in the heart. One must have an open and receptive heart chakra to allow the energy of gratitude to radiate from. As you become more mindful of expressing gratitude the heart energy will naturally open. The more you begin to practice gratitude and see the silver lining in all situations, the more appreciation and joy will be attracted into your life.
Now, I know we are only human, and as humans, we experience a plethora of emotions, which we are most definitely allowed to feel. We all will have times when we feel sad, angry, frustrated, or overwhelmed, and that is OK! Have your moments, then gather yourself and move back into higher frequency emotions such as joy, gratitude and love. Sometimes making the transition back may be challenging, so an easy way to move back into gratitude is simply repeating to yourself, or out loud, ”Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you…”

I have created a mini yoga session, 13 minutes, for my fellow yogis to practice to help cultivate gratitude. The yoga practice is a mini series of asanas (poses) and mudras (hand poses or spiritual gestures that have an energetic seal of authenticity between mind, physical body and energy body, facilitating the flow of energy). All asanas and mudras in this mini session are focused on opening the heart energy, and in essence connecting to the energy of gratitude. The series is also written out for you below. You can also just choose to use the mudras I demonstrate below to help open your heart and cultivate gratitude.

Namaste my beautiful souls.

Zenfully Yours,
Jyll

Yoga practice for cultivating Gratitude:

Begin is a seated, crossed legged comfortable position, (sukhasana) with the Hridaya (Heart) Mudra: is the index fingers touching at the base of the thumbs where they connect to the hands, resting the middle finger and ring finger gently on the tip of the thumb and the pinky finger extending outward,then rest your hands upon your knees.

This mudra opens the heart meridian which begins in the heart and travels up through the axilla and down the medial side of the arm through the wrist and out the pinky finger. This mudra helps releases any heavy emotions weighing on the heart, releases stress and anxiety, and helps to keep the heart open. Holding this mudra, take a few rounds of even breaths and state the intention: “I intend to to open my heart and to connect and radiate within the energy of Gratitude.”

You can then repeat the mantra, “THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU…”

Then take your hands behind your hips about 6-12″ and lift your hips upward and come onto your knees, opening the heart. Take a few breaths here. Then roll your hips back down and walk your hands out before you to fold forward. Take moment here and have an internal thought of something you are thankful for.

Next come to stand at the top of your mat in Mountain Pose (Tadasana). Standing with an open heart and allowing yourself to be open and receptive, find gratitude for all your inspirations and dreams. Here you can take Padma (Lotus) Mudra while taking a few breaths and connecting to the unlimited possibilities the future holds. Padma Mudra is taking your hands in prayer pose, then keeping the base of the palms together and the thumbs and pinkys touching, peal the index, middle and ring finger away from each other opening your palms like a blooming lotus.

Next move slowly into low lunge (Anjaneyasana) holding this pose for a few breaths on each side creating stability in your legs and then reach your arms upward and take a slight back bend revealing your heart. Find gratitude for an aspect of your life that you are grateful for.

Next take Exalted warrior (Viparita Virabhadasana) on each side for a few breaths. While holding this pose find gratitude for challenging moments you have encountered and how you evolved from them.

Next take Standing Forward Fold (Uttanasana) and hang out here for a few breaths and feel the sensations of the inversion, and all the fresh oxygen-rich blood moving toward your brain for mental clarity.

Moving down to the ground onto your belly move into Bow Pose (Dhanurasana). Bend your knees and reach your hands behind your to grab hold of your ankles. As you being to kick your feet into your hands, you begin to move into a strong back bend. Let your breath rock you and gently massage your internal organs. Honor your body here, and learn how to move from the your heart.

Next move slowly into Child’s pose (Balasana). As you fold forward into yourself take this moment to travel inward and give thanks for being here. For being present and practicing. As you feel your breath move effortless in and out express gratitude for your breath, for being alive.

Gently come up and swing your legs out before you into Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana). Again, a pose that allows your to travel inward. In this pose honor a part of your body which you are especially grateful for.

Then move into a Supported Reclining Heart Opener (Setu Bandhasana Variation). Taking a yoga block or rolled up towel, place it under your upper back and lay right into it. This is a relaxing chest opener inspiring gratitude allowing the heart chakra to open. Here bring your thoughts to an event or something you witnessed that invoked great feelings of joy and love and gratitude in your heart.

Remove the block and take Corpse Pose (Savasana). Allow yourself to let your body become fully relaxed and melt into gratitude as your tension melts away and you are firmly supported by the earth below you. Have gratitude that the universe will always support you.

Finally move yourself back into an easy seated pose (sukhasana) taking Anjali Mudra, (prayer pose) at the heart, inducing awareness and honoring what is and all that your are.

Namaste.

Muscle Testing

Aside November 7, 2018jyll56781 Comment

I was first introduced to muscle testing back in 2006 when I began certified in Crystalline Consciousness Technique, aka CCT. CCT is a new energy healing modality working with sacred geometry and the electro-magnetic fields of our bodies (as well as everything around us) and the power of positive intentions.

Muscle Testing is a direct way of obtaining Yes and No answers from our energy body/subconscious.

First to understand how this works you need to understand that our bodies have an energy grid as well as everything around us; everything is pure energy.

Just like any electrical system, when it is operating correctly and efficiently the power flows through the circuit strong and continuously and if something goes awry, there is a short circuit. Same holds true for our bodies. Everything that happens to us affects our flow of energy; such as events, thoughts, emotions, food, weather, etc.

With muscle testing we are using the flow or lack of flow to connect to the inner wisdom to understand how something is impacting our energy system. When something feels good and enhances us, the circuit flows strong. When something is negative and not in our best interest our circuit cuts out, even if just for a quick moment. Same thing with Truth. If we make true statements, our electrical system continues to flow open and strong, allowing muscles to retain their strength. On the other hand if a false statement is made, our energy system will temporarily short circuit and the muscles weaken.

To begin muscles testing, the hardest part is removing the many veils of judgement, assumption, emotion and other personal distortions we may place on what we think is the correct answer we are searching for. Therefore the most important element of muscle testing is the willingness to actually listen to the energy body, without any wavering insight or left brain utility.

THE BODY DOESN’T LIE.

“When we get into our bodies, we get into our lives. And when we are into our lives, anything is possible.” Karol Ward

The Body strives to move us to emotional/mental health. The discernment to hear and listen to the innate wisdom of the our energy body is an excellent way to perceive our truth. When we are open and receptive in energy body, we are open to the world surrounding us. I encourage you to be open and feel into and experience all the true beauty this world has to offer.

I give examples of muscle testing in my blog Communicating with Self. Go ahead and practice the techniques. Which one most resonates with you? As you develop your skill, how are you incorporating muscle testing into your life?

Zenfully Yours,
Jyll

Communicating with Self

November 7, 2018November 7, 2018jyll56782 Comments

When is the last time you got in touch with and listened to what your body and/or soul had to say? If you take the time to feel into the body, it will tell you what it needs. It’s amazing just how beautifully complicated we human beings are and just how intelligent as well.

When we are able to connect to the energy of communication we become aware that we truly are able to communicate with our bodies. When we allow this to happen we begin to recognize its signals and understand how to solve its discomforts. Resonating in the energy of communication brings our body and our spirit into deeper contact with each other.

Developing effective ways to communicating well with yourself is an imperative aspect of overall health and happiness, just as a well-balanced diet and exercise. Mindfulness helps you tune into how you are feeling and what you are thinking without judgement and possibly without words, allowing yourself to be open and accepting of yourself.

There are many ways to connect to the energy of communication with yourself, below I cover three methods:
*Meditate
*Inner Listening
*muscle testing

Inner Listening: One of my favorite tools for accessing my body. It’s when you take some time to journey through the body and feel into it. First, find a comfortable position either sitting or laying down. I prefer savasana (corpse pose). Bring your awareness to your breath, without manipulating it in any way, just being aware of it. Feel the breath moving in and out of your body. Take notice of which parts of your body move with your breath and which parts do not. Take a little journey through your body, I like to begin at my toes and slowly travel upwards taking in any sensations you may be experiencing, noticing any areas of tension or temperature upon your skin. Do any images of colors or sounds bubble up from within? You can go a little deeper by actually placing your hands on certain areas of your body. Take notice how sensations and breath may shift as you move through your body. Take notice how this exploration changes your mood, your energy, your sense of who you are. When done, give a moment of gratitude to self for taking the time to journey within.

Muscle Testing: This is a direct way of asking your body yes/no questions and having it innately know and answer you. It suggest that we already have all the answers we seek within us. There are many forms of muscle testing, below I list three:
1) use of holding a pendulum
2) swaying of the body
3) various hand gestures: interlocking, sticky fingers, bringing palms together, index and middle finger to thumb, finger press

Perhaps you have heard of the pendulum muscle testing. It’s when you hold some sort of pendulum, rather it’s a crystal on the end of a chain, or your grandfathers pocket watch, etc, you hold it out with your hand, and as in all forms of muscle testing you first ask for it show you what YES is and then what NO is. For each answer there will be a consistent movement of the pendulum. Once you can decipher what a YES and a NO, is you can ask yourself the questions you desire answers to.

For me, I use my Left hand (my recessive hand) and place my middle finger on top of my index finger. My Yes is when I go to flip my fingers apart the middle finger will stay on top of my index finger, a magnetic feeling if you will. My No is my middle finger will quickly slide off my index finger. The great thing about this version of muscle testing, no one really knows when I’m asking myself a question and finding my answers.

If this is new to you I suggest first practicing with general questions. First, ground and center yourself then using your chosen method of muscle testing, ask yourself a few easy questions that you already know the answers to like: “Is my name Sam?” (Use a name that is not your true name to test your No. Do this a few times. Then use your true name that the answer is YES. In my case, Jyll. You can use basic facts about yourself, like birth date and birth place, you get the idea. As you learn your signals for YES and NO, begin to ask other questions and see how you begin to connect to your innate wisdom. I go into more on Muscle Testing here.

Meditation: While I know this word has a tendency to scare some people and I get a reaction like, “I can’t slow down, my mind is always going.” or I can’t sit still and think about nothing.” Granted, I enjoy my meditation sessions my sitting quietly on my yoga mat with my eyes closed and connecting with my breath, this is not the only way. Some people choose to meditate with a visual object such as a burning flame. Some like listening to music. While some people can enter a meditative state when they go for a run. Some people yet find their meditative state in cooking or hiking. When I suggest meditation, I’m encouraging you to find an activity where you simply lose track of time; your thoughts seem to disappear because you are so immersed into your activity that brings you such joy and calmness. In other words you enter a state of wordlessness, where no thoughts are required because you are immersed into the passion of what you are doing. Here in this state, you can take a moment to access how you are: how you are feeling, what sensations are traveling through your body when you are immersed in said activity, if removed from the moment, how does that feel?

Over time this ability to settle into breath and body will begin to broaden the ability to being more present to every aspect of life: feelings, thoughts, sensations, intuitions. You will begin to grow clearer and wiser and have a deep feeling of connection with all beings (the ultimate goal of seeing clearly with our innate wisdom, after all, is understanding that we are all truly connected and are one), and you will begin to act with deeper care and love.

The body truly strives to move us to emotional/mental health. The discernment to hear and listen to the innate wisdom of the our energy body is an excellent way into perceiving our truth. When you are open and receptive in energy body, you are open to the world surrounding us.

I encourage you to communicate with yourself, get to know yourself and find what makes you thrive. Resonate in high vibrational feelings and manifest your greatness.

Zenfully yours,
Jyll

Right Thoughts. Positive Changes.

October 22, 2018jyll5678Leave a comment

I am a firm believer that you must explore within yourself, embrace yourself, get to know yourself, and most of all, LOVE yourself!

I know that our own self at times can be our own worst critic, but you must learn to know and to feel that you are enough and that you are actually quite perfectly imperfect AND you do have the power to change and manifest! Wow, a powerful statement, but so true. Let me see if I can break it down some and give an example.

As we travel through this journey of life we yearn to explore, grow and love. However, sometimes, along the way we can talk ourselves down. We can feed ourselves such negativity; becoming caught in our thought processes that we are not enough or do not have the power to make the changes we desire. Comparing ourselves to others, desiring more than we need, feeling lost and in despair… These are all low vibration feelings. These feelings are definitely ok to have, for we are only human.

But, I’m here to gently remind you that there is no need for that. Negativity will always

feed negativity and you will become stuck in the ferocious cycle, for you become your thoughts.

Instead, I encourage you to move yourself into higher frequency thought patterns and feelings of contentment, acceptance, accomplishment, joy, etc. Because positivity will always feed positivity.

There is an Ayurvedic saying that I learned years ago while studying yoga philosophy that goes something like this:

“If you want to know what your mind was like 10 years ago, take a look at your body now. If you want to know what your body will look like in 10 years, take a look at your mind now.”

You have to change your mindset to make the changes you desire.

This past year I turned 40 and nine months prior to this birthday, I decided I wanted to be in the best shape of my life! I knew that what I was currently doing wasn’t going to get me there. I have never been a morning person (well super early that is) and I am definitely someone who would never even consider working out in the morning. I much preferred my afternoon workouts. I would use my lunch hour and burn my calories at the gym lifting weights and getting on the elliptical. But then one random Monday morning, I decided “I AM A MORNING PERSON!” I kept telling myself this and within three weeks, I had formed a new habit of getting up early, before work, to get a solid 30+ minute workout in at home, crushing it and setting goals in my workouts. I was consistent with my thought processes and dedicated to that routine and obtaining results (which I still am) and I would just like to add, I ROCKED by 40th birthday! I am rocking my 40’s and I am in the best shape of my life and I am now a morning person, waking up at 4:50am to workout! Crazy right?! But I now love it.

“You are what you think.

Think it Today.

Become it Tomorrow.

Nothing can help you or hurt you as much as the thoughts you carry in your head.”

~Daniel Levin, Zen Card

It’s so true. We become our thoughts. So knowing this, next time you catch yourself in a negative thought pattern, I encourage you to love yourself enough to pause, take a deep, nurturing breath and turn it around to create powerful, positive intentions.

Create your happy, zen tomorrows by thinking positive today!

“All that we are is the result of what we have thought.

The mind is everything.

What we think we become.” ~Buddha

What are you Thinking? What will you become?

Zenfully Yours,

Jyll