Transitions-Root Chakra

Namaste.  Here we are in the second month of the year of 2010 deep in winter, and yet a peak of springtime is already being felt.  So many around me are in transition-whether physical or emotional.  Lots of moving of homes and apartments often because of unwelcome or negative factors.  

Home has to do with the first chakra, muladhara, our root.  Muladhara is the base from which other chakras blossom.  Perhaps this month is a good time to do a meditation on the first chakra. To ground ourselves for changes present and future.  A chakra is an energetic vortex, located withing the subtle body, which is located within the physical body.  After practicing yoga for over a decade I'm only recently feeling the chakras-most people are completely unaware of them within their bodies and would say that it's a bunch of crock for that reason.  

Oh well. My vision is not great and I can't see the intricate patterning on beautiful bird hovering 50 feet away while my fully visioned friend can.  Should I insist on my version of reality which is that it's a grey blob of a thing off in the distance?  Or might I trust my friends better vision and open up to the possibility.

A simple Root Chakra Meditation:

The sound for the root chakra is Lam, sounding lam, lam, lam.  Focus on the base of the spine, noticing where you feel sensations.  It's said to be most focused at the area between genitals and anus so basically your root that contacts the earth when seated.  The color to focus on is red.  The element is earth, which makes sense.  

When Muladhara is balanced we feel balanced, centered, high in energy.  

One could start by taking a few calming deep inhalations and audible "ahhh" exhalations, releasing any tension in the body.  Feeling very aware of the body and sensations as well as the calm breath.  After a few minutes of this then turning to focus on the color, and mentally or audibly saying the sound lam, lam...5-10 minutes would be a good amount of time.  And then slowly opening the eyes, perhaps rubbing the face with the hands.  Give a few minutes to transition on to the rest of your day.  Perhaps making a note of any sensations, memories or ideas that came up.  

Here are some books focused on the chakras that are a good start in order of easiest on left to most detailed on right (last one has no cover preview but is also available from Amazon) : 

Theories of the Chakras: Bridge to Higher Consciousness

In shiatsu the first chakra would seem to correspond to Stomach/Spleen meridians which are the earth element also.  Having to do with nourishment, stability, ability to receive and utilize...hmm interesting to combine the Chinese system of meridians with the Indian system of charkra's and subtle bodies.  

Take rest;  a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.  Ovid
Kalavati (Viv Williams)  send e-mail
Shiatsu massage/yoga/transition mentoring

Pt. 2 Tama Kieves Article: You Are the Light of the World

Ok this is the second part of a New Years Greeting sent out by Tama Kieves, I found it greatly inspirational especially if you are wanting to create big changes in your life! Her contact info is below. Namaste.

...Your pain is your relentless guru. How do you gain instruction from the sting? How do you resist the urge to curse it, deny it, or lie down in a ball for a thousand years? How do you love yourself? How do you forgive yourself? How do you sit down right now and trust the perfection of where you are? This is the juncture of your freedom. This life is not about just sweeping the kitchen one more time, or sending in a resume. It's about feeding the wild blue bird in your heart on berries not of this world. It's about feeding the wild blue bird so that it flies free no matter what.

I do not wish you pain or suffering. But I know that pain will cause you to seek freedom and freedom will teach you who you are and why you're here. You are the light of the world, and you have love, talent, and healing to offer us. Because of the sand, the oyster yields the pearl. Peacocks grow their signature colorful feathers by eating thorns. "What is to give light, must endure burning," wrote Viktor Frankl, who taught about how he found liberation, through mental focus, in the harshest hours of living in a concentration camp. And Buddhist nun Pema Chodron says, "Only to the extent that we expose ourselves over and over to annihilation can that which is indestructible be found in us." You are the light of the world. And it's pain that reminds you, like a ferocious drill sergeant, to abandon your useless definitions of security, and penetrate the limitless grace within you.

We may not have easy lives at this time. But it's not because we're failing, falling, or inadequate. It's because our souls demand healing more than coping, soaring more than just reaching cruising altitude. We are the teachers, healers, visionaries, social entrepreneurs and architects of the coming bright times. We are the sensitive ones, the canary in the mines. We have never truly been fit for this world. That's why we are the ones who will change it.

We will change it with our compassion. We will change it with our twigs of peace. We will change it by sitting in our dark corners until the pain passes and transmutes into new energy that can sustain the rest of our lives-- and we have a new stronghold to offer our brothers and sisters.

We will turn darkness into hope, as humanity has always done. We will prove that pain passes and leaves strong alchemy in its wake. We will run a new mile, inspire new actions, bring clean water to the needy, or paint images of wonder and faith. We will find our unique way to channel inexhaustible strength to hungry conditions. We will bring the new into the world by expanding our minds, communing with our creativity, and opening our boundless hearts. We are in the study halls now. Many of us are getting ready for our certifications.

We are the light of the world. We are the ones who have mercy for others. We are the ones who lend a hand. We are the ones who share a bit of writing, a dance, a reiki session, a vibrant expression filled with courage and forgiveness. We are the ones who question limitation and habits and demonstrate the raw and formidable power of love and alignment with our source. We are the ones who believe there is enough here to work with and we are about the business of working with it. Jesus walked on water. We may be doing something far more electrifying in these times. We are walking in this world.

©Copyright 2009 Tama J. Kieves. All rights reserved.

www.AwakeningArtistry.com

Take rest;  a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.  Ovid
Kalavati (Viv Williams)  send e-mail
Shiatsu massage/yoga/transition mentoring

Taking the High Road

This is such a great post by Sara Avant Stover, she is a yogini who focuses on women's health and wellness.  Check it out.
Taking the High Road

This is something that my mom always

used to say to me when I was faced with

a sticky situation:

“Take the high road, Sara, that’s the only

thing worth doing.”

In retrospect, I realize just how potent (and

challenging) this advice really is.

Taking the high road requires stepping outside

of grudges, what other people want from you,

and your own egoic motives that are sometimes

so tempting to give into...(click link above)

Posted using ShareThis

You Are the Light of the World: Taking Your Pain Into Promise

I wanted to share the writings of wonderful writer/life coach who has lived her dream, Tama Kieves @ www.AwakeningArtistry.com she was a lawyer, Harvard Law grad, but unhappy. She left it behind to follow her true dreams. This is part one, part two I'll put up after Christmas. Namaste. Happy Holidays!

You are the Light of the World: Taking your Pain into Promise
©Copyright 2009 Tama J. Kieves. All rights reserved.

The wisdom tradition of A Course in Miracles teaches us, "I am the light of the world. That is my only function. That is why I am here." When I first read that line part of me stood at attention as though its true name had been called through a fog and cobweb of centuries. The other part of me felt screwed.
At the time, I looked around at my life of half-written manifestos, unused yoga videos, and abrupt tectonic shifts of doubt and fear, and thought humanity could definitely benefit from a more reliable guide. But I have come to see that limitation is spirit calling my name. Limitation puts pins in my sofa and lumps in my pillow so that I do not fall asleep in my life. Limitation calls me to seek for strength, focus, achievement, and liberating powers I did not know I had. And, in the end, limitation gifts me with a one-of-a-kind credential in this world. It's because as I come to experience freedom in the midst of defeated circumstances, I become a hope and light to others.
We, who are questioning our lives and our abilities, are the light of the world. We will be a beacon of comfort, hope and direction to those who need us. We are in the soup, but it is healing broth. We are the ones who are learning to find joy and full expression in the midst of bruised conditions. Every spiritual tradition teaches us that freedom is not being liberated once the job comes through, the check comes in or the skinny jeans fit. Freedom is learning how to be at peace no matter what, no matter when.
Our world is changing. The old ways are falling apart. Some talk about being in a revolutionary evolution of consciousness. We are the ones. We are the ones who are discovering our sacred resources and responses and bringing them to the table. We are the ones who write poems or sing praises to the divine, even as the stock market crumbles. Our dark days and stumbles are our training grounds. We are learning how to recognize a magnitude that is never threatened or taken away. We are discovering the river of faith in the dryness of our desert. We are the ones. We may not get it right every single day or even for weeks on end, but we are the ones...(Part 2 After Christmas)


©Copyright 2009 Tama J. Kieves. All rights reserved.
www.AwakeningArtistry.com
Want to discuss this or any other aspect of living your dreams? Please visit our free discussion forum at: http://www.awakeningartistry.com/resources.discussion.html



Take rest;  a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.  Ovid
Kalavati (Viv Williams)  send e-mail
Shiatsu massage/yoga/transition mentoring

Winter & Nourishing your Chi

Namaste, I got snowed in today!  The storm dumped more snow than predicted here in the Hilltowns...I think it's time to take the daisy photo off my posts. 

Anyway, on that note of challenging weather, cell phone is unfortunately not the best way to contact, service is spotty.  Apparently folks don't want a lot of cell towers marring the beauty of the landscape and possibly our health. 

To make an appointment, best is to email viviwill@hotmail.com, send 3 days & times that work for you. M-Sat 3:30-6. And one of them will most likely work and I'll confirm.   Availability may expand soon to a bit earlier in day-stay tuned.   Again my office is in Shelburne Falls, soon hoping to see clients also in Greenfield, as it's so central here in Franklin county.

Winter is the season to nourish the kidney/bladder energy. In five-element theory it is the element of water.  The cold of the season can be challenging and our kidney energy is called upon quite a bit and can get depleted.   Signs that could indicate kidney energy depletion are frequent urination, cold hands/feet, feeling cold easily, fearful, insomnia, low libido, low back ache.

More soon....

Take rest;  a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.  Ovid
Kalavati (Viv Williams)  send e-mail
Shiatsu massage/yoga/transition mentoring

Make that appointment-FEEL BETTER!

What are you waiting for? Make your appointment now.  You're feeling tired, run down, anxious, or not sleeping well.  A shiatsu is my art and I'm proud to offer it to you.  You will leave feeling Divine, refreshed, energized in a way that you may have never felt before!  This work is at the root level, the energetic level, it's not fluffy, poofy stuff.  You will feel different.  Perhaps a bit tired and sleepy at first and then fabulous, depending on where you are starting from when YOU walk in.  Be well. And see you soon.

Take rest;  a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.  Ovid
Kalavati (Viv Williams)  send e-mail
Shiatsu massage/yoga/transition mentoring

Holistic Open House Sat. Nov. 14th!

This Saturday  Nov. 14^th 12:30-2:00 pm, myself and Bridget Kruzik will be hosting a 

Holistic Open House

 in Shelburne Falls

Experience mini-samplers of Angelic Reiki, Shiatsu…

Tea and raw vegan chocolate treats will be served!  

Take rest;  a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.  Ovid

Where: 12 Main Street. 2^nd Floor

 (Behind Greenfield Savings Bank)

%

Reserve a space to get a mini treatment

by email to Kalavati @  yoginikalavati@gmail.com or

call Bridget @ 413.774.5280. 

Or drop in to pick up a brochure and meet us!

Take rest;  a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.  Ovid
Kalavati (Viv Williams)  send e-mail
Shiatsu massage/yoga/transition mentoring

Article on My Work & the Recession

I'm psyched to be a part of an article in the Mt. Holyoke Alumnae Quarterly.  It discusses various alums of the college and in my case talks about my Transition Mentoring and Massage Therapy practice.  It's  entitled, see below for article:

Migraine Help Pt. 2

Headache
Originally uploaded by rohicks

After seeing your physician and ruling out other pathologies, shiatsu may be able to help.  Shiatsu bodywork  feels good and will help you to feel more relaxed, calm-- yet energized.  My clients tell me the effects unfold over several days.

On the specific issue of migraines, any pain in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)  is usually a condition of jitsu energy (the energy is blocked,) not flowing freely.  The opposite is a low energy condition which doesn't tend to cause acute pain.  It is generally easier to shift a jitsu condition, in the short term.  To really have lasting impact takes at least 4-5 sessions, depending on the degree of imbalance and the ability to make supportive lifestyle changes.   The latter can be difficult for folks especially if they are driven, intense people.  Or living stressful lives.  Follow-ups can help to maintain the new found relief.

As mentioned in the previous article, generally the liver meridian (energy channel) needs balancing and support to flow smoothly.  There are several specific points that would be treated with palm and thumb gentle pressure.  Several are on the feet, including  Liver #3, Spleen #6 & Bladder #64.  This would be part of deeply relaxing foot massage and part of the overall treatment.  During a "successful shiatsu" the client feels deeply nurtured and falls into a sleep like state.  This can only happen with a skilled therapist and a client who is able to let go and just be.  That means dropping out of thinking mind and worry.  It's natural that that may not happen at the first session. 
A shiatsu practitioner doesn't just press a few points by rote, but balances the overall flow of energy in the system. This takes skill- not everyone can feel the subtle flows of energy, that is very important. Treating the whole body and encouraging internal harmony is akin to fertilizing a plant, and providing it with sun and water.  The actual growth is then assured.  In the same way our body naturally seeks to maintain balance-if we can remove the impediments and provide support, it can happen.

It’s very important to know that shiatsu looks at the whole person and so lifestyle changes may be needed to support the outcome you desire-no more migraine pain!

For FAQ about shiatsu click here.


Take rest;  a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.  Ovid
Kalavati (Viv Williams)  send e-mail
Shiatsu massage/yoga/transition mentoring

Migraines: Part 1

After seeing your physician and ruling out other pathologies, shiatsu may be able to help.  Certainly in terms of reducing feelings of stress and anxiety massage including shiatsu has been proven experientaly and scientifically to be effective.  And it feels good!

Shiatsu developed over thousands of years in China and then Japan.   In traditional Chinese Medicine theory there can be a variety of causes for any complaint.  As a skilled practitioner, I first check to see what are your specific energetic imbalances and then chart out a course of treatment.   The liver meridian (energy channel) is often part of the imbalance, it governs and smoothes energy flow throughout the body.  Things that can disturb the liver energy are rich spicy food, stimulant drugs and of course- alcohol.  The beauty of this system is it also has correlated emotions to specific energetic imbalances-in this case intense upset/anger.  Busy, driven individuals under stress are more likely to suffer migraines, of course “busy” to one person is nothing to another.  A mom with small children at home is “busy” as much as a business executive in the corporate world. Some symptoms of this Liver Fire rising are irritability, red eyes, insomnia, indigestion.   There is always a energy meridian that is low in energy as well (more in next article.)

Each person is born with a certain level of constitutional strength and inherent weak areas.   Things like your support system, the actual weather and even times of year can have an impact.  For some women migraines coincide with particular days of their cycle.   Each person is unique and all these factors are ever in flux.   It’s very important to understand that shiatsu looks at the whole person and so lifestyle changes may be needed to support the outcome you desire-no more migraines!

For FAQ about shiatsu click here.

Take rest;  a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.  Ovid
Kalavati (Viv Williams,LMT)  send e-mail
Shiatsu massage/yoga/transition mentoring