YOGA 

• Yoga is an active meditation practice
• Yoga is a fascial stretch done by one’s self
• Yoga is awareness of body and breath
• Yoga is very relaxing
• Yoga opens the flow of our Chi
• Yoga can be done by all ages and people in all states of health – as you listen to body, you only do what your body tells you it can do
• Yoga massages the organs
• Yoga releases toxins and helps us to cleanse
• Yoga helps us to stay balanced and focused

**NOT CURRENTLY OFFERED

MUDRAS- Yoga for the hands

Ex: Christian prayer pose- hands together with all fingers touching- that is an ancient mudra!

• Mudras unlock the limitless powers that are within you
• Mudras help us to be aware of the sensations within us as we feel the different currents of energy flowing through our hands
• Mudras are the password to the data of your inner computer

One can experience deeper levels of meditation with proper breathing and mudras-

Experiencing peace, relaxation, rejuvenation and a higher level of consciousness

Working with Mudras incorporates other healing tools such as Mantras- sound healing, Breath, Visualizations, Color – healing thru the vibrations of different colors, affirmations- positive thoughts being recorded in ones cells, and prayer- connection with life force and that which is greater than we

Like QiGong this practice can be as little as 10-15 minutes a day and mudras can be practiced anywhere and anytime.

I often use the prayer pose throughout the day and n one knows as it is so common to hold our hands in that position and yes I breath- again- just every day activities that help to keep me balanced and energized. I have taught basic Mudras in a church bible study group and they love the simplicity and aliveness that they feel in just 5 minutes, It certainly raises the vibration of the church service!

GUIDED VISUALIZATIONS

Different than meditation, although often confused, Guided Visualizations are a process of talking a person thru a relaxation exercise.  It is a way to help people get in touch with their bodies, the sensations in their bodies, and to help them relax the different body parts. Once relaxed and connected, the mind can let go. Then one may then guide them thru a visualization that will deepen the state of relaxation and allow for the possibility of taking a journey to a healing space such as a beautiful garden. The images used in the visualization, often evoke a response to a memory that is pleasant and brings a sense of joy, or peacefulness, or love to all the cells of the body. Other senses may be stimulated and a smell may be experienced that brings back pleasant memory, or one may even feel as though they are touching a flower and those sensations may run through the body.

Guided Visualizations are also developed for specific reasons- to deal with an illness, to deal with a fear, or to deal with some other emotional concern. For example, Cancer patients- the guided visualizations used for them often included imagining all the different cells in our bodies and their functions- it guides them thru what the T cells (and others) do in fighting off the cancer cells….

Or someone with circulatory issues, the visualization might include floating down a stream of healthy red blood cells, seeing the blood going to all the parts of the body- nourishing and replenishing the body, and the heart pumping with ease and joy.

Guided Visualizations help us to change our focus to the positive; to the results we want, to the way our body feels when we are in our normal state of health and balance. Yes our “normal” state of health and balance- that is an important concept we work with – we ARE healthy and balanced.

If desired the visualization maybe recorded for patients to use on their own, and personalized visualizations can be developed.

MEDITATION

• Meditation is the process of quieting your mind.
• Meditation is concentration – focus
• Meditation is being full aware in the present moment, without filters or judgment
• Mindfulness of the breath is the most common meditation technique

When one has a Meditation practice one finds they need less sleep, they are more focused, they are more productive.

• Meditation brings us clarity, insight and AAAHHAA moments,
• Meditation brings us answers to problems
• Meditation lowers our blood pressure and enhances our immune system
• Meditation helps us to handle the daily activities with ease- without stress- and with a different perspective and clarity

MINDFULNESS

• Mindfulness is a non-judgmental awareness of all that IS, in the present moment
• Mindfulness is a simple and nurturing way to get in touch with our wisdom and vitality
• Mindfulness is one-pointedness of attention
• It is attuning to the inner mind and quieting the surface mind as one does in meditation. *Meditation is mindfulness
• Mindfulness on the breath is the most basic meditation technique
• Meditation is a form of formal mindfulness
• Informal mindfulness is when we go about our daily routines and we are mindful, we are aware, we are conscious of thoughts, feelings and emotions

Healing IS feeling

• Mindfulness brings us to that place of feeling, of connection with the sensations and the arising emotions in our body, as we engage in life
• Mindfulness gives us the opportunity to respond differently, to let go of the routine ego responses and to respond consciously, creating different outcomes in our lives.

QIGONG

Like Reflexology, Qigong is a healing art that was developed over 5000 years ago. Millions the world over practice gentle, relaxing, invigorating qigong exercises to increase the flow of energy- life force thru ones body and mind.

Like meditation, it is about focus, concentration, breath and awareness. These exercises can be practiced by virtually anyone and they benefit every age.

• Qigong connects us to the universal life force- our Chi- Qi.  Nothing can exist without this energy.
• Qigong is considered a moving meditation.
• Qigong is not mystical or magical and it is not connected with any particular religion
• Qigong is very calming, opening, balancing, and connects us with all of life.
• Qigong is a process as natural as breathing

The extraordinary health benefits that can be realized by a daily 15 – minute practice are:

• Internal energy movement
• Life Balance
• Longevity
• Stress Management
• Self-empowerment
• Healing self

**NOT CURRENTLY OFFERED

MANDALAS – sacred circles- symbols of healing and wholeness

“ Modern research methods have demonstrated the power of the mind to influence the outcome of medical treatments- provided that the patient believes in them- suggesting the untapped mental power exists for healing of all types of physical and mental maladies. Release of this power by developing such self healing skills as meditation, visualization, and positive thinking- combined with relaxation, physical exercise and improved nutrition- can do much to improve the general level of health.” Steven F. Brena, M.D.
Pg2 Mandala by Judith Cornell PH.D.

Mandala is the Sanskrit word for Circle- “mandala is a concrete symbol of its creator’s absorption into a sacred center.” In its most elevated form, the scared circle mirrors an illumined sate of consciousness through a symbolic pattern- making the invisible visible.

By focusing on it, the both the mandala artists and the meditator can open to the divine energies and to the contents of his or her own spiritual and psychological self.  Spiritual transformation, physical healing and the integration of personality fragments can result.

Pg 2 Mandala by Judith Cornell (not exact quote)

Why do hospitals use Mandala art?

• Because it has a calming and relaxing effect on the mind and body,
• Because this process helps us to focus and strengthen our will to heal
• Because it can make the invisible visible- revealing our inner most thoughts and fears
• Because it can give expression to intuitive insights and spiritual experiences – that which we can not find words for
• Mandalas and the meditative process open our hearts and minds to the healing power of unconditional love for self and the process of life
• Mandala drawing comes from within, it is not about Art 101, and it is not about right or wrong, it is an expression of our self- knowledge and our inner well being