Question... Have you ever spent a whole day just doing what you wanted to do? Not what you needed to do or thought your should do but doing only what you wanted to do. The timing of your activities was yours to govern. You didn't live by the clock or someone else's schedule, not even your dog's (sorry Suki). Each moment was filled with a steadiness, an authenticity, to what you wanted. Joy, peace, and inner harmony were the aspirations.

This is what is called a Lazy Day, a practice from my Buddhist tradition that provides unconditional care, honor, and love for self. We rest and rejuvenate, without rushing, guilt, or shame. We offer ourselves this magical gift which in turn allows us to be a more energized and stable member of our community.

Over the past few months I've been incorporating Lazy Days into my regular schedule - every other Sunday and then occasional half days. Typically it's only done once per month, at minimum once per quarter, but I'm finding the benefits are so real that I'm choosing to do more. It's a real gift to address your needs and desires without guilt, to not adhere to the pressure you feel to do "just one more thing". Why do we have such a hard time settling in and just being??

With the busyness of our life, it's easy to lose touch with the heart essence that drives us. Usually what drives us on a given day are the tasks we've laid out to take care of things, not ourselves. Hopefully in there somewhere we have self-care but even this can be laden with "musts' and "shoulds". "Get to the gym / go for that run" ,"Eat this, not that!", "Let me just look at this last email", "What's going on on Facebook?".

Lazy Days are helping me to find my voice again. What part of my authentic self wants to come out and be seen and heard? If I'm busy taking care of business without deeply stopping, I end up feeling it's business as usual. Inspiration, aspirations, freshness and a sense of being alive... how vibrant are these aspects then?

So sitting in bed for 2 hours to enjoy my coffee, feeling the lovely wrap of my blankets around me, and a good book feels really good. Suki looks at me occasionally with "is it time for us to go for our walk yet, Mommy?" and I say "No, not now. I'm happy to let you out but I'm staying right here right now." She understands. I appreciate her patience. And when I move from the bed, it's not on any timetable. In my mind the list of to-do's doesn't exist, there is no agenda for the day, I don't even look at the clock. I listen to my body and my heart to guide me to what's next after being just right here. No guilt, no shame, nothing but pure honesty and love. It's good to have me back.

How about for you? Can you try this practice on, perhaps starting with a half day or even just a few hours? It can be so interesting noticing what arises in your mind, the push and pull of the regular day, how many of your moments are not really yours. Like anything new, it will certainly feel different (if not weird), but experiment and see what you discover. I'd love to hear about your experience and you can easily share with me HERE.

Stay well, peaceful, and happy on your Lazy Day.
Shanti

Shanti Douglas
Mindfulness & Stress Management Coach
Corporate Trainer
8 limbs Holistic Health, LLC

     If you're already challenged by your busy calendar, the holiday season probably won't have it feel any easier. I know for me, even though there's still two more months until year end, I'm already busy fine-tuning things so that it ends successfully. Updating my website, new marketing material, interesting event offerings, as well as my personal calendar are all on my radar.
     Even though I’ve narrowed my work scope over the past eight years, there are always so many new and exciting things to offer that I can become a little scattered at times, like Suki when I throw her two balls at once. Each ball is great and fun but which one to pick up and play with? Whenever I do this to her, I can see the confused and anxious state in her eyes, her decision-making process taking shape in front of me. I wish I could understand how she makes her choice but ultimately, after sniffing and chewing on each, even trying to put both in her mouth at the same time, she somehow decides which one we’ll play with for the next fifteen minutes. I really appreciate her commitment to her decision, too, since she won’t switch balls halfway into our play game, no matter if I start throwing a different ball. She’s dedicated, highly focused, and committed. Once again, I could learn a lot from Suki.
     While I think I’m fairly good at blocking my time to attend to specific activities or subject matters, I often notice a frenetic quality to my attention. Settling into a creative space between scheduled events isn’t always easy, resulting in a sense of disconnect between what I need to be doing and what I’m capable of doing. There’s real training in coming back to knowing what you can and can’t do, letting go of the frustration of what won’t work even though you want it to, and then moving forward with what’s possible.
     So how do we approach all the things we want to accomplish in the time and energy frame we have?
     I find it’s more challenging in this over-stimulated age of electronics and social media to steer clear of the shiny object syndrome. Our attention is constantly being diverted (yes, we do need to train ourselves to stick to task). Combined with less available time due to extended work weeks or family responsibilities, a life that is gravitating towards peace may be the opposite of what we are feeling.
     Take a look at how many things you have on your calendar right now. I’m sure they’re all good and serve a healthy purpose. The question to ask is if they create a sense of balance and joy or has our initial excitement turned to dread or obligation. Book clubs, PTO meetings, photography class,... add in the myriad of work, home, and family stuff... where is the room to breathe, enjoy, and self-nurture?
     None of this is to say not to be involved or to expand your connections. Quite the opposite. Creating depth of attention and truly experiencing our experience so that we don’t surface-skim our showing up is important. Let’s develop our skill of discernment, though, and commit like Suki to that one ball we are playing with so that we can enjoy it fully and not feel the pressure and added weight of everything else that is calling our attention. On a different day when it’s right to play with a different ball, we can do that, but for now let’s hone to come home.
     Need some quick tips on how to do that? Check out these 5 Super Honing Supports

1. Say “No, not now” to say “Yes!”
You aren’t very good when you’re over-extended or exhausted so kindly say “No, Not Now” to the next request that comes your way. Doing this will help you to say “Yes!” to yourself. And not to worry as someone else will pick up the piece you were about to carry.

2. Focus on only one activity per month
Instead of scattering your attention over numerous activities, pick one and delve into that. By engaging in just this, your enjoyment for this activity will grow and you’ll learn more about it that you would have thought possible. Leave the others to have their turn over the coming months.

3. Create daily time just for you
20 minutes minimum is my recommendation; meditation, bath, yoga, walk, napping, knitting… whatever keeps a connection to yourself alive!

4. Plan ahead and prepare meals
Save time, calories, and health. Don’t be caught off-guard with last minute kitchen and nutrition messes. Decide dinner in the morning, double-cook soups and stews for future-freeze, and prepare snacks and salads by cutting 3X the amount of veggies.

5. Purposeful Pauses
Break the flow of constantness with 10+ second breaks throughout the day. Stop, breathe, feel your feet, and notice the physical and mental sensations. By tuning in to the present moment, we can decide more clearly what is needed next.

Love and peace,
Shanti

Shanti Douglas
Mindfulness & Stress Management Coach
Eden Energy Medicine Certified Practitioner
8 limbs Holistic Health, LLC

"There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." ~ Anais Nin

Do you ever put off making a change until the situation is so bad that you feel like you have no other choice, where you’ve backed yourself into a corner and are now using the intensity of the situation to finally propel you to take action?

I used to do this all the time. I would wait for things to be so terrible and ugly that I couldn’t stand it anymore. Only then would I make a change and shift in a new direction. Rock bottom had to be hit before I would rise like a phoenix and take care of myself. Somewhere in there was a warped strong-hold, my “worker ant” mentality gone awry. It also reflected my lack of self-worth and my secret belief that I didn’t deserve to be happy.

Ya, this didn’t work so well in my marriage or other relationship shifts that needed to happen. It also kept me from exploring more amicable and suitable paths of recovery and hopeful living. Thanks goodness I’ve learned to change this way go being, for myself and everyone else around me. It’s definitely made a big difference in the level of drama and trauma in my life. Now I’m more often compelled to reflect on my situation and to change things as I move along. Tweaking the small steps is a lot easier and feels a lot better than waiting for the shit to hit the fan.

How about for you? What changes have you ignored that would be really important for your happiness and that would really add value? What uncomfortableness are you still shoulder-high in… a job that’s not fulfilling, a relationship that needs a re-work, a life passion unfulfilled??

We don’t need something to go wrong in order to change. We don’t have to wait that long, for the forces of drama and trauma to invade our life and drive us to switch things up. We are each too valuable to give up on ourselves and our dreams / desires so easily. Don’t let the comfort of others keep us uncomfortable.

Need some guidance or a reflective mirror? Let me help you take charge and once again feel confident in the importance of you.

Love and peace,
Shanti

Shanti Douglas
Mindfulness & Stress Management Coach
Eden Energy Medicine Certified Practitioner
8 limbs Holistic Health, LLC

...but they sure are for me. I love Mondays - a day to take charge and get into full swing for the week. I hope it's a beautiful day for you too but, if you find that your energy is being drained by others around you that aren't having such a great Monday, try the Celtic Weave energy exercise. It will strengthen your personal energy bubble and ward off any of those "energy zappers".

Have fun!! Happy Monday!!

Peace,
Shanti

Shanti Douglas
Mindfulness & Stress Management Coach
Eden Energy Medicine Certified Practitioner
8 limbs Holistic Health, LLC

     It's Monday morning, one of my favorite days of the week (yes, I did say that!). My Task Master gets all juiced up and ready to go for another fabulous week ahead. How about for you? Whatever you do, don't let Monday drag you down. Keep going with your Daily Energy Routine (DER) and keep those energies high!
     To add to the DER short version, today we're looking at the Crown Pull. It's perfect for when we can't stop the "chatting" in our head, realize we've been going in the wrong mental direction with lots of negativity, or for those tension headaches that creep up after a stressful day. Along with the Wayne Cook, the Crown Pull is also perfect for when we have trouble concentrating and remembering things. Staring at the computer all day will surely numb our intellectual capacities and an overload of meetings can be draining so bring the Crown Pull along for some instant relief. It will have your mind and brain feeling refreshed and connect you to your higher inspirations.

Enjoy!!

Peace and LOTS of joy in Being.
Shanti

Shanti Douglas
Mindfulness & Stress Management Coach
Eden Energy Medicine Certified Practitioner
8 limbs Holistic Health, LLC

     How much of YOU do you think is destined or predetermined to be a certain way, that certain traits or attributes are just who you are and that's that? Do you believe you have limited control over what happens in your life; the experiences you have, the people that surround you, an illness or disease that is part of your inherited makeup?
     I've always thought that, while there may be a propensity towards an expression of an attribute (as some are deeply set biologically or environmentally), it's really how we "feed" an attribute that determines how it manifests. If I grew up in an angry atmosphere where people were in constant disagreement, for instance, I will more easily attach to that type of environment. It is a seed that has been highlighted in my life and one that I may have a propensity to express, more than the child who conversely experienced constant love and peaceful community. Nurture versus nature, you could say.
     But just because the seed (of anger, for instance) has been highlighted, it doesn't mean that it has to come to fruition. What we do with those root experiences, environmental atmospheres, and even our body's biology is up to us. With awareness and diligence to switch from feeding the unskillful and non-beneficial seeds to skillful and beneficial ones, we can change our set of circumstances and ultimate expression. We don't have to manifest an angry life just because we were surrounded by that. We can create the environment we seek (and we do it all the time). This ability to change is actually a big part of what I support others with, to give them the tools and confidence to approach and see life from a more empowered and enlightened perspective.
     Looking at disease and cellular creation of illness within the body can be a bit different, however. Cells have structure and roles which, in my non-scientific mind, can't be changed... or can they?? Again, this isn't to say that I don't have influence. I truly believe that I have a huge amount with how I take care of myself - physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. This holistic approach also includes re-balancing my personal energy field inside and outside of my body, thus influencing the environment in which my cells are housed. Obviously a strong, vibrant, and balanced one is preferred - thus my work with Eden Energy Medicine.
     But to go beyond and look deeper into changing the cell structure itself... is it possible? Well, according to Bruce Lipton, PhD, it is. He's a stem cell biologist from the Wisconsin School of Medicine who's focus has been studying the molecular mechanisms that control cell behavior. I've been following his work off and on for years with my initial read of his book The Biology of Belief.  Bruce has been taking his scientific findings regarding cell behavior and expression to the public sector, sharing his knowledge so that we can be empowered in the knowledge that we do have much more control over our destiny than we think, even regarding our genetic make-up. I won't go into all the science and details - he does a fantastic job of explaining it in this video - so I would encourage you to investigate for yourself.
     Watch, listen, learn, and begin to ponder the miracle of your physical and emotional expression in this life. Become even more empowered to create healthy change for yourself and know that you CAN have your life as you'd like it. It's all a matter of perception - that one special aspect that creates it all.

Peace and LOTS of joy in Being.
Shanti

Shanti Douglas
Mindfulness & Stress Management Coach
Eden Energy Medicine Certified Practitioner
8 limbs Holistic Health, LLC

     Has anyone figured out what this life is for, why we are here, what this whole thing is about? I know, silly question to ask since it’s the ultimate one we all have about our existence but it’s one that I’ve really been pondering quite a bit recently. I’m trying to connect with the great Master Plan that I envision must be out there, held by the Universe far, far beyond what my little humanity has been able to reach so far. Yes, I know we are here to do good, to promote and spread love, and to continue the path of enlightenment for all beings. I have a nag inside, though, about this Master Plan, envisioning that it lays out the purpose behind everything we try to make sense of. Sometimes I feel like a marionette in a puppet show, acting out the story but never having the script of where it’s supposed to lead. It’s like a constant improv. I really think the performance I could give would be a lot more meaningful, vibrant, and fulfilling for all parties involved if I knew, though. Yes, this is my mind sometimes, showing me that I might be a little too goal oriented and just need to loosen up! (I hope you are amused and not frightened for me.)
     As a summertime treat I’ve been watching BBC’s Planet Earth series and am continually blown away by the immense diversity, spectacular-ness, and innate intelligence of the life that is contained on this breathtaking planet, including the amazing assortment of ecosystems. In my wildest imagination I couldn’t come up with all the uniquenesses of the thousands of species; the colors, shapes, reliances for survival, patience, habits of traveling thousands of miles for food or procreation just to do it all again next year. For me, I still can’t wrap my head around the workings of our brain or body. It’s way beyond science fiction and makes me even more desirous to have insight into the Master Plan.
     After a time, I finally ask myself “Does it really matter?”. In reality, probably not and I’m sure it’s best for me to spend my time creating peace, emitting love, and spreading light and positivity into each moment instead. To do what I can do and to trust the process , to “let go and just be”. I’m sure the Master Plan folks would appreciate that. And in writing those words, I do need to laugh at how many times in my life I’ve been told to simply “trust the process”. Haha. Another contemplation is provided.
     Well, if you have any answers or insights, I’d love to hear them. Feel free to add some comments below.

Peace and LOTS of joy in Being.
Shanti

Shanti Douglas
Mindfulness & Stress Management Coach
Eden Energy Medicine Certified Practitioner
8 limbs Holistic Health, LLC

     Thank you so much for keeping up with these Daily Energy Routine exercises. I hope you've been able to incorporate them easily into your regular self care routine. Don't forget that you can pick and just do one or two whenever you might need it.     
     This week we're looking at crossing our energies, an important part of having a steady flow of resources in our body and mind. We all know about the coordination between the brain and body - the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body and the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body. This same crossover energy is everywhere, even within the structure of DNA. It's a necessity so that all systems can be functional, strong, and balanced.
     If our energies are not crossing over, we might feel uncoordinated or clumsy, mentally or emotionally out of sorts, exhausted for no real reason, unable to think clearly or stay focused on task, or even depressed. Things just aren't lining up right.
     How do we get that way? There are several things in our daily life that can create this energetic imbalance which Donna Eden calls being homolateral, i.e. one way. Wearing a heavy bag on one shoulder cuts our crossover energy off. Looking at vertical lines, like striped wallpaper or the white lines on the road as we drive, can put our energies into homolateral. In your office or home, perhaps you have vertical blinds. If so, open or close them fully versus having them hang down like separated lines.
     There are several ways we can strengthen our crossed energies. In the two videos, I offer one version of the Cross Crawl as well as the Crossover Shoulder Pull. The first one may give you a little bit of a workout but feel free to take it as slow as you need. If you're really tired, try it in the morning while you are still laying in bed. The second one is perfect for when you are in a meeting or some other noticeable social situation. Nobody needs to know that you are connecting your energies but they'll be happy you did! Enjoy!!

Peace,
Shanti

Shanti Douglas
Mindfulness & Stress Management Coach
Eden Energy Medicine Certified Practitioner
8 limbs Holistic Health, LLC

     Wow! Has this been an amazing summer or what?? A host of fantastic weather (less the serious heat in New England the past few days) has made playing outside lots of fun and I'm really happy to be back enjoying it. It feels great to be out and about, staying strong with my exercise routine...and my energy routine.
     One of the recent events I had was an all day workshop Eden Energy Medicine 101 - Vitality is Yours! Besides learning lots of other things, we reviewed the basics of Eden Energy Medicine (EEM) and dove into practices that folks could use on a daily basis to increase their own health and support that of their family and friends. It was a huge success and I think it's safe to say that vitality was achieved!! As one participant said, "You should have taken our before and after pictures to see the amazing change!"  What a great idea and I think I will on the next class which, by the way, is set for Saturday Sept 12.
     A foundational tenet of EEM is the Daily Energy Routine (DER), a routine that energizes and harmonizes the nine energy systems that get touched with EEM. It's a hugely stabilizing routine and sets the tone for a grounded and self-empowered day. And the best part of it (besides it being fun to do) is that the whole thing only takes about 8 minutes. Pretty good return on investment, wouldn't you say?
     Since there's so many of you that haven't had the chance to attend the workshop (again, really recommend it), I thought it would be fun to begin sharing the DER via video. We get into much more in class but this is a good beginning. Over the coming weeks I'll share all the pieces of the DER, ending with a final version of it all put together. And not to worry - individually the pieces are good to know as each has valuable benefits and can be done on their own. And if you lose track, you can catch them on my YouTube channel. So let's get started!!
     The DER begins with 4 Thumps. In this segment, we'll talk about the first two: stomach/under eye and K27.
      For the first Thump, with your pointer and middle finger, begin by tapping on the cheekbones underneath the eyes. Tap with a medium strength: not so light that it's irritating but not so hard enough that it hurts. Tapping here activates the stomach meridian, an energy pathway that begins inside the bottom eyelid and zig-zags all the way down the front of the body and off the second toe. Do this for 30-45 seconds to help get you grounded and release worry - a lovely way to start the day!! And don't forget to breathe while you are tapping.
     The second Thump is K27, the end of the Kidney meridian. The Kidney meridian begins at the bottom of the foot at what Chinese Medicine calls "The Wellspring of Life". It's our deepest connecting point to the Earth's energy. I've described in the video how to find K27, an important point in helping all the energies of the body run forward. So if you feel like your energies are running backwards, that you're not getting to where you want to go, doing things with no effect, or can't concentrate, tapping or rubbing your K27s can help. For me, it also gives me a caffeine boost without the caffeine - perfect for the late afternoon drowsies or when I'm stuck in my car driving and feeling lethargic. K27 is great anytime you need a boost of clean energy.
     One thing to watch for as you tap or rub these points is if the area is sore or tender. This would indicate a blockage / stagnation of energy. Releasing that stuck energy with the Thumps will help to de-congest your passageways and make you feel great so go ahead and rub away!!
     Look for the other two Thumps in an upcoming newsletter. In the meantime, give yourself a boost of clean energy with these two.

Peace,
Shanti

Shanti Douglas
Mindfulness & Stress Management Coach
Eden Energy Medicine Certified Practitioner
8 limbs Holistic Health, LLC

Our retina communicates to the brain at a rate of 10 millions bits per second. Wow, what an active job! Processing all of that information is another story but I do know that our eyes are one of the more important connections we have to our world. Just think how your day would change if you no longer had sight, or perhaps more reasonably, go without wearing your glasses for an hour and notice what happens.

Keep your eye connection alive and vibrant with these energy supports. They only take a minute but could make a huge difference in how you see the world.

Peace,
Shanti

Shanti Douglas
Mindfulness & Stress Management Coach
Eden Energy Medicine Certified Practitioner
8 limbs Holistic Health, LLC