Part 4 of Balancing Chakra Series Through Guided Meditation – Heart Chakra or Anahata


Part 4 of Balancing Chakra Series Through Guided Meditation – Heart Chakra or Anahata

Hi there my beautiful lovelies! Hope you guys are doing well and staying safe. Today, we will work to activate or balance the fourth chakra of the 7 chakra series.

Heart Chakra or Anahata:

The heart chakra, or Anahata in its original Sanskrit name, colors our life with compassion, love, and beauty. Driven by the principles of transformation and integration, the fourth energy center is said to bridge earthly and spiritual aspirations. Explore what makes the essence of this chakra and how to unravel its powerful energy to enrich your life.

The anahata chakra is associated with unconditional love, compassion, and joy. It is the source of deep and profound truths that cannot be expressed in words. Anahata is a bridge between the lower and upper chakras integrating the manifest with the spiritual. The heart chakra directly affects the heart, lungs, chest, arms, and hands. When misaligned, poor circulation, high or low blood pressure, and other heart and lung conditions can result.

Heart Chakra or Anahata Location:

Heart Chakra or Anahata

In the center of the chest (the energy center is not located where our actual heart organ lies; rather, the heart chakra is in the center of the chest area); it is the 4th chakra counting from the bottom of the spine in the traditional 7 chakra system.

The Element of Heart Chakra or Anahata:

Anahata is associated with air. If you’ve worked with the other chakras, you can integrate all of the elements to support this work. The first chakra is earth, steady and grounded; the second chakra, water, brings fertile creativity; the third chakra is the “fire in the belly” required to transform that grounded creativity into positive action. And now you have air dispersing and integrating the spiritual understanding of love, compassion, and connection to everything you encounter. Air, like love, is within and all around.

Color of Heart Chakra or Anahata:

Green (higher energy frequencies can turn to pink). Even though most of us think about the pink color when thinking about the heart, this chakra is traditionally associated with the color green. The auric color of an active fourth chakra can also be seen as a pink or smoky pink, hence our popular representation of love as a pink heart.

Symbol of Heart Chakra or Anahata:

12931901 – the heart chakra

Two intersecting triangles forming a 6-pointed star in a circle with 12 petals. The intersecting triangles represent the air element and its all-encompassing quality. They also symbolize the union of seemingly opposite principles or types of energies, such as male and female, spirit and matter. The star that they form evokes the harmonious joining of forces and highlights the function of the heart chakra as a center of integration and connection. The twelve petals are often depicted with the color red. The

Padma Mudra:

This lotus-inspired mudra that calls forth new possibilities and invites in love is fitting for the heart chakra. Lotus symbolism and imagery is common throughout Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism. A lotus flower takes root down in the muck and mud and rises up through the water to blossom unscathed at the water’s surface. You can think of the path of the lotus as the journey to enlightenment. It is the journey from the darkness to the light.

To practice padma mudra, bring your hands to anjali mudra, or prayer mudra, in front of your heart center with the palms of your hands touching. Keep the heels of your palms touching, your pinky fingers touching and your thumbs touching as you peel the palms of your hands, index, middle and ring fingers away from one another. The three middle fingers of each hand blossom away from one another like a lotus flower in bloom. Hold the mudra for five to ten minutes.

Mantra for Heart Chakra or Anahata:

YAM With your palms at your heart, touch the outer edges of both pinky fingers and thumbs together. Keep the heels of the palms pressed together as you blossom open through your hands. Extend through the tips of all 10 fingers.

My dear lovelies! Hope this segment helps you find unconditional love, compassion, and joy. How do you heal and balance your heart chakra. Please live your responds in the comment below.

In the meantime, please subscribe to this blog or follow me if you have wordpress account. This way every time a new post is added you will be notified. Check out my other posts as well (Part 2 Of Balancing Chakra Series Through Guided Meditation – Sacral Chakra Or Svadhisthana; and Part One Of 7 Chakra Series – Root Chakra Or Muladhara). Don’t forget to check out my Facebook Page and follow me on Instagram @forevernij. Are you on Bloglovin? Also please subscribe to my YouTube channel. Let’s support each other. Please follow me and comment below with your information so that I can follow you back.

Thank you2

———————————–   Happy Reading ———————————-

Follow my Instagram page on @forevernij

Follow my blog on Bloglovin

Follow my Facebook Page on @forevernij

Subscribe to my YouTube channel

Follow my Twitter account @allaboutme3181

Part 3 of Balancing Chakra Series Through Guided Meditation – Solar Plexus Chakra or Manipura


Part 3 of Balancing Chakra Series Through Guided Meditation: 

Hi there my beautiful lovelies! Hope you guys are doing well and staying safe. Today, we will try to open up the solar plexus chakra.

Solar Plexus Chakra or Manipura:

The Solar Plexus, or Manipura, refers to the third chakra. It spins in the area around the abdomen above the belly button up to the breastbone.  Meaning “lustrous gem” in Sanskrit, the Manipura chakra provides a source of personal power and relates to self-esteem, warrior energy, and the power of transformation. This third chakra is the center of willpower. While the Sacral chakra seeks pleasure and enjoyment, the third chakra is all about the perception of who you are. It is the center of your self-esteem, your willpower, self-discipline, as well as warmth in your personality.   When the Solar Plexus chakra or Manipura is open and the energy in this center is balanced, these functions naturally find a clear and effortless outlet. However, in case the flow of energy is disturbed, whether because the Manipura chakra is overactive or blocked, symptoms may range from energetic and emotional to physical.

Location:

The solar plexus chakra or Manipura is located in the solar plexus area (upper part of the belly, where your diaphragm rests); it is the third chakra from the bottom in the traditional system counting 7 chakras. Some traditions place it more loosely in the navel area. Closely connected to the digestive system, especially the gastric and hypogastric plexi, its main function is to help transform matter into energy to fuel your body. It governs metabolism and is commonly associated with the pancreas.

Element:

Solar plexus chakra or Manipura is associated with the element of fire. However, some contemporary healing movements connect it to the element of air. It has a connection with the sun, heat, the energy of light, all forms of power.

Color: 

Yellow is the color for this chakra, so use it in during your relaxation or meditation. A nice and powerful visualization is making your center radiate like the sun. Higher frequencies of this chakra can turn into golden yellow. Additionally, since it’s associated with the element of fire, it is also sometimes depicted with yellowish red.

Symbol:

the solar plexus chakra

The symbol for the solar plexus or Manipura chakra is a circle with 10 petals in which is inscribed a downward-pointing triangle. The inverted triangle represents the fire element and the transformative power of this energy center. Fire turns matter into energy that can be used to propel, move forward. The ten petals are often represented with the color blue, like the blue color of the flame.

10037119 – detailed solar plexus chakra vector illustration

Mudra for Third Chakra – Rudra Mudra: 

Rudra Mudra is a powerful healing mudra that gives a lot of energy to the body. Rudra mudra constructs by a connection of the thumb (fire element) index finger (air element) and ring finger (earth element). This connection leads to the powerful combination of fire, air, and earth elements in our bodies. Thus, this mudra keeps us mentally fit and physically fit.   First, sit in any comfortable yoga asana, such as Padmasana (lotus position) or Vajrayana (thunderbolt pose). If you are not comfortable to sit, you can practice it standing. Now, close your eyes and focus on the ‘in and out’ movement of the breath. This will help you generate awareness. Next, fold your index and ring fingers towards the thumb. Now touch the tips of index fingers and ring fingers with the thumb. Leave the remaining two fingers extended as much as possible. Do this with both hands. Now, without disturbing the posture of fingers, place both your hands on upper thighs.

Yoga Poses for Solar Plexus Chakra or Manipura:

Practicing yoga postures with mindful breathing helps release tension in the solar plexus, physically, mentally, and emotionally. The warrior poses build confidence and align the third chakra. Sun salutations warm up the body and connect with the fiery energy of the sun. Boat pose is another excellent posture for strengthening the abdominal muscles, balancing digestion, and bringing a sense of personal empowerment.

Mantra – RAM:

Singing mantras or sound vibrations to open solar plexus mantra is RAM. RAM is the vedic bija mantra. By chanting RAM like you would OM, but more continuously, works on the same vibrational frequency.

My dear lovelies! Hope this post helps you open up and activate your solar plexus chakra or Manipura. What do you do to find empowerment? Please leave your response and any suggestions in the comment below.

In the meantime, please subscribe to this blog or follow me if you have wordpress account. This way every time a new post is added you will be notified. Check out my other posts as well (Part 2 Of Balancing Chakra Series Through Guided Meditation – Sacral Chakra Or Svadhisthana; and Part One Of 7 Chakra Series – Root Chakra Or Muladhara). Don’t forget to check out my Facebook Page and follow me on Instagram @forevernij. Are you on Bloglovin? Also please subscribe to my YouTube channel. Let’s support each other. Please follow me and comment below with your information so that I can follow you back.

Thank you2

———————————–   Happy Reading ———————————-

Follow my Instagram page on @forevernij

Follow my blog on Bloglovin

Follow my Facebook Page on @forevernij

Subscribe to my YouTube channel

Follow my Twitter account @allaboutme3181

Part 2 of Balancing Chakra Series Through Guided Meditation – Sacral Chakra or Svadhisthana


Hi there my beautiful lovelies! Hope you guys are doing well and staying safe. Today, I want to share with you the second part of balancing the chakra series through guided meditation. Part Two of Balancing Chakra Series Through Guided Meditation – Sacral Chakra or Svadhisthana

Sacral Chakra or Svadhisthana:

Part Two of Balancing Chakra Series Through Guided Meditation - Sacral Chakra or Svadhisthana

The second chakra or the Sacral Chakra is located just above the pubic bone and is responsible for passion, sexuality, intimacy, money, creativity, and joy. The balance of the Sacral Chakra allows us to improve our relationships with ourselves and others. It is associated with the water element and is characterized by movement and flow in our emotions and thoughts, flow, and flexibility. It also supports personal expansion and the formation of identity through relating to others and to the world. The function of the sacral chakra is directed by the principle of pleasure. It’s the center of our feelings and sensations. It’s particularly active in our sexuality and the expression of our sensual and sexual desires.

Location:

The most common location for the sacral chakra is about three inches below the navel, at the center of your lower belly. In the back, it’s located at the level of the lumbar vertebrae. Other noteworthy locations described in different systems, expand its location to the genital area, especially at the level of ovaries for women and the testicles for men.  It is associated with the lymphatic system.

Color of Sacral Chakra:

The sacral chakra is most commonly represented with the color orange. However, since it’s associated with the element of water, it could also take the color of very light blue or white on more rare occasions. The orange of the second chakra is translucent and has a transparent quality.

Symbol:

The circle in the symbol of Sacral Chakra represents the elements of water. Typically, the moon crescent is colored in silver and represents the connection of the energy of the moon with water. These symbols point to the close relationship between the phases of the moon and the fluctuations in the water and the emotions.

The Shakti Mudra:

This feminine mudra for the sacral chakra works to harness sexuality and sensuality.  With your palms in front of your chest, press your pinky and ring fingertips together. Fold your thumbs into your palms, inside of your index and middle finger.

Mantra – VAM:

Vam is the bija, or seed, sound of the sacral chakra. When chanting the mantra, vam, the power of the sound vibrations is believed to cleanse this chakra, which is the energy center of creativity, pleasure, and sexuality. Yogis chant vam to heal the sacral center physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Mantras, particularly single-syllable bija mantras, are usually chanted for their healing sound vibrations, rather than any specific meaning. Chakra mantras like vam are thought to clear the subtle energy pathways in the body in order to create positive change.

My dear lovelies! Hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed sharing it.

In the meantime, don’t forget to check out my Facebook Page and follow me on Instagram @forevernij and Twitter page @allaboutme3181. Are you on Bloglovin?  Also please subscribe to my YouTube channel. Let’s support each other. Please follow me and comment below with your information so that I can follow you back.

Thank you2

———————————–   Happy Reading ———————————-

Follow my Instagram page on @forevernij

Follow my blog on Bloglovin

Follow my Facebook Page on @forevernij

Subscribe to my YouTube channel

Follow my Twitter account @allaboutme3181

Part One of 7 Chakra Series – Root Chakra or Muladhara


Chakra:

Hi there my beautiful lovelies! Hope you guys are doing well and staying safe. Today, I will talk about the chakra system. Subtle energies flow in and out of us through the chakras, also known as the psychic centers. The spine is like a stem and the chakras are like flowers growing from this stem, through the body, and out a few inches in front of the body, in the aura. Our thinking and our health are inextricably linked with the flow of energy through the chakras, which makes an understanding of them very important. Today, will talk about opening up the first of the 7 chakra series.

 

The Seven Chakras:

The seven major chakras are as follows:

  1. Root Chakra:  Located at the base of the spine, the pelvic floor, and the first three vertebrae, the root chakra or Muladhara is responsible for your sense of safety and security on this earthly journey.
  2. Sacral Chakra: Located between the base of the spine and naval is the sacral chakra or Svadhishthana. It is associated with the emotional body, sensuality, and creativity. Its element is water and as such, its energy is characterized by flow and flexibility. The function of the sacral chakra is directed by the principle of pleasure.
  3. Social Plexus Chakra: In the solar plexus area (upper part of the belly, where your diaphragm rests); it is the third chakra from the bottom in the traditional system counting 7 chakras. Solar plexus or Manipura is associated with will, personal power, taking responsibility for one’s life, taking control. The third chakra is the center of willpower. While the Sacral chakra seeks pleasure and enjoyment, the third chakra is all about the perception of who you are.
  4. Heart Chakra or Antahara Chakra: Driven by the principles of transformation and integration, the fourth energy center is said to bridge earthly and spiritual aspirations. Explore what makes the essence of this chakra and how to unravel its powerful energy to enrich your life. Located in the center of the chest (the energy center is not located where our actual heart organ lies; rather, the heart chakra is in the center of the chest area); it is the 4th chakra counting from the bottom of the spine in the traditional 7 chakra system.
  5. Throat Chakra: The Throat chakra or Vishuddha is the fifth chakra. Located at the center of the neck at the level of the throat, it is the passage of the energy between the lower parts of the body and the head. The function of the Throat chakra is driven by the principle of expression and communication.
  6. Third Eye Chakra: The sixth chakra – also known as the brow chakra, the Third Eye chakra, the inner eye, or “Ajna” in Sanskrit – correlates to our mental abilities, psychological skills, and how we evaluate beliefs and attitudes. Sitting between our eyes and being physically connected to the brain, pituitary, and pineal glands, this is the mind chakra. It resonates with the energy of our psyche, as well as our conscious and unconscious psychological tendencies.
  7. Crown Chakra:

 

Root Chakra or Muladhara: 

The word Muladhara breaks down into two Sanskrit words: Mula meaning “root” and Adhara, which means “support” or “base.” This is the first of the seven chakras. The Sanskrit word chakra translates to a wheel or disk. In yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda, this term refers to wheels of energy throughout the body. There are seven main chakras that align along the spine, starting from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. The spheres run along the spine, but extend through and past the front, back, and both sides of your body. The root chakra is comprised of whatever grounds you to stability in your life. This includes your basic needs such as food, water, shelter, and safety, as well as your more emotional needs such as letting go of fear. When these needs are met, you feel grounded and safe, and you tend to worry less day to day.

Meditation:

While meditation does connect you to a higher spiritual plane, it also serves to ground you. You may not always be able to trust that the world will give you what you need to survive, but the connection to your higher self and trust in a power higher than yourself will give you what you need to feel safe. In addition, our bodies and everything in the universe is made of 5 elements: earth, water, fire, air, and space. Each finger is also associated with one of these elements. Fire – the thumb relates to the fire element, connected to the solar plexus chakra. Air – the index finger represents the air element, connected to the heart chakra. Space – the middle finger represents the space element, connected to the throat chakra. Earth – the ring finger represents the earth element, connected to the root chakra. Water – the pinky finger represents the water element, connected to the sacral chakra. Yoga mudras are energetic closures or gestures made with our hands and fingers to help direct the flow of energy within the body, stimulating specific areas of the body and the brain. It’s helpful to use mudras along with meditation, pranayama, and asana postures to promote healing and balance in the body, between the elements and the chakras. The Earth element is connected to our physical bones, cartilage, skin, hair, nails, muscles, tendons, and internal organs, stimulating and strengthening these tissues and bones.

Pran Mudra: 

Pran Mudra, also called prana mudra, is a symbolic hand and figure gesture that represents the life force. It is believed performing this mudra stimulates your first (root) chakra and activates the flow of life force. How to Perform Performing this mudra is a simple process. Sit comfortably. Touch the tips of both thumbs to the ring finger and pinkie of each hand. Extend the pointer finger and middle finger straight out. Place your hand in the mudra with the backs of your hands in your lap. Hold the mudra for three to five minutes. You can also hold it longer during meditation. Chanting or toning sounds can also help bring you back to balance just like music brings people together. Sounds create vibrations in the body, and these vibrations help the cells work together in synchronistic harmony.

Lam Mantra: 

The mantra sound that corresponds to the root chakra is LAM. Finally, colors and gems can help bring a chakra into balance. The root chakra’s color is red. Gemstones for the first chakra include garnet, red jasper, black tourmaline, and bloodstone.

In the meantime, don’t forget to check out my Facebook Page and follow me on Instagram @forevernij and Twitter page @allaboutme3181. Are you on Bloglovin?  Also please subscribe to my YouTube channel. Let’s support each other. Please follow me and comment below with your information so that I can follow you back.

Thank you2

———————————–   Happy Reading ———————————-

Follow my Instagram page on @forevernij

Follow my blog on Bloglovin

Follow my Facebook Page on @forevernij

Subscribe to my YouTube channel

Follow my Twitter account @allaboutme3181

Gratitude Meditation


Hi there my lovelies! Hope you guys are doing well and staying safe. Today I will share with another short but effective meditation technique. It’s called Gratitude Meditation. This 5 minutes meditation will help you have compassion towards yourself and be grateful for your life.

Through this meditation, you will give thanks for the small things in your life. This in turn will bring compassion and love towards yourself. You find calm and gratitude through this guided meditation. Hope it is as helpful to you as it has been for me.

In the meantime, don’t forget to check out my Facebook Page and follow me on Instagram @forevernij and Twitter page @allaboutme3181. Are you on Bloglovin?  Also please subscribe to my YouTube channel. Let’s support each other. Please follow me and comment below with your information so that I can follow you back.

Thank you2

———————————–   Happy Reading ———————————-

Follow my Instagram page on @forevernij

Follow my blog on Bloglovin

Follow my Facebook Page on @forevernij

Subscribe to my YouTube channel

Follow my Twitter account @allaboutme3181

Body Scan for Sleep – A 10 Minute Guided Meditation to Assure Deep Sleep and Relaxation


Introduction:

Hi there my beautiful lovelies! Hope you all are doing well and staying safe. Today, I will share with you another guided meditation to help you sleep. It’s called Body Scan for sleep.

Body Scan for Sleep
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

The body scan meditation will help calm your mind as you slowly enter a sleep-like state. The experience often begins with sensing the body and mindfully breathing to start the relaxation response in your body. This helps to center your attention and reach a relaxation state.

In addition, as your mind begins to quiet, you’ll slowly start to recognize that your thoughts are simply thoughts as they come and go. As a result, you develop a deeper awareness of yourself in this resting state. You will also learn to integrate this sense of mindfulness into your everyday life.

Body Scan for Sleep:

 

Hope this helps you relax your mind and help you enter a sleep-like state full of sweet dreams and calm relaxation. I will end with a quote by Rumi, “Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built.”

In the meantime, don’t forget to check out my Facebook Page and follow me on Instagram @forevernij and Twitter page @allaboutme3181. Are you on Bloglovin?  Also please subscribe to my YouTube channel. Let’s support each other. Please follow me and comment below with your information so that I can follow you back.

Thank you2

———————————–   Happy Reading ———————————-

Follow my Instagram page on @forevernij

Follow my blog on Bloglovin

Follow my Facebook Page on @forevernij

Subscribe to my YouTube channel

Follow my Twitter account @allaboutme3181

Yoga Nidra – A Deep Relaxation Meditation


Hi there my beautiful lovelies! Hope you all are doing well and staying safe. Today, I will share with you the only technique that has helped me with insomnia without any medications with any side effects or expensive items. This technique is known as Yoga Nidra.

Yoga Nidra slows the wavelengths in your mind as you slowly enter a sleep-like state. The experience often begins with sensing the body and mindfully breathing to start the relaxation response in your body. This response balances both your left and right brain, plus the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, in preparation for a yogic sleep.

In addition, as your mind begins to quiet, you’ll slowly start to recognize that your thoughts are simply thoughts as they come and go. As a result, you develop a deeper awareness of yourself in this resting state. You will also learn to integrate this sense of mindfulness into your everyday life. Research on the overall benefits of yoga and yoga Nidra has revealed improvements in emotional self-regulation—with reduced levels of depression, stress, and anxiety—and an increase in mood, quality of life, and well-being.

Hope this helps you relax your mind and help you enter a sleep-like state full of sweet dreams and calm relaxation. I will end with a quote by Rumi, “Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built.”

In the meantime, don’t forget to check out my Facebook Page and follow me on Instagram @forevernij and Twitter page @allaboutme3181. Are you on Bloglovin? Also please subscribe to my YouTube channel. Let’s support each other. Please follow me and comment below with your information so that I can follow you back.

Thank you2

———————————–   Happy Reading ———————————-

Follow my Instagram page on @forevernij

Follow my blog on Bloglovin

Follow my Facebook Page on @forevernij

Subscribe to my YouTube channel

Follow my Twitter account @allaboutme3181

Simple Steps To Help Cope With Stress and Stressful Feelings : Soothing Meditative Music


Hi, there my lovelies! Hope you are doing well and staying safe. Today I will share with you simple steps that will help with coping with stress and stressful feelings with soothing and meditative music. This simple 6 minutes of guided meditation will help you cope with stress and stressful feelings with soothing and meditative music.

As mentioned before, I use guided meditation not only to relax and stay grounded, but also to be able to focus and relax while living with ADHD. I have used this stress relief for days I am really busy and don’t have much time. Living with ADD/ADHD itself can be quite stressful and exhausting sometimes. Hence, this short guided meditations not only keep me sane but also mindful and compassionate towards myself.

My dear lovelies! What how do you relax and unwind after stressful days? What works for you and what does not. Please comment below to share your thoughts and feedback.

Don’t forget to check out my Facebook Page and follow me on Instagram @forevernij. Are you on Bloglovin? Also please subscribe to my YouTube channel. Let’s support each other. Please follow me and comment below with your information so that I can follow you back.

Thank you2

———————————–   Happy Reading ———————————-

Follow my Instagram page on @forevernij

Follow my blog on Bloglovin

Follow my Facebook Page on @forevernij

Subscribe to my YouTube channel

Follow my Twitter account @allaboutme3181

3 Minutes Guided Meditation With Soothing Music: Breathing To Find Calm and Relaxation


Hi there my beautiful lovelies! Hope you guys are doing well and staying safe. When was a last time when you actually took the time and breathe? We are always so busy with little or no time in our hands, we forget to take deep breaths to bring us to the present. I have compiled a three-minute guided meditation with soothing music, where we will be using breathing to find calm and Relaxation.  I will post some more short guided meditation tips in the future.

As mentioned before, I use guided meditation not only to relax and stay grounded, but also to be able to focus and relax while living with ADHD. I have used this stress relief for days I am really busy and don’t have much time. Living with ADD/ADHD itself can be quite stressful and exhausting sometimes. Hence, this short guided meditations not only keep me sane but also mindful and compassionate towards myself.

My dear lovelies! What how do you relax and unwind after stressful days? What works for you and what does not. Please comment below to share your thoughts and feedback.

Don’t forget to check out my Facebook Page and follow me on Instagram @forevernij. Are you on Bloglovin? Also please subscribe to my YouTube channel. Let’s support each other. Please follow me and comment below with your information so that I can follow you back.

Thank you2

———————————–   Happy Reading ———————————-

Follow my Instagram page on @forevernij

Follow my blog on Bloglovin

Follow my Facebook Page on @forevernij

Subscribe to my YouTube channel

Follow my Twitter account @allaboutme3181

 

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction


buddha-in-the-moment

Stress…what do we mean when to talk about stress?How do we describe stress. It’s our body’s fight or flight response. National Institution of Mental Health (NIMH) defines stress as the following:

“Stress can be defined as the brain’s response to any demand. Many things can trigger this response, including change. Changes can be positive or negative, as well as real or perceived. They may be recurring, short-term, or long-term and may include things like commuting to and from school or work every day, traveling for a yearly vacation, or moving to another home. Changes can be mild and relatively harmless, such as winning a race, watching a scary movie, or riding a rollercoaster. Some changes are major, such as marriage or divorce, serious illness, or a car accident. Other changes are extreme, such as exposure to violence, and can lead to traumatic stress reactions.”

Nevertheless, our exposure to stress might be it can have a big toll on our health, hence my today’s blog. I, like many of us have dealt with stress to the point that I always had palpitation, high heart rate (higher than my usual benign high heart rate), insomnia, and anxiety. However, all that changed when I decided to take the 8 week Mindful Based Stress Reduction class Dr. Gina L Sager. She is a retired board-certified general surgeon, named one of Baltimore’s Top Docs in October 2000. Gina taught us to be aware of the present and be in the moment. I am currently in the 7th week of the class and I have so much difference in the class. You can talk her class in Town for $500 or simply her CDs 10% of the proceed of which will go to HopeWell Cancer Support.  I use her Yoga Nidra, a deed relaxing guided meditation CD every night help me fall asleep along with Melatonin. I have to say that has been a lifesaver for me. I also use her guided Sitting meditation CD during my one hour subway commute to work everyday that help feel focused and ready to take on the day with all my attention even with my ADD personality.

 20141103_083407

During one my long morning commute to work, a lady tapped my shoulder while I was on my meditation mode, and gave a local Washington Post Express newspaper pointing to a particular newspaper article, and saying “this is you”. What was interesting was that she observed it right. The lady in far left was like me. This is what I do everyday. So I am not alone. The article provided the following mindful commuting tips: 1) Focus on your surroundings: Focus you attention from when you will get to you destination to what you notice via your senses, like the sounds, the feel of you feet touching the ground, or places of your body that feel tense. 2) Focus on your breath: If you’re not riding a bike or driving take five slow, deep breaths, then return to normal breathing but try to notice each breath and the space between breaths. 3) Refuse your thoughts: you red lights or stops on a train or bus as a reminder notice whether you’re lost in though. Then refocus on your breathing or your senses.

There are some great free apps with guided meditation. The one that I love that most is Calm. It’s free in both Google Play and Itunes. This app can help you meditate, sleep, relax, focus and much more.  Don’t let stress take over your health and life. Let’s start by focusing on the moment and being aware of the present. However, in on order to conquer stress to we have to be aware of our feeling.

Next time I will focus on how pleasant and unpleasant feeling of stress. Until next time, I leave you with the following quotes from Jerry Spinelli,

“Live Yesterday.
Not Yesterday.
Not tomorrow.
Just today. 
Inhabit your moments.
Don’t rent them out to tomorrow.”