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Accessing Your Inner Wisdom
When I created this course, I wanted to share everything I possibly could! All the tips that I have gathered over the past decade plus of coaching. I came up with a 7-week LIVE online course to teach individuals how to consciously create abundant health, wealth and happiness in your everyday lives. The Being In Balance Course. This is what we all want. To live in perfect health while accumulating wealth and experiencing happiness. How to get this? By accessing your inner wisdom. Yes. It’s true. Education is important. Training is important. And experience expands your knowledge. But that inner wisdom that you were born with? That’s the source of your happiness. The other stuff helps. The new car. The big house. The family, friends and neighbors. The promotion, etc. These are all important. And can certainly bring you a sense of wholeness. But by being in touch with ‘who’ you are and ‘how’ you tick is essential to being able to experience health, wealth and happiness. Here it is. Your mindset exercise! In order to truly know who you are, you need to be aware of your feelings. Without allowing them to take control of your behavior. You also need to know what’s going on in your body. And, perhaps top of the list, you need to be aware of your thought process. They all go hand in hand. When one area of yourself is off balance, it often sends the rest of yourself to go lopsided! MEDITATION OF SELF AWARENESS Take 3 long breaths in and out Focusing on your ribcage Watching it expand and deflate BODY CHECK IN Starting at the crown of your head Notice how you physically feel Are there any cramps? Aches? Pains? If so, notice this and bring your focus to the area. Consciously relax the area around the physical discomfort. Continue shifting your attention down your body, noticing any areas that need attention. When you reach your feet, take a cleansing breath in and out. MIND CHECK IN Bring your awareness to your forehead. Notice the activity in your mind. What thoughts are passing by? How many? How often? What is their value? From being very important to being yesterday’s news? Bring your breath to this area. As if you are breathing all of the thoughts out of your headspace. Clearing the thoughts. Bringing a sense of stillness into your mind. EMOTION CHECK IN Bring your awareness to your solar plexus just below your ribcage. You may want to place your hand here. Notice any emotions that may arise. Are you feeling angry? Sad? Frustrated? Do you sense happiness? Peace or joy? As you bring your breath to your upper abdomen, imagine a bright light like the sun radiating there. Shedding light on any upset. Allowing a sense of calm to take place. ACCESSING YOUR INNER WISDOM After taking a few cleansing breaths in and out, move your attention to your heart chakra. This is located in the center of your chest. Notice any physical sensations. Is there a tightness? A shortness of breath? Now pay attention to any emotional sensations. Sadness may reflect a wounded heart. Joy may be felt like an openness. Stay here. As you breathe in and out imagine your heart softening. Ask yourself what it is you truly want. You may be surprised at what comes up. Then inquire what it is you would need to get that. Imagine you already have it. You have just accessed your Inner Source of Wisdom through a meditation technique I have created for my clients. When we take the time to:
We are able to come from a place of authenticity. In this place you will be able to make wise decisions that not only serve you but everyone around you. There is so much more to discover! Here is what you’ll learn in the Being in Balance Course: www.BeingInBalanceAcademy.com/Course Module 1: Intention Matters: Embodying Daily Intentions for Yourself to Live More Clearly Module 2: Destress for Success: Nurturing the Soul and Finding Peace Within to Express Total Balance Module 3: Law of Attraction: Accumulating Wealth and Creating Abundance Naturally Module 4: Be in Your Body: Increasing your Energy Reserve and Optimism Through Nutrition, Exercise and Yoga Module 5: The Balancing Act: Juggling One Ball at a Time to Achieve Work-Life Balance Module 6: Meditate & Create: Activating Goals to the Next Level Module 7: Integrate It All: Bringing Balance Back Into Your Life We’ll meet from October 6th – November 17th at 1:00 PM. For 90 minutes. The bulk of the teaching will be in the first 45 minutes followed by 45 minutes of live coaching and Q&A. There is a membership only course site that you will have exclusive access to. There you will find introduction videos and supporting materials for each module. Every session will be recorded so you’ll never miss a thing! And you will be part of a conscious community all with the same goal. In this 7-week LIVE online course you will discover how to prioritize your well-being, and bring balance back into your everyday life, creating a sense of inner peace & outer joy. By the end of the course you’ll experience:
https://www.beinginbalanceacademy.com/course www.AlanaCahoon.com
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please leave your comments above ... I’ll never forget the first time I saw Krishna Das. He was performing at Kripalu, a yoga training and wellness retreat center. The concert was held in their main hall originally designed for Jesuit priests in training. Imagine vaulted ceilings and a stage adorned with Buddhist statues. I sat in a crowd of several hundred, curious about this man I had heard of and whose music I had been introduced to. Kirtan chanting was a style of music I was barely familiar with. My husband occasionally listens to it as he practices his morning yoga sequences, and friends have shared it with me in the past. At the concert, I was truly inducted. Sheets of lyrics or mantras were distributed. They were written in Sanskrit, and at the time I had absolutely no idea what they translated to in English. It is said that knowing the literal meaning of a mantra is unnecessary. For anyone who has listened to Deepak Chopra's meditations, you may be familiar with this concept. It is the feeling or sacred meaning of the mantra one is chanting that is important. Kirtan is a call and response style of singing that originated in India and became popular around the 12th century. A lead singer introduces a chant or mantra. Participants then repeat this back mimicking the same rhythmic and melodic intonations. Usually there is musical accompaniment. Chanting is a rhythmical repetition of a prayer, mantra, syllable or sound. It has been around since millennia as a form of spiritual practice. The words and sounds used in a chant are suffused with powerful spiritual vibrations. Mantras & chanting are forms of meditation that have been linked to many benefits for your body, mind, soul. Benefits of Mantras & Chanting
HOW TO Here are a few popular chants you can try out. Simply bring yourself into a meditative state by taking 3 long deep breaths in and out, relaxing your body and mind with each exhalation. Then, say the mantra out loud or to yourself, and repeat it. Allow your mind to let go of any expectations. The key is to relax. COMMUNITY Om is the the sound the Universe. When chanted, you align and connect with all that is; God, earth, humanity, everything. As you chant on the sound of Om allow it to vibrate throughout your body. The rhythmic pronunciation and vibrations have a calming effect on the nervous system typical in all styles of meditation. COMPASSION Om, Mani, Padme, Hum When chanted out loud or silently to oneself, this mantra invokes benevolent attention and compassion. It is deeply transformative. You can practice this while seated in meditation or sung throughout your day. HAPPINESS Hari Om This mantra is known to help purify the body and soul, removing obstacles on your path. Benefits include a boost in confidence, concentrated effort on desired goals, and a feeling of happiness. FREEDOM FROM FEAR & SUFFERING Om Tare Tuttare Tare Swaha is the mantra of Green Tara, Mother of the Buddhas. Her compassion takes the wind out of pain and suffering. Repeating this mantra will bring you into a peaceful state of mind allowing you to witness suffering as something outside of yourself that can be released. This can be chanted for the benefit of not only yourself, but for the well being of others. Essentially, chanting is a highly charged, focused and repetitive form of prayer. It is an invocation to access the deepest place of love within yourself. If you are curious and would like to experience live chanting, please join me on September 17th in my first live performance of Kirtan Chanting! Fringe Festival Live Concert Across the Universe: Music for Yoga & Meditation Featuring Alana Cahoon, John Covach & Chris Meeker Saturday, September 17 7:30 - 8:30 PM Hatch Recital Hall Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY Tickets https://rochesterfringe.com/tickets-and-shows/page/10 Enjoy an evening of music that has played a role in the yoga and meditation movements in the US since the 1960s, featuring selections by John Lennon, George Harrison, Krishna Das and others in an all-acoustic performance by Alana Cahoon, Chris Meeker, and John Covach in Eastman’s beautiful and resonant Hatch Hall as part of the Rochester Fringe Festival. Audience singing will be encouraged and a portion from the sale of each ticket will be donated to Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased from the Rochester Fringe Festival site beginning July 11, 2022 Alana Cahoon is the founder of Grow 2 B U and Being in Balance Academy. Her coaching programs support your overall wellness in a natural holistic approach. www.alanacahoon.com
please leave your comments above ... There's power in ritual. And it’s a great way to start the day. Consider what’s involved in your morning routine: brushing your teeth, showering, eating breakfast. If you have children, you may be getting them ready, as well. Why do you do this? To prepare yourself for the day - but not just any day - a good day that will flow more easily because, well, because you’re ready! Imagine stating your desired goal for the day, and including this in your morning routine. It may be as simple as saying out loud or to your self ‘Today is going to be a great day!’ Or it may be a more focused intention such as ‘Today I will complete the financial review I began last week.’ Sometimes, an emotional intention can carry its affects in all areas of your life. ‘Today I will smile at everyone who comes my way.’ You might be surprised how easily it will be to communicate with that difficult family member, irate driver, or challenging coworker while wearing a smile on your face. Include a daily intention and see what happens to your day.  How your practice helps when you get covid abroad
I didn’t intend to get covid when I started my journey 3 weeks ago. Especially not during the first few days. But that’s what happened. On the 4th day, symptoms began. They moved from my stomach to my head to my chest and back again, lingering here and there. I wasn’t going anywhere for awhile, and was stuck with my circumstances. This is how I used my meditation practice to get through it. Week 1: Gratitude, Hope & Determination I considered my good fortune. I had medicine. A clean bed. A safe environment. My husband was with me so I was not alone. I had someone to care for and watch over me. And I was determined. Perhaps stubborn. I was not going to let this take me down. My intention was set. Mindset firm. I brought my yoga mat with me, and used it to stretch my body and mind. “I can get through this.” I sat in meditation. I fell asleep listening to the dharma. I talked with my deceased parents. I recited mantras. Week 2: Time to Heal We headed out of the urban center of Lisbon, and settled into a quaint villa in a small coastal village. Here I was able to:
My practice helped me to center myself, to bring mindfulness to the external reality that surrounded me. Although brain fog was present, I could still use all my senses. Week 3: Change of Plans Visiting our friends in another European country went by the wayside. Instead, we searched for a nearby rental. In a day, we found one not knowing what to expect. The Gods & Goddesses were certainly looking down upon us. We were greeted with a spacious apartment with a breathtaking view of the ocean. The seacoast was lined with miles of dramatic beaches with soft sand, surf waves, and red rock mountains. People were kind and happy, speaking a variety of languages that sounded like music. Coming Home We couldn’t come home until I stopped testing positive, which could last for weeks. I finally tested negative the day the US lifted the ban to enter the country without proof. Oh the irony. On a positive note - using humor and my practice here - If not for that, we would have missed our great fortune to experience an expanse of beauty in lands I never even heard of. The Algarve of Portugal. To your health & happiness, Alana PS. The timeframes above are approximate and do not reflect actual stay in each area PSS. Photos can be found on my FB & Instagram pages  Ask a simple question, and you may expect a simple answer. But when I asked my Facebook community, “What does Love Mean to You?” the answers that rolled in spanned from a single word to a commentary. It was a beautiful revelation of the meaning of love, and how it relates to each of us differently. I imagine this may depend on our life stories, past and present relationships, how we were raised. ... please leave your comments above There’s a beautiful meditation that opens your heart to the essence of love. You can try it now, if you’d like. Love Meditation Begin by focusing on your heart chakra located in the center of your chest. This is the seat of compassion and loving kindness. Take several deep breaths into this space, imagining a glowing light or star within. This begins the process of warming up the love within you! Now think of a person, place, or thing that makes you smile. Something that truly warms your heart, and makes you happy. Continue breathing into your heart chakra, now with the image of your inspiration, and allow the energy of love to expand throughout your being. Let it bring a smile to your face. Think about how it makes you feel and come up with a word, words, or phrase to describe it. When you’re ready, open your eyes, trusting that regardless of any given situation, you can always access this peaceful feeling. You can even use the description that came to you to bring it forth. Typically when I engage in this exercise, an image of my adorable dog appears with his big brown eyes smiling at me with such love and playfulness. I can’t help but smile and feel loved. For me, the meaning of love is being connected. Knowing when your loved one is hungry, and making the time to feed them. And having this sense of knowing reciprocated. When I’m tired or feeling down, my dog knows. He jumps up next to me and snuggles. He licks my face and stays by my side. What Does Love Mean to You? This is what my beautiful friends had to say. Holly Delgaudio It is everything Andy Willoughby Hard to explain how it feels when my children and my grandchildren hug me Josie Estill It means feeling completely safe with and cherished by my husband. And also feeling compassion and caring towards others …. This covers SO much …. Janine Muehleisen LOVE is an opening of hearts to the Universe and everyone and everything in it, regardless of whether it is good or bad, because it can bring more love and light into existence for all of us to share in and benefit from. To close our hearts for any reason diminishes our capacity to change the world for better. If we can raise the energy of even the darkest of people or situations just by being the light and the love that we are meant to be, we become our greatest of purposes for existing upon the Earth. If we close ourselves off to those things that make us cringe, we are denying our blessing to the world, and selfishly protecting ourselves by ignoring what we don’t care to face and stepping back from the harder task of raising up the beings and situations most in need of uplifting and healing. Love and Light bearers are here to heal the world, not to ignore what we find distasteful. We are warriors for the salvation of All. Let US be LOVE!!!!!!!! Nancy Houck It’s funny you asked….. I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. One aspect of love that I recognize that keep the days rolling by is commitment. For feelings to stick I need commitment to someone and from someone. Linda Fulleda Wow, what a question. It’s a feeling of warmth security and confidence that I’d like to give to my close people and to have it reciprocated. The knowledge that there is nothing that can’t be said or shared, appreciation of each other and of the beauty around us, to not take any of it for granted. It’s almost a warm and energetic, internal feeling that you hope radiates outwardly to the people you care about and maybe radiates so much so that others pick it up, and it spreads. Lori Ventura Gordon You don’t say love, you feel love Brad Haynes Care Chris Cook Never having to say you’re sorry? (I never understood that, did you?) Charla Kucko Unconditional, hopeful, compassionate, genuine, eternal Andrea LiquidArt Caring and loyalty Dave Kaspersin speciallady.net Candy Bernhard Love is like your best fitting jeans Timothy Morris Listening Kathy Jackson Love means genuinely caring for someone else’s well being.. Wanting the best for them… Without an expectation.. Timothy Corbett It means I’ll always have a reason to smile and never feel alone Sherri Longyear Staying connected Lisa Calabresi Never ending forgiveness. Lifetime endurance and trying to understand and learn. Always giving your best, even when falling short, everyday is new. Velvet Spicer Trust, above all else Paul J Green Caring deeply Ask yourself what love means to you, and bring it into every aspect of your life. This article was published in the March 2022 issue of RochesterWomanOnline. Join my email list by sending a note to alana@alanacahoon.com   At the beginning of every new year, I set intentions. What helps me to better define these is to reflect on all that I accomplished, failed, healed, and let go of in the prior year.
I shared this questionnaire several years ago. Let it guide you on your way to a powerful and joyous 2022! ... please leave your comments above Answer the questions quickly and honestly. What first comes to mind is often the best. Useful tips are shared to help you move along. As you reflect on the past year, you’ll gain wisdom to guide you in the new year. Are you ready? Here goes! The Year in Review
2. What was your greatest achievement? This may have been a goal that was on your list. It may have to do with your career, your family and friends, or yourself. You may have run your first 5K race, graduated from school, made it to the team, or signed on a new client. Or, you may have finally taken those braces off, or gotten engaged, or watched your child walk across a stage. 3. What was your most difficult challenge? Whether at work, at home or school something stands out. What was this challenge and how did you manage it? How did it effect your life? 4. Who was the most influential person in your life this year? How did they inspire you? 5. What was the most fun experience you had? Remember the day and time, whom you were with, where you were, what you were doing, and even what you were wearing! 6. What skill did you develop? Whether old or new. This could be drawing, skiing, singing, beading, hiking, baking, speaking, driving, writing. 7. What wisdom did you gain? Often in our pursuit of goals, we attain insights along the way. You may have learned a shorter route to the same goal. Or you may have found that the true goal was in the pursuit! Obstacles offer us insights into our very own nature. How we respond to them speaks loudly. It is much easier to notice the difficulties surrounding a situation. Self reflection is where the core lesson is held. 8. If you had a chance to do it over again, what would you have done differently? This is the opportunity we all wish we could have! Allow a few circumstances to arise. It may have been an exchange with a coworker or family member. Or it could have been a financial investment. Or a pitch to a prospective client. Or a new haircut! 9. What was your favorite season and why? Everyone knows their favorite season, don’t they? Does it stay consistent? Has yours changed? What makes your favorite season so wonderful? Imagine you are in that season now and breathe it in. Feel the sensation it offers. Excitement, relaxation, freedom, joy. 10. What was your favorite look or style? Did you have a new wardrobe? A new color palate? Did you try something new? Did you find yourself pulling out an old fav from the bottom of your drawer? What about the texture? What did you like about it? How did it make you feel? How did it make you look? The New Year Ahead 11. What are you excited about? You may have a fully packed calendar or a wide open one. What gets you excited about it? Is it the summer camp or winter visit? Will you see someone you haven’t seen in a long time? Or will you be getting that new car you’ve been saving up for? 12. What are your top 5 goals? These may change. Pick what comes first to mind. Place them in order of priority. And send them a blessing that they will all manifest in perfect accordance. 13. What skill will you either learn or strengthen? This could be the same one as last year or something entirely new. You may pull out a dusty guitar, a fishing pole, a sewing kit, a camera, a foreign language, a deck of cards or a bowling ball. 14. Who would you like to meet? You may know the person’s identity or simply the personality traits of the kind of person you’d like to know. Where might you meet them? 15. What character flaw would you like to change about your self? I know you are absolutely perfect exactly as you are, so you may need to really think about this one. It may refer to an inclination to judge or to offer your opinion overzealously. It may be self criticism or an excessive sugar craving. 16. What healthy habit would you like to start? I love this one! How about trying a yoga class? Or meditation? Or a course in mindfulness? Walking, exercising, eating organic. These are all great ideas to consider, and I can help you! 17. What would you like to avoid? This may be an unhealthy habit like eating potato chips from a bag while sitting on the sofa watching TV. Sound familiar? Or a toxic environment where you don’t feel comfortable. Or a person who does not treat you with respect. 18. What are you grateful for this moment? 19. How will you let your light shine? You are as bright as can be. This year, allow your self to shine even brighter. Surround yourself with positive people in a supportive environment. 20. What pledge will you make to your self? You are only responsible for yourself. Although you may feel like you’re responsible for others you are only responsible to them. How will you take care of yourself? What promise will you make to support, love & cherish your body, mind & spirit? HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! How to Heal Naturally please leave your comments above ~ It may be from an injury, an illness, or from an unknown source, but living with chronic pain can sometimes feel like … hell on earth. I was in a car accident at the age of 16. I was skipping school on the Friday before spring vacation. Bad idea! It was a beautiful spring day, and a group of friends decided to go to the beach. Lucy and I were sitting on the trunk of a friend’s car when the driver got in and started the engine. I thought this would be a good time to get off the car but just as I began to slide off, she began to drive forward. Now if I had some background in physics or engineering I’d probably be able to describe what had happened in a more scientific way. Essentially, I did not land on my feet but on my head. I recall a brief moment of consciousness in the front seat of the car with my head bleeding on my other friend’s lap. The next thing I knew, I was in the hospital, on a metal table with strange doctors speaking in a foreign language standing over me. A week had passed before I gained consciousness. It was Easter Sunday. And people were there bringing me chocolate. Only I had no appetite. I spent the next six months regaining my ability to walk and talk and study. And then as a typical teenager, I forgot all about the situation. I dedicated myself to studies and preparing to go to college.The past was in the past. But today I live in chronic pain, and have lived this way since the age of 26. I’ll never forget the moment when my back locked on me! That’s when I discovered through an MRI that I had slipped discs in my back and neck. In fact, I was told that I had lost the natural curvature in my neck. I have spent much of my life learning techniques to prevent, heal, and manage this source wound. If you are like me, and suffer from chronic pain, you may want to try out these techniques. Healing Naturally May you be inspired, find relief, and live a life of joy! #1 Education Gaining knowledge provides you with confidence and guidelines to work with. Whatever your pain is, look it up! Search under reputable sources like Mayo Clinic or WebMD. Your research may even lead you toward a new career path, as it did with me! #2 Source Wound My story illustrates how I discovered that the source of my pain was from an accident that happened many years prior. Knowing this leads you toward not only healing the pain, but the initial trauma. #3 Compassion You must be kind to yourself! I suggest you do this in every area of your life. Pain can sometimes prevent you from doing the things that bring you joy, and awaken the inner critic. Resist the urge, and instead lean into it. Bring natural healing with loving kindness. #4 Relaxation Breathe deeply. Relax. Be in the present moment. Meditate. This is a natural remedy for any kind of pain! The following meditation incorporates natural healing energy. Your very own! Meditation As you close your eyes, and bring your awareness to your breath, following it as you breathe in, and as you breathe out, focus on where the pain is. If it is in your lower back, for example, bring your full attention to that area. Imagine the air that you are breathing going to that area, filling it with fresh clean air, healing it with your exhale. Imagine the air becoming healing energy. If you believe in a higher power, ask that its healing energy join yours. Imagine it moving into the area of pain, doing all the work. You simply relax and guide the energy. #5 Yoga Stretch. Breathe. Flow. Strengthen. Stretch. Meditate. Yoga is both a physical exercise and a mental practice. Both bring you into the present moment, and fully into your body! Most asanas will be perfect for your spinal health, but with any physical injury or pain, modifications may be necessary. Ask your teacher. And if so inspired, train to teach yourself! #6 Chiropractic This was the first modality that managed my back and neck injury. It has many positive aspects worth exploring. #7 Physical Therapy This is a practice I highly regard. Some PTs actually incorporate a little bit of chiropractic techniques in their work. But it’s far less aggressive. And you almost always walk away with homework as in physical exercises to strengthen and lengthen your body. You’ll also be given tips to avoid future incidents. # 8 Massage Therapy I have to admit this is my favorite! I come out feeling not only better physically but mentally relaxed and spiritually rejuvenated. Look for a massage therapist that is right for you. You may prefer a lighter touch or a more firm massage style. I’ve been seeing Adrian now for a year and look forward to it every month! #9 Nutrition While your diet may not be the source of your pain, it may impact it. Learn to limit foods that increase inflammation like dairy. Stay at a healthy weight. Excess weight may add excess pressure. Take a look at any prescriptions you may be taking, and read their side effects. You might actually discover a direct link to persistent pain. # 10 Natural Health While all of the tips above may fall under this category, I’m giving it its own heading because my source wound was the motivation for me to become a Certified Natural Health Professional. Underneath this umbrella, I continued to quench my thirst for knowledge with studies and training in meditation, yoga, nutrition, reiki, energy healing, mindfulness, and exercise. I hope that you, too are inspired! Let your pain be your teacher. Learn to heal naturally. Alana Cahoon is the Amazon #1 Best Selling Author of Mindfulness, Mantras & Meditations: 55 Inspirational practices to Soothe the Body, Mind & Soul. www.AlanaCahoon.com.
 Creating a sacred space is as simple as placing a single flower in a vase. Then setting it on your desk, table, windowsill, or anywhere you will see it often. The idea is to create an ambience that supports your well-being. For some of you that may mean a full on altar where you can meditate. For others it may look more like wallhangings representing your passion whether it be baseball or origami. The result is the same. When gazing upon or entering into your sacred space, you instantly feel a sense of inner peace and belonging. Work environment Many of you are now working out of your homes. If you're lucky, you had already established a home office complete with desk, computer, and printer in a designated room. Some of you may have had to become more creative, carving out a corner of the laundry room, the kitchen, or dining room. Each of these spaces offer you endless possibilities! Preparation You'll be using all of your senses so take a big deep breath in and out. Ground yourself. Breathe into your heart chakra. That’s right in the center of your chest. And set your intention to create your own personal sacred space. Part 1 Begin by looking around at every wall, floor, ceiling. Notice the lighting fixtures, the window dressings. Sit down at your desk. Is it organized or cluttered? Listen to the background sounds. You may find that your overhead fan makes an unbearable whirring sound. You may be able to hear what’s going on in the rest of the house. Is it quiet? Loud? Breathe in and smell. That’s right. How does your office space smell? Is it sweet and fragrant? Or musty? Is it fresh and clean? Or stale and dusty? Keep going! We’re almost there. Feel the chair you're sitting on. Is it comfortable? Hard, soft or somewhere in between? How does the temperature feel? Does it feel cold or just right? Part 2 Which area of the room do you spend most of your time in? If it’s at your desk, you’ll focus on that area. If it’s in a winged chair by the window, focus there. Let’s take your desk for example. Going back to whether it’s cluttered or organized. An organized desk is like a blank canvas or even a clear mind. It is the perfect setting to begin your day with focus. How to organize Filing system. This can be done in your file cabinet, desk drawer or desk file organizer. Label all of your folders or place stickie notes on the top page of any project and paperclip them together. These options create a uniformed look. Place your pens and accessories in a drawer or holder vs having them scattered about. Keep your electronic equipment/devices available in order of their usage. ie. Desktop computer and monitor belong where else but on the top of your physical desk! I’ve been using laptops for the past decade. I like to move around, and they provide me with the flexibility of doing so. So, my laptop is placed … on the top of my desk or in the middle drawer of my desk. It is my first go-to. Make your first go-to readily accessible. If you have multiple devices like an iPad or iPhone (you can see I’m a big Apple fan!), keep those devices that are least used tucked away, ideally in a desk drawer where they can be easily accessible. Most people can’t be parted with their mobile phones, so yours is usually on you. Word of caution - you may want to keep your phone off of your person ie, don’t carry it in your pocket. Although small, the electrical currents carried do not serve your body. Back to your workspace Sit in your chair and ask yourself what could make you feel happier in this spot. What would brighten your area up? What would inspire you to do your most creative and effective work? Then let the ideas flow! Here are a few ideas to get you started. Fresh flowers - they not only bring color and life into a room, but often fragrance. Quotes - these may be from a spiritual deity or leader offering blessings. Or they might be from your favorite business leader offering you encouragement on your path. Photo - of loved family members whom may very well be why you’re working! Of friends whose presence reminds you to celebrate at the end of the day or week. Of nature - peaceful scenes to relax your mind and body. Of your passion like a ballerina posing an arabesque or a football player making a touchdown. Incense - appeals to your sense of smell. It also has spiritual associations and helps to restore relaxation. Crystals - each have their own magnetic healing properties. Learn about them and find one or more that bring you the benefits you seek. For instance amethyst may act as a natural tranquilizer, relieving stress and balancing your mood. It is known to activate spiritual awareness and intuition. Citrine is aligned with your third chakra located in your solar plexus also known as your power center. The crystal may be used to strengthen self esteem and empower any project you may be working on. How to activate them? Take several deep breaths in and out. Allow your eyes to relax while maintaining focus on your crystal, and set your intention. “I now bring positive energy around my project, my day, my self!” Have fun and place a candle next to your incense and crystals. Allocate an area of your desk for just these items. Place your flowers, photos, and quotes in another area. Your computer in the center. You’ve just created a sacred work space! Alana Cahoon is the Amazon #1 Best Selling Author of Mindfulness, Mantras & Meditations: 55 Inspirational practices to Soothe the Body, Mind & Soul. www.AlanaCahoon.com.
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Imagine floating on the surface of a placid, crystal-clear pond. Or diving deeply into an aqua-marine pool. One is calming to the nerves, while the other is exhilarating; both enticing the senses to a place of pleasure, perhaps even health and wellness. Have you ever wondered what it is about water that is good for you? Certainly the benefits of drinking water makes sense. It purifies your internal organs and hydrates your entire body. But floating on water or swimming within its depths, what exactly does it provide other than pleasure? I was meditating recently - imagine that - when the imagery of snakes appeared. At first I was frightened. What could they possibly mean? Knowing that whenever imagery appears in a meditation, it is a symbolic message, I began to search for answers. Unfortunately symbols often take time to decipher, whether it is moments, hours, days, weeks or even months. It wasn't until I shared my experience with a spiritual advisor that I learned its profound meaning. Water Nagas. According to the knowledge base found at Wikipedia, “The Naga are divine, splendid, and proud semi-divine deities that can assume their physical form either as human, partial human-serpent or the whole serpent.” In this case, they were the whole serpent. About eight of them. “Their domain is an enchanted realm filled with gems, gold and other earthly treasures called Naga-loka. They are often associated with bodies of water, including rivers, lakes, seas, and wells, and are guardians of treasure. They are known to have guarded wise beings of Asian descent.” Super cool! Love it when symbols are this sacred. You can take the meaning of the nagas to a variety of places, I suppose. But I’ve learned it is wise to find the positive angle, in this case - guarding me and my treasures! Which could very well be the health & wellness of my … mind, body & spirit. Lesson learned: When meditating near a body of water, honor the water nagas. Ask for any messages that may benefit your well-being. Then be receptive. Another way to unveil the healing secrets of water is to look at the beginning of our time here on earth, our conception. As we grew into our own physical nature, our fetus was nurtured in the womb of water. These waters were loaded with nutrients & love! Is it any wonder then, that swimming and floating on water is pleasurable. Elements of hydration that increase one's healing include the minerals found in natural springs. These can be found all over the world! Here are a listing of just a few: Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas This was my first introduction to natural hot springs! Surrounded by cascading waterfalls and greenery. The springs are a testament to waking the senses and healing the muscles. Joshua Tree National Park, California This has been on my map of places to go for sometime now. If you've been there, hit me up. I'd love to hear all about it! Pagosa Springs, Colorado Located within a half hour of Tara Mandala, Tibetan Buddhist Retreat Center. This is a luxurious ending to a long meditation program! Each natural pool has its unique listing of healing minerals and elements as well as its level of heat, sometimes exceeding 100° Blue Lagoon, Iceland Imagine visions of ethereal icy blue waters with clouds of steam gently rising above. These geothermal waters begin1.2 miles below surface. Saratoga Springs, New York There are 21 public mineral springs scattered about the area. But wait. These springs are for drinking since they are all carbonated. IDK. A little bubbly in your bath might be good! There are many other health benefits of water. The acronym ‘SPA’ is an abbreviation for the term "solus par aqua" which means health or healing through water. I used to love lingering in the steam room. It is an excellent practice to open the pores of your skin and release toxins. It can also be used to lose weight, most likely … water-weight! Personally I enjoy walking along the shoreline barefoot, feeling the coolness of the water, crushing the seashells beneath my feet; and listening to the call of the seagulls, and the rhythmic patterns of the waves rolling in and out. Another mythical creature of the water is none other than the nymph. In his poem, The Water-Nymph, Alexander Pushkin describes the sad life of a lone friar, digging his own grave, so lonely that death is appealing to him. He is awakened by the lifting of a fog and the appearance of this magical water creature. In the romantic language of poetry, we watch this man come back to life, curious and enchanted by the naked beauty of the water nymph with long flowing hair and playful ways. The ending? Well, you’ll have to read the poem. Alana Cahoon is the author of Amazon Bestseller, Mindfulness, Mantras & Meditation. She coaches individuals to grow their businesses, expand their minds & heal their souls. www.AlanaCahoon.com. Read the article on page 316 of the July 2021 issue of RochesterWomanOnline
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Dubai was a beautiful land nestled along the rim of the Persian Gulf lined with sand & palm trees. Although there was a strict dress code to be adhered to when I lived there, many long & flowing silk-skirted women were seen walking to and from the souks. I was not one of them. Having just moved there from NYC as a singer/songwriter/actress, wearing modest clothing was not my strong suit. That hidden reserve from Catholic School days was brought back into my wardrobe. I did, however acquire a beautiful silk sari & choli top, the traditional clothing of India. The only time I’ve had the opportunity to wear it was at a halloween party! Similar to the Indian sari is the Arabic costume of the belly dancer. The bedia is a fitted top and belt both decorated in beads or sequins with a flowing skirt or harem pants. The fabric is often made of mesh or sheer material in every color of the rainbow. Belly Dance (Oriental Dance or Raqs Sharqi) or is an appreciated art form that visitors can admire at the many 5 star hotels and restaurants in Dubai. But wait! You don’t have to travel across the continent to experience the exotic beauty of not only the flowing garments but of the classic moves of the dance, and of course, the bellydancer herself. You can find it right here whether that’s Upstate NY or Upstate Nevada. Meet MARY MONROE, Queen Goddess of Belly Dance You may know Mary as the Multi-talented musician, strumming her harp or singing sweet vocals with her partner and band on stage. Or you may have studied any of the following instruments with her: harp, guitar, piano, ukulele, voice, violin. Or you just may have learned how to bellydance from her. Mary admits that bellydancing is a new form of art for her but one that the Universe has clearly guided her to lead. “During the pandemic I began to study bellydance online. I immersed myself in it. I loved the way it made me feel.” Once the world began to open up, Mary added a combination of salsa and bellydance to her musical stage performances with Nate & Mary’s World Music Quartet. Opportunities to teach began to show up effortlessly. “People in the audience would light up! Women were inspired to dance themselves. Three women approached me and asked if I would teach them.” That’s how it began. But her love for dance started much earlier in life. Mary’s first passion in life was not music but dance. She started ballet at the age of seven with the dream of becoming a ballerina some day. Eventually she shifted her focus to modern dance, then ballroom and latin dance, salsa being her favorite. “There are a few myths about bellydance. One is that it is a sexual dance. This myth needs to be debunked.” Admittedly it appears sexual with strong and deliberate movements of the hips and torso. But sensual is a more accurate description. “It is a kind of dance that tells a story between the drummer and the dancer. Often, you improv according to the rhythm.” “It’s such a spiritual form of dance. It’s freeing, not restrictive as compared to ballet.” She sometimes feels like she’s having an out of body experience, similar to a runner’s high or the effect one has during trance dance. “It made me feel much better about my body.” Like many of us, Mary has faced eating issues. Bellydance has improved her health and wellness and overall body image. “It makes me feel beautiful! Even having extra weight is desirable. I used to think my arms were big. Now I love them and show them off.” Mary especially appreciates her hips, and knows how to move them! “This dance form is moving to the audience, not just the beauty of the movement but joy in the dancer’s expression.” Mary admits that she’s not a master belly dancer. “Several people tried to put me down. Told me I was a musician not a dancer.” She just let it go and followed her bliss. She wasn’t going to let that stop her from bringing joy to others. “The joy is what’s most important. People feel it. Its’ contagious. That’s how you connect to others. When you’re aligned with the energy of joy.” I started dancing with Mary this summer. Magically a dance troupe was formed! You can enjoy the mystique and beauty of performances online and throughout NY. “Now we have a dance troupe! The Glowing Goddesses. We have gigs statewide and are now dancing with Buddahood.” On a final note: “You’re doing it because you like it. It makes you happy. Not to get approval or attention. When you’re doing it for the pure joy of it, I think that’s when it opens up.” Thanks Mary. See you soon ~ Mary Monroe & The Glowing Goddesses Upcoming performances Aug 21 G Lodge. Hannibal, NY w/Buddhahood Aug 22 Keertana Music Video Online Release Party Sept 3 Estival Festival. Caneadea, NY w/Buddhahood Oct 16 75 Stutson Street Venue. Rochester, NY w/Nate and Mary's World Music Quartet & Special guest Bakithi Kumalo and friends (bassist for Paul Simon) Nate & Mary’s World Music Quartet performs statewide combining the sounds of World, Ambient, Pop, and Americana. More familiar names in the music scene join her with Nate Coffee on guitar, Tommy Gravino on flute and Steve Imburgia on percussion. Alana Cahoon is the Amazon #1 Best Selling Author of Mindfulness, Mantras & Meditations: 55 Inspirational practices to Soothe the Body, Mind & Soul. www.AlanaCahoon.com. Read the article on page _ of the August 2021 issue of RochesterWomanOnline |
AuthorAlana writes her monthly column 'Mind, Body, Spirt' for RochesterWomanOnline focusing on the balance of all 3 in a creative manner, filled with inspiration. Archives
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