My Yoga Journey: Confidence

It's interesting to see how far I've come with my yoga training. I have about two more months left and I'm starting to feel more confident each week. When I started, I had about zero. I'm not going to lie, I often doubted myself and sometimes thought about giving up.... 

I let the anxiety of failure get the best of me most days and that's an awful way to spend your time. The last few weeks, we have spent a large majority of our classes getting up in front of everyone and teaching a sequence. When we finish, we critique each other. We are all super supportive of each other and even when we have a not so great critique, we make it great. We help each other out and that's is the key to confidence. I'm getting less and less shy about getting up I front of everyone. It's becoming kind of natural and I know deep down that I was meant to help people. That right there gives me even more confidence. It's interesting to see where everyone is going with their training. Some are more interesting in fast and energetic, like power yoga. Some are into the flow of vinyasa. I've landed on a mixture, I think. I love gentle yoga. I want to get people to clear their minds and feel at peace. Working through the pose to free the mind. I also want people to feel good in their body. So, I just signed up for a weekend workshop of yoga teacher training for the elderly. I can't wait for it! Anyway, confidence is a hard thing to get a hold of if you doubt yourself. It's not a good way to live. If you have a passion for something, that right there should help build confidence. If you love it, go for it! 

M

My Yoga Journey: Yoga and your relationship

It's no secret that my husband and I are best friends. We love hanging out together. We haven't always had the option of being together everyday since he is active duty in the military. However, that has changed since we've moved and he has a better schedule and rank! So it's no surprise that he has shown interest in yoga since I've begun my teacher training. He has practiced with me and given me feedback. He decided to take a hot yoga class with me this week and it will now become our routine. He loved it so much and his experience was just like my first yoga experience....that didn't surprise me though. My guy is sensitive and in tune with a lot of things, which is why we work so well. To have someone not only support your journey, but to also join in is a feeling I can't even explain. Just tonight he mentioned the possibility of becoming a yoga instructor after the military. This could be just a thought that never comes to life, or maybe it will. It's up to him, but how amazing would that be?! I know he would be a kick ass instructor. This is a really hard journey and it's nice to have someone supporting and helping you succeed. 

Essential Oil Spotlight: Peppermint

Peppermint essential oil ( Mentha piperita) is a well known oil. Most are familiar with its aroma which is fresh, minty, and cooling. It is very popular around the Yuletide season, making appearances in teas, hot chocolates, and candies. It is a common oil that people use daily and don't even realize it! Your toothpaste probably has some sort of peppermint oil depending on the brand you use. If you use a non natural paste, it's likely to be a synthetic form of peppermint. If you use natural paste, you will probably see Mentha piperita in the ingredients. It isn't used just for its minty goodness in paste though, it also used in it for its antibacterial, anti microbial, antiseptic, and antiviral therapeutic values ( plus a wide variety of other therapeutic actions). (ACHS, 2013). 

Besides toothpaste, what is this oil used for? Like other oils, a lot! My favorite use is for headaches, fatigue, and migraines. I like to add a  drop or two to a carrier oil like sweet almond and use the blend on my temples when I have a headache, migraine, or even if I just feel a bit fatigued. 

I also add this oil in my homemade chest rub for cold season. It blends well with other essential oils that have menthol in them, helping to break away congestion and giving a relaxing aroma at the same time! Always remember that peppermint, like all oils, is strong and a little goes a very long way. 

 

Peppermint blends well with many oils, making it a great addition to a variety of products. I love adding it to my Free Spirit room spray blend, which has citrus, lavender and peppermint......it is an amazing combination and really helps to uplift the spirit. 

This oil is also the star ingredient in my Bees Knees Lipbalm, which will soon be back up in my shop!  So keep an eye out! 

www.etsy.com/shop/solsticenight 

www.facebook.com/solsticenight1

Solsticenight1@gmail.com.  (Feel free to email me any questions)

****Essential oils are very powerful and there are cautions when using essential oils. All essential oils should always be diluted when using because it can irritate skin, especially if you are prone to have sensitive skin ( avoid if you have sensitive skin). Peppermint oil is not recommended to be used if you are pregnant (1st trimester) or breastfeeding, or in children under two. Do not use if you have medical conditions such as heart disease or epilepsy. Keep away from eyes ( that cooling effect will not feel nice in the eyes!). Always do a skin patch test before using oils .*****

****** this post is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose, cure, or treat any condition. If you have a medical condition, please speak to a medical professional before using aromatherapy.*****

Reference

Peterson, D. (2013).  Essential Oil Monographs. ACHS. Portland,OR. 

Photo from Pinterest via tumbler. Com

Positive vibes

You often hear the saying "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade", But what if those lemons are hard and dry with no more juice to be squeezed? Can you toss them back at life? Silly thought perhaps, but today is a day of reflection. Someone I care for deeply is in need of some major positive vibes. I like to think the people who follow this blog and my Facebook page are spiritually open and understand what it means to send good vibes. Sometimes the only hope we have is clinging to that good energy that people sent to us in times of need. Often times things happen for reasons that we can't understand and honestly probably never well. We go through moments of sadness and anger, denial and so forth. In reality, those things don't do anything for us but harbor negativity. It is then that we realize that being positive helps in one way or another. It may not cure an illness, but it can help a person feel that they are loved and that their life means something. In my hour of reflection, I envisioned this person as how I have always seen them. Sending so much love and light that I needed sunglasses for shade. We may not always understand why the universe does what it does, but we can't understand why love and light and positive vibes are important. Actually, there are a couple people I do this for often. However, today I am focusing on this one person. He needs it a little more today. 

(Photo from Pinterest)

Essential Oil Spotlight

Immortelle essential (Helichrysum angustifolium) 

A simple question on Facebook sparked interest on essential oils for scars. It is a good question! When one thinks about aromatherapy, they mostly think of candles and lavender room spray. What most don't realize is that aromatherapy is so much more than just smelling lovely essential oils. It is about healing both emotionally and sometimes physically. There are many essential oils out there that can help do just that!  I learned about immortelle in school and found it fascinating. Just the name alone makes it seem some what mystical. The oil comes from the vibrantly yellow flowers of the helichrysum. They are actually very beautiful yet simple flowers that look like bursts of sunshine. A very happy flower is how I see them!  The essential has many uses including skin healing. It is a great essential oil to have in your holistic first aid kit because it has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory,anti hematoma, & cicatrizant...just to name a few! It is an oil that is great for disinfecting wounds, bringing relief to bruising, helping to calm inflammation, healing scars by tissue regeneration, and even great for minor burns. And easy way to use this oil is to add a couple drops to a base oil or even aloe vera gel. Aloe Vera would be my choice base because it is also healing to the skin and very soothing, making this an amazing healer! 

I am happy to create special blends for people at reasonable prices. Contact me for more info at:

solsticenight1@gmail.com

www.facbook.com/solsticenight1

www.etsy.com/shop/solsticenight

(Remember, essential oils are powerful and not everybody should use them. Because this essential oil maybe anticoagulant, those who are on anticoagulant medications should avoid.)

******This post is for educational purposes only.It is not meant to diagnose,cure, or treat any condition. If you have a medical condition, please speak to a professional before using aromatherapy.******

Chamomile

My grandmother, Marie, loved chamomile. I remember if I did not feel well she would make me a cup of chamomile tea. If you were sick, crampy, nauseous, sad or couldn't sleep, chamomile tea was the answer.  It is a lovely herb. It smells of honey and apples and I enjoy growing it. They produce friendly little flowers that dance in the wind. Once you harvest the flowers all you have to do is wait a week and a whole new harvest will be produced. My chamomile is done producing for the year and I look forward to making an infused oil with it so that I can make some salves with it. 

 Yesterday I found myself at the natural food co-op staring away at the wall of bulk herbs. It is one of the happiest places for me to be. I could stand there and browse the herbs all day long and to be honest, I already have most of them at home. Anyhow, I saw a jar of chamomile and opened it to take in that lovely aroma. It reminded me of my Grammy. Oddly enough, last night I did not feel so well and brewed up some chamomile tea. I felt better about an hour later. I am glad that Grammy taught me to use chamomile. It was probably what directed me to the lifestyle I live today. It was the foundation for my love of herbs and essential oils. Grammy used natural medicine before it was popular to do so. I miss her often and when I do, all I have to do is open a jar of my chamomile and there she is. I even named the chamomile in my garden after her.

*feel free to message me to learn more about chamomile. I use the essential oil in some of my aromatherapy products. It has many therapeutic benefits.*

In the photo below left to right : calendula, chamomile, and sage. 

Memories By The Sea

I keep searching for it, but it does not exist where I am. I can't help but search for it though.  That salty sea air. No, you won't find that here on Lake Ontario. The lake is somewhat of a tease if you ask me. If you are from a place near an ocean you would understand. I sit here looking out at the water. It looks and sounds like the ocean, but it is not. It is missing that crisp salty scent. It is a body of water though, so I find solace in it. All of my best memories are by a body of water. Childhood, teenage years, even my wedding. These memories whirl around in my mind like the waves splashing into the shore. One of my favorite childhood memories is going to Salem, Massachusetts with my grandfather. I think that might be one of my favorite places. We would spend time by the water and there was a little shop that sold these popcorn sticks. They had many flavors but I always picked the same. Pink! I'm not sure what flavor it was supposed to be, but it was sweet and had a very subtle spiciness to it. It was a rectangular sticky goodness and I still remember the taste and smell.  I just loved going there and spending time with my grandfather. If dig deep I can here his laugh. Oh how I loved that man. 

   Another memory is of my years living on Martha's Vineyard. My favorite place to be was in an apartment above an antique shop, spending time with my second mum. Her home was filled with magic and I loved every second that I spent there. Many days spent helping out in her antique shop or sitting upstairs in the sunroom, looking out at the water, and always in the company of a Manx cat or pup. I felt so safe there and comforted in her company. I remember one year we prepared for Halloween and we made witch hats. We decorated them with flowers and tulle. They were so beautiful. My dog ate mine though. I miss being able to see her everyday now that I haved moved, and moved, and moved....you know, gypsy girl. It is funny though because when I feel a bit homesick I listen to a little Stevie Nicks, watch Bell, Book, and Candle or Practical Magic and I feel alright. So many great memories stored in my mind and most of them near the water. They also include some pretty wonderful people.There is nothing like being by the ocean. I love a good storm by the sea. I get so excited watching the water when it is angry. It is soothing to me for some reason. Maybe because it is so beautiful, yet so full of mystery and even danger and I have a deep respect for the ocean for those reasons. It is powerful. There is also tranquility in the song of the ocean. It is repetitive and mesmerizing. The lake offers the same type of song. It may not be the ocean but it is a quite similar. Though it is not the ocean I can't help but feel lucky. I get to sit here on my driftwood bench and listen to the waves. What a wonderful life.