Kundalini Yoga Foot Massage Reflexology

Refresh. Relax. Reflexology. Foot Massage ala Kundalini Yoga

The object is to stimulate every nerve ending in the soles of your feet. There are 72,000 of them. The pressure of the fingers on the feet during the massage relaxes the whole body, as each place on the foot corresponds to a different area of the body .

Wash your feet, preferably with cold water to awaken the nerves. Get comfortable. Rub some oil or cream between your palms and begin the massage process. A 15 minute massage on each foot offers a good 30 minute meditation.

1st foot: 
Begin with the toes. The massage technique is to twist and pull each “section” (between the knuckles) of every toe.

Start at the base of the big toe; grasp it with the thumb and forefinger and, using a twisting motion, massage in between the big toe and the next toe. Without changing the position of the fingers as pressure is applied, pull upward.
Next, move up to the middle section of the big toe, massage/twist several times and pull up.
Keep the movement, up to the uppermost section of the big toe.

Next, continue on to the next toe. Repeat the massage motion over each section of toe.

After massaging the toes, next is to massage the rest of the foot. Try to touch the entire surface.
Use your thumbs, fingers, even your knuckles in a slow and powerful circular motion.

Start under the big toe and work your away across the foot until you reach the base of the little toe.
Then move down and massage your way across to the other side.
Go left and right, right and left, from one side of the foot to the other, slowly moving downward  to the heel.
Finish with a massage of the ankles on either side of the Achilles tendon, then briefly squeeze and release that tendon at least once.

Once you have completed the first foot, be sure to spend the same amount of time on the second foot. Otherwise you will be unbalanced.

Add Ons
Hold all the toes in your hand and flex them forward and back.

Massage up and down an imaginary line running from the middle of the heel to directly underneath the middle toe. This is a “life-line” and includes your kidneys.

Knead the feet, as a baker kneads bread dough.

To finish each foot, pat the sole briskly with the palm of your hand.
Then using both hands, starting at the heel, gently draw your fingers up both sides of the foot (top and sole) as if pulling out any remaining tension.

End by pulling up and away from the top of the toes, and then shake your hands out to release all the tension you pulled from your feet.

Creating Self Love, Kundalini Yoga Kriya

The First Posture of the
Kundalini Yoga Kriya: Creating Self Love
Taught by Yogi Bhajan on April 4, 1994.

Love Your Body Day 2013
Wednesday, Oct. 16

NOW Foundation has organized Love Your Body campaign. The Love Your Body campaign challenges the message that a woman's value is best measured through her willingness and ability to embody current beauty standards. 

As a long-time yoga teacher, I have met women from around the world who always fret about body and beauty issues: losing weight, looking attractive, getting a flat belly, getting a prized yoga butt, and even getting taller or shorter!

When I was younger, I too, tried to destroy my body through starvation and other extreme means. I would look in the mirror and find every flaw. Big nose. Fat lips. No matter how much I exercised, I always had a potbelly. I despised myself.

 As I got older, I knew that I could see my self differently. I went on a journey to change my perception about myself.

The first thing that my teacher, Yogi Bhajan told me is to feel and experience self love.  What does that mean? Self love is not always easy. It might be considered selfish. But, self love is not selfish…it is the most selfless and caring idea we can have about ourselves. We love ourself, we open our hearts for others.

How Do You Love Your Body if You Don’t Have Self Love?

The power and beauty of all women is indescribable and honorable.
It transcends body and image.
Your body does not make you a woman.
Your fashion and your beauty don’t make you a woman.
The one thing that will make you a woman is your self-love of being a woman.
You honor and bless your self.

Yogi Bhajan, said, “Love doesn’t rule you. What rules you is fear, phenomenal fear. If you cannot bless yourself, then nobody can bless you.”

My contribution to #loveyourbody day is a posture from part one of a kundalini yoga set that Yogi Bhajan gave his teachers so that love can be invoked and fear can be reduced.

 For more information about the Now Foundation Love Your Body campaign, please visit this website: http://loveyourbody.nowfoundation.org/index.html +National Organization for Women (NOW).

 #kundaliniyoga #kundaliniyogameditation

A Yogic Beautiful Skin Secret

Living in an Indian community, I learned many health and beauty secrets just by using herbs and spices. One of the most powerful spice is turmeric. Turmeric is a bright yellow spice used in eastern dishes. It's what gives Indian food that beautiful golden color.

But what many women don't know is that combining turmeric with yogurt, milk or olive oil, they can make an inexpensive, effective face mask.

Here's a nice little recipe that you can use routinely for glowing beautiful skin.

Beware, turmeric powder can stain fair skin and clothes. When preparing the powder, try to keep it contained with no spillage. If you are fair, like me, your skin will initially look sallow after you remove the mask. But, trust me, the stain will fade away after a few hours.

My Recipe for Glowing Skin:

• 1 to 2 teaspoons turmeric powder
• For oily skin: 1/4 cup plain yogurt, few drops of lemon juice
• For dry skin: 2 tablespoons olive oil, almond oil or coconut oil, maybe more
• Some drops of honey

Preparation:

Mix the turmeric in a small glass bowl. Should I mention again, turmeric stains:

According to your skin type use either yogurt or oil:

• If you have oily skin: Add lemon juice and stir. Slowly mix in the yogurt until a creamy paste is formed. Use more or less yogurt to your liking.
• If you have dry skin: Add the oil slowly and stir until a paste is formed. Add more for more creaminess.

Apply mask to face and neck.

Leave the mask on for 15-20 minutes. Relax. Let the muscles in your face relax.

After the time is up, use a wet warm gentle washcloth that you don't mind staining, gently rinse off the mask. I use baby washcloths and towels for my face.

Splash your face with cold water to give it an extra glow.

Glowing skin requires proper care, cleaning, and feeding. Feed your face. Clean your face. Be kind to your face.
SMILE.

Egyptian women have been using yogurt for years to keep their faces beautiful and supple. Many of my friends are now adding turmeric to their nightly yogurt masks.

Have a beautiful day.

Himalaya Herbal Products In Cairo

Himalaya Herbals have made it to Cairo. When I was in Dubai a few months ago, I was excited to find Himalaya in the supermarkets there. It didn't take but a few months before I found a small selection in Spinneys at the Mall of Arabia in 6th of October.

Himalaya Neem Face Wash and Neem Soap.

Why do I love these products? I started using Himalaya several years ago in India. The natural ingredients are perfect for keeping your skin clean and clear in harsh environments. For Cairo, this is a perfect product to keep your face clean without drying it out.

Part 3: Inhale Deeply, In This Air? Living in Pollution.

Part 3 Yoga and Meditation To Survive in the Pollution of Cairo

As I mentioned before, the main route for air pollutants is through the nose, mouth and throat. The nose is very efficient at trapping and holding some inhaled pollutants.

I have many yogic strategies that I used daily to maintain some sense of healthy eye, nose and throat health in our polluted city.

Here Are Simple Yoga and Meditations For A Pollution Pound of Cure:

Yogas and Exercises for Healthy Eyes

Rotate your eye balls, slowly, clockwise and anti-clockwise.
Don't move your head or neck.

Try to do these exercises first thing in the morning and in the evening to create a habit.

Sit straight and take a long breath. Rotate your eye balls, slowly, clockwise and anti­ clockwise 10-­15 times each direction. Repeat a few times. Without moving your head: look up, look to the right, look down, look to the left. Repeat.

Relax, Meditate to Calm Your Immune System  

Exposure to air pollution revs up your immune system to a point of being out of balance. It may be possible to relieve allergy symptoms and calm the immune system through deep relaxation.


Spend 10­-15 minutes for meditation. Early morning is best. You can sit comfortably on the floor or in a chair. Close your eyes and allow your mind to relax.

Part 2: Inhale Deeply, In This Air? Living in Pollution.

Part 2 Simple Home Remedies To Survive in the Pollution of Cairo

Morning after Tahrir Square conflicts,
the tear  gas permeates
downtown streets.

Just when we think the Cairo black cloud couldn't get any worse, it does. I live next to downtown and since the Revolution, we have a new element to add to the pollution mix: tear gas.

As I mentioned before, the main route for air pollutants is through the nose, mouth and throat. The nose is very efficient at trapping and holding some inhaled pollutants. I have many yogic strategies that I use daily to maintain some sense of healthy eye, nose and throat health in our polluted city.

Here Are Simple Home Remedies For A Pollution Pound of Cure. All ingredients are available everywhere throughout Cairo.

THROAT AND LUNGS

Irritating dry cough:
Depending on the intensity of your cough and lung problems, you can try some of these remedies. 

Ginger, Garlic Tea (Zanjabeel, Tome)
Ginger and garlic tea not only soothes the throat, it also loosen the mucus membrane, and clears chest congestion.

To Prepare: Take a chunk of fresh ginger root and cut into small slices. Add the juice of garlic cloves and small amount of lemon juice into boiling water. Boil it for about 15 to ­20 minutes. Strain the liquid and keep it aside. Add a little amount of honey. The lemon juice loosens the cough and soothes the breath.

Aniseed (Yansoon)
Anise tea is effective for severe coughs (especially dry cough). This tea loosens mucous and melts cough accumulation in the chest. It also improves breathing system and chest congestion.

To Prepare: Grind the seeds if you have a grinder or keep them whole if you don’t. Boil some water, add the seeds or the powdered seeds, steep for 10 minutes or longer. Strain and enjoy hot or at room temperature.

Grapes ('inab)
Grape juice combined with honey is a fast relief for a dry cough. Grapes play important role in loosening cough and mucus and cleans it out. Juice fresh grapes and (if you want) add some honey.

Orange (Bortoân)
Freshly prepared orange juice is a good remedy for a severe cough. Drink it as soon as you juice it. To prevent a sour stomach, don't drink orange or citrus juice in the evening hours.

EYES

Home Remedies for Eye Care

Potato (Batatas)
Potato can keep eyes healthy. For weekly eye care, take a potato slice and put one over each eye for 10­ to 15 minutes. Potato keeps eyes stress free and lustrous.

Cucumber (Khiar)
Cucumber is the same as potato to promote eye health. Put a small round slice of cucumber over your closed eyes. Relax for 10-­15 minutes.

OVERALL, KEEP A BALANCED DIET AND LIFESTYLE

Follow a Diet High in Antioxidants

Antioxidants help the body clear oxidants away before cell injuries can occur. They also inhibit enzymes that cause cancer, and help the body repair the damage done by oxidants. There are many antioxidants including folic acid and vitamin C.


Eat plenty of green vegetables and fresh fruits. Fruits rich in Vitamin A are essential for healthy eyes and proper eye sight. Citrus fruits, along with vegetables like tomato, spinach are good for eye care, and make eyes healthy.

Foods high in vitamin E are excellent sources of antioxidants. Foods high in vitamin E include vegetable oils, nuts and green leafy vegetables.

Drink water and freshly fruit juice.
Water and fresh juices keep your body hydrated and have positive effects in keeping eyes and the entire body system healthy and glowing.


Drink green tea.
It is a natural antioxidant. Green tea is better than black tea because it is less processed and contains higher levels of antioxidants. Steeping the tea for about five minutes releases over 80 percent of the antioxidants in tea - called catechins.

Avoid caffeine, any type of oily and spicy food, sugar, chocolates, etc.
Any type of cold drink, ice cream should also be avoided.

Part 1: Inhale Deeply, In This Air? Living in Pollution.

Part 1: Daily Maintenance Routine To Survive in the Pollution of Cairo

Garbage piles up in the streets of Cairo.

I'm one of the lucky ones in Cairo that can still open my windows in the early morning hours to catch the breeze of cooler temperatures. But, it's that time of year and the smells of Cairo are harsher than ever before. The farmers are burning the rice stubble and our air quality takes an even harsher temper.

Every year, we hear that there are crack-downs on farmers burning their fields. Yet, every year, the haze in the air…and yes it looks and smells different from the typical Cairo haze…turns a murky white and becomes unbearable to breath.

The main route for air pollutants is through the nose, mouth and throat. The nose is very efficient at trapping and holding some inhaled pollutants. I have many yogic strategies that I use daily to maintain some sense of healthy eye, nose and throat health in our polluted city.

Here is my Daily Routine For A Pollution Pound of Cure:

LUNGS, THROAT

1) First thing, after waking up in the morning:
Brush your teeth and your tongue. Brush all the way back to the root of the tongue to remove toxins. Brushing to the back of the tongue will make you gag. This is good because it releases the mucus that collects in the throat at night. Yogi Bhajan called the glands at the back of the throat the "monkey glands."

The gagging reflex causes the eyes to water, and will help maintain good vision and prevent cataracts. You want to get rid of the mucus and toxins before you drink anything so the toxins don't go into the intestines and cause diseases.

2) After brushing your teeth, prepare for your Cold Shower called ishnaan or hydrotherapy. When you get into a habit, you will crave a cold shower first thing in the morning. You can turn the water to warm after several minutes to wash your hair and body.

EYES

The main route for air pollutants is through
the nose, mouth and throat. 

Itchy Eyes:
1) One best asana for eyes is to fill your mouth with cold water and hold the water in your mouth. Splash your eyes with cool or slightly warm water about 15 times. Then, spit out the water from your mouth. Repeat a few times to take away itching or stinging. Do NOT use hot water.

2) The soles of your feet are a direct link to the soul of your eyes. The life nerve runs from the tip of our big toe to our optical nerve.

Make the clean connection: wash your feet. After a long day, I always wash my feet with warm and then cold water before I go to bed. This five minute routine not only help my eyes, it calms me for a relaxing sleep and washes off all the pollution picked up from Cairo streets. Once you're in bed, rub a little scented oil into your feet. You can get some very nice oils from the Nefertiti line.

3) Always keep your eyes clean, but do not rub your eyes directly with your hands to prevent other pollutants to enter. Use a tissue. Say no to smoking, as this too causes severe eye ­related disease.

NOSE

Gray or black boogers: 
Black/Gray Mucus happens in the city because of pollution in the air. The job of the mucus is to trap dirt or other particles and prevent them from getting into the body.

Every night before I go to bed, I clean my nose passages thoroughly. Some nights it is frightening at the amount of black stuff that comes out. Besides using tissues or a soft cloth, I use a neti pot.

The Proper Way to Use A Neti Pot

DO NOT USE TAP WATER in your Neti. Tap water contains trace amounts of bacteria and protozoa, which is usually not a problem when you drink the water because your stomach acid does its job. But, when you are washing those organisms into your nasal passages, very bad outcomes can result.

Brass neti pot hand-made from artisan in Khan Khalili

Use only distilled or sterile water, which you can buy in pharmacies here in Egypt.  The label will state “distilled” or “sterile.” If you need to use tap water, then bring it to a rolling boil for 5 minutes, cool it until it is lukewarm.

Use regular salt or specific neti pot salt only. Do not use iodized salt since it can cause irritation. Store the salt in a sealed container to prevent contamination.

Always make sure your neti pot is disinfected before using. Clean it thoroughly after each use with soap and hot water, and store it upright in a well-ventilated area, such as the bathroom counter. It must have a chance to dry out completely before the next use.


Don't share your neti pot with others to avoid passing germs.

Brass neti pot hand-made from artisan in Khan Khalili

Watermelon Season in Egypt: Spring Melon Cleanse

Melons stacked along the streets of Cairo.

Melons are in season now here in Egypt. Spring. Renewal. Cleanse. If you love melon, then you will love this melon cleanse that Yogi Bhajan gave to us. Cantaloupe, watermelon, and papaya can be found at any of our fruit vendors or at Carrefour.

Melon Cleanse

PHASE 1 – Cleansing Your System

Days 1-3 Eat Cantaloupe (cleans the kidneys)
Days 4-6 Eat Watermelon (cleans the liver)
Days 7-9 Eat Papaya (cleans the colon)

(the following 3 “water” days should be scheduled when your activities are few)

Day 10 Water with lemon (may be sweetened)
Day 11 Water only
Day 12 Water with lemon (may be sweetened)

PHASE 2 – Burn Fat

Days 13-15 Eat Papaya (cleans the colon)
Days 16-18 Eat Watermelon (cleans the liver)
Days 19-21 Eat Cantaloupe (cleans the kidneys)

Things To Avoid
1. Do not take multi-vitamins or other foods or drinks with vitamins. Phase 2 works because the body goes searching for the missing nutrients you are not eating, by seeking them in stored fat.

2. Avoid activities which require peak performance of your body or mind. It is best to adopt a calm and peaceful lifestyle during this time. You will not be able to perform at your best on physical or mental tasks, so plan accordingly.

3. Avoid Dehydration – drink lots and lots of water because your body will use that water to
rinse your system.

4. No Other Melons – only eat the melons listed here because they have medicinal qualities
needed for the detox to work.

Food Tip
Papaya is the most difficult to eat by itself. To make it more appetizing, try adding lime juice to the papaya. It also tastes better (or at least more fun) when blended with ice and lime.

Big Boxes of Baking Soda! Detox Value

Large boxes of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
now available in Cairo, Egypt.

Every now and then, I peruse the mega-markets around Cairo to see what interesting things have been imported. A few weeks ago, whilst shopping at Carrefour in Maadi, I was astonished to see a shelf dedicated to Arm and Hammer Baking Soda. Not just a few small boxes, but big big sizes too.

Sodium bicarbonate, MY DETOX FRIEND

Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is an inexpensive detoxification ingredient that is safe to use and very effective. I use baking soda for detox baths, brushing my teeth, and deodorizing the refrigerator.

DETOX POLLUTION OUT OF YOUR BODY

Now that I have ample supply with my new found Arm & Hammer baking soda, I can return to regular detox soda bathing. A detoxification bath requires soaking in the bath for 10 to 20 minutes twice a week, with at least two days between each bath.

BEFORE YOU SOAK

Dry brush your body starting with the feet and working up towards the heart with a body brush or loofah sponge to remove dead skin cells before your detoxification bath. 

AFTER YOU SOAK

Showering after a detox bath helps to complete the cleansing process. Try to take a cool or cold shower, don't use any soaps, just wipe your entire body with a washcloth to remove any residue from the skin. After you towel dry, put on clean clothes.

RECIPES FOR BAKING SODA BATHS

Baking soda softens the bath water and helps to soften and smooth the skin. It also has an alkalinizing and deodorizing effect. Essential oils can be added. Essential oils will add a lovely smell and increase the soda’s therapeutic action. A baking soda bath in tepid water can be especially refreshing in hot, sticky weather. 

Basic Baking Soda Bath

For all skin types 

Use 1/2 cup baking soda per bath. 

Basic Aromatherapy Soda Bath 

Add essential oils to baking soda to increase the bath’s therapeutic action while producing an array of delightful fragrances.

20 drops essential oil

1 cup (8 oz.) baking soda 

Place baking soda in a glass jar, and add the essential oils, drop by drop, stirring them in well. Cap the jar tightly and shake to continue mixing.  Pour the mixture into the bathwater.

If you have irritated or inflamed skin, try lavender or sandalwood essential oils.
Mix 1 cup of baking soda with 9 drops of lavender essential oil and 11 drops of sandalwood essential oil. 

Other oil options: Add 3 drops chamomile essential oil for soothing inflamed or irritated skin. Replace the lavender with peppermint oil and the sandalwood with tea tree oil for a cooling, energizing and cleansing bath.

TOOTH POWDER

Cleans and deodorizes the mouth and teeth. 

Sprinkle baking soda onto moistened toothbrush and proceed to brush.
Optional: Add 1 drop of tea tree oil to powdered toothbrush for added cleansing, or other oil for taste. Makes enough for 1 brushing.

51 MORE USES
Find more great uses at this article 51 Fantastic Uses for Baking Soda, A Care2.com favorite by Melissa Breyer Read the entire article here.

Good luck. Not sure how long Carrefour will sell this product, but hopefully it will be around for awhile.

5 Actions to Prepare for My Spring Cleanse & Detox Program

Spring officially started yesterday, March 20 at 13:15 in Egypt. It is time to shed winter jackets and leap into the lap of summer. 

At the beginning of the month, I set my intention for a week-long body-mind Spring cleanse and detox. As cold weather persists in Egypt, I decided to start my Cleanse Program next week. Hopefully the weather will warm up. In the meantime, I am preparing my body and mind to lose my winter indulgences.

Over the last several years, I’ve tried dozens of cleanse programs. I’ve found that I failed more often when I jumped into a program and didn’t take time prepare physically, and more importantly mentally. The mind can be a vicious saboteur.

Here are a few of my preparation tips that I integrate 10 to 14 days before starting any cleanse and detox program:

1: Set intention of what you expect from your detox program and integrate that intention. Not only will this set your approach, it will help you to chose the right program for you.

This Spring cleanse, I visualize radiance, lightening up, and revitalization.

During this time, I don’t just think and say I’m “going to do a cleanse.” I am making choices in my foods, actions, and words to support a week of changing up my daily routine for the benefit of my body.

Don’t try a cleansing routine because everyone else is doing it, or you think you are fat. If you take some time to consciously be aware of “why” you want to do a cleanse, then you will know if it is right for you and what program will suit you. When you have set your intention to be true to your cleanse program, then unexpected temptations to veer aren’t really tempting.

2: Explore and understand your selected detox program and arrange your food pantry to reflect the foods you need. Start using up perishable foods that don’t fit in the detox menu and get rid any foods that might derail your detox efforts before, during, and after you finish the program. Purchase non-perishable ingredients for your cleanse menu.

3: If you don’t already have a daily morning practice, start one.  For example, if you are doing 3- to 7- day detox program, plan (as in schedule) 21 days to encompass before, during and after your selected cleansing period. Determine a set time for a 15- to 30-minute daily morning meeting with your Self. No compromises. Practice yoga. Practice meditation. Read something spiritual or uplifting. Do one or all. Be compassionate of your Self during this time.

Upon awakening, sit quietly for a few minutes and tune into your breath. Become aware of your body and your surroundings.

Create your support system through your self awareness. Healing is of yourself, and you cannot heal if you perceive sickness or lack. Take this time to face any misperceptions you have of your self and see your way through your cleanse.

Tune into your body. Set your intentions. Tame the mind that will challenge you to eat everything in the grocery store.

Spring Cleaning on all levels. Clean surroundings make
tough detox days lighter and brighter.

4: Clean your house from top to bottom.
Not only will you shift the energy of your home, it’s great exercise.

If you apply posture and fitness principals as you go up and down the ladder and mop the floors, you can really feel your muscles getting a workout. Strengthen your arm muscles as you wash the doorframes and shake out the curtains. Don’t forget to stretch from time to time, especially after a bout of scrubbing.
Last weekend, I scheduled myself to clean the apartment. (Not to have my maid do the cleaning.) My husband was away, so I had the place to myself to chant, sing, talk to myself and get downright exhausted as I wiped down pollution-stained windows and doors, and mopped in every corner. It took me the whole day.
When I finished, I made a cup of tea and basked in the shine and fell asleep before 9 pm. The next day, I woke up invigorated and refreshed in a gleaming apartment. My stage is set. Clean surroundings make tough detox days lighter and brighter.

5: Get your friends and partner to support you in your detox program. If they are interested, then welcome them into your plans. Otherwise, don’t preach but ask for their support. I know that my husband won’t drink hot lemon water in the morning and doesn’t have any inclination to do a cleanse. But, I do know that he loves the fresh juices that I make, so I make sure to include him in the juicing portion of my cleanse. He eats what he wants, but doesn’t tempt or taunt me with his food choices.

Hope these tips help you for your happy Spring Cleansing!

Winter Solstice 2010: Deep into the Darkness of Winter

Reconnecting with your innermost
self can open the doors to an
entirely new and unpredictable path.

Tailoring A Personal Retreat
This winter solstice, I won't be traveling, so I intend to spend time attending to my home and creating a sacred space. I'm deep into intention to create a personal winter solstice retreat.

* Prepare my meditation space * 

* Set intention for solstice celebration

as earth makes the gentle rotation from darkness to light. *

Winter Cold Fastens its Grip : Inner Retreat

Every winter solstice I find myself meditating to a different vibration than from the year before, allowing myself to listen to the quite voice within.

Make Your Own Retreat: 
If you don't have the time for a retreat get-away that is organized outside of your home, you can still find retreat within your own home.

1) Find A Room, or a Spot Intended for Meditation
In our guest bedroom, I re-arranged the space so that I have quite spot in the corner of the room. I've placed a little rug and a meditation mat in front of a small table. I put a few candles and significant photographs on it. All of it can be easily tucked away when guests stay in the room.

2) Set a Time for You and No Excuses to Cancel
For the next few days, set an intention and a time to step away from routines, relationships, and environments. Sit with yourself for 15 minutes, or longer. Practice silence.

If you have difficulties getting away from others, then let your family and friends of your intentions. Set the stage and let everyone know what you want makes it easier to drop into stillness and examine the undercurrent of your life. Once you do, you can plug into a connection with your divine nature.

Full moon over the Red Sea at Wadi el Dome Marina, Egypt

SIGNIFICANT Winter Solstice 21 December 2010

A most providential time as moon energy will be very extraordinary

Start to bring your awareness to this very auspicious time and begin to prepare yourself for the winter solstice. As the daylight is shorter and the days are cooler, the space around us creates an environment for reflection, prayer, and quietness. In Cairo, the December solstice occurs at 01:38 AM on December 22, 2010 (11.38pm UTC, December 21, 2010). The next day, another second of daylight lingers to bring a little sliver more of sun into our waking hours.

The Full Cold Moon

We will also have a full moon that begins at 10:13 AM. This December full moon is called Full Cold Moon. Sometimes this moon is referred to as the Full Long Nights Moon and the term "Long Night" Moon is a very appropriate name because the nights are now indeed long and the Moon is above the horizon a long time.

This particular full moon makes its highest arc across the sky because it's diametrically opposite to the low Sun. The moment of the Winter Solstice at 1:38 a.m comes just over 15 hours after full moon .

Last, but certainly not least, this will also be the night of a Total Lunar Eclipse. Observers in Western Europe and western Africa will see the opening stages of the eclipse before the Moon sets.

Sometime give a talk to yourself, 'How I can be great'
Fifteen minutes, thirty minutes on how you can be great.
Make it a secret tape, and then listen to that electronic voice as a meditation;
it will work 100 times better."
~Yogi Bhajan

Pain and Peace through an Ovarian Cyst

This is for any woman that might be panicking about experiencing an ovarian cyst or trying to figure out the pain down below. Take care, but don't panic.

A few days ago, I woke up to an agonizing pain in my lower abdomen. (the day before a full moon). The pain felt like I was having menstrual cramps, but I knew it couldn't be, as I just had my period 11 days ago.
Today, the pain in my ovary area is worse, especially as I walk. With every footstep, it feels like someone is stabbing a dagger into my ovaries.

Just want the pain to stop

To ease my menstrual cramps, I typically lay a hot water bottle over my lower abdomen. I've always opted for a hot water bottle rather than a heat pad to ease cramps. I don't like the idea of having electric coils on my internal organs.
After no relief with the hot water bottle, I was desperate to make the pain stop. Rarely do I ever take drugs to alleviate pain, but I as was scheduled to teach yoga classes, I needed something. I could barely take a step without stabbing pain. We don't get Aleve or Tylenol in Egypt, but the pharmacies here are an amazing source of help. The pharmacist gave me ibuprofen. Definitely helped me.

Pain in my uterus and ovaries has happened to me before. When I lived in New Mexico, I didn't have medical insurance. But, I was able to negotiate a discount and payment plans so that I could see an Ob-Gyn doctor for an exam and sonogram. The diagnosis was a cyst. It went away after a few days.

I don't have a doctor here in Cairo, but I know more about my body than any medical practitioner. I know my body was moving through ovulation and had a formed a cyst. Intuitively, I knew I had a cyst.

Important to know that the vast majority of ovarian cysts are not cancer

There are many different types of ovarian cysts, and they are an extremely common gynecologic problem. Because of the fear of ovarian cancer, cysts cause a lot concern to women who experience them. But, it is important to know that the vast majority of ovarian cysts are not cancer.
The good news is that almost all ovarian cysts will go away by themselves without doctor's treatment. Since the vast majority of ovarian cysts are benign, the presence of an ovarian cyst should be a non-worrisome occurrence.

Here's what I did to ease this painful journey

1) Understand messages from the body
The following are a few excerpts taken from "Messages from the Body, Their Psychological Meaning" by Michael J. Lincoln, Ph.D.

Uterus Problems: "I don't dare." She feels that it is not safe for her to manifest her creativity or her generativity, and she threfore distrusts and has disgust towards undertakings. She fears rejection, abandonment and attack, along with envy, jealousy and retaliation.

Ovary Problems: "She-jection." They have a fear of and rejection of their creativity and femininity. They are systematically self-denigrating and ashamed of the feminine role and situation. "Self-undermining." They have a great desire and need to be respected that is being prevented. Their circumstances are of such a nature as to be exploitative, non-accepting, and denigrating.

2) Ease off on activity
Rather than whinging about not getting to the gym, I took some down time.
Heat eased the pain, so I went to the steam room or sauna.
At home, I took advantage of a hot bath and a cup of hot cinnamon milk tea.

3) Take focus off of pain. Direct focus to lofty thoughts
The pain becomes so intense that "P A I N" is all that I can think about. My mind travels through every notion of pain.
But, I completely believe the body is an extension of thoughts and one can not have pain without thought.
The mind dictates, the body follows. 
By shifting my focus and reflecting on the messages revealed from this experience, I was able to create a space to clear accumulated emotions, fear, and pain. When the pain struck, I remembered my breath.

4) Use yoga postures to ease pain
I tried many postures but the only one that seemed to bring peace was bow pose.

I'm holding my tailbone a bit high in this photo of bow pose
taken at an earlier date.  Rather, one should burrow
the tailbone down toward the floor

At first, the pressure from being in the posture was intense, but as I breathed in, down into my torso, my breath cleared everything. In a state of bliss, I realized that I was meditating in this posture for almost five minutes at a time.

Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) How to do it:

1) Lie on your belly with your hands alongside your torso, palms up. (You can lie on a folded blanket to pad the front of your torso and legs.) Exhale and bend your knees, bringing your heels as close as you can to your buttocks. Reach back with your hands and take hold of your ankles (but not the tops of the feet). Make sure your knees aren't wider than the width of your hips, and keep your knees hip width for the duration of the pose.

2) Inhale and strongly lift your heels away from your buttocks and, at the same time, lift your thighs away from the floor. This will have the effect of pulling your upper torso and head off the floor. Burrow the tailbone down toward the floor, and keep your back muscles soft. As you continue lifting the heels and thighs higher, press your shoulder blades firmly against your back to open your heart. Draw the tops of the shoulders away from your ears.

5) Eat and drink specific foods
I drank plenty of fresh ginger root tea and cinnamon stick tea with milk. As it is the season, I ate fresh mango and fresh banana. Both are excellent for women. According to Yogi Bhajan, mangos are a woman's medicine that works in every area.

6) Practice patience and fearlessness
I decided that I will allow at least 14 days for pain to pass. If the pain didn't lift, then I will seek a healer to help me.

Alhamdulillah, Kulla Tamem

update: after seven days of terrible pain, my body is now healing. The pain is almost gone. I plan to deeply explore the messages of manifesting my creativity and generativity without fear of rejection, abandonment and attack.

****

PLEASE READ: I am presenting MY pathway to healing. Since I do not subscribe to western medicine practice, I approach ALL of my health matters with an attitude of gratitude and self-healing using yogic principals.

Always consult your physician if pain persists. Nothing in this website or this particular post is to be construed as medical advice. The benefits attributed to the practice of these techniques presented here or the use of Kundalini Yoga will vary with individuals.

****

black feet of cairo

Maybe you are one of the lucky ones that visited Cairo on an unpolluted day. Most people think that I exaggerate when I talk about the pollution in and around this city.

The other day in yoga class, I noticed how many people have a similar quandary as me: black-sooted feet.

Pollution: It's not just for the lungs

Yoga practitioners usually practice in bare feet, so we get to pick up all the gunk from the floor. In Cairo, this means the black gunk. This has nothing to do with "cleanliness" of a yoga studio or a home.

It really takes vigilant mopping almost every day to keep floors soot free.

Just one of the reminders for us yogis to pay attention to our feet.

In many traditions, washing the feet is a symbol of purification and to be done sacredly. Whenever one enters a sacred temple in India (specifically the Golden Temple) you wash your feet before entering. Consider your home your sacred temple.

Do you wash your feet before you climb into bed?

Everything you always wanted to know about feet washing and more can be found here.

my love affair with jim

Stress Management and Body Image

Nile Golds Gym Cairo Egypt

It's been three years living in Egypt. It's been quite an adjustment to a different kind of life. Personal stress and strain took over my being and I took a very controlled attitude on eating for many months.

I lost 8 kilos and a large percentage of muscle mass. Even though I loved the numbers on the scale, I was not looking very good. I am 179 cm and weighed 59 kilos.

My body frame is built more like Percheron than an Arabian, so my weight does make a difference.

After two years of personal neglect, my triceps and biceps were sagging. My face was sagging. My state of being was sagging. I looked exactly how I felt; tired and beat up.

Mental Stress - Body Stress

My view from corner treadmill

Mental stress produces body stress, and my monkey mind had pushed its irrational discord into my body. I was becoming fanatic about my weight. I was working a full time job, taking part -time Arabic lessons, and trying to learn a new city.

Controlling my eating seemed to be the only thing that I could control! Managing to get a grip on my overall self destruction, I cried, "Enough! I surrender."

Enter the year 2009: I bowed deeply to my meditation mat and prayed for strength and extreme self care.

My feeling is that nothing is a habit until you make it a habit.

Workout area in Golds Gym is on second floor

I really don't think that anything is a habit until you make it a habit. I waited more than 250 days to keep this honest statement that I have made daily self care a habit, again. It's amazing that I would have ever quit my routine. My first challenge was to regain my consistent, daily spiritual practice and yoga routine.

Once I was strong enough in controlling my mental flow, I moved into my physical routine. Yoga on its own won't build a body to endure hectic city life

Next was to discover a good place to work out and get back into a daily routine at the gym. My love affair with the gym is not something new for me. I've was a disciplined body builder for many years.

At this point, Gold's Gym enters my life. 

Aerobic machines on second floor

It's easy to spot as you cross the river Nile as its housed in an old Nile boat now stationed on the Nile. Inside and outside, it is a beautifully packaged building.

The location in itself is incentive enough to workout! The aerobics and weight training equipment are located on the second floor and it is a beautiful overlook.

The ladies also have a private workout area in the woman's locker room. We also have a steam room, sauna, and jacuzzi. After my workout, I like to sit in the cafe lounge on the main floor and gaze over the Nile.

View from ground floor coffee shop

Thanks to the fantastic personal trainers at Golds, I've gained my muscle mass back but haven't put on the fat. I am feeling fit and fine.

Meditation to Change the Ego

Posture: Sit in Easy Pose, with a light jalandhar bandh. (Read how to apply this body lock after YB comments below.)

Eye Position: Fix the eyes on the knuckles of the thumbs. Narrow the eyelids.

Mudra: Keep the spine straight and the chest slightly lifted. Relax the arms down at the sides. Raise the hands in front of the center of the chest at the level of the heart. The palms face toward each other. Curl the fingers into a loose fist. Keep the thumbs extended and point them upwards. Bring the hands toward each other until the top segment of the thumbs touch along the side of the thumbs. The rest of the hands stay separated.

Breath Pattern:

Bring your concentration to the breath. Create a steady breath rhythm with the following ratio and pathway:

INHALE through the nose slowly. The length is about 8 seconds.
HOLD in the breath for about 8 seconds.
RELEASE the breath through the nose in 8 equal strokes.
HOLD the breath OUT for 8 seconds.

Once this pattern is set, you can gradually increase the time from 8 seconds to as long as you like. If you increase the time, keep the time equal in each section of the pranayam.

Time: Begin this practice gradually. Start with 3 minutes. Increase the time to 31 minutes by adding 3-5 minutes per week of practice.

To end: At the end of a session, inhale deeply, stretch the hands over the head, and open and close the fists several times. Relax the breath.

Comments from Yogi Bhajan:
This meditation has many effects. It can be used to combat tension and hypertension. It also creates a deep concentration and a detachment that allows you to observe your attachments. Once you identify your attachments, you can let them go by dis-identifying with them, or by giving the object of attachment to the Infinite, the Cosmos, or God.

Sometimes you will hear strong inner sounds such as drums, bells, whistles, etc. Part of this can be due to pressure adjustments in the skull and eardrums. if the sounds develop in deep meditation, it is a normal adjustment of the neurons in the cortex. This phenomenon will pass quickly and should not distract you from the primary focus and process of the meditation.

(This meditation was originally taught by Yogi Bhajan in July 1979)

JALANDHAR BANDH

Jalandhar Bandh (neck lock) is a basic lock applied during most pranayam (breath control) and meditation practice.

To apply the neck lock:
* Sit comfortably with a straight spine.
* Lift your chest and sternum upward.
* Stretch the back of your neck gently straight by pulling the chin in toward the back of the neck.
* Keep your head level and centered without tilting forward or to either side.
* Keep the muscles of your face, neck, and throat as relaxed as you can.

yogic self care and menstruation

To the men reading here: my last few posts have focused on the woman body. Please stay tuned...or just read on there's good stuff here...


A friend once added up all the hours of instructions given by Yogi Bhajan for a woman to follow in order to be happy, healthy, and holy. She joked that unless the hours in our day would suddenly increase, it would take two days just to complete one cycle of everything he suggested: yoga sets, meditations, exercise, self care, and care for others.

Such a blessing that we were given diverse "how to" guides for navigating life, especially for navigating our ever changing bodies. This last week, I've been reading a lot about yogic self care and menstruation. Here is an excellent habit to start:

From Yogi Bhajan's teachings: Following menstruation, it is very cleansing and enjoyable to take a yogurt bath. Yogurt baths relax the entire nervous system, clean the body of impurities, and leave the skin soft and radiant.

Preparation for Your Yogurt Bath

First get the yogurt to room temperature in a non-glass container. (the yogurt should be plain, completely natural with no additives. If you can make your own, the better.)

Your bathroom should be a comfortable temperature because you'll be laying naked for awhile. Take a large bath towel and place it into a clean, dry tub.

Nestle yourself comfortably in the tub, massage the yogurt completely into the skin, and include everywhere! Don't forget your ears, underarms, toes, scalp, and all in between bits. (perfect time for a yogurt douche)

After a period of time, the yogurt will change in texture and odor. Here's where I veered off the suggested course. The smell was way too unpleasant for me, so I rinsed after 15 minutes. Yogi Bhajan suggested that we take an hour for this bath. He said that we can put scented oil into our nostrils to curb the smell.

Rinse

Rinse your body and scalp well under a lukewarm shower. Shampooing the hair is optional, although a film of yogurt will be left following the rinse if you do not shampoo. End with a cold rinse. Dry your skin briskly with a towel. Put a little oil over your face, thighs and perineum. Other parts of the body can be oiled as well. (preferably almond oil, but in Egypt olive oil is the most available.)

Nap After

He said that it is ESSENTIAL that a one hour nap follow a yogurt bath and that upon rising, a glass of milk is taken. I didn't get a full hour nap, nor did I drink milk. I did have about 1/2 hour nap. When I got up, I felt fantastic. Everything felt in complete balance. And, my skin felt amazing...seriously AMAZING!

Yogurt baths can be taken often, but it is essential that one be taken following menstruation. For sure, this is one suggestion that I know I can fit into my routine.

** If your body is not in your control, your mind is not in your control, and your spirit is not in your control, how are you going to face the challenge of time and space? -- Yogi Bhajan **

natural cycles

Bow Pose is a gentle way to ease menstrual cramps.

Nabhi Kriya practice is on hold for a few days as I move through the natural cycle of my body.

Yoga Postures to Avoid During Menstruation

Yoga is a great way to alleviate menstrual cramps and mood swings, but the postures should be more relaxing and not straining. During menstruation, a woman should avoid the following postures:

1. any exercises that strain the lower back such as leg lifts
2. strong navel point exercises (like nabhi kriya)
3. mul bhand
4. breath of fire
5. inversion exercises (shoulder stand, plow pose)

Yoga Postures to Practice During Menstruation

To keep my navel point in balance, I have been practicing bow pose and cobra pose with long deep breathing. Rock pose is an excellent posture to sit in during meditation. It really relaxes my cramps.

Daily Movement through Menstruation

Avoid Heavy Lifting: Every month, I realize how much lifting that I do daily. During the days of flow, a woman should avoid any heavy physical demands and recognize that she is a female, she is delicate, she is beautiful, and she is menstruating.

This doesn't mean drop out, or become helpless. Rather, my approach to these few days is to move slower and more deliberate. I avoid lifting anything that would require me to use both hands. I'm a weightlifter-bodybuilder, so I'm very strong. But during these days, my partner loves that I call on him to move something for me. He loves that he is needed and his brawn is appreciated.

More postures that are supportive of menstrual cycle.

Menstruation is a beautiful female experience. As women, we experience menstruation universally, trans-culturally, and for the greater part of our lives on this planet. When we take care of our selves, and flow in the rhythm of our bodies, this cycle doesn't have to be painful, or uncomfortable. It is a time to remember our refinement and grace. It is not a sign of weakness, nor debilitating.

Embrace Yourself and Be Kind. Menstruation is not a Curse.

From my own experience, several years ago I embraced my monthly cycle. I used to experience debilitating cramps, vomiting, and overall depression. After I embraced it all and accepted it rather than dread it, everything moved into balance. I still experience cramps and mood swings in various degrees, but because of my attitude, they are not as severe.

How Nabhi Kriya Helped Ease My Monthly Cycle

This last month of strong navel point yoga has brought me to the most balanced cycle that I've ever experienced; no cramps and almost no disruption to my emotional balance. Without expectations, I've discovered another wonderful reward in my 40-day journey of nabhi kriya. As my period only lasts for under three days, I will resume the nabhi kriya tomorrow.

**I follow these practices as taught by Yogi Bhajan

yoga yoga everywhere, but no experience will speak

For the last several months, I've surfed all sorts of yoga sites and blogs. It's interesting that almost no one writes about their individual experiences practicing yoga. Most duplicate information that was written by spiritual masters, or writing about how they are an incredible a teacher, or how they are conscious or "enlightened."


Commitment to Daily Yoga Practice:
It is now Day 16 of practicing nabhi kriya. (Follow this link for Postures in Kriya)

Today, I successfully completed full times given for each posture. (up to now, I was doing half time). I could move through each posture with integrity, and maintain perfect form. The second exercise did challenge me again for the last 2 minutes. I just slowed down so that I wouldn't tense up on the posture. (no clenching jaw or shoulders.)

I've practiced countless kundalini yoga kriyas over the years (for 40 days and more). I've practiced meditations, several for mastery. (every day for 1000 days, and more). Yet, I've always avoided practicing nabhi kriya. The few times that I've started it, I found that I couldn't control my emotions and I was spit-fire angry at everyone.

What are my Experiences now?
Below are seven observations that I have made over the last week. After I reviewed my observations, I realized that seven is the number of perfection, security, safety and rest.

1) From Annoyed to Amused: After the five days of complete physical release, I moved into a "slightly off" space. Emotionally, I have gotten annoyed at environments, but not angry. My annoyance passed quickly, and I had to laugh at myself. A few times, my monkey mind went out of control but I found my center just by pausing and using these techniques. (see yesterday's post)

2) Neutral Mind: Overall, I'm less opinionated when engaged in emotionally charged topics. My thoughts are in balance and more centered than ever. I'm not out to prove a point, or defend my situation. It just doesn't seem as important. I listen.

3) Improved Posture: Physically, my spine feels aligned. I stand taller...than I already am. My left hip, that has always been problematic, feels adjusted. When I sit in lotus pose, my left knee doesn't pop up...it's flattening closer to the floor.

4) No Expectation, Not Processing: I'm not sure if my experiences these days are because I have given up expectations of outcome, stopped worrying about "processing," or whether I've matured.
I remember the many times I've been blasted with anger from a fellow yoga practitioner, only to have him or her come back a few minutes later, and say "Sorry, I'm just processing." It was always so harsh and confusing to me. Being on the receiving end of "processing" has turned me off to refer to my experience as processing. So rather than processing, I've moved through having expectations of an outcome from this daily practice.

5) Listen to My Inner Voice:  I've stopped listening to the memory tapes of my friends saying things like: "nabhi kriya makes you really angry" or "it hurts too much to practice" or "waaayyyy too intense of a yoga set, no way" or "i don't have that much time to practice a whole set."

6) From There to Here: After traveling to the dark side of pain and anguish over this last year, I can say that I'm back on track. My intension to live...rather than die...is solid. Every moment is fresh. I'm not even half way through the 40 days. Each day, I anticipate the hour that I've set aside for this kriya for whatever it will bring. When I wake up in the morning to the symphony of honking horns and yelling voices in the street, I smile.

7) It's a new day.

++

Mind can be a good friend if handled with care, but it can be a great enemy if untrained and undisciplined. - Paramahamsa Hariharananda 

++

the body speaks

Day 10 of nabhi kriya. Core becoming stronger...physical condition somewhat stable. Just as I did when I decided to start this intended yoga set, I flipped back the pages of my journal to read my free-flow moments from the past few days. (yes, despite being flat on my back in bed...I am true to my daily "time to write.")

I can only liken my condition to heat stroke. I write this because the trigger to all of this dis-harmony in my body seemed to be kicked into high gear by spending the entire day outside last Thursday. I was exercising and only drank less than a liter of water.

Indeed, the lack of water and the Cairo heat contributed somewhat to my physical problems over the last 5 days. But, I also know that issues run deep and will find a way to surface by our unconscious acts.

My reference guide whenever I experience serious physical ailments is "the Body Speaks" by Michael J. Lincoln (aka Dr. Narayan Singh) His website is a wealth of information: Talking Hearts

I've copied the below physical conditions for reference, unedited and straight from his book. I hope that anyone reading this post might find this information insightful and helpful. As I usually find for any of Mr. Lincoln's deeply intuitive prescriptions, some points strike a nerve, some not...but I rarely discount much of this man's insights.

HEAT-STROKE (Dizziness, nausea, spots before their eyes)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
“Get me outta here!” They are feeling overwhelmed and very oppressed by their current circumstances.
They are highly co-dependent and over-responsible for everyone in their life’s problems, and they hate it.
They are disgusted and revolted, and their feeling is that “This is an up with which I will no long put!”
It came from out of nowhere in a “return of the repressed” fashion as their situation reactivated their childhood experiences in spades.
They were systematically suppressed, exploited and blamed by their dysfunctional family.

NAUSEA
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
“What a revolting development THIS is!” They are having a fear and disgust reac-tion to what is happening to them.
They are totally rejecting an idea or experience -- they don’t want to have anything to do with it.
They want to throw it right back out again.
They feel that something wrong or immoral is happening.
They are inundated with disgust with the situation and themselves, and they are full of fear of the consequences of what’s going down.
They feel that something dreadful has happened, and they feel responsible for it. They wish it hadn’t happened, and they are truly sorry it has occurred.
They deeply wish they hadn’t “done it”.
They want things to return to the way they were before this hap-pened.
They are full of upset, pain and sadness, they don’t want the situation anywhere near them.
They desperately want to undo the past, and they are afraid of the effects of this on their future.
They are full of dissatisfaction, disgust and regret over the way things are.
They are saying to themselves over and over, “I should have . . .”
They feel personally accountable for everything that happens, particularly the negative outcomes.
Their family held them accountable and responsible for all that took place, and all eyes turned in their direction when anything went wrong -- which was frequently.
They were made very aware they had no right to commit to anyone or anything else but the continued maintenance of the family.
They therefore have great guilt about sexuality, success, and intimacy, as if these were “evil deeds”.
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DIARRHEA
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
“Shooting the rapids.” They are feeling overwhelmed, that things are moving too fast.
They are intensely rejecting of the possibilities in front of them.
They are fearful, and they want to run off, to get away from all this.
They don’t want to assimilate and absorb what they are experiencing.
They feel in over their head much of the time, and they are easily flattened by ex-periences.
They are the product of over-protective and possessive parenting in which they were systematically programmed to be unable to cope with life’s demands.
*************************************
“Get out of my life!”. They need to get rid of some duty, some obligation or some other thing in their life.
They are desparately trying to clear the toxic systems, situations and people out of their life.
They want to get this over with so as to return to a desired routine.
They are in effect seeking to escape the situation and running away from the re-requirements involved.
They tend to be compulsively orderly and sameness-demanding in their function-ing.
However, they are wanting to “throw the baby out with the bath” as they reject the past, and they try to get rid of ideas too rapidly.
They are wanting to get the whole thing over with in a hurry, and they are rushing it.
There is an underlying passivity and desire not to be bothered, and they are acutely fearful of their situation.
They are the product of a competence- and confidence-undermining enmeshed dys-functional family.
*************************************
“Here it comes!”. They are faced with a heavy and meaningful task, they wish it were over and done with.
Something important is pending, and they don’t want to go through with it.
They have a fair amount of competence-anxiety and built-in programming against success and intimacy.
They were supposed to stick around the old homestead and take care of their par-ents.
Any move towards independence, self-empowerment, and significant involvement/ contribution/commitment activates annihilation-anxiety and betrayal-guilt.
The current situation is just such a requirement and issue for them.
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The “TROTS”; The “RUNS”
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
“Scared shitless”. They are being overwhelmed by the requirement and/or process of having either to let go of the past or to take on something radially new and different. Something extremely important is pending and about to happen, and they are totally terrified of its implications and ramifications.
They are wanting to rush through it with their nose plugged, so to speak, so as to not experience it or the transition process to it.
The situation at hand is one in which they are being forced out of their old pattern of lifestyle, and they are completely blown away by the prospects of life without it.
They come from a chronically anxious and catastrophe-expecting “hunkering down in the bunker” family culture.
*************************************
“Hands on control”. There is an underlying passivity and desire not to be bothered, and yet they are simply terrified of letting go.
They have an abiding fear of the Universe, and they have to have personal control of their life and of the environment around them. http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
It feels like a matter of almost life and death to them.
They grew up alone on their own in totally untrustworthy but seemingly unim-peachable environment, but their deeper experience was that things are never as they seem.
They learned to take care of everything and everyone, in a desparate disaster-de-flecting psychology.
The “buck stopped with them”, while the family considered them to be the cause of all their problems.

** Read more "Messages from the Body," by Michael J. Lincoln available on line at Talking Hearts

**

don't let your baggage drag you down

A porter carries suitcases in train station. Amritsar, India.

The most frequent cause of back injury when traveling is hoisting our heavy suitcases. As airline baggage requirements are becoming more strict by reducing the weight limit for suitcases, we're still trying to handle the load. If you're like me, you find yourself adding stuff into your carry-on bag that makes it just slightly heavier. I mean, who can possible travel anywhere with only two 40-pound suitcases?? (less than 40 kilos)

It's all so inconvenient and I long for the days when there were no weight restrictions on our luggage. Nevertheless, one must protect one's back.

Here's what you can do to avoid hurting your back, shoulders, neck, arms, and anything else in between whilst traveling:

- Avoid lifting and twisting in the same movement. The small muscles in your back that rotate the spine are working with small levers (the vertebrae). Especially, avoid lifting away from the body and twisting your back.

- Bend the knees to lift up a case.

- Hold bags close into your body while turning with them.

- Use trolleys and suitcases with wheels whenever possible. Yes, it is truly annoying that we have to pay for trolleys in the United States, when every other civilized country allows free usage, so...

- Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Keep spare currency in your wallet to pay for porters.


**