Blog

Health-plus for your chakras

Published on by KarenB2 Comments

I am fascinated by all things to do with the chakras!

Recently I completed training for Reiki levels 1 & 2 with Maria of “Reiki Inspirations” …. yes I was truly inspired; reiki is amazing! And Maria is a beautiful soul and inspiring teacher.

Have you tried reiki? Its a natural form of healing. You can read more about what reiki is on Reiki Inspirations website here. It’s one of those things that you really need to experience for yourself, rather than listening to someone else’s experience!

Currently I am also studying Belinda Davidson’s level 1 course of ‘School of the Modern Mystic’. Did I mention that I love learning?!

The chakras are the energy centres within the body and above the crown of the head. Usually we focus on the main chakras, however there are also many more minor chakras spread throughout the body. These were ‘mapped’ by yogis in ancient times….and now modern science can tell us where each major nerve plexus is located within the body, and guess what?….they correspond to what the yogis thousands of years ago mapped out as the chakra system! Fascinating!

Do you have, or are you interested to have, awareness  your chakras?

Yoga practice helps, and when I say ‘yoga’ that includes meditation practice. Although as I have discussed with my students – meditation can be difficult sometimes because of the ‘monkey-mind’ thing!

That’s where yoga asana can be fantastic, flowing slowly and smoothly from one posture to another, or pranayama (breathwork), or there are a whole heap of other yogic practices that help to lead into the ‘meditative’ state.

Why are our chakras important?

Well each of the chakras governs an area of the body physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. For example the first chakra which is located at the base of the spine governs the legs, feet, being grounded in life, being stable, feeling supported, feeling part of a tribe, feeling that you receive what you need in life for your survival….. I could go on, there is so much to learn about each of the chakras!

When there is an ailment in the body, it can be traced to a chakra (or several), whether this be on the physical level or other level…for example – knee pain or foot pain may be linked to an imbalance in the first chakra. Ankle sprain? – what is going on in your life? Are you getting the support you need? Or if you are not feeling grounded, or if you are not feeling ‘at home’ where you live, it may be linked to an imbalance in the first chakra.

As Belinda Davidson says, and I feel it to be true:

“When your chakras work, your life works”

And this is why practices such as yoga, meditation, and reiki can help you feel balanced, centred, grounded, relaxed and peaceful – balancing and harmonising your chakras!  This is why I fell in love with my yoga practice.

Guided Chakra Cleanse by Belinda DavidsonI have been practicing this Guided Chakra Cleanse Meditation  by Belinda Davidson because it is part of my studies. It’s compulsory for me as part of my studies, but it has been so worthwhile.  It is truly an amazing guided meditation, and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in the health of their chakras.

I will write more about my studies with the ‘School of the Modern Mystic’ one day soon, but for now I’m busy absorbing it all in. Like yoga, and like reiki, it’s about practice and experience.

Let me know if you download the Guided Chakra Cleanse, and if you do, how you go with the meditation! I always recommend meditation practice be in a seated position, but for this, it’s a little bit different; it runs for just over half an hour…. sometimes I lie down for it and just let it all sink in like a guided relaxation. If you want to be sure to stay awake, then seated is the best.

I would love to know how you go! Best wishes from Karen

 

Inspiring Peace, Peaceful Mothering Interview

Published on by KarenB

My first reaction when Olga of Peaceful Mothering with Olga Dossa asked me to do an interview as part of her Inspiring Peace series was – wow!!…but I’m not sure, maybe my life is too ho-hum, maybe my peaceful mothering skills are not all that er…peaceful? Am I a wise woman? Then it dawned on me that I was holding a measuring stick of ‘perfectionism’ up against myself and that ‘peaceful’ and ‘perfect’ are two different things. And I much prefer the first of the two.

Also, I have been consistently inspired by Olga and her beautiful blog, so then to be invited to be a part of it….well it sort of knocked my socks off.

I am absolutely honoured to share this with you. You will learn a bit more about me and what inspires me. You will read about how yoga has influenced my ‘peaceful mothering skills’ and one of my favourite mantras. This is a mantra that absolutely works.

Hope you enjoy reading! Karen

http://olgadossa.com/inspiring-peace-conversations-with-wise-women-karen-buckland/

karen & sophie & james chocolaterie

Drifting into peaceful slumber…relaxation for your children

Published on by KarenB

Image

My daughter is 9 years old. It doesn’t seem that long ago that she was born. Those first few precious moments and first days with her are imprinted so clearly in my memory, just like it was yesterday. I was awestruck just observing her tiny and sweet little being, wrapping her preciously, popping her into her cradle, and watching her peacefully sleeping.

She still sleeps very peacefully, but now with so many exciting things going on in her 9 year old life, sometimes falling asleep doesn’t happen so easily.

One night, she had some of her friends over for a sleepover. Both her and friends were very excited, and had spent the afternoon dancing around crazily, and then after dinner watching movies. Once they were all snug and settled into bed, I thought sleep would happen easily on account of the yawns and sleepy faces. The whispers and giggles went on for quite a while, and became louder and louder, and I realised that sleep just wasn’t happening!

So I popped into the room and asked if anyone would like to hear a nice relaxing yoga story. Yes, they did!

Here you will find “The Balloon Ride script” that I read to them….Guess what?…By the time I finished I realised they were all soundly asleep!

Wow! Powerful stuff. It took me about 10 minutes to read the script. It is from a book called “The Relaxation and Stress Reduction workbook for kids” by Shapiro, Sprague & McKay.

Sometimes this might help your child too….let me know how you go!

Hope your family sleeps peacefully tonight, goodnight!

Karen

Image

Be prepared to be inspired by these words from Gabrielle Bernstein

Published on by KarenB

One of my favourite inspirational people is Gabrielle Bernstein, and this is one of my favourite talks on Youtube. I love the way she breaks it down. I love the way she shares what inspires her. How better to spend the next 16 minutes? Press play and you might just find a different perspective on living life.

I love contemplating those four things, they just make so much sense, and so short and sweet…they seem simple, yet in life all sorts of things get complicated and we tend to get a bit bogged down. Whenever I feel that bogged down feeling, I’m going to keep standing myself up and try my best to wipe of the mud, and focus on these four:

1. Be willing
2. Surrender
3. the F-word is forgiveness
4. Expect miracles

I love how she says “know the universe has your back”.
It’s true, I know I don’t always stop to think how supported I am. But I am supported, in so many ways. It’s about perspective!

I also love the words “share your truth”.
Listen to your heart (or as Gabrielle says her ‘ing’ or inner guide)…. and then share from your heart and see how things in life just seem to flow. See how sharing your passion and inspiration feels and you might be amazed.

Hope you enjoyed this… May you expect miracles 🙂
Karen

Yoga mat TLC

Published on by KarenB

I respect my yoga mat. Each time I unroll it I’m reminded of the countless times I have stood/lay/balanced upon it as I’ve practiced. As I mentioned to a lovely student of mine, I quite often practice by the window in the sunshine, but it doesn’t really matter whereabouts I am, my mat is with me and that is my little space.

Here are my suggestions for “yoga mat TLC”….

1. Cleaning – I use a spray-bottle with water, vinegar, a drop of tea-tree essential oil, and a drop of lavender essential oil. The essential oils aren’t ‘essential’ but they are nice. If you just use water & vinegar, don’t worry about the vinegar smell as it will fade. Spray over mat, wipe down, maybe repeat, then allow to dry inside (not in the sun). You may be surprised how dirty the cloth ends up.

2. Keep Out of heat & sun – I have a Jade yoga mat which I love because it is both environmentally friendly and has great grip, however I need to keep it out of the sun. Please don’t leave your mat in a hot car.
(Another great thing about Jade is that they plant a tree for each mat purchased, so check them out online or in yoga shops if you are looking to invest in a new mat.)

3. And finally the best thing to show your mat how much you love it …… roll it out and practice yoga!
I promise you your mat won’t mind whether you do a series of challenging postures, rest your forehead down in Child’s pose, or lie in Shavasana.
A handy hint is to keep your mat nearby in a room where you are most likely to practice. Sometimes if I decide I would like to literally ‘roll’ out of bed in the morning and onto my mat – then I have it ready and unrolled the night before, right beside my bed, voila!

Happy yoga mat, and happy yogi!
Best wishes,
Karen
yogamats

The power of smile :)

Published on by KarenB

Isn’t it funny how little things can be so powerful?
Try smiling right now for no reason at all 🙂

Breath in and SMILE
Breath out and RELAX

Yesterday I stumbled across a youtube clip – a guided meditation by a woman who smiles and smiles and smiles. I didn’t meditate along, I just sat and watched, amazed by her beautiful smile. Gosh, I thought, I would like to smile like that.

The day flew by and before I knew it the time was 3pm and almost time to collect my two sweetpeas from school. But hold on!… I thought… I was going to try that meditation with the smiling woman! I had about 10 minutes to spare, and didn’t bother trying to find the youtube clip again, and it turned out I didn’t need any commentary anyway. I just grabbed my meditation cushion and sat at the window, closing my eyes, bringing awareness to my breath, and simply….smiling 🙂

Wow!
I was so amazed at the effect, that after school I suggested to my daughter to give it a try, explaining how when you feel good, you smile….AND it can work the other way around too. Closing her eyes, she gave it a 3 second try, and then opened her eyes smiling happily at me.

You don’t even have to begin with anything to smile about!
Smiles are for free and they are wonderful.
Happy smiling!
Karen
photo

smilingsmyfavpic

A little home yoga practice inspiration for you

Published on by KarenB

Lately I have been sharing some articles and videos… I’ve been sharing these on facebook, however I know several of my students aren’t facebook users, so this is especially for you guys!
I hope you get some inspiration to roll out that yoga mat, put on your leggings, maybe even switch on some calm/beautiful/motivational music, and practice.

Video – A gentle 20-minute morning (or anytime) yoga class – free
http://yogainternational.com/article/view/gentle-20-minute-morning-yoga-practice

Video – Another ‘morning’ class that can be done anytime – free, 20 minutes
http://yogainternational.com/article/view/morning-yoga-to-ignite-your-day

Video – A 2-minute clip by NZ Yoga teacher Kara-Leah

Article with pictures -‘Legs up the wall pose’ or I call it ‘vip’ for very important pose. Those students who attended my classes over the last few weeks will remember this one
http://yogainternational.com/article/view/restore-and-renew

Article with pictures – Excellent article with photos of some of my favourite poses….good for runners, good for everyone actually. (Yes, I know I have a lot of favourite poses!)
http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/1023983/yoga-poses-for-runners

Article with pictures – Posture…awareness of great posture is not only good for you, but it tends to make you feel good…bonus! Enjoy this!
http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/1022825/yoga-poses-that-improve-your-posture

Not long until I will resume teaching classes (30th Jan), so if you are planning to rebook and haven’t yet, please get in touch!
Best wishes, Karenyogaloveyogapic

Christmas time, peace, stillness and calm…. (yes those 4 can go together!)

Published on by KarenB

Christmas time – it can be a crazy, busy time of year and a time when plenty of emotions, stress and anxiety can be stirred up also. First of all there is all the shopping; money, time, and brainpower required to figure it all out. Then there is the social side of Christmas which can go both ways; for some there is the juggling of fitting in all the invitations and making time to see family, for some it is the opposite and while everybody else is buzzing with social activities it can accentuate feelings of loneliness.

There is a third side of Christmas besides from the busy-ness of shopping and the socialising with family and friends. That is the peace, stillness and calm of Christmas. Yes, it’s true. Sometimes the first two are so full on, that number 3 gets a little overshadowed.

My yoga students will have heard me mention over the last few weeks how essential my yoga practice is to me especially at this time of year. There were a few conversations while yoga mats were being unrolled about how ‘busy’ people were feeling, yet the majority of students attended each week, committing to their weekly dose of yoga class, and some even letting me know how they had begun to find time at home to practice.

I always love hearing little stories about home practice – sometimes a student will tell me about lighting a candle as they practiced, or that they found 5 minutes before heading to work. Part of my ‘job’ is to encouraging home yoga practice, even if it makes me redundant – sounds a little funny! I still love attending yoga classes myself, and I’m sure I always will, but nothing matches how much I value my own practice.

The Yoga Sutras define yoga as “Yogas citta-vrtti-nirodhah” – Yoga is the slowing and stilling of the fluctuations of the mind.

How many fluctuations were going on, when I found myself in the middle of a huge store with a trolley full of things (even though I entered the store intending to just buy chrissy cards!), going through a list in my head of where else I could shop, what other gifts should I buy, what other grocery items do I need for Christmas, what about the children’s school Christmas parties, and how much money did I want to spend? Not to mention the bustle of other shoppers around me, lights, music, conversations.

I made it to the checkout, realising how long I was in there and feeling dazed by the fluro lighting, and resolved to let that be enough for one day, and to enjoy some fresh air and quietness instead.

It’s fine to buy gifts and get all excited about finding something really cute for your niece/daughter/friend….but in the end I remind myself that’s all the material side of things. There is another side of things and it’s not about how much money you spend or what you buy. In the end the question is – what do I give?….. I give more than money or material things…. I give my time, my patience, my attention, my love and care, and my listening ears.

In order to give these things out, I must have them first within me. Where do I get them from, as I didn’t see them in the BigW or target catalogue?! Where do you find things that money cannot buy?

For me it’s from my yoga practice.

I give myself time, patience, attention, love/self-care and I listen to my inner self. By giving to myself I learn to slow and still the fluctuations of my mind….and it’s a work in progress!! That is why I continue to practice.

I know Christmas morning is going to be fun in our household and I expect my two pumpkins will be awake very early to see what is under the tree. I will set my intention to wake before them (might be tricky but I will try!), and I will spend a moment gazing out at the quiet morning garden, listening to the morning sounds, breathing in the fresh morning air, and I will pause and feel peace, stillness and calm. It may be just a minute, or it may be 20 minutes, but whatever, I will be grateful for that moment.

I wish you peace, stillness and calm too!

yogachrisspic1

(picture source: www.zazzle.com.au)

Do you wish to become a regular meditator?

Published on by KarenB

You may have heard how beneficial meditation is……… Have you tried meditating regularly? If you are anything like me you may have discovered that establishing the habit can be challenging. I am as human as the next person, and although sometimes I am able to meditate daily, I also go through stages of avoiding my practice, finding excuses, or just feeling too busy to fit it in. A meditation practice for me, is always a work in progress….and just like LIFE, it has it’s ups and downs.

Things that help me:

#1 – A “meditation notebook or diary” – In the past I had a diary which was a day to a page, and so if I meditated or practiced some form of yoga (eg asana/postures or pranayama or attended a class) I had one page to make any notes about it. I have also used a notebook to record my thoughts about yoga and/or meditation like a journal.

#2 – Record Briefly your meditation – eg. Date/Time/Length of meditation/Comments. In a notebook or diary as per #1, or see #3.

#3 – Iphone App – there are many apps that you can use for meditation, both for the meditation itself if you prefer a guided practice, and to use as a timer and recorder as per #2. There is an app called ‘Omvana’ which allows you to choose many different guided meditations (many which are for free) and you can choose the backing music you like. If you prefer silent meditation (my preference) and you would like a simple timer and recorder, I use an app called ‘Samathi’…..I love it because it is simple, and it records the ‘chain’ (days of) practice. There are many other apps to choose from, low cost or free!

#4 – Passion – Love your practice and you will look forward to it.

#5 – A special meditation cushion – or you may prefer a meditation stool. I have both, and both have been rewards for my practice (see #10).

#6 – Dedication and Motivation – Ask yourself WHY do you want to meditate regularly? Put it in writing. Either in your diary/notebook per #1 or somewhere where you can refer to it regularly.

#7 – Practice – Just like physical exercise, the more you practice the more those ‘meditation’ muscles will get fit.

#8 – Discipline – A regular time. Work out what is the best time for you. Stick to it, but it you miss a day, just pick it up again the next day.

#9 – Set a goal – And write it down. By writing it, you are committing to it. Make it realistic and achieveable. Start small. Eg – I will meditate for each day for one week for 5 minutes.

#10 – Reset your goal – Once first goal is attained, reward yourself and reset the bar a little higher. Eg – I will meditate 6 days a week for 2 weeks for 10 minutes. The reward could be a candle, a meditation cushion, a blanket for meditation, etc.

#11 –Find inspiration in reading – I recommend the wonderful book by Sally Kempton “Meditation for the Love of it”. You might also like to browse the shelves at your local library.

#12 – Find inspiration in nature – go outside, breathe in fresh air, smell the roses, gaze upon the colours in the sky at sunset. Be amazed at the beautiful world we live in.

#13 – Training the puppy mind – like training a puppy, remember that awareness must be brought back to the focus of your meditation. Your focus may be your breath, a mantra (silent or aloud), or an internal image ( eg visualising a candle flame). Every time awareness wanders from focus point, bring it back, bring it back, bring it back (over and over and over)….this returning is all part of the process.

#14 – A Comfy location and a ‘Meditation in Progress’ sign – Find a place that is your little corner to pop your meditation cushion down. And if you live with others, use a sign on the door and explain that meditation is easiest when you have the room to yourself just for that time. Occasionally when the weather is nice I will meditate outside in the garden; I especially love dusk – so long at the mozzie’s aren’t biting! The world does look quite stunning when you re-open your eyes and look around you; try it!

I would love to hear any ideas or suggestions about what inspires your meditation practice!
Best wishes!
K

Yoga Advice for New Mums

Published on by KarenB

If you have a new little bundle of joy….congratulations! Here are some suggestions to continue a home yoga practice as a new mum.

1. Practice awareness of posture when sitting and feeding your baby. Focus on lengthening upwards through the spine, relax the shoulders, and soften the face.

2. Pelvic Floor exercises….from as early as a day after the delivery. By exercising this area gently, you will encourage the blood supply and promote healing of the perineum. You can work with your breath to bring more awareness – soften the muscles with the inhalation and lift and engage the muscles with the exhalation.

3. Short home yoga practice….a moment here or there, 5 or 10 minutes is great. Just work with one or two postures, or even lying in savasana for a few minutes of relaxation – just let all your muscles relax and sink down into the floor. Be gentle with yourself….remember the transformation your body has gone through….be patient and gentle.

4. Listen to your body and observe your energy levels. Practice the postures that feel right for you, in the moment.

5. Practice engaging your core muscles when lifting your baby. You can think of lifting the pelvic floor muscles and right up through the centre of the abdomen.

6. Yoga practice is very beneficial to help with ‘baby blues’. I would encourage trying ‘Surya Namaskar’/Salute to the Sun to help uplift your mood, or another flowing sequence. If you think you may have postnatal depression,  please do seek medical support.

7. Nuture the nuturer…… Yes, that’s you! Whether it’s yoga, a walk, a good book, a massage, asking family or friends for some babysitting time. Taking time for yourself becomes more of a challenge, but it becomes more important. Not only are you worth it, but it helps you to be the best mum you can be.

8. Embrace Motherhood! Your little one will only stay little for such a fleeting moment in time….children grow so fast. Try to embrace both the wonderful happy moments as well as the more challenging moments. It’s a fantastic opportunity to practice gentleness and patience. I have also discovered motherhood to be a perfect way to remind me that I’m not perfect, and that is perfectly fine 🙂

Best wishes!

K