• English EN Italiano IT

wellness

5 Common Myths about Yoga

This is a guest post written by Emily Lopes (find out more). Thanks for this great article and for collaborating to Abundy Holistic Studio’s purpose!

 

Yoga has been making its way to the mainstream. According to a survey from the Yoga Journal and the Yoga Alliance, the yoga industry is booming in America. It grew from an approximate of 20.4 million in 2012 to 36.7 million yoga practitioners last 2016 in America alone. This 2019, the yoga industry is transitioning to be at the top of the fitness trends. The yoga revolution will continue to take place from 2019 to 2020, making the revenue projection to an approximate $11.6 billion in 2020.

But despite the rapid growth yoga shown within the years, there are still a lot of people who have a tweaked view about this practice. Here are the most common myths about yoga:

  1. If you’re not flexible, you can’t do yoga 

You have to do some stretching in yoga. That’s a fact. Practicing yoga regularly can improve your flexibility. But flexibility is not a prerequisite. With patience and dedication, you will become more flexible. No matter what your skill level is, you are always welcome to do yoga. Besides, nobody said that you have to be ripped or fit already before going to the gym. 

  1. Yoga is for the young

There is a stereotype that yoga is for the young, the slim, the active, or the beautiful. Since people think that yoga is for flexible people, there is a weight, body physique, or age requirement – which is generally incorrect. Just because we usually see people deemed to be perfect in figure or young and active individuals posting on social media, doesn’t always mean you have to be like that. While it is attractive and inspiring, it can be misleading. Yoga is for everybody. No matter what size, shape, color, or race, you are welcome to enter the world of yoga. 

  1. Yoga is not for men

In connection with the myth above, yoga has been associated with women. There are instances that when you visit a yoga studio, it is flocking with women. But to tell you the truth, yoga was pioneered by men. According to history, most of the best yoga teachers are men. In today’s time, more and more men are finally engaging and participating in yoga classes. The list includes Tom Brady, LeBron James, and Kevin Love. So if people say that yoga isn’t ‘manly’ enough, prove them wrong by joining a class or two. 

  1. Yoga is expensive 

If you’re worrying that you do not have the ‘right look’ for yoga, throw it away. You do not need a collection of branded outfits just to practice yoga. Yoga doesn’t care about who you wear. It cares about how you perform your salutations, how you keep up with the pace, and how great it is that you’re going to experience the amazing benefits of yoga. Though having such pieces of clothing can make you look good and feel good, yoga is not about the looks. As long as you are in your comfortable self in comfortable and yoga-appropriate clothing, you look good already.

In terms of yoga classes, there are a lot of studios from all over the world that provide free to less costly trial classes. Most of the yoga studios offer packages that help you save more than purchasing a single class from time to time. You can also attend yoga classes offered by different retreat venues for hire. The most important thing that yoga practitioners wanted you to know is that yoga is not an expensive practice. 

  1. Yoga is boring because it’s too slow and takes too much time

There are various formal yoga classes that run from 30 – 90 minutes. There are also lots of online yoga classes that you can try for 5 minutes or so. A class in a few minutes is not enough to unlock the whole package of benefits yoga has to offer. All good things take time. If you also worry that pace is too slow for you, you can find different yoga types that are more rigorous and that have more challenging styles and poses. 

Here are other misconceptions about yoga. Yoga is neither magic nor a religion. It is not just for the ‘hippies’ or the ‘cool ones’ but for everyone. Yoga is more than just an exercise or a body of work but a combination of it with psychology and spirituality. Yoga has a lot to offer and is best to experience for yourself. May we have the courage to debunk these beliefs if we hear them from someone somewhere.

Your tongue speaks for your health

“Stick out your tongue!” This is what a traditional chinese medicine (= TCM) pratictioner will say to you as soon as you are checked. But don’t worry, he is not making fun of you.

Your tongue does more than just taste food and articulate words, and that was well known since ancient times. Back then doctors had to practice the “tongue diagnosis” to check the overall patients’ health, when x-rays, MRIs, and CT scans did not exist.

But even now it is a very usefull diagnostic tool, because once this check is done and other aspects of the patient’s status are evaluated, the TCM practitioner may recommend treatment with such therapies as acupuncture, herbal medicine, diet and/or massage.

Why the tongue exam assess the overall health

In TCM, it’s thought that different areas of the tongue reflect connections in the body, both to the meridians and the 5 major internal organs (liver, lung, spleen, heart, and kidney). Therefore, it is very useful and important for confirming or not a diagnosis. It can show also strong visual signs of a person’s overall energetic balance or imbalance.

What to look for

There are mainly 4 features in a tongue that should be examined:

Color: An healthy tongue looks pink and vital. Of course the natural tongue color can vary individually, but taken in conjunction with other information, it is still a very good indicator of what is happening inside your body. Changes in tongue color are said to be te sign of a chronic illness.

Shape: Normal tongue shape is neither too thick nor too thin and the body is smooth with no cracks. This feature tells the amount of the fluids and moisture running through the whole body.

Changes in its shape may include a swollen or puffy tongue, presence of cracks and curling at the sides of the tongue.

Coating: Normally your coating is thin and white/yellowish, but if you are getting sick, you may see a thicker coating developing. The consistency of the tongue’s coating also indicates the state of the fluids and heat in the body (more or less dry tongue).

As the coating is the feature that changes more rapidly, it provides an indication of acute illness in process.

Cracks: When ulcers, wounds or open areas appear on the body tongue areas usually indicate an imbalance problem (deficiency) in that organ and/or meridian. For instance, horizontal cracks are commonly associated with Yin deficiency.

Some tips and key point

  • Remember that some disorders don’t show up in the tongue, and that’s why the TCM pratictioner evaluates the patients’ health considering more diagnostic tools.
  • The tongue should be examined for no longer than 15 seconds at a time, otherwise the extending position may cause changes in its shape and color.
  • Color can be changed by food and beverages, smoke or lack of personal hygiene. Please brush your tongue and avoid oral intakes such as coffee, green tea, beet, or artificially colored candies before your assessment.
  • Patient’s age, gender and weight can influence the tongue look. For instance, overweight patients can show a larger and lighter color tongue and infants tend to have white thick coating that is easily removed, or commonly peeled tongues.
  • The season of the year can affect the look of your tongue. Infact it should be normal during spring, but it may tend to be more dry during summer or more damp in the winter.
  • The time of the day could also be an influencing factor. The coating of the tongue usually becomes thinner as the day progresses, while the color becomes more red and shiny.

I bet now you are very curious to look at your tongue in front of the mirror and check your health. So…which tongue are you?

Moxibustion stick burning and glowing

Massage techniques – Part 1

There is a lot of misinformation and prejudice towards Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and oriental techniques in general. Since this is what I specialise in I decided to talk about few manipulative techniques that can be used together (or separately) to restore the natural energy balance and body wellness.

Hopefully this small contribution to the body of knowledge on the web will help setting the record straight about the true and proven benefits of TCM.

TUI NA

The term “Tui Na” (pronounced “twee naw”), which literally means “pinch and pull,” refers to a form of Chinese manipulative body therapy often used in conjunction with many other therapies, such as moxibustion, acupuncture, cupping, herbalism, etc.

During a Tui na session, the pratictioner may use a variety of manipulation methods, from gentle to very firm, such as brush, knead, roll, press, and rub the body areas. Tui na is not generally used for pleasure and relaxation, but rather as a treatment to address specific patterns of disharmony and iillness. Infact, like acupuncture, Tui na aims to harmonize yin and yang in the body by manipulating the Qi in the acupuncture channels. It also includes what is popularly known as “acupressure,” where practitioners use finger pressure instead of needles to stimulate the acupuncture points.

In ancient China, medical therapy was often classified as either “external” or “internal” treatment. Tui na was one of the external methods, although it can be used to address both internal diseases and external injuries. Many people seek it to relieve multiple disorders including insomnia, constipation, headaches, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, premenstrual syndrome, and emotional problems. It can also treat disorders related to digestive, respiratory, and reproductive systems, stiff neck, distension of shoulders, sciatica, and sore back.

MOXIBUSTION

Moxibustion (or “moxa”) is a form of heat therapy in which dried plant materials are burned on or very near the surface of the skin. Usually the material used is Chinese mugwort (aka Artemesia), but it can be made of a mix of other substances as well.

Moxibustion can be direct and indirect. During direct moxibustion, a small, cone-shaped amount of moxa is placed on top of an acu-point and burned. This type can be scarring and non-scarring, depending on the fact that moxa stays on the skin area until it burns out completely, or it is removed before it burns the skin. I must admit I have never seen a scarring moxibustion technique in Western countries, while in China was quite common.

Infact indirect moxibustion is currently the most popular form of care because there is a much lower risk of pain or burning. The practitioner lights one end of a moxa stick, roughly the shape and size of a cigar, and holds it close to the area being treated for several minutes until the area turns red. Another indirect form combines moxa on top of acupuncture needles.

Benefits of moxibustion

The general purpose of moxibustion, like several forms of Traditional Chinese Medicine, is to strengthen the blood, maintain general health and stimulate the flow of qi. That is why it is very common for patients receiving moxibustion to report a sudden flowing of warmth that quickly radiates along a specific pathway, away from the site of application. This is a good result, as it indicates the arrival and flow of the Qi in the freed energy channel. Usually the patient also experiences a pleasant heating sensation that penetrates deep into the skin, but should not feel any pain, blistering or scarring unless the moxa is left in place for too long.

Moxibustion can be used for several general diseases as well, such as pain due to injury or arthritis, digestive or bowel problems, gynecological conditions (quite common breech presentation in late term pregnancy), protection against cold and flu strains, and many more conditions that follow a “cold pattern” and naturally feel better after heat application.

Moxa can be easily used at home and itt is not uncommon for some practitioners to train their patients to use moxa on themselves to strengthen the effect of the clinical sessions between appointments. But although it is a very safe practice, to gain the best benefits from a Tui na and moxibustion treatment right for your condition, it is always better to check with a professional pratictioner first.

 

 

Photo: G. Olivetti

An interview with Mikao Usui

This interview has been taken from the Reiki International School website, but it is public and well known around all over the world. Mikao Usui responded for real to the following questions, but the date and the name of the interviewer are not known. According to the date mentioned in the text, the interview should had occurred  between 1922 and 1926, the year Mikao Usui passed away.

Question: What is the ‘Usui Reiki Ryoho?

We have received with gratitude the principles prescribed by the Emperor Meiji and live abiding by them. In order to follow the spiritual path, humanity has to live according to these principles. This means that we have learn to improve our body, our feelings and our thoughts with constant practice. In this way first of all, as we heal the spirit, consequently we will restore the body. When our mind is on the healthy path of honesty and seriousness, the body finds itself the full health. Since the body and mind are one thing, we can all live in peace and joy. We heal ourselves diseases others too, intensifying and increasing our happiness and that one  of others. This is the aim of Usui Reiki Ryoho

Question: The Usui Reiki Ryoho is based on a form of psychotherapy, self-suggestion, hypnosis or other therapies notes? Is it a therapy already known but under another name?

It is not similar to the forms of therapy that he described. After many years of hard training, I met a spiritual secret that is used to rid the body and mind.

Question: Reiki is a psycho-spiritual healing method?

It is pretty accurate, we can call it that way, but we can also call it physical therapy, since the energy and the light radiating from all parts of the body of the person allow the treatment. The energy and the light are radiating from the eyes, mouth, and from the hands of those who give the treatment, and he/she may, at the same time, fix his/her eyes on the afflicted parts, blow and gently massage. Toothache, headache, stomach pain, swelling in the chest, neuralgia, bruises, cuts, burns, etc.. heal easily, while chronic diseases are not so easy to treat but also a single treatment of a chronic illness shows a positive effect. I wonder how this phenomenon can be explained by medical science. The reality is increasingly affecting the theory, when you see the results, you will agree with me. Even those who do not want to believe can not deny the  reality.

Question: Have we to believe in ‘Usui Reiki Ryoho healing to occur?

No, because the Reiki Ryoho is different from other methods of psychic healing. Consent and faith are not needed, because the Reiki does not work through suggestion. It makes no difference whether a person is incredulous, skeptical or biased. For example it also works with children and people who are seriously injured and unconscious. Out of ten people, perhaps one will trust to the first treatment. Already after the first treatment the majority of people feel the effects and benefits and they will increase their confidence.

Question: What diseases can be cured with the Usui Reiki Ryoho

Any disease origining from mental or physical disease.

Question: Does Usui Reiki Ryoho heal  only illness?

No, not only diseases of the body, but also bad habits and psychological ailments such as despair, weakness of character, lack of courage, the difficulty in making decisions and nervousness. With Reiki energy, our spirit finds its divine part or his Buddhahood, and we can develop the ability to treat other human beings, our brothers. In this way we make happy, healthy and serene both ourselves and others.

Question: How does  Usui Reiki Ryoho heal?

No one has started this method. I did not make efforts to obtain extraordinary powers of healing. While I fasted, I came in contact with an intense energy and, in some mysterious way, I was inspired. For a set of coincidences it became clear that I had been given the spiritual art of healing. Although, even if I m the founder of this method, is difficult for me to explain it in more details. Doctors and researchers are moving  passionate researches in this field, but so far it has been difficult to reach a conclusion that is based on medical science. There will come a time when the Reiki meet science.

Question: Does The Usui Reiki Ryoho use medicines or special tools? If so, are there any side effects?

They do not use medicines or instruments. We use only the look, the breath, the caress, the light taps and the touch of the hands. That’s what heals diseases.

Question: In order to practice the Usui Reiki Ryoho is it necessary to have medical knowledge?

The Reiki Ryoho is a spiritual method that goes beyond medical science and therefore does not rely on it. When we look, we blow it, we touch or caress the diseased body part, we get the desired result. For example, touching the head when we want to treat the brain, abdomen when we want to treat the abdomen and eyes to eyes. You do not get bitter medicine, or using the moxa or moxibustion but it heals quickly and easily. So this spiritual method is an original creation.

Question: How do physicians consider Reiki?

The scientific authorities are very honest in judging the Usui Reiki Ryoho. Recently some famous European doctors took a critical stand against the administration (indiscriminate) medicine. Dr. Sen Nagai of Teikoku Medical University said: “We doctors know how to diagnose a disease, save it and understand it empirically, but we do not know where it comes from or how to treat it.” Dr. Kondo said: “It ‘s arrogant to say that medicine has made tremendous progress when modern medicine neglects the spiritual balance (the patient). It’ s a great disadvantage.” Dr. Sakae Hara said: “It ‘ s insolence treating the human being, who has a spiritual wisdom, like an animal. Believe that in the future we will have a great revolution in the field of therapy.” Some doctors and pharmacists understand this problem and start asking to be initiated into Reiki.

Question: What do you think about the government?

On February 6, the eleventh year of the Taisho period (1922), Congressman Teiji Matsushita did, at the meeting of the shareholders’ meeting of the Federal Parliament, the following question: “What is the government’s position on therapists currently practicing psychotherapy and spiritual therapy without a title? ” Mr. Ushio the government commissioner said: “Ten years ago, hypnosis and other similar forms of therapy were judged inadequate treatment but today, after long researches, are applied effectively in psychiatry. It ‘s hard to want to solve everything about being, with human medicine. To heal diseases physicians follow certain ways, which are based on the principles of medicine. The use of hands and electrotherapy to combat the disease are not part of the methods of medical school. ” That’s why the Usui Reiki Ryoho is not subject to laws regarding the right medical health or those involving acupuncture, shiatsu or moxa.

Question: In this therapy, are the skills of spiritual healing given only to those who are spiritually developed at birth? I do not think this can be learned. What do you think?

All living beings have received the gift of the spiritual ability to heal. The same thing can be applied to plants, animals, fish and insects, but humans, representing the culmination of creation, have received a greater power. Usui Reiki Ryoho appeared in the world to make this capability available and accessible to all.

Question: Anyone can be initiate to Usui Reiki Ryoho?

Of course you. Men and women, old and young, doctors and uneducated people who live according to the moral principles can learn in a short time.  I initiated more than a thousand people and not even one of these has failed to achieve the desired result. Everyone, even those who have just learned Shoden (the first level), are already able to heal diseases. If we think about it, it is rather strange to learn in such a short time to heal disease, although this is for the human being the hardest thing. I am myself amazed and this is the characteristic of our method of spiritual healing, we can learn something so difficult so much easier.

Question: With the Usui Reiki Ryoho you can heal others. And what about yourself? Can  someone  heal also his/her-own illnesses?

If we could not  heal our diseases, our body and our mind, how cannot we heal others’?

Question: What should I do to learn Okuden (the second level)?

The Okuden consists of a number of lessons to apply: I Hatsurei, tap, stroke, put pressure with your hands, healing on distance, heal customs etc.. Before you learn Shoden and then when you have achieved good results, the correct behavior, honesty and morality and you will be thrilled with the Reiki, then you will be ready to receive initiation into Okuden.

Question: In the Reiki Ryoho is there any other teaching after Okuden?

There is still the Shinpiden, the highest level, namely the fourth, it is the degree in which we can send Reiki and teach others.

Discover the properties of Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is also known as medicinal aloe, “lily of the desert” or “elephant’s gall” and it belongs to the family of succulent plants in the genus ‘Aloe’. Its origin is believed to be in Sudan and has been used for more than 6,000 years, being recognized by many civilizations including the Egyptians, Spanish, Persians, Greeks, Italians, Africans, Japanese, and Indians. It grows best in warm and dry climates and that is why it is densely found in those areas, but it can be easily grown both indoors and outdoors.

Aloe Vera plant is often a stemless or sometimes very short-stemmed juicy plant that grows around 60–100 cm in height and the offsets spread out wide. The leaves of this plant are thick and fleshy and the color varies from green to gray-green. Some varieties of this plant have white flecks on the upper and lower portions of the stem surfaces. The margin of the leaves is like saw-tooth and the flowers bloom during the summer. Each leaf is full of a slimy tissue that stores water, which makes the leaves thick.

This slimy, water-filled tissue is the “gel” we usually associate with Aloe Vera products, and it contains most of the bioactive compounds in the plant, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants. This plant has also compounds such as mannans, polysaccharides, lectins, and anthraquinones that are extremely beneficial for human health. Let’s have a look at all the benefits of this amazing plant:

  • For skin care (wounds, sores, rashes, etc.)

The pure inner gel extracted from the Aloe leaf is the best natural remedy for skin abrasions and it also helps diminish the symptoms of aging skin conditions like wrinkles. Many skin care and personal care products, toiletries, and cosmetics include Aloe extracts. In fact, if you have its plant at home, simply tear a small part of the leaf, take the gel and apply it in the raw form on your face. The topical external use of this plant is the most commonly known and it has long been known as a treatment for sores, particularly burns, including sunburns. Some people prefer drinking its juice, which also enhances skin health, as the properties of the plant work internally. It also helps in curing stings, rashes, acne, and psoriasis.

  • For beauty (moisturizer, hair care, teeth care etc.)

Aloe Vera has proven to be an excellent option for promoting naturally hair growth and essential to retain voluminous and healthy hair. You can apply its gel to the entire scalp or use a shampoo, which stimultaing your scalp can improves blood circulation and keeps you away from stress and mental tiredness.

Dental and gum diseases can also be cured by Aloe Vera. You can try out this natural remedy at home: put some of its powder on your toothbrush, then brush normally. It will soothe your gums and cure any kind of infection or bruises.

  • For digestion

The adaptogenic properties of Aloe Vera are beneficial for a proper digestion. It ensures better nutrient absorption and also eliminates harmful elements through smooth excretion. Its compounds called polysaccharides have the ability to cure a host of digestive disorders and ulcers, which are one of the most prominent consequences of digestive problems. Many studies have proven that with its anti-inflamamtory qualities it improves issues like Crohn’s disease, peptic ulcers, and other digestive tract disorders, mainly driven by the inflammation of digestive organs.

  • For constipation

This time it is not the gel, but the latex, that provides the benefits. The latex is a sticky yellow residue found just under the skin of the leaf and the key compound responsible for this effect is called aloin, or barbaloin, which has well-established laxative and diuretic effects (however, some concerns have been raised about safety issues with frequent use).

  • For immunity

Aloe Vera gel, again, contains powerful antioxidants, which belong to a large family of substances known as polyphenols. These polyphenols, along with several other compounds in Aloe vera, can help inhibit the growth of certain bacteria that can cause infections in humans. Beverages made with aloe vera juice possess natural detoxifying properties that effectively cleanse the digestive system and the circulatory system. As the absorption level of nutrients accelerates, it results in better blood circulation and also improves health. Infact, when the blood is oxygen-rich, it automatically provides nutrients within the cells more proficiently. Zinc is also an important component in this fantastic plant and it’s essential to maintain a proper immune function.

  • For diabetes and general regulation of blood sugar

Some evidence in humans and animals suggested that Aloe Vera is able to alleviate the chronic hyperglycemia (high blood sugar level) and perturbed lipid (fat) profile that are common among people with diabetes and are major risk factors for cardiovascular complications.

  • For pain

The extract of Aloe Vera has shown to be an excellent stimulant of the uterus and intake of its juice is very beneficial during painful menstruation.

The anti-inflammatory properties of Aloe Vera help it to work efficiently on joints and muscle pains, caused by heavy physical acivity or diseases like gout or arthritis. Applying Aloe gel topically eases inflammation and swelling of the joints.

Aloe Vera Smoothie Recipe:

Ingredients

  • 1-2 cups of coconut water
  • 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
  • lemon, if you like it
  • 1 cup of fresh mango (or any other fruit you like!)
  • 1 fresh banana (or any other fruit again!)
  • a handful of fresh mint
  • 1 medium Aloe Vera leaf filletted (1/2 cups)

How to fillet an Aloe Vera leaf:

  1. First, cut off any white parts close to the root of the leaf.
  2. Then trim the prickly sides by slicing them off entirely using a paring knife. When doing so, try to take off as little as possible.
  3. With the convex side facing up, use a potato peeler to remove the skin from the leaf. Alternatively, you can slice off the top skin with the knife.
  4. Then, slide the knife under the gel to separate it from the leaf skin, making sure there is no leftover skin on the gel.
  5. Dice the gel into smaller pieces. Refrigerate and cover your leftover Aloe.
  6. Add straight into your blender or juicer with the rest of the ingredients.
  7. Enjoy!

Comprehend Ouserlves through our Aura – Part 2

Last time I promised you to talk about the meanings of aura’s colors and how to start seeing them with your own eyes.

Remember that all living things radiate an aura from the energy they emit and that auras can reveal information about your thoughts, feelings and dreams. According to those, auras come in all colors, which can vary and can be light or dark shades. The ones closest to the physical body are the densest, gradually becoming more ethereal as they move towards the outer edges of the aura. It’s rare to have only one color in your aura, although it typically shows a predominant one.

For example, a young person aura is a wide span of red around the lower part and a narrow span of magenta/white at the head. As a person matures, the ampleness of the red in the aura, the colour which earths a person to this planet, begins to diminish and is replaced by the expansion of the spiritual colours of magenta and white. When the time comes for the transition of the soul through death, the red colour is practically non-existent, the aura now being totally filled with magenta and white.

  • Yellow

Relates to the spleen and life energy. It is the color of awakening, inspiration, intelligence and action shared, creative, playful, optimistic, easy-going. The Yellow Aura individual is a brilliant communicator, workaholic, confident in their skills, not suffering loneliness and have good observation skills. If brilliant yellow: positive awaken playful spirit; dark/brownish yellow: a student, pressured to achieve your goals and score high, with no more love for what he/she is studying; lemon yellow: someone with the fear of loss; pale yellow: individual with a new sense of excitement and hope for the future, embarked on a spiritual journey or discovered latent psychic abilities.

  • Orange

Relates to reproductive organs and emotions. The color of vitality, vigor, good health and excitement. People have lots of energy and stamina, they are creative, productive, adventurous, courageous, outgoing with social nature. Individuals which are normally good-hearted, kind and honest, can be hot headed and quick to lose their temper, successfull in life goals but sometimes impatient to start. If bright orange: very good health; orange-yellowish: a scientific mind and tend to be a bit of a perfectionist, mind challenger; orange-redish: great ego and self confidence.

  • Red

It is one of the most powerful colors found in an aura. It can be a positive or a negative element. Red represents blood, that’s why it represents the physical body, heart or circulation. The densest color, it creates the most friction. Friction attracts or repels; money worries or obsessions; anger or unforgiveness; anxiety or nervousness. If dark red: centered and grounded to the earth, self-sufficient, and able to survive any circumstance; muddied red: anger; cloudy red: powerful, energetic, competitive, sexual, passionate.

  • Pink

Pink indicates an artist, a loving sensual person who appreciates the finer things in life. If you’ve recently fallen in love, you’ll have a significant amount of pink in your aura. If dark pink: not trustworthy, this color indicates deceit, dishonesty, and an immature person.

  • Blue

This color represents the throat, specifically the thyroid. If your aura is blue, you’re intuitive, and you love helping people, a natural peacemaker. You remain calm during a crisis and others lean on you for support. If royal blue: highly developed spiritual intuitive or clairvoyant, very generous and giving spirit, open to new possibilities; dark blue: don’t trust the future and can’t face the truth due to your desire to take control; light blue: truthful and serene, and you excel in all fields of communication; indigo: relates to the third eye, intuitive, sensitive, deep feeling; turquoise: a powerful healer who helps others discover their inner truths. It’s usually found in doctors, healers, and counselors

  • Green

Green is the color of the heart and lungs. It is a very comfortable, healthy color of nature. When seen in the aura this usually represents growth and balance, and most of all, something that leads to change. This is usually found within the aura of teachers and people who work for the public good. If bright emerald green: healer, also a love-centered person; green yellowish: communicator, creative with art; forest green: tied to nature and use herbs in your healing practice; dark and cloudy green: a very jealous person and full of resentment, who refuse to accept responsibility for your own actions.

  • Purple

It is associated with the pituitary gland, pineal gland, and the nervous system. The most sensitive and wisest of colors,  the intuitive color in the aura, and reveals psychic power of attunement with self. Intuitive, visionary, futuristic, idealistic, artistic, magical individuals. If violet or lavender: a visionary of the highest level, someone who can daydream and change the world with spiritual love.

  • Rainbow

These auras are found in highly evolved spiritually persons, healers, especially those trained to work with the body’s energy fields. Rainbow auras are typically seen as shards of colorful light, resembling a sunburst.  Can be brilliant or pale, but usually a healer’s rainbow aura is often seen as colorful stripes radiating around the hands and head. Often the entire body of a healer or creative individual radiates a rainbow of colors that surrounds the person.

  • Silver

This is the color of abundance, both spiritual and physical. Lots of bright silver can reflect to plenty of money, and/or awakening of the cosmic mind. They are blessed and successfull. Silver people are attractive, exceptionally gifted, talented, lucky and have immense versatility and adaptability. If metallic silver: receptive to new ideas, intuitive, nurturing; dark or muddy grey: residue of fear is accumulating in the body, with a potential for health problems.

  • Gold

As silver, it is a very positive and spitirual color. It relates to the enlightenment and divine protection. When seen within the aura, it says that the person is being guided by their highest good, with protection, wisdom, inner knowledge, spiritual mind, intuitive thinker. The Gold Aura individuals are very attractive to other people and admirers, very charismatic, great listeners and generous, very proud and fiercely independent. Usually they hate to be criticised and cannot stand any of their flaws exposed.

  • Black

Black auras indicate you’re holding on to negative feelings. Draws or pulls energy to it and in so doing, transforms it. It captures light and consumes it. Typically, it indicates an unwilling and unforgiving spirit, long-term unforgiveness (toward others or another) collected in a specific area of the body, which can lead to health problems (abortion if near ovaries or uterus). It can also indicate past life hurts.

  • White

White typically indicates a newness and purity, reflects other energy, it’s a pure state of light. Often represents spiritual, etheric and non-physical qualities in a person, transcendent, higher dimensions, purity and truth, angelic qualities. It can be found in highly spiritual people who’ve transcended the physical and are preparing to ascend. If there are white sparkles or flashes of white light: angels are nearby, or it can indicate that the person is pregnant or will be soon.

The possibilities of what you might see by looking at someone’s aura are endless. And learning to read and protect your own aura can be important to your physical, emotional and spiritual health. You don’t have to be a mystic to read an aura. In fact, it’s widely believed we all have auric-sight (the ability to read auras) and could see them easily when we were children, but them we lost the ability to focus on more mental tasks.

Anyway, seeing auras can be developed with practice. First, you begin to learn how to see your own. At the beginning, you will only be able to see the lower layers of the Aura, with time and practice, you will develop the ability to see the higher levels as well. For this exercise, you will need a quiet room with a white wall, preferably at dusk time, when the light is low and the eyes need to switch to night vision. With time and practice, you will be able to do this exercise during daylight or in any other light conditions and eventually without using the white background.

  1. Begin by sitting down across from the white wall. Your back should be fully supported by a chair, your feet flat on the ground. Connecting to your breath, take a few minutes for relaxation.
  2. Extend one arm, palm facing the wall, fingers together. Soften your gaze as you look at your hand. Hold this soft gaze for 30 seconds and you will begin to see energy field surrounding your hand.
  3. Slowly spread your fingers apart. Continue with the soft gaze looking at your fingers and the space between your fingers. What do you see?
  4. With time and practice, you will begin to see and outline around your hand and around your fingers. At first, it may appear as a heat wave, almost colorless field, later on, you will begin to see different colors of your aura.
  5. Patiently observe. There is nothing to strive for. Just being here, in the moment, focusing softly on the hand, on the fingers, and the space between the fingers.

You can do a similar excercise but in front of a mirror. Look into it and look in the center of your forehead between your eyebrows. When done at the correct distance for you (up to 18 feet), you’ll be able to see an aura and its colors.

After having practised for a while on yourself, you can try looking at someone else’s aura, using them as partner in the exercise.

  1. Have your partner stand against the white wall, not touching it, just standing very close.
  2. Stand away from your partner so that you can see her from head to toe, including white space behind them.
  3. Feel your feet firmly planted on the ground and connect with your breath. Close your eyes for a few seconds.
  4. Open your eyes and with a soft focus look at your partner in a way that encompasses their whole body. Gaze softly, passively noticing whatever arises. There should be no striving to see anything, just allowing whatever arises in the moment.
  5. You will begin to see the energy field around the head and upper body. This is the area of the body that is easiest to see. At first, it will appear colorless, like a heat wave. With time, you will begin to see colors and you will no longer need a white background.

But before starting practising you have to consider few things:

  • Know when it’s time to cleanse. We pick up other people’s energies without even being aware of it. When those energies are negative, they affect our aura negatively (for instance, you’re feeling irritable and anxious for no apparent reason while you’re out with your friends having fun). Even if your aura doesn’t seem out of balance, it’s a good idea to cleanse it periodically to release any negative energies.
  • Cleanse your aura. Focus on your root chakra located at the base of your spine and associated with the color red. Then envision yourself engulfed in a shower of brilliant gold light radiating down from the sun. Let the light penetrate your body and your aura. Hold this image for some time. Then envision a violet light extending from the soles of your feet to the top of your head. See and feel it as a warm, protective blanket and believe that it has the ability to heal and protect any gaps in your aura. At this point, the cleansing and healing process is underway, and you should feel yourself becoming stronger, releasing negative energy and feeling more at peace. Meditate on this feeling for a while. Use some music in the background to relax.
  • Protect your aura. You can take other steps to protect and strengthen your aura. These include the cleansing meditation written above, massage, create a shield by meditating, invisible negative cord cutting and reiki energy meditation.
  • Use ethics while reading and healing auras. When you learn how to see auras, you may be tempted to share everything you see with other people. Aura colors change throughout the day, with each emotion, blockage in the body, thought pattern, energy levels and the flow of prana through the body. So, what you see in the moment is just that, in this moment. You need to be careful about interpreting aura colors of other people. Why? For two reasons. First, when you see the aura of someone else, you are seeing it through your own aura. You are seeing it through your own perceptions, your knowledge, and your beliefs. Jumping to conclusions may not be wise. Use your heart, your mind, and your soul to guide you. Second, once you develop the skill of seeing auras, you will be able to see auras around people anywhere on the street, in shopping mall, at work. Seeing somebody’s aura is like looking into someone’s bedroom and intruding on their privacy. It should not be done without the person’s consent.

Sad but true, it may take a while before you start seeing progress, but don’t give up and keep practising, that is the key! I will be glad to know your own experience, so remember that feedbacks are very much appreciated.

Enjoy your new vision!

Comprehend Ouserlves through our Aura – Part 1

The aura given out by a person is as much a part of them as their flesh – Lucien Freud

Someone once wrote that “we are spirits having a human experience” and it is actually this spirit’s frequency which vibrates creating the energetic field around us. This field around our physical body is known nowadays as the “aura“. Such a belief comes back to Egyptian and Hindu times, when it was thought that we have 10 colorful auric bodies which can generally be seen radiating from 6-18 inches outside of the physical system. Later in our holistic and energy-life path as human being, by the time we were also developing more our scientific knowledge and point of view of the world, we assigned to this belief the name of “subtle anatomy”.

As I was writing above, the subtle anatomy surrounding a person refers to the aura, or our electromagnetic field. It is ovoid in shape, with the widest part around the head and the narrowest under the feet. The aura is made up of seven layers or bodies, each of them interpenetrating and working with others.

75350269155afc06b0146d720e6daebf

The layers consist of the etheric, emotional, mental, astral, etheric template, celestial and casual bodies.

Closest to the physical body lies the etheric body. This layer is the blue print of the physical body, and disintegrates with it at death. It is here that can be seen or felt as an accumulation of energy in the wrong place, which if it is not eradicated it will progress into a disorder or proper disease in the physical body. The etheric body contains the Chakras, our central wheels of rotating energy, and Nadis, the energy channels connected with the nervous system.

The second aura layer is called the emotional layer and extends two to four inches away from the physical body. This layer is primarily connected to the second chakra, feelings, emotions and experience. It is constantly in a state of change, reflective of our current mood. This layer also stores unsettled emotions such as fear, resentment, and loneliness. The energies present in the second aura layer will communicate with the first layer, and then process this information into the physical body. That’s the reason why usually physical tension, muscle cramps and upset stomach could be a result of the first layer being bombarded by emotional pain.

The third aura layer is the mental body, extending itself four to eight inches from the physical body. This layer is connected to the third chakra, our consciousness, ideas, logical processes, belief systems and intellect. Here stay our mental health and/or mental issues, thoughts and ideas are rationalized and validated. Every thought that we have creates a form or shape: if we think negative thoughts, they will attract other negative thought forms, and thereby amplify the original thought. Same for positive thoughts.

The astral layer is also called “bridge layer”, as it is a window to our spiritual nature, separating the first three layers from the outer three aura layers. It is eight to twelve inches away from the physical body and connects to the fourth chakra, our sense of love, well-being, expansion and life-balance.

We named the fifth aura layer the etheric template one. It is one to two feet away from the physical body. It connects with the fifth chakra, sound, vibration, communication and creativity. Primarily this layer of the aura serves as a carbon copy of the physical body on the spiritual plane.

The sixth aura layer is called the celestial body. It extends two to three feet away from the body and reflects our subconscious mind, memories, dreams, spiritual awareness, intuitive knowledge, trust, honesty, and unconditional love. It is where the physical mind comes to connection with the spiritual mind through meditation and devotional practices. The celestial layer holds our experiences of having a connection to something greater than ourselves, untangible.

The causal layer is the link to one may call “God”, “Creator”, “Source”, or “All That Is” within each individual, and extends three to five feet away from the physical body, depending on our spiritual state. The seventh aura layer, or causal layer, is connected to the seventh chakra, all knowledge and all possibilities. This layer protects and holds all other aura layers together, and contains the blueprint of our spiritual path, reflecting all of the soul’s experiences and events through time. So basically, it is the record of all our previous lives, plus the reason for our present incarnation. When we reincarnate, we bring with us the knowledge of the path that we have chosen to walk and the challenges we have selected to meet. But from the moment of birth we are subjected to conditioning which makes us forget our life plan.

I know there is a lot to take in…

So I will let you “digest” all these information first, and I will be back next time focusing on the colors and their meaning of the aura and then on how to start seeing the layers, with some useful tips and suggestions for beginners with the will to learn!

Thanks for reading,

Namaste

 

 

Picture taken from: https://nexusnewsfeed.com/article/consciousness/how-aura-energy-healing-works-1/

 

Focus on: The Heart Chakra

Sanskrit name: Anahata (unstruck)
Element: Air
Color: Green
Shape: Crescent moon
Petals of the lotus: Twelve
Rights: To love
Physical association: Heart, lungs, circulatory system, arms, hands
Psychological function: Love
Challenge: Grief
Plane: The plane of balance
Planets: Venus (lunar, feminine), Sun
Sense organ: Skin
Predominant sense: Touch
Incense: Jasmin, lavender, rose
Herb: Yarrow, meadowsweet, oris root

In Sanskrit Anahata means “sound produced without touching two parts” and at the same time “pure, clean” or “unstruck”. The name of this chakra signifies the state of freshness that appears when we are able to become detached and to look at the different and apparently contradictory experiences of life with a state of openness and expansion. Normally we are used that an effect is produced by the confrontation of the two opposite forces. At the level of Anahata chakra appears the possibility to integrate the two opposite forces and create an energy of cooperation and integration, which brings peace and a new perspective in the world.

The symbol for the Heart chakra is traditionally composed of a circle with twelve petals and a downward-pointing triangle interlaced with an upward-pointing triangle, forming a six-pointed star or hexagram. The twelve petals, often colored in red, match the disturbances of lust, fraud, indecision, repentance, hope, anxiety, longing, impartiality, arrogance, competence, discrimination and defiance, that can easily sneak in our heart and upset it. The intersecting triangles represent the air element and its all-encompassing quality. They also symbolize the union of seemingly opposite principles or types of energies, such as male and female, spirit and matter. The star that they form evokes the harmonious joining of forces and highlights the function of the heart chakra as a center of integration and connection.

The most commonly accepted location for the fourth chakra is at the center of the chest, between the breasts. It’s slightly to the left of the actual organ of the heart, from whom it takes its name. Because of its location, the heart chakra is associated to the cardiac system and the lungs, organs that are interdependent and rely on air and the “breathing of life” to function properly.

Anahata moves love through our life. It is the center of our deep bonds with other beings, our sense of caring and compassion, our feelings of self-love, altruism, generosity, kindness, and respect. The energy of Anahata allows us to recognize that we are part of something larger, that we are interconnected within an intricate web of relationships extending through life and the universe. This chakra allows us to recognize and get in touch with the sacred and fundamental truth that runs through all of life and connects everything together. It suggests us to live our life with loving kindness and compassion towards others, to keep our heart open and inspire kindness, to create a safe and supportive environment.

When Anahata is open and energy is flowing freely, you are not only loving to others, you are also loving to your self. You know when you need to say no and when you need care and self-nurturing. But when this chakra becomes imbalanced as a result of life experiences that have a strong emotional charge or significant changes in your environment, it may manifests as a blockage in the energy flow or, on the contrary, as a tendency to become overactive or have an excess of energy. You might feel overly defensive, closed down, jealous, relying on other’s approval and attention, trying to please at all cost, falling into victimization, antisocial and at the physical level, it can show up as respiratory ailments, such as lung infection, bronchitis or circulatory and heart-related issues.

But how can you open and rebalance your Anahata?

  • The best way to receive love is to give it! So give hugs and kisses, smile at everyone you see daily, try to forgive and move on (life is too short to hold grudges), give friends, family and co-workers positive affirmations and feedback. Do not criticize anyone or anything, including yourself. Focus on receiving if you are naturally inclined to be a giver, and on giving if you’re more inclined to receive all the time.
  • Express your gratitude, even if it’s in silence. You can be grateful for the presence of other people in your life or simply for good things that make your life happier. If you find easier, make a written or mental list in your mind before going to sleep.
  • Learn “empathy”. It will open your mind and implement your kindness and compassion towards others. Walking in another person’s shoes is not easy to do, but can be helpful in growing a sense of empathy and compassion. Try to play a game called, “the what if scenarios.” When encountering a person who is being unpleasant or who has treated me poorly in the past, ask yourself “What if that person is just having a bad day?” etc. And as you create these stories, of which the possibilities are endless, you begin to empathize with the other person and his or her situation. This method also takes you away from yourself and self-pity.
  • Cultivate your appreciation for beauty, whether it’s in nature, people or in the arts. Engage in activities that feed your heart.
  • Any yoga pose that opens the area of the chest will help to balance the heart chakra. Some poses include camel, standing bow pose, and cow face pose.
  • Work with the breath to balance your energy. Observe it, play with it with breathing exercises.
  • Work on these believes you may have consciously or subconsciously in order to figure out where they come from and solve them:

Heart Chakra Affirmations

I am open to love.
All love resides within my heart.
I deeply and completely love and accept myself.
I nurture my inner child. I am wanted and loved.
I live in balance, in a state of gracefulness and gratitude.
I love the beauty of nature and the animal world. I forgive myself.
I am open to love and kindness.
I am grateful for all the challenges that helped me to transform and open up to love.
I am connected with other human beings.
I feel a sense of unity with nature and animals.
I accept things as they are.
I am peaceful.

Discover the properties of Lobelia

Lobelia (Lobelia inflata), also called Indian tobacco, has a long history of use as an herbal remedy and it is one of the greatest herbs ever given to the world. A brief history of this amazing herb starts with the Native Americans, who smoked it as a treatment for respiratory problems. In the 19th century, American physicians prescribed Lobelia to induce vomiting in order to remove toxins from the body. Because of this, it earned the name “puke weed.” After that, the belief that Lobelia was a dangerous poison began, due to the fact that Dr. Samuel Thompson was having an amazing success treting his patient with this herbal remedy, instead of using orthodox medicine.

Nowadays, scientists think an active ingredient in the Lobelia plant, lobeline, may have similar effects to nicotine. For this reason, back in the days they were using lobeline as a nicotine substitute in many antismoking products and preparations designed to break the smoking habit.

In general, Lobelia is an efficient relaxant, the best counter-irritant known to mankind! Its action is felt immediately on the serous, mucous, muscular and nervous system of our body. It is also a powerful antispasmodic, expanding at the same time the contracted parts of the respiratory system, allowing the “breath of life” (oxygenized blood) to flow freely in the whole body.

Lobelia is also commonly known as a “selective thinking herb”. This means that when a foetus is dead or in an extremely weakened condition, this herb will cause it to abort. While, if the foetus is healthy but the mother is sick, it will help the mother healing and strengthen, enabling her to carry the child until the delivery. Then during the labour, Lobelia will allay and regulate the violent pains and ease the spasms. Very effective also for menstrual disorders.

Be careful though! Bear in mind that Lobelia is a potentially toxic herb. You can safely use it in small doses (for example homeopathic doses), but moderate to large doses may cause side effects ranging from dry mouth and nausea to convulsions and even coma. As a general rule, an herbalist should always give it in combination with a stimulant as per its powerful relaxing effects. But anyway, you should use lobelia only under the supervision of your health care provider.

Preparations and Dosage (for adults, with normal weight and no medical conditions):

Decoction, fluid extract, infusion (mostly seeds crushed), pills, poultrice, powder (leaves, stems, flowers and pods), syrup and tincture (green and dried leaves). With prudence, you may give Lobelia in either small or large doses, at shorter or longer intervals:

  • Decoction: 1/2 cupful
  • Fluid extract 10 to 30 drops
  • Infusion 1 cupful
  • Powder 200-650 milligrams
  • Solid Extract 100-300 milligrams
  • Syrup 1 to 4 teaspoons
  • Tincture 1/2-1 teaspoon, or 10 to 30 drops

Syrup of Lobelia (for cough and vomit inducer):

2 and half ounces of Lobelia and 2 ints of distilled water, simmer togheter down to 1 pint. Strain and dissolve 2 pounds of raw sugar or 1 pounds of honey into it. Take 1 teaspoon for coughs or up to 1 cupful as a vomit inducer.

Decoction of Lobelia (for liver problems, jaundice):

1 part of Lobelia, 1 part of Pleurisy root, 1 part of Catnip and 1 part of Bitter root. Mix the herbs well and steep 1 teaspoon of this combination in 1 cup of noiling water for 15 to 20 minutes, then strain. Take 2 tablespoon hot every 2 hours.

Tincture of Lobelia (for relief fever, asthma and spasms):

2 ounces of Lobelia herb, steam and flowers, 2 ounces of crushed Lobelia seeds and 1 pint of apple cider vinegar (better choice than alcohol). Macerate in a tightly capped bottle for 10 to 14 days. Shake every time you walk by it, or at least once a day. Strain off the liquid and bottle it for use.

Focus on: The Solar Plexus Chakra

Sanskrit name: Manipura (jeweled city)
Element: Fire
Color: Yellow
Shape: Triangle (downward-pointing)
Petals of the lotus: Ten
Rights: To act
Physical association: Digestive system, liver, gall bladder
Psychological function: Will
Challenge: Shame
Plane: Celestial plane
Planets: Sun and Mars
Incense: Saffron, musk, sandalwood
Herb: Cinnamon, ginger

Located between the navel and the solar plexus, this chakra is also called “Manipura“, which translates from Sanskrit as the “City of Jewels” (Mani – gem, Pura or Puri – city).

The main elements of the Solar Plexus chakra symbol are a circle with ten petals and an downward-pointing triangle. This last one in particular represents the fire element and the transformative power of this energy center. Infact, fire turns matter into energy that can be used to propel, move forward. The ten petals are often represented with the color blue, like the blue color of the flame.

That is the rason why it is said that Manipura governs digestion and metabolism, as it is connected with the fire energy and it is the home of the coeliac plexus, which innervates most of the digestive system. Other than that, the Solar Plexus is the core of our personality, our identity, of our ego, our willpower. While the Sacral chakra seeks pleasure and enjoyment, the third chakra is all about the perception of who you are.

The gift of this chakra is sensing your personal power, being confident, responsible, and reliable. The energy of this chakra allows you to transform inertia into action and movement. It allows you to face challenges and move forward in your life. Manipura reminds you that you can choose, you have the power to choose and create your life, making your own decisons. And here comes the hard work, as the main challenge for the third chakra is to use your personal power in a balanced manner, which means being proactive rather then reactive or inactive.

So what happens when you have a Solar Plexus unbalanced? Other than having digestive problems, people with excessive Manipura energy react to much to life circumstances, they have emotional outbursts and are often stressed out. If they have a blocked or deficient third chakra, they are passive and inactive , allowing life to pass by while they do nothing. On the other hand, when the Solar Plexus chakra is balanced, you may find yourself being assertive, showing your will in a way that leads to the expected results (usually effortlessly) and having harmonious relationships with your surroundings.

But how can you open and rebalance your Manipura?

  • Essential oils (lemon, ginger, clove, cinnamon and black pepper) are an easy, subtle way to open your solar plexus chakra. They can be worn as perfume if diluted properly, or used in oil diffusers. A few drops in a hot bath can provide a relaxing location for meditation.
  • Since the goal is to have an opened and activated solar plexus chakra, try imagining a bright yellow flower opening over your navel. A glowing golden ball of light or a burning flame are also good meditations for opening Manipura. Imagine those for a few minutes at a time throughout the day while taking deep, calming breaths.
  • The best Solar Plexus chakra yoga poses are those that strengthen your core and help you to feel more powerful and confident. Step into the Warrior I pose to access your inner spiritual warrior.
  • Certain foods (sweet potatoes, pumpkins, corn, lemon, lentils and brown rice) can be used to heal the Solar Plexus chakra. Adding these to your diet or increasing the amount you eat can help activate your chakra.
  • Work on these believes you may have consciously or subconsciously in order to figure out where they come from and solve them:

Solar Plexus Chakra Affirmations

I love and accept myself.
I stand up for myself.
I am strong and courageous.
I am worthy of love, kindness, and respect.
I choose the best for myself.
I express myself in a powerful way.
I am proud of my achievements.
I honor my self.
I choose healthy relationships.
I am authentic.
I direct my own life.
I appreciate my strengths.
I feel my own power.
I am free to choose in any situation.
I seek opportunities for personal and spiritual growth.
I am at peace with myself.

UPDATE

Dear Abundy's supporters and friends, It is with sadness that I have to announce the temporarily closure of Abundy Studio due to unexpected circumstances. During this time you can stay tuned and read the Abundy blog, but all the treatments will be suspended until further notice. Hopefully we won't stay close for long! Thank you for your understanding and support. With Love and Gratitude.