Simplify to Amplify Your Senses

VIBRANT HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK~ SIMPLIFY

  Here we are in early days of August and for New Englanders a pang of sadness may creep in knowing how quick our summer weather will leave and the busy shift of back to school, work and life takes hold in a few weeks. My advice is take these days and simplify as much as possible. Keep your' to do' list minimal and allow the day to unfold in its own wise creative way. Be open to something spontaneous unfolding and say YES!

With all the bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables available now, simplify meals, eat outside, enjoy these precious days of longer light as they too will begin to diminish. Life is a play of comings and goings , beginnings and endings, ebbs and flows. The only way we can have a hope of being present to the richness right in front of our eyes is to slow down and simplify.

Less is really more when it comes to tuning into the sensory symphony that calls us each day. See as if the universe is looking through your eyes! Feel as if the universe is feeling through your heart. Listen, touch, smell and taste with all the focus you can muster! Being truly present is a powerful step on the path of conscious awakening and living as a vibrant conscious being.
Blessings for a simplified and sensory glorious summer week!

Breathe Deeply!

VIBRANT HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK~ EXHALE!

  It's become rather clear to me that a vast majority of our tendencies to ramp up into stress mode stems from the habit of not exhaling deeply. Shallow breathing in general is a sure sign your nervous system is set in stress mode and holding the breath is another sign that your central nervous system is locked in flight ,fight or freeze mode. This pattern over time creates havoc in our physical bodies, in our minds and emotions creating such strain that just navigating the normal decisions one has to make daily can feel overwhelming.

 The first step is to notice your breath. Breathe in for 4 counts deep into your belly then exhale for 8. When we double the exhale we short circuit further activating the stress response and turn on the relaxation response. If you are feeling super anxious and distracted, inhale for 4, hold for 7 and exhale for 8. This breath pattern is known for having the capacity to stop an anxiety attack in its tracks!

So breathe deep, and exhale even deeper on a regular basis to reclaim your center. As a yoga and meditation teacher I witness first hand in myself and my students how insidious stress levels can ramp up and yet the remedy is right beneath our nose. Stop for a moment right now and take a deep belly breath and exhale slowly. As you exhale, visualize you are releasing the excess energy that is creating pressure inside. Like a balloon that is inflated too full and ready to burst. We do not realize what we are holding until we actually start to put it down.

Holding the breath can be an unconscious act of holding onto emotions that need to be expressed. Holding onto anger , resentments or fears that need a voice. Holding on to pain that is asking for a path of release. Holding on to our past which is truly over. When we are stuck in a pattern of holding on, we are not available and present to life unfolding right in front of our eyes. Our awareness is hijacked into worry, pain , anger or fear which has a powerful effect of disconnecting us from our deeper wisdom and truth. It is true that stress kills. It can create such a corrosive imbalance in our bodies and in our minds resulting in illness as well as creating the effect of feeling cut off from out spirit. The aspect of our Being that is fundamental to us living with authenticity and presence.

We can survive for weeks without food, days without water but only minutes without breath. There is a yogic saying, when you breathe deep you live deep!

Make a loving commitment today to notice your breathing and deepen the inhale and extend the exhale as long as you can. Welcome peace to be reflected in breath!

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Namaste and Blessings for a Breathing Deep Day!
Anne Christine Townend-Duffey

The Transformational Turning Point~Committing to a Home Yoga Practice

  Namaste All~ We all know the benefits we hear about practicing yoga, mindfulness, meditation and yet what is the # 1 reason people fail to commit to a daily practice to reap those benefits?

    As a yogini and teacher , I have asked myself that question often as its one of my central intentions to inspire students to practice daily to really tap into the transformative power of yoga. Here is what I know. Until the power of your intention to practice is stronger than your resistance to practice, nothing will change. Thats the bottom line. Resistance is a form of fear. It can be subtle and so slick that we can easily dismiss it with excuses like I don't have time, I am too tired when I come home from work, etc. If we take a courageous moment to just tap into the feeling of resistance and ask ourselves truly 'What am I afraid of here, we will begin to get clear on our real intentions.

Do we really want to be mindful? What does that really require of me? Do I really want to take a deeper responsibility for my health and wellness? What does that require of me? Do I really want to align with my deeper consciousness and wake up from the mass illusion of stress and feeling separate? What does that require of me? It requires you take a very strong intention to begin to honor your wholeness. The integrated aspect of your Being which is essentially illuminated love. Pretty lofty I know but nevertheless rolling out your yoga mat daily with a loving commitment to spend time with your deeper self is the most liberating healing practice I know of.

Ask yourself, are you just here in life to be a passenger and observer of what happens in your life or are you here to be a loving, co-creative,dynamic , intentional Being who chooses to LIVE ON PURPOSE? If getting a daily practice established was so easy, well I would not be posting this. It is not easy, It may be the most difficult shift you initially are called to make but the payoff is nothing less than transformational.

If you are feeling life is coming at your rather than through you , its time to commit to your home practice and shift that experience from victim of circumstances to creator of experiences. The only way through is within. Become a pilgrim within your own inner domain of experience. We contain all the energy on a cellular level of the universe! If that isn't appealing enough to turn the TV off and take a galaxy ride inside daily, well, my friend, the choice is yours:) I sincerely hope you love yourself enough to honor yourself daily with stillness, meditation and yoga to liberate you from what limits you being fully who you are meant to be in this world! Its time,roll that mat out and take your seat! Let the journey begin!

If you struggle with getting a practice going, join me in a yoga class and lets have a heart to heart chat on how you can make this amazing shift for yourself.
Namaste & Blessings for a Beautiful Day! Anne Townend-Duffey

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TAP INTO YOUR TRUE INDEPENDENCE AND SPARK YOUR INNER LIGHT

    Namaste All. As we approach this US holiday celebration of the birth of our nation, let us pause to take some inner reflection on what truly expresses our authentic,independent spiritual nature. This new moon cycle we are currently in for another week is nudging us to clear old identifications from our consciousness. To release the concepts of who we' think' we are through forms of ego and personality and open to the vulnerable yet true and clear expression of our spiritual energetic beings.

The path to pruning the old identities is letting go of old patterns of thinking that no longer serve us. The judgements, self criticisms, the impatience, fear and anger that block the deeper expressions we may be keeping in the shadows. This inner work is necessary if we ever hope to attract and engage in authentic loving relationships with ourselves and  with others. As we heal and grow our inner independent self, we naturally align with others that are doing the same. The result is we come together as a sum greater than our individual parts. We all expand and benefit.

So take some time in the next week to examine what old pattern of thinking, habit of mind or emotion are you willing to release as a portal to opening to a deeper , more authentic, independent expression of your unique self? Notice in what situations you feel the most relaxed and open in. Notice the aspects of how you feel when in a relaxed open state. Notice who you feel the most relaxed and open around. Notice what situations, thoughts or patterns of emotional programming create separation or constriction from your natural, relaxed state of being. Get ready to prune back the constricting patterns.

It does take courage to step into this work but the consequence of not taking those steps is living by someone elses expectations, someone or something else from the external is defining who and what you are. This is not a recipe for happiness but one of suffering. Breathe deep, allow all feelings to be felt and guide you to taking steps to live more alive and aligned with your deepest aspect of who you really are. We are all hear to realize and live from our deepest Dharma.Only you can bring that forward.

Blessings for a week of truth, clarity and authenticity! Namaste
Anne Townend-Duffey

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Embracing the Season of Summer at the Speed of Nature: Long, Slow and Deep.

   Happy Solstice to all. We here in the  New England  are almost giddy at the arrival of summer season. With a spring that seemed to elude us, we now are fully in the flowering season of all that nature has to offer.

   To fully be present and receptive to the sensory abundance that is unfolding each day, it's wise to choose to move at the pace of nature herself. She does not rush or multitask. She does not judge or reject. She does not miss the moment waiting for a better one ahead or holding on to moments past. She is the epitome of a wise sage guiding us just how to align and shine with our essence by taking in hers!

   Our breath reflects our consciousness and the availability we have to being present. Breathing in long, slow and deeply and exhaling with completion, moves our nervous system into alignment with the healing rhythm of nature. When we consciously breathe, we consciously see, sense, hear, feel and taste. We awaken from distraction and open fully to the richness that nature and this season of growth has to offer.

   When we observe our experiences from a space of conscious presence, we absorb the beauty of nature right into our cellular structure. We then carry her essence as a reflection of our own. We become her. We realize the infinite possibilities within the world of creation. We awaken our experiences to depths not tapped into before. We awaken to the natural aliveness that defines our souls.

    Summer is a blessing every year, particularly if you live in regions with long , tough winters. Summer awakens and renews our spirit.  Summer says come out and play . Shed your layers, shed your shoes, walk in the grass or on the sand, breathe and feel. Be Alive! What an amazing season of generosity and abundance! 

Blessings to you All and take each day as an invitation to breathe long, slow and deeply. Take it all in! Namaste Anne Townend-Duffey

The Four Letter Word You Cannot Thrive Without!

    No, it's not Food or the other F word, its REST! Yes REST. Its not sexy, not going to stimulate your dopamine receptors for action, addiction and pleasure , plain and simple REST. As a yoga teacher I am well aware that despite all the benefit of the many yoga asanas we may explore in a class, what I notice students absolutely LOVE is savasana, integrative REST TIME! We are a sleep and rest deprived culture. We are , in many cases , moving around in some level of brain fog exhaustion.
We've been hearing some good press about the need to shift our view with the necessity of adequate and optimal restorative sleep thanks in part to Arianna Huffington's new book THRIVE. 

Most of us are getting some amount of sleep and the quality of it may vary. If you wake up feeling refreshed, recharged and inspired well than you have the sleep factor down! Sadly that is not the experience of most folks living in today's hyped -up, info. overloaded and energy draining times. When it comes to REST, ALL OF US ARE LACKING IN THIS KEY NUTRIENT FOR THE BODY, MIND and SOUL. 

REST can range from simply taking a minute to pause , close your eyes and breathe deeply and mindfully or to taking a sabbatical from your profession to retreat  and REST your weary mind, body and soul and rediscover the core of your being. In between the one minute option and the month or year retreat , there are a multitude of creative ways to weave REST into your daily life.
Here are my top picks:
REST your mind by meditating daily, observe your breath and
drop your thoughts
REST your emotions by taking a walk in nature
REST your worry by saying a mantra or prayer that connects you to
Spirit.
REST your judgements by allowing things to unfold as they are.
REST your fear by being kind and patient with your vulnerability
REST your anger by embracing the awareness that your soul is
trying to get your attention to move into more clarity and
authenticity.
REST your digestion by doing a one day juice fast.
REST your habit to caffeinate and hydrate instead
REST your aches and pains by taking a lavender/epsom salt bath
REST your incessant need to know by trusting in the mystery of life
REST your compulsion to talk by being silent and listening
REST your obsession with social media by having a 'screen free'
day.
REST your need to make 'TO DO ' lists and replace with a ' To BE'
intention.
REST your habit of watching negative news, TV and media by
making a playlist of inspirational music to soothe your psyche.
REST your tendency to speak negatively by reading inspiring poetry
from Rumi or Hafiz Hamidun
REST your concern about the future and be present to what is in
front of your eyes, ears , nose and heart right now.our
REST your need to make a big decision quickly, Take time and SLEEP on it! Things always appear clearer when we are rested.

Today,,, find a few ways to practice RESTING. Your mind with thank you with clarity. Your body will thank you with energy and calm and your spirit will thank you with intuitive guidance.
I'D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR IDEA ON HOW TO TAKE A REST,Please share in the comments below.
Namaste & Blessings for a REST INFUSED DAY! Anne Townend- Duffey MA. E-RYT Director of Opening Lotus Yoga

SURRENDERING TO THE UNKNOWN Part 2- Deeply Trusting the Space of Confusion & Not Knowingness

Vibrant Health Tip of the Week -Surrendering to the Unknown Part 2: DEEPLY TRUST THE SPACE OF CONFUSION AND NOT KNOWING Embracing the Dance Between Shadow & LIght

Last week I shared some insights about the practice and power of surrendering, the art of knowing when perpetuating the minds tendencies to either force solutions or recede into inertia is not the most mindful approach to take when facing challenges. When we act out of impulse, we tend to perpetuate old patterns and the current challenges keep on repeating themselves in one form or another as we are not approaching it from a higher level of awareness to actually resolve the challenge.

The POWER OF SURRENDER comes from the awareness that there is a Divine level of support and evolution working on your behalf but it requires us to stop our conditioned behaviors long enough to allow this support to be felt and trusted. The paradox is that in order to tap into the light of consciousness, we have to be willing to fully experience the shadows of our unconsciousness that show up as confusion, fear, resistance and pain.

PART 2 of surrendering is DEEPLY TRUST THE SPACE OF CONFUSION AND NOT KNOWINGNESS. For most of us, when faced with a challenge on any level, the last thing we are comfortable with is being in a state of confusion. We've been trained to escape confused states at all costs mostly due to an unconscious drive not to feel fear. We may opt for acting on any solution just to escape the uncomfortableness of not knowing and it may bring some ego relief in the short term as some perceived illusion we are in control, but acting from conditions, habits or fear never results in changes that are wise or sustainable.

THE KEY to allowing yourself to be present in the uncomfortable or at times down right painful space of not knowing is to continually be present to exactly what is arising and FEEL IT FULLY. Being patient does not mean not feeling. Being patient means to fully feel every energy that arises in times of confusion. Feeling does not mean analyzing or over thinking, just feel in the moment, what does it feel like in your body for your mind to go into overdrive. Do you have a headache, is your chest tight, is your stomach in knots, is your breath shallow ?

OBSERVING YOUR ENERGETIC EXPERIENCES IS THE DOORWAY to connecting to a deeper wisdom just ready to reveal itself to you . It requires we stay receptive and willing to allowing whatever is arising to be received in a manner of non-judgement and openness. This tool of staying present to what is, is especially potent when dealing with deep struggles. It takes courage of the heart , trust in the wisdom of the soul and the awareness and faith that we are all being held and supported by a divine presence that always has our highest good at heart. Trust that! Lean on that when the prickly, painful, heart opening energy of confusion and fear creep in. Feel, be present and allow the guidance of the Divine truth of your being to come in and be realized. This process is truly witnessing the transformation of shadow to light. From untruth to truth. From living in dishonesty to living with clarity and peace. Its not an easy path but a necessary one if we aspire to manifest our Dharma, our spiritual gift we are here to deliver.
Blessings for a day of allowing, feeling and being present to what is especially when you feel confused fearful and in pain.
Namaste Anne Townend- Duffey

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