C'ville

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Recovery

 
The past couple months have been very intense with the specter of racism evident for all to see. People of color may not have been surprised but for me seeing what occurred when white supremacists descended on Charlottesville in July and August was shocking and a call to action. It challenged me to think about how I help perpetuate racism by keeping systems in place that keep others down. If you struggle to understand the concept of white privilege, here is an excerpt from comedian Omar Ismail that was helpful for me.:

“Consider it this way. All I know about you is you’re tall.

Do you have any advantages? Yes.

Does that mean you don’t deserve the can of tuna on the higher shelf? No. Nobody is saying that. Eat away mighty giant.

Should you feel guilty about getting the tuna from the top shelf? No. Nobody is saying that. Lighten your soul’s burden and let it fly free in the clouds beneath your knees.

Does that mean short people can’t get the tuna? No. Nobody is saying that.
Does that mean there aren’t disadvantages of being tall? No. Nobody is saying that. You have our sympathy for your poor bruised knees.
What people are saying is:

Denying you are lucky is silly.

Stop looking bewildered every time a short person can’t reach something. We’re sick of explaining this incredibly simple concept……

It works out well for most people, for the grocery store to put most things on medium shelves.

If you can help shorter people with things on higher shelves, do so. Why would you not do that? Short people can help you with stuff on lower shelves.

We are annoyed that the people who run the grocery store put all the best stuff on the top shelves.

There are a lot of people who are putting things on higher shelves because they hate short people. Don’t associate with those people.

For the entire article click here.

I have been impressed to see how our local ‘alt-health’ community has come together to try to help heal these traumatic events. Various local organizations have pulled together therapists, acupuncturists, body workers, and healers together to donate their time to folks affected. I felt honored to volunteer at Common Ground Healing Arts during one of their offerings. There were 11 practitioners that night and 40 folks were able to receive services.  
 
How do we heal from the impact of living in a town where a terrorist drove into a crowd of people and killed one of our own? How do we move forward toward unity?  I was inspired by Heather Heyer’s mother, Susan Bro: "Here's what I want to happen. You ask me, 'What can I do?' So many people … I want this to spread. I don't want this to die. This is just the beginning of Heather's legacy – this is not the end of Heather's legacy. You need to find in your heart that small spark of accountability. 'What is there I can do to make the world a better place? What injustice do I see?' … You poke that finger at yourself like Heather would have done. You take that extra step. You find a way to make a difference in the world."

What is that spark inside of you? Please take what it is that you do well and share that with others.  

Warmly,

Kim

Have you heard the buzz?

If you are needing some support processing the hate and violence from the August 12th events that occurred in Charlottesville, come on down to Common Ground Healing Arts for free bodywork / acupuncture / healing services, tonight, August 30th from 5-8 pm, I'll be there offering free energy healings. 

White Privilege

Site of terrorist attack in Charlottesville, VA where a white supremacist drove into a crowd. The energy downtown at the vigil last night was a mix of feeling ungrounded, hyper vigilance and also kinship. Personally, these events are making me more committed to take responsibility for my own racism and for bringing into light the way we systematically oppress people of color and foster white supremacy to grow. #blacklivesmatter

Seeing Unity

Are you seeing the differences or the connections?

The third eye or 6th chakra is the chakra that’s located in the middle of our forehead and the one which moves our view from only a micro level to the macro level. Shifting the view from how it impacts my family and me to how it also impacts society. It is through this chakra that we have moved from the pollution of the 1970’s to now where it is standard to recycle and test emissions. At first the implementation of these programs probably seemed like a burden to have to sort what could be recycled versus trash, but the minor inconvenience was worth it for the greater good. There is a parable that is really great at illustrating what I am talking about. Click here if you’d like to read about the farmer’s son: a tale of fortune or misfortune. While I was staying at a resort this summer I kept seeing litter. I first thought, people are so rude, why don’t they put that in the trash or recycling can? (Judgment) First I walked past it, then my 6th chakra chimed in: you can do something about it. So I turned around and picked it up, and you know what? I transmuted that judgment about others into something positive for myself and the greater good. Through this act I was also able to release the judgment. It reminded me again I always have a choice. So, if you see some trash sitting about, I highly recommend picking it – you may be surprised how much better you feel.
 
This chakra is the place where our intuition can come in but also can be blocked when we start to doubt. When you start questioning yourself or going in circles about a decision, often you get even more confused – this is a clear sign that your third eye is closing or not fully open. This is also the place where we are able to recognize the silver linings or gifts that come from illness, death or a painful breakup.
 
When our 6th chakra is balanced and open we can come up with a good idea and are able to recognize the steps required to carry it out. We can use our intuition, wisdom, and judgment to bring things to fruition.
 
A couple months ago a family member said something to me that I took as a criticism and instead of being able to evaluate it, I felt anger and shame. Apparently my 6th chakra was off, because fast forward 3 months and that same family member said that same thing to me and this time I saw they were really saying it as a acknowledgement of all what I do and this time I could take it in as a compliment. A friend of mine often says, “Humans are fascinatingly bizarre creatures.” Yes, we are.

Here's a brief overview of the third eye chakra.
 
Physical level: The 6th chakra governs the eyes and pituitary gland.

Psychological level: When this chakra is balanced we are able to trust our intuition and are able to clearly see things but not be judgmental.
 
Spiritual: This governs our intellectual understanding and clarity.

If your third eye chakra is off you may notice the following:

• Headaches
• Vision problems
• Insomnia
• Sinus issues
• Inability to carry out your ideas
• Inability to feel clear about a decision
• Tendency to be judgmental
• Anxiety
• Hallucinations / paranoia

Some suggestions for opening your 6th chakra and bringing your chakra back into balance:

• Experience indigo light emanating out from your middle of your forehead.
• Massage your forehead.
• Yoga poses: standing forward bend, head to knee pose, dolphin pose and child’s pose.
• Affirmations: I am open to my inner guidance. I trust my feelings. I am full of wisdom.
• Meditate.
• Stop checking your phone or electronic devices 1 hour before bed.
• Essential oils; geranium, lavender, clary sage, grapefruit and sandalwood.

 
If you’re feeling you need some support with this chakra or just to rebalance from the summer shifts click here to schedule a session.


 

Speak up, please

What is it that you haven't said?

Ready to dive into some truth telling? An open fifth chakra is what you need. Mother’s Day was a hard time for many folks I know. They have strained relationships or have experienced abuse from their moms. They don’t want to celebrate with them or be bombarded with the hoopla that surrounds this holiday. I also know many out there who wish to be moms and haven’t been able to conceive or have had many miscarriages and disappointments. I also want to presence the moms who have so so relationships with their kids for whom this day brings feelings of being unappreciated.
 
One of hardest parts of all these possibilities is the feeling that we can’t be open and honest about it. The constricted feeling that if Mother’s Day is miserable for us, we need to isolate or suck it up and be fake, when the most healing thing we can do is to own our feelings about it. Many times well meaning people respond to these feelings with, “But you should be grateful at least you’re here.” Or “Focus on the positive.” As we all know when someone tells us either of those things and we’re not feeling it, we do not feel grateful or happy.
 
What does this have to do with the throat chakra? When our throat chakra is balanced we understand it is our right to feel the way we do and can express our emotions without having to diminish another. The throat chakra is about taking in and assimilating (both food and information), speaking our truth and bringing our full self through our work and sharing that with the outside world. This chakra is also related to listening, being able to hear what others have to say, even if what they have to share with us is that we’ve caused some pain.

When I was in healing school a teacher at the beginning of the year mentioned that all the students needed to speak up, not just the ones who felt comfortable. If we were to not share what we were thinking or feeling we would create a drag on the class as a whole. Each one of us was vital to the energetic field we were creating and a hole would be created by our lack of speaking out. If I'm feeling anxious about expressing something, I often think of this to summon the courage to share. 

Here's a brief overview of the throat chakra.
 
Physical level: The 5th chakra governs the throat area, neck pain, teeth, thyroid, speaking and hearing.

Psychological level: When this chakra is balanced we are able to express emotions and feel we are heard.
 
Spiritual: This governs our ability to express the truth and communicate freely.

If your throat chakra is off you may be:

• Over-talkative
• Unable to express views
• Dogmatic
• Unreliable
• Arrogant
• Experience thyroid issues
• Overeat and never feel satiated
• Feel like no one listens to you

Some suggestions for opening your throat chakra and bringing your chakra back into balance:

• Experience sky blue light emanating out from your neck and throat.
• To open your throat chakra quickly; sing your favorite song out loud – if you’re shy do this in your car with the music turned up.
• Yoga poses: shoulder stand, neck rolls, baby cobra pose, fish pose and plow,
• Affirmations: I speak the truth. I communicate honestly and directly. I always speak from my heart.
• Practice chanting the sound “Om”
• Essential oils; birch, lavender, oregano, chamomile and peppermint.

If you’re feeling you need some support with this chakra, schedule a session, we can see if you need a chakra restructuring or chakra balancing to bring your truth out. Here’s to being you in your most powerful form.

 

To those with battered hearts

It is through the heart that we heal

The fourth chakra, also known as the heart chakra, is about our relationship with our self and loving others.The heart chakra is the middle chakra on the 7 chakra system. It is the place that connects the body chakra centers (1-3) to the spiritual chakra centers (5-7) and it is the place where all healing originates. The heart chakra is where we carry our beliefs about love and relationships, about giving and receiving love. This chakra also controls our openness to life as well as our will in the outside world. 

Here's the breakdown on what the fourth chakra governs on the physical, psychological and spiritual levels. First though, where to find it - the fourth chakra is located in the center of your chest.
 
Physical level: It governs the thymus, heart, circulation, chest, lungs and balance. 
 
Psychological level: When this chakra is balanced we can feel compassion for ourselves and others.
 
Spiritual: This governs our ability to have unconditional acceptance for ourselves and others. It also mediates between the world of spirit and matter.
 
If your heart chakra is off you may experience the following:

• Shallow breathing
• Anxiety especially in your chest 
• Grief; inability to feel or overwhelmed by feeling
• High Blood Pressure
• Co-dependency
• Fear of loneliness
• Fear of commitment
• Betrayal
• Resentment towards others
• Burnout at work or in your relationship

Some suggestions for soothing heart burn and bringing your chakra back into balance:

• Experience green / pink light emanating out from your fourth chakra
• To open your heart quickly; look at a picture of your dog, child or a loved one who brings a smile to your face. You can use this to help you with making choices from the heart.
• Yoga poses: downward facing dog, low lunge, high lunge, camel pose, bridge and corpse
• Breath of fire
• Affirmations: I accept pain is a part of my growth. I love myself and all I am. I am grateful for all the love that is in my life. My heart opens with love for all beings. 
• Place hand on 4th chakra and envision a clearing of any gunk between you and those you love and those you have a hard time loving
• Essential oils; bergamont, rose, lavender, melissa, basil and frankincense.

I found this video and feel like the man speaking really is expressing what the heart understands. Even when we have experienced loss and heartache we can still find happiness. 
 
Bringing our fourth chakra into balance will bring the sense of knowing what you need to bring in healing. Here’s to being you in your most powerful form.

If your heart is in need of some repair, come on in for a healing.

Mundane or magic?

I keep getting reminders that the mundane is actually not. I was at the gas station and my car wouldn't start and right when I was about go down that path of getting grouchy, I looked up and saw this, a beautiful Luna Moth. Luna Moths only live for 7 days and during that time they can't eat (they have no mouth) and drop 400-600 eggs. They are often considered a symbol of intuition, reproduction and rebirth. And for me a reminder to find the pause. 

The Fire Within

Who are you?

This is the question the third chakra often prompts us to answer. The third chakra, also known as the solar plexus, is about our relationship with our self - who we are in the universe, our belief in our self and our personal will in the outside world. It is where we take any criticism that comes our way and evaluate it. It is why we use the expression, "punched in the gut."  It is also where we come to really feel powerful in the choices we make and have confidence that we know what is right for ourselves. If we have a breakup or move houses or switch jobs, we will often find this chakra off. Or if we are even contemplating any of these changes we may find our third chakra off balance. The third chakra is also where all social movements start, many people have found with the change in presidency that their third chakra is activated. They feel fired up to stand up for what they believe it. The element associated with this chakra is fire.

Here's the breakdown on what the third chakra governs on the physical, psychological and spiritual levels. First though, where to find it - the third chakra is usually located below where your rib cage opens up.
 
Physical level: It governs the digestive system, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, adrenals and immune system. 
 
Psychological level: When it is in balance we are not easily manipulated or swayed to other's ways unless it aligns with our own. While outside approval is nice, when our third chakra is in balance, it is not necessary for us to act, we feel strong enough on our own. We are able to come from a place of strength and integrity.
 
Spiritual: This governs our ability to face life's obstacles with integrity. We know we can take risks and handle any situation we are faced with. When our solar plexus is open and in balance we can clearly hear intuitive information and act on it. 
 
If your solar plexus chakra is off you may experience the following:

• Difficulty feeling feelings
• Extreme highs and lows of emotions
• Low self worth 
• Workaholic tendencies
• Desire to control
• Addictive personality 
• Stomach ulcers
• Digestive problems
• Judgmental
• Need constant reassurance
• Overly concerned about what others think

Some suggestions for bringing your solar plexus back into balance:

• Visualize yellow light / fire coming out from your third chakra
• Yoga poses: plank, warrior III, bow, child's pose and cobra pose
• Breath of fire
• Affirmations: I determine to treat myself with respect and honor. I am my own person. I am open to receiving all life's good things. 
• Place hand on third chakra envision any criticisms bouncing off
• Essential oils; bergamont, ginger, black pepper, lemon, clove and wintergreen.

A friend shared this video with me and I felt like it's such a brilliant example of a healthy solar plexus ~ hope you enjoy this video and also can feel "Soy Yo" or "I'm me". 
 
Bringing our third chakra into balance will bring the sense of knowing who you are. Here’s to being you in your most powerful form.

Free Energy Healing Clinic

The Sweetness of Life

Want to bring flow back into your life? 

Every year I send out yearly review forms to clients who have come to see me at least a few times. I enjoy looking back and seeing what patterns have been present over the year. This year I was struck by how many folks repeatedly had their 2nd chakra off. The sacral chakra is located below your belly button and is related to sexuality, creativity and life force. This chakra is where we move from the survival of the first chakra to the nourishment and pleasure of life. The chakra that adds the spice and passion to life. Sounds juicy right? This is the chakra you definitely would want to invite to this party called life, so let’s learn about it’s functions and how to bring it back into balance.

 
Here's the breakdown on what the second chakra governs on the physical, psychological and spiritual levels. First though, where to find it - the second chakra is usually located below your belly button, if you follow the crest of your hips over to your midsection you are at your 2nd chakra.
 
Physical level: It governs sexual organs, bladder, lower back, sexual desires and nourishment. Sexuality is life force and when this chakra is open we can feel our own sexual power. This also is about taking up energetic space and not taking up too little or too much.
 
Psychological level: When it is in balance we can ride our emotions and are able to nurture ourselves and others and hold healthy boundaries. We are able to express ourselves creatively, trust and find pleasure in life. This center is where we find our passion for our career and desire for another person. This chakra governs the understanding that in order to grow, we must be open to change.
 
Spiritual: This governs our ability to find everyday pleasures to enjoy. We are able to ride the wave of whatever comes our way. We understand that we can trust things to work out. We can freely give and receive pleasure. We understand that through our desires we expand.
 
If your sacral chakra is off you may experience the following:

• Sexual imbalance
• Infertility 
• Inability to sate oneself 
• Money problems
• Feeling like you don’t belong
• Feeling stuck
• Difficulty being emotionally sensitive to self
• Controlling 
• Feeling guilty for no reason
• Writers block
• Inflexibility

Some suggestions for bringing your sacral chakra back into balance:

• Make out with yourself or someone else - if you don't know what turns you on, it can be difficult to let someone else know
• Yoga poses: pelvic hip rock, leg lifts, pigeon pose, goddess pose
• Swimming
• Taking hot baths
• Alternate nostril breathing
• Affirmations: I create with love, I am open to the world and flow with the changes, I am worthy of love and sexual pleasures, I am creating a life free of stress and full of bliss
• Placing hand on second chakra and visualizing it filling with orange light
• Essential oils; jasmine, rose, sandalwood, rose, wild orange, lemon, tangerine

Here’s an example of a closed second chakra: You see a lovely dessert, it’s calling your name, it happens to be your favorite kind and you decide to indulge in it. You buy it and after you’ve had a few bites you start telling yourself, I shouldn’t be eating this, sugar is bad for me, I’m so overweight as it is, no one wants to be with me…then all of a sudden all the pleasure you initially had has now instantly vanished. You finish the dessert, but do not feel satiated, in fact you stopped the pleasure and now feel guilty. Had you allowed yourself to fully enjoy the experience without the judgment you might not have even needed to eat the whole dessert.
 
Bringing our second chakra into balance will bring the sweetness of life back. Here’s to the flow of creation and healthy 2nd chakras. If you'd like me to teach a class on this, contact me. 

In mid February I'll be offering a weekend of free 30 minute healing sessions for people who are new to my work and curious about what energy healing can offer them. I'll be sending out more details soon.

Take care,

Kim