Relaxation and Wellness
April 29, 2008 at 12:03 pm | Posted in aging, conscious living, daily practices, health, taking care | Leave a commentTags: conscious planet
I’m an advocate for relaxing as when our bodies and internal cels are relaxed we experience little fear and joy has a opportunity to arise. As well when our physical body is relaxed there is a greater opportunity for personal awareness and expanding consciouness.
In addition to physical relaxation for our cells i am also very interested in enhancing our wellness through basics like what we eat and what nourishes our cells. The cellular ‘intelligence’ we possess can be enhanced through nutrition for our physical wellness, relaxation excercises like yoga for our emotional wellness and increasing our consciousness for our spiritual wellness.
I have signed up for some nutritional supplements that affects physical and spiritual/consciousness wellness. The product line is based on hemp – a food my body enjoys and assimilates well – and the mineral supplement is what i will try out first. The theory is based on David Hawkins work that all substances have a conscousness level and the more exposure to higher consciousness we experience the more light and consciousness we generate.
So all the producst contains substances with a high conscousness rating. Hemp is a high consciousness food and all the product is based on hemp. It contains omega 3 and 6 in the right proportions for the body to effectively absorb.
I will provide updates to what i notice as i begin the mineral supplements.
The company is Conscous Planet and after meting a representative at a community ’earth day’ celebration i perused the web site and then listened to the founders video. It is clear the principles under which the company operates and its goals are compatible with my ever increasing want for more conscious living.
all for now
Wendy
A Massage for Couples
November 12, 2007 at 10:43 pm | Posted in aging, massage, relaxation, sleep better, taking care | Leave a commentAt Harrison Hot Springs we were celebrating our anniversary and so what better way to relax and be romantic than a couples massage. We had been in the hot pools ‘softening up’ for the experience.
Once at the spa (a few steps from the hot pools) we were led to another room – soft music and lighting – with 2 massage tables set-up and we each had our own massuese – very experienced with one of us wanting a deep tisssue massage and me a relaxation massage. What a great experience, to be in each other’s energy while deeply relaxing and surrendering our bodies to the massaging hands.
It certainly was a unique event and romantic – we finished up an hour later and put our bath robes back on and wandered to the lobby for a lite dinner. Although robes are fine in the lobby they are not ok in the lobby lounge. So luckily we brought some clothes, got changed and had a slow and enjoyable dinner before retiring for the evening.
Had a marvellous sleep that night, our second night and final night. Two nights makes all the difference – so much space and time to relax into with no other agenda.
I hope we can make this get away a tradition for our anniversary – such lovely memories and not stress!! I can certainly understand how this state of bliss could lead to a youthful outlook, even the lines of life were receding from my face.
Relaxing at Harrison Hot Springs
November 7, 2007 at 10:38 pm | Posted in aging, health, massage, meditation, relaxation, taking care | 1 CommentI really must talk about this more as it was such a treat and i think a very healthy time away. relaxing in the hot pools 2 to 3 x per day for 3 days was so therapeutic. even my mind is clearer and my energy is calmer all round. We went to Harrison Hot Springs Resort see yesterdays post for the link.
I am noticing that my skin all over is much softer and my face brighter. Being a spa kind of place i thought i would bring my own mini spa supplies – french clay masque, shea body butter, sloughing lather and pumice stone. After a couple of my hot pools i showered and used the supplies and then the shea body butter mmm… feels so good.
Also had massage. Very experienced staff and thought the massage was excellent.
We had a couples massage – 2 massueses in 1 room with us each on our own masage tables – very intimate…sort of…not sure what to make of the experience…it certainly was something new to enjoy together. Would do it again for a romantic occassion.
Our massage was at 6pm so after we put on some clothes and went to the lobby bar for a relaxing drink and very light supper….excellent salad and presentation.
Speaking of the lobby, many people would wander the lobby in ther robes. Every room has robes that all where back and forth to the hot pools. Very relaxing to stop in the lobby by the fireplace in the big comfy chairs on the way top the pools.
So bliss it was for 2 nights and 3 days….trying to keep the feeling alive with meditation and yoga in the morning now. But my oh my i hope to do that again within 6 months or next year for our anniversary again. Sounds like a tradition in the making.
Relaxing Harrison Hot Springs
November 7, 2007 at 9:12 am | Posted in aging, health, relaxation, taking care | Leave a commentJust returned from 2 days at Harrison Hot Springs - a jewel of a place 2 hours east of Vancouver. I don’t know what they put in that water:) The mineral content is high so it just infuses the body and balances the system. My body felt significantly more relaxed and looser every time i sat in those pools for a while.
There are 3 hotpools i enjoyed each with increasing temperatures from 98 degrees to 104 degrees farenheit. The beautiful outdoor setting of the hot pools within the hotel area is stately and relaxing. The hotter pool is indoors in a facility with a spa as well as a separate facility that included a pool, hotpool and changerooms with steam rooms!
We were there for 2 nights – saturday and sunday – the former quite busy with a conference and also the traditional Haney to Harrison run. Sunday was much quieter although throughout the day there were many people around lunching and walking.
This hotel sits on beautiful lake front with glacier views and hills rising up on all sides of the lake. Many people come for the summertime fun however i am recommending it in the off season (an internet special room rate). The cooler air temperatures really adds to the enjoyment of the hotpools.
My whole body feels looser and my mind clear. What an amazing way to spend a couple of days if the goal is true relaxation.
Relaxing to increase IQ!
October 14, 2007 at 9:35 pm | Posted in aging, daily practices, health, personal growth, relaxation | Leave a commentHere is a new benefit to relaxing – increase your IQ – read the whole set of IQ boosters here - specifically regarding relaxation …
“Simply relaxing increases your ability to learn. In tests, systematically flexing every muscle for 30 minutes boosted subjects’ ability to solve puzzles by up to 25 percent” from ‘The Best Article Everyday’ blog
Amazing but i do know that relaxing affect neural pathways so if they are clearer more is processed more efficiently.
moving on with vim and vigour
August 13, 2007 at 10:04 pm | Posted in aging, daily practices, personal growth, relaxation, taking care, yoga | Leave a commentI believe i have come to the end of my obsession with relaxation – life is becoming full and it seems i now need to integrate relaxation into my being.
Maybe this is the testing phase – thinking i have got something pretty well accomplished yet the reality that it is integrated is yet to come.
I am in the midst of starting a new business, taking courses, and teaching yoga. Also a friend and I have committed to losing a few pounds and getting fit. We have objectives, goals and baseline measures for the body and the weight. Look forward to my ‘last’ chance at a great body in the latter half of my 40′s before the unrelenting aging process causes me grief.
How to be relaxed in the flow of life as it happens – the next phase.
The centre of me is in the relaxed part – ahhhh to remember and reconnect often.
For now i am finding more fun with uploading pictures and a new ‘header’.
Maybe now it all gets ‘real’. Thanks goodness for the ‘categories’ about which i blog – great reminders.
Morning routine – yoga and relaxation
July 24, 2007 at 12:40 pm | Posted in aging, book referral, breathing, daily practices, meditation, relaxation, taking care, yoga | 3 CommentsI have recently read the book ” A Spiritual Response to Stress”. As we all know stress is an everyday feature of life. In addition to being aware how we create our stress we can prepare ourselves to start the day from a solid and grounded place so we can respond to ‘stressors’ with less energy.
This book talks about practicing a regular morning routine. This helps me to connect with myself and know my inner place of relaxation before the day gets going. The routine can be a combination of some yoga and/or stretching follwed by a brief quiet time. The author suggests that he really wishes he had discovered this routine much earlier in life. In the few days since i have started I get a felt sense of starting the day from a very different place. he suggests that the routine effects cumulate over time as the body and mind know that this is the way the day is going to start.
My routine starts before i get out of bed -
1. I pull up one knee at a time and hold it close to my chest ( or as close as it goes;). I take 3 breaths while holding each knee. The breath is not one of effort it is one of awareness – so focus on the breath just gently coming and out. With each exhale the knee can drop a little closer to the chest. I then hold both knees and slowly rock side to side still focusing on my gentle breath for five breaths.
2. Then slowly, rolling all the way to one side I rest and then gently bring my feet and legs over the side of the bed and raise my self to an upright position with the top arm helping to push me up slowly. With feet on the floor I place one hand on the opposite knee and slowly look around to that side of me ( a gentle twist). I hold this gentle twist for 3 breaths on each side.
3. Then i push myself up to standing. With arms overhead I reach for the ceiling on an inbreath and stretch fully upwards. Then raise one hand over head and reach towards the ceiling to stretch out each side. Hold this position for 3 breaths on each side allowng each exhale to open that stretched side a little further.
4. Slowly with feet hipwidth apart, a flat back and abdominals engaged i bend forward holding onto either elbow. Let the head drop naturally – stay in this positon for 5 breaths ( forward bends are very relaxing). With each exhale allow your front body to come closer to your thighs. Slowly come back up with abdominals engaged to protect your lower back.
5. Standing upright raise your shoulders to your ears on the in breath and let them down with a heavy sigh on the exhale. Repeat 5 times. Slowly roll your shoulders forwards then backwards 3 times – feel the shoulder muscles relax and the shoulder blades rest comfortably down the the back.
6. With hands on the waist slowly rotate the hips in a circle – one way then the other 5 times. With toes on the floor and heel lifted rotate the ankle of each foot slowly 5 times, one way then the other. Focus on your breath that probably will get deeper the further into the routine you progress.
7. Stand still with arms draped by your sides and palms out and focus on your breath and scan your body for tensions. Breath into that area and consciously suggest relaxation to the tension. This can be for 10 to 15 breaths.
8. Thank your body for its ability to allow you out of bed and the movement it has provided.
9. Now it is time for a short meditation – sit comfortably, relax your facial muscles, unfocus the eyes and allow them drop nto the back of you head (imagination is a great tool for relaxation).Focus only on your breath for a few minutes – hopefully 5 and maybe 10 or fifteen. If thoughts enter allow them to leave.
10. When you are naturally complete with the process wiggle your fingers and toes stretch your arms overhead. Greet the day with appreciation for another opportunity to be here.
This routine can take 20 to30 minutes to complete and any gentle moves can be incorporated depending on how your body is feeling – listen intently to your body and appreciate the opportunity to move into the day feeling grounded and relaxed.
Any day is good to practice, everyday and your body will love the routine and attention.
Good morning:)
Relaxing at the Spa – Utopia Academy
June 22, 2007 at 11:41 am | Posted in aging, relaxation, taking care | 1 CommentI am being good to myself – yesterday i went to a local spa and had a moor mud wrap and a pedicure. Oh my how lovely!!! The woman who worked with me was wonderful and she will graduate from this spa school , Academy Utopia, in 2 weeks. It is a very professional training program with great facilities and equipment for anyone interested in this profession.
The moor mud body wrap had me hand exfoliated, then ‘painted’ with warm moor mud, wrapped in plastic with beautiful aromatherapy susrrounding me, then i showered it all off and finally was rubbed down with divine smelling lotion. It is a detoxifying process and my entire being felt cared for.
The pedicure was in a vibrating heated spa massage chair - with lovely classical music in the background.
Did I say I enjoyed this 
– about 2.5 hours all together and it was a fantastic experience with me so very relaxed when i finished and for only $59 with a $10 tip.
The spa services were very reasonable as it was students performing the services. This school is sponsored by the best spas in Vancouver – Spa Utopia - the level of professionalism showed. From the ongoing explanation of what step in the process will happen next, the very clean and professional surroundings and equipment as well as an instructor checking to see how all was progressing, the ‘academy’ aspect faded from consciousness.
There are many major centres with spa schools – check them out to see if they offer services. Ask a few questions – how much training has the treatment person had (mine was to graduate in 3 weeks) and is there an instructor to check on the services being performed. Perhaps there are certain types of services that have more experienced students – ask where they are in their training overall and even which student would they recomend. Also if possible, visit the location to check on and get a feel for the level of professionalism – all the better if it is affiliated with a high quality spa that wants to ensure all there graduates are well trained.
What a marvellous experience – i am ging back next week to the same woman before she graduates! She loves doing facials!
Be good to yourself and take care.
Practical Practices for Relaxation
April 8, 2007 at 10:18 pm | Posted in aging, breathing, relaxation | Leave a commentI was researching tonight for relaxation practices. Often we don’t know how they would fit into a day – easily – without the effort.
Its a great way re-energerize – some relaxation visualisation for the face is the best anti aging therapy - send your eyes soothing cool thoughts, your jaw permission to drop and your lips to relax and forehead to smooth out from the middle to the edges – all to de-stress immediately
Breathing is always the quickest connection to peace. Plant you feet firmly on the floor and breath deeply feeling the breath going in and exhaling more than you think possible. Just three times over and the world may feel different. Perhaps a tranquil visual image will assist the overall effect.
Here is an article that has a couple of great ideas for quick fixes to the stressors of the day.
happy oestre, till in your fertile soil, tune in to the deep
Relax with an Infra Red Sauna
March 29, 2007 at 9:53 pm | Posted in aging, health, relaxation | Leave a commentI’ve been going to an infra red sauna at a local spa (Creekside Salon at Roberts Creek) once a week for th last few months. I love how i feel after i finish with a refreshing shower. Infra red saunas operate on very long frequency infra red rays and resonate at a cellular level to detox throughout your body. I feel physically lighter, my skin is very soft, my mood is more patient and settled and I notice how bright my eyes are. These infra red saunas have been used in Europe and Asia for many years and now just making in-roads in North America. I am so sold that i am contemplating buying one so i can go in more than once per week.
There are several sites that provide more about the benefits – lower blood pressure, clear up skin ailments, open blood vessels to decrease rick of strokes and heart attacks, help cells work more efficiently with the ‘sludge’ being cleared away.
I cannot say enough good things about this technology. Even my partner a real skeptic about health claims came with me today and recognised its relaxing effects after only 10 minutes. It is warm but not dry and as only the inside of the body is being heated the cleansing sweat is released from the inside out very effectively.
Will keep you updated with my potential purchase.
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