Everything Has To Flow

April 5, 2023 / Self-Diagnosed Yogi / Leave a comment

Hè, friend!

Did you feel insane last month? My March had me holding on for dear life! In retrospect, the ups and downs in my life seemed to mirror the weather outside. Cold, hot, warm, cool, windy, foggy, rainy, snowy, sunny. One thing I was able to manifest after a stagnant winter was walking every day. When I move my body, my thoughts digest, and I’m able to get in a stable headspace so I can focus. This is a great habit before work for me. If I stay too stagnant, my thoughts get stagnant, my body gets stagnant, and I find myself in a self-made prison. Everything has to flow. That’s my rhythm.

Catch me outside. That’s where you’ll find me.

I insist you learn all about you. I found out I knew nothing about myself outside of my family and busy worklife. It’s like one day I woke up and decided to get to know me. I spent hours by myself. Reading, paddle boarding, yoga, meditation, cooking, Ayurveyda. I found hobbies and met so many people, now friends! These things opened my comfort zone to new abundance. I was learning so much, and my heart opened. My anger subsided. I found this new phenomenon called inner peace.

One amazing morning ritual I can not skip is hot lemon water. The hot water helps release gunk clogging up our organs. How? Well, when I clean my floors, I love to use my steam mop. To me, the hot water steam gets deeper into the floor and scours stains and sticky spills. So I want that for me too! It’s deeply hydrating, and the lemon makes it delicious and other great benefits. Just try it for a week and see how you feel. I tell ya, you won’t be the same.

Hot lemon water or herbal teas are my #1

Getting outside in nature is one of my therapies. I listen. It’s beautiful. I watch the sun make its way up. The frogs. The moon fades into the brighter, bluer sky. Spring’s cool breeze flutters its warmer promises over my body. The breeze carries off yesterday’s burden. I feel lighter and purposeful. I love to journal in nature. My mind thrives in nature. I can not explain it. It’s magic.

I hope this plants a positive seed in your thinking. Manifest your flow. After all, you know you better than anyone else does. Make mistakes on your journey so you learn. If everything has to flow, what does it take to put you back on track after chaos?

Namastè & wanishi!

All pictures by Lenape Spiritual Yogi Awakened.

Self-Care on Vacation

March 22, 2023March 22, 2023 / Self-Diagnosed Yogi / 2 Comments

Hello, Yogi Friend!

I have been amongst many strangers in the last few days on vacation in Phoenix. I am so very humbled by my experience and found my peace in a bustling city full of unknowns. My intention was to experience all I can muster each day and make sure I am taking time to tend to my needs as well.

I have been experimenting with my self-care routine for over a year now. I know what works best for my morning and night routine to keep me going and going and going. I just have a few requirements (even while on vacation), they are 7 hours of sleep and meditation, Abhyanga (self-massage), movement, hydration, and eating with intention. I was on vacation and stayed up late on a few nights and had to get used to a different time zone. I still made sure I got in my 7 hours of rest. I had my maps on my phone and I walked everywhere! I even did 22,000 steps in one day which plows my 5,500 step average! I made sure I tended to my sore legs and the rest of my body with a self-massage every night after my shower. I enjoyed journaling by the pool every morning with my cup of hot herbal tea to help keep me hydrated amongst lots of water daily. I didn’t eat the healthiest foods at every meal, but I did take my time and enjoyed every bite.

Sleep and Rest

I used to put my body through the wringer when I was on vacation. I would drink alcohol late into the night most nights and not have a great night’s sleep. I wouldn’t listen to my body for cues of dehydration and being overworked. Have you ever come back from vacation exhausted? I don’t like feeling drained if I can help it. I love to love me. I have the recipe to keep my body in check because I learned to listen to my body.

I found myself lounging by the pool after our morning hikes. It was a great place to journal and watch nature. I was able to meditate as well.

Self-Massage

I must tend to my sore body or my body won’t want to carry me around the next day. At least it won’t feel happy about it. I made sure to spend time massaging my sore legs and feet. I’m telling you that 5 minutes made a huge difference! I would pay attention to my toes and gently pull on each one front, back, left and right sides. I would knead my thumbs or knuckles into the bottom of my foot and up to my calves. I am someone who will pay for a good massage but knowing I can do the same for myself is priceless.

Movement

I experienced my first guided hike, and it was phenomenal! First, we met at the trailhead at 6 AM and we were led towards the peak. During our ascent I learned all about the flora and fauna of the land. I found myself challenged by the steep inclines and navigating in the early morning darkness. We finally got to our destination, and it was spectacular! I had a moment with the sunrise, and we began our descent. I loved moving my body in this way. I challenged my mind and body and didn’t get hurt.

I found multiple opportunities to walk in nature. I also walked downtown to most of my destinations. I would stay within a few miles our home rental. I really enjoyed walking and taking in the sights and smells. I loved walking by the orange trees and smelling the orange blossoms. I enjoyed some stretchy yoga poses by the pool as well to get me feeling juicy and restored.

Hydration

I used to not love water and it had to be seasoned to not taste like water for me to drink it. I am not her anymore. I love, love water! I know it is a necessity for my well-being. My body loves hydrating with warm lemon water. I didn’t think it would matter too much but I was drinking many bottles of water and my lips were dry requiring moisture. I was in the desert, but it didn’t feel 100% dry but I’m thinking next time I will carry hot water with me.

Eating with Intention

I love vacationing because I let myself splurge on either lunch or dinner. My husband loves to eat at places that don’t have a lot of veggie options, so this is my compromise. I can keep a healthy relationship with eating even if it’s not the best for my body. We ate burgers every day. I took my time to enjoy my experience enjoying my food. I had the best company, and it really satisfied my soul. I never had room for dessert, but I did my best to balance my choices.

The best sweet, salty, bitter, sour, pungent non-alcoholic drink!

I am currently writing and listening to the birds enjoy the spring morning. It’s beautiful being in my natural inner peace right in the heart of downtown Phoenix. I am in love with this place, and I witnessed a bird’s mating dance right above my head! I felt like “National Geographic” happening right before my eyes! My soul is overflowing with contentment, and I don’t want to leave it, but I must. I will just make sure I visit my favorite places that manifest heart searching soul work often!

I will put the AirBNB we stayed at and to meet Paul, our hiking guide, in the comments!

Namaste!

Feeling Kapha-tastic!

December 19, 2022December 19, 2022 / Self-Diagnosed Yogi / Leave a comment

The northern hemisphere part of the world is getting ready for the winter solstice. The shortest, darkest day of the year will begin to descend upon us and bring the cold wintry air with it. Brrrrrrr! It’s so cold this week and we’ll get a blanket of snow twice! Fingers crossed! That is an increase of kapha outside. Cold, wet, heavy…I better get a jump ahead of the weather or I’ll be dragged down in my kapha-isms, if I may make up an “ism”.

Winter wonderland dreams of a white Christmas 😍

When the weather outside is frightful, how do I keep Kapha in check? How can I ensure I feel kapha-tastic? I make sure I’m moving and grooving! I work out with my husband at 5 am lifting weights followed by walking on the treadmill or bike for 30 min. I follow that with a yoga practice with no mind on time. I’ll just move the way my body craves. Lots of forward folds, vinyasas, side bends, and child’s pose. I find movement counteracts my want to be lazy.

Weekend reads: “Hester on the Run” by Linda Byler & “Mythology of the Lenape: guide and texts” by John Bierhorst

I had a very balanced weekend. My dogs and I walked around the county lake, I visited with my dad, me and my daughter decorated sugar cookies, I read two books, and I found time for yoga and meditation. I’m enjoying utilizing my healing bowl as I settle to meditate daily. It’s so important for me to clear my head and begin the day again. So freeing! Kaphas tend to hold onto stuff that doesn’t serve them. I readily admit that is me all day! If I’m cleaning my mind, life, closets, and my car; I have a better, healthier mindset. Plus, I can find my stuff quicker! Winning!

When I begin to feel the winter blues, I will steep me a tea with St. John’s Wort and Chamomile. Yum yum! I will pour this into my to go cup and get winter ready in my gear and go for a walk. I must get into this weather and enjoy nature. I need a refueling, if you must know. Refueling prana is amazing! Prana is the life force of everything. The trees, birds, squirrels, water flowing, wind moving, the earth rotating. Deep breaths in as I pause by a creek listening to the water flow heavily over rocks, it tickles. Life is truly abundant in my heart and soul. I am alive!

Puppy pose with a right head twist 🧘🏽‍♀️

I also find the air drier. My hair feels drier and definitely my skin! I like to make my own body butter with my herbal oils, Shea butter, beeswax, and essential oils. I’ve been digging peppermint, eucalyptus, ylang ylang, rosemary, and vanilla. Yum yum! I’ll pay attention to all my limbs and really massage the oils in with all the caring love my hands can muster. I also add oil onto my scalp and hair ends a few times per week. I’ll brush it through and braid my hair for the day. I’ll wash it out in a bath later that evening. It really helps keep my hair shiny and moisturized!

Me and my Fam taking pictures with a famous lamp😅

So, to wrap up my post, in the longer, darker, winter days I do not stay on the couch and get lost in my thoughts and dreams. I must get up and move, I keep clutter at bay (not only my closets and pantry, but my mind too!), I get outside into the elements and breathe in all the prana I can handle, and I self massage with oils. I also eat seasonally and include all 6 tastes. If I’m feeling overly kapha then I will use food/spices that counteract it. We’ll discuss that Wednesday (also, the winter solstice!) over CCF tea😘

All the love, all the blessings💗

Namastè 🙏🏽

All pictures by Lenapè Spiritual Yogi Awakened.

White Clover Tea

September 2, 2022December 12, 2022 / Self-Diagnosed Yogi / Leave a comment

I don’t know about you but I feel like this has been the longest Spring I’ve ever encountered. It’s been rainy and mildly cool days and nights. I was looking for grounding on a particular misty day and decided to forage some newly bloomed white clover buds. I grabbed a basket and headed out to the backyard under my maple for cover and started my tedious task of picking.

I picked for an hour or so and got a lot of clover flowers. I decided to dry them and create a nice, refreshing glass of tea…in a few days. LOL!

Update: I never finished my post!

White Clover tea is delicous and tastes like honey and sweet flowers. I highly suggest it cold with no extra sweetener. I hope you remember to find some the next time you’re enjoying Spring in nature. Just make sure it’s away from car exhaust and animal or people pee.

Top: The clovers are washed, spin dried, and placed on a clean towel to dry a few days. Bottom: My dried clovers and tea💖

This is the most refreshing non caffinated tea. Oh yeah! There’s also added medicinal benefits😃

Enjoy!

All pictures by Lenape Spiritual Yogi Awakened.