 In life’s day-to-day hustle its easy to overlook opportunities to express and even notice gratitude. During this challenge we have talked about journaling, daily reflection and affirmations as steps you can take to bring more positive energy and grace into your life. Today let’s talk about meditation. There Are Different Types of Meditations From counting to guided, there are many different types of meditations. Here are two guided mediations you can listen to today Lady Roxanna’s Pink Light Meditation and a Full Moon Meditation that will help you calm your mind. You can listen to both as much as you like to relax, destress and step into gratitude. While these are not themed gratitude meditations, they will support and encourage your gratitude mindset nonetheless. What Are Gratitude Meditations? Gratitude meditations involve focusing your thoughts on being grateful for the particulars of your life or situation, even the events that may not seem so positive. These heart centered meditations can be challenging at first, but over time can assist you in a deep healing.  Journaling is a Form of Meditation
Your gratitude journaling can also be considered a meditation. Any contemplative, purposeful time you spend quietly reviewing these events counts as meditation. So while you may think of meditation as a long, intensive ritual one has to do sitting in the lotus position, in actuality, it is not that difficult. Simply sitting quietly for a few minutes and contemplating what you’re grateful for can help to center you and balance your emotions. This will lead to a new perspective and feelings of peace and appreciation. Meditation is a simple tools that offer a big return. Give it a try when you feel you could use a boost of gratitude in your life. Share this with your friends and family and let’s start a wave of gratitude! Reiki Blessings! Sarah PS: If you want more information on meditation Serenity has an Introduction to Meditation Class that was recorded live and a free two minute guided breathing mediation here. You can still Join the Challenge here
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 Do you realize we live our lives much differently than people did 20 or 30 years ago? Yep, life has changed and with it our stress levels. Even though we are constantly developing new technological to make life simpler, we are also carrying the burden of being alert and accessible 24/7.
So while we have everything at our fingertips now, from ‘track my friends’ to weather apps, we have very little down time. You open your laptop or smartphone and the whole world is at your disposal. Unfortunately, it is a 2-way street which means that just as you can get in touch with anyone at anytime, they can also find you wherever you are and whenever they please. This keeps us constantly “on”. We are constantly engaged and have very little time to destress or relax. As a result, we become overworked and stress-related tension builds. This is why nearly 80% of all doctor visits are stress-related. While some stress response is good for you, having it all the time leads to major physical, psychological and emotional problems. Medical experts are calling it “Chronic Stress Syndrome” with the following symptoms:
Honestly we all suffer from one, or a combination, of these symptoms or know someone that does. And since stress does not look like its going to end anytime soon, its up to us to learn healthy ways to manage and lower stress levels. Here are 5 natural ways to alleviate tension and stress you can put into motion today: 1. Eat right. What you eat is more important than you think! Foods high in magnesium, calcium, vitamin B-12, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids all help uplift the mood, protect the heart and boost brain power. Avoid foods rich in processed sugars and fats, all carbonated sodas and baked goods. Also too much caffeine and alcohol will increase anxiety, fatigue and inflammations. 2. Meditate. Meditation has been used for centuries as a way to calm the nerves and become in tune with your inner self. And the best part is that it can be done anywhere and at any time. Pick a quiet corner in your home, sit in a comfortable chair and focus your attention on your breathing for 5 - 10 minutes. To enhance your meditation, you can use essential oils, burn incense or listen to nature sounds. I have guided mediations free on Youtube and my site to also assist you as well as online and live meditation classes. 3. Exercise. Getting regular exercise is a natural stress-buster because your body releases endorphins; feel-good hormones in the brain which lift your mood as well as act as natural pain killers. Your blood sugar levels and metabolism are boosted, helping you eat less and burn more calories at the same time. Exercise also regulates your sleep cycle, what experts refer to as your circadian rhythm, so you get quality sleep and wake up early, energized and ready to start the day. Want to double the benefits? Exercise outdoors, preferably where you are surrounded by nature. Studies have proven that getting direct sunshine stimulates the release of endorphins, the feel-good chemicals. Add to that the soothing effect nature has on you, and your mood is sure to soar, decreasing levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. 4. Practice Mindfulness To effectively manage stress and anxiety, you need to calm down your fear and panic responses and mindfulness practices can be key. Mindfulness means being present in the moment. Too often we are stressed because we are thinking about past events or stressing over the future. With mindfulness practice for stress and anxiety, you learn how to sit peacefully with your thoughts and feelings in the present moment, creating an inner calm. This will help contain and reduce stress and anxiety as you refocus on this very moment. 5. Play Make time to do something you enjoy. When you do, you are disconnecting from social media, slowing down and using your senses to take in everything in the present moment. This is also a great confidence booster, whether you like playing games or reading, or engaging in a hobby like painting, knitting, coloring or race-car driving. Play and have fun, just for the shear fun of it. Don’t try to create something to sell or give away, but create and play just for the experience. Stress is unfortunately an integral part of our lives now. If it is left unmanaged it can lead to serious health problems. Luckily, with some patience and a few simple lifestyle changes, you can move from stressed and frazzled to a happy, well-balanced life. If you want to learn more natural ways to alleviate tension and stress why not take a meditation class or book a relaxing energy session today. Let's discuss! Reiki Blessings, Sarah Reference: https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/effects-of-stress-on-your-body https://www.umassmed.edu  Hello! Are you ready for the first blue moon, total lunar eclipse in 150 years (in the Americas)? Pretty exciting stuff! We started January 2018 with a full moon on the 1st, and now, here we are again. So let’s start with the facts: What makes this a ‘Blue Moon’: When there are two full moons in a calendar month it is commonly called a “Blue Moon”. January 2018 stormed in with two full moons, but sadly February will have none. :( The last Blue Moon occurred in July 2015, but 2018, we'll experience two of them, a phenomena that won't happen for another 19 years. (The second Blue Moon this year will occur in late March.) What makes this a ‘Super Moon’: A super moon occurs when the moon is full or new, and closest to earth. The full moon on January 31st will be the third full super moon since December 3rd. The full super blue moon on the 31st will pass through the earth’s shadow, giving us a total lunar eclipse. A Blue Moon combined with a Super moon is rare. Super moons generally only occur once every 14 months and will not happen again until January 2019. The last time all of these events occurred simultaneously in the Western hemisphere was 1866. You remember 1866, right? The US House of representatives passed the 14th Amendment - The Civil Rights Act, Andrew Johnson was President, and Jesse James completed his first robbery.  Wait, Isn’t this also a ‘Blood Moon’?
Lunar eclipses are always interesting, though the "blood moon" is a much rarer event. Instead of a total eclipse, the moon is bathed in a red-orange hue of refracted light coming from around the Earth. Although some people think of this as a bad omen, but according to Indian mythology, a red Moon is luckier than a regular Full Moon. (We will discuss this further in this months Full Moon Class.) What this means for you: Full moons are times of awakening and completion, and everything is magnified. January 31st is a powerful time to recognize the amazing opportunities before you and celebrate your recent success! The upcoming moon will be the regal sign of Leo. This moon will foster and increases your desire for strength, equality and good things. Some people are calling this event “The Superwoman Full Moon” - this full moon will emanate special and rare feminine lunar energy, infused with the creativity, leadership, and dignity of fire sign Leo. This moon is also about ‘who you are’ and who you are becoming. You will probably find yourself more willing to try new things, be more open and honest about your true feelings and feel more driven to be the best you, during this powerful phase. And heads up Empaths! It’s likely this coming full moon/lunar eclipse, will bring heightened sensitivity and more intuitive dreams. Eclipses affect our personal fields just as they change the earth’s electromagnetic energy field. So expect to extra intuitive and more emotional than normal. Overall, this will be a dramatic time for most people as the lunar eclipses bring up emotional and internal issues to be examined and healed. If you want to learn more join us for the Full Moon online class. There will be a guided meditation, pdf of best stones to use during the next 28 day cycle and of course a deeper forecast. Reiki Blessings, Sarah  I usually begin my guided meditations with several deep breathes, I’m sure you’ve heard me in class or on audios, “Breathe in through the nose and gently exhale through the mouth, like you are blowing out a candle. Nice, easy and gentle.” Deep breathing helps to slow the mind and relax the body. It also supports your overall health. Did you know deep breathing can be done on its own or in mind-body exercises? Some of these exercises include meditation, yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi or QiGong. Benefits Deep breathing included with mind and body exercises can help you lose weight, feel great, reduce stress, and stay mindful. The oxygen that you bring in through deep breathing from your abdomen helps to generate new cells, and you are also releasing toxins when you exhale. #Win Meditation Meditation is breathing in stillness, without movement, making it an ideal activity for everyone. This less strenuous approach to deep breathing uses breath to help focus the mind towards calm and peace. In a world of stress, mediation is a very valuable mind-body practice for balance and sanity. If you are not meditating yet, you can begin today. Click here to see easy, guided meditations Serenity offers or here to the Youtube channel to meditate along with Lady Roxanna.  Yoga The ancient practice of yoga continues to be popular in the modern world. In our hectic world, it is easy to get lost in stress, anxiety and all its side effects. Yoga and the deep breathing that goes along with it helps you stay present, calms the mind and provides more than a hundred different health benefits for mind, body and spirit. Yoga helps keep your body strong, your mind focused, and your soul peaceful, as you shift back into balance. An integral part of yoga is structured breathing, which includes a high level of mindfulness in conjunction with taking deep breaths. The breath is an important part of yoga, and not only induces a state of calm in the mind; it also supports the poses that promote physical health. Pilates The deep breathing used in Pilates is similar to yoga, but is more rapid and typically increases the heart rate more so than yoga does. If you would like a more intense workout, yet still enjoy the mind and body connection in your workout, then you may want to learn more about Pilates.  Tai Chi And QiGong Tai Chi and QiGong are a variety of martial arts. They both involve slow, meditative movement that is synced with the breath. Imagine a slow dance, where you flow from one move to another, in stillness and balance. Like yoga, the breathing patterns and methods in these practices are very specific. When done properly they move you into a state of calm, peace, and balance. I love both Tai Chi and QiGong and could go on and on about the many benefits of each. If they interest you, do look into starting a daily practice.  Deep Breathing
Deep breathing is used in all of the above practices. It is the process of intentional inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth. This provides oxygen for positive cell regeneration and the elimination of toxins in the body, as it calms and centers the mind. Simple deep breathing exercises can be done anywhere, at any time and requires no special equipment or physical effort. I’ve listed one example of a simple deep breathing exercise below. Simple Deep Breathing Set
Practice Everyday Deep breathing practiced every day in the form of any of these exercises, or by simply taking the time to repeat the above sequence several times a day, can have a positive effect on your physical health. Another perk of deep breathing is it promotes calmness and emotional wellbeing. Used with regular Reiki sessions, a healthy diet, and exercise, you can easily move into a state of internal balance and calmness. Reiki Blessings, Sarah Hello Friends!
Today's post is a short video discussing how these reiki infused coloring books came about. I also show you step by step how to do a problem solving meditation with a mandala. I hope you like it! Reiki Blessings, Sarah Lady Roxanna has been kind enough to record a new live guided meditation for us!
If you are feeling stressed, anxious or just need an extra "boost" today why not give it a listen? To learn more or book a session with Lady Roxanna click here. Reiki Blessings~ Sarah  The June full moon will be the "smallest" moon this year, and will look somewhat Amber from it's position in the night sky.
The sun will be in Gemini as the moon will be Sagittarius - making for a new, fun loving surge of energy. To learn more, including which gemstones and crystals to work with during the month, check out the FULL MOON Mini Master Class and Forecast. Each class is held live, online and recorded for play back. It also includes a new guided meditation for releasing and a PDF of gemstones to work with during the 28 day cycle. I have been holding these classes every month for the last four years. We track cycles and energy trends as the planets move through their orbits. The planets and the moon affect people, places and events more than you might think and by watching these heavenly alignments you can pick the best times for starting new relationships, projects or taking a vacation. This isn't your normal horoscope, this is astrology coupled with intuitive guidance. To learn more check out the class or send me an email to day. Reiki Blessings, Sarah  New Class today! Hello Friends,
How have you been feeling lately? So Many people have been coming to me with odd complaints and problems, are you feeling it too? I decided it was time for another Spiritual Awakening class to address some of these questions and complaints. Now let me state up front: This class is not intended to replace medical treatment or care. This is also not to be considered as medical advice, nor am I diagnosing your condition. Please seek medical attention if you are unwell. That being said, there are a lot of things we associate with ascension and processing higher energy. I tried to include a bit of science, some tips on handling this new energy, (besides my standard meditate and drink more water, lol) and offer you some simple ideas on how to be more comfortable as we move further along the spiritual path. I also shared a few stones that may help this process along and straight forward answers to some of the more common questions I am asked about this process. Read more here: Class Info If you missed the live class it is available as 2 video files, watchable from the Serenity Course Channel. If you can watch Youtube you will be able to view these files. To view the videos, simply purchase the class (it's $22usd) and you will then be invited to view the files. The invitation will be sent to the email address you use, so plan for that. You can then watch the videos over and over as much as you like. I hope this class is helpful for you and eases some of the discomfort you may be experiencing while working on your spiritual path. Spiritual awakening can be challenging, but it is also part of the process of evolving. Reiki Blessings, Sarah  Life is full of ups and downs...that's part of the adventure. But with meditation and training you can learn to handle it. Reiki is a wonderful place to start!
Reiki Blessings, Sarah |
The practice of forgiveness is our most important contribution to the healing of the world. 
SarahReiki Master Teacher, 
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"Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity." “To teach is to learn twice.” 
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Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” Mary Oliver 
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