If you’re looking for a book to assist you as you navigate the ups and downs in life while you peel away the layers of worldly expectations, this read may be for you.
Have you ever wondered about your life’s dreams and what happened to them? Have you ever had dreams for your life? This book is a wake-up call. A reminder that it is never too late to fulfill that desire burning deep down inside of you. The piece of your soul that is ready to shine and light up your life! Inside the pages of Living, Loving, & Unlearning, I’ve created an easy to follow guideline for you to do just that. As you discover the purity of your own soul, and purpose of your existence here on earth, you will begin to feel the freedom to live your life, your journey, and your truth.
To listen to my talk at Book Passage in Corte Madera, CA, please click here. This will give you an inside look into Living, Loving, & Unlearning, how it came about, and how it may help you in your own healing. As an added treat, my brother, Norm Weintraub, also performs a very special song about our Dad and his impact on our lives.
To order your copy of Living, Loving, & Unlearning, please go to my website at cynthiabrennen.com.
I forgot. I forgot balance is the key to everything. So when I injured my knee, it not only woke up the interconnected muscles and vessels within my body, it woke up my mind. I had already been nursing an achilles tendon injury when I received this second wake-up call, so it became very clear that something needed to change in order for me to unclog my pathway to health.
I love my walks. Experiencing nature with the sun warming my shoulders brings joy to my soul. The only problem is it became too routine. Too much of anything can tip the balance bar and throw you into the abyss if you’re not careful. I forgot to mix up my exercise and stretch other parts of my body, and stretching was exactly what I was missing. Remember the day when you could stretch for two minutes before a run? Now, learning the hard way, I’ve discovered I need to stretch 20 minutes before a walk! My new routine consists of some yoga poses, breathwork, stretching, and fascia rolling. Yep, good old fascia rolling. I remember my chiropractor suggesting this years ago. I felt uncoordinated trying to roll on this hard tube, not to mention it hurt, so I gave up. Not a good decision. If I had kept it up, along with stretching, I may not be in the position I am now. I’ve also discovered a wonderful hand held fascia roller that gets into the tight spots a floor roller cannot. The combination works wonders.
By definition, fascia is a thin casing of connective tissue that surrounds and holds every organ, blood vessel, bone, nerve fiber, and muscle in place. The tissue does more than provide internal structure; fascia has nerves that make it almost as sensitive as skin. When we have stuck energy in our body, it can’t help but clog that connective tissue, creating pain in the body.
Many of you reading this may be experiencing, or have experienced, similar injuries or ailments. You understand the patience that is required to heal. When I had my frozen shoulder 10 years ago I embarked on a similar journey. It’s so important that we listen to our bodies. Our minds may try to trick us and tell us to ignore the pain and move on, but wisdom tells us otherwise. It’s not easy for me to take days off from walking but I’m learning to accept that my yoga/stretching routine may be all that my body requires that day. When I listen, my pains respond with relief.
In doing my own research on fascia I’ve learned a few things that have helped me release the sticky stuckness. I talked about this in my last post, Back in the Saddle!, addressing the emotional side of feeling stuck. When we store stress and unresolved emotions how can it not stick to your bones? In my case, literally. It’s when we make the decision to really do something about it that release is possible. Here are some wonderful fascia busting tips that can bring fluidity back into your body, mind, and soul:
*Stretch at least 10 minutes a day.
*Add collagen to your drinks/smoothies.
*Hydrate with water. Recommended amount is half your body weight in ounces.
*Practice a relaxing yoga such as Yin Yoga.
*Meditate and practice breathwork 5-20 minutes daily. Diaphragmatic breathing (breathing from deep down in your belly rather than your chest) is optimal.
*Roll out your tight spots with a fascia roller.
*Mix cardio into your exercise. Swimming and biking have been great for me! Less jarring on the tendons.
*Take saunas. Especially after a workout.
*Practice Block Therapy. A wonderful new practice in breaking up the fascia.
*Get a nice deep tissue massage (if deep tissue is too painful for you, ask for lighter pressure) and drink lots of water afterward. I had an amazing one recently and felt so much better.
*See an acupuncturist. This has really helped me with healing and with sleep. I also get a shot of B12 on my visits.
*Work with your chiropractor/physical therapist on proper form for stretches.
*Be true to yourself. Express your thoughts and feelings. Honor YOU.
With all this very valuable information being noted, I will never give up my nature walks. I only need to remember to keep them in perspective. Reminding myself it’s the joy of the walk in moderation, along with other forms of exercise. If I walk a mindful mile feeling at one with nature it is far more beneficial than racing through five miles. After all, what value has life if it isn’t enjoyed?
Click here for some valuable information on diaphragmatic breathing and block therapy.
A special thank you to my friend and energy healer, Marci Lubore, who kindly directed me toward this wonderful fascia roller and block therapy. She works wonders through many healing modalities including essential oil blends and energy work. For more information and scheduling, she can be reached at Healing Touch Energy Therapy at marci.lubore@gmail.com.
I recently heard yet another story about a popular figure who lived an extremely healthy lifestyle and still was hit by cancer and passed on. As I listened to this commentary my thoughts drifted into the silliness of any of us thinking we can cheat death or control the time we exit this earth. Any of you who know me, know that I live as healthy as I possibly can in mind, body, spirit and emotion. Do I do it because I want to live forever? No, I do it because I want to live in the now! Each day, every moment, is something to be treasured. Of course we all have down times, that’s part of life and our ever present learning curve along our journey, but to travel with a clear mind and heart takes your journey to a whole new level. I certainly want to be alert in my growing and remember what I have learned. Some to be experienced again and some to be avoided like the black plague.
My point is this, to live healthfully is to live in this moment. Notice that which surrounds you. The beauty, the messages, your loved ones, your insights, and the clarity that comes with all of it. Live healthy simply because it allows you to feel full of energy with happiness in your life. Live it because it gives you a new perspective in seeing the glass full as life shoots you lemons. Live it because it feels good!
When our time comes to move into the spirit world it is a day of celebration for a life well lived, and a bow of gratitude for a life yet to come. Feel it, breathe it, BE it now, for this is it. Your time to show yourself and shine!
After the holidays and busy times in our lives, our energy often feels tapped. Here are 9 quick tips to gather up the energy that periodically slips away…
1. Get your SLEEP! Nothing saves energy more than sleep. The more rest you have, the more you have to give. You will make wiser decisions with less agitation, and yes, you will eat healthier because we crave sugars and unhealthy fillers when we are tired.
2. Say NO more often. Trust your instincts when your body tells you you haven’t enough energy to say yes to every request. Limits and boundaries are healthy for you and the person you’re setting them with.
3. Pay attention to good nutritional habits. Take in energy foods like green leaf veggies, fruits and adequate proteins. Keep alcohol intake and sugar to a minimum, and drink plenty of water!
4. Choose wisely with your supplements. Have your doctor check your blood levels to evaluate what you need. For those living in the north during winter, vitamin D adds energy that the sun gives us in the summer. Omega 3′s are great mood lifters and helps with depression. Vitamin C keeps those white blood cells alive and active, increasing your immunity, and vitamin B complex decreases your stress level. A good multivitamin helps in many areas you may be lacking.
5. Give Service to others. When you do it can’t help but bounce back and fill you too. There is a natural boost you receive in giving. Choose an organization, program, group and give of your time.
6. Develop an exercise program that suits you. Walking, joining a gym, dancing, swimming, you choose. Create a schedule that is realistic for you so you will stick with it as an ongoing lifestyle routine.
7. Visit your chiropractor for regular adjustments. A healthy spine fights disease, fosters clear thinking increasing your creativity, and allows you to perform physically at an optimum level.
8. Express yourself! It takes much more energy to hold in anger, fear and frustration than it does to release it. Think of the energy it takes a pressure cooker to hold in its contents until the lid is finally lifted and the steam is released! Express your feelings calmly, before this boiling point, and you will find your issues become resolved productively and peacefully.
9. Take time for relaxation and quiet time. Research has revealed that quieting your mind is a catalyst for expert performance in many aspects of your life. Get a massage, watch a movie, take a yoga class, visit your favorite spa, plan that vacation, visit a friend, read a book, listen to soothing music, meditate…RELAX…
Wishing you all a happy & healthy new year…here’s to new beginnings!
Join me in kicking off the New Year on Help, Hope & Healing, WWLZ820am, Saturday, Jan. 1st, 12-1pm! I will be addressing mind and body cleansing, facing your fears, creating happiness and manifesting your future. For those of you needing that “push” to start off the New Year surrounded by health and happiness, this show is for you! As always, calls are welcome during the show at 607-732-4820 or 1-866-732-4820.
Wishing you all a salubrious and wondrous year to come!
To learn Dr. Vice Lujan’s very informative answers to his Health Quiz, click on “Exercise, Nutrition, Beauty Products & Overall Wellness” link under the category, “AM-WWLZ 820 Talk Radio”.
Tune in tomorrow, Sept. 18th, to Help, Hope & Healing Talk Radio, WWLZ820am, 12pm-1pm EST. My guest will be Dr. Vice Lujan who will be educating us on overall wellness in exercise, nutrition, beauty products, and so much more!
Below is a sneak peek of Dr. Vice’s 2010 Health Quiz. More unveiling of myths, discerning fact from fiction, and overall health benefits to come! Listen in and find out if your answers match Dr. Vice’s. As always, calls are welcome at 607-732-4820 0r 1-866-732-4820 during the show. Get your questions ready, nationwide calls are also welcomed!
· Coconut Water or Sports Drinks: Which is Better?
· Artificial Colors: Harmful or Harmless?
· Caloric Restriction: Harmful or Harmless?
· Hypnotherapy for Health: Worth It or Worthless?
· How Much Do Doctors Know About Nutrition?
· What are the Nutritional Deficiencies Between Omnivores vs. Vegans?
· Jump Rope or Running: Which has greater time efficient fat burn?
· Shower Filters: Worth It or Worthless?
· Which Foods Have Cholesterol?
· Cancer Reversal Through Diet?
· Kettlebell Training for Strength and Weight Loss: Worth It or Worthless?
· What Time of Day Should You Not Do Stretching?
Tune in, and click on the link below, to listen to Dr. Bob Berry and I discussing the benefits of chiropractic care and how an optimum spine equals optimum health.
Tune in with me! For all of you local Elmira/Corning folks, my new Talk Radio Show will be kicking off on Saturday, August 21st, 12pm-1pm on 820am radio, WWLZ. I will be covering many areas under the umbrella of mind, body, spiritual & emotional wellness. A weekly guest will be joining me to share their knowledge & expertise on various topics. Call-ins are encouraged and welcome! More info to come, including a line up of guests and topics. For those of you out of the area, I will be posting podcasts of the show on this blog, intermittently.
If any of you have topics you wish to have covered please feel free to comment. I have a plethora of ideas, constantly bustling in my head, AND I welcome more from all of you!
May your day be filled with strength, joy and LOVE!
Addiction is a nasty bug and once it gets its hooks in you it refuses to let go. Add in the ego which thrives on weakness, and you have a lethal dose of insanity. As the genius Albert Einstein reminded us many moons ago, “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” Many people have the misconception that ego is full of confidence and direction but it is quite the contrary. Ego is an insecure little child who wants what he wants and will stop at nothing to claim the attention that he craves. Often, attention one never received in his formative years. This starvation reaches toward outer avenues to feed the hunger. The mind trains itself (fostered by ego) to think that if I take that drink, or have sex, or eat that hot fudge sundae, or purge, all my problems will go away. Any of you stuck in this cycle know that it is, once again, a trick of the mind and a temporary fix that only gets worse and more chaotic down the road. When you wake up from your inflicted numbing your problems are still there and you’ve only created more problems feeding your addiction. How much energy does it take to cover your tracks? How much chaos have you created along the way? How many loved ones have you hurt keeping up with your craving? How much hurt have you inflicted upon yourself? There is hope. All this energy put into feeding this monster can be redirected and geared toward healthy choices in your life.
It has been said that you remain stagnate at the age you were when you first started using your “drug.” Growth cannot, and will not, occur until you get clean and mature with the tools you need to recover and claim a healthier lifestyle. The first step is admitting you have a problem. That is when humility steps up and pushes ego aside. The second step is reaching out and asking for help. There are many rehabilitation facilities and programs to assist you in staying on your course to sobriety. The third step is staying on your course, one day at a time. There is a better life for you if you take these steps and stay with it. This I can promise you. Allow Spirit to guide you, step outside of yourself, have faith, and your hope will not be lost.
Below are the 12 steps followed by many programs dealing with addiction. The steps were developed by Sam Shoemaker and Bill Wilson, originally printed in the book, Alcoholics Anonymous, back in 1939. It has saved more lives than can be counted.
The 12 Steps
Step 1 – We admitted we were powerless over our addiction – that our lives had become unmanageable
Step 2 – Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity
Step 3 – Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood God
Step 4 – Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves
Step 5 – Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs
Step 6 – Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character
Step 7 – Humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings
Step 8 – Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all
Step 9 – Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others
Step 10 – Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it
Step 11 – Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood God, praying only for knowledge of God’s will for us and the power to carry that out
Step 12 – Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs
Cynthia Brennen, LMSW 