Weekly Wellness Tips:  Opening the Heart 
Dear Community, 

I hope you are keeping well.  Here in Vancouver the birds have been singing, blossoms are blooming, and the sun has been shining more than ever. The change in seasons helps to ground me and even though this year we were not able to have the same kinds of in person large Easter celebrations (it was also my birthday this past weekend), I am feeling a shift in the way our relationships operate as a result of these pandemic times.  
 
Suddenly, during challenging times many of us have shown extraordinary kindness and emotional support towards each other.  Of course there are the small minority of people that can be rude or aggressive as you are going about your day grocery shopping or exercising, but the vast majority of people I know are expressing greater kindness and deeper concern for their neighbours, loved ones, and communities.  Because we are more economically vulnerable, forced to slow down and simply be, we become much more aware of how fragile (and precariously constructed) our 'normal lives' were. 

In order to survive and thrive, we have to open up to deeper levels of trust, surrender and connection.  Suffering often leads to breakthroughs and new perspectives (even if it takes time for us to look back and realize that).

When the outside structure dissolves, we are given the brave task of going within to find new answers, new learning, new wisdom, new tender places to shed light and healing, and new ideas of how to move forward.

As we continue walking forward together,  I believe there is so much healing that is possible internally during these unique times that will help shift the external world too.  As we practice deeper self love, refill our own cups, get honest about what we need, prioritize our health and take ample time to access peace and relaxation - slowly and surely we will also naturally begin building new structures in our lives.  So savour this opportunity to care for your body, mind and heart if you can.

Mother Earth is all about interdependent systems harmonically existing - teeming with breathtaking natural intelligence - an intelligence that perhaps humans have been trying to defy and exploit for far too long.

I believe that innovation and human creativity are boundless and I choose to place my energy in building a better, healthier, more compassionate world.  I am not perfect just like everyone else but I believe firmly that a kinder world is possible. It's not easy when there is no roadmap towards the future, but maybe the fun lies in resting in the unknown right now. As we embrace this "in-between" time, we can receive new inspiration for creating a new paradigm of success, prosperity, and collective wellness as we learn a little more each day about ourselves and our lives.

Life has a natural process of unfolding that is often much gentler and more beautiful than we can imagine. Often we don't need all the things we think we need to be happy.  We have the opportunity to access joy and peace in the simple things each day. Mother Teresa said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love." 

 The secret to optimism for me is allowing all of my emotions to be there. As we give ourselves the time and space to process: to cry, to express anger in healthy and non-harmful ways, to rest, to give ourselves space and time to feel, to express ourselves honestly and respectfully, to reflect on our patterns of behavior, to move our bodies, to breathe, to communicate and connect authentically, to befriend our own soul, and then eventually to choose to move through and move past difficult times... a beautiful new space can open.

There is room for all emotional experiences.  Sitting with our emotions with awareness (not getting too caught up in old stories of blame/shame, just treating ourselves with tenderness as you would a child that was crying or having a tantrum) requires devotion, but when we take care of our physical, mental, and emotional health the repercussions are immensely positive. 

When we treat ourselves with deep kindness, gentleness and generosity first - we widen our heart's capacity to experience wholeness, joy, health, vitality, peace and love that easily and effortlessly spills over into our work and our relationships.  Sometimes treating ourselves with kindness also means knowing when to reach out and ask for the help you need.  Others are often so happy and honoured to help - so don't be shy about asking for the types of support you need when you need it. 

This week's newletter is focused on opening the heart (physical and metaphorical).  I will provide some yoga poses to assist with heart and lung health, some journaling prompts if you feel inspired to write and help process, and some daily routine resources.   Finally, at the end of the newsletter I have a few free and by donation offerings to share with you if you are interested in going further with distance energy healing or intuitive reading sessions.   I also offer private therapeutic yoga and meditation sessions over Zoom if that is helpful for you. 

When times are uncertain, hold fast to the knowing that your soul's wisdom is infinite. 

Albert Einstein famously said, 

"I think the most important question facing humanity is, ‘Is the universe a friendly place?’ This is the first and most basic question all people must answer for themselves...

For if we decide that the universe is an unfriendly place, then we will use our technology, our scientific discoveries and our natural resources to achieve safety and power by creating bigger walls to keep out the unfriendliness and bigger weapons to destroy all that which is unfriendly and I believe that we are getting to a place where technology is powerful enough that we may either completely isolate or destroy ourselves as well in this process.... 

But if we decide that the universe is a friendly place, then we will use our technology, our scientific discoveries and our natural resources to create tools and models for understanding that universe. Because power and safety will come through understanding its workings and its motives.”


May we come to know the friendliness within our own hearts, in the hearts of others, and in the heart of the Universe.

Sincerely,

Emmy Chahal, BA, RYT, Certified Intuitive Energy Massage Practitioner.
What Kind of Routine Makes Your Heart Sing?

Since many of us are now adapting to working at home or spending more time at home, it is a great time to explore what sorts of daily routines are most helpful and nourishing for you. How much sleep do you need?  What time do you feel best when you wake up in the morning?  Do you create regular meal times for yourself?  

A few weeks ago I bought some poster board from the dollar store and drew out a detailed weekly schedule, I made it feel like an art project and bought lots of coloured felt pens.  As I began to research the optimal times of day for each activity, I found some fascinating resources I would love to share with you.

1) The TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) Organ Clock.   This approach to the day is based on TCM and Acupuncture suggests that at different times of the day, there are different organ systems that are more active which creates optimal opportunities for maximizing your health. Acupuncture and TCM is based on a system of chi (or living life force energy) which incorporates how emotions affect our physical energy meridian systems and our organ systems. A lot of research has shown how acupuncuture and Chinese herbs can be incredibly useful for chronic pain, stress, and many other ailments.

Here is a great article you can read to learn more about how you can be more in tune with your inner rhythms according to TCM :  https://www.wellandgood.com/good-advice/chinese-medicine-body-clock/slide/2/


I also like the following brief article because it briefly discusses the circadian rhythms and how they match the TCM approach quite well:  https://www.wildearthacupuncture.com/blog/2018/9/16/chinese-medicine-clock


2) Learn about your chronotype
According to Dr. Michael Breus, there are some different types of sleeping patterns that are unique to our personality type and our make up.  He describes how certain people work optimally when they get to bed early and sleep for 8 hours, others do better going to bed later and getting up later.  His research is fascinating and I appreciate the tips he gives for daily routines too.  

To take the chronotype quiz and learn about what type of sleep pattern might be most optimal for you:  https://thepowerofwhenquiz.com/

To listen to Dr. Breus give a TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmbv7yZ2buE
 
To read about how chronotypes affect daily schedules:  https://brightside.me/inspiration-psychology/heres-the-perfect-daily-schedule-that-corresponds-to-your-chronotype-506010/

3) Find a morning and/or evening ritual that helps you process, ground, and live with more intention.

For the past few years, I have been exploring how meditating and being active outside (doing exercise) of some kind has helped me start the day on the right foot.  In the evenings, I usually like to read, journal, meditate, or listen to calming music.  Some people love doing 'morning pages' (a practice popularized by Julia Cameron of ' The Artist's Way') where the first thing you do each morning is write three pages of stream of conscious writing.

Some people love to use affirmations, essential oils, coffee or herbal tea in the morning to embrace the day, or just enjoy a hot bath with candles before bed.  Whatever makes you feel good, I suggest doing it more regularly!  Try doing one uplifting thing in the morning or evening to start, and see how it changes your life for the better. Make it something fun and don't beat yourself up if you forget one day. Just hop right back on the band wagon when you can. 

  If you are a parent, of course it can be harder to get time to do all the things you would like... so just start simple.  Maybe meditate for 10 minutes, or do a few sun salutations, or journal for 10 minutes before bed.  Whatever you can do to make more time for you, it is the best investment.  When we commit to ourselves we can show up so much better for our loved ones. 

Take some time to write how you feel.

One of the best practices for greater self-love and self-awareness that we can do is to express ourselves on paper.  Even if you don't consider yourself a writer, when we take the time to inquire within and write things down it can help us process and heal so much, and also to access our inner wisdom.  So grab a warm drink, put on some soothing music and create a cozy space with a lovely journal - write these questions at the top of each page, and just let the words come to you as an answer easily and intuitively.  Don't put any pressure on yourself, don't think too hard, just write honestly, quickly and from the heart.  Don't judge what you write, just allow whatever comes to come.  Sometimes it helps to take a few deep breaths, place a hand on your heart, and reconnect with your soul as you do this journaling practice.


1)  What does my Soul/Higher Self/Inner Wisdom want me to know today?

2)  If I loved myself completely and unconditionally, what would I do today?  How would I treat myself?

3)  What do I need to let go of to feel lighter, brighter and more happy? Without those things that I can let go of - what do I feel inspired to move towards?

4) If I imagine that I was 5 or 10 years older, what advice would my  future self give me now? (Could be general advice or in regards to a specific situation).

5)  How do I want to feel more of the time?  What activities and practices help me tap into and elicit those desired feelings?  How can I make a little time and commit to doing one of those practices this week? 
Heart Opening Yoga Poses & Breathing Techniques Video

Okay lovelies, so I made you a little 10 minute video describing a few yoga poses and a couple breathing techniques/ visualizations.  I hope it is a little helpful and forgive any awkward Emmy video moments, I am still getting used to the new medium, I really appreciate all the practice I am getting with filming myself these days.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4IvDgTGb0k&t=24s
Would you like to go deeper & explore a few more heart opening yoga poses for your own solo practice? Here are a few more recommendations of mine with descriptions from the Yoga Basics website.  As always, go slowly, carefully, breathe deeply and avoid sharp pain. 

- Camel Pose https://www.yogabasics.com/asana/camel/

- Side Bending
By Donation Distance Energy Healing and Intuitive Oracle Card Readings

As some of you may know, I have been practising the healing arts professionally for the past two years as a certified intuitive energy massage practitioner and bodyworker.  I have loved exploring energy healing and sharing it with others.  Lately, I feel inspired to grow in a new direction with my healing practice and offer distance energy healings to relax and help the body access higher frequencies. 

I also have been doing intuitive oracle card readings occasionally over the past few years for friends and clients, so for the next few weeks I am offering intuitive readings and energy healings over Zoom or audio calls (or we can just set a side a time when you rest and then I can email you afterwards to touch base). 

If you would like to experience a 30 minute distance energy healing or intuitive card reading just send me an email or reach out over social media (@emmychahal on instagram and 'Freedom Yoga with Emmy' on facebook) and we can set up a time.  I am offering this by donation so you can decide afterwards what you feel it was worth. If you'd like to help me gain some experience with sharing distance energy healing and accessing higher wisdom through intuition - I would be so grateful! 
May your week be joyous. May your week be peaceful. May your week be as fun as possible.
May you find small moments of wonder and calm. May you create with intention and focus. May you connect with the natural world around you in its many forms. May you have beautiful conversations with beautiful people.  May you give yourself the time and space and access the help you need, and treat yourself with tenderness.  May you do what you need and take care of your health. May you be inspired and amazed by the incredible flow of your own breath and body.  May you listen to music you enjoy.  May you create quiet time for yourself to feel.  May you experiment with opening your heart to life, honor what is real and right in front of you and release anything that holds you back from the true nature of love. 
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