Are you feeling out of balance? Perhaps you are moving through transitions or changes and having difficulty integrating what’s coming your way? Do you feel like you have the support or energy you need to move forward? When things are unclear, are you able to give space to the emotions that may come up or find the focus you need to reflect on what comes next? Or perhaps there is a situation where you do not feel heard and are having difficulty in speaking your truth. Taking a look at what is happening with your charkas can give insight on what may need to be addressed in order to feel like you are moving forward.

Chakra is the sankskrit word for “wheel”. There are seven major charkas that are located down the center of your body, starting at the base of your spine and going all the way to the top of your head. These wheels of energy have a natural tendency to spin, and as the spin they help us to receive, integrate, and transmute energy. I like to think of them as one’s energetic spine. When a chakra is out of balance it is much like when your physical spine is out of alignment – there can be discomfort and a feeling of being stuck in life. And just like when one’s physical spine is out of alignment and an area of pain grabs our attention – the rest of our spine and surrounding muscles can be compensating by working harder than they need to. This can happen energetically as well – so we might not be feeling the ease in processing what comes our way because we need realignment to feel the flow again.

One of the most common imbalances I work with, takes place in the 3rd chakra, known as the solar plexus chakra. It spins around the area at the base of our ribs and is also connected to our adrenal glands (which are located on top of the kidneys in the back of our body within the 3rd chakra) which triggers our “fight or flight response”. So often auto-immune diseases have connection to the stress that we experience. Our adrenals kick in to create adrenaline when this stress is high or during periods of prolonged stress, giving us the energy to face into the challenge or run away from it. The third chakra is the ruler of our will, our sense of purpose and the ability to take action. The natural element connected to it is fire.

In our culture we are often focused on producing results and being productive. When this is in balance it can feed our sense of who we are and what we bring to the world. However, when we push too hard and try to take on more than we can chew – we exhaust ourselves, our adrenals and our third chakra. So we may be invited to slow down and reflect on what we can adequately take on and what is our purpose. We also might question if we are getting the support we need to feed our fire from our family, community and our work (1st – Root chakra). Or perhaps we are not attending to what brings us pleasure (2nd – Sacral chakra) or we are feeling uninspired (7th – Crown chakra).

Creating a deeper relationship with your etheric body impacts your physical body as well, since all systems are a part of the larger whole. In meditating on the chakras and having someone do chakra work for you – whether it be clearing or balancing, you can begin to attend to the deeper meaning of what is challenging you and experience a greater sense of clarity and release, grounding and flow

So what do you say? Are your charkas calling you?

Gina C James LMT #7348, Reiki Master and Spiritual Director has been working with charkas for the last twelve years. She uses Reiki and Pranic Healing to balance and clear one’s energetic body during private sessions. She also teaches Movement Through The Chakras Classes which include meditative and movement explorations of the chakras through a variety of creative, mindful and experiencial techniques.

Movement Through The Chakras – Wheels of Transformation Class

Saturdays 2:30-4:30
Purchase the whole series for $90 or take individual classes for $15 per class

April 3rd – Introduction To The Chakras
Gain a greater understanding of this dynamic system

April 17th – Root – 1st Chakra
Survival, the Body, Family

April 24th– Sacral – 2nd Chakra
Flow, Creativity, Pleasure

May 1st – Solar Plexus – 3rd Chakra
Will, Purpose, Action

May 8th – Heart – 4th Chakra
Compassion, Connection, Love

May 22nd – Throat – 5th Chakra
Truth, Expression, Sound

May 29th– Third Eye – 6th Chakra
Insight, Intuition, Light

June 5th– Crown – 7th Chakra
Unity, Spirituality, Trust

June 19th -Integrating The Whole
Celebrate the dynamics of the whole

Interested in the next Movement Through the Chakras Class? Feel free to call Gina at 503-282-8600 ext 5.

Come beat the winter blues and grays and find your heart’s joy in the movement and practice of yoga.

Whether you want to work at a gentle pace or develop a balance of strength, at it’s essence it is the practice of yoga. It is the practice of moving our bodies with awareness, conscious breathing and connecting to that part of ourselves that is wisdom.

As the yoga sutra instructs, learning to move, act, speak and breathe from the wisdom within the heart is ananda – endless joy.
No matter the weather!

A Big change is made of many small changes. Begin the practice of yoga today and the tomorrow you long for will unfold even brighter than you may be able to imagine today.

CONTINUING CLASS OFFERINGS AT NUMINOSITY WELLNESS CENTER

Feb. 22 – Apr. 5 (7-Weeks), Mondays 5:30-6:45 PM
Gentle Yoga – a place to begin if you are new to yoga or have some minor aches, pains or general stiffness. Gently paced, you can increase flexibility, maintain strength and experience the effects of a well-balanced yoga practice on mind, body and vital energy.
Cost: 7-week term = $70.00, Drop-in = $12.00

Feb. 22 – Apr. 5 (7-Weeks), Mondays 7:00-8:15 PM
Balanced Strength – for students with a year or more yoga experience who are looking for a well balanced practice to strengthen and stretch their whole body while training their mental focus and increasing breathing capacity without strain. A great way to begin each week; with clarity of mind, focused intention and a balanced body.
Cost: 7-week term = $70.00, Drop-in = $12.00

To Register:
call Tammy at (503) 984-6133
Register early as class size is limited to ensure plenty of individual attention.
Join the class within the first three weeks of the session and we’ll pro-rate the fee.
Suggested props: bring your own mat and firm cotton or wool blanket, but should you need them, there are props available for your use.

_ _ _ _ _
Two New Class Offerings and an Introductory Lecture/
Demonstration

Start date TBD, Wednesdays 5:30 – 6:45 (6-week course = $90)
Yoga for the Upper Back, Neck and Shoulders
In each class you will learn a short sequence of postures and a few simple movement principles that can help you relieve tension, improve posture and find a better balance of strength and flexibility for your unique body. You will have the opportunity to explore and make the connections between your posture, your patterns of tension/hypo-tone and which movements work best to help correct your imbalances. Through this course, you will simultaneously begin relieving tension, strengthen weak areas and acquire a deeper understanding of the dynamics of movement as you relate to the forces of the earth. We will also discuss common causes of upper back, neck and shoulder tension and how ergonomics or your activities may relate to your tension patterns.

Start date TBD, Wednesdays 7:00 – 8:15 (6-week course = $90)
Yoga for the Lower Back
you will learn some anatomy of the spine and pelvis and we will discuss common causes of lower back discomfort and how your posture, ergonomics or activities may relate to your tension patterns. In each class you will learn a short sequence of postures and a some simple movement principles that can help you relieve tension, achieve a balance of tone all throughout the lower back and lower body, improve joint function and find a better balance of strength and flexibility for your lower back. Through this course, you can simultaneously begin relieving your lower back discomfort, strengthen weak areas and acquire a deeper understanding of the dynamics of movement as you relate to the forces of the earth.

Come to an introductory lecture/demonstration
for these new courses and get more information,
experience the instructor and try it out
before you commit to a course.

Introductory lecture/demo at Numinosity Wellness Center Wednesday Feb. 17.
6:00 – 7:00 PM Yoga for Structural Healing (Lower Back, Neck, shoulders, and Hips)

About the Instructor:
Tamra Holder, LMT is a Yoga Instructor in the T. Krishnamacharya-Desikachar yoga tradition and a Massage Therapist (OR #10548). She has been studying and practicing yoga since 1999 and teaching since 2003. She completed 450 hours of teacher training including an apprenticeship with Sarahjoy Marsh. Tamra is currently completing her second 500-hour Teacher training program with the Healing Yoga Foundation, San Francisco. Both her bodywork and yoga training emphasize honoring, respecting and meeting the unique needs and goals of each person. She endeavors to create a comfortable atmosphere for students to explore, experiment, inquire and experience a state of Yoga and a qualitative change in the mind-body system. Tamra is delighted to share her joy and enthusiasm for yoga with people from all walks of life.

Gayatri Healing Yoga
growing awareness &
Inspiring radiant health
(503) 984-6133

Introductory lecture/demo at Numinosity Wellness Center Wednesday Jan. 13.
5:30 – 6:45 PM Yoga for the Upper Back, Neck and Shoulders
7:00 – 8:15 PM Yoga for Hips and Lower Back

About the Instructor:
Tamra Holder, LMT is a Yoga Instructor in the T. Krishnamacharya-Desikachar yoga tradition and a Massage Therapist (OR #10548). She has been studying and practicing yoga since 1999 and teaching since 2003. She completed 450 hours of teacher training including an apprenticeship with Sarahjoy Marsh. Tamra is currently completing her second 500-hour Teacher training program with the Healing Yoga Foundation, San Francisco. Both her bodywork and yoga training emphasize honoring, respecting and meeting the unique needs and goals of each person. She endeavors to create a comfortable atmosphere for students to explore, experiment, inquire and experience a state of Yoga and a qualitative change in the mind-body system. Tamra is delighted to share her joy and enthusiasm for yoga with people from all walks of life.

Gayatri Healing Yoga
growing awareness &
Inspiring radiant health
(503) 984-6133

I want to let you know about an event that is sure to help you start the New Year off right.  Join the Oregon Chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at Montgomery Park for the 2010 Pacific Northwest Organizing Expo!

Here are the basic details:

• WHEN:            Saturday, January 30^th, 10:00AM – 3:00PM
• WHERE:         Montgomery Park, 2701 NW Vaughn Street, Portland, 97210
• COST:             FREE admission
• WHO:              Sponsored by the Oregon Chapter of NAPO, ConnectPDX Business Networking, The Pull-OUT Shelf Company
• FOR:               Anyone and everyone who wants to get more organized
• WHAT:            Chat with exhibitors about their products, services and solutions; learn about services professional organizers provide; get answers to your organizing questions
• WIN:                Door prizes and drawings provided by exhibitors!

See the attached flyer or visit http://www.napooregon.com/ORGANIZING_EXPO.html for full details

For my clients, past & present, who RSVP by Monday, January 25^th that they’ll be coming, I’ll have a gift waiting for your at my table.  I’ll look forward to seeing you.

Feel free to call me if you have any questions. I look forward to seeing you at the event.

Anne

Anne McCallister

Inside the Box Organizing

503.421.6465

anne@insidetheboxorganizing.com

www.insidetheboxorganizing.com

Most of us live in an old paradigm, which has us believing that great performance is about being judged positively. Thus, we aim to gain the approval of our audiences and spend hours perfecting ourselves, our product, our look, our skills, etc. While there is certainly nothing wrong with preparing or practicing, the problem with this paradigm is that it is this striving that becomes the very thing that makes our performances nerve-racking and exhausting for us and less then compelling for our audiences.

Many of us have spent hours perfecting our musicianship, vocal or songwriting skills, but how many of us have given ourselves the opportunity to learn about the art of performance? In this workshop you will have the opportunity to start at the beginning and then, through a gentle step-by-step process, build an awareness and experience of the factors that contribute to great performances. In an atmosphere of safety and inspiration you will learn to generate a strong and fulfilling connection with your audience that will have them on the edge of their seats and falling in love with you.

IN THIS 4-HOUR WORKSHOP YOU WILL:

• BEGIN to experiment with a new paradigm of performance that will further you in your career and your ability to connect with people
• EXPAND your understanding of what makes a great performance
• EXPERIENCE a renewed connection with the gift of who you are and what you bring
• DISCOVER that you, just you, are the most compelling thing you have to offer
• LEARN preparation and delivery techniques to generate your own great performances

WHEN: Saturday, January 23rd
TIMES: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
WHERE: Portland Center for Spiritual Living 6211 NE MLK Jr Blvd • Portland
COST: $45

INTERESTED? Please contact Lupé @

(503) 757-4037 or halelupe@comcast.net

What past participants have to say about this workshop:

“THANK YOU so much for the workshop. The exercises you use are amazingly simple, but surprisingly deep. Your workshop gave me tools that I can use while I am performing, especially ones that get me back on track when I have fallen deep into my judgmental self. And thank you for your great coaching!”                                              John Cashley

“I realized last night that I actually had an enjoyable performing experience after your workshop– and that is unheard of (at least had been)!!!! Your presentation was wonderful and I felt very safe with you. The feedback you gave was truly valuable and clearly came from someone that is speaking with deep knowledge and experience.”                                          Suzanne Bjork

“This workshop actually changed my life as I gained the ability to connect with people in any situation. I really learned, what you said about “the most compelling thing I have to offer is my authentic self”. I find that now I don’t worry so much about what people are thinking and whether or not they are judging me, instead I focus on being in the moment and showing up with my whole self. The results are amazing. In the past I never received much feedback about my teaching style, my classes or my talks. Now I regularly have people coming up to me after a talk or class, telling me how great it was and wanting to know more, or, I think, they just want to know ME. Imagine that!!”                                                                                 Anne Edwards

ANATOMY IN MOVEMENT 101: Structure and Vitality; The Skeleton; and the Muscles Part 1
5 weeks, Wednesdays, 5:30 – 8:30pm, February 3 – March 3 • $225

This 101 course starts in the bones and introduces the muscles. The skeleton provides the framework of our body. When the skeleton knows its role, the muscles can do less and movement will be more efficient. This will help bring clarity and ease to one’s yoga practice. Embodying our bones through intellect and experience we can better know where we are in space and be in relationship with ourselves and our surroundings.

To register go to http://www.yogashalapdx.com/courses.html

OR call The Yoga Shala at 503.963.YOGA

Classes are at

The Yoga Shala

3808 North Williams

(One block north of Fremont)

Introducing: Yoga Classes with Barbara Wood at Numinosity.

Numinosity is happy to announce even more yoga options at Numinosity. Take advantage of classes from Tammy on Monday night (5:30 – 6:45 Gentle, or 7:00 – 8:15 Strength) or Barb on Wednesday nights (5:30 – 6:45 Mixed Therapeutic).

Wednesday night Yoga in December with Barb

Come work with Barb for 4 (four) weeks (Three Wednesday’s and one Thursday!) to tune up, tune in and distress during the hectic holiday season. 5:30 – 6:45, Series of 4 for $40 or drop in for $12 each class. Make checks payable to Barbara Wood.

Week 1 – Wed December 2nd – Low Back and Core

Week 2 – Wed December 9^th – Hips and Legs

Week 3 – Thur December 17^th – Shoulders, Arms and Neck

Week 4 – Wed December 23^rd – Heart Openers and Gratitude

Barb will begin a 10 week series after the holidays. Wednesday night therapeutic yoga for all skill levels. Jan 6^th – March 10^th. Series of 10 for $100 or drop in for $12/class.

Give the gift of yoga to a friend or loved one. Call Barb at 503-341-6011 for gift certificate ideas.

What is Kripalu Yoga?

Kripalu Yoga is an inquiry-based yoga methodology that promotes the awakening of the life force (prana). Using classic asanas, pranayama, meditation, and relaxation techniques, Kripalu Yoga increases awareness of body, breath, and mind and encourages natural alignment.

Off the mat, this inquiry-based approach to life also encourages natural alignment and increased awareness-of our thoughts, words, feelings, and actions. In this way, Kripalu Yoga is the inquiry of optimal living.

Kripalu Yoga emphasizes the mechanics of yoga (proper breath and alignment) as well as the inner, spiritual dimensions of yoga practice. Students are encouraged to honor the wisdom of the body and to work according to its limits and strengths.

The primary objective of Kripalu Yoga is to awaken the natural intelligence of the life-force (the flow of prana) in order to promote thriving in all aspects of life. Because of its approach, Kripalu Yoga is compatible with all other styles and traditions of yoga practice.

Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health website

What is Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy?

As we struggle to keep up with the hectic pace of our busy lives, we may find ourselves longing for simplicity, inner peace and deeper meaning, for a way to heal our bodies, our spirits and our lives. Though at times we look for outside sources to guide us, somewhere deep inside we know that we must slow down, reconnect with ourselves and listen to our own inner voice.

Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, through a combination of classical yoga techniques and elements of contemporary body-mind psychology, encourages this deeper connection with self.

A Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy session is a one-on-one process lasting one-and-a-half hours. Through assisted yoga postures and non-directive dialogue, practitioners guide clients to experience the connection of their physical and emotional selves. Using focused breathing, this connection is held and explored, fostering release, personal growth and healing. Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy website

What is Coaching?

Coaching is defined as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. Through the establishment of a trusting relationship, the coach works with the coachee to define their goals, get clear about any obstacles and help them hold themselves accountable for achieving what they want. Coaching is a forward moving process that deals with old issues as necessary but doesn’t mine for them. Barb brings her laser-like insights and compassionate counseling skills to the service of her clients. One client said, “I felt seen, heard and then propelled into action to take a direction I’d not thought of before.”

About Barbara.

Barbara Wood, Ph.D. was introduced to yoga in the mid 1980s and remembers silently crying on her mat in her first Shavasana. “I felt like I was coming home.” Practicing on and off since then, she began a daily practice in 2003 and completed 200 hour Kripalu teacher’s training in 2004. After completing training she taught staff of Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, NJ for 2 years. Barb currently teaches two classes a week at Lloyd Center Athletic Club (Monday 6:45 pm – 8:00 Intermediate; and Saturday 11:15-12:15 Beginning) and 2 per week at her work place, Children’s Nursing Specialties. “Yoga has saved my life in so many ways. Whether it be healing from physical injuries, the death of a partner to cancer, or managing so many of life’s challenges, my yoga mat has been my refuge through so much. I want to share my love and commitment to the healing powers of yoga with as many students as possible.”

Barb is also a certified Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist and an Organizational and Executive Coach, plus holds a Master’s of Education in Counseling Psychology and a Doctorate in Human Development and Family Studies.

Besides Kripalu, Barb has trained at Integral Yoga Studio and with Cindy Lee in New York City and currently volunteers for Living Yoga through Amrita. Her classes are a blend of deep grounded introspection and light joyful play. The atmosphere in the class is one of support and relaxation as students are guided to allow their inner wisdom to be their true teacher. The smaller class size of Numinosity offer opportunities for more individualized attention. Barb’s training as a yoga therapist makes her acutely aware of the need for modifications and adaptations to fit unique needs. She’s highly creative while also being acutely aware of safety.

Call Barb at 503-341-6011 or email at barb@mindfulstretch.com for more information about classes at Numinosity, to schedule a one-on-one yoga session, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy session or free coaching sample session.

Give a healing gift this holiday season:

*One-on-one yoga session to a loved one.

*Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy Session

*Term of yoga classes.

*Coaching Session.

I am always looking for fun and easy articles for clients that help describe useful tips on different issues. I picked up Bonkers Magazine for the first time this week, and am really enjoying it. Since I’d wanted to share something about holiday stress in our Holiday Newsletter, I was quite delighted to see the following article. I hope you find it useful.

Blessings for a de-stressed holiday.

Happy, Happy Holiday: How to Really Be Happy
by Tina B. Tessina
Excerpted from Bonkers Magazine December 2009 issue

Holidays can be the best of times and the worst of times. No matter what you observe: Ramadan, Kwaanza, Chanukah, Solstice or Christmas, this is a celebratory time of year. For some it’s a joy and a time for gathering with beloved family members. For others it’s a nightmare – with pressure to spend too much, eat too much, and socialize with those we don’t even like. If your holiday expectations are out of line with what you really want, then you’ll be stressed. However, holidays can be a source of bonding and strength with a little thought and pre-planning.

De-Stress the Holiday

To de-stress the holidays, get intentional about them. Happier holidays require three things:

1.lighten up on expectations
2.ask for help
3.understand what other people are thinking

1.To lighten up expectations, understand that this is your real life, not a picture-book experience. Family or friends may squabble, food may not turn out perfectly, and gifts may not go over as well as people hope. A sense of humor will help lighten up the whole thing. Think of yourself as a holiday trouble-shooter, rather than a designer of perfect scenarios. Find out what’s really important to you, your guests and your family, and pare your celebration down to the important things. Focus less on spending money or decorating, and more on spending time with those you love.

2.Ask for help by getting other people engaged in the happenings. Ask them to share the work. You’ll find that a lot of camaraderie comes out of working together, and a lot of the holiday fun will happen behind the scenes as you work with others to get ready. Your family and friends will feel more a part of the celebration if they actually help create it.

3.Understand what people are thinking by talking about events in advance with your spouse, your children, or other members of your family and friends. Ask them what they like most and least, and what they hope will happen. If you know their “hidden agendas,” you’ll be less surprised.

Let Go of Small Problems

No matter how well you plan, little things can go wrong. Don’t let them spoil the whole day. Just let them go, using the following steps”

1.Perspective: Put it in perspective – will it be important an hour from now? Fifteen minutes from now? Most little things won’t be.

2.Self-understanding: If someone or something upsets you, don’t exacerbate the problem by getting on your own case for reacting. It’s normal to have emotional reactions, but you don’t have to let them show or act on them.

3.Rise above: If someone upset you or was rude, give a littler prayer of thanks that it wasn’t worse, say a blessing for your friend (who probably needs it) …

4.Benefit of the doubt: If someone hurt your feelings, acknowledge that your feelings are hurt, and consider the other person is probably just clumsy, not intentionally hurtful. The world is full of emotional klutzes who don’t realize the impact of their words and actions…

5.Consider the source: A relative or neighbor who is truly nasty may repeatedly hurt your feelings. Consider what must be going on inside that person’s head, and be grateful that you’re not hearing that. Even the meanest people are far nastier to themselves than they are to others…

6.Give an Adult time out: If someone repeatedly hurts, abuses or disrespects you, the best way to handle it is with an adult time out. This is a powerful and subtle way of fixing the problem. Simply become very distant and polite around the person who is not treating you well. No personal talk and interaction, no joking, no emotion. Be very polite, so no one can accuse you of being unpleasant, mean or rude. There is no need to explain what you are doing; the problem person will get the message from your behavior – which is much more effective…

7.Detach from difficult family: Learn to treat difficult family members the way you’d treat a member of someone else’s family – with whom you’d not react to obnoxious things, but just politely ignore what they’re doing or saying, and maintain a pleasant demeanor.

Add Meaning

Once you’ve made your holiday easier and less stressful, you have room to add more meaning.

Encourage family members to talk about what’s meaningful to them, or their favorite holiday memories. If your holiday is Christmas, for example, invite each person at your celebration to choose or bring a favorite ornament for the tree, and ask them to tell why it’s meaningful to them. Spend a moment after Christmas dinner asking senior family members to share their memories of Christmas past. Gather around the tree and read a favorite inspiring story. Or read a few pages of a longer work…

Whatever you are celebrating this time of year, make this your season of love, peace and warmth.

Copyright 2009
Tina Messina

Christy started chiropractic school at Western states Chiropractic College in 2001. Because of a severe car accident in her younger years, she found herself keenly interested in treating car accident victims and their unique injuries. Her main focus in the first several years of school was concentrated on things like care for whiplash, headaches, and various problems related to the neck, specifically the upper cervical spine.

While studying the art and learning the craft of chiropractic care, Christy soon developed something of a following in her classes: massage therapy and chiropractic students began to flock to her for in-depth care of their hands, feet and shoulders. By necessity she learned as much as she could in how to treat these injuries to help her fellow professionals. This work eventually came to encompass all joints of the arms and legs, making Christy somewhat of an accidental extremities specialist.

Around the same time that she began to focus on treating injuries and extremities, Dr. Christy had the fortuitous pleasure of meeting Dr. Suzi Levy, and was instantly impressed both by Dr. Levy’s work ethic and incredible knowledge of the human body. The two quickly became good friends and respected colleagues. In 2004 Christy graduated from chiropractic college with good solid chiropractic skills but an unfortunately poor understanding of the business world. In an effort to learn more about the business end of her craft, she took a position in Lynnwood Washington, as an Associate Doctor in an incredibly busy, million-dollar-plus practice. In this setting she polished her chiropractic skills and gained a vast amount of knowledge about the work of running and owning an ethical, responsible, and effective business. After 4 years of learning and training in this supportive environment, Christy grew bored with being an employee and hungered to treat patients in a practice more of her own making. When the opportunity to partner with Suzi, who offered her a full partnership in her established and transitioning NE Portland clinic, Christy (eventually) leapt at the opportunity. In 2008 she moved to Portland and joined Dr. Suzi’s business, “Levy Chiropractic LLC” at Numinosity, A Center for Wellness. She has never looked back.

In the past year, Dr. Christy has enjoyed joining the practices at Numinosity and is once again in love with Portland and with chiropractic care. She is excited to be caring for you and yours and considers it a privilege to be your chiropractor.