Ignite the Fire ~ June 2011

Ignite the Fire

Ignite the fire within. It's never too late to feel the passion we are so naturally given in life. We can be drawn into melancholy as a goal to find inner peace and stillness. But there is a difference. Inner peace can be misconstrued and turn into melancholy. There are ebbs and flows in life. And we ride that wave. However, if we begin to grow lazy or complacent in one area, thinking that is how we are meant to be in order to steer clear of ups and downs we never enjoy the fire innate within us.

No matter what age we are, we have a purpose and we are constantly changing and evolving. The fire within us can always be ignited for a purpose, a goal to live life happily in joy rather than something that the same old same old.

In my "prior life" I was overweight and very lazy with not much by way of pursuing my passion. I didn't know what that meant. I didn't think life was more than working as an administrative assistant, food and the occasional personal connection. But there was something deep inside me and it was stirring. It finally burst when I was pushed even more into situations and relationships that were unhealthy and emotionally abusive. I just knew that there was something more for me. And I craved it!

And that's when I finally decided on a lifestyle change. I began eating better and exercising - finally! I chased after what drove me to my happy place and became an even more spiritually connected person. This spiritual connection was missing from my life and for most of the beginning stages of my life. But once I found this, I felt complete for the first time in my life and I wasn't about to lose that connection ever again.

Those around me still resonating at that destructive frequency were not happy with my uplifting change that stirred inside me. Eventually, these people got out of my life, either by my choice or there's. It was time. I changed.

This particular change began seven years ago! And now I am passionate about awakening that fire within others! To empower others to find that within themselves! Because it's there; always. Even today I will get complacent. So I have to be mindful and totally conscious to ask myself if this is a "rest" period in my life or ask myself: Am I going back into "unconsciousness land" and moving away from being truly totally ALIVE! Because there are rest periods, as we need balance in our lives.

However, we must watch these rest periods and not wallow too long because that can turn into a static state of being and become an unhealthy pattern. We might miss a window of opportunity because we fell into the pattern of rest rather than flowing with life like ocean waves! So yes, rest; maintain balance; recharge your system; and then flow, live, empower yourself to strive for a new version of yourself always.

Ask yourself today: What Sparks you today!? Then find a way to make it happen and be in that uplifting energy! The energy this month and this entire year is especially strong for our desires and manifesting those results! So take advantage!

May you know the peace that dwells within.

Blessings to you on your path,
~Spiritual Cheerleader
www.SpiritualCompassConnection.com

Focus ~ May 2011

Focus
by Maggie Anderson
www.SpiritualCompassConnection.com

I find it truly symbolic for me that just last year I purchased a new vehicle, a Ford Focus. The names of our vehicles usually give us a vibrational match to what we are needing to learn or continue working with. So I have been seeing "Focus" as a message for me to truly zero in on my goals and intentions and add *my* energy to these endeavors. To me, the idea of focus brings with it the idea of living totally awake and truly honing in on the most potent of energies for a desired result. It makes me want to beam light powerfully at my goals. (Which I do on occasion, don't you?) :)

We affect the energy around us all the time. Just by our focus. We focus and light builds on the area of focus. This can be a body part or an intention of an experience. We can assist the experience with our focus; our energy; our light! Or not. It's our free will choice.

Yes, we do answer to a higher power. The ultimate Source of All That Is. It is there that things occur or not occur and at what level. It is the wise highest energy that knows all and knows what path we are to take to lead to our individual destiny. Our individual plan we set up prior to coming here.

But it is our own desires and what brings us the most joy and happiness that is where we are meant to *focus* our energies. When we do this with our energetic effort we add so much more to the project or intention than if we just went through the motions and took a lazy complacent stance about it happening or not happening. We must put our own energy totally INTO IT. There is an element of allowing "what will be to be", as a mode of surrender to the Divine. But there is our light that manifests the goal or intention. So let go of the end result happening, but allow it to grow and blossom before you by sending it love and light and beautiful joy-filled energy. The more you love it the better it will manifest and the more potent and powerful the experience will be!

It is helpful to not split our focus either. This splits our energy. When we have so many things we want to accomplish and have sent energy in too many directions, we are scattered and spreading our energies too thin. So take some time to focus only on one goal at a time.

Focus like a laser beam on your goal or intention! For example, if you have an ache or pain (or even if you don't) focus your beam of light (your attention) on that body part. Fill it with beautiful light. Imagine it. Our imagination is where our creative lies and where our connection to our highest potential can flow in. So send light. Focus on that body part feeling better and/or looking better. You can do this for weight loss as well. That's what I did to shed over 90 pounds. (This along with eating less and listening to my body by exercising.) You may feel tingles, cold spots or most common is feeling heat energy. You are a natural born healer. :) You can do this to an experience or relationship that you would like to have a positive outcome for the highest and best good of all, too. Think light, think light, think light. Think love. Focus love and light. :)

You can also choose to aim your focus negatively. We do it all the time. Someone makes us mad at work or at home or cuts us off while we are driving, etc. The list goes on. We aim our beam of "madness" at the person, as if that's going to make it all better! Instead we can fume, let it out positively and aim laser beams of light at whomever it was that upset us. We can choose to be in a place of forgiveness, not necessarily for them to begin with, but mostly for US. For our well-being. And once in this new place of forgiveness we can move from here. Our laser beam focus can be used for good once again! :) We already know that what we send out comes back to us three-fold, so why not make it uplifting and loving as much as possible. We can let out our tension in positive ways, like exercise, running, walking and even screaming at the top of our lungs in our car (when no one is around) and even breathing nice and deep. Whatever works right! :)

So remember, it is still our free will choice to get there and we must take action and be in the "game" of living LIGHTLY. Focus light. Share light where we can. And harm none. Love, Live, Laugh always.

May your Journey into Self always be blessed.

Blessings to you on your path,
~Spiritual Cheerleader
www.SpiritualCompassConnection.com

Yoga Pose for May 2011: Chair Pose

Chair Pose
Sanskrit: Utkatasana
Photo courtesy of abc-of-yoga.com

Chair is a fantastic post to heat up our internal fire. It works wonders on our rear end and thighs, legs and arms. It also stimulates the digestive system and heart. In its full version the arms are by the ears. I do also love to do the Revolve twisting variation of Chairs and loving the hip opener variation too, where one leg crosses over like in recline pigeon. But I'm getting ahead of myself. :) Let me explain how to come into this pose while you view the visual to the right.

Directions on how to come into the pose:

Standing in Tadasana/Mountain pose, feet can be hip distance apart or close together. Better balance may be felt with feel hip distance apart. Inhale arms all the way up by your ears. Be mindful of good posture throughout.

Elongate the spine as you inhale. Exhale and begin to bend your knees pulling your tooshy behind you as if you are about to sit in a chair. Allowing your body to come into a 45 degree angle. Be sure that you can still see your toes. Never dump the weight in the low back. If you feel a tug in the low back, straighten your back as you tuck your pelvic under to alleviate any pressure. From here, your arms can be straight out in front of you or straight up beside your ears. Fingers can be close or wide stretching out strong.

Feel the opening in the heart and the lungs. Here be sure the weight is in the heels not the ball of the feet. This way you aren't falling forward. Here we can lift our toes up off the mat to really feel the weight where it should be.

Hold for 30 seconds to a minute. To come out, inhale as you straighten your knees. Exhale releasing your arms to your sides back into Mountain pose.

When not to do this pose or to modify/Contraindications: If you have a headache, low blood pressure or insomnia. Also, listen to your body. If your knees are hurting due to injury modify here and don't come as deep into the pose or at all if it's too much. Your body is wise and is always speaking to you. Honor the wisdom of your body.

Blessings,
Maggie
www.SpiritualCompassConnection.com

Stop Listening! ~ April 2011

Stop Listening!

Stop listening to the negative voices around you. Stop listening to the embedded negative voice within you. Stop listening to those around you that say there are no jobs, you can't have that, you can't do this, etc. Stop listening to the negative voices around you! Make that change. Shift your internal voice and listen to the positive uplifting divine self within! Remove yourself from negative people, situations and places whenever and wherever possible. Shut your ears off to negativity. Open your heart to possibility, positivity and options galore!

I implore you to take a challenge with me! Take a 21-day negativity fast with me! That's right. This fast isn't about food. It's about removing yourself from negativity for 21 beautiful days! Whenever something negative comes up or is said to you by someone else or especially by yourself to yourself, shift your thinking to that of a positive outcome or simply to the Light of the Divine within you. Shift your thinking for 21 days! You will start to notice a beautiful new vibrancy within you. As you think more uplifted and positive, your energy gets uplifted. You raise your vibrations to a new level! It takes the brain 21 days to change a habit. So take this challenge. Change the negative mind thoughts to positive ways of thinking and being. This is the beginning of removing your mind thoughts to connect more deeply to the Soul within you. Make that shift today.

Yes, challenging things will happen. Obstacles will occur but it's how we react to them that counts. It's how we think and move through these challenges. You will begin to embrace challenges as a way to show how much you have grown and are continuing to evolve! We can choose to get down and listen to negative thoughts and get in a downward spiral for more negativity and therefore, by the law of attraction, receive more negative experiences in our life to continue to feel that negative way. Or we can shift our thinking and way of feeling and being. We can become uplifted and move with life. Go with the flow of life and find the stillness within; that peaceful divine place that is always untouched. And move through life from here. As we move through life in this new divinely connected space we have raised our vibrations, we are uplifted, we are connected, and life is easier. Challenges are moved through faster and simpler. You grow at a faster divine rate and connect more deeply to everything, everyone and to the All That Is. Amazing!

Now there are two voices within us. It's helpful to discern between that negative voice, the ego, and from the Divine intuition that speaks to us often. The ego voice is usually negative, abrupt, fearful and worrisome. Always thinking about the past or the future and feels fearfully rushed. On the flip side, our Divine voice that sends us messages constantly is gentle, soothing, uplifting and filled with guidance. Never pushing us into anything, only suggested and giving sometimes subtle and other times loud guidance. Always a Divine connection is felt. Take a moment and hear your emotions and feel those feelings. These are messages being sent to you to listen to. Discern between the two voices and listen to the stillness within. Move from here.

It's time to stop listening to negativity and listen to our deepest Soul while working with the Universal Law of Attraction to make things work for us in an uplifting and Divinely connected way. We are all here for a purpose and our primary purpose is to find the connection that's always within us to God/Divine/Spirit. Our secondary purpose is to express the Divine through us in a way that we are Divine Inspired to do so. It's what you are driven to do and be. This is one way to keep us on our journey at an accelerated rate. :) Will you take the 21 day challenge with me?

May your Journey into Self always be blessed.

Blessings to you on your path,
~Spiritual Cheerleader
www.SpiritualCompassConnection.com

March 2011 Yoga Pose of the Month: Bridge Pose

Bridge Pose
Sanskrit: Setu Bandha Sarvangasana
Photo courtesy of YogaJournal.com

What a beautiful Back Bend pose this is! I love doing this pose as it's shown and also as a restorative pose with a block under the sacrum. If you want a good stretch and to feel open as well as to rest in this yummy pose try it with a block. Feels so good and peaceful! :) Take the time to go inward during Bridge pose.

Bridge pose is great for anyone needing to work on back issues. Also, you're really working the uterus in this pose as well. The varying benefits of this pose are that it stretches the chest, neck, and spine as well as calms the brain and helps alleviate stress and mild depression. Bridge pose stimulates abdominal organs, lungs, and thyroid, rejuvenates tired legs as well as improves digestion. And it also helps relieve the symptoms of menopause, relieves menstrual discomfort when done supported (block under lower spine!), and reduces anxiety, fatigue, backache, headache, and insomnia. This pose is therapeutic for asthma, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and sinusitis. Seriously, why wouldn't you do this pose! :)

Directions on how to come into the pose:
Begin lying down on your back. During this pose do not move your head or neck. Maintain gaze upward or gazing down towards the belly. If necessary, place a thickly folded blanket under your shoulders to protect your neck. Knees bent, feel flat on the floor. Hands at your sides palms facing down. Allow your heels to come close to your fingertips so you are almost touching your heels. Begin with a few pelvic tilts to loosen up the pelvic and hips area. Slow lift your pelvis up ever so slightly. It's a subtle movement.

When you are ready slowly lift up your pelvis and hips off the ground, pressing into your feet and arms. Then you may keep your hands where they are or clasp them below your pelvis and extend through the arms to help you stay on the tops of your shoulders. Lift your chin away from the sternum and roll the shoulders blades in towards the spine. Don't forget to breathe!

Stay in the pose for 30 seconds to 1 minute. If you want to take it one step further lift your tailbone a little higher and lift up your heels off the ground. Now that's the stuff. :) On an exhalation release, slowly rolling through the spine down onto the floor. Bring your knees bent into the chest and give them a big hug. Rock from side to side.

When not to do this pose or to modify/Contraindications:Neck injury: avoid this pose unless you are practicing under the supervision of an experienced teacher.

Blessings,
Maggie
www.SpiritualCompassConnection.com

Circle of Wisdom

A client of mine recently talked about an experience she had with her friend. Her friend didn't agree with something someone else did and called them ignorant. My client had something wonderful to say. She explained to her friend that she likes to think of people and their experiences like a tree. Every time a tree grows it builds another circle around. So she said, it's not that this person is ignorant. It's that their 'Circle of Wisdom' isn't at your 'Circle of Wisdom'. Now how cool is that! Sooo true.

The same goes for us in regards to something someone else may be more evolved in and we happen to not be as evolved in our way of thinking or being just yet. It may take years or one experience to get us there. You never know.


So let's take this one step further and expand our perspective or rather view of another's experience that we may be judging or disagreeing with. We can take a different vantage point and suddenly view a whole new world. Kind of like when you're driving your car and always taking the same route to yoga class (or wherever). Then you decide to go another way and notice that it's easier to see over the hedge at the end of one road. Not to mention there is a new beautiful view to look at from this new direction.

So it's helpful to think of things in different ways to know that others are coming from their own unique perspective. No one is ever wrong. We are all right with where our Circle of Wisdom is at any given moment. Then we learn. We evolve and see more. We are all aiming for the same mountain view in the end. Or rather all paths lead to the same.

Blessings to you on your path,
~Maggie, Spiritual Cheerleader
www.SpiritualCompassConnection.com

February 2011 Yoga Pose: Pyramid

Pyramid
Sanskrit: Parsvottonasana
Photo of Maggie Anderson taken by Morayo Sayles

Pyramid pose is a fantastic variation of a runners stretch. It stretches and strengthens the legs and most especially those hamstrings (back of the legs). It's one of my many favorite poses. What's great is this pose is also great for calming the brain and improving the digestive system, as well as stretching the spine, shoulders and wrists (if in the full pose with hands flat on mat facing behind you). To boot your abs are also being stimulated. It's an all-around great pose. If you're an athlete this is a must-have pose. And even if you're not! :)

Directions on how to come into the pose:
Begin in Tadasana (Mountain Pose). Step your left leg out behind you about 3 1/2 to 4 feet wide. Both feet can face forward with a slight turn out of the back foot. Align the front heel with the back heel. If you feel the back foot needs to be out further for the first few times you do this pose for better balance that's perfectly divine. It's great to warm up to this stretch a few times with a micro-bend in the front knee and eventually you'll be able to straighten it out. Turn your hips forward and the front (right) hip pulling out and back a little so that the right kneecap is center line with the right ankle. Take a breath.

Now inhale, and on the exhale hinge at the hips as you bring your torso forward. It's here you will know your limits in flexibility. You may only go slightly forward in the forward stretch and rest your hands on your upper thigh. Or you may find you can come foward and down a little more. Maintain a straight back, good posture throughout the entire pose. Lower down where your edge is. It's not about going low. It's about going where you feel the stretch deep. Sweet discomfort. No pain. If your hands can reach the mat, fantastic. Be mindful of that straight back. Shoulders are not rounding and are back down and away from the ears. The crown of your head may back parallel with the mat here. Breathe. From here, if you'd like to take it one step farther, allow your hands to turn around to face behind you, palms on the mat. Hold and breathe. Nice deep cleansing breaths here....if you'd like to take it to another level you may take your hands, while maintaining the pose up and behind you to clasp behind your back. You can rest your hands on your back or lift them off the back for an extra stretch in the arms and shoulders. Hold here and take 3-5 deep cleansing breaths.

When you're ready, slow come up, again hinging at the hips, straight back, hands still clasped behind your back (if you took that variation). Maintaining the leg foundation, allow slight arch support in the back and open up the chest, the heart, look up and allow for a mini-backbend here. Then release the hands. Release the legs coming up into Tadasana. Take a breath.

When not to do this pose or to modify/Contraindications:
If you have back injury or high blood pressure you may not want to practice this pose at its fullest length, but rather only come down halfway.