The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center

Monterey Bay National Marine
Sanctuary Exploration Center

Last spring I became a docent at The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center. The MBNMSEC is a visitors center to explore, educate, and create the connection with the ocean.

Front of the Exploration Center

This place is great - whether you just have ten minutes or a few hours. There are lots of interactive displays including a ROV - a mini submarine for exploring the deep sea - that you get to play with, as well as a great little video about the Monterey Bay and a Liquid Galaxy from Google.

Play with a ROV

Fun for kids, parents, teachers and visitors, well worth checking out. From tide pools to kelp forests, shipwrecks to creatures in the underwater canyon, come find out more at the Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center. I'm there on Friday afternoons, so you can get a personal tour!

Kelp Forest Display

The Sanctuary itself is underwater - ranging from San Francisco and going down to Cambria, about 30 miles out to sea, it is over 6,000 miles of protected ocean. Protected from what? Well, off shore drilling is number one, but also for endangered species, over-fishing, and so that we can enjoy a clean ocean for recreational activities, such as surfing and sailing.

View from the deck

The Monterey Bay Canyon begins in Moss Landing, and is as big as the Grand Canyon - except all under water. Cold water rises from the deep, bringing rich nutrients, which in turn attract the variety of marine life that lives and migrates through the sanctuary. We're talking about blue whales, humpback whales, sea lions, seals, otters, dolphins, and everyone's favorite predator - the white shark.

Juvenile Leatherback Turtle

Did you know that Leatherback Turtles swim from Santa Cruz to Indonesia to lay their eggs? They come here to feast on the jellies. Unfortunately, they will mistake a plastic bag for a jellyfish, which of course is undigestible, and can lead to starvation. Thank your city council for the ban on plastic bags, let's keep our marine life alive!

Whale Tail Sculpture

The Exploration Center will be getting lots of new displays this fall, so more to explore, more to enjoy. The Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center is located at 35 Pacific Ave, across from the entrance to the wharf. It is FREE admission (whoo-hoo!) although donations are always appreciated. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 10am to 5pm., I hope to see you there soon!
 

Virgo the Virgin

She who is whole unto herself
She knows how to rejuvenate her health
Renew her spirit, regenerate her wealth
The artist, priestess and the healer

Strength of the lion, grace of the swan
Shy at times but loves to perform
Harvesting love before it is gone
She can be quite the heart stealer

A young face with an old soul

The epitome of self control
Imperfect in her perfection goal

Turns her break down into a breakthrough

Beautiful, graceful, wise beyond her years
She touches hope, dispels fears
And while this rose does have her tears
How will she touch you?

Hypnobirthing

Here is a letter from one of my clients regarding using hypnosis to have the most positive birth experience possible:

Hi Ladies,

Just want to send a long overdue thank you to Joanne Gramo, L.Ac, Kayla Garnet Rose, Certified Hypnotherapist and Dr. Elizabeth Quinn for their wonderful support during pregnancy and after Noemi was born.

Joanne and I met about every two weeks for much of my pregnancy. She helped keep me relaxed and worked hard to keep my anxiousness to a minimum. These visits with Joanne were such a blessing… each time, I would drift off into la-la land and let all cares slip away… and snore. I believe that the ease of my pregnancy was largely due to her acupuncture treatments. The week of my due date, I was ready to get things moving. I had had enough of the difficulty of getting around and the what felt like every 5 minute-pee breaks. Joanne gave me a special labor stimulating treatment and some Chinese herbs to drink as a tea on Wednesday. I started drinking the tea Thursday and by Thursday night at midnight I was in labor. Woohoo! Joanne also offered her services if I experienced any complications during the labor process, which I thankfully did not need. She also followed up with me post pregnancy and assured me that my healing experiences were normal. Joanne - I am so appreciative of the time spent with you. You really work wonders.

Kayla and I met twice for a hypnobirthing session. Once at her office and once with Joanne for an acu-hip session. During the first session she spent a considerable amount of time talking with me about concerns and goals for my birthing experience. She asked pointed questions beyond the labor experience which I found especially helpful as my due date drew near. For instance, she asked how I invisioned my hospital experience, who would be in the room (if anyone) during the labor process, what the next couple days would be like postpartum and the eventual trip home with baby in tow. These were parts of the birth experience that I hadn't thought of much before she brought them to my attention. What was most helpful during the labor process was recalling the recorded hypnosession and her use of the words 'cool' and 'calm' water and the vivid transition of colors that we talked about to describe the 90 second ride through each contraction (Midnight blue turning into Caribbean blue). I made a vision board (picture attached) to represent the cool calm and blue colored water we talked about. Although I didn't look at it much while in actual labor, my ability to recall the hypnosessions and the act of making the vision board gave me something to concentrate on. Both doula and midwife were impressed with my ability to stay focused and breathe. I believe this was largely due to my time with Kayla. Thank you so much, Kayla! I know wholeheartedly that hypno-birthing had a huge impact on my labor experience.

Dr. Elizabeth Quinn and I met shortly after Noemi was born. I think it was week 3 or 4. With all the new weighted and unusual movements I was now making lifting baby, taking the car seat in and out of the car, nursing, changing etc. my back was more than tweaked. One morning I experienced a strange twinge in my back and decided to call Dr. Quinn. She was available the following day! With her magic touch, she realigned my vertebrae, pelvic bones, rib cage and shoulders. She also talked with me about important exercises to help encourage core strength. I left her office feeling much improved and with renewed attention to the importance of moving/lifting/shifting with thought and care. I haven't had to go back yet, but I will in a heartbeat if any further issues arise. Thank you, Elizabeth!

Motherhood is amazing, both extremely rewarding and challenging at the same time. I think of you all often and hope everyone is doing well! Have a wonderful week and I look forward to seeing you all again soon.

With much gratitude,

Ellie

Ellie D. Whisner BS CNCCertified Nutrition Consultant

If you are pregnant (or even thinking about getting pregnant) and would like to experience hypnobirthing, please call or email for more information today!

Cuddle Meditation

A couple of years ago my sweetie and I went to some workshops on sexuality at our local (and tasteful) adult toy store, Pure Pleasure. The best thing we got out of it was "cuddle meditation" which we have now practiced consistently for two and a half years.

In the mornings, we tend to drink our tea and read/play on the computer for an hour or so. Then we go back upstairs and brush our teeth. Next we get back into bed (no clothes or pjs), and usually I lie on top of (since I'm smaller). We breathe together, hum, giggle, connect chakras, belly laugh, hold silence, and sometimes make love. This can last five to forty-five minutes, depending on work schedules, etc.

The effect has been incredibly positive. We both come from and practice very different spiritual beliefs, and this is way that we can "pray" together. We don't live together and only spend together time Friday through Monday. The first two years of our relationship the distance and separateness was an added strain. Since doing cuddle meditation, we both feel more calm and connected during the week, with much less insecurity and jealousy issues.

Also, when we do have conflict, we both take turns to speak our truth, then end up doing cuddle meditation. The next morning during cuddle meditation we check in to see if we had resolution and completion. This feels very safe, vulnerable and intimate, all at the same time. I highly recommend it.

Have you cuddled mindfully today?

Cooking with Intention

A client said, "I have tried to meditate while waiting for the dinner on to cook, but things could boil over, or burn, and I find it harder to concentrate." For me, meditation is a relaxed, focused state of concentration. In hypnotherapy, we call this going into trance. We go into trances all day long - getting sucked into tv or facebook, reading a good book, driving home getting lost in one's thoughts and suddenly you are there.

This activates the parasympathetic nervous system - our natural state of being, as opposed to the sympathetic nervous system, also known as fight-or-flight. When we are stressed out, blood leaves the belly (poor digestion) and the brain (poor thinking) to go into the muscles in order to run away or deal with a challenge. We don't have tigers and bears chasing us any more, but we do have bills and traffic. Even being under low grade stress can wear out the adrenals, cause poor sleep and assorted ailments.

Being able to return to the parasympathetic is crucial, as we think better, sleep better, digest better - indeed, this is when the body and mind can restore, replenish and rejuvenate itself. Meditation is the deliberate act of intentionally entering this state. It can be done with the eyes shut or open, while sitting or walking, actually at any time you choose to. This, to me, is what being mindful is all about. Thus, one can meditate at any time - from brushing your teeth to cooking in the kitchen

So, I would propose a two minute kitchen meditation. While, cooking, take a few deep breaths. Then focus on the smells of cooking, the sounds of cooking, the colors of the foods, the tastes and textures. Really be aware. I like to visualize the whole chain of people who made the meal possible - the farmer who planted the carrot, the worker who pulled it out of the earth, the trucker who brought it to the store, the market clerk who stocked it, the cashier who sold it, the person who cooked it (myself or the restaurant chef if I am dining out), the person who served it (wait person or my spouse). I feel this is a way to bless the food and really appreciate the simple task of creating a meal.

And guess what, washing the dishes can be it's own meditation too!

Weeding Meditation

Today I did a weeding meditation. Being mindful in the garden is a delight - really noticing the sounds of the birds, wind, my breathing; seeing the colors of the rich earth revealed as I removed the green and yellow sour grass; smelling the fresh air; feeling the roots give way as I gently tugged on the stems, the stretch in my low back, the little wooden stool supporting me; even the taste of a crisp California foggy day.

I found my mind wandering around the metaphor of pulling out negative thinking, the tenacity of old habits, the constant diligence to prune out the what is no longer serving. Even noticing that the big weeds were easier to get rid of then the little ones - just like my habits, some of the big ones are easier to change, more so than the little self doubts that creep in and take hold.

And then allowing myself to simply enjoy the garden, not just work at it - just like in meditation, enjoying the wandering of my mind, with no need to do anything but explore my inner landscape, appreciating the beauty and complexity, feeling whole and healthy - weeds and all.

The Queen of Everything

She who walks with her head held high,

Bright red balloons in a sky blue sky,

Crimson dress slit up to her thigh,

Fountain of youth flowing nearby.

She is Leo and she has pride,

The deep red rose that grows outside.

The bright shining star, fortune’s key,

She who is the Divine Feminine Mystery.

The eternal mother, the infinite lover,

The grace of the hummingbirds hover.

Sometimes a kitten, sometimes a cat,

A little bit of this, and certainly all that.

Moon in her hand and sunshine above,

She is the woman who knows she is well loved.

Good Morning Habits

Today's Affirmation: I allow myself order and routine.

We often think of hypnosis being used to break a bad habit, like smoking, biting nails or overeating. However, hypnotherapy is also effective in creating  long term life style changes by cultivating good habits, such flossing teeth, regular exercise, and using turn signals at intersections. Indeed, we are creatures of habit, but it begins with a mindfulness, awareness, and a willingness to change. Creating healthy habits is a way to release anxiety and manage stress. They can be comforting, calming, and empowering by promoting self care which creates self reliance.

For developing morning habits, getting up early is key. I was a late sleeper until my early thirties. Then, after having a kid, I discovered that getting up early was my secret time to myself. Now my daughter is 19 and in college, but I still like getting up an hour before my partner and having time to meditate, journal, stretch, etc. It has definitely become a habit, even if I go to bed late. It is way easier for me to add to morning habits - last December I struggled with adding flossing to my evening routine, and still now am using my phone reminder.

Here are my "good morning" habits:

• Wake up with the dawn to the crowing of cats
• Make green tea
• Check emails, play on computer 20 minutes (I used to spend 90 minutes, one great habit change from the September module)
• Meditate, journal
• Work out - 30 minutes cardio, 15 minutes stretches, 5 minutes strength exercises
• Get washed and dressed - use a moisturizer with sunscreen in it
• Make the bed, tidy the house
• Take my herbs and supplements

There is some variation, day to day, depending on what time my first client arrives - I try to schedule my work day to start at 10:30am, but sometimes I see clients at 8 or 9am. On Wednesdays I have a 7:30am business meeting, so I meditate and work out usually in the early afternoon. On weekends, my partner and I meditate together, and we either walk or hike for an hour or two, so I use that for my exercise, but I still do stretches at some point.

The one glaring habit that is missing? Eating breakfast! I have not eaten breakfast on a regular basis since junior high. I know it is so good for the body. Wednesdays I go out with my colleague after our meeting, but otherwise I tend to brunch - eating a pretty solid meal around 11:30am before my noon client. Time for some self-hypnosis, Kayla!

What good habits would you like to cultivate?

Crystal Healing

     Today I had the pleasure of working with a gentle man doing a combination of crystal healing and Reiki. He brought in a couple of dozen crystals, including strands of sunstone, orbs of pyrite and calcite, a heart made of labradorite, agate, malachite, fluorite, moldavite, and a tiny ceramic buddha as well as others. Some he had acquired, others had been gifted from family, including a lovely crystal wand from his mother.

The intention was to both clear the stones as well as to attune them to the client's frequency, much like tuning a guitar, or even better, a symphony, combining the different energies into a synergetic whole. This was in order to create more clarity, harmony and personal resonance with every one of these power pieces, as well as to tune each corresponding chakra.

After going through every one, their meaning and significance, we discussed various cleansing methods. Clear crystals tend to need more clearing, as they tend to hold onto energy, while darker stones are more proficient in transforming and grounding energies. In simplistic terms, think about how we breathe out carbon dioxide, which plants absorb and then release oxygen, which of course we then breathe in. Some plants act as better filters than others, and of course have their own particular properties (herbs and spices are a good example). Gemstones are the same way, absorbing and releasing energies. Never fear that you are putting "negative" energies into a gemstone, indeed, it's "purpose" is to transform that energy.

Next, the client laid down on the massage table, face down. I placed the various stones, strands, orbs and points along the spine, shoulder blades and in the hands. Then I began Reiki at the feet, working up the body and back down, tuning the chakras. This was empowering, first, for the body/mind, to enhance balance in every aspect of the being.  Second, for every one of the crystals to vibrate in its higher power, releasing any old stuck energies and creating an opening for fresh healing.

I love doing this kind of healing. I have worked with gemstones ever since I was 22, back when I was at Aries Arts in Capitola and would go over to Dragginwood to buy pocket friends. In essence, we all love having a "pet rock". Often we are recommended to "take more minerals" and I feel the best way to this is through touch, to absorb the minute trace elements, whether wearing a necklace or amulet, medicine bag or bracelet.

Let me know if you are interested in a crystal healing - either with your own collection or mine. Amber for love, quartz for clarity, obsidian to dispel negativity - the stones are here as our friends, allies, and companions in aligning our bodies, healing the earth, and creating a more harmonious vibration for generations to come.

Blessed be.

Ann Altstatt & Joshua Muir - “River Ghosts”

Ann Altstatt & Joshua Muir for “River Ghosts”

Metal sculpture installation along the San Lorenzo River, Santa Cruz.

Moon Child

I am she who swings from the moon,

The beloved child born in late June,

Fairy like, with gossamer wings,

I dream of disco balls and glittery things.

I am deeply intuitive - and I trust my self,

I am playful and curious, a mischievous elf,

I can be sullen and deep, a dark mystery,

A young soul who holds an ancient history.

I am the crescent maiden, the fullness of the mother,

The howling of the wolf, the meeting with another,

Like minded soul, living simply and wild,

I am she who is the divine Moon Child.

Money Tree Meditation Workshop

Money Tree Meditation

• Ready to plant some seed money?
• Want to weed out your old debts?
• Desire to watch your investments grow?

If the answer is yes, then this is the right workshop for you! Discover how to change your wishful thinking into willful thinking.

Explore the roots of personal prosperity and how to blossom and thrive. Bring a journal and a pen. Thursday, June 18, 9:30 am to 11:30 am.

Engage both your right brain and your left brain in an interactive program with Kayla Garnet Rose, PhD, Certified Hypnotherapist, designed to activate greater abundance and prosperity into your life.

 Loosely based on the book, The Medicine Woman’s Guide to Being in Business for Yourself: How to Live by Your Spiritual Vision in a Money-Based World by Carol Bridges, this group is open to ALL women and men seeking to create more affluence while maintaining a high level of integrity and a spiritual focus. We will focus on creating abundance and prosperity through guided meditations, interactive exercises and group synergy.

Bring a journal and a pen.

$20 drop in, materials provided. Limit 9 participants. Call or email for directions to Kayla's westside office.

The Westside Prosperity Circle offers monthly workshops to engage your creative spirit in an interactive program that will activate greater abundance and prosperity into your life.

Each workshops includes a meditation on abundance, lecture on a tool for prosperity, group exercise and check in. Participants are encouraged to post their work on Meetup.com.

“Kayla Garnet Rose is a gifted healing practitioner. She combines her deep knowledge of ancient wisdom with today’s busy lifestyle challenges to help her clients find a more centered and balanced way of being.” -Tera Threewit, CMT, Scotts Valley, CA

Call (831) 435-5182 to register today!

Review - Journey to the Goddess Realm Oracle Deck

It might be early morning or sunset, New moon or Full. You have set aside some time, could be half an hour or half a day, to connect with your most sacred and authentic self. Maybe you are outside in nature, maybe you're snuggled in jammies sitting on your bed, either way you have spread out a silk scarf and are shuffling cards, relaxed and focused. Music or bird song fills the space, you are pleasantly aware of the smell of incense, roses, fresh air. Cleansed and purified, you are ready to begin your journey.

The Journey to the Goddess Realm Oracle Deck by Lisa Porter, published by U.S Games Systems, offers the seeker a way to reconnect with the archetypes of feminine wisdom. "When we develop access to our higher senses, we are being initiated into higher dimensional awareness and begin to work with universal energy... When we learn to call forth our eternal spirit back into our earthly bodies, we experience the ancient arts of actualization and connection to universal truth" (from the introduction).

Consisting of 36 Goddess Cards, 3 Confirmation cards, and a 48 page booklet, The Journey to the Goddess Realm Oracle Deck strives to activate both the right and left sides of the brain. Looking at the images stirs the creative imagination while reading the ancient stories brings about deep understanding, wisdom, and transcendence. The 3 Confirmation cards (Negation, Affirmation, and Revelation) can be shuffled in or used separately to explore the shadow aspects of the particular deity as well as to affirm positive aspects, or to create more mindfulness by cultivating non-duality.

It is a full Moon in June, and after a ritual bath I am wrapped in my favorite kimono, sitting on the deck with both the cats, where I have created an altar to welcome in the summer. The smell of jasmine is in the air, I can hear the barking of seals down at the wharf, and I arrange and rearrange the crystals and seashells into pleasing patterns while chanting softly to myself.

I set the intention to look at who is affirming my path, what shadow aspect do I need to embrace in order to experience enlightenment, and where do I combine my energies in order to synthesize a greater sense of wholeness. First I take the Confirmation cards and randomly place them, face down. Then I pull three goddesses to guide me, placing them also face down on top of the Confirmation cards.

As I flip the cards, the first pairing is Revelation/Confirmation, with Mary Magdalene/Identity - 22. "The Zen-like Revelation card is a sacred talisman... always a very personal experience, and requires meditative contemplation." Mary is seen with the sun behind her which casts her shadow into the desert, a serene look on her face, holding an alabaster vessel filled with sacred oils, long hair braided. Her message is to ask myself the eternal question, "Who am I and what are my values?" Much to ponder.

The next set is Negation/Confirmation, with Seshat/Intellect - 29. In the Negation card, we see the cup has spilled, the altar cloth stained, but still a full moon shines brightly in a window, symbol of renewal, rejuvenation, release. Seshat appears as an Egyptian scribe, hieroglyphics behind her, scrolls around her, draped in a leopards fur. She looks extremely focused, disciplined and determined. Seshat speaks to enjoying the written word, sharing information, and creative expression. For me, the shadow side is over-intellectualizing, over-thinking, and being too left-brained in my work, a need to find balance with more art, music, and dance. Interestingly, my silky black cat chooses this moment to launch herself onto my lap, a sweet reminder to "embrace the shadow".

The last pair is Affirmation with Baubo/Laughter - 7. Now the cup is full, a sunny day, a card filled with hope and optimism. Baubo is an intense card, a jester's head springing from a jack-in-the-box, hearts in her eyes, smiley emoticons on her cheeks, tears being shed, an exclamation mark on her third eye. In the corners we see the classic comedy/tragedy masks, and indeed, when pulling this card I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry. "Bawdy Greek goddess Baudo is a jester and dry nurse... able to console... as laughter is the best medicine!" An excellent affirmation on my own path to cultivate lightheartedness, I am reminded of a Jamaican saying, "The Ugly-Beautiful of Everything".

The moon is just beginning to rise, casting her light upon the cards, blessing this moment for sweet contemplation. I write and sketch in my journal next, using the tools and gifts brought by these goddesses, to continue to build a solid foundation for the temple of my soul.

Bird Medicine

Gemini is the hummingbird
Light as a feather
She experiences pure joy
No matter what the weather

She is also the fierce eagle
Climbing high in the sky
She always get perspective
Details in her eye

She is the raven
Blacker than the night
Holder of the mysteries
Secrets are her delight

Flights of Fancy - The Winged Enchantment Oracle Deck Review

Imagine you are walking out in nature, simply enjoying your path, aware of the breeze on your cheeks, the sway of your hips, the colors and textures surrounding you, and the sound of birds nearby. Maybe it's the sweet trill of the hummingbird, the chattering of swallows, the calling of crows and ravens. You take a moment to find your avian familiar, maybe hiding in the trees or soaring over your head. Like an augur of the past, you take the time to honor your sacred familiar, and all of the messages being brought to you now.

Playing with The Winged Enchantment Oracle Deck, written by Lesley Morrison with artwork by Lisa Hunt, and published by U.S Games Systems, puts you in touch with our feathered friends, taking one on a flight of fancy, a chance to deeply connect with our soul's ability to soar above and into the beyond. 39 oracle cards are accompanied by a 48 page illustrated book, so whether you are actually out in your garden and visited by a feathered friend, or engaged in personal vision quest and use these cards as a meditation tool, there is much to be found in these extraordinary cards.


Today we have New Moon in Taurus while Mercury is retrograde in Gemini. These heavenly bodies are transiting my tenth house, traditionally associated with career and life path. I consult the cards to review my chosen profession, contemplate my current private practice, and create a proactive plan for upcoming business opportunities. After shuffling the deck 9 times, I pull three cards: left hand, from my heart, reflecting the past; right hand, using my head, representing the future; and and both hands, the hear and now, combining my head and heart to reveal my soul's purpose.

The first card I pull is 29-Robin. A young girl who seems to be metamorphosizing into a robin sits in a nest. Around her are the four seasons - a wintry ground below, bright blossoming summer cherries above, migrating birds and budding branches on either side. She looks intently towards the heavens, a snowflake like crystal in her hand. "The hibernation of your talents and dreams has no place in my medicine... I am your wake up call at sunrise...Something needs tending... You are the caretaker of your own soul.You are your own change." Powerful words and a powerful image, full of determined hope and a call for self-actualization.

The next card is 36-Turkey. Deep in the woods a shape-shifter takes a moment to go into trance, hands clasped, melding with both the birds and the forest spirit itself. "You are being asked to serve a purpose. You are being guided to put something else first...Look around to see who needs you...There is quiet dignity in servitude." A profound affirmation as I deal with the mundane aspects of creating a business plan, contemplating budgets and domain names, to remember my original intention - creating right livelihood by helping others.

The last card I pull, letting my hands play with the deck, back and forth until finally my fingers agree, is 23-Ostrich. This card reminds me of a fantastical masked ball, a fusion of human and bird that blends into a delightful and whimsical image that is both enchanting and delightful. "I am Ostrich, one of the great connector birds... Raise up your head and keep your eyes on the prize. I am a quick runner and can show you how to quickly spread your newfound wisdom...I have simply come to ensure that you follow it through."

Robin, Turkey, and Ostrich - not the totems I usually work with or would have chosen, but I respect that they have come to me for a reason, as new teachers and I humble myself before their teachings. Renewal, Servitude, and Follow Through - a new mantra for my daily meditations, my visualizations as I continue to dream, imagine, and take action on my own flights of fancy.

"If you want to fly, let go of everything that weighs you down." - From the introduction.

The Law of Attraction and the Power of Desire Workshop

The Law of Attraction and the Power of Desire 

• Can't seem to attract what you need in order to grow?
• Frustrated by only having "just enough"?
• Impatient to receive abundance?

If the answer is yes, then this is the right workshop for you! Discover how to change your wishful thinking into willful thinking.

Thursday, May 21, 9:30 am to 11:30 am

Engage both your right brain and your left brain in an interactive program with Kayla Garnet Rose, PhD, Certified Hypnotherapist, designed to activate greater abundance and prosperity into your life.

 Loosely based on the book, The Medicine Woman’s Guide to Being in Business for Yourself: How to Live by Your Spiritual Vision in a Money-Based World by Carol Bridges, this group is open to ALL women and men seeking to create more affluence while maintaining a high level of integrity and a spiritual focus. We will focus on creating abundance and prosperity through guided meditations, interactive exercises and group synergy.

Bring a journal and a pen.

$20 drop in, materials provided. Limit 9 participants. Call or email for directions to Kayla's westside office.

The Westside Prosperity Circle offers monthly workshops to engage your creative spirit in an interactive program that will activate greater abundance and prosperity into your life.

Each workshops includes a meditation on abundance, lecture on a tool for prosperity, group exercise and check in. Participants are encouraged to post their work on Meetup.com.

"Kayla has my deep gratitude for answering the call to do what she does. From my first session with her, I felt as though I was thrust back into the flow of the universe, after a difficult period of feeling afloat without direction. I think what I most appreciate and respect about her is that she is a teacher; from the start, it was clear to me that she wants to help me find and be in the solution. She is completely forthcoming with a remarkable array of useful information and resources. I don't know if anyone has ever helped me more, in such a short period of time." -Clarissa B., Santa Cruz

Call (831) 435-5182 to register today!

Passion

Passion comes in many forms,
Some are discovered, some are born.

The red hot passion of new found lovers,
The ocean depths passion of a mother.

Passion deeper than the volcanoes fire,
Passion unleashes the heart’s true desire.

Angry passions that can lead to burnout,
Social passions that give political clout.

Passion that fuels, passion that sustains,
Love transformed so compassion remains.

Passion can have it’s own particular resolve,
Passion that helps us improve and evolve.

Whatever is your truth, your deepest desire,
Be fully energized by passion’s fire.

Paths to Abundance Workshop

Paths to Abundance -

• Got money issues?
• Have a fear of failure?
• Feel blocked in accepting abundance?

Then this is the right workshop for you! Overcome your inner obstacles and create a personal path to success.

Engage both your right brain and your left brain in an interactive program with Kayla Garnet Rose, PhD, Certified Hypnotherapist, designed to activate greater abundance and prosperity into your life.

 Loosely based on the book, The Medicine Woman’s Guide to Being in Business for Yourself: How to Live by Your Spiritual Vision in a Money-Based World by Carol Bridges, this group is open to ALL women and men seeking to create more affluence while maintaining a high level of integrity and a spiritual focus. We will focus on creating abundance and prosperity through guided meditations, interactive exercises and group synergy.

Bring a journal and a pen.

Saturday, April 11, 10:00 am to 12 noon

$20 drop in, materials provided. Limit 9 participants. Call or email for directions to Kayla's westside office.

The Westside Prosperity Circle offers monthly workshops to engage your creative spirit in an interactive program that will activate greater abundance and prosperity into your life.

Each workshops includes a meditation on abundance, lecture on a tool for prosperity, group exercise and check in. Participants are encouraged to post their work on Meetup.com.

This class was beyond expectation. Now I am grounded, guided and have a thriving new business. I will take this class again and again. This timeless information indeed opens you up to Abundance. Thank you Kayla - Kristine Barnes Garbini, Aromas, CA

Call (831) 435-5182 to register today!

Aries - Pure Potential

I am the embryo cradled in the world,
The fresh seed flowering in June,
The very beginning spark of the match,
The skeleton key that unlocks every latch.

The fertilized egg, waiting to be born,
Pure potential, calm before the storm,
The killer whale diving deep in the sea,
The infinite cosmos, the divine mystery.

The midnight cat who runs feral and wild,
The softest bunny held by the child,
The initial thought that becomes an idea,
The manifestor who makes things real.

Unrealized energy waiting to be free,
The pure potential to grow into me,
The opportunity, the workings of chance,
I am the choreographer of my own dance.

How Many Sessions Will It Take?

One of the most frequently asked questions I receive as a hypnotherapist is: how many hypnotherapy sessions will it take for my issue to be resolved?

Most people start with three sessions. The initial consultation is 90 minutes long to allow for a thorough intake. This is "the getting to know you" session. Usually we record a short hypnosis technique to be used between sessions. 

The second session is usually 60 minutes and dedicated to building up resources. Insights from the initial session and affirmations are combined with hypnosis techniques designed to build up the willpower "muscle".

The third session varies on the nature of the problem. It can be used for release of past trauma, managing current stressors/triggers, and/or for reinforcing the positive changes occurring. From there, we make a plan on what would be the most beneficial, depending on whether the client feels complete, would like to continue to explore their inner landscape, or has a different issue to be addressed.

Some people have complete resolution in one session, others take longer. Most people experience a subtle shift right away, which brings a sense of relief and being back in control of your life and the ability to make healthier choices. Simply picking up the phone is the first step to success, just as joining a gym or signing up for a yoga class is the first step - after that, showing up, practicing, and following through on your intentions is what creates truly long term, successful solutions.

One of the problems with hypnosis is how it is portrayed in the media - I do not have a pocket watch that induces instant trance with instant results. I would love to have a magic hypno wand that makes everything better, but the truth is, your issue is worth dedicating some time and investing some energy into, so as to truly have deep understanding and develop wisdom.

Statistics show that hypnotherapy has a 93% success rate after 6 sessions, as compared to a 38% success rate after 600 sessions for psychoanalysis (that's once a week for 12 years)*. While hypnosis has a different scope of practice than traditional talk therapy, it is a great adjunct and can be a way to accelerate the healing process.

Please call or email for more information or for an appointment and experience insights for personal growth and transformation today.

* Study by Dr. Alfred Barrios, published in American Health Magazine, August 2007

   

Millionaire Mindsets

Tap into your inner Bill Gates - what would you like to do as a millionaire, philanthropist or simply for a secure future? In this workshop we will examine poverty consciousness, blocks to abundance and develop an attitude of gratitude, self love, self respect and self worth. Learn how to build upon a firm foundation of success developing a millionaire mindset. Bring a journal and a pen. Private lessons also available.

For more details, see the full listing:
http://www.meetup.com/Westside-Prosperity-Circle-Creating-Abundance-in-Santa-Cruz/events/219510902/

When: Saturday, March 14, 2015 10:00 AM to 12 noon

Where: The Rose Sanctuary

Price: $20.00 per person

RSVP limit: 10 "Yes" RSVPs

Past Life Regression

"Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart ... Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens." - Carl Jung

As a hypnotherapist, one of my ultimate favorite sessions is doing past life regressions. Whether one believes in last lives or not, these sessions are always  profound, insightful, and deeply healing. I have had clients come to do past life regressions in order to understand current life patterns, such as overspending and overeating; find forgiveness for their childhood abuser; and release feelings of karmic debt from failed relationships. I have guided over two dozen sessions, and some clients have experienced this process more than once. Personally, I have worked with other hypnotherapists and have experienced three past lives. Here is the most recent one.

 Intention: What would be beneficial for me now in my healing practice?
 Affirmation: I will say yes to giving my gift this lifetime

 The hypnotherapist had me get comfortable and warm on the massage table. We started with some deep breathing and a basic relaxation technique. Then she counted down from ten to one, with the instruction to discover in my minds eye a safe comfortable place to begin today's journey. I go into trance extremely easily and quickly, and always find it quite pleasant. I felt very curious and full of wonder of what I might discover today.

I found myself imagining being in my back yard on a warm spring day. The sun was shining, I could smell the jasmine, and both the cats were keeping me good company. I noticed the sounds of hummingbird wings and my neighbors off in the distance, I felt very safe and secure. I moved a statue of Kuan Yin over to the power corner of the garden (as according to fend shui), and took a moment to pay tribute to the goddess of healing and compassion. Kuan Yin is often depicted with her head tilted to one side, in order to hear the cries of suffering from humankind. I took a moment to reflect on all the deep listening I do for my clients, and prayed they always felt my office to be sanctuary to release their woes and find peace.

Now the hypnotherapist led me through a second countdown, and I felt as if I was traveling through time. I saw Eskimo faces, Romany gypsies, African tribes, all flashing before my eyes in quick succession. At zero she had me simply look at my feet, then my clothes, then the surroundings, taking in the sights, the sounds,the smells, all the colors and textures, even the tastes. I knew the time of day, the season, even the year in incredible detail.... I was in China, in the year 500 a.d.

I looked down at my tiny feet, aware I was wearing white silk pants and a blue silk shirt. At first I felt genderless, then noticed I was a 13 year old girl. My feet were hurting, as we're my shoulders, and I noticed the way the smooth wooden yoke fit across my neck, the way my hands balanced the buckets, which were filled not with water but an assortment of herbs and mushrooms. I walked back to the compound, aware of the dust and the smell of my sweat, stopping at a small hut to gather up supplies.

Then I went from room to room doing my honorable task for each of my aunties - taking off the tight bindings and bathing their feet with fresh spring water and herbs. The smell is incredible, the twisted toes forced into tiny shoes, and again and again the admonishment to keep this secret. I am not royal nor a peasant, so my feet are not as tightly bound, my role is to perpetuate tradition, to find sacred in the mundane. I cleanse and purify, applying herbs as salves and poultices, massaging calves to encourage blood flow before reapplying the restrictive bindings.

The hypnotherapist has me fast forward into this life. I have a husband, who I recognize as my brother in this lifetime. Their are bunches of herbs drying in the rafters, hanging in pouches along the wall. I am well versed in herbs for infertility as well as for inducing menses, the only contraceptive of the time. I myself am infertile, and I feel cursed, yet blessed that my husband remains by my side.

I see myself stirring up salves, unguents, lotions. I continue to tend to the ladies, and see babies birthing between my hands. Sometimes they are still born, And I take their tiny bodies down to a special burial place at Kuan Yin's temple. These are my spirit children, and I know my task is to guide their spirits in the most sacred of ways. and always, keep it secret, secret, secret.

Now the hypnotherapist gently guides me to the moment of my death. I am forty years old, surrounded by nieces and nephews, always a favorite auntie. I pass quite peacefully, my devoted husband by my side, surrounded by clay jars sealed with beeswax with flowers pressed into them.

The hypnotherapist counts me back to my safe space. Back in the garden, i realize this is where my cats are buried in the yard. I have intense memories of reading Chinese Folktales as a kid, which i was fascinating by, and Mary Daly in college, her descriptions of Chinese foot binding being both horrifying and fascinating. More images flash before my eyes, including washing both Jesus and Marys feet with my hair during reiki I and ii. Then i see my paternal grandmother, Nona Thersa, her gnarled feet and discolored toenails. I briefly experience the double foot surgery I went through when I was in sixth grade, my feet being bound by ice skates. My mom had the same surgery at the same time, her feet messed up by wearing shoes much too small due to the extreme poverty she lived in as a child in postwar Sweden. Here was the aha moment of seeing an ancestral pattern.

The hypnotherapist counted me up to this dimension. We spent some time processing the session, then said our goodbyes. The session was so rich and qualitatively different from other hypnosis sessions, the amount of detail and deep knowing feeling is like nothing else I have ever experienced. I hope this sparked your own sense of curiosity and wonder... Please feel free to contact me with any questions or to set up a session to experience a past life regression of your own.

Pisces The Mermaid

I am she who goes with the flow,
I know when to surface as well as the depths below,
I'm familiar with the tides both high and low,
I play in the sunshine and bask in the the moon's glow.

I have many stories, yes I know many tales,
I'm friends with the wind and all who set sails.
I swim with the dolphins, otters and great whales,
I ride out the storm and laugh in the gales.

I know where sunken treasure lies in the deep.
I know many secrets, all of them I keep.
Some fill me with joy, some make me weep.
All acts of faith start with a leap.

My beauty is a legendary, over time it does not fade.
I adorn myself with coral, pearls and Jade.
Come out to the ocean, in the shallows where I wade.
I'm here for you - Pisces, The Mermaid.

Upcoming Prosperity Workshop: Helpful People Boxes

Helpful People Boxes are a Feng Shui technique to attract power and wealth by blessing your resources for increasing income streams.

In the ancient art of Feng Shui, spaces (home, office, room, property) are divided up into nine sections, each with a specific “life value” or focus. For this workshop, we will focus on Wealth and Helpful Beings, two stations found opposite each other on the Bagua.

As opposites attract, and balance is often key to resolving any blocks in energy flow, we are often aware of how being in service has a correlation with our income and cash flow. One way to increase our positive cash flow energy is to focus on helpful beings, ie helpful people, friends, family, colleagues, team members, networks and community as well as spirit guides, angels, ancestors -“all visible and invisible beings”.

We will be making boxes using decoupage and sharing resources for mutual support. For more information, please check out this video:

Materials provided. Bring images/photos that you would like to include in your own helpful people box, as well as 10 business cards.

Saturday, February 21, 10:00 am to 12:30pm
$20 fee includes materials, coffee and tea
Limited to 9 participants. Call, email or RSVP on MeetUp to reserve your space.

Private lessons also available.

www.KaylaGarnetRose.com

New Services Review

I have been seeing Kayla for a few months now and continue to be very impressed with her services. She is very experienced, professional, and can accurately help and provide invaluable insights to improve your life. I have tried her hypnotherapy, reiki, tarot card, and astrology readings. All her services are on the spot. She is kind welcoming, and will help you obtained the answers you are looking for. Very clean comfortable environment as well. - Alleyne L. on Google+

Tossing Worries

I tend to wake up around 3:00 am every night and be up for an hour or so. Usually I read a book or meditate. Last night I found myself "Tossing My Worries" instead, and excellent way to release stress. Here is the technique:

Start with a simple self hypnosis technique to relax. Begin with some deep cleansing breaths, breathing deeper and deeper for 5 to 10 breaths. Relax each part of your body - head and neck, shoulders and arms, down your spine, hips and thighs, calves and feet, chest and belly. Say out loud, "I am calm, peaceful and relaxed." 

Now visualized yourself going down to the ocean, a favorite river, lake or pond. It could be real or imaginary. Make it as vivid as possible. Notice the sights, sounds, colors, textures, and tastes. Be aware of the time of day, the season of the year. Allow yourself to enjoy this special place that lives deep inside of your imagination.

Now find a container with a light lid, cork or lock. I found a cobalt blue bottle. Pick up pebbles, naming each of your worries, and pop them into the bottle (worry about family, health, finances, etc). Take all the time you need. Notice the weight of each stone, how it feels in your hand, the satisfying sound as you drop it into your container.

When it feels complete, put the lid on tightly, and seal it in any way that makes you feel safe and secure. Throw it into the water and visualize it sinking all the way to the bottom, deep, deep down, never to surface again. Notice how it feels to be released of your burdens and fears. 

Take some deep breaths, returning into your body gently, notice being present and conscious, alert, awake and alive. Welcome back!

Call or email for a personal session to toss your worries and live a more fulfilling, productive and proactive life.

Phobias & Money

I received this comment on my video, A Simple Self Hypnosis Technique:
Yes this does indeed work but how can I use this to overcome the fear of a phobia without having to pay money to see a hypnotherapist?

 Well, of course it will depend on what phobia you have, how long you have had it, and how intense it is. That being said, I'd recommend doing the simple self hypnosis technique daily and adding in imagining yourself successfully dealing with the phobia.

For example, I had a client with severe claustrophobia who needed an MRI. We did three sessions in three days, anchoring her feelings of being calm and centered then having her practice in her head doing the self hypnosis technique on the way to the hospital, in the hospital waiting room, during the MRI, and afterwards coming home. She was able to go through the procedure without any panic feelings whatsoever. Visualizing your self before, during, and after helps with overcoming phobias. This has also worked with clients who have had a variety of phobias including fear of flying, social anxiety and public speaking.

On a different note, it is worth it to pay a hypnotherapist. Medicare charges seniors a copay because research showed that people who pay get better. Working with a trained professional is usually much more efficient - think of the difference in working with a guitar teacher rather trying to learn guitar by yourself. All of my sessions are recorded for home practice. It is an investment in yourself and you are worth it! Call or email for your appointment today.

The Westside Prosperity Circle

Monthly workshops to engage your creative spirit in an interactive program that will activate greater abundance and prosperity into your life.

Each workshops includes a meditation on abundance, lecture on a tool for prosperity, group exercise and check in. Participants are encouraged to post their work on Kayla's blog.

$20 drop in, materials provided. Limit 9 participants. Call or email for directions to Kayla's westside office.

 2015 Schedule:

Sunday, January 18, 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. 

Vision Boards - Set your intentions for the new year. Materials provided. Bring images/photos.

Saturday, February 21, 10:00 am to 12 noon

Helpful People Boxes - Bless your resources for increasing income streams. Materials provided. Bring images/photos, scissor, glue stick.

Saturday, March 14, 10:00 am to 12 noon

Prosperity Pyramids - Learn how to build upon a firm foundation of success. Bring a journal and a pen.

Saturday, April 11, 10:00 am to 12 noon

Paths to Abundance - Overcome your inner obstacles and create a personal path to success. Bring a journal and a pen.

Thursday, May 21, 9:30 am to 11:30 am

The Law of Attraction and the Power of Desire - Discover how to change your wishful thinking into willful thinking. Bring a journal and a pen.

This class was beyond expectation. Now I am grounded, guided and have a thriving new business. I will take this class again and again. This timeless information indeed opens you up to Abundance. Thank you Kayla - Kristine Barnes Garbini, Aromas, CA

Call (831) 435-5182 

Chip and Kayla's Zip-Line Adventure!

Chip and Kayla's Zip-Line Adventure! Fun with Mt. Hermon's Redwood Canopy Tours, Sunday September 18, 2011. I was absolutely TERRIFIED the whole time but decided to really challenge myself to make it be as fun as possible. How will you challenge yourself in the New Year?



Chip and Kayla's Zip-Line Adventure! Fun with Mt. Hermon's Redwood Canopy Tours, Sunday September 18, 2011.

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays

From my family to yours!

Peace and Love,

Kayla