Reiki for Grief and Sorrow

Reiki is Soothing, Comforting

Stuck in sadness? Consider recieving Reiki for unresolved grief, broken hearted feelings and transforming sorrow...

Reiki works well as a tool to move through grief, regret and remorse. Reiki consists of a gentle loving touch which passes energy through the body. Humans respond to touch as a source of comfort, compassion and empathy, all qualities needed during times of loss, transition and mourning.

While the death of a loved is traumatic, so is the death of a marriage through divorce or death of dream when losing a job or home. Anger can accompany the pain of loss, and if turned inward can result in isolation and depression. Reiki helps release emotional stagnation and finds healthy ways to channel frustration, overwhelm, and depression so that you can feel clarity, joy and deep peace. Namaste.

Click here for more information on Reiki in Santa Cruz. Please use the contact page to schedule your Reiki appointment.

Self Meditate Instead of Self Medicate

When we are stressed, the sympathetic nervous system kicks in, usually referred to as the fight or flight syndrome. Muscles tense, breathing becomes shallow, blood is diverted from the stomach and intestines, adrenaline and other hormones are released. We live in a stressful world that includes battling traffic, waiting in long lines, working long hours to pay bills as well as interpersonal relationships, whether parenting a child or taking care of an elder. Just hearing the news and feeling helpless about the situation in Syria can add to feelings of hopelessness, let alone looking at Facebook and reading about a friends pet dying or a favorite couple getting divorced. This type of low grade stress, like a low grade fever, is taxing on the body, causes poor digestion, lack of sleep and generalizing feelings of anxiety, anger, nervousness or depression.

It is no wonder we have a rise in alcoholism, over eating and addiction to prescription drugs, all ways to self medicate in order to experience some degree of comfort or relaxation. However, these are band aid solutions that do little to really alleviate the underlying stress and in fact in the long run only contribute more to one's problems. Learning better coping skills in order to handle stress is a form of emotional intelligence that brings ease, increase energy, creativity and simply joy in life.

Self-hypnosis is a prime way to manage one's emotions rather than letting emotions manage you. Just taking a few deep, calming breaths allows the parasympathetic nervous system to kick back in. Inviting deeper relaxation allows the muscles to relax, endorphins to be released, the blood to go back into the belly and the brain, so thinking is clearer and the whole body operates normally. In fact, twenty minutes of hypnosis is the same as a two hour nap, allowing the cells to regenerate, the mind to recuperate and healing on all levels to occur.

All healing is self healing, and really, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. Working with a hypnotherapist merely allows you to be guided deeper inside and facilitates the process. Learning self-hypnosis is a key in each of my sessions so that you can experience feelings of deep calm, confidence, and equanimity no matter what - running late for an appointment, doing public speaking, or being stuck on an airplane with a crying baby. Imagine feeling blissfully detached while stuck in rush hour traffic, or allowing critical comments from a family member at Thanksgiving to simply wash over you like a cool breeze.

Hypnosis also enhances motivation, improves performance, and aligns the body and mind for long term successful solutions. So instead of self medicating, try self meditating. The power is within you, the solutions are deep inside. You can learn a simple self hypnosis technique from my video on YouTube, or come on in for a session to get all the heartfelt encouragement and guidance you need from a trained professional.

   Click here for a short video on Discovering Hypnosis with Kayla Garnet Rose

Magical Times Empowerment Cards

It is early in the morning, the cat is nestled on my lap, green tea is steaming beside me as I sit upstairs in my meditation space, sunlight streaming through the window, warming my back and illuminating my altar. I close my eyes, take a few cleansing breaths and set my intentions for the day. Asking the universe for guidance, I pull three cards from The Magical Times Empowerment Cards written and illustrated by Jody Bergsma, recently published by US Games Systems.

The first card I pull with my left hand, representing what is in my heart today. I draw a pale turquoise card titled "Faith" which shows an angelic figure, head bowed, with a kind smile on their face. The card reads, "Believe you are not alone. Spirit is right beside you. Ask for guidance and it will come." I spend a few minutes reflecting on the gentle strength portrayed, reaching for my pen and writing in my journal the type off guidance I feel I need in this moment.

The second card I pull with my right hand, representing what is in my head. Another pale turquoise card, this time with the title of "Expectation". A fairy in a green floral dress with lovely, lavender wings rides on the back of a dove while gazing at another dove flying near by. The card reads, "Be open for whatever comes next. It might just be the music your heart's been waiting to hear." I find it interesting that my head card is reminding me of what my heart wants to hear, and I ponder upon the power of creating positive expectations combined with the guidance I have just asked for.

The third card I pull with both hands, combining my head and my heart to discover my soul's purpose. I am greeting with a vivid, burnt orange card emblazoned with a winged dragon who seems to be guarding a shield that also has a dragon it, created out of Celtic knot work. The title here is "Energy" and the message works beautifully with the other two cards: "Life force is flowing. Open yourself to receive the power from within". I feel a great sense of empowerment and take a moment to tap into my third chakra, the solar plexus, the center of will power. I feel pleased with the sense of combining faith and expectation to develop my inner power for more sustained and sustainable energy, letting go of past burn out and disappointments and replacing these with renewed optimism, enthusiasm and encouragement. I review my goals, scribbling out those that are simply busy work and create a simpler, more focused list that is not only doable but truly enjoyable.

The Magical Times Empowerment Cards come in a sturdy box with a precious fairy on the cover, and each card is delightfully thick, nothing flimsy about this deck. The accompanying LWB has further affirmations and suggested spreads that make for both good meditation focal points as well as excellent journal prompts. For example, the Energy card states, "Today I feel strong. my head and heart are clear and focused. I will grab this magic moment with all of its potential and act. I will not be scattered. I will not waste time. I will not procrastinate, but instead will move forward with power".

I highly recommend gifting your self or a loved one a set of The Magical Times Empowerment Cards. Gentle and powerful, inspiring and uplifting, the delightful images and uplifting messages will be well received. Jody has created a wonderful tool that is easily accessible and immensely shareable. Brava!

"Be careful of your thoughts,

For they become your words.

Be careful of your words,

For they become your actions.

Be careful of your actions,

For they become your habits.

Be careful of your habits,

For they become your character.

Be careful of your character,

For your character becomes your destiny"

- Unknown (from the introduction)

Reiki as Vibrational Healing

Raise Your Vibration

Reiki as Vibrational Healing

Reiki is a form of vibrational healing, and I am always aware of raising my vibration to the highest octave in order to inspire and tune my client's vibration.

I purify myself each morning after exercising, picking essential oils such as jasmine and rose for their superior qualities. I choose my clothes carefully, noticing the days where I reach for blacks and grays and consciously choosing more vibrant colors, deep purples and reds.

The colors in the office are soft and muted, as is both the lighting and music. Soft flannel sheets and a warmy blanket are on the massage table. The ambiance is muted, a hybrid of temple and a spa.

After a brief intake, the client removes their shoes and lies on the table fully dressed, either on top or under the blanket. I have them take a few deep cleansing breaths, set an affirmation, and begin the energy work with the intention for the highest good.

Most clients describe Reiki as a warm, relaxing glow that permeates their body, bringing deep relaxation, release and a sense of contentment, that all is well. it is in this relaxed state that they usually discover solutions, ways of beings, and steps to continue to create ease in their lives. I have worked with mothers who have lost their children, fathers who are angrgry at being disrespected, adult children of alcoholics breaking the chains of the past, teenagers forging new patterns of their own making. In each case, I feel humbled, grateful to be included in their process, and always filled with an indescribable feeling of hope and optimism. Indeed, all is well.



Click here for more information on Reiki in Santa Cruz. Please use the contact page to schedule your Reiki appointment.

Power of Hypnosis

Discover the Power of Hypnosis

Did you know that traditional psychoanalysis has a 38% success rate after 600 sessions? That's once a week for twelve years. Behavior therapy has a 72% success rate after 22 sessions, once a week for about six months. Hypnotherapy has a 93% success rate after 6 sessions. (American Health Magazine study).

Usually I recommend a client start with three sessions, although they will know after the first one if hypnotherapy is right for them. The first session is 90 minutes long, and we easily spend an hour doing an intake, ie listening to the client tell their story, define their goals, and create an action plan. Simply telling one's truth to an attentive listener is a form of hypnosis known as open eyed trance, much like being on a road trip and conversing with a good friend. I teach a simple self hypnosis technique and usually guide the client into three short trances of 5-10 minutes each.

In a typical session, we chat for 15 minutes to define goals and intentions. The client then sits or lies down on massage table. I do a basic relaxation and a count down to deepen trance. We spend 25-45 minutes exploring the inner landscape. Then I do a count up and check in. Homework is assigned.

The second session is devoted to establishing inner resources. This can mean guiding the client to what is called a safe space, connecting with sources of strength, and anchoring any feelings of well being in the body. Sometimes we do a fantasy vacation, where the client enjoys feelings of peace and deep relaxation, sometimes we do a shamanic journey, in order to meet spirit guides including animals, plants and Divine beings.

The third session is often when the real work begins. By now the client and I are used to each other, they know what to expect, and the real layers of the onion begin to unfold. Here we may do work to put unhealthy habits or negative emotions in what is called a container, to either be disposed of or put away for later. Also an imaginary screen is often used to create emotional distance for the client, yet away to review the past and envision the future.

Subsequent sessions serve to further peel the layers, reinforce desired states of being, and continue to teach self hypnosis techniques to the client. For example, we may examine the inner critic and change it to an inner coach, get in touch with an inner nurturer as well as the inner child, or reactive ideomotor signals, a technique to really tap into our inner wisdom. As well as age regression and progression, we can do both past life regressions and future life progressions. Dream work often comes up in hypnotherapy, as here is a natural state where the subconscious is speaking to us through symbols and metaphors.

Indeed, much of hypnosis feels like being in a lucid dream. It is easy for the client to communicate and to remember everything that they experienced while in trance. Most clients record their sessions on their phones, so that they can review the material and in fact take it much further. All hypnosis is self hypnosis, just as all healing is self healing. Working with a hypnotherapist is helpful in the process of being gentle guided and being given the heartfelt encouragement you need. Try some hypnosis today!

The Internet Blues

It's early in the morning
Sitting on the couch
Looking at Facebook
Feeling like a slouch...

Bundled in my bathrobe
Covered with cats
Here's a random video
Have to watch that...

There's wtf
And then lol
Feeling I'm stuck
In Internet hell...

Do I tweet now
Or pin it later?
Looking for a lover
Not a hater...

Better check tumblr
And then instagram
Check google plus
Yep, yer my man...

Gonna make an ecard
With virtual flowers
Can't believe I just wasted
Two solid hours...

Relationship reading with The Ancestral Path Tarot

The Ancestral Path Tarot by Julia Cuccia-Watts draws from four different ancient cultures in its' depictions of archetypal images found in the tarot. First published in 1995, this multicultural deck is a welcomed addition to my personal collection. I am always leery of cultural appropriation, however the respect and inherent universal messages that are truly cross cultural give new meaning and insight for the querent. Cuccia - Watts writes in the little white book, "We are all embryonic ancestors, similar to the fetus in the Hanged One image in the Ancestral Path Tarot. Through the placental cord of cultural transmission, we imbibe the world view of those who shaped and adapted it. We are nourished on the legacy of their belief systems."

Four ancestral cultures at specific historical times are used in creating the minor arcana - the Egyptian nineteenth dynasty of Ramses II for staves; Arthurian Britain for cups; post-contact America for Pentacles (called sacred circles); and the Japanese feudal era for swords. The major arcana are a mix of many cultures, including modern day, most notably the fool card portraying a woman doing a tarot reading, most likely a self portrait by the artist, and the judgment card which has a surreal image of a woman floating from her bed through a portal into another dimension where a helping hand reaches for her.

I did a twelve card relationship reading with my sweetie with the Ancestral Path tarot. After setting our intentions, we took turns pulling four cards each:
1) What am I bringing to this relationship?
2) What am I getting out of this relationship?
3) What is my foundation for this relationship?
4) What are my ambitions for this relationship?

Then we pulled another four cards together:
5) What is the significance of this relationship?
6) what is promoting this relationship?
7) What are the challenges in this relationship?
8) What is the gift/lesson in this relationship?

After pulling each card, we would describe what each saw in it to each other,then read the lwb out loud, and last tell each other what personal meaning we got from each card and how we saw it as a reflection of our relationship. It is always interesting to try to pull cards together, and on the challenge card my partner suggested that we pull the card with our lips. We spread the cards out on the coffee table and had a fun time bumping noses while giggling and trying to pick a card together with our lips. While usually I don't recommend licking your tarot cards, certainly this added a lot of joy to the reading!

My partner aka The Tarot Skeptic really loved these cards and commented on how many he thought were beautiful, in particular he liked the Eight of Staves, which has eight ibis' flying across the sky, giving a real sense of what is up in the air. There is so much detail on every card, especially in the expressions of the faces, from the ennui shown on the Four of Cups to the mystery of the Queen of Cups, leading one to ponder as to what is really going on inside, both in the card and the querent.

Overall I am quite impressed with the Ancestral Path Tarot and look forward to working with much more, both for my personal readings and for tarot readings with my clients. There is some wonderful descriptions in the introduction of the lwb of the four suits and in particular the symbolism used for the aces, but the actual card descriptions are fairly generic. I would love to get a companion book to go much further into the mythology, legends and history of each of these cultures. As Cuccia- Watts states, "The emphasis on the path of the ancestors...is not the anthropological emphasis on the cults of the dead, but on a living tradition from all human cultures available for us to factor into our world view."

Blessed Be.