Rose Cottage

  Several years ago,  I found an inspiring piece by Chelsea Dinen, encouraging us to wake up a bit earlier, for a  Miracle Hour .  Popularized by Hal Elrod, the  Miracle Hour  weaves elements found in the Artist Way  Morning pages ,  Morning Cafê , and  practices like  Reiki, Breema and Qigong. The acronym  SAVERS  provides a key to the ~ 10 minute components that comprise Miracle Hour: S  - Silence (Self-Reiki!) A  - Affirmation (Mental/Emotional self treatment) V  - Visualization E  - Exercise (Qigong or Breema) R  - Read - daybook or inspirational S  - Scribing (Reiki or Gratitude journal) A session of  Self-Reiki , can combine both  Silence  during the treatment flow, and  Affirmations , thinking of the Reiki Principles, and an Affirmation can be combined  Mental/ Emotional  healing. Another option is to practice a breathing exercise, I like this one from Wim Hof ...

 Happy 2024!  Though January 1 is 'simply a date on the calendar,' winter is a good time to take stock of how our habits and routines fit our current needs and lifestyle! Health and fitness are often at the top of the list.  Winter waves - high tide at Depoe Bay   When I lived at Breitenbush Hot Springs retreat center 30 years ago, we suspended our educational workshops during the winter holidays, and invited guests to join us for personal retreats. As had abundant free time, we added more in-house 'Daily Well Being' offerings, which along with with meals and 24 hour use of the hot springs, were included in their stay.  I was invited to lead a couple of Tai Chi/Qigong classes during my first winter on staff. I'd had a personal Chi practice for 8 years, and while several staff members taught yoga, I missed the flow of movement of Dance and Tai Chi! (I attended another 'guest teacher's' Chi class, before offering my own!) I loved teaching the classes, and...

 As a child, I loved playing, riding one of the neighbor's ponies or the bike I shared with my dad, and hikes on out frequent camping trips - but I wasn't fond of ball sports or PE classes!  Tai Chi demonstration I'm my late 20s, I began taking ballet, and then Tai Chi. Though it took awhile to achieve any grace, I love the flow, and enjoy many dance forms. As a massage therapist, I encourage clients to include daily movement, and to discover ones they enjoy and are a good for for their body! And for many years, I've recommended 'bite size' movement that can be done at your desk or in a small space!  Last summer, in a video by a health consultant, she recommended doing a brief morning warm up (6-10 minutes!) to get the lumph flowing, and mentioned that doing so increases lymph flow with ANY subsequent movement! (Reaching for a jar, bending down to tie your shoes, standing up) Barbara suggested using a rebounder, whilst in the comments, someone mentioned the Japa...