Self-Empowerment With Breath-Work

Breathing with Visualization and Meditation Very Helpful for Self-Esteem and More!

Something that can be very helpful to build self-esteem is as follows:

1. Think of something you want to heal, resolve, or change. The more specific the better.  (i.e. rather than, “my anxiety,” it would be “my fear of being seen as incompetent when I do such and such…”)
2. Come up with a symbol, metaphor, or a meaningful word to symbolize your fear. Then find one you want to replace it with—any symbol, word, etc. that is meaningful to you and helps you visualize or feel the desired state you want.
3. Now do the 1^st half of the Collarbone breathing routine (before changing hands) whilst meditating on the negative state you’re letting go.  (For a "how to" do collarbone breathing, see below.)
4. Then do the 2^nd half of the CB breathing whilst meditating on the positive change state you want. I personally like to do 3 sets of CB breathing for this exercise. Your goal is to let go of the negative and bring in the positive, when you feel you are in the desired state, hold on to that and relish it!
5. When you are done, meditate in the positive state with one hand on the back of your neck and one hand on your forehead.  (aka "Tappas Acupressure"). This will be even more effective if you know BSFF and use your cue word throughout, and close with the closing sequence.  
   
   
6. Do 2-3 times daily if possible (at least once daily) as you witness the change happen!
7. After each breathing session, think of 4-5 things you can endorse yourself for each time--or at least 7 things for which you are genuinely grateful.

Collarbone Breathing 

          Collarbone Breathing (“CB Breathing”) acts as a reset button to neurologically reorganize the brain.  It is helpful for clumsiness, fatigue while reading, low performance, clumsy gait, chronic procrastination, addictions & cravings, anxiety, OCD.  It is also helpful for ADHD, Learning Disorders, dyslexia, Tourettes Syndrome, schizophrenia, and a multitude of conditions that negatively affect lifestyle.  You can follow these links to learn CB breathing with Dr. Franzi Ng:

Introduction to Collarbone Breathing by Dr. Franzi Ng:

(8:59 min.): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAe1zptu_jc  

Collarbone Breathing Only (1:42 min.):

Collarbone breathing only, Dr. Ng (1:42 min): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb2o3HVvvNA

Short Cut to Self-Esteem

How Can I Feel Self-Worth When Things Like This Happen?

“My classmates are making fun of me and calling me hurtful names—I am what they say I am….” “I didn’t get that job offer, I am a loser.”  "I was a victim of abuse, my life is hopeless."

Using BSFF with the steps below can help us immensely to get out of that dark place!  But if you don’t know BSFF, the steps alone combined with a great deal of prayer can help us overcome.

Helpful Steps to Know Your True Self-Worth:

1. Know that God lives.
2. Know that HE loves you immeasurably, that you have infinite worth, and that you each are His Child!
3. Do not believe anything that conflicts with the above truth!
   1. Rise above the social conscious din, rising above it.
      1. Through prayer, fasting, and asking God to show you your worth.
         1. Pray that all the “baggage” and “debris”, all the events, etc. of poor self-identification be cleared by the subconscious—and move forward into the truth. (Trust in your validity, know your worth is infinite, have confidence in yourself and your amazing capacity as a child of God!  That truth is unchanging!)
      2. Through service—Look for others who may need your assistance and offer it when (when you are well enough to help.) 
      3. Yield to the enticings of the Spirit, becoming as a little child-- submissive, meek, humble, patient, and full of love, and being willing to submit to the Lord's will (Mosiah 3:19). (Clarification: I'm not saying it's the Lord's will that you don't make cheerleader or that you're bullied, or abused, etc.  I believe He would like us to learn from our experiences and learn how to grow from them--and even rise above them.)

1. Do all of these in the highest energy level you can, praising God for the opportunity for growth. (It will be like your head goes up above the clouds or fog and you can see clearly all around.  Suddenly you are realizing your worth, and looking for those who need service, and then you see so many that need your strengths and talents!)
2. It has been my experience that as you do the things listed above, you will begin to see things as they really are!

• Endorse for every effort you make in this area!

Vegan Tomato-Broccoli Alfredo with Cashew Sauce

Tomato-Broccoli Alfredo with Cashew Sauce

(So quick and yummy I wanted to share!)

1 cup raw cashews (soaked in 2 cups boiling water)

1/4 cup water

2-3 cups fresh tomatoes  (approx.)

1 tsp. Sriracha Hot sauce (or to taste)

3 whole stalks broccoli cut into bite-sized pieces (about 2 1/2 cups)

1 tsp. salt (or to taste)

5-6 ounces whole grain medium pasta shells

1. Boil 2 cups water.  Pour cashews into the pan and cover for 35-60 minutes*.  Drain.

2. Start the water boiling for the pasta.  Add the pasta and boil according to package directions.  Drain.

3. Blend the cashews on high with 1/4 cup water, adding the fresh tomatoes (cut or whole, depending on size and the type of blender you have) until the sauce is smooth and creamy.  Add more tomatoes as needed to get the desired consistency. Add the hot sauce and salt. Blend until smooth.

3. Steam the broccoli for 3-4 minutes. 

4. Combine the tomatoes, broccoli, and pasta, stirring gently.  Salt and pepper to taste.

Serves approximately 4

Enjoy!!!

(*To make it even faster you can soak the cashews overnight or all day rather than quick-soak.)

Relieve Stress with Rockin!

Trauma keeping you awake?  This may help you sleep like a baby!

Someone I worked with saw me the other day and wanted to tell me how much this method has helped her sleep.  She has a history of significant childhood abuses.  She got a rocking chair recently and started rocking 20 minutes before she went to bed.  She said it makes her so relaxed---more relaxed than she ever remembers being.  She gets in bed and wishes she could stay awake and enjoy the relaxed state she is in, but she is so relaxed that she goes into a deep restful sleep.  She said she is sleeping better than she can remember sleeping--pretty much ever.  She's sleeping like a baby!

This motion helps the brain stem.  I'm going to paste a clip from an article I wrote about this method some time ago.  Sweet dreams!

Good news: current research is finding success with trauma sufferers.  They have found that there are various movements that can help the brain handle the release and healing of traumatic incidents (even multiple traumas; see resources by Bruce Perry at childtrauma.org.) Some of these movements are: swinging, rocking, jumping on a mini-tramp, Tai Chi, therapeutic dancing S.K.Y breathing, etc. Hoffman (deceased trauma therapist) had her trauma clients rock in a rocking chair 20 minutes a day as they are going through therapy with her. Ms. Hoffman was also able to use EFT (and other modalities) in helping these sufferers heal in ways they never thought possible.  Rocking is an important part of their healing, as it has markedly increased the response rate.