When you are in a state of genuine creative inspiration, you are connected to a greater force. To be creatively inspired is to enter a zone where ideas, movements, words, music flow through you. The pleasure of true creativity comes from the fact that it connects you directly to the Self, to the innate creativity of the universal consciousness itself. When we are at our most creative, we are the most in touch with the Divine.  Inspired creativity can flow in a conversation when all the participants are open to being channels for something to come that is greater than any one individual can access. It can arise when you ask for inner guidance in solving a problem. Or it can come totally on its own, as a gift.

What does it take to experience the pleasure of being inspired? First, you have to be willing and able to surrender to it, to let go of the fears, doubts and beliefs that block you from receiving inspiration. Second, you need to have the skill and patience to translate the inspiration into action. And third, you need to be able to notice and avoid the pride that comes in when you are tempted to “own” the gifts of inspiration. Experiencing the  full depth of joy in inspiration demands that you let go of the feeling ” I did this,” and that you recognize that creative inspiration comes from the essence, from the Self. The practice for experiencing the pleasure of creativity is non-doer-ship: what Taoism call the action of non action.

Namaste,

Rochele M. Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS

For thousands of years Yoga, the sister science of Ayurveda has been used as a way to get more in tuned with one’s spiritual self. It originated in India and takes a holistic approach to life, enabling you to experience balance inside and out.Yoga consists of a unique blend of physical exercises, psychological insight and philosophy. It can assist you with bringing your body, mind and spirit into balance.

Traditionally there are four paths of yoga. Most westerners believe that yoga is the act of performing asanas or various poses and stretches but yoga is much deeper than that. Although each of the four paths of yoga are complete disciplines within themselves, it is best to combine all four practices for the benefits of bringing harmony to the emotional, intellectual and physical aspects of your life. The four paths of yoga consist of Hatha and Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Jnana Yoga.

For the purpose of this article we will be discussing how Hatha and Raja Yogarelease your hidden energy. This is the yogic path of body and mind control. It is best known for its practical aspects, particularly its asanas (poses) and pranayama (breathing exercises). This path teaches ways of controlling the body and mind, including silent meditation and its practices gradually transform the energy of the body and mind into spiritual energy. It is through this harmonizing of energizing of the mind, body and spirit that the hidden energystores are released.

It is said that the practice of Yoga brings calmness to the mind at all times, brings restful sleep, it increases energy, vigor, vitality, longevity and high standard of health, it allows you to turn out higher quality of work, more effectively in a shorter period of time and it can help bring success to every area of life. In addition to these benefits which many have to do with increasing your energy,yoga also improves muscle elasticity, joint range of motion and flexibility. Through the controlled breathing, meditation and asanas (poses) relaxation of the mind and body begin to occur which is a powerful aid for relieving stress. Yoga has been used very successfully in the management of stress and can be used to reduce pain, lower blood pressure and heart rate and decrease anxiety and muscle tension.

Internally, Yoga benefits the organs through massage. The wide range of asanas or poses performed during a Yoga session massages many of the body’s internal organs. This massage action helps to stimulate the internal organs, increasing blood flow to the area and increasing the ability to ward off disease and improve the organ’s function. With the positive effects on muscle strength and flexibility as well as massaging of the internal organs, Yoga boost blood and lymph circulation throughout the body and immune function which results in faster excretion of harmful toxins. Still another benefit is the fact that due to the increase in blood circulation throughout the body increased nourishment and waste exchange is occurring at the cellular level. This leads to increased mental awareness, increased vitality and increased energy.

As a result of the stress reduction, detoxification, and improvements in strength and flexibility, it believed that those who practice Yoga are said to live longer, healthier and more energetic lives. Yoga is said to affect all areas of life, physiological, biological and mental. Yoga provides the body and mind with new, challenging stimuli that unlocks your awareness, stimulates your body and connects you to your spirit. This beautiful act of self love unlocks the hiddenenergy within you in such subtle, gentle and loving ways that you will feel balanced, clear, peaceful, healthy and happy.

Namaste,

Rochele M. Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS

“She who hears music feels his solitude peopled at once,” wrote the post Robert Browning. And anyone who’s ever been uplifted by a favorite tune when feeling blue knows exactly what he meant.

For thousand of years, people have used sound and vibration, including music to relax, access deeper states of consciousness, and heal their bodies. Practices like chanting and drumming or using Tibetan singing bowls and Chinese meditation gongs, are just a few examples of how sound and vibration are incorporated into daily life. In nada yoga, the yoga of sound the human voice and classical Indian instruments are used as a path to self-realization, opening the spiritual channels and harmonizing the physical body. “The ultimate goal of nada yoga is self- realization through connecting with the anahata naada, the unstruck inner sound or the sound of our True Being.” says Shanti Shivani, a nada yoga teacher, vocalist, and sound healer.

Whether its chanting mantra or singing along with your favorite CD, sound and music have the power to change your mood, and maybe your health too. Research suggests that music can have beneficial effects on health ranging from reducing chronic pain to improving the recovery of stroke victims. “ The ancient traditions all say that we are sound, we are frequency,” say Shivani. “Western scientists are discovering that the ancient knowledge is correct.

The next time you are stuck in traffic, feeling stressed and overwhelmed, feeling under pressure or are just having a difficult day, pop in your favorite CD or turn on some soothing music and let the vibrations of the music soothe your mind, body and soul.
Feel the music and vibrations melting your stress away.

Namaste,

Rochele M. Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS

As an Ayurvedic Health Practitioner I love sharing the wonderful qualities ofhealing that this beautiful science has to offer us. Today I would like to share with you some information regarding the healing of self – Abhyanga.

The Ayurvedic practice of self-Abhyanga or warm-oil massage, dosha oil specific, is a soothing treatment for all body types. Depending on the Dosha or body type of the person doing a self-Abhyanga, the oil used during the massage is specific to the needs of the dosha at that time.  Some excellent oils to use for self -Abhyanga are Organic Sesame, Coconut and Sunflower. As a self-care treatment, it is traditionally done in the morning, before bathing or showering and is especially useful as a daily ritual in the winter months. With Abhyanga the warm oil penetrates the skin; its lubricating quality is complete and balancing on all levels. It is very nourishing for the body.

Self-Abhyanga is used to help direct ama (toxins) from the tissues to the organs of elimination. Done regularly it can improve circulation and digestion,  it relaxes the nervous system, nourishes the skin, creates feeling of groundedness and focus and increases immunity and radiance which results from good digestion and strong immune function.

Plan to spend at least 10 minutes massaging the entire body after coating it in oil and then resting for at least 10 minutes before washing the oil off. If you do not have time to rest and let the oil sink in, try lubricating the body in oil before beginning the massage to give it more time to sit on your skin. Remember to be careful when getting into the bath tub or shower due to the oil on your skin. Do not put any oil on the bottom of you feet.

Once in the shower allow the warm water to run over your body for a few minutes before adding soap.

Enjoy the benefits of radiance and know that by performing a self -Abhyangamassage on yourself that you are committing an act of self love which is all encompassing and beneficial to the mind and the body.

Boost your Immune system, increase your circulation, and stimulatedetoxification naturally by giving yourself a self- Abhyanga today!

Enjoy and let the healing begin.

Namaste,

Rochele M. Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS

As we begin to move through the winter season and after months of loading up on heavy, hardy and dense foods we may have developed some cravings that are beginning to manifest in areas like our waist, abdomen, hips and thighs. I wanted to take this time to share with you 9 secrets that will help you conquer your cravings, naturally.

Now if you are thinking that the above sounds a little like you or that you don’t have any cravings you just like to eat good wholesome food then I am here to tell you that if you do something that is not good for you long enough, you will begin to crave it. This is just the way our brain is set up and this is a result of having to survive in extreme situations during the history of man.

You probably think that admitting to the fact that you have cravings is a sign of weakness. What is actually happening is that your craving may be a sign that your brain’s rewards system has been hijacked. A brain’s rewards system is a complex network of brain systems and neurotransmitters that are critical to human survival. It drives us to seek out the things we need to stay alive and carry on the human race. Important chemicals involved with self control of cravings are Dopamine, Serotonin, GABA and Endorphins. Dopamine is a feel good chemical, Serotonin is the happy, anti-worry, flexibility chemical, GABA is the jumper starter to calm or relax the brain and the Endorphins act on the body in many ways controlling everything from breathing to judgment and emotions. Now listen to this secret, when these chemicals in the brain are balanced you can be focused, goal-oriented and have control over your cravings.

Now that you have a little better understanding of the system behind cravings, let’s get into the 9 strategies to assist you with controlling your cravings.

1. Keep Your Blood Sugar Balanced – Eat a nutritious breakfast every day, add a dash of cinnamon to your food or in warm water, have smaller meals throughout the day and stay away from simple sugars and refined carbohydrates. Go for the freshest food possible.
2. Stop The Use of Artificial Sweeteners – If you use these in your diet get rid of them now! This includes the use of diet sodas or soft drinks. Use a natural no-calorie sweetener instead like Stevia.
3. Manage Your Stress – Anything stressful can trigger certain hormones that activate your cravings. Chronic stress is the number 1 cause of disease. Find ways to manage your stress such as stress management classes. Deep breathing, Yoga and Meditation are wonderful for assisting with stress.
4. Outsmart Sneaky Triggers – To control your cravings, you have to control your triggers. Know the people, places and thing that fuel your cravings and plan ahead for your vulnerable times. For example carry a healthy snack with you that way if you get tempted to give in to a craving, you have something to snack on instead that is healthy.
5. Find Out About Your Constitution or Body Type – Knowing your body type is the key to your road map for proper eating for you. With this information you will know what is good for you and what you should avoid that will enhance your cravings even more. An Ayurveda Health Practitioner can assist you with finding out what your body type or constitution is.
6. Practice Willpower To Retrain Your Brain – Will power is like a muscle. You have to use it or lose it. Self-control is very important if you want to accomplish anything in life. No matter what the reason is for your lack of willpower, you can strengthen it but you need to practice doing this. Make it a habit to say no to the thing that are not good for you and over time, you will find it easier to do.
7. Get Moving – When you feel a craving coming on, get up and move. If you can take a fifteen minute brisk walk. If you can not take a walk then jogging in place or doing jumping jacks for 30 seconds will help to get your heart pumping and take your mind off of the craving. Try it, it really works.
8. Get Adequate Sleep – This is one of the main pillars of life in Ayurveda and is very important in how we feel and how we handle various situations that come into our lives. Important fact for you to know is that the lace of sleep increases food cravings. The less sleep you get the more cravings you have. Lack of sleep not only plays a role in cravings and weight but it also reduces overall brain function and increases irritability. If you want to curb cravings, get thinner, smarter, happier and have more energy aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.
9. Take Herbs or Herbal Supplements To Control Cravings – Herbs have been used for thousands of years to treat the body. It is the most natural, wholesome source of medicine that exists here on earth. Herbs that have been used to curb cravings are Saffron, St. John’s Wort, Green Tea Leaf and Valerian Root to name a few.

By incorporating the 9 secrets to conquering your cravings into your life, I know that overtime you will begin to experience the magic that comes from having control in a natural and holistic way. Your mind will thank you by allowing you to stay focused and energized and your body will thank you by not packing on those extra pounds around the middle. Come Spring time you will be ready to spring forth with vibrancy and energy with peace of mind and control.

Namaste,

Rochele M. Lawson, RN, AHP, CMS

Here is a little gift that I want to give to you that I have utlized in my life and the lives of my clients. It is a natural drink that has powerful antibiotic and antiviral properties in it which fights colds and flu. You can make this in small quantities and use when cold or flu symptoms appear.

Here is what you will need:

• 2 teaspoons of fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon of chopped fresh lemon balm or 1/2 teaspoon dried lemon balm
• 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground echinacea or astragalus
• 1/2 teaspoon of finely grated gingerroot or 1/4 teaspoon ground gingerroot
• 1/2 teaspoon chopped dried licorice or 1/4 teaspoon powdered licorice
• 4 cups of boiling water

In a non-reactive teapot, combine thyme, lemon balm, garlic, echinacea,ginger and licorice. Cover with boiling water and steep for 15 minutes. Strain into a clean jar, cover with lid. Store in refrigerator for up to 2 days. Drink 1/2 to 1 cup four times per day.

* Caution: Do not use if you have high blood pressure.

Enjoy this tea and allow it to bringing healing and wellness to your life.

Namaste,

Rochele M. Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS

How often do you think about colds and flu when you are packing your lunch, cooking dinner or taking in a quick snack I can bet almost never? The foods you eat can have a powerful effect on your body’s ability to ward off everyday bugs that you may pick up from door handles, telephones, office equipment or even the person standing next to you that is coughing. Of course washing your hands is always an effective way to ward of cold and flu germs eating the right foods has the ability to support your body’s immune system by providing it with the nutrients it needs to be healthy and well. Evidence suggests that one of the key factors for warding of not only colds and flu but chronic diseases is having a strong, intact and healthy immune system.

One of the easiest ways to strengthen the immune system is to eat foods that are rich in immune boosting power. I have identified 10 delicious and convenient foods that will help you to boost your body’s immunity. They all contain specific nutrients that have demonstrated positive effects of assisting the body’s ability to stay healthy. Add them to your weekly diet and experience the benefits they will have on your body.

1. Kale
2. Strawberries
3. Coconut
4. Oatmeal
5. Almond Butter
6. Beans
7. Matcha
8. Pumpkin Seeds
9. Pomegranate
10. Ghee

Some of the immune boosting effects of the above foods include naturally increasing Vitamin C, increase in Beta carotene which converts in the liver to Vitamin A, being a good source for zinc, increasing Vitamin E, filled with antioxidants, folate and increasing Vitamin B, providing nourishment to every cell in the body and providing natural hydration to all tissues within the body. Some recipe ideas may include smoothies, soups, salads, breakfast and tea.

It is recommended that organic foods be eaten as often as possible and many super markets today have organic sections in their produce department as well as in their “Healthy Eating” food sections. Don’t be afraid to explore the possibilities of healthy eating. Remember you are providing your body the nutrients that it needs to thrive and stay healthy and that you are doing this in a natural and holistic way.

Eat Wisely.

Namaste,

Rochele M. Lawson, RN,MA,AHP,CMS

Meditation has become a popular topic in the last few years. With the increase prevalence of Yoga, it just seems like meditation and yoga are just natural things to do. They have both been found to have a profound beneficial effect on the body in such that people have notice more peace and serenity within. However for still many Americans meditation is foreign, challenging and sometimes and conjure up old repressed feelings. Meditation requires patience and a little time which can also be difficult for Americans to adjust to.
So why would anyone want to meditate?

It is very simple; meditation can have a profoundly positive effect on your life. Thousands of years ago, the sage Patanjali and the Buddha both promised thatmeditation could eliminate the suffering caused by the untamed mind. They taught their students to cultivate focused attention, compassion and joy. They believed that is was possible to change one’s mental powers and emotional patterns by regularly experiencing meditative states. These days you don’t’ have to take their word for it. Researchers across the country are testing the wisdom of the masters, utilizing new technology that allows them to study how meditationinfluences the brain.

Over the past 10 years, researchers have found that if you practice focusing attention on your breath or a mantra, the brain will restructure itself to make concentration easier. If your practice calm acceptance during meditation, you will develop a brain that is more resilient to stress. And if you meditate while cultivating feelings of love and compassion, your brain will develop in such a way that you spontaneously feel more connected to others.

New research shows that meditation can help you improve your ability to concentrate in two ways. First, it can make you better at focusing on something specific while ignoring distractions. Second, it can make you more capable of noticing what is happening around you giving you a fuller perspective on the present moment. Concentration meditation is when the meditator focuses their complete attention on one thing, such as counting the breath or gazing at an object, activates regions of the brain that are critical for controlling attention. This is true for a person that has just begun to meditate. Experienced meditators show even stronger activation in these regions. It is believed that meditation can eventually help reduce the effort it takes to focus your attention. This fact suggest that people can immediately enhance concentration by learning a simplemeditation technique and that by practicing this meditation even more progress can be made.

Meditation has also been noted to help people with anxiety disorders and dramatically reduce stress. The department of Psychology at Stanford University conducted a study in which it trained people with anxiety disorders to use mindfulness meditation. This practice is focused on becoming aware of the present moment by paying attention to sounds, your breath, and sensations in your body or thoughts or feelings and to observe without judgment and without trying to change what you notice. At the end of the eight week study, it was noted that the incidences of extreme stress or anxiety had decreased significantly. Participants had greater sense of peace and calmness.  This was interpreted that mindfulness meditation teaches people with anxiety and stress how to handle distressing thoughts and stressful situations without becoming overpowered by them.

As the evidence for the benefits of meditation grow it is important to note that regular practice leads to greater changes both in the brain and mental states. So while a minimal investment in meditation can pay off for your well-being and mental clarity, committing to the practice is the best way to experience the full benefits. All you need to get started is the willingness to sit and be present with your mind, body and breath and know that you are giving yourself a true gift of love by meditating.

Namaste,

Rochele M. Lawson, RN,MA,AHP,CMS

Have you ever experienced a day when you are subjected to challenge after challenge after challenge? Have you noticed that within the challenges you lose focus, you become distracted, irritable and your performance for that day declines? How about this, are you a business owner that has been experiencing more challenges since the decline of the economy? Has these challenges caused a reactionary response which in turn has caused the company to lose its overall focus?  Has this caused you or the company to exhibit a scattered behavior? If you have answered yes to any of the above questions, I am here to tell you that you are not alone.

When we are thrown off our game plan due to an unexpected challenge, it is easy to get distracted and lose focus. A natural response to a challenge occurs in one of three ways, you address the challenge, you procrastinate leading to a more complex challenge or you do not address the challenge at all. It does not matter which way you respond to the challenge the mere fact of its existence will distract you and once the distraction occurs you will lose complete focus and will not be able to perform at your best. Now I understand that there are people out there that say “when a challenge comes their way, they step up to the plate and deal with the challenge,” that the challenge actual makes them improve their performance and I say yes but you are still distracted by the challenge. And that goes for the business owner too.

The best way to avoid distraction from the challenge and to make sure your mind stays focus is to have clarity. Clarity can be achieved in a variety of ways and allows the mind to experience peace. When there is clarity, there is not chaos. The two can not exist together within the human mind. The mind is either clear or not. The mind is either at peace or not. The mind is either focused or not. It is within the state of clarity that our minds are able to be focused and operate at its best. It is within this clarity that we are able to deal with the challenges that may come our way without getting distracted and becoming overwhelmed. Clarity allows us to operate with efficiency and purpose and is one of the key ingredients that allow us to perform at our best.

As our society becomes busier, more stimulated and technology advances, it will become very important to have a mind that is clear that will allow us to maintain a focused state and keep up with the demands of daily living.

So how do you get this clarity that helps you to stay focused and improve your performance when challenges come your way? It is very simple and the solution has been in existence for centuries and is practiced throughout the world. The solution is Meditation.

Meditation is a beautiful way to bring clarity to your mind and peace and harmony to your body. When your mind is at peace your body will follow and your performance will improve. Harvard researchers found that people that meditated were better able to control a specific type of brain waves called alpha rhythms.  These brain wave activity patterns are thought to minimize distractions. Research showed that meditation increases the alpha rhythms which make you better at focusing, in part by allowing you to better regulate how challenges that arise will impact you.

So now you may be asking how do you meditate and how am I going to find the time to do that? Meditation does not require a lot of time and can be done almost anywhere. However it is best to meditate in an area where you will not be disturbed during the time that you are meditating. All you need to do is to take 5 minutes out of your day to begin this practice. You can do it in the morning, mid day or evening. Find a quiet place to sit where you will not be disturbed. You can choose to set a timer for the time you allotted to do this practice to assist you without interrupting the meditation by opening your eyes to check the time.  The easiest when to begin to meditate is to close your eyes and focus on your breath or to say a mantra such as OM or a word such as peace. If your mind begins to wander simply allow the thought to complete itself and bring your attention back to your breath or the mantra. When the timer goes off, simply open your eyes and sit still in the moment, thank yourself for taking time to do this healing practice. Know that meditation is a true gift to yourself that will benefit you in so many ways such as more clarity, peace, focus and improved performance.

So go ahead and improve your performance by bringing more clarity into your life no matter what curve ball may come your way. Your mind, body and spirit will thank you.

Namaste,
Rochele M. Lawson, RN,MA,AHP,CMS

If we feel unequipped or powerless to manage our circumstances, we experience stress. People and situations that leave us feeling angry, anxious or fearful trigger stress. Other common stressors include financial worries, troubled relationships or feeling pressed for time.

In small doses, stress can be positive, according to the experts. If stress motivates us and energizes us, this can be positive however chronic stress can have the opposite effect. When stress hormones such as cortisol flood the body, your heart rate, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels all increase. Stress has been linked to depression, chronic pain, acne, trouble sleeping and a weakened immune system.

Women are more likely than men to report high stress levels, although both sexes experience stress at equal levels. This can translate to more headaches, stomach distress and intense emotions.

Other signs of unhealthy stress include: overeating or loss of appetite, forgetfulness, lack of focus and trouble getting things done, feeling easily irritated or tearful, tiredness and general aches and pains.

If stress is disrupting your life, take action. Talk with your health care provider about positive coping tips to restore calm to your days and peace to your mind.

Visit www.rochelelawson.com  to download the free ebook on”21 Tips to Instantly Reduce Stress”.

You can also visit: http://www.freegiftsfromrochele.com to download 4 free gifts that will help you manage your stress.