Essence & Qi

A blog by Pacific College

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An Ayurveda Diet for Stress Relief & Weight Loss

Ayurveda is an ancient healing tradition that views a person’s physical and emotional well-being as based on the proper balance of vital energies. Ayurveda and Oriental medicine share this fundamental belief in the importance of balanced energies. Both traditions view weight fluctuations in terms of how balanced a person’s mind, emotions, diet, digestion, metabolism and appetite are.

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Feng Shui for a Gentle Fall Transition By Amanda Collins, Feng Shui Consultant Feng Shui for fall means a gentle transition from the fire element, the most Yang time of year, to the water elements of autumn, the slow, deep and inward energy of the most Yin time of year. These elements are symbolic of the forces at work within the universe—and therefore within our minds and bodies, as well as the seasons. Are you and your home ready for this transition? When we consciously align ourselves and our homes with the cycles of nature, we find more harmony and balance in our lives, for there is a rhythm to everything in life. There is a time for turning outwards and growing, and a time for retreating inward and processing, which fall invites us to do. Just as nature goes through its cycles of change, so do we, and our homes. In the fall, nature prepares to shed her leaves and let go of the past. We can reflect that in our homes by clearing clutter. Clutter usually represents things that we resist and places we don’t want to put our attention. If you want to welcome good changes into your life in the new season, clear the clutter. Remove piles of laundry, old magazines, or junk you hide in your drawers. Clear your closets. If you have not worn something in a year, get rid of it. Keep only those clothes that you love and that make you feel good. Clothes can lose their qi (innate energy) too! Be sure to rotate your summer clothes and store them away until next year. Make sure your clothes for fall are not made up of only dark colors. Add passion and excitement to your wardrobe and your life with the rich colors of autumn such as red, yellow, and burgundy. These hues possess a stimulating qi and can uplift your mood. As you arrive into fall, bring warm tones into the house itself by switching some pillows or throws. This will make the home feel welcoming during the next few months. By hanging curtains, you can add a new decorative touch and also insulate the window area. Pay special attention to adding warm colors to your bedroom and bathroom so these areas don’t feel cold. In the bathrooms, clear out any old medicines, or half-empty shampoo bottles. Then move on to the kitchen, clearing out the pantry, storage, and refrigerator. Bring in healthy, local organic foods that are in season to nourish your body. Make sure there is no stagnant energy in the corners of your home. This kind of energy tends to gather and get trapped in empty dark corners. Plants, artwork, and floor lamps can improve the energy in these places and ensure that it stays gently flowing through your home. Invite the radiant light of the sun inside. Simply open the curtains and blinds. Sunlight (the best source of Vitamin D in the universe) provides many natural health benefits. Cleansing the energy in your home and honoring the change of seasons connects you more deeply to yourself and to the natural world around you. Use a burning stick of sage or light candles to encourage any negative energy to burn away. Ring bells or raise your voice in song to invite a fresh flow of healing and inspiration into your home. It’s a good idea to honor all five senses, including smell. Since fall means being inside more than in summer, try incorporating essential oils such as lavender or geranium (or other favorite scents of yours) into your home to maintain a joyful mood. However you choose to clear your home, each action must be done with a clear intention. Whether you are removing clutter, cleansing energy, or adding natural elements, your power of intention is what removes any stagnant energy and replaces it with fresh, supportive, loving energy that can inspire you. As you work, keep in mind the tone you are trying to set in your home—that is your intention behind each act. Take practical steps to get your home ready for this Yin time of the year. Check the heating system; clean the chimney and the fireplace; and check all light bulbs. Warm the bedding and flip the mattresses to create more support for sleep. In Chinese medicine, fall is considered to be a time to look inward and focus on the day-to-day, rather than taking on any large new project or traveling. Taking care of yourself includes sleeping better; rest is important this season. Finally, go outdoors and feel new life. Take time to explore Mother Nature, and bring her abundance inside in the form of acorns, pine branches, fresh flowers, stones, or crystals. Embrace the new season, breathing it in with gratitude! Enjoy.     Learn more about Amanda Collins and Feng Shui here www.AmandaCollins.me blog.AmandaCollins.me  

Feng Shui for a Gentle Fall Transition

By Amanda Collins, Feng Shui Consultant

Feng Shui for fall means a gentle transition from the fire element, the most Yang time of year, to the water elements of autumn, the slow, deep and inward energy of the most Yin time of year. These elements are symbolic of the forces at work within the universe—and therefore within our minds and bodies, as well as the seasons. Are you and your home ready for this transition?

When we consciously align ourselves and our homes with the cycles of nature, we find more harmony and balance in our lives, for there is a rhythm to everything in life. There is a time for turning outwards and growing, and a time for retreating inward and processing, which fall invites us to do. Just as nature goes through its cycles of change, so do we, and our homes.

In the fall, nature prepares to shed her leaves and let go of the past. We can reflect that in our homes by clearing clutter. Clutter usually represents things that we resist and places we don’t want to put our attention. If you want to welcome good changes into your life in the new season, clear the clutter. Remove piles of laundry, old magazines, or junk you hide in your drawers.

Clear your closets. If you have not worn something in a year, get rid of it. Keep only those clothes that you love and that make you feel good. Clothes can lose their qi (innate energy) too! Be sure to rotate your summer clothes and store them away until next year.

Make sure your clothes for fall are not made up of only dark colors. Add passion and excitement to your wardrobe and your life with the rich colors of autumn such as red, yellow, and burgundy. These hues possess a stimulating qi and can uplift your mood.

As you arrive into fall, bring warm tones into the house itself by switching some pillows or throws. This will make the home feel welcoming during the next few months. By hanging curtains, you can add a new decorative touch and also insulate the window area. Pay special attention to adding warm colors to your bedroom and bathroom so these areas don’t feel cold.

In the bathrooms, clear out any old medicines, or half-empty shampoo bottles. Then move on to the kitchen, clearing out the pantry, storage, and refrigerator. Bring in healthy, local organic foods that are in season to nourish your body.

Make sure there is no stagnant energy in the corners of your home. This kind of energy tends to gather and get trapped in empty dark corners. Plants, artwork, and floor lamps can improve the energy in these places and ensure that it stays gently flowing through your home.

Invite the radiant light of the sun inside. Simply open the curtains and blinds. Sunlight (the best source of Vitamin D in the universe) provides many natural health benefits.

Cleansing the energy in your home and honoring the change of seasons connects you more deeply to yourself and to the natural world around you. Use a burning stick of sage or light candles to encourage any negative energy to burn away. Ring bells or raise your voice in song to invite a fresh flow of healing and inspiration into your home.

It’s a good idea to honor all five senses, including smell. Since fall means being inside more than in summer, try incorporating essential oils such as lavender or geranium (or other favorite scents of yours) into your home to maintain a joyful mood.

However you choose to clear your home, each action must be done with a clear intention. Whether you are removing clutter, cleansing energy, or adding natural elements, your power of intention is what removes any stagnant energy and replaces it with fresh, supportive, loving energy that can inspire you. As you work, keep in mind the tone you are trying to set in your home—that is your intention behind each act.

Take practical steps to get your home ready for this Yin time of the year. Check the heating system; clean the chimney and the fireplace; and check all light bulbs. Warm the bedding and flip the mattresses to create more support for sleep. In Chinese medicine, fall is considered to be a time to look inward and focus on the day-to-day, rather than taking on any large new project or traveling. Taking care of yourself includes sleeping better; rest is important this season.

Finally, go outdoors and feel new life. Take time to explore Mother Nature, and bring her abundance inside in the form of acorns, pine branches, fresh flowers, stones, or crystals. Embrace the new season, breathing it in with gratitude! Enjoy.

Learn more about Amanda Collins and Feng Shui here

www.AmandaCollins.me

blog.AmandaCollins.me