Saturday, October 16, 2010

Andrew Weil, M.D. - "What Is Integrative Medicine?"



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Friday, October 15, 2010

Other Cool Ways to Celebrate October 31st

Over the past few years, I’ve noticed a general consensus from other parents about Halloween and how it’s celebrated (if at all). Many have grown leery about the different safety factors of Trick or Treatin’ and how to substitute the candy to more healthy ones, to not being comfortable with the origins of Halloween. It’s completely understandable BUT how do you explain it to the kids??

Instead of wracking your brain about explaining, here’s a few other ways to make the 31st of October fun for everyone!

Rename it – Change October 31st to something cool and special like, “Masquerade Night”. Providing a twist to your new family night will certainly added excitement for everyone!


Dress Up – Dressing up is the BEST part of your night! Dress the kids up in their favorite character for the evening and let the night begin!


Activities – Make your new family night the best ever by including interactive games like, Hide the Snack Bag (similar to the Easter Egg Hunt), dancing with the kids, etc. You can also start a family tradition by making fun sweets like Apple Bites or a dinner like BBQ Bat Wings, Spaghetti & Eyeballs, followed by a movie. If time is a factor, dress the kids up and take them out for dinner with their costumes on!


Whatever you come up with, make sure it’s fun and positive for everyone!
If you have more fun and new ideas, feel free to share!
 
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How to De-stress…Even if it’s for 5 minutes!

So many of my new clients are expressing their concerns about the mounting stress from their jobs and having to juggle the responsibility of caring for their children and/or parents, maintaining a healthy relationship with their spouse, etc.

Somewhere in your busy day is an extra 5 minutes for yourself – the ride to and fro work, school, smoke break (or what one client takes, a ‘non-smoke’ smoke break), the kids’ extracurricular activities, or…THE BATHROOM! During that time, take ownership of that time and do something special for yourself!

Find your gift and/or a hobby that will help you reduce the stress in your life, such as:

§  Mediation or just
sitting quietly

§  Listening to your
favorite song

§  Reading

§  Going for a walk

§  Eating your
favorite dessert

§  Calling a good friend
or loved one

What are your methods of relaxation?

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

For as long as Breast Cancer Awareness Month existed, I’ve always said a prayer for the survivors and for the ones that passed as well as their family and friends. Even though I had empathy for them, I could never imagine how it felt to be in any one of their shoes until now…
Two years ago, my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer. My initial thought was, “Damn this cancer – LET’S FIGHT IT!!!!”
For the next few months, she needed to go through a series of tests prior to the mastectomy. A few months felt like an eternity! During that time, we were so caught up on an emotional rollercoaster – the unknown was nerve-wracking! My family and I made it our sole priority to keep fear and doubt from entering our minds, while keeping my aunt’s spirits high with love and trust!
My aunt and I had immediately discussed and agreed to her receiving Reiki treatments until the operation. She received three Reiki treatments per week for almost 3 months. As time went on, I noticed how her treatments were going through phases of Enlightenment, Acceptance, Understanding and Healing. She began noticing it too.Just before her operation, my aunt had an overwhelming feeling of contentment in her mind and spirit that everything was going to be alright…and she was right. As of October 2010, she has been cancer-free for a little over 1 ½ years and counting!

Read: Reiki Support of Cancer Patients

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Reiki & ADD

Hey everyone! Today’s a good day! I am this week’s guest blogger on Pamela Miles’ website, Reiki In Medicine. Check out this link - http://reikiinmedicine.org/healthful-lifestyle/reiki-add/ and let me know what you think!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

My First Reiki Initiation - Part II: The 2-day Course

The course was wonderful! I was amazed at the things we talked about; we went from the Angel card readings to discussing Dr. Usui’s life to the human anatomy. All was well, but I couldn’t help but feel like something was wrong. It felt like Raven knew it too.


After the first initiation, we played this game where we created energy balls with our hands as a way to become aware of our newly tapped frequencies. Unable to get the thought of having to recreate that static electricity ball from the Franklin Institute out of my mind, I thought she lost her mind! How in the world can I develop an energy ball with my hands??! I felt so defeated because everyone’s creating these energy balls and throwing them around the room, while I’m sparking dust! Noticing the look of frustration, Raven said, “No worries! Just keep practicing at home. You’ll get it!”


Later that day, we did Chakra Clearing Meditation. Prior to meditation, Raven explained the possibility of seeing things such as, vivid colors, animals, etc. As the class was sharing their meditational experiences of eagles soaring over snow-capped mountains and flying through the aurora borealis, I was shrinking in my seat because I saw nothing! When my turn came, I had a blank stare and said, “Nothing. I just saw navy blue darkness, which is nothing.” She assured me that anything that I see (or don’t see) has a meaning and to be patient with myself.
Nature Trail at Valley Green

The end of my first day of initiation was bittersweet for me. Even though I felt like the odd woman out, I still believed in my heart that I belonged there.
The second day was completely different! My drive down I-95 was filled with conviction! After getting a dream-filled, 12-hour rest, I was ready to follow my destiny! Throughout my class, I felt like I was hungry for more knowledge, more information, more training…GIMME, GIMME, GIMME! The class couldn’t help but notice the difference in how I was taking everything in! I felt great…and my hands….ON FIRE!!!

[Note…Looking back, I needed to rest in order to download all of the new information. Everyone has their way of absorbing new information. We just need to nurture our individual process.]

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Monday, September 27, 2010

Response to CNN's recent article, "Is ethnic beauty the new 'it' factor?”

While I appreciate the basic thought of CNN’s provocative article, “Is ethnic beauty the new 'it' factor?” I can’t help but look a little deeper into the matter. Aside from the fact that I don’t look at the color of my skin as a “fad”, “trend”, or something that goes in and out of style, I’ve come to really believe that a person’s true “it” factor has nothing to do with skin tone or appearance. I believe that what gives you that shine and radiance is “self confidence”, “inner strength”, and “compassionate and forgiving heart”.


Monday, September 20, 2010

My Visit to LearnReiki Philadelphia


LearnReiki Philadelphia

Yesterday, I decided to step outside of my own Reiki world and reconnect with my Reiki brothers and sisters right here in Philly. I went to this really wonderful weekly Reiki share hosted by Danielle Stimpson of LearnReiki Philadelphia. Let me just tell you, that I had so much fun – we talked about everything from family to our travels and our paths that lead us to becoming Reiki Practitioners. We had so many things in common. With all of the crazy hustle and bustle of everyday life I sometimes forgot how uplifting a simple conversation with new friends can be.


Outside of helping people, I’m blessed to be a part of the community Reiki practitioners. It’s comforting to be supported by people that share a common goal AND genuinely want you to succeed.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

My First Reiki Initiation, Part I: Getting Through The Door

In all of the Reiki-related blogs that I belong to, I couldn’t help but notice the similarities in many of the questions. It’s the newly attuned Reiki Practitioners. They have so many questions, concerns, and uncertainties, etc. about this new phase in their lives. So, this is dedicated to them!

April 27, 2010 was my 2-year anniversary of my first Reiki initiation. First, I need to say that I am eternally grateful to the Creator for paving the road that leads me in this direction. It was not an easy road to tread, but it’s my road and I appreciate it all the more.

It was a beautiful sunny morning, the sweet scent of the spring flowers were in the breeze, I couldn’t help but laugh at myself in disbelief for being up so early in the morning (after a long and grueling work week) for… a Reiki Initiation?? Wow! On my way down I-95, I couldn’t help but ask myself, “What are you doing, Yen??” I really needed to put things into perspective before I walked through my Reiki Master, Robin’s door: “Have I been disrespected in any way? ‘No.’ Is it helping me with the array of emotional issues that I was having in my life? ‘Oh yeah!’ Besides, I’ve already had two life changing sessions with her…what’s the problem??!”

As I entered Raven’s house, I was calmer about my decision, BUT made sure I kept my phone on for my 10am “emergency” call (lol).


As we waited for Raven to re-enter the basement, I couldn’t help but notice how EVERYONE had the same deer-in-the-headlights look on their faces! I wanted to bust out laughing at myself for thinking that I was the only one spazzing out about this new phase in their life…After all, I’ve already had my “moment” in the car! Lol!

The Lightworker's Way: Awakening Your Spiritual Power to Know and Heal

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