Category: Yoga

This is a time to “Crack Open Our Hearts”

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I see you, I know you and I love you! This is a time to crack open our hearts, to express our truth, and to share our vulnerability. To be honest. It is time isn’t it? We are way past due, we have been living in a world with conditions, to conform with how we are suppose to live and what we are suppose to do. It’s time don’t you think to share who we are? To share our anger, grief, pain, and also share are joy, kindness, and love.

Was it not during the Renaissance when art was created? At a time when despair was multiplying and as a result inspiration surfaced. Maybe, just maybe this is the time for that! This is the time for that! This is the time to Love. Maybe we have been selfish and haven’t learned how to reach our hands out to embrace another human being no matter what culture or ethic background they come from and as a result finding love and compassion in our hearts. Maybe this is the time to look at our own hearts and find the courage or audacity to say “hey wait a minute I matter and so do you, what can be done to work together! Now is the time to do that! This is a Grand time. Our hearts are cracking us open at the deepest level. Cracking the grief we felt from long ago that we never embraced out of fear of rejection or had the tools to embrace. The losses we have had in our every day life that we never embraced and going forth as if nothing ever happened. Enough already! We came to this earth life to feel!

As if the leaves that are covering our precious earth is covering “the mother energy”. It’s a time of grand creation. The mother is calling us to rejoice, and the mother is in each one of us, and it does not matter if your a mother or not. Isen’t time!

Yes, It is a time of uncertainty and can you be with that? It is a time to let go, can you let go? It is time to put your hands up in the air and say “screw that”, can you do that? I think you can, I know I can. Do not be afraid to own your power, to weep, to let your heart erupt in a million different directions. Do not be afraid to have your dreams shattered. Maybe they weren’t really what you wanted to begin with, but you settled. Now is the time, now is the time. Don’t wait. Allow. let it happen and I love you

Yoga and it’s Benefits.

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Yoga has been around for 1000’s of years.  Stepping on a Yoga mat can be beneficial for that reason alone.  I became a Yoga Practitioner in 2008 and I knew it was time to do something different in my life.  I was yearning for peace and wanted to know how to become centered.  I want you to know you don’t have to become a teacher to find your center but it was a good thing for me because I needed to show up for myself.  It was a 6 month structure where I had to be consistent, committed and repetitive.

To this day I am inspired by how Yoga benefits myself and others.  A friend of mine went to a class for the first time and discovered how tight his hamstrings were and didn’t know what to do with his “talkative” mind.  After a few classes he realized he was standing up straight as well.  My friends it is the consistent things we do on a daily basis that bring lasting change.

Over the years I have noticed changes in myself from practicing Yoga.  These include~ healthier food choices, lengthening of the spine, stamina, calmness, better digestion, feeling lighter and connected to myself.

I believe that theory about our bodies having a biomemory (stored memories).  I also believe the body can change  by getting on a Yoga mat and getting into positions to lengthen the muscles, spine, calming the central nervous system and many other benefits.   When you do this repetitively your bio memory cannot help but to re-organize itself!

 

Chanting ~ How it impacted my life!

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I recently had the experience of listening to a live youtube channel of a weekend event with Krishna Das in Yogaville in May, 2018.  He has been chanting for many years and also plays the Harmonium.  There are several others who are a part of this band.  I love listening to his chanting and the musical instruments.  One of the musical instruments I deeply resonate with is the “violin”.  It just sets my heart on fire.

Tears of joy, sadness and even my deepest fears came bursting forth during this event.  I do not know what the words mean and I do not need to know but I do Know that I was transformed by this weekend event.  I still am contemplating whether to get a “Harmonium” or not!  I want to learn how to play it and chant with it!  I was so impacted by this experience that I looked at tickets for his next event.  I did not want to miss out!

My inner chatter totally subsided and I felt “one” with everything.  The “pain” that I carried in my body (I had no idea that this extent of “pain” even existed) came to the forefront.  I was grateful for it and at the same time it was a big “Wow”.

Krishna Das says;  “That he needed to sing to clear out the dark corners in his mind” or something like that.  I totally get it.  I believe we all have a voice inside of us that needs to express.  I have had a lot of fear in my life to express myself and that is one of the reasons why I write.  I have a history and believe me when I tell you a long history of being uncomfortable with speaking up in a conversation or saying “no” but am learning that my “discomfort” is a doorway to my divinity which involves  me being human and divine.

How I changed through Vibrational Transformation

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What is Transformation Vibration?  A wise person once said (Panache Desai)
“when you change your energy you change your life.”  He refers to himself as a vibrational catalyst.

I have had the privilege to work with him over the course of the past 5 years.  He has helped me transform my “dense” or heavy energy.  This is done through the process of embracing your sadness, fear and anger.  We are taught from an early age on that it is not Okay to feel our feelings.   When we suppress these emotions we literally feel “weighed” down.

When I am in Panaches presence my supppressed feelings rise to the surface and past memories surface and hence my feelings come to life.  such as anger, sadness, pain etc.  I have learned so much about myself over this 5 year period.  This has not been easy by any means….

BENEFITS: 1. Opening my heart (I had no idea I had a closed heart until I met Panache).  2. Being honest with myself. 3.  Overcoming adversity. 4. Less afraid of being judged. 5. Speaking and standing up for myself. 6. Embracing life and much more.

When vibrational transformation happens you get to the covered spaces within you and the love and light do it’s work on your behalf.  It opens up dark corners and the light shines forth. I have noticed that I  have abandoned myself for the sake of putting other people before my own needs.  I had to learn to pull myself in to connect to myself instead of the outside world.  More or less I was giving my power away.  I had to look at “my so called flaws.”

To this day I still don’t like my anger, resentments, jealousy but I am discovering that this is part of our human nature and when we can learn to embrace this instead of “negating” it energy opens up for us in a whole new way.   Love is inclusive ~ the good, bad and ugly.  Remember this next time when you may perceive a not so nice feeling arise!  Don’t settle and don’t sell yourself short.

Benefits of Yoga Nidra

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What is Yoga Nidra?  It is a technique which places your attention on different  parts of the body for relaxation.  The idea is to get out of your head and come into the awareness of  body sensations.  I became a Yoga Instructor in 2008 and this is what I learned ~ When I work with students I have them lie on the floor and use props to support there back.  I guide them to focus on various parts of the body for 15- 20 minutes.  Yoga Nidra can be used for shorter periods or longer periods.   I have been a student and teacher of this technique and the benefits I reaped were;

  1.  Calming the mind
  2.  Observing my thoughts
  3.  relaxation of my muscles
  4.  Flowing with life instead of pushing against life
  5.  Expansion of breath
  6.  Calmer Digestive system
  7.  Headaches subsided
  8.  Problem solving:  Awareness
  9.  Getting in touch with that deeper part of myself
  10.   Flow of prana
  11.  Body sharing with me of how to “eat” better
  12.  Put me in touch with my emotions and vulnerability

more benefits…

  1.  Calming the nervous system
  2.  Lenghtening the spine
  3.  Relaxation of the internal organs
  4.  Letting go and softening
  5.  And many other benefits

This is a great practice if you are looking for ways to deal with stress and a great way to to get out of your own way so new ideas can flow into your awareness.

Please contact me if you are wanting to learn more about Yoga Nidra at annelamantia@verizon.net

What is Body/Mind Integration?

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starts-with-youI truly believe I am beginning to understand the meaning of “Body/Mind” Integration. Being peaceful & grateful is essential in my daily living circumstances.  It has been a gradual process.  Let me explain:

You may ask what got me to this place?  Commitment, letting go of drama, and noticing how I respond to triggers.

Letting go of drama involves allowing life to play out without getting involved in other peoples situations and at the same time being a good listener.  We as human beings “feel” better when we seemingly fix other peoples problems.  I know that I do not want anyone to fix me or tell me what is best.  Letting go of drama also includes letting go of our stories, ie. past hurts, regrets and gossip.  To notice what you are noticing without judgement.

Triggers:  We all get triggered by events and situations.  It’s important to notice when one blames another for a perceived misfortune.  This is what I experience when I have been triggered.  1. Somatic response to a situation, i.e.. gut feeling or feeling heavy.  Most of the time it is a emotional response to a situation such as hurt, anger, sadness, and fear.  Integration occurs when one allows the emotion to surface through completion.  The key is to notice the emotion as best as you can without judgement, and breathe and allow.   Sometimes a memory will “trigger” an emotion. When this happens I immediately try to micromanage it which only creates frustration.  I have also “distracted myself” from feeling. i.e. going to the fridge, stifling it etc.  Most of the time it has nothing to do with what is happening in the moment.

An opening occurs when we allow the emotions to cascade through our bodies.  The more I STOP, SLOW DOWN and BREATHE without judging myself the more grace and ease I feel.  Remember ~ not to take yourself seriously.  Run towards yourself not away from yourself.  Someone once told me being “uncomfortable” is your greatest teacher.  If you feel scared or unsafe do what is necessary.  It can be scary in the beginning especially if your not used to it.  Call a friend, go for a walk.  Triggers are fantastic and it is a gateway to one’s evolution.  So trigger away!

Posted on May 7, 2016 by Anne Lamantia

Love Is Letting Go Of Your Children …

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I’mIMG_5088-1-300x225 53 and I cannot believe I am at this place again!  Being “needy” so my children will love me.  Bah humbug!  I know my children love me so what is the issue?  I remember after I had my first child my Mother was visiting and I noticed how much she wanted to be loved by me when I already inherently loved her.  It felt like I was being suffocated.  As I traced the thread back this started since the time I was born.

I swore up and down that I would never be like this!  Wrong! Wanting to be loved at all costs.  Yes,  this is hard to admit.  Now the declaration is to take conscious action.  I started to notice I don’t say “No” when I need to out of fear I won’t be liked.  i.e.. my daughter asked for money for the hundredth time when I clearly knew I needed to say “No” but I gave it to her anyway.

I know fixing a situation even with money is not empowering.  My gut never lies.  The only person I am in charge of is myself.  Yep, our children are not ours they belong to God!

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Anne Lamantia

What is Prayer?

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I was raised Roman Catholic and for many years prayed the rosary and went to Church every Sunday and raised my children Catholic.  My questioning began when my children were small and would refuse to go to Church. What really caught my attention was when my son ~ Michael did not want to make his confirmation.    This is when I started IMG_0132-300x200questioning God and prayer.

Today I realize that prayer is just as simple as saying “I love you,” “Thank You,” and more importantly loving whatever arises within me.  Loving whatever arises within me has not been easy due to the fact I have been conditioned with the labels of “right and wrong.”  It has been a longstanding pattern and when I fall into my labels I begin questioning  “Is this true?”  This helps disrupt the pattern.   A wise person once told me “everything is God.”  That was an eyeopener and very freeing!  This lifted a great burden off of me and gave me permission to accept the greater version of myself.  Freeing in the sense that every thought and emotion that arose within me was okay and that this happens with everyone.  We are human after all!  Being with my emotions altogether is a different animal!  One thing I know for sure is I am more willing to allow my emotions to surface.  Emoting has freed up space within me.  I feel less depressed, compressed and stagnated.  I feel more alive!  It is as if weight has fallen right off of me.  I am so happy to have discovered this within me and my hope is we all can do this for ourselves.

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Anne Lamantia

I Did A 21 Day Cleanse And lost 10 lbs. Here’s What I Learned

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I gave up all my vices – Coffee, Alcohol, Gluten, Sugar, Dairy And Meat for 21 days!  I did this because I wanted to lose weight and feel better.  I also needed to eat differently but I did not know where to beIMG_0082-300x200gin.  A friend told me about Dr. Junger’s 21 day cleanse and I decided to give it a go.  I liked the idea that he was a Doctor and had written a cookbook called “Clean Eats” and I was curious to see if I had any food sensitivities.

Not eating after 8 at night I must admit was the hardest part along with omitting coffee and cheese.  I’m usually “not going by the rules” kind of person but I was curious to see what the results would be when I was finished.  Low and behold I was blown away with my experience.

Here’s what I learned:

1.  My Bloating went away.

For as long as I can remember I have always had a bloated stomach.  After 1 week I did not have a bloated stomach and my digestive tract felt cleaner and healthier.  After the 21 Day I re-introduced Gluten back into my diet and I became bloated and “gassy.”   That is proof in the pudding!

2.  At night I felt at ease and slept better.

Having a nursing background I have always known that the body needs rest and nourishment during the sleep cycle and the digestive tract needs a rest from breaking down food.  Having that 12 hour period without food was quiet time for my body and my body was not hyped up from caffeine, sugar or alcohol.  I also felt keeping a clean diet was effective of not having my system raise havoc.  I also woke up feeling like I had a good night’s rest.

3.  I pooped every day!

Need I say more.

4.  I became more conscious of what I put into my mouth!

It  forced me to be attentive to what I was buying and what nutritional value the food had.  You would be amazed what sources of food has protein in it.  It was also important to note how I felt after I ate certain foods.  I felt much lighter overall and my digestive tract did not have to work as hard.

5.  Brain fog went by the wayside.

My thoughts were clearer and I was less anxious.

6.  My mood was brighter and my Central Nervous System was more at ease.

I’m attributing my calmness to no sugar, caffeine and who knows no gluten and dairy.  I remember a week after I came off the cleanse I had a can of ginger ale and instantaneously I felt exhausted and my brain was in a fog.  The first week of the cleanse “I was fit to be tied” and after that I felt more even keeled.

7.  Put me on tract for a “better eating cycle”

I decided that my health was important to me and taking the time to investigate my eating choices was worth it to me.  After 21 days I was more mindful of what I put in my mouth and how my body reacted to the food.  IT was as if I broke an old habit and began a new one.   I was making conscious choices and stayed on an eating schedule.

8.  I became more Confident and looked better.

Doing something for myself and feeling healthier and lighter gave me a boost of confidence.  Friends would ask what have I done differently and wanted information about this cleanse.

9.  I loved my juices, smoothies and food choices!

The receipes are endless with this cleanse.

10.  You don’t need to sign up and do his protocol (unless you find it helpful).  I just got his information off line and did it on my own.

11.  Your worth it!

Proper nutrition is important for your well-being.

12.  Yes, you still can have dessert! 

I love desert  and that has always been the hardest part for me until I started experimenting with other options such as gluten free, whole foods and different replacements for sugar.

13.  When you make conscious choices your life always improves.

 

With love,  Anne

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Anne Lamantia

How To Keep The Heart Open!

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Why Do We Close our Hearts?

I can only speak from direct experience.  First I would say that we are not brought up with the tools to keep an open heart.  It is not something my parents taught me or I was taught in school.  I’ve heard many times just open your heart ~ Well what the heck does that mean?   At that point I became curious and I began noticing what I noticed.   I noticed I would nIMG_0155-300x200ot feel my emotions ~ for example my anger, sadness or grief, and I felt ill-equipped.  I began to notice there was this heaviness I accumulated in my body and I believe it was because I did not process my own pain.  As time went on I began to get in touch with my anger, sadness, hurt and fear.  As I began to get in touch with these aspects I began to feel lighter and to my amazement less depressed.   Oh here is another big one for me!  I also noticed when I interacted with others I was too involved with their stories.  Over the last 5 years I have been willing to acknowledge my feelings and as I do I unravel.

How to open your heart!

1.  It has taken a lot of courage and trust to do this.   A willingness to open to life and feel.     It takes time and patience and a willingness to meet life from a brand new platform.  It takes baby steps to put something new into motion.  We all have our patterns so be gentle with the self.

2.  If you have heard of that saying it takes a village to bring up a child I believe there is a lot of truth to that.  Find support, people who are honest and who will empower you.  Don’t take No for an answer.   We are more alike than different.  As mother Theresa says “do good anyways.”

3.  I believe authenticity is vital to our well=being.  It is so easy to get caught in societal roles and responsibility. when we are missing the point of just being ourselves.

4.  Find something in your life to be grateful for.  Make a list everyday.  It takes time to change patterns.

5.  Love on your pets!

6.  Do good for someone in need!

7.  Prioritze yourself.  Spend an hour every day to nuture your spirit.

8.  Walk away from people who drag you down.

9.  If it does not feel good do not do it.  The same goes for food choices.

10.  Get out in nature.

11.  Never go to bed angry.

12.  Do more listening than talking.

13.  Listen to your intuition.

14.  Say I am sorry and as Mother Theresa has said, “forgive them anyway!”

Posted on November 1, 2015 by Anne Lamantia