Begging Exercises For Better Health?

Continuing on with my exploration of the various positions one could assume when praying, begging, asking, entreating, imploring, importuning, or conjuring, I discovered that certain "prayer positions," in particular, the Islamic "salah or salat" has been proven to directly benefit your health. So, I'm thinking about formulating my own set of "begging exercises." 

Here's the article I found at at Armannd.com

An important aspect of every religion is prayer. A prayer is an action or practice of communicating, commonly with a sequence of words, to a deity or spirit for the purpose of worshiping, requesting guidance, confessing sins, or to express one’s thoughts and emotions.

The great spiritual traditions offer a wide variety of devotional acts. There are morning and evening prayers, graces said over meals, and reverent physical gestures.

Prayers exist in many different forms. Some Christians bow their heads and fold their hands. Native Americans dance. Some Sufis whirl. Hindus chant. Orthodox Jews sway their bodies back and forth. Quakers keep silent. Almost every religion has it’s own form and structure.

What you might not know:

Prayers, apart from nourishing your soul, are also good for health! A Malaysian study suggests that prostration in praying is benefic for one’s health. Salah (or Salat - the Islamic prayer), is an exercise which is good for hearth and spine. It also enhances memory and concentration abilities.

The Islamic prayer consists of the following steps:

1. standing with hands on top of each other at chest level
2. bowing down with hands resting on knees
3. standing up from bowing with hands by the side
4. going in prostration (Sajda) once
5. lifting face up from prostration but sitting on the ground
6. doing a second prostration (Sajda) and then getting up

These physical movements that a Muslim does during prayer strengthen the joints and muscles and stimulate blood circulation. Consequently, they also prevent the stagnation of blood in the veins of the legs (which may lead to coagulation and other problems).

Here's an illustration:

Sajdah (prostration) is a unique position or stance in the regular prayers, which a Muslim is supposed to offer at least five times a day. Although the basic purpose of obligatory prayers isn’t to provide physical exercise for people, it is being increasingly recognized that it has plenty of medical advantages.

Sajdah is a unique position as this is the only position in which brain (or head) becomes lower than the heart and hence for the first time the blood gushes towards the brain with full force whereas in all other positions (even when lying) brain is above the heart when it has to work against gravity to send blood to the brain.

In the position of Sajdah, due to the increased blood supply, the brain receives more nourishment and this has good effect upon memory, vision, hearing, concentration, psyche and all other cognitive abilities. People who offer their prayers regularly have more will power and can cope with the difficulties of life in a much better manner. They have fewer incidences of headaches, psychological problems and other defects of cognitive function.

Prostration in prayer

Muslim prayers are not the only ones to have such benefic prayer movements.

References to kneeling and prostration to express one’s humbleness before the Almighty abound in the Bible and are practiced by such notables as Abraham, Moses and Aaron, Joshua, Elijah, Solomon and Jesus.

Prostration in prayer is still practiced by some members of the Russian Orthodox Church and some Catholics still maintain kneeling in prayer. In contrast, Baptists and other Christian denominations have abandoned kneeling, and the Jewish liturgy has eliminated it altogether. The only exception perhaps is the Samaritan Jew, whose prayer is similar to the Muslim’s prayer, but for the language.

I’m Christian, and I haven’t abandoned kneeling. Seems like a good thing.

While getting up from Sajdah the perennial muscles are one of those muscles which have to pull the trunk back to sitting position and they contract actively.

Similarly while standing up from Sajdah, the perennial muscles are again actively mobilized and this gives much strength to the muscles important for manpower.

The unique position of Sajdah also has positive effects upon the back muscles as while going into Sajdah and getting up from it the back muscle contract actively and they become stronger. Probably it is because of this reason that a person who is regular in prayers will uncommonly get backache.

Although prayer in religion is not meant to be an exercise, there are lots of medical advantages associated with it. Still, the best thing a prayer can offer is peace of mind.

I think I should be praying more…

I thought that was pretty cool! Did this trigger any thoughts or ideas? How do you feel about assuming a specific position or series of postures when begging, asking, wishing, or praying?

And once again, for those of you following that first project here's a link to Shaking Things Up. Which makes me think of Shakers, and possibly shaking and begging - and could that be accomplished, and if so how effective would that be? I wonder...

Be Strong

Self-Made Millionaires are not smarter or better than you. They have just discovered these secrets and used them to become wealthy. You can do it too.

Here is secret #11:

STAY PHYSICALLY FIT. Strong minds create strong bodies. Weak bodies are the result of weak minds. Your physical and mental health are the core of your success in life.

And this is what I think:

I'm not sure this is true. I'm pretty strong minded - and not very physically fit - at least not anymore. On the other hand, I do think that when you have the discipline to eat right and exercise it bleeds into everything else you do and pretty soon you have your shit together and your life is on track.

What about you guys? Anyone have thoughts or ideas on the subject of fitness of the body vs fitness of the mind and how it fits into prosperity and making millions?

Need An Energy Boost?

Well, we're into that seemingly never ending middle part of our project. This is when the newness has worn off, possibly we've lost our enthusiasm, life experiences have interfered, any number of bumps in the road have popped up to derail our good intentions. For me, this time around, I think I'm just tired... I don't know about you guys, but I could use an energy boost. So, here we have, from My Adrenal Fatigue, a nifty list of 43 tips to boost your energy naturally.

1. Alternate Hot and Cold in the Shower – This is a great technique to boosts metabolism, heart rate, and blood circulation. Its also great for sore muscles!
   


2. Instead of Coffee Drink Green Tea – It is lower in caffeine and produces more physical energy. The reason is that it contains catchins which activate brain chemicals to increase nerve action and circulation.
   


3. Chew Something – Chew some strong peppermint gum. Peppermint has long been known to have a favorable affect on energy levels.
   


4. Scratch Your Head, Or Better Yet, Get Someone Else To – A good head scratch will stimulate your brain. This is because the act of scratching stimulates blood flow to the area. Also related for the same reasons, scratch your temples and ears.
   


5. Eat A Banana – Banana is a great energy booster because its rich in potassium.
   


6. Don’t oversleep – Catching up on sleep by staying in bed longer than usual can backfire and make you feel more tired. Have you ever noticed how you feel on those days you oversleep? Changing the sleep cycle by more than just a couple hours messes with you circadian rhythm and makes you feel more tired not less.
   


7. Take A Quick Power Nap – Emphasis on quick. Sometimes a quick afternoon nap is all you need to get recharged. Society may make you think you are being lazy or slacking, but many of the most successful people in history (Edison, Ford, and Churchill among others) swear by a solid afternoon nap. Make it shorter than 30 minutes though as an extra long nap can make you feel groggy for the remainder of the day. A long nap might also interfere with your night time sleep schedule.
   


8. Skip The Sugar – If you’re craving carbohydrates, go for whole-grain foods and if your sweet tooth is can’t be satisfied then grab a piece of fruit. These complex carbohydrates take longer to digest, so they keep your energy level steady.
   


9. Go on a Quick Walk - Before you get hit by that mid afternoon slump, get up and talk a walk. Getting outside in the sun and breathing in fresh air will be sure to help you feel more energized.
   


10. Always Eat Breakfast – They don’t call it the most important meal of the day for nothing. Breakfast is extremely important. If you think about it your body has not received any nourishment for 8-12 hours depending on when you ate dinner the night before. And sleeping is a lot more work than most of us are aware of. Start the day off right with a healthy breakfast. If you don’t feel like it, start with something small, and manageable and work up from there. You simply can’t reach your full energy potential without a proper breakfast.
    


11. Eat Nuts – Cashews, walnuts, and almonds are full of protein and good fats. They are great for increasing your stamina as well as some of the best snack foods available to you. Make sure to have these energy snacks available at all times.
    


12. Snack More – People trying to lose weight are always surprised that one of the best ways to do it is to eat more not less. Eating more frequently is a great way to get your metabolism going. The entire process of increasing your energy has to do with your metabolism. Get it cruising at full pace by eating 5-7 small meals everyday as opposed to the traditional 3. Make sure you are eating foods that have nutritonal value and won’t zap you of energy like candy bars, chips, and soda. Instead keeps nuts handy, grab a yogurt, and keep fresh fruit and vegetables fully stocked.
    


13. Learn Some Stress Management Techniques – One of the quickest and sure-fire ways to feel drained of energy is to be consumed by stress. Although we can’t always avoid stress completely, we don’t have to wallow in it. Many stress management techniques exist. Here is one just for starters. Find a picture of a place that you feel safe, peaceful, restful, and beautiful. Whenever work, the kids, the husband, etc. get to you, go to your place in your mind. A picture helps but you can often do this with just your imagination. For bonus points make sure to address all the different senses available do you. Sight, smell, touch, sound, tastes. You’ll find that the stress melts away and you feel great.
    


14. Drink Plenty Of H2O – Do you know what the first sign of dehydration is? Fatigue! Drinking plenty of water is essential to high energy levels. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you are getting your hydration from other drinks. There is no substitute for water.
    


15. Get A Good Nights Rest – During sleep so many wonderful biochemical changes occur which help to rejuvenate our bodies. Become protective of your sleep and don’t allow distractions and whims to throw you off. Easier said than done I know, but its worth it.
    


16. Take A Deep Breath – Many of us are shallow breathers. We don’t get completely fill our lungs when we breath. This results in the same types of symptoms runners experience when they run at an elevation higher than what they are use to. Their lungs can’t draw as much oxygen out of the air as they are accustomed to, so they get tired faster. Learn to draw in deep diaphragmatic breaths and then fully exhale. You’ll have more oxygen introduced to your blood stream and consequently have more energy.
    


17. Make Me Time – Think to yourself about what you really like to do. Make sure that everyday you give yourself time to do that. Its about carving out a space in your life for you. Whether its a watching great movie, listening to music, going on a run, camping, reading a good book, etc. When you do things you really enjoy doing and things you love, some of the most powerful sources of personal energy are activated and released.
    


18. Fix Your Posture – The natural curves of your spine help you to better deal with physical stress. When you slouch you can’t absorb and dissipate stress as evenly. This leads to pain, discomfort, and fatigue from muscles needing to work harder than they should have to. Fix your energy levels through good posture.
    


19. Laugh Often – This is a fantastic form of therapy for those in an energy slump. Laughter releases important hormones that make you feel good. If you want to take this to another level take the time to learn some good funny stories and or jokes. Then go and share these with as many people as you can and watch what happens to your mood and your energy.
    


20. Get Some Direct Sunlight – This is the best way to get enough Vitamin D. Vitamin D as long been underrated as to its level of importance to our overall health. Doctors are finding that the FDA’s recommended daily amount is simply not enough. Vitamin D deficiency has been proven to be to contribute to the following: osteoporosis, depression, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, thyroid, and adrenal issues. The scary part is according to one study over 80% of Americans are Vitamin D deficient. Although vitamin D supplements are wonderful, there is simply no substitute to getting out into direct sunlight.
    


21. Try Aromatherapy – Our sense of smell is extremely powerful. Smelling salts have long been used to help revive the unconscious. Taxi and truck drivers use smells to stay alert during long shifts. Try some good smelling oils or candles to increase your energy and alertness.
    


22. Is It Too Hot? – Everyone has experienced the feeling of being too hot and recognizes how heat can zap your strength. Are you falling asleep at work? You might be wearing too many layers. Either turn down the thermostat or get a fan for your work area.
    


23. Splash Your Face With Cold Water – This is a great remedy for morning sleepiness but can be used throughout the day. The quick surge you feel as the cold water washes over your face might be just what you need to get that extra energy burst.
    


24. Switch Tasks - Low energy might just be that you are in a rut. Switch your mind to a different task for a little while. Also think about the side of your brain that you are using. If you are stuck in a rut with something creative, switch to something that uses the left side of your brain for a while… and vice versa. You’ll not only notice a different form of energy but you’ll might just be surprised to notice subconsciously your brain continues to work on your previous task. And when you come back it that problem you struggled with before has been solved.
    


25. Listen To Music With A Fast Temp – We are creatures of rhythm. Our entire physiology is greatly influenced by rhythms. If you are trying to relax, listen to music with a slow beat. But if you want to get pumped up, play something with a faster and more intense beat.
    


26. Color Your Environment – Studies show that Red, Pink and Orange are great to boost energy levels. Take a look at your work environment or your home. If you feel depressed and tired all the time, you may want to bring in some of these splash of color.
    


27. Take Herbal Supplements – Many people have already discovered the energy boosting affects of adaptogenic herbs. If you’re looking for a natural way to stay awake, try Siberian ginseng, licorice root, kelp, Rhodiola, acai, bee pollen, ginger, gutu kola, maitake and more. See the adrenal fatigue supplements guide for a list of some great products to get you started.
    


28. Take Your Vitamins – Making sure your body has all the vitamins it needs to function properly is integral to staying energetic. If your diet isn’t providing what you need (which it probably isn’t), consider a multi-vitamin to supplement to start with. Then make sure you are getting enough of the energy vitamins: B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, B12), Iron, Magnesium, vitamin C, and vitamin D.
    


29. Skip The Night Cap – You might think that alcohol makes you more sleepy, but it may actually be decreasing the quality of sleep you are getting. If you drink, do it in moderation to assure a good nights rest and alertness the morning after.
    


30. Get A Massage – Massages are great to stimulate blood flow and release tension. It truly is an amazing form of therapy.
    


31. Call Friends – Being social is built into our DNA. We go crazy (remember that movie Cast Away?) when we don’t have that deep sense of connection with other humans. For extra credit, call a friend and find a way to help them or contribute to their life. There is definitely a form of social energy that is all around us that we can tap into.
    


32. Sneak A Quick Workout – Endorphins are some of the most powerful feel good hormones our body produces. A quick run or trip to the gym is a great way to get your heart, blood, and hormones pumping to help you feel more energy.
    


33. Stand Up And Get Away From Your Desk – The idea that we can sit at a desk and work for 8 hours straight is absurd. In order to be at your peak energy levels, stop working and disconnect completely at least every 2 hours. Take a 10 to 15 minute break away from your desk and see what happens to your energy. You’ll find you have a sustainable store of energy to last you through the day.
    


34. Find A Way To Serve – Forget about yourself for a little while and figure out ways that you can give to someone else’s life. Service to loved ones, or to a worthy cause also gets some of those feel good hormones flowing and… you get to help someone.
    


35. Talk With Coworkers – But here’s the trick. Don’t talk about work and don’t gossip. Instead get to know others. Studies show that having friends at work boosts productivity and helps morale. Simply put, its just easier to be at work when you know and like the people there.
    


36. Manage Your Emotions – Negative emotions drain energy while positive emotions build energy. Take a look at your emotional health and determine what you need to do in order to bring more positive emotions into your life. Conversely think of the the steps you need to take to decrease the negative emotions you experience everyday. Here’s a hint: the solution is that you need to change, not someone else.
    


37. Try Optimism – Are you a pessimist? Are you constantly complaining about how bad things are? Studies show that pessimists have a higher chance of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depressive symptoms, smoke, be sedentary or overweight. Try looking at the good side of things… even the good side of bad things.
    


38. Try Something Different – Change things up, drive home a different way, eat somewhere totally new and foreign to you. Spicing things up just for fun can bring the energy back to your life.
    


39. Think About What You Want Not What You Don’t Want – In sports a common adage has always been “a good offense is the best defense”. This is true for life. Instead of always trying to avoid pain try going seeking pleasure. Go after exactly what it is you want. Often just the clarity alone will help you feel more energy. Play some offense with your life, think about what you want not what you don’t want.
    


40. Is Your Food’s pH Off? – The pH levels of the foods most of us consume can lead to many health problems. Foods are either in the alkaline or acidic category when considering pH. The goal is since the body is slightly more alkaline than acidic, we need to eat foods that will balance our pH levels with that of our bodies natural state. Most fruits and vegetables are in the low to high alkaline category and are therefore better to consume. However, its important to make sure they are fresh fruits and vegetables instead of canned or processed in anyway. For instance, the process of canning completely changes the pH level in foods and typically makes them more acidic. Having a more balanced pH helps you body metabolize more efficiently which helps boost your energy.
    


41. Play With Your Pet – If you like pets and enjoy their company, spending time with them can help you with your energy. It puts you in a good mood, helps you forget about your self, and can promote exercise and getting outdoors.
    


42. Pat Yourself On The Back – Its easy to forget what we have accomplished and how far we have come. Instead of looking at how much further you need to go to get to your desired goal, think about the milestones you have hit and the progress you have made. Take a minute and congratulate yourself for your fine achievements and you are sure to feel motivation to continue on your journey.
    


43. Count Your Blessings – Gratitude is a natural way to getting good positive energy to flow into you. It also helps to rid your mind of negative, heavy, and debilitating emotions and feelings that have a way of deflating you. Next time you are feeling a little tired, take time to count all the things that you are grateful for in your life.

And if all else fails... there's always Starbucks!

Poor Diet and Lack of Exercise

Exercising isn’t just to look good on the beach. Staying fit keeps your energy levels high. You can be slim and still be drained because you aren’t fit, so don’t use the scale as the measurement. Here are some things you might want to consider to get out of this energy trap:

Make a Routine - Find a gym partner, class or workout time that you can exercise at least 3-4 times per week. I’ve experimented with different amounts and found six days a week works best for me. If you are unsure how to start, just try it for thirty days to see how it goes.

Replace Foods One at a Time - Don’t try to overhaul your eating habits overnight. They’ve been established over years, so they can’t change in a snap. I recommend switching out one unhealthy food type for a month before making more changes. When you take it gradually it is far easier to stick with long-term.

Time Your Meals - The best way to eat would probably be 5-6 smaller meals spread throughout the day. Since this isn’t a reality for most people, a decent alternative is simply to time your meals so your blood sugar levels remain steady throughout the day. This will ensure you aren’t starving for some parts and fatigued from a big meal in others.

Take off those shoes!

ENERGY DRAIN: Your shoes.The human body is built to move. The more you move it, the more energy it generates. While high heels might look nice, they can also discourage walking around the office, taking a energizing outdoor stroll or walking up the stairs. Even moderate exercise [30 minutes three times a week of brisk walking] has been shown to increase the number and efficiency of mitochondria to produce energy. Exercise is like plugging into the grid—it creates energy (as long as you don’t overdo it.)

ENERGY BOOST: Take your shoes off and jump up and down for three minutes. Feel that surge of energy? If you can’t part with stilettos, keep a comfortable pair of shoes at your desk. Cole Haan has cute shoes that use Nike technology, and Aerosoles (which can be found at Marshalls) are comfortable and inexpensive. Geox offers “breathable” dress and casual footwear for men, women and kids. Look for shoes with rounded toes rather than pointy. The more material on the sides (surrounding the foot) the better.

source: Chicago Tribune Archives

Coffee Anyone?

ENERGY DRAIN: Your caffeine addiction. America’s favorite drug can give you that critical afternoon kick in the butt, but so called “energy” drinks and foods actually cause fatigue, anxiety and insomnia, headaches and other symptoms. That’s because caffeine doesn’t instruct your DNA to make more energy; it tells it to activate your nervous system, a process that expends energy. Caffeine has also been shown to block adenosine receptors; getting enough adenosine during the daytime is a trigger for getting to sleep at night. If you drink a cup of coffee at noon, a quarter cup’s worth could still be in your system by midnight.

ENERGY BOOST: If you can’t go cold turkey, limit consumption to three 8-ounce cups of coffee or tea per day (about 200 or 300 milligrams of caffeine). Try switching to green tea; even though it has caffeine, its health effects outweigh any negatives. Or try ginseng tea for a refreshing pick-me-up. Avoid energy drinks and foods that contain caffeine and sugar; they only mimic the effects of energy. When your energy flags at 3 p.m., try eating a handful of walnuts or almonds instead of getting a coffee. Nuts have a unique combination of protein (for long-term energy release), fiber and healthy fats.

source: Chicago Tribune Archives

What about breakfast?

ENERGY DRAIN: Your breakfast. A bowl of sugary cereal, a doughnut or a bagel might give you a quick burst of energy, but without some protein, you’ll be in slow motion before lunch. Carbohydrates—especially refined carbs—are broken down very quickly so blood sugar soars and the brain shuts down production of orexin, a neuropeptide responsible for feeling alert.

ENERGY BOOST: Eat protein, good fats and some carbohydrates to control blood sugar and avoid getting a burst of glucose. Try scrambled eggs on whole wheat toast, oatmeal with yogurt and a handful of seeds or an omelet with cheese, tomato and mushrooms. Smoothies with fruit, whey powder and almond milk are also a good option. Instead of using bananas in smoothies, try avocados.

source: Chicago Tribune Archives

Replenish and Nourish Your Life

“To get more energy, you need to remove what’s draining you and replenish it with nourishment from food, natural light, love, supplements, and community."
~Frank Lipman

I found the above quote, in an article in the archives of the Chicago Tribune. The article goes on to list several common energy drains, and gives suggestions for possible solutions. Instead of uploading the whole thing, I thought I'd break it up into a series of posts over the next few days.

In the mean time, I thought it would be interesting and helpful to put some attention on how we nourish ourselves. What is nourishing to your soul? your spirit? your mind? your heart? your body? Who are the people, where are the places that lift you up?

For me, being outside with my feet on the earth, the wind in my hair, the sun on my skin... wow! I wonder why I don't spend more time doing just that? As soon as I get this post finished, I'm going outside without a to do list! That'll be my prosperity project task for the day.

And here is something else. This morning I cleared out my inbox and came across a comment I had made in a note to someone more than a year ago. It seems appropriate to this post, so here it is:

Life is meant to be lived in the flesh and in action... not in cyberspace and thought alone. We need to connect in a real way with what lives around us... we need to go outside and smell the air, touch the trees, visit the birds with our eyes and our ears.

Appreciate The Skin You're In

When we are healthy, we tend to take our bodies for granted, and don't really do much to show our appreciation for how good it feels to feel good. Alternatively, when the body is suffering or not functioning properly, it can be even more difficult to appreciate what we do have.

So, today, lets take a look at our physical selves and find at least 5 things that we appreciate and love about our bodies.

Need some examples?

1. I love that my fingers (toes, knees, ears, etc) can ...
2. I have an excellent sense of ....
3. Wow, it feels good to ...
4. Plus, I'm really glad that my ... still works!
5. And I thank God everyday that ...

Healing a Child

If a child is in need of healing or relief from pain, then say this prayer. It's been said that when parents pray on behalf of their children, those prayers are answered first in Heaven.
I also recommend handwriting the prayer and placing it face up on a cabinet or shelf in the child's bedroom. If the child is old enough to say prayers, ask the child to say the prayer with you:

Thank you, God, for my child's perfect health. Thank you for peace within my child's body. Thank you, Archangel Raphael, for your powerful healing energy, which heals everything rapidly with each breath my child takes. Thank you, Damara, for gently comforting and reassuring me and my child. Thank you, Hathor, for clearly instructing me on how I can best help my child. Thank you, Mother Mary, for watching over all of us and sending us your Divine healing love.

Source: Archangels and Ascended Masters by Doreen Virtue

Healing a Pet

If your cat, dog, or other animal has a physical challenge, then you'll want to call upon the great animal healers in Heaven to help and heal. As you say this prayer, either look at your pet in the flesh or in your mind, or gaze at a photo of your beloved furry friend:

Healers in Heaven, I love [name of pet] with all my heart. Please join my love with yours and send it to [name of pet]. Dearest Aine, I ask that you surround my pet with your bright silver energy of peace and happiness. Dearest Raphael, I ask that you encircle my pet with your emerald-green energy of health and wellness. Dearest Dana, I ask that you help my pet's system to be balanced and in its natural state of vitality. Dearest Saint Francis, I ask that you communicate with my pet and let me know what I can do to bring my pet comfort.

Thank you Aine . . . Raphael . . . Dana . . . Saint Francis . . . for your healing work. Thank you for my pet's perfect health. Thank you for my pet's comfort. Thank you for lifting our spirits. I now surrender this situation to you and God with complete faith and confidence.

Source: Archangels and Ascended Masters by Doreen Virtue

Healing for Oneself

If you experience a physical challenge, it's comforting to know that you have access to powerful healers. This prayer can supplement any other spiritual or medical treatment you're implementing:

Beloved Jesus, loving healer of God . . . beloved Aine, loving healer of God . . . beloved Archangel Raphel, loving healer of God . . . beloved Archangel Zadkiel, loving healer of God . . . beloved Saint Therese, loving healer of God. The love of God is now inside of me. I am completely filled and healed with the love of God. Jesus . . . Aine . . . Raphel . . . Zadkiel . . . Therese . . . I am so grteful for the ministering, healing, and comfort that you bring to me . . . thank you for surrounding and filling me completely. I am now completely well. I now feel absolutely wonderful, filled with the spirit of love in all ways. I am energized. I am happy. I am rested and refreshed. Thank you, God. Thank you Divine healers.

Source: Archangels and Ascended Masters by Doreen Virtue

Exercise for Complete Breathing

1. Sit up straight. Exhale.


2. Inhale and, at the same time, relax the belly muscles. Feel as though the belly is filling with air.


3. After filling the belly, keep inhaling. Fill up the middle of your chest. Feel your chest and rib cage expand.


4. Hold the breath in for a moment, then begin to exhale as slowly as possible.


5. As the air is slowly let out, relax your chest and rib cage. Begin to pull your belly in to force out the remaining breath.


6. Close your eyes, and concentrate on your breathing.


7. Relax your face and mind.


8. Let everything go.


9. Practice about 5 minutes.

Belly Breath

The following exercise is a simple way to deepen breathing and to cleanse the lungs. These exercises will also increase energy and decrease tension.

Lie flat on your back to get a proper sense of deep breathing. (Have some small pillows available to reduce strain by tucking them under the neck and knees. The natural course of breathing in that position will create a slight rise in the stomach upon inhaling and a slight fall upon exhaling.)

Place your hands palm down on your stomach at the base of the rib cage. (The lungs go that far down. What fills them deeper is the pushing down of the diaphragm. The diaphragm creates a suction which draws air into the lungs. the air is then expelled when the diaphragm pushes up. In this process, the life-giving oxygen fills the lungs and gets into the blood stream for distribution to the cells. Carbon dioxide is expelled from the blood into the about-to-be exhaled breath, thus cleansing the body and blood of waste products.) Lay the palms of your hands on your stomach just below the rib cage, middle fingers barely touching each other, and take a slow deep breath. (As the diaphragm pushes down, the stomach will slightly expand causing the fingertips to separate somewhat.

This movement indicates full use of the lungs, resulting in a truly deep breath rather than the "puffed chest" breath experienced by many as the greatest lung capacity. Chest breathing fills the middle and upper parts of the lungs. Belly breathing is the most efficient method. Infants and small children use only this method until the chest matures. The yoga breath or roll breathing combines belly and chest breathing.

For best results practice this exercise for 5 minutes.

Thank you!

Love cures people,
the ones who receive love and the ones who give it too.

~Karl A Menninger

-oOo-

Thank you for your love and your prayers.
My dad is now recovering and I am hopeful that soon he will be comfortable and well.

Happy to be healthy!

It feels great to feel good. Today we are saying thank you and accepting our strong and healthy bodies!

Visioning Health

Today we are affirming and visioning the following:

For Daniel: I desire for myself and for Gary to be strong in body, mind and Spirit. To be released from any physical or emotional pains and traumas. To utilize the full potential of our minds in creating our world.

For Melissa: The desire of my heart is to be free of allergies, to breathe fully and deeply of the breath of Spirit, and to be filled with energy and wholeness that move me forward into greater and greater health, peace and success.

For Michelle: The desires of my heart towards my physical being are these... I want to find a more sensible way to physically function. I want to be able to do things with my kids and not be so exhausted and in a good deal of pain most of the time. I want that to end. I want my daughters and sons to remain healthy, I would love to banish their pain as well.

For Shirley: The desires of my heart are that I begin to actually take care of the physical being that is me, Shirley. That I take the time to do the things that nourish and strengthen me. And that I feel better and have more energy.

Right now, I eat a lot of crap food, don't get anywhere near enough exercise, and I don't take care of myself. I carry around way too much extra weight, and drive myself with caffeine, sugar, and high powered energy drinks. Then I take the edge off with beer or wine and long binges of mindless internet surfing. I want to STOP IT. And when I do stop it, I know I will feel better and my little physical annoyances and small health issues will go away.

Health

Today we are speaking into creation the desires of our hearts with regard to health.

Remove hazardous elements from Health area

General Health area:

Wood will uproot the earth in this area, so get rid of anything symbolizing wood here. This means green items too! Small plants are the exception and can stay.

Tall rectangular objects and columnar objects don’t belong here.

Spiral staircases are a doozy – the chi keeps falling through, and with the spiraling pattern the chi gets dizzy and disoriented. You can counteract this effect by painting the underside of the stairs with the color of the area you are in, or place mirrors under the stairs to reflect the chi back up.

From Move Your Stuff, Change Your Life
by Karen Rauch Carter

Symbols and anchors for your center

Feng Shui activity for today:
Add a symbol

Earth is the element for the center. Add a healthy plant to this area. Include things made of earth here – china, ceramics, clay tiles or pots, bricks, natural stone flooring.

A bowl of fresh fruit symbolizes good luck, prosperity, hospitality and health.

Laughter is the best medicine. Place anything you find funny here – blooper videos, pictures of yourself and friends in fun moments, gag gifts. If it brings a smile to your face, it belongs here, so you can place a child’s hand-drawn picture or an old love letter here.

The shape for this area is square, and horizontal or flat items also belong here. Triangular or pyramid-shaped objects work here.

Symbols of earth, such as a globe, pictures of mountains, crystals belong here. They ground you and put you in touch with Mother Earth.

Fire works here, so if your fireplace is in this area, that’s great. Candles will also work. Stars and sun symbols should be here – sunflowers, sundials, pictures of sunrise or sunset, starfish, the Star of David, the Stars and Stripes.

Any religious object you connect with works here.

From Move Your Stuff, Change Your Life
by Karen Rauch Carter

Mountain Alphabet by Andrew Kiss