Beach Therapy

Beach Therapy

by | Life Reflections

On a recent visit to Tofino, BC., I had the chance to really experience what Beach Therapy is all about.  Tofino is on the west coast of Vancouver Island and its beaches are cuddled by the Pacific Ocean. Some beaches are more protected than others, but all offer stunning views, wave movements and sounds, seaside smells and miles upon miles of beaches to lounge, walk, run or play upon. As it is summer vacation for most families right now, I also had opportunity to watch how others used Beach Therapy.  Here are a few of my observations.

Without exception, everyone walking along the miles of beach did so at a leisurely pace. Sure, there were a few who were exercising/running along the water, but even they stopped frequently to simply watch, listen and smell the ocean and beach. It’s hard to resist, so why bother?  At this pace, people took time to breathe deeply, smile and generally be at peace and one with the world. Curiosity and appreciation were tangible.  Even the smallest sea snails, shells or clumps of sea grass were observed with great attention and enthusiasm – as if a great treasure had just appeared for their eyes only.  Hearing the excited screams of children looking through tidal pools as they found fish, sea stars, and anenomes had adults walking over to see what was happening.  This gave a chance for the children and adults to have a moment to connect and communicate – without an electronic device.  Didn’t need one, as they were all “in the moment” together. They all shared in the excitement of the discoveries. And smiles were all around.

It is sad to think we need the fanciest of gadgets in order to have fun, be creative and connect with others.  With simply a pail and shovel, children showed how sand and water can ignite the imagination and become amazing architecture, sculptures and beauty treatments!  They created their projects for hours at the beach.  They connected with other children and passers-by with their projects, some stopping to help them and others offering words of encouragement. Even some teenagers got “down and dirty” and dug huge holes so they could “plant” large pieces of driftwood in the sand!  Chances are they would never be caught doing this at home, perhaps being afraid of embarrassment,  but somehow being on the beach gave them permission to use their hands, imagination and strength to create these driftwood “trees”. And again, passers-by would offer encouragement and smile at the enthusiasm and imagination at work here.

Watching people stepping onto the beach for the first time was also interesting.  Most adults stopped to take in the expansive vistas, while most children ran as fast as they could to the flat sand. Once in position, most children began doing cartwheels! Some danced! All squealed with delight. Some sang songs. And running was fun for them. It was as if I was watching their ultimate expression of freedom, joy and enthusiasm for life.  Try doing this in the city, at a bus-stop, park or mall and see what happens!  One parent remarked to me how he wished his children could feel this free and happy all the time. We both agreed that children deserve to be free to explore and experience their world so that they never lose their curiosity, creativity and laughter.  Hopefully their memories of this beach experience will remind them that the world is still a beautiful place to be.  Maybe this day will become their “happy place” during future meditation and relaxation practices.

As for me, I am always grateful to be given an opportunity to walk the beach, in search of shells and sea glass for my home and office. Feeling, smelling, seeing and touching the water and sand is always a good salve for my being. It also gives me a chance to be one with my deeper thoughts which can sometimes elude me during my busy work week. Too busy to slow down and be still – too busy as a human-doing, instead of a human-being!  It’s important for everyone to connect with the inner self – and I know that I am at my most creative when I listen to that inner voice. Beach Therapy helps me to reconnect with this truth. And it reminds me that I can’t wait for vacations to reconnect – I must find times and ways to do it regularly. The inner voice actually resides within me, so I take it wherever I go!

The summer is not over yet.  If you’ve not tried Beach Therapy yet, you still have time! Not close to beach? That’s okay. Remember that it doesn’t have to be an actual beach for you to feel this way. It doesn’t have to be on the Pacific Ocean.  It just has to be somewhere where you feel free, joyful, creative and at peace with yourself and your world. And it could be right in your own backyard.

Risk the Dream

Risk the Dream

by | Life Reflections, Psycho-Spiritual

Reflecting back upon the dreams, risks, successes, failures, and choices made that have brought me to this place and time in my life, all I can say is WOW!  Sometimes, the changes and risks were straightforward and effortless, “in the flow” and easy to incorporate.  Other times, things got so chaotic that I’d scream, “Stop the world – I want to get off!”  But there was no growth in giving up. And there was no going back.

To quote Colette Barron-Reid from The Enchanted Map,
“ It’s most important to note that nothing is static. Life is about movement and evolution, uncertainty as well as security, loss as well as love, treasures along with challenges.  Secrets are uncovered and beauty is revealed even in the darkest places, if you are willing to see your life as an on-going adventure.” 

This adventure called Life offers many lessons, challenges, and opportunities for choices;  some may call this Fate.  The choices we make (or don’t make) and the manner in which we handle these fated events are what help to determine our Destiny.  Or, the way our life story unfolds over time.

Risk taking requires making a change in some aspect of our life, to a lesser or greater degree.  Risk can be calculated or non-calculated.  Generally, the smaller the degree of risk involved, the less we calculate its pro’s and con’s.  For instance, opting to try a new flavour of yogurt or get a new hair style is a risk of lesser degree.  Deciding to quit your job, go back to school or move across the country or around the world holds a greater degree of risk. Yet all are “risks” and “changes”.  All provide us new experiences and information to process.

Changes offer an opportunity to gain experience, skills and knowledge.  We can access this learning for future decisions and risks. It is the accumulation of experiences over time and the learning we have from them that infuses us with Wisdom.
Knowledge + Skills + Experiences = Wisdom
But only if you chose to learn from them.  It is always your choice.

The question to ask is: Why might someone not want to take risks?  Here are some, but by no means all, of the reasons:
1.  Fear & Anxiety
Fear can hold you back and prevent you from trying new things. Fear comes from a place of feeling insecure with yourself, others or the world around you.  Fear and anxiety love to hang out together! If something creates anxiety for you, chances are that fear is in your world, too.

2.  Lack of Confidence
Risk-taking means taking action and responsibility and not being afraid of failure or mistakes. If you are not sure you can do something correctly, you likely won’t try. This is also part of the Perfectionistic Personality – “if I can’t do something perfectly, I’m not going to do it at all!  The Perfectionist hates embarrassment, so the fear of making a mistake can prevent them from taking any action at all. Without practice, how can they ever become good at anything new? How do they ever gain confidence to risk and try new things?

3.  No Support From Others
Sometimes we feel compelled to take a different road or follow an idea or dream which will create a specific change in our lives. We feel passionate about it, but others don’t share our enthusiam. It’s hard to pursue our “dream” when others call it a “nightmare”!  Resistance from others usually comes from not wanting to see you get hurt.  But it could also be their own projections of not being able to cope with changes, risk-taking or failure that they are putting on you. Sometimes, it could be their jealousy of your courage to try something they couldn’t or wouldn’t do. But if they succeed in planting doubt in your mind, you may hesitate with going forward with your plans.

Remember:  Trial & Error could just as easily be Trial & Success.

4.  Just Hate Changes
Some people truly hate the idea of change.  They spend most of their life ignoring, minimizing or blocking opportunities for change that present themselves. It takes time, energy, focus, and passion to take a risk and follow a dream.  For some, this is just too much to ask of them!  Better to “stay put” with what is familiar and safe – even if you are miserable with it.  Just excuse yourself from the adventure of life.  Curiosity, learning, creativity, challenges, new vistas and ways of doing things are grossly over-rated!

But what if the cry for risk-taking and change is calling you? Only you know the degree of risk you feel comfortable with. If you want to expand your world, it can be rough, tough and utterly overwhelming.  But come through the experience and be willing to learn the lessons it provides, then you have something precious that no one can ever take away from you.

Knowledge + Skills + Experiences = Wisdom

A final quote from Colette Baron-Reid’s The Enchanted Map:
” The path you’re on now is one that will challenge you to the core.That said, peril is also exciting and exhilarating… A life lived fully isn’t lived only in safety. A new experience is calling to you, one that will test your courage. The choice is yours, but there is greater value in risk taking than in remaining unchallenged. New territories are waiting to be discovered.” 

Emotional Release with Aroma-Genera

Emotional Release with Aroma-Genera

by | Aromatics, Energetics, Psycho-Spiritual

In last month’s newsletter, I referred to the emotional release technique, created by Valerie Ann Worwood, called Aroma-Genera.  Since that article, I have received some questions about this technique and how it is done. As a Registered Aroma-Genera Therapist for 15 years, it is my pleasure to offer more information.  Here is part of an article I wrote for our provincial aromatherapy association in Spring 2014, just prior to Valerie Worwood’s presentation to our group. It helps explain what it is and why one would use it.  I’ve then concluded this note with other comments pertinent to the questions I’ve recevied lately about Aroma-Genera.

“The 1980-s and 1990’s found the use of aromatherapy and essential oils for health and beauty exploding around the world.  This was also a time when people were starting to seriously look for more natural ways to help restore and maintain good health for themselves and their loved ones.  The many books written by Valerie Ann Worwood were, and still are, the “go-to” references for many folks.  In fact, her trilogy consisting of The Fragrant Pharmacy,  The Fragrant Mind and The Fragrant Heavens  are often all one really needs to help find relief for mind-body-spirit issues.  One of her therapeutic systems,  called Aroma-Genera, has been of particular interest to many holistic therapists.  But what exactly is it?

Aroma-Genera uses nine personality types  (called the Genera) and corresponding essential oils  (called the Set of Nine) to access physiological or psychological events which may impede physical healing, emotional well-being and life in general.  These events often hold factors that have restricted a person’s advancement and true personality.  By exposing imposed or adopted personality traits, the events can be dealt with and the true personality can come forth.

The intentions and purposes of Aroma-Genera are three-fold:
1) To accurately choose any source of help that may avert or avoid any disharmony with a person’s conscious and sub-conscious being
2) To help a person become free and become who they truly are
3) To acknowledge their worth and importance wich allows for expansion and growth.

The nine personality types are listed and described in depth in The Fragrant Mind.  Each has a specific set of qualities and challenges which change as the personality goes through its Abundant, General or Impoverished states.  Each has specific physical, emotional, cognitive, relationship and spiritual characteristics, lessons, and strengths that can either help or hinder inner growth. Emmeshed trauma and genetic memory (as explained in the mind-body literature), miasms (as explained in homeopathy and energetic literature), and imposed personalities are all helped by using the Set of Nine oils.  The ultimate goal is to achieve the Abundant State of your True Personality/Self.

As a “classification” system, Aroma-Genera has some similarities to other counseling techniques and psychological tools used in psychotherapy.  However, the use of specific essential oils to facilitate the rapid release and rebalancing of mind-body-spirit, makes this a remarkable approach for therapists to use. ”
(BCAPA Spring 2014 Newsletter)

An actual Aroma-Genera session takes between 90 minutes to 2 hours to complete.  Most long-term work is accomplished within 3 to 6 sessions done in weekly or bi-weekly succession.  Through mindful inhalation of each oil, a client has access to their own unique memories, imagination, insights and reactions. The therapist asks questions for clarification and description, but offers no interpretation of the client’s experience.  After all oils have been experienced, the therapist and client can discuss the session.  Often, the client is sent home with an oil or an essence to help work through and balance their issues.  Each week, more emotional release and balance is possible.

Aroma-Genera is useful in helping the artistic person get past any blocks to creativity and its expression; often called “being stuck”  or “drawing a blank”. For others, it can help identify and change self-sabbotaging thinking and actions.  It helps bring clarity to those seeking answers as to what their purpose and goals are in life.  For anyone wanting more happiness, satisfaction and joy in their life, it can help them to discover  how to achieve these for themselves.

So,  where will Aroma-Genera take you?

The Lavender Personality

The Lavender Personality

by | Aromatics

The gardens are coming alive with flowers and herbs – at least here on the West Coast.  And Lavenders, which usually wait until June to burst forth, are starting to show their colours now.  Much is written about Lavender as a herb, flower and essential oil.  In Aroma Genera, the therapy created by British aromatherapist Valerie Ann Worwood, we look at Lavender as a personality.

Lavender essential oil is considered the most useful oil in our aromatherapy kits, as it has a multitude of uses.  It is considered a very safe oil to use, which also adds to its popularity.  In Aroma Genera, we see the Lavender Personality as one of perfect balance between the masculine and feminine traits that everyone has.  It is mothering in its nature, yet can be brave and bold when required.

The characteristics of the Lavender Personality are many and include: 
Harmonious, Calming, Healing, Caring, Compassionate, Embracing

This is the personality who bravely overcomes obstacles, is generous with their time and energy to help others and seems to have unlimited energy.  The Lavender Personality loves plants, animals and the earth; it is Mother Nature personified!  There is an inbred correctness and spirituality to their nature, which often leads them to working in the helping professions or fighting for the rights of the less fortunate in their communities.  Easing the plight of others is a way for them to express their mothering natures.

If the Lavender Personality is in a negative state, they become highly strung, wound up and absorb energies off others without releasing them.  They tend to suffer in silence, as they believe they must always be the ones caring for others.  When in a prolonged negative state, this Personality is prone to the inability to rest or relax, sleeping disorders, unexplained headaches and migraines, and general body aches and pains.  Once they find their balance again and are in a positive state, the symptoms/conditions go away.

There are many ways to use Lavender essential oil to help with health and healing.  Some of the qualities and conditions it helps with are listed below;  many more conditions are listed in the Aroma Genera resource books. Generally speaking, Lavender essential oil is used in  inhalation methods to help with emotional and mental issues, while topical applications are helpful for body pains and issues.  One can always combine both an inhalation and topical method of use, if that provides more relief.

Lavender can be used to enhance feeling: positive, secure, balanced, compassionate, clarity, inner peace, comforted, relaxed and alert.

Lavender can be used to dispel: anxiety, irritability, stress, tension, mental exhaustion, insecurity, lost inner child, addiction, conflict, depression, worry, burnout.

If you do not have access to the essential oil, consider having Lavender plants in your garden or in patio containers. Each time you brush up against the flowers and leaves, remember to deeply inhale the aroma. If possible, cut some flowers to bring indoors. In time, these will dry and provide you with subtle aromatherapy for months to come.

 Remember:   Nature’s pharmacy is just a sniff away.

Spring Clutter and Cleaning on All Levels

Spring Clutter and Cleaning on All Levels

by | Energetics, Psycho-Spiritual

As we move from Spring Equinox, it is apparent that big changes are happening all around us.  We see the awakening of plants, bugs and animals from their winter slumber.  We notice neighbours and friends getting their homes and gardens in order – spring cleaning and renovations are a common sight.  There is an excitement in the air – people and projects moving forward, making changes to themselves and their world.  Out with the old and unnecessary and In with the new and useful.  There is something very freeing when we unburden ourselves from unnecessary items.  It gives us room to breathe, stretch and create. 

But spring cleaning is not just an external event! Clutter can be in the form of emotions, thoughts and reactions which no longer serve our highest good. When we free ourselves from long-time hurt and pain, we allow space for healing and forgiveness to take place.  When we free ourselves from guilt and shame, we allow space for self-respect and self-love to grow.  When we free ourselves from anger and blame, we allow space for peace and understanding to bloom.  De-cluttering our mind and heart helps set many wonderful things into motion.

Clutter does not help us feel free to be ourselves and to realize our highest aspects. We become burdened with the history of our pain as it takes alot of our energy, time and attention away from more helpful, healthful ways of being in the present.  The past cannot be changed, yet our reactions to the past can.  Our reactions and attitudes are under our control.  We can choose to hang on to that which no longer serves to bring joy into our lives and continue in our pain. Or we can decide to make internal changes that move towards experiencing our personal happiness and fulfilling our purpose.

As the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”  So it is with our internal spring cleaning.  We can’t deal with everything at once.  However, we can begin to take small steps towards freedom from internal clutter.  And as these steps begin to pick up momentum, we can tackle more clutter.  Eventually, the sense of personal freedom and happiness grows and outweighs the clutter.

What holds people back from releasing their clutter? 

  • Fear of the unknown:  we know how life is this way, we don’t know how it will be if we do this personal growth work.
  • Sense of undeserving:  if we release the old, it will be replaced with new;  do we feel worthy of receiving this gift?
  • Stuck in the drama:  we love to have something to complain about and to blame for our less than perfect life; if we gave this up, where would we get the excitement or buzz from?
  • Unawareness:  we have no idea that we are thinking, feeling or behaving in ways that are not healthy and helpful to us; we don’t know there could be a better life for us.
  • Fear of self-responsibility: the idea of being totally responsible for our lives is too daunting for many;  easier to have someone else run our lives and tell us what we are/can do/will think.

If you are interested in learning more about yourself and setting yourself on the road to personal freedom from internal clutter, there are many ways you can achieve this goal.  The first is to acknowledge that you are no longer willing to carry on with the burdens that block your freedom to a more happy/healthy way of being. Say “Yes” to “You”.  From there, your spring cleaning can begin!