Peaceful Practices During the Holiday Season

 



 A very special holiday greeting to all!  No matter what you celebrate, I hope your holiday season is one of sweetness and togetherness.  I always like to say...MERRY EVERYTHING!!!
 The holiday season is certainly one of excitement and sensations, and along with that comes a bit of anxiety and busyness.  As we are shopping for loved ones, we are bombarded with advertisements, bright store lighting, long lines, impatient fellow shoppers, and our own thoughts of finding the "perfect" gift.  Isn't it ironic how a season that symbolizes giving and opening our hearts, also contains an abundant amount of stress.  

 If you are feeling a tad overwhelmed by your shopping list and holiday commitments then I invite you to take some time to reconnect with the true meaning of what the season is about.  My teacher, mentor, guide, Shiva Rea, has invented the term "relaxasams," which she defines as a being peace practice of letting go and relaxing completely for a full breath cycle or more wherever you are, no matter what is going on, multiple times throughout the day and night. I personally love this because it invites us to find very small pockets of time to relax. In order to find peace you do not have to get a massage or meditate for an hour. 

 In addition to relaxasms via the breath,  below I have listed a few other ways to relax that are simple and take just few minutes.  Hey get crazy and have multiple relaxasams!  Share a relaxasam with a friend or two (get your mind out of the gutter some of you...i know what your thinking )!!!  These moments of ease and release will help you to reconnect with yourself and others to remind you that peace is always within.  You dont have to have a holiday coupon or discount code to "get peace..." it's for free! 
Relaxasams and other spontaneous moments of peace
~Walking meditation (become aware of senses as you walk)
    feel the earth beneath your feet, the smell of the air, the sounds around you,       touch of the air against your skin

 ~Easy forward fold.  Come into your favorite forward bend yoga pose. Hold there for a few minutes and let your body/mind retreat

 ~Snack meditation.  Take your time as you indulge in a treat or snack. Do not look at your phone, computer, tv while eating.  Touch, smell, taste what you are nourishing your body with

 ~Gratitude moment. Think of a dear one in your life and take a few minutes thinking of the joy they bring you. 

 ~Candle meditation.  As you light your favorite candle gaze into the light. Sit and feel the qualities that the light brings to your emotions and spirit. Be the light. 

 ~Journal topic.. What brings you peace?  Who in your life inspires you to be peaceful? Where are the places that bring you peace?  What can you do right now to live in the embodiment of peace? 
These are just a few and I will continue to add to the list.  Please feel free to comment and share some of your "relaxasams." 

 Thanks for reading everyone!  Wishing you joy, peace, and multiple relaxasams! 

 With gratitude,
Julie 

 ~

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