Dear Friends
“Where there is flow, there is energy, movement and health”.
How do you go with the flow during winter?
I asked someone recently what was exciting in her life at the moment. She had a wonderful reply. She said she was feeling deeply ‘hibernative’ right now. She had a break from work, and she was resting and taking is easy before the next assignment shows up. She was relaxed and at ease and felt so good about taking a reprieve from the adrenalin-induced days when she is working. I was impressed! Someone in Joburg who knows and appreciates the benefit of good rest, and who is able to ‘go with the flow’ of the seasons ? Wow!! I must say, she looked happy and healthy.
Hibernating during winter is so good for us if we can truly rest and hibernate like this student, and if we do things to nurture and feed our bodies, minds and souls during winter.
The cold and the dryness of winter makes us want to hibernate more.. and makes us stiffen our bodies and not want to move.
Even though I am not going away at this time, I am taking time to nap on my couch in the winter sun, to spend time picnicking in the park with my daughters and play boardgames with them. It feels like a much-needed holiday.
I’m also staying in the flow by continuing to restore my body and mind to health with regular Kahuna massages, gentle stretching/ yoga, daily doodling and doing my best to eat well, sleep well, and spend time with friends and family .
I really want to put into practice the Art of Exquisite Self Care this winter. This requires awareness… controlling my thoughts, choosing to take care of my energy, making clear decisions about what is good and right for me, being constantly aware of my thoughts, words and actions, noticing if I feel any guilt for ‘not doing’ or saying ‘no’, and consciously ‘going with the flow’.
What do you do in Winter to keep the flow going? Are you able to have some down time, for you? and are you able to check in with your body to find out what it needs most? A nap? A massage? A long walk in nature? Silence? Journalling? Coffee with a special friend?
By checking in with our bodies, we can find out what’s best in any given moment. I often ask myself the question that Marci Shimoff (author of Love for No Reason and a Chicken Soup for the Soul for Women) suggests in terms of knowing what’s the best action to take: “What is the most loving thing I can do for myself right now?”. She has taught me how to feel LOVE for no reason, and how to be HAPPY for no reason. Her website and offerings are truly inspirational…. backed up by science, she offers many Love-enhancing tools and skills to improve your life… and your love for life, self and in the end, others. By loving ourselves truly and deeply first, we have so much more to give out to others, and then to the world.
(I don’t get anything for referring you to her website…… feel free to visit it and find some info there that might be useful to you. www.happyfornoreason.com )
So keep checking in with your body for what will keep all your systems flowing and healthy during the cold month(s) to come.
If you need assistance to find more flow in your body and your life, you can find me at my Magic Cottage in Bryanston for ‘life coaching through the body”. This is what I realise my offering is to people. Using my own experience and the modalities of Kahuna, Mind-body movement and Intuitive painting, I have helped clients to move from a place of stuckness into the experience of ‘flowing’ in their lives, as well as in their bodies.
And by the way, a wonderful way to get flow going in winter is with the very nurturing Polynesian Floor Treatment that I offer. It will release blockages in your body and leave you feeling deeply relaxed. It is especially effective for anyone feeling exhausted or fatigued. The treatment is one hour and is done fully clothed, so you can stay nice and warm in my heated therapy room.
What people say about Kahuna bodywork:
“Thanks for an awesome massage, felt so much more relaxed afterwards….you have a special gift.”
“The kahuna massage Brenda gave me was magical, the energy of the massage is both relaxing and invigorating at the same time … as strange as that sounds.”
“Brenda is a wonderful healer. Her Kahuna massages are not only blissful for the body, but they also help me to release any emotional stress that I walk into her room with. They are like a tonic for body-mind and soul!”
“Brenda, I have been raving about you ever since I stepped out of your front door;-) .. Brenda works from a simply stunning spot – really restful and pretty! I experienced the most profound relaxation which was beautiful, but an even more profound release of old stuck energy that left me quite breathless. But after I had calmed down I felt at peace, free of pain and nicely empty. Brenda is a treat! Pay her a visit;-) “
“ Brenda your Kahuna Massage was awesome…what an experience. I will definitely book more sessions with you. The massage is revitalising, de-stressing, awesome.”
You can also experience what flow feels like through painting from your soul………
Get connected to your intuition
Be guided by your body’s wisdom
Give yourself a day of silent reflection
NO ART EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY FOR SOUL PAINTING. IT IS A FREE-FLOWING , BODY-CENTRED, INTUITIVE PROCESS.
Here’s what others say about the day:
“My favourite part of the whole thing was that I taught myself not to judge, criticize or compare my painting. it was a journey filled with creative fun, digging deep inside and coming out a more open free-spirited person” – Tali
“it really opened me up to new possibilities and freedom in my art and it was valuable learning to work in silence and feel safe in a space of no judgement. I found it a valuable day” – Eve
“The experience is very freeing and allows for one to explore some different aspects of oneself. You can just go and enjoy the day, connecting with your inner being, but it is no in the least bit heavy or intimidating. It is not a meditation, it is not a serious group therapy session, it is simply about allowing yourself to sit in quietness with yourself and express what arises.” – Naomi
“It was a time of reflection and also found it challenging to really let go, and to not worry about what I, or anybody else, will think about my painting. It was quite liberating.” – Alexa
Take exquisite care of yourself this winter. Stay warm and nurtured.
I look forward to seeing you soon at my Magic Cottage in Bryanston.
Warm wishes and Aloha,
Brenda
ps. for more info, I have attached an article on Kahuna Massage by Anthea Hardwick – my Kahuna Teacher – that appeared in the April issue of Your Family.
