by Brianna | Jul 18, 2014 | Healing, Transformation, Willingness
Healing is a journey. During my process of healing from Chronic Fatigue (which is far more than simply being tired) I found that creating a correct relationship with myself was absolutely key. The suggestions I make below are a mixture of my discoveries during my healing journey combined with my observations of thousands of students over the past decade. I wish you well on your personal path to wholeness! 5 Things to create healing and foster change: PRESENCE.In order to heal the very first step is becoming present, waking-up, being aware. Often times we live our life on autopilot, without realizing we are on repeat. We aren’t even aware that we had the same thoughts yesterday as we do today. We stay head down in our ruts. We root further into our habits, running the same courses through our day-to-day patterns. We need to become present in order to notice where we are currently at: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. This awareness will then enable us to become present with our behaviors, know our thoughts, witness our choices and ultimately foster the ability to discern whether they are leading us to joy or drawing us further into despair. RESPONSIBILITY. In order to heal. In order to be whole. In order to be courageous. We have to take full on responsibility for our THOUGHTS, choices, behaviors, beliefs, and habits. We have to take responsibility for ourselves. All of the changes necessary to create deep and meaningful healing happen from the inside out. WILLINGNESS. We have to choose to heal. Once we are willing, and set the intention to heal, it...
by Brianna | Jul 15, 2014 | Affirmations, Healing, Power of Thought
Our thoughts dictate whether we are in peace or strife, pain or pleasure. Often we don’t realize that our thoughts are on repeat – the majority of thoughts you think today are the same as the day before. Have you ever tried to listen in and hear what you are saying to yourself? Are you nice to yourself or are you downright mean? You might be shocked by what this practice of awareness will reveal to you. In Heal Your Mind and the Rest Will Follow Brianna will discuss the power of thought and its role in moving you towards Joy or Despair....
by Brianna | Feb 2, 2014 | Breathing, Healing, restorative yoga, Yoga
Out beyond the idea of wrongdoing and right doing, there is a field. I will meet you there. ~Rumi This line has been on repeat in my mind lately. I find myself reciting it and imagining the field that sits out beyond judgment. That notion seems wildly beautiful to me. I think that there are very few things that feel as magical and moving as deep love and acceptance. I Bow My Head to God and God took all of me. Every imperfection. God took all of me. ~Yogi Bhajan Being judged whether by your own self or by others is a horrible feeling. It holds us separate and makes us feel less then. After working as a healer for the past decade I can honestly say that worthlessness and self -loathing are epidemic in this world. In truth we are our own worst critics. In all actuality we damn ourselves. That is why actively creating a field of peace in your life – through interacting with others or simply through practice – is so important. I have been lucky enough to have several relationships throughout my life that represented a field of acceptance. Recently someone whose hand I held for many years in the beautiful meadow of our friendship passed away. Losing someone who stands beside you – hand to hand – in the best of times and in the worst of times, leaves an awfully large hole of longing. My grief has been a tidal wave because of it. Rest easy friend. Grieving is a healing. ~ smoke shop guru I hate this idea but I...
by Brianna | Jan 10, 2014 | Healing, practice, Reiki, restorative yoga, Uncategorized, Yoga
An age ago a very wise friend gifted me with the book Relax and Renew by Judith Lasater. Since then Restorative Yoga has been a regular part of my varied yoga practices and particularly useful when I am feeling overwhelmed by stress or exhaustion. I find that I am drawn to this style of Yoga in the winter months – it feels right on a cold and blustery days to indulge in a form a practice that requires a heap of blankets. Out beyond the idea of wrongdoing and right doing, there is a field, I will meet you there. ~ the ever dreamy Rumi Here are some things I love about Restorative Yoga: In a pinch you can practice one Restorative pose for 5 to 10 minutes and shift your mood. Wrapped in blankets, supported by props, breathing deep. No technology, just you, your breath, and the practice. It is effective, quieting, nurturing, and simple. The Restorative Yoga practice I offer at Quiet Winds, like all of my offerings, is a layering of healing arts. My intention behind this methodology is to create a deeply relaxing experience where my students have the opportunity to rest and restore themselves. As a teacher I am often shocked by the level of stress that my students bear on a regular basis both personally and professionally – I love to help my students unwind from their world and become deeply...
by Brianna | Oct 30, 2013 | Breathing, Healing, Yoga
Yesterday I was honored (and I mean that in the truest sense) to present as part of the Yoga as Medicine series at The Institute for Integrative Health. My presentation focused on the healing power of the breath and its ability to deepen a Yoga practice. It challenged me (ugh PowerPoint), pushed me to speak in scientific language (not woo), and inspired me (the breath is a powerful tool of healing – of that there really is no doubt). During the two hours we looked at simple tools that could easily and effectively engender the Relaxation Response. The Relaxation Response was quantified by Dr. Herbert Benson and unequivocally proved that we have an innate ability to relax ourselves. How awesome is that? The discussion of the Deep Breath examined its: impact on the Immune System (your Lymphatic System is pumped by muscular contractions and the diaphragm is one of the strongest muscles in your body). power over the Autonomic Nervous System (Sympathetic (fight or flight) and Parasympathetic (Relaxation Response)). remarkable ability to release and relax your body, mind and spirit. We moved on to utilize three different breath-deepening techniques during a Hatha Yoga practice: Deep Belly or Diaphragmatic Breathing http://briannabedigian.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Deep_Belly_Breathing.mp3 Exhale all the air out – contract the muscles of the stomach to force the air. Now inhale and you will feel the belly expand with the breath. Humming Breath Humming automatically lengthens the breath. It also vibrates our sinuses. When the sinuses vibrate they release nitric oxide (vasodilator), which can help us to relax. Read more here. Blowing Breath Forcefully blow the air out of your mouth (like...
by Brianna | Sep 12, 2013 | Breathing, Healing, practice, Reading, Yoga
There are several essential oils that act as natural balancers. These adaptogens, as they are called, will instigate a reaction in the body that is appropriate to achieve a state of homeostasis or balance.* If you have interacted with me in the last few months I am pretty sure I have waxed poetic to you about aromatherapy. Recently I started to blend my own oils and have been reading about, researching the scientific literature, and playing with the actual oils pretty much daily. This week I stumbled upon the notion of adapotgenic oils. Adaptogens have a normalizing effect on the body so they can be both (and this is weird) a stimulant and relaxant. The oil “adapts” depending on your nervous system’s particular needs. Amazing, right? Adaptogenic Foot Rub: 1 TBL Vegetable Oil (carrier oil – I use Grapeseed) 3 drops essential peppermint oil 3 drops essential lavender oil 3 drops essential lemon oil Rub the oil all over your feet, breathe deep and smile. *Valerie Anne Woodward, The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy,...
