Squamish Wellness Directory

Emptiness

In their pursuit of happiness, I often hear people say that they have followed their path in life, they have the career they always wanted, a loving family the ability to easily acquire all the things they want. Yet they quietly share that there also exists an emptiness within them. I wonder about the term empty, what does it really mean? Can you fill this emptiness? I don’t think so, I believe that is what we try to do in many forms, be it food, buying stuff, alcohol, the list goes on… the emptiness still remains. Perhaps, the emptiness is really more like a vacuum, a black hole and the more we stray from our life purpose and ignore what brings us joy and ignites our passion. The more intense the pull or vacuum becomes. Somewhat of a defense mechanism for the soul.

Underneath the many layers and experiences we have in our lives lies the answer. The way to disconnect this pull is to step into your soul purpose. Layer by layer begin to shed the beliefs you have held for so long and allow your light to shine. Breakthrough the blocks that were created by experiences you have had in your life. Ultimately, it is about giving yourself permission to “be YOU” It seems so simple, yet it can be such a struggle. However, the moment you become aware of this, is the moment you will begin to change. To be powerful is to express yourself fully and share your unique voice in the world. To be powerful is to fully embrace your unique gifts and share them with joy and passion. To be powerful is to listen to that part of you that already knows who you are becoming and take action with every awareness.

I give you permission to step out into the world and be “YOU”…try it, it feels great.

There is a beautiful song which I absolutely love, appropriately named “Empty” by Ray LaMontagne which I have shared a link to below. There is a wonderful line  “well I looked my demons in the eyes, lay bare my chest, said do your best to destroy me”….to me he is saying…I am me, take it or leave it.

Ray LaMontagne - Empty

Farmer's Market Dinner

one bite, one change, one day at a time...

Recipes for A Healthier Me created by Marissa Schiesser Holistic Nutritionist

I turned some of the tasty greens I bought at the Squamish Farmer's market  into a very simple, light and satisfying meal. I used fresh fava beans (not at all local, but organic), which are a bit time consuming to prepare from fresh but totally worth it. It takes 15-20 minutes to pod the beans, cook them and then take off the second pod. Their pods are very cushy and almost insulated. It is as if they are sleeping in a sleeping bag. You could use canned beans for the job. Edamame will also substitute.

Any dark leafy greens will work as well. Try to get the younger more tender kale and chard or use spinach. Basically use whatever is green, fresh and tasty. The tender greens are a bit sweeter and less bitter than their elders.

I only had 1/2 a cup of brown rice so I added 1/2 a cup of arborio rice to make a full cup. I always make at least a cup of rice so I have leftovers for breakfast. I wasn't sure how this experiment would turn out. I really liked it; it was slightly sticky, which I liked.

Finally I almost added shallots to this recipe, then I decided against. I kept the flavours light, fresh and simple. Nothing overpowering.

Get the recipe by clicking the link below...

The Joy of Teaching Reiki

I attuned my first Reiki trainee last week and I am amazed at how great Reiki can be. My first student was my sister back home in England. She has been suffering from anxiety and panic attacks for a number of years and usually practices yoga and meditation daily to manage her symptoms. With an operation looming this week, she had been finding it harder than usual to relax so when we talked about the Reiki Master course I was doing she decided that she wanted to learn too.

We started with a distance Reiki session in which she felt deep relaxation and physical feelings of pressure in the same areas of the body that I was drawn to focus more energy. Although I’ve always felt that my family are just a thought away in spirit, my sister found it reassuring to physically feel our interaction even though we are so far apart. Next we did a distance attunement to Level 1 which involved attuning her energy field to channel Reiki and talking about the basics of what Reiki is, how to channel the energy,  and how to treat yourself and your pets. With previous experience of meditation and Qi Gong she was a natural and started practicing straight away. She said her hands felt like hot coals  as soon as she started channeling Reiki.

The next time we talked she said she had been inspired to learn more so she got some Reiki books from the local library and found some chakra balancing and relaxation techniques  that she liked.  She was feeling more relaxed using Reiki every day and had noticed differences in her chakras whilst using the Reiki balancing technique. Specifically feeling ice cold in her throat chakra which she related to a recent phase of writer’s block which has now resolved.

The big test for Reiki was the operation. Using Reiki she was able to stay calm right up to the point of actually getting wheeled in for the anaesthetic, by which time the drugs were ready and then she was off to sleep. I also sent Reiki for the operation, visualising it being the easiest procedure the doctors had ever encountered. My sister awoke groggy but comfortable and quickly felt ready to go home. As well as following the doctor’s after care advice, and armed with a bucket load of strong painkillers, she continued to practice Reiki for pain relief, relaxation and speedy healing.  Surprisingly she found that she didn’t even need painkillers the first night after the operation or even the next morning and she feels well on her way to complete recovery already.

I am so proud of my first student and so glad that I get to share something that I love with someone I love. She took the basic principles and just ran with it, using Reiki in the perfect way for her with complete success. I can’t wait to see where her healing journey takes her and how Reiki evolves with her. She has really shown me how wonderful it is to teach others, to share something amazing and yet simple that they can make their own. She has helped me shape my first class and I can’t wait to see how Reiki enriches others lives as it has mine.

To start your healing journey with Reiki join me in my first Level 1 class.

Saturday 27^th June, Whistler.

Next classes available:

Level 1 – Saturday 25^th July 2009

Level 2 – Sunday 26^th July 2009

For more info call 604 902 4637 or email me at mail@helenadiosa.com

Helena Diosa

Who are you becoming?

In the last 3 years as I have been building my Life Coaching practice the question that comes up the most is; "What is Life Coaching?" This can be a difficult question to answer because the answer will be different for everyone in relation to what they are wanting and needing to experience. The other thing is that it is not a tangible product that you can pick up and look at and experience and try on in a way that is safe for you. What I mean by that is that you can go to a clothing store and try something on in the privacy of a dressing room and nobody needs to know what that experience was for you. You can also try on Life Coaching through a sample session and there is an aspect of exposing yourself. The question that then needs to be answered is Why? Why would I need to hire a coach?

So the answer to that question is "Who are you becoming?". Where in your life do you experience a feeling of emptiness? Where in your life are you not honoring some or all of your values? Are you aware of your deepest values? Are you living your purpose in this life? If you could live your fullest life, what would it look like? What would be different? What would you no longer tolerate? What would you want more of? Where do you experience joy? Where do you not experience joy? Do you believe there is another path in life other than the one you think you should be following? What must you have? Where do your passions lie?

Working with a coach is about being "seen" and acknowledged and exploring the answers to "your" questions. You gain awareness and through that awareness you begin to see different possibilities and outcomes in your life. It is about experiencing a safe place to explore your dreams and ideas of how you may want to experience life differently. A place to play with the possibilities and not focus on the should's and have to's that are so prevolent in our lives.

Perhaps you have a passion to share something with the world in a big and powerful way yet you feel so attached to the 9-5 of everyday life and you need to be responsible. You want freedom to enjoy life to its fullest and it feels like you would be letting everyone down by exploring the possibilities, yet there is an entrepreneurial spirit burning inside you. Or maybe you just want to be able to spend as much time with your kids as you can, while you can. The scenarios are endless and so are the possibilities.

The fact is that you can try on coaching. I offer a free 30 min. consultation where you can experience life coaching. Either by phone or in person. Your choice. Coaching can help you explore who you are becoming.

Ross Tayler
Professional Life Coach
www.workplacealchemy.com
604-815-7089

Leaping from Cookie Cutting to Natural Function: The Feldenkrais® Method in Fitness

www.scientuitive.com

Are you truly providing the best cutting edge modalities for your clients? Are your mind-body programs really addressing the entire person?  I once thought my sound education in kinesiology and fitness training was as all I needed to forge ahead and truly impact people lives.  How wrong was I!

In 2002 I serendipitously came across the work of Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais (1904-1984), the founder of the Feldenkrais Method®. The method facilitated my own recovery after a series of knee injuries after all other modalities of functional rehabilitation and exercise therapy failed to fully restore my function. Not only has my entire well-being been transformed,  but now am trained as a Feldenkrais Practitioner^tm and am able to work with people in capacities I would never have dreamt of.

What exactly is The Feldenkrais Method?

Summer Schedule at The Yoga Studio

theyogastudiosquamish.com

Please Download SummerSchedule for the Yoga Studio

Reiki Level 1 and 2

I hope your summer is continuing to connect you right into your core, in connection with our beautiful mother nature; following the wisdom of your precious heart, spent with creativity, purpose and love.

As for me, I am doing well; spending as much time as possible in nature, with my family, and being in my purpose which are wonderful gifts I am extremely grateful for. Thank you UNIVERSE :)

 

For those of you who asked me if I have any upcoming workshops, I have finally put together dates for a Reiki Level 1 and Level 2 Workshop for when I will be in Vancouver/Squamish BC which can be found on this link; www.reiki4purposefullife.blogspot.com. Please let me know that you found me through Squamish Wellness.

 

I am looking for 15 committed students who are ready to follow the path of healing in Unity consciousness. Please let me know if you or any of your family members/ friends are interested in participating and please feel free to forward this e-mail to them. I am offering a special rate to activate the healer within for both Level 1 and 2 ~ if you choose to participate and register before July 6th.  

 

I will also be available for Soul Balancing and Purpose Alignment Sessions from July 1st to July 19th both in Vancouver and in Squamish. You can e-mail me back here or call me at (604) 638-6971 to book your sessions. Session fees are still the same ~ $120 for ninety minutes. Please let me know that you found me through Squamish Wellness.

 

I look forward to seeing you, catching up, working with you.... and perhaps having the honor of being your Reiki Master and initiating you onto your path of healing self and others. So it is :)

 

Sending your way lots of LOVE and LIGHT as always. Namaste.

 

Ishil

I.S.H.I.L
Integral.Shift.of Humanity.In.LOVE
www.ishil.com

A New Alternative Shopping Experience...

Specialty Bulk Foods and Goods

 

In The Raw Organics Specialty Bulk Foods and Goods is a little, bulk food shop that has just opened up this May at Gelato Carina in downtown Squamish. 

Gregory Fischer, the owner of fresh produce and Maria Mattei, the owner of bulk foods and goods, have combined ideas together to create a one stop enjoyable shopping experience, plastic bag free!  There are bags if you forget them of course, but they do cost 20 cents, so please remember to bring your own. 

Choose from an array of gluten free, unsulphered foods, consisting of organic bulk flours, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, baking supplies, flakes, dried fruit, confections, herbs, teas and spices.  There is also fresh, affordable produce, such as artichokes, endives, and strawberries to name a few.  And yes, since you could be spending so little as 50 cents, In The Raw is going on a CASH ONLY basis to start.  If you haven't stopped by yet for gelato, then come by and experience it for yourself, hope to see you there,

 

Maria Mattei

(604) 815-4448

38078 Cleveland Avenue

Irresistible Weekend Retreat in Pemberton

When?
August 28-30, 2009

What?
This weekend retreat will combine the ancient
practice of Yoga and the revolutionary form of  
brain-body learning developed by Moshe  
Feldenkrais called The Feldenkrais® Method.

Where?
Copperdome Lodge
www.copperdomelodge.com
Pemberton, British Columbia

The Investment:
Before Sunday August 9th: $425 CDN
After August 9th: $485 CDN
Book early as space is limited to 15 participants!
Irene Gutteridge, Feldenkrais Practitioner™
604.932.8815  ·  irenegutteridge@telus.net
www.scientuitive.com

What's included? 
-Accommodation
-Scrumptious meals based around local produce
-Group Yoga & Feldenkrais classes
-A beautiful & tranquil setting

Outdoor Yoga for Summer

This Sunday June 14th is the beginning of our By Donation Outdoor Classes. Location is at The Rose Park (across from the adventure centre in squamish - there is lots of parking). Class will start at 9am. Bring a mat if you have one but there will be some to borrow if you don't own one. Dress according to the weather! And if it happens to rain ;-( (but it won't right) the class will not be running. Check out the poster for anymore details or if you have any question's just send me an email at sacredlightyoga@hotmail.com and I'll try to answer it as best I can.

There are 9 instructors volunteering to teach this class and this week I'll be the teacher to present the first class ~ I look forward to seeing you there and I hope you can make it out to support our wonderful local teachers during the summer.

Enjoy the practice of yoga in our beautiful outdoor setting ~ See you there ;-)

Smiles to all your hearts from mine ;-)