Archive of ‘Uncategorized’ category

Office Oasis

It may come as a shock to some people but most of us spend more time in the office than we do at home, waking hours that is. This is very true for myself when I compare the hours ‘out of the house’ to the hours spent at home the former outweighs the latter. Not that I mind I like my jobs but spending so much time in the office week to week I felt the urge to create a nice space in which to spend all this time. A relaxed atmosphere is so much better for production. Dark, dingy cubicles can really make a person feel down. Offices don’t have to be sterile. We are all unique individuals, let’s pull some personal into our day and office environments.

I have recently moved desks to sit alone area. Even more reason to bring a little me into the space as there is no one else to be offended by my personal touches. We do have a ‘clean desk’ policy which means clutter should be kept to a minimum. This is a very good idea as clutter on your desk is counter productive. Cluttered desk, cluttered mind. Widescreen monitors come in handy for that keeping my personal items invisible to anyone walking past.

To make my desk more homely and balance the different energies bouncing around I have a number of personal items at hand. Firstly, my USB Himalayan Salt lamp which is perfect to have around computers and electrical items. Salt lamps reduce fatigue, improve concentration and balance electro magnetic pollution. They also bring in moisture to dry, air conditioned environments by ionizing the air.

Crystals of course are a major feature on both my home and office desks. I always have a clear quartz point and my Rose Quartz Goddess on my desk. Others come and go depending on what I need at the time. This week my usual clear quartz is at home for cleansing so I have my smaller Atlantean core crystal and Tibetan Smoky quartz here.

Greenery is important to me as well, bringing the outdoors in doors. With a lack of natural light where I sit some plants might get sad so I opted for a Bamboo. They are super hardy as well and don’t take much looking after. Placed on the far corner of my desk it deflects any negative energy that might come into the space before it hits me. Plants are brilliant at bringing in extra oxygen to a room. They can defuse harmful chemicals from printer toners and paints. Very handy for me as I’m in close proximity to the print room.

I keep my colour therapy cards on my desk too. My chosen card for the day sits in front of me to infuse it’s healing energy.

Some health & safety regulations may not like my next item. An oil burner. It sits in a safe place where it is in no danger of the candle being knocked over. I use soy wax melts with a gentle fragrance that uplifts the area. One day I will invest in a proper electric diffuser so I can use essential oils for extra holistic benefits. I used to burn incense sticks but that didn’t go down well with my colleagues, plus they are messy. Never leave candles burning unattended!

A well-stocked itunes of relaxing music, meditations and some 90’s cheesy pop songs is a must. Noise cancelling ears phones are handy as well. Block out the rest of the office and drift away to whatever music you’re into. My job doesn’t require me to answer phones that often so I’m free to plug in and listen to music as I feel. Helps get the creative juices flowing too.

Finally to combat tired, fatigued shoulders I have a lupin heat pack on hand. Two minutes in the microwave gives me an hour of heat pack action. Added bonus it makes me sit straighter or else it falls off!

Is there anything you have in your office that brings a piece of ‘home’ or relaxation into your day? Share with us in the comments below.

Love & light,

Seren xx

 

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©Seren Holistic Lifestyles Blog 2013

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©Seren Holistic Lifestyles Blog 2013

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Crystal Healing – Rose Quartz

Today’s Crystal Healing is all about Rose Quartz. If you are new to crystals Rose Quartz is one of the crystals you may come across first. Rose Quartz can only be described as pure love. It’s a magical, soothing, feminine healing stone. It’s easily found and comes in many shapes & sizes. Rose Quartz vibrates on a gentle frequency, perfect for newbies to crystal healing.

I have a lot of Rose Quartz crystals for different uses. My first Rose Quartz was gifted to me at a time that I was about to embark on what turned out to be quiet an intense journey. My friend advised me to place it in my bra on the left side next to my heart. In this location the Rose Quartz would open my heart chakra and amplify the giving and re-giving of love. It was just what I needed at the time to lead from the heart & release some built up stress.

Being an amplifier of the heart chakra Rose Quartz is often used to attract a loving relationship. I keep a heart shaped Rose Quartz by my bed to support the relationships I have. I actually carried this piece next to my heart just the other day when I was guided to from an Angel Therapy session. It’s amazing how crystals warm to your body temperature and I often forget they are there. This is also how I smashed my first Rose Quartz when it fell out of my top onto the tiled bathroom.

I use Rose Quartz in my home to balance the energies of the people who live there and also those who enter from outside. I have Rose Quartz placed in each corner of my main open plan living, kitchen and dining room to attract love, well-being and warmth into the house. I have smaller pieces in my ‘at home retreat’ and on my desk at work.

My favourite Rose Quartz was again gifted to me. A beautiful Rose Quartz Goddess who sits on my office desk. I feel this Goddess offers protection and nurturing. It really brings balance to a stressful day, removing anger and replacing it with calm. She is very smooth and I find it really soothing to hold her and roll her around in my palm.

  • Chakra: Heart & Thymus
  • Vibration: 7
  • Colour: Pinks
  • Family: Crystal Quartz
  • Astrological Signs: Taurus, Libra

Metaphysical: Stone of love; attracts loving relationships. Works directly with the heart chakra to open the heart to love – self love, family, friends & romance. Low vibrational energy, soft for soothing and calming.

Physical Healing: Benefits heart health, circulatory system, headaches, fertility, addictions, throat issues & weight balance. Protective during pregnancy and early childhood.

Love & Light,

Seren xx

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©Seren Holistic Lifestyles Blog 2013

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References:

http://www.madagascarminerals.com/pd_rose_quartz_hearts.cfm

http://www.healing-crystals-for-you.com/rose-quartz-crystal.html

http://meanings.crystalsandjewelry.com/rose-quartz/

Fitness Focus – Pole Dancing

Welcome to the first in the series of Fitness Focus posts. Being active in your life is so important in maintaining a healthful balance. Personally I just cannot hack gym workouts. They bore me and I hate waiting around for machines. I prefer more ‘fun’ types of exercise, that doesn’t feel like you’re ‘in training.’

Today I am introducing you to Pole Dancing or Pole Fitness. It is so much fun and an awesome all body workout. I know the term Pole Dancing conjures up visuals of sleazy men’s clubs, sticky floors, naked dancers and dollar bills. Participating in Pole dancing for fitness you get to keep your clothes on. Until you  voluntarily strip down after a few sessions when you’re very sweaty after the warm up and figure out the smaller the shorts = all the better to grip with.

I’m so excited to share this interview with you staring my own ‘pole-spiration’ and friend Helgi. After seeing these amazing photos pop up on Facebook I was super inspired to give Pole a go and booked into a six-week beginner course. Enjoy!

How did you discover Pole Dancing & what inspired you too give it a try?

– I had a few friends who were doing it, and they couldn’t stop raving about how much fun they were having while getting a great workout.

Tell us about your first class? Was it love at first spin or a battle to go back?

–  I was hooked instantly! As soon as I saw some of the more advanced girls practice, I couldn’t wait to learn those tricks and dance like them.

How long have you been dancing for now & how often do you practice?

– About a year now. Our studio closed down in December, so I haven’t been practicing as often as I used to. Ideally I try to practice several times a week on the pole, and have 1 or 2 good stretch sessions as well. 

What is your favourite move & how long did it take you to master it?

 – Probably my Gemini to Scorpio leg switches. It only took a few sessions to get it down, but now the challenge is doing it with the pole in spinning mode!

What is your most challenging move?

– Right now either my Aisha/ Candlestick ( it takes a lot of shoulder strength!) Or my Jade splits- Still working on flexibility!

How does pole dancing make you feel, what makes you keep coming back for more?

– Pole dancing makes me feel strong, powerful, graceful, sexy, inspired, sometimes frustrated, but always wanting to learn more, get better and master that next move.

Have you noticed a difference to you health, body shape, mental wellbeing since making Pole Dancing a regular part of your fitness routine?

Absolutely! Pole dancing is so much fun, you don’t realize how much of a workout you are getting at the time, but I have noticed a huge difference in my upper body, leg and core strength, overall body shape and flexibility. It is also a great stress reliever,  which I’m sure is true for any type of dance, but you can really put all your emotions into it, it’s very cathartic.

Do you do any other sports or activities? Has your performance been improved since you started pole dancing?

I have been horseback riding since I was 8 or 9 years old,  and I had previously considered myself to be a pretty fit person, but  Pole has made me stronger and fitter than I ever thought possible. The flexibility needed has also really helped improve my riding, as horseback riders can tend to get pretty stuck, especially through their hips and back.

What are your future plans for pole dancing?

Keep learning and improving, taking online lessons with my coach, Kristy, who lives in LA. Continue trying to get together with friends for regular Pole Jams, and keep trying to get those damn splits!

What advice would you give to a pole newbie interested in taking a class/beginners course?

  • Check out a few places before you decide where to enroll. There are lots of different teaching styles out there, and you should feel comfortable with the teacher, and the studio. Ask about what moves you will be learning and if the teacher is certified through a pole organization. Pole can be dangerous if the teacher does not take the time to give you good solid basics before moving on to harder moves. If they are expecting you to invert ( go upside down) in the first few classes, you could hurt yourself. On the flip side, if you are only learning one or 2 moves per class, you might find yourself getting bored. Find a studio/ teacher that seems right for you.
  • Expect to feel a little silly the first time you try. Once you get comfortable that awkwardness will go away and you will be feeling strong and sexy in no time!
  • Be prepared for bruises. The pole is metal. You are not. Expect some pain and bruising to happen as you learn new moves. You will learn to wear you bruises with pride, as they are evidence you mastered that new trick.
  • You may get hooked. Many start out thinking pole will be a once- per –week addition to their fitness routine. Next thing they know, they have a pole in their living room, and  have given up their day job to open a studio. Once you realise how amazing pole makes you feel, it must become a very important part of you life, I know it did for me.

Thank you for sharing Helgi! Who wants to get their spin on now? Hot pants optional. 

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©Seren Holistic Lifestyles Blog 2013

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Anyone in Perth, WA looking to give Pole a whirl I completed the six weeks beginners course at the She Moves studio in Joondalup (3 studios in total across the city). A very professional set up, safety cues & injury check up’s at the start of each class, great instructors and as Helgi mentions there are no inversions until the Intermediate course. This can only be taken after the Beginners. On completion of the course you qualify to join in the weekly casual ‘Smoulder and Spin’ class that incorporates most of the beginner spins in a one-hour, pre choreographed class. Be prepared for bruising and feeling totally silly to start out, with moves like ‘stripper push ups’ & ‘the sexy frog’ you can’t but laugh (& twirl) you’re way to fitness.

Love & light,

Seren xx

Clock Eaters

How many of you have been asked “are you hungry?” and immediately looked at your watch, clock or other time revealing object? Yes, me! I used to be such ‘clock eater.’ Sounds a bit strange that term doesn’t it? Images of a clock sat on a dinner plate ready for you to chow down on. I was even told off for it by a friend when I looked at my watch when asked if I was hungry, “why did you look at your watch, that’s not your stomach”.

It’s such a part of our society to eat at regular times. Growing up our evening meal was always served at 5pm. (I still believe it is now) Sunday lunch was every Sunday without fail at 1pm, no excuses you had to be there. My partners’ factory has set smoko and lunch times. Schools are the same. Breaks and lunch at the same time every day. Very regimented. I do understand school’s have a schedule to keep, would be mayhem if 300+ children took their lunch at different times of the day.

We are so conditioned to eat ‘on time’ & ‘by the clock.’ It’s instilled into us, it’s a part of life but does it have to be? There are many other factors that cause us to eat but I’m just going to focus on the concept of ‘eating by the clock’ in this post.

I was part of that clock eating gang. I used to look at my watch first when food thoughts appeared because if it was too early to eat lunch I’d panic I’d be hungry too soon again before dinner and need a snack. Where would I be, would I be able to access a snack later on? Fear. It all came down to fear with me. Scared I’d be left hungry and then be over come with that horrid feeling of sickness that can happen if you’re over hungry. Always eating to stay ahead of the game or the hunger. The hunger game!

Many diets tell us to eat lots of small meals and snacks during the day to keep our energy levels up. This makes sense, some people need to follow this plan, but if you’re not actually hungry do you actually need this constant supply of food? Eating ‘just in case.’

Gradually over the years and even more so now that I am more in tune with my body, I’ve stopped clock eating. I let my body tell me if I need nourishment by stopping & listen to it. When you are properly hungry, your stomach feels empty, it’s churning, you start to fatigue. Then it’s obvious you need to eat!!! It’s those times in between or when you look at the clock & it’s ‘lunch time’ so you might as well go eat. That’s when you need to tune in.

When I start to think about food, usually when triggered by external factors, I ask myself – am I hungry? Do I just need more water? Thirst can easily be mistaken for hunger. Am I just thinking about food because what time it is? It takes practice to listen to your body. Especially as your head, the ego will often jump in as it does and tell you something different. Fear is manifested by the head/ego. Your soul, your heart, inside, that will tell you the truth & what you really need. It won’t lie to you.

How do you listen to yourself? Simple, stop what you’re doing. Move away from any distractions, look away from your computer screen, go outside, focus on the wall, anything. Breathe deeply and ask the question. “Am I hungry?” The answer may take a while to come. You may get this answer in a different ways. Your ‘inner voice’ may whisper ‘yes’. A visual picture may appear in your minds eye – a piece of fruit, a glass of water, go for a walk. You may get a sensory message through your nose. If you’re not meant to eat this smell may be off putting, or you may smell something delicious. Lastly you may physically manifest the answer, the obvious grumble in your stomach or simply nothing. If you get nothing at all that may be your answer – no you are not hungry.

I now eat when I am physically hungry or signalled by my inner self. Yes this means eating outside of the ‘normal times.’ For example I start my day with a vegetable juice & green supplement about 6am. I then hungry for breakfast at 10am, lunch maybe around 3pm. Lunch is my main meal, I eat the most food at lunch time as I need the energy to get me through the rest of the day. Often if I’m working a late shift then I don’t feel hungry enough to eat at 10pm (not good to sleep on a full stomach) when I return home, so I don’t. If I am signaled to eat I do, usually something light.

Then I start again the next day. I let go of the fear thinking ‘I didn’t eat a ‘proper’ meal last night so I need to make up for it this morning with a full breakfast.’ I forget what happened the day before, this is a new day, and what do I need right now today is the only thought I think of. Staying present and living in the moment. I feel healthier, leaner and cleaner. I never stress about calories, cravings or hunger pangs for this way of eating suits me as it comes from within ME.

Everyone is different. Some of you may read this & think I’m totally wacked. Not a problem! It is your life, your body, listen to it, it is right there to guide you when you are ready.

Bon appetite!

Love & light

Seren xx

 

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©Seren Holistic Lifestyles Blog 2013

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