Monday, December 29, 2014

Overwhelmed?

Here's Help 

A Moment to Escape!


Roots to Breath, Dona Anderson
There's more on Roots to Breath Facebook 


A Poem from the relaxation Favorite Flower

"Rest as if
there is
nothing to do
in your world ...

Soften as if
there is
nowhere
to go ...

Surrender as if 
there is
nowhere else
to be
but here,
resting
in this
quiet
moment .." 

Dona Anderson


This moment is for You!

Poem is from the guided
relaxation Favorite Flower, in
by Dona Anderson


Share with Friends & Family -
give them a  moment to breathe and rest!


Don't miss future posts, sign up to
Follow by email. It's free!



Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Andre Rieu - Silent Night, Holy Night (Christmas instrumenta

Andre Rieu, Holiday Favorite


Have you seen his orchestra at a live concert yet?

We did and it was even a Christmas one!

Roots to Breath, Dona Anderson



It was a very magical night ... it couldn't have been more perfect!

It was quite a few years ago now. I signed up for it months ahead on a PBS special pledge drive for the concert in Vancouver.  A weekend to get away and let someone else love our puppies for a couple of days.

I picked this song to share with you as at the end of the concert the whole arena was standing up for 45 minutes listening, singing and not wanting it to be over.  When he played Silent Night, we all sang, we hummed and we all shared moments of peace, love, compassion and all those warm fuzzy feelings.

I like to share this song with my yoga class to finish off the year.  We hum or sing then rest and let our year together soak in while we spend a few minutes in silence.

Best wishes to you for Happy Holidays and 
a Wonderful New Year

2015 Here we Come!


What are your favorite holiday songs or outings?

Stay safe and well.

Attending a Andre Rieu concert in Holland is on my bucket list. 




Sunday, December 21, 2014

Word Game for Christmas

So now I'm making games?

I had to do it so my brain could rest.

Roots to Breath, Dona Anderson


I was suppose to be baking some goodies, but I had this word game going on in my head so I had to get it out.

It's very easy and other than the word Christmas that's in red letters, it's all vertical and horizontal words. Most are Christmas related and other small words mixed in.


Christmas Word Game, Dona Anderson

 
I got 48 words but it was late when I counted!

This isn't perfect, may be some oops, but it kept my brain working.


Let me know if you want the words and I'll put them in the comments.


Have Fun!

Friday, December 19, 2014

Andrea Bocelli - What Child is This (With Mary J. Blige)

Andrea Bocelli. Mary J. Blige.


What Child is This

Roots to Breath, Dona Anderson


I loved this song duet when I watched the Christmas concert a few years ago.  Dozens of times later, it is still just as wonderful ... one of those songs that I get shivers and have to  turn up the volume.



 I hope you enjoy it.

Happy Holidays!


Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Will Work for Cookies!


What are your favorite Holiday Treats?


Yummy in my Tummy ...

Roots to Breath, Dona Anderson

Will Work for Cookies

Dona Anderson

Years ago, I used to make lots of different cookies, squares, tarts, desserts, and munchies - then the kids grew up, left home, and we grew larger waistlines.

Now I make a few favorites and we just have those sweet memories of overflowing containers on the counter and in the freezer.  I remember one year patiently trying to get a few perfect looking butter tarts to put in the freezer, and when the time came to get them out, there was only an empty container. 

(SANTA ... Someone was Naughty)

Some cookies like sugar cookies are really great right out of the freezer, and I remember a babysitter telling us about our son showing her where the key to the freezer was hidden.  (He was only 3 1/2)

I hope you'll have many wonderful goodies this year ... enjoy all the parts of creating them or if you buy them, enjoy the outing and selecting ...

Enjoy all the excitement and anticipation of good treats to eat and share!

And Watch Out - Cookie thieves are everywhere!

YUM!

Cookies!


I hope you tell others your stories -
and you can share this one of mine
or comment below!

Thanks.



Friday, December 12, 2014

Merry Christmas!


Here's to Happiness & Peace


Roots to Breath, Dona Anderson


Wishing you Wellness, Joy, Sparkle and Light


Dona Anderson, 2014

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Best Holiday Gift

What’s on Your List! 

Maybe it's time to Retreat You

 

Roots to Breath, Dona Anderson

Dona Anderson
This is a busy time of year with shoppers checking out who is on their list and wondering what to buy!


Then comes questions about what you might like.  Lots of times the answer is nothing much or you may have big house items that are needed, or sometimes a vacation will be your gift this year.

We're still downsizing from the clutter of the 8o's and 90's, so Christmas presents are not a big part of our celebrations anymore.  Getting rid of old or not suitable things has been great and after some furniture changes I'm still working on reducing ornaments, stuffed toys, old gifts, books, antiques and collectables.

Opening up space is wonderful and it also gives you a chance to breathe, and have the opportunity to bring in new things and new activities.

When I started Yoga, then Reflexology and Reiki, I needed lots of things to get set up and then adding on the fun extras took me to lots of bookstores, gift shops, rock shops, and wellness stores.

Dona Anderson
When we started drumming, we visited music stores and even a drum maker.  I hadn’t been in a music store for 25 years, and had never visited someone who actually handmade drums, so the first drum soon had a few friends.   I also bought one guitar and then another.  An open space now displays beautiful instruments that will bring joy and lots of learning for years to come.

New activities create a real opportunity not only to enjoy and learn the activity but to go to different places, see what other people do and offer, be curious and excited, meet lots of like minded people, and it gives us something new to talk about. 

If you have nothing much on your list, maybe this year you can find a new activity that is interesting to you and then set it up.  This year maybe you can give gifts to yourself to renew or start a new activity that may be about learning, exercising, meeting more people, improving your health, supporting your community, or the gift of time to pamper and take care of yourself.

Maybe simple things like new shoes for walking, yoga pants, a song book, a how to book, a relaxation CD, registering for a course, a journal for writing, or a new computer program can be on your list.  You can even share with a friend ... give a friend an invitation to lunch out or make a few movie dates for you both to enjoy!

When talking about my book Simply, One Breath At a Time, I often use the phrase, Gifts that keep on giving.  Finding those simple, everyday gifts that keep on giving gives us more opportunities to feel, think and be better, and to then pass these positive energies on to others.  

When we really support ourselves and put ourselves on the list things change.  We bring into our day things that matter, and we live each day with more gratitude and purpose.

Retreat You! You Matter!

I hope you find that special gift to bring you gifts for a lifetime!


Hugs, and I wish you an amazing year ahead!


Please Share with Your Friends, pass the word - Retreat You!
Links below.
Thanks.


Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Bringing Your Practice to Life - Guided Relaxation & Meditation

How do I get Started?

 

You Want to Begin a Relaxation or Mediation Practice

and You Need to Know More About HOW to get Started.


Six Questions and Answers

Plus 14 Tips coming up after the Q&A

Roots to Breath, Dona Anderson


I am so glad Guided Relaxations, Mindfulness, Guided Imagery, Meditation, breath exercises, awareness, and presence activities are now part of many different types of wellness and training programs, and it doesn't matter what new name is attached to it.

In Yoga I feel Savasana, guided relaxation, or meditation time is one of the most important parts of a Yoga practice. It is what brings the whole body together, it is what quiets the mind and restores the body.  It is where we learn to be, learn the I AM. 


Bringing My Practice to Life

I couldn't find a book to use for my yoga relaxations or meditations when I started teaching.  And, I didn't like hearing the same thing all the time or just falling asleep so I wanted more for my classes. 

When I was awake, I wanted to know it, listen, open and explore. I wanted to hear different things so I could learn and build awareness in my body, mind, and breath.  I wanted to know more about yoga off the mat and I wanted to share that with my students.  

I wanted to bring these gifts into our everyday lives!

This lead me to writing my own scripts and after a few years I thought about how others everywhere might want some help to reduce stress and relax for themselves and their family.  I felt that what I was doing was meant for more than just my use, my yoga practice.  It was meant to be shared with everyone, shared with the world. So one day I declared, I'm writing a book!

That was the beginning of, Simply, One Breath At a Time, my gift to the world!



 Bringing Your Practice to Life

Q&A
What is Simply, One Breath At a Time about?
There are 65 different guided relaxations to explore and experience. Each relaxation invites you to relax, and connect the Body, Mind and Breath.  They help bring wellness, awareness, presence, gratitude and so much more to our daily lives.  Hear from others!

Imagine how we'd all feel if we let go of the busyness of our world and began to find ourselves again.  There are 65 different titles that help make our lives easier, more refreshing, gentle, alive, and they invite us to take better care of ourselves. At the end of the guided relaxation you can continue with a quiet time for Meditation. 

 How do I start?
That's the easiest part, just start! If you are new to relaxation and meditation,start with the first one and become aware of the words, the invitation to feel and notice different things especially the breath. You can read one page through and then go back and try it for real. Or just read a few paragraphs or words and see how they feel. There is no right or wrong, this is the beginning of your personal practice.

There are scripts geared more to breath, body relaxation, imagery, or gratitude etc.  so start with the ones you connect to first or move around and see all this book has to offer and bring into your life.

Alter, lessen or remove any part if you have any difficulties or health problems in that particular area and as with anything new, get advice from your doctor if you have any concerns. The relaxations are for wellness and healing and you get to choose which one you'd like to do each time. 

How does this reduce stress?
Relaxation and meditation both help to reduce stress and produce positives changes to the brain and the immune system.  You also start to recognize different feelings such as opening, releasing and softening within the body.  The use of focusing on the breath and simple exercises also help you to calm down and feel more centered.  

Start to create your own personal "wellness tool box" of things that help you and as your awareness changes you will bring more self-care and presence into your everyday life and you'll even probably want to share it with others.

How do I read it to myself?
Take your time, read a few words or lines and let it speak to you.  Some scripts have breath work, some focus on areas of the body, or offer visualizations, thoughts, smiles, or even hugs.  I normally will read it very slowly and just follow along and do what I can that day.  I take my time as each day I am different and will experience different things.    Also don't feel you need to do any of the movements or anything it says, some days you may just want to absorb the words or rest.

Some of my readers have shared that they like to read a few lines in the early morning or before bed, one lady shared that she takes Simply, and her tea out in the garden. You can even make other times in your day more valuable if you take it to work for break time, read on your bus trip, while waiting or reading it to others.

I have too many thoughts to relax and I'm not good visualizing
That's normal, we all have thoughts, approx 50,000 a day, and some of us are better at visualizing than others. That's OK! Your thoughts will lessen over time and it will always depend on what is happening in your life.  I always use the no expectation rule. Each time is a bit different like each day is different, and over time your practice will change slowly and go to deeper levels.

How long should I spend in silence?
That depends on you, how much time you have, and how comfortable you are.  Start with a couple of minutes and build to 5, 10, 20 or so.  You may want to have a timer set.  At the beginning a few minutes can seem long and then later on 20 minutes will fly by. 


You made it! 14 Tips and a bonus one at the end of the post!

- Have no expectations and simply enjoy

- self hugs and smiles are always important

- you don't have to do any of the breathing exercises or anything else.  You can alter, remove, change or lessen anything and sometimes you can even just imagine you're doing it

- find a place to be comfortable, and safe if you fall asleep

- you can use your own words, change the words, or bring in a different poem. If you have a paper book write in it what you'd like to say/add.  Get ideas and write your own script to suit you or your group. If you have a paper copy there are a couple of blank pages for notes at the end, I like to write quotes or messages I want to keep there.

- Possibilities are endless. When time is limited I will often shorten a longer relaxation by leaving out parts/lines or only saying the key parts in each paragraph ... make them your own!

- have a blanket close by and use cushions/bolsters etc as needed

- I use the battery candles, then no worries and always safe if I go to sleep

- have a timer if needed

- soft unfamiliar instrumental music usually works best

- if sharing with others, check whether a scent free space is needed

- dim lighting may be more comfortable

- if reading to yourself or others use a slow, gentle voice and leave time when needing to focus on thoughts, breath work, or movements within the body. 

- share it with your family, meditation group, at work or start your own wellness circle to help your friends.
You'll quickly feel at home and become a Pro!

Namaste.

Another link for you to check
out Relaxation, Lost now Found

Find Simply, here info page

SIGN up to Follow by Email

THANK YOU for Sharing posts to Help Others!



Bonus Tip for Today - Give yourself a few minutes to simply catch your Breath.