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By Carol, on July 13th, 2011
People have asked me how I came up with the Four Steps to Center™ process that I use in many of my guided imagery meditation CDs and mp3s. It evolved out of my understanding of who we really are; not just physical beings, but beings of multiple levels, of heart and mind and spirit as well as body. I try to incorporate this understanding into all aspects of my life and my work, though of course, like everyone else, I frequently forget!
I call my blog and my newsletter “Living in a Body” because I think that’s what we are really here to do; (more…)
By Carol, on July 4th, 2011
I just found a computer program that creates a fancy To Do list for me and I felt an immediate sense of relief. How much stressful mental energy do we use just trying to remember all the myriad details of life? And how relaxing it is to stop keeping track and give it over to someone or something else.
Giving it over is a powerful concept; acknowledging that we can’t and don’t have to do it all, that something else is there to the burden off of our shoulders. Any process of connecting to our higher self, to spirit, God, a higher power - whether in meditation, contemplation, prayer, dance, chanting, Yoga, or your favorite mode is a way of giving over, and letting go of the illusion that we are in this alone and have to do everything ourselves. (more…)
By Carol, on June 8th, 2011
Often clients have told me that they can’t do guided imagery because they “can’t visualize.” I find it ironic, because the truth is, we are all absolutely expert at what I call ‘negative imagery.’ Sending our bodies messages that they obediently respond to; “I’m clumsy, I’m fat (and I’ll always be fat!), I have a bad back, a sensitive stomach, that medicine will make me nauseous, I’ll never heal…” the litany of negative thoughts and negative imagery goes on all day.
So what if we could harness this ability we all seem to have and creatively use it for health and healing? What if the messages were positive and health-promoting, instead of critical and judgmental? What if we were actually kind to ourselves? (more…)
By Carol, on June 6th, 2011
I’ve had some great responses to my new guided imagery meditation CD and mp3 Releasing Stress, Finding Peace. But as this recent email expresses, trying to find the time to implement stress relief techniques can be stressful itself, so I wanted to share with you some quick stress releasing ideas.
“I wanted to thank you for your “Releasing Stress” CD. I tried several relaxation products in the past, but none worked like yours. My life seems sometimes frantic, and the times I most need to relax, are the times I can least afford to spend a lot of time doing so. Your CD helps me feel relaxed and de-stressed so quickly that I don’t spend my relaxing time worrying about all the time I am wasting doing it! Carri H. Kingston, NY
It really doesn’t take long to shift your energy and calm your nervous system and access a sense of relaxation and peacefulness. Here are a few of my favorite, very quick stress releasing tricks. (more…)
By Carol, on May 31st, 2011
The question I hear most frequently is “how do I find time to meditate? I’m stressed enough already, trying to find time to meditate is even more stressful!” Life seems busier, more rushed, more full of stuff to do every year. So how do we find extra time to do the things that will, theoretically, make us feel calmer, more relaxed, more centered?
It used to be with guided imagery meditation, the longer the better. Now, in the age of tweeting, texting and shortening attention spans people want something short and sweet. And actually, I think that’s just fine… (more…)
By Carol, on June 20th, 2010
I offered my guided imagery meditation “Breathe in Peace” as a free download on the Self-Help Giveaway that Dr. Joe Rubino is running, and got some interesting feedback on it.
(You can get your free download by going to the giveaway here: Self-Help Giveaway just say ‘no thanks’ to the product offers and go straight to the gifts, my gifts are usually on page 2)
In the meditation I say, “…This is your time, now, to take care of yourself, to be gentle with yourself, to give yourself patience and compassion, to give yourself the peace and safety that lies deep within your heart…” (more…)
By Carol, on May 29th, 2010
“I can’t sleep, I just toss and turn for hours” is such a common complaint in my office these days. Thirty years ago, when I began my private practice, I was working in New York City, and seeing a lot of people in high stress jobs. But curiously, people slept OK. Now I work in a peaceful rural setting in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York, and insomnia or other sleep disturbances are disturbingly common. What’s happening?
STRESS! That’s what’s happening. We live with a level of chronic, un-remitting stress that our bodies were never designed for, and we are paying the price with stressed adrenals and elevated cortisol levels that keep us wakeful when we should be sleepy. Stress hormones were supposed to be released when the proverbial tiger was jumping out of the tree to eat us, not when we sit in traffic, worry about the economy or stress about our work, relationships or the state of the environment. Now, so many of us have constantly elevated stress hormones, and that is a real problem (for many reasons!) but especially when it’s time to wind down and relax for sleep. (more…)
By Carol, on May 13th, 2010
Imagery comes from the same root word as ”imagination,” and describes the way your mind and body communicate, through images, words, feelings or sensations. Like guided meditation, guided imagery can be facilitated by another person or guide, or guided by you yourself. In my work, I use guided imagery combined with meditation to create a relaxed, focused state in which your guided imagery can be more powerful and more effective.
The word “imagine” describes the ability to form images and ideas in the mind. Our creation of images is an innate, natural ability of all human beings. (more…)
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