Author: Anna Godfrey

Rabbit Pose (Shashankasana)

What is Rabbit Pose?
Rabbit pose, or shashankasana in Sanskrit, is a beginner’s inversion that brings fresh blood to the brain. From thunderbolt, the yogi bends forward and places the top of the head on the floor while lifting the hips. Aside from refreshing the mind, the pose increases spinal elasticity.
Instructions
Begin in thunderbolt pose.Grab the heels, exhale and bend forward. Place the top of the head on the floor close the the knees.Lift the hips.Breathe while holding the pose.Inhale and slowly rise.

Identifying and Managing Emotional Triggers for Emotional Well-being

“Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present.”

An emotional trigger is anything – including places, experiences, or interactions – that sparks an intense emotional reaction, regardless of your current mood.
Frequently, our triggers unintentionally bring up painful or traumatic memories. Growing up meant that we would inevitably face grief or suffering that we were unable to recognize or appropriately handle at the time. As a result, events that bring back these unpleasant memories often set us off in adulthood.
When we experience a trigger our body kicks off a complex process of self-protection that readies us for three possible actions: fight, flight or freeze. Stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline surges flow through our bodies and brains.
We frequently lose contact with our healthy coping mechanisms once these stress hormones are produced, and we end up reacting rather than responding.
How to Identify Your Emotional Triggers
1. Notice the Internal Shift
It’s not always simple to identify the trigger. Our heightened emotions and dysregulated nervous system can make it difficult to pinpoint what exactly stimulated such a strong response. Look back and attempt to pinpoint the exact moment when you transitioned from “okay” to “not okay” in order to determine your trigger. What offended you? a remark from your manager? An item from the news? From a friend, via text?⠀⠀⠀
2. Name Your Feelings
The next action is to take note of your feelings during the trigger. Were you depressed, nervous, afraid, or furious? Observing the sensations in our bodies is one method to develop attunement to our feelings. A lot of emotional experiences originate in the body and then come to mind.
3. Understand the Trigger
Consider the following questions to help you identify the underlying causes of your triggers:
When, in my life, have I experienced something like this before?
What does it remind me of? Are the feelings familiar?
What thoughts come with the emotions?
Is there a specific event from my childhood that stirred up similar emotions?
Recognizing your triggers is a sensitive skill that requires practice and is sometimes best accomplished with a therapist’s assistance. It’s critical to treat yourself with kindness and patience; if you approach your triggers with curiosity and self-compassion rather than condemnation, they will be simpler to identify.
How to Self-Regulate When You’re Triggered
1. A Deep Sigh
Take a moment to relax your body by slowing down and breathing when you feel like your emotions are going to go on a roller coaster. Your body-brain naturally releases stress and resets your neurological system when you take a deep breath. The vagus nerve, which is responsible for sending signals from the brain to the body, signals us to “switch off” the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) and “switch on” the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest) when we exhale for a longer period of time than we inhale.
2. Take a Breather
It might be challenging to remain objective when we are upset, so keep in mind that it’s acceptable to take a brief break to allow yourself to collect yourself. You can move away from your computer, end a discussion, or put down your phone. Whatever it takes to refocus and regain equilibrium.
3. Go on a ‘mindful walk’
If it feels safe to get your body moving, try going for a short mindful walk. All you have to do is pay attention to the sights, sounds, and sensations that come with each step while you walk. If your mind stray, softly bring it back to each step while keeping your breathing in mind. Walking mindfully is a wonderful method to decelerate and concentrate on the here and now. It’s also a great skill to use when we’re feeling overwhelmed.
4. Journalling
Giving our thoughts a home can be helpful since when we’re stimulated, they can run wild in our minds. Writing in a journal can help us make sense of our thoughts and feelings and let go of bottled up emotions. Journaling can be done in any way you like; just write whatever comes to mind!
5. Accept Your Feelings
It’s true that you have to feel something in order to heal it, so practice self-compassion and try not to pass judgment on your emotions. Remind yourself that having strong reactions to things is okay and extend empathy and compassion to yourself for any unpleasant feelings you may experience. Our triggers frequently present us with a chance to grieve further or address unresolved issues from the past.

Harnessing Crystal Grid Power: The Ultimate Guide

“Be so happy that, when other people look at you, they become happy too.”
WHAT IS A CRYSTAL GRID?
Crystals are believed to hold healing properties, helping you energetically boost your frequency to that of things like love, abundance, truth, or creativity. By employing healing stones and arranging them in geometric patterns—also known as sacred geometry—you can utilize a crystal grid to enhance and magnify healing crystals, extending their electromagnetic field well beyond what a single stone could provide.
By intentionally placing stones or crystals in different geometric patterns, you cast their energy further, communicating your intentions far and wide.
HOW DO CRYSTAL GRIDS WORK?
Crystal grids work based on the Law of Attraction, the belief that like attracts like. Therefore, a rose quartz crystal grid (like the one shown above) set with the intention of finding a healthy relationship with another could attract just that thing into its field (which includes you, intention-setter).
Using a crystal grid, you can attract more of your desired things into your life by utilizing the grid’s power and your mental energy!
HOW TO MAKE A CRYSTAL GRID
To create your own healing crystal grid, follow these easy steps:
1. IDENTIFY YOUR GOALS
Journal, visualize or otherwise settle in on a specific desire, stated in the positive and present (like, “I am lighthearted and enjoy my own company” – a great mantra for rose quartz + self-love).
2. GATHER STONES OR CRYSTAL FOR YOUR GRID
Every crystal has special qualities that speak to various facets of life. Be sure to include stones in your crystal grid that align with your aims. For example, citrine, which represents prosperity, is displayed above, while pyrite, which represents luck, is depicted below. Clear quartz is great for adding additional amplification to your crystal grid, and a crystal grid cloth or altar cloth is great for guiding your grid and holding sacred space.
3. PREPARE YOUR SACRED SPACE
After clearing your chosen spot of clutter, it’s time to also rid any negativity by smudging or another preferred method.
4. BEGIN PLACING STONES
Position the anchor stone in the middle of the crystal grid, keeping your objective in mind. A clear quartz point is an excellent all-purpose option for your grid; alternatively, you can choose an anchor stone that aligns with your primary objective or focus. For extra energy, you can place a paper with your intention written on it, a photo, or even a crisp $20 bill under your anchor or center stone.
Keeping your objective in mind, arrange the remaining stones or crystals in your preferred sacred geometry shape around your anchor stone. You can use a circle for endless abundance, great for things like health, wealth, and love; a square for strength, structure, and protection; a spiral for expansion, creativity, and flow; or a hexagon as a standard all-purpose crystal grid layout.
5. ACTIVATE YOUR CRYSTAL GRID
Sit close to your grid and focus on your intention while you meditate. Recall that you are seated within your grid’s energy field, so maintain your concentration to avoid sending out a lot of messages to the universe. (Though it’d be cool if we could attract our grocery list right into our homes, amiright?)
Some additional activation techniques include:
Sound Activation: To activate the energies of the crystals, produce vibrations with a singing bowl or other sound device.
Moonlight Cleansing: Leave your crystal grid under the moonlight, especially during a full moon, to cleanse and charge the crystals with lunar energy.

Ayurveda Recipes: Red Lentil Dal

‘Red Lentil Dal’ is one of those meals – no matter how many times you cook it, it always tastes a little different. But that is the beauty of this recipe. It is a wonderful base for each individual to make their own mark on it. The use of simple ingredients and carefully selected spices in this meal encapsulates the wisdom of Ayurvedic cooking, while making it accessible to even the most novice chef. No matter how bad your day or long the week, a steaming bowl of warm, comforting dal will keep you grounded and content.
When all the ingredients are cooked together, they become well combined and easy to digest. This type of ‘one pot wonder’ meal is exactly what the digestive system loves to receive. Over time, eating these light, soft and easy to digest meals will increase energy and improve digestive strength. ‘Red Lentil Dal’ can be enjoyed at any occasion, but is particularly useful when when you are feeling under the weather or recovering from an illness.
Ingredients
2 pinch BLACK PEPPER
1/4 tsp CARDAMOM
2 pinch CAYENNE PEPPER
8 g CILANTRO
1/2 tsp CINNAMON
1/2 tsp CLOVES
1 tsp CUMIN
2 clove GARLIC
1/2 inch GINGER (FRESH)
2 pinch GREEN CHILIS
1 whole LIME
1/2 c RED LENTILS (MASOOR DAL)
1/2 tsp SALT (MINERAL SALT)
3 tbsp OLIVE OIL
2 whole TOMATO
1/2 tsp TURMERIC
3 c WATER
1 tbsp YELLOW ONION
Instructions
No Indian meal is complete without dal or rice. Bengali’s use a variety of different lentils cooked with many different spices. Feel free to experiment.
1. Soak the lentils in water for 2-12 hours. Then drain and rinse well.
2. Fill water to twice the height of the lentil. Add salt & pepper. Bring to a boil and then simmer over low heat for 60 minutes.
3. Cut tomatoes into wedges and add.
4. Fry onions in 2 tbsp sunflower oil. Add garlic at the end because it burns quickly.
5. Mix into daal.
6. In a separate frying pan, make a paste with the spices and fry in the remaining oil. Add to lentils.
7. Cook, keeping at a simmer adding some water every now and then. The lentils are done when they have completely melted and the soup is smooth, blended and watery. This typically takes 60 minutes of simmering. Garnish with lime and fresh cilantro.

Emotional Wellbeing: 6 Steps to Reconnect with Yourself and Others

“Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.”
Life can throw us a curveball occasionally, leaving us emotionally disoriented and alone. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to support your emotional wellbeing and help you reconnect with your authentic self and the world around you.
1. Reach out
Never undervalue the importance of human connection. Speak with loved ones, friends, or licensed counselors to express your feelings. Just putting your feelings into words can occasionally feel wonderfully freeing.
2. Put away electronics
Overusing technology can also work against us by isolating us more often than connecting us. Consider your usage of your laptop, tablet, and phone, and set aside some time every day to disconnect and interact with the outside world. Or, to help you reset, think about going on a social media detox.
3. Practice mindfulness
We can feel disengaged at times because we’re rushing through our days without much thought. Including some mindfulness in your daily routine can truly help you to re-center yourself if you find that you are becoming too disconnected from your environment. This does not imply that you must meditate for an hour every day. To establish a connection with oneself, you could even attempt simply eating your meals attentively. Take note of the flavors, textures, and scents of your meal as well as how it feels and tastes when you bite into it. By taking time with your meals and tapping into that mindfulness you can turn one of your daily necessities into a way to connect better with your own body and mind.
4. Journal
Putting your thoughts on paper can offer valuable insights into your feelings. Maintaining a journal can be an introspective exercise that facilitates emotional organization and awareness.
Taking steps to alleviate your disconnection doesn’t mean you must overhaul your entire life. Gradually, little adjustments made consistently can have a big effect. So choose a few items from this list and begin implementing them into your daily life to see how they can contribute to a sense of community.
5. Schedule time with yourself
Resetting your emotional compass can be achieved through self-care. Self-care can be practiced in a variety of ways, and no method is superior to another. To unwind, you don’t need to spend the entire day in a spa. Some people enjoy spending time by themselves with a nice book and a cup of tea. For some, it could be taking a warm bath with aromatherapy and soothing music, or going for a stroll with their pet. Find a way that works best for you, but it’s important that whatever activity you choose is focused on giving to yourself.
6. Spend time in nature
Spending time in nature can sometimes be the best way to find yourself again. Anybody who lives in a city may find this challenging because they may not have access to long walking pathways through forests or mountain climbing trails.
Even a little time spent in a park can improve your connection to nature if you live in a busy city. If it’s warm enough to remove your shoes, pay attention to the colors and movement of the trees as well as the sensation of the grass beneath your feet. You could even just take a moment to relax and enjoy the sensation of the breeze on your face, the sound of birds chirping, or the company of small children.