Tag Archives: healing

The Gift Within Our Symptoms

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by Keri Mangis, Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, Yoga Teacher and Owner, Elements Ayurveda

Every one of us has known what it’s like to be sick. To be hurting. To have a “disease”.  Our experiences range from mild to moderate to life threatening. Some are acute while others are chronic. We all know the discomfort, frustration and pain that arises from disease.

Logically, we wish to be free of disease. We want to see and feel relief. We want our lives back! So the question is this:
When symptoms appear, will you seek out a cure, or will you embark on a path to healing?

Curing is a Goal
The idea of “curing” comes from a place of viewing the body as something separate. In this model, the body is simply a means to an end; something to use and control. When it doesn’t comply, we try to force and manipulate it so we can get back to doing what we think we need to be doing.

When seeking a cure, we are generally not interested in examining the choices we’ve made in our life. We do not wish to examine our heart and soul. Rather, we want to be left in peace from our body and move on, doing what we’ve always done (I don’t have time for this headache!). With curing, there is an ideal “end” in sight – a time when we will be “done”. A time when we are “cured”.

We know, however, these “cures” are not exactly what they seem. While they may shut down messages to the brain, the symptoms are not truly gone, just hidden away temporarily. They often return at a later date, and often with greater intensity.

Healing is a Process
The idea of “healing” lies at the crux of all ancient healing traditions including Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, Shamanism, etc. With healing, we are not seeking the “quick-fix” or remedy.  We are not interested in simply subduing the symptoms. We are interested in removing the root cause of the symptoms.

Translating the Symptoms
Healing comes from a deep place of recognizing the body as a sacred messenger. The body is the translator for the heart and soul. And the body never lies.

Symptoms ask us to look deeper at the choices we are making (or not making) in our lives. We ask: What is the soul trying to communicate to us? Are we ready to listen? 

The Gift Within Our Symptoms
From this standpoint, the body, and the symptoms, are gifts. They are markers – guiding us further along our spiritual path. They awaken us to the moment! Because of these symptoms, we have the opportunity to examine our lives, our choices, our lessons, dreams and desires. Not with judgment, hostility, regret and blame, but with acceptance, honor, gentleness and grace.

Symptoms are the soul’s way of knocking on our door reminding us of who we are. This helps us reclaim our power and realign with our True Purpose – what a gift!

Healing is a journey of the soul  - not a goal to be achieved. But as we heal, the symptoms naturally, gently release. The messages become more subtle, less intense. And we regain our internal compass to navigate the days of our lives.

The Prince, the Dove and the Letter
Once upon a time lived a prince who traveled thousands of miles on a quest to find his True Self, his True Purpose. One day he was sitting at the window thinking of all his travels, his fears, his woes. A dove flew by outside his window, flapping its wings wildly. The prince was annoyed by the bird and shooed it away carelessly. He did not see the letter held in the dove’s beak. This letter was from his True Self, reminding him of exactly what he wished to know.

Our symptoms are like that bird. Will you be awake, willing and patient enough to receive the messages and embark on your healing journey?

As both a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and Yoga Teacher, Keri Mangis weaves together both sides of the healing traditions founded in India thousands of years ago. In her work, she assists her clients in uncovering their true constitution, desires, potential, and challenges. Keri’s style is caring, compassionate, gentle and effective.

Keri received her initial yoga certification in 2003 and has taught yoga, meditation and pranayama for over 10 years. She received her CAP certification (Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner) from KanyaKumari Yoga and Ayurveda Center in Milwaukee, WI in 2012. Prior to completing that certification, she received over 600 hours of ayurveda and advanced yoga coursework with the American Institute of Vedic Studies. She has received numerous additional certifications and training including Yin Yoga, Healing Touch, chakras, yoga nidra and more. Keri is recognized through NAMA (National Ayurvedic Medical Association) and the Yoga Alliance. Learn more about Kerri at www.elementsayurveda.com and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Make sure to attend the upcoming HAMMS: Help a Minnesota Maker Succeed event taking place on Saturday, April 20 in St. Paul. Come and meet Keri at the Restore booth where she will be offering brief Marma facials from 2:30pm – 4:30pm to help you relax and rejuvenate!

Say Yes to You

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Jen Vertanen, founder, The Wholehearted Life

Working Mom

 

If you are a woman and you have children, you are a working mother – end of story with a great big exclamation point.

You may be CEO of an international company, budding entrepreneur, part-time student, or a stay at home mom; regardless of your title, the role of motherhood and all the lovely bits that come with are yours and yours alone and balancing life’s demands can be daunting at best.

 

Giving in to Life’s Demands
So many of us easily succumb to those demands (from children, spouse, family, friends, work, volunteering, you name it) because we want to be in service to everyone and everything but here’s the thing: when we give in to life’s demands, we stop being of service to ourselves.

We stop finding time to read a book or go for a walk or take that stained glass workshop we’ve been dying to try. We stop going away for long weekends with our girlfriends to relax and rejuvenate.

We can’t possibly find time to exercise or prepare a deliciously nutritious homemade meal because there isn’t enough time. Instead, we drive through McDonalds … again.

How often do you find yourself saying, “I can’t do that, I don’t have the time.” And how often is that “thing” you’re saying no to something that you would actually love to do because it would fill your cup, making you feel reenergized and refreshed?

I get it, I really do. I’m a mother of three and a budding entrepreneur. But here’s my question for you: Are you able to be as effective serving others if you’re not serving your needs?

Instead of feeling exhausted, tense, sluggish and, let’s be honest, sometimes resentful imagine feeling rested, relaxed, balanced, patient and energized.

  • How much more effectively could you tackle the demands in your life?
  • How could your relationships improve?
  • How might your relationship with yourself be different?
  • How could your entire life change?

24 Hours – The Great Equalizer
Each of us has the same 24 hours in a day. Regardless of our titles and demands, all of us are given the same 24 hours and here’s the really cool part ~ you get to define how you spend those 24 hours!

You get to say “yes” or “no,” you get to decide whether you return a phone call or take a bath, you get to set boundaries and limits – even with your spouse and children. And you decide if you show up in the world each day rested, relaxed and energized or tense, impatient and exhausted.

What’s Your Decision?
How can you find ways in your day to say no to something (or someone) and say yes to you? Let us know in the comments below. Then take a deep, cleansing breath and smile. You are amazing, you are a working mother and you are beautiful. Having trouble making time for yourself or making you a priority? Let us know that too, we’re a community filled with great ideas.

 

Jen Vertanen is the founder of The Wholehearted Life where she coaches and guides women to fall in love with themselves and their imperfectly beautiful and oftentimes messy lives.  Jen can be found coaching, inspiring, dreaming up the perfect party for her clients, and sharing just a bit too much at http://www.jenvertanen.com, Facebook, and the Twitter.

 

Access the Best for Less, Locally

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Restore was created to help you make informed health and lifestyle decisions. That’s why I’m so excited to announce Restore’s Weekly Deals, launching on May 20! I know it sounds like we’re joining the online deal frenzy, but Restore Weekly Deals are different.

 

Here’s what sets us apart:

  • Our Weekly Deals coincide with Restore’s topic of the week. For example, you’ll learn about and discover local options for infertility treatment, children’s healthcare, energy healing, detoxing, healthy beauty products and much more!
  • Whatever the topic, we’ve done the research to find credible practitioners and businesses in the Twin Cities to support the weekly focus. Not only will you have access to great deals to try out fantastic local opportunities, you’ll learn what they’re really about so you can continue to build on your relationship, if you choose, after you’ve “tried them on for size.”
  • Restore’s Weekly Deals were created with conscious living in mind. We all deserve to play an active role and have a voice in what we do or have done to our bodies. It’s not black or white, what works for me may not work for you. That’s for you to decide. Being able to try local products and services at a discounted price is a great way to find what works for you.
  • Our Weekly Deals are highly limited. If you’re interested, you’ll need to act fast because there really are only a limited number of deals available for purchase. Why? Because we’re connecting you with the best and the entire Restore community strives to ensure you receive the best service possible. This is an opportunity to explore your options and feel good about the decisions you make, whatever they may be.

Sign up at restorehealing.com and, beginning May 20, you’ll have an all-access pass to products and services from high-integrity local businesses so you can truly discover what’s right for you and your family. When you sign up we’ll even give you a $5 credit on your first deal! Be sure to share the wealth (and health) and tell all your friends about Restore Weekly Deals as well.

We look forward to connecting with you in this new and unique way!

Sincerely,