Releasing with the Full Moon

By April Eckwielen

We can all agree that the Full Moon has a deep effect on things. At this highest point in the lunar cycle, things can seem scattered, anxious and downright weird. There is this surge of extra energy that is all around us and, for some, this can be quite overwhelming.

The Full Moon is a time to release things such as old habits, beliefs, material things, relationships, attitudes and anything that no longer serves you. It is also a time of celebration for allowing yourself to let go and emerge new.

Picture by: Steve Eckwielen

The Moon represents the emotional, nurturing and creative parts of our lives. Just like it controls the tides of the ocean, it controls our need to let go. It is basically letting us know that we need to deal with our upsets and baggage that are affecting us negatively. Releasing these unwanted things in our lives can have a tremendous effect on our way of life. This is a time where we can go within and work on ourselves, heal, shift and forgive. The Full Moon shines brightly to bring light to ourselves that we may not see.

Performing a Full Moon Releasing Ritual can help you let go of this baggage and see yourself and your life in a whole new light. This ritual can be as simple or ornate as you wish. Here are some ideas to help you with your Full Moon Releasing Ritual:

• Find a quiet and sacred space. A Full Moon Ritual can be deeply personal. You may choose to do this alone or with a few people that are close to you.  
• Clear the space. To clear any negative energy and prepare for your ritual, you can burn sage,Palo Santo or other incense.  You can also clear the space using sound by ringing a bell or chime or playing a singing or crystal bowl.
• Set up your space. Light a candle, set out your favorite crystals and get comfortable.  Close your eyes and focus on your breath.  Meditate on what it is you would like to release and how letting these things go will help you achieve the life you want.  
• Write. Take to your journal and write down anything that comes up from your meditation. Allow yourself to write it out and let it go. You can even write what you are releasing on a piece of paper and burn it by placing it in a bowl and letting the universe take what you are releasing. Say to yourself, “ I release this from my life. I am letting go of what no longer serves me”.  
• Reflect. Once you have released what no longer serves you, sit for a few minutes and visualize how you can move forward now that what was holding you back has been released. Write what you foresee happening in your journal and how you feel now that you have released what no longer serves you.
• Renew. Take time to end your ritual with a detoxifying bath. Soak in a bath of Epsom salt, Himalayan salt, dried flower petals (rose, chamomile, lavender) and drops of essential oils (rose, jasmine, lavender, sandalwood). Prepare your bath with the same care as you did when performing your Full Moon Ritual. Light candles and surround yourself with calm.
• Charge. The Full Moon is the perfect time to charge your crystals. Place those you want charged in a bowl or jar and place them outside in the moonlight. If weather is an issue, you can place them in your window to soak up the energy of the Moon.    

Full Moon rituals are very personal and can change with each cycle. Your intentions will shift.  What you need to let go of will change. Go with what feels comfortable to you and enjoy your time of release.  

Meditation: What's That?

By April Eckwielen

Meditation is becoming more and more of a common activity that people are adding to their daily lives. There is always a story in the news, a new app that has launched or something crossing your social media feed about how you can bring calm to your life through mediation. The process of meditation seems simple: sit quietly, close your eyes, focus on your breath and begin. But, for most, beginning and keeping a meditation practice can be difficult.  

Let me start off with this confession: My name is April and I can’t meditate. Did I shock you?  You’re probably thinking how can this woman be a yoga instructor and not be able to meditate? The answer is simple: my mind is too loud. Don’t get me wrong, I try all the time, but the constant chatter that goes on in my mind usually wins the so-you-think-you-can-meditate battle. I am sure that many of you can relate to this struggle of an always running mind. Daily tasks, ideas about my next articles, family life, work stress and focusing on things I have no control over are just a few of the things that have my mind always running on turbo speed. This is what many of us struggle with.  

So how can I, a not-so-great meditator, give you guidance on your own meditation practice? Well, the answer is I know what to do, I just don’t listen to my own advice. Maybe by the time I finish writing this article, some of my own information will sink in and I can be there, right along with you on beginning (again) a meditation practice.

• Start small. Sit for just a few minutes once a week and grow from there. Take that time to connect with your breath. Pay attention to how you feel after. When you are comfortable with adding more days or lengthening your time, go for it!
• Don’t worry about the “supplies”. You don’t need anything special for your meditation session. A comfy and quiet place to sit or even stand is all you need. Sure having incense burning, sitting on a custom meditation cushion and having serene music softly playing in the background is a nice addition, but not required. All you need is yourself and your breath to get you started.
• Explore incorporating an intention. Try to set an intention when you begin your meditation. It could be anything from having your best day possible to asking for guidance on something that is weighing on you. Your intention is your own and can be changed when you feel the time is right.
• Check in. Our minds naturally wander. It’s what they do. If you find yourself thinking about your grocery list instead of your intention, acknowledge the thoughts without judgement and return back to the breath. Sometimes, things may pop in from your meditation and you might not be sure what to do. Try staying with that thought or emotion that may come up. See where it takes you. It may be divine intervention stepping in and speaking with you.
• Don’t freak out if you miss a session. We are all human and life happens. Don’t beat yourself up for missing your meditation time. The great news is that when you are ready to come back, it is always ready to welcome you back with open arms. Remember, there is no right or wrong and there is no set schedule you have to have in order to have a meditation practice.  

These are just a few ideas on how you can start (or in my case re-start) your meditation practice. Play around with different ways that you can add this time to your day. Remember, it’s a practice. Practice makes permanent, not perfect. It’s ok if you are like me and have to keep starting over for the 7,411th time. Make your meditation practice your own and enjoy the calm and mindfulness it will bring into your life.

Making Mindfulness a Habit

By April Eckwielen

We are a society that is always on the go. Our minds are always on overdrive and we tend to worry about what comes next on our ever growing list of things to do rather than being present in the activity that we are currently in. It is taught to us at a very young age that if we aren’t constantly busy filling up our calendars we are wasting time and are labeled as lazy. It is so commonplace for us to be doing one thing and already putting energy into something that may not be happening for quite some time that we lose focus of where we are and what we are doing right now. How can this change?

The answer is quite simple, although some may find it very difficult in this crazy world we live in.  We need to be more mindful throughout our day. We need to take a moment to pause and be fully present in the moment we are experiencing. Quieting the whirlwind that is in our minds can help us not only relax, but become happier, more productive and enjoy life to its fullest. So, how does one become more mindful? Try incorporating these practices into your daily life and see what changes occur.

1. Take time to observe your breath. We all breathe throughout the day, we need to in order to survive, but have you ever paid attention to your breath? Take a few moments throughout your day to close your eyes and focus on your breath. As you inhale, feel the belly, ribcage and chest open and as you exhale, feel any tension release. Practicing mindful breathing can help reduce tension, anxiety and give you a sense of calm to go about with your day.
2. Pay attention when you eat. When was the last time you truly enjoyed your meal? Can you describe its texture, aroma and flavor? In our hectic life, we tend to gulp down our meals or beverages and not truly enjoy them. Next time you sit down for a meal, snack or even a cup of coffee or tea, take the time to focus on the item in front of you. Really taste the food or drink, and don’t worry on what needs to be done next. One of the ways our body experiences things around us is through our sense of taste. Enjoy your meal, regardless of how complex or simple it is. Be mindful that this will give you the energy you need to get you through your daily activities.
3. Spend time in nature. Take the time to get outside, even if it is just for a few minutes. Go for a walk, have a seat on a park bench, or just stand at your front door and take in the space around you. Close your eyes and notice the sounds around you. Listen and just be. If you prefer to walk around, turn it into a walking meditation. Focus on the scenery around you and have your breath match your stride. Look at your surroundings with new eyes.  Notice the architecture of the buildings, the clouds in the sky and the rainbow of colors from flowers, plants and trees. Take it all in.
4. Meditate.  Many people think that in order to meditate, you need to dedicate a certain chunk of time to do it correctly. This is not the case. There is no set amount of time that you need to take in order to meditate. Take time for yourself to relax and allow your mind to clear. With today’s technology, you can download meditation apps that can take you through a quick guided meditation, time your meditation sessions or even give you topics to focus on while you meditate. Sit and just be. Focus on your breath. That is a meditation in itself.  Make your meditation practice your own. Enjoy this time of quiet reflection.
5. Take time for self-care. Doing things for yourself that bring you joy is not being selfish, it is a necessity. We tend to be overwhelmed by taking care of the needs of others that we neglect ourselves. Take the time for you, even if it is just a few minutes a day. Working out, reading a book, taking a hot bath, enjoying a hobby, taking a much needed nap are all ways you can incorporate self care into your daily life. We are not useful to those around us if we do not take care of ourselves.  

Mindfulness can be easily achieved if we allow ourselves to practice it. Once you begin to incorporate being more mindful into your daily life, you will notice tremendous shifts in your thoughts, attitudes and the flow of your day. Mindfulness can open the doors for us to actively participate in this life we live, instead of just existing.