Come back to your breath....

(okay, so that's me in Scotland, not Seattle, but I think it captures the essence of this post!)






Two weeks ago, I went to see a girlfriend of mine in Seattle, and I just happened to arrive on the same evening that Geneen Roth was giving a book reading/discussion/signing at a local Seattle bookstore. I was soooo excited to hear her in person -- I've been a fan of Geneen for the past eight years (eight might not seem long to you, but it feels like ages to me in the sense of when I STOPPED dieting and abusing my body) -- therefore, I felt like a starstruck teenager! Geneen - this wise, brave woman - in person!

Geneen mentioned a few key phrases that evening which I've highlighted in quotation marks below -- then I've followed up with my own comments:

"Treat yourself with kindness & curiosity" -- Everytime I remind myself to be kind and curious with myself, whether it's relating to why I'm super irritable or anxious, or feeling like I could eat a whole damn cake, the edge softens. I breathe, I relax, I can forgive myself for feeling overwhelmed or fearful or anxious or whatever. I question what happened, I see what happened and why I feel xyz, then I can move on without negativity winning (or that whole damn cake - a slice will do, thank you!).

"We change the channel" or "Take the edge off" by stuffing, starving, binging, picking, purging, drinking, shopping, or fill-in-the-blank however one might run away from xyz. Why do we leave ourselves? Because we think it's too painful to sit, to breathe through it, to brainstorm how to change it, or even scarier, if we can't control it, we think we can't handle the unknown or how to "be" with it. Heavy stuff, I know. But, from my own journey, I truly believe there's a loveliness waiting to be discovered, waiting to be "tapped into", waiting to be brought to life. Just breathe and try being with it.

"Feelings don't kill us." -- You can say that again, and again, and again. And again. I'm not saying I have the answer, the magic key to ultimate bliss, to transcending and levitating. But, I do believe that the breath, staying with the breath, which helps you to stay with your sacred essence, helps you to get through the pain, the shit, the unknown. Come back to your breath, come back to your breath.

You might notice a consistent theme here. Breathe. Whether you struggle with anxiety or depression, are battling disordered eating or bad body thoughts, or simply have a to-do list that never seems to lighten, get in touch with your breath. I promise it's a major player in healing and thriving.

Lastly, to delve deeper into Geneen's latest bestseller, Women Food and God, I look forward to launching this fall's 4-week book club + yoga series starting this Saturday, October 30. While we'll discuss WFG, the bulk of our time will be spent breathing, moving, stretching, being and connecting. We have a couple spaces remaining -- don't miss out! If you're interested in connecting with your body and breath and spirit to help create a better relationship with food/body image, check out the following info! http://listentoyourbodyflow.blogspot.com/2010/09/book-club-yoga-read-talk-move-breathe.html

Facebook, Computers, Gadgets & Connecting

Someone (from Facebook) wrote to me insinuating that my blogs tend to be body-and-women-focused. Really? Good job noticing! While, I'm not really sure what he meant by it -- as if to say I should be writing about my personal Friday night plans or my favorite eye candy (mystery novels) -- he's on the mark.

I'm fascinated with how we live (or don't live) in our bodies, and being in your body isn't just for women! Men, you can use a dose of listening to your body too! And, I tend to write for women because, hellew, I've got experience in that area. That's why I decided to create my business to help others find peace and energy in their bodies, and therein, their lives. Lo and behold, I created a blog that happens to be connected to Facebook where we all tend to connect in random and sometimes energy-sucking ways.

Like many of you probably, I have a love-and-hate relationship with computers and gadgets like Blackberries, iPhones, etc. They allow us to dive into a world of knowledge, videos, games, news and the all-consuming social networking. I think it's magnificent to have the world at our fingertips, but I think it's a shame sometimes our fingers are the only ones dancing.

If you read this by chance, take a moment to turn away from the computer (or iPad or B-berry), shut down the Twitter window, and forget browsing for the latest-and-greatest coupons. Take a deep breath that goes all the way down into your belly. Now, see if you can exhale. Let go. Let go of the drama. Take a few more deep breaths and notice how your body feels --

*How are your shoulders?
*Your jaw?
*Is your face relaxed or are your brows in a furrow?
*What about your spine - are you tall and awake or slumped?
*Now take note of your legs. Could they stretch? Walk, Kick, Run, Dance?

*What happens when you follow your body?
*How do you feel when you stay stuck?

Come back to your breath. That's all you really have to do. It will lead you to stay and continue browsing (which I'm not knocking, I'm just saying!). It will lead you to get up and get moving. It will lead you to your truth, your energy, your gut, your hunch. Take time to tune in, to check in, to connect with yourself. There's nothing Greater.

Disease is inertia. Healing is movement. If you put the body in motion, you will change. You are meant to move: from flowing to staccato, through chaos into lyrical and back into the stillness from which all movement comes. ~ Gabrielle Roth

12-week Women's Group

Here's another *nourishing* opportunity for anyone who wants to steer clear of the diet lifestyle and yet find a new relationship with feeding and sustaining herself (hey guys, there are groups for you too!). Atlanta therapist Allyn St. Lifer will be leading the following group:

Shape Your Mind

Transform Your Body
With Slimworks

If you are tired of dieting and the negative feelings about yourself and your body that result, this Slimworks group can help. In a safe, encouraging, and supportive environment you will:

o Explore the underlying reasons for your overeating
o Develop strategies for changing your eating habits while eating all the foods you enjoy
o Improve your self image and body image
o Transform your relationship with food and your body
o Empower yourself and learn effective ways of dealing with the stress without using food AND MUCH MORE!

A new 12 week women’s group is forming:

Contact: Allyn St. Lifer, LCSW at 678-925-3516 email me at allyn@slimworks.com to schedule an assessment/interview
Date & Time: Starting on Wednesday, October 13, 2010,
6:30-8:00 PM
Cost: $60/session, some insurances accepted
Location: POWERS FERRY PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATES,
1827 Powers Ferry Road, Bldg 22, Atlanta, GA 30339