Tag / breathe

Health and Wellness Parenting The Alchemist's Heart

World’s Gone Crazy? Here’s the Solution You Need!

Hello Darling,

May these words breathe nourishment into your life even though (or maybe especially because) the world looks a bit crazy right now.

On a recent day with “all the things” piling on with no sign of stopping, I came upstairs trembling during a short work break. Shaking, really. My insides couldn’t seem to settle on imploding or exploding.

My next client was scheduled to arrive in twelve minutes.

Did I eat? Hydrate? Help my youngest daughter with the holy hell that seems to be her online school? Melt into a puddle? Reach out to a friend for support? Don winter gear and yak tracks so I could walk outside on the ice for maybe 6 minutes?

I forgot all about the oxygen mask principle and opted to try to help my daughter. Yes, she probably needed it, but I suspect my real motivation was to distract myself from my feelings.

Alarmingly, when I tried to speak, words didn’t actually emerge.

Turns out you have to be able to BREATHE in order to speak, and I wasn’t doing either very well….which is when I realized I was having an anxiety attack – something I hadn’t felt in a very long time.

Not a shining moment.

Except that something magical happened…and it quickly became one.

My diminutive but mighty daughter looked at me with concern. Mind you, this girl kind of hates talking about her feelings and never wants to see a counselor no matter what’s going on. Which can be consternating because I AM a counselor who LOVES talking about feelings.

Turns out she knew EXACTLY what to do.

She got up and wrapped her arms around me from behind while saying:

photo of girl hugging her mom

This is how we breathe.”

And then she breathed me deeply and steadily…belly pushed into my low back, returning to the space I carried her in my womb, reminding me of the most important things – the breath of life, literal inspiration, delivered with love.

Inside of 3 minutes, EVERYTHING felt better.

My nervous system settled, I began thinking more clearly and elusive creative problem-solving came back online.

So Dearheart, if this is a day when YOU need to be breathed (and who amongst us doesn’t!), I’m sending you a GIANT warm embrace.

Please allow your sacred imagination to guide you….to a safe space…. with a safe person…holding you from behind….while taking slow, deep, steady breaths….to remind you that you are loved, you are supported, and you can breathe.

You are worth it!

With Love and Alchemy,

Christy

P.S. Want more? Here are 10 easy ways to nourish your spirits right now.

Health and Wellness The Alchemist's Heart

An Authentic Call From My Alchemical Heart To Yours

Luxury sedan driving fast.I was late. I ushered my last client out the door, hopped in my van and flew the mile and a half up our dirt road. I was driving more than a little too fast, weaving between resident “road cows” (compliments of free range cattle country).

My body said “slow down.”

I took my foot off the gas…a little….although not enough to honor my inner wisdom.

I did make it.  I met the bus just in time, didn’t crash into any livestock and I picked up my kids, so it’s all good, right?

This all sounded logical inside my head…and didn’t reassure my heart one iota.

When we arrived home, my inner voice said “go to your sanctuary.”

A to Z Alchemy Alchemy for Adventurers Alchemy for Moms Belly Dance The Alchemist's Heart

Blissful Mind-Body Wellness Strategies to Empower Your Life

Old letter envelope with wax seal isolated on white

Your body has an incredible capacity for guiding you in the direction of right action.  You just have to know how to access the alchemy.

Let’s explore the brilliant letter “B” in the alchemical alphabet in our A to Z alchemy series with my top two techniques for body-mind wellness. “Body as compass” AND belly dancing both encourage deeper communication, centering, grounding & wise action.  

Tip: Read to the bottom to find out how to get my book, The Belly Dance Prescription: Shake Your Hips AND Depression, FREE!