Musings | Posts from May 2012

Bless & Release

Posted by Shelagh in Spa Wellness on 05/28/12 | 0 Comments

Many times in my work as a wellness coach, my clients experience health issues that are found to be caused by their holding on to feelings and emotions from their past. Old ‘woundings’ left unresolved cause feelings of resentment, guilt, shame and anger that are directed at people and things that are no longer relevant in our lives or serve us in any way. These emotions can cause at myriad of physical, emotional and spiritual symptoms such as chronic pain, fatigue, fear, anxiety, doubt and much more.

When my client is ready to let go of an old wound, we use a process of release work that has become known as ‘Bless & Release’:

1. Sitting comfortably with feet flat on the floor, spine straight, weight evenly distributed on your sitz bones, hands resting on the thighs with palms facing upward, eyes gently closed

2. Take a deep breath in through your nose to the count of three, hold for three seconds and release the breath through your mouth to the count of five

3. Bring the old wound into your minds’ eye breathing normally

4. When you have a clear visual, connect the visual to your heart energy (feels like butterflies in the center of your chest) and state to yourself or out loud, “I bless & release _________ and send it to the light.”

5. Take a rapid, deep breath in and forcefully blow the breath out making a “Chuuuuu” sound, blowing the stale energy out of your body and releasing the past trauma

6. Repeat as necessary until you feel at peace

What old wounds are you holding in your awareness?

Bless & Release them today for deep healing and a brighter tomorrow.

A Hand Up, Not A Handout of Poverty

Posted by Shelagh in Wellness on 05/21/12 | 0 Comments

Last night I attended a production by a group called Christian Drama of New Jersey. CDS is a not for profit, non denominational Christian youth organization fostering the core tenets of the Golden Rule, ‘Do Unto Others’ in young kids ages 6-19. Their mission is to nurture a young community of service minded individuals acting locally and globally.

Last night the program, ‘According to Africa’, chronicled the past decade of extreme and ongoing poverty in Rowanda, Africa with families torn apart by a corrupt government, war and an unparalleled AIDS epidemic; children orphaned and living on the streets or in slavery and bondage; disempowered widowed women unable to afford raising their children and other such atrocities. But those lucky enough to receive an education have bright futures and the chance to change their destiny. CDS raises funds to sponsor the building of schools in Rowanda to provide children with an education. CDS also recently contributed to the Denville Flood Relief Fund.

I was reminded of the extreme privilege that education affords an individual. It is the Golden key; the one way ticket out of destitution; the hand up out of poverty. We consider education a right when in fact, it is a privilege and a gift that no one can ever take away. It secures ultimate freedom from poverty and despair.

· If you have been the benefactor of an education, be grateful that someone cared enough about you to provide that privilege.

· If you have not been as fortunate, reach out and get started today.

· If you can gift someone else who is not as fortunate as you, find an organization to support.

Reach out and give a hand up. Our future depends on it.

Mutuality in Motherhood

Posted by Shelagh in Spa Wellness on 05/14/12 | 0 Comments

As the mother of four teenagers, I didn’t know what to expect on Mother’s Day morning. Would they sleep until noon as per usual on the weekend or would there be breakfast in bed for Mom? Would there be store bought sentiments’ written by Hallmark or hand-crafted notes that we mom’s treasure? Would they remember my day at all or celebrate me in a haphazard manner with a lukewarm hug and a “love ya Ma”?

We go through our day-to-day mothering tasks loving our children immeasurably, striving to make a difference in their lives, teaching a life lesson or making an ethical question clear. We worry when they’re late; Cry at their heartaches; Support them through their mistakes; And celebrate their successes. And through it all, expect nothing in return. But sometimes we wonder, “Do you see me? Do you hear me? Do you love me? Is the feeling mutual? ”

Mutuality in any relationship means equality, trust and respect. It's a healthy boundary. How can you know that you have mutuality in your relationships? Ask these questions:

Do I feel respected?
Do I feel supported emotionally?
Do I feel loved unconditionally?

If your answers were anything other then a resounding YES, it's time to evaluate your relationship(s).

The banging and clanging heard in the kitchen at 7am gave me my answers as they soon came barreling into my bedroom with a breakfast fit for a queen and hand-crafted cards with well thought out love notes for me, Mom. Although they went back to bed until noon, my day had been made by the love of four people who matter more to me than anything else in the world, and apparently, the feeling is mutual!

A Parents Challenge with Teen Sexuality

Posted by Shelagh in Spa Wellness on 05/07/12 | 0 Comments

I am the parent of four teenagers. Anyone who knows me knows that I take this role seriously. I have a parenting coach and an “A” team of parenting comrades, whose opinions I respect when challenging parenting issues arise. But like you, even as a life learner, I have lots more to learn!

Recently I had a client ask my advice on a parenting issue: “Is it OK to contact a parent if you witness their child behaving disrespectful?” In this case, it happened to be a young girl from her former Girl Scout troop involved in a major ‘PDA’ in the middle of the town square with all of their eighth grade classmates watching. Ahhh, a ‘loaded’ question!

I’ve learned that next to drug & alcohol abuse, the teen issue of sexuality can be equally charged emotionally and raises fear in the hearts of many parents of teenagers. Sexuality is the #1 issue many adults are uncomfortable discussing, let alone discussing with their teens. And yet, we are charged with guiding them through this tumultuous aspect of humanity. Sexuality is a normal and important aspect of human development. With guidance, a teen will develop a healthy sense of self worth to exhibit healthy boundaries in expressing their blooming sexuality respectfully. Unfortunately, without guidance, a teen will behave impulsively in expressing their sexuality in a manner that is disrespectful to themselves and to others.

How did I advise my client?

1. Read. Knowledge is power and eradicates fear

2. Attend talks & workshops on teenage behavior and sexuality

3. Talk with other parents of teens whom you admire

4. Be a role model with your own behavior

Our central role in parenting is to impart a healthy sense of self esteem in our children for healthy boundaries around all issues, including sexuality, one area where we can have a significant impact or none at all.

80 Acres Bodycare line

Posted by Kristin in Retail on 05/02/12 | 0 Comments

The Urban Muse is proud to introduce 80 Acres body care line. It is an amazing addition to our offerings, and fits in with our themes almost perfectly.

The 80 Acres line is named for its point of origin, McEvoy Ranch in Petaluma, CA. The products of 80 Acres fit in with the holistic wellness theme of our store and spa, featuring nothing but A-certified organic olive-oils, all natural plant extracts, and a rich variety of botanically-sourced ingredients. The 80 Acres body care products are paraben, sulfate and phthalates free. And just for good measure, they make every effort to use recycled packaging whenever possible.

McEvoy Ranch, like The Urban Muse and you, cares deeply about our planet. They even operate a wind turbine designed to handle 100% of their energy needs. We are proud to welcome them into our family of natural, earth-friendly products.

Come visit The Urban Muse to sample this, as well as our other fresh products.

Musings May 2012