Are you breathless?

Did you know the slang term Hawaiians use for foreigners - Haoles (howlies) - means 'without breath'?

Where is your breath right now? Notice and feel - just be with it and see what happens. Now, over the duration of your exhale slowly vocalize the sounds , a-l-o-h-a , allowing the inhale to arise naturally. Repeat once for each of the next three exhalations. Feel and notice the next 3 "normal" breaths. Has anything changed? Join me in Hawaii next month for breathtaking moments of tropical bliss. And renew your connection with your essential breath.

Not sleeping well? You have options.

We've all heard exhaustive lists of reasons for disturbed sleep and the associate detriments to our health. What if we stopped "trying" so hard to sleep and instead, allow sleeplessness itself to be a teacher. What if we were okay with sleeping or not sleeping - whatever comes? What a relief!

A good night's sleep may feel as elusive as an owl - and it can be an opportunity for growth and, believe it or not, deep rest. What if we allow sleeplessness to inform us of our needs, our belief systems, or our very understanding of who we are? One of the most powerful practices that has transformed my relationship to sleep is iRest® Yoga Nidra.

Read more at http://www.irest.us/projects/sleep/insomnia

Experience yoga nidra in a private online or in-person session with me or indulge in a deeper exploration in Hawaii http://www.bodymindease.com/events/big-island-hawaii-yoga-ease-retreat-nov-16-22-2013

Just when you start being ok with not sleeping - a good night's sleep may come more often than ever. Welcome that!

Addictions and meditation - pleasure without the pain

Read on for an important article comparing the effects of addictive behaviors to those of meditation.

Meditation Induced Bliss By Richard Miller, Integrative Restoration (irest®) http://www.irest.us.com

I recently read a fascinating research article published by Patricia Sharp on meditation-induced bliss, which differs significantly from addiction-induced bliss. It’s well known that brain-based opiates and neurotransmitters play a vital role in the establishment of addictive behaviors, (i.e., gambling, sex, drugs, nicotine, alcohol, et cetera) through the activation of reward and pleasure centers in the brain. However, it’s also well known that the pleasure derived from these addictive behaviors diminishes over time. Repeated addiction behaviors cause diminished release of brain-based opiates and neurotransmitters, which, over time, leads to anhedonia—the inability to experience pleasure from addiction activities that beforehand offered a felt-sense of reward and pleasure.

While addictive behaviors appear gratifying at first, they ultimately lead to diminished pleasure, and increases in dissatisfaction, pain, and suffering. “Interestingly, meditation also gives rise to the felt-sense of bliss, pleasure, and joy through the activation of the very same brain centers implicated in addictive behaviors. For instance, a study of accomplished Yoga Nidra practitioners demonstrated a 65% increase in brain dopamine release during their practice (Kjaer et al. 2002). However, contrary to addictive behaviors, meditation does not lead to decreases of brain-based opiates and dopamine, nor does it give rise to anhedonia. In fact, just the opposite appears to be the case.

Over time, with meditation, we continue to experience increases in pleasure, bliss, and joy. In other words, meditation is a wonderfully power positive addiction that increases joy with continued practice.

So meditate and yoga nidra on! You’re doing yourself, and everyone around you a great service!.”