~full~

Wow, this new year is off to a full start!

Full blue moon last weekend, full retreat coming up this Sunday, full-swing on Art Shanty production the next two weeks, and full-of-changes at Blooma (my other job), where we prepare for construction and expansion! Only five days into the year and so much is bubbling and simmering and underway. I usually think of January as a time to lay low after the holidays, a time when not much is going on…but not so this year (or this week anyhow). So I am considering how I will fit in my quiet yin time–we really are meant to slow down in the winter, to hibernate. I need to take full care of myself amidst all this exciting activity, too.

In case you were curious about the retreat (read an entry or two back), but couldn’t swing it this time for whatever reason, please know we are offering one each season. Of course attending all 4 would be fantastic, but you are welcome to attend any of them. The Spring retreat is tentatively set for Sunday, April 18th. I’m really looking forward to this Sunday–it’s going to be a lovely day–I can’t wait to be among the participants, sharing the gift of shiatsu, teaching some self-care techniques and–best of all, being amidst the creative energy as people are collage-ing and journaling away! It’s going to give Chakra Khan a nice dose of creative energy!

How is your year so far? Is it full? Have you had a chance to tend to yourself? Here’s a little exercise you can do anytime. I learned it from Dr. Andrew Weil’s breathing CD (which I now have available at Chakra Khan if you’d like your own copy). . . He mentions how most of the time we focus our energy on the inhale. This exercise encourages you to gently focus on your exhale. Let your inhale come back naturally, without force. Try to subtly focus on lengthening your exhale. As you do this, you ultimately start to bring more oxygen into your system, he says. Apart from that, it is very calming–it’s a great exercise while falling asleep at the end of the day.

Wishing you full round days and full nights of deep winter’s rest,

julie