Thursday, December 2, 2010

News From MaryAnne

Cambodia

Wanting to share my international experience as a yoga teacher.

November took me to Cambodia to participate at Banteay Srey Project. This project is a safe haven for young Cambodian women to learn new skills.

I taught yoga to the young Cambodian women and world travelers for one month. It was a wonderful experience.

I find that teaching yoga here at home and in my travels is an exciting journey for me.

Mexico
The joys of Mexico over four years of teaching in the small community of Los Ayala has given me a new appreciation of sharing yoga.

Classes from 16 to 42 people brought in enough pesos to support the community in a number of ways. The donations were used for a variety of projects from building a school, purchasing musical instruments for a youth program to buying furniture for a senior's centre in the surrounding areas.

Follow my blog for yoga classes in the Comox Valley and abroad.


Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Winter is a Time for Aromatic Bitters

Campari Soda
As we are almost into November, it is now time to think about what we can do to support our system as our diet changes from the fresh fruit and vegetables of the summer to the more hearty winter products. One way to do this is with the addition of herbal bitters.

What Are Bitters?

Aromatic bitters are not a single herb or blend but a category of plants that taste bitter. Some of the common bitters include Yarrow, Angelica, dandelion root, gentian and Osha Root. Bitters are sometimes found as Swedish Bitters in health food stores.

Bitters are known to stimulate the liver, stomach and nervous system, and help to stimulate and regulate the digestive system. Bitters are commonly used in Europe and South American countries and are even mixed into cocktails. Some commonly available bitter-tasting commercial products include Campari, Collins Orange and Quinquina.

Yarrow

Yarrow is one of my favorite herbs to include in a bitters blend.

Yarrow flowers, late summer. Image provided by Wikipedia.
While Yarrow was once used in traditional Native American herbal medicine for toothaches, and even earaches, I prefer its use in preventing and breaking up congestion of the respiratory system. This herb can be used to prevent infection from getting into the lungs.

Taking Bitters

Bitters should be taken before meals and, when in a tincture, not mixed with other liquids to improve their effectiveness. You need to taste their bitterness to start stimulating your system. Just a few drops taken before a meal can help reduce gas and bloating. Bitters also treat parasites and Candida.

It should be noted that taking more bitters than recommended can lead to too much digestion stimulation, causing diarrhea.

Book an appointment with me to get your own customized blend of bitters to keep you feeling healthy this winter.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

What to Expect From an Energy Healing Session

Recently I announced a drawing for a free Merry Therapy energy healing session for those who bring two new participants to an Isagenix workshop; so today I'd like to talk about what a Merry Therapy energy healing session is like.

I Sense Energy Dis-Ease

Energy healing is about the energy of each individual and so, by its very nature, is unique. A person will come into my office for an energy healing and I will ask their permission to go into their energy field. As I work on this area, or aura, they become relaxed. I use my intuitive senses to hone in on any dis-ease the other person is feeling. This might be stress, tension, pain or old harmful memories.

I Release the Negative Energies

Once the pain has been found I try to unwind, dispel or unbind the person from their pain. I release the person from their built-up negative energies. During this process I may lightly touch or tap the person, but never without their permission. The session is about keeping a person open and relaxed so nothing is every done without explicit consent.

Merry Therapy Energy Healing Results

Different people feel different things during and after a session. Some feel a release of pain and stress. Some feel a tingling throughout their body. Some feel refreshed. And some feel a powerful sense of healing of old wounds both physical and psychological.

Regardless of the specific details or goals, this process is designed individually on a per-person basis to make sure you get what you need from the session. This is a unique, holistic type of healing aimed at bettering your body, mind and soul.

Sunday, October 3, 2010