Be a Better Holistic Leader by Embracing Your Shadow Self

BE A BETTER HOLISTIC LEADER BY EMBRACING
YOUR SHADOW SELF

Embracing Your Shadow Self

Article by John Scardina
Photo Credit: Angel Quintana
Magazine: Issue #23

We all have two sides, for it is in our nature. One side (the good side) is filled with joy, hope, love, peace, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The other side (the bad side) is filled with anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, gilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. We as humans in nature have these two sides. The balance of both of these sides is totally dependent of how well we know and embrace your shadow self.

Our ego tells us that not to dwell upon our darker shadow side as normal functioning humans, but how quick do we turn to anger and resentment when someone hurts us. If we experience failure we quickly become overwhelmed with fear, confusion and guilt. These are the events that occur to often and during these events we feel the vulnerability until our minds almost always suppress these matters until they are forgotten.

This cycle of emotions never gets displayed completely and gets stored within your shadow self, destined to resurface in the form of negativity allowing a channel for this negativity to appear over and over again.

In order for us to be of sound mind and body our consciousness needs to confront our shadow self. You can start by making mental notes of negative feelings, which leads to contraction of energy in your body. Once you understand the root of the feeling, what you want to do with it will be at your decision on your terms. You might want to convert it into something positive to be at peace and rise above a deep seated negativity.

Once you have acknowledged the existence of anger and vulnerability to yourself, you will figure out a conscious solution to deal with it. It will no longer have the power to unconsciously rule over you. Your shadow self will become your friend which will help overcome the thoughts that bring you down. This process in human nature as told by Native Americans is a battle between “Two Wolves” where a constant battle of conscious and sub conscious exists inside of us.

Introducing yourself to your shadow self, understanding and embracing it can be the only way win this battle between the two wolves, as only one wolf can win this battle “The one you feed the most will most certainly win”. Understanding your shadow self can help you to win the battle for your good side.

How to Stay in Shape While You Grow Your Business

HOW TO STAY IN SHAPE WHILE YOU GROW YOUR BUSINESS
{Don't Be Fooled by the Gimmicks}

Article by Angela Anderson
Photo Credit: Jana Cruder
Magazine: Issue #23

Bull$hit Fat Loss Traps

Pretend health foods, Oh-La-La Amazonian juice, & Muscles!

You've seen it, heard it, read it, and bought it. "On this diet, you can have gluten-free pizza, waffles, noodles, brownies, and cupcakes!" Just control your portions, right?  Here's a reality check: these foods are not geared towards helping you achieve long term fat loss.  Most diets are aimed at women who just want to drop some pounds and who are not weight training. What happens? You lose the weight, but it comes back with a vengeance thanks to also losing metabolically active weight called "muscle." Oh, and you never really learn how to eat 100% whole foods because you've been tricked into believing that "pretend" health foods can help your fat loss.

Is Amazonian oh la-la exotic berry juice is the secret to igniting your fat loss?  How many times have we all bought into taking the rainbow pill because there are deficiencies in our diet? Let's get real here - there actually is no obscure ingredient missing in your diet that is going to make all the difference in your fat loss world. Have you considered that boozy weekends, glorified coffees, "pretend" healthy snacks (nut butters, so called Kind bars, dried fruits, and gluten-free baked goods) are keeping you from your fat loss goals?

Oh snap! We know deep down what our vices are, but without your coach saying "don't eat that" we keep the junk and just practice portion control. For some reason, petite-sized servings of crappy food (skinny popcorn) make us think we'll achieve a petite-sized body.

Always Eating "Clean" and Always 5 lbs. Overweight?

Women prioritizing their weight don't realize that they'd become more efficient at burning fat and permanent fat loss if they had more muscle. You can get to a destination with your fat loss where you no longer have to diet.  It's all about making your body efficient at burning fat. If you must use a diet, it will only take a small and temporary tweak to get back on track.

Don't wind up skinny fat. Build more muscle and eat as though you are putting more muscle on your body. This doesn't mean drinking more green smoothies and going vegan. It means fueling up for workouts in order to work harder, pump nutrients into muscle cells, and feel your muscles working. Drop the wrist and ankle weights and retire those 5 lb. pink dumbbells. Challenge yourself. 

Tick Tock. Are you tired of not having that body with the gorgeous muscle definition you want no matter how much you exercise and "eat clean"?  Discover how to master your metabolism by training your fat cells with Trim the Fat™. 

Attracting Intimacy with the Art of Self-Love

ATTRACTING INTIMACY WITH THE ART OF SELF-LOVE

Attracting Intimacy

Article by Marcela Liliana Veron
Photo Credit: Jana Cruder
Magazine: Issue #23

If you want to have a fulfilling love life you must master the Art of Self-Love. Receiving love from others can only take you as far as you’ve gone with your own self-love. Depending on others for your only source of love is not only unsustainable, but can leave you feeling empty when the love is no longer present, and keep you from looking inside for your own source of love. 

Love is not only a concept; it is life affirming energy and divine source. Love is a renewable source and a powerful resource – revitalizing and soul-fulfilling.

The art of self-loving emerges from engaging in acts that bring love into your being. Art is a heightened creative expression that moves from the soul. Art becomes ART when fully engaging the practice with intent, passion and devotion. The art of self-loving is therefore self-expression of love in motion, in practice, in ritual – an act of devotion. If there is something you need to be full of -- it is LOVE. 

Having a practice of loving yourself can really help you amp up your personal love vibe and source of love. To Master the Art of Self-Love, make it an ongoing ritual, which then blossoms into a self-devotional practice. The more you tune in, the more intimacy you create for yourself – the more you get to fall in love with yourself. 

Intimacy becomes then a deeper expression and connection to your soul. Art of Self-love is about loving ALL of you not just the good parts. Having a self-love practice deepens and expands connection with your heart and soul, which magnetizes love and intimacy to you.

Love then follows you around. It’s in your thoughts, communication, intentions and everywhere. It envelops you and radiates in all areas of your life.

As they say “Energy grows where attention goes”. The same goes with Love! 

What I’ve experienced, in the years I’ve worked with women, is that many do not know HOW to love themselves, let alone have a self-loving practice. What I’ve realized is that many people, especially women, are not really taught how to love themselves. Here is an important thing to know about self-loving:

Having intimate time is a foundational practice in the Art of Self-love. Which means, you have to put into practice intimacy time, a routine and ritual to retreat and reflect on your feelings, thoughts, emotions, heart’s desires, dreams and all of it.

Write It Down! Speak it Out Loud! Express it through Art. Music. Dance. The deeper and more intimate you get with yourself the more intimacy you will attract. Self-love in motion is art. Mastery --you Embody Your Love. 

Be Fit and Strong in Your Holistic Business Without the Gimmicks

Be Fit and Strong in Your Holistic Business

Be Fit and Strong in Your Holistic Business Without the Gimmicks

Article by Angela Anderson
Photo Credit: Angel Quintana
Magazine: Issue #22

You are a fitness queen powerhouse, but do you have well trained fat cells?

You are close to 40 years old, you have been taking amazing care of yourself for years.  You’ve made HUGE strides with your fitness & nutrition.  And now it’s crunch time.

Realization #1:  Weight loss is a gimmick. Cheat meals are ridiculous.  

You are doing everything right (at least you think), so why don't you have that hot body you've been working so hard for?  You are smart, you been around the block, but your lack of incredible results is grinding away at you like nails on a chalkboard.

There is an itching, nagging conflict in your mind telling you that you deserve a life (a sexy one too). Yet, you see fitness competitors, master trainers, and other fitness professionals working out for hours, eating 6X a day, carrying around their little food portion containers, and guzzling protein powders and you wonder if you have to follow their example in order to have an amazing body.  

You should be able to go out for a burger and have some drinks with girlfriends and STILL feel gorgeous and NOT feel guilty.

Realization #2:  You are not to blame! 

Low fat, portion control, mini meals throughout the day, counting calories, low carb, Paleo, Atkins, Southbeach, Zone . . . you name it - we've been hit up and many of us have believed and tried these plans.  Maybe you've had success, but it has worn off and you are back to the same, frustrated, tired, and too flabby you.

Realization #3:  You are a perfectionist.  

You find a fitness program or way of eating you love, it makes logical sense to you, it stimulates your brain, it brings out your passion and zest for life, it teaches you new skills and you go for it.  Yet, you are realistic enough to know that every plan has it's shelf life and as you grow and change as a person, so do your needs, wants, goals, and desires.
 
You are the type of person who always wants to keep learning and getting better.  You are ready to turn the jets on and BLAZE.

Most of the fat loss messages out there are drowning out your personal voice.  You can no longer sing because you are too busy chasing the words, advice, and tactics of other’s out there.

....STOP, take a breath, and connect with your inner dialogue.  It will guide you to where you need to go.  She will tell you when you’ve struck gold!

How to Enjoy Life's Lessons...Painful or Not

HOW TO ENJOY LIFE'S LESSONS...PAINFUL OR NOT

Article by Cinthia Singleton
Photo Credit: Rose Jane
Magazine: Issue #22

Enjoy Life's Lessons

{A foreign object finds a nice soft nook in the oyster’s body.  It lodges itself in that place… deep in there to ensure it can’t be expelled. Ouch.  That hurts.  And so the oyster secretes a special substance that will assuage the irritation one thin layer at a time, layer upon layer, till the irritant is completely encased by a silky, luminous coating.}

Look!  It’s a pearl! - We humans experience our best lessons much like the oyster.  To paraphrase poet Aberjhani, we “howl diamonds and pearls at the edge of madness.” lol

A little irritant + Some discomfort + Maybe a lot of [ anger/sadness/fear/pain ] = Feeling awful.

No better motivator for solid change than that, eh, and let’s face it, learning from a place of comfort and joy is, sadly, not as frequent in this life.  So how do we accept this as part of life, even make it a more a JOY-ful one?

1| Live in the moment. Most lessons aren’t normally recognized while we live them out, and they come in all forms. Problem is they often remain unrecognized till they are well behind us in a place call The Past.  Since we already spend so much time and energy there - as well as in the future wishing for specific outcomes - why not slow down and breath… in the present moment?

2| Be self-aware. A little mindfulness goes a long way.  See the fork in the road, the decision to be made and the resistance in doing so?  Don’t react right away; just acknowledge it. By the same token, don’t slip in an old, habitual way of reacting.  Instead ask the higher powers for a sign. 

3| Be forgiving. You’re human and part of being being one is experiencing life in all the ways meant for us.  So feel those emotions and thank the pain if it’s there for being that ’fast track’ schooling you need to get to the core of things and GROW.  

4| Try a little more of #2. If you need and ask for help if you need it even if just an ear to bend.  As sentient, aware beings, we’re here to help one another.  One day you’ll get to do same.  Surround yourself by those you admire, respect, those who don’t fear diving deep for pearls too.

Ultimately, another pearl is born for your strand.  You watch.  You’ll become a better YOU adorned in beautiful pearls, ropes and ropes of them.

Without pain, there would be no suffering.  Without suffering we would never learn from our mistakes.  To make it right, pain and suffering is the key to all windows; without it, there is no way of life. -Angelina Jolie

Don't Sit on the Sidelines of Your Own Business

Don't Sit on the Sidelines of Your Own Business

DON'T SIT ON THE SIDELINES OF YOUR OWN BUSINESS

Article by Ellie Isacs
Photo Credit: Mike Nguyen
Magazine: Issue #22

Recently I participate in Q&A Session. I dialed in just at the start and was the first caller on the line. The host greeted me warmly and asked me if I have any questions, as its ok to start, even while others join. My answer:” Well…no, not really. I was just going to listen in and hear what others ask and then maybe something will come up”. The next caller dialed in and the host asked if they had questions……………..Well what happened next blew my mind off. The second participant said: “No, not really. I also want to listen what others will ask or say”

Hearing my own words, made me shiver. Who was I? And what was I waiting for? A cover up, a quite spot in the audience, just to applause, those playing the game, at the end????

It pushed me strong, and it pushed me hard. My own darling answer made me realize the position I was taking. I thought, being on this call meant interest. Being on this call meant pro-activeness, so what was I waiting for? Why not ask, yes just ask? I had thoughts but I took the easy way of saying, oh…no, no questions

To experience change, one must be the change. To lead and empower, one must own the way, the approach and the personality leaders embody. One cannot HAVE freedom, and then BE free. One cannot HAVE a community, and then BE a leader. One cannot HAVE followers, and then BE influential.

No.

One must BE a leader and then will HAVE the community. One must BE free and taste and HAVE real freedom. One must BE the change and then HAVE everything change. One must truly and only BE-HAVE as what he searches for. When you are what you are looking for, you are limitless. What is your “, and then”?

Healing the Healer: 5 Reiki Applications to Combat Fatigue

HEALING THE HEALER:
5 REIKI APPLICATIONS TO COMBAT FATIGUE

Article by John Scardina
Photo Credit: Rose Jane
Magazine: Issue #22

Reiki Applications to Combat Fatigue

Many business owners in my direct and indirect circles are healers, a wonderful and amazing group of energy workers, coaches, educators, and visionaries all of which give their all to everyone at any given time. A constant flow or surge of energy that is personally directed to the individual who seeks or needs help to improve their life and or needs. Admittedly this is one of the best feelings in the universe, to have that ability to help others with improving any one of their needs in life. This gift of working so dearly for others can also have a downside that can fatigue the healer if they do not take care of themselves first. If you do not take care of yourself you cannot take care of others. It is of the upmost importance for the energy workers, coaches, educators, and visionaries to take the time out in between clients to heal themselves first.

I have been a Reiki practitioner since 2008 and now a Reiki Master/Teacher. Reiki, “Universal Life Force Energy” an energy that exists in everyone and everything is one amazing energy healing technique that is constant, never draining, and can never do harm. The best part is that this energy is already inside of us all. The only key missing is to be properly attuned to Reiki in order to enjoy and share its benefits. Once attuned to Reiki by a Reiki Master/Teacher you can immediately use Reiki to heal others, but most importantly to heal yourself. The method of self-healing through Reiki is something that can be practiced whenever called upon in order to calm, energize ground and center the healer in you. 

Some methods of applying Reiki to the healer could be:

Detoxify yourself (cleanse yourself) free of all negative energy that might remain after working with a client for an extended period of time.

Rebalance the flow of your energy after a long lasting of any type of work with a client.

Shield, protection prior to any client work in order to maintain a constant level of energy during your work.

Remove blockage of stagnant energy if you are doing hands on energy work with a client.

Reenergize and ground yourself after any work with a client.

The applications for the use of Reiki are almost limitless on how they may be utilized for your inner healer, and it is always with you. We must always remember as healers to take care of ourselves first in order to provide the best for our clients.

Discovering Your Action Plan To Transform Your Mindset

Discovering Your Action Plan To Transform Your Mindset

DISCOVERING YOUR ACTION PLAN TO TRANSFORM YOUR MINDSET

Article by Angela Anderson
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #21

“I just don’t like to exercise, I don’t have time, weight lifting is boring, I can’t stay with good nutrition because I feel deprived and unsatisfied.” 

If those thoughts and beliefs run through your mind, they are preventing you from ever finding your “sweet” spot with a fitness regime & nutrition plan.   In fact, they play blocker at your every turn keeping you frustrated, struggling, and in a never-ending cycle of start and stop.  

Your trainer, your fitness classes, and your nutrition plan are tools.  They do not hold the secrets to weight loss, weight gain, gorgeous muscle definition, or putting a stop to sugar and carbohydrate cravings.

Would you like a physical practice that makes you feel strong and powerful, like a warrioress and fuel your body with lavish, clean food that satiates you like a queen at a royal buffet?

YOU CAN HAVE ALL OF IT.  

But . . . . 

The secret weapon lies within you, deep beneath the tip of the iceberg in your subconscious mind. Your programmed system of beliefs about yourself, your life, your relationships – including your relationship with your body and your food are the keystones to your success. These golden nuggets of positive or negative subconscious beliefs lead you down a path of passion and crazy results OR frustration and failure.

Take the time to examine your Negative, Self Sabotoging Beliefs vs. Their Positive Counterparts.  

Below are some very simple and almost superficial statements. Knowing deep down if you truly believe these statements or not is your first step.

Negative, Self-Sabotoging Beliefs:  {Fill in the blank}:
1.   _____________________ (exercise, weight lifting, eating clean) is hard.
2.  I don’t have time to _________________ (exercise, change my nutrition, figure it out).
3.  I do not have support from others.
4.  It’s too hard.
5.  It’s boring.
6.  I can’t.

Positive, Self-Enhancing Beliefs:
1.  I look for, and usually find, the gift and opportunity in life’s challenges.
2.  I want to live.
3.  I easily receive support from others.
4.  I am in control of my life.
5.  I expect things to turn out for the best.
6.  I can and I deserve to be the best me.

Now that you have honestly asked yourself these questions and know your answers, it’s time to start discovering your action plan to transform any negative beliefs once and for all.  You’ve got to really really really REALLY want to change, educate yourself, and then finally believe that your personal metamorphosis is possible.