CLEARING, CLEANSING AND
GROUNDING PRACTICES

GLIDING INTO THE WEEKEND…

Hello from California,

The past couple of weeks have been intense! The combination of mother nature, mercury retrograde (the planet of stability and communication that rules slip-ups and mishaps) and pandemic fatigue has taken a toll on the the sturdiest of us. I’m hearing from many people (and their kids) that it’s a roller coaster ride of rangling emotions and taming physical stress in the body.

So I thought I’d send you a little note about what I’m doing and recommendations to stay grounded so you can swing your pendulum of health towards the best methods to help you stay in your center. Remember - your talents are needed in this world!

START THE DAY CLEAN

DO MORE YOGA

WRITE DOWN YOUR MANIFESTATION GOALS

MASSAGE YOURSELF

CONSULT THE SAGES

01. CLEAN IT OUT and MOVE YOUR BODY

If you didn’t start January off with a cleanse or a commitment to altering your exercise and lifestyle habits, now is the perfect time. Depending on where you live, you might not feel Spring tempting the air with its seedlings and bird songs. In California, jasmine blooms every February and that intoxicating scent whips me into cleaning mode. Whether it’s your closets, your makeup, or your garden, now is the time to start weeding out the remnants of your psychic space that have taken root in your landscape this winter, and prepare for new growth.

Even if it’s just the simple act of starting your morning with lemon water (high in vitamin C and fiber and excellent for a healthy heart, accelerating weight loss and aiding digestion) I love a gentle cleanse program to ease me into better lifestyle and food habits. If you’re in Los Angeles, I love the Elissa Goodman soup cleanse. And I just ordered the Daily shake powder from Clean Program.

The Lymph System loves purple and red staining foods to aid micro-circulation, so add some beets, berries, cabbage, cherries, cranberries (which helps break down excess fat), goji berries and the like to your diet.

By now you may know that the Lymphatic System depends on movement for circulation (the lymph system doesn’t have a central pump like the way the heart pumps your blood– it depends on musculoskeletal and arterial pulsations and deep breathing). This year has been more sedentary for most of us- which contributes to a sluggish lymph. It takes consistent effort to go for a walk, take a zoom dance class and to carve out time for a yoga practice. (Inversions, twists and deep pranayama breathing are excellent lymph movers!) I encourage you to find a way to motivate yourself- it will help improve your mood and make your rivers of lymph happy!

02. WRITE IT, BELIEVE IT

Since I was a kid I always kept a journal. The power of writing down your thoughts and dreams, unencumbered by realities and obstacles is a powerful message for your soul and your brain. Pick 3 goals for yourself and write them down.

1) A health goal. How do you want to feel this year (what do you plan to do to get there)?

2) A joyful goal This could be spending more time in nature, moving to a new city, destination travel, spending time with your grandkids, painting, solo dates, getting a puppy, etc. This is important! Prioritizing joy in your life is essential for your physical and mental health.

3) One goal for humanity; be it environmental, how you plan to be of service or something tangible you want to do to make the planet a better place. Studies show when you help others, it brings happiness to you too.

03. MASSAGE AND WISDOM

Self-massage is one of my favorite ways to reduce brain fog, achy limbs, ease digestion and reduce congestion and even breast tenderness. People ask me all the time what lymphatic sequence I do the most. I tell them, it depends. This year I’ve been massaging my head and neck a lot because of all the zoom teaching and writing I’ve been doing. It seems that many of us have been living with our heads jetted forward- as if we could propel out entire body into the screen and project ourselves into the room with people. Lymphatic self-massage is great to relieve neck tension, congestion and eye strain.
Here’s a link to my favorite video for that.

I’ve been doing tarot since I was a teenager and I am continually stunned at how pulling one card can remind me what I know deep down in my soul. When I have a big decision to make, or I feel stuck or am starting a new endeavor I consult the cards about what I need to hear- to integrate into my path. This last week I bought some crystals too because, as I started off this Newsletter saying, it’s been a doozy couple weeks and I think there’s some kernels of wisdom in this tumultuous time we are supposed to embrace to build a stronger, healthier psyche.

Here are a couple of great decks if you are new and interested in exploring:

Wild Unknown Animal Spirit Cards

Motherpeace Tarot

Modern Witch Tarot

Star Spinner Tarot

04. LESS HEAVINESS, MORE LIGHT

Even if you aren’t one to follow solstices, equinoxes or moon cycles, I hope you can tell that the days are getting longer and providing us with more light. As the year of forced hibernation is unfurling, I’m hearing from some of you that you’re not quite ready to jump back out into the world full force. I don’t think we are meant to. It’s ok if you don’t feel changed or ready. Keep finding the small ways to nurture yourself and choose the people and surroundings that bring you happiness and that make you feel good.

When a snake sheds its skin, it’s slithering. When a butterfly emerges, it’s the result of silken weaving, deep cocooning, and then a trust in its new wings.

Small, conscious, deliberate steps.

Be the light and go towards it- trust the grace and the nourishing foundation you have built for yourself.

May you be in good lymphatic health always,

Lisa