Sunday, December 6, 2009

What is the Mindful Gym Experience?

The Mindful Gym Experience is a cross pollination of both physical and mental activities. The aim of the Mindful Gym Experience is to engage anyone in the act of releasing stored emotions through utilizing their conscious body and mind during a physical workout.

Alison Leigh Siegel, MFT has created and researched this blend for over two decades and is completely firm in her belief of the results that can come from this work. Alison decided to levy the tradition of a regular workout with one that is *more* than just that. Imagine the endorphin release by running or doing your regular workout. Now imagine some if not most of your current issues being melted away as well through your workout. It's like working out your body and mind at the same time!

How is this done? Videos will come but for now, I can explain. When you circuit train, you move from one machine to the next quickly. This beat is not quick, but really slow and intentional. Every move you make in the gym is a conscious one. It is done with mindfulness and conscious effort. You are not going for the "gold". you are going for peace and release at the same time.

You gain peace of mind and body by releasing old stored up emotions through your slow and deliberate activity. You release calories, toxins and other bodily waste through secretions your body removes automatically while you go through the workout.

Stay tuned for more on the Mindful Gym, by alison leigh, MFT, CMT, fitness coach

Friday, July 10, 2009

Core Exercises for healing the SEXUAL Chakrah


First of all, WHAT IS YOUR CORE and why is it important?
Your core muscles extend from your pelvic floor, through your abdominal muscles, and up to your diaphragm. Your core muscles, along with your back muscles and buttocks, help compose your body’s sexual and creative center. We rely on this for stability in life as well as giving us the ability to stand tall and proud in the world.

DO WE NEED TO?
Due to injury, instability and common misalignment from improper movements, we need address this as one of the first areas to work on. Increasing stability in the core area also increases our libido and first chakrah, the muladhara.

In fact, almost every yoga move uses this area to center, stabilize and empower further movements.

Chronic pain from lower back injuries is the most common symptom that someone has injured their core. When we focus on this, we can prevent injuries, improve posture, and reduces if not get rid of lower back pain.

The root chakra has also been called the "grounding force energy" which allows people to connect with the earth, which is the most important foundation upon which to stabilize our being.

Energy and Muscles:
The root chakrah is related to the hips, legs, lower back and sexual organs.anus, adrenal glands and pelvic floor muscles. When you are poorly grounded, your spatial understanding in terms of where you are is impaired. You also may stumble around mentally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Grounding our core will enhance the ability to function effectively each day you are here.

EMOTIONS STEMMING FROM BLOCKED ROOT CHAKRAH?
When you root chakra his blocke, you may feel fearful, anxious, insecure and frustrated. Common symptoms may include weight issues (anorexia, bulimia, obesity,etc)

Exercise that "get to our core"

Begin with a silent meditation with the conscious intention of the words, "I AM", "I am grounded", "i am here". You might also try, "I accept my body as it is now", "I feel it, love it and validate it".

Then lye on your back, bend your knees and bring the soles of your feet close to your buttocks on the floor.

Press down on using your quads, pushing your feet into the ground with impact.Then, gently squeeze your buttocks and press your pubic bone downward feeling the earth beneath you. Breath out.

When we have sex, we use this energy and the muscles without even knowing it. You might imagine the same movement while doing these exercises. Remember though, they are micro movements, not big ones.

WHAT FOODS ARE associated with the first chakrah?
Eating is a first chakra activity. When we eat, we are nourished and our physical body is supported. Eating grounds us. Meats and proteins are first chakra food.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

History of "The gym"...



The word γυμνάσιον (gymnasion) was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual education of young men (see gymnasium (ancient Greece)). The later meaning of intellectual education persisted in German and other languages to denote a certain type of school providing secondary education, the Gymnasium, whereas in English the meaning of physical education was pertained in the word gym.

The Greek word gymnasium means "place to be naked" and was used in ancient Greece to designate a locality for the education of young men, including physical education (gymnastics, i.e. exercise) which was customarily performed naked, as well as bathing, and studies. For the Greeks, physical education was considered as important as cognitive learning. Most Greek gymnasia had libraries that could be utilized after relaxing in the bathshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

After the ancient Greeks, gyms disappeared for centuries. Medieval and Renaissance life was physically arduous enough, and ordinary people got all the exercise they needed working on the land and carrying out chores.

By the 19Th century, though, schools and colleges were building gymnasiums (and even today, the word "gym" means "school gym class" to many people). The YMCA also built a number of gyms for physical exercise and social sports and games.

During the mid 19Th century, the Turnvereine (gymnastics unions) movement led to the founding of Turners, German-American gymnastics clubs. These had a political as well as an athletic element.

1930s - Boxing Gyms

A form of gym known as the "boxing gym" began to appear in the 1930s, with the founding of Cus D'Amanto's Gramercy Gym in Manhattan in 1939.These gyms were to train fighters and boxers - not places for general exercise.

Gold's gym chain, still going to day, was founded by Joe Gold in 1965 in Venice, California, which became a landmark for bodybuilders (despite the dirty state of its equipment). Joe Gold founded the World Gym chain in 1977.

1980s - Corporate Gyms

More and more gym chains were founded during the 1980s, including 24 Hour Fitness (1983) and LA Fitness (1984).

Do you work in an office building with its own gym? The trend of corporate gyms began in the 1980s, too, as employers began to take on a greater responsibility for employee's health.

today, lots of people are or have been gym member s - people who would never call themselves "bodybuilders", "fighters" or even especially sporty. New gym chains have sprung up over the past couple of decades; Lifetime Fitness in 1990, Equinox Fitness in 1991, and Virgin Active in 1999.

Widespread celebrity gym-going has encouraged the boon in gym membership, and gyms look set to be popular for decades to come.


by Alison Leigh Siegel, MFT, Somatic Psychotherapist, movement teacher, bodyworker, healing artist

The Mindful Gym™ is truly a revolution in health care. Combining the wisdom of both Western and Eastern Healing arts and science, along with movement, breath and mindful living activities, the Mindful Gym is designed and has been researched to address almost every condition of the human body. Dis-eases like chronic pain, emotional, physical, sexual trauma, acute injury, insomnia, addictions, etc, are all being relieved if not completely cured by using these exercises in mindfulness.
TESTOMONIALS
http://www.yelp.com/biz/alison-leigh-siegel-mft-san-francisco-2




THE NEED:
The challenge: In today's society we are increasingly plagued with dis-ease and mental/physical stress that we are not able to access because 1) we are not aware of them and 2) when we are aware we don't have the right tools to use and 3) we self soothe in destructive ways because we don't know other ways to heal ourselves.

DENIAL: when we can't deal, we just ignore a problem, put it "to the side, down, away". All of these directions of placements then become energy patterns that really just lye in the physical-emotional body stored as old trauma. Pain and suffering come from not being in touch with your body on an emotional level so we need to first "touch-in" and find places that have been stuck so then we can move through with conscious awareness and unhook these places for our own healing.

HOW is the mindful gym useful?: We are disconnected at a core level and physically , mentally and spiritually we need to be in touch with our whole selves to achieve complete mind/body wellness.

Solution: complete integration of mindful fitness that address every dimension including conscious bodywork, psycho-spiritual exercises, movement and psychotherapy.

Note from Alison Leigh, MFT: founder of The Mindful Gym™
After almost 20 years in development and practice I bring to you the Mindful Gym. The MG is a total mind/body/spiritual
workout that is founded on more than 30 different practices. I have taken the best and most relevant exercises,
movements, and body practices out of this foundation to develop and create what i believe will be the beginning of a revolutionary mind/body practice that will be spread locally and globally.

There are so many reasons for the development, implementation and application of the MG that it has been challenging on so many fronts’ mainly because the system is so intricate and complex yet at the same time, easy to do and understandable for anyone trying it for the first time.

Benefits of The Mindful Gym include:
*increased vitality, circulation, physical/spiritual awareness
* reduced stress and ability to manage it easily
* sound sleep
* reduced cortisol levels
* relief from arthritis, addictions, and many other medical conditions
* allergy and asthma symptom relief
* lower blood pressure
*increased mobility, flexibility, freedom of movement
*better understanding of the complexities of our psyche
*toned body, toned muscular system
*reduction in physiological symptoms of trauma
*overall better attitude toward life

Monday, July 6, 2009

Sexuality and MINDFULNESS...a mixed bag?



The topic of sexuality is no new subject, however when you add "mindfulness" into the mix what do you get? Some people may not know the answer to this question because they are not sure that being mindful can go together with sex. However, I can tell you that being mindful can both enhance and increase the drive to get physical.

Mindfulness, as stated in my recent blogs is about 1) Being aware of your self, your body, and your "being" as it relates to the here and now. Why is this important? Mainly so you can have a more present experience. When you are sexual, a lot is happening all at once. It can seem so hard for some to take things slowly in the midst of something hot and heavy; but studies have revealed that taking it slowly can lead to greater arousal time, and increased libido giving you more lasting power.

So, one might ask, how do I do this? First, you should be familiar with how to get yourself mindful and find someone else that is too; however if that is not available, you can practice with your lover in these ways.

1) Touch your face and/or your partners face. Feel their skin, its sensations, and feel into your own self how that connection feels for you. Relate that experience to your own sense of vulnerability while having them tell you or show you how it is affecting them. This connection allows for mutual touch and in a mindful way.
2) Let them touch you over your clothes to start. This can be very erotic, but even if it gets hot, slow down and breathe. you want it to last. you might giggle, you might grin, you might even feel uncomfortable in the slowness of the sensations you feel. That is all okay. the point is to go slowly, and be mindful. Let the sensations and the talk about what is happening on a somatic level for each individual take you into a deeper place of being. Realize you still have your clothes on and so much has happened already.

3) Sigh. When you take in a feeling of pleasure, let it be known. Inhale and exhale with voice. Give your sensual and sexual experience a louder voice. Allow it to roll out of your mouth into the air, and be mindful of all that happens afterward. Check in with your partner and ask them how they are feeling. Again, this is all about connection and not yet about sexual gratification. We are elongating this process.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

TRANFORMING the HEART: An integrated approach to mind/body healing



To deepen into your heart, or "heart chakrah", you must first
1) Be aware of where it is. In Western Medicinal terms the heart refers to the "physical" place in your body. In the East, or using Taoist and Buddhist principles, the HEART resides as an energy source located in the "heart chakrah" center. This location is esoteric, mystical and derived from the knowledge of the astral plane. (more on energy systems later).

GREEN: The color green (and sometimes pink) symbolizes the heart chakrah. This love center of our human energy field is often the focus when we want to heal our hearts. Some examples of healing would be to utilize this chakrah as fruitful reform in changing and transforming our pain into pleasure.

Examples are: transforming hurtful situations like divorce/ separation, grief process, emotional abuse, abandonment, adultery into acceptance and mindful presence. In addition, Physical illnesses brought about by heartbreak require that an emotional healing occur along with the physical healing. Learning to love yourself is a powerful first step in securing a healthy fourth chakra. The "wounded child" resides in the heart chakra.#
# Sanskrit Name - anahata http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskrit

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

More on Muladhara Chakrah, EARTH ENERGY


http://hinduism.iskcon.com/tradition/1203.htm

Chakrah system analysis




The Mindful Gym™'s creator, Alison Leigh Siegel, MFT, Somatic Psychotherapist and wellness educator, refers to the Chakrah system as being one of the most powerful tools in healing emotional issues. In a typical body/mind session, she will guide you through your energetic "emotional body" system, and give you a detailed awareness of what areas of stagnation you are holding.


1st Chakra: MULADHARA meaning ‘root of our support’
Commonly known as the base centre
Location: perineum, base of spine
Colour: Red
Element: Earth
Governs: The kidneys, adrenals, pelvis, hips, knees, lower back, sciatic nerve, bowel movement.
Traditional development ages: 0-7 years

2nd Chakra: SVADHISHTHANA meaning ‘your own dwelling place’
Commonly known as the sexual centre
Location: between the genitals and naval
Colour: Orange
Element: Water
Governs: The genitals, reproductive organs, bladder and prostate.
Traditional development ages: 7-14 years

Key Words: Self Worth and Emotional Boundaries

3rd Chakra: MANIPURA meaning ‘dwelling place of jewels’
Commonly known as the power centre
Location: at the solar plexus
Colour: Yellow
Element: Fire
Governs:: The spleen, liver, gall bladder, stomach and pancreas
Traditional development ages: 14-21 years

Key Words: Power and Ego

4th Chakra: ANAHATA meaning ‘that which is ever new’
Commonly known as the heart centre
Location: at the centre of the chest
Colour: Emerald Green
Element: Air
Governs: The physical heart, lungs and thymus
Traditional development ages: 21-28 years


Key Words: Giving and Receiving

5th Chakra: VISHUDDHA meaning ‘purest of the pure’
Commonly known as the throat centre
Location: at the throat
Colour: Sky Blue
Element: Ether or Space
Governs: The vocal chords, thyroid and voice
Traditional development: ages 28-35 years


Key Words: Communication and Creative Expression.

6th Chakra: AJNA meaning ‘command’
Commonly known as the third eye
Location: on the forehead between the eyebrows
Colour: Indigo
Element: Light
Governs: The pituitary Gland
Traditional development: ages 35-42 years


Key Words: Perception and Self Reflection.

7th Chakra: SAHASRARA meaning ‘thousand-petalled lotus’
Commonly known as the crown centre
Location: at the crown of the head
Colour: Violet, Gold orWhite

Element: Consciousness
Governs: The pineal Gland
Traditional development: ages 42-49 years

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Stop the perfection and BE MESSY!


Are you feeling anxious, angry and can't shed that emotion? Try our all girls (women) Messy Girls Club...we have fun and meet new messy gals ... "Don't be perfect, be messy!"

The Messy Girl Club

Thursday, June 25, 2009

CAT got your TONGUE?


Perhaps you feel choked up, not heard or plain, just too tired to verbally reach out. So, you want to say something but you just can't. Okay, then. Follow these steps toward accelerating the vibration of your voice.

1) Use A-E-I-O- and U with different voices. Say them out loud if you can. Now, say them again, but this time, use a different voice. Perhaps someone you know or in the tone of a song you like. The main objective is to use different vocal tones to begin to listen to yourself.

2) After saying it, now take your hand and put it on your larynx. FEEL the sensation of the vibration...a-e-i-o-u. Feel silly yet? Don't. It works. Do it again until you can really feel each vowel like you are saying it for the first time. Get used to your voice. Perhaps something else will come out as well.

3) Go look in the mirror at yourself. Good. Now, do it again. I know- you may feel funny, but again, trust me. It works.

4) Write down all the feelings that went through a) your head and b) your body and don't forget to write down all the judgements, fears, anxieties too. When you are finished- look at what you wrote and then email me your thoughts, expressions. You have now completed a very awkward exercise however tap into how you feel now compared to how you felt when you started. Sure, there might not be a huge shift, but i can tell you there will be a shift even a small one counts.

How to GROUND and Center Yourself


Feeling stuck? These mindful and grounding exercises will help you be in the moment, breathe and develop a better sense of self.

1) The number one thing to do first is:
To honor yourself first. That comes before taking care of anyone else...remember, you are first! This may look or sound just like just words because so many of us hear people telling us that; however what it means for you is this: Accept where you are now, today, because it took you many years of struggling to get here. You made it here! think about that! What that means in terms of accepting this mindful and conscious state is to go ahead (i’m giving you permission) to embody that on a level that has not reached you in a while. We will do this together through our work. You will be performing the touch piece though, since i’m not there. Even if i was, you can do this on your own. You have the power to change yourself, don’t forget that.

2) Acceptance.To be more detailed, you might say, “I accept my body the way it is now. You might repeat this while lying on the couch or somewhere comfortable and putting your hand on your stomach. Breathe in with your “buddah belly” (the area just beneath your belly button allowing your belly to rise with great breath and fall with each exhalation. It might look like something like this (see video)

3) Add words. While you are breathing in big deep breaths (and make sure they are big and deep), you will say to yourself quietly or out loud, “I accept myself now”. Then after really getting this, do it more, with more words. “I accept myself now and my body as it is right now”. Then, “I accept myself now, my body now and I accept my body as a whole”. Keep doing variations of this meditation, each time adding more words, but not too many words that it clutters the mind. The point is to keep vibrating at a level of comfort for you. If you feel something in the middle of any of these affirmations, stop and rest. Your body is telling you something. Listen.

4) LISTEN AND Feel it. Next step is while you are breathing, to actually feel your breath (which is a different motion), and accept this gift you are giving to yourself on all levels of sensations. Give yourself permission to allow any emotion, sensation or feeling to arise without any judgement (from our inner critic). That means if something comes into your mind, like, “i don’t believe myself, this is not true for me, etc” is then to continue hearing that voice and then commenting inside to yourself, “Oh, that is interesting”. Allowing yourself to just notice and not judge will help that thought gets its “fill” and since you don’t give it any power, it won’t last. It will just release from you. Then, continue back to your original state of breathing in acceptance of your “whole body” and then releasing with ease (inhalation through nose, exhalation through mouth)

5) Pace yourself, go at your own pace.I want you to try this for a bit because we want you to take this process slowly. Due to the injury of the body/mind connection from the trauma, we want to control our own pace. That means that we do things with incredible detail to pace. We don’t go fast, or too slow. We only go how we want to go. We are back in control of our bodies now in this time and we need to allow for that pace.

6) Repeat. All of these points are really important, so try and do them over and over again. To repeat, find somewhere comfortable to sit/lye, and then place your hand to the part of your body (stomach now) and begin taking deep breaths. Then, feel the inhalation/exhalation and then begin your affirmation (s).

The last piece is the most crucial, which is to “see what comes up” from this. The point then, is to make allowance for the feelings that were lost/stuck in our past and now give it a new freedom point for which to take off and for which to land.


Let me know how it goes.
Much love and respect to you and your sacred body temple.

Alison Leigh Siegel, MFT
2121 26th Street #202
San Francisco, Ca 94107
http://www.justbegoodtoyourself.blogspot.com/
askalisonleigh@gmail.com
415-377-9851

Healing Affirmations/Meditations for Releasing "Stuck" emotions


There are many steps to healing ourselves and our bodies. Many people ask me, "what can i do when i'm not in session?". I love that question because it #1) shows me you are taking responsibility for your own healing which is really hard to do! So, first, congratulations! To begin with : i will explain some small steps you can do at home or own your own time when you feel "stuck" and really just need to feel yourself, calm down, or get in touch with your emotions.

#1) HONOR yourself and your process FIRST . That comes before taking care of anyone else...remember, you are first! This may look or sound just like just words because so many of us hear people telling us that; however what it means for you is this: Accept where you are now, today, because it took you many years of struggling to get here. You made it here! think about that! What that means in terms of accepting this mindful and conscious state is to go ahead (i’m giving you permission) to embody that on a level that has not reached you in a while. We will do this together through our work. You will be performing the touch piece though, since i’m not there. Even if i was, you can do this on your own. You have the power to change yourself, don’t forget that.

2) Acceptance.To be more detailed, you might say, “I accept my body the way it is now. You might repeat this while lying on the couch or somewhere comfortable and putting your hand on your stomach. Breathe in with your “buddah belly” (the area just beneath your belly button allowing your belly to rise with great breath and fall with each exhalation. It might look like something like this (insert picture, video, etc).

3) Add words. While you are breathing in big deep breaths (and make sure they are big and deep), you will say to yourself quietly or out loud, “I accept myself now”. Then after really getting this, do it more, with more words. “I accept myself now and my body as it is right now”. Then, “I accept myself now, my body now and I accept my body as a whole”. Keep doing variations of this meditation, each time adding more words, but not too many words that it clutters the mind. The point is to keep vibrating at a level of comfort for you. If you feel something in the middle of any of these affirmations, stop and rest. Your body is telling you something. Listen.

4) Feel it. Next step is while you are breathing, to actually feel your breath (which is a different motion), and accept this gift you are giving to yourself on all levels of sensations. Give yourself permission to allow any emotion, sensation or feeling to arise without any judgement (from our inner critic). That means if something comes into your mind, like, “i don’t believe myself, this is not true for me, etc” is then to continue hearing that voice and then commenting inside to yourself, “Oh, that is interesting”. Allowing yourself to just notice and not judge will help that thought gets its “fill” and since you don’t give it any power, it won’t last. It will just release from you. Then, continue back to your original state of breathing in acceptance of your “whole body” and then releasing with ease (inhalation through nose, exhalation through mouth)

5) Pace yourself, go at your own pace.I want you to try this for a bit because we want you to take this process slowly. Due to the injury of the body/mind connection from the trauma, we want to control our own pace. That means that we do things with incredible detail to pace. We don’t go fast, or too slow. We only go how we want to go. We are back in control of our bodies now in this time and we need to allow for that pace.

6) Repeat. All of these points are really important, so try and do them over and over again. To repeat, find somewhere comfortable to sit/lye, and then place your hand to the part of your body (stomach now) and begin taking deep breaths. Then, feel the inhalation/exhalation and then begin your affirmation (s).

The last piece is the most crucial, which is to “see what comes up” from this. The point then, is to make allowance for the feelings that were lost/stuck in our past and now give it a new freedom point for which to take off and for which to land.


Let me know how it goes.
Much love and respect to you and your sacred body temple.

Alison Leigh Siegel, MFT
2121 26th Street #202
San Francisco, Ca 94107
http://www.justbegoodtoyourself.blogspot.com/
askalisonleigh@gmail.com
415-377-9851
http://www.alisonleigh.net/

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

5 ways to destress during work or at home:


1) Use your 5 senses:
a) SIGHT: Use your eyes: The sense of sight helps us recognize each other and learn about color, motion and distance.what do you see around you? Navigate your playing field, or relaxation field by tuning into your eyes, your sight, your vision. If that was all you had right now, what would you see? Take inventory on these things around you. Breathe in deeply and with an allowance to letting go...count in three breathes, and then let go visualizing these or one of the colors you choose. Do it again increasing both the frequency of color and the intensity. (photo by:Joe Tilson
Transparency, the Five Senses: Taste 1969
)
b) HEAR/LISTEN: Use your ears: The sense of hearing helps us learn from each other through communication. listen closely to all around you. Feel it in your body if you can. What do you hear? Can you listen closely to your breathe? can you hear your heartbeat? Can you hear yourself in your own silence? What comes up for you when you LISTEN?
c) SMELL: The sense of smell helps us to enhance our fruitful experiences and helps us detect potential risks.Nose: Smell and take note in what you sense through your nose. Is is sweet, succulent? Take a big inhalation, breathe out in counts of five. Use your body to really feel into that motion of sensing with your nose and embody the rhythm of this movement. Repeat.
d) TOUCH/FEEL: he sense of touch helps us learn about our world by feeling it and learning the size, texture and shape of things.try and listen with your whole body. what sensations do you feel? Can you feel the warmth of your skin? Can you feel the air blowing in your hair? go ahead and inhale with full breath and then allow yourself a deep and relaxing exhale. Don't hurry. It feels better when slowing down.
e) TASTE: Taste helps us determine what we like to eat. This is one of many favorites. It's not only how it tastes, but what does it taste like? compare your tastes to that of other tastes. Can taste also be felt? Seen? Go ahead and use your other senses to enhance your sense of taste. Inhale mindfully, being present with every breath, and then slowly eat or chew your food. Slow food...it's where it is at.

© 1998 - 2009 Mindfulmeditations/askalisonleigh - All Rights Reserved.

Mindfulness: askalisonleigh

Please visit:
http://mindfulgym.blogspot.com

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Planet Mindful, "Your place to be"

At Planet Mindful, we take "being" seriously; however we don't take ourselves too seriously. Our plan is to bring forward conscious awareness (mindfulness) into every day situations. By allowing ourselves and others to "just be", we create an atmosphere of non-judgment, radical acceptance and peace. All too often we find ourselves stressed out and hurried. We don't have the time or patience to really "hear" ourselves. If we listen closely, with full attention to the body, mind and spirit, especially in silent meditation, then we can entertain the notion that "doing" may be just a means to an end; where "being" is practicing the present vs. focusing on end results. My goal for planet mindful is to ultimately reach the masses through education, humor, personal stories and reality based manifestations of earthly desires. (that means "stuff"). My job is to educate you in the reality of your own existence, as you are here on this planet. I can do that through talking, walking, meditating, dancing, creating, circulating, transforming, igniting, and so many other different avenues. Your job is to relate to me what you desire in yourself as you will be the active participant.

In theory, nobody can help you but yourself. We've all heard that before. But, it's really true. When i work with people it's often so they can come to terms with the fact that they have missed some true meaning in their life somewhere along the way. It is my job to help you find yourself, your life's purpose and do it with consciousness, awareness and with mindfulness.

I am writing this blog on the eve of a beautiful full moon and hope that our Planet receives all that it has give which is an endless supply of acceptance and love.
"If you can't do, then BE"

Planet Mindful, Inc.
Alison Leigh Siegel, MFT
2121 26th Street #202
San Francisco, Ca 94107
Meetup with other like minds...RED HOT
http://www.meetup.com/Red-Hot-Minds-A-Mindfulness-Meetup-Group-San-Francisco/

mindfulness

PLANET MINDFUL: Blissed out mindfulness...just add JUICE

PLANET MINDFUL: Blissed out mindfulness...just add JUICE

Friday, June 19, 2009

Blissed out mindfulness...just add JUICE

Being mindful means being here (in the present moment) and conscious of it- right now.
That term, however can be used before or after an adjective. Try, "mindfully blissful". Do you know what that means? I do. It means that not only are you mindful, (in this moment) but in addition you are also present of being blissful. When you add this cocktail together, what do you get? Pure heaven! Try it sometime. It's good for you!


When your done being blissful, try to move mindfully...that works too!
http://movingmindfulness.blogspot.com/

Moving mindfully and gracefully...

If you are sitting right now..get up and move. I don't care where or how, just do it! You'll see your perspectives are always changing depending on where and how you move. Sit up, stand up, get up and move!

http://movingmindfulness.blogspot.com/

Practice loving kindness for YOURSELF and random thoughts

Be grateful you are here. Think of the alternative. Say thank you five times outloud. It multiplies and you will receive even more. it really works.

Bathe...breathe....and relax. take a bath. smell a vanilla candle. do something gooey for yourself. rub lotion all over and feel good! Do it right in the middle of the day. don't wait for your hub/wife or SO to help. do it yourself!stop reading this and go eat cake. (:


http://www.linkedin.com/pub/alison-leigh-siegel-mft/b/2b/b2b

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Migraine got you?

I have suffered for an entire decade from migraines, but here is a holistic tip for those who need to "get back to work"...
1) Take a small nap if you can...it works wonders
2) Massage your temples, lay down and breathe!
3) From a metaphysical perspective the "third" eye is "blocked" during a migraine which may mean numerous things. Louise Hay describes this area of tension as "invalidating the self"...ask yourself, have you said anything nice to yourself today? If not, try.
http://www.louisehay.com/

Just Be Therapy and Healing Lounge
2121 26th Street #202
San Francisco, Ca 94107
askalisonleigh@gmail.com
"she'll tell ya!"

Mrs. Bubble makes her own ...


Another way we can be good to ourselves is to bathe. Use your senses. Begin with your favorite body shampoo and fill the tub with warm bubbles and begin to melt your body into the heated water. Gently begin by taking deep breathes in and out until you can really feel yourself floating. Imagine yourself in a safe, beautiful space, alone or with your mate, and smell the air, feel your skin and allow your breathe to continue to flow until you feel deeply relaxed. "A picture is worth 1000 words, but a bath doesn't need any but a long deep sigh" alison leigh, pretend poet

Sunday, June 7, 2009

3 effective self massage techniques

For PMS, Body blues and just deep relaxation

1) check out acupressure points: good guide
http://www.acupressureonline.org/iPMS.htm
for PMS and other femalecentric ideas.
2) Take a deep breath and hold it for 5 seconds, on the exhale, press between your index finger and your thumb and let out an "ahhhhh"...
3) Take your hand, clasp your neck from behind and squeeze the muscles to release tension. You should feel this all over your body.

COMING SOON: alison leigh will be demonstrating these techniques on UTUBE.
check back in July for more details.
askalisonleigh@gmail.com
http://movingmindfulness.blogspot.com/

Massage, Mindfulness, and the way of the warrior princess

To be pink, is to be proud. To be free is also a proud expression of love in the community of healers on this planet working feverishly to produce new ways of integrating movement, dance and the arts into creative expression for healing women all over the world.

think globally act locally...and we do.
Do you have a gal/women friend who you know is doing great things for herself and then turning that into more empowerment for others?
Send me some links and i'll include these women and their efforts on this blog.
http://justbegoodtoyourself.blogspot.com/
http://movingmindfulness.blogspot.com/

don't forget to check out the MESSY GIRLS CLUB of San Francisco
will be holding their first launch party on June 28th, 2009
at
Just Be Therapy and Healing Lounge
2121 26th Street #202
San Francisco, Ca 94107
http://www.yelp.com/biz/alison-leigh-siegel-mft-san-francisco-2

Sexual Trauma transposed using Integrative Medicine

To offer intellectual solutions for women (and men) whom have had their bodies (and minds) altered, drugged, and sacrificed would be just another western medicinal attempt at fixing the problem to rape, cruelty and incest. Western tactics and medical science view the body as not a whole entity, but pieces to be "fixed". The attempt at fixing each part is completely contrary to what integrative medicine is trying to solve. Coming from a somatic perspective, we treat the whole body/mind as one entity. That means that if someone comes to us for help, we look at all cause and effects of the human experience at large.

To be more detailed, treating someone of rape doesn't fit into a medicinal body of pills, but rather in movement and creative somatic expression. Take Elayne Doghy, MFT of http://brightbeautifulwomen.blogspot.com/ whom is helping Congolese women "move through" their trauma. The same can be said by using mindful practices in every day life. http://movingmindfulness.blogspot.com/
For more information on somatics, somatic psychotherapy, mindfulness, contact
askalisonleigh@gmail.com or elayne_doughty@hotmail.com

Monday, April 13, 2009

women with rage

As it is so profoundly seen, witnessed and experienced by so many people for whom i work with, my dear friends Elayne and Sylvia are currently sharing their time learning and helping the Congolese women in Africa who have also suffered great sexual abuse in their lifetime. They are exploring their past and present and how their political and sexual torture has affected them on all levels, physical, mental and emotional. As this has become a common experience in their culture and as stated by Elayne , "a norm in their society", i am deeply saddened by the effect it has left on women all over the world including the special women i work with here in San Francisco. Everyone whether male or female are affected by the sexual cruelty of inhumane rape, crisis, and molestation at one point in their lives or another. Question is, what can we do now? Being a survivor myself, what i know about this is that one of the most important things about using the rage and anger is to be 1) in touch with it and 2) be aware that it is stronger than you might think. Being "in touch", however is so difficult because the body and mind protect ourselves so we can "survive". This issue of survival is something i am talking more about these days and will be writing about in blogs to come. The point is, that the residual effect of trauma is that it can become locked in the cellular structure of the body, thus compromising it of its natural and flowing resources.


When this happens, (also called "stagnation, or stagnant chi") a women's (or man's) body is thus suspended in time and basically "frozen", as if they resemble a deer in headlights. Yes, you might not be able to tell from afar but we all have some trauma held back in our bodies and working with that is one of the most important and least covered rituals in our society. Due to this increase in awareness in consciousness around trauma held in the body and the necessity of it to be released comes a new wave of bodymind techniques that offer somatic expressions. These kind of mind/body works were developed years ago but are now gaining more popularity among trauma survivors each day. Some of the work you may find out there is called, "somatic psychotherapy", "dance and movement psychotherapy", "mind/body therapy", "emotional release bodywork". More on this later...

Thursday, April 2, 2009

How? Lesson One

1) Trust yourself first
2) Take a strong honest look inside of yourself and in the mirror
3) Take note on what are the differences between the two.
4) Distinguish between "objectivity" (what others say about you) and "subjectivity", (what you say to yourself)
5) Take a moral and ethical inventory of yourself now
6) Take a moral and ethical inventory of yourself in the past.
7) Report back to me
askalisonleigh@gmail.com
"It's where you find yourself"

Lessons on "how to be good to yourself

http://alisonleighmft.wordpress.com/