Posts Tagged ‘women and holistic health’

 

“To live in accord with love is to set your heart on fire. In the crucible of such an inferno all convention burns away. What’s left is an entirely new kind of existence, one full of passion, presence, and infinite possibility.” - Raphael Cushnir

 

 

 

 

“Even the most exalted states and the most exceptionally spiritual accomplishments are unimportant if we cannot be happy in the most basic and ordinary ways, if we cannot touch one another and the life we have been given with our hearts.”

 

- Jack Kornfield from “A Path With Heart”

 

Happy Valentines Day and I hope that these quotes help to ‘set your heart on fire’ with love!

 

In peace & mindfulness,

namaste,

Zoey

 

 

 

 

I’m starting my work day off with some meditation, what about you?

 

I find that if I spend a few moments at my desk, in quietness and meditation, my day flows forward in a smoother way.

Here are some tips:

- start with some grounding exercises, feeling your feet solidly on the floor.

- take 3 cleansing breaths

- clear your mind

- focus on your breath, in out, in out.

- notice the space between your thoughts, what does it feel like.

- finish with 3 deep breaths

- come back to your day.

 

Envision your day flowing smoothly with joy and ease!

 

namaste,

 

Zoey

 

coaching for your heart and soul

Our world is changing, of that there is no doubt!  With hope, in the future, our children and grandchildren will be living in a world of peace, where a ‘partnership model’ rather than a ‘dominator model’ is in place.

Most women I know want to live a healthy lifestyle with purpose and passion.  From a place of  ’life in balance’,  they are the major decision makers in family health and kids health.  I know that as a working mother, I think often about what the future holds for myself, my family, my friends and my community.

We are seeing increasing numbers of women leaders in all areas.  Rather than replicate the mistakes of the past by using a dominator model, I urge all women, especially women in leadership to use a partnership model!

In considering these models and the future, it helps to review the key  ’organizing principles’ below:

• • command and control– think “military”.
• • competition – think “I win, you lose”.
• • cooperation – think “I scratch your back, you scratch mine”.
• • collaboration – think “win-win”.
• • co-creation – think “the whole is greater than the sum of it’s parts”.

A ‘Dominator  Model’ utilizes the first two and sometimes the third and a ‘Partnership Model’ utilizes primarily the last two.

Consider all the systems in the world today, ie political, military, corporate, business, educational, health care, religion.  Most of these systems are based on a ‘command and control’ model where there is a leader (most often male) and a triangle of power and control flowing down from the leadership level.  It is the dismantling of this model and the shift to new, healthier organizing principles that the ‘Occupy Movement” is all about for example.

Traditionally women naturally  draw on their heart and soul wisdom and use co-creation, collaboration and cooperation in their lives. For centuries, women have sat in a circle around a fire, over a cup of tea, around the children playing, chatting and throwing out ideas for simplifying and improving their lives and the lives of their families.  These models tremendously help to improve women health, family health, emotional intelligence and mental health.  This is indicated with current scientific research and not just with feminists!

As the world allows women of all ages and particularly elder women to play a more prominent role in all areas, ‘Women Power’ will increase for the good of us all.  Will we actually live in a “femocracy” or in more of a ‘collective partnership’?  We don’t know yet, however, it is important to teach our children the beauty of sitting in circle together, of ‘win-win-win’ and collective co-creative thinking.

Women leaders, base your leadership style of the last two principles and use the partnership model!  This will lend creativity, inspiration, innovation to your organization!

I call this all ‘matrixed heart and soul’ wisdom!  Enjoy your wonderful day!

In peace and mindfulness.

namaste,

Zoey

“We don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are.” ~ Anais Nin

Enjoy your day!

Namaste

In peace and mindfulness

Zoey

Abundance: Living a Mindful Balanced Life With Heart & Money!

“Women and money” is a “hot” topic.  With the explosion in women starting new business and female-preneurship as well as the current socio-economic conditions and situations around the world, women seem to be re-evaluating their relationship to money. A question I hear a lot in my work as a life, leadership , business & mentor coach is “how do I combine my wish and desire to make more money with my deeply held beliefs about helping other people and living a spiritually conscious life” aka “is it possible to live a life with heart and money”?

This question supports three broad principles:

1. For many women, it is about “relationships” ie women have a relationship with their money that is often a reflection of their relationship with themselves.
2. There may be a “disconnect” for many women between being wealthy and prosperous and being spiritually attuned.  The (limiting) belief here is that having a lot of money is not “spiritually pure”.
3. Women have unfulfilled desires around money.

I have been very curious about this for many years and have read voraciously on the topic.  I have read books on money, on prosperity & abundance, on the spirit and energy of money and on financial freedom.  What seems to make the most sense for me is seeing money as a “representation and enabling” symbol.  Actual physical money represents many things: love, quality of life, happiness, freedom, for example.  To be able to live a life of love and complete freedom enabled by prosperity, is one of the “highest” aspirations for many women I know, as this would allow them to help others by giving of their time, talent or “treasures”.

A wonderful visualization that I first read about in “The Abundance Book” by John Randolph Price is to imagine ones self as a continuously flowing fountain of abundance, fed by a heart-centered universal source and then visualizing this flowing abundance & prosperity spreading outwards to one’s friends, family, community and world and then see it flowing back to ones self in big waves.  There is something very powerful resonating with this visual when I see the abundance and prosperity being filtered through an open, warm and melted heart.  What I trust is that each of us women has the ability to be financially free and as we funnel our prosperity “through our hearts”, we will use our money in authentic and integral ways for the betterment of our lives and those around us.

My answer to this question is yes, it is possible, in fact, I believe that it is our right and responsibility to live a life with heart and money.

In peace & mindfulness,

Zoey

coaching for your heart & soul

Zoey Ryan BSc., PCC

Professional Certified Coach

Life ~ Leadership ~ Executive Coaching for Women Leaders and Mentor Coaching for Women Coaches

inspiration | innovation | wisdom

Even though I have been a certified coach and member of the International Coach Federation for many years, I have never attended the annual North American conference!  This year will be different!

I am very excited to be travelling to Las Vegas for the uncoming ICF Conference, Sept 24 – 27th.  The theme is “Playing to the Edge”.

Lynn Meinke, Chair of the conference steering committee says “What does Playing to the Edge mean to you? We know it’s different for each person and yet, isn’t that what coaching is about? Don’t you want your clients to think big and go for what they really want? So, how do you, as a person and coach, play to your edge in your personal life and professional life? How would you like to stretch yourself so that you can be a model that supports your clients to play to their edge?

In planning the educational programming for this year’s conference, the Committee looked for keynote presenters and breakout sessions that would stretch us, get us to think in different ways, offer alternative perspectives, get our “creative juices” flowing, and perhaps bring a sense of playfulness and fun. We also identified four guiding principles or “pillars” that supported and anchored our work as we selected presenters. These pillars are: Inspiration, Innovation, Community, and Diversity with Balance.”

I’m excited about meeting new coaches and exploring my edge.  I also hear that there is a wonderful spa at Mandalay Bay, where attendees will be staying, so I plan to soak and soothe with luscious spa treatments.

Let me know if you plan to attend or would like to hear more about the conference.

Information is available on the International Coach Federation website: http://coachfederation.org

peace & namaste,

Zoey

coaching for your heart & soul

Zoey Ryan BSc., PCC

Professional Certified Coach

Life ~ Leadership ~ Executive Coaching for Women

inspiration | innovation | wisdom

I picked up “Integral Spirituality” by Ken Wilber a while ago from my favourite bookstore, (Banyen Books in Vancouver) and I devoured it, I loved it, it filled an unmet need of some kind for me, it felt that the final missing piece had clunked in.  It really felt like the logical, linear, science type part of me had a “thrist quenched”.  I felt like buying copies for some family members who are the “pure science” types and from whom I have a distinctly different view of life and religion and spirituality.  It was like this book could finally convince them, (because of the mathematical formulae) that I was right.  Yes, a brief glimpse into my family of origin issues which are integrally involved in my shadow the “filter” with which I view my world I acknowedge!  Yes, Ken Wilber, to me could represent my “unresolved” brother issues!  Yes, and……another part of me says the following……

I had never felt drawn to read any of Ken Wilber’s work before, being more interested in reading Barbara Marx Hubbard, Riane Eisler, Vicki Noble and Margaret Wheatley.  I think it was the word “spirituality” that drew me and I totally respect this work of Ken’s to attempt a ‘meta analysis’ of all religions, all spiritual traditions and all states, stages and lines etc. and pull it all into a framework.  It totally felt to me like the most “cutting edge” framework that I could find.  I immersed myself in the Integral Institute website, thinking of doing advanced training with them or at the very least some workshops.

I was ecstatic to see a women’s event.  Eagerly skimming through the program, I felt like I was hit with a sledgehammer when I read that the key feature of the retreat was watching a video of Ken Wilber talking to us.  Yes, there was some sacred dancing thrown in and a few other “divine feminine” type activities but I was absolutely stunned at the program which did not in any way feel integral to me, nor was anything close to what I had expected.

I chatted about this with 2 wise women friends, one of whom is very familiar with Integral theory and we both felt that there is something missing from the integral framework.  She said what is missing is “concentric circles’, I said what is missing is “heart”.  We both felt that it is very “heady” and for us, being bodycentered and integrated in mind and body, living in the present moment is how we attempt to live.

So, I ended up with more questions, ponderings and felt experience.  I have been asking what a wisdom council of grandmothers would say about this book.  I am asking, what is beyond “integral theory”, what about cycles, I feel the lack of heart centered body centered acknowledgement, I don’t think religions can be the conveyor belts of anything until the shadow of all religions is brought to the light.  I am triggered, questioning, uncertain and unknowing and just “sitting with it all”.  Yes, I am right in the middle of “include and transcend”.

I would love to hear your thoughts!

peace, namaste & hippy love for generations,

Zoey

Okay, we’ve almost got plastic grocery bags eliminated – I’ve seen everyone from moms to tattooed biker guys with their canvas bags at the grocery store. Fantastic! We even have canvas bags for sale at my other web site: Hippy Grandma.

But I found myself reaching for plastic produce bags the other day in the produce isle at my local grocery store and wondering what the heck I was doing. You know those little clear plastic bags we put potatoes and beans and carrots in? I had reduced using those bags by a long shot – preferring to not use them at all for bananas or oranges and other stuff that gets peeled or doesn’t drip. But when I bought swiss chard or walnuts in bulk I was stuck using a small, plastic bag.

Then the other day in the checkout line I saw a shopper with all her produce in mesh bags that were clearly reusable. I asked her where she got them and she mentioned The Market Kitchen, a kitchen supply store on Granville Island.

So then I started doing a little research and found a number of great ideas for replacing plastic produce bags. My favorite so far is Lioli, for a few reasons:

1. It comes as a large tote for groceries with six little bags for produce.
2. The smaller bags come in mesh style (for produce) or cotton canvas for things like nuts or grains. (Produce Or Grain – POG. Get it?)
3. The large canvas tote has an outside pocket to hold the little POG sacks.
4. The coloured bags are made with azo free low impact dyes and all lioli bags are made fair wage/fair labour.
5. A portion of the proceeds from all bags goes to the David Suzuki foundation.

Colour me happy!

namaste,

Zoey

Zoey Ryan
life & business coach for women
inspiration * clarity * wisdom * enchantment
www.shaktisage.com
604-323-3700

“Coaching for your heart & soul & the heart and soul of your business.”

One of our favorite parts of summer and early fall here at Shakti Sage, is shopping for produce at our local farmers’ markets. We are very fortunate that there are many in our area, including the Ladner Market and the various Vancouver farmers markets.

One of the reasons we love to eat locally, is that we can become friends with and support local farmers. As we all become increasingly used to big box stores and ordering merchandise online, it can sometimes be easy to forget that there are people and lives behind the food that ends up on our table.

One such family has been providing healthy, organic fruits and vegetables for tables here in BC for more than three decades. Organic farming is definitely not a flashy trend that the Forstbauer’s from Chilliwack have just caught onto. They’ve been farming organically for over 30 years! In the late 1990s they also began to farm biodynamically. (You can read more about biodynamic farming here.)

It can’t ever be easy to be a farmer, and at a time when Statistics Canada is finding a steep decline in the number of family farms in our country, we suspect it’s even more difficult than ever. Luckily there are still a few people, like the Forstbauer’s, who are passionate about healthy food and healthy families.

Why not hug your favorite local farmer this week? Better yet, buy some of his great produce!

namaste,

Zoey

Zoey Ryan
life & business coach for women
inspiration * clarity * wisdom * enchantment
www.shaktisage.com
604-323-3700

“Coaching for your heart & soul & the heart and soul of your business.”

Let’s talk healthy skin! Here in southern BC the temperatures soared this past summer. We broke temperature records in July, and although the sun is less intense now, there’s always a need to take care of our skin and our children and children’s skin.

So that brings to mind some natural ways to do this. Two of our favorite product lines are Keys Natural soaps and skin therapies and the Tawna Hill Baby line of chemical-free products.

Keys has an international reputation for providing products that are chemical-free, vegan, gluten free, and therapeutic. Not to mention that they never do testing on animals. The company was founded by Wendy Steele after her bout with skin cancer. Her research about cancer and its causes, and her sensitive skin, made her realize that so much of what we put on our skin is actually full of chemicals and very bad for us. Her company’s products are consistently ranked high on the list of safest brands by the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Report. (Key’s sunscreen is #1 again this year.) Wendy’s mission is to increase awareness that products that are clean, green and therapeutic are a better choice that those filled with chemicals. They even have products for pets! You can go to keys-soap.com and search for a retailer in your area.

The story of Tawna Hill Baby products has more than one commonality with Keys. Tawna Hill’s baby line is chemical-free, preservative-free and has no carcinogens. But even more interesting is that this company was also started after a battle with cancer. Tawna received the news that she had a brain tumor while she was pregnant with her daughter Olivia, and so began educating herself about the dangerous chemicals and preservatives found in the products we put in and on our bodies. One mom we know swears by these products so completely, that even though her “babies” are now 8 and 5 she still uses the Baby skin care line – especially for herself! For a retailer in your area, click on ‘Retailers’ at the bottom of the page when you go to TawnaHillBaby.com.

Stay safe (and green) in the sun all year long!

namaste,

Zoey

Zoey Ryan
life & business coach for women
inspiration * clarity * wisdom * enchantment
www.shaktisage.com
604-323-3700

“Coaching for your heart & soul & the heart and soul of your business.”