Welcome to the Full Bloodmoon & Lunar Eclipse! This one is all about transformation, bringing February’s eclipse to a close, which likely ties back to 2011. Through this mediation, we will dive into ways to help you find peace while sifting through that which you no longer need, for a brighter, more aligned you! This moon is all about going with the flow and the ability to surrender & trust. 

Let’s take a peek at what’s happening astrologically:

• Full Moon brings the tide high & the sun and moon are in polarity – our emotions are tied to water, and the polarity encourages us to look at finding more balance
• Eclipses are a time of major transformation – as I mentioned this one is connected to February and 2011
• Moon conjunct Mars speaks to a sense of bravery and strength
• Moon square Uranus suggests impulsiveness or mood swings
• Mars square Uranus shines on our rebellious side!
• Moon sextile Saturn is about protection of those close to us
• Saturn trine Uranus signals transition to greater peace
• Retrograde planets – when they appear to be moving in a backwards motion
  • Mars in Aquarius (until Aug 27) suggests a sense of frustration
  • Saturn in Capricorn (until Sept 6) governs our karma and ethics
  • Neptune in Pisces (until Nov 25) encourages us to be grounded, realistic, and objective
  • Mercury in Leo (until Aug 19) rules communication & cognitive abilities  
  • Pluto in Capricon (until Sep 29) brings shadows to light, enabling us to clear what’s not needed
  • Chiron in Aries (until Sep 24) is about healing the subconscious & karmic wounds
• Jupiter has come out of retrograde and speaks to transformation and adventure. Things we have been working on since February are finally coming to fruition!

What does this mean?

You may have felt a little pushed to your limits in the last month. This is a good time for self-love and reflection. Move slowly and methodically, everything will happen when it is supposed to. Think before you speak and do. This is time to tap into your intuition, to surrender and trust.

• What motivates you?
• Have you noticed a common theme since February? What does this mean for your life moving forward?
• How is this theme tied to 2011? Are there any remnants that you can let-go of, to further move forward?
• How can you bring more self-love into your life?

Self-Love

Self love is best practiced on a daily basis and doesn’t need to be complex. Simply doing what you need to function at your best is perfect! By doing this, you will also be your best for others. Here are some simple ideas:

• Make sure you’re getting enough sleep – your body, mind & soul needs to be able to restore itself
• Eat nutritious meals – perhaps this would be a good time to look at incorporating more minerals and vitamins you need into your diet & eating easy to digest foods to allow your body to lightly cleanse and get the nutrients it needs
• Move your body everyday! Get into nature – go for forest walks, swim in the ocean, whatever it is that moves you, enjoy it and try incorporating mindfulness into your activity. Notice your breath, the smells, sounds & sensations
• Take mini-meditation breaks. Every two hours, take a moment to check in with your breath. Perhaps incorporate a little seated cat-cow, allowing your breath to move you

Full Moon Meditation:

You are welcome to smudge your meditation space, mindfully clearing any energies that do not serve your highest and best. For oils, I would recommend Lavender and Frankincense – full body healers. Crystal, Amethyst, and a grounding stone such as Black Obsidian can be used. This link is tuned to 852Hz for strengthening intuition.

This is a simple meditation, focusing on the breath, feeling it move through your body. You may begin by closing your eyes, taking 10 deep inhales and exhales. Ground yourself by imagining a golden cord or roots from your Root chakra reaching deep into the Earth. Create a layer of pure energy around you for protection – there are many ways to do this, which we explore in Yin. You are also welcome to email and ask me, as different techniques work for everyone. Continue with a simple inhale and exhale through your nose, allowing the belly, then the chest to expand with the inhale. Chest then belly to relax with the exhale. If you would like to practice Ujjayi or Ocean breath, please do so. This mediation is all about going with the flow. Watch what comes up as you breath. I would recommend maintaining this breath for 10-30 minutes.

As I mentioned above, try to incorporate this a few times a day for 2-5 minutes.

You are welcome to join us for Yin Thursday evening as we work with the Full Moon energy. Please register here.

Love and light,

Katie

Hormone Yoga Therapy (HYT) for women is a natural and holistic method created by a Brazilian psychologist and Yoga therapist, Dinah Rodrigues. This practice respects the body as a whole, understanding the intricate connections of our glands, organs, and various systems. The objective is to reactivate in a natural way the hormone production of the endocrine glands of women: ovaries, thyroid, pituitary gland and adrenals. HYT combines elements of classical Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga and Tibetan energy circulation techniques.

HYT consists of a special series of Dynamic Yoga exercises (asanas) to reactivate hormone production and, as a consequence, it eliminates most symptoms of hormonal imbalances. Asanas are accompanied by intense breathing techniques (pranayama), energetic level, concentration, visualization and relaxation (Yoga Nidra). Regular practice helps to harmonize the hormonal system and consequently eliminate the symptoms of low or unbalanced hormone levels.

HYT exercises are very simple and suitable for everyone. No previous Yoga experience is needed. Once learned, daily practice takes approximately 30 minutes. Practicing 3 – 4 times per week will give you optimal results.

HYT is Recommended For:

• Women of all ages with the symptoms of low hormones, with infertility concerns, PCOS, menstrual disorders, premenstrual stress syndrome (PMS), ovarian cysts and premature menopause.
• Helping to re-balance hormones post-partum
• Women from 35 years of age as a preventative therapy due to the decreasing ovarian activity and an associated gradual decrease in hormone production of the two main female hormones: estrogen and progesterone.
• Middle-aged women who wish to eliminate or alleviate the unpleasant symptoms of the onset of menopause, such as hot flashes, insomnia, night sweats, emotional instability, depression, headaches, difficulty concentrating, remembering, decreased libido, increased cholesterol, hair loss, dryness etc.

How Does HYT Help?

• Physically, HYT helps to strengthen muscles to correct posture for improved circulation and breath (alertness). It also helps to strengthen bones, to prevent osteoporosis – for more on Osteoporosis read this blog.  
• Physiologically, HYT works to reactivate and balance hormones to mitigate illnesses and symptoms caused by imbalanced hormones, such as; hypothyroidism, depression, and many more (see list below).
• Emotionally, HYT helps offer ways to minimize stress, improve your sleep, help relieve anxiety and depression.

Attending an HYT workshop, such as the one Corinne will be hosting on September 8th & 9th at Studio 202, also offers you a network of other women facing similar concerns. This is an intimate workshop we hope will provide you with the support and connections you need to help heal your mind, body, and soul… and learn more about how to help yourself naturally!

How Do You Know HYT is Right For You?

If you struggle with one of the concerns below, HYT can offer you the natural tools and support to help you through the challenge.

• Emotional support – PMS, depression, memory, emotional instability due to low levels of thyroid hormones
• Low libido & dryness
• Osteoporosis
• Incontinence
• Hypothyroidism
• Hypertension
• Fertility concerns
• Hair loss, brittle nails, dry skin, acne
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Insomnia, low energy, fatigue

If you have or are experiencing any of the below, please consult with you Dr or ND before joining HYT classes:

• Breast cancer (hormone dependent, before or after surgery)
• After breast cancer surgery (not hormone dependent) medical permission needed
• Advanced endometriosis (medical permission needed)
• Psychiatric problems
• Hyperthyroidism
• Large myomas (medical permission needed)
• Non-diagnosed abdominal pain
• After heart surgery (medical permission needed)
• Women who had appendicitis and did not have the appendix removed
• Serious osteoporosis (risk of fractures)
• Labyrinthitis (inflammation of the inner ear) – Vertigo
• After any other surgeries

*Pregnant women should not participate

You can register for The HYT Workshop with Corinne September 8th & 9th (1-5pm), please clicking the highlighted link.  

A little about Corinne, your HYT workshop guide:

Corinne’s friendly and joyful personality brings honesty, humour, and an open heart to her teaching. She balances and integrates her classes with breath, alignment, strength, and ease. With a communications and performing arts background, Corinne incorporates a love of yoga in all aspects of her life, including her work as a Certified Birth Doula (DONA) and Thai Yoga Massage Practitioner. In 2009 Corinne traveled to the birthplace of yoga; Rishikesh, India and completed her 500 hour teacher training from Akanda Yoga with Yogrishi Vishvketu. Recently, Corinne was trained and certified in Hormone Yoga Therapy by the founder Dinah Rodrigues. HYT is very popular in Europe particularly, Germany and Czech Republic, however in Canada Corinne is one of few teachers, certified. She is excited to bring this practice to Canada, and is honoured to be offering the workshop at Studio 202.

https://www.lotusmoonyoga.ca

More Information about Dinah Rodrigues, Founder of HYT:

You can find Dinah’s bio and home page here, and a great video on her philosophy here.

We look forward to hosting Corinne this fall and helping change many women’s lives for the better! We hope you can join us!

Katie