Confronting negative memories the Yogic way

     When we decide to finally turn inward, sit down and ask "Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going? Why am I the way I am?"... what is the first thing we discover? The subconscious mind, of course.

   Do not be afraid of the subconscious. It is useless to be afraid of the past. If negative memories come up from the subconscious as if they happened yesterday, and you begin reacting emotionally and even physically all over again, say to yourself, "Welcome, memory from the past. My goodness, how you are shaking my emotional body. I remember going through these emotional states years ago, and here we are reliving this film over again. But now I am on the spiritual path to enlightenment. One day I'm going to realize fully that I only "live" in this physical body, I am not this body. I use these emotions, but I won't be used by them. They are my tools."

"So here you are, my memory pattern, trying to make me feel like I did  years ago before I reprogrammed my subconscious and awakened spiritually. "
" Memory from the past, you have tested me well. Thank you."

  Then, immediately write down on a piece of paper everything you can remember about these experiences that have come before your vision, and burn the paper when you have finished. Write down the entire experience that you are reacting to emotionally.

  If in the future the same memory visits you, simply write "Today I release my feelings of " ; pain, anger, fear, or such that are related to the person or event".   Keep the statement clear and simple focused on the negative aspects which will be burned up. Look at is as a subconscious garbage removal system.

This paper-burning serves three purposes.
- First, it is symbolic to the subconscious that you are not going to react anymore to that particular problem. You have, through the act of writing it down, taken it out of the subconscious.
- Second, burning the paper means that no one else will read it, which might cause other problems.
-Third,  through the act of burning subconscious memories, you have released them forever.


 
Welcome the thoughts and accompanying feelings in a hospitable way. Do not fear them or regret them, and certainly do not criticize yourself for having them. Simply remove them from the subconscious by writing them down and burning the paper.
Be patient, over time and daily practice the reaction will subside, but the memory will linger as an education upon which you can formulate decisions for the future, thus avoiding the same problem.

Hari Aum

Brenda Bell
www.brendabell.ca

Happy Spring!

Spring is always a great time to renew our health.

We are constantly hearing about detox programs for our diet but not many people talk about clearing the dirty electricity or EMF's out of our system. Electromagnetic Field Emissions.

This includes waves from microwave ovens, radio, television, wireless internet and cell phones. Think about it...it's all around us, we can't see it but our nervous system can feel it.

It is important to be aware that CFL's (compact fluorescent lamps) create "Dirty Electricity" increasing EMF's (electromagnetic field emissions) and UVR (ultraviolet radiation) all of which can compromise the immune system with over exposure.  So if you work in an office or school you need to learn about this.

Health Canada is now warning that more than 3 hours at a time is too much.

If you Google this subject you will find many articles.

  I learned this secret 38 yrs ago from Dr. Christopher a renown Canadian herbalist and health practitioner.  He taught techniques to ground out the electromagnetic emissions and static electricity from our body before we had internet and cell phones so imagine the load we are taking on now!

Static electricity has an irritating effect on the nervous system which can be the cause of headaches, insomnia, anxiety, poor memory and mental alertness as well as compromise the immune system and contribute to other nervous disorders.

I am offering a short information session on this subject with many helpful suggestions for clearing and protecting yourself and your family from these harmful EMF's.
I will provide handouts .
Please see the information below and register in advance by email if you are interested.


E.M.F.'S  - THE SILENT KILLERS
Learn what they are and how to minimize their effect on our health.

Mon. May 13th  7:45pm - 9:00pm
Church of the Messiah  240 Avenue Rd @ Dupont
Fee: $20.00      Free parking available


    Having regular Reiki sessions is a great way to clear the body of "Dirty Electricity"   and if you have been initiated in to the practice of Reiki you should be doing  Reiki on your family as well as self Reiki techniques regularly.
To make your Reiki effective you should have your own  body cleared first by receiving a session.
I am taking appointments now for Spring Clearing.

LEARN REIKI - IMPROVE YOUR WELL BEING AND THAT OF YOUR FAMILYLearning Reiki is an enlightening experience in ways you may not have imagined.
Every thing is energy, learn how to gain more control of your personal electromagnetic field
for health and success.
REIKI LEVEL ONE -  SUN. JUNE 9th 10am - 6pm
 REIKI LEVEL TWO - SUN. MAY 26th 10am - 6pm
REIKI LEVEL THREE- BY REQUEST
All Reiki courses are taught in my home in the Bayview and Davisville area. Please contact me for more detailed information and advanced registration. OR see my website


www.brendabell.ca

AHIMSA - Non-violence

   As a Yogini I am always trying my best to live with awareness.
 I am often reminded to think about Ahimsa and how I am applying it to my life.
 Ahimsa means non-violence and is outlined in Pantanjali's yoga sutras.
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_Sutras_of_Patanjali

It was because of Ahimsa that I chose to become a vegetarian at age 15.
It is Ahimsa that I need to remember when I am angered by other people, and it is Ahimsa that
I need to exercise when I am practicing my asanas, keeping the reigns on my ego and not over taxing my body
and creating injury. It is Ahimsa I need to remember when I torment myself when I make mistakes
as all humans do.
I found this nice short article that speaks about the many facets of Ahimsa and I wanted to share it with you and
perhaps it will make you think about creating some small changes within your own life that will contribute to a
more peaceful community and world.
One small step at a time, all these things take place when we FEEL
the need to make them happen, not by forcing, and not because it is trendy.
These changes are lasting and meaningful when they make sense to us in a very profound way, in our heart , our center of "Being".
I hope you will enjoy the article.

http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~pluralsm/affiliates/jainism/ahimsa/ahimsaga.htm


Hari Aum

Sincerely
Brenda Bell

Imagine Wellness Now!
www.brendabell.ca
416) 738-7208

MEN STARTING YOGA OVER 40

     I have found that many men over the age of 40 are curious about yoga but are shy to begin because they feel that they are very inflexible and uncoordinated. They think they will be the only one struggling and this is a blow to self confidence.
  I have enjoyed teaching men for many years and it has been a learning experience for me.
I find that many men think yoga is an activity for women and that yoga is not a manly activity. 

   Let's look back in history, yoga in India was mostly practiced by men for thousands of years and it was only recently since the 1940-50's that it became acceptable for women in India to go to yoga classes and these were female only classes and many still are today. 
When I was in India, I participated in classes that were only for women and the teacher was a man, but there are many teachers teaching mixed classes to foreigners in India.

  The practice of yoga is beneficial for both genders and there is a different way to practice for each gender according to the natural rhythms of life.

    Most of my private students have been men, some of them move on to group classes and some of them like the personal attention and convenience of  private instruction. I encourage my students to practice on their own at home. This is a way of developing self discipline of the mind as well as the body. 

  I always encourage men over 40 to start taking yoga classes and enjoy the many wonderful benefits yoga has to offer. Other than strength and flexibility yoga can alleviate back pain, sciatica, arthritis, improve cardiovascular health, regulate blood pressure, symptoms of diabetes, all stress related issues, insomnia, depression, digestion, increase vitality and vigor. And yoga can improve your sex life!
Men who are athletes find that yoga is a great compliment to their sport, or it can help keep the body toned and prepared for seasonal activities such as golf and skiing.

    When we come to yoga over the age of 40, it is always best to determine what our goal is and then find a teacher who can design a practice that will help us accomplish those goals. We need to take our present physical limitations and needs into account.

   Some men start by taking a group class and find that they are not enjoying it, this may be because the group class is geared towards generally healthy people with very limited or no physical issues .
Not all yoga poses are good for all bodies, especially if one has arthritis, sciatica, frozen shoulder, knee injuries, high blood pressure,  the list goes on.  Yoga can be practiced by any one, we just need to find the way that works for each individual. After all the word "Asana"  translates into "Pose of ease"

  I find private lessons are a great way for men to get started, this helps them to become more comfortable and develop a better understanding of  their personal limitations, needs and what yoga really is. Some studios offer classes for men only, and some instructors can be hired to go to the workplace or office for convenience and time efficiency.

 Meditation - On the subject of learning meditation, one needs to determine, "what is my personal purpose for learning  meditation?" Is it for mental and physical relaxation, for healing or for spiritual enlightenment leading towards self realization?

  When an individual is in physical or psychological  pain they will be less likely to be thinking of spirituality  and more concerned with pain relief, which can be lessened with meditative and breathing techniques.

Yoga clothing for men - No you don't need fancy yoga duds, I find that most men feel comfortable wearing  T- shirts, sweat pants or shorts and preferably in cotton. It's best to have your own personal yoga mat for hygienic reasons and have a small towel handy to wipe off perspiration if needed. 


Remember that yoga is a science of human self development which can  help keep us happy, healthy, moving with ease and offer mental clarity. It's a fabulous way to move forward in life!  Yes real men do yoga! Come on guys get out there and find a studio or teacher to inspire you.

Brenda Bell copyright 2015
www.brendabell.ca 

New Yorker Profile on Dr.OZ

 We have all heard of Dr.Oz and many of us have mixed feelings about what he is up to.

 I am aware that he promotes Reiki which is a good thing.

 The following is a piece that I took from a recent article published in the New Yorker. If you have time I suggest that you read the whole article, it is very interesting.

Read more: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2013/02/04/130204fa_fact_specter#ixzz2JJui0vTl

The Operator

Is the most trusted doctor in America doing more harm than good?

by Michael Specter February 4, 2013

It didn’t take long for Oz to become convinced that a patient’s state of mind could be important to a successful surgical outcome. With his father-in-law’s encouragement, he began to explore music therapy, energy fields, and therapeutic touch, and he began to offer them to his surgical patients. Here, too, Lisa played a major role; she is a Reiki master, and Oz soon became famous at New York-Presbyterian, not to mention within the broader surgical community, for encouraging the practice of Reiki in the operating room. Reiki, the Japanese art of laying on hands, is based on the notion that an unseen, life-giving source of energy flows through our bodies. Oz hired a Reiki master named Julie Motz to stand in the operating room, where, she has said, she would attempt to harness “the body’s own energy to help patients survive risky operations, such as heart transplants.” Many of Oz’s colleagues, including some who worked directly with him, thought that permitting a Reiki master to enter the surgical suite at New York-Presbyterian was ludicrous. “She would come in and daven over the heart-and-lung machine for a while,” Eric Rose told me recently. In 1984, Rose made history when he performed the first successful pediatric heart transplant. He hired Oz in 1986 and then, several years later, when he served as chairman of the surgical department at New York-Presbyterian, assigned him to his transplant team. Studies of energy forces in our bodies have routinely shown that Reiki adheres to no known principles of science. In perhaps the most famous such review, a nine-year-old girl conceived and executed a test in which she demonstrated that twenty-one people who claimed to be skilled in the techniques of Reiki were nevertheless unable to detect her “energy field” more often than they would have by guessing. The study was eventually published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. In 2009, even the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops urged Catholic health-care facilities and clergy not to promote or support Reiki.

I told Oz that I was aware of no evidence showing that Reiki works. He cut in: “Neither am I, if you are talking purely about data. But this is one of the fundamental disconnects between Western medicine and what people often refer to as complementary medicine. Not everything adds up. It’s about making people more comfortable. I offer things like massage therapy, and offered Reiki if people wanted it. I did not recommend it, but I let people know it was their choice.”

Oz often says that he is just trying to present people with all their options, because they are sophisticated enough to make decisions for themselves. But some options are more beneficial than others, and medical experts are morally bound to explain the difference, as David Gorski told me recently. Gorski, an associate professor of surgery at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, is the managing editor of the influential blog Science-Based Medicine. “Oz has a huge bully pulpit, with the entire Oprah empire behind him,” he said. “He can’t simply dispense with facts he doesn’t find convenient.” Scientists often argue that, if alternative medicine proves effective through experimental research, it should no longer be considered alternative; at that point, it becomes medicine. By freely mixing alternatives with proven therapies, Oz makes it nearly impossible for the viewer of his show to assess the impact of either; the process just diminishes the value of science.

“I am guided by evidence above all,” Eric Rose told me recently, when I visited him in his office, at Siga Technologies, a biotechnology firm that develops treatments for highly lethal diseases like smallpox and Ebola fever. He is also a professor of surgery at the Mount Sinai medical school. Rose, who is sixty-two, is slim and thoughtful, with a casual elegance that suggests the head of an auction house more than the chief executive of a biotech firm. His office is framed from floor to ceiling in glass, with modern art on nearly every wall. I noticed a picture of Rose, posing with Oz, displayed on a shelf, above several Prouvé Standard Chairs. “I always liked to encourage surgeons to do what made them comfortable, and Mehmet is a particularly fine surgeon,” he told me when I asked why he permitted a Reiki master in his surgical program. “So when he told me he wanted to try Reiki I didn’t see why I should prevent him. Eventually, though, without any fanfare or difficulty, I suggested that it might be better if he knocked it off.”

By that time, in the mid-nineteen-nineties, anti-rejection drugs like cyclosporine had helped make heart transplants common. They were no longer front-page news, unless they involved notable people. When that happened, Rose was often asked to perform the operation. On October 25, 1996, Frank Torre, the brother of the New York Yankees manager Joe Torre, received a new heart at New York-Presbyterian. Rose led the team and Oz was his deputy. The transplant, which was a success, took place during that year’s World Series. The next night, the patient, who himself had been a successful baseball player and manager, watched from his bed as his brother’s team beat the Atlanta Braves to win the sixth game, and the Series. The publicity surrounding the operation was intense; a collage of articles about the event—“HEART OF THE YANKS,” the Daily News offered, in supersize type—still hangs in the cardiac-department offices at New York-Presbyterian. “I had my fifteen minutes of fame,” Rose said. “It was great for my career and for the hospital, but frankly I learned that it wasn’t something I enjoyed.” Oz had an entirely different reaction to the attention. The Torre transplant, Rose said, “was his first big splash of publicity, and he loved it.” Rose laughed and suggested that the experience helped propel Oz toward his current career. I asked Rose what he thought of his disciple’s work as a television host.

 “I want to stress that Mehmet is a fine surgeon,” Rose said, as he did more than once during our conversation. “He is intellectually unbelievably gifted. But I think if there is any criticism you can apply to some of the stuff he talks about it is that there is no hierarchy of evidence. There rarely is with the alternatives. They have acquired a market, and that drives so much. At times, I think Mehmet does feed into that.”

I asked if he would place his confidence in a heart surgeon, no matter how gifted, who operated just once a week, as Oz does. “Well,” he replied, “in general you want a surgeon who lives and breathes his job, somebody who is above all devoted to that.” Again he mentioned Oz’s experience, but when I asked if he would send a patient to Oz for an operation, he looked uncomfortable. “No,” he said. “I wouldn’t. In many respects, Mehmet is now an entertainer. And he’s great at it. People learn a lot, and it can be meaningful in their lives. But that is a different job. In medicine, your baseline need has to be for a level of evidence that can lead to your conclusions. I don’t know how else you do it. Sometimes Mehmet will entertain wacky ideas—particularly if they are wacky and have entertainment value.”

The era of paternalistic medicine, where the doctor knew best and the patient felt lucky to have him, has ended. We don’t worship authority figures anymore. Our health-care system has become impersonal, mechanized, and hollow, and it has failed millions of people, many of whom want to find a way to regain control of their own medical decisions. As Oz likes to say, Marcus Welby—the kindly, accessible, but straight-talking television doctor—is dead.

Just for today, and each day after.

Above are the 5 Lay Vows of Tibetan Buddhism.
This is just one of the many examples of how Reiki is influenced by Buddhism.

5 Reiki Ideals
Just for today
I will not anger,
I will not worry,
I will be honest,
I will be kind to all living beings,
I will be filled with gratitude.


The repetition of symbols, mantras and clapping three times is coming from Shintoism.


Have a great day!

Brenda Bell
www.brendabell.ca 

"Golden Years" career change? Read this.

If you are living in a smaller city or township, are interested in natural healing and are looking for a way to serve your community while making some extra cash, then becoming a Reiki master may be of interest to you. 

Learning Reiki is not only to help others but it offers us as individuals a unique philosophical approach  for living a healthier and happier life.

If you are interested in this type of adventure I would be happy to answer any questions you many have about the process of certification or what benefits we can acquire by living a life with the awareness of Reiki.

Email:  brenda@bendabell.ca 

 

 

 

 
The Targeted Initiative for Older Workers

The Targeted Initiative for Older Workers (TIOW) provides employment assistance services and employability improvement activities, such as skills upgrading and work experience, to assist unemployed workers aged 55 to 64 with their return to work.

How it Works

TIOW is a federal-provincial/territorial cost shared initiative.
Provinces and territories are responsible for the design and delivery of projects aimed at unemployed older workers in cities and towns that:

• have a population of 250,000 or less; and
• are experiencing ongoing high unemployment; and/or
• have a high reliance on a single industry affected by downsizing or closures.

To be eligible, participants must:

• be aged 55 to 64*;
• be unemployed;
• be legally entitled to work in Canada;
• require new or enhanced skills to successfully transition into new employment; and
• live in an eligible community.

For more info, see the following links:

Fed. Gov't - http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/employment/employment_measures/older_workers/index.shtml
Ont. Gov't -http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/employmentontario/olderworkers.html