Friday, May 27, 2011

One Empath's experience...


To whom it may inspire:


I'd spent most of my life feeling a bit off. I was uncomfortable in crowds, more affected by emotion than others, afraid to sleep, and had an uncanny feeling of always knowing. Its amazing how the universe has a way of providing just what you need at the right time.

Recently I met Vanessa at April Glass during a mini psychic fair where she gave me an intuition reading and instantly I felt a connection.

I knew I had gifts, but I hadn't made the connection between them and the cause of alot of my anxiety and quality of life issues. Things as simple as a good nights rest that many take for granted.

Also I'm pregnant and knowing the likelihood of bearing a child with the same gifts was a cause for concern since if I couldnt control my own. How was I to protect him or her from the same fears and problems that plagued me?

Vanessa suggested I attend her weekly Intuition Group/Class in order to learn how to use and enhance my gifts positively and not be a victim of them.

I've been going for over a month now and have transformed into a confident Empath, able to feel emotion without being smothered by it. I continue to work and learn each week more about myself and others, discovering new gifts, and befriending those like myself.

I love this group because its a healthy spiritual inlet and outlet. A small community full of guidance and acceptance where my gifts as well as friendships flourish. I know Im in the best place with the most supportive of people. I feel safe, I sleep peacefully, I can breathe in large crowds, I can differentiate my emotions from those that don't belong to me. I understand myself more than ever while developing new gifts in the process.


Thank you Vanessa for your teachings, your friendship, and your spirit.- Sincerely 
Lisa Marie

If you would like to connect with Vanessa regarding Intuition workshops contact her at
oshunstar@yahoo.com

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Birth day pangs…the practice of letting go

I release the patterns/beliefs/memories/relationships that no longer serve me

I celebrated my birth day in Astoria, surrounded by family, friends, beloved clients who are now friends…in a restaurant I used to go shake my groove thang a decade ago. This Mediterranean restaurant grew from a self-acclaimed “Manhattan-style” bar to an expansive restaurant & lounge with outdoor garden space. Over the years I watched it expand and change. So had I, from private mystic to metaphysical maven still learning about business and passionate about life.

Making new memories, taking in the now, reminded gently of the old. Standing in time I felt like an amalgamation of all that has been, is and will be and I liked it. I’ve earned my humble wisdom, my strength and my earth school scars and stars.

Surrounded by lots of love, great food and spirit-supporting gifts…aromatic candles, totem animal earrings, necklaces and yes…owl salt & pepper shakers, I felt afloat and buoyant. That was four days before my birthday.

The night before I was awash in a shower of texts, FB hollers and loving phone calls. Ahhhh…more buoyancy. Floating on the power of gratitude, joyful and happy for new growth, new relationships and the love of the tried and true-I was a glowing, enraptured, happy chick.

Waking up on my birthday, I felt as I had been hit by bricks. As if I had carefully built a house that crumbled on me without mercy, as I slept. I felt emotional and more than slightly haunted. More than anything, I wanted to jump up from my bed and welcome this New Year!

I was leaving behind the Spiritually intensive 7 year of introspection, spiritual focus, metaphysical learning and solitude. This groggy Birth day morning, I learned that the old year was a bitch and she was hanging on by her Lee press-on nails!

I went to breakfast and did some errands but echoes of love lost and fears of the new arose. My dear friend, who our tribe calls The Little One said,” You’ve been through a lot in the last years and you’ve been thriving. Be gentle with yourself. Be patient. Allow yourself time.”

Wise Little One made my eyes well up. She was right. On this day, I couldn’t seem to cross over into joy, no matter how I tried to re-frame the stories or feelings. Realizing that the ghosts had come home to roost I sat down and decided to deal. “The only way out, is in,” my guides say. So I went in with the intention of taking no prisoners…

Prayer on my lips, my favorite ocean sounds in the air, lots of sage and a meditation space. I allowed myself to feel what was in my heart and what I was carrying in my mind. The mind is the greatest ally OR your greatest enemy.

I called each part of me home to centeredness: my mind, my spirit, my passion, my feelings and my body. Each came bearing a gift, and each had come with some earthly price. Making choices and decisions that are aligned with your values are not always easy. Sometimes you walk away with your integrity & your honesty but still feel the pangs of “what if?” Thankfully, I go to the edge and my questions are usually answered…sooner or later.

I viewed my memories, my thoughts, my stories. I allowed them to play out, I allowed my tears to rise and fall from my lashes. I allowed myself the space to feel all I wanted to hide, ignore and place in some spiritual urn somewhere.

Speaking to each memory, whispering forgiveness, listening for signs, connecting the dots, seeing clearly and then allowing it to disappear into the ether. I gave myself this time to let go.

This process does not happen overnight. We may cut our physical ties, even our metaphysical chords and yet the mind & heart play on with the old songs and tapes. Today as I coaxed my New year into being I allowed myself to cry for the unspoken, the unknown and for the unforgettable truths I had learned.

And finally, I felt freer. I slipped into my candlelit bath and spoke my intentions aloud. This personal 8 year was asking me to step up, go the next level, rise to my vision and manifest my most passionate of intentions. This most awaited 8 year of action, power and intention was beckoning me into a greater freedom.

Being gentle with myself:
I allow for positive, prosperous, creative, soul-affirming beliefs, experiences, relationships and opportunities to support me in my most amazing life path


Stepping out of my cleansing bath, I dressed quickly. Placing my totem earrings & necklace on I welcomed this powerful New year of action & manifestation! With umbrella overhead I ran to a nearby restaurant to meet my four gal pals. My BFF had already ordered happy hour cosmos for all. And you know,a cosmo is a terrible thing to waste...

Amen, So it is & so shall it be, Ashe! A-ho!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Waiting to Exhale


"Practicing regular, mindful breathing can be calming and energizing and can even help with stress-related health problems ranging from panic attacks to digestive disorders."
Andrew Weil, M.D.



Let’s focus on our breath now
Take three deep breaths…
breathing in through your nose, releasing through your mouth…
One…two…three…

I do this constantly. No, really…all the time.

I repeat this in class, in circle, before an intuitive reading, during a hypnosis session & yes, even a reiki session. While I repeat it, I do it myself.

Taking a breath, noticing our breath is one of the most basic and most necessary balancing, connecting & relaxing things we can do. The breath leads us to relaxation, deeper focus and even super-delicious orgasms! Its easy, you can do it anywhere and by God! Its still free!

So why are we still holding our breath?

Habit, perhaps fear or simply the “habit of fear.” Fear of feeling too much, fear of losing control. Fear of having to deal with what we are feeling. Fear of not dealing with what we are feeling. Fear seems to back us into a no-win situation.

Quick check, are you holding it now? Do you breath up high in your chest, shallow breaths…only allowing yourself “oh so much air?” Do you avoid breathing deeply, worried your stomach might stick out? In our image-obsessed society breathing so deeply as to have your diaphragm expand is unseemingly to many.

Sometimes we feel that if we control our breathing we can control our feelings, our thoughts and the truth is yes, we can. The problem is that we aren’t using it correctly. Instead of grounding ourselves and connecting to our mind, body & spirits thru the breath, we are often using shallow breaths to disconnect and escape what we are actually feeling. If you get into a pattern of this you may find a sense of watching yourself from the outside, sometimes a sense of panic and you’ll find that anxiety arises. What’s the solution? Breathe deeply please…now.

Take a moment each day, on the train, at your desk to just breathe low in your belly, allow your eyes to close and observe that feeling. There’s nothing to do but breathe, in and out. That’s it, don’t wait to exhale just breathe...


The Relaxing Breath Exercise recommended by Dr.Weil

This exercise is utterly simple, takes almost no time, requires no equipment and can be done anywhere. Although you can do the exercise in any position, sit with your back straight while learning the exercise. Place the tip of your tongue against the ridge of tissue just behind your upper front teeth, and keep it there through the entire exercise. You will be exhaling through your mouth around your tongue; try pursing your lips slightly if this seems awkward.

* Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound.
* Close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose to a mental count of four.
* Hold your breath for a count of seven.
* Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound to a count of eight.
* This is one breath. Now inhale again and repeat the cycle three more times for a total of four breaths.

Note that you always inhale quietly through your nose and exhale audibly through your mouth.

The tip of your tongue stays in position the whole time. Exhalation takes twice as long as inhalation. The absolute time you spend on each phase is not important; the ratio of 4:7:8 is important. If you have trouble holding your breath, speed the exercise up but keep to the ratio of 4:7:8 for the three phases. With practice you can slow it all down and get used to inhaling and exhaling more and more deeply.

This exercise is a natural tranquilizer for the nervous system. Unlike tranquilizing drugs, which are often effective when you first take them but then lose their power over time, this exercise is subtle when you first try it but gains in power with repetition and practice. Do it at least twice a day. You cannot do it too frequently. Do not do more than four breaths at one time for the first month of practice. Later, if you wish, you can extend it to eight breaths. If you feel a little lightheaded when you first breathe this way, do not be concerned; it will pass.

Once you develop this technique by practicing it every day, it will be a very useful tool that you will always have with you. Use it whenever anything upsetting happens - before you react. Use it whenever you are aware of internal tension. Use it to help you fall asleep. This exercise cannot be recommended too highly. Everyone can benefit from it.

How does it feel? Please feel free to share : )