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Setting springtime intentions at Ibiza Retreats

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The amazing spring sunshine in Ibiza is warming our hearts and minds, and we can feel excitement mounting as new spring energies invite us to “get going”, to become outdoors-active, to spring-clean and to creatively arise!  With the evenings getting longer, we turn towards the light, and it feels more important to spend some time preparing ourselves for the Summer and to cultivate balance in body, heart and mind. 

So how are you going to balance this new energy infusion?  How would you like to have the tools to ride the waves of new creative impulses, both personally AND professionally?

Here is a quick 5 step “spring energy assessment” to focus your wishes, intentions and actions into a simple-fun-for-life strategy:. 

(1) List YOUR top 5 intentions – or goals – for this spring-summer season, ensuring they are positively stated and in the present tense as if you are experiencing them right now.

i.e: “I am writing a blog about healthy eating and the way that it has changed my life.”

(2) Now write down the ENERGY benefits of each of these intentions/goals; what will be the benefits for you, your life, your loved ones and your family when you are creating / achieving all of these?

i.e.: ”From writing this blog I am feeling fulfilled and focussed, purposeful and I feel I am offering the world something with meaning. It is giving me more to talk about with friends and family and I am deepening my interest in nutrition and sharing my passion for this with all those around me, which I can see is inspiring them too.”

(3) Re-read the list – and place the one at the top that will GIVE YOU the most energy, and that will keep your batteries charged.

 i.e.: “I am taking 30 minutes every morning to walk/jog and do wild yoga stretches in the park” “this is giving me clarity, focus and energises me for the day, whilst being in nature gives me a feeling of being grounded, calm and in control.  I am less reactive and feel relaxed and able to surmount the challenges of the day. I am more patient with my children and kinder to myself.”

(4) Give each of these a colour and allocate the amount of time per DAY / WEEK you can realistically give to this – whether thinking about it, feeling it or taking action on it.

i.e. “Monday – 30 mins morning walk / 30 mins evening Blog research & writing whilst children are having bed-time story with daddy”

(5) Now COLOUR your diary with the days/dates/times when you will be giving your time & energy to these intentions and goals.  This engages your subconscious mind to “block” these times for your purpose. Take a step back and double-check this

The secret is to reflect each Sunday, before the week ahead begins and to double check, as you plan your YOU-time diary for the week ahead, that everything feels realistic and compelling. It should not feel stressful or overwhelming – if it does – do less, and “be” more.  Notice any patterns of self-pressure and keep doing less until you are on track to keep doing what your body-mind-heart desires. Remember – all of this is supposed to be FUN!

JOY is the highest energy vibration which feeds itself sustainably – so check in with how you feel when planning and progressing this springtime.  Be happy! 

ibiza yoga retreat

Springtime energy at Ibiza Retreats!

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As the spring energies softly flow in, have you shaken off the last of the winter blues? Are you ready to embrace the energy of the new spring sunshine?

If you are still feeling lethargic, blocked, or in any way “not quite there” then maybe your lifestyle needs some purifying – a detox – to create fresh space in your body, your home, your life.

Our minds are constantly filtering information from our environmental surrounds.   This over-engages what we call the monkey mind and can create those “niggling” blockages and “up at night” insomnia moments, unless we have a regular, purifying internal / external clear-out.  Whatever the “stuff” is that is stuffed into that drawer, whichever emails have been sitting, gathering dust at the back of your inbox and yes – those relationships where there are still things “left unsaid” or, if YOU are needing to create inner-space, to give yourself extra focus and love, all of these components that make your life YOURS need regular attention to keep them clean, flowing and pure.

So here is a 5 step guide to clarify which parts of your life, into which you have been focussing YOUR time and energy (yep even subconsciously – this still plays a weight on your mind-body system), are creating a “pain in your neck” causing your to “carry extra weight” or have been “draining your energy”:   

(1) Fridge & Cupboards

How do you feel when you look at what you see? If you imagine eating what you are looking at, do you feel like it will BOOST or DRAIN your energy?  Anything UNDER 7-10 for energy boosting needs to go.  Your physical response is your inner-truth, it may come through as a quiet voice, physical feeling or a subtle “sense”.  And the more practice… the more your inner-wisdom can flow.

(2) Emails & Social Media

Digital detox time! Unsubscribe from anything other than what enables you to feel 7-10 GOOD to read.  News as we know it, is scripted to create “reactions” which over-stimulate the sympathetic nervous system (which is what turns our system on to fight-flight-or-freeze, mode and activates our adrenals and stimulates the production of cortisol). So if you want more clarity and calm in your life – at every level – start to set the 7-10 FILTERS, opt-OUT and unsubscribe.  Choose happy information instead!

(3) Yoga, Exercise, Outdoors-in-nature appointments

How can you up your serotonin levels most easily? Get breathing, get moving, create inner-space and focus on nourishing your “whole self”.  Get into the magical OUTDOORS as often as you can, make “nature dates” to immerse yourself in OXYGEN and to re-ionise through walking on earth rather than concrete.  Yes, even in cities, get to the parks to embalm yourself with calming colour green from trees, lawns and beautiful beds of flowers to help you feel more serene.

(4) Wardrobe & Home

How many pieces of exquisite design have you picked up at sales that “don’t quite fit” or just simply don’t feel 100% right?  Apply the 7/10 rule – beginning with your wardrobe to declutter clothes, shoes and accessories and then continue throughout your home interiors.  keepsakes, and knick-knacks all take up head-space, albeit it subconsciously to ensure that everything that you surround yourself with is doing its job, to help you feel GOOD energetically and emotionally.

(5) Social relationships

Are your friendships bringing you the warmth, love and support that feels good for you this year? If there are any that are NOT, then for BOTH of your wellbeing, isn’t it better to be clear?  Choose to spend time with those with whom you can be yourself and truly shine.  Then you can be sustainable radiators for each other and enhance each others’ state of body, soul and mind!

So is it time to choose to step up and spring-clean your lifestyle? It is all about “tuning in” and checking in with how you “feel” on a scale of 1 – 10. It really is that simple… and fun once you have begun!  You can also invite a friend to come and help you keep reality-checked and the more your practice, the more slick and super-fun your life-flow will become.

Like this ? Want to experience more… join us on an inspiring, transformational retreat this spring-time in Ibiza and feel an amazing energy boost – we begin each retreat with holistic energy coaching to detox your lifestyle and encounter new and amazing ways to magically upgrade your newly re-energised-life!

3 Key techniques for soothing and cooling the mind

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Fixing Energetic leaks and drains in your life

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QUANTUM PLUMBING for mind-body and heart! How to clear, unblock and strengthen against those energy leaks and drains!

 

How many times have you said to yourself – or to others – “I feel drained..” ?

As we’re staring out with some plumbing vocabulary, we may as well continue!

Do you ever feel ‘blocked’, physically or emotionally ‘drained’, or that things aren’t flowing as easily as they should?

 

We want to enable you, as a wonderful human being, made up of cells than are more than 80% water, to enjoy a LIFE FLOW that feels GOOD. And as at the center of every cell, you are simply vibrating particles of energy….. remember: where attention goes energy flows so here is a 3 step “quantum plumbing guide” to be able to flush out negative energies, get the flow going again in ‘stagnant’ times, whilst taking the time to become aware of repeating blockages so that you can make the deeper, long-lasting life-shifts.

 

In practical emotional-anatomical terms…. Every emotion affects a certain organ, anxiety affects the kidneys; the kidneys process the urine…. so when your thoughts are softly flowing and your mind feels bright and clear, toxins can literally, pass out through your pee freely!

 

If you are feeling stuck or stagnating, constipation can occur… if you feel overwhelmed and unable to digest life… that you are giving out too much to too many, indigestion and IBS may be the result. Everything is connected…

 

Ok, so we are going to call this exercise the ‘Quantum Plumbing Progamme’ – to enable toxins to pass freely out of your system, to block energy leakages at a sub-cellular level, to prevent further drains on your emotional and physical resources and to ensure you have everything flowing as it should….

 

Lets start with some Svadvaya (self-enquiry)

 

  1. What (or who) is blocking your life-flow at the moment?

 

  1. What (or who) is draining your energy?

 

  1. What do you need to choose to do differently?

(in order to take your power back, let life flow…. and prevent the “leaks” from happening again)

 

PLUMBING LESSON 1 – BLOCKAGES

When we have energetic blockages in our lives, we can never perform at our full capacity. We may think that we are ok, but there are hidden obstacles to our growth and to our ‘free-flowing’ channels of energy and creativity.

 

* Is it a trigger for something from your past that has come up to invite more learning and is ready for you to release? (especially situations that incite anger/fear/spins/frustrations)

 

* Is it a pain in the neck? Too much on your shoulders that is restricting your breathing?

 

* Is there a frog in your throat or a current ‘hairball’ that is making you cough and choke because you need to speak your truth and communicate more easily?

 

* Is it a tightening of our physical resources that is causing lower back pain and is preventing you from looking beyond our current situation?

 

These are all areas that we must investigate, so be honest with yourself, reflect, practice the yogic Svadvaya of self-enquiry to look quietly and clearly within.

 

PLUMBING LESSON 2 – DRAINS / DRAINAGES – how to mend the leaks!

 

This is an important one; to preserve and empower your energetic flow – WATCH OUT FOR LEAKS AND DRAINS !

 

* AVOID Being “always on” – DIGITAL (OVER) AVAILABILITY is the No1 energy-exhauster at every level.

 

* BE AWARE OF TOXIC SOCIAL SETTINGS and FALSE FRIENDS – Detox those who make you feel bad/guilty/judged. Choose to feel compassion for them that they are stuck in those patterns – avoid trying to change them (as you will just get sucked in)   Instead:

 

* CHOOSE RADIATOR RELATIONSHIPS – with those who are on the same level, whose company is warming and empowering, who you can truly be yourself with, who respect your needs and your life path.

 

* BE AWARE of the VAMPIRES – the lighter you become, the more brightly you shine, the more Vampires may want to enjoy your delicious positive energy! Make a list of those people who only turn up in your life when you have something they want and be sure to protect yourself intentionally and energetically (with a bubble of light) before answering the phone/ Whatsapp message / email / door!

 

* EMBRACE THE POWER OF NO! Remember: Saying “NO” from your heart, to others means Saying “YES” to you!

 

PLUMBING LESSON 3 – GETTING YOUR LIFE INTO A ‘FLOWING STATE.’

 

* Create a DAILY RITUAL that enables you to feel centred, calm and connected (to your inner-guidance system).

 

* PRACTICE SELF-CARE for a FULL CUP (that effortlessly overflows) – choose organic, nourishing foods and drink plenty of water. Take daily exercise and time in nature (or in a park) as frequently as you can. Get REST and plenty of it! As a priority including a healthy sleep-routine to get at least 2 hours in before midnight.

 

* LEARN to LISTEN TO YOUR NEEDS, your TRUTHS and know that by filling yourself up fully first, you have MORE than enough energy, love and time to give to those you love around you.

 

* JOURNAL your energy levels throughout the month and your lunar cycle (women) and by the cycle of the moon (men). Get to know when you feel strongest / most energetic /calmest /most emotional / tired. Begin to sculpt your life responsibilities / work / home / chidren/ social AROUND the times in your cycle that enable you to be at your energetic best for them.   Use the dark-moon times for reflection and quiet rest and rejuvenation.

 

* Take responsibility for your ENERGY levels every day. Be prepared to change appointments, go slower, book in an extra massage or yoga session to OPTIMISE your life state so that you can remain strong and in your centre. When you are centred and strong and balanced the rest of the life recognises this and flows around you too!

 

* STRENGTHEN YOUR ENERGETIC BOUNDARIES – use your intention and visualise a protective bubble before you walk out of the door.   Notice what colour works for you and wear this also as a bracelet or amulet.

 

KNOW that you are WORTHY and deserve to feel calm, balanced and whole. That life CAN flow better when you go more slowly and that most of the time….

Doing LESS really will bring you more.

Practice Self Love & Self Care this Valentines Day

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By Larah Davis – Founder & Co-Director of Ibiza Retreats

“Be gentle with yourself”

In our society that celebrates high achievers, so many of us – and especially women – have pushed ourselves to and beyond our limits, and out of balance with our own natural rhythms and cycles that invite us to be gentle with ourselves at certain times of the lunar month – and year.

So the greatest gift of self love – that I practice every day and as often as I can remember, is to feel in, to tune onwards to my inner sense of self and to keep asking myself:

Does this feel like a pleasure? Or a pressure?

Your body, with its innate intelligence is ALWAYS channelling your highest good, so to feel inward is the key…. first thing in the morning, before you open your emails or turn on your phone… before you respond and say “yes” automatically…

Remember: 
“You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.”
Max Ehrmann

So this Valentine’s day – be compassionate when you feel you should be doing more or better, be kind to yourself about the dropped balls, less-than calm moments, mistakes in judgement – arguments and anger, anxieties and fears.

You deserve to honour, love and en JOY yourself – you deserve to be soft as well as strong, vulnerable and in need of support as well as the high-flying leader – and you are all of these things – it is what makes you YOU and you human ( or woman ).

As a mother of now two wonderful young beings, chaos often reigns in the most colourful and challenging ways!

Ibiza Retreats was my first baby and the passion that I felt for growing this organisation, for our purpose in serving the wellness of our clients, in Ibiza, in many magical ways, was hard to surpass.

It has taken TWO bright and shining little angels, to call me UP to the next level of self-care because, unless I nourish myself and my needs first, I simply don’t have enough patience and energy to give them the wonderful life experience that they deserve.

And now, on returning more fully into Ibiza Retreats this year, as a retreat leader, teacher, coach and yoga therapist, (as well as the business development and management that is all part of this great journey) there are more opportunities than ever, into which I can pour my energy.  And ALL of this, has been my joyful creation – yet, unless carefully managed, internally and externally, it can also become overwhelming.

So to maintain my sense of self, my connect to source, spirit and inner-self – as well as a mother’s heightened sense of awareness of all that is happening to my children, our clients and our team….  practicing kindness and compassion towards myself is the HEART-stone, of my self-practice:

–  In my morning barefoot walk to ground myself and connect to Mother Earth’s replenishing energies…  amidst the almond trees (alone – and complete with a steaming cup of ginger, turmeric tea)

–  In my conscious breathing in the fresh morning air – where I breathe into my heart to invite the kindness and compassion in (and exhale out from my belly, to release all self-judgement and self-criticism)

–  In my morning meditations where I create a sense of inner space – and evening legs-up-the-wall kidney & adrenal loving Viparita Karani rejuvenation

–  In the way I practice my yoga – accepting that right now, less = more – yin, therapeutic, soft yet deep, restorative and nurturing – whenever I can, throughout the day, without being overly disciplined

–  In the way I mindfully eat enough of the “treat” dark chocolate with nuts, bio curries and sumptuous vegan roasts to feel like I am TREATING myself on a daily basis

My self-care practice has expanded in many different ways  – and I also plan time into my week which is PURELY for doing what I LOVE (riding my horse!) and for what truly fills me up (juices and breakfasts and singing circles with sisters).

Patanjali himself, in the original yoga sutras, talks about finding your source of joy and happiness, which enables you to access this Anandamaya Kosha level of existence.

Never has this been more important, because by being KIND to myself, rather than PUSHING myself to keep going, by surrendering to the mess and the chaos which is PART of every parent’s hood, I am letting go of the egoic need to control and constantly “succeed”. Through this, compassion flows from my heart to my children, to my husband, to our Ibiza Retreats team, clients, friends and the world around us.

Yet my greatest practice of self-love and self-care has to be practicing self-acceptance, when I feel tired and reactive, lose my patience or feel low. Those are the times when it is so much easier to self-critique – yet by observing these emotional highs and lows, and looking behind them to their root causes, I can see where I have been over-doing things, get to know my “tipping points” and come back again to where and when pleasure tipped into pressure…. and that, I believe is the root of all loving self-caring.

And as I keep filling my CUP with kindness, compassion and JOYFUL choices, it keeps flowing over to the world around me.

Wishing you all SO MUCH LOVE, this Valentine’s Day!

Larah x