R – Life is a Stretch

By Jodi Lee
Originally Published 2000
(see author/copyright info below)

Authors: Elise Browning Miller and Carol Blackman
Published: Second Printing – 1999
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
ISBN: 1-56718-067-1
Pages: 213

I must apologize up front, and right now for the brevity of this article. This book is an excellent resource for those wishing to know more of Yoga, however it is my experience (yup-experience) one should never practice yoga by oneself unless thoroughly experienced. One (yes, me) could end up with a pulled thigh muscle and in a fit of the giggles.

However, that said, I can go on to say that for a beginner such as myself, the step by step instructions with illustrations left me with an interest in learning more and I am hoping someone locally will begin a class.

The authors have very obviously put their hearts into “Life is a Stretch” and have no doubt researched the moves and stretches described for use in the office and while travelling. All positions seem to be covered, from Lotus to Sun Salutation.

So, in closing – Life is a Stretch is well worth the read – and the practice (and if you need a laugh, imagine me stuck in the “Sitting Hip Opener” pose, and giggling like an idiot ;-) )

I quote from Pg 115 – Downward Facing Dog

“Find a dining room-style chair, a folding chair, or a bench and place the heels of the hands on the front edge of the seat.

Walk your feet back far enough so that you are bending from the hips and your buttocks are lifted toward the ceiling, with your lower back in its natural curve. Your feet should be back farther than your hips. (Note from Jodi – there is an illustration in the book for this, however I could not find it on the Llewellyn site.)

Press down through your palms, particularly through the knuckles at the base of your index and middle fingers. Stretch up through your arms, spine, and pelvis to your buttocks bones as you stretch back and through your legs. Release your neck and head.

Breathe and hold for thirty seconds, building up to one minute. Be sure to bring your shoulder blades toward your chest and keep the lower back in its natural concave curve. If this is not possible, bend your knees, tilt your tailbone up, moving the shoulder blades toward your chest, bringing your lower back into its natural curve. As you practice, you will be able to slowly straighten your knees, keeping the alignment of your spine.

On an exhalation, walk the feet toward the chair. Inhale and release your hands.

Stand firmly on the floor, streatching your arms out to your sides and over your head. Then exhale and bring your arms down by your sides.”
–
Jodi Lee – is a freelance writer/editor living in southern Manitoba, Canada.
© 2000 – present All Rights Reserved; Republish notice excluded.

This article can be republished elsewhere in its entirety so long as the author is notified (see contact information), a link is provided to the website, and this notice is left intact.

R – Essential Reiki: A Complete Guide

By Jodi Lee
Originally Published 2000
(see author/copyright info below)

Author: Diane Stein
Publisher: Crossing Press
ISBN: 0-89594-736-6
Published & Released: 1995
Length: 154 Pages

While working on my Reiki Level 2, I became interested in this book. At the time, it had only been mentioned briefly and casually, mostly by traditionalists putting it down.

Ms.Stein was one of the first people to bring Reiki to the public – the knowledge, placements, and the symbols, kept secret for so long. I found the book at Crossing Press and eventually requested a review copy.

The book itself is quite thorough and Ms.Stein did a wonderful job for the most part. I did find a great deal of the book to be “opinionated” – mostly dealing with the usage of symbols. Ms.Stein represents them as an absolute necessity where-as I and many others use them only to develop the skills, open the channels, and then move past them to channel the energy directly without them.

Despite my disagreement with that element of the book, the rest is excellent quality. The section on Kundalini and Reiki is where Ms.Stein branches off from traditionalist to modern teaching methods.

Descriptions and exercises to keep the healer and the recipient open and healthy, complete commentaries of healing sessions and clear diagrams will help the beginning Reiki student on the path to Master.

This book is meant as a guide and not to replace a Master/Teacher’s lessons. As a learning guide, Essential Reiki tops the list. I know it will be a requirement for my students! The following quotes are from the Introduction.

Pg.3 – Para.3
“I felt filled with an energy I had never before experienced or dreamed existed. I was filled with light and with love for all Be-ings. My healing ability immediately strengthened, more than I had believed possible, and the ease of using Reiki confirmed that this was the healing method I had been seeking. If my hands had been hot in doing healings before, they were far hotter now. I knew at that time that I wanted to teach Reiki, but had no idea how that could happen.”

Pg.5 – Para.2
“Though I have now been a Reiki Master for four years and have taught many hundreds of students, I have no official Traditional certification. I no longer feel it to be important……fully convinced that I am missing nothing in my ability to teach and be effective.”
–
Jodi Lee – is a freelance writer/editor living in southern Manitoba, Canada.
© 2000 – present All Rights Reserved; Republish notice excluded.

This article can be republished elsewhere in its entirety so long as the author is notified (see contact information), a link is provided to the website, and this notice is left intact.

R – The Healing Craft

By Jodi Lee
Originally Published 2000
(see author/copyright info below)

Authors: Janet and Stewart Farrar, and Gavin Bone
Published: 1999
Publisher: Phoenix Books
ISBN: 0-919 345-18-2
Pages: 256

I want to dedicate this review/article to the memory of Mr.Stewart Farrar – author of many books, witch, and mentor to many. Blessings to you in the Otherworld.

The main contributor to this book has a nursing degree, and has practiced these methods as both witch and medical professional. Gavin Bone has been with the Farrars for many years, and their coolective energies flow so well together – obvious in this book.

Right from the beginning of the book, we see the detailed research and experience with a lesson in modern biology. Not many pagan/alternative healing books begin with the physical – most consider the physical almost as an after thought. mr Bone and the Farrars on the other hand place the physical highly – and advise knowledge of the body, organs and tissues as a MUST for any healing practitioner.

From the physical we move into energetic therapies, then to spiritual, and into psychological. Past life regression as a means for counselling in the present. A shamanic healing technique is described, as well as the journey a shaman may take to find the power animal.

I quote here from page 222 paragraph 3 – The Power of Naming

“The power of naming is very suitable for use by any group of people. It is very simple and does not require the preparation that is needed for the other techniques mentioned, but familiarity with chakras and basic spiritual healing may be useful. In many respects this method of healing is no different from the raising of the cone of power performed in many Wiccan covens.

Those involved in the healing sit cross-legged, surrounding the patient who sits cross-legged in the middle. Very slowly the group doing the healing begin to chant the person’s name, while using rattles or drums. This will be either his or her given name or Craft or magickal name if he or she has one.

The group should visualize that they are transferring energy from themselves to the patient, normally in the form of light. They may wish to put their hands out in front for this reason. The tempo of the chanting, drumming and rattling should slowly increase, until at a given signal all stop. The group should then ensure that they are adequetly grounded, and that the aura of the patient is sealed.”

At the end of the book, we come to a section on the Last Rites, and bereavement counselling. As many constant readers will know, my family suffered a profound loss this year – the murder of a cousin left the family stunned and in shock for many manoths. By combining candle magick, passing rituals and bereavement counselling tips found here in The Healing Craft, I have been able to help at least one member of my immediate family work through this tragedy.

I think anyone who reads this book will find it enjoyable and much more in depth than most others on the market.
–
Jodi Lee – is a freelance writer/editor living in southern Manitoba, Canada.
© 2000 – present All Rights Reserved; Republish notice excluded.

This article can be republished elsewhere in its entirety so long as the author is notified (see contact information), a link is provided to the website, and this notice is left intact.