R – Women Celebrating Life

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

Author: Elizabeth Owens
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
ISBN: 1-56718-508-8
Pages: 240
Released: July of 2000

Llewellyn Publications sent a proof out to me a while back. I set aside the other books I’m reviewing for the summer articles – and happily delved into “Women Celebrating Life” . I don’t think there is a single event in a woman’s life that Ms.Owens hasn’t covered in the wonderful book. When this book is released (July or August at the latest), I most heartily advise every woman looking for emotional, spiritual, and timely healing methods and rituals to beg, borrow or buy this book!

Yes, I am gushing. So, for now, I’ll put that aside and give you a glimpse of what is contained within the cover.

Ms.Owens begins by explaining in detail the ceremony of ritual. Tools, uses and an example are given. My favorite line from this section is: “I have always found that a happy heart and positive thought attract favorable conditions…(snip)…This begins the healing process.” She lists ways of performing even the smallest of daily rituals – such as journalling, and affirmations. Feeling good about yourself, your life and those around you are important parts of the healing process. If saying “I am important” every morning before leaving the house, makes you feel good about yourself, healthy within yourself – do it!

Within the pages of Ms.Owens book are rituals for the many stages of life – childhood, puberty, becoming a woman, birthdays, releasing relationships, pregnancy and birth – from youth to menopause, Ms.Owens covers each with compassion and intelligence – giving advice and ideas for our special moments in life.

I would like to offer a glimpse of the section on releasing an illness, as many people knowingly, or unknowingly hold onto an illness. I quote from the “Journal Entries” suggestions on Page 169; following that is the “Affirmations” from Page 170.

Journal Entries

-It would be healthy for my body if I…
-Emotional stresses that add to my illness are…
-I will strive to eliminate them by…
-To improve my health, what I need to eliminate is…
-To improve my health, what I need to add is…
-The steps I can take to prevent illness are…
-Is there anything toxic in my environment?

Affirmations for Health

-I am whole, healed and happy
-I am abundantly healthy
-Goddess blesses me with perfect health
-I am healed within the white light of God
-Good health surrounds me now
-I am blessed by the Goddess with robust health
-I am only attracted to healthy food
-Spirit walks with me on a path of health
-Where there is love there is healing
-I dwell within the bubble of white light

I hope this little taste will entice some of you to go and check the shelves at the bookstores!
–
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 – 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.