Energy Exercises

Grounding 

Connecting with the earth is a great way to replenish your energy and is a form of mediation in its own right. Here is a 10 minute exercise which any nature lover can enjoy.

1. Head to a patch of grass where you can walk around.
2. Take off your shoes and socks and stand upright for a few minutes to connect to the earth's energy.
3. Take a few deep breaths.
4. Walk along the grass, feeling the texture in your toes, continue taking deep inhales through your nose and exhale all the stresses and tension you have built up in your body. 
5. Walk for 10 minutes and feel a deeper connection to mother nature. Once finished pop your shoes and socks back on and feel refreshed and ready for the rest of your day.

Anger release

Anger can build up and have a negative ripple effect on your whole day. It is so important for our mental, emotional and physical health to let this out in a healthy way. Try this 5-10 minute exercise for anger release

1. Sit comfortably in a chair or on the floor with a straight spine, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths from your diaphragm.
2. Take your mind to your solar plexus chakra. This is situated just below your breast bone in your stomach. Visualise your anger there as a tight ball. 
3. Feel the anger, don't hold back! Whether it be long term, hurt, pain or a recent issue; don't resist the feelings. Let them flood the body.
4. Now focus on the ball of anger, see the ball shrink in size, sense the anger slipping away the smaller the ball gets. Instil some feelings of empowerment, you are in control! 
5. Once the ball has completely disappeared slowly open your eyes, take a few deep breaths and carry on with your day.

Blissful getaway

Try this 10 minute visualisation technique to bring a sense of calm and blissfulness. 

1. Sit comfortably and relax 
2. Close your eyes and think of your favourite place. This could be a dream holiday destination, a lake or garden. Somewhere where you always feel at peace. 
3. Now take yourself there, lose yourself in the environment. Use your senses to hear, feel and see what is around you. Feel the tranquillity of the place rejuvenating your body.
4. Feel the stresses of your day drift away into the atmosphere
5. Slowly open your eyes and come to. Know that you can go back here anytime you feel. That this is your safe and calm place just for you.

Morning meditation

Meditation is a wonderful technique to do at any time of the day to quieten your mind and bring inner peace; it is simple to learn and leaves behind your fears, slows down your thought process and separates you from your ego so that you can connect with your subconscious mind which influences everything you do. Meditating first thing in the morning can reduce your stress levels and improve your overall well being. 

Practice this for 5-10 minutes every day, it won’t take long for you to see the benefits and feel much more energy for the day. 

1. Place a lit candle in front of a yoga mat, or meditation pillow, on the floor. Sit crossed legged with a straight spine & with your heels together to help maintain your concentration and slow your mind. Place your hands on your knees with your palms facing up.
2. Consciously relax all of your muscles, starting from the top of your head to the top of your toes. As you take a big inhale in and exhale out from your diaphragm you will feel your body relaxing. If your mind starts to wander, take your focus back to your breathing and relaxing your muscles. 
3. Now gaze at the candle’s flame. After a minute close your eyes but hold the flames imagine in your mind for as long as you can. Now meditate on one thought at a time. Visualise the day you would love, feel it as if you are living it in that moment. Think positive thoughts for the day ahead. See yourself being successful at everything you attempt. If other thoughts intrude let them drift by as if they are floating past on a river. 
4. Towards the end of you're meditation, gently wiggle your toes and gently open your eyes. You are now ready for a new day full of new opportunities

Yoga 

Yoga is a wonderful discipline that originated in India. In Sanskrit the word ‘yoga’ means the union of mind and body. Hatha yoga consists of a series of postures that help to purify the mind and body. In yoga teachings, all bodily functions are controlled by energy called prana which flows through channels in the body. When you practice Hatha yoga, prana flows through the body positively clearing away toxins and promoting well-being. 

Try out these simple postures for 10-15 minutes each day to encourage the functioning of your body’s organs, glands and nervous system as well as tone your muscles, increase your vitality and discipline your mind. 

The cobra

1. Lay on your front with your feet together placing your palms under your rib cage.

2. Stretch your toes and point your chin towards the floor.

3. Inhale and lift your head off the floor, pushing up with arms so that you look ahead. Keep your hip bones to the floor, breathe steadily and hold this position for 10 seconds. As you exhale, lower yourself to the floor and return to step 1.

The tree

1. Stand up straight and take 10 deep breaths, inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. 
2. Once breathing steadily, balance on your right leg, then place the sole of your left foot on your inner right thigh. Push your right hip out to keep your hips square. 
3. Look straight ahead, when steady put your palms together and hold. Don’t worry if you wobble, just firmly grip with your right foot.
4. Now stretch your arms above your head, clasping your fingers and hold. Feel the energy move from your feet up to your fingertips. Slide you're left leg down and repeat on the other side. Do this twice on each side. 

Keep calm and drink tea.

Sipping on a cup of herbal tea can help you cope in a moment of panic. It can help relieve nerves and balance your energy. Herbal teas are a healthier alternative to normal tea, which contains tannin and caffeine. The ingredients of some herbs have the ability to act as a tonic to relieve irritability, nervous stomach, cramps and anxiety. Making fresh tea with dried herbs you will notice the benefits of the herb’s properties. If you can't access dried herbs buying pre-made herbal tea will suffice. 

Ginger

Warming and pungent spice that is best used in fresh tea will aid fat breakdown, lowers cholesterol levels & speeds up digestion, Prevents nausea and encourages good blood flow especially in cold weather. Also good when you are suffering from a cold as it strengthens and heals the respiratory system.

Lemon balm

Sweet scented and antispasmodic, this helps aid muscle tension. Alleviates anxiety and helps digestion.  

Peppermint

This herb contains menthol which works as a carminative to reduce upset stomachs, tension or feelings of nausea. This herb will also give you a boost when you're feeling exhausted. 

Rosemary

A fragrant, aromatic herb that reduces the pain of a headache, alleviates dizziness and strengthens the nervous system.

Sage (avoid if diabetic or pregnant)

This herb is a great calmer if you're feeling worked up, anxious or over excited, although it does have a bitter taste, add honey to counter that out.

Green tea

This tea contains high levels of polyphenols and flavonoids that boost the immune system. It has a strong antioxidant action that destroys free radicals that can increase the risk of cancer.

Making the tea

Place the dried herbs or tea bag to a teapot of boiling water.Let it steep for 10 minutes. Strain out the herbs and serve.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the divinest of them all

Mirrors are believed to hold great power, they are believed to double the positive energy of the space they are in. When we look into a mirror we see our spiritual self and can tap into our subconscious to increase our personal power by  saying a carefully chosen, upbeat phrase. 

If you have a space where you meditate or relax, place a mirror there or find an area of the house that is just for you.

Take a few deep breaths and be calm

Look straight into your mirror and focus inwards as you connect with your spiritual self.

Say out loud “I am strong, I am beautiful,  I am successful, I am calm.  My life, health and happiness is about to change, I have let go of the things that no longer serve me. Money and good vibes flow to me with ease and I am grateful for all that I receive.”  The more you do this the more you can add to it/change it to better suit your situation or feelings.

Say this three times and feel a surge of spiritual vitality as you re-balance your energetic field.

A quick & easy way to let out stress

We all know when our minds and bodies are stressed and this can cause detrimental effects on our mind, body & soul. When you're feeling stressed, take 10 minutes to perform this exercise. 

1. Sit crossed legged on the floor with a straight spine, keep your head in line with your neck and back. 
2. Focus on your abdomen and breathe in through your nose as you take your arms out to your side.
3. As you continue to breathe in and fill your lungs, lift your arms above your head and look upwards.
4. Intertwine your fingers and continue stretching your arms. Breathe out through your mouth forcefully, tilting your head back as you release all of your stress and drop your arms back down to your side. 

Repeat this until you're clear headed and feeling more relaxed.