Tapping Into The Heart’s Wisdom

“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.”
Albert Camus

I savor times when I am in awe, times “in the moment” when I lose sight of time, space, challenges, and everything around me. When these moments arise in winter, I am reminded how sunshine lights up a winter’s day, how good the warmth of a fireplace feels, how warm and delicious homemade soup tastes, how I love the sweetness of hot chocolate, and how delightfully renewed my heart feels each time love is given and/or received. At these times I can tap into heart wisdom and realign with what has heart and meaning in my life. During one of these moments of awe I took the above photo. Snowballs that gently rested on branches looked like cotton balls, and my heart reminded me that spring is around the corner. The next morning I heard birds chirping as I awoke, additional reminders and harbingers of spring.

Amidst this winter’s cold, snowy days Camus’ words bring me back to my heart. It is here that I tap into Heartmind, described in Chinese medicine as “xin,” the place where higher mind, intuition, and heart are integrated. Each time I tap into this powerful place I am reminded to take in and celebrate moments of awe in winter, when Mother Earth brings us the greatest show on earth through seasonal changes. I feel grateful and blessed each time I experience the warmth, peace, and awe in these moments, and I’m reminded of the continuous renewals that accompany life with each “change of season.” It is these memories that I stockpile and can access during the cold, wintry times in my life when I do feel lost, alone, or insignificant.

As caretakers of your hearts this Valentine’s Day, I wish you sweetness, joy, and warmth. May you experience the mysterious, dynamic, and universal energy of love as winter turns into spring. Namaste…..

Regina Rosenthal, PT, MA: Upcoming Events

At January 22, 2014
By rrosenthal
In Blog, Continuing Education, Events, Press, Wellness
0

UPCOMING EVENTS — MAXIMIZING WELL-BEING THROUGH SELF-CARE

SEVA ACUPRESSURE FOR SELF-CARE & WITH OTHERS – Holmdel, NJ

Saturday, February 15, 2014: Part 1 Seva Acupressure for Self-Care: 9 AM-12 Noon; Part 2 Using Seva With Others: 1-4 PM (can be taken same day or separately)

Saturday, March 15, 2014: Part 1 Seva Acupressure for Self-Care: 9 AM-12 Noon; Part 2 Using Seva With Others: 1-4 PM (can be taken same day or separately)

INFORMATION: http://www.reginarosenthal.com/education-workshops/professional/ PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: 908-902-0770 Fee: Part 1: $60; Part 2: $60

Continuing Education: Nurses, Social Workers, Massage Therapists, Asian Bodyworkers (3 Hours Seva Part 1; 3 Hours Seva Part 2)

PROCESS ACUPRESSURE 1:

Philadelphia, PA, March 11 – 14, 2014

Naples, FL, November 6-8, 2014

INFORMATION: http://www.reginarosenthal.com/education-workshops/professional/ PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: 908-902-0770

Continuing Education: Nurses, Massage Therapists, Asian Body Workers (24 Hours)

LIBRARY PRESENTATIONS:

Monmouth County Library, Hazlet Branch: January 25, 2014

Monmouth County Library, Colts Neck Branch: February 8, 2014

Old Bridge Public Library: April 10, 2014

DIALOG WITH THE AUTHOR:

Hunterdon NJ Radio Interview with Sue Ann Seccia: February 27, 2014

Wellness Workers Webcast Interview with Elsie Kerns: March 6, 2014

Brandeis University Women, Monroe Township, NJ: March 27, 2014

Temple Shalom, Aberdeen, NJ: April 6, 2014

Living In Tune With Mother Nature: The importance of Self-Care

Happy new year!

The year 2014 has begun and we’ve been experiencing the winter season in the northeast. Winter is a time of long nights and reduced daylight. It is a time when I’m reminded of the quiet beauty revealed by Mother Nature in the stillness that follows new fallen snow. Yesterday’s snow storm blanketed us with 12″ of snow, which slowed everyone’s pace. “Home” took on special meaning for everyone trying to get home yesterday.

According to Chinese medicine, winter is a time to stay warm, eat warm nourishing foods, rest, and retreat within to restore and renew our life force, or “chi,” stored in our kidneys. Animals know to go within in winter…..they hibernate. We, too, would be wise to make time to slow down and go “home,” within ourselves during winter. This will ensure that we have sufficient energy reserves to meet the new growth and activities that burst forth in Spring.

Self-care practices and bodywork take us within — i.e. meditation, yoga, tai chi, qigong, Seva Acupressure for Self-Care*, Process Acupressure*, and Eden Energy Medicine to mention a few. By slowing our hurried pace, these activities guide us home to our authentic Self. They promote balance throughout our being and reveal the value of aligning our human nature with the seasonal rhythms of Mother Nature. When I am in tune with the deepest parts of my authentic Self after bodywork and Self-care practices, I feel a renewed sense of peace, aliveness, and connection with all of life. I am less fearful and anxious, and I notice a renewed sense of trust in myself and the bigger picture. I have a clearer sense of what matters, and I am excited and curious about the next steps on my soul journey. The best part of all is that I feel more compassion, joy, and love in and around me. Like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, I discover that “there’s no place like home.”

My challenge in winter is to slow down and listen to my heart and authentic Self versus my everyday mind and ego. This helps me recognize and take in the blessings I receive when I live in tune with Mother Nature.

What wisdom / insights does Mother Nature reveal to you in winter? Who and what replenishes your life force in winter? What challenges arise for you during winter? What gifts are you discovering as you use Self-care practices?

Wishing you sweet dreams and warmth this season,

Regina

*See Upcoming Events Blog

Healing Passages That Guide Us Home

After journeying through writing and publishing passages that birthed The Heart of Healing last March, it is a joy to return to private practice and teaching. I feel blessed witnessing individuals awaken and come alive as they learn about and experience Self-care practices that support their life and healing. I also feel grateful to be teaching what I need to learn personally as part of my soul journey on Earth — the importance of Self-care.

Self-care practices are becoming a part of my daily routine. I find that I need them now more than ever. Self-care practices raise my Self-awareness and nourish me. They serve as CPR for my heart and soul. Self-care practices help me monitor my ego’s conditioned ways of being “in charge,” ways that at times no longer serve who I am in my authentic Self. I love and respect the part of me that is passionate about making a difference. However, I’m also aware that the pace and wisdom of my heart and soul, which guides my authentic Self, can vary from the pace of my ego. I’m learning that there is a difference between service and sacrifice.

Self-care practices take me from outer space to inner space, where I connect with the Great Mystery within that I/we are an integral part of. While I believe it is true that we are all made from stardust, we don’t often touch upon our magnificent design. Self-care practices remind me of who and what I am, and why I am here. They help me realign with my path and purpose, and bring clarity, focus, creativity, joy, laughter, and play into the process of being alive each day. When I lose sight of Self-care, I lose the connection to my heart and soul. I become a human doing versus a human being, ungrounded and unplugged from that which sustains me and guides me home to my authentic Self. With each healing passage I arrive at through Self-care, I am guided home to my true nature. With each new arrival I feel blessed to be alive and “at home” within the Great Mystery, which still brings wonder, awe, and “coming home” tears of gratitude.

Wishing you blessings as you encounter healing passages that guide you home,

Regina

Upcoming Events: Workshops, Author Talks, Library Presentations

At August 22, 2013
By rrosenthal
In Blog, Continuing Education, Events, Press, Wellness
0

WORKSHOPS:

SEVA ACUPRESSURE FOR SELF-CARE: Seva Stress Release Part 1 (3 hours) Saturday, October 12, 2013, 9 AM – 12 Noon, Holmdel, NJ

Fee: $60 Registration Required: 908-902-0770

This workshop will help you to manage stress and promote general relaxation, well-being, and Self-healing. You will learn the Seva program through demonstration and hands-on practice, and take home six valuable Self-care tools: use of an awareness journal, acupressure, meditation, breath practices, mindfulness, and body-mind movement (Chakra Tai Chi). This class is a pre-requisite for Seva Part 2 below. Wear comfortable clothing.

3 CEUs: massage therapists, social workers, nurses

SEVA ACUPRESSURE WITH OTHERS: Part 2 (3 hours) Saturday, October 12, 2013, 1-4 PM, Holmdel NJ

Fee: $60 Registration Required: 908-902-0770

In this workshop you will learn how to use the Seva program with others through review, demonstration, and practicing the Seva program with class participants, seated in chairs and lying fully clothed on massage tables. You will also deepen Self-awareness through meditation, breath practices, journaling, acupressure, and Chakra Tai Chi. Wear comfortable clothing.

3 CEUs: massage therapists, social workers, nurses

SEVA ACUPRESSURE FOR SELF-CARE, Part 1: Saturday, November 23, 2013, 9 AM – 12 Noon, Holmdel, NJ (See above)

SEVA ACUPRESSURE FOR SELF-CARE, Part 2: Saturday, November 23, 2013, 1-4 PM, Holmdel, NJ (See above)

AUTHOR TALKS: