Mercury Retrograde with a vague twist

Here is a picture of Kuan Yin, the goddess of compassion to remind you to use compassion when communicating and receiving communications from others (including this blog). Things may not be as they sound, or appear. Clarify, be patient, stand your ground.
Mercury retrograde occurs every 4 months for 23 days when the planet Mercury appears to be moving backwards. On January 28 Mercury was at 23 degrees of Aquarius in the evening sky just after sunset. On Feb 19th Mercury will be visible in the morning pre-dawn sky at 8 degrees of Aquarius. So what does that mean? As always mercury retrograde slows down and confuses communications. This particular Mercury retrograde brought Phoenix lots of traffic jams with Superbowl visitors and Phoenix Open traffic. It also brings up surprises, last minute changes, and a sense that the WHOLE STORY has yet to be told.

Normal events may seem to take LONGER, people seem very preoccupied and inattentive. Vagueness is an opportunity to ask questions and gain new insights to those things we take for granted around us. Smile, be still and listen!

This particular Mercury Retrograde is a good time to reassess your spiritual commitments and decide if you are moving the direction you want? Take time to contemplate before making agreements that aren't in alignment with your life goals. Avoid being too nice and offering to help if you aren't sure. Take time to meditate, organize your current commitments and listen to your heart. This is not the best time to buy a home, a car, or decide to move across the country on a whim.

On the evening of Feb 20, 2008 there will be a lunar eclipse that will bring in new energy and hopefully bring in clarity over the following weeks. Have patience, have compassion. Return to your goals for healing at every level. Look for grounded practical ways to move forward on your goals.
Namaste, Anne

Yoga for Depression and Mood Management

It feels like a new chapter in my life as a yoga teacher has begun. This has been such a wonderful month of practicing the many tools I learned at Amy Weintraub's weeklong workshop in January. I met over 30 incredible women who were either therapists or yoga teachers, or both who arrived in Tucson from all over the country.

My biggest discovery was to respect how we need to create a safe space to release emotions we may be holding in our bodies. Once a safe environment is created then the work begins. This work includes

1. Breathing techniques to either calm anxiety or provide added energy to take steps to feel more alive and creative were amazing.

2. Yoga Nidra is a guided relaxation to relax, step into a witness state regarding our thoughts and emotions and come closer to understanding our true nature.

3. Learning to dialogue with thoughts and emotions as they appear to learn what purpose they have in our lives, without feeling controled by them.

4. Techniques to move from a distracting emotional state to a calmer state in a nonjudgement, nurturing way.

5. Finding compassion to share all this information with our community and empower each person to find faith in their skills to move forward in their life goals.

Each of us found our most heartfelt wish. Mine is to increase my ability to communicate from my heart to each person I interact with, and find ways to encourage others love where they are right now.

I have set myself the goal of giving our free 1 hour sessions using these techniques for the next few months. At the end of February I will be assisting at two classes Amy Weintraub is teaching in the Phoenix area for therapists. More information on these classes is available by copying and pasting this address into your browser. http://www.pesi.com/search/detail/index.asp?sessionid=&eventid=34931 There is still space available in the classes if you know therapists who are interested in this work.

If you are interested in experiencing a one on one session with me, please email me at aem929@aol.com to see if we can set up a time. I know everyone is busy, but this is wonderful work that be a great supplement to traditional medicines, therapies and healing practices.

I am hoping to create a website in the next few months as well to share more about gentle yoga for mood and energy management. If you know web designers that you would recommend please let me know.

Namaste, Anne