BEYOND THE BRIDGE NEWSLETTER - FEBRUARY 2009

LiveWorkWell - The Healthy Feet Connection!


Greetings,

We’ve got our Blackberry’s, iPhones, iPods, our Laptops and don’t forget about the latest Laptots. We watch the world on our HDTVs and the Internet while trying to cope with the proliferation of unwanted E-mails – are they the new junk mail? Doesn’t it sometimes feel like all of these connections are hotwired directly into our Nervous System? And still we continue to wonder why we can’t sleep, relax or stay focused on what we are presently doing – that unique ability to be ‘in the moment’. Ah, there is a living connection that we want to keep open 24/7 – the one between our feet (our physical foundation) and the rest of our body.

Take good care of your feet! Working on your feet is a simple, effective and practical way to promote and maintain your mental and physical wellbeing. Amazingly, we have 72,000 nerve endings in our feet that connect to our vital organs and other body parts. Utilizing the self healing techniques of foot massage and footbaths can result in an abundance of therapeutic benefits such as better breathing, improved circulation, good digestion, strengthened Immune System and the opening of the Solar Plexus that allows our healing energy to flow freely though our body - all contributing to recharging and restoring balance to our Nervous System.

Footbath for Relaxation and Renewal (adapted from The Divine Doctor).
This can be done at any time of the day but is most optimal at the end of the day!

1. Create a quiet place of solitude for yourself.

2. Fill a bowl with enough hot (not scalding) water to cover your ankles.

3. Add sea salt to draw out impurities and eucalyptus oil to calm and soothe the nerves. (Both are optional).

4. Sit down in a chair and place both feet in the water. For the first three minutes, massage your feet with your hands. Then sit back, close your eyes and relax for an additional 15 minutes or more. If you desire, listen to soothing music.

5. Remove feet and dry them. Optional: Massage feet with oil or lotion. Try almond or grapeseed oil – both aid in the health and condition of the foot.

6. If you have a breath practice, continue with the breath exercise of Sitali Pranayam that aids in cooling and cleansing the mind and emotions - in particular, anger. Suggested mudra (hand posture): spread fingers and touch the fingertips of both hands together at the level of the solar plexus (between heart and navel). This seals in the energy, so it can be contained and used for healing. Or, hands relaxed in lap. Beginners - close eyes and focus on your breath. For advanced practitioners – close eyes and focus on your third eye point – the space between your brows.

Inhale through curled tongue, as if you are sipping through a straw. Don’t worry if your tongue doesn’t curl – do your best! Suspend the breath for as long as possible (not to bursting stage, though), then exhale slowly through the nose. Beginners – start with 3 minutes and build up to 11 minutes or more. For advanced practitioners – minimum 11 minutes.

7. Pleasant Dreams!

We, at Beyond the Bridge, continue to create and expand our LiveWorkWell Program Series of simple and healthful techniques that enables and supports our clients in a natural way, to live life fully as they maintain wellbeing and balance in these busy and challenging times. For more information, please contact us at beyondthebridge@verizon.net.


Please pass this along to your friends, colleagues and family!

With Love, Peace and Light,
Beyond the Bridge


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Beyond The Bridge, based in New York City, offers Integrative Wellness Coaching Solutions for individuals and businesses. Founded by Holistic Health Practitioner and Yoga Professional, Linda Shields, Beyond the Bridge specializes in Wellness Coaching programs, directed to the whole person, that focus on achieving Balance in this busy, stressful world through Healthful and Conscious Living.

Through the healing modalities of Naam Yoga Therapy, Harmonyum, Breathwalk, Universal Kabbalah, Wellness Coaching and Corporate Wellness Programs, Beyond the Bridge embraces a holistic approach that encapsulates the complete wellness of mind, spirit and body. For more information, visit www.beyondthebridge.com.