Following Intuition.

In simple laymen terms, it is the act of going where one feels moved to go and if that is the case, we all can feel moved to go “somewhere”. But in the series of moving, one’s choice over time, one can see those 10,000 steps later, for what they have evolved to become. And so, here you are, you found your way to what feels like a good landing spot. Here, you can rest and even see, what you couldn’t see then, evidence to how you got here, from there.

There are many indigenous cultures that speak of harnessing the wind in navigation. Even allowing the wind to teach you their “feel”, direction and even majesty of presence. In order to receive, we must learn how to empty our minds to learning a new way of understanding. In this case, following an intuition, direction that old you may have chosen a different path.

How do we choose, without allowing ego to tell us they know everything there is to know?

And so, it is true, at one point… you knew, but you are not the same person and your path, is not the same path.

How do we follow the path that leads us, without getting ahead of ourselves?

By being present, here and now. By pausing. By breathing. By, “Being”.

Communication

Recently, this topic has been on my heart lately. Not just in the service I provide, but also in my personal life. Communication is such an interesting beast to tackle. Especially when you find yourself amongst the reality that we co-exist in a hodge podge of cultures, beliefs, religious groups, generational narratives and movements, not to mention the psychological development of each individual.

Communication, in my experience is best learned when all bodies participating have the ability to first have a decent understanding of self, as to discern when they are projecting self onto others.

It reminds me of when I find myself in a group of individuals (whom may speak another language, participate in religious groups, visually/audibly impaired, ect) and instead of showing off the first 5 things I have assumed about this individual/community, I allow them to show me their world. Their experience. Their definitions and descriptions. Their talents.

I am simply here and now. Present to my experience. Trusting that I am led exactly where I need to be. Receiving as I have the capacity to. Co-creating at this very moment in the alchemy of this collective.

Have you found yourself conveying one message but wanting to express another. Essentially canceling its meaning, through your confliction of mixed emotions. For example, the displeasure for a service, but “its fine”, OR your overzealous response for attending an event, you really have no desire to go. We mask undertones of many narratives through our choice of words, body language and the tell-tale, when you share your displeasures with others, but not the individual you blame for your dissatisfaction?

How do we communicate verbally, emotionally, physically and even telepathically while considering the other party in mind? A way in which it is kind, clear, concise, honest, not imposing our own narratives/beliefs.

In essence, being true to ourselves, while simultaneously others.

Have you taken the time to ask yourself, is my dissatisfaction really about this interaction or a reminder of past transgression?

So, the next time you communicate, what is your intention? Are the words I am saying, convey what I truly mean? Or am I experiencing this interaction from an “idea”.

5 free lifestyle swaps, that will change your life for the better!!!

We used to know this, but somewhere along the way, we got pulled in a different direction—mostly thanks to marketing making us think otherwise:

1.) GO BARE FEET

2.) NATURAL movement (crawling, getting up and down, hanging ect)

3.) Trade the plush, for firm surfaces.

4.) Mewing

5.) Squatty potty

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Good habits are hard to keep, especially if they are new to our routine. I am an avid believer that I have good intention to do a lot of things, but if I do not put reminders on my path, autopilot can sometimes take over (and it often does).

Anyone who walks into my home, will notice that I have my wellness basket of tools in my living room: foam rollers, yoga wheel, yoga blocks, resistance bands, kettlebells, therapy balls. On a good day, all therapy objects are placed neatly in the basket. Other days it looks like wellness movement threw up in my living room.

I keep these tools in sight, so that if I am watching TV with my loved ones (or by myself) I can also use this time to decompress from the muscles I used for that day or even week.

Choosing wholeness and implementing it in your life doesn’t have to be another task. It can be a part of what you already are doing.

The more you implement ways to integrate wellness in the life you already live, the easier it is to honor your version for showing up for yourself, each time. This helps with building trust and a line of communication with the body.

Try looking at your schedule this week and intentionally find ways to implement some healthy habits: Eg instead of meeting your friend at the coffee shop, take a walk with them instead, soak in the sun, singing loud in the shower, run your feet in the creek as you walk the pups, breathing exercises in traffic.

I find that writing down these ideas help.

How do you implement new habits?

What is my Intention?

As a practitioner, the art of touch and movement are tools I use to guide others back to their bodies. I do not consider myself a healer or someone that fixes those that come to receive from me. Through the years I have come to resonate with: facilitator and someone who hold’s space for others.

What does that even mean??

Your body is a smart machine. We take for granted all of the work and functions that take place, within ourselves. Even as you read this article, the heart beats, the eyes blink, the lungs have inflated and deflated. A lot of times, we train the body to cope, forcing it to work overtime with the lives we choose to live or confine ourselves within.

The work I do, simply gives you permission to come back to the basics: to feel, to bask, to learn and let go on a tangible level. And in this space, my hope is that you can show up, with no judgement, take inventory of where you are and get to know the vastness of what the body does (when you learn to get out of the way).

When was the last time you asked someone what their intention for ya’lls interaction?

What fills your cup?

The sensation that makes your soul radiate and full.

That brings you joy.

That you know, you were created for this:_______________

It brings you to life, lifts your spirit.

It can be something you do, feel, touch, experience, challenge, taste…

——————————————

To feel the creek water run between my toes
Touched clay, as I sculpted with my hands
Experienced a different way of living, like submerging myself underwater to see a different world
Tried something that challenged my fears, like holding a tarantulas (who am I kidding)
Indulged in a creamy gelato, as I savored the taste

——————————————

When was the last time you intentionally made marginal space to fill your cup? really giving yourself permission to be present to that moment and maybe more moments like that?

GIVER vs RECEIVER

Giving and Receiving is a beautiful gift we learn, as we do life with others. There is a balancing act to a healthy symbiotic exchange, within these actions. When we find the sweet spot, trust can be cultivated and empowerment begins to take root. Having this resource, allows one to learn how to give from an unconditional place and receive with no anxiety of strings attached.

A little gift for you and your loved one. Attached on the link, you will find helpful checkpoints on showing up as, a giver and receiver-in regards to healthy touch. It will challenge you to look at how you interact with others, how to check in and can be applicable in a personal or professional setting.

Enjoy my friend!

Let’s talk "touch".

If there’s one interesting fact folks learn to be ironic about me, its that I do not like to be touched.

How do I love what I do, then? Because I do.

Let me back track, where this rooted feeling comes from… as a matter of fact, my mother tells me the story til this day how as an infant I disliked being touched and especially with sticky hands! I was number 5 out of 6 in my family. I’d imagine my brother and sisters would want to hold me all the time, but I would get irritated at being poked, prodded and left sticky so I found my voice. As this picture shows: of course, I didn’t like to be told what to do either (not much has changed)… which is probably why I have this “eat shit and die look” I gave to my older brother(-also my first best friend) for not letting me go to the chickens—apparently my mother had told him that the chickens would attack me and my brother out of fear for my precious meat, tried to steer me away.

Fast forward to 2020, me at 34 years of age and I can speak candidly and OPENLY about the act of touch, as well as the responsibilities that come with the art.

As a practitioner in the art of touch and movement, I forget how important it is to remind others, the question: “am I (by “I”, it is implied “you” coming from a full cup”).  What can I say, touch can be such a touchy subject (pun intended) so let us start from the beginning.

When you think of touch, what reminds you of the non-verbal language of touch you were first introduced with?  For me (since I cannot speak for you), I grew up in an Hmong household where language and physical affection were not a common tool to show love.  What I lacked in physical and verbal reassurance, it made up with sibling companionship and hard work with comradery.

Massage was a tool used to convey concern and respect to your elders, which is where you can thank my dad for my freakishly strong thumbs. In Thailand and many other Asian countries I’ve travelel to (Laos, Cambodia, India, Nepal, China, Taiwan, Indonesia.. more to come), massages were a part of communal life. They were done on the streets, a break from gardening, after/before dinner in the middle of the living room/communal space, on sides of temples.

It wasn’t until the pivotal moments of grieving (of my partner and decline of my dad’s health), that discerning others actions had an impact on me (made me feel a certain way). I have learned that acts of service (like any other love language) from a human being can be used to manipulate others.

I often found this theme (as I’m sure you have, as well): there are many folks out there quick to lend a helping hand, because it’s easier to help/fix others than prioritizing self.

I’m in the business of staying in my lane, coming from a place of wholeness (intentional doing my work to keep my cup full) and teaching you to honor self in the process. As an integrative body maintenance therapist and breath coach, I hold the standard of “checking myself before I wreck myself” in the famous lyrics of Ice Cube.

——————————————————————

So, what does this have to do with touch? Sticky hands? Aside from straight up hygiene, touch is an act of service. Whether you are giving touch, receiving touch. There is a responsibility to give, as well as receive. I asked the question at the beginning, “are we coming from a full cup” because we don’t realize that when we do not have our basic physiological needs met (in Maslows hierarchy).. the imbalance in one basic need, causes the human instinct to find ways to fulfill those needs in other aspects (even if it is unhealthy for us. eg-over indulging in food creating a codependent relationship of self soothing, sleep deprivation causing hasty decisions, lack of healthy touch-creating an incestual relationship/expectation—-this can be something as innocent as parents who need physical touch and justify them by snuggles with their kids-only, because they aren’t getting it from a partner).

In these next few entries, I will try and unpack my approach to touch and why I believe it is so important to be responsible with that act. You will find, that the responsibility runs parallel with other aspects of your life and it leaves one with the truest question: what is my intention?

Thanks for visiting. Speak to you soon!!

—g