Light - Shade - Color

There are so many ways to infuse different shades of lighting and color into your environment to maximize the flow of energy. They both promote physical vitality and mental alertness. 

One of the ways to get a feel for the lighting is to follow the sun on its journey around the room on a sunny day. Take note of how the light quality changes depending on the angle at which the sunlight falls through the window. Plan your décor around this observation to make the most of this type of lighting. This is the primary factor in creating a peaceful home atmosphere.

Lighting Ideas:

• Use sheer fabrics as curtains or shades to diffuse and soften the light especially in living rooms and dining rooms.
• Be flexible with artificial lighting. Go beyond a single light source by installing directional lighting on a favorite piece of artwork or individual lights around seating arrangements.
• Use candles as mood lighting. Choose interesting holders as accent pieces or floating candles for an additional element layer.
• Add an accent mirror to energize natural light source. Position a plant in front of the mirror to spread the light and double the impact of the plant.

Color Ideas:

• Choose colors strategically. From a feng shui perspective, every direction has color association. This is based on the five Chinese elements. It's a powerful way to design and reap the highest benefits on a personal basis.
• Bare in mind color has an impact on mood. Cooler hues tend to be calming and warmer hues tend to be stimulating. 
• Accent colors can be used in cushions, pillows or throws.
• Mix color hues to create a harmonious effect.They can be different colors in matching tones or a narrower range of colors in different tones.
• Add a touch of pattern as an accent, especially if the room is monochromatic.

Creating a peaceful home begins with observing mother nature. You have everything you need by following Her lead. Have fun, and let the process unfold naturally.

Om!

Mary Jane - Feng Shui Yoga Girl

www.fengshuiyoganj.com

Winter Solstice - A Calling Back to the Light!

Winter Solstice - A Calling Back to the Light! View this email in your browser   Welcome!       The winter solstice is a time of deepening and calling back to the light. It is one of the most powerful turning points of the year when one of the Earth's poles has its maximum tilt away from the sun. It is an astronomical phenomenon marking the day with the  shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year.      At this auspicious time of the year, we can attune to the energy of the earth that begins to pull inward. Nature contracts and pulls downward. As the seasons turn, we can find a quiet time to draw into our center, exploring our higher self, and connecting with our spirit. Just as the earth settles this time of year, we can let ourselves settle. We can mindfully turn within and welcome the peace it brings and the love that accompanies it.      Acknowledge the depth of this time in your life and the planet we live on. Use the power of the Divine Universe to give you courage for the next steps. Listen and hear guidance to accept everything just the way it is. Elevate Your Consciousness! Mary Jane Waking Well During the winter season we are surrounded by more darkness. Without the darkness there would be no light. Take this time to retreat inward and restore your energy. Here are a few simple ways to do that. 1. Wake early and reconnect with your bodily cycles (circadian rhythms).  You may find there's extra time before breakfast to do some worthwhile meditation. 2. Draw insights from dreams when you wake up while they are still fresh. Follow your intuition with the symbols that show up. Keep a diary to record your dreams so that you can review them later in the day or week. 3. Immediately upon waking, think about how you can bring joy to another person. Practice Metta or loving friendliness towards others. This is an extraordinary frequency to begin your day. 4. Engage all five senses as soon as you awaken. The sight of sunlight or darkness, the sound of birdsong, the feel of a towel, the taste of your breakfast, the wafting smell of coffee or tea brewing. 5. Say a morning prayer giving thanks for a new day, your family, friends, health and happiness.         Create a Power Grid of Crystals This is a wonderful way to lift the energy within your environment especially this time of the year when the energy moves inward and downward. You can create a simple offering tray of assorted crystals and keep it in the area where you meditate and pray, or you can place them around your home. Stones and crystals are energetically aligned to the southwest, northeast and center points. It's a great idea to bless and clear your stones prior to placing them in the home. You can do this by leaving them outdoors during a full moon, sunrise, or rain/snow event. Set prayerful intentions over the stones, and then place them on your tray offering, or in the aforementioned points of your environment.    Celebrating Light During the Winter Solstice: Throughout time people have celebrated the light of the sun. Special ceremonies to honor the time of the solstice and equinox mark not only the movement of the sun, but the inherent cycles within spiritual and physical life. The astronomical events of the Solstices corresponds to our own rhythms helping us to understand what to focus on in the ever-changing cycles of life. They are powerful points in time to celebrate the light and consciously expand. The changing seasons are associated with the key points within the human life cycle. The winter solstice has a direct correlation with seeking higher states of consciousness through meditation. Expanding your consciousness increases your vibration so healing at every level can take place. Celebrating: Just as the seasons move through cycles, there are peaks and lows in the spiritual human journey. There are times to create, move forward and share, and there are times to rest, retreat and nurture self. This is the time to pull in, listen more than speak, be flexible and contemplate life just as it is now. This time of year is a natural way to reconnect with life's Divine plan and to feel a deep connection with self and others. Honor and celebrate your unique spiritual path while living as a human being. There are many ways you can celebrate the Solstice from gathering with friends and family, taking a spiritual retreat, attending a candlelight meditation ceremony, engaging with nature, sitting around a campfire, star gazing, spending time with elders and listening to the wisdom they have to share. This list can go on and on. The idea is to engage in an activity that resonates with you internally. The Ebb and Flow of Your Yoga Practice: Beatles Ashram Rishikesh, India The length of the day, the span of the year, the duration of a life, the blossoming and decay of a flower; your yoga practice mirrors the rhythm of these cyclical changes. Every time you practice yoga your experience is different from every other time you have practiced. You have your favorite poses and sequences, but consider the fact that we grow and change as individuals every day and in every moment. This means that everything is new each time we do it, including our yoga practice. What we may have loved one day on our mat, we dislike the next day. You may be drawn to an intense yoga practice, and then your tastes may shift and you prefer a more yin practice. Like nature, and like you, your yoga practice can fluctuate and grow to surprise you over time. Like the peaceful warrior, when the work is done, we can rest and seek the journey within.  Shop the Feng Shui Store Copyright © 2018 Body Space Alignment, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in to our newsletter at our website, or one of our live classes or seminars. Our mailing address is: Body Space Alignment 287 Daniele Dr. Ocean, NJ 07712 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

Energy Forecast - December 13, 2018

Rishikesh, India

Practical, serious, persistent and hard work is the name of the game today. With this combination setup, it behooves you to start your day with a centering practice such as meditation, qigong or yoga. Be prudent in your business interactions and avoid getting involved with arguments and disputes. Remain behind the scenes instead of taking the lead. This will bode better for the overall outcome of any situation you are dealing with.

Rely on your intuition in terms of being in the right place at the right time. If it feels right, it is right. However, use your practical sense and be level headed.

There is a powerful axis line of energy today on the loshu grid that has the potential to create excellent financial possibilities. It requires the following:

• Focus on what your main goal and vision is. Write it down and visualize it. Clarity is of the utmost importance.
• Review resources you may need. Don't forget to consider input from elders. 
• Network with those who share your career path. In other words, seek out those who can assist you with your long term plans.

Feng Shui Elements to Assist:

• Metal element placed in the Northwest
• Wood or fire placed in the center
• Fire placed in the southeast

Om!

Mary Jane - Feng Shui Yoga GIrl - www.fengshuiyoganj.com

Taj Mahal - Agra India

Today, December 7th, the energy shifts to the Yang Wood Rat and Lo shu Xun trigram (4). This is a reminder of where to energetically place your focus this month.


Phase 1: Yang Wood over Water Rat:

The month of December holds wood over water. These two elements work in a sheng cycle whereby the Rat  water branch fuels the heavenly stem of wood. Water is in its prosperity point this month. Therefore, it behooves you to be more introspective, measured, adaptable, resourceful and flexible.

Water relates to the kidneys and the emotion of fear. There is a tendency for vulnerability to the kidney/urinary bladder system this month in addition to feelings of angst. Breathing techniques to relax the mind, and activities such as swimming or yoga to keep the joints supple, bode well for this month.

There is a direct correlation with career and long-term plan of action. This is the time to ponder your direction, With the element of wood in the heavenly position, there is a natural tendency to create and act on your new ideas. However, this time of year wood is in stage 2 and needs care. Think of it as a new born baby needing assistance with everything. How does this translate into everyday life? Take your time with your ideas/creations and nurture them before sharing with others.

The combination (wood/rat) is progressive and success oriented. There is a tendency to explore everything this month and find good use for almost anything. This energy combination is terrific when it comes to corporate systems and making them work for you. Set your priorities and work hard to achieve your aims. Security is important and why the underlying theme this month is to determine your long term plan. The wood element this month can show up as stiffness in joints/musculature, and or liver and gallbladder vulnerability.

Rishikesh, India

Ganges flowing from the Himalayas

Phase 2 Energy Pattern for December


The trigram Xun rotates into the central position of the loshu grid this month.  In nature, this trigram represents the gentle breeze of late spring. It is receptive, as it is associated with yin or female energy. Essentially, the hard work is already done by its male counterpart (Zhen). Therefore, keep your focus on how you can eventually promote your ideas and realize the benefits they can potentially bring. Spend time nurturing your ideas. Treat them like your baby and then watch them grow and mature.  

Xun trigram also represents fortunate blessings – all those things we are grateful for and continue to want in our life. This includes material aspects such as cars, home, clothing, etc. It is important we practice an attitude of gratitude and give freely. Such behavior increases the energy frequency around us generating more blessings. 

Xun is indirectly associated with relationships. Therefore, it is important to nurture those around you this month. Make a concerted effort to spend quality time with friends and family.  Plan something special and enjoy every moment. This trigram is associated with the hips, thighs and pelvic area. Be mindful of these body parts, as they can  be vulnerable this month.

Other Areas of Attention:

The energy is strong in three additional aspects this month:

1. Resources are readily available to you this month as long as your vision matches your soul's mission.Take time to create a vision board and keep your energy in alignment with it. During meditations this month, see yourself already accomplishing your desires. See it, feel it and know it is already yours!

2. Listen carefully to partner when it comes to long-term planning for career/life journey. Include those closest to you in the process, as their advice is invaluable. Be willing to be flexible and mindful of how you take this advice. Employ good organizational skills and think things through before proceeding.

3. Keep the ideas flowing this month when it comes to your career. Make certain they are in complete alignment with your highest mission. This is the way to ultimate success. Remain grounded and organized for best results.

Yoga Poses and Foods This Month:

Beatles Ashram - Rishikesh, India

With double wood and water fueling, fire is needed to balance the flow. There will be a natural tendency to want to flow like water in your yoga practice this month and that is fine. However, to keep the cycle of flow moving and balanced, fire is needed. Check in with poses that will stimulate manipura (solar plexus) to build heat (agni) and restore balance.

• Plank Pose
• Warrior 3
• Bow Pose
• Boat Pose
• Sun Salutations A & B
• Seated Twists

Foods for Balance:

Water Foods: Fish, chestnuts, carrots, cabbage, sea vegetables

Wood Foods:  Squash, beans, cucumbers, strawberries, grapefruit, sesame seeds

Fire Foods: Brussel sprouts, celery root, beets, buckwheat, flaxseed, asparagus

                                                                                  

Fire Recipe:

Breaded Celery Root

2 organic lemons, 1 celery root, 8 ounces unsalted butter, 3 eggs, 1 cup flour, freshly ground pepper, sea salt, 1 bunch fresh basil, 1 clove garlic, 1 shallot, 2 tablespoons small capers or cranberries, dash of paprika, 1/2 cup virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon mustard, 1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons heavy cream.

* Note: Vegans use egg and butter substitute!

Directions: 

Grate and zest lemons and squeeze juice. Put lemon zest and juice in large bowl. Peel and quarter the celery root, then cut into thin slices and mix in bowl with lemon juice. Mix well.

Put a skillet over medium-low heat and add unsalted butter and let it melt. Skim off white foam as it rises to the top.

Beat the eggs and put flour in separate dish. Drain celery root slices, and dip first in beaten egg, then in the flour, and fry until crisp and golden in the hot butter. Season to taste with pepper and sea salt. Sprinkle with lemon juice.

Finely chop basil and peel and mince garlic and shallot. Mix capers, paprika, olive oil, garlic, and shallots, and pepper to taste, sea salt, mustard, water, vinegar, and a little more paprika. Stir in basil and the cream. Serve the sauce with fried celery root slices.

Happy December!

Mary Jane - Feng Shui Yoga Girl - www.fengshuiyoganj.com

10 Feng Shui Tips to Improve Finances for the Holidays!

Let's face it, this is the time of year when money seems to fly out of your wallet with purchase after purchase. Wouldn't it be nice for every dollar that goes out, two more float in? Let's take a look at some simple feng shui finance tips for this holiday season and all year round. 

10 Basic Feng Shui Tips for Finances:

1. Declutter your environment inside and out. Clutter creates chaos and that is what we are trying to avoid for obvious reasons. It's a good time to release things in your life with autumn ending - the energy of vatta (air) and metal are waning. The combination of these energies creates movement in an unpredictable way (vatta), and over processing of information (metal). The element of water will soon peak with the winter solstice right around the bend. It is essential to let go of what you no longer need to prepare for introspective and contemplative behavior. This sets up for transformation. 

2. Assess your color palette for rooms located in wealth areas. New opportunities can elicit potential income building. This is associated with the Northwest direction. Rooms in this area should be either in the colors of either earth or metal hues. To support and assist daily finances, choose wood and water hues in rooms located in the Southeast. Choosing proper colors will support and assist these feng shui money points tremendously. After all, walls take up a great deal of square footage and therefore have a substantial impact.  

3. If appropriate, place a water feature or fish bowl in the southeast. The movement of clean water propels energy, and when it comes to finances, who couldn't use more movement here!

4. Place images of generosity in the finance directions (Northwest and Southeast), or in an area you pass through often, such as the kitchen.  It is in the giving that we receive. This is the underlying basis of triggering the Law of Attraction.

5. Incorporate lush plants in your décor. Healthy plants are a symbol of vitality and growth. They are most impactful for finances when positioned in the southeast portent. Be mindful if this direction is the location of a bedroom by placing only one plant, as too many plants in the bedroom can drain your energy while sleeping. Plants do not emit oxygen in darkness, only during sunlight hours.

6. Make sure there is good support to the rear of your home with tall trees, hedging, rockery or fencing. Inside, create support on back walls with heavy furnishings and powerful artwork such as mountain ranges. Good support to the rear of the structure (fu wei), directly impacts finances and health. After all, if you are not healthy, it becomes extremely difficult to produce wealth.

7. Spruce up the front property and entrance to your home to invite healthy energy to circulate. This means trimming back overgrown vegetation and adding landscaping to areas that are barren.

8. Hang a movement device outdoors in the Northwest (metal chime), and Southeast (bird feeder), to attract wealth from outside sources. 

9. Refine, Refine, Refine. This refers to finer points of wealth such as the sheng qi (up to 4 points), the Fu wei (up to 4 points), flying star and 4 Pillars. These refined points will require the assessment of a professional feng shui consultant.

10. Meditate before you head out to make your purchases. This will keep your energy focused so you are not distracted by unnecessary items 

* For assistance to the aforementioned tips tap into my Feng Shui Designs in a Flash PDF Program here! Just scroll down my store page and you will find it!


Om Shanti,

MAry Jane Kasliner - Feng Shui Yoga Girl - www.fengshuiyoganj.com