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Using OM Jewelry To Renew A Spiritual Practice

January 7th, 2010
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OM pendant on Turquoise beads

 
As 2010 begins, it’s time to re-commit to our spiritual practices. For me that is Yoga and Meditation. I find it very helpful to use the OM symbol to remind me that I am renewing my connection to “the practice”
The ancient symbol OM holds an important significance for me and helps me acknowledge my practice. By wearing OM jewelry and OM pendants, I am reminded to stay in the present moment.  I remember to connect to my breath.  Wearing OM jewelry allows me to stop and reflect throughout the day. As I see the OM pendant around my neck, I pause, take in a deep breath and connect to the NOW. I use my OM necklaces as tools to support my inner spiritual practice. 
 
I enjoy making jewelry with the sacred OM symbol, combining OM pendants with healing gemstones that also assist to inspire a Yoga or Meditation practice.  I am always on the look out for unique and unusual OM pendants to add to my Yoga jewelry line. Creating these Yoga inspired jewelry pieces can be very meditative. My bead studio is a calming space, surrounded by natural objects, crystals, minerals, plants, flowers and many, many gemstone beads.  Putting together OM pendants with gemstone beads is a pleasurable part of my daily work.

OM Pendant on Amethyst & Quartz

OM is a universal, sacred symbol and the most sacred syllable in Hinduism. It is considered to be the primal sound. According to tradition, ancient sages were able to hear the subtle vibrations produced by everything in the universe, and they identified OM as the most elemental sound of creation. In a quiet environment, you can hear the vibration of OM in the crashing of ocean waves, in the stillness of a forest, or in the rush of wind. For more information on the significance of the symbol OM you can go to this article.
OM is used by meditators as a mantra to assist in reaching higher states of awareness. Many mantras and prayers begin and end with the sound OM. Rest in the universal sound of OM.

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Why do Yoga?

July 6th, 2009
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yoga-teton1Someone asked me the other day why I create yoga and chakra jewerly.  Good question I responded and answered with—  I began designing yoga and chakra jewelry as a way to support my own yoga practice.  The next question followed, why do you do yoga?  Even bigger question.  Lots of answers came to mind, but the next day I received this email from my friends at  Pathways www.pathwaysbayfield.com. This description of yoga really helps explain why yoga is so important to my life and why I love creating jewelry to help inspire the yoga path.
 
Why Yoga?
Developed in India, yoga is a spiritual practice that has been evolving for the last 5,000 years or so. The original yogis were reacting, in part, to India’s ancient Vedic religion, which emphasized rituals. The yogis wanted a direct spiritual experience — one on one — not symbolic ritual. So they developed yoga.
Yoga means “union” in Sanskrit, the classical language of India. In Hatha yoga, for example, postures and breathing exercises help purify the mind, body and spirit so the yogi can attain union. Yoga doesn’t discriminate. Even if you don’t believe in the spiritual side of life, you can still do yoga.  If you do yoga, chances are that you will feel its psycho-physiological effects. Moreover, the concept of union has a powerful down-to-Earth meaning. Yoga helps us get in touch with our true selves.
Yoga gives us control of ourselves. It helps cut through the layers of mis-identities that arise in response to our actions, experiences and feelings. Specifically, research shows that yoga helps manage or control anxiety, arthritis, asthma, back pain, blood pressure, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue, depression, diabetes, epilepsy, headaches, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, stress and other conditions and diseases. It calms the frenzy, clears the clutter and allows us to get back in touch with ourselves.
 
Whether you pursue yoga as a spiritual path or for its physiological benefits, yoga is a methodology for developing a deeper experience of your self and the world. And it makes you feel really good.
 
To see some of my yoga inspired jewelry designs go to: http://www.spiralsoflight.com/yoga-jewelry.html

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Yoga Journal offers a reminder to lighten up.

April 7th, 2009
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Butterfly necklace

Butterfly necklace

 

If you are into to yoga, chances are you read Yoga Journal. I just found out about their new project, web TV and “Ogden the inappropriate yogi.” http://www.yogajournal.com/ogden

Weather you love or hate Ogden he’s sure to get a response from you. He reminds us to lighten up and to bring a sense of humor to our yoga practice. After watching this short video I decided to make some jewelry to lighten and brighten my mood. I chose a butterfly pendant as center pieces, sprinkled in some pastel color pearls, purple glass beads and some Amethyst. AND I am offering it on sale on the web site. Ah I feel lighter already.

Isn’t it time with all the heaviness and worry vibes going around to lighten up? Spring is here, lets lighten up and remember to laugh. Need a good laugh, take a look at Ogden, in 5 minutes he will have you laughing at him and maybe even yourself.

If you are interested in purchasing the butterfly necklace please go to: http://www.spiralsoflight.com/unique_handmade_jewelry.html and scroll down to the last picture.

Jewelry, Yoga , , , ,

Chakra Bracelets for Omega Institute

March 16th, 2009
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Chakra Gemstone Bracelet

Chakra Gemstone Bracelet

I just sent off an order of Chakra Bracelets to the world famous Omega Institute for Holistic Studies in Rhinebeck New York.  If you don’t know about Omega I think you should. Please see their web site for more information: www.eOmega.org.  They are a nonprofit organization that specializes in teaching workshops, retreats and conferences on all areas of wellness and personal growth.  They offer classes at their NY campus from April through October with world renown teachers.  Workshops in Yoga, Massage, Energy Healing, Spiritual Practices, Art, Music, Sustainable Living and so much more.  With teachers like Neale Donald Walsch, Shiva Rea, Rodney Yee, Alex Grey, Caroline Myss, there is something for everyone at Omega.  The campus is in a beautiful rural setting in upstate New York  with a bookstore that sells my gemstone Chakra Bracelets.

I have eight different gemstone Chakra Bracelets that correspond to the Chakra Energy System.  Each Chakra Bracelet has a different color pattern and uses genuine gemstones to help balance the chakras.  I hand make each bracelet, one at a time with love and healing.  The idea to create the bracelets came to me as a way to help people learn more about the healing qualities of gemstones and how different gemstones can facilitate opening and balancing the chakra energy centers. This creates a vibrant, healthy and balanced individual. I am honored to have Omega selling my handcrafted jewelry.  For more information about wholesaling my chakra bracelets contact me.

For more information or to purchase a chakra bracelet go to: http://www.spiralsoflight.com/chakra-jewelry.html

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Yoga Love

February 14th, 2009
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Rose Quartz heart

Rose Quartz heart

Rose Quartz is perhaps one of the best known gemstones in the crystal world. Commonly known as the “stone of love.” I’ve been placing a Rose Quartz heart by my Yoga mat for the past week, in honor of Valentine’s Day. It helps me put my focus on heart opening yoga poses. Asanas like, cobra pose, cat pose, upward facing dog and bridge pose. At the end of my yoga sessions I sit and meditate with Rose Quartz and listen to its gifts.

Rose Quartz first and foremost reminds us to love ourselves. Each day when I get on my mat I am demonstrating this self love. I bring self acceptance to the mat when I feel the tightness in my muscles, and forgive the places in my body where it is difficult for me to stretch further. We often distance ourselves from self love when we feel un-entitled to it, or less than, or unworthy, or even guilty. But without self love there can be no love of others. Fill your heart with love and the world outside you sees it and feels it. May you have a love filled day.

You can find Rose Quartz Hearts and Jewelry on my web site: http://www.spiralsoflight.com/jewelry-specials.html

Happy Valentine’s Day.

Gemstones, Meditation, Yoga , , , , , ,

How to create a relaxing bath using gemstones

January 30th, 2009
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As part of my yoga practice I am doing a 2 week cleanse to help detoxify my body from all the holiday eating or should I say over eating! I am following the Ultra Simple Diet by Dr Mark Hyman:, check out his blog: http://www.ultrawellness.com/blog

Dr Hyman recommends taking detox baths at the end of every day. I love these quiet, relaxing baths, but I created my own recipe for relaxation while in the tub.

I add the gemstone Lepidolite to my bath water. Lepidolite is known for its calming and relaxing properties. Lepidolite can relieve tension and stress in the body and help sooth frayed nerves.

My simple relaxing bath recipe:

  • Place a piece of Lepidolite into the tub allowing the water to run over it as the tub fills. If you have more than one piece you can add them too. Just be sure you don’t lose them down the drain when you let the water out.
  • Add pure Lavender essential oil, about 10 drops
  • Add 1 Cup sea salt
  • Light a candle and dim the lights
  • Soak 15-20 minutes

As I soak I rub the smooth Lepidolite stones over the parts of my body that feel the most tense. I especially like to rub the stone around my face. It works to smooth the wrinkles and fine lines.

ENJOY!

Soothing Lepidolite
Soothing Lepidolite

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