Aromatherapy Archives - Suzanne Bovenizer

Seventh Chakra

Sue Bovenizer — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 02:32:52 +0000

Listen to Melt Down Yoga Meditation

Listen to Seventh Chakra Fall 08 Meditation

The seventh chakra, also called the crown chakra, is located at the top of the head and is represented by a thousand petalled lotus. The primary part of the body it is associated with is the cerebrum, and the gland that it is commonly linked to is the pineal gland. Here, at the top of the head, we can learn to open the lotus, feel connection to Source and sense the surging of Universal energy as it courses down into each of the lower chakras. In a newborn, the top of the head, the fontanel, is open for the first year or so of its life. The infant remains in connection to Source in its early months, unindividuated from its Divine Self and from the Divine. Wow! What an incredible start we have when we come in! And on a cellular level, we remember how that connection felt – and strive all through our lives to return to that feeling. That could be one reason we do our spiritual work- to re-experience that openness to our Creator and feel the uninhibited flow of cosmic energy revitalize and rejuvenate our bodies and souls.

The seventh chakra encompasses all the colors of the rainbow, but vibrates primarily in the violet range. In the other lower chakras, we work to balance the energies there, to clear them, and unblock them. But the crown chakra has no blockages or imbalances. Once it is open, there are only levels of higher development, of raising to a more vibrant frequency and attuning more clearly. When the crown is open to the Source, the energy flows in and fills the Being, feeds the chakras and increases the vibration until the crown begins to radiate its own energy, in unity with the Divine. In the lower chakras, we activate the energies to utilize their power, but in the crown chakra, we have to surrender to the inflowing energy, without control or influence over it. The connection to the Universal energy is one with ours and in that, we allow manifestation to happen. We offer ourselves up to the Divine Will and the flow of the Universe and reach a state of “being”, no longer needing to be in a state of “doing”. The lower chakras run the energy, organize the intellect, intuit what is best, ground us and help us create. But once we bring that energy to the crown, we arrive in bliss and are present to everything without being attached to anything. We are truly in the present moment, living the “Be Here Now” concept.

In the seventh chakra is there no longer a sense of division. The macrocosm becomes the microcosm and all is in unity. The feeling of separation from spirit, from God, from fellow man becomes a realization that separation is an illusion and that there can be no loneliness or disconnection, because we are everything and everything is within us. We become a part of the whole Being and everything that is contained in the Universe. Our personal ego is supplanted by a Universal ego, our consciousness by a cosmic consciousness.

It is in the seventh chakra that we sit in prayer and meditation. The sound of the seventh chakra is silence and in this silence we can hear the voice of God. The consciousness is quiet, the Being is still and calm and we are open to receive. With the thousand petalled lotus fully open we are in unity with the Divine. Essential oils that aid in meditation and that quiet the mind are always the high frequency oils such as frankincense, sandalwood, jasmine, rose, elemi, rosewood, neroli, patchouli, myrrh, ylang ylang, galbanum and vetiver. These can be burned in an aroma lamp during meditation. In prayer, we often petition the god we pray to for help or support. We can never fully open the seventh chakra unless we release the fears, guilts and the sense of unworthiness that initiate the prayers. Oils that assist in the release of negative thoughts and emotions are clary sage, cypress, juniper, cedarwood, bergamot, chamomile, geranium, pine and melissa. Often before meditation it is customary to cleanse oneself and the area. Oils that help purify and cleanse are all the oranges (sweet and bitter orange, petitgrain, neroli), lavender, clary sage, frankincense, geranium, pine, rose, tea tree, cedarwood and lemon.

The crown chakra takes us beyond intellect, beyond intuition, beyond belief and third eye awareness. It brings us to complete comprehension and connection. And as it is the point of entry into the body, it is also the point of departure when we leave the body behind. In many religions it is the belief that we gather up our energies and exit from the top of the head, through the 1,000 petalled lotus of our crown, back to the infinite and the oneness of all.

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Sixth Chakra

Sue Bovenizer — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 02:28:23 +0000

Listen to Melt Down Yoga Meditation

Listen to Sixth Chakra Spring 08 Meditation

Listen to Sixth Chakra Fall 08 Meditation

Listen to Sixth Chakra 09 Meditation

The sixth chakra, also considered the third eye, is located between the eyebrows on the forehead. It is primarily linked to the pituitary gland and is associated with the face, eyes, ears, nose, parts of the brain and the central nervous system. Represented by the 96 petalled lotus, it encompasses all senses and vibrates in the color of indigo. It is also said to interlace shades of yellow and violet, depending on which aspect of knowledge is being accessed. If a more rational, mental thought is radiating, a yellow hue will ensue within the indigo, whereas if the thought harkens from a more intuitive, spiritual cognizance (ESP), then violet will run through the indigo. The third eye energy not only pulsates at the brow, but also opens to the back of the head at the base of the occiput where the spine meets the skull. It is believed that the pituitary organizes the flow of energy through the front chakra and the pineal gland influences the posterior energy flow. These two glands are considered the control centers for the entire endocrine system, harmonizing and balancing hormones, monitoring fight/flight responses, controlling body temperature and regulating growth.

The energy of the third eye leads us to wisdom and the realization that we create our own reality. It is through the reasoning mind that we understand what motivates us to do things, but it is our deep awareness of our inner truth that drives us to create what the Divine self desires us to actualize. The brain runs our physical body but the mind controls the energy body, and because of that, our thoughts create energy, which then become manifestation. Any thought that we have can lead to fruition of that thought, be it negative or positive, so it is up to the sixth chakra to encourage the mind to only produce conscious thought. Though conscious thought we can create a positive, harmonious life, led by our intuitive self, guided by spirit. Many unconscious thoughts and actions are motivated by fears and beliefs imprinted on us by external sources (like parents, friends etc.) These people may have our best interests in mind, but often it is their lessons and experiences that they thrust on us, expecting us to follow. Their fears and mores become our paths and we no longer are guided by our inner spirits and voices, but instead find ourselves dancing to their tunes. This unconscious behavior causes imbalance and self-deception. The sixth chakra conscious mind is usurped by brain function and all connection to our inner self is subjugated. We begin to operate on other people’s old belief patterns rather than establish instinctual perceptions and observational qualities of our own. The ability to detach from miasmic patternings and see what is being done from a fear space rather than from an open connection is the third eye’s forte. It allows us to understand the truth and not the illusion, the faith and not the fear, the wisdom and not the delusion.

When the third eye chakra is imbalanced, various disease processes are capable to manifesting. Remember that thought creates energy, creates manifestation. If you don’t like what you see, or you don’t want to see something, the possible manifestation of that thought process could be sties, poor eyesight or blindness. Likewise, if you desire not to hear, you may manifest deafness or ringing in the ears. Not wanting to know something may create learning difficulties, not wanting to stand up for yourself may cause spinal dysfunctioning, etc. Brain tumors, stroke, neurological challenges, headaches and migraines can all be from imbalances in the third eye chakra.

Essential oils that support the third eye are ones that carry the highest energetic frequency. Oils used in meditation and spiritual rituals all help to open the third eye and bring us closer to conscious thought. Some of these oils are frankincense, rose, neroli, elemi, rose, jasmine, melissa, lavender and sandalwood. Each oil, on its own, will radiate a specific vibration, but when two or more are mixed, a new higher frequency will ensue, as if each oil raises the resonance of the other oil, lifting the blend to a whole new realm. It’s fun to play with blending oils for meditation, because each different blend will stimulate the limbic system and the pituitary gland in a different way, creating a very unique meditation each time.

Essential oils can play a big role for physical manifestations of third eye dysfunctionings. Oils that help eye problems like sties or conjunctivitis are tea tree, lavender, clary sage, geranium, lemon, chamomile and rose. Adding essential oils to a bowl of steaming water and deeply inhaling the steam can help sinus infections and sinusitis. Oils recommended for steam inhalations are eucalyptus, tea tree, cajuput, lavender, peppermint, rosemary, pine, and sandalwood. These oils can also be added to water in a neti pot and poured through the nasal cavity, but a very dilute solution must be used, as the oils are very concentrated and could burn the tender mucosal tissue. Headaches and migraines can be related to a stressed and tense third eye chakra. Common essential oils for headaches are *lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, jasmine, peppermint, hyssop, melissa, chamomile, marjoram and rosemary*. A cool compress with essential oils added can be laid on the forehead and over the eyes to reduce the heat and tension of tight inter-cranial membranes. Lavender can also be rubbed directly on the temples to soothe and de-stress the restrictive membranes.

In this time of opening to the Ascension process, we are all developing greater third eye awareness. Our intuitive skills are heightening, our perceptual understanding is deepening and our state of consciousness is expanding. We are releasing the old belief systems and developing new, original mind expansions that will help us hold the new energy frequencies that are currently encircling the planet. By trusting and following our third eye guidance we will create a reality of peace and harmony with our inner selves and those around us. Our conscious state of expanded awareness will hold a high frequency of wisdom and love and we will truly know our truth.

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Fifth Chakra

Sue Bovenizer — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 02:25:19 +0000

Listen to Melt Down Yoga Meditation

Listen to Fifth Chakra Fall 08 Meditation

The fifth chakra is located at the level of the throat and is associated with the neck and its various components such as the trachea, esophagus, cervical vertebrae, and throat; as well as the jaw, ears, mouth, teeth, gums, bronchial tubes and upper lungs. The gland, which the fifth chakra is paired with, is that of the thyroid. The thyroid dictates our ability to physically grow and this chakra parallels that by being about spiritual growth. Known as the Throat Chakra, this energy center vibrates in the color of pale blue and is represented by the 16 petalled lotus. The element it is associated with is Ether. The throat chakra is our Will center – both personal will and divine will. It is here that we make choices, each choice directing us on our spiritual journey.

The fifth chakra is a bridge from the sixth chakra of thought to the fourth chakra of feelings and desire. It links our ability to react mentally with our ability to respond emotionally, so that we are able to make our choices both with reason and sense. This chakra also enables us to represent ourselves vocally. It is the outward expression of our full potential of Self, in that, if all our lower chakras are open and energy is flowing freely, then anything that we express from the throat chakra would be pulled from a place of being grounded (1st chakra), supported with personal power (2nd chakra), full of innate wisdom (3rd chakra), and tempered by unconditional love of the heart (4th chakra). And as I said, the 5th chakra also links to the higher chakras so we would also pull down energy from a more mystical (6th chakra) and divine (7th chakra) aspect of self to round out the experience. We would manifest a true sense of Being by communicating with our complete energetic self.

When the fifth chakra is balanced and centered, we are able to speak with confidence and truth because we are grounded in a belief of Self. If our will chakra is open, then we no longer need to enforce our opinions on others. We can speak gently and lovingly, with compassion and truth of conviction, so that others will hear us from their hearts and not feel threatened by our beliefs. With a balanced 5th chakra, we can communicate without fear of being judged by others and we also can speak without a voice of judgment. Judgments come from fear, so when we are bridging the heart and the mind in an unprejudiced, objective way, then, we no longer need to make ourselves feel superior by proving the others inferior. We can all be equal and living our own truths. There is a Universal law that states that there is no one Truth - We all need to learn what are our own individual truths and then live by them, uninfluenced by others’ belief systems. When we are able to do that, we then can live from an open personal/divine will center of flowing energy.

The fifth chakra, as stated above, also is associated with the ears as well as the throat. In this chakra we are able to hear our own inner voice; the voice of wisdom, of compassion, of knowledge. We also can hear the Divine voice, the higher source of wisdom and truth that the upper chakras connect us to. When we combine the Divine voice with our own inner voice, and follow the path it leads us down, then we are truly living our Truth. We can attain an independence and freedom – freedom from fear, from judgment, from dysfunction. We can hear, follow and speak our inner and Divine Truth.

When imbalanced or dysfunctional, we can manifest a wide variety of disease states. So many colds, sore throats and vocal problems stem from our fear of speaking up for ourselves, for claiming and living our true authentic selves. Stuttering, speech impediments and laryngitis can be associated to a blocked throat chakra. TMJ dysfunction, teeth grinding, bleeding gums and tooth problems can also be affected when we have to bite back our words and swallow our beliefs. We find it difficult to express emotion, so we shut down inside, clamping our mouths shut, clamping our feelings shut, keeping out love and tenderness. Self-confidence, self-belief, self-love are all squashed down, held back and unable to be expressed when the fifth chakra is blocked. We lose sight of our Truth and begin to live by someone else’s version of it, causing us imbalance and pain. We are no longer able to say “no” to other’s voices because we are no longer able to hear our own inner voice.

So how can aromatherapy help unblock the throat chakra? Supporting our inner strength and fortitude with oils such as frankincense, rose, jasmine, rosewood, elemi, sandalwood, neroli and ylang ylang can help. These oils help us to feel more secure about ourselves, as well as more self-love, self-confidence and self-actualization. There are also oils that work physiologically on the affected throat area to open the vocal cords and reduce inflammation in the throat tissue. When the physical body is healthy and strong, it is easier to work on the energetic body. Some oils that reduce inflammation and soothe sore throats are tea tree, eucalyptus, cajuput, sandalwood, frankincense, clary sage, and lavender. These oils can be gargled with, inhaled, or rubbed (in a carrier oil) on the affected area.

Bleeding gums and aching teeth can be a symptom of an inability to speak up for oneself. Oils that assist in the care and healing of teeth and gums are clove, myrrh, lemon, sage, tea tree, peppermint and sage. These oils can be applied directly to a Q-Tip and swabbed around the mouth and gums for effective healing. Myrrh especially is non-toxic and incredibly soothing for any gum complaints.

Pain and disease is usually a wake up call to encourage us to pay attention to a situation or a problem that we are ignoring. When the Universe is trying to get our attention and we aren’t listening to our inner selves, then we can manifest earaches, tinnitis (ringing in the ears), or even partial deafness. Some oils that could help change the frequency of an ear condition are tea tree, rosemary, sandalwood, frankincense, lavender, neroli, petitgrain and hyssop. These oils can be added to a base oil and rubbed around the exterior of the ear and applied to a Q-tip and swabbed in the ear. Compresses are also a wonderful way of soothing earaches. Any of the above oils can be used with a compress and placed over the ear to pull out infection and pain.

The fifth chakra is our mediator between the spoken word and the divine word, the inner voice and the expressed voice, the lower personality and the god-self, the thought and its manifestation in action. We all need to be living our truths and speaking from the heart, especially in this day and age of instant manifestation from thought into experience. We need to consciously use our fifth chakra to be the spokesperson of positivity so we can avoid cosmic wake up calls.

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Third Chakra

Sue Bovenizer — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 01:34:24 +0000

The third chakra is located in the region of the abdomen and includes the organs of the stomach, liver, pancreas, upper intestines, and adrenals as well as the mid thoracic spine. Known as the solar plexus chakra, this energy center is associated with the color yellow to golden yellow, and connects to the element of fire. Fire gives us warmth, light, energy and clearing, in that it allows us to burn away physical debris. On a spiritual level this solar plexus fire is used for purification, burning out the old and negative belief patterns and the obsolete energies preventing us from moving forward on our spiritual path. The third chakra is our connection to the sun, to the source light, and is represented by the 10 petal lotus. As the sun is our solar power, so the solar plexus chakra is our personal power. Here we are able to stand in our truth, to realize and be the statement of the “I AM”, and to resonate with our higher knowledge while co-creating with the more mundane. The third chakra is the bridge that allows the higher chakra energies to manifest on the physical levels. It is our lower center of personal will.

On an emotional level, the third chakra is all about the self, our ego and the development of personal power. At puberty, we open the third chakra and begin to actualize a better sense of individuation and self-esteem. With a healthy solar plexus energy, the teenager will begin to move away from the family as the center of his tribe and relate more to others; understanding how he/she, as an individual, connects to the greater whole and to a communal tribe. With a strong solar plexus, a person will become more self-aware, and self-confident. This new found personal power can enable the individual to create and manifest his own personal beliefs and desires. This can often look like rebellion to the tribe/family, but is necessary if he is ever to realize his own self-respect and self-esteem. Words like self-responsibility, self-assertion, self-control, self-understanding, self-actualization and self-criticism are all solar plexus words. If this energy center is imbalanced or compromised, then a sense of rejection sets in. We become fearful and loose the ability to assert our true selves, sliding deeper into gloom, discouragement, and despair. We become unsure of our intuitive knowing and begin depending on others to create our reality. We give up our personal power, forfeit our self-respect and abandon our self-esteem. Luckily there are some essential oils that support our positive self-image and help us identify with a sense of self-empowerment. Oils that assist the solar plexus on an emotional level are frankincense, rose, myrrh, melissa, neroli, elemi, rosewood, sandalwood, chamomile, and rosemary.

As mentioned above, on a physical plane, the solar plexus center affects the digestive system, and partially the endocrine system. Essential oils that support the digestive tract, thus strengthening the physical aspects of the third chakra are peppermint, black pepper, lavender, chamomile, lemon, ginger, cardamom, fennel, bergamot, and rosemary. Essential oils that cleanse the liver and gall bladder are cypress, chamomile, lemon, juniper, rosemary, and helichrysum. Oils that lessen nervous tension which stresses the adrenal glands are basil, chamomile, lavender, cypress, hemp, bergamot, geranium, jasmine, marjoram, melissa, patchouli, neroli, rose, sandalwood, and ylang ylang, just to name a few. All these oils will, in some way, support and nurture the third chakra center on a physical level.

The color yellow, associated with the third chakra, stimulates the intelligence centers of the brain. (When studying, if a solid piece of bright yellow paper is placed just above eye level on the desk, then any information learned at that time is more likely to be retained and remembered when needed.) We learn on a gut level, which is why the solar plexus is considered one of our seats of wisdom. Here we have our internal living library, (everything our soul has learned through all of its lifetimes) and access to not only our perceived/learned knowledge but also our intuitive wisdom. We connect to our astral bodies in this energy center, and through the astral body we can know our true wishes and desires, tapping into our soul’s path that we have spiritually committed to travel. The ladder to the Akashic Records, in which is recorded our soulic destiny and the journey that we have contracted to take, can be found by going through the solar plexus’ library and up to the higher planes. Essential oils that connect us to our spiritual path and to our higher wisdom are frankincense, sandalwood, elemi, vetiver, angelica, cedarwood, jasmine, lavender, rose, neroli, rosewood, helichrysum, and myrrh.

In the third chakra we find the resonance of the statement “I AM”. This mantra also resonates with the energies of Saint Germaine, an ascended master who has chosen to help guide us into the Age of Aquarius. St. Germaine is represented by the Purple Flame that holds us in our truth and allows us to stand in the strength of our personal will. In the essential oils, St. Germaine harmonizes with both the masculine and feminine. His energy can be found in frankincense representing his masculine principle, and galbanum representing his feminine. When combined these essential oils hold the power of the “I AM” wisdom that St. Germaine bestows on us all.

On another level, as the sacral chakra is considered the seat of the Goddess, so the solar plexus chakra becomes the seat of the Godhead. When the flow of energy in the channels between the sacral and solar plexus chakras is open, then a balance of the masculine/feminine energies can be harmonized. By pulling up energy from the second chakra to the third, a union of intellect and intuitive understanding can manifest, creating a junction of self-empowerment and self-understanding, a true self-wisdom. The solar plexus shines the light of self-knowing on the self-creation of the sacral chakra. Then when the channels of energy flow one chakra higher, to the heart chakra, we will see how this all ties into attaining self-love.

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Releasing Your Burdens with Aromatherapy

Sue Bovenizer — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 23:31:48 +0000

We all seem to carry some kind of tension through the shoulders and neck as a reflection of the stresses in our lives. The stressors might be emotional, financial, fear-based and/or job related, or they might be sub-conscious and unknown. Whichever the cause, the result is always the same. It feels like a tight pull from the upper back into the neck, sometimes running up into the jaw causing clenching or grinding or maybe up into the temples causing headaches. Your shoulders feel like they are rising to meet your ears, or your head is sinking into your collarbones. The push-pull of tight neck muscles creates more than a little pain and discomfort in your life, especially if there are other muscles restrictions elsewhere in your body.

Whenever stresses overtake my generally calm life, it begins to feel like I am carrying a large backpack filled with heavy stones on my back. That’s how stress manifests in my shoulders and neck, like a weighty sack of woes that has laden me down… I carry around this imaginary rucksack full of anger, frustration, resentment, fear or heartache, all of it pulling me down into an emotional spiral of pain and tension. Then, at some point, I eventually have to question why I am creating this and what I need to do about it!

One of my lifesavers has been a simple meditation that I use when overwhelmed by knapsacks full of negative emotions. It’s an easy visualization, and here’s how you do it:

In the meditation, imagine that you are walking down a path carrying this sack full of heavy tribulations on your back, looking for a sacred and safe place to release your burdens. In your mind’s eye, see very clearly this sacred place, which, in this meditation, will appear as a large stone circle. In this circle there is a chair, a cauldron, an altar and a bonfire. You have all your aromatherapy essential oils assembled by the chair.

Walk into the circle, shrug off your bag and sit in the chair with the bag of woes in front of you. Slowly open your sack, look inside and very carefully reach in and grab the first object that your hand meets. Pull out the object, which becomes a representation of your negative emotion. For example, let’s say you’ve pulled out a rock with words describing your trouble or anger etched into it. Read what this rock represents then sit with it asking your Higher Self (or Inner Wisdom/knowing) “What do I need to do with this emotion (or pain or fear etc)?”

For this meditation your answer will be one of the following – you can place the rock into the fire and have it burn the anger away, you can place it into the cauldron and have it washed clean of pain or you can offer your heartache up to the Universe by leaving it on the altar. But before you do any of these choices, you first want to anoint the rock with essential oils to ensure that whatever it is you are releasing, it is done with the highest vibration possible. When you add essential oils to anything in a ritual, you amp up the frequency of the ceremony and make it more sacred.

Let’s say for instance, you are working on an anger that you are now willing to release. You might visualize dripping a few dro\ps of clary sage, rosemary, patchouli, melissa, helichrysum or cedarwood on the rock first, before deciding whether you want to burn or wash away the anger. If you are choosing to wash emotions away, you might put a few drop of essential oils in the water in the cauldron as well to help purify the energy. For fear you might imagine using chamomile, lavender, geranium, marjoram, bergamot, frankincense, neroli, or sandalwood on your rock. In emotional relationship problems, you could use rose maroc, neroli, jasmine, ylang-ylang, galbanum or frankincense. If you are struggling with frustration and stress, some good balancers are geranium, pine, melissa, rose, rosewood, elemi, sandalwood or grapefruit. For depression, you might use melissa, lavender, marjoram, chamomile, celery seed or neroli.

We carry so many different emotions on our shoulder and this is just one small meditation you can use with these suggested oils, but whatever you do, it is important to continue to look inside your imaginary backpack and choose to release those rocks. Many times we ignore these emotions, thinking they’ll just go away. But emotions build up insipidly in our muscles and need to be consciously dealt with and released. When we take responsibility for our own creations and move to positively let them go, then we can shift to a newly empowered way of being within ourselves – a much more confident and assertive being. In these days of gloom and stress, we need to be vigilant and keep moving forward with positive light and love. And also there are some easy self-help techniques to do for TMJ disorders and clenching the jaw.

Listen to an audio meditation of releasing burdens then click here.

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Growing Positive Thoughts in this Economy

Sue Bovenizer — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 23:26:39 +0000

There is a belief out there that that goes something like “Thought precedes energy precedes manifestation.” Or in other words, when you have a thought, a little bundle of energy is created and it is this packet of energy that becomes the basis for the ability to manifest the original thought. Every thought we have has the potential for creation… (Which can be a scary thought if one is focused on negativity.)

The movie “What the Bleep” spoke to the idea that when we have a thought, we produce a chemical in our brains that then circulates through our bodies. Happy thoughts generate healthy chemicals; negative thoughts encourage more acidic, less healthy chemicals in the body. And it is these chemicals that make up the building blocks for Thought Manifestation. In this current world situation, with fear and negativity around every proverbial corner, it is difficult to maintain a positive outlook and our beliefs in a perfect world seem denied. But believe is exactly what we have to do.

One of the main challenges we all are facing now is the “economic crisis”. This moniker is exactly what I am talking about. Crisis. Through newspapers, radio, and television, we are fed a diet of fear and negativity around the economy. We can become so brainwashed that we are in an economic crisis that our entire Being buys into the energy and we begin to create a reality around us that reflects that belief. When we believe in lack, we live in lack. Yet, wouldn’t it be better instead to affirm that the Universal bank is open for business with an eternal supply of energy for whatever we need? If we can create our reality, then why wouldn’t we create a life where we have all we need? Remember, money is nothing more than a form of energy. And energy is created though thought. So if we think/believe that we can have all the money we need, then we can create that money through the law of attraction.

Now, how can aromatherapy help with this? Well, the essential oils are just another form of energy too, and carry vibrations that can assist us in clearing negative thought patterns. If we need to free up negative energy around money issues then we can use essential oils that support the lower chakras where we hold our money fears. (Remember the lower chakras speak to foundational issues like a roof over your head and food on the table = all of which require money). Essential oils distilled from trees that have roots deep into the Earth can give us a sense of stability and strength in our foundational trust of the Universe. These oils are sandalwood, cedarwood, rosewood, frankincense, birch and cypress. They help us to feel secure, grounded and fearless.

Money fears can manifest as anything from low-grade anxiety to full blown panic attacks and everything in between. Oils that assist in assuaging background anxiety (that nagging sense that something could go wrong and you could loose everything) are bergamot, geranium, lavender, rose, chamomile and neroli. For more hypertension, where money issues consume the mind and worries cause bodily stress, oils that can ease tension are sandalwood, clary sage, frankincense, melissa and vetiver. And for full on panic attacks we can use valerian, helichrysum, lavender, chamomile, marjoram, ylang ylang and patchouli. The above oils are good used in an aroma lamp, diffused into the room for general anxiety, but for more immediate needs, a few drops of a mixture can be sprinkled on a hankie and inhaled deeply. Keeping a little emergency bottle of a combination of these oils and sniffing them regularly can assist in keeping the edge off the fears, especially if panic attacks are lurking. Of course bathing in a mixture of mineral salts and essential oils can release tension in the mind and body at a deep cellular level. Saying affirmations, especially when smelling aromatherapy oils, can shift negative energy and reset a positive chemical release into the body. Even though a barrage of economic doom and gloom is bombarding us, we don’t have to buy into it. We have the spiritual ability to rise above the mundane fears blasting us from the TVs and newspapers and choose instead to surround ourselves with positive affirmations that life is good. Turn off the TV when they rant on about the economic crisis. Read uplifting books on finding the joy in everything and have some soft essential oils burning in the background to keep you peaceful, content and believing in bliss. We have the power to manifest abundance just by changing our thoughts and realigning to a positive energy. It isn’t hard; it just takes the desire to create your own reality.

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Aromatherapy and Seasonal Affective Disorders

Sue Bovenizer — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 23:23:41 +0000

It’s always seemed strange to me that even though the shortest day of the year is officially around Dec 21, I always feel that the days in January and February continue to get shorter still and there is less light to be had. It is especially in these months that people suffer the most from Seasonal Affected Disorder (known as SAD) and drop into the “Winter Blues” for that very reason. People need light and in the deep winter months, when there is seemingly less daytime and longer nights, there is more of a propensity to feel irritable and depressed; to overeat and gain weight; and to be tired and need to sleep more. In winter our internal biological clocks (circadian rhythms) have shifted into hibernation mode and we feel out of sync with our natural schedules. This is particularly true for younger people and women. It is as if there is never enough time in the day to get things done and we end up feeling more frustrated, stressed, over-worked and overly exhausted.

Studies have shown that one possible cause, which could play a role in SAD, could be related to a lack of serotonin and serotonin polymorphisms. Serotonin is the “feel good” hormone in the body and when the uptake of this hormone is challenged by the change in circadian rhythms, then symptoms like depression can set in. Conventional medicine would prescribe an anti-depressant that blocks the uptake of serotonin in the body, leaving higher levels for the brain. But often, conventional medications can have detrimental side effects. And this is where aromatherapy’s essential oils can help for depression! Essential oils, when inhaled, head straight for the limbic system, which because of its relationship to the endocrine system allows for balanced hormone production and release. When we stimulate the hypothalamus part of the limbic system, we return it to “set point” much like a thermostat adjusting hot and cold. Among other things, the hypothalamus regulates hunger, thirst and response to pleasure and pain, which are key factors in depression. Essential oils that can assist in relieving depression are basil, bergamot, chamomile, clary sage, geranium, jasmine, lavender, melissa, neroli, patchouli, rose, sandalwood, and ylang ylang.

Another theory of why SAD might occur in the winter may be related to melatonin, a sleep related hormone, which is produced by the pineal gland in dim light and darkness (since there are direct connections between the retina and the pineal gland.) The body’s production of melatonin usually increases during the long nights of winter because of the dim light, which then throws off the circadian rhythms. This disruption of our natural sleep cycles can upset the functioning of the brain, and in particular, our old friend the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus also affects, through the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system, one’s blood pressure, heart rate, the sleep/awake response and sexual arousal. If we have an increase of melatonin, then we may suffer from feelings of fatigue, anxiety, lethargy, loss of energy, difficulty concentrating, irritability, loss of libido, oversleep and social withdrawal – all symptoms of the SAD /melatonin link. Essential oils that can stimulate and awaken our systems are rosemary, peppermint, lemon, basil, ginger, tea tree and cypress. For anxiety, irritability and fitful sleep patterns chamomile, lavender, marjoram, clary sage and linden berry, celery seed and rose can help calm and reduce stress. SAD creating social withdrawal and lack of enthusiasm can isolate a person, leading to deeper despair. Essential oils that can assist in building self-worth and confidence, bringing a more positive attitude are frankincense, cedarwood, sandalwood, jasmine, ylang ylang and neroli. For connection to others, many of the winter spices also appear to increase interest in others, and these are cinnamon, ginger, cloves nutmeg and allspice. The aphrodisiacs like neroli, patchouli, sandalwood, jasmine, ylang ylang, and rose can stimulate sexual arousal, raising the libido and encouraging more social interaction. Appetite suppressants that help with over-eating and over-indulgence are bergamot, juniper, lavender and celery seed oils.

Essential oils are very useful in these dark times, especially when burned in an aroma lamp or used in a bath. In addition to oils, there has been a study that shows using a Light Box can also be very effective in easing the symptoms of SAD. A Light Box is a specially designed light that throws out far more light than a lightbulb. The study showed that some individuals who used a 10,000-lux box received benefits from only 30 minutes of daily light treatment. (However, the amount of light needed varies widely from individual to individual.)

Now imagine sitting in front of a Light Box, basking in its full-spectrum rays AND smelling a wonderful mixture of essential oils. Sounds like a great combo to me! If you are suffering from SAD, you might want to get a Light Box, then create a formula of essential oils from the list above that most applies to you. Three drops of up to five oils can be mixed in combination and either burned in an aroma lamp or added to sea salts or bubble bath for an added pleasure in your bath. Because these essential oils tend to float on the top of the water, it is best to mix them first in some medium like bath salts or bath oils; otherwise they may have a tendency to burn if they come in direct contact with the skin. In an aroma lamp, it is safe to use a concentrated formula because there is no contact with skin.

So, in these dark and dreary days of February, when all that you want to do is curl up under the covers and sleep until spring, instead, brighten your life with some essential oils and light therapy and enjoy winter to its fullest!

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Balancing Ions

Sue Bovenizer — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 23:20:15 +0000

We are now moving into spring, the energies are rising and the desire to get back outside is palpable. As soon as the sun begins to warm and buds begin to poke out, we all just want to shed the winter layers and feel the sun on our skin. The lengthening rays of evening light and the earth starting to awaken also seems to waken us up out of our hibernation. It seems we always feel better when we can kick off our shoes and run barefoot in the newly resurgent grass or plunge our fingers into the garden soil, breaking up the clumps of dirt as if we could break up the stagnant energies within us from the winter. It is a well-known fact that any physical contact with the earth can bring us to a better state if health, both mentally and physically. We can literally heal ourselves by increasing our direct connection to the earth.

Although we know we feel better when digging in the ground or walking barefoot along a beach, we often don’t consider why we feel this way. Recent studies have been made as to the effects of the earth’s energies on our bodies, with the view that negative ions have a net positive effect on health. Negative ions are odorless, tasteless invisible molecules found in abundance at the beach, waterfalls, forests, during lightening storms and in the earth. Usually we are being pelted by positive ions, from atmospheric pollutants, heating systems, smoke particles, electro-magnetic fields, dry winds, etc. We are even bombarded by positive ions when we sit at the computer (as negative ions stick to the screen whilst the counterpart positive ions magnetize to us). Positive ions make us feel listless, tired, irritable, depressed and anxious. We can have that endogenous depressive feeling, where we can’t really pinpoint anything wrong, but we just don’t feel good or upbeat. The overload of positive ions attacking our system creates free radicals, generally upsetting our well-being. Essential oils can help to counteract these feelings, but we still need to re-establish negative ions into our lives. Some of the essential oils that neutralize feelings of listlessness or tiredness are rosemary, peppermint, basil, geranium, tea tree, euclayptus or ginger. And oils that alleviate depression and anxiety include chamomile, lavender, geranium, marjoram, bergamot, frankincense, neroli, and sandalwood. These can be burned in an aroma lamp or vaporizer in a stuffy or poorly ventilated room to increase a sense of physical and emotional ease.Balancing ionization in the home can reduce stress and help us feel invigorated, refreshed and energized, improving performance of voluntary movement, increasing work capacity and sharpening mental functioning.

Negative ionic atmospheres have also been proven to reduce lung conditions like asthma and allergies. Negative ions seem to stem the growth of bacteria and reduce airborne contaminants such as pollen, dust, smoke, animal dander, chemical fumes and viruses that exacerbate lung dysfunction. Negative ions assisted by essential oils have many beneficial effects on lung health. Some essential oils that fight viruses and germs in the air are tea tree, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, juniper and cedarwood. So much sickness is spread through airborne germs and essential oils in a diffuser or humidifier can kill off these bugs and promote a healthier environment. Oils to assist in asthma are eucalyptus, ravansara, clary sage, bergamot, pine, peppermint and lavender. These can be sniffed on a tissue, spritzed in a mister bottle or placed in a diffuser in the room. There are many commercial machines that assist in reestablishing negative ions into the air and adding essential oils to the mix assists these even further.

Research has discovered that a deprivation of negative ions on test animals resulted in an accelerated rate of death due possibly to disturbances in neurohormonal regulation and pituitary insufficiency. It seems that negative ions increase oxygen flow to the brain, resulting in more alertness, more mental clarity and less of a foggy brain. They stimulate the endocrine system and balance hormonal output. The endocrine system maintains an incredibly tenuous balancing act and without the assist of negative ions, it can spiral into many chronic immune diseases. Again, using a commercial ionizer can reestablish better immune functioning and adding essential oils into a daily routine can strengthen the healing process that the negative ions are contributing to. Essential oils to help regulate endocrine functioning include frankincense, myrrh, clary sage, bergamot, spruce, the mint family, helichrysum, fennel, rosewood and juniper.

Another good method of creating negative ions is with the use of a salt crystal lamp. Salt lamps create their own microclimates, similar to those found near beaches or waterfall. Rough surfaced salt lamps appear to be more effective that their smooth counterparts because there is more surface area emitting a charge. And there are earthing (or grounding) cords that plug into an electrical socket that bring the earth’s natural negative energies into your body.

So now that it is spring, kick off your shoes and dig your toes into the earth. Pull in those great negative ions. Or better yet, go to the beach or to a place where water is splashing on a surface area. Breathe in those healthy negative ions and feel refreshed and reinvigorated!

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Aromatherapy at Tax Time

Sue Bovenizer — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 23:17:42 +0000

The old quip by Benjamin Franklin: “Certainty? In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes” definitely applies at this time of year. Yes, it’s the run up to April and that means taxes are coming due. We all deal with taxes differently, but for a vast majority of people, taxes equate to stress. From trying to find all the paperwork, to filling out the confusing forms, to wondering where the money will come from, all these cause the ol’ blood pressure to rise. And although taxes are as certain as death, it doesn’t mean we need to go through mini-deaths every time taxes are due. With the help of essential oils we can sail through this season smoothly.

We need a strong mental acuity for taxes. Our brains can get so befuddled crunching numbers and organizing which receipt goes where. It can feel like chaos for our poor over-worked brains. So at this time when logic and reason are needed, the essential oils that can help keep the mind alert and the attention focused are basil, lemon, lemongrass, peppermint, rosemary, verbena and cardamom. A combination of these oils, burned in an aroma lamp while working, will stimulate the brain receptors to increase memory and concentration. Even placing a few drops of an essential oil on a tissues and sniffing it periodically can realign the mind and refresh the senses.

Often nerves get jangled and tempers fray because of taxes. Even though they are a yearly event, we still manage to feel the pressure of having to get it all done before the 15th. Essential oils that calm nerves and bring about an atmosphere of peace are angelica, bergamot, celery seed, chamomile, geranium, jasmine, lavender, marjoram, melissa, vetiver and ylang ylang. Deep tissue massage with a combination of these oils (in a carrier oil) can soothe tired tense nerves and allow balance and ease back into our lives. Also bathing in a mixture of bath salts and essential oils can return us to a place of peace and tranquility, especially when the lights are dimmed and soft theta wave music is playing in the background. Ah, bliss.

Many times we get so worked up around tax time that our digestive systems reflect the tension. A feeling of nausea or having a knot in one’s stomach can prevail to the point of actually getting sick. When eating becomes a problem, either over-eating comfort (junk) foods to feel better about the tax situation, or being so upset that you can’t eat a thing, we need to take a step back and detach from the source of stress. Taking a walk outside, feeling the spring energies rising, seeing new buds and shoots on trees and in the ground, all these help us to reconnect to a sense of renewal and revitalization. Deep breathing, opening the diaphragm to bring the breath into our bellies, can alleviate a tight tummy and ease digestion. Essential oils that also assist in de-stressing the digestive tract are anise, basil, black pepper, fennel, frankincense, hyssop, marjoram, peppermint, lemon, and chamomile. Massaging these oils (in a carrier oil) in a clockwise direction over the belly can stimulate digestion and reorganize the organs into a state of ease and proper functioning. Also, inhaling the oils can trigger chemicals that will soothe the nerves that enervate the digestive system.

Headaches, migraines, tension around the eyes, throbbing and pounding pain can be more prevalent at tax time. It all goes along with the higher levels of stress because of the mental work that is demanded right now. Essential oils that relieve headaches and ease migraines are eucalyptus, tea tree, basil, lemon, jasmine, lavender, marjoram, peppermint, chamomile, rose, rosemary, and sage. Adding essential oils to a cold compress solution and lying in a dark room with the compress over your forehead can relieve that tightly bound feeling around the head. Massaging a mixture of a few drops of lavender in a spoonful of olive oil around the temples near your eyes can be very soothing. Using a “Still Point Inducer” can greatly assist in releasing headaches and head pain. Still Point Inducers can be found on line at Upledger.com (under products) or you can make your own. This can be done by tying 2 tennis balls tightly in a sock and placing them at the back of your head, above the occipital ridge (so that the balls are in direct alignment with your ears). Lying on these balls for 10 minutes can create a lovely tonic effect of cerebral spinal fluid, which bathes the brain and detoxifies the stress chemicals out.

Insomnia can be triggered because of worry. We lie awake, tossing and turning, fretting about the IRS and its strangle hold on our psyches. “Did I make a mistake on the tax returns?” or “How much will I have to pay and where will the money come from?” or Did I get all my deductions right?” or “I’m sure I’m missing something, but what…?” – all these thoughts run through the mind like a proverbial hamster in his cage, over and over as the night ticks by. Quieting the mind and tuning out the thoughts can be difficult, but essential oils that will relax the brain and the body are basil, chamomile, lavender, marjoram, neroli, rose, sandalwood and ylang ylang. Burning them in an aroma lamp or adding a few drops into a humidifier can begin to settle the incessant nagging thoughts. Another good technique to switch off the monkey mind (as the Buddhists call it) is counting your breath. Inhale deeply to a count of six or eight and hold the breath for half the amount of the inhale. Then exhale for the same count as the inhale. You can either hold the exhalation for half the count or go back immediately into an inhale for six to eight counts. By focusing on the breath and slowing it down, while deeply inhaling essential oils, the body returns to a state of relaxation and peace and a good night’s sleep is at hand.

So don’t lose sleep and don’t stress at tax time. After all, it’s only money!

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The Warrior and Aromatherapy

Sue Bovenizer — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 23:15:02 +0000

One classic Grecian Urn shows men in battle – shoulders raised, sword in right hand, shield in left. It is a timeless pose, seen reflected in many paintings and other forms of art. It is also something I’ve seen energetically in many of my clients. Whether we are aware of it or not, so many of us battle through life, fighting with a spouse, quarreling with children, holding one’s ground with a boss or colleague and even having internal arguments with oneself. And how does the physical body react to battle mode? It assumes the warrior’s stance with shoulders raised and tense, breath shallow and adrenalin pumping. In this day and age we may no longer be challenged to a duel or need to ride off to slay a dragon or clash swords on a battlefield, but the when stressed, our bodies are still combat-ready and the muscles reflect this attitude.

Take a moment, close your eyes and feel your body. Does it feel like your right shoulder is raised and pulled a little forward, being held tensely as if a heavy sword were in your hand? Or maybe your left shoulder is pulled slightly back and down with the imaginary weight of the shield protecting your chest? It is an archetypal and inherent holding pattern of the body that I have often seen imprinted in the muscles of my clients’ backs and shoulders when they come for bodywork. It is an unconscious posture that most people don’t even know they are doing; but battle is also so intrinsic to our Being that our muscles go through life armed and ready for combat.

In session, while massaging the right shoulder, I often ask the client if s/he needs to be so armed. I might ask what in life is making you carry the sword? – How heavy is it, how long have you been carrying it, how big is the blade, what precipitated picking up this imaginary sword, can you let it go and if you don’t feel ready to release the sword, can you at least shorten it into a knife or dirk that isn’t so heavy? These are all questions we can ask ourselves when the right shoulder is stressed and tight. And sometimes the answer can be no, that you need the sword at this time of life when the world is so threatening; at which point we dialogue about way of supporting the body as you carry this huge sword. But generally, an acknowledgement of not needing to be so armed is understood.

In carrying the shield on the left arm, the questions are similar – why do you feel you need to carry a shield, what are you shielding yourself from, when did you need to start the shielding, how big is the shield today and what part of the body feels most vulnerable that it needs protection? Very often this need for protection is multi-layered and has its origins in childhood. As with carrying a sword, the shield becomes a basic necessity for a child who otherwise can feel overwhelmed, defenseless and open to attack from all foes, imaginary or real. Children are often powerless against an overbearing parent, sibling, teacher or peer, so they learn to develop coping mechanisms to keep them safe. The warrior’s stance is prevalent in frightened and wary children, which left unrecognized can turn into a strong muscular dysfunction later in life.

Although counseling is important to explore inherent fears and distrust, massage with aromatherapy can help to ease the muscular patterning. General oils that are useful in alleviating fear are chamomile, lavender, geranium, marjoram, bergamot, frankincense, neroli, and sandalwood. These oils can be used in combination or alone in an aroma lamp, bath, or in a massage oil. They can be helpful for children as well as adults, although with children one would use only one drop of up to three essential oils in a formula. Carrying a metaphorical sword can weaken muscles and make them ache. For sore, tense muscles a combination of birch, eucalyptus, juniper, lavender, lemon, rosemary or black pepper will ease the fibers and soften the tissue. For stiffness with prolonged sword carry, essential oils like chamomile, tangerine, ginger, cajeput and the peppers will relax muscle rigidity.

Anger and repressed frustration can also be factors in taking up the sword. Hostility towards another can cause an automatic attack-and-defend stance in the body. Essentials to sooth powerful negative emotions are clary sage, frankincense, cypress, lavender, marjoram, petitgrain and chamomile oils. To ease the nervous anxieties that accompany attack-mode, some oils are bergamot, chamomile, geranium, jasmine, lavender, melissa, neroli, patchouli and ylang ylang. These oils encourage balance and peace, bringing out the pacifist so battle is no longer desired.

Shielding is a deep emotional problem. Lack of self-worth, feelings of inadequacy, believing other’s criticisms or even self-criticism can throw up defenses internally. Gastric problems can ensue, causing bloating, nausea, cramping and diarrhea. Oils to calm nausea are cardamom, cinnamon, fennel, geranium, ginger, melissa and peppermint. These can be rubbed (in a carrier oil) on the belly in a clockwise motion or inhaled. Intestinal cramping can be alleviated with basil, bergamot, clary sage, cypress, eucalyptus, hyssop, juniper, marjoram, lavender, rose or sandalwood. Massage is good with a combination of up to 3 oils in a carrier oil rubbed on the belly area, or likewise, around the neck and shoulders to dispel the psycho- emotional energy.

There are numerous more ways to ease, release or calm the impact of warrior mode. You just need to tune in to your own body to see where and how this archetypal stance presents in your physical structure. Massage and bodywork are most effective as well as counseling, but first you have to realize that you are carrying the metaphorical sword and shield before you can choose to put it down. Can you indeed challenge yourself to stand in what the yogis call Tadasana, with your hands down by your side, neutral spine, open and easy. This pose is said to create space in the body as well as peace and calm in your being. With your hands by your side or outstretched in a greeting of friendship, the sword and the shield are left behind.

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Listen to Third Chakra Spring 09 Meditation

Releasing Your Burdens with Aromatherapy

Growing Positive Thoughts in this Economy

Aromatherapy and Seasonal Affective Disorders

Balancing Ions

Aromatherapy at Tax Time

The Warrior and Aromatherapy