True To Bliss

Ready for Spring : the phenomenon of daylight savings time

2010-03-21T13:10:00.002-04:00

After enjoying a warm welcome and wonderful crowd at the Day Spay Expo in Las Vegas last weekend, I returned to New York with plenty of follow-up projects on my mind. As I adjusted to the time difference between east and west coast, I joined the nation in turning my clock one hour ahead for daylight savings time.

Daylight Savings Time is meant to make the most of days that are growing longer in the spring and summer solstices. I’ll leave the scientific reasoning (or lack thereof) for more qualified parties to debate, but I will say that I’ve discovered the following truth: all living things need a deliberate balance of sunlight and sleep to thrive. On that note, Daylight Savings Time brings some good, and some bad with it!

First, let’s talk about the good. I’ve been reading up on balanced breathing and the benefits of exercising out of doors. One of my favorite recommendations is to incorporate deep, bliss breathing into your yoga routine. Now that the weather is a bit balmier, taking that routine out of doors can increase the health benefits of a single workout by three times!

This is because along with exercise and bliss breathing, the benefits of sunlight, in all its warmth, are many. Moderate exposure to sunlight is essential to the production of Vitamin D in your skin, and has been linked to improved mood and muscle strength (USA Today, 10/2009).

Now for the bad: in addition to giving us an extra hour of day light, winding the clocks ahead seems to steal an hour of sleep from many of us. This must be addressed with no small amount of care. Getting enough rest is essential to keeping your body at its most effective. While there is some debate over the number of hours we should all sleep, I believe in paying attention to the cues your body gives you. For some, 8 hours a night is mandatory. For others, a mere 6 may do.

I’ve known many celebrities to swear by sleep as their secret weapon. Some such individuals include mother, actress and musical artist Jennifer Lopez; actress and musical artist Mariah Carey; and actress Renee Zellweger (Health.com). These women, and countless others know that the best way to keep your immune system strong, mind sharp, and body beautiful is to maximize the potential of deep nightly sleep. To prepare for bed, experts suggest spending the two hours before you sleep engaged in some calming rituals. Cue the bliss breathing and meditation! Additionally, when your nightly sleep has not been restful, taking an afternoon power nap can make you sharper and more alert. If you can’t nap in the middle of the day, try meditating. Even if only for a few minutes, you can close your eyes and breathe deeply, wherever you are. Such a bliss break can have restorative effects similar to those of a power nap.

Thus, as we spring forward, remember these bliss tips:

1. Best in small doses, the sunny stuff can be as potent as any herbal remedy in healing muscle aches, tiredness, and the general malaise that seems to set in each winter.

2. Try taking your exercise regimen outside to increase your exposure to natural light (just don’t forget the sunscreen).

3. Be sure to make up for lost sleep by incorporating a meditative or restful period in the middle part, or end of your day.

4. Consider bringing bliss breathing techniques into your lunch hour as you sit on a sunny bench, or near a window in the office.

P.S. If the terms bliss principle, bliss breathing or bliss moves are unfamiliar to you, check out my recently revised book: The Bliss Principle: Easy ways to go from stress to peace (KD Publishing, 2009) at TheBlissPrinciple.com . You may be surprised by the ease with which bliss can be achieved!

Good health and much bliss to you,

Kellye

Book Tour

2010-03-09T12:02:00.000-05:00

Many thanks to all the faithful readers and followers who have made a success of the revised edition of my book, The Bliss Principle: Easy Ways to go from Stress to Peace, since it hit bookstore shelves in December, 2009.

This weekend I will participate in the National Day Spa Association's Expo and Business Forum by hosting three days of Bliss Principle Workshops complete with yoga, meditation, free giveaways and book signings at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Day Spa Expo begins Saturday, March 13th and ends Monday, March 15th; so if you are in Nevada, stop by! For the rest of my readers, stay tuned for updates and photos from this huge event. Check out www.TheBlissPrinciple.com for upcoming tour locations near you.

My Revised Edition of The Bliss Principle Book is ready

2009-11-17T18:09:00.001-05:00

Wow, time moves.

Its been nearly 4 years since - my book The Bliss Principle first hit the scene. Now, starting this month the "newly" revised edition is available for all you peace seeking souls taking charge of their own tranquility needs.

The Bliss Principle... Easy Ways To Go From Stress to Peace REVISED EDITION is available on my website at www.theblissprinciple.com.

I've added some new features, recipes and tips we all can use -especially now.

Much bliss

Kellye

Relaxing on the Gulf Coast this week

2009-04-16T14:32:00.000-04:00

Hey,

Enjoying a little R&R on the other side of Florida for a change.

Normally, I do the East Coast - (Delray Beach, Pompano Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Hollywood and Miami). This time I decided to seek some bliss in Naples. Very high end. The water is like getting into a bath tub.
True to bliss.....

Making the News

2009-02-25T10:42:00.000-05:00

Some quick news links for you:

A link between meditation and gray matter from the Syracuse New Times.

The Oregon Daily Emerald finds grad students adding classes on meditation to their course load.

And a story from Science Daily on the emotional healing power that yoga can provide to women battling breast cancer.

Got a great news link? Send it my way!

(photo courtesy Zarko Drincic)

Here's to a Blissful Weekend!

2009-02-20T08:44:00.000-05:00

Hoping everyone has a stress-free weekend!

How do you unwind from a stressful work week?

(Photo courtesy Yamanaka Tamaki)

A short guide to crystals

2009-02-19T09:17:00.000-05:00

A friend told me yesterday she wanted to start using a crystal in her meditation routine, but wasn't sure what kind to get.

Here are the basics to get you started:

Clear Quartz: One of the most common and versatile crystals. Many people I know use clear quartz for its cleansing power. Its presence is believed to raise the vibrational energy of any space. Its color ranges from clear to opaque white.

Rose Quartz: Pink in color, this crystal is excellent for facilitating emotional healing. It's said to "tune" the one who holds it. The strength of the color pink cleanses, renews, and restores. Consider it a symbolic way to clear your head.

Amethyst: A brilliant purple stone, amethyst is thought to resonate and align your crown chakra-- the spiritual energy center of the body. Amethyst is believed to help the mind become still and to calm stressful environments, especially in a work setting.

Do you use anything special when you meditate?

(Photo courtesy Ruan Kendall)

Delicous Stew

2009-02-18T09:46:00.000-05:00

I think I'm going to make this Squash Stew today! It's so yummy, and full of antioxidents, vitamins A and C, folate, potassium, and omega-3 fatty acid. Here's the recipe:

1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons oil
3 cups pumpkin or butternut squash, peeled, seeded and chopped
2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
2 cups vegetable stock or water
¾ tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup frozen whole-kernel corn
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook the onion and garlic in oil, stirring until the onion is transparent, about 4 minutes. Add the squash and potatoes. Cook, while stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Whisk in the flour until dissolved. Add the vegetable stock or water, cinnamon, vinegar, and simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until the sauce is thik and the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes. Add the peas and corn and cook 5 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper. Serves 4.

What are some of your comfort foods?

(Photo courtesy kevandem)

5 Tips for Easy Meditation

2009-02-17T10:02:00.000-05:00

Sometimes relaxation just doesn't come that easily. It takes a lot of control to quiet your mind-- but the more you practice, the better you get at it!

Although bliss breathing can be done anywhere, here's a special meditation checklist for those days when you need some extra help:

1. The best time to meditate? First thing in the morning or at the end of the day.
2. Commit to just 5 minutes of meditation-- you'll be amazed at just how relaxed you can get in that time!
3. Ignoring your worries won't help! Acknowledge your stressful thoughts and then put them aside.
4. Writing your worries down... an even better practice! It's therapeutic and instantly focuses your mind.
5. Hold a small quartz crystal in the palm of your hand.

I'd love to know how you mediate. Do you use little tips like these when you find it difficult to focus?

(Photo courtesy Erik van Hannen)

Mantras for Everyday

2009-02-16T10:05:00.000-05:00

A list of my favorites:

"Cool, relaxed mind, calm body"
"The Lord is my Shepherd"
"Oh, great spirit"
"Om"
"Peace"
"Bliss"

Enjoy your Presidents Day, everyone!

(Photo courtesy Evan Leeson)

Love is Everywhere!

2009-02-13T09:44:00.000-05:00

It's true, love is everywhere you look (and often everywhere you don't look!)

Have a blissful weekend, everyone!

(photo courtesy of elisa)

Relax Now Tea

2009-02-12T09:51:00.000-05:00

Filled with all the great stuff to protect the immune system against stressful people, places and things. Try this relax now tea combo of Peppermint and Chamomile. Stimulating and calming all at the same time - for sure - true to bliss...

1 cup of warm to hot water
1 peppermint tea bag
1 chamomile tea bag
Steep it. Drink it.

(Photo Courtesy Prakhar Amba)

Breathing in Bliss

2009-02-12T09:31:00.000-05:00

Don't you just love that excited feeling you get when you know Spring is just around the corner?

I use bliss breathing to harness all of that creative energy. It works wonders!

(Photo courtesy Matilde Zacchigna)

Welcome!

2009-02-06T13:47:00.000-05:00

I'm Kellye Davis. I'm an author, yoga instructor and magazine publisher.

Here you can find updates on my new magazine, due out this year, Tranquil Living. Tranquil Living is all about finding inner peace everywhere you go-- no matter what's going on around you.

Check back for more tool, tips and in-the-know info on everything from stress-to-peace makeovers to meditation guides.

This blog is dedicated to all of us looking for new and inspiring ways to go from stress to peace.