#SihnuuHealingSpaces : #Myofascial Therapy

Today’s #tbt is doubling as an accurate depiction of my post #MyofascialRelease Therapy #mood.🏾‍♀️

Yesterday I started my morning with The Still Point, a super cozy spa centered in Takoma Park, MD. I’ve stepped into this space a few times to peep the scene and speak with a few practitioners, but never received a full service, but yesterday I tried something new. Ihad heard of myofascial release from a few of my fellow #Yogis, but had only known the method through the use of a tennis ball. Ryan at #TheStillPoint expanded my scope. 

But first...What is fascia, you ask? It is said that our fascia is like a sweater inside of our bodies and if one thread is jacked up the entire sweater is too! Fascia has the appearance of gauze and is the connective tissue that encloses muscles, surrounds the nerves and encases the organs in a web of fibrous spiderweb like collagen from head to toe. 

When we experience physical trauma, inflammation, wear and tear from repetition scar tissue and even emotional trauma anywhere in our bodies it can  affect other areas and we create tightness in our fascia. This is why this form of therapy can be especially beneficial for yogis, runners, swimmers, any person who uses their body in a demanding way consistently or anyone who experiences chronic pain and discomfort inside of their body. 

The session took an hour and it felt great to just lay on a table and be! Ryan incorporated light to heavy pressure massage, guided breathing, hot towels and assisted stretching in targeted areas of my body to lengthen connective tissue and relieve me of any tightness and restriction. 

After my session if felt open, definitely heard less cracks and pops and experienced an overall sense of ease moving through my day.  

If you are ever in the Takoma Park area I would definitely take some time to explore the unique massage offerings The Still Point has. What healing module should I try for my next #SihnuuHealingSpaces adveunture? Comment below!

#SihnuuSpaces: An Evening Afloat

#FloatOnFriday

Views from Thursday night’s float. As a full time yoga instructor, I’m learning the importance of #bodywork to keep my physical and mental in tact.  One of the first healing modules I decided to explore on my hunt for the best self-care practice here in DC was floating. 

Floating has been around for a while now  and is making a major comeback on the wellness scene. It was invented in the mid 1950's by neuro-scientist Dr. John Lilly. Floatation therapy tanks were originally named "sensory deprivation tanks” living up to their name by offering the people the space to drift into the Theta state, an unmatched state of relaxation.  I had the pleasure of spending my Thursday evening afloat with DC’s own, @soulexspadc.

 My 1hr session was equipped with with   water set at my body’s temperature, 1000 lbs of pharmaceutical grade epsom salt, colorful soft lighting and all of the blissful feels. In addition to being super relaxing, floating has some major benefits:

1. One hour of floating is equivalent to 8 hours of sleep 

2. One hour of floating is equivalent to 4 hours of meditation.

   3. Floating reduces anxiety, symptoms of depression and stress.

   4. Floating enhances mental focus and creativity. 

   5. Floating is great for chronic injuries and increases physical performance.

Although I initially I struggled with settling in, after about 10 minutes of of being my body felt light. I was able to tap in fully without any external stimulation whatsoever.(rare)! Overall I’d say this experience would be beneficial for anyone who is  in need of a good uninterrupted slow down. It can be particularly beneficial for people like me who are constantly using their bodies. Floating encourages structural realignment which is great for speedy recovery from injury and workouts. All in all floating is my jam and I’d def love to try it again.

What healing module do you all think I should I try next?? Comment below!

Yours in wellness,

Sihnuu ♥️

An Attitude of Gratitude: Let's Find Our Bliss

It seems when we are stripped down to nothing, we start to appreciate the few things that we actually have. Why is this? You can consider gratitude a muscle that has to be worked. The truth is, we are not born knowing how to be grateful. The brain's main function is to keep us alive. We literally have to teach ourselves how to experience gratitude and make it a habit that sticks.

The energy of gratitude lies in the heart chakra.  It is through the heart that we experience feelings of sympathy, empathy, and love. It is here that you find your connection to our mother (Earth) and human kind. This universal experience radiates in the heart and is shared from one being to the next: It connects us all. This is energy you want to have in your heart, and surprisingly, we all have access to it!

I unlocked the spirit of gratitude while visiting Costa Rica.  Being in such a beautiful green place, it was obvious I would catch some heart chakra energy. Once I slowed down and immersed myself in the environment, met the people, and ate the amazing food, my heart was beaming with love. I was radiating. 

“What IS this extra energy?!” I asked myself.

It filled my soul to the brim and brought tears to my eyes: ALAS! It was the feeling of gratitude. I was so grateful the universe saw fit for me to be there in that moment, living love. I couldn't contain my joy. I was thankful for the air that I was breathing, the plants that beared the fruit I ate. Each and every little thing made me so grateful. 

We must fill up on these experiences of gratitude and keep them with us, safe until we need them to remind us of the light.  Gratitude is helpful in times of doubt, helpful in times of stillness, and helpful during your highest triumphs.  It is literally the gift that keeps giving. It is a gift that I would like to help unlock in all of you! Through reiki energy I am able to release any blockages of the heart chakra and create movement. With a good positive flow of energy, you can jump start the lowest of heart chakras. I am looking forward to sharing my energy with you all this Sunday’s Gratitude Flow.

Love and Light,

Cierra Ross

Grateful heart in Costa Rica.

Cierra Ross is a Reiki Master/Teacher and Spiritual Advisor based in Washington, DC. While on a journey to live a modern life of wellness, Rossy quickly found her calling as a reiki master-- helping over 300 people with chakra energy imbalances. Cierra is on a mission to merge Eastern and western medicine using age old traditions with modern techniques and can be found hosting meditation classes, chakra workshops, and teaching the practice of reiki to those who desire to learn the craft.

Fierce Devotion: Power and Passion

Pictured asana: Hanumansana / Yogi Splits, a pose of devotion. Hanuman, was the son of a monkey and the wind, and the king of the monkeys in Hindu mythology. Hanuman served as a devotee to Rama  and pledged his loyalty to him. Rama’s wife Sita was kidnapped and Hanuman came to the rescue by taking giant (and literal) leap of faith across the ocean from India’s south-east coast to Sri Lanka to save her.  With Hanuman's devotion he was able to do the seemingly impossible. When we channel our own devotion we can also move beyond perceived limitations and connect to our personal power.
 

What greater power exists than devotion? We literally have to dig deep and transform fear into faith, pain into purpose and commit ourselves wholeheartedly. To devote ourselves to anything takes a healthy balance of strength, receptivity, sacrifice  and an unwavering passion to see something through. When we are in love we devote ourselves to sharing who we are with another, as parents we devote ourselves to being selfless and giving. Devotion to self could look like dedication to peace or finding an authentic connection to our own happiness. 

Most of us have either shown or felt devotion in some way and understand that it isn’t always an easy task. We are faced with challenges like self doubt, naysayers and overall frustration when things don’t seem to go the way we intend. Devotion invites us to explore what it means to be patient and trusting, two essential virtues needed to stay the course. 

On August 26th 2016 former 49ers quarterback,  Colin Kaepernick put it all on the line and devoted himself by taking a knee to raise awareness around oppression of African American people in the U.S.

Devotion can serve as a way to remind us of our own courage and connect our lives to something of purpose. Being devoted awakens a certain fire within us that transforms fear into light. We become warriors fighting against self ignorance and defeating those voices inside that tell us “we can’t.” With this light, we are also able to inspire others to move beyond their fears and align themselves with something meaningful. We channel compassion and dedication of the Heart Chakra to connect to a love so committed and true that even when we feel compelled to give up, we keep going, we keep giving.  What are you currently devoting yourself to? How do you stay devoted when you feel challenged?  What do you think you can do to be more devoted?

Below I’ve listed a few things that I am devoted to.

• Yazi (my daughter) 
• My yoga practice (challenging with work and mommyhood, but I’m dedicated).
• Family
• Sister friends
• Community uplifment
• My overall well-being 
• Yoga!

I can’t wait to here what you have to share! Let us know in the comments!

Let's Celebrate! Athleta Brand Ambassadorship + 20th Anniversary

Super excited and honored to represent Athleta as a Brand Ambassador via their Georgetown storefront!!

I absolutely love this brand and all that it represents. Not only are the clothes super cute and cozy, but this GAP sister Store takes it up a notch by being ethical (Certified B Corp. Status)!, empowering and community driven. Forty percent of Athleta apparel is made of recycled and sustainable materials and the brand is hoping to raise that percentage significantly to 80% by 2020, #swoon. The brand has also recently become a PLUS member of the Fashion Positive initiative, an organization dedicated to creating fashion without waste or compromise in efforts to promote a circular economy. 

Beyond being an amazingly ethical brand, Athleta’s  #powerofshe campaign works to activate the limitless potential of women and girls from all walks of life through a healthy mind, body and spirit. During my time teaching with them I've had the opportunity to meet some powerful women in wellness, each shining light on different aspects of health and all of them dedicated to living, promoting and supporting an empowered existence.

Starting this upcoming month I will be teaming up with Athleta to offer fun and FREE sessions for you. This Thursday, August 9th we kick it all off with an Ambassador reveal party and celebrate Athleta's 20th Year Anniversary at the Georgetown Location with free food, open wine bar, live music, FREE stretch demo, and more. As a token of appreciation we are also giving away 20 free prizes and 20 SWAG Bags . Please be sure to bring yourself, a buddy and sign up for our newsletter to stay posted on upcoming events!  

See you at the party!

Sihnuu