By Sheridan K Hailley

First seen in Maui Vision Magazine, 2014

What if the secret to a long and healthy life is remembering that we are timeless beings?

Do you recall a special experience in your life where you merged especially deeply with the magic of the moment? Retrieving just such a memory, and feeling it fully in our bodies helps us remember that such divine magic exists- timelessly in every moment.

Such magic was revealed for me one evening while traveling: On a stargazing walk, my attention was captured by a vision ahead of a tawny creature being cradled by a woman. As I approached, I stood amazed as she extended this precious bundle to me. Fur soft like the down of a baby chick touched my skin. I was filled by the ease of this new life as it relaxed openly in my arms, it’s oversized paw draped down my arm. Low, throaty rumblings echoed the power of a being much larger than this delicate newborn. I felt elated!

In that moment, time was suspended. I melted into something greater than myself. Holding a baby lion had tickled my inner child and returned me to my soul self in a most profound way.

In hectic or challenging moments in our day, in can be helpful to reconnect with a magical “timeless” moment. I invite you now to call forth a timeless moment of your own. What is your “baby lion” experience? Breathe the gifts of the experience back into your body. Allow the nourishing sensations to restore your being. Remind yourself of the magic that is true for you.

May we embrace the gifts of unexpected, magical experiences – and the truth of timeless presence!

Sheridan K Hailley MA CPT counselor and healer, helping others to “activate their magic” 808.344.4410

By Sheridan K Hailley

First seen in Maui Vision Magazine, 2013

When I became incapacitated by physical illness years ago, the experience took me on a profound inner journey. Unable to enjoy even basic activities of daily living, like reading or meeting with friends, my attention was freed from focus in the “external” world. I was guided irrevocably and deeply inward…

Initially, the physical pain in my body spoke most loudly. However, a softer voice, which seemed unaffected by the pain also emerged. In moments when I would fall into feelings of hopelessness and isolation, this quieter place inside stirred my inspiration. I discovered a passionate curiosity to listen inside and journey deeply within.

Tools of energywork, meditation and yoga assisted me in my journey. Specifically, these tools helped me to refine my awareness of my body sensations and access my own healing abilities. I found honing my inner sensing skills provided a gateway to a deepening connection with non-physical realms, and to my own rich resources of soulful quiet presence.

Through moving through challenges and pain, that I have come to appreciate the gifts held within our bodies’ expressions, and to treasure the rich nourishing resource of quiet presence!

Sheridan K Hailley MA CPT providing counseling and therapy for over 20 years, guides you through your own challenges into healing transformation. 808.344.4410

First seen in Maui Vision Magazine, 2013At times when I feel overwhelmed, holding my self and my thoughts in compassion is key. Overwhelm informs me that I am being unkind to myself in some way. I empower myself when I recognize that it is my inner thoughts that need to change first and foremost, rather than the external situation.

As I reconnect with compassion, I feel a softening in my body, and an inner smile. “Shoulds” and other judgements are suspended. Busy thoughts are replaced with a clear perspective which comes from a place of stillness and neutrality.

With the help of compassion practice, I have learned to go deeply inside and bring to light old patterns of thinking which are causing me pain or distress. Recently, I found myself hurrying in my day to get things done, and losing touch with how I was feeling. When I fully appreciated how uncomfortable I felt in my body, I recognized old thoughts: “shoulds”, misguided expectations of myself, were impacting me.

Here is a compassion practice for such a moment: When you first notice your thoughts racing or you feel overwhelm, tune in. Feel the impact on your body as intimately and sensitively as you can. Recognize the need for compassionate self-care. Breathe in all the way through your body, allowing worries or judgments to be touched gently by this new breath. As you breathe out, let go of harsh thoughts and soften…ahhh! Smile gently upon that part of you that felt overwhelm. Allow your inner smile to inform you and guide you to choose your next most compassionate thought.

Check in with your thoughts often. Appreciate their impact upon you, and remember to soften. Practicing compassion in your thought habits brings delicious new aliveness into your body. New possibilities for your day await you, held within this enormous and gentle space of your own compassion.

Sheridan K Hailley, MA, CPT, professional counseling, energy healing over 20 years. 808 344-4410. soulfirecounseling.com

By Sheridan K Hailley, MA, CPT, RCC

First seen in Body Connect Magazine, Winter 2000

Ayuryoga uses the understandings from Ayurvedic medicine, tailoring a range of yoga postures to individual needs. Ayuryoga addresses your energy or dosha type, and seeks to restore energetic balance. Ayuryoga increases our sensitivity to our unique constitution. Energy imbalances, over time, manifest into disease in the body. Your ayuryoga practice may be designed to address a specific illness or injury.

Applying Ayurveda and the Five Elements:

Ayurveda is based on five element theory understanding of the human energy system. There are fundamentally five qualities of energy that exist in nature and in our being: ether, air, fire, water and earth. These elements combine to serve various functions in the body, forming three doshas. Based on your dosha qualities, Ayurveda offers you in-depth guidance to balance and strengthen your health, including diet, type of exercise, type of breath practice, herbs, proper timing of self-care and daily activities.

Vata (air and ether)

The qualities of vata energy are light, cool, quick and dry. Vata serves to propel all other energies in the body. Particular sights of vata include the kidneys and nervous system. Common vata imbalances in the body include contractions in shoulders and pelvis, overactive mind and poor digestion at the colon. Recommended yoga practices for vata include a very slow flow, and postures which open the low back and pelvis for grounding. Some recommended practices included alternate nostril breathing, cobra, forward bend, hip openers and slow walking meditation.

Pitta (fire)

Pitta quality is heating. Pitta serves the function of transformation, for example, converting food into fuel for the body. Primary sites of pitta include vision, immune system, and digestion (liver). Pitta imbalances include inflammation, high blood pressure excess anger or judgementalness. Yoga postures focus on the solar plexus and naval, with outward flow and release from there, to disperse these sites of pitta. Specific poses may include child pose, cat cow and slow deep diaphragm and naval breathing.

Kapha (water and earth)

Kapha quality is dense, and slow. Kapha serves to strengthen and stabilize. Primary sites of kapha include bones, joints and lymphatics. Examples of kapha imbalance include fatigue, excess weight and depression. Once imbalanced into relative inertia, yoga practices done with vigor get kapha healthily moving again. Recommended practices may include breath of fire, downward facing dog, and seated twists.

Dosha information assists us in bringing finely tuned awareness to our yoga practices. Tailoring postures to your unique individual needs can contribute greatly to rebalancing your energy, and accelerating the healing process!