If you answered yes to the above your third chakra, the solar plexus may be compromised.  You see each chakra corresponds to specific organs, regions of the body, mental, spiritual, and emotional issues.  The solar plexus is responsible for your personal power, the way you think and process information and it is the seat of your Ego.  This is more linear thinking where one thing leads to another, see things as sequential.  Now is it becoming clearer why if the energy of your third chakra energy is not open and flowing you may experience the issues I mentioned?  Of course, it is responsible for much more but that would take a whole class to explain!!

Here are a few ways you can promote the opening of your solar plexus:

1. Essential oils –  Basil, rosemary, bergamot, ginger or Jasmine can be used alone or you can blend 2 or 3 of them together for a synergistic effect.  You can apply them by inhalation or topically over the chakra.  If using the inhalation method you can smell the oil(s) directly from the bottle or use a diffuser.  I suggest doing that 2 – 4 times a day for 2 weeks.

For a topical application make a 3% dilution, which is 4 drops of oil in 5 ml of carrier oil, and apply to your solar plexus chakra.  The third chakra is located just below your xiphoid process, which is just below where your lower ribs attach to your sternum.

1. Meditation/Imagery – Your thoughts are a form of energy, becoming quiet and focusing on this chakra using a visual image you can help to open and energize it.  What follows is one imagery example, however, you can use any image that portrays strength and has the color yellow incorporated into it.  I have also created an 8 ½ minute Mp3 recording for you that can be downloaded.

Meditation/Imagery for 3^rd Chakra

Begin by getting comfortable in a chair, seated on the floor or lying down.  Take 2 deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth with a relaxed jaw.  Just notice how your body feels, if you have any areas of tension inhale deeply and with your next exhalation imagine blowing it out right through your skin.  Now focus your attention on the area of your solar plexus, the area below the bottom of your sternum, where your stomach is located.  Notice any thoughts, feelings or images that enter your mind.  Does this area feel energized, weak or something else?

Now I want you to imagine or visualize a peaceful place outside with the sun shining down on you. Feel its warm rays bathing your body, nourishing you.  Observe the sun’s brilliant yellow color and it’s power, sending warmth to the planet from a great distance.  With your next inhalation, I want you to bring the image of the sun into your body and have it sit in your solar plexus.  Feel or connect with this image, allow it to give you strength and nourish your Spirit.  See the golden light spreading throughout your body. After several breaths ask for whatever it is that you need.  Perhaps you need help creating boundaries with others.  Maybe you would like more self-confidence and personal power. Now imagine what that would look like for you.  Imagine a scenario that came up with a family member or co-worker.  If you need to create boundaries see yourself telling them, “No I’m not able to do that,” in a clear yet compassionate way.  If you desire more self-confidence, personal power see yourself in a situation talking with someone and taking a stand for a belief or idea.  See how you feel inside while imagining the scenario.  If it feels uncomfortable, bring in more yellow light with your next inhalation. Feel the strength and support it brings to you.  Now think of the situation again.

When you visualize or imagine a positive outcome that feels good inside sit with it for a few moments.  Then state an appropriate affirmation such as, “I set compassionate boundaries with others.  I am valuable, self-confident and strong.   Take another deep breath, wiggle your toes and fingers and slowly open your eyes and return to this time and space.

If you would like assistance with a physical or emotional challenge please contact me.  You don’t have to face it alone.

• The chemo and radiation therapies can have major side effects that adversely and dramatically impact their quality of life. Most clients are scared, stressed and suffer from side effects such as fatigue, nausea/vomiting, pain, neuropathy, radiation burns.
• Adding one or more types of integrative therapies helps to break that stress response, allows them to relax and stop the mind chatter. This alone helps with healing the body, mind, and spirit.  Taking time to be quiet and receive someone’s full attention in a compassionate manner also raises spirits.

Healing Touch helps to open, balance and clear the energetic field of toxins, trauma, and fear.

It allows them to deeply relax so they get out of their head and ground to Mother Earth in order to feel more stable and calmer. I have found the first chakra is almost always comprised.  After all the root (1^st) chakra relates to overall health, survival, being connected to the earth, belonging to a community and the adrenal glands (stress response).

Breaking that stress cycle is crucial to healing and several healing touch techniques allow clients to relax and rejuvenate.  After a session, the root chakra is usually open and flowing again.  Clients say they feel deeply relaxed, have mental clarity and grateful to have taken time to address their well-being.

Frequently I will do imagery and help them find their safe, relaxing place which they can visit during chemotherapy to help pass the time and stop the stress response.

Another technique I like to use is having people envision the chemo going in and transforming the cancer cells into something else.  People are very creative.

• One person saw it as a Pac man game with the chemo gobbling up the cancer cells.
• Another imagined it as cancer being a robber and the chemo was the police coming to subdue it and take it away.
• Another image was that of the cancer transforming from a vicious werewolf into a compassionate, loving dog. As you can see everyone’s imagination is very different!

Both of these therapies help clients to cope with the anxiety and physical side effects of the treatments.  They say they feel less fearful and more at peace.  Many experienced significantly fewer or no side effects after their cancer treatments.  

Aromatherapy is also very useful for side effects of radiation and chemotherapy.  Let’s look at just a few:

• Lavender diluted in coconut oil or Vitamin E cream helps to soothe skin burns as well as Helichrysum (Everlasting).
• Smelling ginger, peppermint or lemon can help in relieving nausea/vomiting related to chemotherapy.

Many people require less medication when also incorporating essential oils into their care regimen.  In addition, all of the oils also have antibacterial properties to help keep the immune system strong.  Lemon and peppermint are also very uplifting and assist in preventing/alleviating depression.

Bottom line is all of these therapies improve the quality of life for anyone going through cancer treatments.  If you or a loved one is going through cancer treatment I encourage you to seek out integrative therapies, find what therapy resonates with you and use it to support yourself through this difficult time.

Please share this with anyone you feel could benefit from integrative care and anyone with an interest in learning more about integrative therapies.  Thank you.

Ceaser

I love my morning meditation. It helps me to create serenity and tackle daily challenges without getting frantic or terribly upset. The visualizations assist me in creating joy and abundance in my life.

Most mornings I sit in bed for 15 – 20 minutes and clear my mind. I focus on my breath then ground and center myself. After that I stay (or try to stay) in the present moment for several minutes. Then I visualize what I want in my life. It may be something to do with my business, a relationship, my health, money, anything I want to shift in my life.

When I meditate I seem to be able to handle the curve balls life throws at me more easily. I feel grounded, centered and able to determine what is necessary to resolve the issues. Some days it is easy to clear my mind, other days it is very difficult. Some days thought after thought just keeps coming in such as my to-do list, what happened yesterday, determining how to finish the project on time, etc. Does that ever happen to you – you can’t quiet your mind? I picture these thoughts as clouds drifting by on a windy day. Finally I get myself to a more peaceful place with no clouds in the sky. Whether it is only for a few seconds or several minutes I feel calmer and happier.

Once my mind is quiet I begin to visualize what I want in life or my business. For instance if I want better communication with a family member I see the two of us talking to each other and responding respectfully. I visualize where we are, the tone of our voices, the time of day, so I am engaging all of my senses. I imagine feeling compassion and empathy for the person. I see us talking and ending the conversation with smiles and hugs. I also use this technique for physical issues such as painful muscles/joints. The imagery is very different but the premise is the same, imagine what you want and the brain starts to make changes toward manifesting it.   Sometimes I feel a positive change after one meditation other times it may take days or months but a change for the better usually occurs.

Starting your day off calm and centered helps you manage life challenges easier and calmer. Visualizing what you desire can help you make progress towards your goals faster and easier. I would be honored to be your guide on such a journey, click here to contact me or call 510 381-3191.

The doctor had written discharge orders for her but I too felt that something was not right. In my years as a nurse I learned when a patient tells me something I need to really listen and then check in with myself. There was a lump in my throat and I felt uneasy as I told her the doctor had said she could go home. She told me she was not comfortable going home. We talked for a few minutes and then I approached the doctor.

I told him I felt there was something that we were missing and I did not feel comfortable discharging her. This was at the end of the shift and he became upset with me. “What do you want me to do?” he said. “I don’t know, you are the doctor but her pulse rate should not be so high. She is still anxious and I don’t feel comfortable discharging her,” was my reply. He ended up ordering another test. I then went home for the night.

The next morning I received a phone call from the doctor thanking me for asking him to do more tests. It turned out she had a blood clot in her lung and was admitted to the hospital for appropriate treatment. If she had went home it could have dislodged and caused a stroke, heart attack or other serious problem. I was so grateful that the patient received the appropriate care and attention she needed. The patient’s and my own intuition were correct! This incident is just one reason why I listen to my intuition most of the time.

Do you listen to your intuition or do you ignore it? What does it tell you? Many times your intuition is telling you what to do to heal your pain but you can’t hear it. The healing touch and imagery work I do with clients allows them to be still and tune in to their intuition. They learn how to listen and work with their inner wisdom again so they can heal. If you need help tuning into your intuition let’s talk. Your mind is a major piece of the puzzle to healing your pain.

After the client is in a relaxed, focused state I have them imagine putting their hand into a bucket that contains an anesthetic so the hand becomes numb. Once the hand feels numb I guide the client to place the hand on any part of the body that is hurting. The numbness is transferred from the hand to the painful area and the hand absorbs the pain. This process of dipping into the bucket, creating numbness and transferring it can be repeated as many times as needed until the pain is under control.

Most clients experience a 2 – 5 point drop in pain levels on a 0 – 10 pain scale. Some clients have mastered this technique and now rarely use pain medications. This technique provides a dramatic illustration of the power of the mind. For many people in the beginning it is difficult to really experience the hand becoming numb or to transfer that feeling to another part of their body. As a guide I help you to fully involve all of your senses and make a strong mind/body connection. By working with you on an individual basis we find the images that work for YOU resulting in significant pain relief. It takes practice and that is why I provide my clients with an audio of Glove Anesthesia to do at home. I want to empower people to take care of themselves. Glove Anesthesia can be very effective for pain management.

As an energy worker, I believe there should be some sort of exchange between people so this content is not for free. If you found it valuable, in exchange for payment, I ask that you do one or all of the following: 1) Share it with at least 2 people on Facebook, via email or any social media of your choice.   2) Answer the question or leave a comment.

Laurie Ratto, RN, Speaker, HTCP, CCA has 30+ years’ experience helping people to heal from physical, mental , and emotional pain. She provides a safe, nurturing space for women to release fears and self-doubt, what spiritually ties us to pain. Laurie Ratto specializes in complementary medicine, as a holistic healer, she keeps her RN certification current because she understands the power of balance as we heal.

Guided imagery is currently the most substantially documented integrative modality for medical procedures.  It is used by a growing number of highly respected hospitals in the United States before and after heart surgery, transplants and other medical procedures. You don’t have to be having major surgery for this to be effective.  It can help with any type of surgical or diagnostic procedure that makes you anxious or causes some degree of pain.  Imagery helps people feel more relaxed before and after surgery.  After surgery many people have less swelling, require less pain medication and heal faster. Some people have even been discharged from the hospital a day early because they felt so good!  If you are facing surgery and would like some help in decreasing anxiety or just want a great outcome I invite you to contact me so we can talk about your needs.

As an energy worker, I believe there should be some sort of exchange between people so this content is not for free. If you found it valuable, in exchange for payment, I ask that you do one or all of the following: 1) Share it with at least 2 people on Facebook, via email or any social media of your choice.   2) Answer the question or leave a comment.

Laurie Ratto, RN, Speaker, HTCP, CCA has 30+ years’ experience helping people to heal from physical, mental , and emotional pain.  She provides a safe, nurturing space for women to release fears and self-doubt, what spiritually ties us to pain. Laurie Ratto specializes in complementary medicine, as a holistic healer, she keeps her RN certification current because she understands the power of balance as we heal.

The inner adviser is helpful for deciphering the meaning of pain symptoms which can lead to pain relief, problem solving, conflict resolution and can be an inner support system (like a friend). Sometimes pain is the only way your mind and body can get your attention.   A perfect example is my experience with frozen shoulders. Doctors do not know why frozen shoulder occurs but it is common in women age 45 – 55. In 2011 my right shoulder froze and I could not lift my arm up more than 20 degrees without severe pain. This happened at a time when I was becoming unsatisfied working in the emergency room. I was tired of the very fast pace, sticking people with needles , giving medications, hospital politics, and seeing people come in with 2 pages of medications they were taking. Sometimes I knew they were sick because of all the medications they were on!

The doctor gave me the choice of having surgery or letting it heal naturally. He felt surgery was fast and effective but I chose natural healing. He said it would take about a year to heal. I was able to heal it in 6 months with physical therapy, using essential oils and healing touch but then the other shoulder froze! I wanted to know why that happened. I started talking with my inner adviser. I found out this was my mind and body’s way of getting me out of my stressful situation without me feeling guilty about leaving the emergency room. Now I could take classes that would help me build my private practice. As time went by I realized how much working in the ER was adversely affecting me emotionally and physically and that I could not return to that environment.   You know the rest of the story – I am here to serve you now! My frozen shoulders allowed me to see and feel what life outside of the hospital was like and I LOVED it. My inner adviser helped me to see my new path in life. Have you met your inner adviser yet?

As an energy worker, I believe there should be some sort of exchange between people so this content is not for free. If you found it valuable, in exchange for payment, I ask that you do one or all of the following: 1) Share it with at least 2 people on Facebook, via email or any social media of your choice.   2) Answer the question or leave a comment.

Laurie Ratto, RN, Speaker, HTCP, CCA has 30+ years’ experience helping people to heal from physical, mental , and emotional pain. She provides a safe, nurturing space for women to release fears and self-doubt, what spiritually ties us to pain. Laurie Ratto specializes in complementary medicine, as a holistic healer, she keeps her RN certification current because she understands the power of balance as we heal.

Guided imagery can take you to a time and place when you felt confident, calm or whatever positive feeling or quality you desire to have currently.  When I work with clients I help them to experience that time in their life again.  I engage all 5 senses so you truly experience that feeling again through your subconscious.  This brings the qualities, feelings into the conscious mind which can allow you to see present difficulties in new ways and have access to inner wisdom that had been blocked by the negative emotions.

Allow me to share a client story with you.  A woman came to me stuck in grief and depression since her grandson had died at the age of 18 due to a traumatic event.  It had been 10 months and she still did not want to leave the house unless absolutely necessary and then it was a struggle.  She no longer walked her dog which had been a daily ritual for her.  Her face was filled with sorrow.  She said the rest of her family had come to terms with it and was moving on but she could not.  On our third session together I did imagery and took her back to a time in her life when she was happy, felt strong physically and mentally and just loved life.  She vividly described how that felt in her body and her mindset.  She recalled a place a lake house where many days of fun and peace occurred.  When we were finished she said she had not felt like that for a long time.  I made her an audio she could use at home to revisit this place and feeling.  When she returned 3 weeks later she had started walking her dog almost daily again and going out some.   By the end of our 5^th session she looked much brighter and her voice was stronger and happier. She was also going out more.   She had definitely shifted from being stuck in grief into moving forward and being happier with her life.    All of this happened because she found her strengths that had been buried by a traumatic event.

This technique can also apply to other areas of your life.  It can help enhance self-esteem, creativity and provide inner support during times of stress.  As you can see you can tap into your forgotten strengths and make a DIFFERENCE in your life.