Update On the Essence Bodies Retreat + Speaking Authentically: A New Tool for Everyday Use

Our Essence Bodies in-person Retreat was a success!  We had a small group of lovely folks who showed up and played full-out. We created lots of fun, creativity, and had deep, intimate moments of self discovery, all of which made for an optimal learning environment.  Michele and I came away with an insight of great value: small, in- person groups are unique and special these days!  In a world of online everything, enjoying the comfort and connection of a live learning environment was worth every bit of time and energy invested in it.  

We are grateful to those who participated and intend to create more of these gatherings in months to come.  Southern California and Austin, where Michele and I live and work, are possible locations. Stay tuned for more info about our next in-person Essence Bodies Retreat, hopefully coming in 2027!  

One of my favorite tools that sometimes goes under-valued is what is known as Authentic Expression.  I refer to this as 'Calling It Out'.  Next time you are having an intense feeling or are struggling with something try saying what is true for you, Call It Out, or speak authentically.  

For example, I sometimes find myself driving around and saying out loud or thinking internally mean things to someone who cuts me off or is driving recklessly.  When I notice that I am getting upset I 'call it out' and say out loud what I notice I am doing or thinking. For example, I might say aloud, "Oh. I am yelling at this person I do not know. Hmmm, I am feeling angry right now."   Once I do that, my higher consciousness is then onboard and I am often amused, begin to relax and I let go of the irritation and uncomfortableness.  

Try saying what's true about you next time you are feeling something uncomfortable.  That simple move can change everything!  

With Love,

Karen

Appreciation, Self-Love and an Opportunity to Explore Together in Person

Another amazing tool which shifts energy and improves circumstances quickly is the practice of Appreciating yourself and others.  Most of us are accustomed to writing thank you notes and complimenting other people but few of us actually appreciate ourselves regularly and even fewer know how to receive a sincere appreciation when it is given to us.  I often say that whether you are giving or receiving appreciation the flow of positive energy you create shifts energy and ultimately changes lives. You too can learn to be a generator of Appreciation. Try it and see what happens!  I predict before long appreciation will be rolling in for you from places you did not expect.  And, the delight you experience when you see how your appreciation lands with others is an additional bonus.  Want to learn more?

Join my colleague Michele Yasuda and me for our weekend retreat in Austin, TX where we will focus on teaching you the practice of Appreciation along with learning about your core qualities which we call your Essence.  We see living in your Essence as the fast-track to health and well-being.  Adding Self-Love and Appreciation will equip you with some of the most powerful tools available for living well.

Hope to see you at the retreat!  Stay tuned for more about the power of Appreciation in the coming weeks.

With Love,

Karen

The Practice of the Breath

In my opinion, breathing is the most important practice in living well.  I was actually quite a cynic about "breathwork" back in the day when I first began my conscious living apprenticeship.  I thought, "We are all breathing or we wouldn't be alive.  What's the big deal about breathwork?" What I did not appreciate at that time is that while we are breathing, most of us are not breathing fully and as a result we are not living fully either.

I remember my teacher, Gay Hendricks, sharing with us trainees that if we took only one teaching away from the training, the power of the breath, it would change our lives forever.  I most certainly agree.  Breathing fully allows living fully and most of us are not aware of how limited our breathing capacity is.  When in a fear state, where many of us live without realizing it, our breath is shallow and our minds match that experience with negative and even catastrophic thinking. 

To begin your practice, I recommend taking a four-to-six-second inhale followed by a four-to-six second exhale. No worries if your breath is glitchy or you begin coughing or sneezing or have some other reaction to your first full breath.  Do this again and again, as often as you remember.  Notice what happens.  Notice how you feel.  Notice what results you create in your life with the practice of elongated, full breaths.  Enjoy your deepened capacity for breathing and your opening to living fully, living well.  Stay tuned for more on the breath and other organic practices which I have come to know make a big difference in how we live.