The Way Of The Happy Woman

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Mary Breath Bends

Ladies this is a must read! This is a book you will want to keep by your side for the rest of your life. THE WAY of the HAPPY WOMAN Living the Best Year of Your Life was written by Sara Avant Stover. This book goes into great depth of how to live in accordance with nature and your soul.

Prior to modern times, our ancestors lived more according to natures daily, seasonal and yearly rhythms. Women were more in sync with their cycles and their health was not at risk from all stresses of modern life. In this book, Stover shows the reader how to live more simply and natural in the rhythm of a woman’s cycle. Her book is divided into the four seasons. ‘When we honor spring’s seedlings, summer’s vibrancy, fall’s harvest, and winter’s solitude, we harmonize our inner and outer world’s.’ (TWOFHW)

Sara gives quality recommendations on how to nurture the body, invigorate the mind and uplift the spirit. Her book also has yin and yang yoga practices for each season as well as recipes and self-reflection techniques.

On a personal note, I have found this book to be very essential for owning my own womanhood. Although I have not struggled with some of the menstrual issues that other women have struggled with, I have struggled with emotional outbursts and intense emotional struggles through the years of my cycle. I have always accepted and perceived my cycles as not being bad, but I have also ignored my cycles in the way that I haven’t allowed myself to rest and nurture myself on the level that it needs to be nurtured. I have found in the past that I still swam a mile and a half or practiced a more yang yoga flow during the first two days of my cycle. In reality, these are the days that a woman should be taking it easy and practicing more feminine exercises such as restorative/yin yoga or a grounding walk through nature. This book has helped me awaken to those more nurturing aspects of myself and has taught me more in depth how to slow down during this time of the month.

I highly recommend this book for every woman. Whether you are just starting your menses or you are in post menopause.

“Rest in the nest of this beautiFULL book, and allow it to soak in and beam itswisdom to you. Your way is that of the happy woman, and these words will awaken, inspire, and deeply support you on your way-finding” ~SARK

The Sorcerer’s Crossing

Posted on March 24, 2013 by Mary Breath Bends

The Sorcerer’s Crossing: A Woman’s Journey was written by Taisha Abelar. Her book takes you through a woman’s journey into a reality beyond the boundaries of everyday normal activity.

Taisha Abelar was taught this initiation into alternative realities by a female member of Don Juan’s group, which he is described as the tutelage of a Yaqui Indian tribe.

Abelar travelled Mexico and became involved with a group of sorcerer’s. She went through a rigorous physical and mental training process, which was designed to enable her to break the limits of ordinary perception.

The Sorcerer’s Crossing details the process that Abelar went through and the responsibilities she faced.

This book is a valuable source of information for a sorcerer and an incredible piece of work for women’s spirituality.

Personally, I have read this book two times and every time I see it on the bookshelf, I think about reading it again. I was left with such an eye-opening perception. A new way of appreciating my own spirituality and the initiations we go through.

‘Fascinating book experience’ ~MB

Beautiful Girl

Posted on March 23, 2013 by Mary Breath Bends

For many years, Christiane Northrup M.D. has taught women about health, wellness and the miracle of their bodies. Known for her book Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom, she has recently published her first children’s book. In her new book, Beautiful Girl She sends a message to young girls and shares her wisdom of the female body. Her way of presenting is relatable to a young girl and teaches her to love and accept the beautiful gifts her body gives her each month. The poetic and creative nature of the book captures the reader in a way in which internalizes the wisdom of the body in childhood as to set the stage for adulthood . This book leaves young girls feeling positive about their bodies rather than beating them up and not accepting its sacred wisdom.

I suggest this book be read to young girls at least 8 yrs old. Parents, teachers, therapists, counselors etc.. this is a great resource to bring into your existing work.

You have a special strength inside of you. It is there to help with all of the important things you will need to do in your life. Know that you are like a magnificent tree-your roots hold strong in any weather, and your branches and leaves are a shelter for those you love.

-Christiane Northrup M.D.

Mountain Pose

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Mary Breath Bends

Mountain Pose – Tadasana

Tadasana is usually the starting position for all the standing poses. But it’s useful to practice Tadasana as a pose in itself. Stay in the pose for 30 seconds to 1 minute, breathing easily. Try placing a block between your thighs and feel the internal rotation.

Below is an artice explaining tadasana in more depth.

By Ann Pizer,

Mountain Pose – Tadasana

Type of pose:

Standing Benefits:

Improves posture,

strengthens thighs,

can help relieve back pain.

Instructions:1. Come to stand with the big toes touching.

2. Lift up all your toes and let them fan out, then drop them down creating a wide solid base. You can separate your heels slightly if your ankles are knocking together uncomfortably.

3. Bring your weight evenly onto all four corners of both feet.

4. Let the feet and the calves root down into the floor.

5. Engage the quadriceps and draw them upward, causing your knee caps to rise.

6. Rotate both thighs inward, creating a widening of the sit bones, and tuck your tailbone in between the sit bones.

7. Tone the belly, drawing it in slightly.

8. Widen the collar bones and make sure the shoulders are parallel to the pelvis.

9. The neck is long, the crown of the head rises toward the ceiling, and the shoulder blades slide down the back.

It may seem like you are just standing there, but bringing the body into alignment is hard work. The alignment for Tadasana carries in to many of the standing and inverted poses.

Beginners: Practice the pose with your back to the wall so you can feel the alignment.

Take a block between the thighs. Squeeze the block and roll it slightly backward to feel the engagement and rotation of the thighs.