Jai Sat Chit Ananda, One Tao Clan! I am finally found the opportunity to start posting my 28 day meditation journal and check in🎉 Similar to last month I will be combining the posts of the monthly challenge with my daily training journal. “ 28 day” implementations and goal intention achievements will be marked with a “🧘🏽‍♂️” Intention for the 28 Day Challenge will adapt as I progress through the month, and complete my manifesto. Lifestyle implementations will continue from last month’s Health Challenge. Though, I have decided to add a couple new “strive goals” as directed by Sifu’s curriculum, and inspired by some others within the One Tao Clan. Some of these new implementations include: ~ Digesting the information, and following the curriculum of the “28 Day Meditation Challenge & Self Mastery Blueprint.” ~ Deepening my personal meditation practice, and expanding my teaching practice. ~ Adding personally specific Affirmations & Mantras to my daily focus ~ Returning Pull-ups to my daily physical routine ~ Immersing myself even deeper into the One Tao Training and community, including applying to, and hopefully beginning, OTKFA teacher training! So stoked to make September my most fulfilling month this year!!

https://youtu.be/m0WDr61tiKk?si=vZh8ZMx0Y6s5YkxQ

The Bellows Breath is a pranayama used to relieve lethargy or foggy mind. A short minute of this breathing exercise can recharge your system at anytime during your practice. As compared to the Breath of Fire, which is a forceful exhalation and a passive inhalation, the Bellows Breath is a forceful inhalation and exhalation, often combined with a specific bodily movement. Most often it is used with a movement of the arms up and down, as you inhale and exhale. PRACTICE • Nostrils need to be clean. • Sit in a kneeling position or easy cross legged position on your sitz bones. • As you take a full inhalation, raise your arms straight up towards the sky. (The arms once extended upward are in line with your ears.) • On a forceful, or dynamic exhalation bring the arms back down to your waist line. • As you practice you may discover your head wants to move up and down as well. Keep it as still as you can, with chin parallel to the ground and neck long. •Once you have the technique, close your eyes as you practice. Develop your practice gradually, beginning with just a few rounds of inhalations and exhalations, and then resting. As your respiratory system and circulatory system get accustomed to the effects, they will allow you to increase the number of rounds without causing any stress. (Stress in this pranayama would be experienced as hyperventilation, which is not the intention of this pranayama. If this occurs simply, bring your head lower than your heart and relax. Next time do fewer rounds. Fewer rounds with consistent practice is more beneficial than long rounds done inconsistently.) BENEFICIAL EFFECTS • Relieves lethargy. • Clears mind. • Nice preparation for alternate nostril breathing as it oxygenates the system which supports longer inhalations, longer exhalations and longer holdings. CONTRAINDICATIONS • Schizophrenia and other mental imbalances. • Pregnancy, unless mother has been practicing this regularly before pregnancy. • Menstruation. • Chronic respiratory imbalances.

Fear is a reaction... Courage is a decision...!

I have a humble collection of crystals which I display on my "altar" 💖 I find that their energies help me heal and grow - physically, mentally and spiritually. I also try to incorporate simple rituals to cleanse and recharge them once in a while (like washing them over salt water from the ocean, or bathing them under the moonlight glow) ✨ What about you guys? Feel free to share why you've developed an interest to what you collect 😉