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March 2023

EnergyFeaturedLife

Learning How to Harness Energy to Make Us Powerful

by Kimberly Eve March 19, 2023

Let's Talk Energy

I talk a lot about energy.  The Energy in and of the places I have been, in the places I want to go, and within people I meet and know. 

Energy is a life force. It feeds us, it moves us, it makes us feel seen and heard.

It goes by many names, depending on your belief or your location and even your calling.

Qi, Ki, (pronounced like key), Chi, Prana or Holy Spirit.  

No matter your belief, or lack thereof, each one embodies and means the exact same thing….“Life Force”.

It is an unseen, but widely felt, maybe intangible thing that surrounds us, inside and out. It’s the guiding force that moves us.

It’s in the air, in the water, in the earth and in us. To be quite literal, it’s a force that moves mountains. 

When yogis speak of prana, they mean the energetic force that moves through your body and through your breath.   

Western religions sometimes refer to it as the Holy Spirit. The mean a being or an all powerful “force” or God, that guides your life.

Eastern religions tend to gear towards the Qi or Chi or Ki which in its literal translation means Life Force.

New Age, which is really old age religion, speak of energy quite plainly for what it is, energy. 

Some may even refer to the divine feminine or masculine. More modern versions refer to it as a vibe, a feeling.

All of them are the same idea, looked at in a different way.

I am an earth soul, who feels the energy of the people I know and meet and of the places I go. 

It’s the thing that draws me in and makes me want to explore more or stay away.  It’s an internal knowing that guides me, and connects me to the world.

Energy is the thing that leads me to explore and learn about the things that it can do for us.  

Energy and Reiki 

Reiki EnergyThis is what led me to Reiki years ago when I did a class and got my first level certificate.

This is what led me back to explore Reiki again recently and made me want to explore it in more depth.

Broken down, “Rei” is a Japanese word for universal. Ki means life force. So Reiki is the universal life force. 

Reiki is, at its core, energy healing. It’s a way to channel the energy of the universe for healing and balancing the mind, body and spirit. 

Tracing its history back to ancient Tibetan spiritual practices of using energy to heal, it was “(re)discovered” and brought to the world by Mikao Usui in the early 1900’s. 

While many eastern cultures have been aware of, and used life force energy for centuries, an interesting correlation to note – maybe even Jesus himself was a practitioner. Many claim he could heal with his touch. Who’s to say he wasn’t harnessing and using the energy used in Reiki? Thoughts? 

During a session with a Reiki practitioner, they use their hands as the energy “channel” and hold it on or over your body, generally moving from head to foot, stopping to focus the energy on various positions on your body. The energy will always flow to where it’s needed most, regardless of where the practitioner is currently focusing the energy.

Energy, Reiki and the Chakras 

Chakra Energy

Many of the hand positions and stopping points on the body during a reiki session are directly related to the energy centers of the body. 

There are seven main energy centers referred to in many practices today and they are called Chakras. Each chakras has an energy focus for specific aspects of the human mind, body and spirit and each is responsible for specific regions, functions and organs within the body.

The chakras energy points are positioned from the top of the head to the base of the spine. Here is a very simple overview of each.

The Crown Chakra is located at the top of your head, is usually associated with the color white or lavender and is the energy source of spiritual connection. Reiki positions can help alleviate headaches, stress and even help with digestion.

The Third Eye Chakra is located between and just above the eyebrows. Associated with the color purple, this chakra is the center of our intuition or inner knowing. Reiki positions can help with headaches, eye and sinus problems, and general body stress.

The Throat Chakra is associated with the color blue and is located at your throat. This chakra is related to communication and our voice.  Reiki energy can help improve issues with self expression and communication.

The Heart Chakra is located right at our heart and is associated with both green and pink. This chakra energy is connected to love, compassion, wisdom and more. Reiki sessions that touch your heart chakra can help with most internal organs and systems. They can help open you up to feeling compassion, love, joy and forgiveness.

The Solar Plexus Chakra is located about diaphragm level. This chakra is yellow in color and associated with our personal power, self esteem and uniqueness.  As with the heart chakra, reiki focusing on this area can help with most internal organs and systems.

The Sacral Chakra, orange in color, is between the belly button and pelvis. This is the core of our sexuality, creativity and intimacy. Again, reiki energy focussed here can help with most internal organs and systems.

The Root Chakra, red in color, is at the base of your spine. It represents our survival mode (flight or fight response) and our feelings of safety and security. Reiki energy focused here can help with reproductive organs and the legs, but also help balance the emotions that fuel our flight or fight response.

My journey on this matter will definitely continue. While I will start a dedicated practice on myself, I want to expand to eventually become a Reiki Master so I can share and be a channel of energy for the people of the world. 

Have you experienced  Reiki? 

DO you want to experience it? 

I would love to know your thoughts!!!

March 19, 2023 0 comment
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LifeNatureStoriesTravel

Tranquility and Peace Within the Beauty of Bowen Island

by Kimberly Eve March 5, 2023

Travel Light, and Travel Local

I am a traveler, so those world lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 made that challenging on a soul level. As much as I would have loved to just get up and go, I was conscious of a need to stay put. I went with soul integrity and let things settle. I didn’t give in to a slightly selfish need to get my nomad fix. 

I know lots of people traveled when and where they could, and no judgment…you do you.

So when things and places started opening up, instead of finding a plane to the nearest open country on a potentially different continent, I took advantage of my ability to explore places near to home. 

If you have read any of my words, you know that the wide open spaces of Canada are my home. British Columbia to be exact. The wild west coast, or wet coast as we lovingly call it.

You can check out my other recent post about my escapades on Salt Spring Island here.

The Search

Ironically, the day the world shut down, I was actually boarding a flight to Costa Rica. I was heading back there for a meet up with a travel buddy I had met previously on a Costa Rica trip with G Adventures  (my go to favorite small group travel company).  We were heading back down to CR to spend a week at a yoga retreat. While I did end up coming home early, it being the 2nd yoga retreat I had been to, the small amount of time still helped grow my appreciation for the beauty and relaxation of retreats. More on that will follow in another post.

So, flash forward 2 years into our new world, and I was on the hunt for something new, something fun, and something local.  Through random searching and scrolling on Instagram and Facebook, I came across an article featuring a local yoga retreat. This was a place I had mentally bookmarked a few years before. 

Bowen Island, situated on territorial Squamish Nation land, is a small island, just a quick 20 minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver). Bowen has grown from a small hippie vibe type sanctuary island, to a cozy, slower paced lifestyle home base for artisans, retirees and those looking for a quiet weekend away (or maybe not LOL), west coast style.

The Location

Nectar Yoga sits nestled in a bit of a ravine on a 20 acre parcel of land, near the middle of the island. Having moved locations since I had originally discovered it, this new property boasts 3 single A-frame cabins, 3 larger 2 level cabins and, at the time we went, a new smaller 2 person cabin (which had actually just been moved from the original property).

There are also have a couple of small, individual rooms in the main house that can be booked, although these were still closed when I spent time there.

These Scandinavian inspired cabins (and rooms) are each themed after a specific crystal and vibe.

The small rooms in the Onyx Lodge include The Emerald Room, which has its own bathroom, and the Amber and Turquoise Rooms which have a shared bathroom. While offering the same comforts of the cottages, being placed in the upstairs of the Onyx Lodge, they do lack a bit of privacy and quiet that are enjoyed by the separate cabins.

The 3 A-Frames cabins are these adorable a shaped rooms with large double beds and a covered patio for sitting out and enjoying the natural beauty that surrounds them. The interior theme and cabins are named after the Sunstone, Jasper and Opal. These are ideal for one person and share between 2 private/shared bathrooms just across the walkway in the main building, the Onyx Lodge.

The larger Deluxe Cottages are 2 level sanctuaries with private bathrooms, that include these amazing, not to be missed, outdoor showers. The interior theme of these rooms are Amethyst, Jade and Quartz. With a king size bed downstairs (easily converted to 2 twins) and a double bed “upstairs” in the loft area, these lovely rooms can easily work for up to 4 people. Don’t miss the little window seats sanctuaries inside either. 

The last cabin, the Moonstone Forest Cottage, sits a bit more private across from the Deluxe cottages.  With space for 1 or 2 people, this little gem also boasts one of those wonderful outdoor showers!!

The Retreat in all its Glory

Booked in 2 day intervals, this mini retreat includes a daily morning meditation, followed by the morning yoga session. You are treated to an amazing vegan breakfast cooked fresh and served in the Onyx Lodge. After breakfast you are free to stay on the property and relax or head out and explore what the small island has to offer. Each evening you are then welcome to join the optional (at an extra cost) evening yoga session. We booked 4 nights to get in that extra couple of days of relaxation away from the hustle of real life.

After check-in on your first day, there is an afternoon welcome meeting with the group to introduce each person to one another and tell why you are there. The first evening the yoga class is included and then you are free to head into town for dinner or to head to your room to relax for the evening. As the whole space is limited to a maximum of 22 people, your group is guaranteed to stay small, allowing you to get to know each person a little bit better. 

Day 2 starts with your morning meditation session either in the Yoga Dome, or a walking meditation down one of the forest paths on the large property. This is followed by your yoga  session then the amazing breakfast. The balance of your day is left for you to follow your heart.

The yoga retreat offers a few package add-ons that include the afternoon yoga session, massage or even a tarot reading. 

On the typical 2 day and 2 night journey, the morning of day 3 would take you through your meditation session, yoga and breakfast before check out.  While it’s a small amount of time, the beauty and relaxation of the space and retreat is mighty, and worth the visit for the peace it brings.

The Island’s Offerings

Since my mom (my travel companion on this trip) and I booked the 4 days, it allowed us time to get out and about to explore a bit of the island and the few small, but cute shops in town.

When I say small, I do mean small. The main town hub, situated in Snug Cove where the ferry comes in, has only a few shops and restaurants, but each comes with their own special charm.

Although it may be hard to pick, one of my favorite food places was definitely Barcelona Tapas & Wine Bar where my mom and I shared and honestly drooled over several tapa dishes. This restaurant is small but mighty and a definite must try!

There are so many other choices like Doc Morgan’s Pub & Restaurant with views of the cove, which boasts a truly lovely clam chowder. Or, you can find some delicious Italian meal choices at Tuscany. 

And, if you are lucky to be there on a day when it’s open, don’t miss out on Branch on Bowen where you will find some truly amazing tacos (vegan and meat choices available, and I tried both and would highly recommend any of them LOL). They also have a pretty nice selection of ice cream, which we, of course, had as an appetizer, while waiting for our tacos to be made.

Bowen Island is a small place, as islands go,  but does offer several things for the outdoor adventurist. While we didn’t try any of the water activities, (kayaking, fishing or whale watching tours, diving etc) there are plenty to choose from.

 As a wild west coast island, it also includes several great small hikes that of course boast some amazing west coast island views. 

While we didn’t get up to Mount Gardner (next time for sure), we did get to explore a couple small trails in Crippen Park on our first day while killing time before our Nectar Yoga check-in. The park is just at Snug Cove so has easy access to the trails from town. 

Another of our days found us walking to Grafton Lake from our retreat, and enjoying the trail that loops around the lake. The trail (while not 100% finished when we were there) was a beautiful nature escape that took us under 2 hours in total, including the walking distance from Nectar Yoga. I would assume it’s finished now, but when we did the loop, the trail cut across a small creek in one place, without a bridge. I had the balance and fortitude to walk across a fallen tree, but my mom being less sturdy, took her shoes off and waded through the creek. Not sure who got the better end of that…..both options were equally good in their own way.

In every sense, Bowen Island, and Nectar Yoga were beautiful, peaceful, and relaxing. We were treated to a not so rustic nature getaway, with some great company, great food, great scenery and in the end, simply peace and quiet. 

What brings your soul peace? I’d love to know!

(And YES this post includes an affiliate link to my fav go to travel company 🙂  )

March 5, 2023 0 comment
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  • Learning How to Harness Energy to Make Us Powerful
  • Tranquility and Peace Within the Beauty of Bowen Island
  • Drawn to The Energy and The Beauty Of Bali
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About Me

Guide, Writer and Reader

Like you, I am just a traveler on this journey.
Constantly in search of meaning behind the energy that fuels us.

With a curious mind and soul, I hope I can teach you and guide you through the energies that surround our lives .

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  • 10 Things To Make Every Traveler Love Cambodia

    April 2, 2023
  • Learning How to Harness Energy to Make Us Powerful

    March 19, 2023
  • Tranquility and Peace Within the Beauty of Bowen Island

    March 5, 2023
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    February 23, 2023
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