After 9 years through my journey of personal development, spirituality, faith and yoga it's becoming more and more clear that it all really boils down to love, trust and faith. A deep love for yourself, which gives you the best open hearted energy to love others completely.

Faith in a loving creative energy bigger than yourself (God is what I choose to believe).

Trust everything is working out perfectly.

You don't have to have it all figured out. Just start by focusing on love and take it from there.

Be loving to yourself

Be loving to others

Do what you love

Explore faith

Have faith

Trust

With everything that is going on in the world right now I think it's so important to use our collective group energy for prayer and sending out positive intentions to people and areas that need it the most. If you are not sure how to do this then a simple Buddhist metta meditation is really easy to do and powerful. Repeat the following as many times and you feel to do:

May I be happy

May I be peaceful

May I be healthy

Sending out love to.....

May X be happy

May X be peaceful

May X be healthy

Sending out love to....

For example:

May the people in Gaza be happy

May the people in Gaza be healthy

May the people in Gaza be peaceful

Sending out love to Africa....

and so on. We can all do our bit even from the comfort of our homes.

Namaste x

  How loving are you to yourself....

Do you allow yourself time to rest when you need it?

Do you follow your dreams even when others try to talk you out of them?

Do you buy yourself flowers?

Do you stand up for what is right for you in your heart?

Do you say kind words to yourself when you are down or need some encouragement?

Do you celebrate your victories and your failures?

Do you allow only people who fill you with positive loving energy into your life?

Do you allow yourself a guilt free afternoon nap, slice of cake, indulgent purchase when you feel like it?

Do you fill your body with food that nourishes you?

Do you surround yourself with people, things, environments that make your heart smile?

Do you value yourself and your opinion enough to share it?

Do you make sure you get enough sleep?

 

It's very easy to put others first and put ourselves down. Our mind has a nasty habit of helping us to do this. This is not our natural state of being though. We come from love and are love.

When we are not treating ourselves with love, how can we expect others to do the same? Like attracts like. So when you are loving to yourself you will send out an energy that encourages others to treat you with love too.

How awesome would it be if everyone was focusing on being loving to themselves, in that space the opening would occur to everyone to be loving to each other, after all we are all connected, one energy. One big mass of love.

Love yourself first. You are not being selfish. You are being love.

When you love yourself, you will find you can't help but extend that love to others too, that's what love is after all.

 

Lots of love to you all.

 

Sometimes people come in to our lives just for a short time. We might want it to be for longer but it's just not meant to be.  You both have other people to meet along your path. We never know how long a connection will last with another person and it's easy to cloud what you experience in the moment with expectations or longing for more than what its meant to be.

Life can make us feel like when we meet someone we connect deeply with, we want to hold on to them, but this isn't always the purpose for the meeting though. Perhaps it's to illuminate something that's not working in your life, maybe it's catalyst for a new direction or an opportunity to heal.

When you can appreciate a connection with someone just in the moment it is truly a beautiful heart centred experience.

When you are fully present with another, just enjoying each other in the now and sharing your truth, things you could never have imagined are able to open up for you. There are always lessons to be learned and realisations to be had.

I don't believe that meetings are by chance. I believe people are sent to us for a reason, and by being open to this it gives you a chance to explore what that could be.

When it's time to part rather than feeling sad, say goodbye with love and feel blessed for the experience you have shared. Who knows, it may not be good bye for ever, and if it is then you know for sure someone else will soon be coming around the corner.

Namaste x

 

In my yoga classes over this past week I have been setting the focus to choose ease. I like to set a focus, an intention, for each class to give everyone a new insight into a way of being. How you are in yoga is often how you are in life, so there are often lessons to be learned. For example if you push yourself in a yoga class you are likely to push yourself in life as well.

For some reason there seems to be a common belief that we have to work hard, and if something is too easy there must be something wrong!

I wonder why that is.

That saying "no pain no gain" seems to haunt us.

Yoga is completely the opposite of this though. If you try to force yourself into a yoga pose then your body just tenses up, your breath won't be as slow and deep and sharp pain is likely to cause an injury then set you back.

How about in life though? If you try to force something to happen does that work?

If it's all hard work and no play, does that work?

How are you feeling emotionally and physically when you are "working hard"?

Does it add to your enjoyment of life?

Instead what would it be like if you were to choose the option that felt easy? That felt joyful?

.....and then drop any guilt around that.

I am not talking about being lazy, and not getting anything done. I mean doing things that get you in the best possible energy to be effective in the area that you enjoy, where you will excel naturally with out having to force it to happen.

Every moment is an opportunity to create how we approach life. Even in the tricky times you can ask yourself that question. There is always an option that feels better than the other.

I am liking this powerful affirmation at the moment:

I choose life to be easy.

Try it on for a day and see what unfolds.

In the spirit of life being easy....if you have been thinking about coming to our Happiness Effect workshop this weekend we have 4 discounted places that have just become available! Basically 4 people have dropped out and we are now offering those two places at the early bird rate we did back in May - £200 instead of £495! This is for 2 whole days of inspiration and exploration into happiness, lunch on both days, a happiness journal and a 6 week happiness ecourse to follow!

Please contact me now if you are interested as they will go fast! [email protected].

Many blessings,

Louise

What is it that can be so confronting to gaze into another persons eyes for a long period of time? The eyes are said to be the windows to our soul. To really stop and just look into someone's eyes for longer than just a quick moment can open you up to vulnerability, with no where to hide.

I have done an exercise before where you are asked to stand in front of another person and just look, just stare into their eyes and just be there. It's interesting to watch how a group of people deal with this. Some people giggle, others fidget, create distraction, feel the need to talk, and sometimes cry. After a while though of settling into it and just being in front of someone, fully bare, a great stillness appears.

I've just been to a yoga festival which included lots of conscious dancing, by that I mean not under the influence of any drug or drink. The dances are often guided and there are lots of moments of connection where you dance with people and look into their eyes.

It's not easy at first, especially when you are dancing with a tent full of strangers. There is something deeply emotional and touching about looking into someone's eyes for a long time, really seeing them for who they are with their barriers dropped.

After a while it starts to peel away your barriers. The level of connection with others increases. Your heart starts to feel more open.

We can spend so much of life hiding our true selves from others, comparing ourselves, putting on different faces in different situations. There is something incredibly freeing about allowing yourself to stand open in front of another and look into their soul.

We are all connected, we all share similar fears, we all want love and we are all from the same Source. It's just our bodies that separate us.

So perhaps long eye gazing doesn't feel right for you just yet but experiment with it, see if you can hold the gaze just a little longer, hold your hugs for just a bit more and just be open to showing the world who you really are. Your true self with out all the barriers. You are amazing.

Much love

Louise x

Sometimes when we hit a bump in the road it can be easy to think we're off track. Things not going our way, repeating behaviours we wanted to give up and being let down can all lead us to feeling back to square one.

When want we  really want in our life doesn't happen quick enough, to schedule, we can question is it really right for us at all.

My message to you today is that no matter what is happening right now, you are on the right path.

Sometimes to get where we need to go we need to struggle a bit first. The hard times strengthen us, they test our will power, they lead us to new insights and to show up in life as who we really are.

Take some time to look back over your life and reflect upon the difficult times you have experienced so far.  Then notice what came out of them, what shifts in your life did they create?

You may be in a dip now. If you are my suggestion is to trust that this is happening for a reason. Maybe the lesson may not be glaringly obvious right now but it is a stepping stone to something new.

Life is not supposed to be easy, if it was we would never grow and we probably wouldn't appreciate the good times as much!

Just trust, you are on the right path, you have not strayed off track at all.

Bring your mind into the moment where life is happening now. Stand barefoot on the grass, listen to the birds, look at the flowers and remind yourself of all the good you do have right now.

Namaste

Louise x

  When I used to live in London burning the candle at both ends I used to reach for sugar and caffeine to keep me going through a busy day.

It was like I didn't allow myself to feel tired. The thought of just allowing myself to stop, rest and sleep it off didn't really enter my mind.

The lesson I learnt from that strategy was that it would only make me feel worse long term. My energy was so up and down, once the stimulants had worn off I'd feel even more spaced out. At least once a year I would come down with some nasty virus that would completely knock me out, forcing myself to stop. Even then I didn't like to!

Since learning to listen to what my body needs by; cutting out coffee, just having something sweet as a treat rather than a pick me up and choosing a slow release energy diet, I sleep better and I allow myself to rest when I need too.

There is nothing wrong with taking a nap sometimes!

When I feel tired now I just allow myself to feel tired. I slow things down, I practice restorative yoga, I go to bed early, I eat healthily and just do a bit less. Not surprisingly I haven't had to take to my bed ill for a few years now.

Of course if you are always feeling tired then there is something to look at why, like I did, maybe a diet or lifestyle change is needed but it's OK to feel tired sometimes. When you do just see it as a signal to back off a bit and rest. We all need our down days and that's ok. The more you resist anything the longer it persists!

Life can get fraught with the feeling of wanting more, needing to do more, being more......but we are already enough, just as we are.

People who have come to my yoga classes have told me they like it when I repeat the affirmation:

I am enough

I do enough

I have enough

I love it myself, just repeating it sends a wave of peace and contentment over my entire being.

So next time you reach for the caffeine to avoid tiredness just pause and allow yourself to feel tired. Just be with it, allow yourself to do a bit less that day and rest up when you can. I have found doing this actually ends up giving me more energy anyway!

Take care.

Louise x

 

  How open are you to receive?

By that I mean do you notice when people smile at you? Do you really take in great feedback? Do you recognise people in the street? Do you acknowledge when someone has made you a cup of tea or let you go before them in the queue?

When life is busy it can be very easy to get caught up in the mind, not really fully noticing what is going on around you. For example I regularly bump into people I know, not just local people but I have met people  I know from my past all around the world. My friends often joke about it and some have said it's never happened to them but acknowledge that they walk around caught up in their thoughts and just focus on getting from A to B so don't really look around whilst en route to their destination.

I coach clients who have a such a way of thinking that they don't notice or really take on board compliments. How often have you heard someone brushing off a compliment, as if they don't really believe what they are hearing? Perhaps you do it yourself.

I know people who even though they have been given really great feedback at work they still don't believe they are good at their job.

When we set intentions, when we pray, and when we repeat affirmations we are sending out into the energy of the universe what we would love in our lives. What ever you choose to believe whether it's God, the universe, your higher power, listens and sends you situations and people to guide you towards your dream.

You might over hear a conversation that is completely relevant to what you are looking for.

You may see a poster for a course that would just be perfect for what you need to learn.

You might bump into someone from your past to be able to resolve an issue from back then and to move forward with a new lesson learnt.

You might meet a stranger randomly who has something to teach you, or you them.

You may even just have a sudden inner knowing about something you need to do.

You may receive some feedback or a random act of kindness that is just what you need to know you are on the right path or simply lift your mood and self belief.

Unless you are open though you may miss the gifts you receive.

How to be more open? A helpful way to become more open to all that you receive is to keep a note of it. Every time you notice a chance meeting, an act of kindness, a sign you are on the right path or a message that seems just for you write it down! The act of doing this will help you to notice all these gifts to you more.

You don't have to have it all worked out, when you have trust in a power bigger than you and are open to receiving help miracles can happen.

Namaste

Louise x

 

  I was sad to learn in the news this week that 3 people die in the UK every day from asthma. In fact I know someone who died from it just last year, she was only in her 40s.

The BBC news shared that "People suffering from asthma are dying unnecessarily because of complacency among both medical staff and patients, according to the first national study of asthma deaths in the UK."

I grew up with asthma, I had it from a very young age and when I was too small to really remember I was often in hospital suffering from attacks. I only learnt recently that during one of these attacks I actually died for a couple of seconds. Thankfully I came back!

My memories of growing up are predominantly of being sick with asthma. The most I remember about my school days was being at home sick or in bed in the "San" at school if I couldn't stay at home. Of course I have wonderful happy memories too of playing on the beach, swimming in the sea and running around the forest. It never stopped me fully.

So naturally I grew up always taking my inhalers. I actually noticed when I got a bit older that I had developed a bit of a dependency on my Ventolin, the inhaler that relieves your breathing when having an attack. If I didn't have it with me when I went out I would start to panic and my asthma would come on, it was the same when going to bed. I'd have to take a puff before I could relax.

In my early 30s my uncle who also suffers from asthma got prescribed a new inhaler called Seritide which completely took away all his symptoms. He shared his new found discovery with me and my cousins, it no longer felt like we had asthma any more. My cousins who had never been able to do sport at school suddenly became super sporty. It changed their lives, it grew their self confidence and for me I never had an asthma attack again.

How ever I was still taking an inhaler. Asthma was still there underlying.

When I was in India a couple of years ago I had a few rebirthing sessions with a man there. He picked up on how I saw having asthma as part of who I am. He said it's like I just accept I have it and am doing nothing to cure it. There and then I decided to do just that, take action to go about curing my asthma.

Since then I have learnt that my asthma was largely due to fear. Fear of not being able to breathe, and then dying. This has been mainly unconscious but once I uncovered that I was able to use affirmations to let myself  know "I am safe, there is enough air to breathe" if my breath becomes short. Yogic breathing has helped to expand my lungs and deepen my breath. EFT has calmed me down if I feel the fear rise up and asthma triggered. I have changed my diet to avoid foods that create inflammation and I have had energetic healing around my scary experiences as a child having attacks.

I can happily say I no longer take an inhaler every day. The only time I do take it is when I volunteer at a cats home as animal hair still triggers me and being surrounded by 40-50 cats can be fairly overwhelming for my system. I choose to go there though as I love cats, like I said asthma has never stopped me. It is getting better though, sometimes I don't take it at all and when I am with just one cat now I don't have any reaction at all.

I know every one is a different case and you have to treat your asthma very carefully as it can be life threatening. I am just writing this post for those who have asthma who, like I also did, just see it as who they are. Who are not doing anything to investigate other alternatives to helping cure it.  Or in fact with any disease.

Sometimes we can get so stuck in a way of thinking or being we forget that it actually may not be true or that it could be possible to change it!

I recommend reading Louise Hay's book - All is Well which links dis-ease to emotional problems and gives affirmations to repeat to yourself daily. It's really insightful, and usually pretty spot on.

I can honestly say I don't think of my self as an asthmatic now, just someone who gets it every now and then......and usually it's because I have valued something higher than not taking my inhaler, i.e. being with cats! .....and one day that will be cured too.

 

 

 

 

I am going to be turning 39 in a couple of months and I was reflecting recently on what I was up to when I was 29. Ten years is a long time isn't it? It doesn't sound that long but a lot can happen. This time ten years ago I was just setting out on my journey to work for myself. I had just trained to become an image consultant and I was in the process of setting up the site: createimage.co.uk. It doesn't even exist any more since it transformed into Create Yourself a few years later.

When I was starting out I could never have imagined ten years later I would also be a life coach, reiki healer and yoga teacher based in Brighton!

Sometimes when I coach people I find they can get hung up on choosing the perfect goal, the perfect career, the perfect partner and so on.... I am a firm believer in choosing what feels right now, in this moment, rather than worrying too much if it is still going to feel like that in a few years time. Waiting for the perfect goal can also lead to procrastination.

Once you set out on a path all sorts of unexpected things can happen to you that can lead you in a variety of directions. Also, you change, what feels right to you now may not feel so good a few years down the line and that's OK.

For example when I was thinking about a new career I spent a year exploring different types of jobs in fashion, I took a fashion media course which covered many different possible jobs. During this year I won an image consultation, whilst having that I decided I wanted to do that too!

I took a course to learn to be an image consultant and began to create my business. It was all so new to me though and the thought of promoting myself at networking events and talks filled me with dread.

Along came a boy I met in a nightclub! He introduced me to a personal development course he had done and felt it might help me with my self confidence for my business. I decided to give it a go, after all what could I loose?

The course transformed my way of looking at life and after a few more courses there I decided I want to be a life coach, to help others see the world in this inspired and empowered way too.

During a particularly busy year in 2009 I took up yoga, to give me some balance from all the running I was doing. Again this was a pivotal moment in my life, yoga completely chilled me out and bought me into the present moment. Something that had seemed elusive to me before.

My yoga journey has connected me to something much deeper, to a faith in something much bigger than myself and to feel completely at peace within myself. So it wasn't surprising that in 2012 I became a yoga teacher to add to everything else!

Can you see how it's all just flowed? Ten years ago I couldn't have imagined what I am doing now, or that I'd be living in Brighton, but I was just open to trying new things, going where my interest drew me and just giving things a go.

You don't have to have it all worked out. All you need to focus is what feels right now, in this moment. The trust the process. New people, events, opportunities will be bought into your life at just the right time for you. The trick is to be open to them and act on them.

Enjoy the journey, moment by moment.

Louise x

 

You want to make a change in your life. You have a goal. A dream. An intention.

How committed are you to it?

Do you give your word to creating it in your life? Do you share it with everyone?

 

"Making a commitment is taking  stand, it's declaring to yourself and the universe that you're unwilling to settle for anything less that excellence" Denise Linn

Fear can get in the way of making a commitment, fear of failure, fear of looking bad, fear of the unknown, fear of change and so on. However while there is any doubt in our mind it's hard to give ourselves 100% to something, we energetically send out unconscious messages  that it "might not happen".

Our thoughts create our reality. If you go into a situation not fully believing in yourself, or your dream, without knowing consciously doing it your behaviour will be effected.

For example: You have a job interview that you don't believe you are good enough for. Although during the interview you will try to act confidently without meaning to that lack of self belief will show through in subtle ways. Maybe through your body language,  or a lack of certainty behind your answers.

Of course in life there is no certainty, but acting from a mindset of doubt and fear will impact your behaviour, or whether you take any action at all.

Commitment gives power to creating change. We can talk about wanting to change jobs, go travelling, relocate, find a partner until we are blue in the face but until we actually decide, I am going to do all I can within my power to create this, it's easy to just keep talking about it.

Talking about it can turn into months, and then years. Before you know it you'll be reaching retirement and still be speaking about wanting to make this change!

It's a simple decision.

"I am committed to X"

You may like to share it with people who are close and supportive of you. Remember to take care with who you share it with as some people feel the way to support is to put you off your dream....it's their way of caring, or perhaps their own fears showing up but remember this is your dream not theirs. Share it with those you know will support you.

Get into action. I find putting something concrete in place that drives me to take more action always helps at the beginning. For example:

Putting your updated CV on to recruitment sites

Signing up to a dating site

Booking a flight

Putting a deposit down

Signing up to estate agents

Give power to your dreams, make a commitment and whole heartedly go for it. After all when you look back on your life isn't it better to have given it your all than just sitting around day dreaming about it for weeks, months or even years?

If you'd like some help with your dream, please get in touch.

Lots of love

Louise x

  HAPPY EASTER!!!

The sun is shining and we are nearly at the 4 day weekend!

I am sure you all have lots of plans, or maybe not. Sometimes isn't just nice to have nothing to do isn't it?

What ever you are doing I invite you to connect with happiness this weekend by bringing your awareness to all the little blessings you have in your life.

The moment you feel the sunshine on your face, or the wind through your hair.

The moment you hear a child laughing.

The moment you notice the birds singing.

The first mouthful of a delicious meal.

The moment you feel your heart flutter when you see someone you love.

The first sip from a glass of wine.

The moment you wake up and realise you don't have to do any work today.

Just those little moments that often just pass us by unrecognised. The more we notice these small subtle things that make our heart smile the more we connect to inner happiness.

Happiness is a decision and it comes from within. Material things won't make you happy long term, but noticing your little daily blessings will.

Speaking of Happiness, I am excited to announced that booking is now open for The Happiness Effect 2 day workshop I am running in Brighton on 15th/16th May. These dates coincide with the Brighton Festival so it's a great time to visit if you are not local.

We are offering a super early bird rate for bookings before 1st May. To find out more about the workshop and book please see The Happiness Effect or please do contact me if you have any questions.

Have a great weekend!

xx

  From the moment of entering this world our experiences start to form our beliefs about ourselves. Especially during early childhood into our teens.

By the time we get into adulthood we usually don't think about questioning them, unless of course we start doing some form of personal development work.

Often the beliefs we are carrying are no longer true, or were in fact never true to begin with. Yet unless we notice this and start to disconnect from them they will still have their power over us.

Beliefs I carried from childhood that I have now given up are:

• I can't sing
• I have asthma
• I am a sickly child
• I am shy
• I am not good enough

All of which can have, and have had, a damaging effect in some way.

Through challenging these and choosing to no longer believe in them I now:

• Enjoy singing out loud
• No longer take an inhaler every day
• Have not been ill since Christmas 2010, this is not to say I won't be again but it's no longer a regular occurence
• I speak out when I want or need too, I am self confident and I am also happy with silence
• Do not let fears get in the way of me going for what I want in my life. Anyone saying they are not good enough is just silly (but, sadly very common)....we are all unique have had our own special qualities.

Are you carrying around in your mind something a teacher/parent/friend once told you when you were small?  Do you hear their voices still ringing in your ears? Question it, ask yourself why it is rubbish?

Don't let these silly childhood beliefs hold you back.  You have the power to choose how you feel and act today.

Be happy.

Louise x

  I ran a Yoga for Stress workshop on Saturday which was a time for people to just switch off, let go and relax. Through the afternoon as I taught yoga I also incorporated some of my top tips to manage stress levels.

Yoga is a great tool to explore different ways of being in life and to manage stress. Our physical body and breath have an impact on how we feel, what thoughts are going through our mind. This is why so many people love how they feel after a yoga session, whether its completely relaxed or energised, both or some way else.

 

Following are some of the suggestions I gave to help combat tension and stress in day to day life:

 

• Dedicate an area in your home where you can relax. You may like to have fresh flowers there, inspiring pictures, symbols of your faith (if you have one), crystals, a candle and so on. Just what ever makes you feel inspired. A place where you know you can go to, be quiet and leave the day behind.

 

• Simplify your life. Make a list of everything on your mind. Then ask - what is the most important thing right now? Next write the next action step to take in this area, and just focus on doing that. Watch how life unfolds one step at a time.

 

• Breathe. Deepen your inhale and lengthen your exhale, this will trigger the parasympathetic nervous system to work which sends the message to your brain, all is well, there is nothing to fear. You'll notice how much calmer you feel by doing this.

 

• Bring your mind into the present moment. Notice your feet on the floor. Pay attention to what is around you. So much tension is created by thinking too much in the past or about the future. Right here now is what matters.

 

• Repeat a positive affirmation to yourself. Something like; all is well, I am safe, I am, everything I need is always taken care of, I can handle anything.....find one that resonates with you.

 

• Allow yourself time each day to relax. Just lying on the floor for 5 minutes can be a wonderful break. Lying on the floor with your legs up the wall is a great yoga pose to do to calm your nervous system down, calm the mind and help you sleep.

 

• Have a positive meditation/ spiritual/ self help/ motivational book to read daily. I like to keep a couple by the bath to read an inspirational passage while I soak.

 

Feeling overwhelmed  and stressed can be a trap, unless we do something to calm our minds and bodies down, it can build up and up until something happens, like an illness, forces us to stop. Just doing something little daily to relax and reset your mind in a positive direction will have a huge impact.

Namaste

Louise x

Feeling like something just isn't working?

Frustrated? Stuck? Angry? Demotivated?

Maybe it's a sign to try a new approach. When practising yoga, poses that turn your world upside down inspire you to see life from a different perspective.

If mice are put in a maze and discover the route to the cheese, they will keep going down that route to get it. If it's then moved to a new location after a while they will start trying out different routes to get to it, until they hit jackpot.

Us humans can be stubborn. Often we will keep doing the same things over and over again even if it's just not working.

Can you recognise this any where in your life?

Are you repeating the same patterns over and over again?

Does it feel like you are knocking your head against a brick wall?

Maybe it's time to try something different!

This doesn't mean giving up on your dream, if it still feels right for you, but simply trying a new approach.

Is there an action or an idea you have had to try but for some reason have been putting it off, maybe self doubt or fear getting in the way?

That could be the very thing to experiment with. I always relate to those flutters of fear as a signal of the path to go down (obviously not with the overwhelming sense of fear when you are actually in danger!!). It's by doing things that scare you that help you to grow and develop confidence in your self.

Isn't it better to have explored all avenues rather than keep doing the same thing over and over again with no results, and probably making yourself feel bad in the process?

So what could you try differently this week?

See it as an experiment, a game, a challenge. Take any perceived pressure off and see it as an exploration. After all if it doesn't work you can just try something else!

If you need a helping hand please do get in touch - [email protected]

Namasate