Year: 2017

How to gift yourself grace & receive guidance

December 22, 2017

It became obvious last week that I had taken on too much this holiday season. I felt overwhelmed and behind.

Can you relate?

Yes? Then you are not alone.

I thought my overwhelm was because I said yes to far too many things and tried to overdeliver on all of them. What I realized is that it was because I had said no to taking care of myself.

I was waking up late and not making time for my usual breathwork, meditation, prayer, and visualization throughout the day. I found myself rushing and then collapsing at the end of the day.

Sound familiar?

Don’t worry!

There is still time to give yourself the gift of grace and receive guidance this holiday season.

I talked about doing this in our New Moon Circle in my Facebook Group on Monday.

Here are a few tips for giving yourself and others grace:

Feeling all worked up and overwhelmed?

Take a moment and breathe. Inhale through your nose and exhale out of your mouth. Do this at least 3 times. Every time you relax a bit, your life will flow more effortless and ease.

(My older son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes over the summer and honestly, it feels like we have been going a mile a minute ever since with learning and insulin injections. Pausing to breathe consciously has been a helpful way for me to cope and thrive. That is why you see BREATHE posts through my Instagram feed.)

Finding that the behavior of others is putting you in a bad mood?

Remember that everyone is doing the best they can with the knowledge they have. That doesn’t mean their behavior is not annoying or possibly hurtful but try to remember that it is a reflection on them and their life experience and has nothing to do with you. (This might take time but can certainly help during this time of year!!!

Now let’s talk a bit about receiving over the holidays. I want you to remember that you are being guided. Life can be magical when you open up to receiving this guidance.

Here are a few tips for receiving guidance:

Looking for a parking spot or the perfect gift?

Ask your “runners” to go find it for you and then trust that they will. (Runners are guides that love to help you find things. You can view them as people, angels, guides, or simply energy.)

Worrying about things going wrong or not being perfect?

Ask God/Universe/Spirit to take your worries away. Literally, ask that in your head or out loud. Then ask what you should do next. You might hear the words “relax” or you might get an actual sign about what to do.

I have done all of these to help me get back to taking care of myself and enjoying this season to the fullest. They work!

Remember that you are a light in this world. Take care of yourself.

Happy Holidays!

Thriving During the Holidays with the Sun & Moon!

December 8, 2017

Pausing to do breathing exercises has truly changed my life for the better. I am excited to share two different techniques that will help you thrive during the holiday season and beyond. Your breath is amazing!

Are you feeling anxious, angry, frustrated, or something similar?

Try Left Nostril Breathing.

Sit tall
Close your right nostril with the first two fingers of your right hand
Inhale slowly and deeply through the left nostril
Exhale slowly through your left nostril
This is one cycle.
Repeat 8 to 10 times or for 1 to 3 minutes.
Allow your eyes to close.
Pause after and take some deep breaths through both nostrils.
Notice how you feel.

The left nostril is connected to the Moon and your Ida Nadi. Your lunar (ida) nadi (channel) is in your subtle energy body. It controls all mental processes and the more feminine aspects of your personality. It is cooling and cleansing.

Benefits include:

reduces stress
cools the body
helps lower blood pressure
calms the mind and nervous system

Tips: Not recommended for people with low blood pressure. If you have any medical conditions, please consult with your doctor first.

Feeling tired, unmotivated, depressed, sluggish, or something similar?

Try Right Nostril Breathing.

Sit tall
Close your left nostril with the first two fingers of your left hand
Inhale slowly and deeply through the right nostril
Exhale slowly through your right nostril
This is one cycle.
Repeat 8 to 10 times or for 1 to 3 minutes.
Allow your eyes to close.
Pause after and take some deep breaths through both nostrils.
Notice how you feel.

The right nostril is connected to the Sun and your Pingala Nadi. Your solar (pingala) nadi (channel) is in your subtle energy body. It increases vitality and controls the more masculine aspects of your personality. It is warming and nurturing.

Benefits include:

helps alleviate sluggishness and depression
increases physical energy
warms the body
increased digestive fire
effective for stress management

Tips: Best done on an empty stomach. Not recommended for people with high blood pressure. If you have any medical conditions, please consult with your doctor first.

Feel free to let me know how these breaths work for you. If you want to learn more breathing techniques, check out my Free Spirit Guidebook!

Happy Holidays!

2 Breathing Techniques to Cool You Down and Chill You Out!

June 28, 2017

There is an excessive heat warning here in Arizona today so I thought it was the perfect time to share this cooling breath video I made around this time last year.

I’m sharing two simplified ways of doing this breath. One is curling the tongue, which I can’t do, so I give another option too.

They are simple, quick, and will have you feeling chilled out in no time at all.

Sitali Breath – Cooling Breath

Heating up from the hot weather? Try this breath. It is both cooling and calming which is perfect for hot summer months. Plus, this breath reminds us that we have more power and control over our bodies, our lives and ultimately our reactions to life, including the weather. Hooray! So cool (literally)!

Benefits include:
– cools the body
– adds moisture to the body (so perfect for Arizonans!)
– reduces fatigue

Sitting tall, close your eyes, take some deep breaths, then open your mouth and form your lips into an “O.” Curl your tongue lengthwise and stick it out of your mouth just a little bit. Inhale deeply across your tongue and into your mouth as if drinking through a straw. Notice the cooling sensation of the breath. Try for 1 to 2 minutes. Bring your tongue in and close your mouth, exhaling through the nostrils.

***Not recommended if you have heart problems.

Sitkari Breath

(the name of the breath with the teeth touching)

Benefits include:
– cools the body
– balances your hormones naturally
– increases vitality

Sitting with your eyes closed, gently press your bottom and top teeth together and separate your lips as much as you comfortably can, so your teeth are exposed to the air. Inhale slowly through your teeth and focus on the sound of your breath. Try for 1 to 2 minutes. Close your mouth and slowly exhale through your nose.

***Not recommended if you have high blood pressure.

These are best used during hot weather months, after a heated exercise practice, or when experiencing anger.

3 breathing techniques that will change your life!

June 16, 2017

Years ago I started using these breathing techniques throughout my day instead of just on my yoga mat and my life truly started to change for the better.

There are tons of benefits to these and I will share them below.

My favorite benefits are mental health benefits!

These breathing techniques help me shift from low energy to high energy, from negative to positive, from my workday to family time, from my day to sleep, and so on.

I used to wait to have time to have a full yoga practice to experience these benefits and now I can get them anytime I want in a short amount of time.

Want to consistently release negative energy and shift to a higher vibration?

Then get started with these 3 breaths!

Releasing Breath

Great in the afternoon for shifting from day to night, work to family time, and at the end of the day. Using the arms is optional.

This breath helps clear your mind, feel more in control of your emotions, and releases negative energy.

Sitting tall, you inhale with 4 sniffs, and then take one long exhale. Repeat for 4 cycles or for 1 to 3 minutes.

Breath of Fire

Great in the morning or anytime for energy.

This breath helps strengthen your nervous system to respond to stress with greater ease, increases lung capacity, energy, and endurance, plus it can help with addictive tendencies.

Sitting tall, take quick inhales and exhales of equal length. The area above the navel point naturally comes in on the exhale and releases on the inhale. Try it for 3 rounds or set a timer for 1 to 3 minutes.

Take a break if you feel dizzy.

Not recommended if you are pregnant or menstruating.

Deep Breathing – Grounding Breath

Simple breath perfect for when you are feeling frazzled, worried, up in your head, focused outside of yourself, etc.

Use anytime you want to feel more grounded.

Reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, releases toxins and tensions, and is calming.

Sit tall, inhale for a count of 4, exhale for a count of 4. That is one round.

Try it for 3 rounds or set a timer for longer.

These can all be used as a meditation. You can also try to meditate after doing one of these for a few minutes. It helps to get you out of your head and into your body.

Relax after and notice how you feel.

How to Connect with the Moon Phases

April 26, 2017

When you step away from your calendar and lists of “todos” to pay attention to the cycles of the moon it allows room for magic to enter your life and increases your ability to connect with something much larger than yourself.

Below I share the energy related to each moon phase and how you can set an intention and work on making it a reality during the moon cycle.

You do not have to set an intention with each cycle. It is really powerful to simply notice each phase. It really helps you get out of your head and into the present moment.

Learn how to honor yourself and connect to the moon’s phases:

New Moon

The New Moon is when you can’t see the moon in the sky. It is always in the same astrological sign as the sun. This is considered the beginning of the lunar cycle. A good time for setting new intentions and starting new endeavors.

Take some time for yourself on the new moon (or the 3 days after) and relax. Maybe 5 minutes or 30 minutes. If you go outside, notice the air, the sky, the ground.

Ask yourself if there is an intention that you would like to set for the next month. Maybe it is a way of being, doing more or less of something, or even drawing something into your life like more love or career opportunities.

Write this intention down, speak it out if you desire, and envision it. Feel it.

Waxing Moon

The Waxing Moon is the phase after the new moon and is also called First Quarter Moon.

During this phase of the moon growing and expanding, take some time to imagine how it would feel if your intention was a reality in your life and then take inspired action on making it a reality.

The moon will be growing from the right side.

Try this yoga sequence to energize you and your intention.

Full Moon

The 3 days before and the 3 days after the full moon are a wonderful time to express gratitude for your life and

You can try sitting comfortably (outside under the full moon is possible!), focus on your breath for a while, do some shoulder rolls, then say silently or aloud:

“I release anything that is no longer serving me and I welcome all resources and guidance to bring my intention to life.”

You might enjoy gazing at the Full Moon and allowing your mind to relax. Notice if any insight comes and how you might feel lighter and happier.

Full Moons are the perfect time for rituals. This can be picking out crystals, burning candles, practicing yoga, all with the idea that you are supporting and empowering your intention.

Try this simple ritual to relax and connect to the energy of the Full Moon.

Waning Moon

The moon is getting smaller and will be lit up on the left side. Use this time to release things that are not serving you or your intention. This is also called Third Quarter Moon.

This is a great time to thank the universe for any guidance you have received. Allow yourself to receive your intention into your life. Notice how it is showing up.

It might also be nice to slow down and relax a bit more during this phase. Honor your efforts.

Try this yoga sequence to slow down and relax.

Balsamic Moon and Dark Moon

The Balsamic Moon is that last sliver before the new moon and the Dark Moon is the day before the new moon.

This is a time for rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation.

Slow down and take care of yourself. Tune into your body and notice how you are feeling during this time. Take time for some deep breathing. Honor your soul.

Possibly take a nap. Enjoy this part of the lunar cycle.

Moving forward. You can create a new intention on the next New Moon or refocus and adjust your intention from the previous one.

I hope you journey on the moon’s cycle. The best place to find out the moon phases is: https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/phases/

If you wish for me to share more ways to enjoy the moon’s phases please pop a comment below or email me at hello@kerryburki.com.

p.s. Little known fact: I am a Certified Lunar Mystic. Getting out of my head and in touch with the phases of the moon has helped me appreciate myself, others, and the world around me so much more.