It shouldn’t be a big deal. Really. It’s peanuts.

Literally.

Albeit peanuts labeled “EXP.DATE 03/Aug/2017”

But, I’m in the middle of a public area screaming “Are you &*%$ing kidding me?!?!?”

It’s taken every last ounce of energy to stop from dropping to my knees and bursting into tears.

…over peanuts.

Straws Break Backs

It’s not the peanuts, though. You know that.

It’s the apple fritter sized bruise from a simple blood draw.

It’s the not being able to sleep the night before you have to wake up early.

It’s the hitting every red light when you’re already 5min behind schedule.

…

It’s missing your favorite band by a day.

It’s losing service during an important phone call.

It’s everything you say being taken the wrong way by the people you love.

It’s dropping your cell phone.

… and that’s just this morning before 10am.

Not one irritating circumstance is truly that bad. But, put them all together and we’re cursing the Universe over expired peanuts.

By Another Name

Rhea – the Titan Goddess of flow.

The time Rhea, and her consort, ruled was known as the Golden Age. Rhea hardly had to even rule at all. Things just went smoothly. The Golden Age was marked by people obeying their moral obligation to one another. There was no crime. There was no punishment. Things just went smoothly. Everyone was happy.

Sure, these are stories told to infants to get them to sleep.

Yet, the idea that when “flow” rules, your life is easy is still true.

Surf Life

So, to honor Rhae, the idea of flow, let’s take a look at what “flow” is.

The greatest example of flow in our physical world is water. Water is movement. Water is not stagnant. Water is not unyielding. Water is adaptable.

When water… or flow… rushes in, you’d better be ready to stay on top and ride the wave. Otherwise, you drown – overcome by what you weren’t “ready” for.

Want to get in Rhae’s good graces? Find fluidity and balance.

Diet

From a physiological standpoint, hydration is going to be very important. Not that it ever isn’t, but to increase flow, keeping yourself watered will help with the next step. Drink H20 frequently and consistently throughout the day.

Not only will it help the body from tightening up, it also helps remind you of a focus on water and flow.

Body

Honor the water in your physical practice. If you have a specific Jala flow in your training, do that for 30 days. If you don’t, do this in your personal or studio practice:

Water is feminine energy – flow and cycles. So, we want to emphasize the feminine in your body. Root, Sacral, Core.

Once your spine is warmed up:

Child’s pose for 5 breaths

Down Dog for 5 breaths

1. Crescent Lunge left leg forward – Lift the left leg, place between the hands and sweep smoothly into Crescent Lunge for 5 breaths on left side. Don’t take this for granted. Crescent lunge is a back bend. Sink into the hips deep. Look up and back. Interlace the fingers except for the index, with the left thumb closer to your face.
2. Pigeon left leg forward – Palms to the Earth, step the left left back and toward the sky. Setup for pigeon on the same side for 5 – 15 breaths.
3. Flip dog (heart to the sky). A single deep full release breath here.
4. Warrior 1 – Return to face the earth and place the left leg forward – again smoothly sweeping the hands up – for Warrior 1. 5 breaths here.
5. Compassion Warrior –  Drift the arms behind the back for Compassion Warrior. Another 5 breaths
6. Bowing Warrior – Smoothly, like water falling off a mountain, allow the heart to come toward the earth, keeping the shoulders squared.  Bowing Warrior honors these small struggles that have multiplied in your life. 5 breaths.
7. Down Dog – Palms to the Earth, step the left foot back and find your way into down dog for 5 breaths.
8. Repeat 1 – 7 on the Right side.

Complete this piece of your practice with Hero’s pose

Understand and emphasize the breathe in and out with each movement. Feel the wave like movement of the breath in and out.

Energy

For balance, let’s focus on the energy within us. We exchange the energy around us with our selves through breath.

We’ll use Nadi Shodhana breath work to create balance in the energy body. Essentially, alternate nostril breathing.

1. Close the right nostril off and breath deeply through the left.
2. Close the left nostril off, and exhale through the right.
3. Inhale deeply trough the right.
4. Close the right nostril off and exhale deeply through the left.
5. Repeat steps 1 – 4 four times.

Another option energetically is Reiki (and other practices). If you’re a Reiki Level I healer, you can use the basic self-healing sequence on the head, front, and back to engage energetic balance. Do it in addition to or in place of the breath work.

Practice

You’re totally off balance and out of flow? Try getting your system back into “flow” – in alignment with Rhae – by committing to change your patterns for the next 30 days. Put an emphasis on water in your body. Move your body with ease and smoothness. Connect with the feminine elements at the root, hips, and core. Balance the prana – energy of all things.

Practice all three elements for 30 days and see how your “flow” feels.