At the core of many of our problems is a simple lack of self worth. Think about it. If something is not working in your life, what is really at the core of it?

Many of us do not value ourselves. We may or may not see the good in ourselves. We may judge ourselves for the parts we deem as less valuable or desirable. We can even project our lack of self-worth on to others and negatively judge them.

If, something or someone (a relationship) is not working the way you want it to, it’s possible that this is a reflection of how you feel about yourself. How you see yourself is often how the world will treat you.

Learning to value yourself more may positively affect your overall health. Since the mind and body are not separate, how you feel about yourself and the accompanying moods may have a direct affect on your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

Badgering yourself or cutting yourself down for something you deem as less desirable only makes the problem worse. The stress you feel from cutting yourself down can cause your internal organs and systems to not function as smoothly.

Often, those parts that you see as bad really need unconditional love, acceptance, and forgiveness. This will help them release in to something more positive and you will find that you have more self-worth.

Do you value yourself? It may help you to recognize when, where, and how you negatively judge yourself. Try it now.

1. What do you love about yourself or what parts of you do you feel are good?
2. What parts of you do you view as bad?
3. Listen to the uncomfortable parts and suspend the judgment of them.
4. What are the emotions behind this part of you?
5. What does this part of you need?
6. What part of you needs forgiveness?
7. Bring love and acceptance to this part of you.

This practice may feel a little strange at first. It is really a simple practice of Mindfulness – observing yourself with a compassionate heart and learning to love yourself.

The more you love and value yourself, wonderful things will happen for you in your life and in your relationships! You are worth it!

Emmy Vadnais is certified in Holistic Therapies that will assist you to eliminate barriers on your path so you can live the life you want. Contact her at emmy@emmyvadnais.com or 651-292-9938.

I recently watched the movie Where the Wild Things Are. I really liked it.

It was so artistically created, and I enjoyed discovering a story about a boy who was frustrated and upset with the way things were going in his life. His imagination allowed him to sail across the ocean to a strange land where he met many Wild Things. Each Wild Thing seemed to represent a part of him; the hurt parts of himself. Getting to know each Wild Thing allowed him to work out his bad feelings.

At first he seemed to enjoy the freedom of being with them, developing relationships with them, and getting to know them. Over time, he learned more about them and himself, and realized he wanted a different relationship with them and himself. He recognized that he wanted to treat himself and others better.  This helped him to be ready to return to his family with a more open heart, be able to give and receive love, and be more happy.

Where are your Wild Things? Do you know what they are? You can probably tell what they are by what feels like is missing in your life or how you may react negatively to yourself or others.

Imagination is very powerful tool that can help you in many ways. It allows you to create many wonderful things, and it can also show you parts of yourself you may not easily see. Use your imagination to create images that represent these parts of so you can understand them with deeper meaning. It will assist you to explore and create what it is you want for yourself and others.

Use your imagination through writing, through art, or during meditation to allow these aspects to come forward, to work it out, and then re-emerge in your life and to have better relationships with yourself and others. Embracing these hurt, sad, or bad feelings through your imagination can allow you to explore yourself and understand what it is these parts of you really need. Removing the barriers and obstacles can help you receive what it is you most desire.

Or consider having a Guided Imagery session where you are guided to access these parts of you and understand what it is they most need. Solutions that are not so easy to emerge with conscious thought can come forward from your infinitely wise imagination and intuition. Then, you can receive what is missing and live a more complete life.

Emmy Vadnais is a Holistic Occupational Therapist who is certified in Interactive Guided Imagery and is available to assist you to live with more joy and peace. You can contact her at emmy@emmyvadnais.com or 651-292-9938.

It is the New Year – Happy 2012 to you!

It is customary to reflect back on our lives while creating resolutions, intentions, or goals for ourselves, to make our lives better in the new year.

What is it You Most Desire? Do you want to improve your physique? Do you want to have better relationships? Do you want a more satisfying job? Many of us will set goals of what it is we think we want in our lives. Some of them realistic, and some perhaps more challenging to attain.

I believe we all want to be free from suffering. We want peace, joy, and a sense of connectedness.

This is the basis of Yoga, and is described so beautifully in the book “The Light on Yoga” as an excerpt from the “Bhagavad Gita”:

‘When his mind, intellect and self (ahamkhara) are under control, freed from restless desire, so that they rest in the spirit within, a man becomes a Yukta – one in communion with God. A lamp does not flicker in a place where no wind blows; so it is with a Yogi, who controls his mind, intellect and self, being absorbed in the spirit within him. When the restlessness of the mind, intellect and self is stilled through the practice of Yoga, the yogi by the grace of the Spirit within himself finds fulfillment. Then he knows the joy eternal which is beyond the pale of the senses that his reason cannot grasp. He abides in this reality and moves not therefrom. He has found the treasure above all others. There is nothing higher than this. He who has achieved it, shall not be moved by the greatest sorrow. This is the real meaning of Yoga – a deliverance of contact with pain and sorrow.’

If you feel you would like assistance with creating and reaching your goals for 2012 by releasing pain and suffering, or inviting in more joy and peace, please contact me .

Namaste!

Emmy

651-292-9938 or emmy@emmyvadnais.com

We have enjoyed a warmer than usual Fall Season here in Minnesota. The garden is mostly put to bed for the winter, but there are still some carrots, beets, chard, and kale awaiting picking, and a few snap dragons sharing their delight. Daylight savings and the calendar on the wall tell me that Thanksgiving is coming up quickly and Christmas is just around the corner.

So, we need to plan the meals, decide who’s coming and going where… and then there are the gifts. Do I make them, buy them, or offer a talent or service?

I have started making my husband a scarf. I’m still finishing a blanket from last year, and then ideas of other gifts I could make flood my head.

In the face of extra demands, cold, and darkness it is imperative that we take extra good care of ourselves. What does this mean?

Well for starters, lower the stress levels for yourself as much as possible. This may mean limiting how much you do in a day. Be realistic about how much you can bite off. Take time to plan your activities and space things out, so you’re not doing everything all at once. Ever shopped for presents on Christmas Eve? I have! Kinda’ stressful.

Most of us will have family gatherings. We may not always like some of our family members, or the things they do, or don’t do – or we may be missing loved-ones who’ve passed on. This can amplify the stress. The yummy treats and extra food that abound i.e. cocktails, cheese, cookies, fudge (I love fudge), and other delectables may give us immediate comfort, but later discomfort and perhaps self-disgust.

Consider taking some time to honor what you are feeling and your emotions that may be stirred at this time of year in a mindful way – observing them, accepting them, and bringing love and compassion to yourself.

Notice the tension you may be carrying in your body and consciously drop your shoulders and deepen your breath in to your belly from your chest.

Consider creating space to relax in the tub or sit on the floor and gently stretch your body, or sip on some tea or hot apple cider to keep your body warm, your muscles relaxed, and your mind calm.

When I was joyously, however prolongedly, creating my masterpiece of a scarf I started to feel the tension rising in my hands, biceps, and forearms. I stopped, stretched, and went back to stitching. The next day, I further felt the tension up in to my shoulders (trapezius, for you anatomy whizzes), felt fatigue, and was intimately reminded of the Mind-Body Connection. My body was telling me to pay attention to it and I listened. So, I did more stretching (less stitching for now), and took some time for some Yoga. Elongating the muscles and opening the energy channels, that often get constricted at the joints, was just what I needed. My fatigue lessened and I felt like I was getting my energy back. This will make my immune system stronger so I can stitch on and stay well for all of the upcoming activities.

Take time to pace yourself or slow down. As you listen to your body and respond in the best possible way, whatever that is for you, you will be less likely to become sick and more able to enjoy the Holiday Season. Here are a few Holistic Tips and Meditations that, when practiced regularly, may keep you feeling well and enjoying life – and maybe even the Holidays!

Please contact me to assist you staying well in Mind, Body, & Spirit.

Emmy Vadnais is a Holistic Occupational Therapist and Intuitive Healer who can be contacted at emmy@emmyvadnais.com or 651-292-9938.

Stress is the culprit of much, if not all, of what ails us. Stress can lead to all sorts of problems including physical illness, relationship problems, and addictive behavior, just to name a few. That is why it is important to engage in healthy relaxing activities.

Guided Imagery is a form of meditation that can assist with relaxation, counteract negative moods, and damaging biochemicals that cause physical, mental, and emotional illness. It can assist you to make good choices, lower pain and anxiety, release unwanted habits, overcome obstacles, assist with sleep, improve confidence and performance, and have a stronger Spiritual connection. It allows you to tap in to your inner peace, wisdom and intuition so you may realize your goals.

What is unique about Guided Imagery is that all of your senses are engaged while using your imagination. This helps the physiology; how your mind and body are functioning, and your biochemistry to shift in to a more balanced and harmonious state.

Here is a simple Guided Imagery exercise you can practice on your own:

First Begin with focusing on your breath and doing a progressive body relaxation.

Now, let yourself go to a Special Place!

Emmy Vadnais is certified in Guided Imagery. She is available for private one to one sessions, tutoring, and classes. Contact her at 651-292-9938 or emmy@emmyvadnais.com.

Giving and receiving Foot Reflexology and Massage has been with humanity for thousands of years. I have used a ton of Reflexology when helping people with their health.

It has been shown to lower stress, decrease anxiety, relieve pain – physical and emotional, and lower nausea and headaches; just to name a few of its countless benefits. New research continues to come out showing its tremendous health benefits.

This tutorial will show you how to give an excellent Foot Reflexology and Massage session to a loved one, friend, or someone in your care. Hopefully, someone will want to ‘practice’ on your feet, too!

Lately I’ve been noticing how serious the world has become, how serious I have become. There are serious issues to pay attention to. Aren’t there? There is famine, earthquakes, hurricanes, depletion of the environment – the world, not to mention what’s happening to my friends, my family, to me.

So, I practice my Yoga. Yoga is serious business. We must do the postures, breathe properly… and get off our butts initially to do it. We must brush our teeth, the dishes need to be washed, children to be taken care of, our inner child needs attention, our parents need our love. We must be nice to ourselves and to others.

But what if we’re taking this all too seriously?

I am grateful for the Guided Imagery session I recently had that seemed very serious at first. Then, I was guided to connect to my breath and just be. Without judging myself or others, I was guided to connect with my Higher Self; my Intuition. I got a new perspective as I heard messages that I need to be more gentle with myself, and to bring joy to what I am doing and what I am being. I heard other important messages that will help me sort out personal relationships. I now feel lighter and more reassured. This helps me to be and navigate the world with more ease.

While this may sound “airy-fairy”, or “Oh, that’s nice, but not for me.” I ask you to consider connecting with the part of you that doesn’t judge this or that. What do you have to lose? Your opinion? The heaviness?  The seriousness?  Just watch and observe what comes forward.

Or consider having a Guided Imagery session where you will receive your own unique insights that are specific to you and the situations affecting you in your life. Your inner wisdom may help you lighten your load – let go of what’s holding you down. Float to the top – to the light er side.

Emmy Vadnais, Holistic Occupational Therapist & Intuitive Healer is certified in Guided Imagery. Guided Imagery has many proven health benefits for the mind, body, and spirit. She can be reached at 651-292-9938 or emmy@emmyvadnais.com.

©2011 Emmy Vadnais

Recently I’ve been asked a lot about colors: “Why do I see this color when I meditate?”, “What do colors mean?” and “What color is my energy?”

Colors may indicate and represent a myriad of things. While there is a whole school of thought with Color Therapy that may show you the way, you may first want to explore what a particular color means to you. For example, when resting with your eyes closed and you begin to see yellow, notice how does that color make you feel? What does yellow mean to you? What does it seem to be conveying to you? Does yellow mean sunshine and happiness? What might it connect you with? Perhaps a lemon. What might a lemon indicate to you? Maybe you’ve been feeling down and a bit of happiness and brightness would be welcome.

A few of the folks who have asked about color have been seeing purple. When we think of the color spectrum: ROYGBIV – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, we notice that the highest vibrating frequency is violet or purple. Many spiritual teachers and energy healers advocate visualizing this color surrounding what needs support; i.e. your whole body, your home, a loved one, or earth. It is known as the violet flame of transformation.

As an energy healer, I often find myself using white light when clearing and balancing energy channels and fields. White light encompasses the whole color spectrum. Sometimes, a certain color such as pink or green is more indicated. Pink may assist a person connect more with love vs. judgment or despair. Green may bring in grounding and connectedness from earth, washing away the old and bringing in new and fresh life.

Trust what colors you may perceive in a particular part of your body as clues to what you may need, or what it may be trying to tell you.

The Chakra System, at its most basic level, is comprised of seven main energy centers that correlate to all of your internal organs, and your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual self. While it is helpful to listen to and understand what colors come forward to you, you can also balance your energy with colors.

Here is a simple Chakra Meditation to balance and align your Energy Field (Aura) of your Mind, Body, and Spirit.

1.       Begin with your First Chakra, located at your perineum, at the base of your spine – Visualize Red.

2.       Moving to your Second Chakra, located just below your belly button – Visualize Orange.

3.       Now to your Third Chakra, located at the center of you abdomen, just below the sternum – Visualize Yellow.

4.       Now to your Fourth Chakra, located in the center of your chest, in your heart area – Visualize Green.

5.       Continuing to you Fifth Chakra, located at your throat area – Visualize Blue.

6.       Moving to your Sixth Chakra, located at the forehead, the area between your eyes – Visualize Indigo.

7.       Finally to your Seventh Chakra, at the top of your head – Visualize Violet.

8.       Visualize – White Light surrounding your whole body.

Regarding the question “What color is my energy?”, it will likely change based on your moods, transitions in life, and your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. At your core Soul-level, the color of you is often constant. You will discover and touch this beautiful part of you through deep meditation. Trust what your Intuition shares with you.  This is you in all of your beautiful colors!

Emmy Vadnais is a Holistic Occupational Therapist and Intuitive Healer who assists children and adults relieve suffering and have more joy and peace. She can be reached at 651-292-9938 or emmy@emmyvadnais.com.

One of the most fundamental ways we show care, love, and healing is through touch. When a part of us is hurting we apply touch to bring attention to the areas such as when we bump our arm we automatically apply gentle pressure to the area to protect it and stimulate healing.

Acupressure is a form of touch therapy that has probably been around since the beginning of humanity. It is an ancient form of care that when practiced regularly can bring wonderful results.

It is also a form of Energy Healing, as the same points that are addressed with Acupuncture are used with Acupressure. Instead of needles being used, the practitioner applies pressure with their hands or fingertips.

You can experience Acupressure from a trained Bodyworker, or learn how to apply it to yourself, or your loved ones. This is a great book to get you started learning some of “Acupressure’s Potent Points.” It is written by Michael Reed Gach, who founded the Acupressure Institute in California.

There are virtually hundreds of ways Acupressure may help you. Here are a few areas it may help you:

• Stress

• Insomnia

• Headaches

• Back Pain

• Fatigue

• Worry

• Emotional Balancing

• Spiritual Alignment

• Prevention of Disease

While there are specific points to address to balance your mind, body, and spirit, try experimenting Intuitively with listening to yourself while trying these steps:

1.       Lie down on your back while taking slow, steady breaths in and out.

2.       Place a pillow under your knees if your back needs support.

3.       Let the tension melt in to the earth.

4.       How does your body feel?

5.       Where do you feel stress, tension, or fatigue?

6.       Place a hand on this part of your body.

7.       Find the area that needs attention and hold the palm of your hand or the tips of your fingers in to this area.

8.       Gently press into the muscles or tendons (being careful not to press too firmly directly on joints)

9.      Let the rest of your body relax.

10.   Hold this spot for 30 seconds  to 1 -2 minutes or more with steady or circular pressure.

11.   Let the tension melt away.

12.   Repeat this process until your mind and body settle.

If this sounds simple – it is! With time you may wish to explore and learn the various points, but don’t underestimate the power of listening to your body speaking to you.

Perhaps treat yourself to an Acupressure session for positive, clearing, and balancing energy. Contact me to set up an appointment. Emmy Vadnais, Holistic Occupational Therapist & Intuitive Healer emmy@emmyvadnais.com 651-292-9938

*These services are intended to add to your health care and not replace other beneficial approaches. Please consult with your primary health care provider.

First, Occupational Therapy is a form of therapy that helps people with what ‘occupies’ their time. This covers every aspect of a person’s life, from the cradle to the grave. It includes activities of daily living such as sleeping, eating, cooking, working, playing, relationships, and spirituality.

If a person is having difficulty engaging in any of these activities an Occupational Therapist is trained to assist the person be able to function as best they can in all areas of their life. Occupational Therapists can assist people in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, in the person’s home, and other settings.

I was trained by St. Catherine University to be creative and think of areas where Occupational Therapists can provide care that hasn’t typically been seen before. After graduation, I applied to complete one of my internships in a ‘non-traditional’ setting – a homeless shelter. I worked for a summer practicing assessments and creating group therapy for homeless individuals supporting them in many areas of their lives. This pilot program was successful and continued the summer after I was there. This experience taught me to think outside of the box.

Occupational Therapy is already a very holistic profession as it can assist a person with all aspects of their life. With the ‘alternative therapy’ field expanding in the past 10 years, consumers and practitioners are exploring these approaches and are integrating them in to care.

The nursing profession is a prime example of this. They have embraced the term holistic so much that they actually have a special Holistic Nurse Certification. This includes special training in holistic therapies and the nurses wear the acronym, HNC after their names with pride.

All health care professions, including Occupational Therapy can take a cue from the nursing profession to embrace this approach and the wonderful therapies that can help people feel more empowered with more options for care.

Okay, so back to what is Holistic Occupation Therapy? I will do my best to put forth what I feel it is.  It is a new specialty for Occupational Therapists, and the definition may alter as we move forward. I propose that it combines the best of ‘traditional’ Occupational Therapy practice with mind-body-spirit approaches such as guided imagery, meditation, energy healing, acupressure, reflexology, massage therapy, aromatherapy -  just to name a few of the many wonderful mind-body-spirit approaches. Holistic Occupational Therapy can assist people physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. They can support the body’s innate ability to heal itself. Holistic Occupational Therapists can help people in ways that go beyond what we have originally thought possible.

It is my hope, and I am seeing some evidence of this, that more health care providers will learn holistic therapies, and that it will be a specialty in all professions. Perhaps, in time the term holistic will be absorbed in to best practices for care.

I plan to write more on this subject. I am available for consulting on how to integrate holistic care in to Occupational Therapy practice. Emmy Vadnais, Holistic Occupational Therapist and Intuitive Healer emmy@emmyvadnais.com.

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