I love New Years Eve!
Any new beginning is exciting to me. I'm one of those people who love forward movement in my life and starting the new year out right is on the list this year. 
I've planned to clean my house, car, and my office, smudge everything with white sage and burn some cleansing white candles. 

I'm also going to take some time to dream my BIG dreams for 2014.

One of my favorite NYE rituals is to sit and write down my dreams for the upcoming year and also address all the things I want to let go of. Things that no longer serve my greatest good- these things are usually the things that make me feel sad, anxious, or upset. 

Some times these are toxic people that I need to move away from or toxic habits that are not good for me. Taking stock of things at least once a year helps me keep my focus and allows me to really look at my goals and my decisions. I can look and see if my actions are bringing me closer to what I want or if I'm making choices that ultimately keep me from those things. 

If you're looking for an empowering ritual this year, give this a try. < Tweet this out >

• Take out a piece of paper and begin listing all the negatives that you'd like to let go of. Take your time and really think about all the junk in your life.
•  When you've got your list, you can make a fire in your fireplace. I actually prefer to do this outside in my fire pit or chiminea- but if you don't have any of these, just grab a glass bowl and secure a fire safe area outside.
  
• Take your paper and tear it in half. Affirm that you are done with the past and release all negativity going forward. I like to say " I release all that no longer serves me and embrace the new and positive experiences that are coming my way."
  
• Then burn the paper. Watch it and make sure it burns safely.

 Fire is a powerful symbol of transformation and cleansing. 

• Now make a list of all the positives and all the things you are grateful for. List your dreams for 2014 and reflect on how this ritual made you feel. Keep your list in a safe place and look at it at your next NYE ritual and see how many dreams you've accomplished!
  

Meditating on hopes and dreams and releasing old ways that don't work for us anymore is a fabulous way to take care of ourselves and connect our inner and outer worlds at the same time. Making this a family tradition can also teach your family members powerful strategies for self care, goal setting, self empowerment, and connection.

If you tried this exercise, Leave me a comment below and tell me about your experience!
I love to hear your thoughts.

Gaia Bodywork PLLC is the private massage practice of Hillary Arrieta LMT040051 and is located in Richardson, TX.  Hillary offers the best massage services in the area for pain and stress management. Visit Gaiabodywork.com for more information.

Breathing affects many systems in your body- not just the respiratory system but also the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological, and muscular systems. The lymphatic system, which is a part of the cardiovascular system, requires the breath and the movement of other muscles and joints to assist in lymphatic flow through out the body, as it has no pumping system of its own. If you've ever watched a newborn breathe, you'll notice that they take deep belly breaths. This is our natural way of breathing. As we get older, we tend to hold our breath when we get upset or stressed out or breath shallow breaths that stem from our chests. This distorted way of breathing and our daily stresses can lead to anxiety and lack of energy, making us feel sluggish and burnt out on life or work. 
We can cultivate a breathing practice to help us calm and recenter ourselves when we notice that our breath has become shallow, or we are experiencing uncomfortable tension. It sounds silly to create a breathing practice because this is an automatic function that our living bodies do, but if you take some time to check in with your personal breathing patterns, you may notice shallowness or tightness while you breathe. 

Start checking in randomly and briefly- without altering it in any way. Ask yourself a few questions.
1. What does my breathing pattern feel like today? 
Is it smooth? Does it feel labored? Just notice for a second and move on.
2. Where is my breath coming from?
Is it coming from the chest or the belly? Take note. See if you can bring your attention to your nostrils and feel the air enter and escape. Do your shoulders move? Do your ribs expand?

After you've become acquainted to your breathing with out altering it, take a few minuets and try this exercise.
 1. Lay on the floor with your feet planted in to the earth. You can use a blanket or yoga mat, and make yourself comfortable. Your knees are at a 90 degree angle and your lower back is flattened and supported by the floor. Bring your chin down to a neutral position and allow your jaw to relax.
2.  Breathe deeply in and out for half a minute and briefly check in with your current breathing pattern. Ask your self the questions above.
3. Place one hand on your belly and one hand on your chest. Without changing your breathing, notice which hand rises and falls with the breath.
4. Now change your breathing to only breathe in to the hand on your chest. Bring your awareness to how this feels and notice any thing of interest to you.
5. Switch your focus to the hand on your belly and begin breathing in to that hand and focusing all the breath there. Be aware and notice any sensations.
6. Now breathe in a wave like fashion. Start by breathing in to the hand one the chest and then filling the belly with air, allowing the hand on the belly to also rise. Allow the breath to exhale from the chest and then the belly.
Do this a few times and notice how you feel after the exercise.

I'm teaching yoga nidra class in the DFW area weekly. I see students transform because Yoga nidra is a beautiful meditation that helps them get restorative sleep and take time away from living in a rushed city like Dallas, Texas.

Questions:

• Do you feel more energetic?
• Do you feel like going to sleep?
• Is there less tension in your body?
• Was there any change at all??

If you tried this exercise, leave me a comment below and tell me the outcome!
I love to hear your experiences and thoughts!

photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kukhahnyoga/4468074287/">Kukhahn Yoga</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/">cc</a>