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February is the month of Love, love, Love!

Gung hay fat choy (Happy New Year in Chinese)!!! Last month we discussed awareness, this month we discuss LOVE! @ Morning Crane we love LOVE!    In Greek there are 3 words for Love: Eros, is romantic love, Philia, is reciprocal love among friends. (Philadelphia) (Philia/Delphi [Delphi means Womb]) Eros & Philia are focused on others.

The 3rd type of Love is AGAPE. Agape is an overflowing love that is unconditional and seeks nothing in return. This is the type of love that creates miracles and changes the world.

Love is Life, Life is Love. Sound simple? Perhaps not. Agape resides deep within you. It is the Life Force Energy (Chi) that emanates in all living things. It keeps our heart beating and breath flowing. We all have access to it. Yet accessing it is the most powerful work you will ever do, and the most challenging. Why is it so challenging?

Because of the natural cynicism of our minds. “Oh that’s just airy-fairy stuff.” or “Nobody loves me, so why should I bother.” Sound familiar?! Your critical mind will do everything it can to keep you from experiencing the fullness of your potential. It will prevent you from gaining contact with the Love that is the source of Life within you.

Feeling Unconditional Love does not mean that you are going to always have a beatific smile on your face while you are being faced with decreased income, loss of home, or difficulty in your relationships. The Love we are talking about is not syrupy, sweet, and blind. It is the deepest essence of your Being. It requires practice and discipline. Learn how to return to this as your home base, no matter what you are confronted with. This will be the most rewarding transformation you will ever experience in this Life. Change your life in ways you never imagined possible.

Ask yourself: What can I do today that gives back to me? What actions can I take to show a bit of appreciation towards myself? Where can I go that is going to uplift me and make me feel good now and tomorrow?

Here are a couple of suggestions:

  • First of all, it is necessary to recognize the uncomfortable feelings you are holding onto about yourself. Come into contact with any judgments, criticism, self-loathing you may be experiencing for yourself.
  • Notice anyway you move away from these feelings, the way you avoid this part of yourself, because you make the very presence of these feelings wrong. It’s a vicious cycle: Judging the judgments.
  • Now, for just a moment, sit quietly, and breath into this discomfort, no matter what it contains. This is not a moment to figure it out, analyze or resolve anything. It is a moment to be present with your own vulnerability and pain. To allow the heart to open it is necessary that we bring an energy of tenderness, caring, kindness, gentleness; in essence, we must meet our self with compassion and accept who we are.

Breath into your heart, notice any tension. Let your breath melt the tension and leave your body. Keep doing this until you feel a loosening of your heart, an opening. This opening is what allows Love to flourish inside of you – Go for it! Enjoy!!! With Love anything is possible.

Buckminster Fuller, one of the great humans of our lifetime said “The quality of your life is determined by the questions you ask.” So perhaps instead of asking “What’s wrong with me?” try “What’s great with me?
C&P hourses
Love & Gratitude,
-Team Shelton & the Morning Crane Crew
(in conjunction with Maggi Quinlan, PhD)

Chinese New Year Celebration- Feb 13, 6:30pm!

Chinese New Year Celebration-

Year of the SNAKE!

Wednesday, February 13, 2013 6:30-8:30pm

Morning Crane’s 12th Annual Chinese New Year Celebration! Come join us to learn how your specific astrological sign will assimilate with the Energy of the upcoming year. Find out what this upcoming Snake year has in store for you!Participate in the New Year Renewal Ceremony and watch Sifu Chris Shelton preform a Tai Chi demonstration.This complimentary event and a potluck. Bring your favorite dish to share!

Please RSVP by clicking here!

Or call (408) 391.2846

www.MorningCrane.com

January is AWARENESS Month @ Morning Crane

It’s January and we are beginning to live the New Year of 2013, and according to the Mayan elders, we are entering into an era of New Consciousness. We are here to witness the awakening of our consciousness in each and every individual on the planet. We are opening a door to a new era of possibilities, to a new era of Creation. In order to do that, it is important that we learn how to both allow ourselves to know how our mind distracts us from the Truth of Life, and also how to forgive ourselves for whatever our experiences have been in life that may have created wounds that prevents us from living the full experience of our potential.
Don Alejandro, a well-respected Mayan elder acknowledges that for his people this is the end of a 5,200 year cycle. The biggest shift will be from masculine to feminine leadership & power. Feminine leadership is the type of power that supports and encourages empowerment of EVERYbody. A type of leadership that experiences no threat or need to protect one’s power from others. The need to protect often creates great stress for our systems, and can lead to deep illness.

We live in a world painfully out of balance, where the needs of corporations have dominated over the needs of people. Especially in the realm of food and health, the distortion of what is important has led us to become sick, obese, and obsessed with chronic materialism as the guiding beacon for how to live life.

At Morning Crane, this month is all about AWARENESS. It is time to be more aware of what comes out of your mouth and into your body. It is time to reflect on your behaviors, and decide which behaviors are benefiting your life and which are preventing your forward progress.
To support this movement into New Consciousness, here is an exercise from Dr. Jean Houston, one of the leading visionary thinkers of our times:”Every day take a piece of paper and divide it into 3 columns. On top of the first column, you ask: What do I want from the Universe? Allow stream of consciousness to arise and write it down. In the 2nd column ask: What does the Universe want from me? And in the 3rdcolumn, What do the Universe and I want together?It is from this place that we find deeper meaning about ourselves, for ourselves, for our community, and for ALL people. We, at Morning Crane, are here for you!!! We will hold the bigger vision for your healing while you are growing into it for yourself. Our mission is to support you in every aspect of healing for you and your family.

Let 2013 be the year when you grow into your New Consciousness. Let this month of AWARENESS be the first step.

Love & Gratitude,
-Chris & Parisa Shelton; written in conjunction with Maggi Quinlan, PhD
www.MorningCrane.com

Fun Products available at Morning Crane

ToeSox
      • Center & Balance Meditation: Take time to refresh, rejuvenate, and replenish! 
      • EFX Bands: Boost energy, strength, & balance with technology is used by top professional athletes worldwide
      • PURE Encapsulations: Hypo-allergenic nutritional supplements that contain absolutely no hidden fillers, coatings, artificial colors.
      •  SinEcch: Clinically proven to reduce bruising and swelling. 
      • Rock Tape:  Kinesiology tape for endurance athletes, olympic athletes, crossfit athletes, and sports of all types.

5 Element Tai Chi @ At One Fitness, N. Hollywood

5 Element Tai Chi with Chris Shelton, guest Instructor @ At One Fitness, N. Hollywood.

The ancient art of Tai Chi is a powerful and effective way to increase your health, vitality, awareness and athletic performance. Come learn the breathing techniques, gentle movements and meditations of Tai Chi.

Click here to register! 

Address:
11116 WEDDINGTON ST.
N. HOLLYWOOD, CA 91601

New Year’s Day Burn

New Year’s Day Burn; Tuesday, 1/1/13, 12pm-3pm

Join us New Year’s Day at the fire-pits at the Crow’s Nest Beach in Santa Cruz, CA for Morning Crane’s annual NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION BURN. We will leave from Morning Crane at 12pm, or you can meet us there. This is a complementary event. Please bring a few blocks of wood to add to the fire. Children welcome!

Click here to register!

 

 

 

Click here to watch New Year’s Day Burn video!

Xmas Eve & New Year’s Eve FRIENDS ARE FREE

 

Xmas Eve & New Year’s Eve FRIENDS ARE FREE

Monday, December 24 2012

9am Fit & Firm (click here to sign up)

10am Pilates Mat (click here to sign up)

Monday, December 31, 2012

9:30am Fit & Firm (click here to sign up)

10:30am Pilates Mat (click here to sign up)

Space limited

Call (408) 391-2846 to register in advance

www.MorningCrane.com

Tips to Relax During the Holidays; December Newsletter 2012

Tips to Relax during the Holiday’s; December Newsletter 2012

Lulu xmas

Seasonal Guidance and Info

It’s that time of year again. The Holiday Season! Joy to the world…Ho ho ho…’Tis the season…In case you didn’t notice the holiday’s are in full swing.

This is a fun time of year where we are encouraged to give and to share. However, with societal expectations, family obligations, and the desire to “do good” comes added pressure. And if you’re like us, you were already busy before the Holidays started. This is the time of year that a 10 minute trip to the grocery store ends up taking you 45 minutes because the person in front of you couldn’t figure out how to scan their extra large thingamabob. Prepare yourself to sit in traffic and wait in line. Don’t be surprised if communications go awry. You may wonder if your partner is speaking the same language as you?! Hang in there. This too shall pass.

 

According to Chinese Medicine December is a winter Water month. The Water element is expressed through the Kidneys. It’s temperature is cold and it’s movement is slow.

The Tao Teh Ching guides us to be like water:

“Water always takes the lowest position.

Obstacles do not hinder it.

It accommodates whatever is in its path and continues to flow forward.

It never loses its direction.

By remaining low it follows its true nature and its fundamental direction is not influenced by superficial obstructions.

Water is always ocean-bound, seeking to reunite with the whole.

To follow the way of water is to return to one’s spiritual essence.”

 

 

Give the gift of health; Morning Crane Gift Cards available! Holiday Special: 5 group classes for $50 (save $75)

Come in or click here to buy

 

TIPS to Relax during the Holidays:

  • Exercise: A few minutes of exercise each day will benefit your physical and mental health.
  • Meditate: Take a Qigong or Yoga class, or a class that focuses on breath and stretching techniques.
  • Eat a well balanced diet:  Nutrition plays a big roll in reducing stress. Decrease the amount of fat and sugar you eat. At holiday events enjoy the people rather than the food.
  • Reduce caffeine intake: Caffeine affects the adrenal glands, which increases the stress response in the body.
  • Rest: Get 7-10 hours of sleep each night.
  • Get a massage: A massage can be beneficial for the mind & body.
  • Have a positive attitude! The glass is either half full or empty; you decide. When you feel irritated at your neighbor write a list of five things you are grateful for.

Sincerely,

Chris, Parisa, Lulu Shelton & Santa Claus

Green Tea: The Next Superfood by Brenda Rivera-Billings, M.Sc (Health Sci.)

By: Brenda Rivera-Billings, M.Sc (Health Sci.)

In recent years the popularity of green tea has skyrocketed, due in large part to its perceived health benefits. In several peer-reviewed studies, drinking green tea has been linked with health benefits in key areas ranging from increased metabolism to reduced memory loss. Participants use of the leafy plant during clinical trials also demonstrated preventive properties, including decreased LDL levels, reductions in heart disease, and lower rates of certain cancers.

Green tea is made from the leaves of the evergreen shrub, Camelia Sinensis. During processing, the leaves undergo minimal oxidation, leaving the rich antioxidants and polyphenols intact. Among the most popular health claims drawing consumers to green tea are those surrounding its potential weight reduction properties.  Use of green tea has been associated with increased metabolism, making the beverage extremely popular among fitness enthusiasts and dietitians as an effective tool for weight-loss. According to Hursel, Viechtbauer, & Westerterp-plantenga (2009) the overall effect of green tea resulted in increased energy expenditure, which produced positive weight loss results. It should be noted, however, that the effect of green tea on weight loss and weight maintenance varied in studies with subjects differing in ethnicity and habitual caffeine intake; those consuming higher levels of caffeine showed greater improvement.

Additionally, green tea has also been shown to slow or allay the signs of aging, like forgetfulness. According to Haque, Hashimoto, Katakura, Tanabe & al, e. (2006) green tea catechins administered orally were absorbed by and retained in the brain, and their antioxidative and neuroprotective effects ultimately resulted in beneficial effects on an age-related decline in spatial cognition in many of the study participants. To put it plainly, green tea helps individuals retain their memory and, therefore, remain vibrant.

Green tea also reduces the LDL or the bad cholesterol and raises good cholesterol, as the polyphenols prevent the intestinal absorption of cholesterol. It aids in lowering blood pressure and offers relief to those suffering from hypertension. According to Loest, Noh, & Koo, (2002) “evidence indicates that green tea consumption lowers the serum level of cholesterol.”

Moreover, green tea offers a ray of hope for people with a family history of angina or heart disease. By lowering the triglycerides and improving the lipid profile, it reduces the risk of heart attack (myocardial infarction), and prevents the incidence of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. According to Shrestha, Ehlers, Lee, Fernandez, & Koo (2009) “results suggested that the lipid-lowering effect of green tea is mediated partly by its inhibition of hepatic lipogenesis.” Thus, green tea inhibit effect reduces heart attacks for those vulnerable individuals.

The antimicrobial properties of green tea have been shown to reduce oral inflammation bacterial related infections that could lead to tooth loss. It is also known to kill the bacteria that causes foul breath or halitosis. Most importantly, according to Pandey (2011), green tea is considered one of the most promising dietary agents for the prevention and treatment of many oral diseases worldwide. Catechins (green tea) possess antioxidant, antimutagenic, antidiabetic, antiinflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and cancer preventive properties.

The ancient Chinese have touted benefits of green tea since times immemorial, and although not a magic bullet, it appears the rest of the world is finally becoming aware of the medicinal properties of this superfood.

Haque, A. M., Hashimoto, M., Katakura, M., Tanabe, Y., & al, e. (2006). Long-term administration of green tea catechins improves spatial cognition learning ability in Rats1. The Journal of Nutrition, 136(4), 1043-7. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/197430772?accountid=28844

Hursel, R., Viechtbauer, W., & Westerterp-plantenga, M. (2009). The effects of green tea on weight loss and weight maintenance: A meta-analysis. International Journal of Obesity, 33(9), 956-61. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2009.135

Loest, H. B., Noh, S. K., & Koo, S. I. (2002). Green tea extract inhibits the lymphatic absorption of cholesterol and (alpha)-tocopherol in ovariectomized rats. The Journal of Nutrition, 132(6), 1282-8. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/197433818?accountid=28844

Pandey, V. (2011). Green tea and oral health. International Journal of Clinical Dental Science, 2(1) Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/901218466?accountid=28844

Shrestha, S., Ehlers, S. J., Lee, J., Fernandez, M., & Koo, S. I. (2009). Dietary green tea extract lowers plasma and hepatic triglycerides and decreases the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c mRNA and its responsive genes in fructose-fed, ovariectomized Rats1-3. The Journal of Nutrition, 139(4), 640-5. Retrieved from

http://search.proquest.com/docview/197475322?accountid=28844

Face Reading Class Monday, Dec 3, 7:30-9:30

Great class for people who have to work well with others. 

Topics covered in class 2 include:
• Water traits
• Philtrum
• Reading a persons Ears
• A persons constitution and how well they fight off disease.