The Wellness Series with Sarah Tanner
As we head into the busiest time of the year Maman has collaborated with the wonderful Sarah Tanner to help provide our community with some helpful tips and tricks to find moments of calm and reset over the approaching 'silly season'.
Every week from now until the end of the year we will be dropping a new wellness tip from Sarah that we hope will help ignite a moment of relaxation and enlightenment.
Introducing the Wellness Series with Sarah Tanner.
Everything and everyone is energy. There is an institute in America called Heart Math that has spent many years studying the distance of the frequency of our heart and in turn our feelings. It shows that our heart frequency can be felt up to three metres from our heart space, and that goes 360 degrees all around us. So you can see how important it is to surround yourself with people that make you feel good. Around this time of year, this cannot always be possible, so my suggestion is focus on you being the positive frequency, more often than not, you will lift and light the whole room.
Food is something to celebrate and I have a rule of nourishment over punishment. Eating what feels good for you is really key. Instead of following trends and fads, get really honest with looking at how the food you eat makes you feel; not just during, but after too. The gut never lies!
I would like to share with you below a recipe for my Festive DIY Bliss Balls. They are such a simple and delicious throw together sweet treat. You can load with superfood powders, and even protein powders for a functional snack.
Try these slightly more fancy ones for the festive season, and check out @sarahtannernz on instagram for loads more bliss ball ideas.
Festive Bliss Ball Recipe
Perfect for a mid morning treat, with a coffee, or after dinner with some more brandy... no judgement! I've made my own dried fruit mix but you can grab a ready-made packet too.
1/2 cup mixed dried fruit, this is a combination of goji berries, sultanas, cherries, cranberries and organic orange rind. Enough brandy to cover and soak the dried fruit. Leave it covered overnight to absorb the brandy and plump it all up.
Add to the food processor along with:
1 cup almond meal/ground almonds
1 tsp mixed spice
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp cinnamon
3 TBS melted cacao butter
1 TBS maple syrup
Blend until combined. Place the mix in the fridge to harden a little and roll into balls. Place in the freezer to set and when you're ready, coat in melted dark chocolate and top with a goji. Keep in the fridge for a sweet Xmas treat.
Like my recipes, I approach breathwork with the same criteria. It must be simple, fast, and delicious. In this case, the delicious comes from the feeling. I grew up with my maman saying to me to “take three deep breaths” whenever I was having a moment. I now say the same to my daughter; I call it 3DB. Simple, focused, fast and effective. I also love the ancient breath practise of Bhramari which I facilitate at my sound bath events. This is done, at its most basic core, by humming on the exhalation, lips closed, as though you are making the singular tone of the honey bee. Instantly calming and like a mini massage for the nervous system.
Facilitating sound baths has changed my life, quite literally. The act of pausing and allowing ourselves to fall into waves of deep relaxation is really powerful. When done on your own it is all encompassing, but even better in a group environment of friends or work teams. The cohesion of energy frequencies and ability to get everyone on the same wavelength so to speak,is something every workplace should experience.
Our Maman Team participated in a Sound Bath with Sarah last month to ready the team for the upcoming busy season and we loved it so much we urge you to do the same.
Use code MAMAN through Sarah's website to get a 15% discount on private or corporate bookings.
Manifestation Meditation and Sound Bath Recording
Sarah has created a wonderful recording for our Maman Community; a manifestation meditation and sound bath. We urge you to sit back, put on some headphones and find a moment of calm and relaxation.
Pen to paper is a proven way to start the process of manifestation as well as reflection and release. Our thoughts effect our decisions and our decisions then lead to our actions.
To keep aligned and on track, journaling is a wonderful way to detoxify the thoughts in a way that can often help us process before we take action. Likewise, a great way to solidify dreams, aspirations and desires as a step closer to action.
A simple few moments outside can not only deliver some precious Vitamin D, but also a mini meditation of sorts. Nature holds a grounding energy which can provide a calming sensation away from the busy frequencies in the home. Even better if you have some grass to stand, sit or walk barefoot on.
An escape in words! Try different genres or maybe even a personal development book. The end of the year is an ideal time to start planting seeds for the year to come. Whilst the screen in all its formats is an enticing lure as a way to checkout, there is nothing like the turn of a page.
There is a reason why tea ceremonies are having such a big movement. The act of making tea, letting it brew and choosing your favourite cup to enjoy it from. With so many varieties and blends now, there is a cup for all times of the day. For summer, iced tea is so refreshing and a delicious way to keep hydrated.
Like my recipes and other daily wellness rituals, I prefer my sits to be fast, simple and delicious. I have numerous books on the subject which are great, but the most effective technique for me is to start with some rounds of Bhramari Pranayama or humming breath, then drop into a meditation with eyes closed down but really focused on the third eye space internally. This is the space between the eyebrows. Some days 10 minutes is all that is achieved, and that is just fine.
The act of pausing and doing is a win.
