{Master Teachers} Lady M.

A Swan Life is a space dedicated to the people, places and things that bring me life.  Growing older has helped me to understand the real impact my family, friends and associates have had on my life and more of the lessons, love and laughter we've experienced will flow through this space.

I've been blessed with wonderful Master Teachers, but none more influential than my maternal grandmother.  With love and respect I refer to her here as Lady M. because it is a title that fits her well.  If you know her at all, I'm sure you would agree.

As I share old and new lessons, I will properly introduce each teacher; however, Lady M is someone who should always introduce themselves.

During a brief chat this morning, she shared with me about believing from the heart and reminded me she was my first yoga instructor.

"People just don't realize we are of one breath. One Spirit. And what we do with that Spirit is up to us.  We think of ourselves or other people as "good" or "evil" Spirits... It is all up to us and what we do."

 -Lady M.

Lady M captured by me during my preteen years.

And that is Lady M.

{Self-Care} Water to Wine

Water.  Why is one of the most simple yet beneficial things we can do to improve our health also one of the most challenging?  We can't deny how much we need it or how much better we feel and look when we are properly hydrated.  During one of my many strategy sessions to "do better" with my water intake, I randomly thought:

"Why can't I drink water like wine?!"   

 

Seriously.  I can put a sizable dent in a bottle of wine in a few hours if I wanted to, but a bottle of water will stare at me all day.  I know I'm not the only one, so I took a closer look at my ritual of "having a glass of wine" to develop some consistency in my relationship with water.  

The Occasion

At one point, I couldn't imagine honoring a special occasion without a glass of something.  My birthday.  Holidays. Your birthday. Graduation.  A rough day.  Friday...  When I consider how much more I get from a glass of water, I realized it is life that I celebrate with each glass.  So at night, I place a glass of water beside my bed with the intent of celebrating another day of life in the morning.

The Selection

I'm not a wine expert, but I know what I like.  When I was younger, I was really open to exploring wine and could usually finish a glass even if I didn't care for it.  I would just add it to my "do not buy" list.  Water may not seem to have much variety, but I was really only limited by my creativity.  While I do prefer alkaline water when I feel I need some balance, but I enjoy spring water most.  When I want to flavor my water or bring more life to it, I add fruits, vegetables or mint.  The possibilities are endless and if I don't like something I mix up, I have practice finishing it anyway.

The Glass

At home, its all about the glass.  What's better than a wine from a beautiful glass specified for my selection?  Why shouldn't I drink my water from a beautiful glass as well?  If I have a glass for red wine and a different one for white, why shouldn't I have different glasses for my mood or for convenience?  Having different glasses and water bottles around for different parts of my day has been most effective in building a better habit. Each glass represents a different part of my day and drinking from it has become a way of honoring that moment.

More than anything, the time I took to laugh at myself raised my consciousness on a daily basis.  Instead of being frustrated at the end of the day,  I found ways to continuously remind myself of my needs, which I meet on a more consistent basis now. 

And with that, I raise a glass of water to life, health and prosperity!  Cheers!

Ashiya 

{ Self Care } Spring Cleaning

 When I causally mentioned I was finishing up my spring detox to someone I love dearly, they responded with,

"I didn't think you were the one to go on those crazy diets!"

 

Clearly, they know me well enough to know that I am not one to "diet" anymore.  What they did not realize is millions of people welcome spring each year by engaging in cleansing rituals as a way of reviving themselves spiritually, relieving their emotions and renewing their physical body.  In the same way we clean deepest corners of our homes and cars, a spring detox or cleanse can do the same for our bodies.

At a casual glance, The Organic Beauty Detox might create an air of vanity based on the name. The fact that The Organic Beauty Detox was created and is offered by a well established celebrity make-up artist and beauty advisor might solidify that thought with a quick view.  One real conversation with Akua Auset will reveal a view of beauty that is definitely more than skin deep.  When Akua speaks about clear skin and reduced cellulite, vanity is of no concern. She has used her talent to transform clients with foundation, concealers and brushes to helping them transform from within through The Healing Beauty Arts.  According to Akua,

"Beauty is the currency that comes from being well."

                                                                                           

Today is Day 27 of 30 of my Organic Beauty Detox.  It has been one of the most revealing experiences of my life.  As we move further into spring, I'll share some of the lessons I learned, a few personal revelations and some new recipes that became fast favorites.

If you feel a beauty detox might be right for you, but you're not sure where to start, connect with Akua at www.organicbeautydetox.com.  She offers education and support throughout the process that I found invaluable.

Before I get into some of the reasons why I chose to do a detox, here's Akua with the Top 25 reasons to do a Beauty Detox.

Life, Health and Prosperity!

Ashiya

akua-auset.com |  Author & Celebrity Makeup Artist-turned-Holistic Beauty Advisor Akua Auset has worked intimately in TV & film with the planet’s most famous and talented people specializing in what she terms, “the healing beauty arts.” A trained medicine woman she is the creator of The Organic Beauty Detox™ and author of SUPERWOMEN & GODDESSES: Workin’ Your Power & Magic.

{Master Teachers} What Is A Master Teacher?

"Recognize that the other person is you." -Yogi Bhajan 

 

{Model & Photo Credit: Suzanne Daniels, Beauty Designs Makeup Artistry, Atlanta, GA}

 

In my experience, the key to understanding Master Teachers resides in my desire to be authentic.  Through my efforts to develop and express my true self, I realized the way I handle daily interactions with family, friends and business associates is the truest statement of my character.