Spring is a time for renewal – a time to prep your face for sunnier days ahead with a shift in our daily skincare routine.
Warmer temperatures increase our oil production, which naturally increases our moisture levels in our skin. This is a great time to look at our skincare routine and possibly switch from layering rich creams to serums, facial oils, and water creams. Spring also means more time outside enjoying the elements, which means paying extra attention to any resurfacing or sun-sensitizing products you may be using. It also continues to be equally important to ensure you’re applying a daily SPF.
Below are some of our Esthetician’s favorite products and tips for brightening the complexion and getting healthy, gorgeous skin just in time for the season. From vitamin c and daily SPF to a powerful anti-aging serum, these exquisite essentials will leave your skin renewed and replenished.
Brightening & Resurfacing
Sweet Cherry Enzyme Peel by Naturopathica – A blend of AHA’s, enzymes, and sweet cherry which is rich in antioxidants like Vitamin C and Resveratrol. It provides an amazing glow, helps resurface dead skin build-up, brighten the complexion, and improves appearance of sun damage and pigmentation. Recommended use: 1-2x’s per week; great to apply in the shower for 3-5 min.
Glyco Pads by Spa Technologies – A peel pad for weekly home use that consists of glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids, plus mineral rich water and seaweed extracts to minimize dryness and help balance the skin. This product is great for smoothing the texture, deep cleansing, pore minimizing, exfoliating, and clarifying. Recommended use: 1-2x’s per week in the evening after cleansing. Follow with nightly routine.
Antioxidant Protection, Hydration, & Glow Factor
Vitamin C Advanced Wrinkle Repair Remedy Serum by Naturopathica – This serum has a powerful blend of 15% L-ascorbic acid, Vitamin E, and Oat beta-gluten. Great for brightening the skin’s complexion and evening out skin tone and pigmentation. Hyaluronic acid helps increase hydration and calm the skin. Pro tip: For sensitive skin, try mixing with your facial oil to minimize sensitivity or limit use to every other day.
Oxygenated Renewal Complex By Spa Technologies – 100% active ingredients! This anti-aging serum provides a powerful punch with the use of pharmaceutical liquid oxygen, hyaluronic acid, mineral rich seaweeds, Vitamin C esters, and Astaxanthin. Clinical studies show that with a continued 90-day use, you could see a 33% increase in collagen & elastin, as well as an immediate 15% increase in volume upon application. Pro tip: Shake before each use and can be used all over the eyes and lips as well.
Plant Stem Cell Serum by Naturopathica – This powerful treatment serum helps to smooth the appearance of fine lines and rejuvenates the skin. It’s recommended to use every evening for 30 days and repeat every 90 days. Echinacea, butterfly bush, and helichrysum help to fortify the skin, provide soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, increase hydration, and protect skin from photo-aging. Clinical studies show an 88% increase in hydration in just four weeks.
Moisturizing, Nourishing, & Protection
Argan & Peptide Advanced Wrinkle Remedy Water Cream – This anti-aging product has a nice lightweight feel, rich in repairing peptides, bioflavonoids, and argan to help smooth appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Oxygenated Marine Peptide Cream – This nourishing anti-aging cream helps repair and strengthen the skin. It’s light and fluffy, yet full of antioxidant rich seaweeds, liquid oxygen, repairing enzymes, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid. This cream also helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles, while calming, protecting, rejuvenating, brightening, and softening the skin texture and tone.
Sensitive Oil with CBD and Vitamin C&E by Spa Technologies – This is a great daily facial oil for balancing the skin and it’s beneficial for most skin types, especially sensitive, combination or for those that are prone to occasional breakouts. It’s also wonderful for regeneration, brightening, and collagen synthesis, while providing a great option for lightweight moisturizing. This oil is abundant in vitamins and mineral-rich plant oils. The essential oils of orange blossom, clary sage, lavender, and geranium along with 200 mgs of CBD oil, and Vitamin C & E provide a brilliant anti-inflammatory benefit. Pro tip: Facial oils are best applied to damp skin after facial mists and serums. This can also be used in place of a moisturizer or applied just before.
Eco Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 25 by Spa Technologies – This every day, lightweight moisturizer with a physical block SPF will be your new favorite! It absorbs quickly, doesn’t leave you looking opaque, and it smells great too! Rich in antioxidants, cooling, and soothing; it protects and nourishes the skin with ingredients like aloe vera, green tea, seaweed, comfrey, hyaluronic acid, and beta glucan.
Mornings can be a vulnerable time, nutrition-wise. Often time starved we all have days where we forgo a morning meal or grab something quick that doesn’t provide enough nourishment to benefit our body throughout the day. Having an array of easy, nutrition packed breakfast options ensures a fulfilling, nourishing foundation for your day. So our executive Chef, Scott Winegard, is sharing one of our guest favorite breakfast items, our Dream State Granola Bowl. Featuring our house-made hempseed + chia granola, anti-oxidant rich bee pollen, organic berries, & coconut yogurt. This breakfast bowl is packed with body-loving nutrition. Please note that this recipe does require a bit of forethought. We recommend making the granola on Sunday to power you through all week long.
Hemp + Chia Granola Ingredients:
• 4 cups Gluten Free Rolled Oats
• 1 cup Organic Hemp Seeds
• 1/4 cup Chia Seeds
• 1 teaspoon Himalayan Salt
• 1 teaspoon Ground Cardamom
• 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 cup Cold Pressed Coconut Oil, melted
• 1/2 cup Maple Syrup
• 2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions:
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, stir together the oats, hemp hearts, salt, and ground cinnamon and cardamom.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut oil, maple, and vanilla until combined.
• Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry. Stir until everything is moistened.
• Spread the mixture evenly onto the prepared sheet pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven 15-18 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Granola will be brown when done.
• Cool on wire rack. Store in airtight container when completely cool.
To prepare your granola bowl, use unsweetened coconut yogurt with lemon zest, add fresh berries and banana, sliced and tossed in agave or maple syrup, then sprinkle bee pollen, chia, & hemp seeds to garnish.
A simple and refreshing smoothie to give your skin a glowing boost. Enjoy this Blueberry Basil Smoothie filled with power packed omega-3 fatty acids, collagen boosting nutrients, vitamin c, and more.
Ingredients:
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup coconut milk or coconut yogurt
• 7-10 raw, unsalted almonds
• 2 Tbs hemp hearts
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 handful of basil leaves
Instructions:
• Place all ingredients into a blender in the order listed. You can use frozen fruit if fresh is not available.
• Blend at 100% for 1 to 1.5 minutes.
• Enjoy immediately after blending.
Salad Ingredients:
• 4-5 cups Brussels sprouts, shredded in a food processor
• 2 cups lacinato kale, sliced into thin strips and chopped
• ¼ cup grated parmesan (vegan)
• 1 cup cooked rainbow quinoa
• ⅓ cup toasted pine nuts
• ¼ –⅓ cup no sugar added dried cranberries
• ¾ cup pomegranate seeds
• 1 green apple, diced*
Cranberry Vinaigrette Ingredients:
• 2 tbsp shallots, diced
• ½ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup no sugar added cranberry juice
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1½ tbsp pure maple syrup
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley leaves
• ¾ tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
Instructions:
• Make the cranberry vinaigrette by whisking together all of the ingredients.
• Toss the Brussels sprouts, kale and quinoa in the vinaigrette and let sit for at least 10 minutes, preferably 30 minutes. Add parmesan, pine nuts, cranberries, pomegranate seeds and apple and toss with kale/brussels sprouts mixture. Taste and season with additional salt & pepper if needed.
Notes:
• This salad tastes better the longer it marinates in the dressing. We suggest prepping at least 30 minutes before eating.
• Add the apple right before serving to avoid browning.
While simple roasted Brussels sprouts with olive oil and salt are delicious on their own, we’re turning up the flavor on this superfood with our Asian inspired take. With one serving providing 20 essential vitamins and minerals, our method for cooking these combined with Asian flavors will be your new favorite way to cook up this veg.
Servings: 5
Ingredients:
• 2.5 lbs. fresh Brussels sprouts, ends trimmed and cut in half or quarters if larger sprouts
• 1 Tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
• 2 fresh garlic cloves, minced
• 2 inches fresh ginger, grated
• 1 tsp chili flakes (optional)
• 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce or Bragg’s liquid aminos
• 1 Tbsp raw honey
• 1 Tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tsp gluten free flour
• 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Instructions:
• Heat oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat, then add garlic, ginger and chili flakes. Sauté for 1 minute, just until fragrant, then stir in the sprouts and stir-fry until tender and browned at the edges (about 5-7 minutes).
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk together soy sauce, honey, lemon, gluten free flour and sesame seeds.
• Pour the soy mixture over the Brussels sprouts in the hot pan, and cook for 2 more minutes or so, until a thick sauce is formed.
We’re sharing a few delicious recipes your holiday weekend may be missing. Enjoy making these CIVANA signature menu items at-home and tag us @CIVANAresort with your yummy photos.
BROCCOMOLI One of our signature dishes that guests crave is a healthier take on traditional guacamole. Avocados are naturally nutrient dense containing nearly 20 vitamins and minerals including folate, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids. Just 1 ounce (28 grams) provides great amounts of healthy fats, fibers, and protein. Plus, adding broccoli to this dish, provides loads of Vitamin K & C, which build collagen. The fresh texture adds additional fiber which is important for digestive health.
Instructions:
• In food processor pulse blanched broccoli and avocados till desired texture. Transfer to mixing bowl and fold in Pico.
TASTY TURMERIC JICAMA PALEO FRIES Enjoy this nutrient-packed healthy snacking alternative. A low-carb, gut-friendly alternative baked with turmeric and black pepper and served with CIVANA’s Broccomole. Paleo, vegan and keto-friendly.
Ingredients:
• 2 avocados
• 1 medium jicama, peeled and cut into thin slices about 1/4 inch thick (about 4–5 cups)
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Place jicama slices into a large bowl, add oil, turmeric, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper, and toss to coat evenly.
• Spread the fries onto a baking stone or a baking sheet lined with a silpat mat or parchment paper, making sure the fries aren’t crowded. They need space or they will steam and soften rather than becoming crispy.
• Bake for 30 minutes, take them out of the oven and flip, then bake for an additional 20-30 minutes or until fries are a little brown and have reached the desired texture.
• Remove from oven and serve with broccomole or your preferred side for dipping.
SMOKE OVER PALOMA COCKTAIL The unique flavor combination and fresh pressed juice make for a delicious standout cocktail. The flavonoids found in citrus are excellent for heart health, plus, grapefruit is rich in vitamins A and C and known for aiding in weight loss. (Recipes makes 1 cocktail)
Ingredients:
• 2oz Casa Migos Mezcal
• 3oz fresh grapefruit
• 1/2oz agave simple syrup
• 1/4oz fresh lime juice
• 2oz sparkling grapefruit water
Instructions & Technique:
• Shake, double strain, pour over ice.
• Serve in coupe or rocks glass.
• Rim the glass with Tajin and lime wedge.
On Saturday, June 20th, the northern hemisphere will officially welcome the first day of astronomical summer known as Summer Solstice. At roughly 2:44 pm PDT, the sun will reach its northernmost point in the sky. Solstices are our planet’s longest and shortest days of the year. The Summer and Winter Solstices, along with the Autumn and Vernal Equinoxes, serve to guide us in the changing of the seasons.
And no matter how you define your spirituality, extra sunshine is always worth celebrating.
In the spirit and tradition of CIVANA’s 4 wellness pillars, we’re sharing a few at-home ways to enjoy this longest day of light.
1) MOVE: Sunrise Sun Salutation – A Guided Yoga Flow Practice
What better way to start the day than to rise with the sun? The Sanskrit term Sūrya Namaskār can be translated as a salute to the sun or sun salutation and has long been used as a symbol of consciousness. This dynamic asana sequence begins by reaching toward the sun and opening your heart to the day and gracefully brushing earth before you emerge again into the light. Be sure to take a healthy pause during Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) and appreciate the balance this posture provides – we suggest 3-5 breaths and feel the sun against your back.
Our recommendation is to complete 20 rounds for 2020. As always, listen to your body – it knows the way.
2) SAVOR: The Taste of Summer
Morning Ritual: DIY Summer Iced Tea Total Time: 20 Minutes Ingredients:
• 2-3 Rishi Black Tea bags
• 2-3 Rishi Green Tea bags
• Juice from one orange half
• Juice from one lemon half
• 4-6 oz agave syrup
• 32 oz Boiling Water
Instructions:
• Combine all ingredients in a large, heat-resistant pitcher.
• Let tea bags steep for 5-10 minutes and then discard.
• Stir and let chill. Serve over ice.
Afternoon Bite: Essential Summer Salad (a CIVANA favorite) Total Time: 20-45 Minutes, depending on your personal patience. Ingredients:
• 4–5 cups Brussels sprouts, shredded in a food processor
• 2 cups Lacinato kale, sliced into thin strips and chopped
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan (vegan)
• 1 cup cooked rainbow quinoa
• ⅓ cup toasted pine nuts
• ¼ –⅓ cup no sugar added dried cranberries
• ¾ cup pomegranate seeds
• 1 green apple, diced
Cranberry Vinaigrette Ingredients:
• 2 tbsp shallots, diced
• ½ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup no sugar added cranberry juice
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 ½ tbsp pure maple syrup
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley leaves
• ¾ tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
Instructions:
• Make the cranberry vinaigrette by whisking all ingredients together.
• Toss the Brussels sprouts, kale, and quinoa in the vinaigrette and let sit for at least 10 minutes, preferably 30 minutes.
• Add parmesan, pine nuts, cranberries, pomegranate seeds, and apple and toss with kale/brussels sprouts mixture.
*Add the apple just before you are ready to serve to avoid browning. Taste and season with additional salt & pepper if needed.
Evening Turndown: Sip into SoulHour with the CIVANA 75 Ingredients:
• 1 oz floral gin; we like Hendricks Midsummer Solstice Gin because it is bursting with fresh juniper and citrus aromas.
• .5 oz Fresh squeezed lemon Juice; our bartender’s technique is to take two lemon halves and squeeze each one with a hand juicer right into the glass.
• .5 oz Honey Syrup; Honey syrup is an easy and much healthier substitute for simple syrup. It is made by combining equal parts boiling water and honey, stir until incorporated, and chill.
• 3 oz Champagne or Sparkling Wine; Try using a Champagne with a neutral flavor profile. The lemon juice and Honey Syrup will provide all the tart and sweet flavors for the cocktail.
Instructions:
• Combine and mix all ingredients, except the Champagne, over ice to chill.
Strain into a Champagne Flute and top with Champagne.
3) SPA: DIY Summer Sugar Scrub featuring Basil & Lime
By now you’ve certainly implemented at least one of the ideas from CIVANA’s Spa Director, Stevie White’s list of nine ways to create a spa-like space at home. This tasty treat for your skin pulls in #4, #5, #6, AND #8. It also comes with wellness bonus points; basil is full of antioxidants and soothing properties that help protect the skin from environmental stressors.
Instructions:
• Mix all ingredients in a mixing bowl.
• Blend thoroughly, adding more oil if too dry and more salt/sugar if too wet.
• Store in an air-tight, glass container like a mason jar.
• Use in the bath or shower and massage into the skin.
• Rinse and apply with your favorite lotion.
*Pro-tip: you can use a coffee grinder to make your salt and sugar a smooth texture.
4) GROW: Soothing Sunset Sound Bath & Gong Healing
It’s been a long, beautiful day. In fact, the longest of the year. Find out what time the sun will begin setting in your area and enjoy 14 minutes of sound for your soul.
The list of benefits of sound healing is long. You are always welcome to ask us if you have questions, but for now, it’s time to relax and restore.
We recommend headphones to optimize for binaural beat health benefits. Click below to listen.
The Wellness of WE – Global Wellness Day
Every day is Global Wellness Day at CIVANA and that tends to encompass a personal journey. Today feels like a good day to remember something that inspires our mission. A quote from author Greg Anderson:
“Wellness is the complete integration of body, mind, and spirit – the realization that everything we
do, think, feel, and believe has an effect on our state of wellbeing.”
This extends beyond the individual, for nothing is separate. We live in a fundamentally interconnected world. From the air that we breathe to the food that we eat, from our supply chains to the technology that keeps us connected during this time of physical distancing. The basic truth is: we belong to each other. Complete integration.
We suffer and we thrive.
We laugh and we cry.
We move and we are still.
WE.
Each day, we co-create this field environment that we live in. Our thoughts, what we say, and certainly what we do are all contributing. So, on this Global Day of Wellness, perhaps it is a good time to make sure what you are feeding the environment are the seeds that you wish to grow. For you, for those you love, and for all who call this planet home.
Until we are all well, we have work to do.
In celebration of Global Wellness Day, CIVANA is providing a four-part “mini-retreat” focused on our holistic 4-pillar approach to wellbeing: fitness & movement, personal growth & discovery, spa, and culinary. Today, whether you move, or you are still, take a minute or several hours to honor your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual self in a way that tends to this garden that we all share.
1) GROWTH
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.
It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.”
Melody Beattie
Nearly 20 years of formal research has validated what those who regularly practice this already know, an attitude of gratitude has the capacity to improve physical health, enhance psychological resilience, and increase our sense of social connection. At CIVANA we begin and end each day with our daily set/reset ritual, creating time and space to be present, together. It makes us better humans, more collaborative coworkers, and a kinder community of souls holding space for our guests and visitors.
Begin your morning by simply listing three things you intend or expect to be grateful for today. This can be as simple as jotting it down in a note pad or your phone, or you might choose to invest in a tool like the 5 minute journal. As with everything at CIVANA, the choice is always yours.
2) MOVEMENT
You’ve stretched your heart and mind, now let’s work on that beautiful body! Join CIVANA Wellness Guide Stephanie Derby in this full-body at-home workout. This 30-minute interval training will leave you feeling sweaty and alive.
3) SPA
Enjoy this at-home method of our very own Aqua Therapy Circuit. The health benefits are bountiful, including circulation and vascular elasticity, enhancement of focus and feelings of overall wellbeing, a necessary boost to your immune system, increased metabolic potential, and assistance in restful sleep.
Step 1: Encase yourself in a warm shower – if you can close the door to enhance steam, that is helpful. Remain in your warm element until your body feels like it has reached its limit. (Do not exceed 10 minutes)
Step 2: Immediately exit the hot water and submerge your feet in a cold plunge of water that reaches from your feet to mid-calf. Do this until it feels like you can no longer stay. (Do not exceed 3 minutes)
Step 3: Remove your feet from the cold and notice your body from the inside out – what is the quality of your breath like? Your heart rate should be elevated; this is where the immunity benefits rush in. Rest and hydrate while you allow your body to naturally warm to room temperature. This can take 20-40 minutes depending on your circulation.
Step 4: Repeat this circuit 3 times if you can.
4) CULINARY
Have you heard of aquafaba? If not, prepare to have your mind blown. When whipped, aquafaba (fancy word for the water from a can of chickpeas) perfectly mimics the texture of egg whites, making it an ideal base for a healthier meringue.
Enjoy this delicious recipe from CIVANA’s executive pastry chef!
Ingredients
• 6 tablespoons of water from a can of chickpeas or from soaking your chickpeas overnight
• ¼ teaspoon of cream of tartar
• ½ cup of sugar (granulated works best, but coconut is delicious as well)
• ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
Directions 1. Place the chickpea water and cream of tartar into a bowl. With an electric mixer, begin to mix slowly until foamy. Then increase speed until the mixture develops a stiff peak. 2. Add sugar very slowly while the electric mixer is on high. 3. Add vanilla extract while the mixer is still moving. 4. Preheat oven to 250 F. 5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and pipe the mix into cookie shapes (you can also spoon if you aren’t able to pipe). 6. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes – then turn the oven off and let the meringue sit in the oven for an additional 45 minutes. 7. Remove and enjoy (and maybe share because wellness begins with WE).
With Mother’s Day approaching Sunday, May 10, create something meaningful for the special mothers in your life.
As part of CIVANA’s personal growth and discovery programs our mala making class allows you to take home a tangible reminder of your transformation and experience. Often, guests will arrive at mala making with the idea that they are going to create something for themselves and end up creating a gift for a loved one.
Background:
Mala’s are powerful and symbolic tools for meditation and prayer. The maker is invited to carefully choose their precious gemstones which are imbued with potent energies and sacred meaning to infuse your practice.
The traditional mala is strung with 108 beads. The number 108 has a range of significance across many cultures and disciplines. In some traditions, there is an extra guru bead which is the last item strung and many malas include a tassel as well.
A mala, meaning “garland” in Sanskrit, evokes a circular, continuous form. In practice, a mala is the devoted offering of repeated cycles of mantra. Within a mala, there is always a sense of beginning, continuing, and completion. This three-form quality allows us to embody the rhythmic cycles ever-present in the natural universe: creation, sustaining, and destruction.
Using Your Mala in Meditation or Prayer: Find Your Mantra
You can focus your mantra on yourself or on others. Your mantra can be anything you choose from a breath, to a single word to a sound or an affirmation. Through your practice, your mala will become infused with the energy of your mantra and prayer.
Feel The Count
Find a comfortable seat and hold your malas in one hand. Start with the guru bead or bead closest to the bottom of the necklace. If you are using a bracelet, you can start anywhere. Hold it between your thumb and middle finger, then start moving your fingers along each bead and repeating your mantra aloud or silently. The index finger represents the ego, so try not to use your index finger as you count. Try closing your eyes, repeating your mantra, and feeling for the guru or final bead, which signifies you have completed the circle. If you so choose, you might reverse the direction for a second round of contemplation.
What You’ll Need:
It’s important to note that malas are personal tools to empower your journey. There is not a wrong or right way to create meaning – only suggestions. If you get stuck, ask your helpers or your heart for the best next step.
Precious gemstones or beads: gather 108 or factors of 108 such as 54 or 27. Typically people prefer 6 or 8mm. This may also include the guru bead which is said to a reminder that we are always a student of life.
String: you can use a super-ion (S-Lon) cord, elastic (we prefer 1 mm stretch magic), cotton, nylon, hemp or silk. The length of string or cord depends on what you are building and the size of the beads, but 5-8 feet is a safe starting point.
Tassel: if you wish to include this at the bottom of your creation, this is cluster of string at the bottom of the mala which can represent connection to spirit.
Tools:
Scissors
Nail polish or glue
Twisted wire needles (nice to have in case a bead hole is smaller, but generally you won’t need one of these)
Peace: a calm environment where you can truly seal your intention into the mala
Choosing Your Beads:
Each stone and bead carry unique qualities. Ultimately, the power in the stone or bead is potential, which means that each of us may relate differently to the same material. Ultimately, you will know best – if you’re gravitating toward a certain stone, trust your instinct. Here are a few ways you can look at selecting your beads.
What am I trying to manifest or what do I need more of in my life?
Physical and spiritual symbolism of color – it is so frequent that guests leave a class saying, “I never would have picked that color!” When we drop into our heart, it always leads the way.
Chakra alignment. What in my subtle energy body is asking to be healed? What do I want to amplify?
Root (Muladhara) – survival and sense of security. Healthy expressions included grounded, stable, and healthy
Sacral (Svadhisthana) – needs and desires, both sexually and emotionally. Healthy expressions include contentment, emotionally balanced, in touch with divine feminine, and creative.
Solar Plexus (Manipura) – personal power, self-esteem, and energy. Healthy expressions include determined, disciplined, ambitious, and confident.
Heart (Anahata) – open to love, for self and other. Healthy expressions include kindness, compassion, open-heartedness, and connection.
Throat (Vishuddha) – purification and harmonizing. Healthy expressions include open communication, access to truth, and wise speech.
Third Eye (Ajna) – intellectual, emotional, and mental intelligence and insight. Healthy expressions include a strong intuition, quick ability to comprehend, clearly seeing intentions, and ability to see patterns.
Crown (Sahasrara) – access to source and unity of all things. Healthy qualities include a balanced life and overall sense of wellbeing, resilience amidst uncertainty, wisdom, humility, and gentle self-inquiry.
If you’re looking for a personal recommendation for your mom, email us at wellness@civanacarefree.com with a few notes about what you’re trying to create, and we will promptly send you back a few recommendations!
Additional Resources:
Here are a few of our favorite artisans, creators, and providers and we encourage you to support local.
If you are unable to join in celebratory circle with us at CIVANA, fear not. You can still enjoy your own ceremony wherever you are in the world.
A fair bit may be surfacing for you on this final supermoon of the year which will reach a peak on Thursday, May 7th at 3:45 am PT. The powerful water energy of Scorpio rules our most deeply held emotional understanding our ourselves. Meanwhile, the Sun, Uranus, and Mercury are moving through earthy and stubborn Taurus. Actively inhabit this moment in time by setting the intention to transform through adversity. We can simultaneously appreciate the beauty of this bright full moon while consciously cultivating a strong balance between our intuition and inner resilience or fortitude. Powered by fixed Taurus, Scorpio will illuminate what Pluto in retrograde attempts to keep hidden from our awareness. This is a time to be honest.
What you’ll need:
Don’t worry if you’re missing any of the items below as they are just sugar-free icing on the gluten-free cake, the most important thing to bring is a heart-centered intention to rest, reflect, and release.
Ritual Tools
1. A fire source – preferably a cauldron or firepit, but a large candle will work too.
2. Crystals, malas, or a pendulum – the type of crystal or precious bead you use is entirely personal depending on what you are working on – let your intuition guide you. If you feel stuck, selenite or amethyst are generally wise selections.
3. A pen or pencil and paper.
4. Bath salts.
5. Water.
Sound
Music that brings a sense of calm and balance be it sound bowls, your favorite spotify playlist, or simply the soothing sound of nature at night.
Smell
1. Essential or anointing oil – find what works for you but the May Flower Full Supermoon blends well with rosemary, clary sage, lavender, orange, cedarwood, or yang ylang.
2. Smudge tools for energy and space clearing – palo santo, sage, juniper, cedar, lavender, or rose petals.
Ceremony
This process can last anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours – that all depends on you and how many are gathered in circle with you.
Set the Stage
1. Begin by lighting your fire source and smudging the room, including yourself (front and back).
2. Set out three sheets of paper with your pencil or paper.
3. If you are outside, set your crystal or mala facing north of you.
4. Turn on the music of your choice, preferably without ad interruptions or lyrics – words carry thought-forms and energy that can take us out of the present moment and away from our heart’s own intuition.
Activate
1. Rest: arrive in the present moment by briefly meditating for no less than 3 minutes
a. Notice your body making contact with the earth
i. if you are standing, notice how the feet draw energy up from below as if a root system is connecting you to source
ii. If you are seated or lying down, allow the earth to carry the whole of your weight, you should feel as if you are melting into the surface you find yourself on
b. Focus on the breath – inhaling a bit longer and deeper than usual
c. Allow the eyes to close or the gaze to lower – if you are doing mirror work, leave the eyes open and softly gaze into your own eyes with a kind spirit
d. Move your attention toward the area of the heart – set the intention for your ritual by either stating that which you wish for out loud or to yourself
2. Reflect & Release: on your first piece of paper, write down anything you are ready to let go of. When you feel like you have everything accounted for, put your pencil down. Standing over the fire source, hold the folded up paper across your heart, and genuinely thank everything you have written down for what it taught you. When that feels complete, gently lay the paper in the fire and allow it to move on.
3. Reset: take a moment to come back into the present – taking a few deep breaths, imagine you are smiling with your eyes and breaking with your heart.
4. Call-In: on your second piece of paper, write down anything you are ready to bring into your life. Remember to be as specific as possible – the universe is always conspiring on your behalf, so be clear about what you really want. When you feel like you have everything accounted for, put your pencil down. Standing over the fire source, take another deep breath and drop your folded up paper into the fire stating out loud or to yourself one word that captures that which you hope to cultivate before the paper reaches the fire. State aloud something along the lines of, “I release all that is needed for my intention to manifest to my angels and to the universe. I commit to being an active participant in calling my dreams forward and I thank you for the support.”
5. Connect: on your final piece of paper, bring to mind someone who could not be with you at your ceremony and write down a wish or offering you have for them. When you feel like you have everything accounted for, put your pencil down. Standing over the fire source, hold the folded up paper across your heart, bring that person into your mind’s eye, and state out loud that which you wish for them. When that feels complete, gently lay the paper in the fire and stay until the paper is just ash.
6. Clear: if anything arose during the ceremony that seems meaningful to document, find a diary, journal, or celestial binder and jot down what you noticed along with the date.
Close:
A perfect way to complete a ceremony like this is to properly hydrate and to draw yourself a bath with salts to allow anything remaining to wash away. Leaving your pure and prepared for the next new moon cycle that lies ahead.
May this bring you peace, joy, ease, and a genuine curiosity for the wonder of this life.
And so it is.
Be well.
Explore How To Manifest with the Moon
Important Notice:
We are excited to have you experience wellness through oneness in the high Sonoran desert.
Please note that CIVANA Carefree is open for travel beginning March 6, 2018. If you are
interested in staying at the resort while we are under construction please
click here.
Our interim spa Evolution is open for world class services beginning March 20, 2018.
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