Haaaappyy Sheeeeep New Year!!

Also referred to as Goat and Ram.

Although seen as same, the tranquil sheep is quite different from the the energetic goat!...

And before the insights of this Sheep New Year, what I love about Chinese New Year, besides the fact of having the second year resolution, reinforcing our intentions for this year to come, starting as always with the New Moon empowering us with the energy of new beginnings; is to reflect upon the animal, after all: how Chinese astrology came up with these twelve animals? With the adding of the Element, one of the five Elements rooted in the Taoists observing nature thousands of years ago and realising it could be divided into the Fire, Water, Earth, Metal and Wood (plant life/ vegetable kingdom).

And how do you relate with Sheep, what comes to mind when you think of this animal?

I've had a few encounters with sheep, but let me share just one: taking me back to my first Taoist retreat in a beautiful countryside setting - which included lots of sheep!

One day a little group of them just jumped the fence and ran away.  I was enjoying watching them having fun...  But after a while panic set in.  The retreat facilitators wanted to gather a group of people to go after the sheep and take them back to their field. My suggestion was that I will talk with them, no need to all that.  The surprised faces just watched from afar as I gently approached the sheep and told them what was planned for them, so would be better if they just go back, "you already had your adventure outside of your field" I said.  They turned their back and off they went, back to their field.  This for me demonstrates the sheep nature, gentle and calm, which doesn't mean they are weak.  Actually they are quite strong and have amazing survival skills.  If not happy, they tend to move out of the way of trouble, avoiding any kind of conflict.

"If last year was the Horse's year to gallop and take off, this year will be the year for contemplating and appreciating what has already been accomplished, to think about bringing goodness to others, to take a deep breath and calmly look at what's ahead. A steady path, generosity, and keeping the peace are this year's mantra."

Yang Wood Horse trots out and Yin Wood Sheep wanders in. From galloping around, to strolling through life supremely at leisure, moving towards a more calm atmosphere.

"Combined with the evergreen and renewal characteristics of Wood, the Sheep's creativity will be unleashed."

This Yin Wood combination brings an image of a bamboo, gentle and strong, as it bends but doesn't break - like us yes? And of course a flower!... which to fully blossom in her beauty and fragrance has to be fed and nurtured.

So this is what this year invites you to do!

I would say to enjoy the pleasure of life, starting from the daily pleasure that she offers (yes make it part of your self-nurturing routine, at least one thing per day!); which for me also invite us to exploration of the senses, how our senses relate with our surroundings, cultivating our sensuality.

This is a Feminine year, welcoming all (just not women, men also have their yin side) to embrace the yin virtues: gentleness, inner-peace, flexibility, trust, love, starting with self-love.  I also add to this the Wood Element virtues of kindness, generosity, forgiveness, self-acceptance, and physical desire.

So settle yourself in this peaceful and harmonious environment, from within to without:  I know it's a full time job for the rest of our lives, worth it though as an investment in ourselves is always good; and a big part of it is about the choices we make. But remember that this year the 'external influences' are aligned and supporting these!  So fulfil your desires, let go what no longer serves, to create space for fulfilment in the different areas in your life to trot in!

Sheep is about peace and love, starting in the heart of each of us.  If we cultivate and live it, we are contributing our tiny little bit to a better world!

This Yin Wood Sheep brings also you the opportunity to be at one with your creativity and evolve spiritually, for those open to do so.

Sheep is one of the Chinese lucky animals. Because of their softer side, they are symbolic of peace and harmony.

For some reason we count sheep when we can not sleep... 

The white (and also black - does black sheep ring a bell?;) cute creature often reminds people of beautiful things.

Sheep is the lover. Sheep the Shaman. And here I quote my beloved partner Kris Deva North:

"The Sheep is among the animals that people like most. It is gentle and calm. Since ancient times, people have used its fleece to make writing brushes and wool to keep warm. By using the skin of one animal to make parchment for their scriptures, the shamans were able to offer their prayers without daily animal sacrifice. As the calming spirit of the Sheep year spreads, sentiments will be kindled and wisdom will prevail. Many will look into their hearts and souls, wonder at past passionate grievances, and realise the road to harmony is through peaceful ways. Sheep relates to passive and nurturing times, and can help the healing process with regard to past events. Sheep is Healing, Sheep is Love."

Yes, think of the sheep skins used in tantric practices, has they hold the energy: what we want to have beneath us to hold the energy through our meditations, etc...  not only in the Taoist tradition.

Also from fleeces in babies' prams, people's homes and clothing, the wool is always something we associate and feel as soft, cosy, warm and caring.

I wish you a wonderful Sheep New Year, promising so much delight: embrace harmony and softness, cultivate peace and love, taking the most of this year of Sheep, Ram and Goat!!***

I'm happy with the perfect alignment of this energy of the Sheep New Year with our Jade Circle and Healing Tao workhops! 
Have a look in our calendar.

© Anamarta

Last image by  Karen Gadient "cosmic disco sheep"

Sheep "Lover" Zen painting by Kris Deva North 

3 Tips to Enhance Sexual Vitality

I just collaborated on an article for this month Soul&Spirit UK magazine.
“In Tao, sexuality is the most powerful expression of creativity, which can be used for pleasure, healing, health, rejuvenation, to attain goals and to connect with the divine, says Taoist teacher Anamarta."

Three tips to Enhance Female Sexual Vitality / Cultivating Female Sexual Energy:

• Smile =)

Smile is the most important sexual secret, as it helps keep the energy (including the sexual energy) in the body allowing you to cultivate more and more energy without loss (this is because when we smile we slightly contract our perineum, the ‘Gate of Life and Death’, the point between the anus and the genitals). When we smile we exercise 600 muscles in our face, contributing to our natural beauty!
And of course generate good feelings to all around.

•  Squeeze!***

Contracting and relaxing the genitals tonifies the muscles in the pelvis, lubricates the Jade Gate (Taoist name for the vagina), and activates blood flow and sexual hormones to the brain.  In sexual reflexology the pineal gland is linked with the clitoris.

•  Be kind to your Kidneys and Adrenal Glands! :)) 

The kidneys, guardians of ancestral QI/CHI, storehouse of genetic energy, hold the reproductive essence, our life force.  And the adrenal glands, the ‘little helmets’, are two walnut size endocrine glands sitting on the top of the kidneys.  When tired and stressed, too common in our modern lives, they decrease our libido.

By giving special attention to the kidneys, the adrenal glands also benefit: keeping the kidneys warm, giving them a good rub, or simply holding your palms either side of the spine; smiling, sending them love, appreciating what they do to sustain your life and visualising them happy and well.

Give the kidneys extra care in cold weather, when you are in your moontime (menstruating), and when spending time in the same position (like at the computer, playing an instrument, etc.) Wearing a scarf around the waist keeps the kidneys and sacrum (the triangular bone in the base of your spine) warm.

Most important for adrenals glands and hormones is restful sleep.  Energy levels, moods and skin greatly benefit from good sleep! 

Here the print version:

©  Anamarta

3 Dicas para Aumentar a Vitalidade Sexual

Colaborei num artigo para a edição deste mês da revista do Reino Unido Soul&Spirit.
"No Tao, a sexualidade é a expressão mais forte da criatividade, que pode ser usada para o prazer, a cura, a saúde, o rejuvenescimento, para atingir objectivos e se conectar com o divino, diz Anamarta, professora Taoista."

Três Dicas para Aumentar a Vitalidade Sexual Feminina / Cultivar a Energia Sexual Feminina:

• Sorrir =)

O sorriso é o segredo sexual mais importante, pois ajuda a manter a energia (incluíndo a energia sexual) no corpo permitindo que cultivemos mais e mais energia sem perda  (isto porque quando sorrimos contraímos ligeiramente o nosso períneo também chamado de "o Portal da Vida e Morte", o ponto entre o nosso ânus e os genitais).

Quando sorrimos estamos a exercitar 600 músculos da nossa cara, contribuindo para a nossa beleza natural! E claro ao fazê-lo estamos a gerar boas energias e bons sentimentos à nossa volta.

• "Squeeze"!*** - Contrair!...

Contrair e relaxar os genitais tonifica os músculos da pélvis, lubrifica o "Portal de Jade" (termo Taoísta para vagina), e activa o fluxo sanguíneo e de hormonas sexuais para o cérebro. Na refloxologia sexual a glândula pineal está ligada ao clitóris. 

• Seja Amiga dos seus Rins e Glândulas Supra-Renais! :))

Os rins, guardiões do QI /CHI ancestral, são o armazém da energia genética, mantendo a essência reprodutiva, a  nossa força vital. E as glândulas supra-renais, são os pequeninos 'capacetes', duas glândulas endócrinas do tamanho de uma noz que se localizam na parte superior dos rins. Quando estas se encontram cansadas e stressadas, o que é bastante comum na sociedade moderna, elas diminuem a nossa libido.

Ao dar uma especial atenção aos seus rins as glândulas supra-renais também beneficiam: mantenha os seus rins quentes, dê -lhes uma boa massagem, ou simplesmente coloque as palmas das suas mãos paralelamente em cada lado da coluna; sorrindo, enviando-lhes amor, agradecendo o que eles fazem para sustentar a sua vida e visualizá-los felizes e bem.

Dê  especial atenção ao seus rins no tempo mais frio, durante a sua lua (menstruação) e quando passa muito tempo na mesma posição (por exemplo ao computador, a tocar um instrumento musical, etc.) Usando um lenço à volta da cintura, mantendo os rins e o sacro (osso tringular na base da coluna) quentes.

O mais importante para as glândulas supra-renais e para as hormonas é um sono reparador. Os níveis de energia, o humor e a pele beneficiam muito de uma boa noite de sono!

Aqui a versão publicada:

 © Anamarta

Lua Cheia em Leão – Auto-Cura Taoista & Ritual Mágico

Uma Lua Cheia de fogo, ilumina-os hoje, pois trata-te da lua em Leão, que está associada a: poder, liderança, sucesso, criatividade, determinação, relacionamentos amorosos, crianças, e ao nosso sentido de disfrutar a vida.
Está também relacionada com a cura para o coração e peito, o que obviamente, podes fazer sempre que sentires a necessidade (não apenas quando é o Lua Cheia em Leão!)

• Algo bom para o teu coração e peito é abraçar! Abraça pois o nosso coração gosta de sentir e ouvir outra batida de coração! 

Aqui uma combinação de Sons Curativos, Sorriso Interior e visualização que podem ser bastante curativos para estes (peito/pulmões/coração). Tenta o seguinte:

• Com as mãos no peito e conectadas com os teus pulmões, por uns segundos foca-te no ar que inspiras e expiras pelo nariz. Depois olha para dentro dos teus pulmoēs, tomando consciência de quaisquer sentimentos de tristeza e de dor, inspira tudo, e assim liberte-os, deixe-os ir, quando expiras com o som SSSSSSSSSSS. Faz isto quantas vezes necessárias para sentires os teus pulmões libertos destas emoções. Em seguida, inspira a luz branca de coragem e autoconfiança, e imagina, sente, visualiza esta luz branca à volta dos teus pulmões: pulmões brilhantes e saudáveis! Dá-lhes um grande sorriso e sente a coragem e autoconfiança para para seres tu mesma, e para fazer o que tens que fazer! Em seguida, move as tuas mãos para te conectares com o teu coração, e olhando para dentro do teu , toma consciência de quaisquer sentimentos de impaciência, raiva e apatia. Inspira tudo, e assim liberta-os e deixe-os ir quando expiras com o som AAAAAHHH. Mais uma vez podes fazê-lo quantas vezes forem necessárias para sentires o teu coração liberto destas emoções e podes expirar também qualquer calor excessivo do teu coração. Depois inspira a luz vermelha de amor, alegria, felicidade, motivação, diversão, e imagina, sente, visualiza esta luz vermelha à volta do teu coração: coração brilhante e saudável! Dá-lhe um grande sorriso e sente o amor-próprio incondicional, a alegria que podes encontrar no teu dia-a-dia, a felicidade inata incondicional que começa dentro do teu coração. Sorri para o teu coração sentindo-te vibrantemente viva enquanto o teu coração sorri de volta para ti!

Magia da Lua Cheia; magia, para mim, não é mais do que uma mudança de consciência.

Este ritual lunar é específico para o Lua Cheia em Leão:
Acende uma vela dourada ou laranja, queima óleo ou incenso de olíbano, ou canela ou laranja e repete, três vezes, uma afirmação baseada nas virtudes de Leão, por exemplo: “melhorar a minha criatividade, e a minha imagem, ou obter laços mais fortes com o meu parceiro e filhos”. Deves ser específica, (e podes criar algo com tuas próprias palavras). Aqui outro exemplo e ideia: 

Lua Leão, a tua força eu abraço: Dá-me o sucesso em tudo o que faço! 

© Anamarta

O "EWPOWERMENT" FEMININO Através do TAOISMO

Segredos Ancestrais para Mulheres Modernas

"Tao" literalmente significa "o caminho". 

A filosofia Taoísta baseada nas polaridades que não podem existir uma sem a outra (por exemplo não existe luz sem escuridão: não podemos ter o sol, se não tivermos a lua e vice versa), emergiu à cerca de 4000 anos atrás na China.

Ao observar a natureza, os ancestrais Taoístas concluíram que tudo o que acontece no mundo externo é reproduzido dentro de nós, a diferença é que, ao contrário do tempo, está nas nossas próprias mãos cultivar a nossa harmonia interior. 

O resultado desejado é o prazer e satisfação da vida nesta dimensão mundana. 

Assim alguns sábios da Corte Imperial começaram a sua exploração da Alquimia Interna, buscando o caminho para a saúde e longevidade suprema, descobrindo que a energia mais poderosa que temos é a energia sexual. 

Alinhado com seu poder inato uma mulher poderia criar e manifestar a vida que  queria; e por isso mesmo as práticas mais elevadas foram mantidas em segredo, e reservadas apenas para a Imperatriz e concubinas.

Estas mulheres tinham uma "ferramenta" preciosa, um Ovo de Jade esculpido, usado para tonificar os órgãos internos, proporcionando benefícios de saúde sexual, beleza natural e rejuvenescimento, vitalidade e intensificação do prazer.  E jade ao ser um cristal de cura, traz benefícios além do  físico, cultivando um coração mais compassivo, o poder do amor e alinhamento com o Divino Feminino que,  já por si próprio, é uma fonte de inspiração.

Estes Segredos Ancestrais são fáceis de aplicar nas nossas vidas modernas e assim beneficiar todas as mulheres que querem cultivar seu poder feminino, "empowerment", para fortalecer a energia Yin (ser receptivo, intuitivo, místico, confiar e simplesmente ser), e harmonizar-se com a energia Yang (ser racional, agir, fazer, dar), para uma vida plena, saudável e harmoniosa.

Artigo  para a revista da famosa 'Comunidade de Findhorn'** onde o workshop do Jade Circle vai ser recebido agora em Março.
**( Fundada em 1962 - Comunidade espiritual, centro educacional e eco-village que trabalha em cooperacao com a natureza."

© Anamarta

Happy Autumn Equinox and New Moon in Libra!

I love the Equinox for what they represent: the perfect equilibrium, honors equal day and night, brings forces of dark & light into balance, the yin and the yang.

From the Autumn (Fall) Equinox, as well known as Mabon, Alban Elfed, Feast of Avalon, Cornucopia, Harvest Home - we start to prepare for the darker days of Winter ahead, the yin peak of the year, and this brings us the opportunity to let go what no longer serves us, as the leafs turn color in the trees, we turn our thoughts inward, for a time of reflection, of cultivating the ‘being’ state, slow down our pace from the busy and outgoing Summer.

Also this Autumn Equinox besides being represented by balance and mystery, is the ‘Witches Thanksgiving’, as is a second Harvest of the year, the harvest of fruits and vegetables.
(The first was the harvest of bread and grain, the “Lughnasadh “ on 1^st August).
So here's a thought for you to apply in all levels of your life:

• What are you harvesting now?

In the Taoist calendar it's a very interesting time of a gentle transition from the Earth Element link to the Harvest to the Metal link to the Autumn. The sun from the Summer blessed the Earth where Metal is born.

The Earth Element in our body is represented by the spleen, the nourishing organ and the stomach, with the important role of digestion.  The Metal Element is represented by the lungs, the important act of breathing, take all in, and then out, simply filter and retain what we need, and the large intestine, the elimination system, taking out what we don’t need and simply retain what is vital for our wellbeing.  And of course our skin is part of this elimination system which takes so much in and out, reminding us of the cycle of renewal as it's constantly dying and being born again.

So take a moment, wherever you are, in front of a computer, with your phone in your hand, whether indoors at home or work, or outdoors in the transports or the park.

• Stop for a moment, close your eyes, feel the soles of your feet, inhale deeply, filling up your lungs with chi (air) and exhale gently through your nose, your are simply slowing down. And as you do this feel the connection with Earth beneath you (and everything comes from Her, even the floor…), and smile :) opening up, generating energy and good feelings towards your amazing body, feeling the gratitude for all it does to sustain your life, smile and feel the courage and self-confidence to do and to be, (link to the Metal Element), and the serenity, openness, grounding, (link to the Earth Element), feeling centered in your power, refreshed, revitalized, in tune with life! =) 

To reinforce this energy of balance and harmony of the Equinox, tomorrow we have the New Moon in Libra, also associated with beauty, grace, creating peace, all relationships in our lives (from intimate to business), justice and diplomacy
Here's a Libra affirmation:

"I feel safe sharing my gift of love with another".

 And I ask you: do you?
 This obviously as in everything else, is a reflection of your relationship with yourself, if you are the first one receiving the love from your own self.

Here are two things to focus your positive thought, whatever you want to answer by write it down, or simply quieting you mind, to go inside and meditate on it.

• How can I embody beauty, peace and inner harmony?

Something that supports you in this to become a natural way of living, and I say natural, because it's part of the Goddess virtues, and I believe we women are the feminine archetype who represent the Goddess here in this planet, with the various practices presented in the Jade Egg Holistic Practice, from the meditations and Kuan Yin QiGong, to the Jade Egg itself, a wonderful tool, and a great anchor for this ("beauty, peace and inner harmony...").
The other thing is:

• How can I cultivate more mutual support from my personal and/or business partnerships?

  
Embrace love! Cultivate beauty! Celebrate life!

©  Anamarta

BOOM Festival (*The Feminine*) WonderFULL Workshops and Experience! (( ♥ ))

After being on the road with my partner beloved Kris, presenting in Quest Festival in Devon, then holding the annual Jade Circle in Wales during our Tai Chi Summer Camp and closing this journey with a magical sweatlodge, we arrived London to pack and go to Boom Festival - the biggest international festival, which takes place in a remote village in Portugal - this year with the gathering of people from 152 countries from the five continents!

'The Feminine' theme of this Boom edition just perfectly aligned with the sharing of the Tao of Feminine Empowerment  - I was quite excited to hold a Jade Circle in "Boomland" and also to present with Kris Taoist Tantra, Taoist Love, in tune with the Boom motto "we are love" - after all, Taoist traditionally presents the Double-Mastery, a man and a woman teaching together; and ultimately through healing and wisdom this path of sacred sexuality and love, empowerment and compassion, giving us the opportunity to live in our potential as the human and light beings we are, connecting with our deep essence, and contributing our little bit to a better world, with peace and love alive in our hearts and minds.

Wow, we were amazed with the wonderFULL respond of our workshops, literally full with beautiful, open-hearted and -minded people! We really enjoyed it all so much, and feel deeply grateful to have more than 300 people - who crowded into 'Group Practice', climed up to the windows and overflowed the outside area.  For the Jade Circle was amazing as circle, after circle filled the room, and the Goddess energy, Oh My Goddess, was truly magical and unforgettable!...

"A heartfelt thank you for sharing your wisdom, mastery and passion with us in such a profound way, inspiring a more evolved vision of ourselves and the world." from Boom team.

The whole Boom Festival experience was amazing! And thanks to the incredible organization that goes with it, we absolutely loved to be part of this manifested vision of love, oneness, harmony, art, sustainability, music, dancing and celebrating the Feminine, that was spread everywhere, besides the lovely festival site, perfect nature, the creativity and originality behind it is speechless; the love put into every detail, to be contemplated, explored and admired by thousands of people, was truly inspiring!

One of the highlights of the Boom was to be part of an aerial art ritual to honor the Goddess in all her power and beauty!! Thousands of people got together to make it happen, and I had the pleasure to be invited to be in her 'Jade Gate', Yoni' - the intention was to create a unified field among the many cultures present at Boom by sending an ecstatic prayer in honor of the Great Mother's infinite love for all humankind.

And quoting some of the Boom visions:
"In Boom we share together the dream of a reality within and beyond this reality, where we can live in harmony with our planet and each other."

What an immense pleasure to be part of this! BOOM!

Is an album in FB with more photos.

Anamarta

BeautiFULL workshop!!

Beauties from all over the world gather for a a lovely 'Taoist Beauty Secrets' day that unfolded with a deep connection with the inner fire and heart, which I could say was a full day of:
Love! Transformation! Beauty! Honouring of the Sacred Sexual and Divine Feminine Self!... And we add to these joy, laughter and fun! A true celebration of love, the feminine and how we empower each other, and as our hearts connect, our inner beauty expands into outer radiance. The Tao, the way of sisterhood, the Tao of Feminine Empowerment, giving us immediate benefits of the ancient secrets into our modern lives!

Fun, Love and Beauty as one:

Thank you for your feedback and heartfelt words 

** "Thank you for the workshop! It was very insightful, fun and beautiful!" D.B. Russia

** "Thank you for your beautiful presence which is really radiating! I think your beauty and grace rubbed of on all of us which left you looking even more beautiful. It was a wonderful day spent with lovely women. I connected, I laughed and touched by it all it, thank you very much." M.S. Germany

** "Obrigado/Thank you for a day of practice and tips. Feel rejuvenated and 'hot'!" P.C. Portugal

** "Lovely workshop as always, and full of good tips. Thank you dear Goddess Anamarta. Great to see everyone so happy afterwards." S.S. Croatia

** "Thank you for sharing your knowledge! Nice, really inspiring, and good to be in the present of women's energy." C. Brazil

** "Beautiful day with lots of varied activities. Flow & relaxing. Obrigada" J.N. Czech Republic

** "Adorei 'brincar'!! Tirar o dia para mim e para partilhar coisas novas com pessoas novas! Foi bom relembrar em conjunto. Continua a espalhar magia e amor." J.P. Portugal

** "Thank you for your authenticity, love & sweetness." L. Hong Kong 

** "Thank you radiant Goddess!! Again this is amazing. Real love & beauty & joy now shine through all of us. I'll cherish this beautiful energy deep in my heart.Let it shine through and be radiant!" C.C. France

Anamarta

Another Amazing Jade Circle workshop!!

Photo from Jade Goddess Lidia and here we are:

A lovely group of women from all over the world, that so much inspired me with their wonderful presence, their openness, and ease to delve into their Divine Feminine selves, embracing the path of self-healing and self-mastery.
A gift wrapped in delight was to receive their sharings after the workshop about the integration of the practices into their lives and benefits and changes felt already!... 
I'm deeply grateful to have the pleasure of sharing the Tao of Feminine Empowerment and keep welcoming amazing and special women to the 'Jade Goddesses Family', which extends all over the continents.
Looking forward to see you again!
More photos and more fun...

 
*** Thank you for your feedback *** 

• "An inspiring and powerful workshop. Enjoyable weekend, great venue, perfect teacher. Just want more!!! Thank you for sharing this knowledge gently, lovingly and passionately." K.W. U.K.

• "Lovely + most special workshop. Thank you Anamarta" S.H. England

• "This workshop was very empowering and at the same time detoxifying. Thank you for all the tools shared - I truly feel grateful and blessed for having the opportunity to learn them. May the journey continue." P.C. Portugal

• "I really enjoyed the free flow of the workshop - working in whatever direction the group needed. I feel like you provided very clear (instructions) map for how we can change/ create our own journey. Thank you! Namaste" J.A. U.S.A.

• "Thank you! Obrigado for a wonderful and magical weekend. I loved the content and liked the pace of the workshop and accent put on practice..." L. Greece/Romania/US 

• "Thank you for your teaching Anamarta, and your lovely, inspiring presence. It was really good workshop. Hope to see you again soon." L.G. New Zeland 

• "Thank you, I'm really glad to receive this!... Seu trabalho é lindo e muito importante para as mulheres de todo o mundo! I wish you spread this message to all!!" C. Brazil

• "Thank you so much. Was a wonderful experience. Now I want to bring you with me to France. Really loved this workshop with you and all the lovely girls!" A.P. France

• "Thank you Goddess Anamarta, so happy to assist you in the wshop, to repeat the practices and share with all these beautiful women from all over the world. Keep shining and spreading the love." S.S. Croatia

• Thank you & to all the Goddesses present in the workshop... it was fun!! foi otimo mesmo!" J.S. Brazil

• "Beautifully measured... A lovely group. What an amazing collection of strong female energy. Pleased to be opening up. Thank you Anamarta, you are a wonderful teacher." D.B. Trinidad 

Thank you for this inspiring sharing received after the workshop: 
  
 *** "I feel so fortunate to have met you and to be able to do the workshop couple of weeks ago! The exercises that I started doing regularly (kidney breathing, iron shirt/steel body and the healing sounds) have had an amazing and powerful impact on my energy levels and state of mind...

Now the egg, the egg is some kind of magic: wear it and WOW!..." L. 

 *** "All my life I had horrible menstrual pains, plus I suffer from chronic sciatica, so in my moon days (when I've my period) I vomited, I had pain everywhere in my body and I took lots of medication, including opiate medication, because is the only one that stops my pains.
I came to the Jade Circle workshop, a weekend with a group of beautiful ladies, in a safe and sacred place that really made me connect with the feminine power. We learned many exercises that we can combine and easily integrate in our life, even the simple inner smile, is something magical about it! And the kidney breathing...

When Anamarta spoke how important is to understand our (moon) cycle, get in tune with it, and the practices we can do that can really help to alleviate and even finish PMS and pains during the time we menstruate, to be honest, was hard for me to believe that could be possible and even to hear about it...

Last day of the workshop, when I arrived home: what a surprise that my period arrived and like magic I practiced what I learned (including just simple smile at the pain to melt it away, and it worked!!) and didn't have pain!! I couldn't believe!!!! I had the most wonderful period of my life! I'm so connected with myself since that day, I never experienced something like this before, my chronic sciatica pain disappeared!!! It's like a rebirth into a new fresh woman! 

Now I have been practicing everyday, and day by day I'm feeling stronger and a happiness from the moment I woke up till when I go sleep, which it's even better and so peaceful. 

I'll be forever thankful to you bella Anamarta, and I wish you can spread this knowledge to all women around the world!" C.

Anamarta

Beltane!

Hope you're enjoying Beltane as much I am. This ancient Celtic festival of fire, fertility and love. At the height of Spring, when all of nature bursts into blossom, we celebrate our bodies, the pleasure we can invoke in one another, and the love we can kindle.
And I am now anticipating the annual Jade Circle workshop in London - Tao of Feminine Empowerment - last places to be filled!

After the delightful Jade Circle workshops in Algarve and Lisbon, in Portugal, I came straight to the wild to celebrate Beltane in Step 5 of the Taoist Training - Tao of the Shaman.  
An exhilarating opportunity to admire nature perfect and speechless beauty, and of course take the most of the Taoist Practices! This is the path for the ones who would like to delve into themselves, the endless journey of self-discovery and continuing evaluation.
This is the door to teach the Jade Circle - Do you see yourself teaching this practices?
We would love to have more Taoist Master Practitioner sharing this self-healing and empowering practices in their communities. If you've an idea or even a dream (and the future belongs to those who believe in their dreams!) let me know, I'd be very happy to support you!
I'm sharing these wild nature vibrations with you, but I'm sure wherever you are, you can commune with nature as well. Try:
** Breath in her green, the color of health, invite into your healthy being (even if you're not at the moment, this kind of positive affirmations can be very helpful). Do a few deep breaths of cleansing green. - Be sitting on the grass or contemplating a tree can make it so really and profound, enjoy it!
***Now let this green wash your liver internally and wrap it around externally - as a beautiful green silk - Keep your liver radiant green and SMILE at your liver, breath in the green light of kindness, generosity and forgiveness...
...Remember to be truly kind towards yourself you have to accept yourself unconditionally. And the every day opportunities you've to forgive, starting with self-forgiveness, and when we can forgive the unforgivable, we are truly free, allow new experiences and energies to flow within. Cultivate your generous spirit and share it with others, with the world!

** To keep your liver even happier and in good shape, you probably already know: eat green!
Here some food which is excellent for your liver and their curious associations:

• Basil - fecundity and passion
• Sage - the soldiers of Ancient Greece were welcomed by their wives with sage tea, to stimulate fertility. In shamanic traditions sage is being used to cleansing purposes, of the space, people auras, objects and crystals.
• Asparagus - those with thick stems, pale color, and a tip somewhere between rose and purple are the most aphrodisiac.
• Garlic - it is thought to be sacred, erotic, medicinal, and restore and was for that reason given to athletes during the Olympic Games in Greece. So many curative properties are credited to it, even cases of cancer. And for clearing yeast in our genitals.
• Watercress - the Romans called "shameless" for their supposed stimulating values.

* Walk in the nature, place your feet on the earth (with bare feet for a pleasurable and deep connection with our Mother Earth), root yourself, become like a tree, grounded, in perfect harmony between earth & heaven, yin & yang. The ones who practice Chi Kung, take the most of it outdoors! 
To learn this powerful way to get grounded and centered, or to evolve with your Chi Kung practices, we have the coming Jade Circle workshop in London, a stage demonstration in Mind Body Soul in Manchester this Saturday!

© Anamarta