Wellness Services

Supporting your immune system can make a big difference in staying healthy and energized during the winter season. Essential oils offer powerful antimicrobial, antibacterial, and immune boosting properties that can help support your body to stay healthy and fight off illness. Here are our favorite essential oils to use when traveling, when we're feeling under the weather, or when exposed to illness. 

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) is well-known for its ability to open up airways and support respiratory health. It is rich in 1,8-cineole which can have antiviral, expectorant, and antispasmodic effects. Research has shown it can decrease shortness of breath and ease coughing. It's bright scent can also overcome exhaustion and assist with focus and concentration. However, care must be taken with oils rich in 1,8-cineole with regard to babies and small children. It is best to avoid Eucalyptus essential oil for children under the age of 5 and limit or lessen exposure for children 5-10 years of age. 

Citrus oils such as Lemon (Citrus limonum), Sweet Orange (Citrus sinesis), and  Pink Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) are not only uplifting, they're also antibacterial, antiviral, and immunostimulants. Their main therapeutic constituent is d-limone which naturally activates the white blood cells and supports your immune system. Their fresh aroma can also improve mood and reduce stress which also factors into boosting your immunity. Cold pressed citrus oils are phototoxic, so exposure to the sun must be avoided for 12-18 hours after skin application.

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) is a powerful antispasmodic, expectorant, antimicrobial, and immunostimulant. It has a distinctive medicinal scent that can soften when blended with oils such as Vetiver, Lavender, or citrus oils. It is rich in Terpinen-4-ol which activates the white blood cells and stimulates the immune system. It is one of the best oils to reach for when feeling under the weather!

Frankincense (Boswellia carterii) supports your cellular health, reduces inflammation, and helps the body respond to infections more effectively. It offers strong immune support and can be beneficial to the respiratory system. 

One of the best ways to clear your sinuses, ease congestion, and support your immune system is using a Steam Blend! Use this technique when you feel a cold coming on or have been exposed to illness.

Supplies Needed

• 1 empty 5ml glass essential oil bottle or glass dropper bottle
• Glass/ceramic bowl or mug
• Towel
• Distilled Water 
• Pink Grapefruit essential oil
• Eucalyptus essential oil
• Tea Tree essential oil
• Eye Mask (Optional)

1. Add 10 drops of Pink Grapefruit, 10 drops of Eucalyptus, & 10 drops of Tea Tree (30 drops total) to your empty oil bottle. This will be your stock bottle.

2. Fill a bowl or mug halfway with steaming hot water (not boiling!).

3. Add 1-2 drops of oils from your stock bottle to the steaming water. No more than 2! If you accidentally add more than 2, start over. 

4. With your eyes closed (never open them over the steam!), lean over the bowl/mug and breathe in steam. You can use an eye mask if you'd like. It's okay if you cough or need to blow your nose. If you feel comfortable, you can place the towel over your head. Continue to breathe in steam for all long as you feel comfortable or steam subsides. 

The cooled off water can be passively diffused in your space. Do not ingest it or reheat it. Once you feel a cold coming on, try steaming 3-5 times for the first few days. This is not recommended for children under the age of 12. 

As a bonus option, our protective blends, Shield Essence Oil Blend or Shield Essence Hand Cleansing Spray, are thoughtfully crafted with essential oils that will support and maintain a healthy immune system. This protective blend can be used at work, travel, school, or in public spaces to prevent and protect!

Love is a fundamental human experience that shapes our relationships, emotions, and well-being. It is also the highest vibration! Understanding your love language can help strengthen relationships-not just with others, but also with yourself. There are many ways you can nourish your body, mind, and spirit that align with your personal self-love language. The emotional and physical benefits are reducing stress and anxiety, immune protection, improving heart health, increasing your self-worth and self-esteem, and decreasing feelings of loneliness.

The concept of love languages comes from Dr. Gary Chapman's book, The 5 Love Languages®, where he identifies five ways people express and receive love.

Words of Affirmation

• Expressing love through positive spoken or written words, compliments, and encouragement. 
• Spread love and joy through small encounters throughout your day to lift others spirits, including your own!
• Stop holding yourself back with negative and belittling self-talk. Words carry vibrations-use positive and respectful language for yourself and others.
• Expressing gratitude on a daily basis can open your heart space and allows for the vibration of love to flow. 

Acts of Service

• Show love by doing thoughtful things, such as helping with tasks or offering assistance.
• Being aware and present when someone is struggling or in need of assistance-this includes yourself! If you feel you need a physical or emotional break or assistance, slow down or reach out. 
• Set healthy boundaries with others in your life. 

Receiving Gifts 

• Feel loved through meaningful presents or thoughtful gestures.
• Travel or spend time away from work (or family) to nourish and recharge yourself.
• Invest in yourself, whatever that may mean for you. Eating clean, healthy food, spending time in a gym or outdoors, reading, learning something new, or further your education-the sky's the limit!

Quality Time

• Value undivided attention, deep conversations, and shared activities with people you care about.
• Spending time alone if you feel the need to energetically recharge. 
• Meditation, daily affirmations, or journaling are simple, inexpensive ways to boost your mood and find a deep connection within yourself.
• Dedicate time to something you feel passionate about whether it's a hobby or a cause. 

Physical Touch

• Expressing love through hugs, hand-holding, cuddling or other physical contact. 
  
• Massage, yoga, Reiki, or moving your body in ways in that give you joy.
• Weighed blankets or eye masks. 
  
• Holding your favorite crystals, especially during meditation.

Love languages aren't just about how we connect with others-they're also a guide for self-care. Creating self-care routines that nurture your emotional and physical well-being can help you cultivate a deeper relationship with yourself and others!

As the holiday season approaches, stress levels begin to rise with the hustle and bustle and we feel a need for balance and peace in our lives. One way to promote self-care is incorporating essential oils into your daily routine. Historically, these oils have been used for their various therapeutic benefits, including stress relief and supporting the immune system. Here are our favorite ways to use essential oils during this season.

Stress Relief

Essential oils can be used to bring in positive emotions, diffuse stress, and calm nerves. Use them in diffusers, sprays, apply to the skin with a carrier oil, or apply to lava bead bracelets. Bergamot, Lavender, Cedarwood, and Clary Sage are oils that support our emotions, relieve anxious feelings, and help us get restful sleep.

Bath Soaks

Salts, such as Himalayan Sea Salt and Epsom salt, help detox, remove stagnant energy, and relax your body and mind. The most effective way to incorporate these minerals is using them during a bath. Combining the salts with essential oils can be energetically cleansing as well.  A warm bath soak can help detox from overindulgence, promote restful sleep, or support the body if recovering from an illness. 

Immune Support

Essential oils such as Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, and citrus oils, such as Sweet Orange and Lemon, are natural antimicrobials, antibacterials, and promote immune support. Use these protective oils in a room diffuser or spray during cold and flu season, to maintain a healthy immune system or when recovering from an illness. 

Improve Mood

The shortened daylight hours and cloudy days of winter can make us feel unmotivated and dampen our spirits. Peppermint, Lemon, and Sweet Orange are some oils that naturally invoke positivity, hope, and joy. They also deodorize and freshen our space. Diffusing or applying these oils to our skin with a carrier oil in the morning can set the tone for an uplifting day ahead. Take care with citrus oils as they are phototoxic and can burn the skin when exposed to prolonged sunlight.

Grounding

If you're experiencing feelings of hopelessness, nervousness, or fear, grounding may help to center and balance your emotions. Grounding may also decrease your cortisol levels which can positively affect your body, mind, and spirit. Some oils that offer us strength and connect us to Mother Earth are Fir Needle, Cedarwood, and our Three Feathers Apothecary blends such as Rooted and Winter. They can be diluted with a carrier oil and massaged into the bottom of your feet before bedtime for deep, restful sleep.

We’re reminded this time of year of the importance of gratitude and, if we make a daily practice of it, how it brings abundance and joy into our lives. When difficult life challenges arrive, it becomes more of an opportunity to dig deep into our inner power to shine light and offer gratitude. A heart-centered gratitude connects us with the Divine and is delivered beyond words and into the vibration of Love. When we are connected to this energy it connects us to every living thing in the Universe. And those connections bring us hope, joy, and optimism in turn. 

Understanding The Spiritual Significance of Gratitude

Gratitude is more than saying “thank you” for life’s blessings. Every gift, lesson, and challenge has a purpose and offering gratitude deepens your spiritual growth. When we begin to cultivate gratitude, we open our hearts to higher vibrations. We begin to recognize the lessons and patterns in our lives. We can reflect on them, send them gratitude and begin anew. There is no positive gain in repeating patterns that are no longer in alignment with our soul purpose..

Offering gratitude is a bridge between our physical world and the Divine. The Universe is always supporting you. It reminds us that you are never alone, there is infinite abundance, and there is always, no matter the hardships, something to be grateful for. 

Practicing gratitude can be even more powerful when combined with Breathwork, meditation, and energy healing sessions such as Reiki. These modalities help release energetic cords, unblock stagnancy in our Chakras, and open our hearts and minds to the infinite possibilities of the Universe. 

Deepening Your Gratitude 

Bringing your energy back to the now helps to ground and center you. This mindfulness creates a sense of peace and connection. Instead of worrying about the future or focusing on the past, we focus on what we have in this moment. 

Gratitude will shift a negative perspective to a positive mindset. It’s easy to get caught up in negativity, but gratitude shifts perspective. By focusing on blessings rather than burdens, we can cultivate a positive outlook that aligns with spiritual growth.

Starting a gratitude journal can be a transformative experience. Writing your thoughts in a journal can deepen your connection to gratitude. Reflecting before bedtime or even as simple as driving in your car, can enhance your awareness of life’s abundance.

Dedicate a few minutes daily to meditate on gratitude. Focus on things big and small. Consider the people, experiences, and gestures you are thankful for, and let this heart-centered gratitude fill your soul and provide you with inner peace. Take less than 60 seconds and experience our Wave of Gratitude Guided Meditation over on Instagram.

Each obstacle is a lesson, an opportunity for growth. This perspective shift encourages spiritual growth through gratitude and can help you find peace even in tough times.

The Power of Collective Gratitude

When we come together with an open heart, we amplify the positive energy of gratitude. We each bring our own gratitude, and together, we create a space filled with love and appreciation. This not only strengthens our relationships but also creates a space for spiritual growth and connection.

Gratitude is more than just a fleeting feeling; it’s a practice that can change your life. Go beyond the surface—reflect on the deeper meaning of gratitude, and let it guide you toward a richer, more fulfilling connection with yourself, others, and the Divine. Gratitude is a journey, not a destination—the more we practice it, the more we unlock its transformative power. 

Eucalyptus' (Eucalyptus globulus) distinctive fresh, camphorous scent combined with its natural ability to invigorate your state of being and support your immune system make it a staple in any household, especially during cold and flu season. It can sharpen your senses and revitalize your mind. 

Therapeutic & Energetic Qualities

Eucalyptus is a natural antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial. It's beneficial in massage blends as it is a natural analgesic. Using Eucalyptus can fight mental fatigue, especially when our days are shorter and we're exposed to less sunshine. It can be blended with Sweet Orange, Lime, or Lemon essential oils for a boost of immune support and to freshen your space. 

How to Incorporate Eucalyptus into Your Daily Routine

• Protect your home with Eucalyptus. Use 3-5 drops in a room diffuser at the first sign of sniffles. 
• Eucalyptus can support your respiratory health. Dilute 2-3 drops with a nourishing carrier oil and massage onto your chest for clear breathing.
• Eucalyptus should be used with caution before bedtime. It may keep you awake!
• Diffuse or apply Eucalyptus when in need of focus and concentration such as studying, during work, or writing. 
• A few drops of Eucalyptus in your shower combined with steam will awaken your senses and promote clear breathing. 
• Use Eucalyptus, (smell straight from the bottle), to combat jet lag. 

Eucalyptus essential oil is a staple in our aromatherapy toolkit! Use it year round to support your immune system, increase clarity and alertness, and to freshen up your home. We love the notes it adds to our Bug Slay Mist.

Cedarwood's (Juniperus virginiana) sweet, balsamic aroma combined with its natural ability to calm and strengthen our resolve is one of our favorites on its own or for blending with other oils. It can ease tension and clear your mind so you can focus on the day ahead. 

Therapeutic & Energetic Qualities

Cedarwood is a natural astringent, anti-inflammatory, and has antibacterial properties. Historically, Cedarwood has been used in folk medicine as an astringent, to treat kindey and bladder conditions, and for respiratory congestion. Chests made from Cedarwood have been used for centuries to store valuable items as the wood is a natural insect repellent. 

Because of its calming properties, it can be used as a tonic for those experiencing stressful situations. It blends beautifully with other stress reducing oils such as Lavender and Bergamot. 

How to Incorporate Cedarwood into Your Daily Routine

• Because Cedarwood is incredibly grounding and calming, it's the perfect choice for breathwork or meditation. Dilute with a carrier oil such as Jojoba oil and massage into your heart space. 
• Cedarwood is gentle for children and can be used for restful sleep or nervousness. 
• Its grounding nature connects us with Mother Earth, helping us feel secure and stable. Use when feeling anxious or distracted.
• Combine Cedarwood and Lavender in a diffuser for restful sleep.
• Incorporate Cedarwood into your skin care routine. Combine with your favorite skin nourishing oils for a clarifying face oil. It can also be added to bath salts for a stress relieving soak.

Cedarwood esential oil is a must have in our our aromatherapy toolkit! It can be used to calm and relax nervous feelings, support the immune system, and give us strength and keep us connected and grounded to the energy of Mother Earth. We love the notes it adds to our Autumn Oil Blend, Illuminate Bath Soak, Lemurian Light Mist & Oil Blend, and our grounding oil Rooted.

Sometimes we all need a little help to stay on task and keep us from distractions. Essential oils are a natural way to enhance our focus and concentration. Here are our top 5 favorite oils to keep us on task throughout the day!

Rosemary: Known for its stimulating properties, Rosemary oil can help improve memory and mental clarity. It will gently invigorate and sharpen your senses. Pair Rosemary with a Fluorite crystal to further enhance its properties. Rosemary can have a strong aroma so a small amount is preferred.

Clary Sage: It brings in a balance of both calmness and stimulation into your environment. Clary Sage will not only strengthen your resolve but it can relax your mind while keeping you grounded. It also helps clear out dense energy in your work space.

Frankincense: This sacred oil is ideal for uplifting your sprit and brings in fresh energy. Lessen the worry and stress of deadlines with its calming, peaceful properties. 

Peppermint: The invigorating scent of peppermint oil can help boost energy levels and promote alertness. Use Peppermint to combat mental fatigue and sharpen your creative mind. It blends well with Sweet Orange essential oil, another uplifting oil.

Citrus oils: Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, and Sweet Orange are perfect to brighten up your space with their uplifting aroma. Because of their familiar and refreshing scent, these oils work well with children. Enjoy their boost of positivity in their study or play space. These oils are phototoxic, so use caution when applying directly to the skin if you'll be exposed to the sun or UV rays.

There are several ways to incorporate essential oils into your daily routine to help improve focus and concentration. You can diffuse the oils in a diffuser as you're studying or working. Use them in a roller or dilute with a carrier oil, such as Jojoba oil, and apply to pulse points. Or try them as a spray in your work space or home. 

Next time you're feeling unfocused or distracted, reach for one of these essential oils to help sharpen your mind and boost your productivity!

As the new school year approaches, it's essential to equip yourself with tools that can help you navigate the challenges ahead. In addition to textbooks and notebooks, consider incorporating wellness and self-care tools into your routine to enhance your focus, creativity, and overall well-being. Here is a guide to some of our favorite tools and self-care tips for back to school.

• Using crystals in your daily routine can help lessen stress, bring in feelings of peace, and increase focus and clarity of mind. Some of our favorites are Lepidolite, Tiger Eye, Fluorite, Tourmaline, and Jade. Our Back to School crystal kits are perfect for backpacks and dorm rooms. A crystal pouch is perfect for taking your crystals with you where you go!
• Worry stones have a soothingly smooth feel and they have been proven to reduce stress and anxiety, calm your heart, and clear your mind. Hold the stone between your index finger and thumb and gently rub your thumb back and forth across the smooth indentation when you're feeling worried or overwhelmed. They can also help with concentration!
• Wearing crystal jewelry can also enhance the crystals properties. Our Back To School bracelets are specially designed to ease students back into the classroom.
• As we spend more time indoors and in front of electronic devices, we increase our risk of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure. Some of the symptoms are mental fatigue, stress, skin rashes, and achy joints. If you experience any of these symptoms, you can protect yourself with crystals such as Shungite, Terahertz, Orgone, and Astrophyllite. Wear the crystals as jewelry or keep them near your electronic devices, especially when studying.
• Essential oils can naturally help with feelings of nervousness, difficulty sleeping, or the need to relax and recharge. Our favorites are Lavender, Sweet Orange, Cedarwood, and Bergamot. Diffuse 3-6 drops or add a few drops to lava beads in a bracelet design. 
• Incorporating a daily meditation practice into your routine can help reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance your overall well-being. Take a few minutes each day to sit quietly, focus on your breath, and center yourself before starting your day. Regular breathwork and meditation can create a supportive and empowering environment for learning and growth.
• Keeping a journal to release emotions, thoughts, and ideas can help keep your creativity flowing and emotionally grounded. If you enjoy working with angel cards, pull a card each morning to with the intent to begin your day with gratitude and positivity

Check out our wellness offerings for classes, events, and sessions to support you year round!  Wishing you a successful and fulfilling school year ahead!

Sweet Orange (Citrus sinesis) is one of our favorite oils for blending or using on its own. Its familiar aroma blends beautifully with many different oils but especially with other citrus oils and warm, spicy scents. It's usually cold-pressed from the rind of the orange fruit. 

Therapeutic and Energetic Properties

Sweet Orange is a natural astringent, and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is high in d-limonene which is supportive to your immune system. It can be incorporated with other oils such as Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, or Grapefruit when recovering from an illness. Sweet Orange's bright aroma unblocks stagnant energy and soothes nerves. It can also be incorporated in blends for its ability to strengthen and uplift those who are experiencing lingering depressive feelings.

How to Incorporate Sweet Orange into Your Daily Routine

• Diffuse or use topically (diluted with a carrier oil) first thing in the morning to set the tone for optimism and motivation. 
• Incorporate in a blend for its soothing digestive properties.
• In an aromatic mist, blend with other citrus oils, such as  Grapefruit, Bergamot, Lemon, or Lime for a fresh, clean scent.
• Dilute with a carrier oil and massage on the Solar Plexus Chakra (above the navel) to increase energy, confidence, and strengthen your willpower.
• Diffuse in your home when feeling under the weather for an immunity boost. 
• Add Sweet Orange to your natural cleaning products. 
• Use when creating intentions for a positive outlook and to expel feelings of pessimism. 

Sweet Orange essential oil is a must have in our our aromatherapy toolkit! It can be used to support the immune system, dispel heavy emotional feelings, or used alone for its refreshing and uplifting scent. We love the notes it adds to our Summer Oil Blend and Synergy Oil Blend.

We're so excited to be celebrating our 5 year retail anniversary! We started on this journey in 2016 searching for a meaningful way to bring our passion for Reiki, sound healing, and crystals to our community and we're so blessed to have grown, expanded, and connected with so many of you. Here are some of our favorite milestones!

• Transformed two retail spaces in the Market Place Village.
• Welcomed over 19,000 clients in our classes, sessions, and workshops.
• Facilitated our New Year Intention Workshops for 8 continuous years.
• Presented over 200 Gong Baths.
• Hosted our first mining retreat in Hot Springs, Arkansa, in 2023 and looking forward to our upcoming retreat in October.
• Attuned over 100 Reiki practitioners.
• Reached our 100,000 order since relaunching our new website in 2019.
• Shipped to all 50 states and 36 other countries.
• Relaunched our Three Feathers Apothecary line.
• Released our Angel Rewards program.
• Published our Soul Collective Blog.
• Best of Milwaukee Shepherds Express finalist two years in a row.
• Appeared on the CBS 58 Morning Show.
• Featured in Natural Awakenings magazine.
• Grew, thrived, and created community during a global pandemic.
• Attended dozens of gem shows & made connections all over the world.

Our hope is that we've touched your lives just as you've touched ours. We look forward to the future as we continue to grow, expand, and connect. We're forever grateful for our amazing community's love and support over the years - thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Blessings,

Laurie & Djuro

Kundalini energy is a powerful force that is often described as a dormant energy that lies coiled at the base of the spine, waiting to be awakened. It's been depicted as a coiled serpent at the base of the spine. It's also associated with the Divine Feminine, which is present in every body. When awakened, this energy is said to rise through the chakras, leading to spiritual enlightenment and a profound sense of awareness. 

How Can Kundalini Energy be Awakened?

There are various practices and techniques that are believed to awaken Kundalini energy, such as basic yoga poses for beginners, meditation, breathwork, and energy healing sessions. These practices aim to purify the energy channels in the body, allowing the Kundalini energy to rise and activate the higher chakras. Activating Kundalini can be experienced as the following.

• Increased energy & motivation
• Physical sensations such as goosebumps, temperature changes, and tingling
• Releasing feelings & emotions in the form of tears 
• Euphoria
• Sense of calm & peacefulness
• Powerful thoughts & emotions
• Heightened sensitivity

Kundalini energy is powerful and the awakening process should be done with an amount of caution. Be sure your physical body is supported and do not attempt awakening during a short term illness or a chronic condition that is not controlled or currently in treatment. Practicing a regular self-care routine and having access to wellness tools can help mitigate any challenges. Regular exercise, refraining from alcohol and other substances, fueling your body with nourishing organic unprocessed foods and staying well-hydrated are ways to keep your physical body supported during the process. 

Working with crystals can open and stimulate Kundalini energy. We suggest Kundalini Citrine, Shiva Lingam, Serpentine, and Ruby Spinel. Garnet can be used to help control the energy. Certain crystal shapes can also tap into Kundalini energy such as mushrooms, flames, and shiva lingams. 

Support your body, mind, and spirit with essential oils such as Lavender, Frankincense, Geranium, Peppermint, and Rosemary. Our Divine Feminine roller blend can also encourage and support you during the process.

Benefits of Kundalini Awakening

Those who have experienced a Kundalini awakening often report a heightened sense of awareness, spiritual growth, and a deeper connection to the Universe and Source. It is said to bring about a profound transformation in one's life, leading to a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment. The awakening of Kundalini energy is believed to unlock a person's full potential and lead to a state of bliss and enlightenment.

While the concept of Kundalini energy may seem esoteric to some, it has a long history in various spiritual traditions and is still practiced by many today.  Exploring Kundalini energy can be a transformative journey towards greater self-awareness and well-being!

Recently we sat down with Molly of Swan in the Lotus Yoga and Wellness, LLC to learn more about Bhakti yoga and her passion of supporting women who are seeking a holistic approach to healthcare. Molly has been practicing yoga for over 20 years and teaching for 16. Her regular practice helped manage her chronic anxiety and depression and along this journey she found the strength and resources to move through a life-long pelvic floor condition. Because of this condition, she experienced chronic low back and pelvic pain along with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). As she moved through Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy, she learned that she wasn’t alone and many other women had issues with their pelvic floor. It led her to pursue a Wellness Coaching Certification and continue her education with a holistic approach to wellness.

How would you describe Bhakti yoga to someone who is unfamiliar with it and what can they expect from a class?
Bhakti Yoga is the devotional practice of yoga. It is the path that leads us back to love and the disciplines meant to bring one to a state of pure love, of God. It’s the unfolding to bring us back to the natural condition of the soul, an eternal, enlightened bliss. Practices of Bhakti Yoga include meditation, singing, dancing, poetry, art, mantra, chanting, kirtan, self-inquiry, and more. Students can expect classes to include meditations, mantras, internal sound vibration, poetry, and themes that move our asana-based practice to self-inquiry to connect deeper within.

Explain more about pelvic floor conditions, ways to support, and how it affects women's health and well-being. 
Approximately 10% of women ages 20 to 39, 27% of women ages 40 to 59, 37% of women ages 60 to 79, and nearly half of women ages 80 or older will experience a pelvic floor condition in their lifetime.

These are most common pelvic floor conditions:

• Vaginal Dryness: Hormonal issues and aging can cause the vagina to be dry. This can cause issues and be painful during intercourse. This is very common pre/post menopause.
• Urinary Incontinence (UI): The involuntary loss of urine from laughing, coughing or sneezing, also known as overactive bladder. This typically occurs when there is a sudden, overwhelming need to urinate and/or leakage occurs. UI is the most common pelvic floor disorder and most prevalent in women.
• Organ Prolapse: Internal organs supported by the pelvic floor, including bladder and uterus, can slip down into the vagina. Symptoms include deep, persistent vaginal aching or a distinct bulge. This affects the bladder, uterine, rectum and small intestines.
• Overactive Bladder: Overactive bladder describes a combination of symptoms that can include a frequent urge to urinate and waking up at night to urinate. Causes can include weak muscles, nerve damage, use of medications, alcohol or caffeine, infection, and being overweight. Lifestyle changes may help.

These conditions can disrupt day-to-day functions in women's lives including causing more stress to find a bathroom, physical discomfort, pain, anxiety, depression, hormonal imbalance, digestive issues, and the list goes on!

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy (PFPT) helps as you work with a therapist to diagnose your condition, find out the cause, and help the muscles come back to balance so you have proper function. As a wellness coach, I help women pre, during, and post therapy to move through road blocks that might come up, develop a mindset to keep motivated, and other holistic practices that they incorporate along with working with a PFPT.

For women with busy schedules, what is that one thing they should incorporate into their routine that would help balance, center, and reduce stress in their lives?
The most powerful practice that women can incorporate into their routine is Diaphragmatic Breath! It helps strengthen and release the pelvic floor, relieve stress, and fills the body with fresh air to feel more nourished.

Diaphragmatic breathing expands and opens all the breathing support muscles
and organs that you need to breathe on a daily bases.

• Take a deep breath from the space between your thighs (pelvic floor) and send this up through your lower belly, belly, diaphragm, ribs, lungs, chest, throat, and nose. Imagine blowing up a balloon.
• Next exhale it back down reversing through the body system. Draw your belly in and up like you are deflating your balloon.
• Doing this breath five times or more in a row daily will help decrease stress, relax your pelvic floor muscles, and activate your body, mind, and spirit connection.

What is your favorite yoga pose, mantra, or mudra, and why?
My favorite mantra is Uma Parvati Ananda Ma. It reminds me to connect to the Goddess of Love and Devotion and find the bliss within even when the path feels hard. This mantra helped me through my pelvic floor healing and reminded me to love myself during the process. It also reminds me to remember love and turn to the voice of love within us all.

Thank you, Molly, for sharing and inspiring women to feel empowered about their heath and physical body. Check out Molly's upcoming classes here at Angelic Roots.