What is EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique)?
by Veronica Valli EFT, NLP, Life coach
I came across EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) a few years ago when I was struggling with public speaking. I would get so nervous before I had to speak I wanted to throw up. I met an EFT practitioner who said she could help with that. As a traditionally trained therapist I was skeptical, but desperate enough to give it a try. At first, EFT seems a little bizarre, tapping on energy meridian points whilst saying statements to do with the issue you are working on. But the effects were immediate and dramatic. I then used EFT on a variety of other personal issues with the same effect.
The premise of EFT is very simple: 'The cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body's energy system.'
Our body is an energy system but we have lost the ability to process our emotions in a way that is helpful to us. Instead, these negative feelings and emotions get trapped in our central nervous system causing us emotional and physical distress.
EFT solves this problem simply and effectively.
'Tapping' and focusing on the 'issue' releases the negative energy. Stress, anxiety, emotional blocks, fear - all these issues can be addressed through EFT. EFT can also help with weight loss, issues from the past, depression, resentment and trauma.
Nearly everyone sees results after their first session.
I have been practicing EFT since 2009 and I constantly amazed at the results I see in myself and others.
We'll be exploring EFT on Saturday, March 25th from 2-4pm at our Women's Self-Care Workshop at Oyster Bay Yoga. Join us!
To learn more about EFT visit Facebook.com/OysterbayEFT, or email Veronica at veronicavalli@me.com
Book Club
Join us on Friday March 10th from 6:30-8:30pm for an hour of yoga with Peggy Adair followed by book discussion and socializing at the studio. Our book this month is The Untethered Soul by Michael A Singer. $20 per person (free for members). BYO snacks and wine!
New Classes Added to the Schedule!
We're excited to announce that two new classes are being added to the schedule this March!
- Sundays 4:30-5:30pm (starting March 5th): Flow 2 with Bari Caspi
- Friday March 31st 6:30-7:30pm (and the last Friday of every month thereafter): Yin Yoga with Martha Flanagan
And, don't forget that Candlelight Yoga with Katie Frankovich is the first Thursday of the month at 7:15pm.
Click below to view our full calendar of classes:
Yin Yoga: A Guide for Beginners
Not sure what Yin Yoga is? Check out these great resources from across the internet to learn a little more about the history of Yin, and how it can help to transform your yoga practice and your body.
1. "Slow Down with Yin Yoga" by Lisa Maria & Sarah Powers: One woman's account of her Yin Yoga journey. Learn the difference between Yin & Yang Yoga, what to expect in a Yin class, and check out a sequence of Yin poses you can try at home.
2. "Yin Yoga to Reverse Winter Stagnation" by Danielle March: A sequence of 7 Yin poses to help get you through the stiffness and tension that can build in our bodies during the winter months.
3. "Why Try Yin Yoga?" by Paul Grilley. Get a better understanding of how a Yin practice "stretches" the connective tissue in our bodies to build strength and stability in our joins. As written by Yin master Paul Grilley.
4. "Yin Yoga: The Foundations of a Quiet Practice," DVD with Paul Grilley. Purchase here from Amazon.
5. "Yin Yoga: Principles and Practice," by Paul Grilley. "[This book] brings together in a fresh way the ancient wisdom of acupuncture and Taoism with Hindu yoga practices. With over 80,000 copies sold, Grilley's book has been enhanced with new materials describing the evolution of Yin Yoga within the Yoga world over the last decade plus new reference materials on anatomy and the practice of Yin Yoga. Purchase here from Amazon.
Join us for a special Yin Yoga Workshop with Martha Fitzgerald-Flanagan on Sunday, January 8th from 2-4pm to put these principles to work for you. $35 per person (Members get 10%off). No yoga experience required.
10 Things You Need to Know Before Using Essential Oils
By Carly Clark-Zimmer
By now you have probably heard of essential oils curing anxiety to psoriasis and everything in between. But what most people are NOT taking about is how to use essential oils safely. There is a lot of confusing information out there so before you dive into essential oil exploration, it’s important to understand the safety precautions. On January 15th, I will be teaching Essential Oil Basics at Oyster Bay Yoga. The workshop will include common uses, how to replace harmful chemicals in your home with essential oils, tons of DIY recipes, much much more!
But for now, let’s get you started with my top 10 tips for Essential Oil Safety.
- Choose Wisely: All essential oils are not created equal. Make sure the oils you are buying are free from synthetics and pesticides. Synthetic oils are created in a lab and usually only contain the compound of the plant that makes it smell nice. This isolation of the compounds can create skin irritation and negative reactions. Pesticides are commonly sprayed on cheaper brands and since essential oils are made from distilling the plant, you are getting everything else distilled right along with it. I hate to say it but the price is an indicator. If it seems too good to be true… it is. Choose a therapeutic grade essential oil from a reputable company.
- Hot Oils: Some essential oils are considered ‘hot’. These oils can be caustic if applied directly to the skin without being diluted first with a carrier oil. A carrier oil can be coconut oil, almond oil, jojoba or even olive oil! WHEN USING ESSENTIAL OILS ALWAYS KEEP A CARRIER OIL ON HAND. Any oil you have around the house will work. I prefer fractionated coconut oil because it is light and has no scent. This will spread out the concentration of essential oils and make them more gentle to apply to the skin. When in doubt, dilute it out! Here are just a few examples of hot oils: Peppermint, Cinnamon, Basil, Wintergreen, Lemongrass, Oregano, Clove and Thyme.
- How to Handle Essential Oils in the Eyes: Trust me, it happens! You just applied a lovely oil to your decollate. Then, your itch your eye! DO NOT FLUSH WITH WATER! Oil and water do not mix and this will make the burning worse. Grab your carrier oil and flush it out. If stinging persists for more than a few minutes, seek medical attention.
- Patch Test: Test out a new oil to make sure there is no adverse reaction by conducting a patch test. Mix a few drops of essential oil with 1 teaspoon of carrier oil. Apply a small amount to the inside of the arm and wait up to 24 hours to see if a reaction develops.
- Stick to the Feet: The soles of our feet have the thickest skin on our bodies. If you are trying a new oil, dilute with a carrier oil and then apply to the bottoms of the feet. This is a great way to introduce essential oils adults and kids!
- Keep Essential Oils Away from Children and Pets: The oils smell really nice so your little ones may be drawn to them. These oils are extremely powerful so treat them just like you would any other therapeutic medicine. Up high and out of sight.
- Using Oils on Kids: Always read safety precautions on the bottle when using essential oils with children. Always mix with the appropriate proportion of carrier oil, stick to using only on the feet and perform a patch test. Although there are exceptions, a good rule of thumb is to not use essential oils directly on young children and infants. The safest way to use essential oils with children under two years oils is diffuse them in the air or wear the oil like you would a perfume instead of applying it directly to your child. They are still getting the benefits from inhalation but have no risk of developing skin sensitivity.
- Photosensitive oils: Bergamot, Petitgrain, and most citrus oils are photosensitive. This means they can cause skin irritations similar to sunburn if applied and then exposed to sunlight. Avoid citrus oils when you plan on being outside during the day.
- Internal Use: This is BIG one! I would not suggest experimenting with ingestion until you have taken the time to learn how to do it safely. I personally use a few drops of therapeutic grade lemon and peppermint oil almost daily for digestion BUT, DO NOT OVER-DO IT! A little bit goes a long way.
- Use common sense: Essential oils are safe when used in moderation and correctly. Many substances on earth are toxic when used in the extreme. Even too much water can be dangerous when consumed in excess!
This is just a small preview of everything you will learn at our workshop on Sunday, January 15th. We will talk much more about versatile uses of essential oils, why they are so powerful, where they come from and how to use them in your home. We will be raffling off some of my favorite homemade DIY recipes including my signature Fountain of Youth Face Oil made with Lavender and Frankincense and of course, there will be snacks:)
Sunday, 1/15/17
$35 per person (10% off for members)
2-4pm