RA MA YOGA INSTITUTE WORKSHOP - by: Jane Kifer

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Feng Shui Meditation

Meditation shifts everything! And I have come to peek around the corner at the idea that everything is always changing. I find this so helpful when I feel stuck, frustrated, and any other self sabotaging, deprecating thought or feeling that comes up. I am embracing the idea more so and see that meditation helps balance and reprogram me in healthy, light filled, clearing, empowering ways. I am open to finding ways to mediate and carve out that space for myself. Sometimes it is deep breathing before I wake up, sometimes it is closing my bedroom door form the household sounds and I lie in child's pose face down in the darkness. Sometimes it is in a class. One of my very favorite ways to tune into a healthy regeneration is one of my all time favorite experiences and that is to be a part of the meditations of Guru Jagat and she has her own tv channel! You can take part of these clear mind meditations from anywhere in the world or your home! rama-tv.com

Feng Shui and Plants - by Jane Kifer

In feng shui we learn where to add plants that helps the chi flow. It resonates well with what I intrinsically know, and that is put a plant anywhere! Put it wherever makes you feel good. People are always worried about killing plants or say "I never can keep a plant alive". Here are some tips! Succulents easy for outside on your porch in your entryway, windowsill or fire escape window ledge. They definitely need some sun. It's their nature. There are fantastic low light plants that need very little care. I have found there are the ones that need water every day like my oregano and lavender and basil, but then there are the others which I water once a month. I have a general rule. You keep the water level consistent with how you buy it. If it is saturated when purchased, keep it pretty saturated, if it is dry, water once a month. My favorite rule of thumb is this. If a plant can live in a grocery store, I promise you can take care of it. I promise it will live! Grocery stores have plants inside at great prices. I prefer the ones growing inside than outside. The ones inside usually have deep green leaves and are hearty and under $6 and are beautiful! Try it. Buy those plants and pop them places, move them around, you can tell where they look happy or not so happy. If you notice they seem droopy and are dry as a bone, add some water, if they are droopy and soil is a little wet, it needs more sun. Take a deep breath and together you and the plant can find a spot. Bamboo stalks are also a wonderful easy addition to any nook. You can buy all sorts of lengths and put in clusters in any vase you love. Experiment and feel the joy of having plants in your home. In addition to putting plants wherever I want. Some spots I pay specific attention to: Above the toilet, Above cabinets where there is a space to the ceiling and in a corner that might be blocked by the arrangement of some furniture creating a weird almost closed pocket. Pop a plant in those spots, say a little prayer and empower with raising the chi and the good energy and go on with your day. Good LUCK!

Feng Shui Body Language - by: Jane Kifer

I am so excited to find this TED talk. It is the perfect example of feng Shui and its benefits. Feng Shui changes the programming on actual levels. I see results when people do the adjustments I recommend. Something opens up. We are genuinely recreating the synapses of feeling, belief, response- through spacial relationships. AMY CUDDY - YOUR BODY LANGUAGE SHAPES WHO YOU ARE.

Feng Shui Mirrors, More than just a reflection

Many people ask about Feng Shui and mirrors. When they hear the word Feng Shui, they say, "Oh that involves mirrors or something right?" Yes it does. It isn't- put up a mirror and life's problems are fixed. But like mirrors, your space reflects your being. It reflects the parts that work and do not work. Mirrors expand a view, draw in a room, allow us to see behind ourselves- mundane adjustments in many ways of the physical space. The reflection I am speaking of, however, is not so mundane. I want to address the life we reflect in relation to our trauma or damage. Don't live a life in service to your past, your damage, the unhealthy agreements you unconsciously made for yourself for survival as a child and live out into your adulthood which keep you from thriving. But also don't live a life in spite of your damage and past trauma, that's still living in reaction to your experience. Note it, but create a current centered reflected space that isn't in service to- or in spite of- your story. Do you create a story that justifies your blame? Maybe a mirror on a wall will change that- add some light, expand your view to a new way of seeing. I actually have recently said out loud, to the past, to the connection to the trauma that I attach to, "I am leaving you, I release you, I am betraying you." Its amazing what melts off when you do that.

Feng Shui Tips - By: Jane Kifer

Put the energy out there! If you want a new job, go buy an outfit for the interview. Do what you can to create energy in that direction. If you are sad, go pick flowers. If you want to add sweetness, eat a piece of fruit or cake. If you need more more grounding, carry some crystals in your pocket or eat an organic steak. If you feel exposed, put on a sweater. If you need air go for a walk. All real and all a metaphor. If you want to be healthier, Do three pushups, buy new sneakers, buy price out gyms. Take action. baby steps. I love the phrase, if you're going to pray- move your feet. Create the energy!

What's bad Feng Shui?

My 8 year old daughter knows I am taking the Feng Shui master program and I am always surprised when she asks" Is this good Feng Shui?, Is this bad Feng Shui? Mom can you Feng Shui my room?" Last night in the middle of the night, she was sick. She had a stomach ache and hurled all over the floor. She missed the bed intentionally and as I grabbed the spray and paper towels and cleaned it all up she watched with empathy at my task. I assured her it was fine. It felt like breastfeeding days of up every 20 minutes, getting accidentally bashed in the head by her head as I wen to kiss her in the dark, to now cleaning up throw up. Off the floor,the carpet, in the drawer. It honestly was fine I committed to her comfort and the task. After all was cleaned wiped and washed I grabbed a little sage and lit it and swooshed it around her room. I said, " This will take the edge off of any throw up smell, though I don't smell any."She said " Is it bad Feng Shui to smell it?" It was a perfect question. I said "well um, I mean it probably will just make you feel better to not smell it so yes I guess it would be better feng shui". SO CUTE! Later a customer emailed and asked if I could make a keychain not out of leather as she was vegan, but if I couldn't she offered, "Oh it's ok, I will just try and ignore it." I told her, " No! you will constantly be imprinted that it doesn't resonate with highest ideals! you'll be carrying something that goes against your core values and nothing in that can work for the best of you." I would call that bad Feng Shui. How many times do we choose "this", and say "its good enough" or "I'll deal" or "it'll be fine?" Don't. It'll seep into your core self and not resonate with your highest vibration, just say "that's not going to work for me" And feel confident with it!

I am Everything : I am Nothing

Oh the same old Buddha mentality. So cliche. Blah blah! Well I have recently realized I have spent a life time focusing on my worth. Telling myself, I am something, I am great (because I didn't actually believe it, I had to say it over and over and hear it from others). And if I am not great or I don't feel worthy, I focus on the parts that are. Tell the story in a positive way. Find worth in your feats and accomplishments. I have done that, done well at that. I have been on the cover of magazines because my face fits some idea of what people say is pretty. I have lounged regularly on Greek Yachts in the Aegean, I have my art featured on TV shows and in 5th ave flagship stores. I had a 4.23 GPA and got a full scholarship and grants to NYU. I actually never considered these things are great. I was happy and excited about all of it, but It was just my life. But others do. They tell me. Then why do I still feel not enough? I have two amazing children. I am a good person with many gifts. When people ask me what I do, I never feel confident in my answer. I have learned to have confidence in communicating my answer, but I honestly don't feel it. Recently in my "jobless" state, (which is completely vulnerable and challenging to even type here ) I have had to sit with nothing, with everything, holding the emptiness I feel. Who am I if I am not working hard? Not controlling things? The emptiness is almost unbearable. It makes me want to move, to throw everything away, my relationship (never my kids) , my commitment to my partner. I want to fill it, but nothing fills the emptiness. So I am left to sit. And be. And Feel. UGH! So I walk. I breath, I read, I listen to the birds and see the plants, I call friends ( I also apply for jobs- but clearly I have another lesson to learn). I do amazing energy work on clients that I get paid for . I love it. But I am left to reflect a couple of statements that ring strong and true for me right now. "I am enough." Period. I am enough. Just me. I was reading Debbie Ford's book, the secret of Shadow and there was something that I was trying to understand just outside of my consciousness about it, and I read these words, "I must embrace both the vastness of my Divinity and the insignificance of my humanity. I must embrace that I am everything and I am nothing." And then it clicked. I was pushing aside the idea of being nothing and trying desperately to project a reflection that I am somebody- whatever that means, that it was as if I was running from myself in fear. What is wrong with being nothing - I don't mean in the self deprecating way. I was thinking of a rabbit hopping and running around field by himself, like I see on my walks. He doesn't worry if he is enough. I am big and tall and capable and was shamed for making money in modeling as a teenager by my mother so I stayed small. I stayed in her comfort zone. That was a reaction. I have been fighting to be famed and prominent in contrast as well. But there was this huge relieving feeling to just say, I can be small and insignificant in a beautiful present way. There is so much less pressure. Just be me. Who I am, I am enough. This has been one of the hardest lessons to learn. All last week I wanted to throw up with the feelings. Literally I wanted to throw up, I couldn't stomach the idea of being empty. I tried to write this post last week but I was angry and uncomfortable and everything I wrote sounded like I was yelling at you! The reader. I don't want that. So I went for a long walk. The other statement a friend said to me is " Everything is changing all the time." This too was helpful, it allowed space for me to breath through the hard hard bits, the parts where I felt there would never be any relief. If that can change, so can I. All the time. Every day. I am a life force of cells and atoms constantly changing. evolving. growing. dying. being born. regenerating. Thank GOD!

I want more

I want a better job, I want more success, I am left sitting here waiting for things to happen, I need goodness, I need luck, I need movement. Well you know what, I need to put my money where my mouth is! I know what to do! Do Good Deeds! It creates a positive forward motion vibration that opens stuff up! Just do it. Babysit for your friend's kids ( I did today 2 months old!). Let someone in in traffic, Hold a door, offer help with someone's bags. Do do do it all the time every day over and over. At first when I needed to do this I thought and laughed at myself "There's no-one to help, there's nothing to offer blah blah excuses excuses". I also said "JANE get off your ass and figure it out!" Since I started this, I get new clients every day, I am getting excellent feedback and furthered steps in jobs I am applying for. Keep going. One foot in front of the other. It's my work right now! Not easy but feels like a karmic fulfillment as well.

Novelty - Feng Shui, by: Jane Kifer

Stir up some new energetic chi in your every day, Create a novel experience, flavor, routine. I noticed this in my own life and then in our last class it was discussed. It's true. I started drinking coffee and stopped drinking tea after 12 years. I stopped drinking bourbon and started drinking hot chocolate at my local amazing stone ground chocolate as food place. Now drinking some wine ( I mean not this minute, that would not be a healthy choice- it's 9 am). I take new roads with the Waze app. I stopped eating the same breakfast. Everything shifted. Most importantly I was excited about things again, it was novel and new and inspiring. I used to think I needed to sit at my desk every day and work, but life became more fruitful and fulfilling when I started meeting people for lunch, getting out there and having new conversations with new people. I can see old patterns being shed, new paradigms and possibilities being created. DO yourself a favor, switch it up, see what unfolds! ( Don't get me wrong it isn't always comfortable after everything shifts, but it is good- We get used to carrying the back pack of rocks on our back, there's a special little groove where it sits and we are used to holding it. BUT That doesn't mean we have to and it isn't how we will thrive!) SO try it!

Feng Shui Door, A Way In - by: Jane Kifer

In studying Feng Shui and the BTB black sect, 3 year accredited program I am in, I have learned, there are many "doors" in. Into your psyche, your soul, your stuck parts, your trauma. It can be feng shui, healing light, essential oils, therapy, prayer, YOU NAME IT. Keep searching, keep growing, keep learning. Be vulnerable, Be strong, Be weak, Have hope for yourself, acknowledge your failures ( don't dwell and don's pass over it), celebrate your successes. Look at the real thing, even when it hurts, own it. Get support through one of these healthy modalities to get stuff inside you moving! And remember, as these recessed layers leave us, we feel the pain more intensely as when it got imprinted. We tend to want to shy away and not look at it because it's painful, BUT don't! Move through it! Breath! Own it! and FLOURISH! My boyfriend said to me years ago, " Jane I don't want you to just survive, I want you to thrive." That was like a lightbulb hitting me on my head. I had spent my whole life trying to survive I forgot about the thrive piece. Very different place to work from. SO make an effort and figure out your shit and move on!

Feng Shui Space - By: Jane Kifer

Space, be it energetic, or a physical home. When things are cleared out, it allows room for more and new stuff. It is that simple. Sometimes it is relationships, attitudes or a packed garage. I am always amazed to see how long we live with a subpar dynamic only to feel relieved and free once it is let go. And Wow, what fills that space is better and bigger and proof of growth. Ditch the asshole friend, Bye to the bad marriage, No way to old patterns of dealing, unload the "stuff" you are hoarding- and make way for what is yet to come! Welcome!

Reacting and Responding- by: Jane Kifer

Some people do not realize they react to situations. They are checked out and can only respond from the place of fear which is reacting. Acknowledge this space and take a deep breath and say " Whew I am pissed! Or sad! or overwhelmed " and explain why or say you don't know why and ask for another time to speak about it. It will fair much better for everyone. Less hurt and blame. Sometimes I feel completely saturated and wish everyone would stop talking to me, but I take it on and go beyond my limit and comfort and then when they don't stop, I verbally freak out. That isn't fair. I knew I was saturated way before the boiling point. Now, even to my kids I say " Hold UP, I need some space, I am totally overwhelmed right now." It works wonders.

Out with the Old, In with the New! - By: Jane Kifer

Happy NEW YEAR! It's not the Chinese New Year yet, so you have time to get more "stuff" in order! I just threw away 25 years of photos and journals. I had journals I wanted to save my whole life for my kids to read about my life and my inspiration and my travels as a teenager modeling through out Europe. I thought how excited they'd be to know my life! And just recently, I started to realize, All the "STUFF" I carried around the world and saved for them, for me, didn't matter anymore. The pictures didn't have the same meaning or hope or value they once had, because I grew. It wasn't the best time of my life anymore. It was one of many best times of my life and I see things differently and what is attached to it and the reality of it and how that experience revealed itself, actually felt empty in comparison to who I am today. I was carrying things around as proof of a life I loved, but honestly I am proof of a life I love. As I opened the bin to go through every photo and decide if I kept it or moved it on it's journey to paper recycling, I discovered something so intriguing. The favorite journals I so valued in my life and my experience which have always been a source of joy for me to comb through, didn't matter anymore in the same way. And they were water damaged and molded shut. The ink all ran together, the pages stuck shut. It was not a coincidence. It was confirmation that it didn't have purpose anymore. I have the best imprints of the time in my being. I didn't need to hold on to the wonderful groups of people who loved me, the only proof of love I held on to to know I was going to be ok, it was to overcompensate for the love I so seeked from my disappearing Mother and my father. I have love and growth and family now. I have fulfillment in my soul and journey. I don't need the paper tracking the past that kept me alive. I definitely kept many photos, probably over 100, But I tossed 3 garbage bags full of the past into the trash bin and it feels right.