Category: Lifehouse Videos

Happy Valentine’s Day! On this day of all things love-related, why not tackle the topic of sexuality?

At Lifehouse Body & Soul, we believe in the Light of awareness–that by bringing an open mind and curiosity to most anything, we can move closer to Truth, to peace, to alignment.

As human beings, we all have the ability to discern Truth by following our hearts, observing the fruits of our actions, and being totally honest about what we find.

At anytime, we can look at what we’re doing and ask: is this bringing me closer to what I truly want from life? In mindfulness, we are willing to change our course and try new directions.

Bringing mindfulness to our sexuality means bringing open-minded curiosity to this essential part of our human nature. It means considering why we think about things the way we do, why we behave the way we do, and being willing to ask if our perceptions really serve us.

It means being honest about how we use this aspect of our lives, and about the fruits of our actions on our selves and our relationships.

Ultimately, our sexuality is yet another element of our human design that has the capacity to bring us closer to God, and closer to experiencing our full human potential.

This Valentine’s Day, may you feel the divine pull of connection that defines so much of this human experience. Whether you are celebrating romantic love, sexual love, parental love, sisterly love, or otherwise…let’s celebrate and embrace the longing for belonging that makes us uniquely human.

In today’s More Than Mindfulness, Nesha shares her personal journey with people-pleasing. Becoming aware of the ways we are plugged into approval and validation is a necessary step toward becoming a “psychological adult,” according to Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife.

But, unplugging from other people’s approval can feel scary and threatening. We might fear disappointing others. We might fear that we will be perceived as unworthy if we stop trying to control, stop over-performing, stop over-functioning.

But when our well-being relies on the validation we receive when we perform well, we are like circus monkeys. We are in bondage to the fluctuating opinions of everybody around us. We have to lose our need for approval in order to find our strength.

How do we do this?

A consistent mindfulness practice allows us to connect back to the place within us that is directly connected to the Divine. This is the part of us that knows who we are and what we need. This is the part that is strong and fearless. This is the part that has nothing to prove.

A consistent meditation practice can help you shift your sense of self from something you plug into through other people’s approval, to something you find simply by discovering exactly who you are, underneath all the striving, in the present moment.

Today, Becky applies tips from BJ Fogg’s book Tiny Habits to help you understand how small commitments can really change your life.

First, we identify a “floor” habit that helps you feel spiritually grounded. A “floor” habit is something small enough that you feel that you could do it, even on a bad day. It might be something as small as:

• taking a conscious breath
• repeating a simple mantra or prayer
• reading one verse of scripture or uplifting material

Next, we attach an “anchor” to that floor habit. So, choose something you do everyday, no matter what, that can serve as an anchor to the new habit. Perhaps something like:

• brushing your teeth
• driving in the car
• walking through the door

Every time you participate in the anchor activity, you also practice the new habit. On bad days, you stick with the “floor” version of the new habit. On good days, one conscious breath might turn into 10 minutes of meditation. One mantra might turn into 20 minutes of uplifting reading or listening. You get the idea?

This concept actually has a lot to do with the way we structure our daily practice at Lifehousefit Body & Soul—we utilize the intrinsic benefits of both exercise and meditation by anchoring these 2 activities to one another.

If you are a regular exerciser, you establish a consistent meditation practice by attaching meditation to your daily workout routine.

If you are a regular meditator, it is easier to exercise when you attach exercise to that which you already do.

As you create consistency through small success, you pave the pathway toward big changes in the way you move through life–with peace, presence, and power!

Today’s mindfulness practice asks us to re-connect with our New Year intentions. When you consider yours, what comes up for you? Motivation? Resistance? Pride? Shame? Whatever is there can be welcomed into this moment, as a part of your unique journey of learning and growth.

This guided meditation will help you bring grace and wisdom to your self-improvement efforts. Holly leads us gently into the present moment, where every moment is a new beginning and a fresh start.

“It’s not our failures that hold us back. It is our perception of our failures that holds us back.” -Holly Lambert

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been having some trouble launching into a New Year. While my mind is telling me I should be geared up to go, my body and spirit are calling me to slow down. I have found it helpful this New Year to honor what my body is telling me through lower energy levels and lagging motivation. It is calling me inward, calling me to slow down, pause, and reflect.

This practice of reflection creates a gap in the treadmill-feeling of life. It creates much-needed space in a compulsive, forward momentum of thinking and doing. We hope this practice helps you find a gap in your day, and rest in your spirit. As we pause to reflect, we uncover the richness and wisdom that reveals our next right step on our unique journey home. We live with more meaning.

Happy New Year!

Welcome to a new beginning. For most people, goals and resolutions are top of mind as they settle down from the holiday festivities and gear up for a fresh start.

But, how do you face a New Year when you are practicing the art of surrender? How do resolutions fit in with acceptance and allowing?

For me, this tricky tight-rope has led me to one great intention that fills all my days, and guides my New Years. It is the intention to be present, aware, and awake for every person, situation, and experience life throws at me. It is the intention to move through it all with love, openness, curiosity, and willingness to take the next right step as I feel it through my body, soul, and Higher Power.

Over the past 8 years, I have found that the best way for me to stay true to this intention is to stay consistent to a Daily Practice. For me, Daily Practice is the sacred ritual that brings me back to my center each and every day. It allows life to move through me and teach me all the treasures it has to share. It is what keeps me in a space where I am paying attention enough not to miss the lessons, not to miss the gifts of new awareness that each day brings, with all its ups and downs.

Today’s post will give you a little insight into what this Daily Practice looks like for me. How have I stayed committed to it for so long?

Because I love it! The inherent rewards of this comprehensive practice are so huge for me–in body, mind, and spirit–it is often the very best part of my day, every day.

Also, because I share this practice in community. The aspect of community helps me show up on days I feel down or unmotivated.

If you feel like you could benefit from some structure and community in your exercise, meditation, or spiritual routines, you might consider our new Course:

Living From the Inside Out: A life-changing pathway from fear to freedom in body, mind, and spirit.

The Course launches with our first-ever cohort this spring, and you can join the waitlist today. Don’t miss the chance to make this year the year that changes your life forever.

We hope you are snagging a moment to catch your breath in the post-Christmas lull. As the year comes to a close, see if you can make your breath your most important companion and friend. This meditation with Holly will help you understand how this simple and natural constant can effortlessly connect you back to the Divine.

And don’t forget you can join our mailing list at https://lifehousefit.com/mailing-list/

With Christmas right around the corner, there are probably a million things you could still do. You could add a gift here or there, sneak in one more batch of cookies, fit in one more holiday-themed activity.

But before you do, take a moment for this guided meditation with Becky, and feel the Truth: Everything you most long for is already here, already within you. And what fills you most deeply cannot be wrapped in a package or arranged on a plate.

This holiday season, see if you can allow your body and soul to be your guide. Don’t be so focused on the outward appearance of it all that you cheat yourself of the deep satisfaction that quiet moments of peace and presence can bring. This practice of coming home to yourself can fill you with what you, and your loved ones, long for most.

More peace, more love, more presence, more power.

If you feel like you could use more peace, love, presence, and power in your life, you might consider our new Course:

Living From the Inside Out: A life-changing pathway from fear to freedom in body, mind, and spirit.

The Course launches with our first-ever cohort January 4th-14th. Don’t miss this chance to make this year the year that changes your life forever.

Christmas is coming, and that adds a lot of extra fun, food, and events to life…which is great! But all this extra can also feel stressful.

In today’s blog post, Becky shares 2 simple tips to get through the holidays without body stress.

Tip 1: Listen to your body!

There has never been a better opportunity to practice mindfulness to manage your stress levels and your to-do lists. Even though it may feel like a huge clock is hanging over your head and ticking down the minutes, you can still practice putting your inner peace as your top priority.  Pay attention! When your body feels tight, your shoulders are hunched, your breathing is shallow…take a PAUSE! Even a few slow, intentional breaths can completely shift your mindset. You can go back to your to-do list with lightness and ease, instead of tearing through it like a banshee.

Tip 2: Focus on LBS Conscious Eating Guideline #3 & #10

Value life experiences over rigid rules or fear around food. Food adds richness and connection to many important rituals and life events.

And…

View and treat your body as your most loyal friend. Honor it. When you feel you’ve made a mistake, don’t panic or shame yourself; such steps are part of healthy behavior change. Recognize that an over-indulgence or an excessive restriction can be helpful in the practice of learning to truly nourish and love yourself.

For a PDF download of all of our LBS Conscious Eating Guidelines, click here.

Here’s to a healthy and happy holiday season, where you use your body to bring you into contact with all the richness of the season, in wise and mindful ways. More joy, more peace, and more presence.

If you are interested in learning more about how your body can guide you to your best and most fulfilling life, you might consider our new Course:

Living From the Inside Out: A life-changing pathway from fear to freedom in body, mind, and spirit.

The Course launches with our first-ever cohort January 4th-14th. Don’t miss this chance to make this year the year that changes your life forever.

Have you ever noticed all the symbolism around light we use at Christmas? We string up lights on houses and trees. We light candles and put up stars. What does this symbolism point to?

There are several different elements of the Christmas story that point to light. Angels appear in the heavens, proclaiming good tidings of great joy. A new star appears and brings Wise Men from the East.

But, perhaps these tangible signs and wonders point to something even deeper, something intangible. Perhaps they point to the Christ Himself, the very Light of the World.

What does this phrase mean? What do the qualities of Light show us about this tiny little Being who entered the world all those years ago?

Light allows us to see clearly. It is often associated with warmth, like the light of a fire. It is something we feel, inside and out.

It is said that the Light of Christ is something that we carry within us, each and every one of us. But what does that mean? And how often do we feel it?

At Lifehouse Body and Soul, feeling this Light is our primary practice. We believe that feeling this Light is accessible to all of us as we learn to use our bodies as sacred tools of discernment. But it takes deliberate intention to carve out the space and time to do so, especially during the bustling busy-ness of the holidays.

We hope this guided meditation with Holly will help you feel the Light within you. And with each twinkling Christmas light you see, you might remember to pause for a conscious breath, think of that new star in the Bethlehem sky, and feel for that same Light reflected within yourself.