"The question is not whether we will die, but how we will live." 
~ Joan Borysenko

I'm standing on my left leg. My right leg is wrapped around it and my arms are reaching up, twisted together like a pretzel. The breath is steady, eyes are focused on a spot in the floor, and I'm one with everything - the sound of my yoga teacher's voice, the panting of the woman on my right, sweat dripping down my arms, the intense concentration of everyone in the room, my heart beating and the pleasurable pain of muscles lengthening and letting go. Out of nowhere pops the thought - "You forgot to call ......." and I topple over. It's followed by a volley of judgments like "You're terrible at balance" or "It's too late to make that call" or "Maybe you should just quit this class" and I'm caught in an old familiar pattern of beating myself up. But this time I pause: In a split second I decide to let go of the unkind thoughts and give myself some approval, and I easily flow back into the pose.

Studies have shown that we have thousands of thoughts a minute, most of which are unconscious. These involuntary thoughts, also known as 'ego mind,' push us around, make us cranky and unkind to ourselves and others, create tension in the body which over time can lead to dis-ease, and lock us in an endless cycle of fear. In short, they hold us hostage and control our lives. So how do we wake ourselves up and stop this craziness?

For me - and my clients - a key is to pause, especially when we feel uncomfortable or out of balance.  In pausing we can recognize that the ego mind has shown up as a negative feeling (like anxiety or agitation), clutching in the belly or chest, or a sense of heaviness. When that awareness has opened, I may teach a client how to use The Release Technique (see Spring issue) to allow the thoughts and accompanying feelings or sensations to pass through, and then.... they find space to give themselves some approval.

Using this method, clients are able to reclaim what one person calls the "Wise mind" - a natural authentic state which is all knowing, limitless, and beyond the struggling ego mind. From this essential state of Being-ness they see that they have a choice: They can allow themselves to be pushed around by their unconscious thoughts or they can decide to wake up and create a magnificent life.

~ Linda

Learn more about a way to undo your old programming and open doors to new possibilities that you didn't even know existed:

• Contact me to receive a free 20 minute sample of The Release Technique. (This offer is available to the first 10 who ask!)

• Join us at the next Release Technique class in Los Angeles on September 17-19. (Register with me or a friend and receive a $100 discount!)

• Attend a class in your area: http://www.releasetechnique.com/live-classes/

• Once a day for at least five minutes, sit down, put your feet up, and do absolutely nothing.

• Every time you pay a bill, give thanks for the service that is being provided.

• When you get stuck in traffic, call someone you love.

• If someone gets upset with you, take a deep breath in and out before you respond.

Would you like to tell us how you pause in the middle of your busy day? Email us and we will share your tip in our next issue.

In this changing economy business leaders are being challenged to reduce costs. This sometimes requires cutting back on programs and staff.

Furthermore, research shows that executives who run addiction treatment facilities experience higher turnover rates than those in any other industry.¹

Mounting pressure on any organization's team can increase the rate of:

• Stress
• Exhaustion
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability
• Decreased levels of work satisfaction
• Compassion Fatigue

And people are more likely to leave their jobs.

These half-hour stress reduction groups provide your staff with the tools and support they need to overcome these challenges, give themselves a much-needed break, and reinvigorate their passion and purpose.

If you are located in the Los Angeles area, Linda will travel to you. If you are outside the LA area, she will conduct the group as a teleconference!

For further information or to arrange an free introductory session:

1- Eby, L. T., McCleese, C. S., Owen, C., Baranik, L.E., & Lance, C. E. (October, 2007)

Email: info@lindalandon.com
Phone: (310) 202-6722
Fax: (310) 202-6685
Web: www.lindalandon.com
www.powertopause.com