I got my Perfect Mantra for 2015! What is yours? Take the Quiz.

I got my Perfect Mantra for 2015! What is yours? Take the Quiz.

Go Red for Women Luncheon 2015: Win FREE tickets!

As part of my 5-year anniversary celebration at Bhakti Wellness, I am so pleased to announce the final give-a-way of the month!  We began with giving away 12 FREE private yoga session followed by five days of 5-hour ENERGY® merchandise packages (Dec. 12-19). Next, week we have the final two give-a-ways: a doTERRA® essential oil gift set and two tickets to the Go Red for Women Luncheon at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center on February 6, 2015.  Treat yourself and a friend or give as a special gift! (American Heart Assoc. tote and water bottle included)

The event will be emceed by Deena Centofanti, Fox 2 Health Works reporter, with keynote speaker Laila Ali, daughter of the legendary Muhammad Ali and fitness/wellness expert.  The tickets are valued at $250 each. MJ LaDuke, owner of Bhakti Wellness, has been a long-time advocate for the American Heart Association and is constantly creating awareness for the #1 killer!

2014 Go Red Luncheon

For a chance to win, just "like" our Facebook page or daily post (or share/comment).  It's that simple! If Pinterest is your thing, just pin a pix from our Anniversary Board.  Details can also be found at our website.

Good luck to all and thanks for a great 5 years!  Looking forward to 5 more!

Namaste ~ MJ

December 2014 Anniversary Celebration Winners

12 Days of Christmas = One 60 minute private yoga session
Please send Bhakti Wellness mailing address if you are a winner. Session expires March 31, 2015.
December 1: Mary Kondraciuk
December 2: Dana Lyke
December 3: Annette Lord
December 4: Tamra Ward
December 5: Robin Barrie
December 6: Julie Kain
December 7: Laura Eagan
December 8: Deanie Cleary
December 9: Tiffany Streett
December 10: Beth Grotz
December 11: Colleen Cantu
December 12: Kelly Jensen

5 Days of Giving = 5-hour ENERGY® Gift Package (ship to US address only)
December 15 (logo t-shirt and12-count box of 5-hour ENERGY®): Robert Mincey
December 16 (logo golf towel, logo hat & water bottle): Ty Banks Gardner
December 17 (logo t-shirt and 12-count box of 5-hour ENERGY®): Alaa Yacoub Saeed
December 18 (logo golf towel, logo hat and water bottle): Ea Matrisciano Damuth
December 19 (logo fleece, 12-count box 5-hour ENERGY®, logo water bottle & t-shirt): Tracy Dillard
Prizes must be claimed by January 31, 2015.

Bhakti Wellness Celebrates 5 Years! Win FREE Yoga All Month Long!

As Bhakti Wellness celebrates 5 years of business, I take a moment to look back at the path that led me to the present moment.  One of the goals of yoga is to stay in the present moment, but it doesn't hurt to sometimes reflect on the lessons learned, the experiences that shaped us and the people we met along the way.

Back in 2009, I completed my first training with YogaFit. As part of the requirement to teach, community service hours were required and I began teaching at St. James Catholic Church in Novi.  As a previous member and life-long Catholic, it was comfortable and paved the way for my return to the parish.  I continued teaching well past my requirement as I found much fulfillment out of the time and relationships.

My YogaFit trainings continued with Level 2, 3 and Anatomy.  It was in Level 2 that I learned some very basic information about Chakras.  My interest in the energy body and Chakra system grew and I dove into study and began to offer assessments and now can provide balancing with crystals, essential oils and yoga asanas.

I have brought diversity to my practice through teaching throughout the Novi/Northville area at The Sports Club of Novi, Novi Civic Center, as well as Powerhouse Gym Novi and South Lyon.  It was with heartfelt gratitude that I provided yoga relief for the walkers of the 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk in 2010.  

Wellness events and seminars include NGK Spark Plugs (USA), Inc., Allegis Global Solutions, VegFest, Crazy Wisdom Bookstore,  Novi Chamber of Commerce, Plymouth Study Club, 5-hour ENERGY ®  and more.
 

In the Bhakti Studio I specialize in a private or semi-private practice where I can assist students in their individual needs, fitness levels and abilities.  I have been blessed with new clients each year and in 2013 I began two new modalities: corporate yoga and event yoga. Being flexible both physically and professionally allow for change and new opportunities.  Yoga has allowed me to be just that, flexible! I am proud to be the official yoga instructor for the makers of 5-hour ENERGY ®  

As an avid writer I have also written many articles that can be found electronically and in print at gaimtv.com, selfgrowth.com, mj-yoga.blogspot.com, and Artisan's Well Magazine.  I have also been featured in an article in Metro You Magazine, Sept. 2012, in an article about private yoga. 

With all of that said, I am pleased to announce a month-long celebration beginning today, December 1, 2014.  Follow the promotions on my Facebook page and after you "like", share or comment on the daily post, you will be entered to win FREE yoga or fabulous prizes provided by 5-hour ENERGY ®. 

*Free yoga certificates expire 3 months from issuance.  Not redeemable for cash. Session is one hour only and requires 24-hour cancellation after confirming appointment or certificate becomes invalid. Appointments are based on availability.  Limited nights and Saturday appointments available. Not open Sunday.

The Attitude of Gratitude; 30 Days of Reflection on Yoga

As (most of) the Western world moves into a season of gratitude we often reflect on our blessings. Though I have been graced with abundance (wasn't always this way, of course) I wanted to look deeper into my yoga practice and what it truly means to me.  It seems that without it, I would not have the peace, happiness and health that I do.

Please follow my journey this month each day on Facebook as I reflect on the practice of yoga and perhaps you will find more meaning to your own. We can only be grateful for what we actually see and feel. Don't let the negative energy of this world limit your vision nor your happiness.  We all deserve peace and the ability to yoke, yoke with the Divine.  Om Namah Shivaya.

dōTERRA’s new 2014 Holiday Guide is here!

 Browse the doTERRA 2014 Holiday Catalog

dōTERRA’s new 2014 Holiday Guide is here! Celebrate this holiday season by giving the gift of essential oils. This Holiday Guide includes a Balance Neck Wrap, Travair car diffuser, a large wooden essential oil storage box, and much more! Items will be available to purchase on November 1, 2014.

Order from my website HERE. 

Learn more about using essential oils for wellness, health and happiness. Contact me today!

Happy Holidays and Namaste! MJ

Recovery Through Faith (and prayer): Today, Tomorrow and Always

Ever feel exhausted for no reason? Well, maybe you know the reason, but when it's emotional it's hard to admit or swallow the truth.  When my heart is wounded I "Pop!" like a balloon.  It's that simple. Someone can instantly bring me down to a level that I despise and little do they know that they bring my belief, love and respect for them down, too.  It's like carbonation without the fizz or a parade without a band.

It's so hard to get the momentum back.  The bright and shiny train I was riding on fell off the track and off a cliff!  I fight to stay strong knowing I can conquer the day since I've been through so much worse, or have I?  Emotional healing is physically debilitating and even an optimist needs to soul search for strength.  It's a silent and private journey this time, therefore, no comforting words from the cheer squad.  Some things we have to endure alone, right?

The savior for me is just that, my Savior! Who else could possibly comfort me or hold me in grace like I was a newborn child?  Comfort comes from the Word:

Philippians 4:13 "...in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

And prayer, of course.  Always a given, tride-and-true! I often find myself in thanksgiving for prayers answered.  I am humble in my petitions and am so blessed to have found peace in our Creator.  This was not always the case, but I have weathered many storms (a lot of my own accord) and risen like a phoenix out of the ashes. (see Flight of the Phoenix)

The pain has passed and I am on the mend, but the damage is done. Gestures of kindness replace words of solace.  The daylight fades and darkness follows. I believe the sun will rise tomorrow and a new day will dawn.  Love and peace are my earthly quests, thus, let nothing sabotage my journey!

Om asatoma...from darkness to light.

Blessings/Namaste ~ MJ

Words: The impact they have on our minds, heart and soul; using yoga and prayer to create word choice awareness.

by MJ LaDuke

Whether said in jest or with roots of blatant truth, words can pierce the heart like a dagger, melt the heart not unlike a snowman on a sunny day, or create a lasting impression that not even time can erase. I consider the latter the worst since they can eat at your soul for the rest of your life!  Words are so vastly different than thoughts.  Once spoken, they cannot be erased.  Once written and even worse, read, the damage is done.  Scars remain and a piece of our soul continues to silently ache no matter how much faith and tenacity exist to overcome the eroding torture. 

But then what if the words were constructive, based on love and spoken with an underlying wit? What if we could see beyond the hurt and momentary blow to our ego and use the advice or criticism to evolve, change or grow?  So, I think it is safe to say that the source of the word is critical and the measurement of foundational love determines how the words are received and perceived.

All too often we react swiftly with verbal mistakes before we process a thought.  If we only took just a few breaths we could have altered the possible hurt and pain to the receiver.   Slowing ourselves down allows us time to change the words or even not speak any at all.  Who are we to judge anyway?  Why are we reacting so harshly?  Is it because we love the person so much we are speaking to or is it because we are internalizing our own personal pain and lack of love by projecting outwardly?

Constant awareness is key in slowing the delivery of our words, choosing more appropriate words or as mentioned before, not speaking at all.  There is a beautiful gift in silence.  For me, creating this awareness or even the ability to be silent requires either a unique trait or daily yoga practice/meditation. Since most of us are not blessed with an innate gift or trait of knowing exactly when to speak and not to speak or knowing what to say or not to say, we have to work on our delivery throughout our lives.  I do this through prayer and yoga.  The two seem to go inherently together.

In yoga we yoke.  We yoke, or unite, with the divine or the divinity within us.  It is unique to each of us, but it brings us peace, i.e., whatever we yoke with does. When a student can't seem to find something that brings them peace I tell them to go to their "happy place". Whether it is our happy place, faith in a deity, nature, or the universe, this divinity should bring us to a place of peace, comfort and even love.  And whether you call it a prayer, thought,  mantra or intention, our method of connecting or yoking with our divinity is one in the same.  Like traveling in different vehicles arriving at the same place. We all get there in one way or another.

Many think of yoga as a physical sport.  It is, but it offers so much more! Yoga is comprised of body, mind and spirit.  The latter two are often not sought out at the onset of a yoga journey, but unintentionally evolve naturally.  The time frame is unique to each of us; it could take months or years to achieve a spiritual path through yoga.  However, once one achieves this trifecta, the practice becomes sacred and our outlook on every facet of life is altered.

Take eating for example.  I gradually gave up meat and poultry not as a trend, but because it was a natural progression of peace, tolerance and will on my yogic path.  I view food differently than ever before.  I view it is as a gift and as energy.  If we lust after food and gorge ourselves we have no control over our will and lose all gratitude for those who harvest and prepare the food.  If we pause before we eat something we can reflect on this amazing process that occurred to bring us sustenance. 

Imagine the transformation that occurs as we process the food through our digestive system.  Our body takes the nourishment and vitamins it needs and disburses it throughout the body and rids itself of anything wasteful.  The major energy center involved in this process is called our Manipura, which governs our will and right.  It is also associated with the fire element and is located at our solar plexus.  Keeping this energy center balanced allows us to process any physical, emotional and even spiritual transformation. 

Because yoga takes us also on a spiritual journey, a person of faith can intertwine prayer during a practice.  By this I mean either at the onset of the practice as we bring awareness to the breath to clear our minds, perhaps in vrksasana (tree), during shavasana (final relaxation) or seated meditation.  I have come to use yoga as my prayer time since evening prayer is often a challenge as my eyes grow heavy all too fast.  I can go deeper into prayer in the morning and in the setting of nature and I also find that Scripture keeps me rooted in awareness and brings my entire being back into balance not even realizing it was astray.  Utilizing several resources, e.g., different authors and anecdotes,  allows for different perspectives to better prepare us for unique situations. From literary giants to social media to the Word, choose your resource and expand your mind.

With the awareness and gratitude I create through yoking with the divine in yoga, I become more conscious of my word choices.  In continual prayer, I bring peace, love and wisdom to my heart allowing more insight into my word choices.  Both allow me to process incoming words differently.  Should I be lacking yoga or prayer during a moment in question, unfortunately I may speak too soon or speak the wrong words.  I can't change that moment, but I can correct it as soon as I realize it, learn from it and prepare for the next moment of challenge.  To avoid any future challenge, the answer is to maintain a healthy yoga practice and as well as daily prayer.

Namaste ~ MJ

"Whoever restrains his words has knowledge.  And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding." Proverbs 17:27

Comparing Essential Oils (EO) with dōTERRA CPTG EO

Essential oils (EO) are getting quite the press lately and more and more people seem to know about them, already use them, or have been exposed to them in some shape or form. Just today I was getting my teeth cleaned and when I was speaking to my hygienist about how I do not take any synthetic drugs and I only use EO she chimed right in and said she had been to a class and bought an entire kit for to replace her medicine cabinet!  We even use the same line.

For those not exposed to this new approach to wellness (some may call it "healthcare"), let me share a few EO facts:

• EO are 50-70 times more powerful than herbs. 
• They kill bacteria and inhibit the growth of viruses. 
• They enter the bloodstream within 30 seconds. 
• EO are a natural antibiotic and have the ability to kill bacteria.
• EO can be used topically, aromatically, or internally (not all brands).
• EO are safer, cheaper and often more effective than modern medicine.

So that's what I want to share, what the difference is between dōTERRA CPTG (certified pure therapeutic grade) EO vs. others.  I don't believe in slamming other products because I know there is something out there for everyone, but I do want to educate others on the importance of quality and process.

There are different grades of EO:

1. The lowest grade of essential oils are synthetic and are produced in labs that have copied the components of the oil. These oils are very low quality and are used in lotions and perfumes.
2. Next are food grade essential oils. These are used to flavor foods like lemon in salad dressings or cinnamon chewing gum.
3. The next grade, intended for a health benefit, is therapeutic grade. This has held the standard in the essential oil industry for the last 30 years. These are the oils that are found in health food stores and used in the health industry. These oils have served well but now things are even better.

dōTERRA has established a new standard in essential oils called Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade (or CPTG). dōTERRA set this standard by demanding the highest quality in all aspects of growing, processing, and distributing essential oils. dōTERRA is committed to obtaining oils from the original source. So they buy oils from growers that they select, train and monitor from all over the world. For example, Lavender comes from France and Frankincense comes directly from Oman. After the oils are 

obtained, they are processed in the manner best suited to that plant. Then they undergo third party testing in two independent labs to certify each batch of oil is pure. There are no synthetics, impurities or chemicals. If a batch does not meet this high standard, it does not make its way into bottles.

I have used dōTERRA EO in my yoga practice for over five years now and have replaced any synthetic medicine for myself and children with it, too!  My 12-year-old daughter even carries her own travel kit of oils.  Her most used oil is a blend of anise, caraway, coriander, fennel, ginger, peppermint, and tarragon to assist in a nervous and/or upset tummy as well as digestive issues.  I diffuse in the home and studio, drink lemon EO daily for my immune system, use a blend of wild orange, clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary for cleaning and so much more!

 If you would like more information on dōTERRA, would like to purchase or schedule an in-home or office workshop, please contact MJ here.  

(This information is purely opinion and not meant to be used to replace doctor recommended medicine. Always consult a doctor before using anything new as an answer to and ailment or illness.)

US VegWeek Begins April 21!

Join me NOW!

Blood Moon In Libra: Enter The Horsemen | OMTimes Magazine

Blood Moon In Libra: Enter The Horsemen | OMTimes Magazine



It occurs on April 15, 2014 ......feel the power!



Namaste ~ MJ

H.U.G.S. = Helping us Grow Spiritually

According to the Spiritual Science Research Foundation, the use of touch enhances the transfer of spiritual or subtle-energies up to 100%, when compared to a greeting that does not involve touch. Though the study includes research on the transference of  negative energy, I feel that we all possess some amount of positive energy located in our chakras. It is a constant struggle to bring these energy centers into balance, however, it can be achieved with awareness and focus.

Since yoga means to yoke, yoke with the divine, i.e., the divinity within each one of us, we can use this practice along with meditation to bring spiritual balance, enlightenment, nirvana, etc. Hugging someone you care about or even as a gesture to someone you just met can quite admittedly serve as a spiritual gift. 

Why not hug someone now? By doing so we release our oxytocin, which helps us navigate our world of complex social relationships by rewarding positive social behavior with feelings of contentment and relaxation. Physical touch stimulates the most potent release of oxytocin.

A study by Grewin, Girdler, Amico and Light at the University of North Carolina's department of psychiatry reported  that oxytocin is one factor which gives marriage its beneficial effects by calming distress. Perhaps the increased level of oxytocin explains why married couples live longer.

Married or not, we can all benefit from this release and create an even spiritual experience. So, don't forget to hug someone today and tomorrow and the next day... you'll be glad you did.

Hugs!
MJ

February is About Love: Discover Your Anahata Chakra

"The Chakra System is a map for the

 journey through life. Its seven rainbow

colors represent the full spectrum of human

 possibility that stretches from the ordinary

 to the extraordinary, from Earth to Heaven."

~ Anodea Judith

     Learning about the chakras gives you access to your programmed responses so you can minimize their negative effects and maximize their positive ones.  The word chakra means wheel or disc. A chakra is a spinning vortex of activity located along the astral spine created by the presence of the consciousness within the physical body. There are seven major chakras whose locations correspond to seven central nerve ganglia branching out from the spinal column. The mind and the body are brought together by the life force running through you.

      In yoga, it is referred to as prana, which is equal to chi. Both mean “life force”. It is this vital energy that the chakras organize. When we work mind and body together (as in yoga), the basic tasks of life flow more smoothly and enjoyably.

     Anahata chakra, the heart chakra, is the seat of balance within the body. There is no longer any concern with attachments to worldly pleasures, honors or humiliations. It governs our ability to give and receive love and most importantly, it allows us to find balance in loving ourselves and accept ourselves for who we are physically, emotionally and spiritually. This energy center is also the bridge between our physical energy centers and spiritual centers. All forms of  breathing or Pranayama can help you use more air, more prana, thereby increasing your vitality and enthusiasm for life and balancing the heart.

     Take some time this month to positively affirm to yourself one or more of the mantras below:


Anahata Affirmations:

I love myself in every area of my life.

I give love and love comes back to me.

I deserve love, prosperity, and happiness in all areas of my life.

My emotions are in balance and in harmony with my energy. 

Spread the love and remember to bring awareness to your heart health this month, too.  Wear red on February 7 to support the fight against the #1 killer....heart disease!