As World Wellness Weekend is upon us today I wanted to catch up with Surfing the Sea of Life and gain a few tips on what we can all do to relax, feel less stressed, and what Jenni has done personally to help cope with the lockdown over the last few months.
Jenni spends her time offering Reiki which is a form of spiritual healing based on the theory that an unseen ‘life force energy’ flows within us. Sometimes stress and illness can make us have low energy so Reiki can help to regain an energy flow that can make you happier and healthier. A Reiki practitioner lays their hands close to a person’s body which encourages the energy to flow freely, unblock chakras, and promote better wellbeing in mind, body, and spirit.
Surfing the Sea of Life has the name because Jenni sees life like surfing. “We can’t stop the waves” she explains “but we can learn how to ride them, choose the ones to catch or avoid and get the skills needed to be prepared, safe and living in the moment”.
As we enter uncertain times in Autumn and Winter, we need to keep focused on balance, and trying to be kind to our bodies. Some people find that easy, but lots of people work so hard that making time for themselves can be an issue. Adding to that the stress of COVID, it can take its toll. With a new recent survey to show how much COVID has affected our mental health and the increase in mental health issues amongst our community, I thought it would be nice to offer some expert advice from the people that work hard to help us regain balance and composure over our bodies so we can find some solace in our mind and soul.
I asked Jenni some questions and the answers she gave really inspired me to think about more meditation techniques to help ease my busy mind and listen to my body.
How did you cope with lockdown?
At first, I experienced quite a few wobbles but I knew that this was normal. I gave myself permission to honour my emotions while guiding myself back to the present moment. I found a sense of peace by accepting what I couldn’t control, choosing to master my responses and used my tools and beliefs to direct my energy to what I did have control over.
What did you do mentally to help yourself?
Reiki, meditation, Yoga Nidra, Jin Shin Jyutsu, music, essentials oils & my bed of nails. I volunteer at Southsea Green Community Garden so gardening and getting outside for my daily exercise was a great help. As was binge-watching Brooklyn Nine Nine and Modern Family!
What advice would you give to anyone struggling to cope with the stress of the virus?
Imagine a reality where you are handling this pandemic in a relaxed and balanced way. “Yeah, but I am not, it’s stressful”, I hear you, but humour me for a minute. Close your eyes, take a deep breath and imagine for a second that it was true. How would you be feeling? How great would it be? What would be happening? How would it help you and your loved ones? Smile and allow yourself to believe that it is true. Stand up, put your arms above your head into a power pose. Now, take one step each day towards this reality. Ask for help but know that you have all of the answers within you.
What tips would you give people to help them gain balance?
Learn to breathe consciously (there’s lots of info online). Become aware of the quality of your breathing every day and improve it. If you’re off balance start to breathe consciously, bringing your attention to each sense, one at a time (smell, taste, touch, sound, sight). You’ll be back in the present moment in no time!
Explore how to reset your nervous system.
How do you think Reiki can help with peoples every day lives?
It reconnects you to the universal energy flowing through everything, it awakens your innate healing ability, it’s relaxing, unblocks stagnant energy, expands your consciousness and helps you know yourself on a deeper level.
What wellness things do you like to do in your spare time?
Coldwater sea swimming, kundalini yoga, cacao ceremonies, gong baths, sound healing & watching documentaries on Gaia TV exploring the expansion of consciousness and the nature of reality.
What plans do you have for Surfing the Sea of Life?
Books, Online courses, 1:1 and group programmes, workshops, talks, podcast and vlogs based on my Surfing the Sea of Life model. Anything which helps me inspire people to master their energy so that they can master their life, thrive and achieve a state of flow, balance and harmony with the world within and around them. My mission is to make this a better world for people, animals and the Earth, one day at a time.
You can find out more about Jenni and Surfing the Sea of Life here. You can also book in for a distant Reiki session and also help with life coaching.
Look out for more from Jenni with workshops, talks and maybe a podcast which would be nice!
By Louise O’Brien
