International Women's Day

Latest Podcast Episode. The Candid Conversations Season 2 Episode 6-Troubadours and Teachers with special guest Rev Ananda Leeke.
In today's episode, I speak with my special guest and wonderful client Rev Ananda Leeke for the International Women's History month special. Throughout the month I will be interviewing some dynamic and centred creative women.

We talk about all things books, creativity, authors, and also:

⭐️What inspired Ananda to create her book, including many writers, such as ntozake shange, Maya Angelou, and bell hooks to Billie Holiday as one of her musical influences.

⭐️How Ananda starts her creative process which led her to creating three books.

⭐️How to show up and work on our 'mind drama' to enable us to create masterpieces.
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Again we go in, and this conversation is full of self-love gems grab your herbal tea and invite the love of energy into your space.

If you have a desire to write your own book this episode is a must!

About Ananda,
Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke discovered mindfulness, self-care, and wellness when her career as a lawyer, an investment banker, and a digital communications professional stressed her out, caused burnout, and did not produce the level of success she expected. Over the past 30 years, mindfulness, self-care, and wellness have helped Ananda navigate change, become resilient, overcome panic attacks, transform her relationship with technology and social media, and release her career expectations. As a result, she has been able to pursue her calling as an artist-in-residence at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts at Howard University Hospital and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, an author, a speaker, a trainer, a mindfulness and yoga teacher, a digital wellness educator, a reiki and sound healing practitioner, a Thriving Mindfully Coach, and a Human Design Doula. Today, she coaches and trains high achievers and mission-driven companies, organizations, and communities on how to navigate change, to embrace self-care and digital wellness, to tap into creativity, become resilient, and to thrive mindfully.As the founder and Chief Mindfulness Officer of Ananda Leeke Consulting, she leads a wellness company that specializes in personal and professional development. She oversees the Thriving Mindfully Academy and Resource Network, an online learning platform and membership site. She also serves as a Human Design Doula, a legally ordained interfaith reverend, and hosts and produces the Thriving Mindfully Podcast. In addition, she creates artwork that promotes mindfulness, self-care, wellness, and resiliency. Her mixed media collages, wire sculptures, and paintings have been exhibited in the Washington DC metropolitan area, New York City, North Carolina, and Kentucky. Several of her paintings decorate the covers of her books, Love’s Troubadours, a yoga-inspired novel, and That Which Awakens Me, a mindful creativity memoir. Both books and her mindful technology memoir, Digital Sisterhood are available on Amazon. Currently, she is writing Thriving Mindfully as the REAL ME: A Memoir of Lipstick, Loving Kindness, Joy, and Everything in Between.

Ananadas website
anandaleeke.com/
www.instagram.com/anandaleeke/

Purchase Love's Troubadour on Amazon

www.amazon.com/Loves-Troubadours…One/dp/0595440819

Women we discussed
www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/ntozake-shange for coloured girls.
amzn.to/3vIy8qK
Susan L Taylor
www.instagram.com/iamsusanltaylor/?hl=en

Lessons in Living
amzn.to/3HQayKT
Iyanla Vanzant
iyanla.com/
Tapping the power within
amzn.to/3pOChFE

We also spoke about Billy Holiday the Jazz Artist.

To book a consult to see if the Highly Capable Creative Programme for Creative Women is for you contact me here www.mjfontaine.co.uk

Listen here on Soundcloud

Holistic Book Club - Essential oils, pain relief and a great waistline.

7 minute read. .

I was recently sent three books by Eddison Books on Health and Wellbeing. Now I am a bit of s sceptic because as a Holistic therapist and Former College tutor the books we read were quite detailed clinical type books. Suffice to say it was nearly 20 years ago so I suspect the sophistication of the reader has risen to meet our upgraded HD retinas.

Essential Oils You Can’t Do Without: The Best Aromatherapy Oils for Health, Home and Beauty and How to Use Them by Daniele Festy

The Ketogenic & Hypotoxic Diet: Lose Weight and Improve Health with This Low-Carb, High-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory Plan by Olivia Charlet

Natural Painkillers: Relieve Pain with Natural Remedies and Exercises by Dr Yann Rougier & Marie Borrel

Natural Painkillers: Relieve Pain with Natural Remedies and Exercises by Dr Yann Rougier & Marie Borrelcan came at the right time because I recently experienced a bad back after another Bereavement (if you have listened to my podcast or read my blog on Grief  then you will know how common it is to experience physical ailments after the death of a loved one). The book is jam-packed with various complementary techniques to use such as Acupressure points to help with pain relief,  Healthy foods to help reduce inflammation and also a good range of Homeopathic and Aromatherapy remedies and recipes to assist you with any complementary programme.

Safety note: For any physical ailment one should always consult their GP or Complementary Health Practitioner ( I consulted my Osteopath for my back).
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Essential Oils You Can’t Do Without: The Best Aromatherapy Oils for Health, Home and Beauty and How to Use Them by Daniele Festy

When I was asked to review this book I thought it would be just another aromatherapy book with great pics, but I was wrong, it is a great book and great as a reference guide.   This easy to use book is full of information that will help you create some great skincare and wellness blends. 6 Essential Oils You Can't Do Without has great references on all the important data that will allow you to start your essential oil journey. Even for existing Aromatherapists and students alike, this book visually clean and informative, for the novice, it will also be a great companion to creating a Healing home because it has over 300 recipes for the home, skin and body. So for my clients and students alike, I will definitely recommend this lovely book.

The Ketogenic & Hypotoxic Diet: Lose Weight and Improve Health with This Low-Carb, High-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory Plan by Olivia Charlet

I found this book really interesting and again timely because I have spent the winter hibernating and now I am back at the Gym and on the mat.   The Ketogenic & Hypo toxic Diet again was a very informative read. The book breaks down the “Keto” diet which is a diet

Low in carbohydrates and rich in good fats, the ketogenic diet offers the perfect solution to healthy eating for optimum well-being. But in order to be truly beneficial to our health, it should also be hypotoxic (gluten- and dairy-free, with only moderate amounts of organic animal protein). 

The Keto diet says No, to sugar, most fruits or white carbs and Pulses so some Vegans may find this a problem if they eat a lot of cooked Chickpeas or Lentils,(there are options for the sprouted pulses)

As a gluten intolerant Pescatarian  I find pulses hard to digest, even with Seaweed added and soaking,  and the Gluten-free food often leaves me bloated so trying this out has helped reduce the bloating.

The book is clearly written and easy to follow, but for me, my favourite part of the book is the recipes.   Although different I found some of the foods choices similar to the Paleo diet, however, the Keto is about changing macronutrients to start a natural fat burning process. (correct me if I am wrong) and the Paleo is about eliminating dairy, grains and processed foods. Both diets are good for Auto Immune, Weight loss and Gluten intolerance. As for the weight loss, I am only on day 1 so I will let you know if I follow this for 5 days.  I will definitely add this book to the reading list of my self paced course the 30/30 Wellness programme.and now that is a bonus. All books are available for all outlets such as Amazon and Foyles.

Grief Notes 2

I remember when I lost my friend in 2012 and a client did not want to see me because I was grieving. At the time I resigned myself to the fact that maybe I needed to heal myself and be right. But no my work and sessions do not function like that because I am not a Counsellor but since my father transitioned my work is more powerful, transforming and sometimes raw. I feel is the high level of transparency that allows me to just open and oh so present. That is what grief does it makes one so present that miracles can happen.

Grief notes

For the back story please see my last post.

Note 1

I realise I am still very much in shock and in grief, today I felt it. I don't really like to share how I feel on Social media  (well not facebook ) because it is personal or maybe it is because I can pretend it is not real.  I know well-wishers and empathic people will post because they care and are empathic but this will only make me cry more but the real truth is If I post about the grief then it becomes real that my Dad has left Earth, so I stay in limbo until I can breathe some more because every time I open up to the reality I feel my heart breaking. The pain of grief is unbearable, but this is normal this is grief and there is nothing I can do about it because in a moment I will be back to normal the door closed and the faucet closed again.

That is grief.

FULL MOON IN SAGITTARIUS JUNE

Please note that this is an old video: therefore the retrograde information will not apply to this current time. 

To join our circle click here

5 SELF CARE ACTIVITIES FOR WOMEN DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE.

Please note this blog post was written days before the London incident on 3rd June 2017 and I believe these activities are needed more than ever.

London, I still love you. 

As I navigate my diary this month (in between my various business ventures, planning a vacation and just trying to refurbish my kitchen on a budget), I have decided to list the five things that are going to ignite my spirit and self- nourish my soul. Most of these activities are on London so if you are visiting London pay close attention because you can find some very cost effective activities that you can undertake here.

Mental healthdates.

The best way to build self -worth is to take yourself on a mental health or self-care date.  You don't have to fly solo on all of these activities but just once try attending an event on your own.  This will encourage your confidence and enable you to discover some new concepts and hobbies you may not have thought of before.

A woman with an interior life is much more magnetic and interesting because she is able to draw on support from within and requires less external interaction.  So I have curated 5 activities that may give you a sense of spirit. M x

1.  FILM Unbound Vision of the Black Feminine. - BFI SOUTHBANK

Following on from the BFI’s landmark BLACK STAR season last year, UNBOUND: VISIONS OF THE BLACK FEMININE, is a Sight & Sound Deep Focus season, showcasing films created by, and about, black women. This season will include the BFI re-release of Julie Dash’s seminal Daughters of the Dust (1991), which has been lovingly restored for its 25th anniversary. With the freedom to reflect their own lives, black women filmmakers pioneered their way to an extraordinary cinematic legacy.

If you have not watched a film solo then I suggest you treat yourself to a solo date, and this film festival will give you an opportunity to do so.  Alternatively choose a movie here and bring a good 'non-draining' friend who will help you maintain that good vibe and discussion after you have indulged in these thought-provoking films. 

2.  Somerset House Perfume - A Sensory Journey Through Contemporary Scent 21 June - 17 Sept 2017

Multi-sensory exhibition featuring ten extraordinary perfumes and their pioneering creators, who have radically changed our perceptions of fragrance over the last 20 years.

#perfumepioneers

3.The Old Hamman & Spa -https://www.oldhammam.co.uk/ North London

The Old Hammam & Spa offers a variety of packages and treatments to suit each individual's needs. Whether you are looking for a gift or simply indulging yourself,

Enjoy a Turkish treat North of the River at this traditional Hammam. This is a cost effective way of experiencing this authentic spa treatment without leaving the country.

4. Sensational Butterflies - Natural History Museum http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/sensational-butterflies.html

"The exhibition includes a kaleidoscope of colourful species ethically sourced from Central and South America, Africa and Asia"

Follow the trail through a tropical habitat of flowers, vines and foliage. As butterflies fly overhead, you'll pass chomping caterpillars, glistening chrysalises and busy feeding stations.

5. Womb Wisdom - A SOLSTICE WORKSHOP

My own Solstice workshop June 24th June - This month join us to meditate and paint at my studio here in London.  This workshop covers Womb wisdom and the purpose of goal setting. CLICK HERE for more.

Let me know if there are any other events or self-care activities you plan to do.

If you have an event you would like me to include for July's 5 of the best please let me know.

ENJOY LONDON

MARILYN

Balancing Chakra course - The story so far

It is now week 5 of our course Balancing Chakras using Art and Aromatherapy and every lesson has been powerful ranging from gentle cradling energy to pure feminine energy.

This course has been a very j powerful journey all I can do is watch in awe of the magick that surrounds me.  There has been miracles along the way and this does not happen to everybody.   The commitment undertaken by women has been met with rewards by the universe, for example; for one particpant has renewedher belief in life, another has a job offer that suits her business and

The artwork that the participants have created has been phenomenal this week we create our own Oracle / Affirmation cards. 

But don't take my word for it see the pictures below and join us in June when we run the new course.

Marilyn

Healing Art : The Phoenix

Acrylic on hardboard.

I wasn't going to show this #workinprogress but as it is a full moon I wanted to share.  The face has changed since I took this photograph.  This paintingis influenced by the Nibiru story and this is the phoenix    " According to the Greek historian Herodotus (b: 484 BC), the phoenix was a mythical bird from Ethiopia. It was spectacularly large, beautiful and adorned with mind-blowing plumage. The historian also reported that the phoenix made a nest cypress branches. Rather preparing to lay eggs, the phoenix was preparing to die. While sitting in the nest, the bird created a great deal of heat, and set itself on fire from its own heat with the cypress serving as kindling. After three days, the phoenix emerged from its own ashes - reborn and released from the sentence of death, able to live on forever" source what is your sign

I am nowcreating a package for those suffering with Creative or physical burnout and this painting comes at a time when rebirth is needed for those who have given a lot and need rejuvenation it is now time.

Self Care for Therapists

I remember my first encounter with Burnout I was working as a Beauty and Holistic Therapist at Bliss Clinic in Portobello Road in early 2001; After four years practicing I had to give up bodywork for a long time due to a lack of self-care. I had a good number of regular clients but I could no longer physically work at the level I was used too. I believe my need for external validation of making others feel better was the driving force of allowing my own resources to become dry.

Eventually I moved into Coaching and Training others to become Therapists which again led me to Burnout.  So in 2012 I retired from over-giving and I changed my way of working.

During this time my mentor/therapist would remind me that I have been a classic rescuer so over giving is in my nature.

Over giving is often in the nature of Healers, Artists, Therapists and can be linked to the Karpman Drama triangle ‘PVR’ triangle, where one becomes the Rescuer and gives tirelessly and eventually collapses with exhaustion or become either a victim or persecutor (see video).

“Work is Love made Visible” – Kahlil Gibran

We love our work but there needs to be some exchange because as a Creative Healer our work is our life, but we need to be able to tap into other sources so we can work better.

I like to use the percentage model with my clients; How much percentage does your work take? for example if it is 50% what are the percentages for other areas in your life? for a Healer therapist I believe rest should be very high on your list unless you have a specific project.  This model comes from a more complex model used by the Aztec healers explained by the now departed Healer Elena Avila in her book Women who Glows in the Dark. The Author explains the Aztec model for Healers in more detail.
It is really important for you to have a plan or an ethos for living as a pioneer because anything less would be detrimental to your growth.

Six ways to bring balance and self-care into your life.
1 Community (Partner /Friends/ Family)
2 Rest and Relaxation
3 Exercise
4 Going out in nature
5 Mediation, Prayer, Gratitude, Creativity
6 Healthy Food

If you would like to know more or have some support on self-care, please sign up for our newsletter and join our free course the Creative healing coaching course.