Living With Intention

Beckons Yoga Clothing Living With IntentionBy Becky Prater

As seen on www.mylocalhealth.com/total_fitness/living_with_intention

We beckon things to our life through our thoughts, actions and intention. If we set specific intentions for our day, year, finances, career, partnership, or life, think about it and act on it, we are more likely to experience that reality. Motivational speaker and author Wayne Dyer agrees, “Our intention creates our reality.” The process involves taking focused time to come up with a plan and set an intention. It’s my belief that life spent with intention is a far more satisfying journey. When we begin our day anticipating joy, abundance, and love—that is what we receive. Continue reading

Beckons Adds Malas to the Tool Kit

 

Beckons yoga clothing carnelian malasWe have recently added seven chakra malas to our Beckons tool kit. At Beckons we believe color, words, stones, and clothing can be used as tools to improve our lives. To read more about using color as a tool for self improvement, click here.

Sarita, a Nepalese craftswoman, living in Denver, CO has made these beautiful malas for us, based on our desire to have one that represents each of the seven chakras. It is our hope that you will use these to support the chakra that corresponds to the area in your life you want to stimulate.

We will present a series of blog posts that talk about each of the chakras and how the stones and color of the 108 bead malas can support the chakras.

If you are not familiar with malas, a mala is a set of beads commonly used by Hindus, Buddhists and yogis of all religions when meditating, usually made from 108 beads. Malas are used for keeping count while reciting, chanting, praying or mentally repeating a mantra (meaningful phrase of intention) so that one can focus on the meaning or sound of the mantra rather than counting its repetitions.

Malas are typically made from seeds, wood, bone or semi precious stones. We have chosen to use semi-precious stones to beckon the healing energy of the stones to ourselves. We have created one mala for each of the Chakras so that each person can choose the mala that corresponds to the area of the body that needs support.

When mediating, one mantra repetition is said for each bead while turning the thumb clockwise around each bead. When arriving at the head bead or guru bead, one turns the mala around and then goes back in the opposite direction.

Beckons yoga clothing carnelian malasWhen not meditating you can wear the malas on our wrists like a bracelet or around your neck like a long necklace, currently trending now due to Downton Abbey’s popularity and presentation of early 20th century fashion. We also use them to stimulate an area of our home or workspace to bring change. For instance, if you place the mala intentionally in the far left corner of your office or home, this will activate wealth energy—we can all use this. If you are interested in activating the love energy of your life, place a mala in the far right corner of your bedroom or home.
beckons yoga clothing seven malasWhy 108 beads? There are many explanations. The number 108 is sacred in many religions. Swami Muktananda explains it perfectly, as presented by destinationom.com, when describing the heart as the source of the infinite and our connection with the divine and God. From the heart there are 108 MAIN nadis (veins) that go from the heart to all the extrimeties and after reciting a mantra 108 times you have purified your body. Go here for more reasons http://www.swamij.com/108.htm.

5 Ways to Show Someone They Are Special

By Becky Prater

Beckons Yoga Clothing You Rock blogIn 1972, Leo Buscaglia, an author and man I deeply admire, published a small book called Love. In 1984, I read Love, my first self-help book, and have lived by Buscaglia’s ideas of love ever since.

He writes, “It is possible for me, and not unreasonable, to love everyone with equal intensity and still have all the love energy I have ever had. There are a lot of miracles to being a human being, but this is one of the greatest miracles.” (Love, 1972). Meaning, you can love all people and never run out of love or the capacity to love.

February is the month to show people that you appreciate them and that they are special in some way. Here are a few suggestions on how to do that without spending much money: Beckon Yoga Clothing Hearts of Wool

Beckons Yoga clothing hearts of wool blog post1. Make 3-D hearts out of old clothing. My super talented intern, Maggie Aldworth, created these hearts from old clothes headed for the Goodwill, which she plans to give to each of her friends at school. You can fill them with lavender to be used as a sachet. These will help their high school backpacks smell great.

2. Write a note to someone special that is about the love of or importance of their friendship or support. Remind them how wonderful they are and thank them for their positive, supportive attitude. People do not send cards or letters in the mail much these days. Sending a note via snail mail will have a significant impact.

3. As in the first photo, find a rock (it does not have to be in the shape of a heart) and on it write “you rock,” using a Sharpie. Place the rock somewhere your loved one will find it on Valentine’s Day morning. If you are going to mail it, just use a flat rock. Who wouldn’t love to get that in the mail?

4. Celebrate by putting a chocolate heart (a wee bit materialistic) on your child’s pillow so that they find it when they go to bed that night or in the mailboxes or on desks at work. Teachers do this stuff all the time. I can assure you there is not a place of business where people wouldn’t be thrilled to receive the tiniest reminder that they are special.

5. On a piece of notebook paper, hand write:

You are special because . . . (fill in this blank).

That’s it. You do not even need to include your name. Just make someone’s day by acknowledging them in this small, personal, thoughtful way. Even those people who might not be your favorite in the workplace have some redeeming quality you can celebrate on this special day.

“I have a very strong feeling that the opposite of love is not hate, it is apathy,” states Buscaglia (Love, 1972.) It seems like we are apathetic about others because we are so busy all the time. A simple act of kindness will remind people that we are grateful they are in our lives.

“What good is love that is not freely given? Love is always an active sharing. If one has love to give, he may impart it to all in the world and he will still have the same love he started with. We never lose anything by sharing it, for nothing is ever solely ours to start with. In fact, love acquires meaning only if it is shared.” (Love, 1972)

Does this seem impossible to you or very unlikely that you will reach out to people in this way? When times are tough and we get frustrated with our lives, this may be the last thing we want to do. However, by sharing love with others we tend to feel much better ourselves. Just do this for one person in your life and see what happens.

DIY Ideas – Advent Calendar

Beckon Yoga Clothing DIY Advent CalendarChildren receive an unprecedented amount of gifts for Christmas these days. Why would a non-materialistic mom want to add 24 extra gifts to the madness with a treasure-filled advent calendar? The initial calendar was given to me by my Grandma Boddicker and Aunt Beth. It was filled with small toys and candy. The kids loved it so much that we could not stop the tradition once it began. So we had to make it serve a greater purpose. We have since given these treasured calendars to all of our family and friends with children so that they can enjoy the tradition.

During the holidays kids need several things like a new outfit and shoes for the school program or to wear to church on Christmas Day. We would simply place a note in the box that read, “Today we shop for a new Christmas outfit.” There is always a great holiday movie that comes out that you will be taking your kids to anyway. “Going to the movies,” would be in one box. We always provide one awesome Christmas-themed video and a book among the 24 days. Lastly, on Christmas Eve the note sent them on a scavenger hunt to find their new pajamas to wear on this special night. Basically, the treasures in the box are things you would do or purchase with or without an advent calendar.

To make it extra special, we included activities like “Today, let’s bake cookies.” or “Let’s do something special for Dad today.”

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Fashion Shows in Film

Every once in a while I will be watching an old film and right in the middle of the film there is this awkwardly placed fashion show. I believe they were intended to showcase the costume designer’s work who created the clothing for the actors in the film. I love this idea. And who doesn’t love a good fashion show. Here is a list of movies that feature fashion shows. This list was compiled by my cousin, Kris DeForest, who knows about film. Enjoy and please let us know if we have left a movie off the list.

fashion shows in filmMovies Featuring Fashion Shows

Singing in the Rain (1952)
It’s a Great Life (1929)
Fashions of 1934 (1934) – Bette Davis
How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)
The Women (1939)
Sweethearts (1938)
Back Street (1961)
Designing Woman (1957)
A New Kind of Love (1963) – Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward
Funny Face (1957) – Audrey Hepburn & Fred Astaire
Easter Parade (1948)
Vogues of 1938 (1937)
Lucy Gallant (1955)
Cover Girl (1944) – more like a magazine cover sequence
Roberta (1935)
Lovely to Look At (1952) – a remake of Roberta
Who are You, Polly Magoo? (1966)
Fellini’s Roma (1972)
Mahogany (1975)
Liquid Sky (1982)
True Stories (1986)
Absolute Beginners (1986)
Slaves of New York (1989)
Paris is Burning (1990) – drag fashion show
Pret a Porter (Ready to Wear) (1994)
Zoolander (2001)
Kinky Boots (2005)
Bruno (2009)
and possibly Made in Paris (1965)
also reportedly, one in Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead (1991)

The Color Grey: the color of affluence and dependability

Gray is the color of intellect, knowledge, and stability. It is perceived as classic, sleek and refined. It is a color that is dignified, conservative, and carries authority. Gray is the color of compromise, occupying all the space between black and white.

The Color Grey Beckons Yoga Clothing meaning of greyIt is said that gray is the color around which creative people are most creative. Gray is a neutral color that can enhance and intensify any other color it surrounds. My favorite version of gray is silver. This gorgeous white gold and raw diamond ring is from Boulder, Colorado artist, Todd Reed. I bought it a few years back and can wear it with anything.

High-end car companies, in an effort to make a luxurious statement, often use gray in their advertising. Gray is the color of affluence, seriousness, dependability and stability, the perfect message for car sales. In nature, everything gray is permanent including rocks, silver, and aluminum. It is associated with timeliness, practicality, and exclusivity (i.e. the platinum credit card).

The psychology of gray suggests void, emptiness, and lack of movement. It has a detached and isolated feeling. Gray can have a cooling effect when placed next to other, more vibrant colors.

Sadly, gray is often associated with old age (“gray-hairs”), indecision, death, taxes, illness, depression (gray skies ahead) or a lost sense of direction (gray area). Gray is unsettling and creates expectations. It is often considered boring and suggests a lack of character.

How to use gray to affect your life:

Gray clothing suggests efficiency and is often used in the business world to send a stabilizing, dependable message. It is a great color for negotiations. As a result, the gray business suit has long been a perfect choice for lawyers, bankers and other professionals. Too much gray, however, will suggest lack of character, initiative and detachment. If you are working in these fields, remember to pair gray with other vibrant colors.

Recently it has been used as the “new black” to provide a fresh, clean variation on the slimming, sleek presentation of black.

A bit of gray will add that rock-solid feeling to your look, room or product.

When deciding what to wear to a job interview gray is a great choice if your intention is to show your future boss that you’re responsible. Make sure to add a deliberate splash of another color to stand out from the crowd. Send a complementary message about your acumen for managing money with a splash of green.

Silver, my favorite presentation of gray, can be added to most any outfit to shine it up and make you look sophisticated, sparkly, and radiant.

According to feng shui, gray is associated with metal and is the color of friendship, helpful people and travel. It encourages self-control and self-sufficiency. It is best used in the feng shui bagua areas of creativity and children (right center area), helpful people and travel (right front of space), and career (front center of space). Using the compass method, gray is recommended for the West, Northwest or North sections of your space.

Gray is a great color for your home office or entryway and should be avoided in the bedrooms. Used as an accent color, it will enliven and boost the effect of other colors surrounding it. To balance a very earth living room (in my helpful people and travel section), I painted the far fireplace wall metallic silver, paired that with citrus green walls and now have a space everyone enjoys being in.

Gray gemstones are healing stones and can assist in stabilizing relationships; these include hematite, black pearl, drusy, smoky quartz, silver, platinum, steel aluminum, and my favorite, raw diamonds.

By common consent gray hairs are a crown of glory; the only object of respect that can never excite envy. – George Bancroft.

For more information on color, please check out the previous posts:

Introduction: Using Color to Change Your Life.

The Color Red

The Color Orange

The Color Yellow

The Color Green

The Color Pink

The Color Turquoise

The Color Blue

The Color Indigo

The Color Purple

The Color White

The Color Gray

The Color Black

Keywords: meaning of gray, gray meaning, meaning colors, the color gray, what does gray mean, color psychology, color symbolism, psychology of color, what do colors mean, gray symbol, psychology color, dress for success, color me a season, dress success, dress to success, what to wear to an interview, how to dress for an interview.

The Color of Black: the color of power, sophistication, and mystery

Technically, black is the absence of color. In our American culture, black plays a huge role in how things are presented and perceived. It is one of the most powerful colors. It is the color of authority, knowledge, and intelligence (think doctoral robes and black rimmed glasses.) Black has long been associated with death, grieving, fear, hidden forces, shadows, and the unknown. It is the color of night, deep water and the universal void.

The Color Black Beckons Yoga Clothing meaning of blackWhen studying the psychology of color, the color black represents water, career, life path, and the journey; it is the color of mystery. It symbolizes money and income, emotional protection and power. This color encourages introspection and self-examination. It is about harmony, hearing, and listening. When people see things in “black and white” this speaks of opposites, polarities. Black encourages assertiveness, confidence, independence, and authority, which is why wearing a black suit is so helpful in getting ones point across.

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The Color White: the uplifting color of faith and truth

The Color White Beckons Yoga Clothing meaning of whiteMy precious yoga teacher, Isha Eve Emley, walked through the Yoga Journal Conference in her all-white flowing outfit, turning heads; people assuming that she must be someone of importance to wear such a bold statement of color. Indeed, she had taken a vow to only wear white during that time in her life. She wore it symbolically every day – a very powerful and respectful practice.

While most people will never take up such a practice, people can use it in their lives to represent goodness, virginity, simplicity, heavenliness, purity, cleanliness, poise, and trustworthiness. They can enhance their physical strength, understanding, radiance and courage with the color white.

Technically, white is the union of all the colors in the color spectrum. White signifies life, stability, gentle power, conservatism, and magnetism. The psychology of the color white suggests faith, truth, and peace. It’s closely associated with winter and clean, freshly fallen snow. Along with black, it is the greatest neutral and can enhance any color that is worn or placed with it.

White is the color of the crown chakra, as is violet. It represents enlightenment, higher consciousness, faith, spirituality, wisdom, clarity, and the inner child. It brings to mind the wisdom of our elders, likely based on the association with white hair. The good guy is most often represented as white. White light is used to describe God energy within us. It represents heaven, ultimate wisdom, and completion.

In the feng shui tradition, white is the color of innocence and new possibilities. It represents metal and is most effective in the west and northwest of a home or office. White is helpful in bringing good energy to the bagua areas of love & marriage (far right, especially mixed with red), creativity & children (right center), and helpful people & travel (near right) areas of our home. Additionally, white is the most versatile color and can brighten the energy of any challenging space. White brings with it a sense of expansion, essential when dealing with small spaces.

Physiologically, white is mind expanding, we get the sense of having a clean canvas. It is the color of sterility; hence doctors’ lab coats and surgical environments are bright white.

Conversely, white is also described as cold, bland, and sterile. Rooms painted completely white can seem spacious, but empty and unfriendly. Visualizing the defeated team riding up with its white flag flying, white represents surrender and defeat.

How to use white to affect your life:

I am a big fan of wearing some white on a first date. Unless you intend to merely shack up with someone, it is helpful to present yourself as wholesome and honest from the beginning. Save the “I am in love” red for subsequent dates.

When deciding what to wear to an interview, white should be used as an accent color, as the background for a colorful scarf or jacket. One would not want to wear all white unless . . . I cannot think of a time when this would serve a person well. If you are going to be working as a chef or in a clean room, you may want to have white as your predominant color, but white as an all over color should be saved for a wedding, garden party or first communion.

If you are setting out to start over in your life, you may want to surround yourself with white, thus creating a canvas on which to paint your future life. This will give you a sense of new beginnings, clear the clutter, and encourage fresh thought and mental clarity.

White gemstones are associated with sleep and psychic energy; known to enhance mental clarity and open the mind. They are often used to bring good fortune and protection. White gemstones include the diamond, opal, crystal quartz, moonstones, and white topaz.

When you wear white you say to the world, “I am one with God.” “I am consciously living my life’s purpose.”

As a white candle in a holy place, so is the beauty of an aged face. – Joseph Campbell

For more information on color, please check out these color links:

Introduction: Using Color to Change Your Life.

The Color Red

The Color Orange

The Color Yellow

The Color Green

The Color Pink

The Color Turquoise

The Color Blue

The Color Indigo

The Color Purple

The Color White

The Color Gray

The Color Black

Keywords: meaning of white, white meaning, meaning colors, the color white, what does white mean, color psychology, color symbolism, psychology of color, what do colors mean, white symbol, psychology color, dress for success, color me a season, dress success, dress to success, what to wear to an interview, how to dress for an interview.

The Color Turquoise: the color of heart and voice

The Color Turquoise Beckons Yoga Clothing meaning of turquoiseA combination of blue and green with a touch of yellow, turquoise blends the peace and tranquility of blue and the balance and growth of green with the uplifting energy of yellow. It is refreshing and healing; a friendly, happy color.

In the chakra tradition, turquoise combines the heart (green) and throat (blue) chakras; encouraging us to speak what is in our heart. This color promotes successful communication, clarity of thought, increased creativity and self-sufficiency. It is the color of personal authenticity.

Physiologically, turquoise recharges our spirits and lessens stress. It is a good color to aid public speakers by encouraging concentration and clarity of thought, calming the nervous system. It provides help with self-control and expression, and builds confidence. It encourages self-love, which in turn gives us the ability to love others unconditionally.

On the other hand, this encouraged self-love can easily become self-centered, focusing on one’s own needs rather than the needs of others. The color turquoise can promote boastfulness and narcissism. This color can sometimes be impractical and idealistic.

How to use turquoise to affect your life:

Feeling tired and lethargic, change into a teal or aqua sweater and this will provide gentle invigoration, enabling you to face the world refreshed.

If you anticipate being in a situation where quick thinking will be essential, wear turquoise. This color will also help when setting out to organize and manage others.

When deciding what to wear to a job interview, aqua is important if you are looking to use your voice in your intended job like the public speaking, teaching, managing, and in healing professions.

When you are stuck in a rut and do not know which way to move forward, surround your self with this calming, clarifying color. It will aid you in seeing the pros and cons of the situation and enable you to move forward with confidence and authenticity.

According to feng shui, turquoise or aqua can be used as blue or green to affect an environment. It represents fluidity, movement of new ideas, healing and growing. Based on the bagua chart, it is best when used in the health and family (center left) and knowledge and self-cultivation (front left) sections of one’s home. Using the compass directions, aqua/blue green is best used in the North and East sections of your space.

Aqua colored gemstones include turquoise, aquamarine, amazonite, topaz, apatite, Peruvian opal, drusy, and tourmaline. It has been suggested that wearing jewelry with aqua colored stones combines the cleansing effects of green and the soothing action of blue. It is purifying and calming; will enhance your creativity and help you connect with your authentic self.

Once you employ the tool of color to your daily life, you will naturally reach for clothes or jewelry that enhances your day. One day I felt compelled to wear a strand of gorgeous apatite beads, understated and powerful. This required me to change my outfit to something that provided a nice background for these jewels. Sure enough, I ran into someone that had been troubling me for a while. I could feel the protection of the stones and was able to speak my truth, something I had not done with this person previously.

The actual turquoise stone has long been used for its protective qualities; deflecting negative energy and bringing good fortune. It also brings peace to one’s home. The Native American’s believe that turquoise has the ability to neutralize over-acidity, alleviate rheumatism, gout, stomach problems, and viral infections. They suggest this stone increases growth and muscular strength; alleviates pain and relaxes cramps.

When you wear aqua you say to the world, “I enjoy life to its fullest.” “I speak what is in my heart.”

More varied than any landscape was the landscape in the sky, with islands of gold and silver, peninsulas of apricot and rose against a background of many shades of turquoise and azure. – Cecil Beaton

For more information on color, please check out these color links:

Introduction: Using Color to Change Your Life.

The Color Red

The Color Orange

The Color Yellow

The Color Green

The Color Pink

The Color Turquoise

The Color Blue

The Color Indigo

The Color Purple

The Color White

The Color Gray

The Color Black

Keywords: meaning of turquoise, turquoise meaning, meaning colors, the color turquoise, what does turquoise mean, color psychology, color symbolism, psychology of color, what do colors mean, turquoise symbol, psychology color, dress for success, color me a season, dress success, dress to success, what to wear to an interview, how to dress for an interview.

 

The Color Pink: the Color of Self-Love

The Color Pink Beckons Yoga Clothing meaning of pinkI believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and… I believe in miracles. – Audrey Hepburn

Pink is much more than a variation of red. Pink combines the energies of white and red; white represents the potential for fullness, red helps achieve that potential. While it does not hold its own space on the standard color wheel or in the Prang watercolor set, it is recognized as having great power and influence, in both the Feng Shui and the Chakra traditions.

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