Session 4

The Birth Empowerment Course

of

Welcome to

www.BirthinginConsciousChoice.com

with Krystal Trammell, of

Session Four
In this session, were going to talk about some of the practical applications of energy work and how it affects the mind. Were also going to learn some techniques that you can your mental/emotional state. Part of an holistic approach to wellness is the recognition of how the mind, thoughts, and physical health. In our previous Sessions, weve touched upon the concept of your thoughts having power. Id like to get into that a little deeper as we talk about vibrational or energy medicine, visualizations, meditation, and how and why positive change. Weve addressed the importance of finding buried emotions that are holding us back.

use during pregnancy and beyond to improve

emotions directly and profoundly impact your

these sort of techniques work to create

and identifying our fears, giving voice to our Now - our challenge is to try to uproot them - or at least prune back the wild brambles that catch and hold us captive...!

By critically examining our beliefs about birth, the capabilities of our bodies, the connection we feel (or lack thereof) to our babies and to better understand and acknowledge our fears.

ourSelves as mothers, and more, we are able

These worries might seem very ingrained, but we can choose to shift away from them with conscious and focused effort. To better understand how we can change, or shift, our consciousness to a more positive, consider the nature of our fears and emotions on a deeper level: peaceful, affirming state, we need to they are very much within our control, and

Everything is energy, or more specifically, just the material world around us, made up of thoughts, emotions, and feelings are vibrations spiritual world are realizing that they agree on this point, as we delve further down the rabbit hole of quantum physics. as well. Both the scientific world and the vibrating molecules and electrons - but our everything is a frequency or vibration. Not

Every type of energy whether light, thoughts, or matter - vibrates at a certain frequency. While the range of possible frequencies is thought to go on infinitely in either direction, only a certain range of frequencies can be perceived by our normal senses. For example, some people believe that ghosts and/or angels exist on different energetic frequencies, so while they're most peoples perception. always here, theyre also out of sync with

Our daily experiences - or more aptly, our feelings about them - can either raise or lower our overall vibration. Feelings and thoughts actually vibrate at a much stronger and downs affect us very strongly.

frequency than matter, so our emotional ups Sometimes, the emotions of others can also have a deep and profound effect, such as in the case of empaths or intuitives (more on this later!) As I speak of different techniques and tools that we can utilize for emotional and energetic healing, I will use the phrase raising your vibration as a way to describe the desired effect we're trying to achieve.

place or person can be succinctly described way it makes you feel both in the moment and in hindsight or memory. Lifting one's vibration can be done in as high-vibe or low-vibe, depending on the

An experience, state of being, or even a

moments, but a lasting shift of vibration implement. often takes months or even years to fully and think has an impact. Don't fall into the However, every little thing we do

trap of thinking that just this once won't matter because everything matters. forward progress. Remember that

However, one misstep does not undo all your everything can (and does!) shift in an instant. Being mindful of one's vibration or energetic state is a practice, not something you put on your to-do list, or read a book about and by-moment, never-ending practice. then go on with life as before. It's a moment-

Sometimes you'll have great days and amazing insights, and others, you'll be angry, depressed, afraid, and frustrated but the key is to not let yourSelf get stuck in a self-loathing vibe of this isn't working, I'm not doing good enough.... By Doing, we Become.

By staying mindful, We increase our capacity for mindfulness. By loving, We increase our capacity for love.
emotions are of a heavy, low vibration, while vibrations but both can be equally strong and influential. your typical day - is it really the things that Just consider the course of uplifting, pleasant emotions are light, high Generally speaking, unpleasant, stress-full

set the tone?

happen to you or the people you meet that

Or is it actually the way you

feel about your experiences and relationships that matters?

The course of events is secondary to how you choose to react toward it all. How Energy Healing & Vibrations Work Visualization is one technique that people can use to raise their vibration, because its a emotions. way to consciously direct our attention and

Attraction, whatever we turn our attention toward will grow or multiply - but too often, people have a tendency to complain, worry, on all the things we don't want. and focus on negative things. Our attention is

Keep in mind that according to the Law of

with the correct treatment, but with the idea fervently believes that they are going to get well has a better shot at healing than a person who thinks that they are doomed to permanent pain or illness, even in a very acute or extreme case. The widely known placebo effect is one example of the many ways in which human thought. measurable results confirm the power of Just giving a sick person a sugar pill - in

Disease (literally dis-ease) is healed not only

of correct treatment. A person who

other words, a tangible idea - that they are doing something positive to initiate healing, does have an effect on their healing!

However, our culture is problem-oriented we focus on worries and potential problems more than whats going right. This is evident in our pathological approach to prenatal care

and childbirth - the focus of modern prenatal care is on the plethora of possible a problem, etc. complications, test results that might indicate

What if something goes wrong? seems to be the mantra of too many pregnant women. It's all fear-oriented.

One might say that childbirth is feared argue that childbirth is potentially dangerous, in part, because its feared. Co-Creating a Positive Outcome with Visualization because its potentially dangerous. I might

The goal of visualization is to imagine + FEEL a future event unfolding in the way you wish it to occur, as if it were really happening. Like a good daydream, the best way to do any detail out of your mind movie. In this

this is by engaging all your senses.

Don't leave

way, you are actually rewiring your brain to scenario similar to the one youre visualizing actually happens. Visualization is like meditation in that you want think and operate differently when a

to slow down and breathe deeply, connecting to your inner being - but in the practice of visualization, you are purposely programming of just clearing your mind. Visualization

your thoughts to a specific purpose, instead techniques work best when theyre used to the full extent of your imagination. Try using visualization when you wont be

interrupted, and when you can relax and truly relish the scenes in your mind. way to begin a visualization is with a An excellent

30, or even 100, carefully, deliberately, in your mind - with closed eyes and a relaxed body. Dont just visualize one or two aspects of something you desire - create the entire picture, make it detailed and believable. You

countdown meditation - counting down from

can create impromptu visions, but I find I have take the time to craft an elaborate script or storyline, and repeat it, immersion-style, over many days and weeks. much more success with a visualization when I

For example, be sure to consider details such as the time of day...the way the afternoon sunlight will be filtering through your curtains...the loving look on your partners

face as he squeezes your shoulders...the feel of warm bathwater being poured over your belly...the things your doula may do or say to you...the scent of your bedsheets...

Create a flow of events, as if you were daydreaming the scenes in a movie... Think of the people you want to be there being present; imagine yourSelf acting and reacting in ways that resonate with your

choices and feelings.

As you become more

comfortable with your vision, and can hold it enjoyably for a length of time, you are actually increasing the likelihood of your

subconscious systems to react in ways that scene when you encounter a scenario that mimics your visualization in real life. Addressing the What-Ifs If you're worried about a particular thing coming to pass, it may be helpful to run which it happens and another in which it doesn't. In this way you can utilize your through two visualization sequences; one in are congruent with your created dream

conscious thoughts to direct your reactions and responses to multiple potential versions

of the event -

up happening, you will be empowered to act and react from a place of courage,

so that no matter what ends

confidence, and peace.

That's not to say that

you should spend too much time focusing on things that worry you but if there's a plausibly good chance that you will be facing

something during your birth that you'd rather not, then visualization techniques can help you to address and explore your worries and ever facing them in reality. fears in energetic form, long before you'll

For example, you can imagine the words you'll say to your care provider, and the tone in which you'll say them. Imagine your care provider reacting positively and respectfully body responding well to a procedure, and

to your requests and concerns.

Imagine your

your family and friends giving you the space you need or the support you crave. a health condition you have spontaneously resolving, or clearing up upon treatment... Let your visualizations and daydreams work in your favor. Don't entertain morbid or unpleasant thoughts of what if, unless you're also going to create an executable thoughtplan to address those potential scenarios. Imagine

This is called the work of worrying, and it is helpful in turning useless stress into productive problem-solving ideas. Also, it's worth mentioning here that you don't need to let yourself feel hopelessly bound by something that your care provider predicts or observes. The body is an amazing manifestation of energy and thought, and during pregnancy. There's a case to be made against having false hope in extreme circumstances, perhaps...but a breech baby can turn, a concern can resolve itself... Be open to change.

many things can change quickly, especially

placenta can migrate, a worrisome health

Passionate Visualizations If you recall, I mentioned that emotions and thoughts vibrate at a stronger frequency than matter? Strong emotions whether positive or negative - are much more

powerful and vibrationally attractive than favor or against you, because a recurrent worry or fear can be very emotionally neutral ones. Again, this can work in your

to run rampant with these sorts of thoughts, and hold back on feeling excited, hopeful, or joyful about the potential future. This is why youve got to have passion and expect to truly create change. Its sometimes helpful to write down your and creative, tweaking minor aspects and

charged, and too often we allow our minds

feeling behind your positive visualization if you

visualization, so that you can get really detailed reviewing the feelings it evokes as you reread it back to yourSelf. this. Another exercise you might enjoy is to write your birth story as if it has already happened. Keep it in first person, using lots Include lots of details, and private blog, or online journal is excellent for A word document,

of I-statements. the future.

write in the present or past tense, instead of If you've read lots of positive, uplifting birth stories, this will be much easier for you to complete. You'll also have a much clearer picture of what you desire from your birth experience, instead of just focusing on what you don't want which is a common thought-trap that many of us fall into, especially during pregnancy!

yet simple tools at our disposal, and many people use it without even realizing it.

Visualization is one of the most powerful

Visualization is an exercise in creating the worth considering that all we ever have, do, creating our future, if we stop and think about it - except it usually happens unconsciously. or be IS the present. We are always future during the present. However, it's

Who we are and what we feel in this very moment IS our destiny but that can change in the very next moment!

Labyrinths Tools for Focus and Clarity A labyrinth is a path to follow in some way without the potential for taking a wrong turn center of its design and then leads you back Labyrinths have been used for centuries as a labyrinthine path, or tracing the twists and turns with a finger or visually. meditative tool, either by walking along a out again, on a single, convoluted path. or getting lost. It takes you deep into the that's laid out for you, much like a maze, but

Incorporating labyrinths into your visualization work is a helpful way to give yourself added focus and follow-through. You can buy a simple labyrinth made from metal, wood or you can even find an outdoor labyrinth to walk while meditating, either alone or in a these would be your local Unitarian group. A good place to look for one of

clay to trace with a fingertip or stylus, or

location, etc.

Universalist church grounds, a retreat

This can be a very relaxing and

centering activity to do, with or without incorporating visualizations.

A labyrinth is a good metaphor for labor and with just a single path that may twist and turn with seemingly no pattern, yet you cannot go wrong so long as you keep following along the path. birth, because they turn inside of themselves,

Fast or slow, no matter how you feel about it; once you've begun - the only way out is through.
I have a snake-themed labyrinth on my bedroom wall that I cut out of an old Celtic art calendar. I spent a fair amount of my

contractions and during contractions, my eyes would trace that labyrinth from forked tongue to tail and back again, purposely, tried to match the duration of the methodically, breathing slowly and evenly as I contraction to the pace at which I traced the labyrinth's curves. This simple practice was more engaging than having a static focal point. It kept me tethered to this plane, mentally and emotionally, when I would have preferred to run away and let my physical sensations

last labor trying to read in between

overwhelm me instead.

Used in this way, the

labyrinth can be yet another useful tool in carefully focusing your attention.

Exploring Vibrational Medicine Vibrational or 'energy' medicine is a term that describes a wide assortment of holistic healing therapies that work to restore the the energetic sense, everything is alive balance or flow of a being's vital energy. In

because everything is vibrating, or resonating with energy. Therefore, certain energies, such as those from nature, sound, or light, can harmonize with our own and help to ground and stabilize us emotionally, which in

turn influences and heals our physical bodies. Energy medicine sometimes is of particular troubles, because it is the belief of many illness & pain is the physical manifestation of emotional problems. The vibrations of stones, flowers, light and affect and re-balance our own energy to promote flow and healing. energy practitioners, myself included, that use for healing emotional problems and

colors, herbs and plants, and even sound can

The widely renowned field of homeopathy is also founded on the principle of energetic

widely used form of medical treatment in the world. Acupuncture and acupressure, sound healing, the Bach flower essences, healing crystals and stones, muscle testing for allergies,

healing, and homeopathy is the second most

Emotional Freedom Technique all these are more are examples of therapies based on energetic healing modalities. In this module, we'll discuss a little bit about healing stones energy healing techniques in your daily life. Healing With Crystals & Stones Stones are some of the oldest objects on the planet, and their matter vibrates at a very stable, continuous frequency--unlike human due to our own emotions, the emotions of act as a sort of stabilizer for us. Their

and crystals, and explore how to start using

energy, which is constantly in a state of flux others, our health, etc. Thus, crystals can

vibrations can harmonize with our own, and help to bring us back in balance. There are hundreds of books and resources about the correspondences of gemstones to particular problems, concerns, and ailments.

For example, tigers eye and hematite help to ground and focus a persons attention to practical matters; citrine helps regain courage; and sodalite assists in clear communication with others. Of particular

note during pregnancy and birth, these stones can be beneficial: Moonstone This quintessential feminine stone strengthens your connection to the body's natural rhythms and the lunar cycle, lactation

encourages healthy sleep patterns, fertility & Unakite The name of this stone means protection and clarity of mind, making this an excellent stone for nurturing a safe pregnancy. Carnelian Replaces fear with trust; growing together in Greek, and it enhances

promotes courage, creativity, and confidence in one's decisions; aids stamina when one is exhausted Rose Quartz Helps you to feel

unconditionally loved, assists in healing of Malachite Eases transformations (excellent stone), provides protection, helps in discerning one's intuition for labor, sometimes called the Midwifes trauma & emotional pain, opens the heart

influences and looking within for guidance, this stone is also reputed to strengthen labor contractions while lessening their pain. Citrine A personal power stone; energizing, promotes self-confidence, optimism, and letting go of the past What do I do with these stones? You can get

Peridot Useful in detaching from external

tumbled stones from a metaphysical or new polished gemstone beads to string from the craft store. beautiful jewelry pieces as well. You can buy or create age store to carry in your pocket, or

Simply carrying a stone or sleeping with one effect on your body and mind. in your pillowcase at night can have a helpful a (clean!) crystal into spring water and let it sit overnight, perhaps in moonlight, and then drink the resulting crystal elixir the next day. You can use crystals in meditation by laying them on or around your body in geometric placing stones under a mattress, by taping simple arrangement on a nearby tabletop or shelf. I will include some sample crystal them in place on the body, or by creating a patterns, or grids. This can be done by You can drop

layouts for you to experiment with in this Session's extra materials.

It's worth noting here that you dont crystal from a list of correspondences necessarily need to choose the correct

nor even believe in crystal healing - to benefit from it. You may simply have a favorite ring or pendant that you wear often, or find a period of time. More times than I can count, Ive had a preference for a particular piece of jewelry, and then been surprised to discover that the stone Ive been wearing is supposed that Ive been struggling with lately. to aid with precisely the particular problems

yourself attracted to a particular stone for

Trust your intuition and your feelings, even excellent guides when you listen to them! ~*~ the seemingly mundane ones--they are

That's all for this eBook!

To further explore the techniques and concepts in this session, make sure you try out the printables, watch the videos, and complete the rest of the session 4

resources before you move on to session 5.

Wishing you a peaceful, powerful birth!

~ Krystal