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DON’T RUIN A GOOD TODAY BY THINKING ABOUT A BAD YESTERDAY
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LIGHTING HAS BEEN FOUND TO DECREASE DEPRESSION AND IMPROVE MOOD, ENERGY, ALERTNESS, AND PRODUCTIVITY
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Lighting has the ability to significantly alter our moods. Natural lighting whether it is outdoors or through a window has a very calming and peaceful effect on our moods and emotion. Where lack of light or poor artificial lighting can trigger depression and put a downer on our mood.
Bright lights are used in places where our brains need to be stimulated the most such as schools. Where libraries tend to use warmer bulbs to try to build a more comfortable reading environment to unwind.
Although bright lights are key to a focused mind, studies show that exposure to brighter light in the late evenings cause a delay to our sleep cycle. Similarly avoid using smartphones and laptops in the hours before bedtime as exposure to blue light suppresses our bodies, which can make it hard for us to drift off to sleep at night.
You could use the likes of fairy lights or candles to try to keep light dim in your bedroom because they have a drowsy affect, which will prepare you for sleep.
To optimize a creative space, try dimming your lights a little, then adjust your lights to make them brighter when you need to focus!
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Vietnam are known for large, colourful lanterns made from silk. Vietnamese silk lanterns are considered to be the most beautiful lanterns in the world. Made from natural Vietnamese silk, these lanterns come in a wide range of colours, shapes and sizes. Every month, when the full moon shines, fluorescent lights are switched off, roads are closed to traffic and the streets are illuminated with thousands of these colourful lanterns.
They symbolize: joy, celebration, good fortune and longevity, and they have role as protectors from evil.
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BALANCE YOUR
MIND


Mindfulness is being aware of, or bringing attention to this moment in time. Finding the right balance is key to encourage calmness and relaxation in your life. You will also find an increase in self-confidence and self-acceptance as you realise your wellbeing comes first.
Living moment by moment, and seeing everything with a fresh viewpoint will let you experience life with no judgment or worry.
Focus on your breathing and enter a state of ‘being’ rather than ‘doing’. This will help release tension from a worried mind.
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UJJAYI BREATHING
Ujjayi releases feelings of irritation and frustration, and helps calm the mind and body.
• Increases the amount of oxygen in the blood
• Builds internal body heat
• Relieves tension
• Regulates blood pressure
• Builds energy
• Detoxifies mind and body
• Increases feelings of presence and self-awareness
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REMEMBER TO
BREATHE
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MUDRA
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In the exercise of Yoga, you are encouraged to use your body in many ways. Mudra is a name given to powerful hand gestures during meditation that carry specific goals of channeling your body’s energy flow to accomplish serenity. The ancient sages could sense the presence of the five elements space, air, fire, water, and earth in the human body of which our hands are thought to hold energetic points.
Yoga mudras are practiced sitting simply cross-legged, in Vajrasana (kneeling position sitting on the heels) or in the lotus posture (cross-legged with feet placed on the opposing thighs), or even by sitting comfortably on a chair. Ideally, Ujjayi breathing is done when practicing most mudras.
With more than 100 known mudras that have been developed over the centuries, here are 3 commonly used mudras that have been favored for centuries in providing health and empowerment of the mind and wellbeing.
Thumb: Space Index Finger: Air Middle Finger: Fire Ring Finger: Water Pinky Finger: Earth


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1 - GYAN
This is probably the most familiar Mudra. The intention of the Gyan Mudra is to improve your concentration and sharpen your memory. This is a great Mudra to use when seeking to gain knowledge. Try holding this hand position while meditating for insight into your life or a specific issue.
Method: This mudra is performed by touching your index fingertip to the tip of your thumb, while holding your other three fingers straight.
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ELEMENTS: SPACE + AIR


ELEMENTS: SPACE + EARTH
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2 - BUDDHI
This Mudra is used for mental clarity. Performance of this gesture helps gain higher understanding and helps distinguish intuitive messages. One of the most powerful benefits of this mudra is that it encourages clear and effective communication.
Method: This mudra is performed by touching your thumb to your pinky finger, while holding your other three fingers straight.
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WORK/REST/PLAY
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To encourage a happy and healthy lifestyle a balance of work, rest and play needs to be established. Over working yourself can bring stress in your life so by letting your brain rest you will become more creative and relaxed.
So take a break, go out with your friends, listen to music, draw, star gaze, even try colouring in. Whatever you choice to do, make sure to solely focus on that blocking out any other distractions, this is your playtime.
In this section we explore Tibetan Buddhism with mindful exercises you can practice to take a break and ease your mind. Take the time to examine these areas to maintain a healthy balance to inspire more happiness in to your life.
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COLOUR MEANINGS IN TIBETAN BUDDHISM
There are five main colors that are known as pancha-varna in Sanskrit, which means The Five Pure Lights in Tibetan Buddhism. Each colour represents a state of mind, a spiritual Buddha, a body part, a part of the mantra word Hum or a natural element. These Five Pure Lights are often seen in Mandala and Tibetan Buddhist prayer flags.
Blue is associated with purity and healing.
White is the colour of learning and knowledge in Buddhism.
Red is related to life force and preservation.
Green is the colour of balance and harmony.
Yellow symbolizes rootedness and renunciation.
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MINDFUL
COLOUR
ING
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"Mandala" is a Sanskrit word which means a circle, and metaphorically a universe, environment or community. For centuries in Tibetan culture the Mandala is used as a tool to aid meditation.
Colouring in for adults has become a therapeutic trend for stress relief, relaxation, focus and creativity.
Try mindful colouring in with the Mandala pattern on the oppisite page in using The Five Pure Lights in Tibetan Buddhism blue, white, red, green and yellow.


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MINDFUL
DRAW
ING
When practiced mindfully, drawing has the power to effortlessly lead us into a deep relaxation shutting off from the world around us. Rather than actually planning to draw something change your mindset of drawing to a form of movement, a dance captured on a page. Just like children draw instinctively without too much thought. Putting a pencil to p aper to make marks with no judgments of it being a good or bad drawing. We just draw.
This is when you will be able to have a deeper connection with yourself and the world around you.
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Next Issue...
TAKE A TRIP TO FUNLAND!
It is Summer so where else would we be going but the seaside?! We are talking candyfloss, ice cream,
the funfair, 2p slot machines and those irritating grabbers you
spend a fortune on but never win anything.
Out August 2017
Live for the MOMENT
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Sarah Graham
LJMU Fashion Communication [email protected] Sarahgrahamcreative.wixsite.com/portfolio


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