The Conscious Movement

July Events at Soul Sierra

June 30, 2019June 30, 2019by Kymberly Maitland-SmithLeave a Comment

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Exciting events coming up this July!

If you’re in Cebu or coming to visit, make sure you attend one of these amazing gatherings happening at Soul Sierra every weekend. The first weekend event coming up is…

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Awaken Your Senses as we embark on an exciting journey through sight, smell, taste, touch and sound.

Awaken your sense of sight with nature and breathtaking views at Soul Sierra.
Awaken your sense of smell with compelling workshops on Essential Oils by Aroma Therapist and Wellness Advocate, Chua Hong Leong.
Awaken your sense of taste with cacao, healthy elixers, and soul-food by plant-based chef, Divine.
Awaken your sense of touch and hearing through Kundalini Yoga, Transcendance, and Sound Healing with an amazing Sound Healer, DJ, and Kundalini Instructor, Neil Belen.

A weekend of exploration, yoga, healing, wellness, and good food!

Day 1 Schedule:

2PM-4PM Chakra Balancing with Essential Oils with Hong

4:15PM-5PM Cacao Circle with Kymberly

5PM-6:30PM Kundalini Yoga with Neil

6:30PM-8PM Sound Healing with Neil

8PM-9PM Soul Food cooked by Divine

Day 2 Schedule:

2PM-4PM Essential Oils to Improve Your Wellbeing with Hong

4:15PM-5PM Cacao Circle with Kymberly

5PM-6:30PM Transcendance with Neil

6:30PM-8PM Sound Healing with Neil

8PM-9PM Soul Food cooked by Divine

About Essential Oils

Purify is a doTERRA essential oil blend composed of select essential oils known for their cleansing, purifying, and protecting properties

Essential oils are extraordinary substances with thousands of years of historical use for treating everything from an infected wound to the plague. There are 188 references to essential oils in the Bible and they were even part of the ingredients used by ancient Egyptians in the embalming process for mummification. Essential oils have been used traditionally in Greek, Roman, and Chinese medicine.

Essential oil molecules are unique in that they have the ability to penetrate cell membranes and diffuse throughout the skin, tissues, and blood. They can travel throughout the body in just minutes, whether applied to the skin or inhaled. They are metabolized by the body just like other nutrients. Essential oils have been studied for their ability to support important bodily functions such as the secretion of neurotransmitters, antibodies, endorphins, hormones, and enzymes.

So incorporating essential oils into your daily lives isn’t such a bad idea!

Meet our guest speaker, Chua Hong Leong

Hong is trained in Aroma Therapy, Meditation, Qigong and Acupressure and has been a practitioner for over 30 years. He is a wellness and essential oils advocate.

In these workshops, Hong will guide you to a deeper understanding of your Chakras and how you can improve your health and wellbeing by incorporating the magic of essential oils.

About Cacao Circles

Sacred cacao circles are beautiful rituals where people gather together and drink cacao, a heart expanding elixir, which is also known as ‘Food of the Gods’. Raw cacao has many benefits as it is high in magnesium, iron, zinc, antioxidants, and much more. It is an anti-depressant and some say, a natural stimulant!

We sit together in circle and honor the cacao spirit while enjoying each others company and sending the energies of love and gratitude to the world. Cacao is a heart opener which means that we can be more emotionally receptive, compassionate, giving, and loving to others, to ourselves, and to all beings and living things around us.

A fun way to be grateful while enjoying the health benefits and taste of Mother Cacao!

Meet our Cacao Circle Facilitator

Myself! Cacao ceremonies were introduced to me in 2018 by a dear friend and quickly became a part of my daily ritual after traveling to Bali, as I observed the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits it gave me.

Enjoy a warm tasty cup of nutritious cacao and join us as we share a communion of gratitude and self-love!

About Kundalini Yoga

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Kundalini is a Sanskrit term from ancient India that identifies the arising of an energy and consciousness which has been coiled at the base of the spine since birth, and is the source of the life force (pranic energy, chi, bio-energy).

Kundalini is all about releasing the kundalini energy in your body using fast movements, invigorating postures, breath exercises, and can involve chanting, mantra, and meditation. It is powerful, intense and beautiful all at the same time!

About Transcendance

The Yoga Barn Ecstatic Dance

Transcendance is a program in which people gather to enjoy music and move freely, also known as ecstatic dancing. Through sound and movement we are able to release tension in our physical and energetic bodies and explore the beauty of movement without judgement. In Transcendance we encourage no alcohol or drugs, and refrain from speaking or taking videos or photos as we want to make everyone feel as comfortable as they can, and without distractions. When you can bring down the walls built by social expectation, you will be able to make a deep connection with your soul and to the music. That is a feeling you won’t forget!

About Sound Healing

Imagine being immersed in beautiful sounds that are healing to your body, mind and soul?

Sound Healing is the ancient practice of using sonic frequency aka vibration as a tool to recalibrate the human body, relax the mind, and nourish the soul. With the profound sounds of a gong and crystal bowls, the feeling of peace, heightened awareness, and relaxation of the mind, body and spirit, fill you completely. Some experience emotional healing, and others great insights into their lives. It takes you into deep relaxation, rejuvenation, and an acceleration into your journey within. Time is suspended as you enter a world of vibration, sensation and experience.

Once you’ve had your first Sound Bath, you’ll definitely leave wanting more!

Meet our Kundalini Yoga Instructor, DJ, & Sound Healer

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Neil Belen is a visionary musician, album artisan, multimedia producer, inner engineer, and community cultivator, born and raised in Long Beach, California. His frequent travels has brought a deepened awareness of self, an enhanced perspective of others, and an appreciation of wellness for all.

Neil has realigned with his soul purpose to serve the world with the Sound Healing in order to enhance one’s well being and reawaken the population to our maximum potential. His central source of sound is currently the 32” Saturn Gong, which is tuned to the planet Saturn and activates the Third Eye Chakra, an energy center that increases our vision, focus, intuition, guidance, readiness, and awareness of all things divine. By activating this energy center through sound, we are able to get clarity on our endeavors, expand our vision beyond perceived limitations, and strengthen our trust and intuition in our actions that manifest our dreams into reality.

Meet our Plant-Based Chef

Divine Maitland-Smith is my awesome sister and has been passionate about food for years! She has recently found her love for creating plant-based dishes, which obviously makes me melt! ❤ She finds excitement experimenting with vegetables and herbs, and believes in compassionate cooking.

Divine will be cooking up delicious soul food to fill our bellies after each relaxing sound healing session.

This will be an unforgettable experience!

Tickets are 1500 PHP OR 1600 PHP with car service OR 3000 PHP for both days with car service included.

Click your chosen link to purchase your tickets! -> Eventbee | Eventbrite

*** If you are interested in staying at Soul Sierra on Saturday night, both events are inclusive and the price, including 2 meals for one person is 7500 PHP / for two people 12000 PHP

AN EXCLUSIVE OFFER only happening this July! ***

Please email us at retreats@soulsierra.ph if this interests you as we have limited rooms!

Follow Soul Sierra on Instagram and Facebook to stay posted on more of our events 🙂

Events, Soul Sierra, Wellness

SOUL SIERRA

May 27, 2019May 27, 2019by Kymberly Maitland-SmithLeave a Comment

Hi, Everyone!

I’m so excited to share this with you! Our family home is now, Soul Sierra – the wellness place ❤

We are opening our doors this Friday for our first ever wellness retreat, BE PRESENT 4 Days & 3 Nights Boutique Retreat!

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It all happened so quickly thanks to, Grant Kellogg, who is one of our facilitators flying in from Bali. I met Grant in April, on my first day in Ubud, Bali. I know everyone who’s been around him can agree that he sparks a bright light in your heart, and I cannot wait to have you all meet him!

Another amazing yogi who will be joining us is, Jonah Kest. He will be facilitating beautiful and innovative yoga classes for us during the retreat, as well as for our weekend events (I will share those, shortly).

Apart from the 4 day retreat, we also have 2 afternoon events that will integrate with the retreat. These events are open to all:

Saturday 1st June – Cacao Transcendance 4pm – 7pm

A Cacao Ceremony full of love, inspiration and oneness held by Grant Kellogg, followed by an enchanting Ecstatic Dance session with music by Divine Maitland-Smith.

Ecstatic Dance is where you can let go and free your body through movement. Everyday we lead our bodies to do things we ‘need to do’, but what about letting our bodies lead us? Give this time to listen to your Self. Allow your body to flow which ever way it wants, letting go of judgement and fear. This is a safe place for transformation, healing, and releasing blockages or emotions. The space is open for all ages and all beings with an open heart and mind. We are all here together on our own journeys but we forget that we are all here as One.

Join us as we drink cacao and transcend into the depths of our souls.

Rules:

– Honor the space by not talking or taking photos/videos

– Embrace the dance space as sacred and safe

– Enjoy the journey. (If you can get out of your head and into your heart with your movement, you will have an amazing experience)

What to expect:

– Delicious cacao!

– Water and fruit

– Wear comfortable clothes and please bring swimwear, towels, and a change of clothes incase of rain as we will continue to dance

– There may be congestion by Temple of Leah, so please schedule to arrive by 4PM

Purchase tickets HERE.

Sunday 2nd June – New Moon Chocolate Yoga 4pm – 7pm

A Cacao Ceremony for manifestation and empowerment held by Grant Kellogg, followed by a Hip Hop Vinyasa class by Jonah Kest.

A beautiful sunset yoga session in the luscious mountains of Cebu City with an extremely skilled yogis. You won’t want to miss this session! Let go of any distractions and give this time for yourself by focusing on the present and on what’s happening on your mat. This is the time to let go of self-doubt and fear, and become the best version of yourself. Through yoga and breath, we can connect to the Source and remember the power we have within us.

What to expect:

– Delicious cacao!

– Water and fruit

– Wear comfortable yoga or gym clothes

– Please bring a yoga mat. If you don’t have one there will be mats available

– There may be congestion by Temple of Leah, so please schedule to arrive by 4PM

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Purchase tickets HERE.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post! Please do share ❤

I hope to see you this weekend or at our future retreats and events! Please follow Soul Sierra on Facebook and Instagram to see more photos of the wellness place and stay posted.

Namaste.

Wellness

I never thought I’d say this…

March 31, 2019March 31, 2019by Kymberly Maitland-SmithLeave a Comment

… but I was drawn to share this with you all after watching Happy Feet, last night. Orthopedic shoes are the best! If you’ve watched Grace and Frankie then you know which character I am (most likely) becoming… I’m currently OBSESSING over the wellness of my feet, and all because of one visit to (sound affect, dun dun duuuun)… Dr. Kong, the comfortable and healthy shoe company.

The reason why this was all so surprising to me was that I used to tease the shit out of one of my best friends in high school for wearing orthopedic Dr. Kong school shoes. L O L. I mean, it didn’t help that the shoes she wore were also for boys (she had big feet and my nickname for her was Twinkle Toes), but because of those specific and unaesthetically pleasing pair of Dr. Kong’s, I never thought a day would come where I would be wearing Dr. Kong shoes.

I don’t know about you, but I believe that the Universe is also a conscious being who brings forth into your life, situations, people and things that you consciously, and subconsciously attract or need in that moment. And so this is why, I believe, Dr. Kong is now in my life, hahaha.

It all started with an invite to check out their store in Robinsons Galleria. I was definitely hesitant at first, especially with my fashion background and history with the Kongs, haha 💁🏻‍♀️ but I knew that I had to have a foot-check-up because I saw that my old shoes flattened down where the arches used to be.

[CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO WATCH SHORT VIDEO OF MY DR. KONG ADVENTURE]

https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE4MDE0MDg2ODc2MDg0NTQw/

I was instantly inSOLD! 😆 My feet had never truly found comfort until that day! Those insoles made my feet cry with happiness. How sad I now feel to know that I have walked for 28+ years without giving a shit about my feet, and because of it, have caused a misalignment with my ankles. Something I could have prevented if I had only pushed my judgmental, teenage ego aside and listened to Rosie a.k.a Twinkle Toes.

I did mention to her that I got my very own pair of Dr. Kong’s and she was just as surprised as I… I was also surprised to see all the “hipper” styles of shoes and sandals in the store 😎. The pink sneakers caught my eye and they were super comfortable, especially worn with the insoles. I was very impressed with the overall experience; the staff were very knowledgeable and helpful, and the store was comfortable and clean.

I HIGHLY recommend visiting Dr. Kong even if it’s just for a check up, it’s free anyway! To know what’s going on down there is so important. These our very important parts of our bodies that we have been neglecting for years and years! I only wish that I was taught about the effects of flat feet and other foot problems much earlier in life, and this is why I’m taking time on this beautiful Sunday afternoon to share my story about my, now grateful, feet! 👣🙂🧡

P.S. I’m still on my orthopedic shoe journey but I want to share that I have come across life-changing arch support, vegan, and PVC-free flip-flops and sandals from Reef in Olympic Village, Ayala, Cebu. There are also other affordable brands that make arch support sandals available! Yay! I’ve also been looking online, but seriously, why are orthopedic shoes so fckin ugly!? Does anyone know of any brands that make “stylish” arch supported shoes for the flat-flooted? 🙏🏼 Write me a comment if you do! I will wifi hug you! Thank you!

All the best, and much love to your feet! ✌🏼️

Wellness

Trust

March 16, 2019by Kymberly Maitland-SmithLeave a Comment

Last Thursday, I chose a card from my mentor’s super pretty oracle deck which read, ‘Trust your path.’

I used to constantly question my life path and my choices and found that trusting myself was one of the hardest things to do. I realized that feeling that way put me in a stagnant cycle where I was stayed stuck and obstructed any real growth in myself and in my life. I do still struggle with trusting some of the decisions I make, but I have stopped questioning my path.

Living everyday knowing that there’s so much to learn, remember, and share gives me a reason to live, have faith, and look ahead. Whatever path you are on, trust it. There is always gain where there is trust 🙏🏼

[Telling myself this while I do tarot readings haha… practice makes perfect 😆 trust trust trust!]

PS. I started practicing tarot about a year ago with Windy at The Gassho Center in Cebu. Fell in love with how they serve guidance to everyday issues, questions or thoughts and I continue to do self-readings and (rarely) read for others as I am still learning to TRUST myself 🙏🏼♥️ For those who are interested in learning, do some research and don’t be afraid! It’s fun and they can assist you in life!

Events, Wellness

TranscenDANCED in Asmara

March 11, 2019March 11, 2019by Kymberly Maitland-SmithLeave a Comment

What an enlightening experience!!!

I was so nervous on Saturday morning, I kept going through all the things I wanted to say during the event. PLUS it was my sister’s birthday so I wanted to make sure she was having a good time.

The weather was beautiful that day, and Asmarawas ready for us to set up when we arrived at 9 15. When people started arriving, I was surprised to see so many new faces, and even familiar faces of friends who I did not expect to see at the event. It was a wonderful feeling :] We started by sitting in a circle, explaining the event, the rules and, what to expect during the dance. There were about 20 of us, most of which have never experienced ecstatic dance before. We started by stretching and shaking our bodies to get warmed up, and then we brought our attention to the breath. So it began…

Transcendance DO’S:

✅ You are FREE to express yourself
✅ Free to move or just mediate on the side or do yoga
✅ No need to follow steps
✅ Parents can bring their kids

Transcendance DONT’S:
❌ No shoes
❌ No alcohol
❌ No drugs
❌ No phones/cameras
❌ No talking in the space

Unfortunately I don’t have any more photos or videos to post just yet, but I will get a few to share with you all soon! Since it was our first time we decided to document some parts of the event, that way others can get an idea of what the experience is all about, and hopefully, join in next time!

This was only my 3rd ecstatic dance experience and although I was worrying about how people were going to react, I was beautifully surprised and happy to see that everyone was so open and receptive to the music and to the movement. I loved catching people in the eyes and then smiling at them, I loved seeing people full of joy and letting go of judgments, and I thoroughly enjoyed being in that space together where we were all embracing the moment and becoming one. I felt emotional and fulfilled.

After about an hour, the music leaded us to shavasana and then we came together for the sharing circle. This was when my heart grew and melted. Everyone shared very kind words about the event, but most importantly, shared their personal experience without fear. I thrive on openness and oneness, and that was given to me last Saturday morning, HASHTAG BLESSED! Haha… :-p . I saw myself in each person and felt so connected to them, to my surroundings, and to my body and soul. We then surprised Divine with a birthday cake :] It was delightful to see her so happy as this was only the second time for her to DJ ecstatic dance music. She did a great job by the way, and I’m not just saying that because she’s my sister!

I’m very grateful to Princess and Jangee for inviting me to start this movement with them, and very thankful for my sister and boyfriend for being so supportive of my ventures. Thank you Asmara for the venue! We are very excited for the future of Transcendance! Please stay tuned on my facebook page for the upcoming events.

Namaste ❤

Fashionably Ethical, Wellness