Mindful Living Arts

I just completed week 5 of living caffeine-free! I have been asked to share the essential five tips that supported me to arrive here.

The background: I have a VERY HIGH commitment to transformation and natural health because I struggled with asthma and allergies growing up which was managed with medication and regular visits the emergency room. It was my health challenges that empowered me to search for a way to get healthy and live medication free. In the journey of recovering my health I developed a passion for wellness and mindful Living. I discovered yoga, meditation, aromatherapy, nutrition, creative writing, and energy healing as powerful tools to improve my health.

Two times per year I do a cleanse or detox diet to help manage allergy and asthma symptoms during which I give up caffeine for 3-4 weeks. The cleanse and gradually minimizing common allergens (wheat, dairy, peanuts, soy) from my diet has been essential for me. I focus on shifting my pH balance by including lots fresh fruits and veggies and staying super hydrated!

5 steps to living caffeine-free:

1. Tap into the deep and powerful desire to quit caffeine (if this is not yet present stoke the inner fire until it burns strong.)

2. Be willing to face the emotional needs that are being met through caffeine use. (ESSENTIAL aspect for healing of mind & body.)

3. Detox diet with no caffeine. (start with 2 days and gradually increase to at least 3 weeks.)

4. Commit to see how long can you can stay caffeine-free. I believe the psychological relief of this is more positive and possible than the pressure of giving it up forever.

5. Celebrate your success! Take one day at a time and acknowledge the progress you make!

Please share your ideas or questions on how to make positive steps to shift towards living caffeine-free.

When starting a cleansing diet it is important to keep in mind that not all cleansing diets will work for everyone. Which one is right for you will depend on a lot of factors including medical conditions, medications, your goals and intention for doing the cleanse. If you have not tried a cleansing diet before I suggest you start with a simplified and clean diet for a day and stop eating at 6pm, just drink the lemon water (listed below) and herbal tea.

5 Essential tips to support your Cleansing Diet:

Step 1 : Drink lemon water  & cayenne pepper first in the morning.

Step 2 : Drink lemon water and stevia throughout the day to support alkaline balance, to reduce sugar cravings and to balance blood sugar.

Step 3: Map out what foods you want to eat, like to eat and  always have something healthy you can eat quickly.

Step 4 : Remove all unwanted/off limits foods from the house.

Step 5: Create a support network and ask for support! Enroll a friend or family member that will be there to support you when the going gets tough

Changing your eating habits and body chemistry takes time, patience and perseverance.

This is the system and products I have personally used and like. It is essential to find the right fit and support that you need for the process because it will CHALLENGE and push you and you will want to QUIT during the cleanse!

To your health I offer big love and blessings,
chris arcucci
Who says a woman can’t cultivate her super powers in a dress?!

Have questions about cleansing, join the conversation!

I recently completed the 21 day Designs for Health Cleanse Program. I am always asked about the process and I feel inspired to share my journey and experience. I started doing cleansing diets and fasting in the early 90′s to help manage severe allergies and I have experienced terrific results.:-)

Here is a brief overview of what I do and focus on:
Cleansing detox diet or fast 2x’s per year for 10-30 days (usually in the spring and autumn.)

Options I like:
Be Well with Dr Frank Lipman – Cleanse Program
Designs for Health 21 Day Program
The Master Cleanse (lemonade detox diet)

After a cleansing diet I crave healthier foods and have less attachment to the foods that I eat that I know are not good for me. (I love my black tea with milk and sugar and a scone on the side.) Cleansing diets give me the opportunity to explore the landscape of cravings and emotional eating, it is a great time to dance with my shadow self.

During the remainder of the year I make gradual shifts in my diet so the adjustments will stick. I focus on shifting my diet to alkaline producing foods: fresh fruits & veggies as much as possible.
Minimize or eliminate acid forming foods: gluten, wheat, dairy, refined sugar, caffeine, alcohol, soy, meat and anything processed.

Start drinking lemon water through the day to begin a gentle detox process.

Make preparations and purchase necessary supplies to dive into the cleanse and visit again soon for more details in Summer cleansing Diet ~ Part 2.

To your health I offer big love and blessings,
chris arcucci
Who says a woman can’t cultivate her super powers in a dress?!

Please share your comments or questions about cleansing, thanks!

In February of 2011 I completed the level 1 HoopGirl Teacher Training with Christabel Zamor. It was an amazing, fun filled weekend of learning new hoop dance skills and learning to lead classes. I love the company philosophy “Get fit, Feel Sexy, Have Fun!” It was an incredible group of loving and open hearted women committed to empowering each other. To my delight and surprise my photo is featured in the HoopGirl Newsletter for March 2011 about half way down the page, check it out!

Benefits of Hoop Dance:
Improves strength, flexibility and balance.
Builds stamina and core strength.
Supports and enhances good posture and alignment.
Enhances rhythm and coordination.
Promotes FUN and freedom of expression!
Reduces stress and back pain.
Deepens mind-body connection.
Accelerates fat burning and weight loss.
Encourages deep breathing and centering.

I am excited to join Christabel’s Goddess Blossom Women’s Circle in May.  She is an inspiring, powerful and loving transformational facilitator.

What is you favorite way to get fit and have fun?

I am honored and thrilled to be featured on the The Right-Brain Business Plan on my birthday, what a delightful surprise and honor, thank you Jenn Lee!

Spotlight on Chris Arcucci of Mindful Living Arts
by JENNIFER LEE on JANUARY 17, 2011
in FEATURED RIGHT-BRAIN BUSINESS PLANS

Note from Jenn: Chris Arcucci of Mindful Living Arts is a generous and creative soul who embodies the wisdom of yoga. She combines massage, private yoga, and lifestyle coaching to help people nourish their mind, body, and spirit. I’m super inspired by her beautiful yoga poses and her vibrant Right-Brain Business Plan. I know Chris is up to big things in this world and she is making a powerful, positive difference in the lives of many. Loka samasta sukhino bhavantu – May all living beings be happy and free. Namaste.

What is your business and what makes your business unique?

I am the founder of Mindful Living Arts, a Health and Wellness Studio in Walnut Creek, California. My business is unique because it is a private yoga, massage and lifestyle coaching studio for clients who believe their health is an asset that needs nourishment and regular care. I offer intensive massage packages, which reduce pain, manage stress and incorporate home care exercises in between sessions. The semi-private yoga classes are limited to four students, which offers the opportunity for personal attention, hands on adjustments and guidance to recover from injury. Students get to know each other and this creates an incredible support for making sustainable lifestyle changes. I integrate over 30 years of personal and professional studies, which facilitates deep transformation of long held patterns. One of my clients said, “The bodywork I have done with Chris has returned the full range of movement in my neck, something I had not had for over 20 years previously.” My intention is to create a sanctuary where self care is sexy and it is working!!!

How has the Right-Brain Business Plan™ helped you?

The Right-Brain Business Plan™ empowered me to see what I REALLY want to create with my business and to notice I was playing it “safe” with my goals and planning. The course gave me the courage to recognize my desire to support the health of my local community and the greater global community in more powerful ways. I feel infinitely more confident as I create training programs, healing products, and conscious community to enhance life on this amazing planet. I support women owned small businesses through micro-lending and have ideas to make an even greater difference. I am blessed to have studied healthy living and mindfulness for 30 years and I want to partner with organizations that bring health education to communities in need. It is exciting and scary to be clearing the pathway to my big dream!

What is different for you and your business after approaching planning in a creative, visual way?

I have been making vision boards since my teens and working with Jenn has helped me to clarify my business goals with a creative format that I enjoy. The process helped me to integrate my creative side with my business mind in order to manifest my vision. It is a powerful and potent program and I am so excited to see what will unfold for my business and me in 2011!

What goals (big or small) on your business plan have you already accomplished or have made progress on?

One of my goals is to lead creative and inspirational personal development workshops and this weekend I am co-leading my first Vision Board workshop!

I have launched a blog where I share insights, inspiration and wisdom for cultivating heath and wellness through everyday activities.

I started offering one-on-one Reiki Practitioner Trainings.

I have added 3 semi-private Yoga classes per week, which are nearly full in the first week of 2011!

I am finalizing plans for a semi-private Yoga Teacher Training in 2011, this will be a powerful opportunity for students who enjoy and delight in the intensity and intimacy of a small group program, this is a dream come true!

How do you use your creative intuition in your work?

Creative intuition is an essential aspect of my life and work! I maximize all the technical training I have with bodywork and movement and actively open to my intuition for what can best serve in the moment. Often surprising things happen during sessions, for example last night as I was internally asking for guidance from my client’s Spiritual teacher, I allowed by hands to be guided to facilitate the unraveling of muscle tension that decreased her chronic knee pain. I see creative intuition as vital to my success, from massage therapy, to lifestyle coaching, to yoga classes, to training yoga teachers and Reiki practitioners. It is essential that I cultivate the ability to be aligned and in tune. I feel blessed that creative intuition feeds my passion and purpose and are so deeply infused in my life and business.

Is there anything you’d like to share about your Right-Brain Business Plan™ in terms of what it’s made out of or how you made it?

My Right-Brain Business Plan™ is a in a large scrap book with images, writings, words, goals, dreams, aspirations and secrets I have crafted a box that is holding the ideas that are “still brewing”….the truth is the RBBP style has taken over my home and studio because I keep creating visual reminders to clarify my visions and to keep me on track. I love it!

What’s your vision for your business?

Mindful Living Arts inspires people to recognize everyday activities are opportunities to enhance health and radiance while reducing pain and stress. Our vision is to make empowered and life-enhancing choices, to educate and inspire people to touch, trust, move, breathe and eat for vibrancy and vitality. We offer healthy living programs and conscious products to support health & mindfulness. We are passionate about building community connection as an essential component for making sustainable lifestyle changes.

What advice do you have for other creative entrepreneurs?

Believe in your dream and love yourself with wild abandon!

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I am so grateful for the chance to work with Jenn at Artizen Coaching, I would highly recommend the Right-Brain Business Plan™ as a powerful process to clarify and create your dream business. I am honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to share my story with you….. May I manifest my heart’s deepest longing to make a positive and powerful difference in the world through my creative expression & work, thank you!