104 South Pierre Street
Pierre, SD 57501

www.opengatesnetwork.org

Welcome note from Mary:
Digging up Dinosaur Bones in Wyoming

We closed the office for several days this summer to spend time in the glorious Wyoming sunshine digging up dinosaur bones with my son, Jesse.  He found an allosaurus tooth that brought huge smiles to the entire group, and he is already making plans to join the dig again next year! 

Together, we spent several days excavating something that started as a tiny nub (about the size of a knuckle) when we first noticed it.  After several days with our X-acto knives and brushes, we had exposed an intricate and extensive tangled-up mass of many bones that spanned several square feet.  Great fun!

Sending you smiles, love, and gratitude…
and hoping that you also have been making time to play!

Contents:
Welcome Note from Mary
Mary’s Quick Tip for Autumn – Hold Your Breath - Deliberately!
Breathing for Vibrant Living, Feature Article by Mary Gates
The Law of Attraction and the Science of Getting Rich
Mary’s Books:  Living in Abundance and Joyful! 21 Days to Vibrant Living
Ocean of Gratitude Cruise and Other Upcoming Events
Disclaimer

Mary’s Quick Tip for Autumn:
Hold Your Breath - Deliberately!

Breathing for our bodies, our minds, and our lives
Have you ever gasped for air when you were startled?  Have you ever held your breath when you were afraid or angry?  Breathing is essential for survival, and when we hold our breath, the communication doorway to our sub-conscious minds opens wide.  Our brilliant minds know that we cannot survive more than a very few minutes without fresh oxygen, and the sub-conscious mind wants to know what is going on when there is no fresh oxygen coming in.  When we hold our breath, we lock in thoughts of whatever is on our mind at the time.  When normal breathing resumes, those thoughts sometimes get stuck in the sub-conscious mind. 

We can use this as a deliberate tool for wellness by holding our breath while we think about people and things that we really love and appreciate!  

What do YOU love and appreciate at this moment? 
Stop reading right now, invest a moment in yourself, hold your breath, and think about it!

Was that fun???
Would you like to know more about breathing?  Check out our feature article below:

 
Breathing for Vibrant Living
Feature Article by Mary Gates

Breathing provides oxygen to every cell throughout your body, and deep breathing raises levels of blood oxygen.  Higher levels of blood oxygen speed healing, stimulate the digestive process, improve fitness, and bring greater mental clarity.  Alternative health icon Dr. Andrew Weil says: "If I had to limit my advice on healthier living to just one tip, it would be simply to learn how to breathe correctly."

Breathing Detoxifies the Body
Breathing serves two primary purposes: 

1. Providing essential oxygen TO every cell in the body,

AND

2. Removing toxins FROM every cell in the body (I used to think breathing was a simple exchange of oxygen for carbon dioxide… HA!)  Now I know that respiration is one of the most effective means to eliminate excess acid, environmental pollutants, and all kinds of other toxins, including the harmful acids produced in the body by negative thoughts.

Breathing incorrectly can produce tension, exhaustion and vocal strain, interfere with athletic activity and encourage aches and illnesses," says Nancy Zi, breathing expert and author of the book and video set, "The Art of Breathing." 

Dennis Lewis, who leads breathing awareness workshops and is the author of The Tao of Natural Breathing and Free Your Breath, Free Your Life: How Conscious Breathing Can Relieve Stress, Increase Vitality, and Help You Live More Fully observes: "Most of us take our breathing for granted. The great Taoist sage Chuang Tzu says that most of us breathe from our throats, and that real human beings breathe from their heels."

Natural Breathing is Part of our Original Programming
We were born knowing how to breathe properly – watch the natural breathing of a young, sleeping baby.  Their little tummies lift and fall just like the bellies of little frogs.  Their tiny bodies would never grow so quickly or heal so rapidly if they kept the air exchange in the tops of their lungs the way many adults do. 

So... What happens?  Where does our breathing go wrong?
When we experience emotional trauma such as anger or sadness we often hold our breath.  When we feel physical pain, we want as little movement as possible, which can also result in restricted breathing.  Over time, we lose the innate instinct to breathe deeply into the lower core of the abdomen.

Many of us have been culturally conditioned to “suck it in” and breathe into the upper chest for a nice, buxom profile.  This is a bunch of baloney!  Our bodies will respond beautifully when we breathe naturally, with our bellies moving and our chests steady.  Over time, the health benefits of correct breathing will lead to a naturally slimmer profile, as excess toxins are released from fat cells through respiration.

According to Zi, “The lungs should just be a container; when we use them as a pump, they become overburdened and the muscles get tight; everything is restricted." She observes that breathing problems such as asthma often develop as a result of such constriction.

Practice - it's Fun and Easy to Create a New Habit
Working with your breath for brief periods each day will bring a new sense of internal balance and
overall sense of well-being.  Here are some tips:

     1. Start with Correct Posture
Notice your posture, and sit or stand up straight.  Slouching shoulders restrict the lung space;  tight, high shoulders indicate tight muscles in the lung and chest area.  Relax your shoulders further each time you exhale, while keeping them nice and straight.  Don’t let your chest collapse downward as you exhale… stay tall as you release the air.  This is important, and will make the next inhalation easier and more natural because the next breath doesn’t have to help re-inflate a collapsed chest.  If you tend to slouch, try turning your palms forward and lightly bringing your arms back while you let them hang freely.

     2. Observe Your Current Pattern
Sit or stand comfortably and place one hand on your chest and the other hand on your upper abdomen below your ribs.  Breathe as you normally do for several breaths and observe the movement of your hands.   The most beneficial breathing technique will create movement only from the hand on your abdomen, and the upper hand will remain still.  Ask a friend to watch as you look straight ahead, or watch yourself in the mirror if you are unsure what your hands are doing (keep your head upright in order to maintain correct posture).  Your shoulders should remain level.

     3. Think About Toast
Did she say Toast??? Yes! Think of the air you bring into your lungs as creamy, soft butter. The surface tissue in the top of your lungs is like moist bread and the surface tissue in the bottom of your lungs is like hot, dry toast. Butter spreads over the moist bread but melts and soaks easily into the dry toast. If the air you bring into your lungs only reaches the top of your lungs, very little healing power is transmitted to the rest of your body. The lower area of the lungs is much more vascular and will optimize the available oxygen for the other tissues in your body. The lower tissues will also release many more toxins during the exchange of air.
 

An Exercise for Relaxation: 4-Square Breathing
Here’s a fun breathing exercise for relaxation, mental focus, and overall lung health:

     1. Find a comfortable place to sit or lie down, and close your eyes.  

     2. Slowly inhale while you count to 4

     3. Hold your breath for a count of 4

     4. Slowly exhale while you count to 4

     5. Hold your lungs empty for a count of 4

Sustain this pattern for as long as you comfortably can.  If you are new to breathing exercises, try it for one minute.  As you gain experience, you can gradually work up to several minutes at a time.  You can slow your breathing further by counting up to 6, 8, 10, or even higher!  If a count of 4 is difficult for you at first, try counting to 3, 2, or even 1.

Be Gentle with Yourself
Your mind may naturally wander throughout this exercise.  If you notice that your thoughts are on anything other than the numerical count of your breathing, gently bring your thoughts back to the simple count.  Calming the mind takes practice, especially if you have been breathing incorrectly for several years.  Allow yourself to drift into sleep if that seems irresistible.

Think of your diaphragm as a bellows.  Instead of “taking” a breath, feel yourself “accepting” a breath.  Imagine that the breath is a gift of love from the universe, and allow yourself to bask in its peace.

Give yourself time each day
to notice and feel gratitude
for the simple act
of breathing… 

 you are worth it,
and your body will thank you!

For more about natural breathing and to learn the 10 secrets for better breathing from breathing expert Dennis Lewis, visit http://www.authentic-breathing.com/ten_secrets.htm

Mary’s Books:

Living in Abundance

and

Joyful!  21 Days to Vibrant Living

Have you ordered your copies yet?
The Early Bird Discount
has been extended
to November 15!  

Call us at 1-866-111-1234
to reserve your copies today!

What is the Science of Getting Rich about?  In the words of author Wallace D. Wattles, "The ownership of money and property comes as a result of doing things in a certain way. Those who do things in this certain way, whether on purpose or accidentally, get rich. Those who do not do things in this certain way, no matter how hard they work or how able they are, remain poor. It is a natural law that like causes always produce like effects. Therefore, any man or woman who learns to do things in this certain way will infallibly get rich." The Science of Getting Rich home study course is all about teaching how to do things in this "certain" way to create wealth.

Click here to learn more about the Science of Getting Rich Seminar and how you can profit from distribution of the program.  You can also register for a gift of 7 free lessons that will propel you forward into more complete financial freedom.

Upcoming events:

Maximizing Success Wealth Life Balance Retreat
November 9-11 ~ Sedona, AZ ~ $597

I attended one of these events in May, and it was absolutely wonderful!  Debbie Allen and Patricia Drain have put together a diverse and balanced collection of speakers who will show you how to experience abundant happiness, wealth, and success in many different areas of your life.  Register through our link, and we will donate $100 to South Dakota Public Broadcasting in your name! 

Ocean of Gratitude Cruise
February 16-24, 2008 ~ Sailing from Ft. Lauderdale

Did you get my special announcement about the Ocean of Gratitude Cruise? 
I would absolutely love to share this experience with you!!!

Are you familiar with Dr. Masaru Emoto and his amazing water research?  How would you like to meet him in person, and participate in a global ocean water blessing ceremony?  Would you like to meet Michael Beckwith, star of “The Secret” and founder of the Agape International Spiritual Center?  Wouldn’t you absolutely LOVE to experience a Caribbean cruise with like-minded people on a spiritual quest to live each moment from a place of gratitude?  Let’s escape to the Ocean of Gratitude Cruise together in February!

Be sure to mention Open Gates LLC when you register – I have arranged for you to receive several free thank you gifts, including:

1. a free copy of Michael Beckwith's 40 Day Mind Fast Soul Feast

2. a free copy of Living in Abundance, co-authored by Dr. Wayne Dyer, Anthony Robbins, Bill Harris, Michael Beckwith, myself, and others!

3. a special autographed copy of my new book Joyful! 21 Days to Vibrant Living

Quantum Living Workshop Series
Currently available in Pierre, South Dakota... Distance learning opportunities coming soon!

Free Wellness Class
Saturday, November 3, 1:30pm – 3:30pm 

Fun magnet tricks that demonstrate the energy fields around our physical bodies are sure to have you thinking about your health and your life in exciting new ways!  Learn about energy rebalancing to support the full healing potential of the body using its own natural healing abilities. 

EFT - (Emotional Freedom Technique)
Tuesday, November 6, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
or
November 17, 9:30am – 11:00am

Like “acupuncture without needles,” EFT releases energy blockages to support a naturally healthy body and mind! $37

Healthy Body, Happy Size
Thursdays (4 week program)
November 8 – December 13*, 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Would you like to change the size of your body? Forget about your weight! Focus on your health, and your body size will naturally settle into a desirable level. Weight loss programs that focus strictly on losing weight fail to address the underlying causes of weight problems, and can actually reinforce unhealthy patterns in your thinking and sabotage your self-esteem. Change your pattern to unlock the power that brings lasting results!
$197, includes personal energy balancing sessions each week!
No class 11/22, Thanksgiving 

Soaring Spirits Workshop
Monday, November 12, 6:30pm – 9:30pm

Discover the effortless path to living in harmony with your destiny! Based on Janet & Chris Attwood’s new bestseller The Passion Test™.
$97, includes one month of group coaching! 

Natural Family Balance
Wednesday, November 14, 6:30pm – 9:30pm

Learn how to release energy blockages in yourself and your loved ones to restore balance and support overall health and well-being!
$47, bring a friend for half price! 

Chakras for Life
Saturday, November 17, 1:30pm – 3:00pm

Gain valuable tools for nurturing chakras, or energy centers, in yourself and your loved ones. Healthy charkas lead to vibrant bodies and happy lives! $37

Ask about how you can become an Open Gates LLC VIP and save 10%!

Thank you for reading Vibrant!  In the next issue, we will discuss the
wonderful world of water, and explore its role in supporting a healthy, vibrant life! 
 

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Would you like to reprint an article from "Vibrant" in your own e-zine, newsletter, blog, website, or other media?  You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:  Mary Gates publishes the monthly e-zine "Vibrant" with fun and useful information for abundant health, happiness, success, and joy!  Get your free copy now at www.opengatesnetwork.org

Do you have an idea for a feature story?  Do you have favorite tips you’d like to share, or questions you’d like answered?  Would you like to contribute an article?   We’d love to hear from you!  Please email Mary at ! 

Sending you light,
love and smiles,