The Power of Setting Intentions
In every class and individual session, I ask students and clients to set an intention. Sometimes you squirm in your seat, not sure what to say. Sometimes you come prepared with a list of goals, because you know I will ask.
A student recently asked for more guidance on this intention setting practice.
Why do we set intentions? What can be included in the intentions?
I believe that intention setting is one of the most important steps to open a session. Each participant has an opportunity to share a struggle, a goal, a feeling. The focus can be physical, mental, emotional, spiritual:
- My knee hurts. I would like healing for my knee.
- My mind is spinning all the time. I would like a calm mind.
- I am struggling with boundaries with a family member. I would like to feel peace, acceptance, and hold my energy when engaging with them.
- I want to be connected with my Divine guides.
The objectives can vary greatly. It is a way of expressing the priorities for your healing.
Anger in the Home
As the seasons change and we enter spring, it feels like the ideal time to talk about my story, which is strongly associated with the Wood element.
People frequently ask how I got into energy healing. I either talk about the incredible healings I saw in my kids, or share a shortened version of this story.
The most profound shifts I experienced from energy medicine were the quieting of my internal angst and the birth of my empowerment. Emotions are complicated and multi-faceted; in the belief that this story is relatable, I attempt to put it into words.
As a child, I was ultra-aware of other people’s emotions. I could read the room, and feel when to engage and when to fade into the shadows. I was good at walking on eggshells, falling under the radar, or performing according to expectations. I didn’t experience anger; life could be managed by contorting myself to fit the space.
Expressions of the Wood Element
In Chinese Medicine, springtime is represented by the Wood Element.
The plants are sprouting, breaking through the earth, and growing. Each sprout is determined to fulfill its purpose, and has the motivation to grow into the dandelion or tomato plant or elm tree that it is destined to become.
Imagine the feeling of a sprout, unable to break through the surface of the earth and achieve its purpose. The sprout begins to grow, only to be stopped by the soil’s impenetrable crust. The sprout becomes frustrated, feels stuck, can’t find a path forward: this is the recipe for Anger.
Recording: Peace & Collective Healing
Thank you for attending the Peace Event last month.
With only one week notice, we had 44 attendees between in-person and online! I was blown away by the tremendous response.
The energy of the room was palpable. It was powerful to move energy as a group. With a singular focus, the energy became magnified!
If you missed the event and feel called to watch the recording, the links are below.
Sleep: Those Nighttime Hours
Today we talk about sleep.
As a chronic poor sleeper, I have tried many methods over the last 20 years to chase the elusive ‘good night's sleep’. Many of my clients talk about issues falling asleep and staying asleep, finding themselves reliant on sleep aids. It is a massive problem facing so many in our society.
I hesitate to write this article without fully solving the sleep mystery for myself. And yet, the tips in this article have helped me so dramatically that it is time to share.
Why is Sleep important?
Everything in life needs rest; it is the Yin state.
We are currently in the winter months, when the Earth gets to rest. This is a time when the plants stop growing; they return attention to their roots and their essence; they regroup and reprioritize for next year’s growth. It is a time when animals hibernate and rejuvenate their bodies.
Rest is essential for human life. During sleep, the body is cleansed of toxins to make space for tomorrow's nourishment. Sleep repairs tissues, manages weight, and supports the immune system. Sleep supports our emotional well being and enhances our brain function for better focus and creativity. Without a quality sleep cycle, the human body is unable to operate at its best.
The Unfolding of 2026
Welcome to 2026!
You may be wondering what 2026 has in store for us. From an energetic standpoint, it is powerful energy that promises transformation.
In this article, I will share about the 2026 Chinese New Year, the year in numerology, and several messages from channelers about what to expect in the months ahead.
Feb 8: Peace and Collective Healing
During weekly classes, a growing number of you are setting intentions centered around the unrest we feel as a Collective. You are asking to feel more grounded, balanced, and supported. You are asking for a path to heal humanity and bring our world into a more peaceful state.
I am inspired to gather as a large group. You are all bright lights. You have powerful, loving hearts. When a group of people get together and share the same intention, the healing and Peace are magnified.
All are Invited!
Join me on February 8 from 9am - 11:30am
at Una Vida in Niwot and on Zoom to participate in a
FREE gathering to magnify Peace into ourselves and the Collective.
Meditations Available on Insight Timer
Thank you for listening to the meditations I share each month. And thank you for the overwhelmingly positive feedback.
You are listening to the meditations for mid-day resets.
You are listening to the meditations in the middle of the night to fall back to sleep.
You are starting and ending your day with meditations to clear your mind.
You are sharing these meditations with friends and family.
And so...I've decided to make these meditations more accessible and searchable.
25 meditations from Live Your Light are now available for free on the Insight Timer app.
To get started:
Download the Insight Timer app onto your device OR go to insighttimer.com
Content can be accessed as a guest; no account is needed.
Search the Teacher directory for Ann Bruinsma.
Click on the Follow button to support my work and to find me more quickly next time!
You will find meditations ranging in length from 2 minutes to 45 minutes on various topics.
Flu - Upgrade?
Welp...I got the flu.
This month's newsletter is delayed and shortened because the flu caught me and asked me (in a not so nice voice) to sit down and rest for a few days.
The flu was very persuasive!
The CDC tells us that this year's flu season is more severe than it has been since 2017. Media outlets are calling it the "Super Flu".
If you came down with this bug and lost all energy for a week, you are in good company. During the holidays, I was horizontal for days, unable to do basic things like showering and eating. Yuck!
It's humbling to be so sick. I take pride in caring for my health. I give my body high quality supplements. I am a healer. And yet the flu got me too. It is indiscriminate.
For the last several years, I've been shifting my perception of sickness. I no longer see myself as a victim of the flu. Instead, the flu is offering an Upgrade.
New Offering: Home Energy Clearings
In the last 6 months, many clients have reached out requesting an energetic clearing of their home.
I'm selling my house. Can you set the energy to attract a buyer?
Home renovations are experiencing a lot of delays. Can you clear the energy so that progress is easeful?
We found mold. Can you clear energetic imbalances in the house?
One room in our house feels 'off'. Can you clear intrusive energy?
It has been a pleasure to support these clients.
This month, I've added Home Energy Clearings as a standard service offering so that others can enjoy the benefits.
Announcing: Certification with the National Qigong Association!
I am proud to join the ranks of nationally certified Qigong practitioners and teachers!
During the week of Thanksgiving, I received much anticipated news from the National Qigong Association. (www.NQA.org)
...drumroll please
My two certification applications were approved!
I am one of 20 people nationwide to be officially certified as both a Qigong Clinical Practitioner and a Level III Qigong Instructor.
The Science of Breathwork
As I often share in class, breath is the very foundation of Qigong.
The word Qi can be translated as breath or vital life-force energy.
Gong means cultivation or skill developed through steady practice.
Together, Qigong is the cultivation of breath. It is the development of vital energy in the body.
Every form of Qigong, whether movement, meditation, or clinical healings, center around nurturing this life-force energy and expanding our capacity to receive breath.
Yoga instructor Sharon Gannon reminds us that:
“Life begins with an inhale and ends with an exhale. In between that inhale and exhale is our life.”
To breathe is to live! Without breath, there is no life.
You can imagine my interest upon hearing that a scientist would speak about the clinical impact of breathwork on the human body. On October 11, I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Sundar Balasubramanian as he shared his research on the power of the breath.
In retrospect, I wish that I had invited all of you; without exaggeration, his talk was life changing.
Published in Voyage Denver Magazine!
I was recently interviewed by Voyage Denver, an online magazine that features local entrepreneurs.
This means that someone nominated me for this opportunity. Please fess up so that I can thank you!
Longtime friends say that they learned something new about me and Live Your Light in the article. I hope you take a moment to read and enjoy.
Thanks for the honor of being featured!
https://voyagedenver.com/interview/daily-inspiration-meet-ann-bruinsma/
Session Opening Ritual
At the beginning of Clinical Qigong sessions, I touch clients' feet and say a few words to open the session. It’s similar to a guided meditation, helping you to relax into your body, ground, become present, and receive the transformation that is offered.
Clients frequently comment about these words, and the guidance they provide for the session.
In this article, I share the opening ritual that I use to set intentions for a session, and the purpose behind them.
Happy Anniversary to Live Your Light!
This month, Live Your Light is celebrating 7 years in business and 6 years at my Lafayette location! We made it through covid and the first difficult years of growth.
I love numbers and statistics; here are a few exciting ones:
Over 700 unique clients served
Over 2500 one-on-one sessions performed
Over 950 hours of classes taught
Clients reside across the US and in 8 countries
Thank you for getting excited with me, talking about this work in your social groups, and sending in your family and friends! PTs, Therapists, and Hairdressers are referring their clients. Book clubs and friend groups talk about this work and send members to see me one at a time. I have the honor of working with family members when they are visiting from out-of-town, along with neighbors, and best friends. Your referrals have made this business thrive and it's an honor to work with your loved ones.
Earth Element and Spleen Health
In terms of Chinese Medicine, we are currently in the season of the Earth element. It is that time of the year when the hot expansive summer (Yang) is starting to wane, the days are getting shorter, and we start moving toward a cool internal-focused winter (Yin).
Earth is represented by Indian Summer, when we have hot days and cool nights. Our gardens are ready to harvest. There is abundance dancing around us; all we need to do is receive.
I am taking a 12-month class with Robert Peng called "The Way of Virtue". Over 100 students diligently meet every Sunday online to activate acupuncture points, detox organ systems, and nourish each organ's Qi. Using breath and chanting, we open the energy flow in the 12 major organ meridians to increase physical health, emotional balance, and spiritual alignment.
The last four weeks have been focused on the Earth element, specifically the Stomach and Spleen meridians. I have come to understand that many of my physical and emotional complaints are related to imbalances in these meridians.
I share in case these symptoms resonate with you.
Emotional aspects of Earth
When Earth is constricted, it is difficult to digest what is happening in life. There is a ruminating mind, trying to make sense of the world, worrying about what could be. There is a tendency to give yourself away, taking care of others to your own detriment. When the Earth is out of balance, a person feels unsupported and has difficulty in being able to receive.
When Earth is healthy, there is a feeling of abundance: an awareness that you already have access to anything you could possibly need. With a quiet and clear mind, you are able to prioritize and receive.
Eating French fries? Your body can absorb the nutrients you need from those fries.
Lonely? You are able to receive deep fulfilling love from the relationships you already have.
Financially strapped? You have the clarity to prioritize and find that you have enough financial means for anything that you need.
A stable and supportive Earth reminds that you are abundant, right here in this now moment.
Healing as a Wave - not a Particle
We wonder about energy healing. How does it work? Why does it work?
In our physical world, we look to science to explain everything. The rules of science determine how things interact, from cells to atoms to photons of light.
We like to think there are clear and straightforward answers to all of our questions. However, deeper explorations into Quantum Mechanics reveal unexplainable mysteries of the material world. As this fascinating field continues to evolve, the discoveries offer pieces of the energy-healing puzzle.
I continue to hypothesize about why and how miracles happen in my healing practice:
Deep physical pain that lifts after a one-on-one healing session
Chronic anxiety that subsides into a peaceful mind after a Clinical Qigong session
The experience of lightness and presence after attending a Group healing
In each session, we interact with Qi: Life Force energy, which circulates through the meridians of the body. We release stagnation, enhance flow, and remind the body of its innate wisdom to heal itself. How does this work?
Today we brush the surface of quantum mechanics to consider all of this.
Gut Health and the Nervous System
Many of you know that I've been focused on my gut health for years.
Gluten free, Dairy free, sometimes meat, oil, grain, alcohol, and sugar free.
I've aimed to heal my gut by:
eliminating consumption of certain foods
receiving physical and energetic bodywork
detoxing
using supplements and probiotics
healing from infections
Along the way, I learned a tremendous amount about what works and doesn't work for me, and how my experience of digestion has changed overtime.
What's the magic solution? What foods do we need to cut out to return to a state of gut health?
I've come to realize that it's not about the food!
Eagles Take Flight: Proud Mama
Please allow me an article to brag about my kids... I will try to tie it all in with Qigong and a harmonious energetic expression!
My heart overflows with pride to share that my son James (18) and daughter Allison (16) just achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. They were engaged, committed, and focused over the last 5-7 years to attain this distinction.
At the end of June, they were honored with 8 other scouts from our troop. Together, they were called the Tenacious Ten, because tenacity is exactly what you need in order to complete the rigorous requirements to achieve Eagle Scout.
The Daily Camera newspaper interviewed the teens in this pdf article!
The scouts share their favorite memories, adventures, and leadership roles. Allison's interview was front and center, as she was the 1st female Eagle Scout in our troop. Being a trailblazer had its share of challenges and rewards. Our family is grateful that we could enjoy Scouts as a family, regardless of gender.
I recognize the complicated feelings many people have about Boy Scouts (now Scouting America) after the scandals of the last half-century. We are fortunate to have a rewarding and enriching experience, supporting the many virtues we cultivate in Qigong: Harmony with nature, Empowerment, Compassion, and Engagement.
I aim to share a little glimpse of what it looks like to be an Eagle Scout.
What’s in your First Aid Kit? Homeopathy for the Wilderness
Disclaimer: I am not a certified medical professional. Contact your physician with any health related concerns.
My big vacation for the summer is a 60-mile backpacking trip with the Scouts! Next week, we are heading to New Mexico's renowned Philmont Scout Ranch to traverse mountains, engage in pioneering activities, cook over a fire, and tent camp under the night sky for 12 days.
We are a crew of 5 boys, 2 girls, and 4 adults, ready for adventure.
(Wish me luck!)
When spending time in the wilderness, it's important to be prepared for difficult situations. We are filling the First Aid kit with common materials like gauze and antiseptic, BandAids and anti-diarrheals.
From a holistic perspective, I always bring additional supplies that can support quick healing in scary situations. Specifically, I bring a handful of important homeopathic remedies.
A little history for you...
The founder of Homeopathy, Samuel Hahnemann chewed on the bark of a Quina/ Cinchona tree. He began to feel symptoms similar to malaria. Upon giving the bark to a person with malaria, he found that the patient quickly healed. The Quina/ Cinchona bark reminded the body how to heal itself from those symptoms.
From this experience, Homeopathy was born with the fundamental principle of "like treats like".
A homeopath takes substances from nature, puts them in water, and dilutes the solution until the original substance can no longer be detected. The water contains the energetic signature of the original substance.
When treating a patient, a homeopath identifies the substance from nature (plant, animal, mineral) that acts most similarly to the given symptoms. When the correct homeopathic remedy is selected (that's the difficult part!) , there can be an instant improvement.