​By Heidi Price, FNLP - Balanced Health Through Nutrition

During this pandemic it’s easy to feel that much is out of your control. In truth, there are many ways in which we can help ourselves and our loved ones to become more resistant to the impacts of the virus, and help our bodies to withstand the stress of uncertainty that we will be facing for some time to come. Inflammation and immune function are at the core of building up our resilience.

Calming internal inflammation is first on the list of things we CAN do:

• Remove inflammatory triggers from your diet: gluten, dairy, refined sugar, alcohol, processed foods, plus any known food allergens, sensitivities, and intolerances.
• Go ahead and spice it up! Add garlic, ginger, and turmeric to your favorite dishes.
• Eat as many colors of the rainbow as possible, and keep your vegetable intake up.
• Stay hydrated to keep those mucous membranes moist.

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Calming your nervous system is second on the list of things we CAN do:

• Understand and recognize that these are difficult times. Allow yourself to feel the emotions that are surfacing. It’s OK to experience feelings of sadness, anger, and fear.
• Try breathing: Inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, exhale for 4 counts, and hold for 4 counts. Repeat 3-5 times.
• Sleep, Sleep, Sleep! Make this a priority along with relaxation. Make your bedroom a sanctuary for this immune boosting necessity.
• Reach out and spend time with friends and family over the phone or video conferencing – this is your support system.

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Calming as many lifestyle patterns as you can is third on the list of things we CAN do:

• Chew your food thoroughly – your digestive system depends on it for maximum nutrient absorption
• Sip on some hot soup or tea – for added benefit add raw honey or coconut oil
• Walk slowly – outside if possible. This will help to balance out your sympathetic (fight or
  flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) portions of your nervous system.
• Take note of your surroundings – Mother Nature has so much to offer those who see and
  hear the gifts she has bestowed upon us.
• Take time to smell the flowers or any smells that bring you joy. Frankincense essential oil is a great option too.
• Take breaks from the news and your phone – especially before bedtime to improve your
  sleep quality.

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​In our current situation, it is important to find things that we DO have control over. This is especially critical when our mental, physical, and spiritual health is at stake. ​

By:  Nancy Evans, RN, BSN, CH

Welcome! 
 
The purpose of this article is to teach you an easy way to share healing energy with yourself and those you care about. Please understand that while I am simplifying things, it in no way diminishes what is possible when you show up for yourself and/or others in this way.
 
We will cover:
 
1.  The nature of healing energy
2.  How thoughts and emotions affect our energy field
3.  Using the power of intention to focus energy
4.  How to access and focus loving energy for healing
5.  Hand positions for self-healing
6.  Providing healing energy for others in person
7.  Providing healing energy from a distance
 
1.  The Nature of Healing Energy
 
There are many forms of unseen energy on our planet that we take for granted. Radio waves, Microwaves, X-rays, solar waves, sound waves...
 
The physical body is created from and supported by subtle energies. They are called subtle because they are not typically seen or measured. The three major categories of subtle energies are:

• Energy fields (aura), multi-colored energies which surround our physical body.
• Energy bodies (chakras), multi-colored energy vortexes which run align with the spine from the tailbone to the crown
• Energy channels (meridians) which run within the body connecting our vascular system and organs

 
All of these subtle energies are constantly moving and contain information and so in this context we can think of Energy as "Information in Motion.”
 
When there is an imbalance in the physical body (either physical, emotional, mental or spiritual) there is also an imbalance in our subtle energies. An imbalance (or block) occurs when we are out of alignment with our true essence. There are many ways we can become out of balance with our true essence! Trauma, stress, incorrect thinking, what we eat or drink, are just a few examples.
 
 2.  How Thoughts and Emotions Influence our Subtle Energies
 
We are powerful creators and we create from our beliefs which are then reflected through our thoughts and emotions. Many of our beliefs are acquired while in utero through about age 6, before the logical hemisphere of our brain is developed. This means that some of those beliefs are not even true. These untrue beliefs run in the background of the brain and lead to thoughts and emotions that seem true but are based on untrue beliefs. That is why it can be valuable to question your beliefs.
 
Our thoughts can be on a spectrum from very negative (low frequency) to very positive (high frequency) and emotions reflect a wide range of feelings which can take us down or lift us up. (I am simplifying.)
 
The point is that our beliefs, thoughts, and emotions are powerful and have a large effect on the state of our energy, which has a powerful effect on how we feel physically. So, when we are offering energy work to ourselves or someone else, it’s important to maintain positive intentions, positive thoughts, and emotions. We do that by connecting to a high frequency of loving energy that has no hidden agendas. It is pure Love.
 
3.  Using the Power of Intention to Focus Energy
 
Since our thoughts and beliefs have such a powerful effect on our energy, it is necessary to be clear about the intention you are setting for the energy work session.
 
For example: If you are feeling anxious or fearful, your intention might be to instead feel safe and calm. Or, if you are feeling anger, you may want to feel patience. Or if you have pain, you may want to feel ease of movement and flexibility.
 
So, as you are beginning the energy work session, you might state:

• With regard to feeling safe and calm, I ask for the Most Benevolent Outcome.
• With regard to feeling patience, I ask for the Most Benevolent Outcome.
• With regard to feeling ease of movement and flexibility in my back, I ask for the Most Benevolent Outcome.

 
4.  How to Access and Focus Loving Energy for Healing
 
1.  Rub your palms together vigorously for about 5 seconds. Then hold your hands, palms facing each other about 4 inches apart and slightly move your hands to feel the energy between them. Repeat this a few times if needed.

2.  Continue to feel the energy between your hands as you move your hands back and forth while imagining a pink sphere of light floating between your hands. Slowly move your hands further apart and focus on the sphere as it grows in size. Repeat this exercise as needed to enhance your awareness of feeling the energy.
 
 3.  Preparation for offering Energy Work: 
Sitting (or standing) with your spine erect:
a. Bring your awareness to your heart and become aware of the breath as it moves in and out of your heart
b. Become aware of a golden sphere of energy gently centered in your heart
c. Take your time and allow the awareness of this pure loving energy filling you full of unconditional love
d. Feel the energy of the golden sphere begin to spread down into your arms and hands
e. Place one hand on your heart and the other on your belly and allow the energy to flow or begin your energy session as you wish
 
5.  Suggested Hand Positions for Self-Healing
 
Please understand that the following hand position descriptions are only suggestions and you may feel led to do something entirely different. Please pay attention to your intuition. While the hands are held on the front of the body, the energy is being received throughout the entire body.
 
Find a comfortable space where you can sit and be uninterrupted if possible. Silently state your intention and follow the directions for #3 above and then proceed starting with #1 below:
 
1. Place your hands gently over your eyes until you feel ready to move to the next position.
2. Place one hand on your forehead and the other on the back of your head.
3. Place one hand over each cheek (side of face) with fingers over the temples and the thumb under the ears.
4. Place one hand gently over the throat and the other over the heart.
5. Move the hand over the throat to rest on the solar plexus (just under the ribs,) leaving the hand over the heart in place.
6. Move the hand over the heart to the lower abdomen (between the pubic bone and the navel) leaving the hand on the solar plexus in place.
7. Place your right hand on your right thigh and your left hand on the left thigh.
8. Place one hand on each knee.
9. Place one hand on each calf.
10. Place one hand on each ankle.
11. Place one hand on each foot. Or hold each foot with both hands.
12. If there is an area of pain on your body that needs extra attention, place your hands there now.
13. Bring your hands to prayer position at the heart and give thanks for the help of the loving energy as your close your session. Spend time in meditation if desired.
 
 6.  Providing Healing Energy for Others in Person
 
While you can use the same hand positions when doing energy work for others as you do for yourself, there are a few important things to note:
 
1. It is important to have permission from the recipient. Not everyone is open to receiving energy work and it is important to respect their wishes.
2. Ask the recipient what they would like to work on and set the intention as described in
3. Energy work for another may be done with hands off the body a couple of inches or with hands on the body.
4. Ask for permission before covering someone’s eyes.
5. If hands on, be sure to avoid touching private areas.
6. If possible, have the person supine, face up on the edge of a bed (unless you have a massage table) and do everything possible to protect your back while working. You might consider using a chair.
 
7.  Providing Healing Energy from a Distance
 
If you are not able to contact the recipient to ask for their permission, set the intention that the energy will go to someone who needs it if the intended person is not open to receive the energy. Then center yourself and set your intention as in section 4 - #3, stating clearly who you intend to receive the energy work. If you aren’t sure of the session’s intention, simply ask for the Most Benevolent Outcome. Then imagine that the person is suspended in air in front of where you are seated. Holding your hands in the air, imagining that you are holding the areas described above in Section 5. As you move down the body, imagine the body moving into position so that you can easily hold energy over the areas of the body.
 
If you prefer, you can use a stuffed teddy bear as a surrogate for the recipient. Just set the intention that the bear is a proxy for the recipient and hold the energy as above on the bear.
 
Thank you for taking the time to learn how to offer healing to yourself and others. Please know that as long as you are in a heart-full mental and emotional state of love and compassion for yourself and others while you offer the energy work, you cannot do anyone any harm. And you are doing a great deal of good! Our world needs all the love and caring we can offer, now more than ever! Thank you for showing up in this way!

By:  Dee Gorski, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac.

At the time of writing this, the Covid-19 virus is spreading and the news is aflutter with talks of pandemic. The biggest thing we can do to protect ourselves from infection are maintaining basic health practices (ie washing hands and surfaces) and supporting our own immune systems. Below are some simple options to help you strengthen your immune system:

De-Stress   
Stress and anxiety destroy your immune system. The more you are investing energy in worrying about getting sick the more likely you are to get sick. Remember to breathe and do the things that help you to relax and find peace in yourself. If you need more help with this, I would recommend getting acupuncture, massage or energy work to help release tension, and your practitioner will likely have more suggestions for how to calm your system.

Preventative Care Services​
There is an old “joke” that our medical system is actually practicing sick-care. It’s pretty true, and very important, but what you need in order to avoid getting sick are health-care practitioners; people who are working to increase your health and vitality. Acupuncture, massage and energy work all support your immune system (directly and indirectly) through a variety of methods including de-stressing, increasing circulation of blood and lymph and increasing white blood cell count!

Exercise​
A good exercise routine boosts your endorphins (lowering stress) and increases your vitality.  Getting 30-60 minutes of mild cardio 3+ times per week can have significant effects on mood and immunity.  Exercise, especially cardio, is excellent at supporting lymph movement (how we flush garbage and infection) and increases the motility of immune cells making your immunity much more efficient.

Vitamin C​
Vitamin C is best known for being taken when we are sick, but that’s silly. It is an important cofactor for our immune system that needs to be built up and regularly available, not a magic pill (or lozenge as the case may be.) Taking additional Vitamin C, regularly, will strengthen your immunity.

Vitamin D
Vitamin D is used by our body to create larger immunoglobulin and is crucial for the immune system in our skin. Whether being used to kill or capture invading cells, an increase of Vitamin D can be a huge help. Usually sold as D-3, taking double the standard dose can be a significant boost. Only take larger doses for small bursts of time to avoid a toxic build up (double for 5 days, standard or off for 2 days or double a month and then a week off, etc.

Vitamin A​
Vitamin A is actually a family of fats, and should be taken as a blended capsule, not as only Beta Carotene. Like D, Vitamin A is used in our immunity as a larger globule, but in our mucosal linings rather than skin. As with D (and all fatty vitamins), there is risk of toxic build up, so the same guidelines of moderation apply: Double the dosage, but only for a while.

Garlic​
Garlic has some strong antibacterial properties, as well as some mild to moderate antiviral and anti-fungal properties. Any method of garlic ingestion can be good, but raw garlic is the best. Raw garlic contains Allicin, a strong immune booster which converts easily to other compounds in heating and treatment. If you want to make eating a raw clove of garlic easier, try wrapping it in a piece of cheese or bread.

Echinacea​
Research has shown that echinacea boosts white blood cell count, though not to a major degree.  Easy to find in capsule or tea form, this herb is ubiquitous. Here’s the catch though: to keep effectiveness up, you need to stop taking it. Like the recommendations around Vitamins A and D, consider a 5 days on 2 days off approach, or taking echinacea for 3-4 weeks and stopping for 1 week.

We are honored to be here for you in this critical time. We hope you will let us be your safe haven for building your immune system for many years to come!

By: Dee Gorski, L.Ac., Dipl. Ac.

A tree cannot stand, much less thrive, without solid roots. In its pushing through the soil, reaching for the sun, a sprout balances by digging in, gripping the Earth. As it grows, those roots don’t vanish, or become moot, but become the very basis for its survival. If you feel skeptical about that claim, think about how many trees can be toppled by storms only to grow fresh stalks from the torn stump left behind. To be sure, the sun and wind play a vital part in the trees life, the yang energy (or heavenly qi) feeding it from above, but it is the foundation of yin that keeps it grounded in a storm and alive through the cold winter. In our lives it is sleep that plays that role for us.

Sleep is a vital portion of our health. Our modern view is that sleep should account for a third of your life to maintain a healthy balance… I know, that sounds like a lot but 8 out of 24 hours is one third of each day. It is not only a significant amount of time, but of significant importance to our stability and health. We can usually feel the effects of not getting enough sleep; in our minds, our emotions, in our bodies. Sleep is when we repair.
    
In the view of Chinese Medicine, sleep is when the spirit and defensive qi (wei qi, pronounced “way chee”) condenses inward, settles in the heart and directs the healing of the body as a whole (mind, body and spirit.) Classically this process is thought to trigger around sunset, as the world around us enters into a cooler, yin phase. As we enter into our own personal yin phase, there are a number of factors that can disrupt or even displace this time for us. This shows up as trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, waking unrested, and/or having restless active dreaming. Any of these problems can slowly wear a person down and create bigger problems, which is why it is so important to focus on the regenerative powers of rest.  It is the foundation, the roots, of your good health.
    
If you are having problems with sleep there are many tools to help sleep patterns stabilize, many are easy to find or just generally known (I bet you're thinking of one or two already!)  While many of these options can seem simple, not all of them are helpful to everyone's situation, and some can even develop long term problems. I hope you can join me for my free talk about sleep supports on Tuesday, February 18th at 7:00 pm, to dive deeper into this important topic. CLICK HERE to register.

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