Pratyahara: Allowing the Senses to Recede In the 5th element of yoga, pratyahara, the senses take a respite from the world. The senses - eyes, ears, skin/face even taste - are often aggressively used tissues. This is true especially in Western cultures where we are trained to be consumers and producers, to focus on “going…
Autumn - the season of the lung and large intestine Fruits and vegetables fall ripe from the vine, reflecting to us the natural outcome of our own ability to come to maturity, to fullness, and to let go. Health during this season is reflected in the health and clarity of our skin and sinuses, and the ease…
Summer is the season of the heart-small intestine meridians in Chinese medicine. Rich in potassium (like bananas) avocado is a heart healthy super food that aids cardiovascular health by blocking the formation of bad choleterol (LDL), providing protection from possible heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. Avocado is a fruit packed full of nutritious fats, oils, and vitamins…
8 Tips for Family Mindfulness If a baby’s brain is like a sponge waiting to absorb, then a child's brain is like a flower ready to bloom. Baby's brain triples in weight in the first year. Neuroscientists have found that the brain continues to be voracious about the growth of its power: between toddlerhood and puberty, brain metabolism,…
Spring is the number one best time of the year to release toxins from your body. Known in Ayurvedic medicine as "ama", toxins stored deep in the ice of snowcapped mountaintops roll down the mountainside into the valleys in the spring - the metaphor for fluids and mucus releasing waste from the body. If…
Orientation The instinct for safety Orientation is the natural response of animals to scan the environment to assess for safety. The body engages with the environment to register and map, is it safe? Can I settle here to eat, sleep, or hang out? Or will I need to run? The body's response to the environment…
In winter the cells of our skin and muscles naturally contract to preserve and produce warmth and circulation. To stay warm, we spend more time indoors and eat warming foods, including spices and meats. Our bodies can accumulate too much heat, which, paradoxically, can turn into colds and coughs. Chinese Medicine prescribes eating turnips…
Rosemary Essential Oil Headache Inhalant 1 drop Rosemary oil 1 drop Orange oil 1 drop Basil oil 1 drop Rose oil Mix together in palm of hand. Rub hands together briskly and cup over nose and mouth. Inhale deeply through nose 3 times. Wipe off excess oils on a tissue or cotton pad and place in baggie…
New Patterns for Thriving The Neuroscience of Nia® and Somatic Experiencing® If you a fan of somatic brain-body trainings, like Nia and Somatic Experiencing, you are a pioneer in the world of neuroscience and healing. Neuroscience is just now waking up to the profound somatic wisdom of programs like Nia and Somatic Experiencing. Brain-body healing…
Eating for the season will help your body to be high functioning each season. Winter squashes - acorn, butternut, pumpkins, spaghetti - all have a tough outer cover making them great for storage through the long winter months. From a TCM (Traditional Chinese medicine) perspective, squashes tonify Qi, clear heat and drain dampness. This is just…