Archive for the ‘Heath’ Category

I’m A Christian & I do Yoga

Thursday, October 7th, 2010

yogaIn response to the recent headline news from an ill-informed Southern Baptist leader in my home state of KY, (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39553520/ns/us_news-life/) I’d like to offer a bit of Christian enlightenment to the forum.
God loves my down-dog. As does my yorkie, Corkie. We do it together and I’m not sure, but I believe he’s a Christian too.
For the past 15 years I’ve been practicing yoga. For the past 25 years I’ve been practicing a Christian faith. I do sun salutations with God in my heart and Jesus as my Savior. What a wonderful gift to my creator to move my body with such ease, freedom and joy to the glory of His name. Perhaps I’m really living on the edge, but I confess that, most likely, I practice yoga with people of different religions, cultures and colors. I accept them and their beliefs.
Yoga is a systemic science. Christianity is a faith. What I can tell you with absolute certainty is that Albert Mohler is misleading his congregation/students/followers with a message that is harmful to Christians: that they simply cannot or should not practice yoga and be a Christian. This is a disgrace.
Yoga is not a religion. Yes, there are religions that implement yoga. So one could say that yoga is in some religions but religion is not in yoga. There is no deity in yoga. A warrior pose will not make one Buddhist or Hindu. Does eating hummus make one Greek? Or enchiladas Mexican? If so, I am a Greek Mexican.
The practice of yoga can be done religiously – as in, with fevor and discipline. Yoga influences the body structure, the organs, the breath, the mind and the spirit indeed. All wonderful. Yoga frees stress from the body and offers an opportunity to connect with our inner selves – aligning our hearts and minds with our spirit and that, my friend, is a beautiful thing. These aspects of a physical practice bring great awareness to our health and environment in many aspects. Yoga does not, however, require a faith, an idol or a religious opinion. If you learn the definition of yoga (union) and some other yoga-ish terms that are often present in a class or chant, you will discover things like forgiveness, honoring the divine present in each individual, open heartedness. These are honorable and considerate attributes that no one should fear, and perhaps similarly, ones that many religions strive to teach.
If you want to eat a jalapeno, you will not become Mexican.
If you get acupuncture, you will not become Chinese.
If you do yoga, you will not become Hindu.
If you accept God into your heart, you will practice living with a faith in Christ as a Christian.
All of the above can be woven into a life rich with half-moons, one-legged pigeon poses, vinyasas and the ever humbling downward-facing-dog. If times get difficult, I suggest the child’s pose – it’s perfect for prayer.

Eastern Energy Healing

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

cupping“You ought not to heal the body without the soul, for this is the great error of our day in treating the human body.” – Plato

One of my favorite ways to learn more about the body and our brilliant energy system is to experience it first-hand. Eastern medicine has taught us a lot about healing on a physical and soul level, incorporating the holistic approach to balance and health. Most Eastern (oriental) medicine is meridian-based.. meaning that it works on the level of the energy system and the corresponding “map” which we call meridians. They are channels of which the energy of your body flows. If you’ve ever been to an acupuncturist, you probably know what I’m talking about. For instance; you may have a problem with fatigue or bowel troubles, and the acupuncturist places needles in a pattern along your shin. The treatment affects the ailed area, but not from direct manipulation. In essence, the acupuncturist is working on the energy meridian that corresponds to the flow of “qi” to the afflicted area in order to restore health. May sound obscure, but it’s been tested and proven effective time and again.
Wanna experience eastern energy healing yourself? Some of my favorite Eastern healing modalities are Qi Gong (a physical practice using breath and movement), Chinese Cupping, Acupuncture, and Tui Na Massage. As our body and minds work together, much wisdom can be gained about our incredible energy system by experiencing these techniques! With first-hand experience, you’ll witness some of the finest healthy living tips known from centuries past that can restore health. Enjoy – and let your chi (qi) flow!

energy draining?

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

drainingWho/what is zapping your energy? Even if you don’t understand the energy system as it relates to your physical health, chakras or other esoteric principles, I’m sure you’ve experienced situations or people that zap the living life out of you – mentally, emotionally, or physically. It amazes me the amounts of people that recognize what’s causing such misery, yet still imbibe. Yes, I’m guilty as well! We humans get into ruts/habits doing the same thing and end up getting the same result – exhaustion. This is more than the lazy factor; it could be that the energy it takes to overcome the problem is already depleted due to the very problem itself! It takes a special something for us to pull ourselves over the hump..
These sneaky “energy vampires” can come in the form of food (nightly ice cream indulgences) beverage (too much vino for the ‘ole liver), relationships (unfulfilling or abusive partners, family members, children) activity overload (not being able to say no) and even procrastination (remember that kitchen sink that needs fixed?) All of these things can suck the life right out of you – which translates into low physical/mental energy, an emotional imbalance and physical illness.
Protecting yourself from these drains on your energy is an important thing to consider.
Here are some healthy living tips to detract negative energy:
Techniques such as meditation, energy clearing/healing, and smudging/cleaning your personal space will help your environment stay healthy. Even a quick shower will clear away icky energy. Hot followed by a quick cold rinse is great.
Simply be proactive with your time (get things accomplished without over-committing). Finishing what you started or completing necessary tasks will help you remain centered and healthy.
I find that a healthy self-esteem allows a person to assert their position and say no to what is not beneficial. When we feel strong and confident, it’s easier to not get entangled with negativity, but even the strongest person can find themselves in less-than healthy situations.
If we keep our hearts and minds set on taking excellent care of our bodies and environments, we reap a huge benefit: being armored against the vampires!
So, what/who’s draining your energy?

So, What Are chakras?

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010

chakrasThe mainstream critic still poo-poos words like “chakra” & “aura” -until they go for an energy healing session, of course! In my opinion, it’s simple education and personal experimentation that turns a skeptic into a believer. I’ve been doing energy work for years and can tell you I’ve witnessed dramatic results from working with someone’s energy field.
Chakras are energy centers that initiate from the midline of the body. There are 7 major chakras that get the most publicity, but actually, there are hundreds of chakras (energy centers) that exist for each person. As your health is stable and balanced, your chakras tend to be the same, and vice versa. The use of energy healing, Reiki, hands-on healing and other forms of energy medicine such as acupuncture have a physical affect on your health.
I’m sure you’ve heard common sayings such as “I feel ungrounded,” or “I feel like I’ve been swept off my feet.” These refer to an innate sense of not having our “feet on the ground” which is usually a sign of an imbalance in the root chakra (at the base of your spine). With hands-on energy healing, the chakra can be balanced and a person will feel “grounded,” or “centered” or “whole.” This idea applies to all of the chakras and what they represent physically. A host of emotional and physical ailments can help be restored with chakra balancing.
In light of not reinventing the wheel, I found a practical website with easy descriptions and tips to balance your chakras. Here it is: http://www.eclecticenergies.com/chakras/introduction.php
It’s a healthy living tip you don’t want to miss! Enjoy!

Tip: Negative Energy Release

Thursday, September 9th, 2010

candlelilghtIt’s easy to accumulate stress, negative thoughts, emotions and energy. It’s also easy to feel drained, fatigued and overly stressed. I’m sure you know someone that you would classify as “an energy vampire” – they just suck the life right out of you!! Here’s a simple way to rebalance your energy and release negativity. And the best part is… it’s in the tub!!
You will need 3 things. A plain candle (small or large), a natural soothing fragrance (I suggest organic essential oils like lavendar, vanilla, orange or even lemon) and a tub.
Prepare a warm/hot bath. Light the candle and put near tub water. Use the natural essential oils in the bath water or on the candle. Turn out the light.
Lie in the water with as much of your body underneath as possible. Try to relax your body and mind and stare at the candle. Just stare. Let thoughts come and go. Continue staring. Imagine all of your worries, stress, thoughts, everything, just going into the candle flame and gently burning. Do this for about 15 minutes.
After this 15 minute exercise, release the drain on the tub and lie back and watch all of the water go down the drain. After the last bit is down, stand up and rinse off with cool water in the shower.
Trust me – this is a powerful and refreshing exercise. If I go more than 2 weeks without practicing it, I feel very “bound up” and off balance. Give it a try. It’s a healthy living tip that is worth every minute for your body and mind!

Energy of Food

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

smoothieFood is alive. Real food, that is. From seed to harvest to consumption, food has a life cycle that is full of energy. Even the nutritional content of food differs depending on the state of its life cycle. As fruits and vegetables ripen and then are picked, the life of the food begins to decline, and with it, the nutritional. As foods over-ripen, some ferment, change forms, or the sugar levels increase. Other foods quickly brown, dehydrate and decay. It’s a natural cycle of life and within this entire cycle there is a level of energy at play. Energy from the sun, the earth, water and other life-forms create foods that are meant to provide all life with perfect sustenance. So, why is the health of so many on a rapid decline? Choices.
There are many diets to choose from today, depending on your health philosophy. From raw foods to vegan or macrobiotics, even some insist on a liquid diet alone. I don’t want to tell you what you ‘should’ eat, but I want to bring attention to the choices you make with regard to the largest energy source made available to sustain your life: food.
If we know that real food attains its energy from natural sources such as the sun, water and earth, and we know that food contains energy that sustains us, why would we choose anything other than a pure food option? Unfortunately, many choose other “food” items due to cost, taste or addiction. Perhaps there is a lack of education, but I believe more likely it is due to the deceptive marketing ads of big-business “food” companies, which then get people (and their taste-buds) brainwashed.
The energy of boxed, processed and chemically derived “foods” versus the energy of fresh fruits, vegetables and clean poultry is completely off-the-charts in the negative. Although the label on the processed package may list some sound ingredients and nutritional values, you must ask, where did this come from and how is it going to make my health vibrant? The answer is: It’s not.
Food that is eaten in a state closest to its organic source is food that actually contains the nutrients your body craves. Food is medicine, and it can heal. But, food that is stripped from its source, run through a factory and laden with chemicals will not only be deficient in nutrients you need, but may deplete or harm your health with every bite. Instead of giving you natural energy from the sun, earth and water, it will deplete your energy by requiring your body’s organs to translate, sift and eliminate all of the foreign ingredients being constantly consumed. That is just exhausting on your body.
The best option, as we were taught in elementary school with the fancy charts: eat food from its source, a variety of color groups, fresh and organic. Let the natural processes of our ecosystem feed your body, your mind and your spirit. This is the best health tip anyone can give and put to good use. Your life energy will soar, health with flourish and the minute-to-minute energy you need will be provided with a constant high vibration by the pure essence from Mother Earth.

Energy and your Teeth

Monday, August 16th, 2010

toothIs it really possible that your teeth can reflect other issues of dis-ease in your body? According to the energy meridian system of your body, YES! I remember the first time I was told that I needed to keep my teeth healthy for the sake of my physical health – and that somehow they were interrelated. Knowing that, holistically, our bodies work together, it made sense but I had to actually SEE how it worked. And it does. Here’s a chart and short article about the connections between your precious pearls and your health. I hope this presents an “aha” moment, as it did for me. I even had a friend that was sick for years, then had massive amounts of dental work (including several extractions) and when her mouth was healthy again, her whole body felt like new.
Energy runs in your body. It is a current that keeps you vibrating health or, if afflicted, dis-ease. Take a minute and pay respect to your chi, including your teeth!

Energy Medicine

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

healinghands
I’m sure you’ve heard about energy therapies such as Reiki, acupuncture, polarity therapy or similar types of healing options. Many people still don’t know what energy is or how it works in our bodies or lives. In fact, I’m frequently asked if it’s voodoo, anti-Christian or the connected to some kind of cult. No, it’s not any of the above. Everything is made of energy (a quantum physics conversation that I won’t get into here, but one that is scientifically proven), and the energy in and around you is a very real ‘thing.’ This energy, if unhealthy, can be treated, manipulated and healed with the proper…energy! It’s a medicine that dates back to ancient times and is finally gaining popularity in our culture.

As an energy healer, I’ve worked on people, their homes and pets. As something becomes energetically out-of-balance, from stress, physical exhaustion, emotional or mental upset, the whole system of the energy field gets disrupted, which in turn will eventually disrupt other parts of the being. Physically, it is usually easy to correlate a bodily problem with an energetic imbalance – and vice versa. May sound strange, I know, but as you study the energy field of the body and become sensitive to its possible correlations, you begin to notice patterns and can even feel the imbalance on other levels.

If you understand the basic components of energy, the idea of holistic medicine begins to make a bit more sense. Everything is connected. Mind affects body, body affects emotions, emotions affect body and round and round it goes. Energy lives within each of these aspects and can be manipulated (for good or bad) by circumstances, food, feelings of love or hate, mental attitudes, activities and certainly emotions. As one energy system becomes affected (neg or pos). it will then affect another area of your well-being. It is a system that works synergistically. Simply genius.

Acupuncture, Reiki, polarity therapy, EFT, acupressure and many other energy healing therapies all rely on this system of energy that runs through and around the body. Attending to this system with the aid of a practitioner or self-manipulation creates healing that is a viable, safe and effective for your health. There is nothing voodoo about it. Yes, one that works with energy should be trained and have an understanding of how it works along with the healing process. Some people are particularly gifted in this area. To learn how to do techniques yourself, you do need basic information and we’ll discuss more in depth about your chakras, auric fields and healthy living tips to improve your well-being in the next weeks. As you become tuned into yourself and your surroundings, you’ll begin to see that the world of energy is alive, pulsing and seemingly magical. We are created to function at the highest level of health and ease, not dis-ease! This applies to physical well-being as well as all other areas of your life. Soon you will be living a truly organic lifestyle and thriving!

12 Week Energy Series Kickoff!

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

You are used to me writing about health – food, relationships, supplements, alternative treatments. You may not know that I’ve studied energy healing for over 15 years, working with energy of the body, auric fields, energy as it relates to relationships and even our homes. So, I’m starting a 12 week series of blog posts relating to this fascinating topic and how it affects all areas of our health including physical, emotional, mental and spiritual and relational. Energy is a force of life and a God-given instrument to enhance our wellbeing. The posts will go live by each Tues of the week until mid-October! So, join in regularly and post your experiences so we can all learn from each other.
You may have heard of energy fields, auras, chakras or meridians that correlate to your bodysystems in Eastern medicine. We’ll look at all of these aspects and the energy of your emotions, thoughts, foods and more. There are little tricks in the home you can do to increase positive energy, as well as energy tune-ups for increased health and wellness. I’ll talk about how to protect your energy (from negative people or places) and how to project your energy. This is information that will help you feel better, handle stress and life better and potentially heal from long-standing issues that have been “in your energy field” that you will now be able to release. There’s no voodoo involved, or strange & wacky ceremonies. Just great energy information to assist you on your life’s journey. See you next Tuesday!

Relationships to Food

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

More people than you realize have an eating disorder. In general, our relationships to food have gone from necessity to abuse. People eat for the wrong reasons, over-eat, under-eat, are addicted to eating or have specific food addictions, and furthermore, we eat stuff that isn’t even really food. How do I know? Been there, done that.
Food is one of the few things that can keep us alive or kill us. We need it to live, and with great nutrition we can thrive. If food is abused, it will kill. A tight rope to walk? Not really. I find one simple way to navigate through the overly-marketed industry of food is to ask 2 questions:
1 – What is it?
2 – Why should I eat it?

The answers to these questions, if honest, will let you know if you have a relationship with food that is healthy or a disorder. If you don’t really know what a particular “food” item is, you can probably guess it’s not food. This may include chemicals or engineered products. Yes, you can eat these things, but they do not nurture you and were not made to ingest. In fact, many of these “food” items create chemical additions in the brain and bodily reactions that are very harmful. Steer clear.

The second question seems like a no-brainer, but is far from it…
Why should you eat that? Is it real food? Are you really hungry, or eating away your feelings? Does it provide your body with energy, protein, cleansing nutrients? Do you have an addiction to this food? Do you feel good when you eat this food?

Our bodies are wise creations and will tell you when something isn’t right -even with our relationship to food. Eating disorders affect more than the young teen or older woman with a distorted self-image issue weight concerns. Disorders begin at any age, to any race or gender and encompass a mental, emotional and physical relationship to food.

Eat well. Eat delicious and nutritious foods. Use these questions to help you turn your relationship to food into a most reverant, life-giving experience!