From Dreams to Experiences

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Checking off those “bucket list” experiences is a surreal thing everyone must make an effort to accomplish. The original dream was to lie in a field with bulldog puppies crawling all over me without a single care about slobber, dog hair or any other mess they could create. The realty became a yoga class including puppies, bulldog puppies to be exact. That afternoon was surreal as if these bullies were famous rock stars or Hallmark movie actors, nope just 8 week old pups with a mission to melt hearts with their intoxicating adorableness to adopt them. This is an experience that will be had again for sure! Thank you @puppies-yoga.com/philly

Movement

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The Art of Healing Movements

Tai Chi & Qigong

These healing movements provide physical and emotional wellbeing. Both practices aid in improving overall functionality of vital organs while reducing stress.

Tai Chi - “The Source, the Beginning”

"The soft and the pliable will defeat the hard and strong." - Lao Tzŭ The Tao Te Ching

Five Elements: earth, fire, water, metal and wood

A healthy body has physical and emotional balance. Energy or Chi originates in the kidneys, holding two opposite elements, fire and water. The balance of these two element affects the other organs. The kidneys are in charge of filtering the blood that circulates throughout the body. It is important to keep the kidneys in great health in order to keep the whole body in balance.

Traditional Chinese Medicine uses the five elements in the practice of acupuncture to provide balance and harmony in the body. Energy travels through meridians along the body connecting all organs. Think of meridians as highways connecting from head to toe. When there is an imbalance in the body, the highways get backed up and creates a traffic jam. This traffic jam results in aches, pains, adrenal, sleep and emotional imbalances, autoimmune disorders and diseases (dis ease).

The movements of Tai Chi & Qigong (Chi Gung) massage the belly near the kidneys activating a flow of energy to then be distributed to the other organs. Adding Tai Chi to your physical and mediation practices nourishes the kidneys and balances the whole body. Some of the many benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong; improved sleep, flexibility, mood and balance, reduces stress and creates circulation for the blood and lymphatic system.

Beginners Tai Chi by Don Fiore - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxcNBejxlzs

Qigong or (qi gong, chi gung) Chi = Life Energy

The main principles of Qigong:

  1. Breathing

  2. Movement

  3. Focus

  4. Visualization

  5. Sound or Chanting

Beginners Qigong by Thicke Man Tue - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFg61faohLY

Tai Chi and Qigong can also be performed in a seated position.

Be patient with yourself especially if you’re used to Cross Fit or HIIT (high intensive interval training) style of exercise. Tai Chi and Qigong are practices with little to no immediate visual transformations, the shifts happen subtly with time and consistency. Calmness will mostly likely be the first noticeable difference with beginner Tai Chi and Qigong. Be safe and stay balanced!

*Consult a licensed medical professional before attempting any new physical activity if you are under the care of a physician or have a serious diagnosis. Do your own research, ask questions and listen to your instincts when making decisions for your personal healthcare.

Tincture Time

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Pink Buddha Tea

Restore | Hydrate | Balance | Alkaline

Himalayan Pink Salt - rich in minerals and beneficial in aiding in the body’s detoxification. Himalayan Pink Salt hydrates, improves digestion, balances mood, soothes body aches in a bath and lowers blood pressure as it contains less sodium than table salt.

Buddha Hand Citrus - one of the oldest citrus fruits is sometimes referred to as Fingered Citron. The sweet and fragrant skin of a Buddha Hand is the only part to be used on this fruit as the inside is filled with pith.

Here is a simple recipe for a delicious hydrating and restorative tea…

  • 1 teaspoon of Himalayan Pink Salt

  • Zest of one “finger” of the Buddha Hand citrus

  • Adding boiling water

    • Add a drop of raw honey (Manuka if possible) if you choose

*Please consult a medical professional if you’re taking medication or have a health diagnosis and are under the care of a physician before drinking any tea or tincture. I am not a medical professional. Please ask your health care providers question and trust your instincts when it comes to your health.

Home Sanctuary

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CREATING A SPACE FOR MENTAL WELLNESS

“In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you.” - Anonymous

  1. Find a small corner or spot near a window.

  2. Think about what scent make you feel at peace. Some examples are Lavender, Vanilla, Citrus, Peppermint, Sage, Sandalwood and Palo Santo (my favorite) just to name a few. This scent can be in the form of essential oils, candles, room sprays or incense.

  3. Choose calming music like; Tibetan singing bowls, nature sounds, theta waves, ASMR, a guided meditation or silence if you dare. There are YouTube channels for each of these examples. Also, set a timer if you are new to meditation or if you’re incorporating a meditation practice into your busy daily routine. Now, choose a word like; peace, focus, me, health, love, strive, strong… to repeat silently when your mind wanders.

  4. Use a floor pillow, couch cushion or a folded blanket for support. Sit with a straight back, chin parallel to the floor, hands resting on your knees, shoulders, neck and face relaxed. A way to ensure you are relaxing those muscles is by tightening all of your muscles and holding it for 5 seconds and then let it all gooo.

  5. You’re all set. Enjoy and go easy on yourself since this is a practice.

Deep Breathing: Take 30 deep breaths slowly. It’s okay if you feel lightheaded for a minute. It will pass and you will feel invigorated.

Wellness Tea

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Photo by tina natalini

Photo by tina natalini

Daily Healing Spice Tea Recipe

This easy to make anti-inflammatory mixture was created to be a remedy for so many ailments. Each ingredient has vast benefits from cell repair to regulating blood sugar and cholesterol levels, Add a dash or three of each and adjust to your personal preference. Enjoy!

  1. Cinnamon (Ceylon)

  2. Garlic Powder

  3. Cayenne

  4. Ground Turmeric

  5. Ginger

  6. Cardamom Seed

  7. Cumin

  8. Italian Parsley

This mixture makes an aromatic and delicious soup broth. Add your favorite vegetables with some tapioca flour for thickening and nutritional yeast in place of cheese.

*This recipe is not a cure for any diagnosed disease and I am not a licensed medical professional. Please check with a physician before creating this recipe as some spices and herbs interfere with certain medications. Be safe, do your research, ask questions and use your intuition when making health decisions.