"Overcoming Alzheimer's"

"What benefits the body also benefits the brain."

"Overcoming Alzheimer's: Advances and Breakthroughs"

"What benefits the body also benefits the brain."

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a holistic healing treatment that uses natural plant extracts, primarily essential oils, to promote physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being123. This therapeutic approach is considered both an art and a science, involving the skilled use of essential oils to restore balance to mind, body, and soul1.

Mien Shiang: Facial Diagnosis

Mien (face) Shiang (reading) is a Taoist practice that is 3,000 years old. Using principles of 5-Element (wood, fire, earth, water, metal) theory, practitioners look at facial features to assess a person’s personality and health. I found the idea hard to believe, but watching someone do it was fascinating. Patrician McCarthy, a long-time practitioner and teacher, founded the Mien Shiang Institute and wrote a book called, the Face Reader. In the book she explores topics such as the history of Mien Shiang, inherited vs. acquired facial characteristics, the left vs. the right sides of the face, and qi, yin, and yang. Some of the features she checks when she's doing a diagnosis are ear size and shape, skin color, hairline, and width between the eyes.

Deep Listening

A friend of mine has recently started having seizures that doctors can’t diagnose. She’s seen her GP, a neurologist, an acupuncturist, a nutritionist, and a sleep specialist, and no one can figure out why this is happening to her. Suffering with such a debilitating condition is difficult enough, but to have no clear path or plan to try to fix it? Excruciating.

The Voice in My Head is an A**hole

In 2004, young reporter Dan Harris was given the opportunity to fill in for Robin Roberts on Good Morning America. And then live, on-air, he had a panic attack in front of millions of people. This was the catalyst that sent him on a search to address his mental health. He started therapy.

Meditation is About Direct Knowing

Meditation for me has never been about becoming more spiritual. For me, it’s about being able to just be present. In a world of incessant distractions, enticing us into a future we imagine will somehow be “better,” or a past we’re convinced we’d be happier to return to, it’s an act of love for ourselves to harness our attention in the one place where change can actually happen: now.

The Pomodoro Technique: stress-relieving time management

Francesco Cirillo developed the Pomodoro Technique when he was in college and overwhelmed with the amount of work he had to get done. The thought of it paralyzed him until he broke down the tasks and gave himself a time limit. The short time limit took away the temptation to procrastinate and reduced distractions.

Breath and Breathing

Picture: Practicing Alternate Nostril Breathing with a gyan mudra (thumb and forefinger)

Masaru Emoto: the Healing Power of Water

The Healing Powers of Water is a continuation of Masaru Emoto’s work with the effects of consciousness on water, which he made visible by freezing the water and photographing the crystals.

Spinal Breathing

Spinal breathing is a centering exercise and is said to reduce stress and energize the nervous system. Focusing on the spine is believed to help the flow of your qi or life force. It’s meant to prepare you for deep meditation, but it really is a meditation in itself.

You are allowed to be sad

You are allowed to be sad.

9,000 Needles: one man's acupuncture journey

Devin Dearth was a 40-year-old bodybuilder when he suffered a massive stroke that left him bedridden. 9,000 Needles is a documentary about him traveling to China for an immersive stroke rehabilitation program, combining both Western medicine and acupuncture.

Acupuncture for your pets

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to treat disease. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, the body has several rivers of energy (qi), called meridians. When the qi is balanced and free-flowing, the person is healthy. Depleted or blocked qi cause pain or illness. Acupuncture can restore the balance of qi. From a western medical viewpoint, acupuncture stimulates the body's production of endorphins and immune response.

Blood and Guts (and how to make money with your poop!)

Emotional Freedom Technique

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a stress-relieving therapy using the energetic meridians of the body. It is also called tapping because you are literally tapping acupuncture points with your fingers while thinking or saying emotionally supportive messages. There are studies citing decreases in cortisol and the neurological effects of tapping in support of the therapy; of course, there are also doctors who debate the effectiveness.

Mind-Body-Energy

The mind-body-energy concept has been with us for a few generations now, yet, we continue to learn more. Reiki, massage, QiGong, and other energy work enhance our traditional medical treatments.

One Small, Doable Step at a Time

One small, doable step at a time! This concept is at the heart of Kaizen Living as we try to improve our health and, in general, our lives. Learning one thing, one day at a time, will lead to great changes in our health and happiness.