Happy Spring! Spring is here, flowers are blooming and the world just feels brighter! It’s a time of growth and renewal. As the days grow longer, our bodies adjust to the seasonal change and you may notice that you are waking earlier. This is a great time to take advantage of it and incorporate a new morning habit. Amazing changes can happen with even the smallest effort – as long as it is regular. Start with something really simple and do it regularly. Keep a journal or checklist to keep yourself on track. Here are a few simple ‘under-five-minute’ ideas to inspire you. Pick one, try it everyday for two weeks and let me know how it goes! Two minutes of meditation when you first wake up One veggie juice daily (use a juicer) Jot down three things you are grateful for every day Drink a large glass of water every morning Five push ups Read two pages of a good book Write down two positive intentions for the day Ten jumping jacks Give/receive at least one hug Smile or say hello to a new person Floss Quick call to a friend or relative Park in the farthest spot and walk a little further Write down three good things that happened in the...
Yin Yang Theory I’ve had a lot of people ask me what the TCM theory of yin and yang is all about. Yin and yang is a theory of the balance of opposition. So here it is….a simple video to explain it. Enjoy! ...
“The doctor of the future will give no medication, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet and in the cause and prevention of disease. ” ~ Thomas Edison I have been in practice for well over ten years now and have learned so much about health, people, patterns and the human body. When I was a student I was intrigued by so many of the concepts and mysteries of Traditional Chinese Medicine. I was fascinated with every facet of it. How could a person be diagnosed by changes in the pulse, tongue and complexion? How could personality traits indicate with great accuracy the type of illness a person would be susceptible to? There were so many questions and mystery. I was in awe of it all. As the years went by and I treated more and more people, I began to really understand TCM. It was not magical or mysterious, it was based on concrete observable patterns. Yes, the tongue does reflect the health with great accuracy. The tongue is an extension of the esophagus which connects to the stomach. Inflammation and acidity that originate in the stomach will show on the tongue. It’s not a mystery just simple observation; like paleness under the eyelid when a person is anemic. If you see hundreds of tongues, after awhile you see patterns. The part reflects the whole. TCM diagnosis and treatment is the culmination of 2000 years of careful observation and recognition of patterns in the body. The tongue is only one method of ‘reading’ the body. The pulse, complexion, voice, body type, hair...
Here is a little video I made introducing the concepts of Qi Gong. It is 16 minutes long and covers some of the ideas that are important in Qi Gong practice and can really help you understand why the practice makes you feel so...
Finally, Fall Qi Gong Class! We are finally offering Qi Gong here in Victoria! It has been a real struggle trying to find the ‘perfect space’ and the ‘perfect time’ that will work for everyone, but we will start with Wednesdays at 6-7pm. Qi Gong is a simple exercise, similar in appearance to Tai Chi, but easier to do and focused on building your health. It really only takes a few hours to learn the basics, and only a lifetime to master them! Qi gong does something, in my opinion, that no other exercise does. It helps to truly relax your body and mind, and gives you a deep sense of well being when practiced correctly. It helps you feel calm and clear minded, but energized and enlivened at the same time. If you would like to give Qi Gong a try or if you know someone who would benefit from it send us an email or give us a call to...
