Falcon Healing Arts - Providing you with knowledge and support to care for your family naturally.
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Me
  • Testimonials
  • Natural Products
  • Work With Brandy
  • Contact Me
  • Yoga Events
Falcon Healing Arts - Providing you with knowledge and support to care for your family naturally.
Home
Blog
About Me
Testimonials
Natural Products
Work With Brandy
Contact Me
Yoga Events
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Me
  • Testimonials
  • Natural Products
  • Work With Brandy
  • Contact Me
  • Yoga Events
Boost Energy, Emotional health, Essential Oils, Natural Beauty, Toxin-free living, Women's health

The Most Loving Morning Skin Care Routine

Dry Skin Brushing

Our skin is a reflection of the body’s inner harmony.   As I’ve already shared in Natural Secrets for Beautiful Clear Skin much of our skin’s appearance has to do with how well hydrated we are, how balanced our diet is, and how well we’re avoiding and eliminating toxins.   However, it’s also possible to experience holistic health by treating the outside of the skin too.  I love to combine 2 ancient Ayurvedic practices for the skin that create systemic benefits.  This morning skin care routine will nourish your whole body, boost your energy, and improve your mood!

Why You Should Adopt a Morning Skin Care Routine

Morning time (between 3-7am) is related to the Lung and Large Intestine organs, according to Chinese Medicine, which is also related to the skin.  So it’s important to nourish the skin at this time to bring balance to those organs.  The opposite is also true, that this is the best time to do a deep breathing practice and stimulate bowel movements to support clear, healthy skin.

Working with the skin can be both invigorating and calming, which is a wonderful way to start the day.  Taking the time to connect with yourself with touch – a powerful form of self-love – is also a huge aspect of achieving holistic health.

Combining the Ayurvedic rituals of Dry Skin Brushing (Garshana) and Ayurvedic Oil Massage (Abhyanga) in the morning will jump start your body to work at it’s finest while also connecting to your heart and loving nature.

Benefits and Practice of Dry Skin Brushing (Garshana) and Ayurvedic Oil Massage (Abhyanga)

Dry Skin Brushing and Ayurvedic Oil Massage share these benefits:

  • Increased circulation of blood and lymph throughout the body, which improves immune system function
  • Greater removal of toxins and impurities from the body as lymph drainage is stimulated
  • Improved muscle tone
  • Beautiful luster on the skin
  • Stress relief
  • Feeling both invigorated and soothed in body, heart, and mind

Dry Skin Brushing exfoliates the skin and unclogs pores.  Then the skin can absorb nutrients and health-b00sting elements from the carrier and essential oils used in the Ayurvedic Oil Massage.


Before getting to this morning skin care protocol, you may want to download my FREE stress-relieving self-acupressure guide that you can use in the evening, sandwiching your day with self-love!

self acupressure guide


How to Dry Brush Your Skin

Instructions

  1. Use a brush with natural bristles.  I prefer using a long-handled brush like the one featured below.  I like to add a few drops of therapeutic-grade essential oil to the bristles so they immediately enter the skin after the outer layer is exfoliated away.  (If you’d like to do your face too, make sure you get a soft brush made exclusively for dry skin brushing of the face – see video for instructions.)Dry Skin Brush and essential oil
  2. Stand in the shower or tub so you dead skin cells are captured.
  3. Brush lightly, starting from your feet and moving up in long strokes.  All strokes should be moving from your extremities into your center, toward your heart, to improve circulation.
  4. Create clockwise strokes across your abdomen, chest, and inside each armpit.
  5. Avoid any areas where you have cuts, rashes, eczema, and burns.  Go lightly over the breasts and abdomen, which tend to be more sensitive.
  6. Before rinsing off, go to the next practice of Ayurvedic Self Oil Massage.

How to Perform an Ayurvedic Oil Self-Massage

This routine is very soothing for the body, heart, and mind.  The ancient ritual of anointing your body with oil can be deeply spiritual as well, helping you connect with your inner Goddess.

The oil also helps protect your skin as it’s moisturized and should be used instead of any conventional lotions that are filled with preservatives and other toxic substances.

Instructions:

  1. After dry brushing your body, choose an oil to use for the Ayurvedic Massage.  Sesame seed oil is a great neutral oil that can benefit all constitutions.  If you’d like to use an oil that is specific to you type of skin, choose from below:
    • Dry skin (Vata Dosha) – Avocado, Olive, Coconut
    • Red, sensitive skin (Pitta Dosha) – Almond, Sunflower
    • Oily skin (Kapha Dosha) –  Safflower, Corn
  2. Warm the oil gently under hot water before massaging it over your entire body.
  3. Start with the scalp (if you don’t mind washing your hair afterwards or just leave it in as a day-conditioner).  Then continue to face, making upward strokes from jaw to forehead.
  4. Massage down the torso and out to each limb.  Spend some extra time massaging the belly clockwise, in the same direction as digestive flow.  Also make sure your hands and feet are thoroughly massaged, which each contain important acupressure and marma points responsible for vibrant health.
  5. Take a hot shower or bath to slowly remove the oil.  It’s best that you only use soap on strategic areas that tend to smell like the genitals, armpits, and feet.  The soap should be free of harsh, toxic ingredients since you’re skin will now be a sponge and pretty much a direct path to the bloodstream.
  6. Dry off gently by blotting your skin with a towel.
  7. For a sensual touch that is said to give you the aura of a saint, apply 1-2 drops of sustainably-sourced sandalwood, jasmine, or rose essential oils to your belly button, nipples, and temples.

I hope you can make time for this skin care routine every morning!  Please let me know how it works for you, in the comments.

If you haven’t done so already, you’ll want to get my stress-relieving self-acupressure guide that will help you relieve tension, boost your energy, and improve your sleep in less than 10 minutes!  You can add this protocol at the end of your day.

self acupressure guide

Follow brandy on pinterest

morning skin care routine

Emotional health, Meditation, Organic lifestyle, Seasons, Summer, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Whole Food Diet, Women's health

How to Stay Healthy This Summer According to Chinese Medicine

stay healthy in summer

Summer is the season we associate with fun, relaxation, and carefree living. Our days are less structured, so our kids tend to stay up and sleep in later. We often become more lax with our diets too, as restaurants visited on family vacations don’t always have the best quality food. To stay well in summer, it’s important not to fall into unhealthy habits. Learn how to stay healthy in summer with these simple guidelines, so you can enjoy this season to the fullest!

How to Stay Healthy This Summer with TCM

1. Adjust Your Activity Level

The Yang energy of the sun reaches its maximum at the summer solstice on June 21. From there it starts a gradual decline until the winter Solstice in December.

What does that mean?

Since Yang is decreasing, Yin energy is increasing; we need to adjust our activity to become more Yin as well. Being “more Yin” means to embrace quiet, stillness, and our calm, receptive feminine nature.

I know, it doesn’t sound like summer. It’s supposed to be exciting!

Remember, this is a gradual change we’re adjusting to over the season. We can be lively in June and then start to ramp it down. By the end of August, hopefully we’re all grounded enough that kids can adjust well to the new school year and we can easily commit to our work life again.

If we ignore the cues from nature and go full force in the Summer Heat, we’re likely to burn out. This is bad new for our health in Fall, as we may get sick quickly and often without the restorative energy of Summer.

2. Get Some Morning Sun and Finish Activities Early

Part of adjusting your activity level is to also adjust the timing of your activities. If you live in a really hot climate, you already know how to do this well:

Get your workouts, errands, gardening, and other outdoor obligations done early.

You’ll need to resist the temptation to start the days slow. Trust me, you’ll be feeling great after absorbing that morning sun. It will elevate your mood and give you the energy you need to be productive. Then you can rest in the afternoon (which will become the hottest part of the day as summer progresses) completely guilt-free.

3. Eat These Foods to Stay Healthy in Summer

Summer is packed full of opportunities to eat out – restaurants, ballparks, amusement parks, family BBQs, etc. Since you may not always have control over these meals, it’s extra important to eat well at home.

Our digestion is stronger in summer. We’re now able to eat raw and cooling foods without gas and bloating.

These are the best foods to balance summer heat (from The Tao of Nutrition):

 
best foods to eat in summer
 
 

Everyone should do their best to refrain from these foods which may increase heat in the body and cause inflammation, dryness, constipation, and headaches.

  • processed sugar
  • alcohol
  • deep fried foods
  • caffeine (not too much chocolate either!)
  • hot, spicy foods

You may want to revisit: Have a Sweet Summer Without Excess Sugar

4. Be Cool and Refrain From Anger & Overexcitement

Anger and mania cause heat to rise internally according to Chinese Medicine philosophy. Accumulation of heat internally over a long period of time can cause disease. Anger and excitement are normal human emotions, of course, but it’s important to be mindful of what is causing them so we’re not caught up in these emotions continuously.

Meditation helps us become less reactive, and is a great practice to remain calm, cool, and level-headed. If you’re not ready to meditate, you can try to process your emotions through journaling or talking with a dear friend.

Chinese Medicine helps us to see the connection between us and nature. Living in harmony with the rhythm of nature and preventing disease is the basis of it’s philosophy. If you adhere to these guidelines, or at least try returning to them whenever you get off track with summer (& sometimes unhealthy) fun, then you’ll find that you maintain wellness longer.

If you enjoyed this article, please share with your friends!  Let me know what you think of these summer health tips in the comments.  Well wishes to you…

Follow brandy on pinterest
Chronic Disease, Emotional health, Gut Health, Personal Development, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Women's health

Do You Need An Attitude Adjustment?

attitude adjustment emotional health

Do you need an attitude adjustment?

I think we all do. Our attitudes to life affect our emotions, and many of us don’t see the connection between our emotions and general health.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), emotions and our vital energy (Qi) are the bridge between our physical and spiritual well-being. We know that many physical diseases actually have an emotional imbalances at the root.

In Yoga, we investigate the emotions in deeper meditative practices to create inner harmony.  In turn, we create physical ease. This gives space for the mind to open up to profound spiritual experiences, connecting us to others, and to the beauty of life in general.

Insight from these Eastern practices is desperately needed here in the West where:

  • psychotherapy is still considered “quackery” to some
  • we complain endlessly about our health, circumstances, & politics, yet don’t take action to improve situations or try new approaches
  • we like to place blame for our misfortune
  • many have poverty consciousness and an unhealthy relationship with money
  • sarcasm and cynicism are considered funny and cool personality traits
  • stress and busyness are valued and intimately linked to our self-worth

How Our Attitudes Create Stress, Disease, and Disconnection

Much of our attention on health is with diet and physical health.  You may have the cleanest diet, and yet, if you’re caught up in the rat race, your body’s stress response can keep you in the sympathetic “fight or flight” mode.  This emotional imbalance increases adrenaline, cortisol, and other stress hormones.  They flood your system, lowering beneficial gut bacteria populations, and proper immune response.

This can lead to:

  • chronic pain
  • recurrent illnesses
  • poor sleep
  • gastric distress
  • allergies
  • high blood pressure
  • heart disease
  • unintentional weight gain
  • unintentional weight loss
  • depression/anxiety
  • memory problems
  • low libido
  • fertility issues

Stress is relative and is a personal habitual reaction to stimuli. We can all be in the same traffic jam, yet have a different response because of our different inner attitudes and awareness of how we’re reacting.

“An emotion in excess, an inappropriate reaction, a self-destructive passion, an emotional response out of proportion to a situation, or a single automatic habitual response to many different life events all can be signs that the human being has lost his or her capacity for harmonious reactivity.”

– Ted J. Kaptchuk, O.M.D. from The Web That Has No Weaver

Manic elation, worry, sadness, anger, and fear are all normal in the human landscape. But if we hold them in, allow them to fester, or even let them become a major part of our personality, they can create disease from the TCM perspective.

Sun Si-miao (590-682 C.E.), a great physician of the Tang dynasty wrote that people suffer illness “because they do not have love in their life and are not cherished.” I think this notion is still relevant today, but that it’s self-love that’s lacking in many people and we have a hard time cherishing our own body, mind, and spirit which causes suffering.

How Do You Change Your Attitude and Achieve Health?

Yoga, Meditation, and TCM are wonderful ways to work with the energy of emotions to help one heal on all levels, but the person receiving still needs to participate.

If you’re laying on the table receiving acupuncture, you’re yielding to the treatment, trusting that energy is flowing where it needs to.  Following the treatment plan provided by your practitioner is also a way you’re participating in your health by adapting to a positive lifestyle change.

In a yoga class, you’re working with a personal intention, paying attention to emotional cues that are linked with your breathing, and not just going through the physical motions.

Participating in your emotional well-being means that we adjust our inner attitude to breed:

  • Positivity
  • Hope
  • Trust
  • Curiosity
  • Equanimity
  • Joy
  • Insight

These are the “higher vibrations” we were referring to in Chakra Meditation: Radiate Out What You Want To Attract.

Adopting a Positive Attitude is a Conscious Choice

If we’re constantly evaluating how we’re feeling and pause often before reacting, we can see how we have some control over the outcome. We can then take responsibility for that outcome.

I just want to share a personal example here to drive my point home…

Yesterday I had the most amazing morning.

After sleeping in, I meditated and expressed gratitude for one more day of life. I took my son to a playgroup at the beach while I worked at a café a little down the road. It was a productive, yet relaxed day. On the way home, my son and I had some lovely conversations. I vowed to myself that I was going to keep this content feeling going throughout the day.

So later on when I discovered that a bird had crapped all over the side of my car, or when I had to deal with disorganized parking at gymnastics, and then with slow traffic on the way home from that, I did not take any of it personally. I did not take on any physical tension.

Today was a different story.

I had to wake early to get ready to teach a yoga class. People were expecting me to be on time and to be creative. I snapped at my son a few times as I was trying to get him out the door. Tension started to build in my body because I wasn’t feeling prepared for class. Luckily, there was some residue from my brief meditation that made me pause. I remembered the day before and knew that it was possible to stay calm again, even though I had more obligations. As long as I stayed calm, I knew creativity would spring from that.

Sure enough, I taught a pretty good class and the rest of the day went well too!

So believe me, you can experience more health and joy in your life if you make the conscious choice. Meditation, Yoga, TCM, psychotherapy, hypnotism, and aromatherapy can all give us a greater perspective on our emotions, inner attitudes, energy, and holistic health. They help us see more clearly how we need to change to release limited beliefs that keep us sick and disconnected.

Can you imagine what the world would be like if we all had this awareness? The change in that direction starts with you…

If you enjoyed this article, please share with your friends!  I’d love to engage with you in the comments as well.  Best wishes to you…
Follow brandy on pinterest 

Gut Health, Kids Health, Natural Remedies, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Women's health

Relieving Constipation Is Easy With Acupressure

acupressure for constipation

Have you or your child ever been constipated?  You may have noticed that the typical advice about increasing fiber, hydration, and exercise does not work for everyone. Try the acupressure for constipation sequence below to relieve your discomfort and help your body release it’s waste efficiently.

Why is Constipation a Serious Problem?

Constipation is one of the most uncomfortable human experiences.  Sometimes stools become so hard & dry it even hurts to poop. Since defecation is one of the body’s best ways of eliminating waste and toxins from the body, it’s important that you’re going daily. For this reason, comprehensive, individualized approaches like those provided by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are becoming more valued.

You’re less likely to experience hemorrhoids, painful fissures, leaky gut, vitamin deficiencies, poor immunity, and other risks of constipation like colorectal cancer if you’re moving your bowels daily.

TCM includes acupuncture/acupressure, massage, herbs, dietetics, and qigong, all of which can help relieve constipation and treat the root of the condition. Of course it’s best that you work with an experienced practitioner who can assess your condition objectively, determine if any lifestyle activity, prescription drug, or food intolerance is a culprit, and find the best treatment approach for you.

In the meantime, using the general acupressure protocol below can provide you some quick relief at home.

But first…

What is Constipation?

Some resources define constipation as dry, hard-to-pass stools.   Other sources say that it’s the absence of a bowel movement for 3 to 4 days. Both definitions point to the colon absorbing too much water from stools.  Or it could be that there’s an absence of beneficial gut bacteria which normally protect the colon (dysbiosis).

Common Constipation Treatments and Their Limits

Again, most medical doctors will tell you to drink more water, eat more fiber, and get more exercise in order to stay regular. Getting enough Vitamin C, magnesium, and supplementing with a probiotic can also help prevent constipation. Certainly, everyone should be taking this advice. It may be just enough to get you over a brief episode of irregular bowel movements.

However, for people with chronic constipation, further investigation is necessary. You don’t want to depend on laxatives, enemas, or even purgative natural herbs, though they may be necessary to unblock the bowels initially.

Quite often stress & tension can throw off the balance of beneficial gut flora and can negatively impact gut motility. Or someone may have a hard time “letting go” emotionally, which translates as tension in the body when one tries to maintain control. That’s precisely what happen in the large intestine! It becomes tense and still and if we simply to to push and strain when peristalsis has slowed, we can only make matters worse (hemorrhoids).

This is where TCM, particularly acupuncture/acupressure and qigong, can be a savior since they relieve stress and treat emotional/energetic issues reliably.

Acupressure for Constipation

If you’re feeling backed-up, you may benefit greatly from trying the general acupressure sequence below. All of the points have a direct impact on gut motility and move your vital energy downward.

Press each point for ~ 1 minute. Slow down your breathing to help you relax and keep your mind occupied by this direct experience of connecting with your body. As you inhale, feel the pressure of your finger against the point, as much as you can tolerate. As you exhale, feel any tension release.

The process can be relaxing and highly enjoyable, especially if you incorporate the use of essential oils. For adults, you can use a regulating essential oil diluted mildly in a carrier oil at your fingertips to help augment the effect of the treatment. My favorite is a blend of lemon, peppermint, and rosemary.

For children, using a 5% dilution of mandarin/tangerine essential oil is safer and more appropriate. Mandarin is well-known in Chinese Medicine for improving digestive health.

The Acupressure Points:

Conception Vessel (CV) 12

(Contraindicated in pregnancy)

Locate on the vertical midline of abdomen midway between the xiphoid process of the sternum and the belly button.

Conception Vessel (CV) 6

(Contraindicated in pregnancy)

Stomach (St) 25

(Contraindicated in pregnancy)

Locate these points bilateral to the belly button on the abdomen, midway between the belly button and outer border of the abdominal muscles.

Stomach (St) 36

For adults, this point is approximately 4 finger-widths below the kneecap on the highest portion of the muscle lateral to the shinbone. Or for both adults and kids, move your finger up along the muscle lateral to the crest of the shin bone toward the kneecap until you feel a depression in between the tibia and fibula bones.

Triple Warmer/San Jiao (SJ) 6

This point is approximately 4 finger-widths up from the outside of the wrist, which is about 1/3 of the distance between the wrist and crease of the elbow.

Large Intestine (LI) 4

(Contraindicated in pregnancy)

Locate this point at the peak of the mound above the end-crease of the thumb & first finger.

Gua sha/scraping on sacrum

(Contraindicated in pregnancy)

Using a clean flat surface (TCM practitioners often recommend patients use a spoon at home), scrape the sacrum gently in a downward movement to release tension and move energy down.

Clockwise massage on belly to stimulate large intestine

With one of the diluted essential oils mentioned above this list, massage the abdomen in a clockwise circle, tracing the outline of the large intestine with firm but tolerable pressure. Repeat several times.

acupressure massage for constipation

After completing this sequence, you may want to go for a relaxed walk. Feel your energy moving down into your feet to further release tension from your body. You can then sit on the toilet, breathing deeply to encourage a relaxed bowel movement. If it doesn’t come easily, don’t push! Just repeat this sequence later until the time is right.

Once the bowels are moving again, this sequence can then be used daily as a preventative measure.

Of course if you have any stabbing pain, if there’s dark blood, or signs that your condition may be a more serious issue, seek the help of a health practitioner.

I sincerely hope this acupressure sequence aids any of you who suffer from constipation. Please reach out if you need further help!

Follow brandy on pinterest
Autumn, Gut Health, Kids Health, Recipes, Seasons, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Whole Food Diet, Women's health

Healthy Pumpkin Recipes for an Autumn Boost

pumpkin recipes

When it comes to seasonal foods of Autumn, I think most everyone in the U.S. would agree that pumpkin is at the top!  I have some healthy pumpkin recipes for you in this article that will satisfy your craving for this tasty squash.

I wrote earlier about my love of of Fall and how it’s necessary to change our activity level, diet, and lifestyle in order to stay healthy throughout the season. Incorporating pumpkin into your diet is a great way to adjust and also add some variety and flare to your family kitchen.

Nutritional Benefits of Pumpkin

In addition to being a yummy food, fleshy pumpkin pulp is a valuable remedy in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) dietetics. Pumpkin has a cool and sweet nature according to TCM. Therefore, it can help with many “heat” or inflammatory conditions such as dysentery, diabetes, eczema, and stomachaches.

Pumpkin seeds are just as valuable as the pulp. They’re high in protein, iron, zinc, magnesium, manganese, copper, vitamin E, and have many other nutritional benefits.

In TCM, pumpkin seed (called Nan gua zi) is an effective herbal remedy for prostate and bladder issues and is strong enough to expel stubborn parasites.

How to Incorporate Pumpkin Into Your Diet

If the thought of working with a whole pumpkin in the kitchen sounds too daunting, no worries. You can buy canned or boxed pumpkin  (BPA-free) instead and pumpkin seeds from most grocery stores. We like eating raw, sprouted seeds in our house, like this Go Raw brand.

But for the pulp, I prefer to roast sugar pie pumpkins to make pureé instead. It’s not as challenging as you may think, and can be super fun if you let the kids participate. You can eat pumpkin pureé as it as is, maybe seasoned with a little cinnamon and maple syrup. Or add it to yogurt, oatmeal, soup, or a pancake recipe. And of course, you can make pie!

Here’s some recipes your family with love…

Healthy Pumpkin Recipes

Easy Roasted Pumpkin Pureé based on recipe from Weelicious

Choose a healthy, blemish-free sugar pie pumpkin

  1. Heat oven to 400°F.
  2. Cut out a hole at the top of the pumpkin and just like you’re going to carve it, go ahead and scoop out the insides, placing the seeds into a bowl of water if choosing to save them for roasting separately.
  3. Place pumpkin on baking sheet and cook for 40 minutes.
  4. Fit top back on pumpkin and bake for another 20 minutes or until tender.
  5. Remove top again and cool until easy to handle.
  6. Scoop out the pumpkin and either mash, run it through a food mill, or pureé in a blender/food processor.

Use the  pureé in any of these Healthy Pumpkin Recipes:

Creamy Paleo Pumpkin Soup (dairy-free) by Tessa Domestic Diva

Healthy Pumpkin Pancakes (Gluten-free) by Paleo Grubs

Pumpkin Pie From Scratch by Food Foundation

20 Paleo Pumpkin Recipes by Against All Grain

And here’s a quick and easy recipe to roast pumpkin seeds:

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds by Allrecipes

Enjoy!!

 

Do you like eating pumpkin in season? Are there any recipes you think we should try? Please let us know in the comments!

Follow brandy on pinterest
Autumn, Chronic Disease, Kids Health, Natural Remedies, Seasons, Traditional Chinese Medicine

Why TCM Is The Best Complementary Approach For Relieving Childhood Asthma

childhood asthma

The beginning of the school year is a great time to  assess your kid’s health in preparation for the challenges that come in Autumn.  Sadly, I’m not just talking about the common cold, influenza, or temporary childhood diseases.  Asthma attacks have been shown to spike during the Fall, which can be scary for many parents.  I’m sharing with you some hope though, since this information about Chinese Medicine for Pediatric Asthma can dramatically improve your child’s health.

Children often become sick in the Fall because of stressors like:

  • Fluctuating hot-cold Fall weather can be difficult for their bodies to adjust to.
  • Being packed in small classrooms with infectious kids (there’s always at least one runny nose in the room, right?!)
  • Having compromised gut flora and depressed immune systems from a Summer full of sugar, high exposure to chlorine in pools, and a recent round of vaccinations.
  • Low vitamin D stores if they were constantly covered-up with sunscreen outside in the summer and were not getting dietary supplements.

The increase in asthma this time of year is usually explained by cold & flu viruses progressing to and irritating the lungs.  However, medical doctors also say that it’s because of colder, lung-constricting weather, and mold allergies.

Asthma Statistics, an Increasing Concern

Asthma is a really, really big deal, as parents who have a child with this condition know. Breath is life and heart breaking to watch your child gasping for it. Here’s some statistics that may interest you:

  • Asthma is on the rise and children are effected the most, according to CDC statistics (8.4% of children with asthma vs. 7.6% of adults in 2015).
  • It accounted for 1.6 million emergency room visits in 2013 alone.
  • Asthma attacks result in thousands of deaths each year.

Parents should be concerned about these statistics because asthma can develop at ANY time during adolescence. Just because your child doesn’t have it today doesn’t mean they won’t have it soon, especially if they already have an inflammatory condition like food/seasonal allergies, eczema, and chronic ear & sinus infections.

Also, the standard medicines used to manage asthma are clearly not enough to bring morbidity down. Though the prescribed medications are very effective for calming attacks, there are serious side effects. Bronchodilators are stimulating like caffeine, so they may cause increased heart rate, insomnia, and hyperactivity. Steroids, on the other hand, can cause immune suppression and growth delays.

There is another hope in managing asthma in children that is complementary to the current Western medical approach – an older system from the East that focuses more on the energetic as well as physiological imbalances that makes certain children more susceptible to asthma: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

TCM For Childhood Asthma

What makes TCM most attractive as a complementary approach for asthma is that it is individualized for the patient. Their symptoms and presentation are taken into account, along with other Chinese Medicine diagnostic cues.  This input then guides the practitioner to the appropriate treatment.

(It’s often an imbalance involving Lung energy, which is the organ/channel system that relates to Autumn!)

Specific acupoints are stimulated through gently-placed needles or noninvasive methods like laser, shonishin, or Tuina acupressure massage.  This balances the child’s energy, essentially teaching the body how to heal itself. From a biomedical perspective, this stimulation helps to reduce inflammation, reduce bronchospasm in the case of asthma, and bolster the immune system.

Chinese herbal remedies aid in the reduction of inflammation and bronchospasm too. Also, they address the root energetic imbalance that is present. So for pediatric asthma, herbs that tonify the Lungs, Spleen, and Kidney organs are usually prescribed.

Most TCM practitioners advise on whole food nutrition, which sustains the effects of acupuncture and herbs and sets your child up for a lifetime of healthy eating based on their personal constitution.

Skilled practitioners can also teach your child relaxation techniques that will keep the airway relaxed when your child feels an attack coming on. They can have their inhaler handy, but may not need to use it!

Here’s a wonderful article with greater detail: Childhood Asthma – The Traditional Chinese Medicine Approach

Asthma sufferers have reported that TCM treatments result in:

  • Symptom relief – deeper breathing, less wheezing, greater physical endurance
  • A decrease in asthma attacks
  • Less dependence on medications

Next Steps For Healing Your Child’s Asthma Naturally

If your child has asthma, seeing a TCM practitioner is one of the best things you can do for them!  If your child doesn’t have asthma, but is at risk, they can receive wellness treatments that will keep them strong and prevent asthma from happening in the first place. The time to help them is now.

Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments! If you need personal help, know that I provide free 15 minute consultations where we can discuss your family’s needs or I can help connect you with a TCM Practitioner in your area. Well wishes to you all…

Follow brandy on pinterest
chinese medicine for childhood asthma
Chronic Disease, Environmental Concerns, Gut Health, Kids Health, Natural Remedies, Parenting, Supplements, Toxin-free living, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Whole Food Diet

How to Treat Your Child’s Eczema Naturally

eczema
 

Does your child have eczema? Did your medical doctor prescribe steroid creams and other immune suppressors for him/her?  Do you want to address the condition holistically instead?  I’m happy to share what worked for my son.  Read on to learn how to get to the root of the condition as you treat eczema naturally.

I believe you have strong parental instincts if you’re concerned.  Eczema’s so common here in the United States that many doctors & parents assume that it’s normal and just a symptom of “sensitive skin”.  They blame harsh detergents, soaps, or other things in the external environment.  Any natural health practitioner will tell you eczema is a symptom of a deeper disharmony in your child’s body.

When my son developed eczema as a baby, I knew that it meant his immune system was challenged. I treated him appropriately with alternative medicine to resolve it quickly. I’m eager to share what I’ve learned with you so that your child can be comfortable in their skin once again!

Standard Medical Cause & Treatment of Eczema

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is an immune-mediated inflammation of the skin. It’s red, itchy, uncomfortable, sometimes oozy, and can be easily infected if scratched with dirty nails.

Merck Manual, 18th edition states that like asthma, eczema may be linked to an allergic T-cell immune response.  It says that it’s becoming more common in developed countries because of “trends toward smaller families, cleaner indoor environments, and early use of vaccinations and antibiotics deprive children of the early exposure to infections and allergens that suppress pro-allergic T cells and induce tolerance.”

Food intolerance, wool intolerance, conjunctivitis, and other features accompany eczema quite often.  Most medical doctors tell you to keep your child’s skin moist, but to decrease bathing & hand washing. They prescribe a corticosteroid creams to suppress the immune system, even though it’s already faulty.

In many cases,  mainstay steroid treatments can have harmful side effects. There’s also a strong association with eczema and developing childhood asthma later.  Therefore, it’s wise to explore holistic treatments that work with the original disharmony.

What Caused My Son’s Eczema?

My son developed eczema after his first round of vaccinations at 4 months old.  (I wanted to delay them until he was 2 years old, but was pressured into getting them by my son’s Pediatrician.) Most doctors refuse to admit that vaccines could have anything to do with it.  Just because they’re authority figures doesn’t mean they’re correct.   

It was pretty clear that after his second dose of Pediarix at 8 months old, it was most definitely the vaccines.  For both shots were done on different thighs.  The eczema rash, both times, originated at the injection site on the different thighs.

The first outbreak was delayed, so I didn’t make the connection to the shot. I gave him some Chinese herbs and it disappeared in a few weeks. But the second time the eczema appeared within a few days and spread quickly up to his torso and remained there.

How I Treated My Son’s Eczema Naturally

This was a huge awakening for me. I knew this was serious and vowed to treat the eczema naturally. I resumed the Chinese herbal therapy I gave him the first time.  It helped initially, but then the rash came back. Next, I did an elimination diet, removing the most inflammatory foods.  We quickly learned  he was intolerant to the dairy that he was consuming through my breastmilk.

When we went back for the next well-visit, he still had eczema on his thigh though most of his torso was now clear. I explained everything to his doctor.  I was prepared for her to become defensive and deny that the vaccines were the cause. Instead, she sincerely apologized. Still, I could not see her anymore.

We started seeing a new Pediatrician who respected my views and profession. She said that eczema & a dairy intolerance often arise after the DTaP (Diptheria, Tetanus, & Persussis) vaccine in her practice. She supported me fully with the treatment I had already started. By the time he was 2 years old, he was completely healed of eczema and his dairy intolerance.

How You Can Treat Your Child’s Eczema Naturally Too

(1) Eliminate the source of inflammation 

This is likely the most challenging part of healing your child because we’re forced to take a hard, honest look at what our child has been exposed to.  We need to question whether something we’ve been doing  “normally” (according to social norms) is contributing to the disease.  This step is important for treating eczema naturally.  Since it’s an allergic reaction, your child’s immune system needs a break.

Vaccines

Perhaps you’re not willing to stop or delay vaccinations though, even if it looks like they were the cause. If you continue vaccinating, try to implement the next few treatment options I have listed below.  Just realize that you maybe fighting an uphill battle throughout their childhood, though. If this is the strategy that works best for your family and your core beliefs, then I wish you the best of luck!

Food Intolerances

At the very least, it’s wise to place your child on an elimination diet to determine of they have a food intolerance.  Skin & blood tests for food allergies are notoriously faulty, so an elimination diet is your best bet for an accurate assessment.

This is a great post describing how to start a simple elimination diet that is great for the whole family.

I recommend the book The Elimination Diet by Alissa Segersten (of Nourishing Meals) & her husband Tom Malterre M.S., C.N.  They remove more inflammatory foods, but it’s manageable since the recipes included in the book are easy & super delicious!

If your child has a food intolerance, you’ll need to avoid that food for at least 90 days.  Then, gradually bring the food back into their diet to see if there’s an improvement. The intolerance should resolve within several months to a year if you’re diligent about the elimination diet.

(2) Improve their gut health to treat eczema naturally

People with eczema (& food intolerances) have compromised immune systems.  They also have low populations of “good” gut flora.  It’s vital to focus on improving gut health to heal the eczema & food intolerance.

I wrote about this extensively in the post Improve Your Family’s Gut Health to Increase General Health, part 1.  Please read this 2-part series to learn how to build up a good supply of beneficial microorganisms.  These organisms digest important vitamins & nutrients.  They also protect the lymphoid tissue in the gut lining that makes lymphocytes & immunoglobulins (important members of the immune system).  

(3) Include supplements to soothe inflammation

The following supplements have been shown to reduce inflammation (Read more about most of them here):

  • Fish oil (Omega-3 oils EPA & DHA – Omega-3s should be twice the amount of Omega-6 in your diet)
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamins A, C, and selenium (antioxidants)
  • Quercetin
  • Curcumin
  • Bromelain
  • Reservatol
  • Flax seed oil
  • Inositol

(4) Traditional Chinese Medicine to Treat Eczema Naturally

From the perspective of Chinese medicine, eczema is an accumulation of “damp heat and toxins” in the body that is venting out to the skin. The Lungs, Large Intestine, and Kidney organs & channels are all involved. Basically, you need to clear the heat & toxins and strengthen these organs/channels.  This is done with herbal remedies and acupuncture/acupressure.

It’s best to work with a Chinese medicine practitioner, even if you’re eager to do it alone. I just happened to be a newly licensed and enthusiastic Acupuncturist when I was dealing with my son’s issue. I still sought advice from my son’s second pediatrician (who also does acupuncture) to validate my diagnosis & treatment plan.

Chinese medicine practitioners see the root disharmony.  They can develop a treatment plan that will heal your child from the inside. Most of them embrace whole food nutrition and help you manage your family’s diet too.

(5) Sensible sun exposure

Alternative medicine recognizes the healing power of the sun. It’s is vital for vitamin D absorption, improving mood, boosting immunity, and maintaining a balanced circadian rhythm. Your child needs to experience short periods of unprotected (that’s right, no sunscreen) time in the sun to reap these benefits.  

Even mainstream medical doctors recommend sun exposure for treating eczema naturally. Also, you can use artificial UVA & UVB treatments too, so you can ask your doctor about that.

YOU CAN help your child because YOU KNOW them better than anyone else. Trust your gut Mamma or Papa! Please ask any questions in the comments.  If you have other advice that’s worked for you to treat eczema naturally, let’s hear about that too!

Well wishes to you all…

Download my helpful list: 10 Ways To Boost Your Child’s Health & Maintain Your Sanity!

 

Follow brandy on pinterest
treat eczema naturally
Boost Energy, Chronic Disease, Gut Health, Kids Health, Supplements, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Whole Food Diet

Improve Your Family’s Gut Health to Increase General Health: Part 2

improve gut health

Welcome to Part 2 in our series on how to improve gut health! It’s not a glamorous subject, so if you’re reading this, I know you care deeply about your family’s health.

That’s my guy in the picture above, about 6 years ago. He looks so happy and vibrant!  Just looking at the picture, you’d never guess we were in the middle of restoring his gut flora to heal from eczema and a dairy intolerance.

It took a little over a year, but with persistent care, I was able to heal him from the inside out.  I want to share what I’ve learned with you because many families are unaware that gut health is the foundation of general health!

You may already know that we live symbiotically with the beneficial bacteria that populate the length of our GI tract.  Did you know that they also live on the surface of our skin?  They protect our gut lining and skin, increase our immunity by supporting white blood cells, and allow us to digest & absorb nutrients efficiently.

In Part 1 we discussed how gut flora is established, how it can be damaged, and what gut dysbiosis looks like. Avoiding or reducing the triggers we listed in that post is the first step toward healing the gut. Now, we’ll focus on rebuilding the gut lining and increasing beneficial bacteria to boost your family’s general health.

How to Improve Your Family’s Gut Health

Fermented foods & drinks

Everyone can benefit from including fermented foods and beverages in their diet. This is because lacto-fermented vegetables, fruits, and grains supply our bodies with a good dose of beneficial bacteria.

Here’s an informative video from Sarah Pope, The Healthy Home Economist, on the value of fermentation. (The ginger-ale recipe she introduces at the end is awesome!)

 

Probiotics

People who just had a round of antibiotics/vaccinations, are on a high sugar diet, or under severe stress, can benefit greatly from a probiotic supplement.  All of these experiences diminish gut health drastically, so probiotics are needed for repopulation.

A good probiotic:

  • Contains a large variety of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces (beneficial yeast) species
  • Contains a large concentration of species, measured in Colony Forming Units (CFUs)
  • Includes prebiotics or oligosaccharides, necessary for probiotic propagation
  • Is well tested by the manufacturer and the results are published

For infants, giving them a powder form with at least Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium infantis and at least 3 million CFU per day is best. Simply place 1/4 teaspoon on a wet finger and into baby’s mouth.

Toddlers and children can take powder form or tablets, with a higher dose of 10-20 million CFU, and a larger variety of species.

There are specific products for men and women too that you may want to check out. Good quality brands include Klaire Labs, Douglas Laboratories, Orthomolecular Products, and my favorite dōTERRA’s PB Assist & PB Assist Jr..

Some people will need a therapeutic dose that is much higher than the more conservative “maintenance” suggestions listed here. You can work with a qualified professional who can advise you on this and help you with the “die-off” reaction that may occur.

Bone broth

When the body seriously needs nutrients, bone broth is one of the best foods to supply them. The simmered bones and cartilage release easy-to-absorb forms of:

  • calcium
  • magnesium
  • phosphorus
  • silicon
  • sulfur
  • trace minerals
  • gelatin
  • collagen
  • proline
  • glycine
  • glutamine
  • chondroitin sulphate 
  • glucosamine

All of these nutrients can help seal the intestinal lining and therefore improve immune system function. This article describes it’s benefits beautifully and includes recipes for chicken, beef, and fish broth.

Redwood City’s own Food Foundation guru Jessica Campbell has a great article and quick video on how to prepare bone broth as well.

GAPS and SCD diets

GAPS is an acronym for Gut and Psychology Syndrome, a diet developed by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. This diet focuses on restoring health in children diagnosed with neurological issues such as autism, dyspraxia, dyslexia, A.D.D/A.D.H.D., depression, and schizophrenia.

Dr. Campbell-McBride’s diet is based on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) developed by Dr. Sydney Valentine Haas. It was popularized by Elaine Gottschall in her book Breaking in the Viscous Cycle which focuses on healing Chrohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, and chronic diarrhea.

Both women have successfully treated a large population of children and adults with severe psychological and bowel disorders. However, the indications for this diet extend beyond what’s addressed in the books.  People experiencing autoimmune disorders, allergies, food intolerances, chronic respiratory infections, ear infections, and skin disorders can also benefit.

I’ve tried both diets to deal with my autoimmune illness and gut dysbiosis, but have had the most success with GAPS. It is the newer book of the two, with a more modern approach. Campbell-McBride discusses the triggers of gut imbalance in great detail and what to avoid in our increasingly toxic environment. She emphasizes the importance of having fermented foods in every meal.  I also appreciate her sharing detoxification methods like epsom salt/baking soda baths and probiotic enemas for stubborn cases.

Campbell-McBride has a thorough chapter on supplements, but says…

“I cannot emphasize enough that an appropriate diet has to be the number one intervention in successful nutritional management of the GAPS child or adult. No pill in the world is going to come close to the effect of the diet on your patient’s condition.”

It’s wise to work with a qualified professional to determine if this diet is appropriate for you.  They can also help you with the supplement protocol and detoxification methods.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) & Herbs

Acute and chronic stress negatively impact gut microorganism populations. Therefore, any method of relaxation has a positive effect on the healing process.

The Chinese Medicine methods of acupuncture, acupressure, and tuina massage can help you manage stress and treat the emotional and energetic roots. 

Chinese herbs affect physical imbalances directly.  There are certain herbs that help rid the GI tract of opportunistic, pathogenic bacteria and some that can help rebuild the gut lining too.

Chinese medicine practitioners are studying leaky gut and gut dysbiosis more and more. In fact, I’m taking a course on TCM and Leaky Gut Syndrome from a very experienced Herbalist this weekend. I’ll be filled to the brim with more information on this come Sunday!

Now you hopefully have a better understanding of how to improve your family’s gut health.  As always, I’d love to hear your comments and can answer any questions. Well wishes…
 
Follow brandy on pinterest
improve family's gut health
Chronic Disease, Gut Health, Kids Health, Natural Remedies, Parenting, Traditional Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine Is Great For Kids! Here’s 7 Reasons Why…

Chinese Medicine for Kids

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is great for kids!  It includes acupuncture, massage, herbs, and nutrition – a complete health care system.  Read on to learn the 7 reasons why you may want to consider it for your child’s holistic health!

Why the Need for Alternative Health Care?

Every engaged parent wants to do what is best for their children to help them grow and thrive.   However, many parents are finding that their children are not as well as they could be, despite following their Doctor’s advice faithfully. In fact, there’s been dramatic increase in chronic childhood diseases in the United States, with no signs of it slowing.

Parents are searching for safe, natural, and effective alternatives to current treatments for chronic illnesses such as eczema, asthma, attention disorders, autism spectrum disorders, digestive issues, persistent coughs, food/seasonal allergies, and more.

Why should you consider Chinese Medicine for kids?

1. It treats the root cause of disease

With standard biomedicine, most treatments manage symptoms only, or just mask them.

Chinese medicine practitioners can hone in on the root cause of illness.  This could be harmful environmental influences affect one’s health. They can also determine if it’s a deeper physical, energetic, or emotional disharmony that is causing the disease symptoms.

The focus of treatment is to remove harmful influences, balance any internal disharmonies that then resolve disease symptoms, and actively work to maintain wellness. It makes sense that once the root cause is dealt with, complete healing is possible!

2. It can effectively treat chronic conditions

Managing chronic illness is where Chinese Medicine practitioners shine. Many Medical Doctors are starting to refer patients to Acupuncturists for conditions that are not responsive to conventional treatments.

Parents who have successfully treated their own chronic illness with Chinese Medicine know that it’s a great option for their children as well and are getting wonderful results for the whole family.

3. Side effects are minimal

Mild bruising is really the only side effect a child might experience with acupuncture from experienced practitioners. The smallest needles are used and quite often there is absolutely no pain.

With regard to herbal formulas, they are extremely safe and effective  compared to antibiotics, steroids, immune system inhibitors, petroleum products, and behavior-altering drugs that maybe relied upon with standard medical care.

4. Kids respond quickly to treatment

It’s so satisfying to treat children because they respond so quickly. Since children are so new (and don’t have the longterm effects of a poor diet and harmful environmental influences that many of us adults have), they often bounce back to wellness fast.

5. There are many treatment options

Many people assume that acupuncture is the only Chinese Medicine treatment and that it’s not possible for children. They assume most kids are afraid of needles.  They also assume the needles need to be in for a long time, and can’t image their energetic child would participate.

Acupuncture basically stimulates points along mapped channels in the body that balance vital energy (Qi) & blood flow and initiate a healing response. However, these channels are not clearly mapped in babies and it takes a few years for them to fully develop. So simple massage is all that’s really needed to stimulate Qi & Blood flow in babies.

As the child gets older, stronger stimulation is needed and acupuncture will be suggested. Young children are often quite receptive to acupuncture. It usually doesn’t hurt and young ones are so sensitive that retention of needles is not needed. The needles go in, and they come right out. No big deal, and it works!

Around 4 to 8 years of age, kids may become needle shy. But a skilled Pediatric practitioner who values building relationships with the kids and respects their body autonomy, will not force the issue or try to trick them. Acupressure, cold lasers, micro-current probes, and stronger massage are effective alternatives to acupuncture too.

Herbal remedies prescribed are usually tolerated well. There are several brands made specifically for children (with just a little added sweetness to help it go down easier).

6. It’s relaxing

Once older kids become accustomed to TCM treatments, they will find that it actually feels good! Kids these days are more stressed out than ever, with social & academic pressures at school, rushed meals, and numerous after-school commitments. A TCM treatment gives them a much needed opportunity to rest and restore. They learn that self care is a priority.

7. Kids learn about the importance of a balanced lifestyle

When treated with Chinese Medicine, kids learn about their body’s amazing potential to heal. How empowering is that?! They’re also set up with great education on how to eat well and live in harmony with nature. It takes adults decades to figure this out, if at all!  It’s such a gift for a child to receive these messages early on.


Hopefully you see how wonderfully supportive Chinese Medicine can be for kids.  I hope you’ll consider it for your young one.  Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments!  I can also help connect you with a pediatric Chinese Medicine practitioner in your area.

Well wishes to you all…

Follow brandy on pinterest

Chinese Medicine for Kids

Emotional health, Meditation, Natural Sleep Support, Personal Development, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Women's health, yin yoga, Yoga

10 Reasons To Try Yin Yoga

yin yoga butterfly pose

Yin Yoga is one of the most powerful styles of yoga and has many benefits. I’d love to tell you how I was introduced to the practice, tell about the transformation I experienced, and offer you 10 reasons why you should try it too!

A few yoga teacher colleagues encouraged me to check out Sarah Powers around the year 2003, feeling that I would resonate with her style & message. In this first workshop with her I was introduced to Yin Yoga. I loved her deep, philosophical approach.  Sarah was the teacher I had long been seeking, so I continued to study with her as often as possible. I also had the pleasure of studying with Paul Grilley in a week-long Yin Yoga teacher training they did together in Winter of 2005.

Sarah & Paul both talked about Taoist philosophy & Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Meridian Theory in our Yin sessions together. I was very intrigued by this brief education in TCM and felt inspired to look into it further. I credit this training for helping me take the plunge in obtaining my Masters Degree in TCM the following year.

Through Yin Yoga, I was able to achieve a depth in my practice I had never experienced before. It also had a profound affect on my teaching style. Once it became a part of my personal practice, teaching became almost effortless. A few regular students commented that my teaching “turned a corner” and my classes began to steadily build. Yin Yoga helped me find authenticity and confidence as a practitioner and a teacher.

Obviously, I think Yin Yoga is pretty awesome. And even though we may have different experiences with the practice, I think it can really help you too.

Here Are 10 Reasons Why You Should Try Yin Yoga!

1. It increases your flexibility and keeps you juicy

Most styles of Yoga are considered “Yang” because the focus is on movement, strength, engagement, and using a lot of muscle to produce heat. Yin Yoga is called such because it is the opposite. It is a slow practice (postures are held for 2-5 minutes each), it requires us to let go of muscular effort, we yield to gravity’s pull, become quiet & inquisitive, and it’s very cooling.

When we let go of the muscles in the stretch (which is safe to do if we approach it slowly, mindfully, and close to the ground) we’re able to access the deeper tissues. It’s the fascia, the tendons, and ligaments where tension likes to accumulate throughout the years.

Yin Yoga increases flexibility not only because deep-held tension is being released, but also because blood is able to circulate better in areas that were previously deprived.

2. It’s an effective way to relieve stress

Naturally, when we’re able to consciously let go of tension, the body relaxes it’s stressful approach to what’s happening around us. The parasympathetic nervous system, our “rest & digest” mode, is activated and we experience more ease in the body and mind.

3. It helps you let go of negative mind patterns

When you’re this still for this long, you’re going to hear the mind speak. And what you hear may not serve you well.

We start to notice how we talk down to ourselves, how harshly we judge our experience and other people, how we like to reduce the things we experience into ways that fit our current belief systems. We gravitate to those who accept our own ideas and beliefs and our perspectives on life become very small.

With a sustained Yin practice, we are able to shift our perspective and include more in our experience. Just like the layers of tension we’re peeling off gradually, these unhelpful patterns of the mind can release too and we can replace them with a more positive, inclusive outlook on life.

4. It’s a great introduction to meditation

After a few Yin sessions when you’ve adjusted to the approach and have witnessed the mind habits mentioned in #3, we can use this time to tame the mind.

In meditation we often use an anchor to help keep the mind present. It could be watching the breath, focusing on a certain place in the body, concentrating on sound, etc. With Yin Yoga, we also have the strong sensations from the stretch to focus on.

Many people who have a hard time sitting with their thoughts in simple meditation find Yin Yoga more approachable. They are more in touch with their bodies, less so with their minds. By first focusing on the sensations of the stretch and opening up & strengthening the mind gradually with Yin, it can be more interesting for them. As they value it more, they are able to sit longer with less sensation.

5. It help you process strong emotions

Yin Yoga gives you the time to vent strong emotions. Many times I’ve watched my worry & anger (my main go-to emotions when I’m out of balance) shift and have moved into a state of equanimity by the end of the practice. I’ve helped students deal with fear and grief as well. Contentment is possible, but only after we’ve accepted what is present in the heart.

6. It prepares the body for sleep

Stress, tension, and obsessive thinking are some of the biggest triggers for insomnia. Yoga is a great way to relieve stress and tension. But some form of meditation is necessary to help with an occupied mind. Yin Yoga addresses it all.

7. It helps you develop tolerance and grow

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” ~ Neale Donald Walsch

Holding the Yin shapes for 2-5 minutes is not easy. The sensations you’re feeling, especially in the hips, can be quite intense. It’s necessary to move through the discomfort to experience freedom and ease in the body once again.

Isn’t this true for anything in life? If you want to experience something different from what you’re used to, it can be a bit scary and uncomfortable. Let your Yin practice help you build your capacity for tolerance and push your limits of what’s comfortable. What you’re working on in the practice will permeate into your life to help you create new and exciting things.

8. It helps you appreciate simple moments

The biggest complaint I’ve heard about Yin Yoga is that it’s boring.

Have you seen what a bored child can do? When given the space to sit with themselves a bored child can tap into their imagination and do amazingly creative things. And they will play by themselves for hours once they really get going.

Why are we adults any different? Because of all that stuff mentioned in #3. Somehow, long ago, we decided that we didn’t like hanging out with ourselves and that there are more important things to do. That is very sad.

As we engage in Yin Yoga, we are able to watch our experience breath by breath. By shifting our perspective we can appreciate each new breath as another moment of our precious lives. Even the boring and dull moments have value.

9. It’s like an acupuncture session you can do by yourself

The TCM meridians that we stimulate with needles in acupuncture to direct the flow of vital energy (qi) and blood, run along the deeper connective tissues of the body that we’re focusing on with Yin Yoga.

Taoists and Yogis know that energy/qi flow where the mind goes. We place ourselves in shapes that help access these deeper tissues and direct the mind and breath into those areas, and can thereby dilate the meridians and mobilize the qi & blood. When the qi & blood are abundant and free, we experience health and well-being.

10. It helps you stay grounded amidst chaos

Yin Yoga is very grounding in nature. We are able to observe all that is happening within us and around us with a calm, clear mind.

We live in a culture that is fast-paced, values work over rest, values financial gain over personal growth, etc. Our yoga practice can be a way to bring balance to our lives and those people we share it with.

What does the world need more of? Peace, tolerance, acceptance? You can answer that question for yourself and perhaps cultivate that in your practice.

I can’t wait to hear about your experience with Yin Yoga! Are any of these 10 reasons to try it resonating with you? Please let me know in the comments!  If you enjoyed this post, please share with your friends!   Well wishes to all…

follow us on pinterest
10 reasons to try yin yoga

#yin #yoga #meditation #stress #relaxation #balance #insomnia #sleep #grounding

Page 1 of 212»

child's health list

Connect With Me On Social Media

Connect With Me on Facebook

Facebook

Recent Posts

  • How to Boost Immunity Naturally with 5 Key Tips!
  • The Most Loving Morning Skin Care Routine
  • This Is Why I Recommend Copaiba Over CBD
  • 5 Surprising Benefits of Strength Training
  • Why Float Therapy May Be The Best Holistic Practice For You

Categories

Learn More About Me

BrandyFalconLAc

Brandy Falcon, L.Ac., E-RYT

“I help families manage modern health challenges naturally by connecting them back to traditional wisdom and healing practices.”

Connect With Me

  • brandy@falconhealingarts.com
  • 408-406-2642

Upcoming Events

yoga spine low back
Jan 07

Strong and Supple Spine Yoga Series

January 7, 2020 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Woodside CA

View More…

Popular Posts

Healthy Pumpkin Recipes for an Autumn Boost

Healthy Pumpkin Recipes for an Autumn Bo

How to Boost Immunity Naturally with 5 Key Tips!

How to Boost Immunity Naturally with 5 K

Grounding Meditation for Stressful Times

Grounding Meditation for Stressful Times

Categories

© 2019 copyright Falcon Healing Arts // All rights reserved