Balancing space in the joints between the bones of the limbs and between the vertebra of the spinal column happens during a Biodynamic treatment. The Biodynamic practitioner understands the form of every bone in your body and how they function together in movement. There is a particular rhythm that occurs between each bone when it is unhampered by injury or stress. The practitioner is seeking coherence in these rhythms of the bones and the relative movement of the bones to all other internal rhythms of the body as a whole. By studying the coherence of the movements, the skilled practitioner knows how these rhythms form and how they produce an even distribution of energy. By listening for the dynamics of movement, the practitioner waits for this intelligence to get re-established if it has been disturbed. Therefore alignment has to do with optimal efficiency for movement so that there is both stability and freedom of motion.
Community News
The Movement of Healing
Some of you have heard already about Tai Qi or Qi Gong Ancient Chinese movement and postures designed for healing. It is somewhat similar philosophy as Yoga from India. Qi Gong means practicing and directing the Qi (vital force). It is attained by focused attention, breathing, and specific movement to enhance health and longevity. Tai Qi utilizes the same focus as Qi gong. However, it is more dynamic. The Qi Gong practice focuses on moving the Qi internally within the organs and meridians, and the Tai Qi focuses on external movement and directing of the vital energy though the external body. There is another “healing via movement” modality that I will be introducing this September in Thursday morning class at Vic. West C.C. SoTaiHo [natural exercise] developed by Dr. Keizo Hashimoto, MD. It is a wonderful system that encompasses movement to free blocked energy in the body. It is a wonderful method for any chronic pain.
Rethinking Boundaries
Getting along with others can be tough! We need other people in our lives, but we can sometimes feel judged, undermined, confused, bullied, interrupted, or otherwise bothered by them. It can be hard to be clear and stand up for what we want in a calm way. But giving up too much can eat at your peace of mind. This is boundary work – how to be clear about ourselves and what we can tolerate physically and emotionally in a way that still lets people in. We want to be understood by others – sometimes we first have to understand ourselves and why we feel the way we do. What are the expectations for how you behave? Where do those expectations come from? How else could you respond to your situation? Counselling provides a safe and non-judgemental place to consider how you can do your boundaries differently.
Pain in Your Neck?
Have you ever had head or neck trauma? Did you know that there is little separation between the two? The head is located on the top of the spine, and when you have head or neck trauma, you are actually affecting the entire central column of the body. Far too often, spinal issues are not addressed and tilts and twists in the body remain for long periods after injury, creating a daily tension issue that shows up in many different ways. One of the most common findings is chronic health issues that begin after an injury and have lingered, often for many years after the original event. There’s no better time than now to check to see exactly what your body’s position is and see if it could be in better balance.
Sign of Intelligence?
Take a moment and look down at your bare feet. Which is your longest toe? If you discover it is the 2nd toe, intelligence is not necessarily indicated, but a predisposition to certain foot ailments is. Up to 30% of the population has inherited this structure, labelled “Morton’s Foot”, and is actually the result of a shortened 1st metatarsal (the bone behind the big toe) and not a long 2nd toe. This foot structure makes one more prone to stress fractures, metatarsalgia (pain or discomfort of the ball of the foot), thick callusing on the front of your foot, over-pronation and bunions. All of these symptoms can be reduced or prevented with proper support from a custom foot orthotic, designed specifically for this foot structure. Discuss the treatment options with an orthotics specialist today and reduce your chances of future foot discomfort.
That’s Life!
Virginia Satir, one of the great pioneers of family therapy, has been quoted as saying, “Life is not what it’s supposed to be. It’s what it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference.” Acceptance of a situation does not mean that we have to agree with it; nor does it mean that we must sit idle and do nothing. What acceptance does accomplish is to give us the gift of noticing all of the components of this exact moment. By doing so, we can decipher between the things that we cannot change and thus be free to make adjustments to the current situation. In this way, we embody a more preferred posture for the next ensuing moment in time. Life is what it is!
4 Causes of Headaches
Almost everybody experiences headache pain at some point. For some people, headaches are a regular occurrence and for others headaches are rare. 1. Stress can cause tight muscles which lead to tension headaches. Learn to manage your stress with exercise, meditation and massage. 2. Trigger Points are hard knots found in the muscles that can refer pain into the head and mimic headaches. Massage therapy can help dramatically reduce trigger points. 3. Dehydration- At the first sign of a headache drink a glass of water and continue taking small sips throughout the day 4. Improper pillows- try changing your pillow and see if this helps reduce your headaches.
The Grain for Brawn & Brain
The ease of wheat flour production took it out of the lime light, but it’s making a comeback in a big way. Spelt, unchanged and unmodified for thousands of years is showing up all over the place – why? Because it’s an absolute powerhouse in the nutrition category – High protein (21 % of your RDD), all nine essential amino acids, high in fiber (30%) and, low in gluten. In addition to, due to its water solubility, it rates very high on the bioavailability scale. What does that mean for you? Your body is actually able to absorb a vast percentage of those nutrients, leading to significant health benefits with less of the unsavory irritants of other grains. Another fantastic feature? You can substitute it 1:1 for wheat flour in recipes! Give Spelt a try, it tastes great, and your body will thank you.
Essential Oils – A Natural Choice!
We know quality counts, and we’ve all experienced having what seemed like a good deal at the outset, turn into not such a good deal. Quality and purity are especially important when it comes to products that we use aromatically, on our person, or as dietary supplements. Sadly, essential oil quality and purity are not as carefully regulated as we might think. According to some experts, the majority of essential oils on the retail market are adulterated in some fashion. What qualifies an essential oil as being “pure therapeutic grade” is a recognized standard of independent third party testing that incorporates methods such as Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry. Pure essential oils from particular plant species, grown in the optimum conditions, and provided through ethical processes are well worth the price. As with all purchase decisions, it pays to get educated first!
Manage Yourself, Not Your Time
We don’t manage our time; we manage ourselves. It’s a simple shift in perspective but it’s one that is essential to achieving one’s goals. So, rather than focusing outwardly at the clock and worrying about the scarcity of time, start looking inward. To become more productive and efficient consider focusing on three areas. The first is the clarity of your values and purpose. Being truly honest about what is essential will strengthen your commitment and help you eliminate habits, not in alignment. The second is your ability to assertively communicate your needs. A big part of this is becoming comfortable with saying no. The last is your fear of judgment or failure. Listen carefully to them, acknowledge them, and then start considering all of the actions you may take to avoid those fears. That’s where the real work lies.
Why is my Pelvic Floor so Important?
Your pelvic floor supports your bladder, bowel, and uterus, and gives you control over when you empty your bladder and bowel. Having a weak pelvic floor makes it harder for you to squeeze the muscles and sphincters at the bottom of your bladder to prevent urine from escaping. You may accidentally leak when you cough, sneeze or exercise (stress incontinence). It also means that your bowel, bladder and womb are not well supported, causing you to feel a heavy dragging sensation and pushing against the vaginal walls (prolapse). You may find sex less satisfying, and feel less sensitivity. You’ll need to keep your pelvic floor strong for the rest of your life, as hormonal changes after menopause can make pelvic floor problems more likely. Doing just a few pelvic floor exercises every day will help to treat bladder weakness or prolapse symptoms, and will help to prevent problems later on.
