May Notes From Aculand
Hello and Happy Mother's Day!!
"My mother gave me a bumblebee pin when I started work. She said: "Aerodynamically, bees shouldn't be able to fly. But they do. Remember that." -- Jill E. Barad
Well, it’s been busy over here Aculand. First of all, we have been working on a new web site. It should be “live” in the next couple of weeks. It’s a good site with a whole new look. I’ll send out an announcement as soon as it’s ready.
Also, the Transitions Lifestyle and Weight Management group has completed our first month together. We are learning a lot and every one of the participants has lost pounds and inches while looking and feeling good. “Side effects” include more energy, fewer naps, no need for coffee or soda, little, if any sugar cravings, and positive self control. We are discovering that if we eat the right way, we can achieve a healthy body weight comfortably, without counting calories or points.
I will be starting another Transitions 12 week session on Monday, June 1st at noon, here at the clinic. Please call or write if you or someone you know might be interested.
And here is an acu-bit in honor of Mother’s Day. It’s called the Mother/Child law. This is one of the theoretical underpinnings of acupuncture diagnosis. I like to explain it by way of an image. If you see a Mother with her child and the child is crying…who needs support? The mother, or the child? Is the child crying because she is hurt or sick, or because the mother isn’t giving her something she needs?
When an acupuncturist looks at a symptom picture, we look at it in the context of the whole person and all the variables that might be affecting them. We explore the possibility that one symptom might give rise to another. A simple example might be a headache that came after a large, rich meal. After exploring the nature of the headache and the events leading up to it, we might end up creating a treatment that focuses on smoothing out the digestion. Because there is a direct relationship between the stomach and the head, the headache will likely resolve AND the stomach will feel better.
Women’s issues…while we are on the topic of women, let’s touch on women’s health. I wish more women knew how effective acupuncture is for PMS. For most women, the uncomfortable symptoms of irritability, mood swings, low energy, cramping, back pain or stomach upset can be reduced or resolved in a short period of time. Imagine not worrying about “that time of the month.” What a relief.
Acupuncture can also be very supportive in cases of infertility. Some studies have indicated that acupuncture can affect the levels of pituitary and ovarian hormones which can increase chances of pregnancy. Also, acupuncture is widely known for its ability to promote relaxation. If the uterus is in a relaxed state at the time of an IVF embryo transfer, it is less likely to produce contractions that could push the transferred embryo away and prevent fertilization.
And if you like herbs and supplements, look on my web site www.karenjohnson.nutrametrix.com for our new vitamin D supplement. Just go onto the site, click on products, then click on general health. If your doctor is recommending vitamin D for you, you might want to look into this. It is isotonic, like much of the product line, which means it’s in a liquid form that absorbs rapidly from the small intestine.
Mindfulness Meditation
There is a famous expression about qi that says. “Where the mind goes, the qi follows.” This leads to the possibility that just as we strive for a healthy body that functions smoothly and without discomfort, so we can also aim for a healthy mind that is calm and peaceful. The body affects the mind and the mind certainly can affect the body. Research suggests that mindfulness meditation, which I am going to describe in a moment, may improve one’s mood, decrease stress and boost the immune system.
All of us have a voice, a commentator in our heads that provides us with a constant inner conversation, a steady stream of thoughts. It’s part of the human condition. However there is something else that is quiet and steady behind those thoughts. You may have run across the existential question…if “I” am thinking all these thoughts, who is listening? The purpose of meditation is to allow that quiet, peaceful place of listening, and just being, to become a more common experience.
“Mindfulness practice is simple and completely feasible. Just by sitting and doing nothing, we are doing a tremendous amount.” Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche
What is Mindfulness Meditation?
Mindfulness is a type of meditation that essentially involves focusing on your mind on the present. To be mindful is to be aware of your thoughts and actions in the present, without judging yourself.
How to Try Mindfulness Meditation
1. Find a quiet and comfortable place. Sit in a chair or on the floor with your head, neck and back straight but not stiff.
2. Try to put aside all thoughts of the past and the future and stay in the present.
3. Become aware of your breathing, focusing on the sensation of air moving in and out of your body as you breathe. Feel your belly rise and fall, the air enter your nostrils and leave your mouth. Pay attention to the way each breath changes and is different.
4. Watch every thought come and go, whether it be a worry, fear, anxiety or hope. When thoughts come up in your mind, don't ignore or suppress them but simply note them, remain calm and use your breathing as an anchor.
5. If you find yourself getting carried away in your thoughts, observe where your mind went off to, without judging, and simply return to your breathing. Remember not to be hard on yourself if this happens.
6. Do this for only a few minutes at a time. No pressure. As the time comes to a close, sit for a minute or two, becoming aware of where you are. Get up gradually. As you practice, you may notice that thoughts are fleeting things, quickly replaced by other thoughts. The quiet, however, is always there.
Best regards,
Karen Johnson L.Ac, RN
Karen-johnson-acupunture.net
karenjohnson.nutrametrix.com
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