Holistic Healing Archives | Page 6 of 9

Tulsi, an Herb for Everyday Health and Stamina

With so many delicious and healing herbs in the world it would be hard for me to choose a single favorite, but without a doubt Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil, would be high up on the list. Lately, Tulsi has been an herb of choice for my morning quart of tea, which I feel helps me get through the day with ease and sustained energy. If you haven’t tried Tulsi, which we feature in our Calming De-Stress and Detox blends, the taste is reminiscent of mint, clove and fennel. With a delightful aroma and a host of medicinal properties, Tulsi is a wonderful herb to get to know.

Clearing Space in the Chinese New Year

The first full moon of the Year of the Goat is upon us! This full moon is an exciting and auspicious time of culmination, intensity, and celebration. In China it is celebrated with a lantern festival where millions of lanterns are released into the sky for good luck, abundance and happiness in the New Year. What wishes would you send your good luck lantern off into the sky with? Whether or not you actually send off a lantern, this is an important time to investigate your deepest wishes and take action to help align yourself with what you desire for your life. One important way to do this is to clean and organize the home. The feeling we create in our homes helps us align with the greater forces of the universe to bring a sense a spaciousness, peace, and clarity to our hearts and minds. By clearing out old, forgotten things, we make more room for harmony, abundance and joy in our lives. Doing this at the beginning of the Chinese New Year helps set the stage for a year of happiness and abundance. So get a head start on spring-cleaning and align yourself with the positivity you wish to bring into your life.

Restful Medicine! Legs-Up-The-Wall

There are few yoga postures that restore and reinvigorate my whole body and being like Legs-up-the-wall, or what’s called supported viparita karani in Sanskrit. This simple pose, which can be done at anytime, helps relieve and prevent tired legs, lower back pain, menstrual cramps, anxiety, digestive disorders, varicose veins, sciatica, and arthritis.

Oolong 101

For many, green tea is the gateway to cultivating a love for fine teas. Black teas remain classic and time-honored as they are the teas most ingrained in our culture thanks to the influence of the British. Oolong is a class of teas that finds itself in between Green and Black teas, in terms of flavor, caffeine content, color, and oxidation level.

Musings of an Acupuncturist, Part III

In today’s fast paced society, it’s ever more important to work at our own balance. We need to go back and listen to ourselves. We need to cultivate our own Qi, or vitality. It’s also crucial to have a spiritual perspective, beyond the material realm, and do all the things that we know are good for us. It’s then that we can really thrive and have abundant lives on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level.

Ujjayi: A Breath to Massage Your Nervous System

There is one yogic breathing technique that can be practiced anytime by just about anyone: Ujjayi pranayama.

The word Ujjayi means “victorious” in Sanskrit. The prefix ud means upward and superior, and jaya (from root ji) means to conquer and have victory over. Consistent practice of ujjayi breath, can lead to victorious results for your body and mind.

Musings of an Acupuncturist, Part II

Acupuncture is a tool that helps to normalize imbalances in the human energetic system. It certainly is effective at eliminating symptomology and restoring health; yet, it is important for people to continue working on themselves, as there is no shortage of stressors in modern-day society. Chinese Medicine as a whole emphasizes the need for the human individual to live in harmony with Nature and to keep disease at bay through proper lifestyle and thinking that is balanced and heart-centered.

Musings of an Acupuncturist, Part I

Simply put, we are energetic beings living in a world that is full of energy. In fact this experience that we call life is nothing but a play of energy and vibration. This energy is experienced, felt, seen, and heard in myriad ways – whether in the form of humans, trees, animals, rocks, houses, weather systems, or wireless networks. The universe is nothing but a play of energy in multiple forms and layers of vibratory expression. The human being is an energetic microcosm within this macrocosmic universe, and its life-force is largely dependent on the healthy flow of vital energy. The ancient Chinese termed this vital energy “Qi” (also read as “Chi”), and its flow throughout the body dictates the strength and vitality of a human being.

Amazing, Natural Shower Scrub

It’s a bold statement, but this DIY natural shower scrub made from a few common household items has changed my life. In addition to effectively battling mildew and grime, this cleaner is non-toxic and free of nasty fumes. Plus, it’s super easy to make. All you need is baking soda, white vinegar, and water.

Thai Massage at Arogya

The other day, I was fortunate to receive a nourishing and absolutely reinvigorating table Thai Fusion massage at Arogya. I’m not surprised to report that I’m still feeling the benefits. Thai massage is a holistic therapy that uses a combination of acupressure, energy work, compression, and yoga-like stretches to improve flexibility, circulation, and immunity. It is a gentle yet effective way to release tension, improve range of motion, and promote overall well-being.