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You are worth far more than you can ever imagine, so imagine the very best and bring it to life.

Can't get a former flame off your mind? Try Arielle and Brian's advice for finding new love.

We must learn to appreciate the inherent beauty in all of us. We need to stop scrutinizing one another and ourselves because we are all beautiful creatures.

Whether you're already studying yoga or want to begin a practice, this discipline is arguably one of the best for sculpting your upper body into tank-top material.

Live with richness, with great fulfillment and joy and substance. Do what matters, what really matters, and delight in being the unique, beautiful person you are.

Chakra theory is a holistic paradigm that includes fields like psychology, physiology, astrology, and energy anatomy (how prana moves through the body). It also considers naturalistic elements such as color and sound. Chakra theory examines the interaction between the whole and the part, and can also be called holistic awareness. The system encompasses every level of human nature from the intangible spirit to the tangible atom and everything in between.

Imagine being able to draw real value out of every situation. Imagine it consistently, and you will begin to do it.

You don't have to live in the country to better connect to the seasons by growing your own food. Vegetable gardening with the seasons empowers you to get in tune with nature. Become involved in the growing cycle and increase your awareness of the year's natural turn. You can change your approach to ...

Staying focused is a matter of reminding yourself. Can you find a way to remind yourself, again and again, of why you're doing what you do?

John Holland, author of 'The Spirit Whisperer: Chronicles of a Medium,' answers questions to offer clarity and comfort to those who are wondering about his work as a psychic medium.

Would it not be nice to have the feeling of gratitude twenty-four hours a day? Not just the idea or thought, but that feeling of gratitude that makes so many burdens easier to face. Unfortunately, we tend to evaluate others and ourselves continually in our search for better things, better places, ...

How to manage stress Stress seems to be a permanent part of our lives. And to be honest, I’m not entirely sure that it has to be, but I’m also not entirely sure how to avoid it. But in an effort to work more effectively I’ve discovered that getting things done and feeling good about my ...

See the very real continuum between the value you've already created and the goals you wish to reach. Let yourself know you can, and you will.

"Delicious love" is available in every moment. It does not come from anyone or anything. It resides in your heart, in your smile, in your being.

Enjoy vegetarian breakfast recipes for Sponge Cake Omelet and Ginger Muffins from Edward Espe Brown's new book, The Complete Tassajara Cookbook.

Rings, bars, or studs pierced through belly navel skin are not for everyone and may interfere with exercise or clothing stretching skin or becoming infected.

California Pacific Medical Center is honoring one of our beloved yoga teachers. CPMC’s Institute for Health & Healing  has selected Matthew Sanford as the recipient of its Pioneer in Integrative Medicine award. When Matthew was 13, a car accident took the lives of his sister and father and paralyzed much of his body. Luckily, he found yoga in his 20s and was amazed at how it changed his life and his attitude. He now teaches adaptive yoga and has dedicated his life to helping others benefit from the mind-body healing of yoga. Author of the book Waking: A Memoir of Trauma and Transcendence, Matthew has been an inspiration to anyone who has ever experienced a major physical trauma or disability. You can meet Matthew Sanford at our upcoming Yoga Journal conference in Boston this April. Congrats, Matthew!

A step-by-step guide to performing effective yoga ball core exercises to strengthen the stomach muscles and thereby enhance one's posture.

Authentic Yoga is an iPhone/iPod app from alternative medicine expert Deepak Chopra and yoga instructor Tara Stiles. Though there are some technical issues with this hot-off-the-presses app (rumored to be fixed by the even hotter-off-the-presses update), the authority of these teachers and the quality of their video instruction sets this app apart from previous yoga apps. Authentic Yoga with Deepak Chopra Featuring Tara Stiles originally appeared on About.com Yoga on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 23:29:30.Permalink | Comment | Email this

A few weeks ago, the YJ staff got a special treat when MC Yogi and Amanda Giacomini stopped by our offices to teach our daily staff yoga class. We don't usually practice with music here in the offices--mostly because our yoga room is also our conference room and isn't really set up with a sound system--so I'm always grateful when we have a teacher come in with her own iPod docking station. Of course, we would expect no less from the infamous, self procraimed yoga "unrapper" . . . who came with a big, shiny boom box in tow. Sure, I was skeptical of the whole yoga hip-hop thing at first, but now, I'll admit it. I'm a fan. So I was thrilled to see his newest video posted to Huffington Post today. "It's about being generous with ourselves with our hearts, with our time and with our energy," he writes. "It affirms the universal principle of attraction. What we give is what we get." Where do I sign up? MC Yogi - Give Love (Giving4Living Mix) from MC Yogi on Vimeo. So, that's my yoga video pick of the day. I'd love to see some of your favorites in the comments section below!

I've heard a couple of people say that when March 1st rolls around, that means it's spring, no matter what the weatherman might say about snow flurries. Apparently, March 1st is when people realize that they will soon be stripping off the winter layers and exposing their pale flesh to the world again. Which, in turn, means that everyone is suddenly interested in exercise again. If all this is ringing a bell inside your head loud enough to drown out the snow plough toiling down your street, then check out 6 Fitness Programs to Get in Shape, which includes information on Pilates, weight training, running, and walking. Oh, and yoga! This would also be a good time to check out my 30-Day Quick Start Yoga Guide for Beginners which lays out a month's worth of yoga for you, so you can get your spring off to a great start. Is It Spring? originally appeared on About.com Yoga on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at 23:16:22.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Yoga, as it has come to be recognized in the Western world, is a form of exercise. And, medical tourism, as has become popularly accepted, is a form of common uninsured or underinsured man's path to healing - affordably. This article talks about two yoga instructors from the West who chose the East on two occasions - once to better their lifestyle through yoga, and the second time to cure their pain through medical tourism and Healthbase.

Ive long been fascinated with the complexity of the human body, the power of the mind & the resilience of the human spirit. To me, Olympians in their commitment to excellence and goal achievement are the personification of mind-body-spirit integration. It was no surprise to learn that many Olympic athletes include mind body disciplines such as Pilates and yoga as part of their training regime.

While I'm feeling the love for the hamstring stretches, let me direct your attention to supta padangusthasana. Lovely little stretch that packs a big wallop. Be sure to keep both your hips down to the floor, resisting the urge to raise the one attached to the leg you are lifting. That's really all you need to know. Reclined Big Toe Pose - Supta Padangusthasana Is the Yoga Pose of the Week originally appeared on About.com Yoga on Sunday, February 28th, 2010 at 22:08:55.Permalink | Comment | Email this

This is the latest article in our yoga central series and today we will be looking at a pose known as staff pose or Dandasana. We will look at how to properly carry out the pose, the benefits you can get from it and anything that you need to consider before beginning. Please read the entire article before trying the pose.

Our "Sit-a-Long with Jundo" daily Zazen netcast is MOVING TO BELIEFNET.COM, the large and widely respected spiritual community on the web. STARTING FROM TODAY, please sit with us at the following link:http://blog.beliefnet.com/treeleafzen/What does the move mean? Well, nothing really!All will be the same format, same Zazen, same Universe, same Timeless Wisdom and Compassion, same Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path, same Shakyamuni "The Boss Man" Buddha, same Master Dogen & All the Ancestors ... (same ol' silly Jundo) ... same "Just Sitting" Shikantaza ...... only the address is changing!Truly, All is Constantly Changing ... and this is a very good change! The move will allow access to better resources for the netcast, plus aid greatly in carrying out our original purpose .... namely, to provide Zazen sittings, instruction, Retreats, discussion, interaction with a teacher, and all other activities of a Zen Buddhist sangha ... all fully online for Zen practitioners who cannot easily commute to a Zen Center due to health concerns, living in remote areas, or childcare and family needs.So, I hope that you will join us for Zazen as always ... just there instead of here. After all, as I asked on our very first "Sit-a-Long with Jundo", way back when ...Where are you at the instant all thoughts of "here" and "there" are dropped from mind?Gassho and Much Gratitude to All!

On April 21st, 2008 my partner gave birth to our son. As you might imagine, the experience was profound in many ways - some expected ways, and some not. Prior to the big day, we felt that we had prepared as much as one can prepare for such an experience: we took childbirth prep classes, we read book after book about the possibility of this or that happening, we watched movies on birth, and we educated ourselves in whatever other ways we could. One of the movies that we watched was the newly released 'The Business of Being Born'. In it, the trend of commercializing the birth process is looked at closely and critically. If you do ever intend to have a child, I highly recommend watching this film. In addition to this movie's supportive information, our plans from the beginning of pregnancy were to have a natural, unmedicated birth experience. In our efforts to have a natural childbirth, we selected a hospital setting that supported the model of midwifery - a hospital that recognizes the value of having a highly educated attendant, and if all things run smoothly, also recognizes that a 'medical doctor' is not necessary to the birth experience itself. It seemed immediately as if all of our best intentions were met with resistance and fear, both of which were apparently being disguised as 'safety and care'. Who would argue with 'safety and care'? We did, and we're so very glad we did. Let me explain further. We arrived at Labor and Delivery and were admitted to our room. Part of what makes a childbirth 'natural' is that there are minimal interventions; that is, the birth process is honored as a sacred and natural process, and that unless there are unexpected complications, it is allowed to proceed on its own schedule, to its own natural rhythm. Our initial examination was anything but natural. We expected the nurse to give my partner an examination that determined how dilated her cervix was, as the contractions were coming quite rapidly. Instead what happened was the nurse reached so far into my partner that the baby's bag of waters ruptured. Whether or not rupturing the bag of waters was intended by the 'caregiver' is truly beside the point - this act was executed with little communication, and poorly done to say the least.Yes, the bag of waters does need to rupture eventually, but nature knows this and it happens in its own time. This first experience was in some ways the 'signal marker' of things to come, a signal that speaks to the mind's desire to 'control' experiences it fears. At nearly every turn in our process of birth, we felt as if we were fending off the fear of the hospital staff.     One would think that they were the ones who knew how things went, that they would know how to remain patient and calm based on their extensive experience with birth. They were not experienced in the natural process of birth, but instead they were experienced and educated in the 'systems' of surgery, fear, control, and intervention.Is there a time to intervene? Of course there is: when the mother or child's well-being is truly in danger. Our staff seemed to think that pregnancy and birth were inherently dangerous - they are not; they are natural.Labor progressed somewhat slowly for my partner, and as this hospital was also a 'birthing center', we requested that she be able to soak in a birthing tub to help her relax. After repeated requests for 'the tub', three hours later it was brought. It was no more than the size of a garbage can and we didn't end up using it - but what took three hours? An hour maybe. We weren't asking them to build a swimming pool. Early on in our visit to Labor and Delivery we were asked to sign a release form. Normal, right? But on the form it said 'vaginal birth, possible cesarian'. What? We've nearly just arrived and they were already 'making space' for a cesarian - 'just in case' they said. We refused to sign the release and had them rewrite it to say 'vaginal birth' only. Truly, it felt like once we held our ground in this way, the staff backed off quite a bit. But who knows to call off the hounds in this way - we did, because we did our homework ahead of time.Once we truly established our firm commitment to letting nature takes it course, the staff changed completely; they relaxed a bit, but more importantly they gave us the space we needed to give birth. Why would the staff not give someone the space to give birth in the first place? Good question. Perhaps for efficiency's sake, or for economic reasons. Again, I highly recommend the 'The Business of Being Born' as a starting place to begin educating yourself about birth in hospitals, but to also learn about what is viewed as 'health' in the westernized world. What is health? Health is our natural state. Yes, imbalances do occur, but our body's wisdom acts naturally to bring us back into balance. This view of health is not widely recognized in western culture, as in western culture there is a model of pathology, one of 'treating disease' rather than promoting and supporting each being's natural health. Ask yourself: do you believe that you have all of the necessary tools to live a fully realized and healthy life? Or, do you think that somewhere there are people called 'experts' that are necessary to your happiness? Yes, people who are skilled in certain things are needed when complications arise - but not unless they do actually arise. If complications do not arise, then why intervene? Women - do you believe that you can have a natural, unmedicated childbirth? Or has western culture convinced women that the pain of labor is 'too much' for them to handle, or that their bodies can't do it for some reason? Women - ask yourself honestly, 'Can I give birth?'. And if for some reason you doubt that you can, ask yourself where you think that doubt came from. In conclusion: Overall our birth experience was incredible and joyous, and truly every staff member was kind and loving beyond belief (it was the automated system that seemed unkind). We thank gratefully our doctor and nurses, and all of the after-care staff for supporting us to have the birth that we wanted. We have a beautiful, healthy son. In some ways the discussion I've proposed is one of 'ends and means'. Most people might say that as long as the baby is born, who really cares how it happens. But the process does matter: a baby that goes through the vaginal canal is 'squeezed' (literally and figuratively) into this world - it is a right of passage; the mother's body during natural childbirth is lucid, responsive, awake - and this is what facilitates the post-birth bonding that seems to be 'mysteriously' disappearing in the western world. Perhaps nothing is more controversial nor more natural than birth; all the more reason to look deeply within yourself to discover the real truth. Please watch 'The Business of Being Born'. I welcome your comments on this topic. Thank you.

Transcendental Meditation technique has the ability to activate the default mode network-a suggested natural "ground state" of the brain, according to a new EEG study.The three-month randomised control study was conducted on college students at American University.The study found that the TM technique produces a unique state of "restful alertness," as seen in the markedly higher alpha power in the frontal cortex and lower beta and gamma waves in the same frontal areas during TM practice.It creates greater alpha coherence between the left and right hemispheres of the brain suggesting the brain is working as a whole.The technique also enhances an individual's sense of "self" by activating what neuroscientists call the "default mode network" in the brain.The brain's "default mode network" is considered the natural ground state of the brain, glimpsed by neuroscientists during eyes-closed rest but more fully activated during Transcendental Meditation practice. The study has been published in a special issue of Cognitive Processing dedicated to the Neuroscience of Meditation and Consciousness. (ANI) Source: OneIndia

Today, we are celebrating having a new home for our Zazen netcast, right here on Beliefnet!For folks new to our sittings ... I'm Jundo, a Soto Zen Buddhist priest living in Japan. Our community, and these meditation sittings, are all meant especially for folks who wish to sit Zazen (Zen style meditation) together with others, but can't do so easily:  maybe due to health concerns, living in remote areas,  super busy work schedules, childcare and family needs and such.

This article is about a recent occurrence in my life and culture that bewilders me. For a couple of years now my partner and I have been leaving birdseed in a flower box outside of our apartment's backside windows. From time to time we have had anywhere from a few visiting birds to what I would consider as many as 10+ resident ones. Mostly doves and smaller chickadee type birds, but recently we have had the occasional pigeon. Well, last night I received a phone call from my landlord saying that he had received a complaint from the neighbor, and that our beloved birds have been leaving droppings on the neighbor's deck; I can understand (sort of) the neighbor's concern. After telling me of the neighbor's complaint, and then asking me if I in fact was feeding the birds out of the window box, there was then a long pause on the other end of the phone... I said 'yes, and is there anything else?' The landlord then went on to say that 'feeding wild birds is illegal' and he made it seem as if this was a clear matter of fact that I should know fully about, and that my feeding the birds could only be occurring 'under cover', as if such a thing were something someone should be hiding. What? So, my partner and I decided to do some research on our own to see what foolishness our society was up to now. We did discover that feeding wild birds in public areas in San Francisco is technically against the law, but from what we found there was no compelling statements about the illegality of feeding birds in one's own back yard. The landlord intends to come over today with the 'proof' of his statements. Truly, for me the issue at hand is indeed both the birds, but is also not. All of nature is on trial, and the disconnection that westerners feel with regards to it is blatantly evident and out of balance. Regardless of the droppings on the deck (perhaps one could be grateful to have a deck that might have the occasional droppings?), what has our culture come to that feeding birds is even potentially considered illegal? In any setting? And, whose time is so very wrought with confusion that this sort of 'stand' seems like a good use of one's life and time? Yes, I am sad for the suffering that our neighbor's ignorance has brought them, and that this issue seems important enough to them to say something - but much of the world is at war, and bird poop is the call to action?For me feeding the birds and other simple pleasures are the things that make life truly worth living. These things are even more central to cultivating freedom than all of the various mindfulness practices I've learned, than my life's closest friends, and even more central to life than my home. For without nature and its care and nourishment, these other various things cease to exist - nature is essence, it is essential; and this is exactly what our culture seems to be blind to. I can live without practices, friends, even a home - albeit a sad life indeed, but the one thing that I cannot live without is life - nature herself. This seems so very obvious to me; am I the one confused? In San Francisco, the 'champion' of mindfulness in the United States, I find this most disturbing. It's not as if there were five hundred birds clawing at the neighbors window. Perhaps he or she might even consider the birds a welcome guest, seeing the benefits of their occasional company largely outweighing any cleaning inconvenience that may arise?I welcome your comments on this post, as I am at a bit of a loss with our culture (What defines our culture, what characteristics does it have?) - will it take away even the most basic of our innate qualities and caring? In the past I've chosen to be less of an activist and more of a teacher/practitioner, but what now to do? What would you do?

People are spending more and more time at the "office," dealing with workplace stress. We work insane hours in high stress, thankless environments. There is a certain rush of energy that comes with this type of work, but that soon fades into a sort of mental exhaustion and in some cases, ...

Is mindfulness the same as meditation? Mindfulness meditation is one way to practice mindfulness, but since being mindful simply involves paying attention to the present moment, mindfulness can be brought to anything you do. Becoming more mindful takes practice, and mindfulness meditation is ...

Meditation is the point where our minds become centered and focused on the now. The first thing that needs to be done is to learn how to breathe. Not just inhale a little air and exhale, but take in a deep cleansing breath. Breathing is important to meditating. When a person breathe with their ...

This preceding week I have enjoyed supplementary moments to journey into meditation than I had been able to get for a long time, exciting as soon as you at that time consider that a whole load of things which I had been working upon through respective aspects from my life suddenly began to create ...

Ancient tantra teaches us that yoni massage is an excellent way of building trust between partners - a very vital factor in any relationship. The yoni tantra massage is also used to assist women who need to break through sexual blocks or trauma by creating a powerful bond of safety.

Massage therapy can be defined as the manipulation of soft tissue. Massage therapy has physical, physiological, and psychological effects, in other words, it can affects the mind, body, and spirit.

We work too many long hours and often do so hunched over a computer screen. Even though we know we should take frequent breaks, get up, walk around or do some stretches, how often do we follow that advice? Then when we get home we tell ourselves we're too tired to go for a walk or spend some time at the gym.

Zen Yoga can be a wonderful addition to Massage Therapy. It is a means of preparing each client to better understand the function of his or her own body, mind and spirit, and how to find a peaceful balance between all three. Zen Yoga blends Tai Chi, Qigong, Shanti Yoga, and Mindful Meditation ...

When I first started as a massage therapist and people would walk into my clinic complaining of anxiety, I simply thought they were really stressed and would give them a simple relaxation massage. Being disappointed with my treatments, I started to do more research on the subject since I believe ...

Tinnitus--ringing or other noises in the ears--is common and usually harmless. However, it can drive people crazy, robbing them of sleep, concentration, and peace of mind. There's no one cause, and no one cure. When to See Your Doctor According to the Mayo Clinic, you should see your doctor if ...

Day 7 brings a new treat. A paste moat is made on my back and this is filled with warm medicated oil. This is to treat lower back pain.

Sleep seems to be one of the things that most people don’t do enough of. Adequate sleep can make an lasting impact on your life and assist you with handling daily stress with much more ease. Writer Gretchen Rubin provided the following effective tips for getting the sleep you need. Good habits for [...]

Here’s a simple solution that I often suggest to clients to address that nagging foot and heel pain: Press out the bottom of your foot with a spiked rubber ball—a common massage tool sold at health food stores—to ease tightness, break up pain and relieve plantar fasciitis. Stand or sit as you roll your foot over [...]

The following are some helpful tips that you may have known before but forgotten and stopped practicing (like I had). That is until Shape Magazine published these gems to keep in mind, especially during your frequent grocery store visits. Mistake #1: Produce overload Sure, making one big grocery run at the start of the week seems [...]

by Robert Tisserand Reprinted with permission People should expect reasonable and sensible protection from harm by those who regulate consumer products, and vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women may need special consideration. Therefore, cosmetics that are totally free...

Green tea is once again in news, this time for its promise shown as cancer prevention agent in oral cancer patients diagnosed with a pre-malignant condition known as oral leukoplakia. The researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, who examined the effectiveness of green tea as a chemo-preventative agent in high-risk patient population, [...]

Great savings going on now at FromNatureWithLove.com!  Stop by our Sales & Specials Page to view our current sale prices and sizes.

by Kayla Fioravanti Reprinted with permission If you live in Colorado or sell cosmetics into Colorado it is time for you to speak up. Colorado has a proposed a bill before them during this session known as The Colorado Safe...

Preliminary research suggests that green tea could help shield your eyes from the harmful effects of glaucoma. In a study on rats, researchers determined that green tea consumption helped defend the animals' eyes from free-radical-induced damage. A leading cause of blindness in the U.S., glaucoma develops when fluid pressure builds up in the eyes and impairs the optic nerve. Past research shows that oxidative stress (a process that occurs when free radicals overwhelm the body's ability to neutralize them) may contribute to the onset of glaucoma. Known to knock out free radials, antioxidants are abundant in green tea. In their new study, scientists demonstrated that drinking green tea can help deliver antioxidants to eye tissues and possibly protect against oxidative stress. However, it's too soon to tell whether green tea consumption could have the same effect on human eye health. In previously published studies, investigators have found that the herb ginkgo biloba may also benefit people with glaucoma. Green Tea for Glaucoma? originally appeared on About.com Alternative Medicine on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 06:00:00.Permalink | Comment | Email this

It's almost that time again when the summer months will be very hot and humid in North Carolina.  I wanted you to tell me about the different jojoba waxes; (50,60,70).  I wanted to know if you think that adding the MP-70 jojoba wax with some beeswax will help the body butters from melting so much.  My butters are getting popular; and they are oil based; and I didn't necessarily want to change from oil based to water based because that's what makes them so unique, I need all the help that I can get.  I usually keep them on ice--then I give to customers, I tell customers NOT to leave them in the car or in the pocketbook.  Any more suggestions will be appreciated. - AntoinetteHello Antoinette,Thanks for asking about Jojoba Esters.  Like liquid Jojoba, Jojoba Esters are a very special type of wax.  When they are cool, they are firm and waxy, but when they are warmed they melt into the lovely and familiar texture of Jojoba Oil.  I find Jojoba Esters to be a great way to increase the firmness of whipped body butters without making them feel overly waxy.  They harden well, but will soften upon skin contact, making them a perfect additive for Body Butters.  To determine exactly how much of the Esters to add to your existing formula, I would recommend experimenting with Jojoba Esters 70, the hardest of the esters, by adding it to your body butters at a rate of 5%, 10%, and 15%.  (The softer esters aren't likely to make a noticeable difference in this type of formula.)  Compare the three experimental batches to see how they feel on your skin, and how the behave when you subject them to various temperatures.  Of course, no additive can completely protect an oil based product from melting in extreme temperatures, but by adding Jojoba Esters you may be able to improve your butters' resilience slightly.  Many handmade skin care purveyors choose not to offer their body butters online during the summer for this very reason. Mail and UPS trucks can get extremely hot. So hot, that even firm lip balms have been known to melt during transit.  Another option you might consider, is to notify your customers of the danger of melting, and then let them choose, based on their local temperatures, whether or not to take the chance of ordering it during the summer.Does anyone else have tips for dealing with summer heat and melting products?  How do you protect your recipes when the weather heats up?  Share your experiences in the comments below.

Hey everyone, Well, the winter holidays are upon us here in the Northern hemisphere. For those of you in school, that means you’ve probably got some free time coming up. Why not use some of that to get going on the honorable project of learning to read classical texts of Chinese medicine? Sounds like fun to [...]Let’s learn Classical Chinese together : encouragement and an interview with Richard Goodman Related posts:Learn to read classical Chinese medical texts – special deal for Deepest Health readers What are the classical texts of Chinese medicine? What everyone should know about the perils of reading too much Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Hey everyone, I’m going to jump on the Podcast wagon again.  In this episode: Why am I doing a podcast AGAIN? Talking about starting a business To take insurance or not to take insurance : a one-sided debate It’s fun to use my microphone again Yes, I know one channel is almost silent – I’ll fix it next time, promise. If you [...]New and Improved Deepest Health Podcast – Ep 1 – Intro & Insurance Related posts:Deepest Health Classical Chinese Medicine Podcast 13 : Interview with Mark Silver concerning business in natural medicine Upcoming lectures for Chinese medicine students and practitioners in Portland * Attention natural medicine practitioners who (actually) want to be successful in business * Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Thai massage may be helpful for children with autism, according to a recently published report. The study involved 60 children between the ages three and 10, all of whom were autistic. For the study, all children received either Thai massage or sensory integration therapy for eight weeks. (An approach sometimes used in treatment of autism, sensory integration therapy aims to help regulate the patient's sensory responses. Many people with autism experience dysfunction in their sensory processing.) By the study's end, both treatment groups showed improvements in conduct problems and anxiety. In past studies, researchers have found that massage may also improve sleep, classroom concentration, and social interactions in people with autism. In Thai massage, the therapist uses his or her hands, knees, legs, and feet to move the client into yoga-like stretches. Typically regarded as a more rigorous and energizing than other types of massage, Thai massage is often used to reduce stress, boost circulation, and improve flexibility. Massage Therapy May Benefit Children with Autism originally appeared on About.com Alternative Medicine on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at 06:00:15.Permalink | Comment | Email this

A good night’s sleep is as important to good health, as a healthy diet and regular exercise. Insomnia can take its toll on people both physically and mentally. People with insomnia generally lead a low overall quality of life, compared to people who sleep well. Therefore, when given the option of a good alternative, majority of [...]

Which sector of your home is the Wealth Star in? Which sector of your home is the Illness Star in? Discover how to maximize your wealth, health and romance luck for 2010 in this article...

Choosing a good feng shui consultant involves the same search process you apply when looking for any professional, be it a doctor or a gardener. However, there is an added confusion factor here because feng shui is still somewhere in between ''kind of a weird thing" and "totally awesome" field that is often hard to define. Our feng shui forum recently had a very good question: "I have been looking for a good feng shui consultant but am confused by all the titles that people have specified. How do I choose a good feng shui consultant?" I would say the best way to define how good is the feng shui consultant is to ask what clients say about their work. Nothing new here. Basically, no matter what titles or words or schools are being used, the selection process is the same: look at the actual feedback and results. Read more Consultant Search: How Do I Find a Good Feng Shui Consultant for My Home? More : How Does One Become A Feng Shui Consultant? | Find a Consultant at The Feng Shui Forum | Join Us on Facebook | Read Feng Shui Case Studies | Photo: (c) Constantin Kammerer Stay up to date on feng shui by signing up for Rodika's weekly feng shui tips newsletter. Need help? Ask your question at the feng shui forum! Looking for a Feng Shui Consultant? originally appeared on About.com Feng Shui on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 00:11:09.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Q:I’m tempted to rearrange my childrens’ bedroom and there are 2 twin size beds and 1 crib in their room (I have 3 young boys). I found this site http://www.fengshuidiva.com/compass.html which describes several different positions in which relate to birth years and such. Do you follow a similar guide? How do you feel about this guide? Should I follow these bed positioning directions for my children? A: No, I don’t do this type of feng shui- this is black sect and its more “spiritual practice/astrology/numerology based”. What I do is Pyramid School, which is historically based, yet scientific and pragmatic. I gravitated toward this school beacuse 1. these older schools based on principles not adaptable to modern life without serious remodeling of cities! , 2. not everyone can relate to astrology and numerology 3. sometimes there is no wayto adapt these recommendations to a home even if you find them to be accurate. A few things I would keep in mind for this room as a start: functionally, you need to keep space around the crib to allow for easy access to your baby and this space will create a greater sense of safety and sanctity for everyone.  Installing infant-safe, child-safe window coverings (no blinds with pulleys, very safe, please research this carefully) to be able to control the light with an infant so close to the window is vital.  If light control is difficult, move the crib furthest from the window. Make sure that NONE of the beds have their feet directly facing the doorway (as it, if you walk in you are directly facing a child’s feet) - this will necessitate moving beds. take those very high up “nameplates” down. Swap them for colorful and visible wall vinyl, perhaps, that can be custom made by tons of people online (etsy is a great resource) that are visible and identifiable by the kids. Its REALLY important that the room is set up for the kids to engage in it safely.  Add SQUARES. Square pillows, artwork, patterns— all foster a sense of stability for young children And allow your young boys to chime in on their color preferences.  Pastels are often preferred in this age bracket…Spashes of orange are fantastic for young children as well.  Those are a few basics! Good luck & please send me pictures !!!!! 

By now, most of us have heard the term Feng Shui. In fact, these two words are often overused (and even misused). When applied correctly, however, this system is an ancient Chinese practice that can bring positive energy, peace and balance to any space.

Dan Graham’s Yin Yang Pavilion in Simmons Hall at MIT. I truth, I don’t really like it, but in the spirit of innovation, I will point out that the most unique piece of visual intrigue here is the S-curve of the yin/yang symbol. This swirling yin line is so rarely well-formed in modern architecture and, yet, so healthy for a high stress home.

People use feng shui decor suggestions to improve the energy in their homes and offices. The goal is to increase the flow of the positive energy and to eliminate or suppress the negative energy.

Star date 03-05-2010 Planet Earth… I decided to revisit my practice from the other day. However this time from a different mind set… When I teach Tai Chi class, we do stretching, then Chi Gong, then 5 -10 min of sitting meditation, then Tai Chi walk, then the form. I do not look at it as separate things, which they are, just one thing that lays the foundation for the next level. The same with the Shaolin/Mantis class. Stretching, Chi Gong, Zhan Zhung ( because we are outside), Tai Chi, then Basic drills, etc… again not separate things, just foundation for the next phase of training, the next level. I decided to run my today’s practice also as such. Not as an experiment of pieces, but as a whole unit like the other classes. I had RSD to myself today, not even the employees came around. No rain, but there was still a certain peacefulness. I started with some Stretches and motion Chan to warm up for sitting. Then I did sitting Chan ( Zazen) for 10-15 min. Today without a lot of thought about what I am feeling and taking that into Tai Chi. I  just did Tai Chi, with some extra thought to my breathing. Slow and deep breathes. I have not been feeling like I’m doing death enough breaths with Kyudo and that was also mentioned to me by the Sensei in LA when watching my video. Lastly I went into Renmei Tai Hai. Again with out a lot of thought on what I was gong to do, other than breathe deeper, stand taller, body alignment. I think the whole thing went pretty well. I felt comfortable throughout. I did found lot that I shoot better with Aluminum Ya than Bamboo. I also figured out why afterward. The Aluminum one are lighter, they bend with less pressure. I can see them bend so I lighten my hand, my grip. Therefore the release is smoother and they fly straighter. The bamboo is thicker, I can tell when I am holding it way too tight but not a little too tight. I’m learning little by little. Practice makes a Sho-Dan ( new mantra)…yosh. I think there is improvement, still needs some polish…what do you think? ok, a few day break from blogdom, at least here, maybe I will go sailing tomorrow, whoot. At least spend some time down on the boat. Change the oil, study Japanese. I’ll do that a lot next week  instead of blogging, practice and study. Mata ne!

The feng shui design of business logos, including business logo colors, is a very interesting feng shui application. No matter you do business with people you never meet in-person, or you own a shop on the busiest street and are in constant contact with your customers, the choice of colors, shapes, and images of your business visuals are best chosen with care. Some of the feng shui logo design color choices are really easy, but most require a bit of feng shui research. The first step in defining best colors and shapes for your logo is to define the feng shui element category of your business. Read more How To Define the Feng Shui Element Category of a Business More : Choose Best Colors for Your Business Logo | Feng Shui Tips for a Retail Store | Feng Shui in the Beauty Industry | Successful Health Club Feng Shui Tips | Photo: Steve Cole / Getty Images Stay up to date on feng shui by signing up for Rodika's weekly feng shui tips newsletter. Need help? Ask your question at the feng shui forum! Define the Feng Shui Element of a Business originally appeared on About.com Feng Shui on Thursday, March 4th, 2010 at 00:00:49.Permalink | Comment | Email this

By Elaine Giftos Wright http:/www.way2fengshui.com In creating a good feng shui bedroom, you can start by getting rid of everything you don't need. Removing clutter is essential for good feng shui. Give away, donate or throw out the things you don't need. You'll feel lighter and the energy will ...

An open door invites callers. –Turkish proverb One of the most frequent questions I am asked in my Tarot readings, is “When (or if) I will ever find my soul mate/true love/a happy marriage?” And the best answer for that, which the cards are so wonderful for helping people focus on, is – what do you offer such a person? I’ve been writing about how we can affect the energy in our “outer” lives by what the energy in our homes is like. Because whether we intend it or not, our homes are an energetic mirror of who we are, and like attracts like. This is the basic idea in feng shui, the Chinese art of placement, as well as countless other wisdom practices. So it would be wise to ponder what sort of message your home is sending to the Universe regarding your readiness for a lover in your life. A cramped, heavily perfumed apartment with wall-to-wall fragile porcelain dolls and chintz covering every surface may be fun and girly for you, but not so comfortable for most guys to stretch out in and feel relaxed. The bachelor pad covered in cheap posters, broken thrift store furniture, and floors cluttered with electronic gear and sports equipment may be fine if you’re fresh out of college and in your first apartment. But what kind of statement does this make about who you are, as an adult who is ready for a serious connection with someone special? According to feng shui, the three places in your home that have the strongest impact on your love life are your bedroom, the “Relationship Area,” and the space around your front door. The “Relationship Area” is determined based on which school of feng shui you are working with, and a number of other very personalized factors. So for now, I will simply say that if you would like to get a personal reading, in which a practitioner will develop your own individual ba-gua (a kind of feng shui grid for your home), there are many terrific feng shui experts available in most larger towns and cities. And there are also a number of very helpful books on the market that can walk you through the process on more general terms. Instead, let’s focus first on the front entrance and later, if you’d like, we’ll talk about the bedroom. (The same principles will apply for the Relationship Area, once you have determined where that is in your case). The main entrance to your home is called “the Mouth of Qi” in feng shui, because it has the strongest influence on how energy flows into your home. You can’t nourish your body without opening your mouth to eat. Similarly, your home can’t receive fresh, vital Qi if the front door is blocked with clutter or is rarely used. This will impact, not only your love life, but all the fortunes and energy for your home, and thus, your life. So take a long, honest look at your front door. When was the last time you used it? Is there clutter in the way? Peeling paint, or old dead plants sitting on the porch? Does it even open all the way? The front door is associated with opportunities. If you’ve been trying to meet someone new without success, getting rid of the junk around the front door and using that entry more often are good ways to shift that stuck energy. You may find that opportunities to connect with someone new begin to come to your attention more often, and that you are more likely to take advantage of them instead of feeling so tired you’d rather stay home. Or if you are already in a relationship, that cluttered front entry can be contributing to feelings of boredom and being stuck in a rut with each other.  Opening the front door more widely and frequently is a good way to breathe new life into a less-than-exciting romantic connection. Any door in your house that opens into a wall, instead of into free space will impede the energy flow. People in this situation often feel very stuck and as if they are constantly running into obstacles. If you can’t change how or where your doors open, a mirror can be placed on the wall opposite the door, so as to bring energy in. And do be sure to move any plants or tables that are behind your door out of the way, so that it can open wide, and is not constantly bumping into things. For this reflects how you open to and embrace life. Also, if the entry to your house is somehow confusing, and people never know which door to use, this can create some chaotic, confusing energy in your relationships, as well. You may find yourself involved with people who are fickle, or noncommittal. Want more?  If so, I’ll offer some more suggestions for how shifting the energy in your home can shift the energy in your life.  Let me know!

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Food of the Week: Cabbage

Can you please give me a list of foods that are high in soluble fiber?

Notice the beautiful new header! Thank you so much Wolf for the awesome portrait of me, my daughter Ella; Strong, Fiery, Deliberate, Wild pony! and my son Wyatt; Gentle, Smart, Happy, Spunky cub! Now would also be the perfect time to mention that Anima is offering some great new correspondence courses- check out their offerings here!In other news, look for more blog posts, updates on the herbal list, and a new course especially for Moms after the first of the year! The new course I am working on will be all about mothering; balance in the home, self care, inner work and setting the example (and herbal remedies!).In the meantime Ella's 3rd Birthday is coming up on the 21st! We will be having a small celebration at our home. I have been working on needle felting some handmade gifts of some of Ella's favorite animals, and Tony is working on a wood handmade play kitchen and play stand!Then the holidays are right around the corner!Blessings everyone!Subscribe in a reader

Join Herbalist, Nutritionist, and food lover, Darcey Blue French of Brighid's Well Herbs (www.brighidswellherbs.com), for a 6 week online intensive course on the energetics of food, true nourishment, nutrition, relationship with place and food, nutritional healing and more.March 15, 2010 - May 3, 2010*Learn about the ways traditional healing systems such as Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine see food energetics, and use food as healing tools on a day to day basis.* Explore your relationship with food, your body, what you eat and why.* Discover your natural physical constitution, and how you can use food to help you stay balanced.* Be prepared for a deep exploration of food and our relationship to it, this can be uncomfortable and emotional, as well as enlightening and sensual. Food is a deeply influential factor in our psyche, social interactions, and cultures. All students are expected to be sensitive to others and compassionate and respectful.*Appropriate for food enthusiasts & practitioners alike.*Very HANDS ON, expect to be preparing foods, meals and weekly assignments for the duration of the course. This is an EXPERIENTIAL class, not just book work. I will provide resources and readings, but the bulk of the work will require the actual preparation and consumption of food.* This is not a cooking how to class. You should feel comfortable cooking and working in your kitchen. There will be recipes and ideas shared during class discussion, and pointers and questions are always acceptable.*Requires access to e mail and the internet on a weekly basis. Class discussion is a part of the learning process. Arrangements may be available for those with limited access. Please inquire.Sliding scale $60-$80 per student, payable by check or paypal. Payment in installments is available by request.Please register by emailing Darcey at shamana.flora@gmail.com or calling 520 429 2654.About the Instructor:Darcey Blue French is an herbalist and food lover, who has over the years explored various ways of eating, interacting with food and preparing food. Educated as a Clinical Nutritionist at the North American Institute of Medical Herbalism in 2008, she has been in private practice since that time. She has experience in Ayurvedic Cooking, Vegetarian, Allergen Free, Primal/Paleo diets and the philosophies of Dr. Weston Price. Food is far more than fuel, and Darcey is passionate about food that not only nourishes the body, but also the spirit, and tastes wonderful too. She works closely with plants, both wild and cultivated that provide both food and medicine. She is an avid forager of wild foods, gardener of organic vegetables, and is passionate about local and sustainable food systems, and how our relationship with the land, nature and wilderness impacts our physical and spiritual health and wellbeing. She truly believes that one cannot separate the health of the people from the health of the ecosystem in which they live.

This months blog party is a fun and unusual one in which all these amazing herb folk will explore and share with us their favorite morning beverages and ritual drinks, ranging from the morning cup of joe, to herbal creations and anything in between, it is sure to be a feast worth waking up for!! Hosted by Tansy at Dancing in a field of tansyMost mornings I fix myself a nice cup of really fine chinese tea. I'm lucky to live within walking distance to Seven Cups Tea House in Tucson, AZ. There I purchase the finest imported chinese and some japanese teas I've ever tasted, smokey puer tea, to bright floral jasmine pearls, to chinese herbal combinations like Eight Treasures Tea. My favorites though are the oolongs, which land somewhere between green and black in flavor, but have a depth and capacity for unique flavors that I just love. My favorite of late has been the Golden Water Turtle Oolong. Here's the description from Seven Cups."This medium roasted tea has a strong dark chocolate aroma but sweet floral aftertaste and flavor that never goes bitter. Compared to other medium roasted tea, which have a heavy concentrated taste, Shui Jin Gui gives you a clean slippery feeling that allows you to appreciate the character of this bush. A story tells of exceptional tea bushes cultivated by monks living high on the slopes of WuYi Shan. A torrential storm washed a few of these cliff-dwelling bushes down onto another farmer's land. The monks wanted the bushes back but the farmer refused. The local court decided in favor of the farmer claiming natural forces had favored him. The bushes grow on two square meters with a constant stream of water following through resembling a turtle thus the name "Water Turtle" was given to these bushes. Although there are still three original bushes remaining, no tea is picked because of the age of the bushes. All Shui Jin Gui was cultivated from these original bushes."My other favorite cup of tea for morning wake up in a simple green gen maicha, with toasted brown rice. Simple, delicious and suits me perfectly, it never needs sweetening and that toasty flavor lends a heartiness and warmth that green tea alone doesn't quite manage.But on the days when a cup of tea doesn't cut it, I mean those mornings when I have to be up and at work at 5 am long before the sun is up, I resort to something slightly more stimulating, and more creative! My famous ChocaMacaMateLatte!The variations on this are endless, and I come up with something new almost every time I make some, but the the basics are thus:1 qt jar2-3 tbsp mate leaves (how strong do you like the flavor and the buzz?)1 tbsp maca powder1-2 tbsp Cocoa powderMilk, cream or non dairy milk of choice. I use almond most often, but coconut is extra creamy and yummy.Honey to your taste.Mix all the ingredients, and pour hot boiled water over the whole mess, top with your milk of choice. Stir well, and grab a bombilla and a lid and go! Clearly this is a buzz buzz buzz of a drink, with two sources of caffiene, mateine, theobromine and numerous other stimulating alkaloids, but the maca powder really smooths out that buzz, makes it last much longer, evens out the plateau, and helps prevent a caffiene crash. I never feel jittery from this combination, but your mileage may vary. More or less mate, milk, or maca may influence your experience, and I definately vary the proportions depending on my morning.Often times I'll turn this into something of a chai latte with the addition of cardamom, ( which an ayurvedic practitioner once told me protects the adrenals from the caffiene), cinnamon, ginger, black pepper and clove. Or some extra cocoa and some chile powder. Sometimes I throw in some tulsi leaves, or some orange peels. Sometimes I even drop a scoop of coconut oil into the jar for extra goodness.I definately don't reccomend this as a regular every day drink, but it is yummilicious and works better for me than coffee when I need some even and long lasting energy without the jitters!

Please join me for an evening exploring the world of the plant spirits. Learn about communicating with and understanding the messages and guidance the plants have for us, and using the plants as spiritual healing allies. We will use various techniques to guide us into the ways of the plant spirits, including drum journey, plant essences, sensory experience, and plant oracles. No experience necessary, this circle is open to all, regardless of experience with plants, herbalism or shamanism. We will explore and experience the plants together. We will delve deeply in how to approach and use plant spirit medicine as a healing tool for yourself and loved ones, including how to prepare plant essences, work with plant spirits in journey work, medicine bags, oracles and more.This workshop is offered by Spirit Guided Donation.Oct 23 2009 @ 6:30pmNov 5 2009 @6:30 pmOffered at the Healing Cave @The Institute for the Shamanic ArtsWoman Kraft Art Center388 S. Stone AveTucson, AZ 85701

Kids and Herbs is Live! This is what I have been working on for the past few months! This is why the blog has been so slow! Only so much time with 2 little ones!There is tons of info and over 7 hours of instruction!This was so much fun!Kids and Herbs- a naturally simple course for parents herbalist Angie Goodloe The coolest part of this is for one week only, Kimberly and John Gallagher the creators of Wildcraft are giving away a FREE Wildcraft game with the course! The launch is at 9 am PST this morning!We had so much fun creating this course. I have to thank John Gallagher, L.Ac., CCH from herbmentor and learning herbs for all of the work he put into this, as well as putting up with my TOTAL ignorance when it comes to technology!If you are not a member of the learning herbs email list, and you have not heard about this course, you can check out the details HERE (plus learn how to make Elderberry syrup just in time for flu season!). If you love herbs you should definitely sign up for the learning herbs list, the offer free recepies and videos, all about herbs and health- it is an awesome resource!Subscribe in a reader

I want to invite you to the ACHS 4th Annual Herb Day Celebration this Friday, October 9. Come join us from 11 am to 3 pm to learn more about using herbs with children, antioxidants and herbs for the immune system, and an introduction to traditional Chinese medicine.To RSVP, please call 503-244-0726 The ACHS Campus is located in John's Landing at:5940 SW Hood AvenuePortland, OR 97239You'll hear from Master Herbalist Angela Goodloe, Herbalist and Aromatherapist Amanda Lattin, and ACHS & Acupuncturist Scott Stuart.Schedule for the day: 11:00-12:00: Introduction & Welcome and Overview of ACHS Holistic Health Programs with ACHS Dean of Admissions Tracey Miller and Senior Admissions Advisor Chris Fierro.12:00-1:00: Herbs and Children with Angela Goodloe, MH Angie will be discussing creative ways for parents to incorporate herbal remedies into their everyday lives at home. Examples of safe and effective herbal remedies to include in your home apothecary, how to prepare them, and their uses will be discussed. Fun and creative ways to include your child in the process as well as approaches to holistic healing in the home will also be discussed.1:00-2:00: Basic Concepts in Traditional Chinese Medicine:Qi, Yin & Yang and the Five Elements with ACHS Instructor Scott Stuart, L.Ac.Scott will provide an overview of basic concepts in traditional Chinese medicine as well as present information about a few herbs from the traditional Chinese medicine perspective.2:00-3:00: Herbs and Antioxidants with Herbalist and Amanda Lattin, BA, MA, Dip.Aroma, MHHerbs and antioxidants - what are antioxidants and what do they do for and against the body. This lecture will include herbal sources of antioxidants and how their actions can help aid the immune system. Amanda will also discuss why these herbs are important at this time of the year.Subscribe in a reader