For thousands of years, the Chinese have practiced T’ai Chi, an ancient Chinese movement therapy. T’ai Chi is a meditative form of exercise, utilizing deep, regular breathing in sequences of graceful movements to help increase energy, calm the mind and promote self-healing. Originally developed in China as a martial art, the original Yang long form of T'ai Chi enhances the flow of vital energy through a series of slow movements, controlled breathing and a focused mind. T'ai Chi enhances blood circulation, reduces stress, and improves physical conditioning and mental clarity. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH: New T'ai Chi research studies from China and the U.S. support multiple health benefits. Outcomes include decreased heart rate and lowered blood pressure and anxiety.

113009 Belly Laughter as Healing

Norman Cousins' seminal book, Anatomy of an Illness, was first published in 1976. People thought he was over-the-edge at the time when he reported that laughter, which he induced by watching slapstick comedies, for example, helped him deal with a painful illness.

"Ten minutes of solid belly laughter would give me two hours of pain-free sleep."

"Since my illness involved severe inflammation of the spine and joints, making it painful even to turn over in bed, laughter became a significant feature of my treatment," he later wrote in a 1989 article for Psychology Today, after the Journal of the American Medical Association published research affirming that laughter could be healing.

"At that time, little was known about the ability of the human brain to produce secretions with morphine-like molecules – endorphins and enkephalins," he wrote. "Looking back now, I realize that laughter probably played a part in activating the release of endorphins."

His article went on to list all the validations for using laughter to combat physical and mental illness, including the finding by psychiatrist William Fry of Stanford Medical School that 10 seconds of vigorous laughter could double the heart rate as well as 10 minutes of strenuous rowing.

Some say that the flu begins in the intestines. Some say that the gut is a second brain. The digestive system is important to whole health, and its importance is frequently overlooked. Intestinal problems can lead to chronic problems, such as premature aging, poor eyesight, memory loss, acne, wrinkles, as well as degenerative disease, heart troubles, diabetes and cancer. A toxic colon can cause malabsorption of food and lead to nutritional deficiencies. The toxins spread into the blood and lymph via osmosis, and clog organs. Built up toxins that could have been eliminated by the colon are then discharged by the kidneys, liver, or lungs, which causes extra work for those organs.

Digestive enzymes can help heal the digestive system. The body produces digestive enzymes and they can also be found in plants. The body’s digestive enzymes break down under stress.
Plant enzymes are found in raw food.. Food cooked at temperatures over 180 degrees no longer contain enzymes, as heating or steaming destroys them, however, freezing foods does not. Microwaves also destroy enzymes.

Better digestive health leads to better absorption of nutrients from food. With better digestion, the amount of extra vitamins can be reduced, as proper assimilation will reduce the cost of vitamin supplementation.

Pets can enjoy the therapeutic effects of aromatherapy as much as humans can. Aside from possibly eliminating bad odors and giving your pet a pleasant perfume, essential oils also serve many practical functions such as boosting your pet's immune system, fighting off bacteria and viruses, preventing the growth of yeasts and molds and repelling insects. Aromatherapy is used by enthusiasts, groomers and pet salons to treat mild ailments such as skin inflammations, itchy skin ear infections, rashes, bad breath, flatulence and motions sickness. Psychologically, certain oils also have a calming or relaxing effect on animals. For example lavender oil not only helps kitties repel insects but it also makes them feel sleepy or content. Roman chamomile can be used to treat an ear infection as well as soothe the nerves of a dog in pain. However before you attempt to use aromatherapy on your own pets, keep in mind that essential oils are always diluted before they are applied to a pet's skin or sprayed on their coat. Almond oil, olive oil and jojoba oil are common base oils to which a few drops of the essential oil is added. Usually all that is needed is about one ounce of the base oil combined with two to three drops of the essential oil.

An important part of healing is learning to listen to your inner voice. . An illness may be the start of a discovery of journeying into real health. Many of our illnesses are stress related that put a great strain on our body causing many symptoms. Creating balance in your life and having your systems work in harmony with each other is important to having to have a health mind and body. For more information on getting balanced call or email us on our contact page.

072109 Stop Your Sweet Cravings Fast with Pink Grapefruit Essential Oil

Pink Grapefruit essential oil - Latin, Citrus paradisi - cold pressed from the rind of the fruit is a cleansing and revitalizing tonic. The bright, crisp aroma of this essential oil energizes and uplifts your spirit. Pink Grapefruit is known to stop your food cravings, especially for sweets. If you need assistance with weight loss or weight management give pink grapefuit a try or call us for free weight consultation!

The debate about whether the chicken or the egg came first has had some steep competition in recent years—what’s to blame for the obesity epidemic in America? Some experts say it’s genetics, some say environmental chemicals are to blame, others say it’s our slothful lifestyle filled with hours of television and video games. But Australian researchers say the rise in obesity is due almost entirely to overeating, and they have the numbers to prove it.

“This study demonstrates that the weight gain in the American population seems to be virtually all explained by eating more calories. It appears that changes in physical activity played a minimal role"

113009 Belly Laughter as Healing

072109 Stop Your Sweet Cravings Fast with Pink Grapefruit Essential Oil