Sharing the Love 2015

Happy Chinese New Year — 2015! We bid farewell to the powerful year of the Horse in mid-February and usher in the “Year of the Ram” in Asian astrology. It is also called the year of the goat or sheep.

We are in the heart of winter which is an introverted time energetically in our bodies. It is natural to feel like hibernating, given the lack of sunlight and cold weather. If you can, a tropical vacation is ideal this time of year. I have fond memories of my first trip to the Caribbean last June. So much beauty of the natural surrounds, rain forest, jaguars and toucans and such pure unpolluted waters to swim in is so restoring and healing. Weather we can get to the clean greens of the rain forest and turquoise waters of the Caribbean or just walk by our lovely San Gabriel river and park, it is very important to get outside, go to a gym,dance or otherwise stay active and keep the circulation going.

Cardio exercise helps create new capillaries and get more oxygen in to the cells and toxins out, plus we feel better! Pain in Chinese medicine indicates a stagnation of the energy called Qi and the Blood. However, as my Qi Gong master said, the heart is the commander of the Qi, in the sense that the emotions when happy and balanced allow the qi to flow more smoothly and we are more harmonious in all systems when our emotions are balanced. Acupuncture and herbs help a lot with this. I often work with and have treated various emotional problems and PTSD with acupuncture and oriental medicine.If you know someone needing help the right combination of a good therapist and alternative medicine can really help many people that could get hooked on medications but want to find alternate ways. We can help.

As temperatures yo-yo around this time of year, please remember to keep up your immune system. I have a combination of things that help with that, including acupuncture and herbs. Be sure to cover your head and wear a scarf to avoid catching a cold – this is referred to as wind invasion in Chinese medicine. Also, make sure to get lots of vitamins C and D and keep up your fluids. We can keep your system in harmony through acupuncture, so come pay us a visit, especially when you are feeling sick! I attended a continuing education conference last week and gathered more information on treatments for allergy and ear, nose and throat disorders as well as some aromatherapy classifications and uses as per TCM(Traditional Chinese Medicine).

In the not too distant past, people went to bed around sunset and woke up with the sun. Think back to a time before electricity, the pace of life was much slower. No TVs, computers, phones. The instinct to rest more may be a good one to honor, so listen to your body. Go to sleep earlier and cook nourishing winter foods.

The ruling element for this season is water, and the corresponding acupuncture organs are the kidneys and urinary bladder. Here is a quick reminder about The 5 Elements in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The flavor of this element is salty. Some foods naturally have sodium, and there are various kinds of salts that you can add to your food. Recipes with seaweeds are an excellent way to get minerals and are nutrient rich. It might not taste good at first, but once you think about the health benefits, your body will acquire a taste for it.

The kidneys in TCM relate with the water element and the bladder, but also correspond to bones and teeth. When the bones need extra help, and this is a good time of year for this, we can make Bone Broth. Eating liver as your mother used to tell you can be one way for those that are blood deficient which is a pre-anemic state in Chinese medicine. Those who already are juicing congrats, you are going to have clearer skin and healthy colon, and more energy and more even emotions! Green juices are such a good way to get nutrients. I suggest juicing beets and greens and berries into smoothies so look into getting a Blend Tech or Vitamix. I advocate a mostly veggie diet, but realize that some seafood, eggs and grass fed meats can make the body feel more balanced and build the blood faster. In the Year of the Ram, think grazing, peaceful, easy going or you can be stubborn and stand for what is good for you!

NEW CLASS – A new Yoga Gong forming due to demand! This is a relaxing combination of yoga and qi gong with gentle movements, stretching, breath exercise and meditation. Please message me at qitogo4u@gmail.com with days that are best for you. Monday or Tuesday 5:30 or maybe Sunday 5:00. Let me know! I also need location ideas. When the weather is nice, San Gabriel is wonderful, but we need a large floor space that is centrally located for when the weather is bad. Let’s aim for mid-March. Please commit to a month of classes. By donation if I find a free location, if not, there will be a fee.

YOGA RETREAT – The 3HO Khalsa Women’s Retreat in Galveston Friday March 27 – Sunday March 29. Spots may fill quickly, so contact Gurugian Khalsa at gurugiank@gmail.com. If anyone wants to drive together, let me know.

MEDITATION RETREAT – I am planning for a small group meditation retreat April 18 – 20 or May 2-4 (Saturday-Monday). Please message me if you are interested in a beach retreat either of these weekends and I can line up a place to stay. I am familiar with Port Aransas.

DRUM CIRCLE GEORGETOWN – The next drum circle with be on the Spring (Vernal) Equinox Saturday March 21st 3-6 PM. Tea and Drumming at the San Gabriel Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 1322 East University Avenue, across from SWU on the corner of Hutto St. and Hwy 29. Join us for a fun, energizing and uplifting experience. We take breaks to enjoy Chai Yogi Tea and snacks. Feel free to bring a snack and drum. We have some to share, if not.

**!!** DO YOU HAVE MEDICAL INSURANCE THAT COVERS ACUPUNCTURE? I am in the process of becoming listed with insurance companies on their provider list, but meanwhile, we can accept PPO insurance from some companies. I can now check to verify your coverage. I have a massage therapist that is available here now, but there is limited availability. That will be able to be billed to your insurance company as well.

Many policies are starting to cover acupuncture, so ask me to check you insurance during your next visit. We continue to accept your Health Savings account cards, as well.

If you haven’t seen me in over 3 months, I am extending my Valentine’s coupon of $10 off to St. Pat’s Day March 17.

Remember, we also have gift certificates, so pick one up at your next visit!