This is a great article about approaching a common ailment from a holistic perspective.
Many people are diagnosed with osteoarthritis and given the impression that this is just how it is from now on, they need to learn to live with the discomfort and should probably expect it to grow worse over time.
Nonsense!
Arthritis might not have a cure at this point in time, but there is so much we can do to support our joints and decrease inflammation.
Sadly the medical system is not promoting the necessary lifestyle changes that allow this to happen.
“It is what it is, and that’s that” seems to be the official response. How fatalistic and thoroughly inaccurate.
Total poppycock!
How you use, misuse or overuse your body matters! Your stress levels and diet matter. If you’re willing to address these factors, there’s a great likelihood that you can diminish pain and restrictions to mobility.
Naturally, I’m partial to gentle bodywork and energy healing as strategies for repair, although they aren’t mentioned in the article. The author teaches a form of movement re-education called Somatics that I find beneficial as well.
The important question is… are you willing to do things differently to have a different experience?
This is a great article about approaching a common ailment from a holistic perspective. Many people…
Just a few clicks and you can have a lovely gift for Mom. It’s a win-win-win situation- easy for you, an exquisite experience and lasting memory for her, and a joy for me to be a part of the tradition of honoring mothers.
Use the code MOMS10 at checkout to save 10% on any gift certificate or 5 session remote Reiki package.
Just a few clicks and you can have a lovely gift for Mom. It’s a win-win-win…
Aromatherapy is finally here!!
I’ve been testing and sniffing and consulting with a colleague and master aromatherapist about creating delightful essential oil blends.
They are each designed to evoke a particular physiological and emotional outcome AND smell divine.
Choose from one of the four mixes and elevate your healing experience.
Calm: lavender, bergamot, and frankincense
Ground: spruce, sweet orange, and vetiver
Uplift: tangerine, cypress, and petitgrain
Balance: lemongrass, rosemary, and geranium
Some medical conditions don’t pair well with these oils- they are pretty potent medicine and need to be treated with respect. It’s important that you share any conditions or if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, with your therapist.
The special for May is a free upgrade with a 90-minute Reiki-massage if scheduled by May 31, 2024.
Prepare yourself for a next-level healing experience! I hope to offer this as an add-on for all appointment types in the future, but for now the 90-minute combo is the way to go.
Aromatherapy is finally here!! I’ve been testing and sniffing and consulting with a colleague and master…
I spent a lovely hour in the woods the other morning. It’s pure therapy for me to be outside amongst my tree friends. Today I visited a tributary of the creek and found it to be rushing instead of its usual trickle.
We’ve had abundant rain lately, along with occasional flooding of major thoroughfares and copious mud puddles. A bit more dramatic than usual, but isn’t that the way things have been?
While I was enjoying the fresh air, the sounds and beauty of nature and the sunshine, I realized that this little waterway was a reflection of what I’m sensing in life.
Things are really moving fast these days! Perhaps it’s the energy of Aries, where assortment of heavenly bodies are currently clustered, the effects of the recent eclipse, or… well, who knows exactly, but I’m guessing you’ve felt it too.
What really popped out on my walk, though, was that the water flows fastest where the creek bed is narrow. In the places where it widens out, the water slows and becomes more leisurely.
This was one of those ding-ding-ding moments where something that seems completely obvious clicks into place in a deeply satisfying way.
If I want to enjoy the benefits of these quickly moving currents, focusing my attention on where I want to go AND how I can surrender to the flow will amplify my efforts.
It’s the combination of using the power of my intention combined with riding the natural energies that will yield the greatest results. I can choose to narrow my focus and feel like I’m kayaking through the rapids or I can diffuse my focus and feel like it’s a lazy, slow inner tube float.
Both are necessary for me in my personal life and business, but different goals call for different methods.
If you’re finding the flow to be too fast, too activating, maybe even overwhelming, zoom out and place your attention on the bigger picture. It’s likely your nervous system is all riled up and could use some soothing, but you can’t really feel that when you’re riding the rapids.
Likewise, narrowing your focus might help you to catch a lift on those rushing currents and bring some excitement and inspiration into your efforts.
I chose the latter and found myself being carried by exciting inspiration. I have some new services brewing, a potential collaboration for a new workshop and a new blog: A Soul’s Journey, found on Substack.
The cool thing about Substack is that it’s reader-supported rather than ad-supported, and I’ve made most posts available for free while offering twice-monthly guided practices for paid subscribers. If you’re interested in exploring the spiritual realm with me, I hope you’ll join us over there.
And if you’re interested in staying up to date on events and services I offer, please join my monthly newsletter.
And if you’re interested in receiving a session, I would delighted to work with you, no matter if you’re wanting to go narrow and fast, or wide and slow.
I spent a lovely hour in the woods the other morning. It’s pure therapy for me…
Yowza. I’m hearing a lot of reports from folks who are feeling daunted by the next phase of their healing journeys. It seems a lot of wounds and imbalances are coming to the surface; while this can be quite uncomfortable, it’s better than having them festering beneath the surface preparing for sneak attack.
If you’re feeling this way, know that you aren’t alone.
Whether it’s taking that first step or leveling up, overwhelm might be an unwelcome companion on this trip. There’s so much information out there, it’s hard to know what is relevant for you and where the heck to begin.
Misaligned habits, unprocessed trauma, limiting beliefs, cultural conditioning, suppressed emotions, dysfunctional relationships, unhealthy environments, outdated coping mechanisms, and chronic stress can all contribute to lack of wellness. To make it extra-interesting, many of these factors get tangled together and it can be difficult to trace to their origins.
It can be A LOT!
And… all journeys begin with just the first step. In my experience, managing stress is a wise place to start. Stress affects all of our bodily systems- digestion (gut health, we are learning, is the cornerstone to wellness), mental/emotional state (another cornerstone), quality of sleep (yup, this too!), cardiovascular capacity (need I say it?) and detoxification (mmhmm…) in particular.
By addressing chronic stress, we can free up life-force energy from perpetual survival state functioning and allow it to support the body’s innate healing abilities.
I’m not talking about a tropical vacation or meditation retreat or retirement. While that might be the route that you choose, it’s possible to learn to metabolize the effects of stress rather than avoiding it altogether through a complete lifestyle makeover (again, that may be for you, but don’t freak out if it isn’t!).
When I feel overwhelm bubbling up and my shoulders creeping up to my ears, I find moving my body to be a miraculous remedy. A few songs spent dancing (or thrashing!) about my living room can work wonders. Deep breathing, being in nature, expressing my thoughts and feelings (within the safe confines of my journal), singing, chanting, time spent on a creative project, laughter, and Reiki are all elements that help me manage the stress of the world.
Now you might read that as an assignment and think, well how in the world am I going to do all of that?
Good news! You don’t need to do it all. Choose one thing and start there. I’ve been at this for decades, and my healthy habits have accumulated over that time, bit by bit, but I started with just one thing.
One strategy is to choose the action that will have the biggest impact.
For me, that’s Reiki, a powerful but gentle healing energy that grounds me and activates the physiological antidote to stress.
Another strategy is to choose the easiest thing to implement as that will build your sense of accomplishment and encourage progress.
For me that’s also Reiki! How easy is it to absorb healing energy?
Your circumstances are obviously different than mine, but I feel confident that there’s something you can do today that will help. Ten conscious, deep breaths. A walk around the block. Watching a silly cat video. Calling a friend who knows how to listen.
It doesn’t need to be perfect, and it needn’t be the solution to all your problems. Just one thing that helps you feel calm in the moment. Just give it a try!
And if you want some Reiki healing deposited in your wellness account or some soothing bodywork, that’s what I’m here for! Book a session and I’ll do the work and you can sit back and receive.
And subscribe to this blog! I share lots of tips and tricks about holistic wellness, monthly specials and metaphysical tools. On most devices, the button to subscribe is found on the lower right corner.
Yowza. I’m hearing a lot of reports from folks who are feeling daunted by the next…
Spring has definitely sprung here in Philly! It’s a great time for clearing out any energy that might have gotten blocked or stagnant over the winter.
To support this spring cleaning and the challenging energies that many are facing, I’ve decided to keep the five package remote Reiki special rolling for another month. Goodness knows, lots of people can use lots of healing energy at this time.
Reiki is an infusion of spiritually-guided life-force energy that fosters relaxation and relieves stress and pain, stimulating the body’s innate healing abilities and freeing us up to pursue our goals.
This is a holistic healing treatment that addresses the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and energetic bodies. It brings our beings into balance and helps align us with our passion and purpose.
Remote treatments are received from the comfort of your own space for maximum impact, minimum effort. We have a short phone call to clarify your needs, then disconnect so I can focus on the treatment. Afterwards, I follow up with an email, sharing any pertinent information.
Shedding old skins, cultural conditioning, limiting belief systems, outdated coping mechanisms, releasing trauma, poor self-worth and ancestral healing are all UP these days. Reiki can help get things moving where they’d been stuck and give us the energy we need to keep going in the face of adversity.
For those of us in any kind of transition (divorce, moving, menopause, having kids, kids growing up, grieving loss), those who are beginning a new project and those who are burning the candle at both ends, some extra support and nourishment can make a huge difference. If your energy is depleted, stagnant, stuck, stale or altogether missing, Reiki can fill up the tank.
5 session packages are $400 when purchased through the end of April and good for an entire year. That’s a $100 savings compared to the one-off price and $50 less than the usual five package rate.
Spring has definitely sprung here in Philly! It’s a great time for clearing out any energy…
Another great talk from Tosha Silver.
If you’re too busy to listen for 10 minutes, here’s what I want you to know.
Believing that giving is better than receiving is like thinking exhaling is more important/righteous/spiritual than inhaling.
NOT sustainable!
And a recipe for depletion, burnout or even illness.
I see it in my Reiki practice all the time. People will allow themselves a session to receive compassion, attention and healing energy when everything falls apart and they just can’t go one more step on their own but won’t come in for feel-good or even preventative care.
They’ll let me fill up their tank and then they’ll go give, give, give, scraping the bottom of the barrel giving the last crumb kind of give, wait another 2 months until they can’t get out of bed, and then contact me.
Can you relate? If you’re reading this, I bet you can!
Tosha offers a simple prayer: Turn me into one who can receive as well as give. 💕
You can start rewriting your story and become a balanced giver/receiver no matter how entrenched you are in the old narrative.
And if you want some Reiki support, I’m happy to comply. I can tap into the universal supply and share it with you in a session- either in my Philly office or a remote session where you don’t have to get dressed or go to yet another appointment.
Another great talk from Tosha Silver. If you’re too busy to listen for 10 minutes, here’s…
I’m delighted to announce some in-person classes coming soon! Both will be held in my Mt. Airy (a neighborhood of Philadelphia) studio. Space is limited, registration is required.
Anyone can learn Reiki! You don’t need any special psychic skills or healing abilities. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never meditated or eaten kale, if you don’t practice yoga or wear crystal jewelry or baggy pants.
If you’re open to new ideas and want to actively participate in cultivating the optimal health and vitality available to you, this is your way in.
My passion is helping ordinary, busy folks find their own unique path on the healing journey. I endeavor to make energy healing as accessible and doable as possible. You can cultivate a daily routine if you enjoy structure and/or practice on the go if you prefer freedom and spontaneity.
During class, you’ll receive an attunement (the initiation provided by a Reiki Master) which will gently open your energy pathways and connect you to this healing energy.
Afterwards, you’ll be able to effortlessly tap into Reiki and direct it at will. Whenever you want! Lifetime access without any membership fees.
If you’re interested in learning how to use Reiki exclusively for your personal wellness, healing, empowerment and personal or spiritual development, Reiki for Self-Care will provide all that you need to get started.
If you’re interested in offering treatments to others or perhaps become a professional practitioner, Reiki 1 is your starting point. We cover everything in the Self-Care course plus how to give a session to friends, family and pets.
I’m delighted to announce some in-person classes coming soon! Both will be held in my Mt.…
2023 was a doozy of a year for me. Low back pain, which I had managed (mostly) successfully for decades, flared up, an old knee injury returned with vengeance, and I developed menopausal frozen shoulder.
It was A LOT.
As you might imagine, my daily life and mobility were severely impacted. What was surprising to me is that my go-to remedies were largely ineffective, and often exacerbated the pain.
Walking for more than 12 minutes became problematic. The one time I tested this limit, my low back and hip seized, leaving me on the sidewalk deep breathing for several minutes until I was able to slowly hobble back home. It was quite the humbling experience.
Even the gentlest yoga often triggered discomfort the next day. This frustrated me to no end- I didn’t ever do anything that hurt in the moment, but still experienced consequences afterwards.
I tried several other therapies with similar results.
And then I decided to just stop. I was going to rest and give my body time to heal. Over the course of the next six months, I was largely sedentary. As you might imagine, this wasn’t a terrific solution either. I began to lose range of motion EVERYWHERE.
Reiki kept me company through this challenging period. It provided the insight that this… episode was part of my soul’s journey. I became immersed in this revelation so much so that a new blog, A Soul’s Journey, emerged as a means to share my story.
Daily infusions of healing energy helped me to see the beliefs that were untenable and misaligned with my life purpose. I was blocking support (low back), resistant to stepping into the next phase of my life (knee) and carrying burdens that were not mine (shoulder).
I was hanging on to patterns and identities that prevented me from being fully present in each moment and clinging to coping mechanisms that ranged from outdated to destructive.
I learned a lot during this period, and I think that was the whole point. AND I still desired to be able to move more freely in addition pursuing this spiritual growth.
Somewhere along the way, my yearning for movement that wouldn’t trigger pain pointed me towards Gyrokinesis, a movement therapy I’d discovered when I lived in California. I looked for a local teacher in Philly and was unable to find an accessible, affordable solution.
I turned to the internet and found a teacher offering online classes. Skeptical that I would be able to follow the nuances of this technique via a screen, my desperation won out and I gave it a try.
Since you might not know, “The Gyrokinesis Method is a movement method that addresses the entire body, opening energy pathways, stimulating the nervous system, increasing range of motion, and creating functional strength through rhythmic, flowing movement sequences. This method coordinates movement, breath and mental focus.”
I was delighted that I enjoyed the classes and felt no pain afterwards. My mobility began to return and now I can actually turn around to back up the car safely. I’m noticing a difference in my feet, legs and pelvis when I stand and realized that I’m still carrying patterns leftover from a dismal experience with bilateral plantar fasciitis 12 years ago! The pain in my feet went away, but I was still clenching and holding tension in the same ways I did to walk when every step hurt.
I addition to recommending Gyrokinesis wholeheartedly, particularly for anyone dealing with chronic pain, I’d like to give Non a round of applause. She’s incredible! She has a vast understanding of anatomy and physiology, a clear and imaginative way of communicating the exercises while simultaneously demonstrating them. She does so graciously and gracefully without ever making me feel like a bull in a china shop and manages to position herself on camera so we can see what’s happening.
This is a skill set that is quite rare! Having knowledge and being able to share it clearly and compassionately is practically unheard of; doing it via Zoom is a mastery that should be shouted from the rooftops.
Luminous Heart Reiki & Massage 