The Year of the Rabbit

The Chinese New Year is on January 22nd, 2023 and we’ll be welcoming in the Year of the Rabbit. While the Year of the Tiger in 2022 focused on dynamic growth and strength, the Year of the Rabbit brings more yin energy and much more gentle touch.

The Year of the Rabbit invites us to find ways to maintain calmness and ease and work smarter, not harder. It is a time of quiet, a time of hope and a time to be contemplative. We will invite more balance into our lives in the Year of the Rabbit.

Rabbits are also agile and adaptable, so remaining flexible is key. The rabbit’s fluid nature and quiet confidence will allow any challenges to be solved with ease and grace. Rabbits are also social, so take time to invest in new relationships and friendships. Bonds with loves ones will deepen throughout the year.

The Year of the Rabbit has peaceful, fertile energy and is a perfect time to reflect and bring more harmony into your life.

Happy New Year!

Holiday Self-Care Hacks

The Holiday Season is a time to connect with loved ones and celebrate the simple joys of life. But, by the time the end of December rolls around, most of us are feeling so depleted and exhausted that we end up limping through the Holidays feeling resentful and totally burnt out.

We've put together Simple Self-Care Hacks to help you feel strong, vibrant and present as you gather with family & friends over the holiday season, without adding one more arduous task to your list. When you carve out a little time for your own self-care regularly, you'll prevent a total burnout.

Splash Cold Water on Face - Exposing your body to cold activates the vagus nerve, slowing down your breathing and heart rate and moving you into a into a parasympathetic mode, signaling your brain and body to relax.

Massage - Massaging any part of the body is great for rest and relaxation, (don’t we know it!), but massage of the feet in particular stimulates the vagus nerve, activating your parasympathetic nervous system and promoting deep relaxation. Book a Reflexology session for the ultimate healing experience, or simply massage the bottom of your own feet to stimulate the vagus nerve and decrease stress.

Gargle - Gargling for 30 seconds or more will stimulate your vagus nerve, triggering a relaxation response in the body and increasing your overall stress resistance. Gargle with water after you brush your teeth or grab our Sinus + Allergy Throat Gargle to ward off a host of allergy and sinus related issues, while stimulating your vagus nerve.

Sip Warm Water and Tea- Even mild dehydration will have an effect on your cognitive function. In addition, a lack of water will over work your kidneys, causing your blood pressure to rise. Your hydration is directly connected to how vibrant you feel. Grab a portable container, fill it up with warm water or tea and sip, sip, sip away all day long!

Support Your Adrenals - Dealing with prolonged periods of stress can impair our adrenals leading to exhaustion and burnout. Provide your adrenals with the minerals it needs for optimal function with a delicious Adrenal Cocktail.

Suck in the Fresh Air - Nature is absolutely fuel for the soul. Numerous psychology studies have linked exposure to nature with increased energy and a heightened sense of well-being. With the colder temperature and shorter days, people are more apt to retreat to their couch than to bundle up and head outdoors, but even 10 minutes of exposure a day will significantly boost vitality levels. So, bundle up and suck in some fresh air.

Mindful Breathing - Reaping the benefits of deep breathing does not have to be fancy. Try taking 10 deep breaths when you're taking your morning shower. Or, practice your belly breathing when you hit a red light. Even a few mindful, deep breaths can completely revitalize you.

Minimize the Sugar Intake - We all know sugar wreaks havoc on our bodies. It does a job on our liver, our adrenals and taxes our nervous system, leaving us completely depleted. Try to make conscious choices through the Holiday Season and limit your sugar and alcohol intake. If need be, eat a protein rich snack before the party so you're less tempted to fuel up on junk.

Don't have time for a Bath? Soak your Feet - Grab a plastic tub or bucket, fill with warm water, a cup of Epsom salts and even a few drops of your favorite essential oil if you have on hand. Soaking your feet for 10 minutes in Epsom salts will give you the same stress reducing effects as taking a bath!

Wishing you and yours the most VIBRANT Holiday Season!

Boost Your Adrenals

The adrenals are hormone glands located above your kidneys that help to regulate your metabolism, glucose usage, blood pressure, immune system, and response to stress. They form part of your body’s fight or flight response - increasing your heart rate and blood pressure in stressful situations and controlling your energy levels.

In cases of very severe stress or prolonged periods of stress, your body may start to struggle to make the hormones it needs to keep that stress under control. As a result of this hormonal imbalance, your fight or flight response may be impaired. This may then have an adverse effect on your “rest and repair” system. Also known as the parasympathetic system, this is the response that should help your body enter into a more relaxed state. If it doesn’t function properly, you may begin to experience what is called ‘adrenal fatigue.’

Signs of adrenal fatigue can include low energy levels, sleep difficulties, brain fog, anxiety and digestive issues. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be beneficial to give your adrenals a little extra love. 

It's possible to support adrenal gland functioning via simple things many of us already do like consuming a well-balanced diet, regular physical activity, and drinking plenty of water. To provide additional support for your adrenals, consider adding an ‘adrenal cocktail’ to your daily routine. An adrenal cocktail is a refreshing and delicious drink made of 3 simple ingredients that are all beneficial for supporting healthy adrenals.

• Vitamin C to help heal your body from stress-related damage and assist your liver in absorbing glucose and boosts your immune system. 

• Potassium to increase electrolyte levels, so that you can process nutrients efficiently. This helps fight fatigue and leaves you feeling energized.

• Sea Salt contains the potassium, sodium, and magnesium that your body needs for the production of energy and efficient adrenal function.

Winter and the Water Element: A Chinese Perspective to Seasonal Wellness

Acupuncture helps us live harmoniously with the seasons. In the transition to the cold winter months Chinese Medicine supports the mind, body and spirit. In Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory (TCM) there are five natural elements that exist within us, just as they do in nature. Winter correlates to the water element, which flows throughout and nourishes the entire body. Each of the five elements have an organ system pair. The kidneys and urinary bladder are the organ systems that belong to the water element. In TCM the kidneys store vital substances such as our Jing or “Essence”. Jing relates to our genetics, growth, reproduction and how we move through the cycles of life. The kidneys also house our will power, if the kidneys are strong our mind will be focused on goals that it sets itself and it will pursue them in a single-minded way. Our bones, joints, teeth, ears, brain and marrow are influenced by the kidneys. Over-work, lack of sleep and aging draw on and deplete the kidneys. When our kidneys are out of balance one might experience low back ache, weak knees, frequent urination, and menstrual or fertility issues. Other signs of imbalance could include excess fear, lack of courage, exhaustion, low motivation, autoimmune flare ups and skeletal disorders. In the winter we aim to embrace energy conservation, stillness, and rest. The cooler and darker days give space for rest and reflection. Nourishing ourselves during this time allows our body to heal and prepare for spring, a season of growth and abundance. 

So, why is seasonal change the time to get acupuncture? People by nature are imbalanced and these transitional times can exacerbate the imbalances that are already there. Acupuncture works to restore our balance of Qi or energy in each of our meridians. With the change of seasons also comes the importance of a strong immune system. TCM can provide a first line of defense. Acupuncture works to enhance our Wei Qi, also known as our immune system. With a strong healthy Wei Qi our body is able to fight off outside pathogens and resist disease.  Acupuncture supports the body’s own systems in their ability to heal and protect naturally. Prevention is the best way to support a healthy immune system. Acupuncture can also provide intervention during the early stages of disease to lessen the severity and recovery time. 

Here are a few tips to support your health while we head into the colder months:

Balance: Maintaining an appropriate balance between activity and rest is crucial to the health of our water element.

Protect your neck: The lungs rule the skin and the opening and closing of our pores. As the cold and wind start to ramp up the back of the neck is particularly vulnerable to wind invasion. Wind can contribute to the common cold, muscle tension and headaches. 

Food Therapy: Try to consume warm and cooked foods, while limiting cold raw foods. Use spices warm in nature such as garlic, ginger, cardamon and cinnamon. You can also focus on foods that share the qualities of the water element. Colors are dark, taste is salty, as well as hydrating and nourishing. This could include nuts, seeds and legumes, salt water fish, root vegetables, soups and stews. 

Reflection: Schedule more time for yourself. This could include meditation, yoga, breath work, tai chi or qi gong. 

Acupuncture: Boost your immune system, strengthen and balance the kidney and bladder meridians.

I look forward to seeing you on my table soon to support your health and wellness this winter!

Best,
Toria Lielasus: Licensed Acupuncturist, MAOM

Reflexology for Perimenopause + Menopause Support

Hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, weight gain and anxiety are some of the most common symptoms experienced by women going through perimenopause and menopause. During this natural process, a woman’s ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone. It is a time of change and for many women, it can be a stressful time laced with debilitating symptoms.

But what if we told you that relief to these symptoms could be found in your FEET? Yes, studies have shown that women who received regular Reflexology sessions experienced a significant decrease in hot flashes, night sweats, disturbed sleep and reported an overall improvement in their mood and well being.

By working with the hypothalamus and pituitary glands, Reflexology can help to restore balance to the endocrine system. This in turn can alleviate menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and anxiety. By calming the central nervous system, with focus on the vagus nerve, sleep disturbances can be also alleviated and anxiety and stress levels reduced. Reflexology also helps the ovaries regulate their estrogen secretions and the uterus to maintain its natural health and flexibility.

In addition, sessions can help improve mood and release tension; helping to cope with stress during this transitional time.

The effects of Reflexology are cumulative and, depending on specific needs and symptoms, a course of treatment is usually recommended for best results. Alleviate your symptoms and get back in balance with our Women’s Balancing Bundle - 4 consecutive sessions designed to help restore balance to your hormones and harmony in your body and mind. Book your first session below: