Have you heard of Thai Yoga? It often gets confused with Tai Chi, but Thai Yoga is a modality of healing that is an Ayurvedic (Ancient Indian Medicine) tradition. During the time of Buddha, monks went to Thailand to set up temples and practiced healing arts which consisted of a
This month, at SAS Institute, we are celebrating and providing education on the topic of menopause! Last week, I had the honor of presenting a seminar on movement, especially as it relates to maintaining and building stronger bones. This week, I offered a yoga workshop which was a calm, restorative
Menopause is often looked at as a time of dread, losing femininity and coming face to face with aging. I like to think of it as a time of finding the goddess within. I have personally considered it as a time of self-discovery, feeling comfortable in my own skin, letting
It's easy to feel pulled in too many directions. Living in the Western world and studying mind/body modalities from an Eastern perspective can often feel like a tug of war. The Western culture is often focused on the pursuit of attainment while the East accentuates “letting go.” As I grew
I love the world of science because it’s measurable and can be replicated. I’m also a strong believer in natural remedies because they have been documented for centuries and grow on our beautiful Mother Earth...you just have to know what you’re looking for. While I certainly appreciate pharmaceuticals and believe
Mother Nature gives us everything we need. I have heard that statement more than once, especially as a naturopath. We just need to pay attention. When I needed a little calm in my life decades ago, I remember taking walks near my house and seeing passion flowers growing in the
The spring is a time of rebirth and renewal. The birds are singing, plants are emerging from the ground and flowers are blooming in their brightness. For me, I feel better when I'm immersed in nature. What’s even better is bringing nature inside. In honor of Earth Month, I
Exercise...what a wonderful practice of self-care that can alter energy, relieve stress, provide a sense of well-being and many other health benefits. Have you ever wondered if exercising at a certain time of day is more beneficial? You’re not the only one. This question has been floating around since I’ve
Self-care is something we should all do on a daily basis. It's good for the body, mind and spirit. While we have a plethora of breathing and meditation audios in our SAS RFC gallery, apps are great too. In this article, I’m sharing six free meditation apps that can assist
Many of us feel stressed at times. We may have a large to-do list, varied personal or professional tasks and so on. While short-term stress serves a purpose to get things done, a sense of overwhelm is a red flag that we are reaching our emotional capacity. As we recognize
As the new year unfolds so do new resolutions. While these are helpful, I invite you to consider a new way to look at cultivating what you really want this year! Let’s begin with a simple question. What gets you out of bed every day? I'm not referring to an alarm
As we come to the end of the year when gift giving is popular, there is nothing kinder than making something special for family, friends and loved ones. It’s a double win because many products on the shelves today contain chemicals or harmful substances that our bodies are unfamiliar with
As we approach the winter season along with all the other happenings in the world, boosting immunity is important and accessible to everyone. In the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine, qi (pronounced chi), assists the body in fighting off pathogens and building immunity. While many have heard and perhaps experienced
I’m a Leo and love the sun and the sea! There is something magical about the ocean breeze, the sand between my toes and the glistening sun on the ocean waves as they easily flow in and out in a rhythmic, calm manner. I imagine the seaweed beneath the water’s
I’ve worked with expectant moms for a quarter century. I can spot a new mom-to-be from a mile away. There is a lot of wonderment with new mommies. They have lots of questions and are unsure if they are doing everything right, fear what they identify as shortcomings and put
The nervous system! What an amazing and complex superhighway within us all! While we may not think of what’s going on underneath the surface, this system delivers information to and throughout the brain and is composed of the brain, brainstem, cranial nerves, spinal nerves, spinal cord and the enteric nerves.
I had heard of oil pulling before starting naturopathy school but as we dove into the world of oral health, I became fascinated with incorporating ancestral methods into modern life. We learned about the history, how it promotes a clean mouth (which is the entry system to our gut) and
Red light therapy (RLT) is pretty amazing! Although it may seem like a new technology in recent years due to more mainstream articles, it’s not. I’ve been using it for a couple of years and have found it beneficial on many levels. Over 25 years ago astronauts discovered that red
Sleep...we all require it. While some say they don't need lots or they don't have time for it, I challenge them to reconsider. Sleep, quality sleep that is, is critical for optimal health. It allows the body to recover and repair, helps boost immunity as well as memory filing and
Our dog, Tucker Barktholomew, has this internal clock. Every night at 8pm, he gets up and walks over to my husband and whimpers. It’s his time to go outside in the yard to say farewell to the day and prep for bedtime. He and his sister, Bella Bixby, come in
As we move into the Thanksgiving holiday and celebrate #givingTuesday, it’s a perfect time to reflect on thankfulness. The attitude of gratitude is enriching and has been shown to have many benefits. I use this approach often as I teach a variety of wellness classes. Although I practice what I
Have you noticed the commercials about medication for bone loss? Maybe I’m noticing more as I am in my 50s. Many don’t think a great deal about bone loss until something breaks! I know this was the case with a relative. After breaking her leg, she learned she had osteoporosis.
Our modern world is full of daily environmental pollutants. We can control much of these by choosing to eat "clean" food and water, free from pesticides and harmful substances. We can also use healthy products on our body and I appreciate the Environmental Working Group for making this task and others easy to
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day is Thursday, Nov. 16. On this day, five years ago, my mother-in-law was undergoing treatment for this disease that was discovered just six weeks prior. The whites of her eyes turning yellow was the first sign that something was wrong. After working in a neonatal intensive
There is one thing that is consistent during this time of year – planning Breast Cancer Awareness events at SAS and throughout the community. I have a deep passion due to the family history, genetics and simply wanting to help others. I’m also a strong believer in research, education and
As the summer season begins to become part of the past and we return to a “normal” schedule, I’m reminded that there is still something celebratory as we slowly make our way into the autumn season. It’s yoga! September is National Yoga Month. It is a national health observance designated
Is this menopause? Maybe you've noticed some changes. Perhaps it’s the occasional hot flushed feeling that erupts like a volcano or maybe it's the irregular periods when you’ve always been like clockwork. Although menopause is often thought of as a singular event, it isn’t unless you are undergoing chemotherapy that
Strengthens arms, wrists, core, spine and thighs. Opens chest and shoulders while improving posture. Upward-Facing Dog Pose (Sanskrit: Urdhva Mukha Svanasana) Begin lying down on mat (face down). Legs are lengthened behind with inner thighs spiraling so all ten toes and top of feet are planted in mat. Place palms
The morning sunrises have been exceptionally beautiful this winter. Vibrant colors of fiery pinks and orange give way to bright blue skies and white fluffy clouds. There is something magical about being connected to nature, especially in the early morning before life has awoken. It takes me back to my
As the New Year has woven its way into our landscape, I think of the days that have vanished into the horizon. I’m reminded of how quickly the seasons pass and how synonymous they are with resolutions. We begin by planting seeds in the cool, moist soil. We tend our
