Autumn Greetings

The seasonal shift towards autumn is in full swing with our typical hot, Indian summer days, cool mornings and evenings.  In Chinese medicine we look at not only the weather but the energy of the season and how it affects us. Summer is energetically expansive, whereas autumn beckons us to contract and go deeper internally as we prepare for the colder, darker months. We know that there is an end to the summer warmth and expansion  so we savor these precious days. The autumn harvest of delicious fruits and vegetables is abundant and gratifying.  Autumn is the season that Chinese medicine associates with: the lungs, nose and sinusesthe emotions of sadness, sorrow and griefletting go of what is no longer usefulreceiving pre chi from heaven Native...

Living Well with Chronic Pain

Living Well with Chronic Pain

Being a health care practitioner is wonderful, and it is not easy. It is, in my opinion, a calling. Most of the people I know who are long time, committed health care practitioners, got into the work through their own health problems. They were sick or in some kind of major pain or distress that did not resolve easily and began seeking healing and answers for their own health issues. Eventually they found some healing and relief and along the way, they found a calling to become a health care practitioner themselves. Most of us, who got into the work in this way, continue along this path and continue our own healing and self exploration.

5 Steps to a Healthy Autumn

5 Steps to a Healthy Autumn

Autumn is in the air and we live in such a glorious climate! Enjoy the honey, golden warmth and cool mornings and evenings. We, here in the Bay Area, generally have another six weeks of beautiful weather and then can expect the                                         shift to rain and chill. These changing climates and energetic patterns can be hard on our bodies (and psyches) and can result in susceptibility to viruses, secondary infections, aches and pains and other health issues. To support your body/mind’s health and immune system this season: start shifting to more warm and cooked foods (soups, stir fry, cooked fruit) get plenty of rest and...