Seasonal Synergy: Thriving in Winter | | |
Stillness, Breathing, & Rest in the Dark Season | |
First, let me apologize for the delay in getting newsletters out in October. It has been exactly one year (October 28th) since my autoimmune disorder took the left side from me. As much progress as I have made, I am often reminded that this is a process and is not linearly progressive. I have good days and bad days. Occasionally, I have bad weeks and since October 7th, I was unable to work in the studio or create content.
It is when my struggles linger longer than I think they should that I am filled with something I must work to transmute before depression creeps in. In my life, I could only think of one thing that would be worse than death for me...and that was to be rendered incapacitated in life. I know I am not alone in this fear. For most of us, we realize it is not a matter of IF we will become disabled, but WHEN. And in a world that is extremely ablist and highly distracted with its own problems, the fear of being unable to support yourself is palpable right now. This world is perpetually on the go, has no off button, and is more demanding of our time and energy, money and resources than it's ever been.
What's the antidote to all of this upward and outward demanding energy? Nature provides us with everything we need to know. It may be hard to feel Winter in a tropical paradise environment, but Winter moves through us humans anyway. Winter is the Yin of the Yin in terms of Five Element theory. It is darker, colder, and more still than any other season. Most of nature is hibernating or semi-hibernating as a means of letting go of the last year and resting up for the next year ahead. Winter's gift is STILLNESS. It is time to take stock of your life, if you are in the Winter of your life (80-100 yrs old,) and to take stock of your year if in any other element of your life. It is the time of deep reflection, letting go of what no longer serves and planting seeds for the upcoming year. It is a time of gratitude. The question then is how to transmute pain, cold and suffering when in pathology. The answer is to engage in gratitude & breathing exercises.
My disability teaches me gratitude every day. I may not walk as well as I used to, but I still wake up on the right side of the dirt. I may have days where I cannot use fire-cups or needles, but I have Chinese herbs, sound healing, Reiki, Chakral curriculum healing and health & wellness coaching to help my patients as well. I may not make progress linearly every day, but overall, I still have more good days than bad days. I remember all of this when I get frustrated.
GRATITUDE EXERCISE:
- I ACKNOWLEDGE what I HAVE, rather than wanting what I do not have.
- I ACCEPT that what I have in life is meant for me and what I don't have is not meant for me.
- I ALLOW for everything that is meant for me to come my way without judgment.
Have you taken stock of your year yet? Are you feeling stuck in any aspect of your life? Try 4-7-8 breathing as you contemplate the following.
BREATHE IN FOR 4 BEATS. HOLD FOR 7 BEATS. BREATHE OUT FOR 8 BEATS.
Do you acknowledge what you have or long for all that you don't have? Do you accept what life is giving you or wish for things to be different? Can you allow for the things that are meant for you to come to you in abundance without judgment or do you long for other things, stuff, people to make your life complete? Do you have the life you want? If you aren't happy now, when will you be? If not, Winter tells us to take some time within, listen deeply, and determine how to engage life differently to enjoy each moment of our lives as it appears NOW.
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Echoes of Ancient Wisdom: The Water Element | |
The Yin of the Yin
Human beings have ALL FIVE ELEMENTS within us. Winter seems to be the Season that causes the most resistance within, but we will experience it regardless. Some of us are often diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD.) Some of us will experience Winter allergies, extreme fatigue, and increased bouts of anxiety and depression. These are all examples of "doing" Winter pathologically. Understanding the correspondences of the season can help us thrive.
The Correspondences of the Water Element
All of the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal & Water) govern yin/yang meridians (organ systems and their collateral channels and deep pathways,) Direction, Season, Weather, Outward Manifestions, Inward Manifestions, Color, Emotions, Spirits, Activities or Labors, Tastes, Tissues, Spiritual Growth Themes, Smells, & Sounds.
The Water Element governs all things that deal with holding, storage, transforming, transfiguring and transmuting water and the water passageways in the body. It's Yin/Yang Meridians are the Kidney and Urinary Bladder Meridians, It's Direction is North, reflecting the cold winds of the season. It's season is Winter, with the shortest days and longest, darkest nights of the year. A good recommendation for this time is to take advantage of the darkness. Follow the natural light, using candles for evening hours and as little artificial light as possible. Listen to your body and sleep as much as it is asking for.
The weather of Winter is COLD...causing us to contract and feel pain. We can feel the cold in the sense organs the Kidney Meridian opens into: the ears. We can see how our head hair is affected by the cold as it flies away upon removal of hats and scarves. We definitely feel the cold in the tissues the Water element governs: Our bones. For those of us who are older, injured, have arthritis, fibromyalgia, or any number of pain syndromes, the Winter can be difficult for mobility, agility, and just getting around in general. Eating things that warm the body can help with contraction of the internal cold. Heat therapies such as hot stone therapy and fire-cupping, as well as Chinese herbs can be beneficial during this season.
Its color correspondence is black or dark blue, and it can be seen pathologically on the skin when our kidneys are affected or this is a lack of oxygen (lips will turn blue.) It's taste is salty like the plants and animals we pull from the sea. It's smell in pathology is putrid, like the smell of mothballs or a diabetic in ketoacidosis. The sound of Water is GROANING, like the sound we all make during Daylight Savings time we must adjust to during this time each year.
The Spirit Water governs is that of the Zhi (Will or Willpower) and the emotion it governs is that of Fear. Fear sinks us into fight, flight or freeze mode and is downbearing in nature. Fear is the lowest vibration a human can feel, and can often lead to mental states that require stillness, meditation, grounding and gratitude exercises to break free from the downward spiral people can find themselves in.
The labor of this Element: Walking. The Winter is not a time for heavy exertion...save that for the Spring when the whole world is bursting with new life and movement. This type of walking should be done while grounding in the Earth. Feel the coldness of the ground. Can you feel life underneath you?Do you feel life you can stand solidly or is your foundation slipping underneath you?
The spiritual growth it governs is that of Storing. In a consumer-oriented economy in a very uncertain world, there is no better time to practice storing resources for a rainy day. To reflect this time of Ascension, its important to consider community needs for storing. There is no more important time to be checking on our most vulnerable, the elderly, the young, the sick and disabled, than the Winter. As we work to take care of our own needs, may we never forget those in our communities who need our help & services.
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Massage Matters: The Skin Breathes | |
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The Skin Breathes: Massage Improves Respiration
Did you ever think about how massage can help with your breathing patterns?
Our muscles in the upper part of the front and back of our bodies can become tight and tense, negatively impacting our breathing. Massage therapy can release this tension, alleviating lung congestion and enhancing your ability to breathe more freely.
By stimulating circulation to your heart, massage encourages muscle lengthening, which can lead to more effective lung function.
Other benefits include:
- Reducing respiratory issues such as allergies, sinus problems, asthma, and bronchitis
- Improving posture
- Opening the chest area
- Enhancing structural alignment
- Promoting rib cage expansion
Book a massage session today to experience the benefits for yourself!
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Book a Massage, Reiki, or Therapeutic Body Work such as Body Scrubs, Hot Stone Therapy, Dry Brush Exfoliation, Kansa Wand Therapy, and Aromatherapy with Natalie Clark, LMT at Divinitude by downloading the Wellyx App on your phone and searching DIVINITUDE-NEW, or on the Divinitude Website at https://online.wellyx.com/divinitudebeaufort/southcarolinausa/services | | |
Healthcare Technology: Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (mHbOT) | |
The Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Experience
Our Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (mHbOT) is a relaxing, non-invasive 60 or 90-minute therapy session to support wound healing, inflammation, immunity and sleep.
If it's your first time visiting Restore, please arrive early to fill out a simple medical waiver. Next, your vitals will be checked before a TeleMed visit with a medical professional. Once cleared for use, you will then proceed to the mHbOT chamber. In this cozy environment, you can comfortably sit up and work or lie down and relax during your session. A nurse will help you place your nasal cannula and ensure you are comfortable with pillows and blankets before zipping the chamber up. As the chamber begins to pressurize, you may feel slight ear popping.
After approximately ten minutes, the chamber will be fully pressurized, and you can begin to breathe in 90-95% pure oxygen. Whether you’ve opted for a 60-minute or 90-minute session, we’ll time it to start de-pressurization after your scheduled and preferred duration. De-pressurization will take another 10 minutes. Throughout your session, a Restore Wellness expert will monitor you to ensure you're comfortable.
Some clients report feeling more relaxed and rested immediately after their mHbOT session.
Not only is this technology that Restore offers important as we move forward in medicine, but Restore is making it affordable for all, with all therapies costing $50 for non-members and $32 for Members of the organization.
We will continue to highlight what this amazing facility offers and encourage everyone to take advantage of this technology and become a member of Restore Hyper Wellness!
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What is Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?
Experience 90-95% pure oxygen to help gain a cognitive edge and enhance your body’s healing
BENEFITS OF MILD HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY MAY INCLUDE:
- Optimized sleep
- Repaired muscles
- Increased cognitive clarity
- Decreased athletic recovery time
- Increased energy
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Coaches Corner: Seasonal Affective Disorder | |
Tapping Into Points That Help With Anxiety & Depression | |
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Within the Diagnostic & Statistic Manual of Mental Illnessess (DSM-5) published in 2022 is the criteria for Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. To be diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a person must meet the following criteria:
While Chinese Medicine has no equivalent diagnosis or label for this, it is no suprise that many people are turning to "tapping" to experience relief from increased anxiety and depression during Winter and Summer months, depending on their constitution. But what are they tapping into? There are specific body regions that contain points along the meridians that can help reduce phlegm, which is a pernicious force in Chinese Medicine that is often related to increased depression, pain and suffering along normal channels in the body. Chinese Medicine also contains a category called "Ghost Points", which are used specifically to treat depression and other mood disorders.
Anatomical Regions for Tapping:
Top of the Head: You cannot go wrong tapping any portion of your scalp. We carry enormous tension in our heads throughout the day, The following meridians are respresented on the scalp: the Governing Vessel (GV,) Stomach (ST,) Triple Energizer (TE,) and Gallbladder (GB,) along with extra points. The point that is the highest in the body and worth tapping into is GV20. Bai Hu (Hundred Meetings) is the crossing point for the Yang channels. It calms and lifts the spirit, is good for high blood pressure, and promotes rescuscitation. For those of us at a certain age or after having children finding incontinenct to be a problem: press this point and the urge to go is temporarily suspended.
Eyebrow: The pressure we hold around our eyes can wreak havoc on our emotional states. The main point to tap into is Urinary Bladder 1: Jing Ming (Brght Eyes) is located in the inner canthus of the eye near the bridge of the nose. Because this point influences the sinews of the body, it is an excellent point to tap into when feeling fatigued all over the body.
Side of the Eye: Pulling from the inner canthus to the lateral end of the eyebrow, we find TE23, Xi Zhu Kong (Silk Bamboo Hollow) which is an esoteric point for those who are defined by their relationship to others by directing the spirit inward. The point is good for chronic degenerative diseases, long term digestive indulgences such as alcohol and substance abuse and for migraines, tinnitus, lockjaw and deviated mouth/Bells palsy.
Under the Eye: Digestion begins with the eyes and the first four points of the Stomach Meridian can be used to tap into your appetite for life. ST1 is located just under pupil of the eyeball and is useful when feeling victimized. Along with ST2, ST3 and ST4, which run in a line down from ST1, all points are good for clearing heat and expelling wind, clearing the head, brightening the eyes, and removing chanel obstruction. A good daily practice is to run hot or cold water over your face and massage all parts of your face to either relax before bed or wake up brighter.
Under the Nose: GV 26
Chin (Below Fold): CV24
Both Ghost Points discussed in detail in Ghost Point discussion on right.
Collar bone: Along the collar bone are points along the Stomach and Lung Meridians. As both meridians deal with nourishing Qi, elimination of phlegm and benefit the Wei Qi (defensive qi,) tapping anywhere along (above and below) the collarbone can help one breathe better. There are also upper Kidney points that are all considered Spirit points.
Under the Arm: If you put your thumbs into your armpits and your little finger into your ribcage, you will run into HT1 and SP21. Tapping into these points could be considered a full-body reset.
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The 13 Ghost Points
GV26: Located between the bottom of the nose and the top of the upper lip, Ren Zhong's name (Middle of Man) reflect its anatomical location. This point promotes rescuscitation in cases of coma or fainting and is good for post-surgery. It invigorates the Governing Vessel channel, allowing Yin to come in and neutralize excessive thoughts and calm the spirit.
LU11: Located on the outer aspect of the thumb at the corner of the nail, Shao Yang (Lesser Metal) is a great point for acute asthma, clearing heat in the Lung channel, expelling interior & exterior wind and reviving the unconcious.
SP1: Located on the outer aspect of the big toe at the corner of the nail, Yin Bai (Hidden White) refers to the phlegm that is produced by the Spleen meridian, stored by the Lung and waiting to be eliminated. This point STOPS BLEEDING, transforms phlegm if feeling drowsy with heavy phlegm in the head or loss of awareness, restores consciousness and calms the spirit.
PC7: Located in the middle of the wrist, in between the two tendons, Da Ling (Great Mound) is a heay hitter of a Ghost Point, dealing with the haunting of the past. Things we bury deep inside, this point helps to bring it out. It cools blood and regulates blood stasis (the emotions run with the blood.) It calms the spirit, opening the heart and treating insomnia or mania. It clears heart fire that can be responsible for mental problems. It clears heat, harmonizes the stomach that can produce reflux & GERD, opens the tongue with loss of speech and eliminates Damp with phlegm (CM diagnosis for manic depression.)
UB62: Located in the depression directly below the outside base of your ankle, Shen Mai (Extending Vessel) is a deep point about feeling upright and finding purpose in your life. It calms the spirit, clears heat, relaxes the sinews and opens the Yang Qiao for increased agility and movement and eliminates external wind influencing mind and brain.
GV16: Located directly above the midpoint of the back of your hairline, Feng Fu (Wind Palace) treats wind issues, both exterior & interior, fills the brain with marrow, calming the spirit. It is good for headache, stiff neck, sore throat, neck rigidity, aphasia, hemiplagia, mental disorders, convulsions and dizziness.
ST6: Located on the inner aspect of the tibia, about three fingers above the top of the ankle, San Yin Jaio (Three Yin Crossing) represents the crossing point of the Kidney, Liver & Spleen meridians and does the following: nurtures the Stomach and Spleen (governing phlegm production and worry.) It nurtures yin and blood, moves blood, regulates the uterus and menstruation, treats infertility, reduces high blood pressure, calms the spirit, treats skin diseases, nurtures the kidneys, stops pain and calms the mind.
CV24: Located in the depression in the center of the mentolabial groove (between the base of your chin and the bottom lip,) Cheng Jiang (Supporting Liquid) is reflective of the ability to hold liquid in your mouth. Its use is to expel exterior wind causing facial paralysis or mouth paralysis. Its good for mental disorders, deviation of the eyes and mouth or sudden lost voice.
PC8: When the fist is clenched, the point is just below the tip of the middle finger, on the crease between the second and third metacarpal bones. Lao Gong (Palace of Labor) treats a weary heart. It treats fear and apprehension, TB and other consumptive disorders, heart fire with chronic syptoms or accute situations with high fever and delirium.
GV23: Located just inside the front of the hairline in the center of the forehead, Shang Xing (Upper Star) expels wind, calms the spirit and stops people from seeing things that aren't there. This is a good point to tap into your Third Eye Chakra.
CV1: Located between the anus and root of the scrotum in men, and between the anus and the posterior labial commissure in females (also commonly referred to as the "taint",) Hui Yin (Meeting of Yin,) is an empirical point for promoting resucscitation after drowning, along with a host of solutions it offers for everything from vaginitis, difficult urination, hemorrhoids, nocturnal emissions, and mental disorders to pruritis vulvae and itching of scrotum.
LI11: Located in the lateral end of the transverse crease when the arm is bent at the elbow, Qu Qi (Pool at the Bend,) is a heavy hitter for eliminating heat and wind, resolving damp, cooling skin and blood, and treats violent mental prolems and high blood pressure.
Yin Tang: The extra point Yin Tang (Seal Hall) is located directly in between and just above the eyes, between the two medial end of the eyebrows. It eliminates wind-heat and calms the spirit, making it good for headaches, convulsions, insomnia, dizziness, and helps release emotions. Yin Tang is a direct line to Third Eye Chakra.
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If you are someone who uses tapping to help with your emotional states and would like more specific information about the points on the region of the body that you are tapping into, or if you would like more information abaout Ghost points or how Chinese Medicine uses acupuncture points and herbs to treat all forms of mental/emotional disturbances, please contact Dr. Kallie Guimond directly for a Chakral assessment or to book an acupuncture appointment. The Points Manual: A Layperson's Guide to the Acupuncture Points will be ready for production this Spring!
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Give the Gift of Health & Wellness to Yourself, Family & Friends! | |
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DIVINITUDE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP
Receive 20% OFF ALL Services provided by Divinitude. You may receive 20% off 1 service per week, combined group evaluations from coaches and practitioners at Divinitude, and an invitation to the Divinitude BaseCamp where you will find community support, study groups, class information, and resources for your own personal journey to knowing and loving yourself fully!
12 Payments of $30/month
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15% OFF ALL GIFT CARD PACKAGES | |
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15% OFF ACUPUNCTURE for 30 Days
Gift Card includes initial 90 Minute Intake that contains medical history review, differential diagnosis and first treatment, along with Two (2) 60 Minute Follow/Up Acupuncture Treatments. All treatments must be used within 30 days of purchase.
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15% OFF MASSAGES
for 30 Days
Gift Card includes Three (3) 90-Minute Swedish or Therapeutic Massages Within 30 Days of Purchase. Offer not good for specialty massages such as Kansa wand, Thai Foot, Scalp or Face Massages, or Tui Na (Chinese acupuncture massage technique.)
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Gift Card Includes THREE 60 Minute Reiki Therapy Sessions within 30 Days of purchase with practitioner of choice. Offer not good for any other add-on services available. No Rollover benefits. All sessions must be completed within 30 days of purchase.
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Gift Card may be used for Two (2) 45 Minute treatments (Back Scrub or Fire-Cupping) or Three (3) 30 Minute Treatments (Hot Stone Therapy, Hand Scrub, Foot Scrub, or Dry Brushing) in 30 day period after purchase.
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