It is a simple and practical method for improving ease and freedom of movement, balance, support and coordination. The technique teaches the use of the appropriate amount of effort for a particular activity, giving you more energy for all your activities. It is not a series of treatments or exercises, but rather a reeducation of the mind and body. The Alexander Technique is a method which helps a person discover a new balance in the body by releasing unnecessary tension. It can be applied to sitting, lying down, standing, walking, lifting, and other daily activities.
Feldenkrais - The Feldenkrais Method is a somatic educational system designed by Moshé Feldenkrais (1904–1984). The Feldenkrais method aims to improve movement repertoire, aiming to expand and refine the use of the self through awareness, in order to reduce pain or limitations in movement, and promote general well-being. The Feldenkrais Method is often regarded as falling within the field of integrative medicine or complementary medicine.
Hypnosis - It is usually induced by a procedure known as a hypnotic induction, which is commonly composed of a long series of preliminary instructions and suggestions. Hypnotic suggestions may be delivered by a hypnotist in the presence of the subject, or may be self-administered ("self-suggestion" or "autosuggestion"). The use of hypnotism for therapeutic purposes is referred to as "hypnotherapy".
Ayurvedic - ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to India and a form of alternative medicine. In Sanskrit, words āyus, meaning "longevity", and veda, meaning "related to knowledge" or "science" The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic period in India (mid-second millennium BCE). The Suśruta Saṃhitā and the Caraka Saṃhitā are great encyclopedias of medicine compiled from various sources from the mid-first millennium BCE to about 500 CE. They are among the foundational works of Ayurveda. Over the following centuries, ayurvedic practitioners developed a number of medicinal preparations and surgical procedures for the treatment of various ailments.
Biofeedback - is the process of becoming aware of various physiological functions using instruments that provide information on the activity of those same systems, with a goal of being able to manipulate them at will. Processes that can be controlled include brainwaves, muscle tone, skin conductance, heart rate and pain perception. Biofeedback may be used to improve health or performance, and the physiological changes often occur in conjunction with changes to thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Eventually, these changes can be maintained without the use of extra equipment.
Naturopathy - is a form of alternative medicine based on a belief in vitalism, which posits that a special energy called vital energy or vital force guides bodily processes such as metabolism, reproduction, growth, and adaptation. Naturopathic philosophy favors a holistic approach, and, like conventional medicine seeks to find the least invasive measures necessary for symptom improvement or resolution, thus encouraging minimal use of surgery and unnecessary drugs.
Beginning in the 1970s, there was a revival of interest in the United States and Canada in conjunction with the holistic health movement. Naturopathic practitioners are split into two groups, traditional naturopaths and naturopathic physicians. Naturopathic physicians employ the principles of naturopathy within the context of conventional medical practices. Naturopathy comprises many different treatment modalities of varying degrees of acceptance by the conventional medical community; these treatments range from standard evidence-based treatments, to homeopathy and other practices sometimes characterized as pseudoscience.
Meditation
Meditation is a great way to reduce stress in the body. We live in a fast pace world now and stress is becoming the biggest cause of illness. Just five minutes of clear thought, in a quiet space (meditation), can do wonders for your body.
Other benefits are reduced anxiety, reduced cortisol levels and production, increased immunity, decrease in depression, better quality of sleep and recovery.
There are many types of mediation, some include: Heartmath (heartmath.com), Transcendental, Breathing, Mindfulness, Reiki, Vipassana, and Primordial Sounds. Figure out what works best for you. Whichever technique you choose, the benefits are great.
Massage
Massage is a great tool to flush toxins (metabolic waste such as lactic acid) from the body, stimulate lymphatic drainage, increase blood flow and relax the muscles and mind. Massage can be used for reducing stress, relaxing tight muscles, improving recovery rate from a training session or injury, injury prevention and general well being.
There are various types of massage, from a relaxing Swedish to an intense and usually painful scar tissue breakdown technique of Graston. All have different unique benefits.
Swedish and Lymphatic drainage massage are relaxing soft pressure massages that increase blood and lymphatic flow.
Deep tissue, Neuro Muscular Therapy, Thai, pressure point and sports massage are for those who can handle a little more deep pressure. Great for recovery from sports, injury prevention and general well-being.
Graston technique, Neuro Muscular Therapy and ART (Active Release Therapy) are for athletes or those who have high pain thresholds. Great for tackling through old injuries that have persisted for some time.
Self Education
It is so important to have your own self discovery. I give my clients the tools to experiment with and see how their bodies respond. We then discuss their findings and continue to explore more ways for them to find Optimal Health. It’s vital you have your own aha moment, not for me tell you how you should feel and what you should do all the time.
Interpreting “Your” Body
When I meet with someone there are some many observations I am making. I am scanning them while listening and watching them to figure out what is the best course of action to take first to help them. I have found over the years that most practitioners just work with the tools they have in their back pocket. I however find out who is the expert in their given area, out my own body through their methods and continually learn. This has allowed me to not only use the tools in my back pocket but of those around me as well. You know the saying “jack of all trades master of none”. I know what I am good at and if I can’t fix it then I know who can.
This approach allows me to direct you to identify life changing opportunities within YOUR own body. I don’t believe in putting a band aid on a broken arm and that is unfortunately the health model we are in right now in regards to prescription medication and unnecessary surgeries. There are other alternative treatments out there and it has been a lifelong passion to get that information out to the universe.
My dealings with Professional Athletes require the same information but I get way more detailed as their interpretations of their body is already there. It’s then a matter of opening them up to new ideas and educating them on how their body functions and how injuries are a blessing in disguise.
Nutrition
This section explains how certain foods could be wrecking havoc on your body.
Gluten: a protein molecule found in all grains, besides rice and corn. More and more people are finding they have an allergic reaction to gluten. You can be intolerant, allergic or celiac, all of which you should refrain from eating gluten. Gluten is found in wheat, bread, pasta, sauces, soups thickened with flour, pastries, pies, soy sauce, some processed meat, and the list goes on. Educate yourself by reading labels.
If you have an intolerance to gluten you may experience, bloating, gas, diarrhea, brain fog, seasonal allergies, low immunity, headaches, hormonal imbalances, skin rashes, muscle aches and other inflammatory conditions. There are now blood and saliva tests that can determine how allergic you are.
Dairy: so many hormones are pump into our dairy. Now more people are reacting to it. Like gluten, it's in everything, so again read your labels. Some symptoms you may notice are, headaches, constant phlegm, brain fog, allergies and low immunity.
Grains: not as common as the above two groups. Due to the heavy processing of grains a lot of allergies are surfacing. Rice, corn, wheat, oats, barley, buckwheat, sorghum, rye, spelt, millet, quinoa and tapioca. Some of the symptoms you may notice are fatigue, bloating, diarrhea, lethargy, allergies and flu like symptoms.
If you experience any of these symptoms, try eliminating them from your diet for 4 weeks and see how your health and well-being improve.
With nutrition it's important to be your own health advocate. Through a process of elimination you will be able to figure out what works and what doesn't work for you.
