I love the symbolism in the movie The Wizard of Oz. A whirlwind tornado takes Dorothy far from home to an unfamiliar land, and after a long quest, she learns that she had the means to get home all along. What if we all had our own personal Glinda, Good Witch of the North, who … Continue reading Glinda the Good Witch, and a Shortcut Back Home
“Take Two Walks and Call me in the Morning”
Why Being Outdoors is Good Medicine Our systems have an amazing ability to sync up with rhythms we find ourselves next to. Scientists call this “entraining” and it was first observed in clocks - when left alone, they will end up synchronizing the swing of their pendulum. A similar phenomenon is apparent in other contexts … Continue reading “Take Two Walks and Call me in the Morning”
2 Easy Defense Strategies for Pollen Season
Here in North Carolina, we like to say our seasons are Summer, Autumn, Winter and The Pollen. Right now, the entire landscape is blanketed in yellow. Pine pollen molecules are so large that a fine yellow mist is visible in the air, like smoke. Other pollens are out there this time of year too, many … Continue reading 2 Easy Defense Strategies for Pollen Season
How Disease Starts – and How to Turn it Around
Ayurveda identifies 6 distinct stages of disease development. Here I share the key markers of the 3 early stages, and what we can do to get healthy again. Often we don't even notice we are in one of the early stages, which is why it's helpful to know what to look for - and then … Continue reading How Disease Starts – and How to Turn it Around
Trampolining, Belting, and Other Surprising Spring Medicine
This week I got to hang out with some of my extended family in Florida. While not the kind of Spring Break that the Florida government has been bracing for, I suppose we went "bar hopping" in our own way... My 12-year-old nephew knows what’s good for him - MOVING - and he kept the … Continue reading Trampolining, Belting, and Other Surprising Spring Medicine
How to live longer – the Brahma muhurta!
The primary claim of Ayurveda as a medical science is that it extends our lifespan - or better said, it teaches us how to avoid the pitfalls that typically shorten our lifespan. As a claim that is relevant to our modern times, this is a pretty good one, I’d say. If we observe the herculean … Continue reading How to live longer – the Brahma muhurta!
Spring is Coming – How to Get Ready!
Call me optimistic, but my antennae are perking up at the tiny subtle signs that Spring is on its way here in the Northern Hemisphere. In fact, this week we passed not only Groundhog Day (when the groundhog in question apparently did NOT see his shadow, confirming an imminent spring), we also passed Imbolc. Imbolc … Continue reading Spring is Coming – How to Get Ready!
Is this the year? Making new goals stick
What do you know you have to change in your life? The thing that’s obvious and loud in your head right now? Many of us take on new intentions during the surge of energy at the New Year - it can be a really inspiring time. But for those of us who have tried and … Continue reading Is this the year? Making new goals stick
A Path through Confusion and Despair
This morning I awoke in the dawn-grey light to the most striking, luminous full moon setting in the west over the Jemez Mountains here in Santa Fe, where I'm visiting with family for the holidays. Oddly, a low-hanging cloud was covering the top half of the full moon as it set, so it looked like … Continue reading A Path through Confusion and Despair
Meaningful, Inexpensive Holiday Gift Guide
The holidays can be a richly rewarding and rejuvenating time, when we take a break from our work commitments and usual obligations to reignite connections with family and friends, and to restore our bodies and minds through meaningful rituals or special celebrations. It always feels like a lost opportunity when we “have to” spend lots … Continue reading Meaningful, Inexpensive Holiday Gift Guide