Movement is Medicine. Move Into Your Best Self.

Qi is always moving. Like water our energy courses through our bodies. When we move, our energy moves. We we are still, our energy settles a bit. When we are always still or sedentary, our energy stagnates. Like water, our energy stays fresh and clear from movement through its course and when stagnates becomes murky, unclear and unhealthy. 

“Discovering the perfect form and practice for you and your body is the sole intention of Movement and Medicine consultations.”

Movement is medicine. It is what courses our life force or Qi in a regenerative way. The medicine lies is finding a balance for yourself based on what your body needs. Too much exercise or movement can also be taxing and use up too many of our resources or fuel. 

Consistent and loving forms of movement are the best medicine. We need to do what is appropriate for our bodies. We listen to our bodies. We move slowly and deliberately especially when working with injuries. We may use a gentle discipline and incorporate variety to reach maximum results. We may use an exhilarating practice when appropriate to increase organ function and performance. It is all custom designed. 

Movement is medicine for mind, body and soul. When our energy stagnates as an effect of stress or lack of movement or injury, we become irritable and uncomfortable, and slow to heal, and all of this can effect many areas of our lives; our sleep, our digestion, our relationships and our ability to focus

Movement is medicine consultations work with you and your needs directly. What movement is in balance with your lifestyle, your healing intentions, your resources, and your body's capacity?

Appropriate, consistent, liberating and focused movement or exercise that brings joy to us can be just what the doctor ordered. Discovering this perfect form and practice for you, is the sole intention of Movement and Medicine consultations. They go hand in hand with your Brilliant Medicine treatments and can increase efficacy, speed recovery and healing and definitely enhance your life.

Herbal Consultations: Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine

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I offer consultation in Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine (TCHM) as a form of scientific artistry. The knowledge I have is based on one of the greatest preserved complete herbal systems of the world, with an unbroken tradition going back to the 3rd century BC. Throughout history the medicine has continually developed in response to changing clinical conditions, and modern lifestyle, and has been sustained by research into every aspect of its use. This process continues today with the development of modern medical diagnostic techniques and knowledge. 

“My training is in the traditional form of Chinese Herbology. My assessment of your condition and symptoms, allows me to prescribe raw or patent herbs to you as a stand alone consult or part of your treatment plan. ”

Chinese Herbs are a safe and very effective way to treat many conditions. When I say safe, I mean safe. You can take the herbs I prescribe to you when you are taking other forms of medicine because I take into consideration all your medications as part of the assessment. 

Do not take Chinese herbs from anyone, even an acupuncturist, who is not specifically trained for this. There are many acupuncturist who studied acupuncture techniques and not Chinese medicinals. It is a complex, sophisticated system that can be dangerous and can make you very sick if not prescribed by a qualified physician. Do not take Chinese herbs from a western doctor who is not Board Certified in Chinese Herbology. It is very enticing for other practitioners to offer advice regarding Chinese herbs to their patients because the Medicine is so effective, and because the regulations are still quite lax.  It is also very common for doctors to tell you that Chinese Medicine is not safe for this or that condition. It is safe as long as you are working with a fully qualified practitioner.  In the pharmacy, we source our herbs from US companies with the highest standards and testing procedures. Detailed information on our sources is available upon request.

The philosophy behind TCHM is very different from what we are used to in the West. Our modern health craze and supplement craze promote this or that miracle herb as the answer to everyone’s problems. Chinese Medical prescription are very rarely one herb, they are mixed in combinations called formulas. Formulas are specifically design for you and how your body is showing up. It can certainly be a miracle cure, but it is not for everyone. Just because something helped for your allergies, does not mean it is going to help your friend’s allergies. It would be so much simpler that way. But we are not simple. 

“We are complex beings with very unique things going on. And this medicine matches your complexity. That is why the medicine is so Brilliant. It is intelligent and works in accord with the intelligence of your body. It is specific and unique, and the herbal treatments or consultations that I offer you are custom designed for you. That is the secret to their success. ”

We Are What We Eat. Be Your Own Medicine with Food as Medicine Consultations

Food is our medicine. Our food choices can be medicine that is working for us, or it can be working against us. The kicker is having the tools to know the difference. When we have the tools to know, and make choices based on the knowing, then we get to be in a really groovy place with what we eat. I offer Food as Medicine consultations to help you uncover your own unique tools so your relationship with food becomes an empowering, healing and joyful aspect of your life.  

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Food as Medicine consultations can work in cahoots with your treatments or be a separate experience all together.  The underlying foundation of the work I do is that there is no "one way" that works for everyone. Our journey of discovery is successful and sustainable because it is focused on the unique you; what works for your body, what works in your life, what proves to be enjoyable for you. 

There is so much information out there about what is 'good' for us and what is 'bad' for us. It can be challenging to weed through all the diets and supplements, and rules, and programs. My feeling is that 'diets' and 'programs' don't work for everyone, they are too generalized and too rigid, and not custom fit for the individual. We all have very unique digestive systems. We all have very distinct preferences. We all have varying amounts of time available to buy, prepare, and cook our meals. Like every other form of therapy I utilize, food therapy is the same in that it has to be custom fit. Food as Medicine consultations are brilliant, because they rise up and meet your unique self and body needs. 

“Food is the number one infatuation of the western world. We have an abundance of choices. This is a gift. We have the privilege of being picky. We have the privilege of making choices that are right for our bodies. We have the privilege of putting together unique ways of operating around food that are enjoyable and doable for us. The enjoyment is how we rise up and meet the gift. ”

— Reya

There are 'many reasons' why we do not enjoy our relationship with food. There are many reasons why we don't feel nourished by what we eat. There are many reasons why we don't take responsibility for our choices around food. There are many reasons why we have acute or chronic digestive ailments. 

The 'many reasons' are rooted in one or more of the following: 

• We are not listening to the intelligence of our bodies.

• We are following rules that do not apply to us.

• We have lost interest in the sourcing, growing, preparing, cooking relationships with our food.

• We have wrapped our choices up so tight around weight management that we don't see another way.

• We are overwhelmed with the amount of information about food and diets and programs that we just give up.

• We have forgotten that we are the one that knows the most about our own body, we are our own expert.

The importance of pulling these out one by one by their tap root, weeding out the 'many reasons' for dysfunction is paramount to the Food as Medicine journey.

A consultation can be a one time stand alone meeting to discuss direction and choices. A consultation can be a year long journey together; a possible combination of treatments, classes, and one-on-one consults all with the specific purpose of supporting your body's healing and your goals for thriving. 

Consultation design and timing is based on diagnostic findings and your personal desires and goals; how much you want to learn, and how much you already know, how deeply you want to move into and shift your relationship with food.  You tell me what you want and I rise up to meet that with a custom designed curriculum, with the intelligence of Eastern Medicine and Western Nutrition and food therapy, with mindfulness and body awareness techniques and ways to 'check in' when making choices, with clearing and cleansing, planning, shopping, preparing foods, even growing if you want to go that deep.

This process is an distinct opportunity to leave habits, discomfort, digestive disorders, old stories, and ways of relating to food behind and move into an incredible relationship with gratitude and enjoyment of your Food as Medicine.

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