Wellness is a Habit
By Dr. Gene Clerkin
Statistics show somewhere between eighty five and ninety percent of all disease is lifestyle related. Lifestyle is simply an accumulation of habitual behaviors. Those behaviors can come in the form of the food we eat, what, if any, type of exercise we participate in, our mental emotional patterns, the way we behave in relationship and everything we do, think and feel.
Most people come to the Center for Holistic Health because they would like to have a better life experience than the one they are currently having. It could be that they would like to change a physical symptom such as high blood pressure, headaches, pain, digestive problems or lack of energy. Sometimes they are experiencing anxiety, depression or a lack of focus. Some people are simply looking to enhance the way they experience life. Their desires might include being more inspired, passionate, joyful and in tune with their intuition and life's purpose.
If our symptoms and experiences of life are dependant upon our lifestyle then it would stand to reason that if we wanted to change our experience, then we would have to change our habits. This is the concept of wellness.
Traditionally, when people seek care in the classic medical model, the focus is placed on mitigation or removal of the symptom. That's one model and certainly a common one, but it does fall short in some areas.
To begin with, there is no such thing as a magic bullet. For instance, even if one is able to reduce high blood pressure with medication, that medication may also cause collateral damage to the body and other symptoms as well. This forces one to decide which is worse, the original or the new symptoms. I'm not sure about you but this doesn't seem like an ideal scenario to me.
In addition, reducing symptoms without changing underlying conditions will never result in the experience of more inspiration, passion and joy.
Wellness, on the other hand, offers, not only a shift in the symptoms one is experiencing, but in the condition or state that lead to their manifestation in the first place. Wellness also opens the possibility of an even healthier and more vibrant state of existence than one previously had.
In order to achieve any goal, including wellness, one must have a strategy or road map to get there. Network Spinal Analysis is a method specifically designed to create a shift in physiology, perception, experience and behaviors which results real changes. These strategies include discovery, transformation and awakening.
First we must discover how we've gotten to where we are. What are our habits that have resulted in our current experience? How do we react to stress? Are we aware of how we hold tension in our body and how to release it?
Once we have discovered how we have lived life to this point, then we can begin to enact change. From our new found awareness we can begin to release old patterns while creating more flexibility in our system and in our lives. This is the only way a real shift or transformation in our habitual experiences can occur.
When we have become more flexible we can then begin to focus our attention on more depth, wisdom and richness in our life experience. In this way, we have moved beyond survival and can awaken to our full potential.
Network Spinal Analysis and Somato-Respiratory Integration are two of the most amazing methods available to help people achieve greater states of wellness. The unparalleled results of Network Care are well documented in a University of California study and monitored and matched everyday at the Center for Holistic Health.
Join us on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, 7:30 PM, at the Center for Holistic Health in Decatur to experience a free introduction to this miraculous work.
What's Fresh on the Summer Menu?
By Jennifer Noble
Wouldn't you love a Fresh Banana Pineapple Sugar Scrub, Chocolate Honey Sugar Scrub. How does a Fresh Papaya & Honey Coconut Body Wrap or a Banana's and Cream Body Mask sound?
This summer I thought it would be a great to treat the skin more like the organ that it is rather than just a pretty covering so many neglect to protect and care for. Sure, most of us try to take care of our faces, eat well and drink plenty of water. Some might even buy lovely body lotions and creams. The Sun and environment like many of these creams and lotions could be aging your skin from excessive drying and chemical damage.
The fun summer blends above might only sound foo-fooy at first glance but did you know the skin can absorb nutrients into the blood stream even when the digestive system isn't working properly? The Banana is one of the most nourishing fruits for the skin because of its major doses of magnesium, Potassium, iron, iodine, zinc, Vitamin A, B (Folic Acid) E and F. Pineapple and Papaya contain enzymes that fight free-radical damage and are known to reduce fine lines, age spots. They leave skin feeling soft and
supple and cleanse the skin by removing dead skin cells. In addition to Pineapple's other positive effects on the skin they also promote elasticity and improve the skin's hydration. These fruits are not alone, honey even helps repair and heal. Honey is well known for its protective, nutritive and anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Honey has also been used for its ability to heal and regulate moisture in blemished, dry and sensitive skin. Let us not forget the dark mother of them all, chocolate. If you have been paying attention to the latest products to hit the market in beauty and health industry you would have seen this yummy addition in the ingredient list. Yes, that's right even chocolate can do more than add inches to our waistlines. Chocolate is loaded with antioxidants and studies show it improves
structure, function and reduces reddening of the skin. The mechanisms that improve skin are not known but more studies are underway. Even cream and coconut deserve some attention as they play a major role in fighting wrinkles and keeping skin plump.
Wondering what a session will be like? Each session will begin with a warm Rose and Chamomile compress to cleanse and prepare the skin. We will then apply the freshly prepared scrub of your choice to your entire body allowing time for the ingredients to absorb before wiping away. If you decide to stop there, your full body will be spritzed with Rose Hyrosol to maintain moisture and tone the skin. All scrubs are paired well
with a wrap, body mask or massage. No matter what scrub, wrap or mask you choose, know that they all will provide the body with powerful nutrients that will leave your skin looking and feeling younger, healthier and more vibrant.
All scrubs are priced at $60 with sessions lasting around 30-45minutes. Wraps and Mask are priced at $75 with sessions lasting 45 minutes to 1 hour. Please contact the Center for Holistic Health today to schedule your appointments. This special “Scrub Event” will only last through end of September.
Jennifer Noble, NCTMB
Massage Therapist / Reflexologist
Center for Holistic Health