Are we thriving?
here we are 2021
Wednesday mornings at 6:30 am, I have my apprenticeship with my Swedish Root Dr teacher Johannes B. Gårdbäck. We talked about when doing this work people often come with a problem and he said the solution doesn’t come from the problem. If you plant a seed with a problem there will still be a problem. You plant a seed with the intent that it will blossom, that it will thrive. Where are you now and where are you when you’re thriving?
This has definitely been a bumpy year. So much change. So much death. I think the best thing I can do to thrive right now is to focus on my own wellness, health and healing in 2021. I was listening to my friend and comedian John F. O'DonnellPodcast “Take Your Pill Psychopath” this morning interviewing fellow comic and podcaster Tim Warner and Tim has an acronym for FOCUS, that really resonated with me. For Our Consciousness Understanding and Sanity.
The last week of 2020 I was met with a lot of physical pain. I wrote about my experience getting out of pain on my website. It was a real reminder I need to be walking the walk. Body work is really important for me to receive. I got 2 sessions in the last week and honestly I could still use more, Bob Hope was on to something (daily massage). People are always curious where I get bodywork and I have been setting up regular appointments with my Shiatsu teacher, Beck Stephens in Longmont and received from Chelsea, who was a chair massage student of mine from 2004, in Lakewood.
I have studied Traditional Chinese Medicine for over 20 years and it offers real insights for staying healthy with the seasons. In TCM Winter is associated with the Bladder and Kidney meridians. The element is Water, which makes sense since the Bladder and Kidneys move water out of the body. Bladder stores your emotions and Kidneys store your life energy. This is why it’s important to rest in the Winter, you’re storing your energy reserves for the rest of the year. “Individuals with deficient Water energy may find it difficult to slow down, relax or rest, with an inability to reflect clearly. A balanced Water element allows fluidity and flow, and ability to rest and nourish oneself and others” Water element is related to emotions in general but the specific emotional imbalance associated with this season is fear, love and faith transmute fear. Bladder and Kidney meridians travel along the spine. “Tensions and held-on emotions can easily cause congestion in this area and lead to stiffness as well as neck or back pains.” Winter is a great time to get bodywork to help support your physical and emotional bodies. Are you in balance?
We are closely approaching my half birthday, February 1st or Imbolc. We are halfway between Winter solstice and Spring equinox. The light is returning! It is time to get the seeds ready for planting. Planning and plotting. What would you like to see blossom in your garden and in your life?
For my wellness I’m also doing a 21 day Awareness Challenge with Hareesh Wallis of the Tantrika Institute that consists of daily contemplations and meditations. Today I contemplated, contemplating and meditated about listening. For my physical body I’m doing a 40 day Intention Kundalini Yoga Challenge with Jacki Brown LAC (her Facebook had a ton of classes on it too.) Have been enjoying long walks and runs.
In the next few months I will be having my first ever art show! I will have some collages up at The Bardo Coffee House below my office and will be hopefully be teaching a few classes at Ritualcravt. Stay tuned.
I do have time next week for you or tell your friends or family who may benefit from some body work or leave me a review so folx might find me! Really appreciate the support and hope you are well on your way to thriving in 2021.
new green room healing arts photos by Glenn Ross