The vernal equinox is here and it’s time to transition to more daylight hours as we move toward the summer solstice three months from now. This time of year is ripe for reflection, looking at the quality of balance in our lives to see what may be blossoming for us. In the somewhat rare… Read more »
This past month, the world was shocked by the news of the death of sports icon Kobe Bryant along with eight other victims on board a helicopter that crashed in Calabasas. For 20 years, basketball fans watched Kobe game after game and witnessed an athlete who was wholeheartedly committed to excellence. During Kobe’s jersey retirement… Read more »
Pregnancy is a wondrous time. It is filled with joy and anticipation and daydreams of what is to come. But what if midway through the pregnancy that joyous daydream is interrupted with news of a problem? My son, Nicholas, had a condition called congenital hydrocephalus which was diagnosed at my baseline ultrasound when I was… Read more »
These past couple of years have been peculiar for me and my friends. Every time we stop to catch our breath, a new crisis occurs. As I write this, I have one friend returning from her third family funeral and another who lost her business partner and father in the same month. One is back… Read more »
In my work as a massage therapist and energy medicine practitioner I consider this question every day. Every client–each person–has a story. We are each on a healing journey. The details vary, but the quest is the same for all: we are searching for wholeness. What helps? What constitutes success? Recently I had a personal… Read more »
Remember when you couldn’t wait for summer? In your young mind the word screamed freedom, bare feet, nature and fun. Where will you find those things this summer? July and August are the perfect time to escape on a new (or familiar) adventure. Whether it’s a drive to the beach, staycation at a local resort,… Read more »
Have you been getting a tap on the shoulder that keeps telling you that you need a vacation? I believe that we never truly realize just how much we need an uplifting vacation, or “change of environment,” until we have actually make that change. I recently took a spur of the moment trip to Paris.… Read more »
We’ve all heard of the phrase “working on your bucket list,” or completing all the things you wanted to do in life. For most it’s things like skydiving, climbing Mount Everest, bungee jumping off big cliffs or visiting exotic islands. For me, it’s what I consider a challenge of a lifetime, which at the same… Read more »
In January I was told I have breast cancer. The overwhelming news brought tears and the urge to crawl up in a ball and stay there forever. I didn’t want to face what lay ahead – more doctors, more tests, and many life-changing decisions to be made. How could this happen to me? You can’t… Read more »
What’s the foundation for a vibrant and inspired life? Balance. A return to homeostasis is the key for optimal functioning. This is no easy task in our busy culture, and especially difficult for working women. In honor of Women’s History Month, I looked at how women and work have evolved over time and what simple… Read more »
Because Death Valley is considered one of the hottest places on earth it never elicited a call to visit. After seeing the striking beauty in a friend’s recent pictures of this national park, I became intrigued and decided to lead a group of 25 hikers there. Little did I know that my experience of looking… Read more »
Recently, Jim Dethmer, the author of 15 Commitments of Conscious Leaders, in speaking to a group of health coaches stated, “All sustainable transformation begins with radical self-acceptance.” As a doctor, I have been called to support healing and transformation, but both in my patients and in myself, I find transformation to be an arduous process,… Read more »
As an avid reader of Desert Health, I have enjoyed many great articles on fitness, health and emotional wellbeing. As a ballroom dance instructor, I am proud to say that ballroom dancing addresses all of these! Many people believe that ballroom dancing is only the more formal partner dances such as the foxtrot, waltz, and… Read more »
Is it a coincidence that the words Zen and Zone are so similar? There must be a reason that when human beings do what we love at our highest level of proficiency, we are also at peace and experience fulfillment. There is clear evidence that our thoughts often get in the way of our flow.… Read more »
My mother instilled in me a wanderlust spirit and quest to travel the world through the eyes of the people who live in faraway lands. Following this sage advice, I have affirmed time and time again that traveling allows one to journey into a deeper part of self and an extension of knowledge from an… Read more »
One of my deepest intentions is finding a peaceful heart. The inspiration has, in part, stemmed from my dad, who passed away in 1982 but not before leaving an indelible imprint on the person I am today. He was a metallurgical engineer and researcher in aerospace back in the day when it was an emerging… Read more »
What is the one thing you hope to have with you for life? Your children? Your spouse? Your sanity? Your mobility? When you think about it, the most treasured thing you could wish for yourself and your loved ones is good health. It can be the difference between happiness and heartbreak, comfort and pain, and… Read more »
This past summer I found myself deep in the heartland of the Amazon jungle at night, with a flashlight and a naturalist guide. This experience was as far as I have ever been out of my comfort zone; yet, it drew me closer to understanding how everything in life ultimately works together to collectively sustain… Read more »
The hot summer days are finally behind us, and it is now the time of year when snowbirds make their way back to their desert homes, reminding us that we live in a culture of movement. We move from our childhood home to a place of our own. In time we find something larger with… Read more »
There is something fresh brewing at the JW Marriott Desert Springs. Not only are they underway with a multi-million dollar renovation, but wellness is now being served to their 1,200 employees, local visitors, and international guests. The team leading the charge includes internal nutritionist Regina Basterrechea and Executive Chef Peter Smith who have incorporated changes… Read more »
