These days, many individuals are seeking ways to be calm and in the present, appreciate their lives and develop practices to stay focused. The financial events over the past few years have provided a perfect opportunity to practice these tools. Mindfulness. According to mindfulness.org, “Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present,… Read more »
If we look at the practice of meditation from a distance, we notice that this process of rebalancing our body, mind and spirit is something natural. In fact, it is the most natural process for us human beings to recharge and recover. It takes place every night while we sleep. We rest our mind and… Read more »
Over the past month, I have seen a surge of patients presenting with anxiety and/or depression in my practice. “I am so scared, scared to go out, scared to be home alone, scared of how I am going to pay my bills, and scared that my family members and friends could die in the next… Read more »
Do you meditate? If you’re like 80 percent of the people asked, your answer is, “I’ve tried it, but can’t make my mind stop.” This meditation myth and a few other common misunderstandings can keep you from learning this very valuable relaxation practice. Today, I’d like to share some good news with you. Meditation is… Read more »
These simply meditation practices work whether you are walking, hiking, riding a bike, or sitting. 1: Grounding & Opening Start by bringing your awareness to the soles of your feet. Visualize these energy centers opening and growing roots deep into the earth, going down and out to stabilize you. Then bring your awareness to the… Read more »
Not that long ago, the word “meditation” conjured up images of ascetics dwelling austerely in Himalayan caves. Today, just about every town in America has a yoga studio which typically offers some form of meditation practice. Until recently, however, no one really knew if meditation could offer consistent, practical benefits, or if it was merely… Read more »
Our military is well trained for the rigors of combat, but many veterans find themselves unprepared for the debilitating post traumatic stress many experience when they return home to their families. Coping with depression, anxiety, insomnia, and flashbacks of war experiences can be overwhelming. In January, Time magazine revealed that the number of male veterans… Read more »
Stalingrad 1942 was one of the most savage battles in military history. My father, a reluctant German infantry soldier (the other option would have been execution) was wounded and sent back from the front. That saved his life and for me, the guide of my life. He never talked about what it was like. Except… Read more »
We know that stress can be detrimental to adult health, but what about children? Significant research now suggests that American children are indeed experiencing stress at new levels: suicides among adolescents have quadrupled since the 1950s; only 36 percent of 7th graders agreed with the statement “I am happy with my life“; and in the… Read more »
I had only heard of Transcendental Meditation™ (TM®) in the George Strait song “All My Ex’s Live in Texas.” Because of these circumstances, he lived in Tennessee, and through transcendental meditation he would return to Texas each night. “But I always come back to myself, long before daylight.” From this country classic, I always thought… Read more »
Blue Zones Project Coachella (BZPC) celebrated August with its Ultimate End of Summer Wellness Festival on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Rancho 51 in Coachella. Over 780 community members and 40 community partners came together for a day of wellness, family fun and valuable resources. The festival demonstrated an important part of the Blue Zones Project… Read more »
“You’re exactly where you need to be.” The words were carved into a worn bench that greeted me each morning at 6:55 a.m. as I walked toward the meditation hall during a recent seven-day silent meditation retreat. No talking. No phone. No reading. No writing. Could you do it? Would you want to? Do you… Read more »
At the end of every busy season, I intentionally weave mindfulness back into my life. Usually, this takes the form of a retreat. This summer, my landing spot was the Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Marin County. Located in the scenic San Geronimo village of Woodacre, the center is built on the traditional land of… Read more »
Summer promises relaxation, but many people continue to feel busy, overstimulated and stressed. This makes it the perfect time to embrace a “summer slowdown” and nurture one of the body’s most powerful pathways for recovery and resilience: the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve and serves as a major communication pathway… Read more »
The future of Coachella is brighter because of the passion, leadership and service of the Coachella Valley High School Public Service Academy (PSA) students who partnered with Blue Zones Project Coachella. Together, these remarkable students contributed nearly 2,000 volunteer hours and participated in more than 25 community events, bringing health, wellness and connection to residents… Read more »
The Miracle Hill Spa Association (MHSA) is proud to announce Wellness Weekend, taking place October 16-18 in the Spa Zone of Desert Hot Springs. The immersive, educational and one-of-a-kind event will take place at 14 member spas, including Miracle Manor, Azure Palm Hot Spring Resort, The Spring and Two Bunch Palms, to name a few. … Read more »
What is the first thing you do when you wake each morning? Start ruminating about your day. Check your phone for missed notifications. Scroll through the latest headlines. Ponder the needs of others in your household. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a good time for each of us to look within. What can we… Read more »
Last week, I stood in my kitchen preparing curry chicken and vegetable soup. I had discovered a new recipe and had been craving it all day. The vegetables were chopped with care, broth simmering softly, sunlight stretching across the counter. But while cooking, I answered a phone call. Replied to an email. Scrolled briefly through… Read more »
With high season behind us, a good spring cleaning is warranted. But let’s not stop at clearing out home clutter. Let’s also clear out the heaviness accumulated from many eventful months that can leave us feeling mentally foggy, bloated or fatigued. From a naturopathic perspective, spring is an ideal time for gentle “mental and physical… Read more »
Each spring, we review the annual wellness trends forecasted by the Global Wellness Summit (GWS). Over the years, we’ve been introduced to fascinating concepts and technology, while also witnessing a return to the simpler things in life. This year is no exception but leans toward the latter as an emerging theme in The Future of… Read more »