Have you read "A Stroke of Insight" by Jill Bolte Taylor? What a fantastic book highlighting the power of our brains and bodies to heal. She describes the functions of both the right and left sides of the brain and talks about the importance of conscious choice- whether we decide to view our lives as the cup half empty or half full. In her journey to heal from a severe stroke, she worked with reestablishing her brain function from the ground up with conscious choice of thought and as the result is living a more satisfying life than before her stroke. I highly recommend this book to everyone!

Getting ready to take in some gorgeous countryside. Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho- spectacular mountains, forests and rivers- AND hot springs!! Then on to Yellowstone. Looking forward to the wide open space, abundant wildlife, rushing rivers and starry nights in the campsite.
Now THIS is therapeutic!!

Seems to me that healing of any sorts may be dependent on openness of the body, mind and spirit to the present moment more than anything. Awareness of resistence and softening into acceptance of what is. The vulnerability of this may feel at times like it’s going to kill us- no protection or guarding in this place. Just allowing the body to do what it needs to do to be in it’s flow instead of trying to control or thwart where it knows to go to heal. Remembering to trust our innate wisdom. Of course, this includes feeling our feelings as painful as they may be. Let it be. The Beatles were really on to something here….

When we refer to our essential self- what does that mean? For me it shows up as “rightness” or “truth” that I feel that is reflected in my core as an expanded, full and easy breath. An “ah-hah” moment. A “knowing", when acknowledged, supports an inner aliveness and clarity of mind. A feeling of “me” separate from “other”- a differentiation which also makes me feel more connected to my whole self and the whole enchilada.

Learned this week that 80% of the seratonin in our body is produced in the gut. Toxins, stress, etc. can interfere with the availability of the seratonin which we use for optimum physical, mental and emotional health. With the fast food diet many Americans consume, no wonder depression is so rampant! Especially in this economic environment and the stresses it imposes, we should all be eating lots of raw, organic foods to help nourish our G.I. tracts.

I recently read Stephen Levine’s amazing book “Healing Into Life and Death”, which I picked up and read 20 some years ago. The book this time for me took on a whole new meaning. He so beautifully speaks to the heart of living and dying whether it be a shift in perception or circumstances, the loss of a loved one, or the loss of health. His exercises help you connect to deeper healing. While we often feel alone in our pain and grief, Stephen reminds us of the collective pain- “the” pain, not “our” pain. A beautifully written and helpful book which I highly recommend to anyone going through transition, loss or grief.

Every once in awhile I receive feedback from a client who reports a continued feeling of buzzing or energy in their bodies well after the session. My body clearly remembers Marion Rosen's "imprint" from her hand on my back for days after my session with her. Makes me wonder if there are times where we are just able to take more in, feel more, be more.... or what happens. Seems to have something to do with the presence of the practitioner and the presence in the touch. What do y'all think????