Wellness and Anti Aging Benefits of Soaking in a Mountain Hot Spring

The weather has warmed up here in Truckee, and I decided to get outdoors and enjoy a little sunshine. I knew I wanted to be near the water and a beautiful view. I decided to check out Sierra Hot Springs, so I headed to Sierraville, CA ready to soak up the sunshine and all those minerals.

Sierra Hot Springs is located on 700 acres bordering National Forest Land. The location is about an hour from major Tahoe Ski resorts. Keeping with its hippie commune roots, clothing is optional at Sierra Hot Springs. There’s a cafe and lodging if you want to stay overnight. And if a day soaking in hot water isn’t relaxing enough, the resort has a sauna, cold pool, and massages for you to enjoy.

A hot spring’s healing powers are fueled by the large concentrations of minerals (sodium, calcium, and sodium bicarbonate, and selenium, to name a few). When these minerals are absorbed into the body, they can help with a variety of common health complaints.

In her article, The Ancient Healing Powers, Susan Harzler, talks about the benefits of soaking in a natural hot spring:

1)   Improve Circulation - Bicarbonate hot springs are thought to help with blood circulation, hypertension, nervous imbalances, and atherosclerosis.

2)   Boost Immune System - Some proponents believe that iron content in hot springs, along with other trace minerals, might help build your body's immune system, making it stronger and more able to fight infections.

3)   Detoxify - It is believed that bathing repeatedly in hot springs can help tone your autonomic nervous system and normalize your endocrine system, as well as release toxins in your body through sweating.

4)   Reduce Stress - Everyone stepping into the natural hot waters of mineral hot springs immediately relaxes. There are so many health benefits found in relaxation from improved sleeping patterns and nutrient assimilation to creating healthy digestive tracts. The National Sleep Foundation says insomnia causes even more stress in your body, which can wreak even more havoc. The buoyancy of the hot springs can also help increase the range of motion of muscles and joints.

5)   Other conditions - According to the website Alternative Doctor, bathing in sulfur-rich hot springs helps treat dry scalp and arthritic pain, as well as internal problems such as menopausal symptoms and digestive disorders.

If you get a chance, visit a sulfur bath and enjoy the soak. There are hundreds of hot springs in California, and if you are looking for one here is a good place to start

Healing with Essential Oils

Essential oils have become popular over the last few years for their relaxation benefits, but now people are beginning to tap into the health benefits of using oils from seeds, stems, roots, flowers, and plants that are extracted and distilled.

My yoga instructor, Nikki Dean, here in Truckee, introduced me to essential oils and their many health benefits. Essential oils can help with allergies,  muscle aches, fatigue, digestion, depression and so much more.  You should acquire some basic knowledge of the usage and precautions of essential oils prior to using them. It is recommended that most essential oils be diluted and not applied directly to the skin, apart from lavender and tea tree oils.

Here are nine common essential oils and their healing properties:

• Cedarwood:  Aids in the removal of body fat and is used externally for cellulite and the retention of fluid in the tissue. Also used for the respiratory system - a drop in a half cup of water to gargle for sore throat or with a few drops of Eucalyptus in a steaming bowl of water to reduce nasal and lung congestion. Eases bronchitis, coughs and colds. Can be added to shampoos or facial washes to reduce oily secretions. Helps to clear chronic conditions such as dermatitis and psoriasis.

• Frankincense:  Antiseptic, astringent, diuretic, digestive, and sedative. Slows down breathing and produces feelings of calm. Ideally used for meditation. Effective for respiratory congestion. Its astringent properties may relieve heavy periods. Stimulates production of new cells.

• Lavender: Analgesic, antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, bactericide, decongestant, deodorant, diuretic, fungicide, sedative. Soothes the spirit, relieves anger, valuable in manic-depressive cases. Has a sedative action on the heart, assists in bringing down high blood pressure, relieves insomnia, relieves muscular spasms and rheumatic pains. May be useful in nausea, vomiting and colic. Keeps insects at bay. Purifies the air. Promotes growth of new skin cells, great healing effect on burns and sunburn, acne, psoriasis, boils, fungal growths, and scarring.

• Lemon: Antacid, antineuralgic, antirheumatic, antiseptic, astringent, bactericide, diuretic, emollient, insecticide, and laxative. Helps to clear thoughts. Tonic to the circulatory system, liquefies the blood and aids flow, thereby easing pressure on varicose veins. Used to bring down high blood pressure. Helpful in nosebleeds. Eases painful cold sores. May be helpful with constipation and cellulite. Relieves headaches and migraines. Soothes insect bites and stings.

• Lemongrass: Antidepressant, antiseptic, bactericide, diuretic, fungicide and insecticide. Stimulates the mind, lifts the spirit. Stimulates appetite, helpful with colic and indigestion. Prevents spread of contagious diseases. Great for aching muscles. Relieves fatigue, assists with jet lag. Aids in the flow of milk in nursing mothers.

• Patchouli: Antidepressant, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, astringent, deodorant, fungicide and insecticide. May cause loss of appetite. Due to its strong astringent properties, may be helpful for loose skin, especially after dieting. Seems to curb appetite also. Excellent in cases of diarrhea. Its diuretic properties are useful in cases of water retention and cellulite. Known to increase libido. Relieves effects from insect bites. Tissue regenerator which helps regrowth of skin cells and the forming of scar tissue. Heals rough, cracked skin.

• Peppermint: Analgesic, anesthetic, antispasmodic, astringent, decongestant, expectorant, insecticide and stimulant. Said to relieve states of anger, hysteria and nervous trembling, excellent for mental fatigue and depression. On the body, it has a dual action: cooling when hot and warming when cold. As a remedy for colds, it halts mucous and fevers and encourages perspiration. Good for travel sickness, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, colic and nausea. Its stimulating qualities are useful for shock, vertigo, anemia and dizziness. Its cooling and pain relieving action seems to ease headaches, migraines and toothaches. Not liked by insects and vermin.

• Rosemary: Astringent, digestive, diuretic, and hypertensive. Good for mental strain. Revives the senses. Clears headaches and migraines, especially when connected to gastric problems. Helps ease gout and tired, overworked muscles. Normalizes blood pressure. Could ease colitis, flatulence and stomach pains. Seems to relieve menstrual cramps and light periods. Its diuretic properties may be useful with water retention during menstruation.

• Tea Tree: Antibiotic, antiseptic, antiviral, bactericide, expectorant, fungicide, and insecticide. It has a refreshing, revitalizing effect on the mind, especially after shock. Its most important usage is to help the immune system fight off infectious diseases. Sweats toxins out of the body. Indicated for influenza, cold sores, and gingivitis. Provides relief from chicken pox to rashes caused by insect bites. Reduces pus in infected wounds. Clears pores and blemishes caused by chicken pox and shingles. Useful with burns, sores, sunburn, ringworm, warts, herpes and athletes foot.

Once you have explored some essential oils, you may want to start creating your own blends. Growing Up Herbal offers step by step instruction on how to create signature blends.

Celebrate Earth Day

Earth Day has come a long way from its beginnings in 1970. It is now observed worldwide on April 22 and, if you are looking for a way to participate, I'm sure you can find a local celebration, service project or other activities in your area. Here in Truckee, I plan to go to the Tahoe Truckee Earth Day Celebration at Squaw Valley.

There are many things that you can focus on for Earth Day, but I wanted to do something that I can continue after Earth Day, so I decided to raise awareness for food waste. Right now countries like France have banned supermarkets from throwing away food by directing them to compost or donate all expiring or unsold food.

Here in the US nearly 40 % of our food is thrown away. I know I have wasted my share of food in the kitchen and I'm going to work on wasting less this year. Food waste is now the single largest contributor to landfills. And studies by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency show that we could feed over 25 million Americans living in food-insecure homes if we were to reduce food waste by just 15 percent.

What we can do to help with food waste now:

- Shop Smarter – make a meal plan and shop only for those items you will use during the week

- Plan an "eat the leftovers" night each week

- Cook in bulk and freeze the left overs

- Share extra produce with neighbors or food pantries

- Some produce can be used beyond its use by date think soups, casseroles, stir fries, sauces, baked goods, pancakes or smoothies.

- Compost unused food

If you're looking for a way to celebrate, google Earth Day activities in your town, and if you want to learn more about food waste learn more here:

Happy Earth Day!

Hope in Uncertain Times - 21 Day Meditation with Oprah and Deepak

Spring is here, and this year Oprah and Deepak are working to build a wellspring of hope andbecome more mindful at at the same time.

Check out the newest 21-Day Meditation Challenge from Deepak and Oprah. Hope in Uncertain Times. I have nowdone around 7 of these 21-Day Mediation programs by Oprah and Deepak and I love these challenges because they are free, easy to use and provide such a wonderful source of inspiration for my meditation practice.
 
I started the 21 day challenge this week.  I have been feeling pretty overwhelmed lately and this could have not come at a better time.  This challenge has a focus on how to embrace uncertainty as an opportunity to grow and evolve. We are only on day 3, but I’m feeling more centered already.   I try to meditate first thing in the morning before the kids are up and business of the day has started. I have to admit, waking up at 6am has not been easy, but once I am up and start the day with Oprah and Deepak, I am grateful for this mediation.
 
You can still sign up for the challenge here.

Everything Is Toxic

While at the Farm to Table Conference in Pittsburgh last week, I attended several learning sessions that highlighted the levels of toxicity in our lives, both from natural and synthetic sources. These toxins encompass the entire eating process from chemicals in our water to the plastic plastic we use to eat and store our food…and the list goes on.

Over 1,000 new chemicals are introduced into our environment every year. Health or safety data exist for only about 15 percent of new chemicals submitted for approval to the Environmental Protection Agency.  Meanwhile, tens of thousands of older chemicals — those on the market before the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 — require no safety testing at all. So don’t think the government or big business is protecting us from these toxins.

While everything is toxic, some things are more toxic than others. You need to drink a lot of water to die of water poisoning, but it doesn’t take a lot of rat poison to kill you.

The good news I took away from these learning sessions is that our bodies are miraculously designed to filter many common toxins. And we must practice more control over the products we buy. On a personal level, I will be more adamant about checking product labels. And I promise to buy a stainless-steel water bottle instead of using the plastic ones I have now. At a national level, we must continue to move the needle on containing the dangers of lead, mercury, asbestos, and cigarette smoke - toxins universally accepted as dangerous.

Where to learn more:  The Household Products Database from the National Library of Medicine, provides chemical safety sheets for thousands of consumer products. And Think Dirty is a new mobile app that educates consumers on the cosmetic products.

Guest Post written by:
Michele Garvey – editor, bemindful.com

What’s Your Mantra?

A mantra is a word or phrase repeated while meditating to aid in your concentration. It helps train your mind to pay attention and focus on the present moment. Many people are fortunate enough to be gifted a mantra from a teacher or guru. However, you can choose a mantra for yourself based on the qualities you want to bring into your life.
 
While choosing a mantra, you should look for a virtue that you want to develop, such as happiness, self-love or balance.  Your mantra can be in the traditional Hindu, English or another language if you prefer. It should be short so that it can be completed with the in and out breath.

While I was on a yoga retreat recently, my teacher told stories of the many deities pictured on the ashram grounds and explained what each represented. He gave my group a list of mantras, many of which are based on the virtues of the gods and goddesses we talked about. He said that most people would connect with one of these phrases.  I’m sharing the list below and hope you find one that advances your practice.
 
Possible Mantras and the associated deities
 
·         Om – the first sound – connectivity
·         So Ham – existence
·         Om Dum Durgayai Namaha – Power (Durga)
·         Om Aim Saraswatyai Namaha – Creativity (Saraswati)
·         Om Shri Maaha Lakshmyai Namaha – Beauty (Lakshmi)
·         Om Gam Ganaapatyai Namaha – Help (Ganesha)
·         Om Sri Anjanaya Namaha – Service (Hanuman)
·         Om Sri Ramaya Namaha – Duty –(Rama)
·         Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya – Joy (Krishna)
·         Om Namah – Stillness – (Shiva)
·         Om Name Narayanaya – Balance – (Vishnu)
 
Sound out each mantra aloud. Do it again until one seems to fit with your needs and you feel comfortable repeating it. Try using it during meditation. If you like it, congratulations, you’ve found your mantra. If none of these resonate, continue to search for a better fit.
 
Namaste.

Wisdom 2.0

I was happy to again attend the annual Wisdom 2.0 conference that took place in San Francisco in February. If you have not heard of Wisdom 2.0, it “explores living mindfully in the digital age.”
 
Wisdom 2.0 brings together leaders and entrepreneurs who are looking to balance mindfulness and technology in their worlds. The conference is a mix of folks from different backgrounds. From business people to yoga instructors and teachers to small business owners, this year’s conference brought together more than 2,500 people from over 24 countries.
 
This was my second year at the conference, and the one thing that all attendees share is a desire to create a positive social impact. You truly felt the positive energy as individuals shared their experiences and brought a conscious mindset to the room.
 
Wisdom offers a forum to learn, share and experience the benefits of conscious thought in everyday action. This year’s speakers included mindful leaders like Jon Kabot-Zin, Byron Katie, Dan Siegel and Sharon Salzberg, as well as CEOs like Josh Reeves of Gusto and Laurent Potdevin of Lululemon. Authors, including Glennon Doyle Melton who wrote Love Warrior and Dan Harris who wrote 10% Happier and singer/songwriter, Jewel, were there too, talking about how mindfulness has helped in their lives.
 
One afternoon I spent some time in the The Embodiment Lounge, sponsored by designer Eileen Fisher who is a fan of mindfulness in her life and in her clothing line. She also started LifeWork, a website that connects viewers with teachers, events, workshops, and other tools for mindful practices. Here’s the session I attended in the lounge with Jack Kornfield and Trudy Goodman.

Throughout March, LifeWork will be sharing video of workshops from the Embodiment Lounge, so be sure to check them out.
 
While there is a lot of new age spirit at Wisdom 2.0, you don’t have to be a meditation expert to understand the messages. We are all looking for ways to live our connected lives that is beneficial to our well-being and useful to the world.
 

What does it mean to be mindful?

What does it mean to be mindful

One question I get a lot is: what exactly does it mean to be mindful? Mindfulness has received a huge amount of attention, but what does it really mean to your day? Do mindful people live differently? Are there practices we can follow to become more mindful?
 
Jon Kabat Zinn defines mindfulness as: Paying attention; on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally. You can hear more from Jon Kabat Zinn on mindfulness on this You Tube video. 
 
Mindfulness allows us to create an awareness and gain greater clarity in our daily lives. It isn’t just meditating in the morning, although that is also recommended. You can practice mindfulness while shopping, working, eating or talking to a friend. Anyone can learn mindfulness from young children to adults. You can practice it anywhere and its always available to you.

Here are a few ways mindfulness can be applied during a normal day:
 
·         Get out and walk, preferably in nature. Greenery helps us focus.
·         Create something - from knitting to art to writing, whatever inspires you.
·         Breathe – remember to check in with your breath from time to time during the day.
·         Stop multi-tasking – one thing at a time allows you to concentrate.
·         Take electronic breaks throughout the day. Better yet, sleep with your phone in a different room.

This site if full of inspiration on how to be more mindful in your life.  We would love to hear from you, how do you practice mindfulness in your day? 

Floating through 2017

Floating

Doing nothing sounds like a nice change of pace from our ultra-connected, fast paced world. Believe it or not, the concept of doing nothing is taking over wellness community lately with Sensory Deprivation Therapy or Float Therapy wellness centers popping up all over the country. Float Therapy occurs in a solution of Epson salts and water. You enter a giant tank which unburdens you from the sensations of gravity, temperature, touch, light and sound.
 
With all this hype about floating, I had to try it myself. I found a wonderful Float house, right here in Truckee, called Rise Float House.
 
Although I have added Epson salts to my bath from time to time, Float Therapy takes it to the next level. It took a little getting used to, lowering my body into a dark tank, but soon I was effortlessly floating atop the water and fell into a deep state of relaxation like I’ve never experienced before.
 
Float sessions usually last about an hour. If you are prone to claustrophobia, many centers will allow you to keep the lights on or keep the door to the tank open.
 
Floating is the perfect environment for healing. Swedish research says it is good for managing stress, anxiety, chronic pain, depression and even high blood pressure. Other studies suggest it can improve creativity. And, by soaking in Epsom salts, your body receives the benefits of a long magnesium soak - helping to balance hormones and calcium levels.
 
Floating is becoming popular with celebrities and big name athletes like Stephen Curry, but it's also gaining ground with people who are just looking to disconnect for a while.
 
The water is about the same temperature as your body so you can’t tell where the water begins and your body ends. After my float, I felt like I just walked out of a spa treatment, completely calm and relaxed. I will definitely go back and rejuvenate with float therapy in the new year!       
 
Have you tried float therapy? Share your experience with us.   

Taking Time for Yoga

Yoga Retreats

We all recognize the benefits of yoga and meditation, but it’s often hard to find time to practice. But what if you could devote days to this endeavor? Taking off time for a wellness retreat allows you to focus on taking your practice to the next level and provides the schedule for you so there’s no question about skipping yoga class today.
 
I spent time looking at a variety of yoga retreats, and you can find them all over the world.  You can find reviews everywhere.  Both Goop and Book Yoga Retreats offer a good look. You can go upscale at a swanky hotel in France or stay at an ashram with dorm room facilities in Boston. You can spend a weekend or a month. You can take special courses or just show up for daily yoga sessions and use the rest of your time as you please. You can even incorporate volunteerism into your stay. Some places are all-inclusive with lodgings and meals, and others don’t -- so think about what you want from the place you choose. Some have strict rules about what eat so take that into account when you are looking. Many offer silent retreats as well if that is something you are interested in.
 
Living in cold weather at this time of year, I’m thinking of going south to the Caribbean or Mexico for a few weeks. Two programs that look interesting are yoga at a program and at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat at Paradise Island in the Bahamas and Rancho La Puerta right over the border from San Deigo in Mexico. Unlike many of the retreats I researched, these two seem easy to get to from my location, and you can choose from different types of accommodations. They offer many different programs, or you can sign up for a basic Yoga Vacation package which includes of daily yoga practice, a healthy vegetarian diet, silent meditation sessions, and uplifting teachings.
 
Have you taken a yoga retreat?  Tell us about your experience!
 
Guest Post written by:
Michele Garvey – editor, bemindful.com

Happy Solstice and Blessed Yule

Today is the winter solstice, also known as Yule.  it is the first official day of winter and the shortest day of the year.  Author Susan Cooper reminds us of the beauty of the Yuletide season. May it bring a bit of joy to all our hearts.

The Shortest Day
By Susan Cooper

And so the Shortest Day came and the year died
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive.
And when the new year’s sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, revelling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing behind us – listen!
All the long echoes, sing the same delight,
This Shortest Day,
As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
They carol, feast, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends,
And hope for peace.
And now so do we, here, now,
This year and every year.
Welcome Yule!

Keeping it Simple During the Holidays

It is mid-December and things are starting to get busy around my house this time of year.  The holiday shopping, decorating, and parties are all fun, but it can get a little crazy gearing up for Dec 25 as we celebrate Christmas at my house.
 
No matter which holiday you recognize, this is a time to celebrate. A time to spend with family and friends.  But it should also be a time of peace and reflection.  Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the shopping and spending, I want to create a holiday with more meaning, more sharing, and more happiness this year.
 
I’ve been checking out Simplify the Holidays’ site with tips for creating less wasteful and more meaningful holiday celebrations.  Instead of buying all my gifts on Amazon or a big box retailer this year, I am opting for locally made gifts and encouraging my kids to do handmade gifts this year as well. I’m also thinking more about charitable donations and sharing time together vs. the latest gadget or toy. Seasonal plants make a great gift as do homemade goodies. A gratitude journal or craft project is another mindful choice. Sharing photos or creating and mounting a favorite saying for family members is a simple way to gift with meaning and not overspend or give someone something they don’t want or need. Giving an experience such as travel, an event, or a class may be another way to go if you do have money to spend.
 
Check out our Simplify the Holidays calendar daily inspirations and practical tips for simplifying your holiday season.
 

Merry Mindfulness!

Drinking Water

Moving the mountains and elevation I have been drinking a lot more water.  At 6000 feet above sea level, you exhale and perspire twice as much moisture than at sea level.   So, no wonder I am drinking water all the time.  With my increased water consumption have come questions about our water supply. Friends and neighbors here say the local water supply here is pretty good, but I always filter from the tap. If you have not checked out your tap water, reports are posted online on the Environmental Protection Agency’s website. (Visit the EPA’s website for Local Water Quality Information.)  The report summarizes which contaminants have been found in your drinking water and whether any of them have reached potentially dangerous levels.
 
Another water option is to go directly to a natural spring. I found one near my home here in Truckee and plan to check out spring water direct from the source. Find A Spring (link) is a database of springs around the world that provide fresh clean water.
 
I also like to have a bottled mineral water in my fridge. I drink it with dinner or at night when I like to have a little bubbly water.  My favorites are San Pellegrino and Gerolsteiner. And, bonus, mineral water does not include the chemicals that we get from the tap. If you suspect that your drinking water is low in minerals, mineral water could be a good thing to add to your diet. Bottled mineral water contains up to four times as much calcium and magnesium as regular tap water. Here is a chart that shows the amount of the various minerals in the most common brands you will see at the store.  (Just be careful of the sodium content).  
 
Drink healthy and stay hydrated!   

Mindful Apps for Kids

The Election night has gone differently than many expected and has brought strong emotions to the forefront for both adults and children.  My kids have had a lot of questions and are feeling very nervous about the election results and what happens next.  So, I thought I would pass along some apps suggestions to help with the fear and uncertainly that our kids may be feeling.

Here are a few apps that I like that can help kids relax. They feature simple to follow mediation techniques that calm anxiety in these uncertain times
 
Smiling Mind - This app helps the 7-to-18 year olds tackle everyday stresses through psychologist-developed mindfulness meditations.  Each session starts with a quick series of questions to focus the mind, followed by simple, easy-to-follow meditation exercises. It is based on the principle of being aware of taste, touch, sight and smell to be in the moment.  It’s free and adults can use it too.

Mindfulness for Children - This free meditation by Psychomotor Therapist and certified mindfulness teacher Pia Holgersen and App developer Jannik Holgersen.  The App provides step by step easy to follow audio instructions on how to meditate.
http://mindful-app.com
 
Sleep Mediation for kids - Bedtime can be a great time to talk about emotions and get your kids to calm down, with help from celebrated yogi, Montessori teacher, and Calm for Kids founder, Christiane Kerr. The guided meditations (the app is preloaded with four meditation stories, extras can be purchased) are designed to relax children of all ages.

 Calm - Calm is a straightforward app that teaches mindfulness. It is free to download and contains plenty of content, including more than 20 soothing audio/visual nature backgrounds, trackable timed sessions, and free guided meditations, such as the 7 Days of Calm series. This is a good app for teens
 
We may feel anger or sadness at the election results and other political challenges that will arise, but meditation can help us sort out those feelings and understand that love and compassion will rise above election polls.
 

Natural Beauty

By now you must have noticed the “natural beauty” movement in the cosmetic industry.  Every celebrity seems to be creating a line of natural beauty products and everyone is giving up old school beauty products to go au naturel.

More folks have become aware of ingredients in their cosmetics and personal care products, and it is important that skin care and hair care products have natural ingredients. Sulfates are the No. 1 ingredient to avoid, with parabens coming in second—most likely because they’ve been associated with skin cancer.

The shift to more natural beauty products is good news because it’s making the personal care industry clean up its act, in large part because of pressure from consumers who want safer options and ingredients.

There are many natural beauty products to choose from these days, but lately I have been obsessed with the products from Una Biologicals based in Pittsburgh, PA. Most Una Biologicals items are made with eight ingredients or less and are handcrafted. And the prices are terrific!

Here are my three favorite products from Una that are in my medicine cabinet right now:

Rose Facial Cleaner: $18 This oil-based cleanser with rose and carrot seed oil gently removes make-up and impurities while retaining essential moisture in your skin.

Luxe Face Cream: $25 Day or night face cream made with organic virgin coconut, apricot, and almond oils combined with nutrient-rich avocado oil to deeply hydrate and repair your skin.

The Wound Wonder: $5.50 Organic wonder salve can help relieve anything from bug bites and razor burn to kitchen cuts with its blend of organic calendula, comfrey, and chickweed. It also can minimize symptoms of eczema.

If you are in Pittsburgh, PA, stop by the Una Biologicals storefront in the hipster neighborhood of Lawrenceville. Or shop for products and learn more about where they can be found at www.unabiologicals.com.

Monday Night Dharma Talks Live from Spirit Rock

Living in Northern CA for the last 20 years I have been blessed to often visit Spirit Rock Meditation Center.  Spirit Rock is dedicated the practice of mindful awareness and provides silent meditation retreats, as well as classes, trainings, and Dharma study opportunities for both beginners and experienced students.

One of my favorite offerings at Spirit Rock is the Monday night Dharma Talks. I head over to Woodacre, CA at least a few times a year to listen to Jack Kornfield (and friends) give these talks. For over 30 years, a group has been gathering there and sharing the practices of awareness and compassion. It is amazing to mediate with a large group. If you are traveling to northern CA, Spirit Rock is about a half hour from San Francisco and a must-see for mindful visitors.

I have recently moved to Truckee, and it is not as easy for me to drive to Spirit Rock, but (hooray!) the Monday night Dharma Talks can now be access via the web

For a few hours you can put your life on hold and meditate via live stream

Spirit Rock is visited by an estimated 40,000 peace-seekers every year and has become one of the most influential and well-attended meditation centers in the world.  The teachings of the Buddha (Dharma) and the practices of Insight Meditation (Vipassana) and loving-kindness meditation (metta) are at the heart of the programs offered at Spirit Rock

If you need an escape from everyday life where you can quiet the mind and open your heart, you can do it virtually. Check out the live webcasts, they are held every Monday night from 7:15 - 9:15pm PDT. "Spirit Rock Live: Monday Nights with Jack Kornfield and Friends." The cost of the live stream a sliding scale starting at $10. There are also many free resources on the Spirit Rock website.

Sound Therapy with Singing Bowls

I recently had my first experience with Sound Therapy with Gyongyi Ridenour, the founder of Gyoharmony, near Lake Tahoe, CA.  Sound healing is a mind-body approach to wellness. Sound healers work to release tension held in the body with the help of vibration of sound.
 
And it makes sense. Music has been used for years to simply help relax people and put them in a better state of mind. After all it has been proven that when someone releases tension and relaxes, their immune system benefits.
 
Sound healing can be the use of chanting, music, and other types of sounds to calm the mind and help the body to heal itself. The sound is transmitted as vibrations of energy in the air at a certain wavelength. For example, the “Love Frequency” is said to be 528Hz, and 432 Hertz frequency is supposed to be the healing frequency. There are also specific sound frequencies for pain control, neurodevelopmental remediation, sleep, accelerated learning, and enhanced productivity.
 
In my class with Gyongyi she played the Tibetan singing bowls and gongs through channeling. As a participant, I experienced full Body, Mind and Spirit relaxation, hearing the sound, feeling the vibration and receiving the wonderful healing energy.
 
The practice of Sound Therapy is becoming more popular in wellness circles, with “sound baths” popping up at yoga studios and spas around the country. And for good reason. Using sound as therapy can help with issues such as sleep disorders, anxiety, stress, pain management and more.
 
Check out your local listing for yoga studios who may offer sound therapy in your area. Or if you want to learn more about sound healing a good place to start is online at explore sound healing The International Academy of Sound Healing  or the Sound Healing Center
 
 
 
 

Harvest Moon

Tonight, Sept 16, 2016, a full Moon more will appear in the sky and the lunar eclipse will descend on us.  Tonight's Pisces full moon will bring a transformational energy.  It is a powerful time to let go and surrender to things that don't serve us any more and break old patterns. 

Check out this great article from Mind Body Green about eight ways you can let go and surrender during the Pisces full moon lunar eclipse:

And if you would like to learn more about the science of tonight's harvest moon visit space watching columnist, Joe Rao, at Space.com

Time To Color

Lately I’ve been seeing coloring books everywhere, the bookstore, gift shops, the grocery store check outline, Amazon, ITunes. These coloring books say they are“mindful” or “anti-stress”. It seems that people are exited to do something that is not on a screen and make time to do something creative.  Making time to color can be a enjoyable way to be in the moment with paper and pencil.

If you are thinking about buying one of the coloring books, some of of favorite coloring books are "Balance (Angie's Extreme Stress Menders Volume 1)" by Angie Grace , “Coloring Mandala’s” by Susan Fincher, and "The Mindfulness Colouring Book: Anti-stress Art Therapy for Busy People" by Emma Farrarons. These books can be used by kids and adults, but the new coloring book are being marketed to stressed-out adults looking for a moment of calm that a coloring session can bring.

If you just want to try mindful coloring out and not sure you want to buy an entire book of coloring pages.  Here are a couple of free downloads that are great way to start.

-       Healing from Burnout

-       Mindfulness Colouring

-       Mandals

And if you find it easier to do coloring on screen, well, there’s an app for that too.

-  Colorfy,

- Enchanted Forest,

- Pigment

So sit down, relax, pick up a crayon or a colored pencil and take some time to color.  You may just create something something beautiful!

Summer Wanderlust

It’s summer and time for some fun! Living in the Bay area there are always music festivals to enjoy, but this year I am lucky to be among those attending Wanderlust in Squaw Valley.

Wanderlust is a leader in the yoga and wellness space, and the festivals are all-out celebrations of mindful living. They bring together instructors, musicians, speakers and chefs for a four-day retreat in one of the world’s most awe-inspiring natural resorts. It’s a great way to get out in nature, explore new ideas, and make new friends.

Wanderlust tickets are kind of like a choose-your-own-adventure purchase; you can pick for “music-only” tickets or go for the complete experience of picking from scheduled activities each day (such as yoga, meditation, and the Speakeasy lecture series), plus enjoy access to the concerts. 

The first Wanderlust Festival festival was held in Squaw Valley in July 2009 and has grown to seven festivals in the United States and Canada. “Festivals are all about community,” says Wanderlust co-founder Jeff Krasno. “They bring people together who tend to share similar values in an environment that’s all about music, dance and fun.” The concept for Wanderlust was sparked when Krasno, co-founder of the record label and artist management company Velour Music Group, got inspired by the yoga community he saw in his wife Schuyler’s Manhattan studio. “There’s a growing cultural movement toward more mindful living, and concepts such as ethical consumerism and fair-trade fashion that seemed progressive back in the 70s are now mainstream,” says Krasno. “We wanted to provide a place for people who share these values to come together and commune.”

If you can’t make one of the Wanderlust locations this summer, you can check out Wanderlust Speakeasy online. The casual lecture series covers topics ranging from holistic health to progressive politics.

Adventure awaits.