EmbodyGrace is Poised for World Domination!

Okay, so maybe just the greater Chester County area...

Anyway, together, with my partner-in-crime, Bill Bryan, we will be offering three classes at the newly-opened Thrive Yoga Center in Gilbersville. And if you've ever attended a class with Bill and me, you know they are usually pretty fun.

This Saturday, October 22nd, from 4:00-5:30 pm:

Posturing for Health: Qigong

A small sample of our 10-week course, we discuss the concepts of unhealthy vs healthy stress, grounding and centering, followed by an introduction to the "Eight Pieces of Brocade," - a qigong routine (qigong being a form of 'moving meditation') designed to strengthen immunity, increase vitality and flexibility, and help you cope with the stresses of daily life. No experience necessary. Hand-outs included. Wear comfortable clothing.

Also that Saturday, from 6:30-7:30pm:

Self-Massage for General Health and Specific Injuries

Learn a simple yet effective whole body self-massage routine that you can practice anytime, anywhere, in whole or in parts as needed. Mostly shiatsu-based but also incorporates soft-tissue release to address common injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis, as well as a few simple qigong moves to relieve back and neck pain. Hand-out included, so you can practice at home!

Each of these classes is $45, but you can attend both for just $80!

Then, on Saturday, October 29th, from 1:00 -3:00 pm:

Couples Massage, Shiatsu-Style!

Touch is powerful means of communication. Too often in our culture, our experience with touch is limited to aggression or sexuality. Now you can expand your language to include compassion, caring and healing with this whole body shiatsu routine. In this class you will learn to give healing touch to a partner, friend, family member, or co-worker from a place of centeredness, as well as receive a treatment. No experience is necessary... bring a friend to work with, as well as something soft to lie on the floor, a blanket and a pillow. Also, wear loose, comfortable clothing. Hand-outs will be given so you can practice the routine anytime.

This class is $110 per couple.

==> To register: call Sue Greenwald: (484) 459-3082. As her space is new to the community, I don't think she's expecting a large attendance... wouldn't it be fun to surprise her with a huge turn-out!?

D.I.Y.

In case you have no patience to read through this, this post will eventually get to the point of touting the benefits of self-massage. Go ahead and skip to the bottom if you want.

So, I went to my family doc yesterday, for a long-overdue check-up as well as for some other questions I had.

First, you must know about our doctor. He's based in an anthroposophic community. He is an MD but also a homeopath, and we've been going to him for about 15 years. One thing I've been grateful for is his sane, relaxed viewpoint concerning vaccinations, antibiotics and overuse of medical treatment in general... so much so, that we were actually joking recently that we'd appreciate maybe a little more intervention once in a while. His most common response to what ails ya is, "Are you eating enough vegetables?"

His practice is located in a restored barn, if that gives you a better picture.

But I called anyway, even though I expected I might have to ask, beg, plead for  a round of tests to be done. (Note: yes, I will tell you that I do feel a need, at times, for some degree of western-style qualifying of symptoms. It's a fine line... one that even I'm not sure where it's drawn, but I feel more secure with both an Eastern and Western perspective. Integrative, I believe it's called.)

I was told on the phone that our doc had a new partner, a woman, and would I prefer to see her. Sure! I said, hoping that I clicked with her better than the last woman doc, the details of which I won't discuss here.

So, imagine my delight upon learning that even though she is a western-trained family physician, who worked on an Air Force base for eight years, she is currently studying Ayurveda, practices yoga and meditation and sees the wisdom in the ancient Eastern perspective of body/mind/spirit medicine.

Can I get a whoo hoo?

After a blessedly long and thorough intake process and an agreement to do some blood tests, she diagnosed my dosha imbalance - the one that predictably involves lack of groundedness and my head being in the clouds - and gave me some recommendations, such as an almond drink recipe, a breathing exercise and instructions for self-abhy.

Abhyanga is a self-massage routine that involves rubbing the entire body (gently or vigorously, depending on the imbalance) with oil... in my case, vigorous and using warmed sesame oil, as I have a tendency toward being cold.

I've talked before about the benefits of self-massage, as we have a similar practice in shiatsu, called Do-In.

As stated on the Chopra Center website:

"When stimulated through therapeutic touch or massage, the skin releases a pharmacy of healing chemicals that have health-promoting effects on the physiology. In addition to feeling good, regular massage and loving touch detoxifies the body’s tissues, increases circulation, calms the mind, and enhances immune function."

I tried it this morning, and I was indeed amazed at how warm and vibrant my body felt afterwards, even after my shower. Not to mention how thrilled I am to have a doctor that I think I can work with.

Here are the Chopra Center's instructions for self-abhy.

And here, again, is my blurb on Do-In, with a downloadable PDF.

Oh, and here is my post about my previous ayurvedic experience. Good stuff.

Chi Self-Massage

Master Mantak Chia (cha-cha-chia... sorry, a little humor there) in his book, Chi Self- Massage, The Taoist Way of Rejuvenation, shares an ancient method by which Taoist Masters were able to maintain their youthful appearance and healthy organ function well into old age.

Unlike traditional Western massage, which focuses on the muscles, chi massage employs one's own internal energy to strengthen and rejuvenate the sense organs (which Chia says can help to control negative emotions), and the inner organs (which can help to change emotional and personal characteristics).

This book illustrates yet another example of how by addressing the physical body, we can bring about positive emotional and psychological shifts. Master Chia walks the reader through various techniques of self-massage, breathing, visualization, and even smiling ... refining them into a daily practice, which, as he writes, will allow you to ".. enjoy feeling, looking, and functioning as a happier, calmer, more vital and attractive person."

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