Category Archives: Uncategorized

Water ~ Expand your circle of love

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

Expand your circle of love. When we honor the stillness of winter, love settles. Winter is the quiescent season.   The season to remember, accept, forgive and heal generational to generation. This is all work to be done in the deep and quiet essence of spirit. First we find self love. Then we find love for the other, the beloved. Next we expand our heart to those with which we have difficulties. Finally we can honestly expand our circle of love to the greater community. This is metta. This is the practice of loving kindness.   It will rock your … Continue reading →

Water ~ Power, Drive and will

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

Power, drive & will. The kidneys are the storehouse of will. They are our ambition, our batteries, our strength. The kidneys, adrenals and bladder are ruled by water. Water is the element of winter. Have you ever considered your power, your drive or your will like unto water? I was raised up on the Tennessee River. The singing river has been harnessed to provide hydroelectric power to the multitudes at the expense of snails and darters and such. In our highest, most healthy state our power is like a mighty river determined in it’s purposefulness. In our highest, most healthy … Continue reading →

Water ~ You are a visionary

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

You are a visionary. The water element paired organs that peak in winter are the Bladder and Kidney (plus adrenals). The bladder meridian travels from the inner canthus of the eye across the head down the back side of the entire body exiting out the little toe. It traverses all of us. Many of the point names indicate their function: bright eyes, supporting yang, supporting middle, celestial pillar, soul door, spirit hall, spiritual celestial connection, soul gate. Acupuncture treats all levels of the human – mind, body, spirit. Treating the bladder points can not only treat our organs like the … Continue reading →

Water ~ Adapt

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

Adaptation is key to evolving. Humans and all other organisms are consistently modifying and adjusting to survive, become more fit, and thrive.  Physical and behavioral traits evolve in response to stressors or rewards. In a world of increasing technology, transhumanism, augmented reality and artificial intelligence, we have grown increasingly disconnected from nature.   I invite you to return to the dynamic and seasonal rhythm. In the slowing, you will find your true connection.  In stopping, you will find your way. Winter is the season to rest, restore and reconnect.  We may be uncomfortable in the stillness of this season, unable to … Continue reading →

Water ~ Tone your vagal nerve

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

Stimulation of the vagus nerve plays an important role in the management of anxiety and mental health issues. The vagus nerve is the longest running cranial nerve in your body. It is one of ten paired cranial nerves and runs from the stem of your brain all the way down to your gut. The word “vagus” translates to “wandering” in Latin, and the vagus nerve certainly does that.   As the longest and most complex of all the cranial nerves, it starts at the stem of the brain, behind the ears before it meanders down the sides of the neck, … Continue reading →

Water ~ Accept

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

Accept. The critical first step in healing is accepting things as they actual are. We live in a world where there is plenty that requires our resistance. However, healing requires courageous honesty about ourself, our perceptions, our motivations, our circumstances and their cause. I have doubled down on my commitment to live a life in alignment with my core values and the elemental. My winter healing so far has looked like: Living without liquid stress. I had habituated a high quality jasmine green tea morning ritual. I would make one small pot of green tea then refresh the same leaves … Continue reading →

Water ~ You are resilient

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

You are resilient. A loving reminder as many of us are finding new ways in a rapidly, ever changing world. What strengths the quality of resilience?   Healthy habits ~ Double down on restorative sleep, wholesome foods, clean water, exercise, autonomy. Invite real connection ~ In these days of the digital, the virtual, non-local, augmented & artificial realities bring your trusted & beloveds close. Adapt – Flow around obstacles; try a new way; circumvent the programming. Gratitude – Count your blessings daily; speak them; write them. Connect – Align with God, source, spirit, higher power. Slow down, be still, stop … Continue reading →

Earth: How sweet it is

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

Did you know that historically the apple was the standard for the taste of sweet? We’ve come a long (not so healthy) way from those days. I love to substitute applesauce in recipes for cakes and pies to create the taste of sweet in healthier ways. Last year, I also perfected a sweet potato pie with just three ingredients: sweet potatoes, butter and coconut. just bake, mash and combine into a nut pie shell. What are your sweet tricks? Sweetness is associated with the Earth Element. Although a touch of sweetness can stimulate the spleen and pancreas, indulging in too … Continue reading →

Down to earth: writing prompt

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

Down to Earth. What does the phrase ‘down to earth’ mean to you? Earth Writing Exercise Take a moment. Find pen and paper. Transcribe the phrase Down to Earth.  Place both feet on the ground. Take three deep breaths, expanding your ribs. Write free associations of what ‘down to earth’ means to you for 90 seconds. Wake the spleen, an earth organ with the exercise below.  Repeat the automatic writing exercise.   Wake the Spleen With both feet on the ground, raise your left arm. Wake the spleen organ by tapping on your left side, one hand width below the … Continue reading →

Earth: Don’t worry be happy

Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc Posted on by

  Don’t worry, be happy.   How to soothe your nervous system: Take a cold shower or plunge Splash cold water on face & neck Sing, laugh, chant, hum, & hug Restore the microbe of the gut Relax jaw tension Meditate on loving kindness Positive Social Connect Stimulation of the vagus nerve plays an important role in the management of anxiety and mental health issues. The vagus nerve is the longest running cranial nerve in your body. It is one of ten paired cranial nerves and runs from the stem of your brain all the way down to your gut. The … Continue reading →