I recently read an intriguing research article about grief entitled: Grief, poetry, and the sweet unexpected.

“The sweet unexpected includes the ease with which trauma survivors engage their trauma narrative, the critical insights that emerge in poetry, the beneficial social context of sharing poetry, and the healing benefits of poetry for writers, care providers, and readers alike.”

The metal organ the lung is the seat of the emotion of grief. The large intestine’s facilitates in letting go or letting go into transformation. Grief comes in waves, often magnified by the holiday season and understood to be heighted during the autumn according to Chinese Medicine.

Experiencing the full spectrum of human emotions is living optimally.  When we are stuck in one emotion or cyclically vacillate between emotions, we are imbalanced.

Therapies like poetry, positive affect journaling, dance, yoga, qi gong can be directed to help us transmute the grief so we do not become only stuck in the emotion of loss.

For support for the metal/autumn season visit element-wisdom.com and pick up a deck of wellness cards for yourself or a friend.

Let the sunshine in is a free email service to support your for 365 days.  You can sign up here

https://www.fhnfuneralhome.com/grief-and-healing/365-days-of-grief-support

Welcome Fall With Gong Therapy

Gillian Shapiro and Gong at Alberta Orchard Wellness

by Gillian Shapiro

Family Herbalist, Ayurvedic Health Counselor, Gong Therapy Practitioner, Kundalini Yoga and Meditation Instructor, Reiki Practitoner, GriefYogaTM Instructor

We have entered Fall season in the Western hemisphere, a season dominated by the vata dosha. Vata is one of the three doshas or constitutions according to the ancient science of Ayurveda, the sister science to Yoga which is over 5000 years old. The word “Ayurveda” means “science of life”. All of us are made up of a blend of the elements of fire, water, air, ether and earth. In Ayurveda. these elements are categorized into three doshas; namely, vata, pitta and kapha and we contain different proportions of the doshas in our physical, mental and emotional bodies. We’ll focus on vata due to the time of year. Vata is governed by the elements of air and space and is characterized by the qualities of light, dry, brittle, subtle, hard, rough, active, clear and cold. It governs movement. The colon is the main organ associated with vata. The auditory channel is the prominent sense, according to this ancient science, which leads me to the gong and its potential as an especially effective therapy given the time of year. If you are interested in determining your own dosha, follow the link to the online dosha questionnaire courtesy of my herbal mentor, Don Ollsin of Grassroots Herbalism: Dosha Questionnaire

Gillian Shapiro & Gong at Alberta Orchard Wellness

The gong, as a form of sound or sonic therapy, is a wonderful way to welcome this transition to Fall as the weather cools, days become shorter, and leaves dazzle us with their technicolor splendor.  The gong is a musical instrument but when played for meditation, it is used to facilitate health and vitality.

Everything is made up of vibration and the gong vibrates the cells in our bodies. In fact, we are made up of 70% water, meaning we conduct sound! Sound has the potential to profoundly transform us on a cellular level.

Among the variety of potential benefits of the gong are:

• A sense of security and grounding;
• Opening the higher chakras (energy centers); 
• Pain management (particularly migraines);
• Especially soothing for high vata constitutions, i.e., calming and unplugging the overactive mind, reducing anxiety, worry and overwhelm and relief for insomnia; 
• Encourages deep relaxation and a meditative state;
• Trauma and PTSD symptoms;
• Promotes emotional release when working through grief, by moving stuck energy, and breaking and releasing emotional and energetic blocks.

Gillian offers one hour gong therapy appointments at Alberta Orchard Wellness on Monday evenings  from 5-8 p.m. Please follow our two step process today to book your session for Fall.

Book Gong Therapy here and  Pre-pay for your session here or contact us if you need help booking via albertaorchard.com or drsaritaelizabeth.com.

The sounds are oftentimes magical and have been described as ethereal, cosmic, like being in outer space and also likened to ocean waves crashing over us.  The sounds can also be loud and intense, at times, to promote a deep release for the nervous system.

The gong activates the parasympathetic nervous system (also known as the “rest and digest” system), nourishing us energetically, thereby reducing stress and soothing the overly taxed sympathetic “fight or flight” nervous system that we tend to live in during these busy, stressful times.

A gong therapy session is a one-on-one private session, customized to your specific needs based on an intake questionnaire you complete at the beginning of the session.  A typical session lasts one hour and may also include breath work (pranayama), mantra, affirmations, stretching and/or mudras.

Gong therapy is an ideal companion to talk therapy, yoga/meditation, massage therapy, acupuncture, Reiki and many other modalities as well as conventional medical treatments.

The environment is safe, supportive, non-judgmental and soul nourishing.  No prior experience with Yoga, Ayurveda or the gong are necessary. Come with the intention to surrender to the waves of sound and vibration. Of course, everyone is invited to show up and participate when I offer gong baths, private sessions, classes or workshops around town that include the gong. Follow the “Beech Hills Wellness” page on Facebook to check out the schedule or email me at vegout.gillian@gmail.com to be added to our monthly newsletter to keep track of our wellness offerings.  Gillian

What inspired you to learn gong therapy?  I have loved the cosmic sounds and vibrations of the gong since I first experienced them in a yoga class in NYC, where I ultimately did my kundalini yoga teacher training. The gong’s ability to change our state of mind and our consciousness is so profound, as has been my experience. I initially learned to play the gong during a hands-on module of my teacher training that I specifically requested.  I simply could not get enough of this sacred instrument so I had to buy one when I moved to Alabama six+ years ago, where I actually had the space for it (unlike in my NYC apartment). From then on, I practiced and shared the gong’s amazingness with students in my yoga classes. I was called to go a step further and learn Gong Therapy to deepen my understanding of more specific healing protocols facilitated by the gong. Private sessions are unique in that way; I can play to a person’s specific body system, chakra or emotion that needs support.  

From Dr. Cox:

There is a lot of interest in sound healing from ancient Tibetan metal to New Age crystal bowls, from binaural beats (get a free download: https://free-binaural-beats.com/ ) to tuning forks, from to NASA recordings to Masuru Emoto’s photos of frozen sound portrayed in his The Hidden Messages from Water

For research regarding sound and resonance healing please visit the nonprofit, Sound Healing Research Foundation: https://soundhealingcenter.com/shrf/

Check out this Amazing 17 minute TEDx talk with Music Professor Anthony Holland with drug~less sound resonance healing with Cancer.

 https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-iba-1&hsimp=yhs-1&hspart=iba&p=sound+healing+TED+anthony#id=1&vid=3c71874722106f1a4a78e402e62df285&action=click

Gillian offers one hour gong therapy appointments at Alberta Orchard Wellness on Monday evenings  from 5-8 p.m. Please follow our two step process today to experience sound healing this Fall!

Book Gong Therapy here and  Pre-pay for your session here or or contact us if you need help booking via visit albertaorchard.com or drsaritaelizabeth.com.

Breathe Deep. 

Are you mindful of your breathing?

Healthy lungs are vital to our overall health.  

The autumn season represents the Lung (肺)  phase of our body’s seasonal cycle as it is the season associated with the Lung and its partner, the Large Intestine (Colon). If you are prone to catching colds or struggle with allergies in the Fall, it’s important to take care of these organs!

Every organ in our bodies has functions and responsibilities. Some are physical while others are psychological and spiritual.  The metal element, which peaks during the autumn season, governs the LUNGS as well as the large intestine or colon. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the lungs are not just a respiratory system but play the leading role in breathing in and out, the vital force of living a healthy life. The lungs in balance present as strong physical energy and when the lungs are healthy, immunity is strong, recovery from illness is quick, skin is hydrated, and the complexion is glowing. If lung health is poor, it will present as low energy and a weak immune system. Also, sadness and grief are expressions of lung energy.

The lung is a yin organ. Located in the thorax, it connects with the throat and opens into the nose. It occupies the uppermost position among the zang-fu organs, and is known as the “canopy” of the zang-fu organs. Its meridian connects with the large intestine. The lung and its paired organ are associated with the element of metal and the emotion of grief.

The lung’s major functions include maintaining a healthy immune system that fight against pathogens, as well as circulating Qi and fluids throughout the body. The lung’s role entails the creation of a boundary between the inner and outer world. The lungs take Qi from the outer world and breathe it into the body. The lungs govern Qi, which is the energy required by all bodily processes. Typically, outside pathogens most often enter our bodies through the respiratory and digestive systems, and the lung and colon maintain the function of these systems such that they are not affected by outside pathogens. The greatest exception is the eye! According to Chinese medicine, the body’s defensive ability is directly dependent on the strength of the lung and colon.

Breath is essential, yet the techniques of natural or therapeutic breathing are very often unknown to use. I have included a few basic breathing sequences below

Diaphragmatic Breathing:  

This should be our everyday breath; however, most of us are in the habit of chest breathing, restricting the natural movement of the diaphragm. Many of us have never relaxed our diaphragm for a full breath. Read that again!  Many of us have never relaxed our diaphragm for a full breath.

• Lie on the floor face up with knees slightly bent.
• Place a small pillow under the head if that is more comfortable for you.
• Place your hands lightly on your stomach.
• Concentrate on breathing using the diaphragm, not the chest, and feeling the stomach rise as the lungs fill from the bottom as you breath in slowly.
• Let the stomach fall naturally when breathing out by relaxing the diaphragm.
• Progress by placing a small weight on the stomach, such as a small book.  Repeat.
• Next stand up and place your hands on your stomach again, feeling how you breathe. Surprisingly, you may find this step requires some concentration initially.
• Finally, practice breathing correctly while sitting in a chair or riding a bike.

Pranayama: Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodana):

Fold your index and middle finger into your palm of your right hand. Place the thumb by your right nostril and your ring and little fingers by your left, Vishnu Mudra.

• Use right thumb to close off right nostril
• Inhale slowly through left nostril and count to 5
• Pause for a second
• Now close the left nostril with ring finger and release thumb off the right nostril
• Exhale through your right nostril for 5 seconds
• Now, inhale through right nostril to 5 seconds
• Pause
• Use thumb to close of right nostril
• Breathe out through the left nostril and count to 5
• This is one round. Start slowly with 1 or 2 rounds and gradually increase your count. Never force. Sit quietly for a few moments after you have finished.

One modification to try is  inhaling for 4 seconds, holding for 4 seconds and exhaling for 4.

deep breath essential oil inhaler

Edgar Cayce recommends both diaphragmatic and alternate nostril breathing as well as aromatic oil blends for respiratory health. For many, many years we have been using a diffused essential oil blend called Deep Breath, inspired by Edgar Cayce.  It is a blend of peppermint, eucalyptus and menthol. Novel and non irritating, it creates an imprint of our intention to relax and take a few deep breaths and heal when used at home.  We have also found that our patients respond well to nasal inhalers scented with Deep Breath.

Quick and Easy Reset:

This breath resets our nervous system into rest and digest (parasympathetic dominance).

• Inhale 4
• Hold 7
• Exhale 8

I have another tool that I have just rediscovered this weekend.  For those that love technology and apps and video games and mandalas, check out Heart Math’s Inner Balance gizmo.  I bought it a couple of years ago and  brought it out today after a total meltdown related to a lot of corrective actions by the universe, which challenged my job as the juggler in my personal three ringed circus.  I’ve updated my app and packed it for my travels this week.  It guides us to inhale and exhale into our heart  shifting us from stress and emotional overload to a state of balance and heart rate coherence (gratitude).  It actually monitors our heart rhythm and gives us instant and visual feedback of  our dynamic state.

https://www.heartmath.org/store/products/inner-balance/

LUNG FUNCTION

The lungs contain a series of blood vessels that oxygenate the blood which works to remove carbon dioxide from our body. This oxygen rich blood passes to the heart and then pumped through our entire body to nourish our muscles, organs, and tissues.

Emotionally and physically, the lung (along with its organ partner, the large intestine), is responsible for helping you “let go” of whatever you don’t need; from life experiences to emotions to metabolic by-products. As our lungs take in the “pure”, its companion organ, the large intestine, eliminates that which is impure. The large intestine eliminates what is unnecessary or toxic from our bodies. Our bodies are subject to daily “garbage” directed at our minds and our spirit. We need to eliminate mental and spiritual trash to keep our minds free of toxins and constipated. The large intestine functioning on the mental and spirit level enables us to “let go” of all this waste. The lungs and large intestine work together, one taking in the pure while the other eliminates waste.

Watch this blog space for a future post about “letting go” of addictions and substance abuse disorder. This autumn season is THE time of year to let go of harmful substances and kick bad habits!

LUNG ATTRIBUTES

Lung emotions: grief, sadness, detached.

Lung Function: Respiration. Creates energy from the air and helps to distribute it throughout the body. Important in the immune system and its ability to resist viruses and bacteria. Regulates sweat glands and body hair, and hydrates the skin.

Symptoms of Lung Imbalance: Shortness of breath and shallow breathing, sweating, fatigue, cough, frequent cold and flu, allergies, asthma, and other lung conditions. Dry skin. Depression and crying.

Lung Conditions: Lung Qi Deficiency, Lung Yin Deficiency, and Cold Damp Obstructing the Lungs.

GRIEF~THE EMOTION OF THE LUNGS

Clarity of thought, open communication, positive self-image, and the ability to “let-go” and to be happy are all the result of lungs in balance. Should the lungs become out of balance, grief, isolation, and profound sadness may take over. The lungs are also associated with emotional attachment such as having a difficult time letter go of people, objects, or spending too much time reliving the past. This indicates weak Qi or lung energy. The key to a happy and well-balanced life is to confront and fully express one’s feelings of grief or loss. People commonly avoid overwhelming or unpleasant feelings, however, a healthy approach is to acknowledge our feelings, deal with them, and move on.

Because the lungs govern our feelings of grief, the best way to release grief is through deep breathing exercises. Practice deep breathing by meditation, yoga, tai chi, or qi gong. Breathe in through your nose all the way to your stomach being mindful of your breath. Exhale through your mouth from the bottom of your lungs until they are empty. Repeat inhaling and exhaling three times. This breathing exercise should be done three times a day. I have included a lovely video of a practitioner demonstrating Qigong for the metal season and the lungs. 

LUNG MERIDIAN

The meridian system, a fundamental concept of Chinese medicine, directs the flow of energy along specific pathways throughout the body much like the circulatory system transports blood. When this energy, also known as the life force, or qi (chi), becomes blocked or out of balance, health issues and disease occur. The concept of yin and yang helps us to understand the meridian system, which is subdivided into yin and yang groups. Twelve primary meridians are laterally and symmetrically distributed along the entire body.  Six meridians, three yin and three yang, traverse each side of our bodies and these meridians connect all major organ systems. The six yin meridians run along the inner side of the body’s limbs, on the chest and abdomen; while the yang meridians run along the outer side of the limbs and along the head, face, and torso.  Each meridian plays a specific and critical role in the health of the entire body.

The Lung meridian begins on the front of each shoulder, and continues down the arm until it reaches the tip of the thumbs. However, the lung meridian also has various energy pathways that branch off of it, and muscle tissue that is strongly affected by the energy of the meridian. The first extraneous pathway is the Lung luo-connecting channel. This energy pathway is very short. It separates from the lung meridian at the point LU7, located on the wrist. From there, it goes down the arm onto the hand and spreads out across the part of the palm that is near the thumb. From here, it influences the energy of the large intestine meridian points that lie on the hand.

Lung Meridian Points

• LU 1: zhong fu / Central Treasury
  • Function: Regulates Lung Qi and stops cough, stimulates the Lung Qi to descend, eliminates fullness in the chest and stops pain.
  • Indications: Useful for all Lung issues, especially cough, wheezing, asthma and fullness in the chest as well as local problems such as pain in the chest, shoulder and back.

• LU 3: tian fu / Celestial Storehouse
  • Function: Clears Lung heat and regulates Lung Qi.
  • Indications: Asthma, epistaxis, pain in the medial aspect of the upper arm.

• LU 4: xia bai / Guardian White
  • Function: Regulates Qi and blood, relieves pain.
  • Indications: Cough, fullness in the chest, pain in the medial aspect of the upper arm.

• LU 9: tai yuan / Great Abyss
  • Function: Resolves phlegm, regulates Lung Qi, stops cough, tones Lung Qi, Lung yin and Qi energy, promotes circulation of blood, influences pulse, clears Lung and Liver heat.
  • Indications: Cough, asthma, hemoptysis, sore throat, palpitation, pain in chest, wrist and arm.

• LU 10: yu ji / Fish Border
  • Function: Clears Lung heat, benefits the throat.
  • Indications: Cough, hemoptysis, sore throat, loss of voice, fever, feverish sensation on the palm.

FOODS FOR THE LUNGS

The foods below strength the lungs and give them the energy they need. The flavor of the lungs is pungent.

Garlic, sweet potato, ginger, onion, cabbage, pears, walnuts, black pepper, radish, chili, cinnamon, cardamom, leek, miso, navy beans, soy beans, almonds, asparagus, broccoli, celery, mustard greens, apricot, banana, and eggs.

Ginseng Root is especially nourishing to the lungs, skin, and stomach. Ginseng is said to moisten and cool the lungs, making it especially useful for those with a dry cough.

Astragalus is one of the most commonly used Chinese herbs for strengthening the immune system. In Chinese medicine, astragalus is thought to build up immunity to protect us from external pathogens.

Detail of Cordyceps militaris

Cordyceps Mushroom is a medicinal mushroom that is used to inhibit cancer cells, strengthen weak lungs,  particularly in those who exert high breathing energy, such as athletes, a protective effect from inflammation of asthma, and a whole lot more for the lungs and other organ systems like the kidneys as well!

Quit Smoking!

In the theme of “letting go”, of course the single best thing you can do for your lungs during this autumn (metal) season is to quit smoking~! I’ve included information and links below for a program offered by the American Lung Association.

Freedom from Smoking®

Freedom from Smoking® is a program offered by the American
Lung Association. Use this link: http://www.lung.org/stopsmoking/i-wantto-quit/how-to-quit-smoking.htmlv and scroll down the page to the section title Get Help.

• The American Lung Association also has a help line, 1- 800 LUNGUSA.

• Smokefree.gov is a website of the United States Department of
Health and Human Services. It includes information on healthy
habits, how smoking affects one’s health, and tips on preparing
to quit. It also includes resources specifically for women, teens,
and Spanish-speaking patients.

• 1-800-QUIT Now (1-800-784-0669) is a toll free number that
connects smokers to the Quit For Life® program, sponsored by
the American Cancer Society.

Lung cancer is the most common cause of death from cancer in
American adults.

The National Cancer Institute estimated that in
2016 there would be 224,390 new cases of lung cancer and that lung cancer
will account for more than one-fourth of all cancer deaths.

Cigarette smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer. Most lung cancers are
discovered when they are in the late stage.