Love Heals. Period.

In Memoriam

In a recent post about Fire pericardium, I introducted you to Dr. Rachel Eppinga, ND, LAc.  Rachel passed from this world into the light on the autumn equinox. Her body was diseased with cancer. I’ve included the last message she sent out to her community/tribe below. Rachel was a wayshower of how to reflect and transmute beauty in any situation; she was a beacon of light, a gatherer of women to heal together.

I was recently gifted a very special Love Qigong from my dear colleague Rachel Eppinga, ND, LAc, when we gathered in Hara Mara, Mexico this past February during my first ever women’s retreat. It was a magical jungle meeting ocean, organic, fresh eats from the sea fest ~ full of love, support, opening, ritual, sunsets, qigong and play!  I encourage you to visit her site, explore her story of Love Heals. Period., and be inspired by her love notes and medicine. I will be offering her heart focused sequence, which acknowledges the directions and activates our chakras in a form filled with her deep connections and love of dance. Dr. Rachel Eppinga’s Love Qigong sequence, which she blessed for me to teach to our community, is briefly shown in the film clip linked below. This heart opening move is repeated throughout a sequence that honors direction, energy, ourselves, and each other.

VIDEO LINK

Dr. Rachel Eppinga is Board Certified in the state of Oregon. She attended the National University of Natural Medicine to acquire her Doctorate in Naturopathy and Masters of Science in Classical Chinese Medicine. She holds a B.S. in mathematics and physics from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR. Her list of certifications and continuing education is long.

As a Naturopathic Physician, Acupuncturist, Integrative Life and Wellness Coach, Intuitive and an individual who lives her teachings; her unique approach offers new perspectives of wellness through the ancient teachings that remind us that our bodies are sacred and deserve our attention and appreciation. She believes by prioritizing our own health and self care, we contribute to the healing of our communities and the planet.

Earth is a grounding force during this time of transition between the seasons. After all of the activity of spring and summer, the Earth element helps us to get centered and balanced during late summer as we prepare for the autumn harvest and for winter, the season of rest and restore.

Nature moves from the joy and blossoming of Summer to the harvest and returnings of Late Summer.  As the days grow shorter, the temperatures begin to decrease. Earth transforms into Metal as the Season of Autumn arrives with downward momentum of the generative cycles of the seasons.

The Chinese associate the concept of “decrease” with late summer while simultaneously referring to it as the period of abundance ~ both are true as the complexity of truth often is. Physically and spiritually, this period of late summer is a time for slowing down and gathering. It is a time when we realize and harvest the fruits of our labor. In our spiritual lives, the Earth element allows us to internalize and learn to nourish and care for ourselves, slowing down toward the decline of fall and pause of winter.

Tips for living in harmony with the late summer EARTH season

• • Practice gratitude for the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. Autumn is the season of harvest, when we reap what we planted in the spring and what bears fruit from our perennial crops. It is the time to gather nature’s bounty from our gardens. We eat with gratitude and preserve nourishment for the coming winter months. Here at the AOW, the green kiwis are building their sugar content for picking, and the persimmons are also ripening with their blush of orange. Stay tuned for information about U-pick opportunities coming up at AOW.
    
    

    Persimmons are ripening at AOW.

  • Be thoughtful of how you can nourish ourselves and others. In this bountiful, harvest season, be sure to enjoy the benefits of giving. It doesn’t have to be a  great or elaborate gift or act. A simple gesture, kind deed, or word of encouragement given today is beyond measure to someone in need.

• • Be aware of your life’s harvest. Think about yourself, your relationships, and your work, you legacy. What parts of your life are yielding fruit? Where is the harvest poor and stunted? What is  rich in harvest? A positive affirmation for transition: Don’t Worry. Be Happy. When feeling filled with worry and self doubt, remember that this too can pass along with the season. If not, it is an opportunity to concentrate self-care toward your Earth element!
  • Consider what you need to “let go” during the coming autumn season. It is the time to reflect on the past year and critically examine what in our lives we choose to nourish, and those habits and behaviors that are negative or destructive, which we should want to eliminate. Release old resentments or hurts.  Practice letting go of the old so that the new can be born. Start anew.
  • Go Unprocessed October.  For several years now, I’ve taken the ‘pledge’ to eat only unprocessed foods during the month of October.  It helps me bypass the slippery sugary slope of Halloween to Christmas treats and affirms my commitment to a  lifestyle of real food.  Join me this year in a community of tips, recipes, kitchen hacks, support, and inspiration. Click here to learn more and scroll to take the pledge of a month of unprocessed foods!

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, autumn is the season of the Metal element. Metal represents our core issues, the most basic parts of ourselves. The energy connected with Metal is attracted to beauty and symmetry. The emotion connected with Metal is grief and sadness as well as courage and catharsis. Themes of Metal include:  boundaries, integrity, persistence, judgment, competition, transmutation, value, patriarchy, the divine masculine and our spiritual connect to heaven. In autumn, we say goodbye to the abundance of summer and prepare for the winter. Metal connects us with the ability to let go of the past and allow space for the new.

Let go of stress by shaking it out!

Release tensions and revive yourself naturally. The simple movement of shaking is a powerful and effective qigong technique. Qigong shaking cleans and clears blockages. You’ll feel relaxed and energized with just one session of shaking.

What is Qigong? (pronounced Chee-Gung)

Qigong opens the flow of energy in the acupuncture meridians.

Qigong is a mind-body-spirit practice that combines posture, movement, breathing technique, self-massage, sound, and focused intent. Qigong opens the flow of energy in the acupuncture meridians. Qigong movements condition tendons, ligaments, and muscles; tone our vital organs and connective tissues; and promote circulation of body fluids. Numerous studies show that qigong is effective in helping to heal health issues ranging from high blood pressure and chronic illness to emotional conditions, mental stress, and spiritual unrest.

Qigong is considered an ‘internal’ tai chi.  Meaning, that the focus is on balancing the internal meridian, organs, and body systems. There is evidence for acute physiological and psychological effects of qigong exercise in older practitioners.

Qigong Shaking Introduction:

Set up in Universal Stance: Place feet hip distance apart with toes pointing slightly inwards, in partial universal or horse stance, weight slightly on the outside of the foot. Check posture: tail bone slightly tucked, chin slightly tucked, knees bent like riding a horses, feet parallel, arms hanging . Relax.

Shake body, relax and shake. Shake open the pores of the skin, Shake into the tendons, into the muscle layer, then the tendons and ligaments, connective tissue, deep into the organs, the bones, and the nervous system. You can use the sounds of the elements, the organs, color. 

Notice the body and any blockages.  Shake into them. Start with three minutes building up to five minutes.Become aware of your breath as you shake shake. Sound/vocalization helps release tensions and blockages. Continue shaking also lifting and dropping on your heels. Now continue shaking.  Shake into your skin, your muscles, your bones, your organs. Shake free form, what into what ever feels stuck or tense. Shake like no one is watching!

Feel your body, feel the dynamism within. Settle into yourself, the space around you.  Feel your breath.  Find your universal self, stance (above) then let your arms float up, elbows bent slightly, arms relaxed, with a small weighted string pulling your elbows ever so slightly downward, hands in front, gathering the light energy in front of you, recognizing the the source of it all ~ the  universe within.  Feel beyond your skin, into the space outside yourself. Listen to the sounds around you. Feel the boundries, the edges and the boundlessness and the lack of edges. Notice your aliveness.

Notice the parts of your body that are tense or inflammed and shake it out. Be mindful of your body and focus on the areas in need of attention and stress release. Have fun with it and your body will thank you!

Here’s a video with a quick and easy shaking demonstration that I think you will enjoy! I am inspired and feel the need to get to video-ing for y’all!

http://www.naturehealth.com.au/what-is-qi-gong/tiandi-qigong-basic-routine/qigong-shaking/

Qigong Earth Sequence; Heaven & Earth Rotation

You can continue to cultivate wellness during this Earth season by practicing exercises for healing the spleen with Qigong support. Stand with your feet touching the earth (or visualize this if indoors) in the universal stance, emulating a horse riding posture, with a relaxed yet dignified upright spine. Wake up the meridian and organ networks with three to five minutes of qigong shaking then relax and feel the energy of the earth support and heavenly flow within your body. Wake the organ spleen by tapping and repeating eight times the sound of the spleen: whooooo  (like the wise owl calling to us). Open the gates of heaven (top of head ~ meeting of ten thousand things) and earth (bottom of feet ~ bubbling spring) again.  Pivot from the lower back with smooth and continuous action. The left palm, facing earth, pushes downward while the right palm, faces heaven, pulls upward.  At the end of the pivot, alternate hand positions.  Repeat 40 times while imagining healing, golden light internally healing and balancing your spleen, stomach and pancreas.

Group Qigong Session at AOW

More on letting go of stress and anxiety for the Return of Earth!

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, through the chest, and eventually ends in the abdomen linking the brain to the heart, lungs, throat, and gut.

Vagus Nerve Connects the Brain and Gut

This nerve is the sensory network that informs the brain of what’s going on in our organs, most specially the digestive tract (stomach and intestines), lungs and heart, spleen, liver, and kidneys. 

Significant and important research has been making the news about a microbiota-gut-brain axis. Read up on this fascinating subject here. Also this article discusses the science behind gut microbiota, brain function and stress related disorders.

People with good vagal tone can relax faster after a stress and are more capable of regulating blood glucose levels, reducing chances of diabetes, stroke and cardiovascular disease. Poor vagal tone, however, is associated with chronic inflammation and basket load of subsequent health issues. Recent research presented by the European League Against Rheumatism indicate that vagus nerve stimulation significantly reduces symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Relevant to Earth element health, I’ve collected these research links for you:

• Vagal mechanisms as neuromodulatory targets for the treatment of metabolic disease.
• Impact of blood glucose control on sympathetic and vagus nerve functional status in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
• Vagal afferents contribute to sympathoexcitation–driven metabolic dysfunctions.
• Role of the vagus nerve in the development and treatment of diet-induced diabetes.

How to practically 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

HEALING SOUNDS FOR THE EARTH ELEMENT

The healing sounds are one of the most effective medical qigong practices. They clear heat and toxins, cool the body, release unfavorable energy and emotional qi, and build the connection to the natural virtue of the shen…The healing sounds are a powerful emotional transforming qi gong.

Click here for a discussion of the Six Healing Sounds: Chinese Mantras for Healing the Body, Mind, and Soul.

Sound is such a powerful way to heal!  Find a routine which invites healing vibration and sound into your world.  What would it be like to play background sound as you get ready for work in the mornings or when you are preparing dinner?  Maybe to celebrate the weekend upon waking? Seriously y’all let’s find a bit more play in our routines!

IN CASE YOU MISSED LAST WEEK’S POST (SOUNDS OF EARTH FROM SPACE)  AND BECAUSE WE LOVE IT SO MUCH, CLICK HERE! 

Shanren kan wo xinshi?  Wo xin shi!

Do I posses the earth attributes of integrity and deep trust?  Yes I do!

Pericardium

The Heart Protector

(Xin-Bao)

心包

The fire element, which peaks during the summer season, not only governs the heart but also the small intestine, triple burner and the PERICARDIUM.

WHAT IS THE PERICARDIUM?

The word pericardium is derived from Latin Peri (around) and Cardium (heart). Known in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as the “Heart Protector” or “Circulation-Sex” Meridian, the pericardium is associated with the FIRE element and the HEART. The pericardium protects the heart from emotional trauma, constricts the chest to protect the heart, and helps to express the joy of the heart. The pericardium protects the heart from potential damage caused from the strong fluctuations in energy caused by emotional ups and downs of the day. The pericardium also helps in the regulation of blood circulating in and out of the heart. The pericardium is considered a yin organ paired with the yang organ, San Jiao.

The network of the pericardium includes the pericardial sac, the pericardium meridian, the small intestine, and parts of the brain associated with the pericardium channel.

The pericardium consists of two layers; an outer and inner coat. The outer layer of the pericardium is called the parietal pericardium. The inner part of the pericardium that closely envelops the heart is called the visceral pericardium or epicardium. The tough and thickened parietal pericardium loosely covers the heart and is attached to the central part of the diaphragm and the back of the sternum (breastbone). The visceral pericardium is a double layered with one layer closely adherent to the heart while the other lines the inner surface of the outer coat with the intervening space being filled with fluid. The potential space between these two layers is called the pericardial cavity. This space normally contains 15 to 50 ml of serous fluid, which serves as a lubricant to reduce friction and as a barrier against infection.

The pericardium is  the heart opener, as well as the heart protector.  It relates to both intimacy and trauma, particularly to family dynamics of  adoption, separation, abuse, sexual improprieties, death. If the heart is not protected, love and joy disappear allowing sadness and fear to rise. We lose our spiritual connection and we may experience internal disorder. An unprotected heart may be vulnerable and easily hurt or “heartbroken.” When the Heart Protector is doing its job, it keeps out those things that are harmful and allows those to pass into the heart that are trustworthy, loving, fun, and good for our fire. I went to a continuing education class in Vermont with a practitioner that could detect a divorce in the pericardium pulse position.  For real y’all!.  I haven’t mastered that party trick but it’s possible.

TRUE NATURE RADIO PODCAST

I am once again sharing a podcast featuring Dr. Heiner Fruehauf. This episode of Nature Radio features a discussion of the pericardium network in Chinese Medicine.  Dr. Heiner Fruehauf has studied Chinese medicine for more than 30 years and is a founding professor at my alma mater, the National University of Natural Medicine, Portland, Oregon.

For an audio discussion of the pericardium, give this podcast by True Nature Radio a listen.

PERICARDIUM MERIDIAN

The PERICARDIUM Meridian is a yin meridian and is coupled with the yang Triple Burner Meridian.

Companion Meridian: Triple Warmer

Element: Fire

Physical Imbalances: Heart disorder, chest discomfort, issues with the stomach and mind

Emotional Imbalances: Difficulty feeling and expressing emotions, depression, and phobias

When Balanced: Joy, happiness and healthy relationships

Peak Hours: 7 pm – 9 pm

This meridian begins in the middle of the chest, at the pericardium. A branch descends internally through the diaphragm to the upper, middle, and lower burners – Triple Warmer. From the starting point a branch of the main channel crosses the chest to emerge just outside the nipple. It then ascends on the surface around the front of the armpit and extends down the arm, through the biceps muscle. At the elbow crease, it passes just to the inside of the biceps tendon, then down the middle of the front of the forearm, between the heart and lung channels to the wrist. It crosses the middle of the palm to PC8 where it divides. The main channel continues to the outer corner of the middle fingernail.

Examples of pericardium meridian ailments:

PC1 – Tianchi – Laryngitis, mastitis, breast feeding problems, cough, chest congestion, asthma

PC3 – Quze – Angina pectoris, palpitation, stomach ache, vomiting, diarrhea

PC4 Xi –Imbalances in the heart and circulatory system.

*PC6 – Neiguan – Angina pectoris, palpitation, stomach ache, vomiting, hiccup, insomnia, dizziness, epilepsy, migraine * Click here for acupressure instructions.   We commonly prescribe sea bands – which work on this acupoint – for travel sickness or persistent nausea related to pregnancy or cyclic vomiting syndromes!

PC7 Great Mound –Mental conditions, insomnia, schizophrenia, and bi-polar conditions

PC8 – Laogong – Angina pectoris, palpitation, vomiting, foul breath, oral ulcer, sunstroke, mania, epilepsy, toothache.  This is a master qi gong love emission point! So channel that luminous heart love into the world.

Emotionally, pericardium energy is related to the loving feelings associated with sex and is linked to the physical and emotional aspects of sexual activity.

Pericardium energy is related to the loving feelings associated with sex

Pericardium Imbalances: A pericardium imbalance manifests as chronic unhealthy relationship patterns, chest inflammation and discomfort, fluid around the heart, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, and vertigo and very often irregular heartbeat. Other emotional signs of imbalance include frigid emotions, unhealthy vulnerability, excessive joy, inappropriate and excessive laughter, mental disturbance, phobias, inappropriate sexual behaviors and fear of intimacy, depression. A pericardium excess can give cause uncontrollable laughter, while a deficiency can manifest as profound sadness.

Pericardium Balanced: Like the triple burner, when the pericardium is in balance, a person displays characteristics of emotional joy, healthy sexual lifestyle and personal relationships, mental stability, and emotional joy.

Medical Qigong

Dr. George Love, Jr., DOM., founder of LOVE CHINESE MEDICINE is a Florida licensed primary care physician and certified Acupuncture Physician since 1986. He received his Qigong Master certification from Ju Shi Lin Taoist Scholars Council in 1994. He has been a teacher of Blue Dragon Qigong since 1983. He is author of ten self-healing manuals, producer of multiple Qigong videos and radio talk show host for 20 years.  

Medical Qigong utilizes breathing, meditation, exercise, and self-massage to heal bones, joints and internal organs.

Take a few minutes to check out this video of Dr. Love, Master of Blue Dragon Immortal Qigong, demonstrating exercises for the heart and small intestines meridian and exercises for the pericardium and triple warmer meridians. Typically, Qigong, traditions are rooted in martial or shamanic styles.  This is a martial style.  My training is from a shamanic lineage.  Both styles, activate the meridians and begin balancing the system.  

Qigong is considered an ‘internal’ tai chi.  Meaning, that the focus is on balancing the internal meridian, organs, and body systems. There is evidence for acute physiological and psychological effects of qigong exercise in older practitioners. I am currently working with a Qi Gong sequence from my cohort, Rachel Eppinga, ND, LAc that was gifted to me this February in Hara Mara, Nayarit, México.  When the time is right, I will be sharing this love sequence with our community.  I encourage you to visit her site, explore her story of Love Heals. Period., and be inspired by her love notes and medicine. Dr. Rachel Eppinga’s soul story is told in the film linked below.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR PERICARDIUM

Summer is the season associated with the pericardium, the element is fire, and the taste is bitter. To support pericardium energy, increase activity and play this summer season. Take an early morning walk and enjoy nature, absorb the sunshine, and eat juicy fresh fruits.

Foods that nourish the pericardium include: watermelon, bitter greens, peanuts, cherries, red lentils, nasturtium leaves, radish, rhubarb, oily fish, dates.

Dr. Jennifer Rodriguez is an interventional cardiologist at Cardiovascular Institute of the South in Meridian, Mississippi

Dr. Rodriquez and Dr. Cox

We asked Dr. Rodriquez a few questions about pericardial and heart health. See our Q&A below.

Q: What are the early warning signs for pericardial disease?

A. Symptoms include chest pain, typically sharp, can be worse with deep breaths, and is usually better when sitting up and leaning forward.  A slow build up of fluid, or scarring from prior irritation, can present as shortness of breath or dizziness.  Sometimes people have a flu-like respiratory or gastrointestinal viral syndrome beforehand.

Q: We have both had friends/colleagues with viral pericarditis, how and which viruses damage the pericardium and why does that happen?

A: Pericardial disease can be from a long list of viruses, bacteria, systemic conditions like rheumatology disease, renal disease, malignancy, trauma, radiation, and medication. The mechanism is irritation in the pericardium, which can lead to a fluid collection. The size and rate of accumulation affect how problematic this is. 

Q: What would you like folks to know about cardiovascular health?

A: For cardiovascular health, most risk factors stem from three behaviors (or lack thereof):  diet, exercise, and tobacco use.