relax – Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc https://drsaritaelizabeth.com Thu, 08 Jul 2021 21:53:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/favicon-36x36.png relax – Dr. Elizabeth Cox, ND, LAc https://drsaritaelizabeth.com 32 32 Metal Season: Mountain & Amethyst Healings https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/metal-season-mountain-amethyst-healings/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=metal-season-mountain-amethyst-healings Fri, 01 Nov 2019 13:55:25 +0000 https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/?p=1828 Continue reading →]]>

Seasonal  Mountain Meditation allows us to become grounded and connect with our inner strength when faced with stressful and challenging situations, both internal and external.


SEASONAL Printable
* indicates required
 

 

 Would you like to feel relaxed yet energized? Craving balance for the season?


Wonders of Amethyst!
Have you tried our biomat at Alberta Orchard Wellness?

What is a Biomat?

The Biomat is an FDA licensed medical device that combines state of the art Far Infrared light and Negative Ion technology with the healing power of Amethyst crystals. The Biomat is a ground breaking health care tool approved by the FDA as an over the counter medical device. It is a non-invasive product, easy to use, and portable. It can be placed on a chair, couch, or bed while you watch a movie or read a book. You can even sleep on it for sleeplessness! 

This amazing mat provides therapeutic benefits at home or at your natural health care provider’s office..book today. All you have to do is lay down and relax for 50 minutes!

We chose Richway for its biomat products. Be sure to explore their website for product information.

Official Richway Biomat Website

Buy Local. Costs are standardized by the company. Alberta Orchard Wellness has been a Richway representative since 2008.  Please contact our office for sessions, mat rentals, or purchase.  Official Richway Biomat Website

Appointments can be requested online, email at albertaorchard@gmail.com, or by phone 205.758.8108 .
Contact us with questions or concerns about booking, deposit, or payment

How Biomat works:

Biomat’s far infrared rays penetrate deep into the body promoting good health and balance therefore it is used to treat a wide range of health issues. A study published in 2012 provides the results of the biological effects and discusses potential medical applications of far infrared radiation exposure. 

Gemstones! 

Gemstones are of the mountain. A natural gemstone is a mineral, stone, or organic matter that can be cut and polished  for use as jewelry, an ornament, or as part of a medical application such as the amethyst biomat. Gemstones are not commonly found. Gems tend to be scattered sparsely throughout a large body of rock or to have crystallized as small aggregates or fill veins and small cavities. The United States Geological Survey has a publication available in pdf all about gemstones and how they form. We love science!

Why amethyst?

Scientists and healers have acknowledged and used amethyst  for centuries.  Today, modern science recognizes amethyst’s highly conductive properties.  Amethyst crystals produce the most consistent and powerful means of delivering far infrared light waves and the ionic effects to our bodies.


 Envision a kindred benefiting from a Biomat session?


Try it for yourself.  Rent a full length or mini mat today! We invite you to reserve and pick up a mat to try at home.  You are your most valuable asset!  You can take care of yourself by giving a gift of self care.

Step One: Pre-Pay Click Here

Step Two: email us to arrange pick up


What specific conditions and symptoms can the Biomat treat?

US FDA’s Medical Device 510K indications for use:

  • Relaxation of muscles,
  • Increase of local circulation where applied

 

Temporary relief of:

  • Minor muscle pain, Minor joint pain and stiffness
  • Joint pain associated with arthritis
  • Muscle spasms, Minor sprains, Minor strains
  • Minor muscular back pain

 

Other benefits found from the Biomat:

  • Reduces stress and fatigue
  • Soothes and relaxes
  • Supports the immune system
  • Improved sleep (if associated with pain relief)
  • Reduced inflammation (where applied)
  • Promotes relaxation by application of heat
  • Promotes restful sleep for those with occasional sleeplessness

 

Product Information: Unlike an electric blanket that uses electric coils to create heat, the Biomat® uses a combination of fabrics and amethyst stones to generate far infrared rays, which are then transferred to the body as heat. The heat comes from friction generated within the body through the effects of far infrared rays. Far infrared rays warm the inside of your body and the part of your body making contact with the Biomat®. Should the temperature of any part of the Biomat® exceed the set temperature, the thermal sensors distributed throughout the Biomat® will cut off the electric current. When the Biomat® reaches the selected temperature, the E.D.N.I. lights will come on and will stay on until the Biomat® needs to raise the temperature. The Biomat® comes with an external control box which allows you to adjust the desired temperature and usage time (between 2, 4, 8, or 12 hours). As an added safety feature, when the controller is set to 131°F or higher, it will automatically step down to 113°F after 4 hours.


Metal/Autumn Season  Mountain Meditations


The Metal Element manifests as:  mountain, West, value systems, reflection, the skin, lungs, large intestine (colon), letting go of that which no longer serves, exactness, the edge, righteousness, integrity.  A powerful seasonal meditation is to visualize and connect with the mountain. 

 

Mindfulness is a state of being awake and in touch with our existence. Meditation techniques, like the Mountain Meditation, can help incorporate mindfulness into our daily lives, which will in turn bring about positive change in behavior and emotions.

METHOD:

  • Sit down in a comfortable position on the floor or in a chair.
  • Focus on your breath for a few moments, then imagine the most beautiful mountain you know of or can image. Visualize its various details and its unmovable, stable presence grounded to the earth.
  • Allow yourself a few minutes of developing this clear image in your mind, then imagine the mountain inside yourself and you becoming the mountain!
  • Imagine yourself sitting in stillness and in calm, simply resting and grounded as weather patterns, storms, and seasons pass before you.
  • Just as a mountain withstands constant changes and extremes, we also experience changing thoughts, emotions, challenges, and life experiences.  Let your mind visualize these experiences as external, passing, and impersonal events, much like passing weather patterns.
  • Feel yourself unmoving, rooted in stillness, amid the constant changes of your internal and external life.
  • This meditation is ideal to last about 20 minutes. It can be shortened or lengthened based on the your time availability and state of mind as well as adapted for morning or evening.
  • Add on for morning session: Once you have embodied the stillness of the mountain within, imagine yourself ascending the mountain, enjoying the technicolor show of leaves, hearing the rustle of leaves underfoot, watching a leaf fall from above, dancing on the currents of the wind to the ground ~ letting go peacefully of that which on longer serves.  
  • As you continue to climb higher, you notice that climbing the mountain is much easier that you could have ever imagined.  Freedom, expansiveness and inspiration fill you.  As you ascend ~ surefooted ~ step by step, you catch glimpses of the greater majestic mountain range and a lush, gentle valley.  In a short time, you have, almost effortlessly, reached the mountain top.
  • Inhale beauty and completeness. Exhale gratitude. Allow ease, success and clarity to permeate your dreams, goals and visions. From this mountain top,  breathe in and breath out fully unlimited possibility as you begin your today.

This Seasonal  Mountain Meditation allows us to become grounded and connect with our inner strength when faced with stressful and challenging situations, both internal and external.

*************************

Meditation is  a self-regulatory practice that we can do for ourselves to promote good health and well-being. Research shows that better health outcomes for those of us who learn and practice these skills. In particular, research has shown that the ability to concentrate attention can promote deep relaxation in the body, and that the ability to be more mindful in each situation can help break the damaging, habitual reactions to stress.

*************************​

ENJOY LISTENING TO A GUIDED MOUNTAIN MEDITATION
MP3 Padraig O’Morain adapted from Jon Kabat-Zinn

original source: www.freemindfullness.org 

 


SEASONAL Printable to your inbox
* indicates required
 

If you enjoy our blog and would like it to be delivered to your inbox weekly, just click on the grey envelope and subscribe.  xoxoxo Sarita


 
 
]]>
Metal: guest blog GS -Sound Medicine/Gong Therapy https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/metal-guest-blog-gs-sound-medicine-gong-therapy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=metal-guest-blog-gs-sound-medicine-gong-therapy Fri, 25 Oct 2019 14:02:44 +0000 https://drsaritaelizabeth.com/?p=1746 Continue reading →]]>

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 AOW

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.  

 
 
 
What is your personal process like during a gong session? I am chanting mantra while I am playing to maintain a neutral state of mind.  In gong therapy sessions, I am situated quite close to my client, with the gong in between us so we are sharing an intimate, energetic field, allowing me to be a channel for the gong to intuitively express what the client needs.
 
 

How can sound healing be incorporated into our daily lives? A magical way to incorporate sound healing on a daily basis is to chant mantra, or sacred sounds, as a meditation. By doing so, we embrace our unique voice as a powerful instrument to connect to inner wisdom. It is a practice filled with compassion, sweetness and love. Singing and also humming are other easily accessible ways to add sound healing to our lives, with often profound effects.


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.


 

]]>