Good Posture and Well Being Gravity exerts a force on us 24/7/365 days a year, a force, when utilized appropriately, propels us forward or allows us to move with ease and hold ourselves optimally. Not to utilize gravity to our advantage places additional toll on our body everyday, constantly straining our soft tissue and compressing our joints, exacerbating compensation patterns and malalignments. Conditions that left unaddressed lead to Ischemic (lack of blood), painful and sensitive soft tissues, especially muscles and joint capsules. Decompression is an important antidote after a full day … [Read more...]

I have been offering Thai Massage since 1997 when I studied Thai Massage with Asokananda outside Chiang Mai in a Lahu village. The program was intensive along with total immersion into a very rural cultural primitive experience. I am forever grateful, the experience imprinted a healing state of being and approach to bodywork that I could never achieve on my own or elsewhere. Below is an excerpt from his book I believe first published in 1990. In peace and loving kindness. -david The Art of Traditional Thai Massage by Asokananda Traditional Thai massage can look back at a long history of … [Read more...]

Proposition 37 failed to pass in California, a stature that would have required the labeling of genetically modified foods (GMO's) in that state. Because of economies of scale this would have impacted labeling in the United States as a whole. In general I am for transparency and honesty in labeling in advertising and in commerce. Only with straight forward Information can consumers make informed decisions. This has me suspicious... of those responsible for proposition 37 failure. Their bottom line and corporate underpinnings is more important than your decision for your own health, your … [Read more...]

Restorative yoga is a practice devoted to relaxation, disengagement, replenishment, and contentment. In my many years of attending Iyengar yoga classes it has always been the last class in a month of weekly classes that was devoted to restoration, a tradition I carry in my own ongoing weekly classes. Restorative class, by far the most popular, is a class that focuses on being mindful of letting go. In restorative yoga, getting comfortable is imperative, so that we can mindfully disengage our thoughts and their associated tension in our physical body. Restorative poses are positions that we … [Read more...]

Are you constipated? Oh not me! A diet high in processed foods combined with every day stresses, is detrimental to our digestive systems. The digestive system is at the beck and call of the nervous system. It is our sympathetic nervous system that has us multitasking and taking care of the multitude of task and chores demanded of us every day. It is this state of attention that we are so good at. In a well balanced life one would finish all of one's chores, close those projects and put them aside for follow up the next day. This would allow the parasympathetic nervous system to prevail; than … [Read more...]

That’s the Spot! Ouch! ‘That’s the spot’. Sometimes that is all it takes. The tenderness is gone. Trigger points are localized points that when pressed are super sensitive; outright painful and often fire into a familiar achy pattern. These points develop from a relentless demand on the soft tissue and musculature. A simple paradigm is the bones support us and muscles move us. There are only a hand full of muscles required to contract for long periods as in standing. Yet bad posture and faulty movement patterns are demanding muscles to support us as well as move us. These muscle fibers … [Read more...]

For many, chronic neck pain is a serious painful and frequently debilitating problem. Often conventional treatments are of limited help, with medication only masking the symptoms and only providing temporary relief. Unabated neck pain often contributes to head pain, shoulder, arm, wrist, and hand pain. From a Holistic perspective we must consider posture, muscular imbalances, trigger points, biomechanics, prior injuries and trauma to the spinal muscles, especially of the neck as in whiplash. We are all unique and our experience of neck pain unique, hence the therapist must meet the client … [Read more...]

Turmeric -- There seems to be nothing that this herb can't do Turmeric comes from the root of the curcuma longa plant native to Indonesia and southern India Turmeric's Beneficial Effects: Strengthens and improves digestion , by assisting in the Digestion of protein in rice and bean dishes. reduces gas and bloating Improves fat digestions and promotes proper metabolism Maintains and improves intestinal flora which assists the elimination of wastes and toxins Supports healthy liver functions and detox. Turmeric also helps increase bile flow making it a liver support that can … [Read more...]