Chinese New Year festival in Chinatown, featuring dragon made of plastic bottles and other recycled plastic. Photo by Margarita Alcantara.

On January 31, 2012, I battled my way through the slowly-meandering crowd in the streets of Chinatown in New York City to catch the Chinese New Year Festival.  It was packed!  There were mostly Chinese folks in the crowd, but there were also a lot of out-of-state tourists, and non-Chinese folks in the mix.  It was too crowded for me to get any good parade pictures, but I did catch a few shots at Confucius Plaza, and at the vendor booths in Sara Roosevelt Park, off Manhattan Bridge.

I was drawn to Confucius Square, where a woman and man were singing Chinese opera, backed by some pretty fierce musicians.  As you can see in the picture, the one on the left is the “dark and brooding” baseline rocker of the bunch.  What was wonderful to see was the contrast of the opera singers and musicians on this commemoration, with the people in the balcony who were doing their weekly “pushing hands” to cultivate their internal qi (which is hard to see in this picture.)

Chinese opera being performed in Confucius Plaza. Check out the musician on the left, wearing shades. He was too cool for school. And you can't see it, but there are people "pushing hands" in the balcony (it's a form of internal martial arts training.) Photo by Margarita Alcantara.

At the entrance of the park, you could easily see the hand-made dragons hanging from the trees.  Can you believe they were made entirely of recycled bottles, and other recycled plastic?  Pretty resourceful!  I was surprised that there weren’t more vendors selling Chinese trinkets, goodies, food/pastries, that more of them were business-oriented.  It probably shouldn’t be such a surprise, considering that the fees for having a booth at the park has most likely been increasing in recent years.  There was one booth that was hosting some cultural dance, and the one I saw featured women in red outfits clicking bamboo castanets.  What I actually loved more than the dancing was the guy in the white suit, red tie, perfectly pomaded hair, and vaselined smile, who was MC’ing the performances, and seemed to come straight out of a game show because he was so much larger than life.

Plastic dragons welcome you to Sara Roosevelt Park, NYC. Photo by Margarita Alcantara.

And then on my way out of the park, I was suddenly jolted by the vision of a gigantic Snoopy near the exit way.

Snoopy at Sara Roosevelt Park. I think it had more to do with the fact that MetLife's booth was nearby, rather than the Peanuts gang. Photo by Margarita Alcantara.

My day was made whole by taking a visit to Vanessa’s Dumplings, to have some pork and chive dumplings that are cheaper than a Metrocard ride!  (No picture of dumplings, my stomach took care of them straight away.)

Chinese New Year, NYC. Photo under creative commons by Raymond.

Happy Chinese New Year!  Year of the Black Water Dragon.

Granted, it started on Monday, January 23rd, the first day of the first Chinese lunar month.  But, luckily for us, we have until February 4th to celebrate (since it’s the last day of the Chinese New Year festival, and the first day of the Chinese astrological calendar.)  The Chinese calendar is based on years, arranged by the phases of the moon; whereas, Gregorian/Western astrology is based on the Earth’s orbit around the Sun.

What does the “Black Water Dragon” mean?

2012 marks the Water element in the Chinese calendar.  And, in the Chinese five element theory, Water is associated with the color black.  Black also happens to be the color of the associated organs, Kidney and Urinary Bladder, when it comes to acupuncture.  I spoke about bringing in Winter by honoring the Kidney and Urinary Bladder in a previous post.

The Dragon is such a powerful creature, and much mythology has been created around this beast.  I’ve heard of it’s association with Heaven, and how the Dragon itself was the symbol of the emperor of China.  In America, we’ve gone and sci-fi’d the Dragon into celluloid heaven, by making many movies about them, particularly in the European sense of the Dragon:  aggressive, warlike (think “Reign of Fire”, although other movies did not portray them so aggressively, like old school “Dragonslayer”, and that one particularly bad Sean Connery movie, “Dragonheart”.)

The Chinese dragon, which can often be seen in the street festivals. Photo under creative commons by Glen.

The Dragon symbolizes sudden change, progression, perseverance and auspiciousness, and even unpredictability.  Change brings wonderful things we may have been working on for a long time; but, oftentimes, the initial sudden change can feel uprooting.  However this Year of the Dragon brings change into your life, may it be full of positivity and light!

The Dragon contains Earth, Water, and Wood.  On a physical level, that can mean a lot of natural occurrences involving earth and water.  And those under the Water, Earth, and even Wood signs may best benefit this year.  Since Water controls Fire in five element theory (there’s a whole cycle of how the elements generate into, and control, each other), those who are Fire signs may not benefit as much this year.

However, I’m not speaking as a Chinese astrologer, but as an acupuncturist/reiki practitioner who happens to be familiar with the five elements (as most acupuncturists are), is part Chinese (among a mezcla of other blood, as you may have read in a previous post), and also believes that you create your own destiny!  So, as with most things in life, take what resonates for you from what you learn about Chinese New Year, and toss out what doesn’t.  And most certainly, celebrate!

Also, because of the elements emphasized this year, focus on the health of your Kidney and Urinary Bladder (the Water organs in Chinese Medicine), as well as your Heart and Small Intestine (the Fire organs.)  Acupuncture actually has channels for these organs.  And, depending on which points are chosen, you can actually activate the physical and spiritual aspects of these organs.  And with the addition of reiki (which I also usually perform during a treatment), it really heightens the healing and grounding aspects already inherent in acupuncture!

A hot pot in progress. Yum! Photo under creative commons by Renato Ganoza.

Most Chinese enjoy the “hot pot”, which is central on the lazy suzan on the dinner table, and cooks meat or fish while people are seated, which everyone enjoys.  Because of the Water element this year, make sure to incorporate lots of fish as part of your festivities.  And, who doesn’t enjoy noodles?  I was usually given noodles on my birthday for long life (which could be as exotic as spaghetti), and it’s a great idea to celebrate long life at the beginning of a new year!

And if you’re in the New York City area, there will be a festival in Chinatown this Sunday. Enjoy some tasty food, celebration, dances, and possibly, an illegal firework or two!

Gung Hei Fat Choy!

p.s.  The zine I had done for 10 years, Bamboo Girl (a zine is a self published magazine), started off as being part of underground culture.  Then it was incorporated into feminist class curriculum.  I recently found out that it’s being prominently displayed in a case of the lobby of the Mid-Manhattan library!  Check it out.

Bamboo Girl Zine in New York Public Library Mid-Manhattan (the one with the lions in front of it.) Photo by Zohra Saed.

It's time to bloom out of the mud like the beautiful lotus flower! Photo under creative commons by Satoru Kikuchi.

With the new year comes promises to the self, in the form of resolutions.  People get into such a frenzy about creating sometimes unrealistic expectations for themselves, usually due to the pressures of modern society that insists this is something we should all be doing, so why haven’t you?

The problem is, creating a better version of yourself this year does not have to come in the form of a mountain.  Sometimes starting with a molehill of good, simple decisions, baby steps, that are easy to attain and give a sense of satisfaction, at least when beginning the process, creates more change in the long run.  And, this is true when dealing with issues such as weight, quitting smoking, substance abuse, or anything else that we’d like to greatly change in our lives, but may have been with us for a while.  It is a process.  And, permanent change takes time, and there are no fast, easy ways to that get that gold ring at the end of the finish line.  But, process doesn’t have to mean pure drudgery.

To start off with:

Resolutions are nice.  Intentions work better.
Manifest a new story for yourself this year!

You’ve heard it said many times:  the definition of crazy is doing the same action over and over, knowing that it’ll never work.  The way to get around this is to change that action, shift your thought.  Recognize that you are in an unhealthy pattern that is not working for you.  One of the best ways to find out if you are continuing on an unhealthy road is to ask yourself, “How does this serve me?”  If it doesn’t, time to rethink.

New Year’s resolutions usually come in the form of “I will lose 100 lbs. by next month”, “I will totally revamp my diet by next week”, “I will quit smoking this weekend”.  Although there are all types of ways these statements could be possible, it takes a massive amount of readiness, courage, support (from friends and those who specialize in what you’re trying to address), possible surgery, and change in order make this all happen.

What I’ve seen that works better?  Making intentions.  Intentions are not like resolutions, in that, they are not just a promise, but you are planting a seed to co-create, with the powers that be, a new pattern for yourself.  They are often more attainable.  You can meditate on them, journal about them, make a list, or, as I like to do, create a box of intentions (see my blog post from last year featuring my 2011 box of intentions.)  The reason I like to do this, is because I’ve always enjoyed being crafty (I’ve written and published my own zines, poems, knit, dance, among other things), and I’m a visual person at heart.

So, I took a 99 cent gift box I found in Duane Reade, painted it, trimmed it with beads, and filled it with snippets of intentions for the coming year.  Upon re-evaluating my 2011 intentions this recent New Year’s Eve, I’d discovered I’d manifested the majority of them, and the one that hadn’t yet taken shape is now in process!  How satisfying.

Losing weight is a common thing many of us would like to do as the new year begins.  As I’d mentioned, there is no quick fix in losing weight (of course, there is always plastic surgery and liposuction; however, even with that, if your diet is unhealthy, your weight and health are still going to be issues.)  But, there are numerous things that you can do that can create a slimmer, healthier you, especially, when you address it holistically.  And, when I say holistically, I mean the whole shebang:  addressing weight physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally.  Because weight isn’t just about the physical weight.  It is often what we are carrying around emotionally, words, thought patterns, or fear to be ourselves that have weighed us down spiritually, and that we continue to live outdated stories for.  You get the picture.

With that in mind, some great intentions for 2012, if you are concerned about losing weight, would be:

“In 2012, I will lower, and eventually, cut out intake of refined flour and sugar from my diet.”  (Whole grain flour and brown sugar/sucanat are better choices to incorporate.  Your abdomen and digestion will thank you, and you will see less abdominal distention to boot!)

“In 2012, I will make time for exercise at least 3 times a week, and will begin exercising now with brisk 30 minute walks 3 times a week.”  (Here’s where the readiness is key.  If you are not used to making time for exercise, and you want to lose some weight, it’s time to make time for it in your schedule!  And brisk walking is a thing many New Yorkers do already.  If you want scenic, or are not a New Yorker, try the parks for a good dose of green!)

“In 2012, I will lose ‘x’ amount of pounds in ‘x’ months.”  (Here is where you would make an assessment of how many pounds you’d like to lose.  Most importantly, make sure it is a reasonable amount of weight you can lose in the time frame you’ve given yourself.  If helpful, break this intention into 2 manageable ones, one a step towards the other.)

“In 2012, I will nourish myself in healthy ways for my body, mind, and spirit.”  (Addressing your whole self makes all the difference.)

“In 2012, I will find support, and surround myself with people who are healthy for me, to help me reach my weight loss goals.”  (Loved ones and professionals who know what they’re doing and you feel connected with.)

Weight loss is successful when combining healthier diet, manageable exercise regimen, weighing ourselves to notice when our weight fluctuates, surrounding ourself with a healthy support system, and consistency with all.  Notice I have not mentioned any quick fixes – Lipozene, be gone!

Part of the healthy support system is getting regular acupuncture treatments.  Did you know that there are points in the ear that can help with weight loss?  The ear is a microcosm of the body, as I’d mentioned in a previous blog post dealing with treating drug addiction with ear acupuncture.  There is actually a Hunger point on the ear, as well as Endocrine, Stomach, Spleen, Shen Men, and Sympathetic points.  The Endocrine helps address possible hormone imbalances and affects the metabolism, and the latter two reduce anxiety and calm the nervous system.  One or more could possibly be used during an acupuncture session.

In an actual acupuncture treatment for weight loss, points on the body would also be prescribed, since there are many reasons why a person may be having a challenging time with weight.  The Spleen and Stomach channels may good places to start, for obvious reasons.

However, in focusing on the whole body, acupuncture can address the physical and spiritual aspects of weight loss, or the issues surrounding why weight loss could be difficult for a certain individual.  For instance, if you are having a hard time focusing on exercise because you are running on empty, then there are certain points to boost the adrenals, qi, and blood.  If you are having a hard time losing weight because you have digestive issues that are manifesting, this is where the Spleen and Stomach channels can help alleviate the symptoms, so your body can then digest the nutrients you intake more effectively.  These would be some physical aspects.  And a thorough acupuncture treatment would also include talking about lifestyle modifications, such as diet and exercise.

If you lack the confidence and assertiveness to lose weight, aspects of what the Chinese call the Hun (ethereal soul), looking into the Liver may be helpful.  If you are overthinking things to the point of paralyzing any action towards change, you are dealing with the Yi (intellect), a Spleen aspect.  And the list goes on.  But, as you can see, since every person is different, and there are many reasons why one may be dealing with weight issues than another, every person would likely have a different, personalized protocol of points.

Ginger/Gan Jiang/Salabat Tea promotes digestion. Photo by IndyPosted.

(Does that ginger tea/gan jiang/salabat look familiar to you?  It should, I talked about ginger tea in this previous post and this one.)

So, take in all the nourishment this new year, in the form of food, love, health, digest your life more fully, and release that baggage you’ve been carrying around, especially if it no longer serves you!

Happy New Year! Photo under creative commons by Russell Bernice.

Tonight, many folks (including myself) will be bringing in 2012 with style, loved ones, sass, energy, proactive intentions, or a mixture of all five.  If you’ve decided to go to Times Square this evening, then God Speed!  Don’t say you haven’t been warned.  Back in the day when I’d watched the ball drop in Times Square, it was a very different time.  No, it wasn’t a time of the discovery of fire and the wheel wasn’t just invented, but there were no metal detectors, and visitors freely roamed, and could weave in and out at will.  Whether you end up joining a large crowd or having an intimate evening, I wish you much joy, love, and blessings into the New Year 2012!

Prepare your intentions this evening, toss some coins tomorrow to promote prosperity this coming year, and may your dreams take root and flourish!  Release any sorrows you’ve experienced this year, embrace the lesson(s), but welcome in the beauty that always follows.  Anything that has been a challenge in 2011 is in the past now.  And even if they are issues that follow us into the next year, they are taking on a different shape.  Live in the present, and just be here.  It’s a very simple thing to say, but not as easy to do.  But, knowing that many are doing the same tonight, may give you that much more incentive!

I will write a more detailed post in the coming week to welcome in 2012.  But, for now, I want to say thank you, blog readers, for following my posts!  I am grateful for my patients, family, friends, and other loved ones.

Enjoy the evening, and see you next year!

You may be familiar with Yin and Yang.  You know, that overused symbol by wellness centers and martial artists that are supposed to invoke a sudden, ancient understanding of the meaning of life, yet is never explained, and is misunderstood by most?

The popular Yin and Yang symbol. Do you really know what it means? Please do not tattoo it on your chest if the answer is "no".

Basically, all process is cyclic, everything contains its opposite, it’s the forever who came first, the chicken or the egg?  With Yin and Yang, there is no separation.  As you can see in the symbol itself, when the dark part starts to become its fullest, the white part begins.  And when the white part seems to end, the dark part begins.  You will also notice that there is a spot of white in the dark part, and a spot of dark in the white part.  The whole concept that you cannot have light without darkness, and vice versa.  And, nothing is necessarily good or bad, just the cycle of life.  All states, events, and circumstances can all have Yin and Yang qualities.

What’s Yin?:  it’s at the core, sinking, condensed, and internal.  Think substantive, cold, watery, heavy, soft, delicate.  Yin is considered female.  (Now, don’t get uppity with me here, ladies, everything balances out!)

What’s Yang?:  is at the surface, rising, dispersed, and external.  Think active, expanding, dry, large, loud, hot.  Yang is considered male.

The chicken makes the egg, which is Yang generating Yin.  But, the chicken grows out of the egg, which is Yin producing Yang.  It is a mutual generation.  This generative process is one of the ways Chinese Medicine practitioners can understand the different stages of disease.  It’s a way of thinking, and a way of living.

The Winter Solstice marks the beginning of the dark part of the Yin/Yang.  It is a time of death, emptiness, yearning, and germination.  Although this sounds as much fun as being forced to watch episodes of a “Jersey Shore” marathon, there is much value in this flow.  Death creates rebirth, true emptiness creates an openness to possibility and following one’s path, yearning can create impetus for change, and germination plants the seeds for what will bloom in your life come springtime.

This time of Yin is a time of inner cultivation.  Of course, it is always a great idea to keep your spirit and soul honed throughout the year, as much as one can.  But, winter is prime time for cultivating.

Sometimes, honoring your Yin can mean taking some time out of the spotlight of society.  There is great value in being able to isolate oneself, to take a step back to get in touch with spiritual enlightenment.  Taoists and warriors have a longtime history of honoring this withdrawal process, often doing so as a way to complete training.  This was commonly called “ascending the mountain”.  It was named so because the mountains created a haven from society.

With our busy cosmopolitan lives, it can sometimes be difficult on the typical schedule to flee off to the Himalayan mountains for self-reflection.  But, it is valuable to take the opportunity of this wintertime to get back to self.

There is a poem by the South Goose Beach Taoist that reads:

“Court gown of red and purple are not attractive.

Instead, I love white clouds embracing emerald mountaintops.

So I sit in solitude, forgetting the year or month

While in the mundane world below, lifetimes and generations pass.”

I am a big fan of Bruce Lee. And so is Hong Kong, for erecting this statue. Photo by Andrew Currie.

And as you ponder that meaningful ditty, consider, too, the element of Winter, which is Water.

The ever-amazing Bruce Lee put it simply and effectively, “Be like water, my friend.”  He gave the example of water being poured into a cup.  The water then becomes the cup.  He was focusing on water’s adaptability, survival, potential, and power.

Facts about Winter from the Chinese Medicine perspective:

1. The element of Winter is Water.
2. The organs of water are the Kidney (Yin) and Urinary Bladder (Yang) (in the Chinese Medicine sense, not necessarily the Western one.)
3. The Kidney stores essential qi, governs the bones, engenders marrow, and is the basis of reproduction.  It also regulates the fluid metabolism of the body.  Which is why diseases of the Kidney usually occur in the form of insufficiency of essence-marrow, reproductive issues, and fluid metabolism disturbances.
4. The Urinary Bladder’s function is to receive and excrete the urine.  And, so, as one may guess, disharmonies of the Bladder often includes problems like incontinence, burning urination, or difficulty in urinating.
5. If you are dealing with issues around fear, take comfort that this is the emotion of the Water element, and that you are meant to be able to handle whatever you are processing right now.

That said, go find your mountain and honor your Yin this Winter Solstice!  Enjoy.

Halved acorn squash, with ghee and nutmeg, fresh out of my oven! Warms the cockles.

Are you enjoying the holidays, yet?  Although many folks come to see me for various conditions, including chronic or acute body pain, emotional, gynecological, and digestive issues, and side effects from medication, among some, one thing that people enter my office seeking relief from during this time of year is stress.  Whether or not you celebrate it, this stretch of holiday time is often full of preparations, trips, parties, and get togethers.  These can be fun and uplifting; but, they can also be a source of stress and triggers. So, make sure to check in with yourself, create a healthy environment around you, and treat yourself right, when you can.

One thing I did this week to nourish my mind and body was roast me some acorn squash. I bought a lovely green/gold medium-sized acorn squash at the health food store near the wellness center I work at, on certain days out of the week, in Hoboken, NJ, halved it, spooned out the seeds, topped it with some ghee (clarified butter) and nutmeg, and put it in the oven for an hour with a little water in my Pyrex dish.  Out popped this beautiful, browned set of halves that contained soft, glowing squash goodness.  It’s great as a side dish or snack, and it is so easy to digest.  Especially helpful for the Spleen and Stomach.  A good dish to try if you gluten sensitive, or have digestive issues.

What’s so great about acorn squash, you say?

1. Acorn squash has a warming thermal nature, and sweet flavor.
2. It looks like a giant acorn, and is pointed on one end, with deep ribs in its medium hard skin.
3. I’ve been told that the golden variety are a bit sweeter, and the green ones are more moist.
4. It’s loaded with minerals, and contains higher than average amounts of Vitamins A, C, and B.
5. It’s low in carbohydrates.
6. According to Healing With Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition by Paul Pitchford, it improves Qi circulation.  Always a plus during these Qi stagnation inducing times!
7. Interestingly enough, its juice reduces inflammation and burns.
8. And for those in the know, squash and their seeds destroy worms (the seeds are more effective.)

Needless to say, I relished that acorn squash like it was part of a last meal!

What dish do you relish, that is truly nourishing, on a mind and body level?

I’m hoping you enjoying some true mirth and joy!  And, by the way, I am offering gift certificates now, so you can give some acupuncture/reiki/wellness love to whomever you wish.

Searching for accessible healthcare?  Come to the 3rd Space Healing Wellness Day!

It’s the last Audre Lorde Project Wellness Day of 2011!  The next one is in Manhattan on Wednesday, December 14th from 6:30-8:30pm.  Since it’s on one of my busiest days at my private practice, I may not be able to make it (I usually provide acupuncture and reiki at their Wellness Day events.)  But, I strongly suggest you visit this new program the Audre Lorde Project’s has recently started, and get a wellness treatment at an affordable cost!

You can schedule an appointment or just walk in! Walk in’s are not garunteed to be seen, so if you can, schedule an appointment by emailing 3rdspacehealing@alp.org or call 212-463-0342 ext. 16.

See you there!

What is a Wellness Day? 

 *Wellness Days are a place where Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Trans, and Gender Non Conforming People of Color will be able to access a provider for a one-on-one holistic healthcare session or a community session.

*At the December 14th Wellness Day you can recieve:

- Reiki, Acupuncture, Psychic Tarot Readings, and Heath Counseling with an RN!

- Meet the Providers!  http://alp.org/3rd-space-support/healing

*The Wellness Days will be operating on a sliding scale basis and no one will be turned away due to lack of funds. $5 -$20 suggested for community sessions, $15 -$35 suggested for 30 minute sessions, $25 – $75 suggested for 45-60 minute sessions.  Only cash and checks accepted.

Time to give yourself some love!

Thanks to those who came out to Audre Lorde Project’s 2nd ever Wellness Day, which was this past Saturday, November 12, 2011.  It was a success, and I had the pleasure to meet other practitioners offering acupuncture, reiki, energy healing, and health guidance (from a registered nurse, in fact!)  Julia was the other acupuncturist, and it is always wonderful to see how other acupuncturists practice; especially in this case, since she was practicing when acupuncture was still illegal in New York State (can you believe it ever was?)

I mixed my reiki in with my acupuncture, as I usually do.  It was particularly gratifying when a client, who’d come in complaining of shoulder pain, and who wanted to feel more grounded after coming off medications, told me that the pain in her shoulder had instantly released during my needling.  Not so coincidentally, I had just needled a distal point specifically for shoulder pain (a distal point is a point that is far away from the area of pain, in this case, it was on the leg.)  I then told her that the point I’d needled was for her shoulder.  She then exclaimed, “Wow!  I felt that pain go instantly!”  As the needles worked their magic, I performed reiki on her (for more info on what reiki is about, check out reiki FAQ here.)  By the time she’d left the wellness space, she said, with a relaxed face and calm smile, that she felt her stress had left her body, and wasn’t in pain anymore.  It is always an amazing feeling to assist someone in wellness, especially because you are treating the wholistic body (physically and emotionally, and even spiritually) with acupuncture and reiki.  And, I truly believe that you get back what you put out.  That goes for positivity, and also for negativity.

But, if you don’t give to yourself first, it is often harder to pinpoint what you’re putting out, to feel scattered, irritable, snappy (and not the fun “two snaps and a twist” kind of way), and easier to slip into old patterns that don’t serve you.

The holiday times are a prime source of stress for many.  Although getting together with loved ones, getting out of town for a breather, slicing up a juicy turkey, and getting/receiving gifts are good times, the overextension of obligations, a grocery or gift list that is evergrowing, deadlines, shopping, pressure to keep up with the Joneses in your holiday decorations, and doing all of this in a declining economy, can be challenging.

So, here’s a novel idea:

For this very moment, instead of getting stressed out at the thought of fighting off the hoards at Best Buy this Black Friday for the new Xbox your son just has to get or he will disown you, and possibly envisioning a confrontation with said hoard a la “The Walking Dead”, consider that for right now, you are taking a moment to stop.  

To breathe, to not think, to detach yourself from what you feel are obligations (because if you were to take a good, hard look at your to-do list, and examine the necessity of each one, you may discover that half of them are not as important as you’d initially thought.)

Take that few minutes to look inward and ask yourself what you want right now.  Would a short nap rejuvenate you?  Or, would a moment of quiet with a big mug of tea do the trick?  How about scheduling a wellness day for yourself for a week from now, whether it it be at home or elsewhere, so you have something to look forward to amidst the hubbub?  Or, simply doing nothing but sitting in your chair or sofa for the next couple of minutes.  Not thinking.  Not doing.  Just being.

Whatever the case, check in with yourself, and breathe!

An experience with  Z., a patient today, is an excellent example of what one might do for herself during trying times:

Z. is a busy professor at a local New York City university, a crafty writer and poet who is trying to finish her Ph.D. dissertation, cares for her father and brother for lack of a mother figure in recent years, and is still reeling from a breakup with a long-time boyfriend.  We recently discovered that she has PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome), where the appearance of the ovaries is often enlarged and contains numerous small cysts located along the outer edge of each ovary (polycystic appearance).  I had noticed recently that her periods were very few and far between, bordering on amenorrhea (absence of periods, without the possibility of pregnancy.)  She was also developing a lot of extra hair (hirsutism), particularly on the face, and parts of her body.  Her weight gain was becoming significant.  So, I suspected PCOS, and suggested she see a gynecologist to get some bloodwork done.  She returned later and confirmed that she indeed had PCOS.  The doctor had offered her birth control pills to regular her menses; but, because Z. prefers the natural route, had started taking certain supplements that was starting to work on her symptoms.

When she comes in, sometimes she wants to work on the PCOS symptoms, sometimes on her blocked up energies, that have lately left her feeling irritated and “stuck”.   In Chinese Medicine, energy that is blocked up in the channel can be from various things; but, more often than not, it involves the Liver (though not in the Western sense.)

Today, I treated her amenorrhea, and her feeling of being “stuck”.  She literally told me, “I am ready to be fertile!”  She had never said that before, since, for as many years as I’ve known her, she had become rather distant in her relationship to her uterus.  Celebrating her female parts was not common.  So, I knew that it was going to be an incredible session!

In this treatment, I needled the Spleen, Pericardium, Stomach, Liver, Large Intestine, and Du channels, and did a calming point in the ear.  I also did what’s called, “Opening the Chong”, a certain set of points that, when performed bilaterally and in a sequence, it helps to regulate the uterus and menstruation, and is often a technique used for those experiencing gynecological and fertility issues, among some.

Once needled, I went into reiki mode for the next 30 minutes that she was on the table.  During reiki, you are sending light and energy through the person as he/she lays on the table.  Acupuncture is already an incredible medical art, and I’ve found that reiki heightens the healing, balancing, calm, and connection with self.  Some people simply feel a greater sense of relaxation after the acupuncture and reiki.  Others find themselves visualizing, or meditating.

Another patient of mine who works on Wall Street, and had never heard of reiki until I introduced it to him, tried it one day after I’d needled him.  Next time he saw me, he said, “Hey, I like that reiki thing we did.  I felt much calmer even though I’ve had a stressful week!  Let’s do it again.”  So, now it is part of our sessions together.

As Z. lay in “blissland” (my super official term for a true deep sense of relaxation), I continued my reiki hand placements:  on her head, shoulders, chakras, and paid special attention to her ovaries and uterus (or where they would be located underneath her clothes.)  At first, the uterus seemed to give off a resistant energy, but after a while, it warmed up, and I filled the area with warm light.  I did visualization over her ovaries, for the cysts to grow smaller.  I finished performing reiki, down to the tips of her toes, and back up to her head.

I began removing the needles one by one.  When they were all removed, I checked in with her.  She said that she felt so calm, and that in one of her reiki visualizations, there was a “fertility festival” going on, where children who were young versions of herself were playing and frolicking.  However, there was also a haggard woman there who seemed to be “blocking” her access  to the festivities.  Z. soon realized that this haggard figure represented the block that could help her unleash her fertility.  It was at that time that Z. discovered that this haggard figure was not a real threat, but symbolized outdated fears and how disconnected she has been from her uterus and ovaries for many years.

She felt released from the fear of her girly parts!  She felt she had faced her PCOS for the first time, and loved it!  And all it took was making a wellness appointment for herself, amidst the chaos going on during these holiday times.  So, if she was able to find an awakening by going within, assisted by acupuncture and reiki treatments, you, too can breathe in wellness for yourself this holiday season!

Come on by this Saturday.  I’ll be one of the two acupuncturists providing services at ALP’s Wellness Day at the Brooklyn office!  Accessible healthcare.  Woot woot!

When:
Saturday, November 12, 2011 - 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Where:
Audre Lorde Project
85 S. Oxford St. (Basement floor)
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(Unfortunately, there is no elevator in the building.)

Searching for accessible healthcare?  Come to the 3rd Space Healing Wellness Day!   

Missed the 1st Wellness Day?  No worries!  The next one is in BROOKLYN on Saturday, November 12th from 1-4pm.

You can schedule an appointment or just walk in! Walk-in’s are not guaranteed to be seen, so if you can, schedule an appointment by emailing 3rdspacehealing@alp.org or call 212-463-0342 ext. 16.

See you there!

What is a Wellness Day? 

 *Wellness Days are a place where Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Trans, and Gender Non Conforming People of Color will be able to access a provider for a one-on-one holistic healthcare session or a community session.

*At the November 12th Wellness Day there will be:

-Reiki, Acupuncture, Psychic Tarot Readings, Heath Counseling, and Energy Healing!

*The Wellness Days will be operating on a sliding scale basis and no one will be turned away due to lack of funds. $5 -$20 suggested for community sessions, $15 -$35 suggested for 30 minute sessions, $25 – $75 suggested for 45-60 minute sessions.  Only cash and checks accepted.

Now that is a done turkey! And a possibly restrained one at that! Happy Turkey Day! Photo under creative commons by Lauren Kates.

So how does one stay svelt during these times?  How does one manage to eat better and more fully digest, in general?

In Chinese Medicine, when our bodies take in food, it goes to the Spleen, whose job is to move and transport the food, distributing its essence to all parts of the body.   According to Fundamentals of Chinese Medicine by Nigel Wiseman and Andrew Ellis, “These functions play an important role in the formation of qi and blood.  For this reason it is said that the Spleen is the source of qi and blood formation.”  Quite the significant role!  In fact, the Spleen manages the blood, governs the flesh and limbs, and opens into the mouth (referring to the relationship of the splenic movement and transformation to appetite and taste in the mouth.)   Spleen is of the Earth element, whose season is usually Late Summer.  But I wanted to bring it up as a relevant organ, because these holiday times of overindulgence and gluttony does tax the Spleen’s ability to transport and transform!

Where the Spleen is located in the human body. Photo by Medical Symptoms Guide.

When the Spleen is healthy, you will see:  a good appetite, normal absorption of nutrients, and regular bowel movements (usually once a day.)  However, when the Spleen’s functions are impaired, you will see: a poor appetite, poor digestion, abdominal distention, loose bowel movements (even diarrhea.)  Of course, this is an oversimplified, and extremely short, list of symptoms.  But, it gives a quick idea of what you can expect.

And not only is the Spleen responsible for various physical aspects; but, in Five Element theory in Chinese Medicine, the emotion corresponding to the Spleen’s Earth element is Sympathy.  If a person who’s healthy in bodymind he/she flows from one emotion to another, including that of sympathy.  According to the book, Traditional Acupuncture: The Law of the five Elements by Dianne M. Connelly, Ph.D., “The person who cannot receive sympathy, and the person who asks for sympathy continually, are both stuck and do no flow easily in and out of the emotion… This is not a natural flow and points to an imbalance in the Earth Element.  The I need…, the craving sympathy says that the Earth is imbalanced in the same way someone craving sweets is signaling an Earth imbalance.  Health is a balance of needs and emotions.”

Which brings to mind:  what do you crave?  In food?  In life?  Are you flowing easily in and out of the emotion, mindset?  Because digestion is not only the physical process of eating and taking in nutrients.  Spleen also reminds you:  what are you bringing into your world?  What are you transforming in your life?  Are you nourishing your body, your family, your loved ones, with these transformations, and how do they manifest?

I recently went to an introductory cooking class on traditional foods – foods and dairy that are nutrient dense.  Meats from this category are fresh, pasture-raised and organic. Dairy from this category is fresh, from pasture-raised animals, organic and preferably raw and cultured.

As a Chinese Medicine practitioner, we are taught about healthy herbs, foods, how to cook congees (nourishing Chinese rice porridge that often includes herbs), vitamins, etc. in school.  I also had taken a cooking class from a nutritional counselor, whose speciality was bone health.  She taught me about the importance in soaking grains.  Through this and the traditional foods cooking class, I learned that you can actually raise the minerals and vitamins in foods, and increase the digestion of nutrients in your body, just by taking a little extra time to prepare certain foods.  Some ways to prepare foods for greater digestibility, and releasing the nutrient value are:  soaking and sprouting grains, nuts and seeds, making stocks, fermenting vegetables and fruits, and culturing dairy products, among some items.

So, here are some simple things you can incorporate into your lifestyle to make things easier on your Spleen, make for better digestion and nutrient intake:

1. 

   Brown Rice soaking on my kitchen counter as we speak. It will be ready to cook tomorrow!

   Soak your grains:  Quinoa, chia seeds, etc. should all be soaked (pour water over the grains) at least overnight.  The reason grains need to be soaked is because they are covered by a phytic acid that acts as a layer of protection while growing in the wild.  Kind of like a natural pesticide.  This covering inhibits absorptions of minerals into the body.  Millet does not need to be soaked.  But, yes, even rice needs to be soaked.  Quinoa and rice can be soaked up to 4 days (my preference, I feel a difference in my sensitive Spleen.)  Sprouting enhances the vitamin content and beneficial enzymes.  Some use whey when sprouting.  In the traditional nutrition class, they ruled out white and yellow rice, dismissing them as having no nutritional value whatsoever (brown rice was preferred.)  ”Well, hey,” I thought, “I’m part-Asian and part-Spanish, so I can’t help ya there!”  I will always have a soft spot for those!  Yes, that means you’ll have to plan dishes a little bit more in advance, but you will feel a difference, especially for those with sensitive digestive systems.

2. Create a classic chicken bone broth:  This would not be considered a soup, but a bone broth/stock.  In this diddy, you would include the whole chicken.  Yes, chicken feet, head, all the good stuff!  Using the heads will impart your stock with the benefits from the thyroid of the animal, and the feet make it highly gelatinous and nutritious.  This is a long-cooking broth.  One of the instructors likes to cook it overnight on low, checking on it every so often.
3. Incorporate healthy fats into your diet:  If you’re familiar with my blog, I’m all about the coconut oil (check out my previous blog post, “Kale and Maitake Mushrooms: A Recipe for Detoxing and Immune Building”.)  I use it when cooking, baking, over popcorn, in the hair, it’s multiuse!  Lard, ghee, bacon fat, and olive oil are more examples of healthy fats.
4. 

   Raw Honey on my countertop. A common staple, especially during the tea-frequenting fall season! (Though, frankly, tea is for all seasons!)

   Natural sweeteners:  Raw honey is awesome when combined with apple cider vinegar for oncoming colds (I talked about it a little in “Tools For Overcoming the Common Cold”.)  I use it in almost everything that needs sweetening.  The pollen and propolis is still in there, and it’s high in the enzyme amylase which assists with grain and starch digestion.

It may be hard incorporating a fully traditional dish spread during the holidays, but you can make it a little easier on the Spleen-challenged by incorporating a dish or two that includes any of the above!

And as a reminder:

In my last post, I mentioned that, in honor of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (AOM) Day in conjunction with Halloween, I am offering a special 25% discount for any first time patients, until November 10th, 2011, the next Full Moon.  Now is a good time to keep immunity up as we enter cold and flu season, and for de-stressing as we start planning for holiday events!

An incredibly inventive jack-o-lantern that any 80's aficionado would appreciate. Photo used under creative commons from Rich Bowen.

Halloween happens to be my favorite holiday.

Not because we get to promote tooth decay in today’s youth (chocolate is delicious 365 days of the year, but as a caveat, everything is tasty in moderation!)  Or, to don tiny costumes with seemingly shrinking hemlines with each passing year (in NYC, the hip beauty store chain, Ricky’s, turns into a Halloween superstore this time of year, so ladies can embody Jersey Shore’s Snooki, a naughty nurse, or even the Svedka Fembot.  Men get to be Charlie Sheen or Jersey Shore’s The Situation.  Good times!)  However, I rather enjoy the mystery surrounding the holiday’s origins.  Because, as much as a jaded New Yorker as I can be, there is magic in the every day.  Even in this concrete jungle.

A Halloween lass taking her broom for a drive. Photo used under Creative Commons from Marc Kevin Hall.

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to realize that, no matter what culture(s) your ancestors came from, there was a time when people believed in the power of the unseen.  Whether they be in the forms of praying for a good harvest, picking specific herbs or berries to salve a wound, applying healing touch or indigenous arts of healing to promote wellness, or manifesting goals, among some.  Being of mixed blood descent, I honor the various ways my lineages may have created wellness.  For example, in the Philippines, female healers/priestesses were called “babaylans”.  Some people would like to call them simply, “brujas”; but, really, these were women during the pre-Hispanic times who held high positions in government, brought communities together, and were a healing connection between heaven and earth.  They made talismans out of miniature containers filled with sand, rocks, herbs, salt, and coconut oil.  Many cultures have wise women in their past.  And many people, men and women, still honor that strong connection to self, healing, and community, in various forms.  And others may not even be aware that they are indeed tapping into their own personal power that everyone has.

A menacingly joyous collection of pumpkin lights. Photo under Creative Commons from Chris Neal.

Halloween is the perfect time to ripen the harvest of what you want to manifest in life, after sifting and discarding what is no longer useful (check out my previous blog post where I talk about releasing yourself from unconstructive metal patterns during this season.)  To tap into your personal power, which is not always visible.  It is very gratifying to see the fruits of your labor in physical ways.  But, it is also very poignant to achieve goals and/or go further on a healing journey, when you may have thought it was unattainable a year before.

Loads of candy that would make the dentist smile. Photo used by Creative Commons from David Wiley.

So, instead of thinking that this holiday only belongs to the kids and bad zombie makeup (for real zombie makeup, check out one of my favorite TV shows, “The Walking Dead”), think of it as a way of reconnecting with a belief in the magical, and see if you observe something new, out of the ordinary, or a little coincidental in timing to a recent prayer, meditation, or thought.

Also, Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Day was October 24th.  It was created to bring awareness to the many health benefits and progress in the medicine that has been around for more than 2,000 years.

In the previous blog post, I’d announced that, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I had created a special treatment package specific to breast cancer treatment concerns/issues.  That will continue for the remainder of the month of October.

And, in honor of AOM Day, I will be offering a special 25% discount for any first time patients, until November 10th, 2011, the next Full Moon.  Do not worry, I will not be dressing in flowing Stevie Nicks threads anytime soon; but I did want to bring together my favorite holiday, Halloween, and my love for acupuncture.

Besides reconnecting with a belief in the magical for Halloween, how else can you creatively celebrate this holiday, as well as AOM?  Please do not suggest the movie, “Final Destination 5″.  That acupuncture scene was so out of date, complete with stereotypical evil dragon lady, it practically went straight to video!

Instead, consider a ritual towards wellness, like:

1. Creating a harvest altar, with a squash and/or small pumpkin from the local farmer’s market, plus any local nature walk finds that strike your fancy (leaves, acorns, stones, etc.)
2. Unplugging, and not being connected to the internet for a designated amount of hours (que horror!)
3. Lighting a white candle and recognizing how inexplicably incredible you have been for getting through the past year
4. Enjoy the simple indulgence of watching a juicy horror flick with a gigantic bowl of popcorn (hint: try drizzling coconut oil on the batch, you will thank me later!)
   

   Drizzle some of that healthy and tasty coconut oil on top of those kernels! Photo under Creative Commons from Eddie Welker.