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Dear Guru, How do you suggest I maintain balance and calm during this hectic and exciting season? I enjoy the holidays but usually end up feeling overwhelmed and exhausted before the season ends. I try to watch my diet, practice my yoga and get rest, but that doesn’t seem to be enough…I still end up feeling stressed and tight. I’d like to be able to really enjoy this time and not feel like it’s a burden to be endured. What do you recommend?
 In yoga, meditation and life, the answer always comes back to the breath. Pranyama (yoga breathing), brings us back into focus and naturally relaxes both the brain and the body. Pranayama is the science of breath control. It consists of a series of exercises especially intended to meet the body’s needs and keep it in maximum health. Pranayama is derived from the following Sanskrit words:
- Prana – “life force” or “life energy”
- Yama – “discipline” or “control”
- Ayama – “expansion”, “non-restraint”, or “extension”
Pranayama means breathing technique or breath control. This practice of tapping into your inner life force is not only to take healthy deep breaths. It is intended for yoga practitioners to help prepare them for meditation. Calm, measured breaths can sooth the nervous system, quiet the mind and allow us to both relax and focus more clearly The beauty of breathwork is that it can be utilized anywhere and any time – from the dentist’s chair to a crowded department store or at a bustling holiday party.
Most yoga classes include breath work, and there are many additional resources available to help you get started. Try sitting in a quiet spot, with a straight back and eyes closed. Breath in slowly and deeply through your nose, feel the breath expand your abdomen, then release the breath slowly through your nose. Repeat this process several times and you will feel your tension melting away. Incorporating pranyama into your yoga practice will add to the meditative quality and maximize the benefits of the practice.
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One of our newer practitioners, recently diagnosed with extensive ovarian cancer, just learned that her cat scan was clear after three rounds of chemotherapy. She attributes her fantastic turnaround to the combination of western medicine, and the tools she has learned to utilize to heal herself (yoga, journaling, meditiation, shirodhara massage). This is so inspirational and exciting…a great reminder of the power of the mind and the need to take care of ourselves.
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If you know of anyone who might benefit from our newsletter, or might be interested in the services we offer, please do forward this along. Show your support and concern by sharing information that can change and enhance the lives around you.
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Orionic Healing: Heal Your Thoughts, Heal Your Body
By Christa Schorn, LCSW
Modern medicine is finally catching-up with the beliefs that have been carried through the ages. In Chinese medicine, acupuncture, shamanism and energy healing, the body and the mind are intricately and intimately connected. There is an entire field of study dedicated to the interaction between mind and the immune system called “psychoneuroimmunology”. Experts in this field such as Dr. Candace Pert have found direct links at a cellular level between emotions and the immune system and have discovered the way that our emotions either enhance or impede our immune system. Dr. Pert discovered “molecules of emotion” (called neuropeptides) that travel throughout our bloodstream, hooking onto receptors on cells in every corner of our body. Dr. Pert is adamant that we no longer should even speak of a mind-body connection but only of mind-body unity. She believes that the mind and body are totally inseparable.
On a daily level, many of us realize that our negative emotions (which are frequently a result of negative thinking) can hold us back and keep us from achieving our true potential in our work, in our relationships and even our health. How often do we make the connection between stress and our ability to withstand exposure to colds or flu? When we are stressed, we get sick. The opposite is also true: when we are feeling good and thinking positively, we are more productive, and tend toward more success in our life and we are better equipped to deal with whatever illness may come our way.
As a psychotherapist, I have helped many clients over the years look at their thoughts and resulting emotions. Although many of my clients have worked very hard in therapy and resolved some very deep issues, it was always frustrating to me that many of the most core negative thoughts and programming were so difficult and stubborn to dislodge. Then I discovered Orionic Healing. Orionic Healing has given me hope, or rather the confidence that these issues can be resolved forever.
Orionic Healing is a spiritually-based system that helps shift thoughts and patterns which are out of balance with one’s true self. These thoughts can interfere with health, inner peace, happiness and harmony. This cutting-edge vibrational healing method was created by Janna Zarchin, LMFT. Ms. Zarchin developed this system out of her rich background which includes counseling, rebirthing, color/sound therapy, energy work and creating sacred space. Orionic Healing uniquely combines components from these methods to produce the deepest results that seem almost effortless to the client. As a result of an Orionic Healing session, many clients find that their negative thoughts “disappear” and their life feels better as a result of the subtle and often profound changes which follow.
In his book, Love Medicine and Miracles, Dr. Bernie Siegel says, “We can change the body by dealing with how we feel.” This is the intention of Orionic Healing.
A free introduction to Orionic Healing will take place at Om Strength and Serenity Healing Center on Tuesday January 23rd 2007 at 7:30PM. Included in the introduction is a free group healing session ($120 value). All are welcome.
Christa Schorn, LCSW, is a practicing psychotherapist in East Northport. She is an Orionic Healing Practitioner as well as the Assistant Director of the Orionic Healng Institute. She is trained in Reiki and EMDR as well.
For more information on Orionic Healing, and upcoming events and the Orionic Healing Training program, go to www.orionichealing.com
Works Cited
Gaynor, Mitchell L. M.D. (1999). Sounds of Healing. New York. Broadway Books.
Pert, Candace. (1997). Molecules of emotion. Sydney. Simon and Shuster.
Seigel, Bernie. (1988). Love, Medicine and Miracles. New York. Harper & Row Publishers.
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Please check our website for the updated winter schedule, or stop by and pick one up. We’d love to see you!
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Supportive Group Workshops
The Last Thursday of Each Month
7:00pm – 8:30pm
($45 each workshop)
Facilitator: Cheryl Chitayat, Psy.D. Psychologist
December 21: Finding Valuable Lessons in Unexpected Places
Extracting the Spoonfuls of Positive from Negative-tasting Situations
January 25: What’s in a Word?
The Power of Self-talk for Healthy Living
Dr. Chitayat is available for Individual Consultations
By Appointment
Wednesdays @ 10am, 11am, 12pm
($95)
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Purchase a gift certificate for a full one hour massage and get a half hour massage for yourself at no additional cost. What a great way to give and receive the gifts of the season!
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The human touch is one of the most powerful healing tools we have at our disposal. Touch that is loving and kind can soothe and comfort. Touch that has been “supercharged” by Reiki, can soothe, comfort and stimulate cellular memory of “well-being”, bringing about renewal and rejuvenation.
Are you longing for that memory? Would your loved one benefit from that memory coming forward?
Renewal Reiki is a program geared towards empowering your hands to do just that! This simple method of healing touch is for anyone who loves themselves, and/or, is in search of “something more to do” for those they love.
Look for this exciting program of love on our January calendar. No prior experience necessary.
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Adult Cooking Classes:
Healthy Holiday Desserts
Chef Rich League and Holistic Health Counselor Gabe Hoffman are pleased to present a series of Cooking Classes your mother would be proud of at Rose & Sage in Huntington.
When: Thursday, December 21st from 8:00 to 9:30pm
Where: Rose & Sage 1842 E. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington
Cost: $35.00 includes all foods, complete recipes and giveaways.
Registration: To register, please call (631) 462-4620 and ask for Patti.
Additional classes in Macrobiotic cooking and healthy eating after the New Year will take place in January. Please call for more details…don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to start the New Year on the right foot!
We wish you all a wonderful, happy, healthy holiday season…may the new year bring us peace, love and light!
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