In this issue ...
Stay Healthy and Focused ...
Regain and maintain
your health.
Call Kitty for a FREE health consultation
(206) 842-6936
Explore better
ways to get where you're going.
Call Michael for a FREE coaching session
(206) 842-6936
New
Classes in April
Healthy Balanced
Breakfasts
April 18, 2004
Get a taste of how to prepare nutritionally balanced,
energy-packed breakfasts based on Taoist 5 Element
recipes.
Chi Kung for
Gardeners
April 18, 2004
Experience gentle, easy-to-use exercises that promote
healthy growth - in your garden and yourself.
Also at BIOM...
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March is a time when the "change in the air" can easily
be felt. It's the time when old man Winter loosens his
grip, and the muses of Spring slowly begin to dance
again. They start off slowly because they - like us -
have half-hibernated during the long, cold, dark months
that are now behind us. And with an innate knowing,
venture out again into the lengthening, warming days
of renewal and growth, we call Spring.
When you were younger, very little was needed to stay
healthy as the seasons changed because you were
filled with the energy (Chi) of a 'life-packed' seed. Now,
like a more mature perennial, it's important to "harden
off" and begin fertilizing your root so that you're ready
to blossom as new opportunities arise.
Wishing you health & well-being
Kitty & Michael
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Spring Is Stirring
March is a "transitional" month: cold and windy when it
arrives; warmer, with a tinge of mildness - mixed with
a feeling of relief at Winter's passing - at its end. As
nature's energies shift from Winter to Spring, important
changes are happening outside - and inside - of you
that affect your health.
Fall Back and Spring Ahead
"Fall back and spring ahead." This old saying reminds us
in October and April to reset our clocks and watches,
an adjustment made primarily to keep us all on
schedule. As we make these mechanical adjustments,
it's also necessary to reset your biological clock.
The Sap Is Rising
As Spring arrives the "sap" begins to rise, and so does
the question: how much energy do we have to support
the surge of energy that Spring brings?
The Liver is the primary organ affected during Spring,
so it's important to make sure it's strong and balanced.
The primary organ system affected during Winter is the
Kidneys - which play a major role in energetically
supporting the function of the Liver. Because Winter
naturally "saps" much of the strength in the Kidneys,
Oriental Medicine has developed specific herbal
formulas and acupuncture/acupressure techniques for
rebuilding the functionality of the Kidneys, while
simultaneously strengthening and balancing the Liver.
Read on... »
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The Root of the Matter
I was getting ready to teach a Tai Chi class the other
day, and took a few minutes to sit quietly, breathe
deeply, and let the context for the class "bubble-up."
Little by little, the mental energy that I use for
my "thinking work" began to sink down from my head
into my "center point" - that physical spot just below
the navel and inside a bit. Gradually that calm,
centered feeling began to emerge and the context
appeared: "focus on the process for establishing the
root."
Rooted and Balanced
Considering the value of visual aides, I went into the
garden, and dug up a poppy plant, with an impressively
long, vibrant root. In an instant it was clear that the
foliage - and the beautiful bloom to come - were totally
dependent on this root for sustenance and stability. I
brought the poppy to the class, where we looked at it,
discussed its attributes, and tried to feel its Chi.
We then began the Chi Kung/Tai Chi process of
establishing a feeling of rootedness in our own bodies -
that subtle feeling that enables us to absorb
sustenance from our environment, and stay balanced
when confronted by challenging and upsetting
situations.
Full Story »
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Lao Xian Serves Pu-erh
In February Lao Xian served Imperial Pu-erh at her
monthly Commun-i-TEA at BIOM. The Chinese say pu-
erh has a "big belly," which means it fills you with
health and energy. From drinking pu-erh for many
generations, people have found that it helps lower
cholesterol, improve digestion, cleanse the blood, and
supports weight loss.
Tea was served in Yixing teaware - teapot and cups
made from "purple" clay, from the Yixing region of
China. This unglazed clay absorbs the flavor of the tea,
enhancing the flavor of your favorite tea over many
delicious and enjoyable steepings.
More About Pu-erh
Pu-erh is a town in China's Yunnan Province. Since
ancient times, it's been a vibrant tea center and
market town, where all tea from the region was
traded.
Read more »
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March Monkey Business
Back in January we said that each month during this
Year of the Monkey we're going to take a look at the
antics of the Monkey from the perspective of health
and well-being, to see how much of its ancient wisdom
still informs our modern lives. So what can we learn
from the Monkey's behavior in March?
The Monkey tends to be a little bit excitable - as we all
do - during Spring. But some words of advice: the
Monkey, being excitable by nature, will be even more
so during Liver time.
So pay attention to being rooted, and measured in your
decisions. And definitely loosen your collar, and enjoy
some of the frivolity that Spring inspires - but be
mindful not to get swept away by it.
That's all for now. Be well, and we look forward to
hearing from you!
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