Taking the Pulse Happy New Year and Welcome to 2021. I hope you had some time over the holidays to rest and reflect. There’s no question that 2020 was a most challenging and turbulent year, and 2021 is already showing its fire. And yet we continue to show up for ourselves, our loved ones and our work in the world while holding a vision for a brighter future. I am eternally grateful for my clients who placed their trust in me and my business during this time to receive in-person acupuncture. It has been an honor to walk through this transformative time with you and support you on your health and wellness path. After a much needed holiday break, the office is OPEN with plans to remain open. Thank you for continuing to honor all the safety measures in place so you can continue to receive high quality care. I’ll continue to operate at a lower capacity and with all safety measures in place until the pandemic is more under control. There are some openings for new or returning clients! Please be in touch to include acupuncture in your 2021 health care and self-care plans. The Water Element and Winter During times of chaos and instability, it can be helpful to look at wisdom traditions for guidance. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one such tradition – it has been in practice for thousands of years and originated and survived in a culture that has seen the rise and of fall of political systems, pandemics and more. It is deeply rooted in the philosophy of Taoism which emphasizes balance within cycles of change and living in harmony with the natural world. One of the TCM five elements is Water, and it corresponds with the current season of Winter. Water is about our ability to flow and overcome obstacles. It relates to qualities of wisdom, stamina and endurance. The water element in winter invites us to turn inward for introspection and stillness, to pause, gather strength and renew our energy reserves – before the more expansive season of spring. This is the most Yin of seasons, very quiet and internal and invites us to “go in”. Yes, I know we have spent 9 months “staying in” but I am also referring to going in to the deep stillness within ourselves where our true nature resides. From this place you can explore what naturally wants to flow and come to creation from within you. In the dark and quiet you can connect with your roots and continue to water and nurture the seeds of change. After being shut down and limited for much of 2020, there is a desire to move forward, make changes, take action even though the outer world might not be offering that in the way we desire. It is easy to feel frustration and resistance when things are not going as planned or desired. Coaching Contemplation How are things flowing in your life? Where are you resisting the current flow of life? Are you taking time to rest and reflect each day? The water element invites us to Rest and Reflect. It reminds us that many things cannot be solved by more effort or by controlling a time table or outcome, but by allowing a more natural unfolding and by accepting and aligning with the current realities and flowing with them towards a different or more desirable resolution or outcome…one perhaps that we cannot even see yet. This is not to be confused with passivity. (Water can also balance and control Fire.) You can invoke the water element in your life, while working boldly and actively towards your plans and dreams of 2021 and while responding to new challenges. Productivity experts know that resting and reflecting are important steps towards accomplishing goals. In daily life, rest and reflection are forms of supreme self care and can look like this: formal meditation or other contemplative practices working with a therapist or life coach or other professional regular acupuncture or bodywork journaling taking a retreat (even if it is online or at home) a walk alone a visit with nature a quiet cup of tea sitting by a fire hanging out with a pet taking a nap blank space on your calendar stretching after a workout savasana after yoga practice sitting and relaxing after a meal quiet time in the morning or before bed prioritizing sleep a pause before moving onto the next activity a break after completing a big (or small) project stepping away from a difficult project or situation when frustration is building allowing yourself to have unproductive time turning away from your devices allowing time and space for creativity Invoking the QUALITIES of the water element in your life can also look like: accepting whatever challenge life has presented to you being open to saying yes when the energy feels right accessing your inner wisdom trusting an outcome that hasn’t arrived yet slowing down sometimes less effort and more allowing reflecting on how to do things differently taking the next step then the next step… Water continues to flow towards its natural destination despite the obstacles in its path.  FLOW is my word for 2021. After so many challenges and changes in 2020 I was forced to let go of many expectations, beliefs, ways of doing things, situations, relationships. I am committed to staying open to new possibilities and listening to the pull within towards a brighter future. Join me in trying to find the flow. Offerings I’m available in-office and online/virtually to support your heath, wellness and authentic living goals. Acupuncture is an amazing tool to help you to rest and reflect and rebuild your energy reserves. Acupuncture naturally moves tension and resistance to allow better energy flow in your body and mind. By connecting with your body you can more easily access its wisdom. I am welcoming new and returning acupuncture clients. Life Coaching In December I completed my Certified Professional Life Coach training, which was a huge goal and accomplishment for 2020! This training and working with my own coach were instrumental in helping navigate this time of transition. The past year provided endless opportunities to practice new skills and ways of being. I am now offering life coaching virtually so please reach out if you are interested or curious. What is a life coach? Read more here: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-life-coach-4129726 As a Certified Life Coach my goals are to help you live a more balanced and authentic life, understand and shift your inner world and its many resistances, move towards goals and dreams, and live a life that reflects your unique values – so you can feel more empowered and more easily share yourself and your gifts with your community or loved ones. I’m particularly interested in helping people navigate personal change and transition. Stay tuned for a new website with more info about life coaching and how it can help you. You can schedule all services online or by email. Schedule Appointment ONLINE Here As always, feel free to email me with any questions or to tell me how you’re doing. I wish you and yours a healthy and flowing New Year. Best, Lisa |
Can you flow through the winter?
Posted by Lisa on Feb 4, 2021 in Uncategorized | 0 comments
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