Transitioning

Ah...life!  A lot has happened since I’ve last written.  Many transitions.  The most notable being that my fiancé and I have ended our engagement.   I am very thankful that our love and respect for each other is allowing this transition to be peaceful and compassionate process...for the most part.  I ‘m not going to lie...there have been times I’ve found it extremely difficult and painful to part from the love we’ve shared, the life we’ve built and the hopes and dreams for our future together.  But what brings me peace through this process is remembering that just because this chapter of our lives is ending doesn’t mean the love we have for each other, and for those surrounding our relationship, must also end.  Realizing that our relationship can continue to grow even though we aren’t pursuing a future commitment together helps take the sting out of our separation.    

Difficult times like these are amazing opportunities for personal growth.   I've learned so much about myself in the past few months.   I've also learned that where I am in my wellness practice directly determines how well or badly I handle the day to day challenges that arise.  

Aside from boosting my wellness practice, I've found that letting go of the traditional views of love and relationships and taking extra time to nurture myself is helping me to move through our separation with an open heart.  That, and having a fiancé who works from the same set of principals has made this separation...kind of beautiful.  The years we spent together were incredible and I will be forever grateful for the time we shared.  I love you, Nicolas Del Pesco.  

Healing the Gut and Getting Healthy in the New Year

The first two weeks of the new year and I have been terribly sick for both of them.  

I've had every symptom imaginable - sorest throat ever (even worse than tonsillitis) fevers, body aches, cough, sinus infection, nose bleeds and pink eye (not kidding) ...and now that I'm on the mend I couldn't be happier.  Not just because I'm recovering but because being sick has allowed me to take time to heal my body in ways I hadn't been able to master before.

 Looking back over 2011, I am amazed with what I have learned about my body, my fibromyalgia and the challenges that arise when trying to get well.  

At this point I am no longer troubled with confusion surrounding my chronic illnesses and for that I am so grateful.  Understanding the problem is half the battle.  My main difficulty has been trying to cultivate the discipline to be consistent with my wellness routine.   I don't think I'm alone in this struggle.

I keep coming back to the idea that if I could just remain disciplined in my dietary and lifestyle habits I could probably lick fibromyalgia forever...the problem is 1) I love to eat  2) I like my wine and  3) I don't want to be held hostage to a certain diet or lifestyle...especially during the holiday season.

After the holidays my body was wrecked.  I was seriously nervous about the terrible stomach pain I had been waking with every day for the past several months.  My joints ached and my tendons felt like they had been replaced with boards of knotty wood.  Thankfully the fibromyalgia hasn't returned to my muscles.  I had planned to get strict with my diet but I'm not sure if I would have accomplished what I have without the time away from work.  But it wasn't just taking off that helped me.  I have been too sick to work from home, too sick to write, too sick to do any household projects, too sick to do anything but take care of my body (and reacquaint myself with facebook.)

Healing became my only focus.  

And now two weeks into this practice, my stomach pain is gone.  My joint and tendon pain is almost gone and I have energy, even through the terrible seasonal sickness.  

This is what I've learned.

Ayurveda says joint pain is related to digestive issues.  I understand now.  If our food isn't digested properly it becomes putrid and poisons the body.  Food cannot digest properly if the systems of the gut have been corrupted.  

Probiotics are the key factor in healing the gut, but they have no effect on tissue that is enflamed and has been corrupted.  Think of the lining of the intestines as soil.  If the soil is toxic, the seeds can't grow.  

Not all probiotics are the same.  I took the Trenev brand because they ensure their cultures are live for shelf life - THROUGH THE EXPIRATION DATE.  

Multi strains of bacteria are not as helpful as single strains because bacteria will fight off other strains in order to survive. 

To heal the gut I had to make some major dietary changes.

This is what worked for me:

Gave up gluten. 

Gave up wine :(  and alcohol.  It was the wine that was difficult.  Alcohol is hard on the intestinal tract and damages or kills probiotics.

Gave up caffeine.

Ate mostly whole foods, limiting processed foods to gluten free bread and almond milk.

Limited meat.  Meat is difficult to digest and I needed my digestive system to rest and recuperate.

Limited sugar.  Sugar feeds yeast and I'm trying to inhibit yeast growth.  I've heard that many stomach problems are due to yeast overgrowths.

Limited onions and garlic which Ayurvedics believe damage the delicate probiotics.

Took enzymes after a meat meal to help break down the food.

Ate homemade chicken broth with EVERY meal.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Chicken broth is very healing for the gut.  I drank broth for breakfast, cooked veggies in it for lunch and made soup with it for dinner.  

CHEWED REALLY REALLY WELL.  This sounds so unimportant, but chewing the foods into liquid and mixing with saliva makes it MUCH easier for the digestive system to process the food.   And you get more nutrients from the food as well.

Ate soft, cooked foods (no raw foods) that are easy for the digestive system to process.  Some raw food enthusiasts may disagree with this but from my personal understanding, I needed to soothe my gut before I could re-introduce roughage. 

Took a prebiotic before taking a dose of probiotics.

Took a double dose of Trenev probiotics with every meal.

Didn't eat past 7 to give my digestive system time to rest.  It can't rest if it's constantly trying to process food.

Ate in a relaxed setting, focusing on relaxing my gut while I ate.

Rest.  I went to bed by 10 and got up when my body decided to. 

Didn't eat out AT ALL.  Even the healthiest of health food in restaurants is cooked with unhealthy vegetable oils like canola oil.

Drank bottled water.  I hate admitting to it, but I think it was an important step in healing my gut.  My probiotics brand actually tells you to take the pills with water that doesn't contain chlorine right in the directions.  Chlorine kills probiotics and beneficial bacteria in the gut.  You can smell the chlorine in our water even after being filtered with the brita.  Chlorine can't be boiled out of water.

If you are attempting to heal the gut I would also suggest giving up NSAIDS which cause leaky gut as well as other pharmaceuticals that relate to stomach issues.  Acid reducers and antacids inhibit the body's digestive system.  The digestive systems need to be brought back into balance and that is very tricky when it is being manipulated by outside sources.

So, again, it's only been two weeks, but that consistent stomach pain I have dealt with for so long is gone and my other symptoms are disappearing.  The trick is staying with it and avoiding antibiotics at all costs.  I, like many others, have a tendency to just get well to the point that I'm not in pain.  Once the pain and bodily discomfort become manageable I fall off the wellness wagon and revert back to old habits...so my body never truly heals.  

This year I am committed to achieving wellness.

I want to have a strong and pain-free body and clear mind.   I want to feel what it's like to be 100%.  I'm ready to meet my best me.  I deserve good health.  We all do.  And while I have learned how to heal my gut and get past my chronic health issues, I still have much to learn about wellness.  And so again...

Here's to being well in 2012!

How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body - One Yogi's Response

If you read the New York Times there's a good chance you read the front page article How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body.  

I'd like to respond to that article by saying yoga isn't wrecking people's bodies as much as our westernized understanding of how to teach and how to practice yoga.  Overall, yoga does way more good than it does harm.

Yoga wasn't designed to be a one-size-fits-all workout regime.  Every BODY is different.   But since this is how we typically practice yoga in America, it is important to understand your limitations and be mindful while moving through the poses and to know what you can and cannot handle.  It is also important to have an understanding of how to practice the poses correctly. Everyone should take a beginners workshop before moving on to a regular practice.

One major problem that Glenn Black mentions in the New York Times article is the fact that people push themselves without consideration for the current state of their bodies.  Ego has no place in yoga and those who practice for an end result will eventually get hurt.  In addition, in today's society our awareness tends to stay mostly with our thoughts.  If you are paying attention to your thoughts you are not paying attention to what your body is doing.  You could get hurt just as easily by mindlessly walking down the stairs, crossing the street or even getting out of bed.

When I was little I came very close to drowning while swimming in the ocean.  My mom didn't tell me I should never swim again.  She instead warned me against the dangers of undertow and currents and taught me to have respect for the water.  The lesson here should not be - don't do yoga, it will hurt you, rather, RESPECT yoga and the current state of your body.  I have found that yoga, if done correctly, truly is the best method of protecting, maintaining and conditioning the body and far surpasses any of our western exercise models.

Please don't let this or any other article sway you from exploring yoga.  It has become popular for a reason - because it has changed many people's lives for the better, including my own, and it shouldn't be written off so casually the way it was done in this article.

This Is Why I Practice: YOGA - A Complete Guide For Total Wellness

Everyday I become more & more amazed with what my body is capable of.

I never would have imagined the true extent of my body’s capabilities and functions without the knowledge and understanding I have gained through my yoga practice.  I have come to respect yoga and Ayurveda, the science behind yoga, so deeply that I feel compelled to share it with the world.

I am not alone.  For thousands of years people have been touched by the teachings of yoga, and its popularity continues to grow because of the life changing effect it has on those who actively practice.  The information that follows is a mere summary of a philosophy so expansive it simply cannot be represented in a six page essay; as such, the goal of this essay is to familiarize those not currently practicing yoga with some of the physiological concepts and benefits behind this beautiful exercise.

YOGA

A Complete Guide FOR Total Wellness

Yoga teaches me how to stand on the earth, how to move in harmony with all living things and with myself.  It keeps me strong and balanced in my body and my mind and acts as a reminder to practice these habits every moment of my day.  

Yoga is a complete and easy-to-follow guide for total wellness.  

Need I say more?  Of course it will take more than that to familiarize you so let’s take a moment to explore the body, beginning with posture. Yes, of course we all know that good posture is important, but it is very difficult to understand what good posture is without knowledge of the body.  My father always told me, “Chin up, shoulders back.”  But no matter how much I explored those directions, I couldn’t get the position to feel quite right.  It wasn’t until I began practicing yoga that I truly started to understand.

Good posture enables the body to function in the most effective manner, and yoga builds the body into proper alignment so it naturally comes to rest in good posture.   We are able to breath deeper, digest food more efficiently, and allow our organs to function at their maximum capacity without the compressing effects of poor posture.  When the shoulders droop forward there is an immediate decrease in the lungs’ capacity.  Slump over for a moment and notice the drop in your lung capacity.  Or if your position is slouched to begin with, try arching back slightly and notice the difference in your breath.   If we cannot breath fully into our lungs, we take less oxygen into the body.  Oxygen levels affect our brain function and energy levels.  Good oxygen levels promote faster healing of injuries and slow the aging process.  By simply adjusting our posture, we will dramatically impact the amount of oxygen we draw in through each breath, thus drastically affecting our health and our longevity.

Good posture ensures that all the systems of the body are able to flow freely, without blockage points commonly caused by poor posture.  

Free Flowing 

Explore that thought for a moment.  Feels nice, right?  Yoga uses postures (asanas), movement and breath to strengthen the outer body, casting it into the correct position and enabling all those systems to flow free.  Aside from protecting the body’s structure, yoga works to heal and regulate the internal functions of the body as well.  

Unlike modern exercise regimes, the whole body was considered when yoga was developed.  Every pose is designed to treat a specific body function as well as aid in the preservation of the body’s structure.  Every organ, the digestive system, the endocrine system, thyroid and brain functions are conditioned through yoga practice.  These systems are so important because they control our chemical constitution - our weight, metabolism, immune system, mental capacity, sexual function - even our mood is determined by how well and how efficiently these body systems are operating. 

Yoga takes a holistic approach to the body, meaning all of the body’s systems are understood to be related and working together.  For this reason, isolation of one muscle group is not a concept used in yoga.  Every part of our body and the breath is utilized to aid another part of the body in the pose.  This holistic understanding of the body enables us to posture or utilize the body in the best manner at any given moment throughout our day.  If I had understood these concepts when my father was telling me to stand up straight and tall I would have been able to adjust my chin and shoulders correctly.  I would have understood that those parts of my body and all the rest are related.  Simply turning my chin up and dropping my shoulders back will not give me good posture—rather I must maneuver them in accordance with the rest of my frame.  

Many of us have poor posture.  Instead of lifting up out of the earth or the furniture we sit on, we collapse onto ourselves, compressing our lungs, damaging our joints and inhibiting that beneficial free flow.  It is difficult to sit up straight when the muscles aren’t primed to hold us upright.  Similarly, it is nearly impossible to sit up properly without feeling pain or discomfort if the body has been formed into incorrect posture over time.  Holding ourselves up, supporting our bodies in the correct manner can be extremely difficult for those reasons, but when the body is primed by yoga, it naturally sits in the correct position, without pain or discomfort.

Because yoga gives the practitioner an inherent understanding of proper body positioning, it enables the practitioner to heal and protect his or her body from daily strain.  Bending over to pick up a child, lifting heavy objects, sitting at a computer – any task done repeatedly throughout the day can have ill effects on the body if it is not counteracted.  Understanding how to sit, stand, sleep, move and counteract these imbalances becomes clear after spending even a short amount of time practicing yoga.   

Yoga exercises are designed to elongate and then strengthen the body.  They help create space in the body enabling the free flow and defend against painful joint compression and “shrinking” associated with old age. If you drive to your yoga class, you will notice after getting back into the car that you will have to readjust the rearview mirror.  The fluid movements used in yoga are highly beneficial for the connective tissue, meaning greater range of motion and decreased body pain for the practitioner.  Mindful breathing techniques utilized in yoga, help to regulate blood pressure, calm the nervous system and offer many other health benefits that promote greater health and longevity.  

Yoga is a sustainable exercise model and can be practiced anyone throughout the entire life span.  It is a program that allows for countless modifications, making it a viable exercise option for people of any age or skill level.  No machines are necessary to facilitate the exercise.  Body type and state of health determine the method of the practice and allows for the practitioner to tailor the program to fit their needs.  In yoga, the muscles, bones, breath and floor are all utilized along with mindful concentration to move the body into a position designed for maximum “treatment."  


Some may argue that yoga does not offer a good cardiovascular workout but of the many different types of yoga, some are specifically designed to address cardio health.  If you find your practice is not meeting this important health aspect then it is important to supplement with activities that will ensure good heart health.

Complete health is not limited to our physique.

Modern medicine is beginning to acknowledge the relation between a person’s thought processes and their health. Yoga aims to work all of the aspects of the body, including the mind.  Yoga (asana) practice is the physical exercise to keep the body in good health. It is the aspect of yoga that most of us understand.  But the main purpose of the exercises in yoga is to prepare the body for meditation – the mental exercises that are extremely beneficial in keeping good mental health, which in turn, enables us to cultivate happy and healthy relationships with ourselves and the people in our lives.  No modern day exercise model includes this important characteristic of good health in its curriculum.  Many believe that the conditioning of the mind and the ability to control the seemingly never-ending thought processes is the greatest benefit of yoga.  

The yoga practitioner can look forward to a lifelong exploration and a thorough understanding of their bodies and their minds.  This understanding brings one of the greatest senses of achievement this world can offer: 

a Sense of Self

On a personal level, yoga teaches me how to nurture myself.  It facilitates my well-being.  My yoga practice centers me.  When anxiety of any kind and any level arises in my day I do not have to be shaken from my center.  Yoga helps me maintain consistency.  It brings balance to my life as well as a natural desire to choose health in all aspects of the word.  I am a better person because of yoga.

If you have never practiced yoga before, I encourage you to give it a try.  Your body and mind will thank you.  Take classes at several yoga studios before to committing to your exploration.  There are many different types of yoga and styles of teaching and it is important to see which type fits your personality.  While some people do not notice an immediate difference in the way they feel doing yoga, there are many others whose experiences are so profound they never seek another exercise model again.  I invite you to be curious, explore yoga.  In doing so you will learn about your body and will undoubtedly find wellness.

Om Shanti

We Are What We Practice - Practice Being Well in 2012!

The new year is here and there is new energy in the air!  

Let us allow this energy to fuel our inner fires and give us strength to make positive changes in our lives.

Here's to being well in 2012!

___________________________________________

We are what we practice - the good and the bad. 

If you wish to be more compassionate, practice compassion.  If you desire to be more centered, practice finding your center.  

It's easy to change with practice, it's remembering to practice that can be tricky... 

I wear a braided leather bracelet to remind me of the personal qualities I am working on. I take a minute to consider and align with these qualities every time I put it on.  Sometimes the bead that is attached rattles on my computer when I'm typing.  It used to annoy me until I realized it offered me another opportunity to practice.  Now every time it rattles or catches on something I take a minute to meditate on the qualities I am working on.  Do you have a trick that helps you remember? 

Exploring Joy TV Promo!

The Exploring Joy promo is finished!  A huge thank you to creative genius behind SLRCG production company for filming and producing a beautiful promo and helping facilitate this cause!

To be accurate, this is a sample promo.  The voice over was done on my iphone (complications in coordinating studio time) so it needs to be rerecorded, and somewhat re-scripted, (we'll be exploring more than just mental and sexual well-being ;) but I wanted to share it anyway.

 Let me know what you think and if you like it, please spread the word!
 involved in the making of the promo!

And to those who were involved in the making of the promo - thank you so much!  I am eternally grateful for your efforts, knowledge and support.

Dr. Hari Haran - Music and Sound Therapist and Vedic Astrologist
Lynn Roberts - Yoga and Ayurvedic practitioner  and owner of  Banyan Yoga and Ayurveda
Heather Rice - Yoga Teacher and owner of Amrita Wellness Center
Nancy Beal - Harp, Singing Bowl and Reiki Therapist
Elizabeth Conner - Yoga Teacher and owner of Prancing Peacock Yoga Studio


Simon Rogers - Filmographer, Producer, Creative Director - SLR Creative Group
Steven Denisevicz - Filmographer - In Short Films 

Please note: I'd like to say for the record that I am not on a quest to bring down the pharmaceutical industry or make disparaging remarks about Americans.  There are many aspects of our western medical system that I have a great deal of respect for and I understand that there are times the use of pharmaceuticals is necessary-- I myself do take certain medicines on occasion.

However, the reason I started this project is because I believe there is a desperate need to change the way we approach health here in America.   How can we look to illness for answers on how to be well?  I believe we must shift our attention from disease treatment and begin an in depth study of disease prevention in order to understand how to be truly healthy. This is the purpose of Exploring Joy.

Hello hello! I hope everyone is well and enjoying this beautiful holiday season!  

This is the first blog post I have written in several months, so I'd like to start by saying I’m sorry for the long disappearance.  I’d especially like to apologize to any of you have been anxiously awaiting the results of my experiments!  Unfortunately, there are no new developments regarding my body issues - one reason I haven’t written.  My fibromyalgia comes and goes depending on how well I manage it or more-so, how disciplined I am in my wellness practice.  My left eye remains puffy as ever.  And my mustache has temporarily faded with the summer sun.  (Maybe it won’t come back next year...  hopeful!)

The other reason for my lengthy absence is that I have been very busy working on a sister project to the blog.  I have teamed up with a supremely talented production group and we have been developing a show based on the content and efforts of Joy’s Wellness Trip.  I’m very excited to share in this experience with you!


Exploring Joy is a show designed to explore wellness.  Sound familiar?  Exploring wellness been the focus of my blog from the beginning.   It’s become my mission...it’s even labeled as such in the “Hello, I’m Joy” section next to this post.  :)   

You can learn more about the show and the cause by visiting www.exploringjoy.tv, but to give you a quick overview, the purpose of Exploring Joy is to identify and explore holistic health and direct a nationwide wellness effort.  The title suggests that the show will be about me, but the focus is on the the exploration in which the audience is encouraged to take part in.  I will play host and fellow student to those participating in the exploration.  With guidance from traditional and alternative health experts, we will explore many different aspects of well-being including physical, mental and sexual health in an open and investigative manner.  Through this exploration we hope to gain clarity on the wide array of misconceptions related to health and wellness, and work towards an understanding of what makes us well, and ultimately what makes us happy.


Please check back soon to see the promo!  It's nearly finished...I can't wait to see it!

This cause is so important to me.  Since I was first diagnosed with Fibromyalgia I have connected with so many people who  suffer from a vast array of diseases/bodily disorders-- fibromyalgia, lupus, Sjörgen’s, MS, CFS, Colitis, Crohn’s, digestion problems, migraines, depression, skin disorders, cancer...the list goes on and on.  I don’t know why, but I am always shocked when I meet people, especially young people, who suffer from these disorders.  Autoimmune diseases and chronic health issues are becoming more and more common.  This isn’t normal.  Bodies aren’t supposed to break down like this... And,  if I don’t stop now, I will continue to rant about this issue.  But can you blame me?  Last year I had terrible pain that felt like it radiated from the very core of my soul and extended beyond my skin.  My aura was pain.  No medicine helped me.  When I treated with Ayurveda I got better.  Many people are sharing stories like mine.  The pills aren’t working so they are seeking and finding help through alternative medicines.  If we are to be well, we must shift our focus from disease to health.  We must put our attention on wellness. 

Now more than ever, America needs a wellness plan.  

We need to stir it up!  I can’t do it alone!  We are undertaking a monumental effort; we are working to redefine wellness in America and the world as a community.  Ambitious?  Yes, it is.  Which is why I need your help.  The drive behind this movement has been accelerating but it needs organization and direction if it is to reach the people who need it the most.  Exploring Joy is an effort to help direct this movement.

How can you help?  Show your support by spreading the word!  Like our facebook page, or even better, get involved by posting your own health success story, health struggles or issues with our current medical model.  Offer praise for doctors and centers who have made a positive impact. Post your favorite wellness habits or products.  Ask the community a question.  And let us know what health topics you would like to see on the show!

Let’s begin this conversation and direct this crucial exploration together.  Change IS possible!  If we connect, get organized and work together, we can make American wellness a reality!

Are you with me people?! :)

July 20, 2011 is Community Wellness Day at the Art of Wellness in Philadelphia

The Art Of Wellness on the corner of 7th and Bainbridge in Philadelphia is offering a Community Wellness Event tomorrow! Make sure you stop by from 4-7pm for FREE yoga and other goodies like CranioSacral Therapy, (I’m dying to try this!) Massage, Community Acupuncture and more! They will also be offering light refreshments.

I fell in LOVE with this Wellness Center after visiting them last week for Facial Acupuncture. Their rates are incredibly affordable, their practitioners are extremely knowledgeable, and the owners, who I spoke to briefly, founded the center with a genuine desire to help the community get well. They offer a free wellness consultation upon your initial visit.  Visit the Art of Wellness website to learn more.

Facial Acupuncture--The Natural Face Lift!

I had an appointment today for Facial Rejuvenation at the Art of Wellness in Philadelphia.  The service was for Facial Acupuncture, which I bought at a discount from Eversave in hopes it would help to de-puff my puffy left eye.  Facial Acupuncture is supposed to be like a mini face lift, so even if it doesn’t help my eye…I’m excited to see what happens to the rest of my face.

After filling out an extensive questionnaire, Beata, my acupuncturist, led me back into her treatment room. She warned me that there could be some bruising, so if you have a special event to attend you should have the procedure done a few weeks beforehand.  (I bruised very slightly...see below.)

Beata started by putting a few needles in some of the basic acupuncture points on my body, then she moved onto my face and head.  I asked her if she thought this procedure would help my puffy left eye or my mylasma mustache and she said it might.  She worked very fast while she asked me questions about my profession and other things to direct my attention away from the pricks.  The pricks were definitely bearable.  Beata noticed that my (puffy) left eye watered when the needles were inserted around it, while the right one did not…interesting. If I opened my eyes I could look down and see a lot of needles (8-9?) just below my left eye.  I asked her how many needles she was using on my face and was surprised when she said, “about 80.”  80 needles…Wow!  She worked so quickly and relatively painlessly that I wouldn’t have guessed it was that many.  I would have taken a picture, but out of respect for her teacher, Beata did not want share the needle sequence. 

After she put the last needle in Beata told me to relax, covered me in the shiny, lightweight thermal blanket which keeps you warm without putting pressure on the needles, and then exited the room.  I meditated on relaxing every muscle in my face and body and let the needles do their work.  I definitely felt some “shifts” while lying on the table in the darkened room.  There was some movement and a barely audible sound in my left sinus area leading me to believe the needles she placed to treat my eye were ‘working.’  My finger twitched, my toes twitched a few times but aside from that I felt nothing but a divine relaxation.  It was beautiful.

After about 30 minutes Beata came back in to remove my needles.  There was some bleeding it was so minor that by time I got to the bathroom to check it had stopped.  There were no noticeable marks left from the needles or the locations that bled.  I asked about the benefits of facial acupuncture were and she said that enhanced circulation was one of the immediate effects. When circulation is increased in an area, oxygen is also increased, and there are many healing benefits that follow. (Please see the excerpt about facial acupuncture from the Art of Wellness’ website at the end of this post.)

 I was surprised how relaxing the procedure was...I practically floated out of the center.  I don’t know if facial acupuncture can help my left eye, but I definitely think it works to enliven the tissues and muscles in the face. After the session noticed the few lines in my face seemed to have softened, and my whole face looked 'brighter.'  I did bruise slightly, just above my jawline. This picture was taken 1 week after the treatment...but you can barely see the bruise.  The normal Facial Rejuvenation package calls for 6-9 sessions, I believe, and costs about  $135 per session.  They do offer inexpensive wellness memberships, however, which afford a lot of benefits and bring the cost of their services down by about 35%.  I will definitely be back for more.  I will also be trying some of their other services (of which they offer a wide array), so check back soon!  OH! And they are holding a Community Wellness Day tomorrow.  (See next post for details.) Make sure to visit their events calendar to see their upcoming events.

From Art of Wellness’ Website: “A facial rejuvenation using the ancient technique of acupuncture can improve muscle tone of the face and neck while addressing underlying imbalances that may have contributed to the aging process.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, wrinkles begin internally from weakness and imbalance of Qi. Qi circulates throughout the body within a series of pathways called meridians. Flowing through these pathways, Qi provides nourishment, support, and energy to every cell, tissue, muscle, and organ.

As we get older, it becomes more difficult for Qi to flow upwards to “lift” the face. This leads to inadequate muscle tone, and over time, wrinkles and sagging skin.  A variety of factors can contribute to this-poor diet, digestion and circulation, or emotional and environmental stresses.”

What To Do About A Puffy Left Eye--Trying To Get Rid of Under Eye Bags -Or Bag- Naturally

For the past 3 years the "bag" under my left eye has been getting more and more "baggy."  The first time I noticed it was vastly different from my right eye was when I saw a picture of me taken at my girlfriend's wedding.  

After 'untagging' myself from the photo and logging off facebook I dashed to my bathroom and began the left eye to right eye comparison...there was definitely an unattractive difference.  It's funny...how did I miss this noticeable detail?  It's not like I don't look in the mirror on a daily basis.  It's not funny how much I notice this detail now that my photo image has pointed it out.

Between the puffy eye and the mustache....that's a lot of information!  I know, I know...vanity will not help me on my spiritual path, but I believe these problems are happening for a reason.  Female bodies, when functioning correctly, do not exhibit mylasma mustaches.  And if my the bags under my eyes are not symmetrical then it must mean that something is "off" on the affected side of my face/head.  I have noticed that my left nostril runs slightly. Maybe that could be contributing to 'the puff?'  Whatever it is, it can't be treated with expensive eye creams...I've tried...and like everything else, I want to treat the cause, not the symptoms.

I don't know what type of doctor can help me determine whether these things are related and what I can do about it.  When I asked Dr. Lipton about the extra puff, he said that it could be due to the weird shape of my cranium.  Apparently I have a cone head.  Then he gave me an amazing cranial sacral adjustment.  He said the puffy eye could be related to some head trauma and asked if my mom dropped me on my head as a baby.  She assured me she did not.  

Come to think of it...I did have a head injury while body surfing a few years ago.  I caught a wave in to shore and collided with a fellow body surfer who was headed out to sea.   The impact left him bleeding (probably due to my killer point) and both of us dizzy.  I don't remember seeing any asymmetrical eye differences before that time.  I don't notice any puff in pictures from that time either.  Maybe it IS due to head trauma?!  I'm definitely going to try to work in some regular cranial sacral adjustments more often.

My Mustache Brings All The Boys To The Yard

So I really can’t believe that with all the other challenges I’m going through, my body decided to throw me another curve ball and color my upper lip into a mustache that can’t be waxed.  It’s called Mylasma (aka Melasma, Chloasma or Pregnancy Mask) and it happens to women who have gone through hormonal changes...pregnancy and such. It probably isn’t a (visible) issue for those who don’t sunbathe regularly during the summer months…something we Vata-types LOVE to do after a long cold winter.

I’ve had the mustache for 2 summers now but I didn’t know its technical name until a few weeks ago after a consultation with laser specialist, who immediately diagnosed my mustache and told me that I need to use a lightening cream and basically stay out of the sun forever... NOT something I will be able to follow.  I know the sun can be harmful...and yes, it's the reason that Nick now calls me “his little Pedro” but I just love the sun too much.   In addition, I found I can't even use bronzers or self tanners to try to match my pale face to my darker body...the bronzers bring out the mustache as well!!!  Nothing works to "mask" it...even the strongest concealer can't cover it up. The aesthetician said I need to experiment with different colors of blush.  :-/  This is a long shot, but I can’t help but wonder if my hormonal changes were due to the IUD I had put in a little over 2 years ago.

I’m not going to use a bleaching cream to get rid of my mustache because that, again, is treating the symptoms and not the underlying cause.  I’d like to see what my Ayurvedic Doctor says about my stache.  I’m wondering if she has some cream to counteract the cause of the freak hormonal change.  If her methods don’t work then I will probably take my IUD out and see if it makes a difference….until then, it's a giant rimmed hat and a little extra sunblock. 

Regarding the laser treatment:

Most of my friends know I am a sucker for the group buying coupons…I buy all my massages, beauty treatments and yoga classes this way because it is super affordable and always an adventure…you never quite know how good, or bad, the service will be.  A few months ago I purchased a photo-facial before knowing exactly what it was. It turns out a photo-facial utilizes a laser to correct sun damage and other flaws in the skin.  I was very lucky to be seen by Donna, the owner of Bellezza  Dermacenter in Philadelphia. She informed me that she had just gotten back from L.A. where she had treated "the stars" many of whom had the same affliction. Apparently, there are a ton of laser technicians who have no idea what they are doing.  Many are trained how to operate the laser, but have little or no knowledge of skin conditions and how to treat them.  She said that using a laser to treat mylasma can make it much worse if done incorrectly. Donna gave me a “light” laser treatment and said my "mustache" may be a little darker for a few weeks, but eventually it will lighten if I use the bleaching cream and sunscreen she recommended.  I may try those products if my other experiments don’t work.

Time For Experimentation: Making Myself The Guinea Pig

Lordy!  It has been forever again...time just flies when your tryin’ to do stuff. 

It’s been so long I don’t even know where to begin!

First things first…the Fibromyalgia came back.  It’s not as bad as before—the pain isn’t in my muscles, just my joints,  especially behind my knees.  Just last month I had amazing flexibility and now I can’t even bend over.  It feels like the bones in my legs have been replaced with two rods of wood that threaten to crack into two if I try to touch my toes. I feel like a 90 year old lady in my joints from the waist down.   I cut out gluten but am not feeling any relief.   I still believe that I will beat it…it just might take a little more time, effort and experimentation!  Experimentation is something I am going to be doing more of.  In fact, I think my wellness trip is really becoming more of a wellness experiment. 

We’re going to experiment with a few things this month:

We’ll be looking at Cell Food—a popular product that is supposed to dramatically raise oxygen levels in the body and boost energy and healing processes. It has also helped many people get rid of yeast overgrowths.  See the amazon reviews here.  

How to get rid of my mylasma mustache.

How to get rid of the extra puffiness under my left eye. 

And a most anxiously awaited experiment…how to achieve orgasm REGULARLY.

We will also be trying different products and practices to see if anything affects the stiffness I am feeling as a result of my Fibromyalgia. 

 I started by visiting my primary care doctor to determine the baseline of certain systems in my body. I told him of my health complaints—how the Fibromyalgia came back…that my SIBO is still causing a ruckus in my gut…that I’m still not able to give a satiated sigh of relief after bedtime activities with my man….and the exciting NEW problem…my mylasma mustache. 

We did a bunch of blood tests to determine the current state baseline state of my OXYGEN, vitamin, hormone, cholesterol levels…as well as lipid, blood sugar, uric acid tests.  I’ll post all the results on the blog when I get them. 

REACHING OUT FOR SUPPORT

I am still looking for a production partner who can edit the video content related to this project and/or someone to fund this project.  My purpose, again, is to create an open dialogue about wellness and use this blog as a platform for people to openly discuss their health problems, habits and compare situations to see what works and what doesn’t.  I believe by openly sharing our experiences we can begin to understand how to get better.  You can help by forwarding my blog to anyone who may be interested in my cause or anyone suffering from chronic illness or disease.  And if you are one of the many people suffering in silence, please reach out...support is here for you.

Interviewing Filmmaker Nitin Adsul About His Documentary: Kundalini

My good friend, Christopher, and I went to the Mind Body Expo this year in efforts to see what is going on in the wellness world.  We interviewed a few people about their products and services but the hi light of the trip was meeting with filmmaker Nitin Adsul and talking with him about his new feature film Kundalini and learning how Kundalini has changed his life. 

This film documents Americans who have experienced both positive and negative effects of spontaneous Kundalini rising and is a must see for anyone looking to expand their understanding of this ancient practice. It is a great starting point for those who have no knowledge of Kundalini and very interesting for those with a thorough understanding of the phenomenon. You can learn more and purchase the DVD of this feature film by visiting the 7 Dots Media website.  To learn more about the filmmaker visit http://www.nitinadsul.com/


I loved this film and learned so much from the specialist interviews.  I especially liked the old interview footage of Gopi Krishna, a famous yogi mystic who connected to the ancient wisdom of the universe through Kundalini.  I found his story so interesting.  His meditation practice was so advanced he was able to tap into the collective conscious.  While 'connected' he would spontaneously write poetry in languages he had never studied before and supposedly learned of the future of our planet.

My first encounter with Kundalini was through Kundalini Yoga.  I loved this energized style of yoga which is supposed help achieve and prepare the body for Kundalini rising.  I will be seeking out more Kundalini specialists to demonstrate some techniques and to share their knowledge of this ancient practice with us.

Ayurvedic Testimonials Video - These Stories Are Truly Amazing

I am very happy to share this video from my doctor.  The people in this video share miraculous personal stories about how Ayurveda healed their "incurable" diseases (Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sjogren's, Excessive Food Allergies, even Autism) and gave them their lives back.  I am working to share this ancient knowledge because I have had my own undeniable successes with this beautiful scientific wellness practice.

There is much we don't know about health...so much to explore!

The video is in two 15 minute segments.

Part 1 Patient testimonials

Part 2 Patient testimonials

Dr Marianne Teitelbaum

Ayurvedic practitioner

856-786-3330

1400 Wynwood Drive

Cinnaminson, NJ 08077

American health is declining at a steady rate. It seems that ill health is becoming our standard.  America needs a wellness plan, and Ayurveda works. We need to give it a voice.  I, like these patients, am sharing in an effort to give it a voice.  Please help me spread this message.  Again, if you know of someone who is battling with illness...please support them by forwarding this post.  

Earth Day Suggestions! Easy and Effective Ways to Honor the Planet

Happy Earth Day to ALL and to the EARTH as well!  I, like many others, believe that EVERY day should be Earth Day. We could not survive without this planet and the health of the planet determines the health of its occupants.  These facts should considered in every decision we make.  Unfortunately we are far from that level action, so today in honor of the Earth let us take a minute to grow our awareness and then take one more minute to spread the knowledge related to this very important cause.

It's become my annual Earth Day tradition to post my favorite enviro clips on social networking sites, and now on my blog, in efforts to spread awareness and promote safety measures for our planet.   It is an easy way to show your support and spread the word.  Here is what I posted this year:

This interesting and informative Vanity Fair article exposes just some of the corruptions of the evil Monsanto Corporation, the leaders in the GMO market.   

http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2008/05/monsanto200805 

Sign the Millions Agains Monsanto petition HERE

In the Story of Stuff video, Annie Leonard delivers a comprehensive view of our current economic system and it's impact on the planet.  This engaging 20 minute video has both adults AND kids talking. It's one of my favorites.  Watch and share! 

  

The Story of Stuff

Below is a list of tips I share on facebook and printout for my son's school -  an easy and effective way to spread awareness-- the children are our future! 

Use Reusable!! It’s one of the most important things you can do to cut down on waste and help the planet. Someday our earth will be one big ball of trash—unless we do something about it. Bring your own shopping bags to the grocery store. Use a refillable drink container for water, juices, and coffee!

Pack your lunches in reusable sandwich, snack, and drink containers, instead of plastic bags. Use cloth napkins and your household flatware instead of the disposable alternatives, and pack it in a lunch box instead of brown bagging it.

Unplug it! Most appliances and electronics aren’t in use for at least18 hours of your day! Plug your electronics into power strips and power them down at night and before work.

Don’t pour oil, grease, foods, and chemical cleaners down the sink drain! These substances are very harmful to aquatic ecosystems and to our planet. Composting is the best method to deal with food scraps, but if composting is not possible, then save your unrecycleable containers and pour your grease and food items into them before disposing of them in the garbage. To learn how to make an urban, back yard composter visit:http://organicgardening.about.com/od/compost/a/cancomposter.html

Use Natural Cleaners! They are better for your health AND the planet.  

Use foaming soap dispensers! They use 75% less soap!

Try using 100% Post Consumer Waste (PCW) and Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) paper products such as toilet paper, paper towels, business cards, printer paper and school supplies.

Stop junk mail! Call to stop catalogs and ever time you place an order ask to be not be included on the mailing list.

Stop your phone books! AT&T/YellowPages: 1.800.792.2665, Verizon:1.800.888.8448,Yellow Book: 1.800.373.3280 or 1.800.373.2324

Recycle old print cartridges at staples and they give you a discount towards your purchase. Use refillable printer cartridges to reduce waste. At Printpal.com, 90% of the cartridges they supply are REUSED, and they always have free shipping!

Make the switch to Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs—they are much more energy efficient and will greatly reduce greenhouse gases. But remember to be careful when handling them, if they break, leave the room for 15 minutes and always have a parent clean them up. Also, CFL’s cannot be thrown away with regular garbage—they are hazardous waste and must be disposed of properly or they can leach chemicals into groundwater. IKEA will take your used CFL’s, or you can save them with other hazardous waste items to be disposed of on the appropriate day.

Use Rechargeable Batteries— it will create less waste and conserve the earth’s resources. But again—ALL rechargeable batteries (cell phones, camera’s, video game controllers) are also hazardous waste. Take them to Best Buy, where they will recycle them for you, or wait for the appropriate day to drop them off with your other hazardous waste items.

For a list of hazardous waste items and drop-off dates and locations and for information on recycling call the Philadelphia Streets Department, or visit them on the web at

www.phila.gov/STREETS/hazardous_waste.html 

Get informed and Spread the Word! Visit NRDC.org, WCS.org, OrganicConsumers.org, ForestEthics.org, Cleanair.org, and FWWATCH.org to stay up to date on current environmental news. Better yet, click the “Take Action” links on each site to make a stand against negative environmental and animal rights issues.

And Remember the 3 R’s…because recycling is not enough!

FIRST Reduce (Use Less), then Reuse (almost everything is reusable!), and THEN Recycle!

Watch (and share!) the Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard at www.storyofstuff.com

Please share your Earth Day efforts as well!  I would love to hear your ideas to help the planet.