Studies have shown that financial infidelity is on the rise, and can range from lying about small purchases, an amount of debt, or even hiding entire bank accounts. Many people put aside money for seemingly good intentions, but a lack of transparency can cause tension in a relationship, leading to mistrust, arguments and even divorce. When combining finances with a significant other, you form an agreement to manage financial issues together. It is important to open up, start a conversation, and form a financial plan. This does not mean you have to constantly monitor each dime you both spend, but you must agree upon a budgeting and money management system that works for both of you. A threshold amount must also be set, outlining how much you are allowed to spend without each others approval. If you fail to plan, then your financial plans will fail.

Balancing space in the joints between the bones of the limbs and between the vertebra of the spinal column happens during a Biodynamic treatment. The Biodynamic practitioner understands the form of every bone in your body and how they function together in movement. There is a particular rhythm that occurs between each bone when it is unhampered by injury or stress. The practitioner is seeking coherence in these rhythms of the bones and the relative movement of the bones to all other internal rhythms of the body as a whole. By studying the coherence of the movements, the skilled practitioner knows how these rhythms form and how they produce an even distribution of energy. By listening for the dynamics of movement, the practitioner waits for this intelligence to get re-established if it has been disturbed. Therefore alignment has to do with optimal efficiency for movement so that there is both stability and freedom of motion.

Some of you have heard already about Tai Qi or Qi Gong Ancient Chinese movement and postures designed for healing. It is somewhat similar philosophy as Yoga from India. Qi Gong means practicing and directing the Qi (vital force). It is attained by focused attention, breathing, and specific movement to enhance health and longevity. Tai Qi utilizes the same focus as Qi gong. However, it is more dynamic. The Qi Gong practice focuses on moving the Qi internally within the organs and meridians, and the Tai Qi focuses on external movement and directing of the vital energy though the external body. There is another “healing via movement” modality that I will be introducing this September in Thursday morning class at Vic. West C.C. SoTaiHo [natural exercise] developed by Dr. Keizo Hashimoto, MD. It is a wonderful system that encompasses movement to free blocked energy in the body. It is a wonderful method for any chronic pain.

Getting along with others can be tough! We need other people in our lives, but we can sometimes feel judged, undermined, confused, bullied, interrupted, or otherwise bothered by them. It can be hard to be clear and stand up for what we want in a calm way. But giving up too much can eat at your peace of mind. This is boundary work – how to be clear about ourselves and what we can tolerate physically and emotionally in a way that still lets people in. We want to be understood by others – sometimes we first have to understand ourselves and why we feel the way we do. What are the expectations for how you behave? Where do those expectations come from? How else could you respond to your situation? Counselling provides a safe and non-judgemental place to consider how you can do your boundaries differently.

Have you ever had head or neck trauma? Did you know that there is little separation between the two? The head is located on the top of the spine, and when you have head or neck trauma, you are actually affecting the entire central column of the body. Far too often, spinal issues are not addressed and tilts and twists in the body remain for long periods after injury, creating a daily tension issue that shows up in many different ways. One of the most common findings is chronic health issues that begin after an injury and have lingered, often for many years after the original event. There’s no better time than now to check to see exactly what your body’s position is and see if it could be in better balance.