Anything affecting your physical, spiritual and emotional well-being can cause you to be out of balance and therefore cause disease. Ayurveda is a natural holistic approach to health that focuses on treating the whole person – body, mind and spirit, with a primary focus on promoting good health rather than fighting disease. Ayurveda is a sanskrit word, ‘ayu’ meaning “life”, defined in the ancient scriptures as the combination of body, mind and soul. And ‘veda’ meaning “science” – “The science of life.” This unique health practice is a proven ancient method that combines the natural healing components of whole foods, herbs and oils to treat the imbalances of mental, physiological and chemical problems within the body. Many that adopt an ayurvedic lifestyle find that health problems significantly reduce, energy levels rise, sleep improves and weight usually balances itself out without the need for diets.

Andgela Diamond, www.prairiewellnessretreat.com

Well, Wellness is a choice; it is a choice we make for ourselves to get us closer to optimal health. There is a process we go through but it won’t happen overnight. It’s developing a lifestyle that brings us into our highest potential of well-being and health. Wellness starts in our mind the moment we take that first step and commit to eating better. Our bodies begin to heal themselves and ask for more healthy things such as more water, more movement, less screen time, and we start seeing life in a better light. Making that choice allows us to be able to play with our kids and grandkids for years to come. Even if you were never taught a healthy lifestyle, now is the time to learn and to teach the next generation! Get up, eat some veggies and get out there with the kids!

Theadora Juenke, RMT

Stress is unpleasant, even when it is transient. Stressors such as work, relationships, finances etc. stimulate the Sympathetic Nervous System (or fight-and-flight response) in your body, and over time and continuation cause negative effects to the affected areas (lack of sleep, digestive issues, high blood pressure, reproductive complications, etc.). The areas or systems of your body that are most affected by stress are:  Brain and Nerves, Muscles and Joints, Cardiovascular System, Stomach and Intestines, Pancreas and Reproductive System. Reflexology stimulates the Parasympathetic Nervous System (or rest-and-renew response) in your body, allowing your body functions to normalize naturally, resulting in: Longer, deeper sleep, an increase in digestive function, lowered blood pressure, reversal of reproductive complications, etc. Other ways to reduce stress naturally and improve your overall mental and physical health are small daily doses of physical exercise, daily meditation, deep breathing exercises and massage therapy.

Gloria Laing, www.gloriasreflexology.ca

Starting anything new may take a leap of courage. Thankfully, if it’s yoga, most studios have offers in place to make the path of the beginner an easier one. It’s not uncommon to find some sort of introductory offer that gives you a chance to try a number of classes at a reduced rate. Over the course of this offer you can get a feel for what’s working for your body and in your schedule. If you’re feeling self-conscious and not ready to jump right in to group classes you might be more comfortable with a different approach. Look for an intro series or classes geared specifically to absolute beginners, or consider booking a private session with a teacher to show you how to move safely in and out of poses. However you begin, you can start right where you are and feel supported in this new exploration of self.

Susan Turner, www.YogaConnections.ca

Flower and Tree Essences have been around for over 85 years but most people aren’t familiar with them.  Dr. Bach was the first to work with essences and now there are hundreds of essence makers and companies such as FES, Alaskan, Pacific, Canadian Forest, Australian Bush, Healing Herb to name a few.  The essences are taken orally from a dropper bottle or with water several times a day.  The essences are a support system and help us move through our emotions like anger, anxiety, depression, fears, over-thinking, grief, life changes, resentment and so on.  The essences are vibrational energy medicine and with most of us dealing with stress and changes in our lives, it is an alternative therapy that is worth looking into to help us move through situations when we get stuck emotionally.

Rositha Jeanson, www.rositha.ca

Has someone suggested that you try yoga and you wonder what it’s all about? If you ask 20 different people what “yoga” is, you may get 20 different answers. This is because there are many different types of yoga and each may have a different emphasis. Are you looking for fitness, flexibility, stress release, or pain relief? Yoga can help with all of those things. It is sometimes physical and vigorous and at other times slow and gentle. Whatever type of class you choose, the key elements will be a focus on the breath and an awareness of what you are feeling in your body. Flexibility is not required, but an open mind and a willingness to listen to your body is! Yoga is a wonderful opportunity to connect with yourself and, if you can breathe, you can do yoga!

Susan Turner, www.yogaconnections.ca

In the midst of sinus season, you can help calm/drain angry sinus cavities by doing some simple sinus acupressure massage:

1. Using your thumb or index fingers, find the most sensitive area  and repeat this massage multiple times daily with medium pressure so you get that “good hurt” feeling.

2. At the base of the skull – find the tightest spot and press for 20 seconds, rocking your head chin down, chin up 3-4 inches while pressing against your thumbs or other fingertips.

3. At the side of the nostrils – press and make small circles 10 times.

4. At the sides of the nose – press and make small circles 10 times.

5. At the medial eyebrows – press and make small circles 10 times.

6. Above the middle of the eyebrows – press and make small circles 10 times.

8. At the temples – press and make small circles 10 times.

9. At the maxillary sinus which is below the eyes – press and make small circles 10 times.

Gloria Laing, www.gloriasreflexology.ca

L-Carnitine with Chromium is a blend of two nutrients that play important roles in the metabolism of fat. L-Carnitine is required for the breakdown of fats into energy, while chromium supports healthy glucose metabolism. Its main function is to help insulin carry sugar into muscle cells where it is stored as energy. A lack of chromium could cause fluctuating blood-sugar levels which trigger sugar cravings. As a carbohydrate dependent society, increasing the amount of L-Carnitine & Chromium in our diet in our formula’s proportions will assist the body’s ability to manage its carbohydrate cravings and, in turn, assist with a successful weight management protocol.

Brett & Andrea Griffin, www.myvalentus.com/Manitoba