Holistic Healing Practices

ody">birth and the immediate postpartum period. The doula
Acupressure: Acupressure uses the pressure of theoffers help and advice on comfort measures such as
fingers and hands and is utilized effectively forbreathing, relaxation, movement and positioning. A
tension related elements.doula also assists families to gather information about
Acupuncture: Acupuncture uses small needles tothe course of their labor and their options. The term
penetrate and stimulate specific points in the body to'doula' can also refer to a woman who is trained or
restore normal functions and energetic balance.experienced in providing postpartum care (mother
Acupuncture is now a widely accepted form ofand newborn car, breat-feeding support and advice,
treatment throughout the world and is practiced incooking, child care, errands and light cleaning) for the
both hospitals and private practice.new family. To distinguish between the two types of
Anti-Aging: Aging process can be slowed, suspendeddoulas, they are referred to as 'birth doulas' and
and in some cases reversed. Acupuncture came'postpartum doulas.'
about as a shift in thinking from aging as an inevitableEssential Oils: Essential Oils or 'essences' as they are
process to aging as a series of disease processes.also called, are highly concentrated substances
Aging processes can be measured, and as with anyextracted from various parts of aromatic plants, and
disease, there are symptoms and treatments.trees. They are usually captured by steam distillation,
Anti-aging is a comprehensive practice of preventivea process whose origins can be traced back to
care, but goes beyond them utilizing specific high-techancient Mesopotamia. Unlike ordinary vegetable oils,
testing procedures and treatments.such as corn and olive, plant essences are highly
Applied Kinesiology: Applied Kinesiology (AK) tests thevolatile and will evaporate if left in the open air. Most
Chi or energy by taking a strong indicator muscle,consist of hundreds of components, such as
any strong muscle, and asking the person to lockterpenes, alcohols, aldehydes and esters. For reason
their muscle as the practitioner challenges thea single oil can help a wide variety of disorders.
strength of that muscle by pushing or pulling the areaLavender, for example, is endowed with antiseptic,
to see if it will hold. The practitioner might ask theantibacterial, antibiotic, antidepressant, analgesic,
person to hold his/her arm straight out in front anddecongestant and sedative properties. Moreover, due
lock it while the practitioner with an open hand firmlyto their tiny molecular structure, essential oils applied
pushes down on the arm right above the wrist. Thisto the skin or inhaled into the lungs can be absorbed
is a check to see if the arm will hold. Any majorinto the bloodstream and carried throughout the
muscle will work for muscle testing. The arm beingbody.
able to hold is a signal the body is free of dis-ease orFeldenkrais Method: The Feldenkrais Method is an
distress. If the arm is unable to hold is a signal thereeducational approach to human ability and
is a weakness in the system. Kinesiology testing isself-exploration. Through the use of active and
required to determine the cause of the dis-ease orpassive movements, students can explore the
distress.relationships between movement and the way one
Aromatherapy: Aromatherapy is the art and scienceacts in the world. Group and private lessons consist
of using the essential oil of botanical plants for theof very gentle movements which make surprisingly
treatment of ailments, illness and disease. Variousprofound changes. By becoming aware of habitual
therapeutic grade essential oils are utilized withoutpatterns of action and learning new strategies,
side effects. These oils can be inhaled, appliedstudents can address any movement difficulty in this
topically and, in some cases, ingested. In manyvery respectful approach to how we move.
countries aromatherapy is highly respected as aFeng Shui: Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art of
system of holistic health care.organization and placement of furnishings and office
Ayurvedic Medicine: Ayurvedic Medicine is an ancientenvironment to increase harmony, prosperity, health,
medicine, which evolved among the Brahmin sages ofrelationships, etc.
ancient India. Ayurveda is from the roots "ayur"Floatation: Floating is a very positive experience for
meaning life and "veda" meaning knowledge. Ancientthe body and mind. It is a way to achieve total
Vedic texts indicate the system is the oldest beingrelaxation, heighten all the senses and experience
practiced prior to 4000 B.C. and some believe it isrelief from aches and pains. While floating, the body is
even 8000 years old. Ayurveda and Traditionalfree from the usual forces of gravity. Users float
Chinese Medicine (TCM) are very similar being basedweightless on their backs atop a ten inch deep pool
on universal natural bi-polar concepts that matter andof water with eight hundred pounds of Epsom salts
energy are one. There are several aspects of thiswhich are used because it raises the density of the
system of medicine which distinguish it from otherwater, making it easy to float, and because it has a
approaches to health care.silky feel which is very good for the skin. The
Bio-Energetic Synchronization Technique (B.E.S.T):complete comfort of the iso-thermal supportive bath
B.E.S.T. is a gentle, non-forceful chiropractic technique.in the dark and in silence affords a complete physical,
There are no forceful or sudden movements. B.E.S.T.mental, spiritual resting place. By shielding the body
is appropriate for all patients, from newborns to theand mind from external 'environmental' stimulation,
elderly, the trail, pregnant women, or those in pan.the tank reduces its workload by up to 90%,
Promoting health--easing pain and removingconserving vast amounts of energy, which is then
symptoms, balancing the many systems of yourredirected inwards. The effect is called the
body, helping you to lead the most pain free,parasympathetic response, or Relaxation Response.
healthiest life you can. B.E.S.T is a holistic programFlower Essences and Remedies: Flower essences
that coordinates and balances the workings of all thepromote change and help people to access feelings.
systems of your body.Pure energy of flowers, preserved in water (like
Biofeedback: Biofeedback is the process of usinghomeopathic formulas) are used as catalysts for
computerized monitoring systems to provide ongoingreducing stress, unblocking energy and enhancing
information about physiological conditions of the body.health. Completely harmless and non-allergenic, flower
There are a variety of biofeedback devices andessences are internationally recognized and widely
procedures, most of which incorporate relaxation andused as a viable adjunct to mind, body, spirit healing.
stress reduction. Some assist the client to control orHatha Yoga: An ancient art of stretching and
modify specific autonomic activities through relaxationlimbering the body to increase health, vitality, and
and visualization techniques. Others provide automaticself-awareness. Breathing, relaxation and postures
correcting energetic signals that balance the body.(asana) are taught for energy, balance and stress
The goal of biofeedback is to help the body healreduction. Each posture has variations and
itself.modifications to fit each individual's needs and level of
Bodywalking: Bodywalking allows the practitioner tofitness.
apply sustained and significant pressure. TheHerbs and Herbalists: The word herb as used in herbal
Bodywalker can put all of his weight on the client ormedicine means a plant or plant part that is used to
less. The clients muscle will eventually release andmake medicinal properties, food flavors (spices) or
relax allowing more of the Bodywalker's weight to bearomatic oils for soups and fragrances. An herb can
distributed in that area.be a leaf, a flower, a stem, a seed a root, a fruit,
Cellular Memory Clearing: The human body is 100%bark or any other plant part used by its medicinal
memory. While a certain percentage of this isfood flavoring or fragrant property. Out of 250,000
physiological and environmental in origin, much isto 500,000 plants on earth today, only about 5,000
acquired from learned experience. Though we do notof these have been extensively studied for their
yet fully comprehend the mechanisms of storage, wemedicinal applications. Herbs have been shown to help
do know that memory is stored site specifically atrestore proper functioning of the body, increasing
traumatic moments, a phenomenon we call 'somatic'health and vitality.
or 'body memory.' Various contemporary approachesHolographic Therapies: Holographic Therapies identify
seek to address this encoded memory in the cellsand can transform unconscious patterns that prevent
and membrane linings of the body.you from achieving your full potential and having
Chelation Therapy: Chelation Therapy is a painless andsuccess in any area of your life including health,
simple process that involves intravenous drips ofrelationships, finances, business related issues,
EDTA to remove toxins, lead and heavy metals fromaddictions and more.
the blood. Chelation offers less invasive treatment toHomeopathy: Homeopathy is a natural healing system
surgery and angioplasty. It has also been shown tothat stimulates an individual's own immune system to
help poor leg circulation as well as reduce high bloodheal itself. Homeopathic remedies are derived from
pressure and reverse age-related degenerativeplants, animals and minerals--diluted and potenized and
conditions while improving the overall quality of life.then carefully prescribed to fit the individual--not the
Chiropractic: Chiropractic care utilizes the technique ofdisease. Homeopathy operates on the 'less is more'
adjusting spinal vertebrae to restore the proper flowtheory. These remedies are powerful, yet safe and
of the nerve impulses. Doctors of Chiropracticgentle, and help restore health on the physical, mental
consider a spine free of misalignment and theand emotional level. Homeopathy is also effective in
free-flow of nerves to all areas of the human bodyanimals.
essential in maintaining optimum health. A variety ofHot Stone Therapy: The ancient healing arts of stone
approaches and techniques are utilized n the filed ofmassage, a modality for physical and spiritual
chiropractic care. A variety of approaches andbalancing. The 'metasthetic' energies of basalt and
techniques are utilized in the field of chiropractic care.sedimentary massage stones known energy; they
Colon Cleansing: Natural Health for Your Intestines.give to an area that is depleted and help move
Colon cleansing uses natural health practices--food forenergy in places of excess, promoting a harmonizing
your body type, drinking adequate water and herbsand cleansing effect thus allowing for a soothing
to help your body to heal health problems which aremeditative state of quietude, calm and balance.
often related to a colon which is not functioning asIncorporating warm and cold stone massage is very
nature intended.effective to create harmony and a positive energy
Color Therapy: Color Therapy utilizes light(s) andflow thus promoting a sense of balance, energy and
liquids to help treat a variety of emotional, mental,peace.
physical and/or spiritual conditions. Color Therapy isHypnotherapy/Hypnosis: Hypnotherapy is a method
also used to treat pain and depression. Syntonicwhereby a trained hypnotist speaks directly to the
Optometry has shown favorable results in alteringperson's subconscious mind and can therefore,
neuron-chemical production in the brain.communicate with that part of the mind that stores
Cranio Sacral Therapy: Cranio Sacral Therapy (CST) isand controls everything from perceptions to
a gentle method of evaluating and correctingmemory, as well as the monitoring of all physical
dysfunction of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluidfunctions of the body. Hypnotherapy can be
that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.effective in implementing desired changes such as
Practitioners aim to release restrictions in order tophobias, weight reduction, smoking cessation as well
dissipate stress on the central nervous system. CSTas treating a wide range of conditions that include
helps alleviate pain, release physical and emotionaldepression, pain control and all illnesses.
trauma, and enhance the body's overall ability to healIntegrative Health/Therapies: To integrate is to first
itself.understand diverse elements, then incorporate them
Dentistry--Biological and Holistic: Biological Dentistryinto a greater synergistic whole. The diverse
stress the use of non-toxic restoration materialselements in this case are different approaches to
while focusing on the unrecognized impact that dentalhealing.
toxins and hidden dental infections can have onInternal Organ Massage: Internal Organ Massage is
overall health. According to those who specialize inutilized to restore the function of the vital organs
this field, cavities, infections, toxic or allergy producingthrough direct and indirect physical manipulations and
filing materials, root canals and misalignment of theenergy work in the abdominal area. The roots of
teeth or jaws can have far-reaching effectssymptoms manifesting in the outlying area regions of
throughout the body.the body can be found in the abdomen and
Detoxification: Detoxification is utilized to rid the bodyaddressed there with this form of massage.
of chemicals, poisons and pollutants. DetoxificationIridology: Iridology is the science of analyzing the
can facilitate the return of the body to optimumdelicate structures of the iris of the eye. It reveals
health. Forms of Detoxification Therapy includeinflammation, where located, and in what stage it is
colonics, herbal products with detoxificationmanifesting. The iris reveals body constitution,
properties, juicing, fasting, chelation, lymphaticinherent weaknesses, levels of health, and the
drainage and others.transitions that take place in a person's body
Doula: A doula is a supportive companionaccording to the way he/she lives. The eyes have
professionally trained to offer support to a birthingbeen proclaimed throughout the ages as the
mother and her family. The doula's role is to providewindows of the soul. We now acknowledge them as
continuous physical, emotional and informationalthe mirrors of the body.
support to women and their partners during labor,