Your Health Equation

Posted on by Gigi Vincentine R. TCM. P., R. Ac.

Good day! I’ve got some of my creative juices flowing today so here I am writing to you:) The sun and the garden are helping with that.

I thought I would share with you part of my health equation and ask for you to share parts of yours. My next newsletter will highlight some of your feedback. (anonymously)

So here are some of my top health helpers:

#1Neti Pot

#2Breath Work

#3Meditation

#1 Here’s my neti pot, simple and portable

NEILMED NASAFLO NETI POT 50 PACKETS (londondrugs.com)

I keep it pretty easy. 1/2 teaspoon of salt (sea salt or Himalayan) mixed with a 1/2 cup warm water from my tap. My goal is to make it as warm as my body and as salty as my tears would be, so that my body stays calm with no reactions. I started this practice about 5 years ago as a means to cleanse my body before meditation. It also has a myriad of effects on my immune system. My nasal passages being my first line of protection and wisdom to the outside world. I practice this every morning and it has helped keep me strong and healthy.

#2 Breath work is something I do more formally before meditation but I also do it throughout the day, especially in times of discomfort or pain. Nadi Shodhana or alternate nostril breathing is done by breathing in and out through your nose while blocking the opposite nostril. Here’s a video I found to help. Easy Nadi Shodhana | Pranayama Practice – Bing video

Nadi Shodhana is used to calm the mind and body and it helps to centre myself. There are so many breathing techniques (pranayama). This is one of the first ones I learned in yoga class and later learned with meditation. You can do 5-10 rounds. One round starting your in breath on the left and ending on an outbreath on the left. Another simple one I use is breathing in for the count of 4, and breathing out for the count of 6. When my outbreath is longer than my inbreath my body’s nervous system starts to relax.

#3 Meditation is something I do everyday, consistently to find out how I’m doing. It’s a time I take to look at myself without judgement. Can you imagine? I say that bc it’s so easy for me to judge, defend, and protect myself. So I take a break:)

So now, how about you? I’m sure you have lots of tricks up your sleeves. Looking forward to your answers.

I’m in clinic 3 days a week: Mon, Wed, Fri.

Thursdays, I’m teaching at Pacific Rim College, and Tuesdays I work off site. Would love to see you. Hope all of you are feeling supported and finding time for joy.

Many hugs

Gigi

Acupuncture? Does it work?

Posted on by Gigi Vincentine R. TCM. P., R. Ac.

Hello Everyone, Happy Spring!

Last week, as I was saying goodbye to a patient of mine (who was going through something challenging) was super relaxed, so I said to her. ” Wow you’re really good at this! ” and she responded ” Well I’ve been coming to you for over 10 years.” and then I thought, yes she has lots of practice, practice! That’s it!

Have you ever heard a friend or relative say “Oh I tried acupuncture once and it didn’t work.” Now I know what to say. Yes, acupuncture is a practice. It’s not black or white. It’s not it works, or it doesn’t work.

It’s a practice of breathing, letting go, softening, forgiveness, kindness, compassionate awareness, going inwards, curiosity, connecting to your own healing power, being you’re own best friend…love.

There are a million ways to heal. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine is one way, there are so many. Hooray for you! Any healing you do is projected out into the world 10 fold…or 100 fold or more! I love walking along side you as we heal together.

What is Acupuncture (or Tuina Massage) for you? Post it on my Facebook page or email me gigivincentine@hotmail.com

Gigi Vincentine Traditional Chinese Medicine | Facebook

Hope you are feeling well and supported…and having some fun!!!

Here’s a song by Sinead O’connor called the Healing Room. It made sense to me 20 yrs ago and still does. This is where we go!

We’ve entered into Spring, the Liver/Gallbladder Wood Element.

Liver holds a spectrum of emotions and virtues. The trick for me during Spring time is to hold my wood emotions (irritability, anger, rage, aggression, which may naturally arise) with the virtues of wood (benevolence, kindness, creativity). What are my emotions trying to tell me? How can I help? What do I need? Basically allow myself to feel these emotions, sit with them and learn. Cross your fingers, wisdom may come forth!

Allergies are a common springtime occurrence. There are lots of options to help manage and reduce your symptoms to help your body welcome Spring. Give me a shout if you’re wanting some relief.

P.S. I’ve added a Waitlist function to make things easier for you to book if the day/time you’re looking for is booked. Please remember you can text or call if you’d like to get in but the schedule if full. People do cancel/reschedule sometimes, so I can schedule you in. It’s win win for both of us.

Namaste

Looking forward to seeing you or hearing from you

Gigi