Finding the True Harmony within you

50% Off Doctor Visits at True Harmony!

Take care of yourself, even when times are tough!

 

To help, The Center for True Harmony Wellness & Medicine

is offering 50% off all new patients visits, for a limited time only.

·   See a Naturopath to keep yourself healthy this season: Allergies, Pain, Digestive Health, Weight Loss, hCG Diet

 

·     All women, see our OB/GYN for your annual exam

 

We've extended this offer up until Thanksgiving 2009! Be sure to mention where you seen this add to receive your 50% off your first doctors visit!

Offer not valid in conjunction with other discounts, packages. 50% Offer only valid on 1^st cash visit, void with insurance paid visits.

Dance Dance Revolution!

Dance Dance Revolution! in Mesa Arizona. De-stress while having fun building your cardio.

 

In this day and age while everyone is handling major difficulties and life situations, important things like health and mental well-being get put on the back burner. This causes stress, ugly attitudes, wrinkles and weight gain. Sherry V. has found an innovative way to shake some of the stress and pounds away in a fun and high energy cardio dance workout class.

 

Music and dancing is a known stress reduction and cardiovascular training is the traditional way to burn calories and lose weight. Sherry decided to enhance her dance classes by adding an extra cardio bump and by gearing it into more of a workout class. She teaches Bhangra for the first part of class. This is a very high energy dance that originates from the Punjab region of Northern India. The music is driven by the dohl beats (a type of bass drum) and motivates even the tired participants to ‘pump it’ even a little bit more! She also incorporates African Fusion and Belly Dance into the 60 minute session.  Sherry has become well known in the Valley for her Bhangra classes. In the past three years, her classes have been featured in the Republic, the East Valley Tribune, the ASU’s paper State Press and most recently in the article “8 ways to reduce stress” in Business Week.com.

 

After the initial blast of cardio with Bhangra dance, she starts the toning section with the cultural dance of the middle east, bellydance. She has professionally performed in the US and the UK since 2004. This section of class helps isolate specific muscles groups in the arms, chest, back, abs and hips. All women love to learn the moves from this sensual dance style.

 

Then after the women in class catch their breath and connect with their internal sensuality, Sherry dives into the full body expression of African Fusion. She originally learned this mishmash of West African and Belly dance moves from her dance troupe director, Heidi Alexander, of the renowned Domba! 20 minutes of dancing to this heart pounding music fully opens the body, stimulates the endorphins and gets everyone breaking into a sweat!

 

Sherry teaches at her office at the Center for True Harmony Wellness & Medicine™ PC in Mesa AZ every Wednesday night from 6.10p – 7.10p and has recently added a Belly Dance Lunch Workout class held Tuesday afternoon from 11-noon. Contact info to sign up for class is: www.trueharmonywellness.com or phone 480-539-6646. The Center for True Harmony Wellness & Medicine™ PC is located at 2152 S. Vineyard #138, Mesa AZ 85210.

 

Reflexology can Help with Breast Milk

On a physical level, reflexology can boost hormone levels to stimulate more or better quality, breast milk. It encourages healing on every level: helping to stabilize mood swings, adjust to the body’s new sleeping and eating patterns all while energizing both body and mind.

New Moms- Join Traci Thursday October 15th from 11:00-12:00noon for her baby reflexology class and learn all kind of facts about Reflexology, and how to deal with common infant ailments such as colic and constipation in a natural way.  This class is FREE!  This class is held every other month, so if you would like to come but can't make the October class, check back in December!  RSVP to 480-539-6646.

Or, call to scheudle your reflexology session with Traci at 480-539-6646.

Reflexology and your Solar Plexus

Within the physical body, the solar plexus is found right in the middle of the upper half of the trunk of the torso, where the rib cage comes together at the stomach level in front of the diaphragm. On the feet, it can be found if you draw an imaginary line from the second toe down, below the ball of the foot, right within that hollow. It can also be found if you gently squeeze the top of the foot inward. You should find a “little dimple space”- that’s the solar plexus point.

This reflex point is great for relieving insomnia, stress and anxiety. However if you are feeling a little “low in energy” this point will also help to increase energy levels. Reflexology will always work to balance the body from any extreme.

Now that you know where your solar plexus reflex point is located, I will share with you how to stimulate it.

While seated, bring the foot of your choice up and over the opposite knee and allow it to comfortably rest there.

·

With the opposite side hand, use your thumb to press in and slightly upward on the point (hold for 20 seconds). As you slowly release pressure, don’t loose contact with the point; just relax the pressure. Repeat this 3 times and then move to the opposite foot.

·

You can also try inhaling as you press in and exhaling as you release out.

To schedule a Reflexology session with Traci Fors, LMT and Reflexologist, please call 480-539-6646.

Americans Are Switching from MD to ND~ Should You?

According to a government report, Americans spent $33.9 billion out-of-pocket on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in 2007. CAM is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products such as herbal supplements, massage, yoga, chiropractic, and acupuncture that are not generally considered to be part of conventional medicine.

 

Although this is a small percentage of the total dollars spent on health care, people are paying out of pocket for these expenses. This shows how much people value these alternative therapies. A quarter of the out of pocket cost spent on physician visits went to alternative physicians such as chiropractors and acupuncturists. The main reason individuals seek alternative care is for chronic pain.

 

One of the main reasons that people turn to alternative therapies for chronic pain is that many times conventional medicine just doesn't work. Isn't it ironic that one tries the most invasive form of medicine before trying alternative, less invasive forms of medicine? Cost is a huge factor in this. If one has insurance that will cover conventional therapies, that is the first place people turn. Most alternative therapies require out of pocket payments, which can deter potential patients. Yet, these are the therapies many people turn to when "nothing else is working".

 

One client at The Center for True Harmony came in after being in chronic neck and back pain for years. Last summer, when the pain became unbearable she turned to conventional medicine, basically taking all kinds of drugs to try to find some relief. To her dismay, she developed other symptoms; gut issues, and fatigue from the medications and her pain persisted. This summer, as she again came to the point of unbearable pain, she decided to try an alternative route. After speaking with her Naturopathic Physician, she started a weekly regimen of an acupuncture session followed by a 60 minute massage session. After one month she reported taking significantly less OTC pain medication and feeling much better. After about 6 weeks of weekly treatment, she was able to start coming every other week. This has increased her quality of life significantly. She has come in just a couple of times for acute pain and her body has responded to the treatments very quickly. Her body has learned to relax much faster. And obviously, no side effects.

 

She probably paid more out of pocket for all of her acupuncture and massage treatments than she did at the conventional doctor, but they worked! If she had decided to keep trying conventional medicine, keep taking pain medication, what would have been her cost? Doctor visit co-pays add up. Days off work because she is still in pain and exhausted from the side effects of the medication she is on. And lower quality of life is the ultimate cost!

 

So, people are switching. Perhaps changes are coming that will allow the average Jane to receive a therapy that will benefit her in the long run, not just "a method of treating disease with remedies that produce effects different from those caused by the disease itself". The effects that are produced are often not desired. Rather it seems that it would be desirable "to allow the body's vital ability to heal and maintain itself." Consider seeing a ND. You may just wish you had made the switch sooner.

 

Anna Filipski, LMT is the author of this article.  She works alongside Dr Denise Grobe, ND at The Center for True Harmony Wellness and Medicine in Mesa.  Call (480) 539-6646 today to schedule your massage or initial Naturopathic visit.  Receive 50% off your initial Naturopathic appointment through the month of October at True Harmony. 

Lower Cholesterol Naturally

Lower Cholesterol Naturally

Dr. Denise Grobe, ND

 

When trying to lower your cholesterol consider your diet and increasing exercise first. Making changes to your diet can significantly improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels as well as improve the health of your heart and overall health.

 

Focus on reducing saturated fats and trans fats first. Saturated fats are found in meats and vegetable oils, these fats raise total cholesterol levels. Trans fats are found in store-bought desserts, smacks and processed foods and will increase levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) and lower HDL (good cholesterol) levels.

Include the following foods in your diet for improved cholesterol.

 

Soluble fiber

lowers LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) - oatmeal, oatbran, apples, pears, psyllium, barley and prunes

 

Nuts and seeds

- almonds, walnuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, pepitas, sunflower seeds contain oils that help reduce cholesterol

 

Fish and fish oil supplements

- research indicates that the oils in fish, also known as, Omega-3 fatty acids reduces cholesterol, blood pressure and the risk of developing blood clots. Fish oil will help reduce LDL (bad cholesterol) and increase HDL (cholesterol).

 

Olive oil - 2 tablespoons of olive oil daily will help reduce LDL (bad cholesterol) and increase HDL (good cholesterol)

 

Plant Sterols and Stanols

- the phytosterols are components of plant cells. Sterols and stanols are similar to animal cholesterol and will block absorption of cholesterol from the digestive system. Foods like yogurt, low fat milk, cereals, fruit juices, and margarine are being fortified with plant sterols. Phytosterols occur naturally in vegetables, fruits, legumes, grains, and nuts. The amounts available through food only are not sufficient to effect cholesterol levels. 2grams per day is the minimum recommendation for sterols and stanols.

Supplements can also be beneficial and effective at lowering cholesterol levels.

• Plant sterol supplements - block absorption of cholesterol
• Red Rice Yeast - contains compounds called monacolins that inhibit cholesterol synthesis and inhibitors HMG-CoA reductase.
• Guggul - herb used in ayruvedic medicine , improves binding of LDL in the liver and excreting it from the body.

Always discuss treatment options with your Physician.  To make an appointment with Naturopathic Phyician, Dr. Denise Grobe, ND, please call 480-539-6646. 

 

$8 Yoga Classes at True Harmony!

NEW! YOGA AND BREATH CLASS~

Experience all the benefits of a great Asana Practice (physical poses) AND take home mindful breathing and meditation techniques as Jezaree guides you through 40 minutes of therapeutic yoga and finishes with 20 minutes of breathing techniques and meditation to use in your everyday life off the Yoga mat.

For the month of September, every Tuesday from 9:00am-10:00am this class is only $8!  (The regular cost of the class is $15) Call to RSVP: 480-539-6646 or email: info@trueharmonywellness.com.

Your Center: How can you find it if you don’t know what it is?

Your Center: How can you find it if you don’t know what it is?

Astara Robinson, RN, LMT, RYT

Finding your center isn’t some magical or mystical term meant to be achieved by only the practiced, devoted yoga student. Finding your center stems from the act of connecting with your breath. You’ve done it in traffic before, taken a deep breath when someone cuts you off and then let the breath out slowly to calm yourself. See you’re a natural!

Focusing on your breath and clearing your mind at the beginning of a yoga session is vital. Inhale completely stretching the spine long towards the ceiling. Exhale completely slowing down the breath, listen to it as it passes your throat. By focusing on your breath you become present in the moment. Your mind cannot wander to your to-do list or a conversation that you had with a friend. The breath takes you into the now and as you follow the breath in and out you become more mindful in the present.

The mind begins to empty itself of any thoughts except thoughts of what is happening with your body and breath as you sit still apon the mat beneath you. Centering means that you draw breath/energy within while releasing all distractions. This is a practice in itself! New students usually find this to be the most challenging aspect of beginning a yoga practice.

As you find your center it may feel like calm awareness to the present or possibly a more grounding sensation. However it is expressed to you is purely subjective. Allowing yourself to come inward, you are leaving the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Leave it for this moment and the rest of your yoga practice. By becoming centered and consciously trying to remain so thought the duration of your practice, you will notice you can concentrate better on the poses. You’ll notice you can find your center of gravity more easily. You will, with practice, notice which isolated group of muscles need to be engaged in order to move to the next pose. Staying centered will also protect you from ego induced injury.

Trying to find your center and quiet your mind may or may not come easy as you sit still with yourself in the yoga class room. It may or may not become more of a challenge to remain centered with your breath as you move through difficult poses as the class progresses. The goal of a yoga practice is to keep a centered life style on and off the matt. To stay present, connected, grounded, balanced, aware and calm throughout daily life. Yoga’s centering side effect is therapy for mind, body and soul.

You can join Astara Robinson for a Therapy Yoga Basics Class at The Center for True Harmony every Thursday from 9:00am-10:00am.  $15 per class.  Discounts available with the purchase of a class card.  Class is complimentary for first time students at True Harmony. 

Cranial Sacral Can Help Get Rid of Migraines

Cranial Sacral Unwinding can assist with getting rid of migraines by allowing the muscles in the neck to unwind, naturally relieving tension. This will also help by allowing more space in the cranium for increased blood flow.

To schedule your appointment with Traci Fors, Licensed Massage Therapist, at The Center for True Harmony, call 480-539-6646 or email info@trueharmonywellness.com.

Bathing is Great for the Soul and the Skin

Soothing Soaks    Believe it or not, summertime is the best time of year to take a soothing, lukewarm bath.  When we sweat and our skin becomes moist, environmental toxins carried by dust, smog and other pollutants cling to our skin.  To our bath we can add dead sea salt and juniper for the detoxifying effects, lavendar and jasmine for the aroma and antiseptic properties.    Juniper has strong detoxifying properties as it draws out the pollutants and adds antiviral, antiseptic and diuretic benefits.  It reduces cellulite and the aroma is uplifting to our Spirits.     Lavendar is one of the best herbs for our skin, it disinfects our skin and enhances blood circulation.   Dead Sea Salt is wonderful for our skin, unlike sea salt which contains 90% sodium, dead sea salts contain only 10% sodium.  The remainder is minerals like magnesium, potassium, bromine, and calcium.  Click here to get more information on the minerals and benefits of dead sea salt for our skin.   For a little 'soul' detoxification add some candles, a nice bath pillow and drink a relaxing herbal tea.  Water is the ancient symbol for our emotions with its fluid and constant movement.  Think about all of the 'mood' fountains and the homeopathic machines that send out the sounds of water while we sleep or meditate.  There is a good reason for that.   Meditate while you're bathing, put a 'mood' fountain or listen to a relaxation CD with the sound of a trickling stream. Imagine yourself relaxing in a beautiful pond with a little waterfall above your head.  You can imagine flowers or the forest around you.  You'll may be surprised at how well you feel when the bath is over.  Trust me, it's addicting.

What about Bubble Baths? For most women, taking bubble baths can cause urinary tract infections and/or yeast infections.  The reason for this is a chemical compound known as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.  Sodium lauryl sulfate is a surfectant that is used in most cleansers, shampoos and a host of other cleaning products.  It is very irritating to the skin and it thins the skin's 'protection barrier'.  Unfortunately sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate are the agents that bring about the 'bubbles' in the bath so although fun and appealing it is not a good substance to soak in.  Its strong cleansing properties kill off the normal flora our bodies need to prevent infection.  Thus the cause for urinary and yeast infections.

To schedule an appointment with Lorri at True Harmony, call  480-539- 6646.