Life As Art - Pacific Edition

Hi All,

I hope your new week is going well.  We're getting back in the groove here in Phoenix after a little treck to San Diego - and the weather has just been perfect.  (it'll be hot hot soon enough).

This past Thursday night we headed out for a long weekend in San Diego, California.  It's a nice 350 mile drive thru the desert and it's nice that we have some family there too.  We stayed with Sue's brother and were able to spend some time with a couple nephews and niece as well.

Pacific Ocean from Point Loma Peninsula.

Friday morning Sue and I headed out to explore San Diego a little.  We headed to the Point Loma peninsula.

Shelter Island - inside of Point Loma.

We made a few stops on Point Loma - even stopped at a Navy Exchange store, at a small Naval Base and picked up a few items.

At Silver Strand Beach - Point Loma in the distance.

We then drove thru town to Silver Strand Beach park.  It's a beautiful, relaxing place.  A great place to kick back for a while.  No swimming for us this past weekend.

Old Town La Mesa, CA.

Saturday we poked around old town La Mesa's shops looking for that thrift shop or antique shop treasure and then ended the day down in La Jolla - seeing the Seals on the beach and watching the sunset.

Beach at La Jolla, CA.  It was nice, a little chilly and breezy.

Seals laying around on the beach.

Some Seals lying around - and a few in the water too.

Sue and I - enjoying the waterfront.

The California sunset - I can almost hear a Beach Boys song playing.

All in all it was a pretty nice little getaway.  I hope all of you have a great week.  If you're in the northern tier - hang in there - Spring is coming.

Take care and be good to those around you.  Do something nice for a stranger for no reason.  Volunteer at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen.  Little by little - we can make things better.  When there is no one - you be the one.  God Bless.

Peace,

Tom

Tom Kreienbrink

Holistic Therapy/Massage practice
www.holistictherapysolutions.weebly.com

Art Website
www.behance.net/tk-art

Energy Work Therapy For Veterans

Hi All,

It's Friday!  WooHoo!!  I hope you've had a good work week.  Mine's been pretty good.  I've been able to shift gears at work and at home.  Today I able to focus on some projects around the house and made some good progress.  I'm grateful for that.  This weekend - back to work.

I've got an opportunity to go up to the Merritt Center in Payson, AZ, where I'll be working with a group of military veterans.  I'll be heading up there tomorrow and providing CranioSacral Therapy for some of the Vets.

I wish I could give credit for this illustration.  I took the original diagram
and painted it.  I didn't draw the original diagram though.

 The Veterans at this workshop are all combat Veterans and are at the Vets Weekend Retreat to help them heal and leave the trauma of combat in the past.  CranioSacral is an amazing energetic therapy that can help the client unwind those "issues in the tissues," and release them.  It can help the Vet heal physically and also mentally and emotionally.  Of course, with something as traumatic as combat, the physical and emotional healing can be tied very close together but often, when the physical has healed, the mental and emotional pain and trauma remains.

I met Betty Merritt about a year ago.  We were attending a focus group in Phoenix to give input on alternative and complementary therapies to the Veterans Administration.  Recognizing that allopathic medicine is not always the answer, they're looking at alternatives that may be helpful for our Veterans returning from War.  After the focus group, she invited me to come up to her place and provide some therapy for some of the Vets at her retreats.  Last time I did some massage, this time I asked if I could do some CranialSacral.

So tomorrow morning, Sue and I will pack up the therapy table and head 100 miles north and east to Payson to the Merritt Center.  It's a small retreat center where they have a number of different workshops and retreats throughout the year.  Several times a year, they host the Veterans weekends.  This is their passion.  They invite these combat veterans to attend, free of charge, and offer therapy and groups all weekend long to help these Vets heal.

You can find out more about the Merritt Center at their website:
 http://www.merrittcenter.org/vets/vet-program.htm 

I'm truly honored to have the opportunity to work with these folks tomorrow and looking forward to it.

Have a great weekend everyone.  Be good out there - do great things!

Peace,

Tom

My website:
www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com

Follow me on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/HolisticTherapySolutions

Be Brave

Hey All,

Happy Monday!  It's a new week and another opportunity to go out there and be the best you, that you can be.  Me personally - I'm headed to the accountant's office to do my taxes.  I'm happy to get that behind me for another year.

Today I want to highlight a piece of artwork that I did for a friend of mine and colleague - Towanda Allen.  We went to school together at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts.  She was on a different track than I was, though.  She studied Transpersonal Psychology - with part of it being the Coaching field.

Almost since I've known her, she's been planning a Mother/Daughter Empowerment Workshop.  I'm not sure of the title, but it's meant to uplift mothers and their daughters who may need to be given the tools to be strong, independent women.  (I'm sure Towanda would have a much better/clearer description of it).  As planning this workshop, she also has been telling me she wanted me to do a major artwork for this - a piece of theme artwork.  The theme is Bravery - or - to be Brave.  I was honored to be a part of this project.

Finished Art - Brave - digital paint

She wanted a piece that could be used as fine art (printed), and as a graphic with the theme - "Brave."  After giving it some thought, an idea came together.  A brick wall with Brave on it - in graffiti style with a little flower coming up thru the cracks in the cement, in front of it.

original sketch

As usual, it starts with the sketch, taking a photo of it and bringing it into Photoshop.  I brought in a brick wall photo to overlay the sketch and started painting the graffiti on a layer above it.  I wanted the artwork to be graffiti, but bold and optimistic.  I worked the flower in, on a layer in front.  Kind of a tough, brave, but somewhat vulnerable little yellow petalled flower.

early stages

OK - the symbolism is very obvious - you may even say it's cliche.  That's alright with me and my client Towanda liked it also.  Some of the young girls who will attend her workshops are those vulnerable, gutsy little flowers, coming up thru the cracks.  Coming up in a tough place to grow, but coming up and doing the best they can.  

Finished Art

Towanda Allen is an inspirational coach and also has a radio show on blogtalk radio.  She's written a book and working on another (first is in the process of getting published).  For more information about her seminars keep an eye on her web site:

www.TowandaAllen.com

Her radio show:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theconnector2013/2013

That's it for now.  Keep spreading the love people - be kind to a stranger today - help someone out in need.  You'll be amazed at how good it feels...and it's the right thing.

Peace,

Tom

www.facebook.com/pages/Tom-Kreienbrink-Art-and-Design

www.behance.net/tk-art

Mindfulness - Meditation Wherever You Are

Hi All,

I hope your week is off to a great start.  Mine is starting well.  I'm meeting with a Scottsdale business owner who may be a source of some extra therapy work for me.  We did have a pretty nice relaxing weekend, too.  Life is good and today is going to be a great day.

I had an interesting experience recently.  As I've written about, I have a regular meditation practice and I also teach/facilitate a weekly meditation group that I started at work.  I got a FB message from a friend of mine in Southern Cal about a week ago, telling me how she just read an article in Time magazine about Mindfulness.  She was nice enough to send it to me.

Let go of the stress....be mindful.

The article talks about how in our society today, we're under constant attack from distractions.  Most people are stressed, have a phone or pad on them all the time and many are answering calls and emails for work, just about 24 hours a day...even when they're on vacation.  We attempt to multitask (really just having several projects going and getting a little of them done at a time)...TV, Radio, and and the list goes on.  We live in a fast paced world with a lot coming at us all the time which keeps us from mindful serenity.

The article also discusses what mindfulness is and talks about some studies being done and some people that are teaching mindfulness at retreats, corporations, and even to the military.  Studies have shown that being mindful can have an impact on a persons health -- helping them to stay healthy.  No big surprise there, right?

So what is mindfulness or being mindful?  First of all, it's being in the present moment - mentally.  Not thinking about what's going on later or what happened 10 minutes ago or anytime in the past.  It's being completely engaged in whatever you're doing, without judgement.  Drinking in the experience of whatever you're doing without any TV or music - just being present and observing.  For example, people in the article talked about commuting on the train and just observing the other passengers and surroundings fully.  You could take a walk or do the dishes, and just completely be - quietly - while doing this activity.  Of course you can meditate by relaxing and being mindful as well - just relaxing, observing, being present, and the part I like to add - doing this while having love and gratitude in my heart.

This may seem very basic or even goofy or hokey to some people.  I get that.  But, how many people out there can't relax for 10 or 15 minutes, without getting overrun in their mind by obsessive thoughts about some situation in their life, work to do, etc, etc etc...

So what can we do?  Start practicing every day.  Take time to put the phone down and turn everything off.  Train the mind to just be present, quiet, and observe life without judgement.  Quieting the mind like this is like working a muscle; the more you work it, the more positive results you'll see.  Do this while relaxing with eyes closed and also try it (eyes open), while at work or walking or doing another activity.  You can make just about anything a meditation.  If you feel it would be helpful, take a meditation class or meet up with a meditation group like mine.

As I mentioned, there have been quite a few studies on this by universities and also some funded by the NIH.   Results have shown that practicing mindfulness is a great aid in preventing and helping to release
. depression and anxiety.  It reduces stress dramatically - and we all know stress can cause lots of harm to our bodies, minds, and health.  Basically it can be a great way of keeping things in balance.

So here's my challenge to you.  If you are like most people, and have some stress in your life, for the next 30 days, try to take a little time every day and practice mindfulness.  Even if you can't find time to close your eyes and meditate, put this into practice at work or commuting; where ever you are.  See if it doesn't help.  If it doesn't help - you've really lost nothing.  My guess is you may find yourself a little more up-beat, perhaps even having a little more energy or a little more relaxed.  See for yourself.

I hope you all have a great week.  Enjoy the challenge.

Peace,

Tom

I'm owner of Holistic Therapy Solutions in Phoenix, Arizona.
www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com

Hypnotherapy and Weight Loss Group

Hi All,

Wow - time is flying.  It's been a very busy year so far.  It's been a very warm winter here in Phoenix too.  Sometimes I forget how severe the winter has been in most of the US here and in other parts of the world as well.  In any event, I hope you're having a good week.

I'm in my office preparing for a hypnosis group that I host on Thursday afternoons.  It's called the, Holistic Weight Management with Hypnosis, group.  I host it here at my Beyond Today Co. office in Phoenix, AZ.  So far we've been a small group, but big in spirit and desire to reach and maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle.

Here's how it works - we take an holistic approach to weight management.  What are some of the reasons you may overeat, or binge, or eat poorly?  Do you exercise - may want to look at what your doing, possibly increasing - or not.  Do you have a goal?

The group environment is a great support system - we lift each other up, share victories, what's working for us, etc.  I bring some ideas with me as well about holistic nutrition.  Tonight I'm discussing refined sugar, Almonds, and info about Vitamin D.

Did you know the total recommended consumption of refined sugar and high fructose corn syrup is less than 1 lb per month? 1 tsp = 4.2 gram.  453 grams = lb. 2-2liter sodas is equal to 1 lb of sugar.  Remember - so many processed foods are full of sugar and high fructose corn syrup as well.

In the group we do a couple other things as well.  We're going to work to reprogram the subconscious mind.  Each week, I'll lead a group hypnotherapy session.  We'll do this thru removing some of the obstacles that may be in the way of the members success.  We'll program the mind to desire healthy foods in portions that are adequate to maintain a healthy body, and to want to increase exercise, and reach your goals in a healthy way.

The hypnosis is a powerful tool for weight loss/behavior modification and it's a very safe and easy technique.  How many of us have struggled with this very issue?  I know I have and I'm taking the journey with my group.  As long as you have a desire to lose the extra pounds, you can do this and it will work.

Well - people are going to start showing up soon so I've got to go.  Stay happy and healthy out there.  Be kind to others - and - be kind to yourself.  Your worth it.  Until next time....

Peace,

Tom

Learn more about Tom's Holistic practice at -
www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com

Prepping to Teach Intro to Chi Enegy

Hi All,

I haven't been blogging much lately because I've been building my holistic therapy business and preparing for a class I'm teaching on Sunday here in Phoenix.  The class is "A Practical Introduction to Chi Energy."  I know, I've blogged about it before, but I'm really excited.

It started around the idea of brushing your energy meridians to allow the Chi (life force energy), flow unrestricted throughout your body.  As I started thinking about curriculum and developing structured ideas for the class, that simple idea expanded into, what is Chi, how do we cultivate it in our bodies, info about the meridians, what is the Circadian clock?

All these ideas are interconnected and leads to more info and more questions...and more info.  As I write the blog today, I'm still tweaking the slides, researching and preparing.

Artwork for my Facebook invitation for the class

So what are ways in which we can cultivate and keep healthy Chi in our body?  Incorporating Healthy Diet, Exercise, Healthy Breathing, Good Posture, and Limiting Stress in our lives.  It sounds simple enough right?  In reality, it is.  There's simple things we can do in each area to make improvements.

We all have a pretty good idea of what a healthy diet or good posture is, as well as the other suggestions for developing/cultivating healthy Chi.  Traditional Chinese Medicine also has guidance on these topics as well.  For example, Tai Chi and Qi Gong are great exercises for people of all ages.  You can find simple and easy breathing exercises to practice.  We should strive to eat a nutrient dense diet, but if you're eating a burger, don't feel guilty, bless the food and enjoy every bite - and continue to pursue a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Five Elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine informational chart

I've learned so much recently while putting this class together and am excited to share that knowledge this coming Sunday, from 10am - 4:30.

The class will be held at:
Beyond Today Co.
11223 N. 28th Drive, Suite F101
Phoenix, AZ 85029

For more info, see my website - www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com

Hope to see you there.  Have a great Valentines day - share love with everyone, not just a special person.

Peace,

Tom

Social Media Advertising Artwork

Hi Everyone,

How's your week going?  Things are going good here.  I'm keeping busy.  In fact, I spent a good deal of the day today working on promoting my Massage/Holistic Therapy Business.

In my business, Holistic Therapy Solutions, I provide therapeutic massage, reflexology, energy work and hypnotherapy.  However, another aspect of the biz are that I have a couple of groups that meet every week (meditation and Weight Loss with Hypnotherapy), and I teach some therapy classes.

One of the benefits of being an artist is I can not only write my own curriculum, but I can do my own artwork for classes and advertising.  Lately I've been having fun doing some illustrations to accompany some of the social media promotions for these groups and classes.

Artwork for the "Holistic Weight Management with Hypnotherapy" group advertising.
Produced with Photoshop and Wacom tablet over a photo.

I've been having some fun putting some (hopefully), eye catching graphics together.  At the same time, I'm really trying to practice time management and not spend a great deal of time on them either.  So I'm going into Photoshop and putting some illustrations together.

This morning I put a piece of artwork together for my meditation group.  I figure, it'll do better with a visual, than with none.  Either way, I had a good time putting it together and if it provides dividends, that's great.

Artwork for the "Midweek Re-Set Meditation Group" advertising.
Produced with Photoshop and Wacom tablet over a photo.

It's good fun.  I'm not putting together anything too intensive, but I'm working to put together something that's appropriate to help provide balance between the artwork and the text ad, and to brand the groups/classes.

Artwork for upcoming "Introduction to Chi Energy" class advertising.
Collage art assembled and illustrated with Photoshop and Wacom tablet.

So, I hope you're having some fun in whatever you're doing for work.  It's been alot of fun creating these.  Enjoy your week.  Do something nice for someone else - just because you can.  Be easy on others - and be good to yourself too.

Peace,

Tom

www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com