Oil Pulling....No, I'm not pulling your leg

Hi All,

There's this "new" thing I'm hearing a lot about lately that I want to discuss today.  It's called oil pulling.  First, I'm going to preface this by saying - I'm serious and not joking around...really.  It's very simple and here's what you do.  Take about a tablespoon of vegetable oil in your mouth and swish it around for 15 to 20 minutes.  When you're done spit it out in the garbage can (not your sink). That's it, and it's supposed to be a remarkably healthy thing for you to do.

I can hear your reaction....What the H#$@ did you say?? Why?

Let me break this down a little.  Oil pulling is a relatively new thing here in the US, but it dates back thousands of years in the Ayurvedic medicine tradition.

What is this supposed to do for me, you ask?  Oil pulling is supposed to give you much better dental hygiene.  Fresh breath, whiter teeth, but it also is supposed to remove toxins in the mouth and body (through the tissues in the mouth).  It'll remove bacteria that's harmful as well.  Some of the claims I've been reading say that it can help with allergies, chronic pain, fatigue, and other things as well.

I believe the more traditional oil people use is Sesame oil and many people use Coconut oil as well.  I tried oil pulling yesterday for the first time.  I took some coconut oil in my mouth and swished it around while showering and getting ready for the day.  It was a little weird, for sure.  Afterwards I felt pretty good and my mouth felt good.

I've read about some people that have had some really noticeable results came after practicing this for about a month.  One noticed a chronic skin condition had cleared, as well as some chronic pain was greatly lessened.  As with any type of therapy or regimen, trying it one time doesn't always produce amazing results.  So I may give this a try for a month and see if I get any noticeable results.  I'm gratefully, pretty healthy, but we'll see what happens.

So give oil pulling a try and see how it goes.  Let me know what you think.

So have a great week everyone.  Take care of yourself and we'll see you soon.

Peace,

Tom

Johnson Racing T-Shirt Art

Hi All,

Wow - it's been a busy couple of weeks.  The holistic therapy biz is starting to pick up and more artwork projects are in the hopper.  Just a couple weeks ago an old friend from my Air Force days contacted me for a t-shirt design.  It's for his family's race car team - Johnson Racing.  They have a drag race car named, "Butter Ball," that's highlighted in the design.  Of course, I said, sure - that sounds like a fun project, let's do it.

One of the photos of Butter Ball

So we started with photos from him and a pencil sketch from me.  The sketch was based on the photos provided.

The original sketch design.  Originally having car going to the left.

After getting approval from the client, I started building the artwork right over the pencil sketch in Photoshop.  The two tools in Photoshop that are key to my process are layers and paths.  I use the path tool on artwork like this to get that crisp edge.

Here's an example of how I like to draw, using the path tool and layers.  "Johnson Racing," lettering was rendered with the path tool.  I then worked/tweaked the path, to make sure it's just right and then filled it with the desired color.  First, I did the lettering, then (on a layer "under" the lettering), I rendered the dark outline and filled it with the dark color.  It looks like a nice outline, but in reality, it's a big block of color laid underneath the light blue letters.  (I hope that makes sense).

I started with the outline of the car in black.  I give it thick and thin line work and make sure it's a nice tight outline and the rest will fall into place.  From there I do the blue, then yellow, then red, etc....blue being on top and the other colors on layers rendered beneath.  This is illustration - it's not like painting or drawing - it's methodical and very planned and deliberate.

Final Johnson Racing Tee Shirt design.

In the end I made one large change from the initial design.  I flipped the car and rotated it up slightly.  The other direction just didn't seem right to me...this way seems to be going toward progression and toward victory and I think it works well with the curving of the lettering also.

So that's the Johnson Racing Tee shirt design.  I hope for you non-design/art folks, that this was a glimpse into how these things are created (and not boring).

Good luck to you all, and have a great weekend.  We made it to Friday!!
Be good to yourself...and do something nice for others as well.

Peace,

Tom

My Artwork on-line: http://www.behance.net/tk-art
My Holistic Therapy practice: http://holistictherapysolutions.weebly.com/

A little bit about Cranial Sacral

Hey All,

How's it going?  We made it to hump day...Wednesday.  So today I want to talk about a modality near and dear to my heart...Cranial Sacral Therapy.  I love Cranial Sacral!  I really enjoy doing it - it's so slow sometimes it's like watching paint dry, but it's challenging and rewarding as well.

So what is it?  It's an energetic therapy. It comes out of the Osteopathic medicine tradition.  John Upledger, D.O., really brought it to where it is in this country today.  He came across it unintentionally and developed the modality, also conducting research on it, to prove it works.  Much of the research he did was at Michigan State University.

So - I digress a little...what is it?  In Cranial Sacral Therapy (or Cranial), we work with the cerebrospinal system.  The spinal fluid flows up and down around the spine and brain, into the ventricles of the brain and out.  It's enclosed by 3 layers of meninges - they keep the fluid from leaking (almost like a rubber bladder).  Also, we work with connective tissue (fascia), the bones of the cranium, and some other structural and energy work on the body.

As the cerebrospinal fluid pulses up and down the spine, around the brain and in and out of the ventricles of the brain, it gives off a wave...in and out.  With a little training and practice, you can feel/observe the cranial wave.  The very act of observing this wave can be very profound and help the client heal.  Like the tests many years ago, when scientists were shooting x-rays under controlled conditions to look at the patterns.  What they found out (by accident), was that the patterns were different when someone observed vs. when nobody observed.  And...when you change the energy...things change, and can heal.

There's much more to it, though.  Everything in the body is surrounded by connective tissue called fascia.  Over time, the fascia (super thin and strong), can "wind" up and create tension patterns or holding patterns.  Many times these holding patterns are a result of some trauma.  We can release the fascia with...you guessed it - a fascial release technique.  A very light touch - taking the fascia where it will go.  You move it, release it.

I haven't even gotten to the cranium and working with the bones.  But - I've got to go.  I have a reflexology client coming soon.

Gotta go - take care and have a great day everyone.

Peace,

Tom

Article about using Hypnotherapy to Quit Smoking

Hi All,

As I've mentioned in a previous post, my colleague and I are going to be leading a hypno based 6 session group therapy to help people quit tobacco starting Sept 5.

Today I thought I'd share an article that directly addresses stopping tobacco using hypnosis.  It's a nice little piece and it describes one man's journey, quitting tobacco using hypnosis.  It also chronicles his doubts and skepticism as well.  And - in the end....I'll let you check it out and find out what happened.  It was published in the City Paper in Nashville. It's written by Steven Godfrey.

Here's a link to the article.  http://nashvillecitypaper.com/content/lifestyles/when-attempts-quit-smoking-lead-hypnosis-skepticism-turns-one-day-time

It's a nice short read and written to be a little entertaining.  I do believe if you've ever wanted to quit and are having a hard time with it, like the author, take a glance at this article.  I think it may be eye opening.

If you're in the Phoenix area and frustrated trying to give up the cigs - come to our free informational meeting at the Beyond Today Center, 6pm on August 29th.  We'll be discussing how you too can quit smoking by using hypnosis.  It's painless and easy and the results are amazing and permanent.
We'll also be taking clients for our Free of Tobacco Group at that time.  It's a powerful program that will help you quit for good in 6 weekly sessions.

There's a limit of 10 registrants, so come and sign up or pre register now.  A smoker who goes thru a pack a day on average will save $2500 annually.  The good part....it's only $300 for the entire 6 week program.

Susan and I also work with clients one on one, as well.  So if you'd prefer that method, contact us at the following sites:

Susan Weber's website:  http://www.wellness-elements-susanwebber.com/

My web site:  http://holistictherapysolutions.weebly.com/index.html

I hope you all have a great day.

Peace,

Tom

Reiki - Healing Energy Work

Hi All,

Hope your week is starting out right.  It's a nice cloudy and a little bit rainy day here in Phoenix.  We always can use the rain.

Today I'd like to discuss one of the energy work modalities that I practice/provide to clients...Reiki.  Some things Reiki is and isn't.  Reiki is Universal Energy - a very high vibration of energy.  Everything is energy.  For example: Reiki or maybe a bright light would be on a high vibrational frequency.  A rock or table top would be a very dense low vibration.

Reiki is not part of any religion or religious affiliation.  It's available anytime, anywhere.  It's universal energy and it's all around us.  It's like Ki or Chi energy common to the martial arts.  I've seen some martial artists do amazing feats using Ki.  Frank, (one of my Sensei), used to have up to 8 black belts punch him simultaneously and not leave a mark.  My friend Jim bench presses over 500 lbs - because he can harness his Chi.  Reiki is an energy modality where, like the two martial artists I mentioned, you learn to focus the Ki energy.  One difference is it's used as a healing modality.

A portrait I recently created of Mikao Usui, the person who
discovered Reiki as we know it.

What does a typical Reiki session look like?  For me, I usually have the client recline on the massage table.  I'll have them relax, take a few deep breaths and let go of all stress...let the stress melt away.  Usually, I'll scan the body with my hands, feeling their energy from about 6 inches above the body.  When scanning, I'll feel certain areas that need attention, and I'll focus more time and energy there.  Since every client is different, and there are so many variables, each session is unique and different.  Sometimes I lay hands directly on the body, sometimes I'll have my hands above the body.  Even though I may focus on a specific part of the body or work all over - Reiki is smart energy.  It goes were it's needed and does what it needs to do.  A typical session can last around 45 to 50 minutes.

Reiki - 11x14, Artist: Me.  The Japanese characters the spell Reiki.

What is Reiki used for?  What's it good for?  It is used for a variety of reasons.  I gave a Reiki session to a woman with stage 4 cancer once.  What did she get from the treatment?  She got pain relief.  She felt good when leaving and was relaxed.  She felt pretty good for a few days following.  For her that was a remarkable gift.  There have been instances where people have had remarkable healing from Reiki, but I cannot guarantee that.  A person will always get what they need from a session - whether it's physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual.  As I said, it's smart energy.

Cho Ku Rei, 11x 17.  Artwork produced by myself.
Cho Ku Rei is a Reiki symbol used in the healing art.

As an holistic practitioner, I will frequently combine Reiki with a massage or reflexology session.  It goes very well with a guided meditation or hypnotherapy session.  It's a multipurpose modality and is complementary with other holistic disciplines.

Of course, there's much more we could discuss on the topic, like the Reiki symbols, training, and other specifics.  Today, I wanted to give an overview of Reiki, what it is, and what it can be used for.

If you'd like to know more you can find more on the web.  In previous posts I've given my web site, Facebook site, and contact info.  You can contact me with questions or call to schedule an appointment.

I'm now in a permanent business location.  I'm at the Beyond Today Center on 28th Drive in Phoenix.  Go to my web site for the details.  www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com

Have a great week all.  Peace.

Note - the artwork in this blog post is my own.  Prints are available for purchase.

Reflexology - A Powerful Healing Modality

Hi All,

Hope your week is going well.  I've been moving in to, and getting involved with my new place of business, The Beyond Today Center.  It's located in mid/north Phoenix (near I-17 and Cactus).  I'll be doing some work there Saturday at the Holistic Healthcare Fair.

My topic today is Reflexology.  It's one of the modalities I specialize in.  It's very powerful.  Today I'll give a brief primer on this bodywork and what you can get from a true reflexologist.

A piece of artwork I created for my website - It shows reflexology
maps on the bottom of the feet

We have over 7200 nerve endings in our feet.  They correspond to various parts of the body - because the feet are a hologram of the body.  Like a mini version of the body.  Various parts of the feet correspond to various parts of the body.  By working on these  parts of the feet you can effect change in the corresponding body part...and even facilitate healing.  Other holograms in the body include the hands and ears.

This is a fun little map of the feet that I found on Facebook.  Note - spine runs up the inside of the foot.
Eyes are on the toes, balls of feet correspond to lungs, heart, rib cage...etc, etc....

 Keeping on the feet; they're just fascinating.  From a pathology standpoint, you can tell what's going on in the body and recognize pathologies in the body, by observing the feet.  How you ask?  Smell of the feet, texture, noticable afflictions, foot colors, structure, and mobility.

Here's some examples.  If the foot is yellow, the liver may not be functioning well.  So you could pay a little extra attention to the liver part of the foot (right foot below the ball of the foot).  If a set of feet has a sourdough smell, the person may be eating too much animal fats or dairy - kidneys probably overworked and the person probably has blood pressure.  If the feet have a vinegar smell, the person may have yeast or candida problems.  If an area is puffy of hard, it tells various things about how the corresponding part of the body may be out of balance.  Crackley crunchies in a shoulder or a joint area can be an old injury and working that area can help break up scar tissue and increase strength and mobility.

As much as there is a physical component to all of this, there's always an emotional or metaphorical component as well.  If you're currently having a lot of fear, you may have puffiness in the bladder area - and may actually have bladder issues.  Typically, grief will manifest in a persons lungs and will show up on the balls of the feet.  If a person has a lot of anger, it usually will be reflected in the liver area - and may actually show up in the liver as some type of malady.  You may think this is a bunch of woo, woo nonsense, and that's ok.  I know what I know.

Then we get to work on the feet.  Typically, foot reflexology is worked with the thumbs, fingers and knuckles.  Sometimes a deeper pressure is needed, sometimes a lighter touch.  You can do an overall light relaxing session...and thats good.  But if I'm really working with intention to help facilitate stimulation and healing in parts of the body, I'll have to work parts of the feet with a deeper pressure.  Probably some lighter as well.  Sometimes, great healing can occur, but you may need to do reflexology once a week or more.  In those cases, I'd probably recommend focused sessions for 30 minutes each, at a reduced rate...and I'd recommend weekly or more than once a week.

Now a reflexologist cannot diagnose illness.  But, if I see something in the feet, I can ask the client if they've had any issues with what I'm looking at.  I can also recommend they get checked out by a physician.  I don't want to exceed my scope of practice though.

I could go on and on, but I'll stop here.  There are plenty of books out there that detail the benefits of reflexology and how to do it.  If you're looking for a way to get relief from an issue, try reflexology.  It can really help you get back to a place of homeostasis.

Take care and have a great week everyone.......

Tom