Pain is in your brain- Video

I have followed Lorimer Moseley’s and his institute’s work for the past few years. He is a researcher in Australia. Here is a 24 minute talk that is both entertaining and quite interesting. He explains how the brain learns to be in chronic pain, showing that the meaning attributed by the brain determines how much […]

Stress and mindfulness- Video

Here is a great presentation about mindfulness and stress reduction. Shamash Alidina is a teacher of MBSR- Mindfuless based stress Reduction. He defines what mindfulness is, gives a number of helpful tips, and offers a fascinating brief video to “test” our attention.

The Sweet Spot: Book Review and video

The Sweet Spot is an excellent book that helped me to get going on  and actively work on my currentbig project. (The one that keeps me from posting more regularly). Christine is a sociologist at the Greater Good Science Center at U.C. Berkeley, and while her book is easy and conversational to read, its content is based […]

EFT- energy tapping free resources

EFT or energy tapping is an alternative technique that has been gaining popularity. It is well worth taking a look at and see if it fits your style and personality. At minimum you could get some stress relief, but there are applications for pain as well. This upcoming conference offers FREE sessions for 24 hours after […]

Water is therapeutic

Do you swim? Spend time in or by the water? I have long felt that being near running water and hearing its sounds for several hours at a time can be deeply nourishing. That could be a tiny creek that runs over a few boulders- I am told there need to be air bubbles to […]

Book review: Move into Life

I am happy to introduce this book to you. I have spent a vacation week opening it at random, taking notes, talking about it to family and absorbing it’s message. This book combines three of my greatest interests: encouraging physical movement, flexibility of body, thinking and emotions, and information about neuroplasticity in this context. If […]

The new abdominals

Here is a variation on my favorite abdominal exercise. It appears that the traditional crunches are not that beneficial, but that we need to find ways to strengthen the long and the deeper abdominal muscles. I am seeing a real change in strength and posture from doing these. Of course, as always, make sure this […]

A New Year: meditation invitation

This is a good time to take another look at meditation, give it another try: Here is an excerpt from the Shambala Magazine that might help, part of an interview with three well-known meditation teachers. See Interview below. If you like using a variety of guided meditations, starting January 15 the Winter Feast for the Soul […]

Holiday de-stress

Let Be, Let Go, Let In –Three Steps to Meet Holiday Stress   This article was originally published in the ISIS Scrolls in December 2010. Are you approaching this holiday season with mixed feelings? Do you worry about balancing obligations and expectations with enjoying time with family and friends? Are you overworked and feeling stressed? If […]

Chi Gong- breath and movement

Recently I took a wonderful workshop combining chi gong, calligraphy and just plain loosening up, to bring more movement and creativity into my art work. I wanted to introduce you to a profound way to relax in just seconds that our presenter, Pearl Huang taught us. And I was lucky enough to find a video […]

Medications for chronic pain

I have been reluctant to write about medications, as a social worker I do not have medical training. But a recent video about opioid medication (below) and an inservice from my hospice doc, as well as the video I posted recently gave me enough input. This topic is especially important, as fewer doctors are willing […]

Breathing to relax

This week I have received several prompts about the importance of breathing for stress relief. My yoga teacher takes time at the beginning of class to allow us to lie down, settle and breathe. The goal is to lengthen the out-breath, which calms the body (a scientific fact). What I like about her approach is […]

Are you sensory sensitive?

Are you sensitive to light, noise, touch and medications in addition to having chronic pain such as fibromyalgia, or wide spread pain, moving pain (have you had pain in a number of different parts of your body over several years)? Dr. Dan Clauw, the Director of the Chronic Pain & Fatigue Center at the University of […]

Stop for Beauty

What stops you during your day to take a few breaths, and really look, or hear or smell something? For me it’s been yellow roses lately, beckoning to me right before I walk down the stairs. How often do you allow yourself to just stop when you notice something beautiful, or delicious, or touching? My […]