Integrative Dentistry

I'm very intrigued by this new and innovative practice of Integrative Dentistry. It focuses on the whole person, not just their mouth, teeth, and gums.  It's also eco-friendly, in that the dentists use more sustainable materials such as composite materials (instead of mercury for fillings), use digital imaging as opposed to x-rays, which reduce radiation exposure. 

During my Holistic Health Program, I remember the teacher mentioning Integrative Dentistry and sharing her experience with it.  For some reason , I put it aside because my story was that going to the dentist is expensive (unless you have decent dental insurance), whether you have insurance or not.  But then my boss went through a number of dental procedures to remove the mercury fillings she had in her mouth for years. My boss is very sensitive to certain substances such as certain foods, supplements, and other products. She's also a type-1 diabetic and, recently, got over a long, big bout of candida.  She's overall a very healthy person, especially with her diet.  But there was a period of time, whenever she would get her teeth cleaned, a day or two after, she would experience heavy-duty detoxing symptoms.  Even a metallic taste in her mouth. She decided to go to a dentist, who was more aware of these new dental practices, and have the mercury-filled fillings replaced.  After the two separate procedures, again her body went through another detox and she supported herself during this time with the help from her nutritionist and new dentist.  Once her body detoxed, the next time she had a teeth cleaning, no more symptoms of nausea, fatigue and sluggishness. Also, no metallic taste in her mouth!  

The article I read below, it got me interested and aware of Integrative Dentistry.  Aware that if we have a healthy mouth, we'll have a healthy body, mind and spirit.  As a yoga practitioner, I'm always honoring my whole body wherever it's at with compassion and love.  I never really think of teeth, even though it seems obvious that they're included. But we clean our teeth differently than we wash our hair.  

A little summary of the article is below with the link to the full article.  I invite you to read it, if you've had different issues with your teeth and gums. 

(From Yoga Journal Daily Insight)

Open Wide, Say "Ahhh"

Integrative dentistry is a new phenomenon. Instead of focusing only on your plaque or toothache or gums, an integrative dentist pays attention to the big picture: What other health issues might relate to the state of your mouth? What chemicals are you absorbing while your teeth are being repaired? How's your mental state while you're sitting in the dental chair?

To ease patients' pain and fear, these dentists use complementary techniques such as meditation and massage. And they prefer using materials and procedures that do as little harm as possible to the earth and their patients; using composite fillings instead of mercury amalgam is one example. Integrative dentists also offer alternative remedies such as arnica for pain and inflammation of the mouth. By replacing X rays with more costly digital imaging, they expose the patient to 75 to 90 percent less radiation, get clearer views of the tooth, and eliminate the need for the chemicals used to process X rays.

If you wait awhile, integrative dentistry is likely to come to you. Until then, try taking dental health into your own hands by cultivating self-awareness: Approach your mouth with the same consciousness as your yoga practice. Floss regularly, use a soft toothbrush, and be attentive to your diet—avoid sticky, chewy, carb-rich foods.

Read the full articles:

• Smile, Naturally

I am Celebration (revisited)

So I wrote the entry below in October of 2009.  Its contents visited me yesterday morning as I was driving to teach my Sunday morning yoga class.  In fact, it was the main theme for the day, and I shared it with my students.  I talked about celebration. That it's not just for the big things, but the little things as well.  I found this old post I wrote and how I was celebrating the fact that I completed clinic hours in just one of my modules for massage school. 

It's the little things that really matter.  Those things that we may oversee or take for granted.  I see how celebrating gets you closer to what you want. I want to celebrate the Human Resources dept at my work for giving me the support I needed recently.  I had many dates of un-reimbursed medical claims (money that I paid out of my pocket) that I'm getting back! For whatever reason, the insurance company wasn't reimbursing me, and kept saying they needed to resubmit this or that claim again, and it was going to take up to 30 days to process! I cried over this twice; and finally, I decided I'm not going to worry about this anymore. I'm not going to put my energy (my vibration and attention) to this anymore.  Instead, I sought help from HR/Benefits at my job, and within a few weeks, mission accomplished! I trusted that it would all work out, and conveyed my patience in the most constructive way possible.  I "kept my cool." My intentions and goals were to receive more understanding, consideration and respect out of this.  I wanted to be heard, and I was. I received all of the above.

I know I should celebrate my proactivity in contacting HR, but I'm so grateful for having the person I had.  HR depts really get a bad rep sometimes and, yes, I have definitely contributed to that bashing in the past. But I honestly am so grateful for them right now and I want to CELEBRATE!  I told HR how much I appreciated their help and support through this, as it was so confusing and frustrating.  I want to celebrate my job for providing the health care plans.  

 I am gratitude and celebration! Now, it's time to get that pedicure I've been talking about....

 From October 2009

I am celebration!

I have to celebrate that I completed my massage clinic hours for one of my modules! Yaayyy! It gives me a sense of accomplishment and validity, that, Wow! I can really get through this program! Yes I have had mind chatter and negative self-talk about completing the massage program I'm enrolled in, but seeing results is so invigorating to my whole being! Bodywork is connection. Connection to everything in the body, mind, spirit and soul. During my holistic health program last year, we had to write our life's purpose. My life purpose was (is) "I am love and acceptance". I want to expand on that, "I am love, acceptance and celebration". I want to put the energy out into the universe that I will receive, love and accept everything in my path, regardless of positive or negative. Wow, this feels great in my belly right now!

I've realized that you can celebrate anything--waking up in the morning, getting out of bed, eating a meal, tying your shoe, etc. It doesn't have to be this huge thing. Whatever it is to you is what matters.

What do you want to celebrate?

One of my 2010 Declarations

I will leverage my debt in a healthy way.

I need to remind myself and say this to myself as much as possible.  That I AM doing it. It IS happening.  What does a "healthy way" look like?  I will trust in my myself that money is always coming my way.  I will be compassionate towards myself no matter what.  I will appreciate myself even when times are tough, and be gentle with myself and say, "I am doing the best I can, and I am doing a great job." I want to create more abundance in clientele for my yoga and massage practice. 

I am love, acceptance and compassion. 

Down with Downward Facing Dog

It's one of those poses that they start every yoga class with, and you lose count as to how many you do in class and in your own practice.  It does so much for the body. It not only stretches the WHOLE body at once, but it relieves a lot of different ailments, improves digestion and helps a woman, wherever she may be in her cycle of life.  If I can't get my practice in one day, I always make time for downward dog.  Read more about this pose below from Yoga Journal Daily Insight.  

Namaste!

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Because It's Good for You

Downward-Facing Dog—a pose performed by standing on the hands and feet with the hips lifted to the sky—is one of the most popular yoga postures today. It is taught in many classes and is part of many styles of yoga. But why is it such an important posture? The simple answer is that it's great for your health!

Down Dog calms the brain and helps relieve stress and mild depression; it helps relieve the symptoms of menopause; it relieves menstrual discomfort when done with the head supported; it helps prevent osteoporosis; it improves digestion; it relieves headaches, insomnia, back pain, and fatigue; and it is therapeutic for high blood pressure, asthma, flat feet, sciatica, and sinusitis.

Read the full articles:

• Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog Pose)
• Get Down Dog

Scream it out...literally!

I wanted to share this article about letting your anger out.  In our society, we're taught to hold back our emotions in most situations.  But don't forget that you're ALLOWED to release it.  It's healthy to shout and scream your anger and frustrations.  Sometimes I do it in the shower or into a pillow.  It's great when you're alone, but if you're not, just let whoever know that you need to blow off some steam. It may seem like they're put off by it, but it's totally okay to scream it out, and who knows, maybe they could too.  So, express it. Release it from your body because that's usually where it gets stored and ends up causing blockage in places of the body.  Read more in the article(s) below where it talks about a yoga pose dedicated to this concept.  Try Lion Pose! 


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Roar Out Stress

Ever feel so stressed that you wanted to scream? A good shout can literally help you blow off steam, releasing pent-up frustrations and leaving you spent, relaxed, and calm. We are often taught, in our society, to hold all our emotions in and to betray no trace of frustration or exhaustion. But it can be much healthier just to let it out!

In yoga we sometimes mimic the roar of a lion in particular, but any roar or shout will help you reduce stress throughout the day. Some good places to try this include the shower, in traffic, or in the privacy of your bedroom. If others are around, it's helpful to alert them first—because it can sound alarming! And if you're driving, of course, make sure to watch the road as you sound your lungs.

Read the full articles:

• Unmasking Anger
• Lion Pose

A VERY Happy Birthday to me!

June 16 was my birthday and it was very happy.  I took the day off from work, which was very necessary.  I think everyone should have their birthday off to do whatever they want to do for themselves.  I mean it is probably one of the most important days of your life!  You were born! Celebrate it!

I decided for my birthday I was going to pamper and nurture myself.  I started my day having a relaxing, quiet morning with my husband (who also took the day off! I love you, Joe!) drinking tea and eating breakfast.  Then I had a massage at 11:15 a.m. It was originally at 11:00 a.m. and scheduled for 90 min, but, due to some last minute schedule conflicts, they could only give me an hour. Instead of getting huffy about it, I was understanding to the spa receptionist, explained it was my birthday, and ended up getting $10 off. So everyone won!  The massage was EXACTLY what I needed.  I literally melted into the table.

Then Joe picked me up and we went to Best Buy.  I received some birthday money from family, so I bought the Nintendo Wii.  I can't remember the last time I bought a "toy" for myself. Something really fun.  After the pampering I got from the massage, it was time to nurture my inner child and buying the Wii was a great start.  We met up with my friend, Sarah at the SF Giants County Fair, a mini carnival with rides, games and carnival food.  We went on the swings, which is always fun because it lets you be that little kid and start yelling things like ,"Weeeeeeee! and Yaaaayyyy!" We viewed the petting zoo, which was a  little depressing so I won't go into that.  The best part was the Bumper Cars.  I was laughing so hard I couldn't control that car for the life of me.  Then you look at your friends and they're laughing so hysterically, you just do the same.  Lastly, we ended with a sno cone, which, for some reason I couldn't keep off of me. Then again, I was wearing a white shirt; maybe not the best idea. 

Now on a sugar-water high, we walked along the bay looking out at AT&T Park.  It was a gorgeous day.  What more could I ask for!

Something definitely shifted inside me after this day.  It's as though my inner child had been screaming for attention for a long time, and I finally let everything else go to acknowledge and nurture it.  For the past few years, a lot of shifting has occurred in my life, and sometimes we forget those simple, little things that are so big.  Even though, we're a certain age, it shouldn't stop us from showing our inner child.  I turned 32, but I allowed myself to be 12 and even younger.  Yes, things have happened to us in our childhood that may have left scars behind, or wounds that may have been left opened.  I know I've reopened some of those wounds in order to heal from certain events from my childhood, but the most healing was I got to be fun, playful, giddy, excited, surprised and child-like again.  I didn't once worry about anything "grown-up." Why not do this more often. 

LAAA LA LA LA LA

changing the blog design for the hell of it....

FWD: How Accepting and Loving of Yourself Are You?

(click for this post) How Accepting and Loving of Yourself Are You?

There's a meditation in this post called "Accepting and Love Myself! meditation". I just read it and now want to try it. Acceptance and love for myself is something I've been practicing in my life with pretty much everything I do and say. This is especially big with me when it comes to making decisions and choices. Once I accept and love where I'm at, I become more clear with what I want and what I want to create for myself. It's a hard practice, but it definitely works!

Thanks, Catherine Hidalgo for sharing this post!

What is Organic? Look at the ingredients!

I find it hard to learn that some products that say "organic" or "natural", aren't exactly.  I read an article by the OCA (Organic Consumers Association, click here's the link) that Whole Foods will be removing all personal care products that are non-certified and mislabeled "organic".  It'll take up to a year, but it's nice to hear that such a large health-food store chain is taking action.

Although I've learned about this general mislabeling, for a long time, I would try or use anything that said "organic" or "all natural".  But when you actually look at the ingredients, sometimes it's a few lines or one long, huge paragraph, usually of stuff that you can't even pronounce! I try and make the effort of buying personal care products that have ingredients I can pronounce and have a basic understanding of what they are.  I do this with food, especially if I'm going to try a packaged food.

I shop at Whole Foods quite frequently and when I learned that they were selling products that actually weren't saying what they were, it put me off.  I have made my personal choice that I will use organic/all natural products from now on to reduce excess toxins in my body.  I know I can't help the air, but I can do something, and I appreciate companies having these options for people who are trying to shift their lifestyle.

So the next time you buy something (and it can be anywhere or anything), see how many ingredients on the back you know and can pronounce.  You may be surprised you might only know a few, one or none.

Yerba Buena Park in San Francisco, CA

Today on my lunch break I took a stroll down 4th Street to Yerba Buena Park.  This picture only shows a bit of it.  To the right is a soothing water fall; to the left is The Metreon (shops, movie theater, etc.) and ahead is downtown/financial district.  It's about 75 degrees, which is NICE for San Francisco. No fog or crazy wind.  It's called the "June Gloom" this month because it's usually foggy and windy.  But YIPPEE bring on the sun and warm temperatures! 

So here's a photo of my feet, viewing the water fall.  It's a moment I just want to freeze.  Although, the sounds around me were of people chatting, cars, sirens, and other city noise, I focused my attention on the waterfall and my breath.  Even the occasional breeze would happen and I would let my entire body bask in it, as well as the sun, of course.  One of things I love about San Francisco is that you can always find a park in the city. You can find some grass and trees, and just park yourself there for 5 minutes or 5 hours.  Bring some food, beverage, a book, friends or just yourself. It's a great way to take a break and relax.

Body Themes

We all have something going on with our bodies one way or another.  Whether it's a new or old injury, or it's something that just cracks, creaks or pops, it happens to all of us. 

After I taught my Lunchtime Yoga class today, one my students (also a friend and colleague) mentioned how she was challenged in one of the poses we did, which is called Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana (revolved head-of-knee pose. pictured).

As you can see, the hip of the bend knee is getting a nice opening and that side of the trunk is getting a nice opening and length.  She continued to talk about how her left hip has been having "stuff" going on there for a bit, both physically and emotionally. In fact, she has had some emotional release from bodywork in that area.  Our bodies have an amazing way of telling us things, and they can be mysterious, frustrating, and down right, painful.  I'm calling it Body Themes because, to me, it's a way we describe something about our bodies.  So what's the theme?  Is my friend's hip trying to tell her something?  Has she buried some old stuff there that's not serving her anymore? When did it start?

I can totally relate to this because I've done some healing around body themes as well.  For example, over the past year, I had been working on some digestive projects (sounds better than problems) and I came to realize that I hold a lot of my emotions down in my belly.  My symptoms would be bloating, constipation, cramping, etc. The belly/abdomen is our power center, or the solar plexus.  It's where are power, creativity and assertiveness comes from. In the past, making decisions or having a voice wasn't always a strong point in my life, so whatever emotions (fear, anger, sadness) I was feeling I would bury in my belly.  When I started acknowledging this area of my body, the healing began.  I was receiving bodywork/energy work and a lot of anger came up around this area of my body (and it wasn't the first time this came up in a bodywork session).  I began screaming and crying, allowing myself to feel that anger, wherever, whenever and whatever it was from.  Then I started breathing into it, instead of constricting around it.  Afterward, I felt so much softness and space in my belly.  In addition to that, my digestion improved! My constipation went away, my belly went down and no more cramping.

So I knew I had let go of some "stuff" that wasn't serving me anymore. My body was done holding onto that. I know this theme, the belly/abdomen can come up.  But I know now that when I start to experience those symptoms, I can bring attention and awareness there and ask myself, "what's coming up for me right now?"  "Was it something I ate?" "Was it something that person said?" "Does it feel like old stuff?"

It's important and healthy for us to feel what we feel.  To breathe with and into it, instead of resisting or constricting around it.  What is your body theme? Remember, to be gentle with yourself.  Sometimes we are not ready to go there yet.  Be patient, compassionate and loving.

New Yoga Class added!

I'm very excited to be teaching a regular yoga class at 24 Hour Fitness.  I took a break when I started massage school, only subbing when a shift here and there needed coverage.  Well, one finally opened up and I took it!

Yoga-all levels
Sundays
10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

24 Hour Fitness
1850 Ocean Ave
SF, CA

Spending on myself

since a lot of money stuff has come over the past month, spending any money on myself has been at the WAY bottom of the list.  so. that right away, doesn't feel good.  yes, i have bills to pay, but so does everyone, right?  I want to enjoy life; not let something like paying bills get in the way.  it has to be done. it's an ongoing thing. 

my birthday is coming up in a couple weeks ( a week and a half).  my husband had suggested going to a nice bed and breakfast somewhere along the coast.  well, my "money program" kicked in and said, "No Way are you going anywhere! It's going to be expensive and a waste of money".  Okay, that makes me feel like shit right away.  In fact, the tears are coming.  it's a special day to be celebrated; so why these beliefs? where did they come from? I'm SO DONE! i know i've said that before, but it keeps coming up for me.  what is this force trying to teach me?

I could read the book on it; go to a workshop on it; and continue to process it with my therapist.  I know I've made some progress, but when I find myself right back at those negative thoughts and beliefs, it feels like I've taken a step back.  The flow is being cut off.  Something is causing me to paddle up the river.  Ugh.

Since my birthday is coming up, I began to think about what I want to spend on myself.  First of all, I'm taking the day off because it falls on a Wednesday and I'm NOT working, so that's a start.  I keep seeing specials for spas and massages, so I think I'm going to go to a spa for a part of the day, get me a massage, maybe a facial and my toes done.  That right away made me feel better!  Regardless if my husband wants to treat me or help me out with it, I AM GOING TO LOVE IT! I want to ALLOW myself to spend money on myself. I want to pamper and LOVE myself on MY DAY.  I want to APPRECIATE and ACCEPT myself for where I'm at.  We all know the saying, "we only live once."  But what does that really mean?  I could analyze it but I'm not going to. 

How do you feel when you spend on yourself? How often do you do it? What feelings come up? I would love to know, even if this isn't a problem for you. 

Barton Springs and Austin, TX

Although it has many sites to see, I loved Barton Springs in Austin, TX.  It's a natural spring, that's about an 1/8 to 1/4 mile long and it's cleaned once a week, which is pretty cool (I guess I felt better about the parasite thing after learning that).  The water is a beautiful blue, green and you can see the algae on the sides and little fish swimming around. There's a deep-end and a shallow-end.

The city itself reminds me of San Francisco, only smaller, cheaper, spread out and HOT! Oh, yeah and totally liberal from the rest of the state. I could probably live there for a little bit, until the heat got to me.  Also, I'm a coastal person, so without the ocean close by, that might drive me crazy; however, I think the Gulf of Mexico is only two hours away. Then again, right now it's hurtin', so that's definitely a con for me.  But the town is amazing.  Great food, music and people.  I had my first frito pie. If you don't know what it is, it's frito chips topped with chili, cheese and onions.  I couldn't remember the last time I had fritos! This was heaven. 

I went to some other swimming holes and tasted the BBQ, which was out-of-this-world.  Everyone should visit Austin, TX at least once in their lives.  I used to think Texas was just this dry, flat place with a couple buildings, but Austin is hilly and green! Check it out!