Network Healing Centre

February 2006

Newsletter

Dates to Remember

February 18 – Family Day – We will be open for regular business hours

Gateway to Healing Introductory Workshop

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

7:15-8:15 pm

An Information Session for all NSA New Patients to attend as well as anyone who is interested in learning more about Network Spinal Analysis and how this gentle method can help in many different ways. The Workshop consists of a half hour talk about the work, followed by a half hour demonstration of the work. This workshop is an important part of your care and we encourage you to join us. Call Veronika at 725-0988 to reserve your space.

Is It Good to be Good?

Contributed by Rosemary Brown-Tucker, RMT

Many studies have shown that helping others can release pain-killing endorphins in the brain of the helper – a natural high. A feeling of calm and relaxation can be a benefit of volunteering help to others. Dr. Stephen Post, editor of Altruism and Health (Oxford, 2007) says, “A strong correlation exists between the well-being, happiness, health, and longevity of people who are emotionally and behaviorally compassionate, so long as they are not overwhelmed by helping tasks.” We all find different ways of expressing our compassion. For example volunteering with others or animals or social causes, etc. “The essence of generosity is letting go” writes Pema Chodron (Shambhala, 2003). “When we feel unhappy, when we feel inadequate, we get stingy; we hold on tight. Generosity is an activity that loosens us up. By offering whatever we can-a dollar, a flower, a word of encouragement – we are training in letting go. There are so many ways to practice generosity. The main point isn’t so much what we give, but that we unlock our habit of clinging.”

The everyday acts of generosity are one of connecting with others. We open ourselves to be touched by others in many life affirming ways. Dr. Kathleen Hall, founder of the Stress Institute writes: “Friendships are not a luxury, but are essential to work-life balance and your health.” Whatever your reasons for giving; remember that you do as much good for yourself as you do for others.

Heron Dance

Contributed by Dr. Michael Tucker, DC.

I received an inspiring quotation from the publication Heron Dance. This small article was sent to me by my friend David Jackman. I do not know the author’s name, however you can contact me for more information.

I spent a lot of time this past weekend trying to narrow down and think through what I really mean by the statement, “the gentle arts of a well-lived life”. I thought, skied in the woods, meditated and made notes in my journal. When I started to meditate, the image of a teeter-totter surfaced.

Every time I thought of one guiding principle, a countervailing, equally valid principle came to mind. A teeter-totter is about balance. It is also about leverage – move the fulcrum to the right place and you can accomplish more with less effort. I’ve long noticed that people who accomplish a lot in life put careful thought into where they put the fulcrum. They look for places where a small amount of energy can produce a significant result, and they protect their energy. The first requirement of a balanced life is a quiet centre. A mind that is rested and relaxed will produce a better quality of thought, and thus more effective work. The root of creativity is in the murky waters of deep imagination, and that process too requires a mind that is well rested and in touch with its quiet centre.

I recently read somewhere that “rest is spiritual”. I think there is an element of magic to all of this. If you believe that there are forces out there larger and greater than ourselves, then a goal of life is to align yourself with them, to serve them, and to do work that honors them (or Them). But nobody sends us a postcard telling us what our works should be. It takes receptivity, a quiet mind, and sharp antennae. Effort, hard work and discipline definitely have roles to play, but energy has to be focused in the right direction, and that direction needs to be in sync with whatever Greater Powers exist out there. When you find the right work, and apply yourself to it, my experience has been that doors open and things fall into place.

But the first principle for work of love is deep rest.

Caring for Ourselves, Caring for Others

We care for others in many aspects of our lives whether it be by listening to a distressed friend, helping a sick or elderly spouse or relative, making sure our co-workers don’t take on too many projects, etc. We take care of everybody else but when it comes time to take care of ourselves we often feel self-indulgent or greedy. We have guilty feelings about taking some time out just for our own pleasure (or health in many cases). But pleasure is a part of life and if it isn’t in yours then start putting it in there!

Schedule time to take a walk, sit at a coffee shop and read the paper all morning. Get a massage, go for dinner with a friend (not the distressed one!), or attend a play or symphony. Whatever makes you smile, laugh or feel joyous. Do it!

To get technical for just a moment, that feeling of joy or pleasure stimulates our relaxation response. The relaxation response what balances out the stress response that inundates us all day. You need the “good” hormones (serotonin and endorphins) to negate the “bad” hormones (cortisol and adrenalin) of chronic stress. Without it you become agitated, anxious, depressed, fatigued. You may feel like you have a low grade headache, upset stomach, aches and pains and have high blood pressure.

When it comes to massage, I often recommend stretches at the end of a treatment. These stretches are intended to be done everyday, usually a couple of times. People seldom comply. Is it because they don’t understand the importance of stretching or because they choose not to make themselves a priority and take time for themselves? I don’t know. All I know is the people who DO take that small amount time report back saying “Ya know, I did those stretches and they helped a LOT!” If only all my other clients could hear them say that!

Self-care is important for 2 reasons; firstly, because it then becomes something that you are doing everyday that is breaking a cycle of habit. If you sit at a desk all day for 8 hours a day then by interspersing a few stretches you are becoming more aware of your posture and periodically giving your body a break from a particular position. Secondly, YOU are choosing to invest in yourself and the power of the mind is very powerful. I may suggest to do lots of stretching but only you can make that choice. Once you commit, your body knows you are serious and it will try to help you to achieve your goals.

Coming full circle; caring for others is important too. When we put ourselves in a position to help others it can be extremely rewarding. It feeds our sense of compassion. In a way, it can be a type of self-care on its own. Just be able to recognize when you are always putting others ahead of yourself and be sure to care for you.