ellen, Author at Ellen Farrell

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Author:ellen

April 5, 2018

Learning to Love – Power to the Seeds

Early Sunday morning, January 7^th 2018, 3 poems kept me awake in their persistence to be born. Meditate on this one, if you please, as we all must continually remember – & choose, to be Learning to Love…

Posted on Facebook page: Core Star Matrix Healing & other books – by Ellen Farrell

POWER TO THE SEEDS

Words flow at me –
so many options,
like exotic concoctions,
some fully cocked, some half–
or is it half-baked?
Isn’t this all a crock?

Who decided what is a weed?
Or what’s a good breed,
and who’s a bad seed?

Why can’t I grow on my land,
what I hold in my hand?
Who owns the trees – the bees?
For millennia, we farmed Nature’s seeds.
Who said you monsters of greed
can do as you please – but not we?

I just want peace,
to be free, to breathe;
to stand with the flowers,
lemon yellows, pinks, and greens.
In the sunshine – to swim in sweet waters,
and deep blue streams.

I dance in my dreams with my beloveds,
from ancestors to those yet to be.

Arm in arm are we…
and all I feel is this endless love,
which is the seed
they planted in me.

www.ellenfarrell.com

By ellen

October 28, 2016

Heal Trauma; Reduce Stress; Find Balance; Be Happy!

By Ellen Farrell MA, NCC, LPC, EEM-AP -updated 2022

DO YOU SEEK BALANCE in body, mind & Spirit? Heal past pain & get to the root of what matters, with Holistic Therapy from Ellen Farrell, MA, Psychology (2001). Providing Spiritual/Life Coaching, Ellen is a Reiki Master (Reiki since ’87), Psychological Intuitive, Empath, Clair-audient, Medium, Psychic, a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), & Energy Medicine-Advanced Practitioner (EEM-AP grad). Trained in trauma work, of both EMDR (2005), & several Energy Psychology techniques – being a seer is a great complement to her work as a specialist in healing deep emotional wounds. For over 10 years Ellen also worked in the Health food/Nutrition industry… & since 2002, as a Licensed Psychotherapist (LPC/GA) until 2018. Leaving NY state due to draconian CV measures (which shut down her practice), Ellen returned to GA in 2022, and reinstated her LPC private psychotherapy practce as an adjunct to the Energy work.

Rather than focus on diagnoses or merely traditional treatment plans, her goal & comprehensive methods address Core energy imbalances to help clear trauma, & ultimately, to contribute to creating a world of harmony & loving-kindness. The total focus is helps her clients to be in balance body, mind & spirit. With Ellen you learn how to improve your intuitive connection with theDivine – & optimize, balance, & maintain your own energies, despite the toxic build up of emotional splinters, & despite the toxic world we live in.

Ellen, a seer of your Spirit/Soul, past lives, & guides, discovered a bridge to all energy systems. We are wired for One-ness! *Learn more, watch the brief Core Star Matrix Video & also see: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/psychic-shrink#/

Also, sign up for her FREE 10 page Energy Tools PDF, &/or learn her 3 new Energy Exercise tools, in the ½-hour FREE Webinar to: Stay centered, clear, calm, & connected.

From Ellen… I “see” your energies: Meridians (TCM), Aura – & in the Chakra (Ayurvedic) Soul Stories, past pain/emotions/thoughts, trauma, energy, & Chakra status. I love helping you through life’s transitions – back to your Core of truth: pure peace, love, wisdom & joy. The focus is healing deep trauma (the shock in the Chakras). Bringing balance to the energy systems… including Meridians/Radiant circuits/5 Elements, & Auric Field prepares you for the deepest shifts. Spiritual/Life coaching, & dynamic work in the “Core Star Matrix Lines” that run beneath the Chakras, leads to a 3rd EYE upgrade, & total re-calibration & strengthening of all energy systems. The CSML Reconnection is my specialty.

Some people call me a Chakra whisperer. ❤️🧡☀️💚💧💙💜

I encourage you to go deeper! With an Intake & 10+ hours, all energy systems are checked (Meridians, Chakras, Aura, etc.). Like Chakra psychometry, I “read” & anchor each of the 7 Chakras, bringing understanding, balance, & clarity… once this is done, we complete the Core Star Matrix (CSM) Reconnection – you’ll awaken intuition, Heart, & Core, a level of restoring the deepest levels of health …some say more than they knew was possible.*

I provide intuitive, Life Coaching & Spiritual counseling, online, or private office setting (in-office, with energy work). An animal communicator, I prefer to also work with the humans / in your environment for optimal feedback. Married since 1986, & as a mom of 3 (now adults!), I’m also a great guide for many transition-related women’s issues: pre- –post-natal, menopause, empty nest, & other issues not based on being female, such as: parenting-family, communication, relationship-boundaries, self-love, self-care, healing past trauma in the energies; immune system/Adrenal/Thyroid stressors, creating a healthy life; creativity, Spirituality. Set new goals & achieve your true potential!

Do one session for a basic Energy tune-up or Restorative healing – or go DEEP for a FULL Energy tune-up – develop stress management tools that will last a lifetime, creating shifts to profoundly change you from the inside out.

I love to work with all who seek balance – from the highly sensitive, & overwhelmed student – to grounded, high functioning professionals, & retirees. All you need is to be ready for deep healing. Past pain may make us want to heal – but it can also make us not want to FEEL. If you’re willing, it’s worth the effort! We can walk around with our emotional splinters, or we can mindfully release them. Just survive, or THRIVE.

Online/Phone, & In-Office sessions are available by appointment only. Contact me to discuss! After 16 years in Sav’h, GA, & writing/editing in NYC, we moved to Port Ewen, NY, just west of the Omega Institute. Despite loving our home in NY with my beautiful pollinator gardens, as mentioned above, due to the complexities of COVID lockdowns we realized we’d prefer living closer to family so we relocated to Athens, GA (where Ellen reinstated her LPC/ psychotherapy license). 🌹🍁🌻💗🍃💦🫐☂️✨

Here’s my background Basics:

’83, BFA (Acting, MGSA – Rutgers), buyer/manager, Nutrition Industry (1987-98); MA Psychology (2001). Certified Reiki Master, creativity coach, Yoga teacher, Ellen has been teaching meditation since 2001, & channeled readings of guides (Angelic Healing), since 1989. Clinical Counselor @ the Savannah College of Art & Design, 2000-06 (I left SCAD for private practice, 2006, & left Savannah-mid ’14); 2-part EMDR (2005); Brian Weiss Past Life Therapy training @ Omega Inst. (’08); grad of Eden Energy Medicine-Advanced Program (EEM-AP, 2007-11). NYC ’14-’19, Upstate NY, 4/18. Athens, GA, 3/22.

I’m also certified as Clergy, Ordained in the Church of Spiritual Humanism, which recognizes “the validity of all peaceful religious practices …developing the spiritual nature of humanity.”

“Ellen” means Light; my middle name, Joyce = Joy… this reflects perfectly what I help my clients to feel: Light, Love, & Joy as a knowing in their Soul.

Wishing you Peace, Love, & Joy. Namaste.

Do you have a question? Click here to email Ellen: ellen@ellenfarrell.com

We do not want to miss you… please FB message, text, or call Ellen re: the time of your email if you don’t get a response w/in 24 hours. Thank-you!

Contact me to schedule an appointment online/phone, or in my office.

ellen@ellenfarrell.com ~ phone: 917.628.4218

https://www.facebook.com/ellen.farrell ~ https://www.facebook.com/EllenFarrell.EnergyMedicine.HolisticTherapy

www.ellenfarrell.com

By ellen

October 27, 2016

Dealing with LIFE… Stress, GMO’s & Relationships

By Ellen Farrell, MA, NCC, LPC, EEM-AP 2018

A key part of the work of becoming aware includes consciousness, not only of our own energies, history, triggers, emotional splinters – but also of the environment in which we live. Back in 1983 I’d graduated from Rutgers with a BFA, was living in NYC, & was doing great. Unfortunately within a year, I got into what became a dreadfully manipulative, abusive relationship. I ended that relationship, & I decided to never settle again. I did not know much about nutrition then, nor what was happening to our food supply. However, by ’86, when I met my true love & we married, HFCS had replaced cane sugar. Bromine, an endocrine disruptor, had replaced the essential nutrient iodine, in flour (which also may have been bleached with chlorine), which directly & negatively affects hormones.

Whether from the environment, emotional stress, past triggers or even ancestral patterns, all stressors are cumulative. We do eventually get hit in the immune system, &/or in the organs of the body. We get digestion issues, Liver has too many toxins to process (skin tries to pick up the slack), Kidney/Bladder gets over-taxed, & Lung may get overloaded. Everything is interconnected – & everyone responds differently to stress. Anyway, these changes in foods were the final straw for me, & it affected me greatly.

Maybe it was because I felt so safe with my husband that I was able to relax enough to notice healing was needed. Sometimes we can only allow ourselves to FEEL our problems only when we are NOT in survival mode. Having a supportive community (even if it is of just ONE) can make all the difference. I started to get sick – no traditional Dr.’s knew how to help me. I searched for knowledge! Books were minimal. I had conflicting information. I became more curious, & worked in the Nutrition / Health Food Industry (for 10+ years). I came to understand I had Leaky Gut & Chronic Fatigue (CFS), resulting in infertility. This was in the late-80’s. We’d cut out dairy, became vegan, learned about the burgeoning organic everything. We wanted a family, but fertility treatments did not work. We tried for a couple of years. Then following our plan (we thought we’d have a couple of kids by then), we moved to LA – I found Holistic Dr.’s who helped me clean out toxins, & rebuild the microbiome …or gut, as we used to call it. This gave me enough of an immune system boost to get pregnant. I’d been doing Reiki on myself (since my training in ’87), & this was powerfully healing too… finally, I got well!

We had our firstborn in 1991; our 2^nd in 1993, in California. After a Spirit induced prescription we left LA before the big quake in ‘94 to Chicago, transferring from the recently purchased Mrs. Gooches Market to Whole Foods… I became a Team Leader in the Nutrition dept., but realized the part I liked best was the working with the customers, not the budget, or employee drama.

Fast forward to ’96… what the heck are GMO’s? After our daughter was born in Taos, NM, we decided to move near the grandparents, in Savannah, GA. We had no idea that our food supply was being made VERY toxic that very year! GM (Genetically Modified) meant seeds dipped with toxins (Neonics); or corn that makes its own chemicals (BtToxins); or foods that are sprayed with toxins, but DO NOT die (or they are used for harvesting non-GMO grains such as: wheat, oats, cotton, beans, lentils, sunflower, etc.).

We were now blessed with 3 young kids, & things got very busy! By ’98 I’d entered a Masters degree Psychology program… a dream I had for 8 years! However, while we were busy with LIFE, they didn’t tell us that GMO/ Roundup & other toxic chemical use was growing.

It was being used in factory farms… & in even higher doses in animal feed. This affects the quality of cow milk, & dairy as well as meat. Factory farmed animals are not healthy. Each year, the chemicals were becoming a stronger presence. I finished my MA degree – & began Licensure supervision plus full time work at an Arts College in Savannah. Eventually I got fried with being on call. I wanted to explore more healing energy work, & integrate intuitive with clinical approaches. While still in Savannah, ’06-’14, I began a private practice: Ellen Farrell Holistic Psychotherapy. Since then, I trained with Brian Weiss, for Past Life therapy; Equine therapy; Eden Energy 4-year advanced Energy Medicine training. My focus now is on the Energy & working in more of a Spiritual / Life coaching context. Working with the energy systems as Ellen Farrell Holistic Therapy.

While I loved my work / family life, it took years for us to realize that our food supply was becoming ever more toxic in the USA. I began to notice that it was making a LOT of people/my clients, sick. There continue to be increases in allowable toxin levels, & the amount of chemicals in the environment (& in us) keeps increasing. Many water systems & Rx meds contain flouride, which binds with magnesium to make it un-absorbed. So many of us were already mag deficient, even before Roundup chemicals… see Dr. Dean’s video: on the Importance of Magnesium. This is important to know – GMOs/Roundup (glyphosates) block uptake of amino acids like L-tryptophan (needed for sleep), all minerals, & it kills good bugs in our micro-biome (gut bacteria), causing toxic bacteria to flourish! The “bad” bacteria are working to remove the toxins, but by doing so, it increases their #’s. Depressed, & don’t know why? Check your D3 levels. Anxious, tense? Check Magnesium!

Our air, water, butterflies, birds, and bees are all suffering similar fates… disappearing at alarming rates. BigAg, BigPharma/Chemical companies’ profits have become more important than the health of the people. If we keep it up we will not have food, let alone flowers. We need our pollinators to stay alive.

By 2014, I’d had a few years of high STRESS: menopause, job changes, empty nest, pet deaths, eldest son graduated from college, 3 years of a sick parent, followed by the death of that parent. Finally, moving from Savannah (where we lived for 16 years), back to NYC. This was coming full circle to where I met my husband, & where I was born (Brooklyn). I was not busy enough (haha), so just prior to moving, I began & completed an Indiegogo writing project as Spirit was hounding me for a few years, to write about what I was seeing / experiencing. Moving to a more toxic city, plus realizing that mold in our 1^st apartment had a profound effect. You can’t always smell or see it! If it reappears in your bathroom grout, or in a window, beware! It caused me to later understand how the toxic restaurant food had been the “final straw”…even though, while navigating kids’ college issues, visits, & writing like a hermit, we kept to all organic food at home, but in NYC I “cheated” too – who doesn’t love NY pizza?

I was having sentimental memories of my time in the early 80’s & before, yet back then, there was no bromine in the flour. Nor were the crust, sauces & cheese filled with toxins from glyphosated crops, feed, & animals from factory farms. I had GMO soy tofu in local/regular Chinese restaurants, & got a massive, painful skin rash in the fall of 2016. Trust me, if the food is organic, it will say so on the menu. I realize now when I asked if it was organic, non-GMO soy/tofu, the uninformed waiter likely had no idea what I was talking about. It was totally WISHFUL thinking on my part. My body was informing me, but I was slow on the uptake/denial (not just a river in Egypt). Oops. No more.

What do you eat? What are your stressors? What do you do that brings you JOY? What are your stress/health management rituals to stay in the flow?

Acknowledge what phase or transitions are you/your family are in… we are always moving through something! Now in the gut, we have what is called a “biofilm” (this means really big absorption problems), because glyphosates accumulate, & are sprayed on non-GMO wheat & other grains – even on cane sugar & sunflowers to bring the crop to harvest. Understand that overwhelm with no practice of being mindful/mindful breathing or self-calming skills – also makes us more vulnerable to illness and immune system insults.

Do not swallow the chaos. Do clear your FIELD after ANY non-loving interchanges (see the 3 new energy exercises in my FREE Webinar on the Home page!)! Stress can lead to decreases in D3, B & C vitamins, & – as with pesticide/herbicides like NeoNics/ glyphosates (depletes aromatic amino acids such as tryptophan, which is needed for serotonin, & SLEEP!, & blocks uptake of minerals like magnesium, zinc/copper, selenium (removes mercury), etc.). Stress + GMO/Roundup, etc., can increase gut, mood, hormone, energy & weight imbalances. It is a downward spiral that may lead to… more mood, gut/immune system challenges… & more stress! Can you relate?

Please pace yourself, & be strong with your vision for your healthy life! Learn how to stay grounded, centered, & clear – tend to your Soul, & be mindful of the needs of your body. Don’t over-extend your self! Checkout my ‘Links’ in the drop down menu to find out the most chemically sprayed foods to avoid at all costs, such as corn, canola, alfalfa, apples, berries, celery, squash, ALL animal products… & purchase local, fresh, whole, organic foods. Most of all begin to identify where you can create more joy & balance in YOU.

Remember it is better to spend a little bit more now than to have poor quality of life/ massive debt due to medical bills or the distress of chronic illness. Consider that we need new skills to detox, heal, replenish… to transcend the fear-enhancing/toxin-laden world, & to maintain health.

I learned to regain my equilibrium again, & you can too. This is a quality & quantity of life choice. You can die younger, with a growing amount of dis”ease” each year, or you can be pro-active. I encourage you to get active, & get informed. Stay healthy friends!

www.ellenfarrell.com

See these links to help BEES & BUTTERFLIES!

#GrowFoodNotLawns #PollinatorFriendlyYards #EatOrganic

AVOID glyphosates or Roundup* in yards or parks (contains 2-4D/Agent Orange, Dicamba, & other toxins = a chemical formula, untested as a group).

Try NON-TOXIC OPTIONS: vinegar, epsom salt… etc., for weeds – & Compost organic! *Buy local, organic, NATIVE, heirloom seeds & plants, please!

By ellen

October 23, 2016

History of Yoga

NESTA Sport Yoga, Essay

By Ellen Farrell, MA, NCC, LPC, EEM-AP, certified Instructor, NESTA Sport Yoga

At least two regions may have contributed to the development and teaching of yoga principles. With its shamanistic roots, a “Neolithic settlement” named Mehrgahr (now Afghanistan), had many parallels to early yoga/Hinduism. Some of the earliest records of human civilization were also in the Indus River Valley where the sophisticated Indus-Sarasvati civilization existed (in what is now Pakistan/India). Both have goals of understanding how to apply inner knowing and transcendence to daily life, and healing communities. Also, 5000-year-old artifacts and records substantiate the claim that the practice and its related theories existed. Ceramic stone seals found in archaeological excavations (3000 -2700 and 1750 BC) revealed depictions of yoga postures being practiced, and officially “put yoga on the map”.

The Indus civilization was reportedly the largest and most modern of its time, with trade exported throughout the Middle East and Africa. Until the Sarasvati River dried up, due to a tectonic shift around 1900 BC, this was a thriving community. Some sources attribute decline to an invasion by “Aryan Barbarians”. Much of this civilization migrated south toward the Ganges River region, where around 1000 BC, a new civilization rose up.

The writings for which the Indus are known are the Vedas (Vedic period, 1750-800 BC). The Rig Veda was the first text to mention the word “yoga” as a discipline. They are the oldest scriptures in the world about Hinduism and how to live in divine harmony. Teachers of these texts later wrote about many of the rituals/rules for spiritual practices. The Brahmanas and Upanishads expanded on the Vedic literature, but did not go into detail about how to practice asanas.

New writings (Pre-Classical period – 800 BC to 600–500 BC) offered an alternative approach to liberation from suffering/karma. The Vedic tradition espoused externally sacrificing in order to achieve peace and abundance (karma yoga) – the “secret teachings” of the Upanishads involved inner sacrifice of ego to higher knowing (jnana yoga), and revolved around connecting the breath and mind through sounding “Om”/ breath control, renunciation, concentration, meditation, and contemplation, and absorption. The Bhagavad-Gita later became part of the eighth chapter of the Mahabharata epic (500 BC-300 BC), which is a “poem on yoga”. The Gita has had a profound impact on the culture of Hinduism. It combined three yogic approaches:

the paths of service, wisdom, and devotion. The Gita also refers to Buddhi yoga, which combines karma/action, and jnana/knowledge principles.

Around 560 BC, Siddartha Gautama was born. He is said to have achieved enlightenment (Buddha) at age 35. His practice of yoga influenced its growth, and his religion gained popularity as an alternative to Hinduism.

The predecessor to Patanjali was Kapila (400-200 BC) who delivered a “radical” teaching called Samkhya, which became the foundation for the mainstream view on yoga philosophy. Samkhya taught that the Divine doesn’t create the ‘seen’ world, and attachment causes suffering. With his Yoga Sutra Patanjali, the “father of modern yoga” (200-800 BC) standardized and defined Classical Yoga.

He espoused an eightfold path (self-disciplines), dualism, and a higher self/universal consciousness concept. The idea of dualism, and focus on meditation over practice of asanas, was later rejected. The Post Classical period to present day includes more holistic approaches and the introduction of Tantra, and Hatha yoga (9th-13th century), which saw the reason of suffering as the illusion of opposites.

In the late 1800’s, many gurus (Krishnamacharya, Krishnamurti, Yogananda, etc.) spread their yoga teachings, mostly derived from the Hatha influenced postures. Popularity and continued evolution of such practices (i.e., Iyengar, Kundalini, Ashtanga, Bikram, Sai) continues today as a tool to manage stress, support health and develop spiritually.

Bibliography

1. ABC-of-Yoga.com_History of Yoga

http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/beginnersguide/yogahistory.asp –

Cached

2. Yoga Journal:

The History of Yoga

(Vedic/Pre-/Classical/Post- Periods)

http://www.yogajournal.com/history/ …

http://www.yogajournal.com/history/printarticle.html

http://www.yogajournal.com/views/392.cfm

3. Extra Gentle Yoga, History

http://www.extragentleyoga.com/ry/HistoryofYoga.html

www.ellenfarrell.com

By ellen

October 23, 2016

What is Wellness?

By Ellen Farrell, MA, NCC, LPC, EEM-AP

Hopefully, this will dispel some myths, and give some clarifying explanations. What is wellness? It is one of those terms like “natural” – or nowadays, “No Cholesterol” – I spotted this on peanut butter labels, and p-nut butter is not a source of cholesterol! This type of unethical advertising can make labels very confusing. Trans-fats, a.k.a., margarine or hydrogenated oils, increase bad cholesterol levels and reduce good HDL levels (and they are often found added to peanut butters!). Seen just last week: “No Trans fats” on a popcorn label – and hydrogenated oil was an ingredient! So, yes the term “wellness” can become meaningless due to its’ broad usage, mis-use, and similarity to related topics.

Donald B. Ardell, Ph.D. describes some related areas with which wellness is confused (according to Dr. Dunn, originator of the term “wellness”, who saw wellness as a “lifestyle approach”) these are: holistic health, prevention, and health education/ promotion.

Sometimes those elements that contribute to wellness are individually called wellness, like: fitness and exercise, stress management, good nutrition, and medical/insurance provider’s financial support. For instance, a wellness check up is merely testing for a measurable disease, which does not directly create wellness! The truth is all of these factors comprise or contribute to a wellness approach to life.

Dr. Ardell feels holistic health is a merely “treatment oriented and practiced by healer-types”. However, holistic health is a model for achieving total wellness by addressing all areas of one’s experience i.e., that people are composed of mind, body and spirit.

In any event, he goes on to say a lot of things that are right on:

that wellness is about determining what being healthy means to each individual;
making a choice to be responsible for shaping that lifestyle; and
having a conscious commitment to principles that lead to high levels of well being and life satisfaction.

Ardell states that the areas most closely affected by wellness commitments include: “self-responsibility, exercise and fitness, nutrition, stress management, critical thinking, meaning and purpose or spirituality, emotional intelligence, humor, play and effective relationships”.

Another physician, Dr. Dean Ornish describes wellness in a Vegetarian Times interview (March, 1998), as a “lifelong process”- improving the quality and length of our lives, through: “meditation, compassion, altruism, group support, commitment, communication skills, psychotherapy”.

Clearly, there is a lot of overlap in these definitions. Most of all it’s important to remember to ask: “What does being healthy mean to me?” And, “How can I be my personal best?” Also, “What can be done to support the creation of more health and balance right now?” When we are healthy on all levels (physiological, emotional, and spiritual), we are truly in the flow – moving toward achieving our fullest potential. It is a great goal, and makes for a wonder-full journey!

Updated in 2016. First printed in 2006 @ SCAD when Ellen was coordinating wellness services. The original article stated: “If you need support in developing any part of your wellness lifestyle program in response to that self-exploration, contact Ellen Farrell, efarrell@scad.edu. Farrell is a clinical counselor, now specializing in wellness issues in the Fitness and Recreation Department.”

www.ellenfarrell.com

By ellen

October 23, 2016

What Is Complementary Medicine?

By Ellen Farrell, MA, NCC, LPC, EEM-AP

We have all heard the terms – complementary, alternative, holistic, preventive, stress management, lifestyle management, and on and on! Complementary Medicine is seen as a more appropriate term than alternative, because while at times, we still may need the diagnostic skills and more aggressive interventions of the medical model, these other approaches still complement. It doesn’t have to be an either-or situation, even though it’s often considered an adjunct to typical medical care. So it’s not always a replacement, but with its more holistic, lifestyle, and preventive approach, it is often less invasive. That translates to such things as a mind/body/spirit perspective – using a good maintenance approach with acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic, homeopathy, as well as other systems of healing from around the globe! Elements of many of these approaches are being mainstreamed more and more, yet for the most part, these methodologies differ from our current AMA understanding of healing and how to be whole and healthy.

From these ‘new’ approaches such as the aforementioned homeopathy (only 200 or so years old!), to ancient healing modalities such as Ayurvedic Medicine, for which Deepak Chopra is so well known for bringing to popularity – as well as Chinese Herbs/Medicine, Native American Herbs (and East-West blends made by Master Herbologists like Michael Tierra) continue to become more accepted. Practitioners may use Vitamin/ Mineral supplementation, Aromatherapy, Bodywork (i.e., Reiki, Massage, Rolfing…), Energy Medicine, Breath-work, Acupuncture, Psychotherapy, Hypnotherapy, Meditation, Prayer, etc. to support or regain health. Often more than one of these approaches is desirable in addition to holistic exercises such as T’ai Chi, Qi Gong, and Yoga –these are practiced in order to promote flexibility, range of motion, and circulation, and to avoid a state stagnation or dis-“ease”. Overall, these exercises are a great addition to any other exercises or sports you may practice, as they support being more mindful, and having good energy flow. They are time tested as a wonderful way to maintain a state of balance and health.

Ever since the advent of managed care with its often time-limited sessions, and more corrective and reactive than preventive approach, we have experienced a revolution in patient awareness and involvement. Natural, holistic medicine has existed for centuries, however in the United States, especially since the 1950’s, science has ruled – largely to the exclusion of wisdom from ancient cultures, new healing modalities, or mind, body, and spirit integration. Yet, despite a lack of regard for the validity of such information by many in the field of medicine, there continues to be interest in these approaches. Now the wallets of the disenfranchised are speaking for them – in fact, some insurance companies are recognizing the benefits and savings to themselves as well as to the consumer.

Several medical schools and hospitals now include a broader approach in their training of healing modalities, such as Dr. Andrew Weil’s school, in Arizona. In fact as Dr.’s Dean Ornish, Larry Dossey, Joan Borysenko, Christiane Northrup, Norm Shealy, Caroline Myss, and others have documented, written about at length, and more than proven, that a holistic approach to health and healing is the most effective. Watch The Truth About Cancer series which provides a great background of how traditional medicine evolved, and effective complementary options.

Allopathic care is effective and important, but it is only one piece of the staying healthy puzzle, while many other approaches may be supportive and effective in preventing illness and maintaining health. With all the information available about complementary care, it is now easy to increase one’s awareness about how to create health. By staying informed and choosing to heal on all levels with a holistic approach, we may achieve a greater capacity to cope with multiple stressors – and to improve our quality of life, every single day.

Updated in 2016. Original version was printed in The (SCAD) Campus Chronicle, V.2, No. 22, April 26, 2002

www.ellenfarrell.com

By ellen

October 23, 2016

Tools for Family Balance

By Ellen Farrell, MA, NCC, LPC, EEM-AP

Maintaining balance in today’s fast-paced world can certainly be a challenge! However, if choosing wellness on all levels is a key goal for your family then clarifying specifics becomes easier. Some areas to look at are communication / boundaries, managing day-to-day and overall physical health, and spiritual connection – articulate tools to support your family in finding balance and meaning to support you as you are on this journey together.

To start, look at your family dynamics. How are the listening and communicating skills? Can you discuss concerns openly? Are there unresolved tensions, grudges, and judgmental behaviors?

Here’s an easy way to check-in to evaluate your status…

Relax your shoulders. Breathing in through your nose, and slowly and deeply into your belly, consider each loved one/family member one at a time –
each is a unique individual with their own strengths and weaknesses. Explore the heart connection between you, and just observe, listen, and breathe into it.

Pay attention – notice what you feel.

Life can be harsh enough – when families are strong and united due to good communication and clearly defined goals for appropriate behavior, (i.e., to be your best; honest, loving, honoring) it makes the road less rocky!

Next look at overall health and stress levels. Is your lifestyle/diet healthy tools for family balance

– does it support your ethics? Eat a small amount of good-fats, high-fiber (whole-grains/fruits-veggies-legumes) – always, fresh and organic is best! What was food called a hundred years ago? It was all organic! Consider the effects of processed foods such as table salt, or high-fructose-corn-syrup (HFCS). It stresses all systems, can cause mood swings, brain-fog – and can contribute to immune system dysfunction. Our environment and our food enhances our ability to function or diminishes it – choose carefully! Complementary/alternative medicine can be a huge support. Do talk with your medical doctor/professional guidance to discuss any changes.

As a holistic wellness psychotherapist, former team-leader of Nutrition at Whole Foods Market, and as a mother of three, I’ve seen many wonderful results with homeopathic, herbal and other quality supplements. Here are some must-haves…

Homeopathic Arnica gel can prevent bruising and relieve the pain of muscle soreness. I’ve been grateful for this product many times over! Another important product is FES 5-flower or Bach Rescue Remedy. I’ve seen this formula promote almost immediate emotional recovery (when my two-year-old was pushed by a playmate, crying stopped, he was able to take a deep breath, give me a moment to see where he was hurt, and then find the Arnica gel!). Sometimes the little traumas build up and overwhelm us, so it’s nice to have tools to help us function optimally. Consider Allium cepa 30c for a runny nose or Chamomilla 6c (lower dose is the smaller #) to feel more calm. A great herbal tincture is passionflower, and a formula of tumeric/curcumin/black pepper, berberine, olive leaf, and making sure you get enough B complex, Ester C with bioflavinoids, D3/K2, and minerals is HUUUGEly important.

Lastly, how are you taking time to acknowledge the sacred? Our connection to Nature, the Divine, intuition, our own energy and creativity is a personal journey – one that takes attention and intention. Choose to go within to listen to that still small voice, to connect with pure love and your potential for health on every level for you and your loved ones.

I like to say we are all learning to be our best. It is a good goal.

As a parent it’s been my job to see that potential in my family members – and for myself. Take another moment to see the dream you have for your loved ones, be they in your family or friends, as a supportive, peaceful, cohesive, loving unit. If you are lucky to have had healthy family in your youth (I include Nature and pets in this category!), or to have been able to create a new healthy one, think of those beings/places as you feel the love that exists between you also flowing through you. Being present for each moment of creating a healthy (biological or found) family, can be an exciting team effort that will help you to be your best on this amazing journey we call life!

Now that my kids are in college or beyond, I feel that the lessons and bonds my husband and I created with them as they were growing, remain strong.

Love ultimately, is the greatest key to learning and growing together.

Originally printed in 2007, updated in 2016.

www.ellenfarrell.com

By ellen

October 23, 2016

Meditation

By Ellen Farrell, MA, NCC, LPC, EEM-AP

Sometimes I get overwhelmed! How can I feel more centered?

Yes – a full life doesn’t have to mean an overcrowded mind!

Meditation is an easy way to achieve more awareness, and over time, an objective perspective.

A Zen story tells of a professor who visited a monk to seek wisdom. The professor explained who he was, going into extensive details about his education, knowledge, and accomplishments. Finally, the monk politely interrupted the professor, and asked him if he’d like some tea. The professor accepted and continued to speak.

The monk set out the tea and began pouring. He filled the cup to the brim, and continued pouring until the cup overflowed, spilling onto the saucer, table, and floor! The professor jumped up saying “What are you doing?”

The monk replied, “This cup, is like your mind. It doesn’t have room for anything else – it’s already full.”

Stop, listen, and go within (take a slow, deep breath).

Author/philosopher, Alan Watts spoke of the purpose of meditation:

“We could say that meditation doesn’t have a reason. It’s unlike almost all other things we do except perhaps making music and dancing.
When we make music we don’t do it in order to reach a certain point.
If that were the purpose of music then obviously the fastest players would be the best.”

Practice going within creates awareness. This allows one to connect with inner peace, truth, and being-ness. Then we can make wise decisions and redirect as needed.

So meditate, and learn to be present in each moment.

The result is feeling more grounded and centered – and able to deal more effectively with life and its challenges as you are faced with them.

Printed originally in the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) Campus Chronicle 2006, under the heading, HEALTH GURU written by Wellness counselor, Ellen Farrell who coordinated wellness and lifestyle management services.

www.ellenfarrell.com

By ellen

October 23, 2016

Yoga for Health

By Ellen Farrell, MA, NCC, LPC, EEM-AP

I want to be healthy on all levels – how can Yoga help?
According to The Philosophical Basis of Yoga Therapy by Dr. Timothy McCall (Yoga Journal online)

“texts such as Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra and the Bhagavad Gita inform the modern practice of therapeutic yoga… a path to liberation, an end to suffering.”

According to Dr. Swami Shankardev Saraswati,

“Yoga trains our body, mind and spirit, transforming our nervous system and mind so that we can attain, maintain, and sustain higher awareness.”

Patanjali taught about the eight-limbed path. The first limb includes “yamas” – rules about morality and ethics such as being gentle, non-greedy, honest. The second limb contains “niyamas” these are about HOW we create health – through discipline (inner fire/enthusiasm), self-study (how attitudes and choices influence behaviors and state of health) – and as the Bhagavad Gita encourages, do your best – and disengage from results.

Another teaching of Patanjali regards suffering. In yoga-speak this is called the “Monkey Mind”. Sages compared this anguish-filled restlessness to that of a drunken monkey. Yoga “stills the fluctuations of the mind”.

The remaining limbs, include doing postures (asanas), and breath work, meditation and visualization – these teach us how to calm the Monkey mind.

Ultimately, yoga can help us to feel connected to the sacred, within and without. Intuition is developed, and an ability to listen to the small voice; and to connect with higher wisdom, unconditional love, and the divine.

According to Dr. McCall, the questions (dharma)

“Why are you here? What have you got to contribute to the world?”,

help us to not only be healthy but also to live peacefully and authentically.

Printed in the SCAD Chronicle 2006, under the heading, HEALTH GURU written by Wellness Specialist and Counselor, Ellen Farrell MA, NCC, LPC who coordinated wellness and lifestyle management services. Updated, 2016.

www.ellenfarrell.com

By ellen

October 23, 2016

Yoga For Balance

By Ellen Farrell, MA, NCC, LPC, EEM-AP

How can I apply yoga poses to sports activities I love?

“Balanced fitness” is a core goal in achieving health and optimal performance. Since Yoga postures (in Sanskrit, called “asanas”) have been around for at least 3000 years, many physical therapy, fitness and athletic training programs incorporate some aspect of postures, which were original to yoga.

However, the best practices of yoga asanas also involve going within, development of dual focus, gently slowing the breath, and abdominal breathing.

Yoga stretches are recommended both before exercise/practice – to prevent injury, and after, to reduce sore muscle or stiffness. However, that is not the only reason to use yoga!

Top trainers recommend exercises like yoga postures, as the most effective for strength training (i.e., lunges, warrior poses, plank, sun salutation and up dog). Regardless of the sport, complete warm-ups and cool downs will help prevent stress fractures. However, some sports rely more heavily on specific areas of the body, and extra attention is needed to maintain balance. For example, tennis requires great lunging ability, and flexibility in the spine and shoulders, so spinal twist/ lateral stretches, and warrior pose flow would be important.

Check out the Yoga Journal website articles for great information on applying yoga to other sports. Their “Yoga for Golfers” link sums it up nicely,

“Striving toward symmetry and balance is the essence of a yoga program, which breaks down tension the body has learned to work around.

It is an intuitive process that takes practice to develop, much like a good golf game.”

Yoga is easy to incorporate, and many options exist, not only creating strength, but also greater flexibility, improved focus and concentration, and enhanced performance. Mental clarity plus physical health… balance inside and out.

Printed originally in the SCAD Chronicle 2006, under the heading, HEALTH GURU written by Wellness counselor, Ellen Farrell who coordinated wellness and lifestyle management services.

www.ellenfarrell.com

By ellen