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holistic Tag

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 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

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

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

May 23, 2002

Bach Flower Remedies

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

Is it a spray? (NO!) – a tea? (NO!). Do you smell it? (NO!). Does it make people like classical music? Well… no – but it may help one attain a calm and clear disposition in just the way a Bach Bourree might! How? While not a replacement for medical care, they are similar to homeopathy – using natural plant and flower-based substances to affect the body’s subtle energies. The difference is that the essences comprehensively treat states of disharmony rather than physical symptoms.

Also, there can be no overdose, no side effects, and no method of treatment with which it is incompatible. Bach Flower Essences, also called remedies when combined, act on a “disharmony of the soul” according to Mechthild Scheffer’s 1st chapter, “…A Holistic Approach to Treatment” from her book, Bach Flower Therapy (which is an excellent resource, as is her new book, the Bach Flower Encyclopedia). She quotes a 1934 writing by Bach stating that one’s energy is harmonized, not by “attacking the disease” but by changing the outlook so that the disharmony is released and replaced with “the beautiful vibrations of our Higher Nature”.

Now, before you run screaming “Get me away form this New Age bunk!!!” consider that Dr. Bach’s work took place in the early 20th century. In 1930, he was a highly regarded bacteriologist and homeopathic physician. He gave up his London, Harley Street practice to continue his research, which culminated in the development of 38 remedies, and the well-known Rescue Remedy (a combination of 5 remedies, helpful in situations of trauma and panic). I’ve seen too many positive results to list in working with these remedies for over 30 years, and despite initial skepticism now know they are potent change agents.

Each of the remedies addresses a specific state, and brings balance and clarity. They address such issues as fear, control, career, exhaustion, confidence, anxiety, trauma, despair, loss, guilt, grief, transition, and many more.

A self-test to determine your needs is available on-line, and may be available at your local health food store. To learn more about it, you can also check out the FES (Flower Essence Services – Bridging Body and Soul) website, http://www.fesflowers.com/product-info/flower-essences/healing-herb/

The site states, “The Healing Herbs essences are made by Julian Barnard, who is considered among the world’s leading experts on the English Flower Essences, having studied their effects in clinical practice for two decades. For several years Julian worked closely with Nickie Murray, former director of the Bach Centre. From Nickie, Julian learned the methods of flower identification and preparation given to her by Nora Weeks, Dr. Bach’s devoted assistant.” The original Bach essences are retained through Julian Barnard’s work.

Scheffer recommends Dr. Bach’s book, Heal Thyself – however, Scheffer’s book is one of the definitive guides, giving the background, description, and supportive measures of each remedy, as well as how to mix your own personal formula. She proposes that “it can only be a matter of time” before these subtle energies will be measurable as advancements in molecular chemistry and atomic physics may lead to a greater scientific understanding. Meanwhile, double blind trials have revealed that the emotional tones of individual essences have been correctly identified. To close, I quote Ralph Waldo Emerson,

“I believe in the existence of the material world as the expression of the spiritual, and I await the insight which our advancing knowledge of material laws shall furnish”.

Until then, continued exploration of these fascinating, safe, and helpful remedies is recommended!

This article was originally printed in the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) Campus Chronicle where Ellen was a graduate intern and then a counselor from 2000-2006. Ellen Farrell is a Licensed Counselor, Reiki Master/ Energy worker and EMDR practitioner – she has extensive training and expertise with complementary approaches to healing and over 10 years experience working in the Nutrition/Health Food Industry.

www.ellenfarrell.com

By ellen