This amazing annual expo features 99 booths and 100+ exhibitors covering many areas including iridology, acupuncture, massage therapies, refloxology, hypnotherapy, bio-feedback, feng shui, energywork, and more!

Make sure to stop by and visit LuminEarth.com Booth #71! We will be providing Chair Reiki, Sound Therapy, Intuitive Art,  Alternative and Traditional Chinese Medicine Info for Pets, and a showcase by special guest Volunteer State Paranormal Research.

Look forward to seeing you there!

GET YOUR ADMISSION DISCOUNT COUPON

VISIT THE GALACTIC EXPO WEBSITE

GET A COPY OF THE EXPO PROGRAM (LIST OF FREE WORKSHOPS INCLUDED)

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an ancient form of medicine using small filiform needles placed at predetermined points on the body.

The goal of acupuncture is to move Qi—the force that makes us alive. Western medicine has no equivocal term to describe Qi. Qi flows throughout the body along meridians, or paths that interconnect the external surface of the body with the internal organs. When needles are placed in points, Qi moves freely. As Qi moves freely, the body maintains its balance, or homeostasis.

At NTVS, we prefer TCVM Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine over scientific based acupuncture, a form of acupuncture taught throughout the U.S. By using TCVM, we not only choose acupuncture points based on a true TCVM diagnosis but we are also able to prescribe Eastern herbals for a specific TCVM diagnosis. Acupuncture in conjunction with Eastern herbal therapy is more beneficial than acupuncture alone.

Q: For which conditions is acupuncture indicated?

Acupuncture is indicated mainly for functional problems such as those that involve paralysis, noninfectious inflammation (such as allergies), and pain. For small animals, the following are some of the general conditions which may be treated with acupuncture:

• Musculoskeletal problems, such as arthritis or vertebral disc pathology
• Skin problems, such as lick granuloma
• Respiratory problems, such as feline asthma
• Gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea
• Selected reproductive problems

For large animals, acupuncture is again commonly used for functional problems. Some of the general conditions where it might be applied are the following:

• Musculoskeletal problems, such as sore backs or downer cow syndrome
• Nervous system problems, such as facial nerve paralysis
•  Skin problems, such as allergic dermatitis
• Respiratory problems, such as heaves and “Bleeders”
• Gastrointestinal problems, such as nonsurgical colic
• Selected reproductive disorders

In addition, regular acupuncture treatment can treat minor sports injuries as they occur and help to keep muscles and tendons resistant to injury. World-class professional and amateur athletes often use acupuncture as a routine part of their training. If your animals are involved in any athletic endeavor, such as racing, jumping, or showing, acupuncture can help keep them in top physical condition.

Q: How does acupuncture work?

According to ancient Chinese medical philosophy, disease is the result of an imbalance of energy in the body. Acupuncture is believed to balance this energy and, thereby, assist the body to heal disease.

In Western terms, acupuncture can assist the body to heal itself by affecting certain physiological changes. For example, acupuncture can stimulate nerves, increase blood circulation, relieve muscle spasm, and cause the release of hormones, such as endorphins (one of the body’s pain control chemicals) and cortisol (a natural steroid). Although many of acupuncture’s physiological effects have been studied, many more are still unknown. Further research must be to discover all of acupuncture’s effects and its proper uses in veterinary medicine.

Q: Is acupuncture painful?

For small animals, the insertion of acupuncture needles is virtually painless. The larger needles necessary for large animals may cause some pain as the needle passes through the skin. In all animals, once the needles are in place, there should be no pain. Most animals become very relaxed and may even become sleepy. Nevertheless, acupuncture treatment may cause some sensation, presumed to be those such as tingles, cramps, or numbness which can occur in humans and which may be uncomfortable to some animals.

Q: Is acupuncture safe for animals?

Acupuncture is one of the safest forms of medical treatment for animals when it is administered by a properly trained veterinarian. Side effects of acupuncture are rare, but they do exist. An animal’s condition may seem worse for up to 48 hours after a treatment. Other animals may become sleepy or lethargic for 24 hours after acupuncture. These effects are an indication that some physiological changes are developing, and they are most often followed by an improvement in the animal’s condition.

Q: How many treatments?

The length and frequency of acupuncture treatments depends on the condition of the patient and the method of stimulation that is used by the veterinary acupuncturist. Stimulation of an individual acupuncture point may take as little as 10 seconds or as much as 30 minutes. A simple acute problem, such as a sprain, may require only one treatment, whereas more severe or chronic ailments may need several or several dozen treatments.

When multiple treatments are necessary, they usually begin intensively and are tapered to maximum efficiency. Patients often start with 1-3 treatments per week for 4-6 weeks. A positive response is usually seen after the first to third treatments. Once a maximum positive response is achieved (usually after 4-8 treatments), treatments are tapered off so that the greatest amount of symptom free time elapses between them. Many animals with chronic conditions can taper off to 2-4 treatments per year.

Animals undergoing athletic training can benefit from acupuncture as often as twice a week to once a month. The frequency depends on the intensity of the training and the condition of the athlete.

Q: How should I choose an acupuncturist?

There are two important criteria you should look for in a veterinary acupuncturist:

1. Your veterinary acupuncturist must be a licensed veterinarian.
2. Your veterinary acupuncturist should have formal training in the practice of acupuncture for animals. (For example, the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society offers a certification program for veterinary acupuncturists.)

In most countries, states, and provinces, veterinary acupuncture is considered a surgical procedure that only licensed veterinarians may legally administer to animals. A veterinarian is in the best position to diagnose an animal’s health problem and then to determine whether an animal is likely to benefit from an acupuncture treatment, or whether its problem requires chemical, surgical, or no intervention. In the USA, the American Veterinary Medical Association considers veterinary acupuncture a valid modality within the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery, but extensive educational programs should be undertaken before a veterinarian is considered competent to practice acupuncture. Ask your veterinarian about their training. The more your veterinarian knows about the traditional Chinese philosophies and Western scientific basis for acupuncture, the more surety you can have that your animals will be treated properly.

I’ve been enojoying my new position at Natchez Trace Veterinary Services for about a month now, and must admit that I just LOVE this job! It is exciting to learn that many of the alternative and holistic options available to people are now beginning to be offered to our beloved pets. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing some this cool information with you.

You can learn more about the practice at the Natchez Trace Veterinary Services website, or stop by and see me at the new office!

Enjoy!

-Becki

When it comes to the value of sleeping, as usual, animals seem to know more than we do.

The Impact of Lost Sleep

In our busy world, sleep is often neglected in favor of work or recreation. A lot of people are not getting enough sleep and relying on stimulants or will power to get through the day. At the same time, sleep disorders are on the rise. We are just beginning to learn about the behavior of sleep. Sleep behavior research should be encouraged, because it not only fights against sleep disorders, but helps ensure overall mental and physical good health.

Everyone sleeps. The average sleep time varies from person to person. Some of us function well on four hours of sleep a night, others need much longer. Some of this is because of genetics and some of can handle more stress on our bodies. However, we all know that we feel better after a good night’s rest. However, many assume that sleep is just the loss of consciousness. The reality is that we never lose consciousness. Sleep may not be interesting to watch, but it is active. Sleep is a natural biological behavior, just like eating or socializing. Sleep is just as vital. In fact, we can go longer without social interaction or food than sleep (Martin 463).

Everyone sleeps, but many do not get enough. In addition, there are over eighty sleep disorders normally divided into three main groups. Dyssomnias involve difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep. Extrinsic disorders are influenced by environmental factors. A good example of that would be food allergy insomnia. Circadian rhythm sleep disorders involve problems with the inner biological clock that regulates sleep cycles. Fifty to seventy million Americans suffer with one of the various sleepy disorders. The cause of sleep disorders is often attributed to stimulants, stress, prescription side effects, or medical conditions. Sometimes the cause is a combination of factors or is simply unknown. Approximately sixty million people worldwide are affected by insomnia. Action needs to be taken (Peters).

Sigmund Freud took dreams seriously. He believed that the sleep state had psychological significance. He pioneered the scientific study of dreams. Freud has always had his critics, many of whom felt that dreams were just an unimportant by-product of the human brain. Dreams can be deemed important or not. However, no one can argue the fact that dreams were inspiration for the scientific exploration of sleep (“Scientists”).

In the 1930’s, scientists and the public began to learn about the stages of sleep. Electrodes placed on the scalp record signals produced by the electrical activity of the brain. If someone falls asleep, undisturbed, they ideally go through three stages of quiet sleep. N1 is the transition from awake to sleep. In N2, your eyes are still, but your heart rate and breathing is slower. N3 is considered deep sleep, when the pituitary gland releases growth hormone that stimulates muscle repair and tissue growth. The next stage, only if sleep is not interrupted, is active REM sleep. REM sleep is considered dreaming sleep (Epstein 474).

Stop and consider what happens when sleep disorders interrupt sleep. While these patients receive some of the body healing benefits of N1 to N3 sleep or light sleep, they do not benefit enough from REM sleep. Lack of REM sleep had a dangerous cumulative effect. Dr. Lawrence Epstein spoke about the importance of REM sleep. “Just as slow-wave sleep restores your body, scientists believe that REM or dreaming sleep restores your mind” (474).

When it comes to sleep, science is only beginning to learn about its impact on health and new technology is playing a big part. In the 1970’s, the MRI, magnetic resonance imaging produced the first cross-sectional images of the brain. However, these still images were one dimensional and slow process. In 1977, the MRI was improved upon, and the result is EPI, echo-planer imaging, sometimes called functional magnetic resonance imaging. With images coming in as quickly as 30 milliseconds, we are able to see brain activity. Scientist and medical professionals are able to witness neurons firing and they see where they are firing. Activity can easily be tracked and recorded to help demonstrate how the human brain works. Before echo-planer imaging scientists had a much harder time learning about the brain. In a 1993, Today’s Science article, the author wrote, “Scientists have also studied people with brain disorders or damage to see how the injured areas of the brain affect the person’s daily performance. But information gathered this way leaves many gaps.” (“Researchers”).

Many are aware that sleep impacts our temperament and thought processes. We feel better after a full night’s sleep. We also work better. In addition, sleep is important to long term memory. Marjorie Bank wrote studies revealed at a Science for Neuroscience meeting in November 2000, saying:

Neurotransmitters are chemical substances that carry nerve impulses across synapses, the spaces between brain cells. When a person is paying close attention to something, certain areas in the brain are more active than usual, releasing neurotransmitters at a higher rate. This activity appears to act like a red flag for the brain when, later during sleep, it looks for information to store as memory.

Sleep helps not only memory, but creativity. Studies were conducted on song birds, who were played a recording of their own songs. Daniel Margoliash and his team discovered that, “the neurons showed activity in the same basic song pattern. But in the undisturbed birds, the neurons fired in a somewhat different pattern. The birds were improvising – essentially trying out different tunes. . .they were confirming the link between sleep and creativity” (Bank).

If you miss out on sleep, once and awhile, you can easily recover and make up for the loss with a nap. However, continual sleep deprivation can lead to clinical sleep disorders. Many disorders can start out innocently enough with snoring or unwanted awakening. If sleep problems continue, then negative effects similar to the effects of drinking alcohol occur. There may be slurred speech, shakiness, and slow reflexes. The health issues that arise from lack of sleep can become serious. They can even cause death. Some of the conditions that are triggered or enhanced are heart disease, obesity, stroke, seizures, and depression (Peters).

Sleep disorders can serve as a warning. Paul Marin, Doctor of Behavioral Biology, explained the problem. “Everyone has heard about the need for a balanced diet, even if many of us fail to follow the advice. But sleep is lost in a deep well of ignorance and apathy “ (465).

Treatment for sleep disorders is still evolving. Currently, sleeping pills are often prescribed for disorders like insomnia. Supplements of Melatonin have also proved effective. Melatonin is a naturally produced hormone that triggers the sleep cycle.

A good night’s sleep works wonders, ideally 7 to 9 hours, but you can typically tell if you are getting enough sleep by how your feel during the day. Lack of sleep first effects alertness and mood. We need to pay attention to our bodies. As biological creatures, our bodies strive to maintain homeostasis. Homeostasis is defined as the ability or tendency of an organism or cell to maintain internal equilibrium by adjusting its physiological processes. We need to be aware of how our bodies feel and we should act accordingly. Sometimes all we need to do is to go to sleep.

Works Cited
Bank, Majorie. “Memory.” Today’s Science On File: n. pag. Today’s Science. Facts On File Services. 30 Sept. 2001. Web. 5 Apr. 2012.

Epstein, Lawrence. “Improving Sleep.” Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum. 11th ed. Pearson, 2011. 471-482. Print.

Martin, Paul. “A Third of Life.” Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum. 11th ed. Pearson, 2011. 462-470. Print.

Peters, Brandon. “What Are the Physical Effects of Sleep Deprivation?” Sleep. About.com. 20 Sept 2011. Web. 5 Apr. 2012.

“Researchers Watch People Think.” Today’s Science On File: n. pag, Today’s Science. Facts On File News Services, 31 Oct 1993. Web. 5 Apr. 2012.

“Scientists Discover Why Dreams Are So Weird.” Today’s Science On File: n pag. Today’s Science. Facts On File News Services. 31 Mar 1998. Web. 5 Apr. 2012.

Suffering from insomia? Check out these resources:

Sleep Aid: 10 Natural Cures to Put Insomnia to Rest

Yoga Therapy for Overcoming Insomnia

Curing Insomnia Naturally with Chinese Medicine

Herbs for the Mind: What Science Tells Us about Nature’s Remedies for Depression, Stress, Memory Loss, and Insomnia

Natural Relief from Headaches, Insomnia & Stress: Safe, Effective Herbal Remedies

Kava: Nature’s Answer to Stress, Anxiety, and Insomnia

Insomnia:How to Cure it With Natural Remedies to Get Effortless Sleep

According to this book, Japanese researchers have discovered that the blood-sugar levels of diabetic patients drops to healthier levels when they walk through the forest and entire symposiums have been held on the benefits of wood-air bathing and walking.

Shinrin-Yoku has become a recognized method of relaxation and stress management in Japan. A forest bathing trip is basically visiting a forest for relaxation and recreation. What happens while doing this is that volatile substances, called phytoncides (wood essential oils - antimicrobial volatile organic compounds derived from trees) are inhaled and absorbed into the body.

A study of 280 healthy Japanese, published in January 2010, showed that a few hours’ walk through a forest or wooded area resulted in “lower concentrations of cortisol, lower pulse rate and lower blood pressure” than a comparable walk through city streets. Other studies have shown “visiting parks and forests seems to raise the levels of white blood cells.” (The New York Times, July 6, 2010.)

-NSCBLOG

Maloof also writes that researchers studying the mountain forest air of Sierra Nevada of California found 120 chemical compounds–but could only identify 70 of them. “We are literally breathing things we don’t understand.” says Maloof.  “And when we loose our forests, we don’t know what we are losing.”

What are all of these unidentified compounds we breathe? “Teaching the Trees” tells us that some of the compounds found in the air come from fungi and bacteria in the soil, but that most of the compounds are given off by the trees. The volatile organic compounds released by the trees from little pockets between the leaf cells. The scientific community is still undecided as to why these compounds are released, some thinking the compounds are released to deter insects and others thinking they are simply the metabolic by-products of the trees.  Regardless, it is still quite interesting that over half of the chemical compounds researched in the mountain air forest in Seirra Nevada, CA are still unidentified.

Could these unidentified compounds be what make us feel better? I think they might be, because I know for a fact that a walk in the woods always makes me feel much, much better.

Source: “Teaching the Trees, Lessons from the Forest” by Joan Maloof

Personal note: This book was recommended reading for the Tennessee Naturalist program, and I am glad it was! Joan Maloof’s writing style is amazing in the way she exlpains to the minute detail how each tree is more than just a tree – it is an entire ecosystem… a mini-universe of organisms that are interdependent upon each other in intricate and amazing ways, and many of these organisims are unable to survive without that particular tree. I found myself learning facts and details about trees, birds, insects, fungi, and much more without even trying. A very fast, interesting, and amazing read–I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in nature!

The following Reiki Treatment for Quick Stress Release will rejuvenate your body, mind and emotions, helping to make you much more resistant to stress and it’s ill effects on the body.

REIKI TREATMENT FOR QUICK STRESS RELEASE

1. Cover your eyes with a blindfold, sleep mask, or small beanbag. (The goal is to create a gentle pressure on your eyeballs.)
2. Relax and breathe slowly letting go of any tensions and thoughts each time you breathe out. Repeat this two times.
3. Put one hand on your forehead and the other on the lower back of your head. This position will release tension from your body and calm your mind and emotions. Hold this position 3-5 minutes.
4. Move one hand to your navel and the other to your forehead. This will center and calm you while treating your solar plexus and intestines. Hold this position 3-5 minutes.
5. Keeping one hand on your navel, move the other hand to the middle of your chest. This will balance the energy from your heart chakra and your sacral chakra. Hold this position 3-5 minutes.

VISIT OUR REIKI PAGE

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CHAKRA SYSTEM:

• A Closer Look at Your Chakra System: How it Works and How to Find Balance
• Learn How to Feel the Human Aura
• Strengthen and Balance Your Chakras With Yoga
• The Seven Main Chakras and Chakra Colors
• Understanding Your Chakra System

Sources:

• Inner Reiki: A Practical Guide for Healing and Meditiation by Tanmaya Honervogt
• The Subtle Body: An Encyclopedia of Your Energetic Anatomy by Cyndi Dale

• Crown Chakra (7th) – In the Top of The Head – Color: Purple – Consciousness, Intuition, Wisdom, Connection to Higher Self, Spiritual Awareness, Oneness – Purple
• Third Eye Chakra (6th) – In the Forehead, Between the Eyes – Color: Indigo - Meditation, Thought Control, Inspiration, Inner Visions, Understanding
• Throat Chakra (5th) – In the Throat – Color: Blue – Communictation, Creativity, Self-Expresssion, Sense of Responsiblity
• Heart Chakra (4th) – In the Heart – Color: Green – Love, Peace, Trust, Compassion, Spiritual Development, Self-Love
• Solar Plexus Chakra (3rd) – In the Solar Plexus – Color: Yellow – Strength, Dominance, Power
• Sacral Chakra (2nd) – In the Abdomen – Color: Orange - Enjoyment of Life, Vitality, Self-Esteem, Refinement of Feelings
• Root Chakra (1st) – In the Groin – Color: Red – Survival, Fertility, Life Force, Will to Live

According to Tanmaya Honervogt, in th book “Inner Reiki: A Practical Guide for Healing and Meditation” , Reiki is an excellent method of balancing and vitalizing your own energy centers.  Tanmaya explains that “as a rule there is often too much energy in the head and too little in the lower parts of the body.  The crown chakra does not need any additional energy, so you do not touch it while balancing your chakras.”

HOW TO SELF BALANCE THE CHAKRAS

1. Lie down on your back placing one of your hands on your forhead (6th chakra) and the other over your pubic bone (1st chakra). This will balance the energy from the head to the lower parts of the body. Let yoru hands rest in these positions for approximately 5 minutes. This will cause you to become more in touch with your sexual energy.
2. Still lying down, move one hand over the throat (5th chakra) and the other hand to the belly below the navel (2nd chakra).  This position brings into balance your emotions and vitality with your aspects of self-expression and communication.  This will help you to become more connected with your desires and emotions and be able to be more creative in their expression.  Maintain these hand positions for approxiately 5 minutes.
3. Move one hand to the middle of the chest (4th chakra) and the other hand to the solar plexus (3rd chakra).  The heart chakra is connected with love and compassion and the solar plexus chakra is connected to personal strength and power. Balancing these centers will enable you to use love and understanding to make the right decisions.
4. Move one hand to your belly across the navel area at the sacral chakra (2nd chakra) and place the other hand on your forehead at the third eye chakra (6th chakra).  This position will allow you to let go of your thoughts and feelings and you will find yourself relaxing very deeply. Keep your hands in this position for 5 minutes.
5. You have now balanced your chakras. Stretch your entire body, wiggle your toes and fingers, and come back to normal consciousness.

VISIT OUR REIKI PAGE

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CHAKRA SYSTEM:

• A Closer Look at Your Chakra System: How it Works and How to Find Balance
• Learn How to Feel the Human Aura
• Strengthen and Balance Your Chakras With Yoga
• The Seven Main Chakras and Chakra Colors
• Understanding Your Chakra System

Sources:

• Inner Reiki: A Practical Guide for Healing and Meditiation by Tanmaya Honervogt
• The Subtle Body: An Encyclopedia of Your Energetic Anatomy by Cyndi Dale

1. The Etheric Energy Body: This is the first energy body, the physical body, existing on the material plane and gathering experiences at this level.
2. The Emotional Energy Body: This is the second energy and body extends out beyond the physical/ethereal body and is associated with the Second Chakra and connected with one’s emotional aspects. This body registers emotions and feelings and through it people experience their emotional lives.
3. The Mental Energy Body: This is the third energy body and extends out beyond the emotional body. It is connected to the Third Chakra, and is associated with one’s mental life. This energy body’s high vibration constantly produces thoughts and fantasies. The unconscious and conscious mind are both active in the Mental Energy Body and causes desires, thoughts, fantasies, hopes and fears to take place in the body.
4. The Astral Energy Body: This is the fourth energy body and is associated with the fourth chakra (the heart chakra, which creates the energy of love) and is the vehicle through which we love others. It extends out from the body approximately a 1 ½ feet.
5. The Spiritual Energy Body: This is the fifth energy body and is connected to divine will, the higher will and divine will. It represents the “divine spark”  in a human being. The spiritual energy body is associated with the fifth chakra (the throat chakra) and connected to speaking, listening, and taking responsiblity for our actions. It contains all of the forms that exist on the physical plane. To be in touch with our higher self and our spiritual energy body, we first need to purify the first, second, third and fourth energy bodies.
6. The Cosmic Energy Body: This is the sixth energy body and associated with celestial and divine love.  It is connected to the sixth chakra (third eye chakra). The cosmic energy body contains a love that extends beyond human love. The cosmic energy body extends out from the body approximately 2 – 2 2/3 feet. This is the energy body that brings our conscious awareness understand our connection with the Universe and all that exists.
7. The Nirvanic Energy Body: This is the seventh energy body and relates to the integration of our spiritual life, higher mind, and knowing. This energy body is connected to the seventh chakra (crown chakra) and extends approximately 2 1/2 – 3 1/2 feet out from the body. The outer form of the nirvanic energy body is the egg shape of the aura and contains all of the energy bodies related to one’s present incarnation and everything that person is going through. This layer holds the form of the chakras and creates a strong layer of protection for the energy fields. Raising one’s awareness to this layer will create a consciousness within that melts with the divine consciousness causing a oneness with existence and a return to the original sourse from which all existence originates and returns.

How to Feel the Human Aura

• While sitting in a comfortable upright position, close your eyes and begin to breathe deeply. Begin to relax and let go of your shoulders with each exhale. Do this for three exhales. While doing this, clear your mind and let go of any thoughts or tensions in your body.
• Keep your eyes closed and hold your hands out in front of you, approximately 12 inches apart, palms facing each other. Hold your hands still. Relax and begin to taking deep breaths, breathing through your belly. Keeping your eyes closed, begin to watch your hands “from inside”. Watch the energy between your hands build up in this way for approximately 2-5 minutes.
• Still keeping your eyes closed, slowly move your hands towards each other. Notice the space between them. Can you feel the energy field between your hands? Become aware of this energy field, and you will feel resistance.
• With your eyes still closed, experiment with the space between your hands. Move your hands closer together, then further apart. Notice the different sensations as you do this. You might feel something similar to static electricity, or maybe tingling pressure or tickling sensation.
• You are feeling the human aura!

Everything that is alive pulsates with energy. Practitioners of complementary medicine, as well as physicists, acknowledge the existence of an electromagnetic field generated by the body’s biological processes. This energy field surrounding the physical body extends as far out as your outstretched arms and the full length of your body. It contains information and is a highly sensitive, perceptive system. Through this system, we are constantly in communication with everything around us and we transmit to, and receive messages from, other peoples bodies as well.

- Tanmaya Honervogt “Inner Reiki: A Practical Guide for Healing and Meditation”

Sources:

Inner Reiki: A Practical Guide for Healing and Meditiation by Tanmaya Honervogt

The Subtle Body: An Encyclopedia of Your Energetic Anatomy by Cyndi Dale

VISIT OUR REIKI PAGE

My research also showed that Vanderbilt University had a Reiki Healing Circle on their calendar in 2009, but it was not showing on the calendar in 2012. Reiki is included in Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center’s list of Complimentary and Alternative Medicine Techniques, and Healing Touch (a healing method very similar to Reiki) is commonly practiced and currently being studied in government clinical trials sponsored by Vanderbilt.

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a healing modality that originated in Japan in the late 1800′s with Dr. Mikau Usui. The word “Reiki” is of Japanese origin and refers to the Universal Life Force. The name originates from the Japanese concepts of REI (spirit) and KI (life force, energy). Reiki has also been described as the Japanese word for “universal energy” and within traditional Eastern healing focuses on the “KI” (also known as “Qi”, “Chi”, or “Prana”) as a method of bringing the life force energy back into balance. Everyday stress, environmental toxins, addictions, etc. negatively impact the flow of the life force energy. Reiki healing works to re-balance of the subtle energies, which in turn will increase feelings of well being, reduce stress, and promotes good health. In essence, Reiki is a method of harnessing the Universal Life Force that exists in the world around us and all living creatures, and using this energy to heal ourselves and others. Reiki restores harmony to negatively impacted areas of the body by flowing through these areas in the energy field and charging them with positive energy to restore harmony. We are all born with this natural ability to heal, and Reiki is a wonderful method of learning to utilize this natural ablity.

Reiki is a gentle, powerful, hands-on healing technique. It is based on specific energy attunement processes in which ancient mantras and symbols are used to amplify the flow of life force energy and to open up the inner healing channel. This means that we use our natural ability to heal and allow more vital life force energy to flow through the upper energy centres (chakras). The energy then flows out through the arms and hands so that wherever we then place our hands healing energy is absorbed. Reiki revitalizes the body, mind, and soul, relieves pain and stress, and helps in many conditions, always supporting the natural healing process.

-Tanmaya Honervogt, “Inner Reiki: A Practical Guide for Healing and Meditation”

Reiki is not a religion, nor is it associated with any particular religion. It is a form of hands-on energy healing that comes from the Divine and flows through any person who has received an attunement.

Many people do not understand Reiki and consider it some type of “New Age Fad” when in fact it is has been around since the 1800′s. The benefits of this subtle energy therapy are only now becoming more popular and being studied by the scientific community.

Medical studies have determined that Reiki healing has the following effects:

• Reduces Stress and Stress Reactions
• Lowers Blood Pressure
• Lowers Heart and Respiration Rates
• Reduces Bleeding
• Reduces Pain
• Raises the Red Blood Cell Count
• Helps Insomnia
• Calms Anxiety

These are things that are scientifically observable and that you can promise a receiver of healing. You can promise your students that their healings will do these things. These are not “cures,” and you can legally claim their occurrence.

Reiki, however, does much more. Every healer has a dozen stories of miracles they have seen. These are things like the tumor or blood clot that disappeared after a Reiki session, or the surgery that was no longer needed or found to be much less difficult than expected. There are stories of broken fevers, babies born healthy who weren’t expected to live, broken bones that healed in record time, and wounds that closed almost as the healer watched.

-Diane Stein, “Essential Reiki Teaching Manual: A Companion Guide for Reiki Healers“

Some Vanderbilt University Reiki Links:

Biofield Therapeutics: Reiki Therapy

Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center)

Healing Touch

Healing Touch in Treating Fatigue in Women Undergoing Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer (Vanderbilt University Sponsored Ongoing Government Clinical Trial)

REIKI: A bogus New-Age Fad or a Powerful Ancient Healing Therapy?

The Impact of Reiki in Controlling Stress and Depression

Visit Our Reiki Page

For 5 years there had been a proposal in the state legislature to prohibit surface coal mining above 2000 feet.  This petition is a start at preserving the mountains we cherish. This comes up for vote in the House next week (3/19-3/24) so, please respond ASAP.

That’s why I signed a petition to The Tennessee State House, The Tennessee State Senate, and Governor Bill Haslam, which says:

“The Tennessee Scenic Vistas Protection Act (SB 0577/ HB 0291) would prohibit permits for surface mining on ridges above 2,000 feet.  By signing this petition, I am endorsing the original unamended bill sponsored by Senator Stewart in the Senate, and Representative McDonald in the House. Amendments offered by committee members in both houses changed the intent of the bill from one of protection to one that would allow coal companies to mine and then attempt to put the pieces of the destroyed mountain back together.”

Will you sign this petition? Click here:

http://signon.org/sign/protection-of-tennessee?source=s.em.mt&r_by=4006323

Thanks!

Visit the Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary Website

The research has shown that not only does DNA operate on chemical basis, which has been the understanding of the scientific community for many years, but it also operates a level beyond this. Popp has shown that DNA is basically a storage unit for light and even a source of biophoton emission.

Science teaches us that the electromagnetic spectrum is composed of photons. Photons drive the body’s processes, and produce different effects at different frequencies. Popp’s studies show that the human body is surrounded by a field of light, and that DNA responds to and interacts with the electromagnetic fields that make up this field of light.

The DNA, and the health of the body are very dependent of light. Scientific studies have shown that certain types of light cause problems while other types of light are beneficial to the human body… and some forms of light are even healing.

In her book, Ms. Dale explains that external light reaches and affects our bodies by operating as waves and particles that enter the body mainly through the eyes. The eyes transpose light into electrochemical impulses, which the brain interprets.  The light then moves on to the body’s crystalline matrix or “fiber optic” network in the retina where it moves from the rods and cones into a different set of cells. These cells are called the Muller cells, and through these the light accesses the crystal matrix of the body and thus reaches every single part of the body.

“This crystal matrix is interrelated with quantum fields of photons that pulse throughout the body. These biophotons act upon the entire electromagnetic spectrum, transferring information through each of its layers. The movements are facilitated by the electromagnetic polarization of DNA, which acts as a guide to direct optical information. The electromagnetic and biophoton energies can either be coherent or incoherent. “

-Cyndi Dale, The Subtle Body: An Encyclopedia of Your Energetic Anatomy

According to Ms. Dale, studies have shown that this “coherency” partly within our control. Practices such as holding positive thoughts in our hearts will create a coherency between biophoton and electronic emissions, which changes the DNA so that our bodies are healthier.

Check out this book to learn more about your subtle body and energetic anatomy!

Source: The Subtle Body: An Encyclopedia of Your Energetic Anatomy by Cyndi Dale