In honor of Mother’s Day, I wanted to focus on something that I hear about quite frequently in the clinic—the struggle to maintain a connection with children in a culture where digital media and peers are often given more value than family. I see a growing sense of anxiety about how to maintain a meaningful connection with those they love. And yes, all of these same struggles and concerns are felt by dads too! (More on that next month!)
In today's digital age, social media has become a predominant force in our lives, often affecting the way we connect with others, including children. As a result, many people experience anxiety and disconnection from their children due to the constant distractions and pressures of social media. These pressures can be both from the parent’s relationship with social media and their children’s. By implementing some simple tips and strategies, you can enhance your relationships with your children and reduce anxiety in the process.
1. Quality Over Quantity: In the age of social media, it is easy to get caught up in the quantity of time spent with our children rather than the quality of that time. Instead of being physically present but mentally distracted by social media, prioritize being fully engaged and present with your children during the time you spend together. This can include setting aside dedicated device-free time for bonding activities such as playing games, going for walks, or simply having meaningful conversations.
For example, instead of scrolling through social media while your child is talking to you, put your phone away and actively listen to what they are saying. Engage in a genuine conversation and show that you value their thoughts and opinions. Quality time is essential for building a strong connection with your child.
2. Active Listening: One of the most effective ways to connect with children is through active listening. By showing genuine interest in their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, you can strengthen your bond with your children and create a safe space for open communication. This can be achieved by putting away devices, maintaining eye contact, and practicing empathy and understanding. In addition, remember to listen to understand and ask clarifying questions to help ensure you understand the other person fully.
For instance, when your child (or anyone else) shares something important with you, give them your undivided attention. Put your phone on silent and make eye contact to show that you are fully present. Ask open-ended questions to encourage further conversation and let them know that you are actively listening and interested in what they have to say.
3. Lead By Example: Children learn by observing the behavior of their parents, so it is essential to model healthy social media habits and prioritize real-life interactions over virtual ones. You can instill these values in your children and strengthen their relationship skills by demonstrating the importance of face-to-face communication, active listening, and genuine connection.
4. Remember its Design: Every social media platform is designed to be addictive to trigger an unconscious-seeking reflex and keep you scrolling. Much like our food system has invested in understanding how to keep you buying their food-like product without thinking about that choice, our digital platforms are investing in keeping your interest—it’s how they successfully place ads for your consumption and make their money. I’m not saying trash your accounts and eschew the internet. I am saying to be mindful of the purpose of these systems and use them for your benefit rather than allowing yourself to be used by them.
For example, make a conscious effort to limit your social media usage. Instead, spend quality time together engaging in activities that promote bonding and connection. Show them that relationships and interactions in the real world are more valuable than virtual ones!
The prevalence of social media in our daily lives can pose challenges to meaningful connections with our children. By prioritizing quality over quantity, practicing active listening, and leading by example, you can reduce anxiety and foster deeper connections with your children.
Some recommended reading: Hold On to Your Kids by Gordon Neufeld, PhD
If you want to challenge your thinking, Punished by Rewards by Alfie Kohn, presents some radically different ideas on how we relate to our children and makes some good points about how thinking about how and when we use extrinsic rewards may deepen our connection with others—especially kids.
Our acupuncture team at Raja Wellness provides a diverse set of experiences and skills. As the owner and clinical director, I have made it a point to find others who share my work ethic and passion for healing. In addition, I look for a diverse skill set. I wanted to take a moment to review our dynamic and exceptionally talented team.
Robert Cecil, LAc - Robert has a passion for healing and a talent for orthopedic and neurological issues. He works with a lot of our veteran patients addressing a diverse range of conditions from chronic pain to neuropathy to PTSD. In addition, his experience with Frequency Specific Microcurrent and Estim scar release techniques provides additional healing modalities in addition to acupuncture.
Fielding Carroll, LAc - For those dealing with chronic digestive disorders such as Chrohns and IBS, Fielding has developed a unique approach combining personalized nutritional therapy with acupuncture to help people radically change their digestive health. Patients report relief from decades-long issues after only a handful of treatments. He is also skilled in Soliman’s Auricular Allergy Treatment (SAAT), offering significant allergy relief from conditions like Alpha-Gal.
Our newest member, Jason Macko, LAc is trained in the 5 element technique, offering a gentle and integrated approach to complex conditions. In addition, he will be part of our team offering SAAT for Alpha Gal and other allergies. He is passionate about helping athletes optimize their performance and recover quickly from injuries. He is also skilled at handling complex cases and helping people reach optimal health.
Together, we offer a wide range of expertise and services to address the mental and physical well-being of our patients. Considering acupuncture as part of your healthcare regimen can be a transformative step toward holistic wellness! By seeking the expertise of a skilled acupuncturist, you embark on a journey to balance and restore harmony within your body, mind, and spirit. Whether you're seeking relief from pain, stress reduction, chronic issues, or overall health improvement, acupuncture offers a gentle yet effective approach rooted in ancient wisdom.
Your path to optimal health starts with a visit to an acupuncturist—discover the profound healing potential of acupuncture today!
Yours in Health,
Jenny-Marie Greenough, LAc
It’s looking like Newvember with all the great changes we have coming!
Raja Wellness welcomes Fielding Carroll, LAc! Those of you coming in to see us for allergy treatments recently have probably already met Fielding. Fielding is a native Kentuckian and a classmate of mine from Acupuncture school. I am happy to welcome him aboard to our team! He’s been diligently learning the nuances of SAAT (our specialty acupuncture technique for alleviating allergies of all kinds that was pioneered by Dr. Soliman). In addition to his focus on mastering this new technique, he brings a wealth of experience in the treatment of digestive disorders and health coaching embracing food as the first medicine and foundation of better health! In addition to offering acupuncture services, personalized nutritional coaching is also available with Fielding.
Fall wellness is a frequent topic for us—as the days get shorter and colder, it’s important to fuel our immune systems with adequate rest, plenty of fresh fruits and veggies and to reduce junk foods from our diet. Our gut and immune systems are intimately intertwined and for some people, probiotic support may be helpful in addition to meditation, immune-supporting herbs, and preventative acupuncture care.
As we move forward toward 2024, we want to let our patients know our prices will be going up. We strive to offer a range of services at affordable prices and as part of that commitment, we are announcing this change early to give patients the option to “stock up” on treatments at our current price. All patients currently scheduled will pay the price at the time their service was booked. Current patients can pre-pay up to 5 visits each at our current rates, but those visits must be used before Mar 31, 2024. Our new prices will go into effect Dec 1, 2023 for all visits booked after that date.
In addition, you will see some new options in our services including nutrition coaching with Fielding, FSM-only treatments, BrainTap sessions & Glow sessions (combined light therapy & FSM for renewed skin). With those new options, we are also testing out some membership options, giving patients access to a select combination of treatments monthly at a reduced cost for members. Watch your emails for early access to these!
Our online store is also coming back soon with some changes!
At Raja Wellness, we continually strive to make your shopping experience as easy and affordable as possible.
CBD is legal in all 50 states, yet some banks and credit card processors impart their judgments on access to these legal products by refusing to process transactions involving the sales of CBD products of any kind. Their oversight unfortunately incorrectly flagged our blog about the health benefits of CBD for osteoporosis as a “product for sale” and our processor held our funds and thus forced us to stop using them as a processor. This has been a gray area for many years and is one of the reasons you see CBD in our offices but not in our online store. Unfortunately, the list of companies that allow this is very short. Please bear with us as we continue to search for a more fair, CBD-friendly payment processor that also allows us to offer you the best prices and convenience.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my morning coffee; yet if I ever had to choose either just coffee or just tea for the rest of my life, tea wins hands down! The health benefits and variety of flavors are just too great to give up! Tea is one of the most heart friendly beverage choices, high in antioxidants and heart healthy polyphenols. No, not that sweet tea at the old greasy spoon, but real tea! Yet many people I talk to either don’t like tea or have never even tried it. This is tragic! I promise you, there is a tea out there waiting for you!
So let’s talk tea!
If you want to get picky, tea is actually a very narrow definition—like coffee—meaning a beverage brewed from the leaves of tea bushes that are harvested at varying stages of growth and prepared in various ways, resulting in everything from white teas to green, black to pu-erh (a fermented and aged form of tea leaf). Most of us also group herbal teas into this category, though technically these are referred to as “tisanes”.
Why bother with all these shrubs and “weeds”? (many of the best herbal teas are considered weeds in some circles!)
Now let’s talk functions!
Want to improve your oral health? White tea to the rescue—its minerals and antioxidants protect the tooth enamel and neutralize acids.
Allergies got you down? Rooibos-based teas can reduce inflammation and mitigate allergy symptoms. (If you have ragweed allergies—avoid chamomile tea and opt for chrysanthemum instead).
Looking for something to help your skin and hair? Yup, rooibos again; as well as horsetail, nettle, and oatstraw.
Menstrual cramps or muscle spasms? Chamomile, nettle, and oatstraw can help soothe those cranky muscles.
Is liver health a concern? Hibiscus and dandelion are excellent liver tonics that also can reduce blood triglycerides and reduce sugar cravings! Chrysanthemum is also great for liver health!
Digestive upset? Peppermint and ginger are powerhouses here!
Arthritis pain? Ginger again—and if you like a more savory tea, blends with turmeric and ginger can be a great option.
Stressed out? Trouble focusing? Oolong tea is high in L-theanine which helps calm the brain and has a moderate amount of caffeine helping to maintain focus and concentration. Oolong is the same plant that green, white and black teas come from, but the special fermentation process gives it this special quality.
Just plain stressed? Chrysanthemum and goji berries are some of my favorites to ease a stressful day.
Another reason I love hot tea is it gives me a chance to slow down and immerse myself in the process of making it. Adding the hot water, savoring the aromas released, watching the colors bloom in the water, and then choosing just the right cup or pot to enjoy my brew from. Tea can be an experience to enjoy!
Different teas also benefit from different steeping times—from less than a minute or two for white and green teas, a couple of minutes for darker teas, or even overnight for nettle and oatstraw; so make sure to check the package instructions.
Last but not least—don’t ruin those health benefits with tons of sugar. If you need a little added sweetness, a dash of fresh honey or stevia for those darker teas often does the trick. Need to sweeten up an herbal blend? Try a couple of goji berries for natural sweetness and an added boost of antioxidants.
We are thrilled to carry Buddha Chakra Teas! "Chakra" is the ancient Sanskrit word for the seven central points of energy that reside within, helping to balance our physical, emotional and spiritual state. Buddha Teas are expertly crafted from herbs that resonate with each chakra, offering stimulating and flavorful teas empowered by the essence of crystals. Whether you're looking for a morning pick-me-up, a relaxing evening brew, or a tea to promote wellness, we have something for everyone!
We carry unique varieties such as:
Root Chakra Tea: When your root chakra is in balance, you feel safe in the world, and free to trust in ways that allow you to take healthy risks, knowing that all will be well. Contains Organic Raspberry Leaf, Organic Ashwagandha Root, Organic Cloves, Organic Dandelion Root, Organic Hibiscus Flower.
Sacral Chakra Tea: The Sacral chakra focuses on creativity, sensuality, and our connection with others. This expertly crafted herbal blend is designed to assist you as you flow your way to sacral chakra health. Contains Organic Calendula Flowers, Organic Burdock Root, Organic Fennel Seed, Organic Dong Quai Root, Organic Damiana Leaf, Organic Ginger Root.
Solar Plexus Tea: This invigorating, solar plexus blend, enlivened with the essence of citrine, provides a truly unique tea experience that facilitates those wishing to connect with their power center. Contains Organic Rosemary Leaf, Organic Lemongrass, Organic Ginger Root, Organic Orange Peel, Organic Marshmallow Leaf.
4th Chakra Tea: The 4th Chakra is a vital chakra to work with, and centers on all aspects of love. This tea is carefully crafted with herbs attuned to the 4th Chakra, and includes the essence of rose quartz. Contains Organic Hawthorn Berry, Organic Hawthorn Leaf, Organic Lavender Flowers, Organic Hyssop.
5th Chakra Tea: Powerful throat-centered herbs, and the essence of aquamarine fortify our 5th Chakra Blend to assist those seeking to heal and balance issues dealing with communication, creativity, and self-expression. Contains Organic Licorice Root, Organic Slippery Elm Bark, Organic Marshmallow Leaf, Organic Wild Cherry Bark, Organic Cinnamon Bark, Organic Fennel Seed, Organic Orange Peel.
Third Eye Chakra Tea: This chakra, located between the eyebrows, highlights insight, knowledge, and wisdom. Third Eye Chakra Tea is crafted from herbs intended to open the third eye energy center. Contains Organic Eyebright Herb, Organic Spearmint Leaf, Organic Star Anise, Organic Passion Flower.
Crown Chakra Tea: This 7th chakra can be described as the crown of spiritual understanding. Located at the top of the chakra ladder, the ingredients within our Crown Chakra Tea have been carefully chosen for their resonance with the crown energy center. Contains Organic Gotu Kola Leaf, Organic Lavender Flowers, Organic Nutmeg Seed, Organic Rose Petal.
Each blend is carefully selected for its unique health benefits and delicious taste. Try Buddha Chakra Teas and experience the difference that quality ingredients make!
Palo Santo translates to “holy wood” and is closely related to frankincense and myrrh, which also produce healthy, antioxidant-rich oils. Palo Santo is often used for the beneficial properties of its essential oils, and can be burned directly similar to incense. When burned, the aromatic wood offers notes of pine, cedar, and citrus that are grounding and rejuvenating.
Palo Santo offers healing benefits whether used as an essential oil, or burned as incense. Some of these surprising benefits include:
The scent of Palo Santo helps to promote a shift in energy. The pleasant, grounding aroma triggers the brain’s olfactory system, stimulating a relaxation response and reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. The scent of Palo Santo releases neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin while releasing endorphins that also reduce pain.
With a rich supply of terpenes and antioxidants, Palo Santo has become known for protecting against oxidative stress. It also helps to increase circulation, easing pain and stimulating immune function.
With a complex chemical composition, including Limonene-a substance found in citrus peels, Palo Santo naturally wards off insects.
High in resin content, when Palo Santo is burned, it helps to purify the air by removing negative ions. This is why it is commonly burned to remove negative energy and purify spaces and objects.
Although you can purchase Palo Santo essential oil products or buy shavings that have been shaped into a cone for an easier burn, I really prefer to light a small piece of Palo Santo when setting an intention or attempting to lift the vibe of a room. Palo Santo is easy to light. Using a lit candle or lighter, hold the stick to the flame until the tip is fully lit and creates its own flame. Allow it to burn for approximately one minute. Allow the wood to naturally extinguish itself, and wave the stick gently, while the aromatic smoke fills your space with an incredible scent and positive energy. When you’re done with your stick, rest it on a fireproof surface (a metal bowl with a little sand in the bottom is perfect!).
Not only will the uplifting scent of Palo Santo help to improve your mood and invoke feelings of calm, the benefits of this remarkable wood for both your body and the space around it are plentiful. With single pieces of Palo Santo wood available at Raja Goods, we invite you to give the art of smudging a try so you can enjoy these surprising benefits. We also offer beautiful stones and crystals to compliment and enhance your incense experience!
If you’ve spent any time around the Raja offices, you’ve probably met “Lowkey”—the sweet German Shepherd who helps me in so many ways; it won’t come as a surprise that pets are family around our house. But did you know that the animals who share our space provide more than just companionship? Animals have innate abilities to sense and communicate when we don’t feel well (there are loads of stories with dogs, cats, and other animals alerting their owners to impending seizures, heart attacks, and more!) Many times people think I can read minds—because I come to check on them when they are having a difficult time during treatment at just the right time—but the truth is quite often that adorable dog of mine has woken from a dead sleep to alert me to the issue. I don’t know how he knows and I’m ok with him keeping the secret, as long as he keeps helping me help others!
In addition, having pets is linked to reduced rates of depression and anxiety—so much so that emotional support animals are now widely accepted. Even the CDC says “Regular walking or playing with pets can decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels.”1 Other studies have shown how having pets reduces cortisol levels. Furthermore, those pets of ours keep us more active and give us a reason to go outside and more even when the weather isn’t perfect.
I am blessed to work with a variety of animals who share their healing gifts with others—from our herd of horses and mini donkey to our dogs, and even the barn cats work their magic to help bring smiles to those who visit. Horses in particular can regulate the coherence of our heart rhythm and stress response just by being near us. The Heart Math Institute has some fascinating research on this. Cats have a unique “superpower” in their purr. “A cat purrs within a range of 20-140 Hz which is known to be medically therapeutic for illnesses in humans. A cat's purr can not only lower stress it can also help labored breathing, lower blood pressure, help heal infections, and even heal bones.”2
Animals of all kinds can bring joy into our lives, even the slithery and skittering kinds like snakes & lizards. They may not be for everyone (let’s face it—not everyone is a cat or dog lover), but if they brighten your day then that’s all that matters.
Jenny-Marie Greenough
As responsible human stewards of our animal friends, it’s important to remember that their health comes with unique concerns based on nutritional, environmental, and mental needs. Luckily for our horses, dogs & cats, there are a variety of supplements and herbal medicines to help keep them feeling their best! Some of my favorite products are:
For those of you with dogs—we’ve got a photo contest running to win a goodie basket for your best bud! So bring out the photos and let’s see those smiling furry faces!
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Sources:
1 https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/keeping-pets-and-people-healthy/how.html
2 https://www.akcreunite.org/catsimprovementalhealth/
We are excited to announce our Tai Chi Classes are back!!! These classes will be taught by Grand Master Mingye Ding and Jenny-Marie Greenough, LAc.
Why Tai Chi? Tai Chi is a practice rooted in martial arts that teaches balance, relaxation, and mindfulness. Numerous studies have shown the health benefits of Tai Chi. In fact, Harvard Medical School wrote an entire book on the subject detailing the research findings and benefits of a regular tai chi practice. The only other practice that has been shown to slow signs of physical and mental aging, reduce the risk of falling, and increase general wellness as much is dancing! That’s right—not running, not golf, not swimming or cycling or weights…dance and Tai Chi are two of the best things you can do for your long-term health. And in many ways, Tai Chi is a dance—challenging us to be more fluid, rhythmic, and powerful in our movements.
Most studies on Tai Chi have been done using Yang-style Tai Chi, the most commonly practiced here in the US, but the benefits transcend the various Tai Chi forms. Grand Master Ding can teach Yang-style, but he is world famous for his mastery of Chen-style Tai Chi—in fact, he was featured on a stamp in China for his contribution to martial arts! Chen-style adds a dynamic of hip movements and alternating very slow movements with faster movements throughout the forms. There are several other styles of tai chi he may bring into our class as well as basic tai chi warm-up movements that are different from the typical “gym” warm-ups most of us are familiar with. Some days, we may practice a more healing-focused form of Tai Chi called Qigong as part of our warm-up for the form.
These forms can be adapted to all levels of ability—from seated-forms to gentle standing to dynamic and physically challenging, that will give even the most agile of athletes something to improve on! Each of the basic forms have associated sword forms, fan forms, and various ways to take the practice to new levels of understanding!
That is the beauty of Tai Chi—no matter where you start, there is a place to begin and a goal to pursue! I was so proud when I learned my first version of the Chen forms, so imagine my shock when Master Ding said “Good job, now we begin again!”; and we did, from the very first step, with a more nuanced exploration of each movement. Over the years we have begun again and again with the form—each time there is something to learn and I can’t wait to share this with all of you!
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Not everyone considers themselves the creative type—we often think of that word as being reserved for artists, musicians, and writers. But what if I told you that we are all innately creative beings? Creativity isn’t just reserved for those who are “artsy.” Creativity has real-life applications and it’s vital to our well-being; we’re all capable of tapping into it. Creativity is like a muscle, the more you exercise it, the stronger it becomes!
If you’re not feeling in tune with your creative side, think of what inspires you and causes a spark of joy. For some, this is art, music, or writing. For others, it may be landscaping or plating a beautiful meal. Some may even prefer a spreadsheet or PowerPoint presentation as their canvas. The possibilities are endless—creativity can be deployed anywhere, by anyone. Whatever you choose to spend your time on, make sure it resonates with you and remember—if you’re trying something new you will harness that skill with practice.
Creativity can boost motivation and productivity. Taking the time to focus on a hobby or even trying your hand at a new skill relaxes the mind and increases the ability to problem-solve. “Thinking outside the box” can boost efficiency in our everyday lives as we look at things from a different angle and find the best approach more naturally and quickly.
Not only does having a creative outlet help to calm the mind and improve focus, but it also gives us a sense of purpose and accomplishment, which can raise our self-esteem to boot. Freedom of expression is a beautiful thing—and it can help us find our true place in the world.
Creativity can also be community-driven. We don’t have to carve out time alone to be in a creative space—there are many classes, volunteer organizations, and even online communities that exist solely to spark your creativity in whatever it is you’re looking for.
For instance, Nikki Prell, RYT, is hosting a Creation & Balance Workshop on the last Sunday of each month here at Raja Wellness for a little painting, yoga, meditation, and tea to get your creative juices flowing. It is not only relaxing but incredibly freeing and inspirational! We’d love for you to join us! You can sign up here.
As another example, I love to cook and have signed up to volunteer for an organization that serves home-cooked meals to families in need—I get to share my “art” of cooking, and it makes me happy to express myself through food and to share that with others. There is a bounty of options to choose from to find the best fit for you.
Whatever your best-suited creative outlet may be, set aside time to focus on it. Just like how we exercise our body to keep in shape, it is so important to set aside that time to stimulate and “exercise” our mind! Whether in a group setting or alone, you’ll gain an openness to new ideas and experiences, trigger positive emotions, hone your problem-solving skills, and boost your confidence!
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Perhaps you have tried out the local yoga studio down the street. Chances are it was a “faster flow” class—it created inner heat and maybe you broke a sweat. If you have never taken a yoga class before, you might have noticed the many types out there to choose from. Ranging in all types from fundamentals all the way to an “Ashtanga” style.
No need to be intimidated—because there is a class for everyone's body and needs. Have you thought about a slower “restorative-style” yoga class? This is slower-paced class with mindful meditation, gentle music, and the time to be introspective. It gives you space to feel your body—as it is, and all it can be. Yin yoga can offer this type of movement for you. The gentle pace and meditation can be a great start or end to your day.
You can do a warm-up to start your Yin practice, but many times you will find what you experience is known as working on “cold muscles”. To make it simple, cold muscles are short and warm muscles are long. Holding these poses allows you to lengthen ligaments along with gaining a greater range of motion in the joint. Going deep into a stretch—making it sensational might be a normal feeling in your everyday yoga flow, but in Yin—slow and steady wins the race!
Allowing the time in a pose and listening to your body when it says it's ready to go deeper is great for reaching the fascia and connective tissues, not to mention the pressure points for stimulating certain areas of your body. Yin yoga poses also tend to correlate with the acupressure points and the chakra system. Stimulating these points can not only help relieve stress and calm the mind but help your body's natural flow of energy by releasing blockages. Working with your body's meridians and chakras can hold many benefits, which in turn can help with your body's natural healing.
Taking the time to hold these poses and create stillness in your life will not only help your nervous system calm down and reset but give you time to look inside and take an introspective moment for yourself—Helping you sort out thoughts and feelings and process events. Yoga in itself can be emotionally revealing, lifting, and healing with the awareness and time you create for yourself.
Along with this self-care, please remember that with any activity it is very important to stay hydrated. Especially after a good Yin yoga class, due to the nature of movement and how comparative it is to a deep tissue massage, and the toxins that are released and become ready to leave your body.
Create your healing space! Take time for yourself and remember to love yourself.
Visit our classes page, where you can browse many different yoga class styles and levels. Our yoga classes are designed for all—from beginner to advanced!
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