Together we just keep moving forward

I wanted to announce my business The Center for Massage Therapy & Sound Healing has moved to a new location, 125 Broadview ST # 3, in the heart of Cape Girardeau, Missouri . Adapting to change is never easy, but it is a constant part of life. By simply watching our in breath and our out breath we notice that no two breaths are the same. Life is a dynamic dance of receiving and releasing.

Releasing our Bellevue Space was a difficult choice as it has served our local community as an anchor for massage, meditation and sound healing for many years. Now is the right time for letting go. The Fall season teaches us that everything has its own time and season and letting go can be beautiful.

As I look forward, I see a community of people coming together in a new intimate gathering space for the practice of meditation, movement, massage and sound therapy. I am so grateful for each and every one of you who has supported my practice for many years. It is my profound pleasure to be able to continue to serve our local health and wellness community here in Cape Girardeau.

Together we are better. Together we just keep moving forward. Adapting to change with resilience, reflection and purpose. We plan to be open by October 15th 2024 in the new space. Stay tuned for new things to come.

Namaste

Group Class Room

Reiki Podcast

Thanks to Rebekha Bogan with Essential Integrative Health and Wellness for this wonderful opportunity to share some insight about the practice of Reiki energy work and its effects on mind and body. We hope you enjoy listening and check our Sound Healing podcast, as well.

Transcript:

Announcer

Advanced practice, holistic nurse and family nurse practitioner with essential integrative health and wellness. And today on the podcast, we’re going to be talking about Reiki. For you guys that don’t know what Reiki is. It is a Japanese technique used for stress reduction and relaxation and promotes healing. And we have a special guest with us this week. So tune in, listen and enjoy the show.

Rebakah

Hi. Thank you for joining us. Thank you for the podcast.

Judy Grier

Well, thank you for having me, Rebecca. I’m happy to be here with you today.

Rebakah

Thank you so much for doing this. So for you guys who do not know, we have Judy Grier on the podcast today. And she is not only a health care professional yoga guru, she is also a Reiki instructor, Reiki master.

So I’m so thankful for her to be on the show. So thank you so much for joining us today.

Judy Grier

Thank you for having me.

Rebakah

And one of the questions that our listeners would like to know is what inspired you to become a Reiki practitioner?

Judy Grier

I think that was just my need as a nurse that I saw that other types of integrated approaches to patient care or something that included more mind body medicine, et cetera, was really necessary.

And I started just exploring different paths for that alternative and complementary care, primarily through the Holistic Nurses Association. Yes.

Rebakah

For you guys who do not know, the Holistic Nurses Association is one of the certifications associations that you can get to become a holistic nurse, which gives you more education on different complementary therapies such as Reiki or acupuncture or essential oils. Just all of the other more natural things that you can help with health care.

How long have you been in practice?

Judy Grier

About 22 years now.

Rebakah

Yes. And how does being a Reiki practitioner benefit your health care practice?

Judy Grier

Well, right now I’m primarily providing a variety of massage body work services.

I’m no longer working as a nurse, at present, and so really just integrates really well with a lot of different types of modalities.

At The Center for Massage Therapy, we offer a brand called Synergy Reiki Therapy, where we combine it with psychology, with sound healing, with restorative yoga.

And I feel that what Reiki offers me in particular as a practitioner is that unique ability to combine it with these other modalities so that people have more of an enhanced mind body kind of experience. And I feel like a deeper level of relaxation due to that.

Rebakah

And where did the practice of Reiki originate from?

Judy Grier

Well, it’s actually been around a long time since 1930s, and it started in Japan with Usui Mikao, and it actually started as more of an individual meditative practice to deepen one’s connection with mind, body and spirit.

And it came from a very similar sort of tradition as martial arts like Akito. And it had a major influence, as well, from just the traditional Indigenous Japanese culture. And it’s unique features that it had that those other forms of meditative awareness didn’t was that aspect that they call palm healing. It transitioned sometime in the 80s from Japan over to Hawaii through one of Usui Mikao’s students named Hawayo Takata.

And then she started to westernize it. And once it got westernized, it got really popular in the US complimentary type of mind body treatment. And now it still has a lot of roots in its original practices of meditation and breathing awareness and palm healing for selfcare, for the practitioners, as well as clients.

Rebakah

Yes, I have noticed as well that there’s a lot of versions of breaking out that you mentioned that it’s been Westernized and energy healing.

Judy Grier

Absolutely. It’s gone through a huge transition since its original form, because in this original form, it was really more of a self care practice. It was intended that way.

And just throughout the years, it kind of went through this metamorphosis where it became not only a self care practice, but then also a real complimentary treatment practice.

So, a lot of influence there. That happened in the 1980s when we had all of the New Age medicine and all of this big exploration of both alternative modalities over here.

Rebakah

How does it benefit our well being, the rating?

Judy Grier

Well, primarily, I think what it does is it promotes an increased awareness of the mind body connection, and it does that through the use of just therapeutic touch.

There’s kind of an old saying that says, “where our attention goes, our energy flows”, and that touch, that essence of what they call palm healing back in the 1930s, of just actually putting your hands on various positions of the body, really just brings a lot of awareness. And it creates a really strong kind of mind body connection there, if you will.

And as that happens, it also creates a bit of a relaxation response, which decreases our stress response. And that is ultimately beneficial to all of us because so many of the illnesses, chronic illnesses especially, are really stress related.

Rebakah

Yes, this is very true. I just left another podcast interview, and she spoke as well how stress influences health. And I know I can recall in nursing school learning about therapeutic touch, but they don’t really go into that much of a detail about it. We learn just a few little hand techniques, like a back massage.

But how long does it take to really master the art of Reiki and energy healing?

Judy Grier

Well, that’s a good question.

It’s a lifelong practice, really. You’re always kind of refining your skills at anything that you do.

And there’s actually three different there’s three different levels of practitioners in Reiki, and there’s quite a bit of difference between the them.

Level one Reiki– is really about self care. There’s a lot of emphasis on creating regular meditative practices, learning different breathing exercises that go along with the Reiki and then learning how to do a self treatment of palm healing.

Level two Reiki, you learn a little bit more on how to work on others and clients and formalize that a little bit.

Third level Reiki, you actually learn how to be a teacher of that art.

So it really just depends. Some people take years in between those levels and practice and refine those skills. And some people, depending on their background, just can complete that relatively quickly.

Rebakah

And how do you go about to find a really good Reiki practitioner?

Because I feel like there are so many people that are getting certified in this and that. How do you know the difference?

How do you know that you have a good practitioner?

Judy Grier

Well, as always, with anything in massage, body work, complimentary care work now is always wonderful.

So, ask your neighbors, ask your friends and relatives if they know of anybody. That’s always a good place to start.

And then just in your local community, find out from others as well, too. And again, that kind of goes back to those levels of practitioners we just talked about.

So level one has the beginning knowledge of skills.

Level two has refined those skills quite a bit and learn some different techniques. And then level three, Reiki Masters have refined those skills to the point where they’re able to teach them to others.

So you would always just want to look and make sure that they have at least a level one certificate in breaking that. They’ve taken some training in that. And that’s a really good place to start.

Rebakah

And what are some of the main principles of ranking?

Judy Grier

Well, like we said, the complimentary, really health approach, what kind of makes it unique or stands out is, again, this idea of the palm healing.

So, the practitioners actually use their hands in real light touch on the body or just above the body with that goal, again, of facilitating that mind body connection.

And that’s largely how we receive the benefit that we get from that is by creating that connection and that healing response that comes about from it.

It’s really based on the principle of the Eastern belief that all things are made of energy, and that we call that in the Japanese Reiki school, we call that Ki with “K”, Ki,

Traditional Chinese medicine, they call that Qi. In yoga, they call that Prana.

So that’s that same sort of principle in all of those art forms that you’re talking about is that vital life force, that energy life force. So that’s the essence behind it. And then the way that that essence is manifested or used is largely, again, through that mind body connection and therapeutic touch.

Rebakah

And I know it talks a lot about energy, and I don’t know about you, as a nurse for me, before I even step in a room with the patient, sometimes I can feel the energy from them, whether they’re having a bad day or if they’re anxious or whatever.

I kind of feel that before I even step in the room to approach them.

What are some things that we can do to nourish our energy, our energy for ourselves as just every day with work and every day at home? Because I know whenever your energy is off or you’re having a bad day that radiates out.

Judy Grier

People can feel that.

That’s an excellent question.

I think one of the most intuitive things that we can do to help with that is to just take a deep breath.

I mean, intuitively, we just know that if we can just stop what we’re doing and just slow down for a minute and focus on our breath.

In reiki, we teach a lot of simple belly breathing.  Japanese talk about the Hara, which is the center of the body, which is this area just below the belly button, just simple, focused belly breathing.

It starts to calm the mind, calm the body, and then any sort of just kind of simple movement along with that, or in addition to that, anything that promotes a little bit of awareness into the moment takes us out of that hectic frenzy of everyday life.

Rebakah

And if one were to start a Reiki session, how many sessions of Reiki do you recommend to improve your health?

Judy Grier

Well, that really just depends a lot on the reason why people are seeking that type of alternative care to begin with.

So there are clients who come to do that as a preventative means to just help keep their stress in check and their body and balance.

And then their clients come because they’re working with that more as a complementary care practice that may have some sort of chronic illness or cancer that they’re dealing with, et cetera.

So it really just depends on the individual person and what their goals are.

Rebakah

And then when you come in as a client for Reiki, what should you expect? How should you dress? Should you just come in just regular clothes? How does one expect experience for Ricky?

Judy Grier

Reiki is not like massage at all. And it’s very light touch. We’re not really manipulating any of the muscles or soft tissue. So it’s done fully closed on a massage table.

And the session itself usually takes anywhere from 30 to 40 minutes.

And it just creates this state of relaxation.

So you should expect to have a professional practitioner that really just explains all that to you. When you come in, there may be a little bit of an intake form to kind of fill out or discussion about everybody’s client and practitioners expectations.

Reiki practitioners don’t diagnose and they don’t even really aim to treat any kind of specific condition. They’re more like a midwife in a way that they just kind of facilitate the body’s own natural processes or self regulation.

Rebakah

And where can we find more information on your upcoming Reiki certification because you are a Reiki master, and I know that you teach Reiki.

So where can we find more information on that?

Judy Grier

Well, the best place to find information about that is on the website, and the Web address is just centerformassagetherapy.net. And when you go on to the Web page, you can just look underneath the Reiki therapy session and you’ll find information about more information about what a Reiki therapy session is like, about our combined modalities, our synergy Reiki sessions with Premiere, with Restorative Yoga. And then you’ll also find some information just about those Reiki certification classes.

Rebakah

That is awesome. And you also offer the sound therapy as well?

Judy Grier

We do.

Rebakah

And I can’t wait to experience that because I must sign up for that.

Judy Grier

I’m so excited about that.

Rebakah

And where are you located?

Judy Grier

At The Center for Massage Therapy in Cape Girardo.

Rebakah

All right. And thank you so much, Ms. Judy, for taking time for us to interview you. And I look forward to the sound session. I cannot wait because I have not experienced that yet. So I’m so excited about that. Anything else that you want to share with our listeners?

Judy Grier

I said thank you again so much for giving me the opportunity to talk to you about Reiki. And we look forward to being able to connect with you at the sound session as well.

And then just one other little bit of information. If you, for whatever reason, don’t have access on the Internet, you can always give us a call. And our number is 573-20-6465.

Rebakah

Thank you so much.

Judy Grier

Thank you.

Announcer

And that was an excellent interview with Ms. Judy. Now before I get out of here, I wanted to let you guys know a little bit more about Essential Integrative Health and Wellness. Here at Essential Integrative Health and Wellness, we Help With Sustainable Weight Loss So if you’re tired of your diet, unhealthy dieting, fatigue, stress, irritation, bloating and just a return and weight gain every time that you try to work on your weight, why worry with this? Why worry with the Yoyo diet when there is a better way? And I understand.

Announcer

I have been there. I am an advanced practice holistic nurse and a family nurse practitioner. And we help with weight loss management through a holistic approach to weight management. So schedule a consult, we’ll do an assessment, and we’ll come up with a patient centered weight loss plan at your visit. And we can help work with you each week. You don’t have to do it alone. So call today for an appointment and get your sustainable weight loss plan so you can transition into that healthy lifestyle that you want. A decrease in diabetes, a decrease in hypertension, a reduce your pain level from the weight. We reduce weight related to pain. We help you feel good about your body and help reduce fatigue. So if you want to avoid trying to do it alone, avoid having that return and weight gain, avoid having that lack of motivation and avoid not having a plan and if you want to go from feeling depressed about your weight gain and not having confidence in yourself about it, come transform with us we can help you feel confident about your health so check out essential integrativehealthandwellness on essential integrativehealth integrative.com or you can also give us a call we’re always taking phone calls.

Announcer

Our phone number is 618-484-8709 give us a phone call here at Essential Integrative health and Wellness we are a patient centered healthcare service so we can help you with creating a plan that’s going to help you with sustainable weight loss using a holistic method. We also integrate the practice so we can do some traditional medicine with it as well. To integrate with it we offer injection therapy to help you with your weight loss or help you with fatigue and help you with other things. We offer supplements and vitamins as well so give us a phone call check out our website and thank you so much for listening to the podcast here at Essential Integrative health and wellness.

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YinSide the Wolf Moon in Winter

We may feel the wolf moon in winter before we actually see it. It’s cool calming energy pulling us deep inside just as it pulls the tides of the ocean. In Traditional Chinese Medicine winter is about the water element. A time when kidney and urinary bladder chi moves deeper into the roots. A time to replenish and nourish kidney and adrenal chi with simple internal contemplative practices.

This is our YinSide time of year.  A quiet time for letting things rest. Taking a break. Noticing what needs to be nourished. Sitting by the fireside.  Maybe you are journaling more, meditating or cooking simple nourishing foods like root vegetables, soups and stews.  Perhaps you are napping some in the afternoon sun and dreaming of spring.

This season is so productive, although it often looks lazy from the outside. From the YinSide there is nothing quite as powerful or productive as gathering ones chi into the roots. There will be plenty of time for new shoots to spring forth in their season. For now let the landscape of your inner awareness marvel at the winters wolf moon letting its light illuminate the darkness.

The 2022 New You

Hope springs eternal. Never is it more abundant than at the beginning of each new year. Beginning anew is a way of releasing and letting go of the past and reclaiming the present moment. In 2022 let us not rush or hurry to be busy or  plan a multitude of ways to fill the next 12 months. And in our eagerness to move foreward let us not miss a single moment of the magic of being in stillness. Just breathing in and out, this breath, this moment, this beautiful new day of this beautiful new year.  There is really nothing you  need to do but be you. You are beautiful just as you are.

 

New Moon Reiki & Earth Day

earth-day-dreamstime

Greeting to ALL beings. Happy New Moon and Earth Day week. We are so blessed to have this time to remember all things have both dark and light and they are equally essential in creating sustainable energy. As we also acknowledge the essence of Earth Day this week we are reminded of the Great Mother Energy in all things that nourishes and nurtures us. The Earth energy not only feeds or bodies it feeds our soul. It provides us with a deep connection to something much more vast and greater than ourselves. It humbles us with its beauty, bounty, and resilience in the face of so many trials and tribulations. We can rest easy knowing that same energy sustains us that sustains heaven and earth itself. All of creation and all of its creatures are one. We are made from the same elements as star dust and have a light within that shines just as bright.

This week plant a seed of new intention for yourself deep in the Earth energy. Water it with loving kindness and self compassion. Nurture it with Light and Laughter. Have faith it will grow, blossom and be a beautiful breathtaking thing in the garden of your life. Practice earth energy this week by affirming your root chakra. I am grounded. I am centered. I am full of abundance. I am safe. I am protected. I am well. Practice Walking Meditation outside every day for a short period of time barefoot in the grass if possibly. Stay grounded and bloom where you are planted.

Peace Light and Love

Judy

Kriplau Yoga Home Practice :Back to Basics

Judy Grier Back to the Basics of Kripalu Yoga with Judy Grier.

Dear yoga community the entire world is being stripped down to essential basics.  It’s a time for reflection for all of us to ask ourselves what exactly do we need to thrive not just survive this global health crisis. Our yoga practice teaches us philosophically that everything we need is inside us and we are inherently interconnected with all others. Kripalu Yoga has always emphasized the teacher within, the “wisdom of the body” the Divine intelligence of Prana or energy that flows through all life.

At this time when we find our lives and daily routines most disrupted by social distancing and staying home we miss the unity of community from our local yoga studios. Guru Dev always said, “Of all the gifts we receive from Yoga and they are many, the gift of community may be the greatest of all.”  So how do we stay connected while apart? Many yoga teachers and students are choosing from online video options such as Zoom or U-Tube to offer classes. I invite to all to seek out the support of your sangha in this way. In addition to practings online with teachers, I encourage all of you to also seek out the solace of Self practice at home. Explore the wisdom of your body. Trust your inner teacher and learn to be guided from within. Empower yourself.   ALL yogis should have both an individual home self guided practice as well as a group guided practice with a teacher.  Each are unique experiences meant to enhance, support and inform one another. As we explore our way through this time of awakening each of us will ultimately find what practices works best for us individuals.

As a Kripalu Yoga teacher for over twenty years I know my intention is to always support individuals in their quest for personal transformation. An excellent guide can only take you so far. Then it’s up to you.

The mind creates the abyss the heart crosses. _ Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

Move out of the mind stuff. Calm the chitta. Cross over.  Follow your heart. Let love guide you. Be present in the stillness. Move deeper. Trust the process. This is the transformational power of Yoga to connect you to Higher Self or Universals Consciousness or “Big Mind” as Eric Shiffman likes to call it. When we reside in this heart of practice we become one with ALL.

Today just begin with 5 minutes of self guided practice. Here is a simple pose to get you started. Just breath, relax, feel, watch and allow.