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Lately, I’ve been reading an awesome book on happiness. It is written by a psychologist who has been studying happiness and recording his research for the past 40 years. The goal of his study was to discover, above all, what things and activities in people’s lives bring them a consistent and lasting sense of happiness.

More and more people are turning to natural medicine to heal their medical conditions and improve their overall health. And people are finding great resources and success in utilizing the natural health paradigm that is available to us today.

Summer has flown by in the Okanagan and here we are enjoying another beautiful fall. Well to be honest, it’s actually my first fall in the Okanagan since I moved here last November just in time for winter. I must say that we are truly blessed to live in such a beautiful place. 

This afternoon is bittersweet. I’m excited to announce that I am moving back to the mountains! My new home will be in the Okanagan Valley in Vernon, BC. My heart has always drawn me to nature, and there is nowhere I feel more grounded and at home than in the heart of the mountains. Even though I’m following my heart back to the mountains, I’m going to truly miss all my loyal clients here in Calgary. It’s been an absolute pleasure working with all of you during my time here! Living in the big city has been a challenge for me and I have learned a lot in my 3 years here. I’m very thankful for all that it has taught me, the amazing relationships I have developed here, and the personal growth it has brought into my life.

I grew up in a small town so I’m accustomed to a slower pace of life than I’m able to maintain in the big city. I’d like to spend less time in traffic and more time doing the things I love. Vernon will be able to provide this for me. With endless lakes and mountain ranges all around, I will be able to spend more of my free time enjoying the outdoor sports I know and love. As many of you know I did my Chinese Medicine training in Nelson, BC so I’ve done a good bit of exploring around the Kootenays. Now it’s time for me to explore the Okanagan Valley!

I am growing towards becoming a better Chinese Medicine Doctor. Being closer to Vancouver will help with this, as most of the continuing education and advanced training courses are held there.

I will continue to stay in touch with you as I move forward. Even though I will no longer be practicing in Calgary I am still happy to help you reach your health and wellness goals. If you need help finding a skilled practitioner for acupuncture treatments I can help you find one. I am still able to do herbal consultations and prescriptions, and have them mailed to directly to you. I have clients all over the country that work with me in this manner, and I have found it very effective in relieving their symptoms and ailments.

INTRO

It’s that time again … FALL! This season comes just after the summer harvest and is a time where “letting go” seems to come naturally. This is because the life force in nature begins its return towards the earth, an inward movement. The same inward movement happens in us as well, as we become more introspective, asking questions and seeking answers.

In Chinese medical theory, the idea of phases, and changing in tune with the seasons, is paramount. In nature we observe the five phases (or states) of change as the four seasons, with the fifth being the time of transformation between the seasons. These five phases are represented as follows: wood (spring), fire (summer), earth (each seasonal transition), metal (fall), and water (winter).

Fall is represented by the metal phase, a time where we gather our resources, finish projects, set goals for the winter, and spend significantly more time in reflection. As we proceed through this season we are compelled to let go in certain areas of our lives. Again, fall is a time for letting go, of returning to the earth, returning to introspection, and sealing and storing our energies for the long winter ahead.

As much as we may want to fight it, try to find harmony with the energy of fall. In an effort to embrace what this season can bring, try asking yourself the following questions:

I was talking with one of my amazing clients last week about the benefits of meditation and I was reminded of the “Life Pyramid” in Life Nourishing Principles class in Chinese Medicine School (which looks an awful lot like the food pyramid that we all learned about as children). The primary principles behind the Life Pyramid include “daily physical exercise and an awareness practice”.