Planting seeds in spring…

Planting seeds is a springtime ritual and can be understood in terms of both actual seeds we plant in a vegetable or flower garden as well as in our life path.

What we put our attention to and intention towards we will find in our life time.

Planting seeds requires our time and presence.  It requires patience and attention.  Nourishment in terms of water, sunlight, and proper nutrients are all required when we take to the outdoors to cultivate a crop but when we are “working” on ourselves, we also need to be sure the basics are covered.

Water in CCM relates to our Essence or our Constitution.  Are we really seeking that which is a part of us?  Or are we trying to grow and become someone or something else in order to get (fill in the blank) ____ ?  It is important that the seeds we plant be an honest reflection of who we are and who we are deeply wishing to become.

Sunlight relates to Yang Qi or the animated life force energy which is inside of us and surrounds us in the universe.  Do we have enough stored reserves of this or are we already overburdened and tired with our day to day?  Gardening, farming and self cultivation takes commitment but it also takes yang qi or energy.  Springtime we feel energized so it’s the perfect time to harness this power.

Nutrients in the soil relate to the environment.  Often we have to supplement our soil and bring in rich materials such as compost that will be sure to feed the plants as they grow.  This relates to our relationships and who surrounds us in our daily lives.  Do we have a good helping of positive, supportive, enthusiastic additives or do we need some more help finding the right mixture?

Planting seeds in the garden can be a great way to look deeply within ourselves.  Practicing patience, nurturing ourselves as the seed and the seeds within us is an important part of this time of year.  Looking honestly at our yang qi, the energy we have to work with and who and what we surround ourselves with is key too.
Within each of us is the seeds of great potential.  With time, attention and some guidance from helpful people we can find true abundance outside our front doors and inside our own hearts.

Organic farming means that we will use what nature provides.  Worm castings, compost, gathered rain water and so on.  We know we don’t need harmful chemicals or GMO in our kitchens and so we take responsibility for our own wellness by growing, from seed ourselves.

Healing from within suggest that we each have an innate power to be well again.  Signs and symptoms that someone else might take a pill to mask, we can take instead as calls from within us to take a bit more care and find balance again.

I hope you’ll enjoy planting seeds as much as I do.  This is the work of Classical Chinese Medicine and it hinges on each of us taking the steps toward wellness for ourselves. The great potential is inside and it’s up to us to cultivate, nourish and help it grow.

Happy planting.   I wish you all a splendid springtime!

Dr. Leah Sasha Schwartz, D.Ac., L.Ac., M.S.

http://www.liftedheart.com Classical Chinese Medicine + Wellness in the Hudson Valley

 

Favorite Fall Foods!

15 of the BEST foods to be eating now…

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/10/27/15-best-fall-superfoods.aspx

What’s wrong with “facelift” acupuncture

Local acupuncturists are increasingly advertising “facelift acupuncture”.  I almost never write in opposition to anything on this blog but I”m going to start. Now.

In my studies with my Taoist teacher, we learn to respect and honor the body.  I work hard to honor and treat each individual who comes into my office (and life!) with the highest amount of respect possible.  And, I need people to match me with this.

CCM holds that there are “cycles of 7 & 8” which have less to do with actual years and time and more to do with the many phases of life which we are meant to embrace.  I can, and often do, help people with cosmetic concerns but the root is much deeper.  We work to treat the whole person, not this wrinkle or that because, if there’s no acceptance of the self and outright LOVE of who and what we are (inside and out) this is

When we try to use the vital energy of the body in a way that is not holistic, or not in the natural flow of life, we do a great dis-service to our internal energy.  As a Classically trained Acupuncturist, my goal is to serve humanity and tend to our true, upright spirit.

Will you look and feel better after a series of treatments with me?  Yes, of course.  I can give you loads of references and referrals of people whose lives have been changed in profound and meaningful ways as a result of this work.  Will I stick hundreds of needles in your face so your energy is drained and out of sorts but some wrinkles are lessened?  No.

As my trusted friend and Classical colleague Ann Sterman states, “Facelift acupuncture” utilizing constitutional qi is not performed and is viewed in Classical Acupuncture as an abuse of the revered extraordinary meridians. Acupuncture in its Classical form is about enabling one to return to one’s natural state which includes a regaining of one’s appreciation for oneself, a cultivation of the understanding that we inhabit our bodies, and the enjoyment of the natural physical changes that occur during life.”

This is my path.  Facelift acupuncture literally misses the whole point.

I believe in a beauty from within strategy.  If you have acne, we’re going to work on digestion.  Lots of wrinkles and lines on the face, let’s hear your story and help you make life transitions more manageable and stress free.  That is what holistic medicine is about.  The entire you.  Not just one part of you.

We are bigger than our symptoms.  We are so much more than our illnesses and disease.  That is why my practice is about treating people not conditions.  I focus on quality above cosmetics because what matters most in life is our health.

If you want to learn more about what kind of practice I have in the Hudson Valley, Northern Westchester, Manhattan and in patient’s homes…please reach out.  I’m always happy to connect with you about whatever your concerns might be.

Leah Schwartz, L.Ac., Classical Chinese Wellness. leahsasha@gmail.com, 917.609.3202

finding purpose

2012 was a huge year.  We put in a new septic system, there was Super Storm Sandy, Obama’s re-Election, our wedding, and so much more.  We moved into our house in Westchester and said goodbye to being Brooklyn residents (for now!).  We made new friends, officially acquired new families and marked life together in a completely new and beautiful way.

So, this is what calls me now.  The passing of time.  How we place markers on our path and the emergence of the stories we tell.  How does what happens in our lives define us?  How are our memories born?  What do we keep as the New Year comes and what can we move beyond?  What is healing really about?

There is always so much to be done this time of year.  The holidays, if not for you personally, certainly for someone you know and love (dearly) can be a completely traumatic and disastrous time of year. (sorry if that’s sad news to you)  We’ve seen sickness and death, natural and human created disaster, the pressures of family or the stark absence of them.  Many of my patients are gone during this time of year, enjoying life and leaving their worries behind.  But it’s also a time when others need much more support and comforting.  Backs go out, old pain re-emerges, immune systems fail us and emotions overwhelm us to the point of total exhaustion.

The contrast between the catchy songs you hear everywhere and the sense of despair seen in the eyes of many is without end or explanation.

I have not taken a day off since before our 12.12.12 wedding.  For whatever reason, someone has asked for my help every day.  And although I know perhaps I should, I cannot say “no”.  When someone asks me for something I feel I can offer or help with, I usually will.  It’s just my nature.

I’ve been told my kindness might be mistaken for weakness.  The words slid right off.  He was right, it is perhaps my weakness but it’s also my being-ness.  All I want to do is my practice.  Everything else is of very little interest to me now.

Our human process, our stories, our joy and pain…this is all I wish to tend to.  I know, when I am in my “work” that this is the most meaningful use of my time and energy.  There is nothing for me besides this practice because it is really about the whole of life.  EVERYTHING is welcome and everything is seen.

I hope you are finding what brings you purpose in your life too.

May you find love and light and truth in 2013.

 

 

 

 

wisdom of winter…

I know many of us are running around and busy this time of year.  It might seem unavoidable with holidays, parties, gifting, school and work events, and on and on…

When we look at nature we see something different.  We notice a natural time of rest, ultimate stillness as winter settles in.  Hibernation is the mode of the natural world despite the rapid speed we often keep this time of year.

Rest helps us regenerate.  It is vital for our mental and emotional as well as physical and spiritual health and well being.  It restores us to our optimal functioning and allows us to integrate our experiences and stay grounded in our lives.

The cold weather gives us a chance to snuggle up with our families and stay still for a moment, an evening or an entire weekend.  It’s the perfect chance to go deep inside ourselves and remember that our energy (as humans) is finite.  We need time to restore and build it back rather than ALWAYS putting it out there.

Nature is showing us the wisdom of winter right now.  All we need to do is follow it’s lead.  The choice, of course, is always ours.  But, the Kidneys who relate to Water and Winter will THANK US for taking a much needed break this time of year.  Think of it as the most important holiday gift you can ever give or receive.  The gift of health.  To you.

Happy Holidays.

5 Must-Have Home Remedies!

1. Ginger. Get some fresh ginger root which can keep for several weeks in the fridge. Useful to help sooth an upset stomach, give us a boost of energy in the morning time, warm us up as the weather is getting colder and keep our wei qi – or our defensive immunity in tip-top shape!

2. Scallions. These alliums or green onions are important to help the Lungs release pathogenic factors, or, help us get over getting sick before we even “catch that cold” going around the office. The spicy nature of the scallion (chopped up and added to some boiled water and consumed as a tea) will help the Lungs open up and naturally get rid of what has come into the body.

3. Local Organic Honey. Full of natural immune boosting properties, local organic honey is great for people suffering from seasonal allergies, the start of a slight cough or to sooth a scratchy throat. There are apiaries all over (yes, even in Manhattan and Brooklyn!) and not only do bees and their keepers need your support now more than ever, they happen to make some of the most magical medicine on earth!

4. Peppermint tea. Peppermint tea is great for soothing a tummy ache, calming the nerves, helping us find restful sleep and easing tensions overall. If you tend to get cold meaning you’re often chilly, be sure to only take moderate amounts of peppermint tea. If you run warm, this can be a great way to help you cool off!

5. Apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is great as a (cooked!) salad dressing, topping for grains as well as an important ingredient in soups and stews. Vinegar helps the Liver to astringe or get rid of toxicity which is important too. It’s a safe and non-toxic household cleaner and has been used for centuries for many things from weight loss to acne to topical application for aches and pains. It’s one of those things that there are too many applications to list but something you should consider turning to for minor health concerns and to stay well.

Having these 5 Home Remedies on hand and using your intuition plus a good resource book, I like “Healing With Whole Foods” by Paul Pritchford can go a long way in keeping you well this winter season and beyond!