Hand to Health.com
  • Home
    • What Is Holistic Health?
    • Clinic Etiquette
    • FAQ
  • Your Therapist
    • Education & Experience
  • Client Testimonials
  • Services
    • Gift Certificates
    • Massage Therapy >
      • What is Massage Therapy?
      • Massage Therapy Articles & Links
    • Prenatal & Postnatal Massage Therapy
    • Clinical Reflexology >
      • What is Reflexology?
      • Reflexology Links & Articles
    • Reiki >
      • What is Reiki?
      • Reiki Classes
      • Reiki Long Distance
      • Reiki Links & Articles
    • Craniosacral Therapy >
      • Craniosacral Therapy Articles & Links
    • Spinal Touch >
      • A Spinal Touch Session
      • What is Spinal Touch?
      • Spinal Touch Links & Articles
    • Ayurvedic Sessions >
      • What is Ayurveda?
      • Ayurveda Links & Articles
    • Holistic Journey Sessions
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Calgary Covid19 and your Appointment
    • COVID 19 Infection Prevention and Control 2021 Update
  • Get in Touch
  • Home
    • What Is Holistic Health?
    • Clinic Etiquette
    • FAQ
  • Your Therapist
    • Education & Experience
  • Client Testimonials
  • Services
    • Gift Certificates
    • Massage Therapy >
      • What is Massage Therapy?
      • Massage Therapy Articles & Links
    • Prenatal & Postnatal Massage Therapy
    • Clinical Reflexology >
      • What is Reflexology?
      • Reflexology Links & Articles
    • Reiki >
      • What is Reiki?
      • Reiki Classes
      • Reiki Long Distance
      • Reiki Links & Articles
    • Craniosacral Therapy >
      • Craniosacral Therapy Articles & Links
    • Spinal Touch >
      • A Spinal Touch Session
      • What is Spinal Touch?
      • Spinal Touch Links & Articles
    • Ayurvedic Sessions >
      • What is Ayurveda?
      • Ayurveda Links & Articles
    • Holistic Journey Sessions
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Calgary Covid19 and your Appointment
    • COVID 19 Infection Prevention and Control 2021 Update
  • Get in Touch

Spiraling In & Out of Nature's Seasons

11/8/2020

0 Comments

 
​Nature spirals in and out through the seasons … so do we.  Have you noticed the whorls and circles in the trunk of a cut tree, how a cat will curl up and around itself to sleep within a tucked up ball, the spirals of sea shells, plant leaves, wave patterns in the sand left by the ocean’s waves…
Picture
Picture
​It may seem in Autumn and Winter that nature doesn't continue the spiraling process but it does. The leaves on a tree begin to dry and curl until a wind blows through the branches and the tree opens and releases the leaves to the ground. Snowflakes have circular patterns as they fall to the ground. Cats spend more time curled up to stay warm but they do get up to stretch luxuriously. Nature spirals in but also opens up and releases.

​The human body spirals….our dna spirals within, we have linings (fascia) around our cells, muscles, our organs, even our skin acts as a lining that holds us together. Our mind spirals with emotions that wind us up or loosen and relax us. During the Fall and Winter months we are more likely to curve inwards to protect against the colder breezes, we're more likely to cocoon indoors and wrap ourselves up, curl our posture around that hot cup of cocoa.
Picture
​As living beings we can run into problems when we don’t take the time to loosen and open our physical and emotional inward spirals. We often allow life’s continual and stressful grinds to wind us tighter…ever tighter. We can begin to feel like a tightly wound spring ready to “boing” in uncontrolled patterns, as we knock against those things around us and then lie in the place we land, still coiled and tight. This is never more true than as we navigate our way through Covid19 and staying within our space, bubble and home.

Picture
Holistic sessions encourage the body and the mind to unwind and open up with ease ... spiral out, for just a short time. It's interesting to note how many times a client will release a deep breath or sigh as their body and mind begin to release. Relaxation Massage opens and stretches muscles and tendons, Craniosacral Therapy encourages the linings (fascia) encasing muscles, organs and joints to unwind, to loosen the tightness and just be, Reiki encourages mind and body to move into balance and harmony with the cold of winter being warmed and thawed through the heat of the energy within. 

While spiraling and winding inwards brings a sense of comfort, especially during the darker months, the mind and body do need us to take the time to open and release. To stay tightly wound leads to stagnation, stiffness and imbalance. 
​How do you think it would feel to “unwind from the grind”? Do you think it would feel wonderful to open up and balance, from top to bottom, while still staying firmly grounded in YOUR present?
0 Comments

Calling all Goddesses & Angels - You do not Have to Navigate this Journey Alone

10/4/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Many of my clients appreciate the intuitive approach I bring to my Holistic sessions. When you tell me to just go with it and offer the session as I think you need it's an honour to be trusted so deeply. What you may not realize is that your guides or the energy you're "putting out there", or your angels are, for the most part, showing me what you need. And in writing that I just took a big leap outside of my usually safe topics of discussion.

I hear you when you say you are struggling to figure life out, next steps, how to move forward in your journey...I also sense that many are not calling upon those spirit guides that are there to help them navigate their life path. These guides have so many different names (guardian angels, totem animals, god, goddess, ancestors...) and energies, none of them wrong or right. What is right is what feels as though it resonates with you and your beliefs.

Read More
0 Comments

Optimal October Pampering

10/1/2020

0 Comments

 
Pampering Self Care at Hand to Health in Calgary
You do know you deserve it right? Deserve to be Pampered, not just every now and then but all the time.

Indulging in what makes us feel cared for and pampered is the ultimate selfcare gift that we can give to ourselves. When we are in that pampered state we often are feeling relaxed, empowered and refreshed. Wouldn't approaching your day to day tasks be easier and more satisfying if you're feeling strengthened and renewed in mind, body and spirit?
Relax, Renew, Refreshing Reiki with Teresa Graham in Calgary
What makes us feel pampered and comforted is likely to be different for each person reading this and I have to be honest that I love to hear about what each person's choice is, mostly because it often gives me ideas on new things to try.  Below you'll find a special offering added to Services for the month of October, something I put together based on feedback from clients. Through the month the ideas around pampering and comfort will also be explored on my Facebook, Instagram and Twitter feeds and I would love it if you would share your preferences for pampering and comfort with other readers and myself. 

October's Health Session Special

Picture
Enjoy 90 minutes of relaxation, balance and rejuvenation during the month of October 2020 with a blend of Relaxation Massage, Reflexology and Reiki.
This special will be offered and must be booked and received between October 1 and 31st 2020. Not usually offered, you can, for this special only, purchase gift certificates for yourself or others to receive a session at any time. A popular Christmas treat!
0 Comments

Phase 3 in the Journey - Maintenance and Moving Foward (A Journey Into A Holistic Approach to Discovering Balance During Covid19 - 6)

5/20/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
OK, so you’ve done the work, peeled back layers of your life, like an onion, to discover at least one thing that is no longer working for you. That something is up for change as you create holistic balance in your life. You’ve explored the ways that work for you and hopefully found 2 or 3 that work and you’re in the process of integrating those changes. Now what? 


Read More
0 Comments

Phase 2 in the Journey - Acceptance and Investigation (A Journey Into A Holistic Approach to Disc0vering Balance During Covid19 - 5)

4/28/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture

​At this point in our journey it's accepted that you have embraced the idea that the health of mind, body and spirit are all integral to our holistic well-being, and that it's totally ok to have any and all emotions during changes in your life that affect all parts of you. If you're not at this point yet then move backwards through the previous blog posts...this next part of the journey is interesting, playful and enlightening.


Read More
0 Comments

Phase 1 in the Journey - Emotions (A Journey Into A Holistic Approach to Disc0vering Balance During Covid19 - 4)

4/18/2020

0 Comments

 
I think that one of the downsides to people feeling safe to share their journey towards holistic balance is Toxic Positivity. Ourselves or others can often feel uncomfortable with emotion, and so will downplay it in others, or we stuff it down in ourselves. Neither are healthy and that is not what this journey will be about. It's time to get honest with how you're feeling.
Picture
There really are no right or wrong feelings about all of the drastic changes to our lives due to the Covid19 pandemic. They are all normal, correct and understandable. Which ones do you identify with?
  • Shock
  • Grief
  • Despair
  • Depression
  • Calm
  • Peace
  • Uncertainty
  • Curiousity
  • Anger
  • Anxiety
  • Frustration
  • Overwhelm
  • Fear
  • Surprise
  • Stress
  • Denial
  • Other
Picture
As you recognize each of the emotions that you have, do you identify where in your body you're also feeling them physically? Where they are expressing in your Spirit? A first step in creating holistic balance is first acknowledging and accepting your feelings about change, without feeling the need to justify or judge or suppress.

It can be simple frustrations such as not being able to find paper towels, toilet paper or flour in the stores, surprise that your kids can no longer play in parks, depression in not having any social interactions at work or with friends, fear and uncertainty with more questions than answers...
Allowing your feelings is healthy. Emotions are energy and in order to eventually be released, energy has to be allowed to move. Same thing with emotions, and yes, it can be super uncomfortable to allow our own emotions and to witness those of others.
Picture
The next step is to acknowledge that how you're feeling mentally/emotionally is impacting you on all levels of mind, body and spirit. Checking in on how it feels physically often requires some action to get out of your head and into your body. Meditation, contemplation and physical activity are really helpful.
The final step in this phase is to cut yourself some slack. Allow the feelings, all of them and how they fluctuate. During this phase radical self-care is called for as we work towards managing our emotions constructively and turn towards allowing holistic balance.

Radical Self-Care during Phase 1 of Your Holistic Journey

Some of the following suggestions may seem like band-aid solutions to the emotions you're feeling about the changes you're experiencing due to Covid19. They are band-aid solutions for now. During this first phase in creating holistic balance your creating space for emotions and looking after yourself through that phase. (You're also teaching your loved ones that it's ok to have the emotions and to explore self-care techniques that work for them)
Picture
Ways to Safely Express Emotion

Don't suppress them or tamp them down! Allow the energy of the emotions to move through you and if they get too much go ahead and scream in the car, cry, stamp your feet. Journaling through writing or art, breath work, laughter and physical movement are all great ways to safely express emotions.



My favourite way is to put on the music and dance with abandon. As I move the emotional energy moves as well. I encourage you to explore and discover new ways that feel good to you.

Nurturing Yourself Through the Tough Days

This can be a really interesting way to find out just what radical self-care looks like for you as you explore different methods.
  • Eating healthy foods,
  • Carrying crystals,
  • Aromatherapy,
  • Getting Physical with activity you love
  • Switching from listening to the Blues,
  • Watching comedies instead of dramas,
  • Turning off the news every day
  • Chat with friends and family through video or phone
 ... wrap yourself in comfort and care (yes, you are also teaching your children to care for themselves through example)
Picture
Explore Aromatherapy
Picture
Carry crystals
Picture
Dance with abandon
Picture
Spending time with friends and family on line until you can gather together again
Picture
Journaling through written word, drawing, painting...
Picture
Exploring activities that bring joy
I'ts ok to sit in this phase of discovering Holistic Balance for a period of time as you explore what works for you. But we're not going to wallow or set up camp in this phase for too long. That being said, there is no timeline. As I said in a previous post, you will work through this journey as it works for you and there is no right or wrong way. Get comfortable with self-care and emotional expression as best you can. Perhaps the weekly calendar guide below can help with that.
Picture
A Journey Into A Holistic Approach to Disc0vering Balance During Covid19 - 1
What Does It Mean to Take A Holistic Approach (Journey Into A Holistic Approach to Disc0vering Balance During Covid19 - 2)
The Mind Body Spirit Connection & Dealing with Change (Journey Into A Holistic Approach to Discovering Balance During Covid19 - 3)
0 Comments

The Mind Body Spirit Connection & Dealing with Change (Journey Into A Holistic Approach to Discovering Balance During Covid19 - 3)

4/14/2020

0 Comments

 
Holistic Approach to Change
The basis of a holistic approach to health, to life and to change, is acknowledging  the mind, body and the spirit connection, and nurturing that connection.

What affects the mind has an influence on the body and visa versa. Anything affecting either or both, mind and body, impacts upon our spirit.

Let's take stress as an example. When we're feeling stressed about a situation we can feel it in our body. Some feel is as stomach upset, some as shoulder pain from tightened muscles, others experience headaches. Often, and at the same time, stress can cause a loss of hope, thus affecting the spirit.
Unexpected change is often uncomfortable and can create stress. Despite change being an ongoing occurrence in life it is one we can't seem to embrace. The drastic changes that COVID19 has brought to our lives is hard to navigate and it is no wonder that many balk at embracing it. But, what are our choices?
Holistic Approach to emotions
I am hearing a whole range of emotions from clients, family and friends as the life changes imposed by COVID19 unroll. Anger, fear, depression, anxiety, frustration, sorrow, shock,, grief... are just a few.

​Many feel changes "forced" upon them are impossible to steer through. There are many of us that have had to slow down or stop work due to social distancing or loss of business, parents are being asked to work at home while also home-schooling their children and at the same time keep them indoors and away from playgrounds and friends, those deemed essential are busy and stressed as they are daily put at risk of infection, as humans we are social beings and we are not able to spend time with our friends, or family members that live elsewhere...  I cannot think of any emotions that would be inappropriate, but there are ways to navigate through them, grow from them and thrive, holistically.

The first step in taking a holistic approach to the changes of COVID 19 is to acknowledge every single emotion experienced as valid, there is no right or wrong way to feel. Secondly, is to understand that those emotions are having an impact on your physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.
Picture
Take some time over the next few days to allow your feelings, write them down or express them through art. If you meditate, try to check into where you're feeling those emotions in your body and what they feel like. Don't try to tamp them down as emotions are energy and energy needs to move to be released. 

Upcoming posts, as we travel this journey together will address ways to not only deal with the mental, physical and spiritual impact of COVID19, but ways to grow holistically. Tips that will assist you in addressing change throughout life, often making it something easier to embrace.
You may want to work through the steps as they are presented or may find yourself jumping back and forth. There is no right or wrong way to work through these steps, your way must work for you in realizing the benefits of a holistic approach. 
Picture
Other articles in this series:

A Journey Into a Holistic Approach - Discovering Balance During Covid19 - 1

What Does It Mean to Take a Holistic Approach - 2

0 Comments
    Picture

    Teresa Graham,
    ​RMT,  D.I.Hom
     

    Immersed in Holistic Health activities both personally and as a career I find it a path of continual learning...there's so much to share! More about me...

    View my profile on LinkedIn

    RSS Feed

    Tweets by @handtohealth

    Archives

    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013

    Categories

    All
    25 Years Of Reiki
    Abbotsford
    Abbotsford Belly Dance
    Abbotsford Mother's Day
    Abbotsfordreiki
    Abbotsfordreikiclasses
    Allowing
    Allowing Joy
    Angel Guides
    Anxiety
    Aromatherapy
    Aromatherapy Recipe Book
    Arthritis
    Autumn Massage Therapy
    Autumn Selfcare
    Ayurvedic Massage
    Back Pain
    Basic Belly Dance
    Belly Dance For Joy
    Better Sleep
    Body Awareness
    Bodymind
    Boundaries
    Boundary Violation
    Brentwood In Calgary NW
    Bugz Off
    Calgary
    Calgary Craniosacral Therapy
    Calgary Healers
    Calgary Massage Therapy
    Calgary Reflexology
    Calgary Reiki Classes
    Calgary Reiki Treatments
    Calgary RMT
    Celebrate You
    Chilliwack
    Chilliwack Belly Dance
    Chilliwack Reiki Classes
    Cool Flash
    Covid19
    Creating Sacred Space
    Depression
    Embracing Change
    Emotional Spring Cleaning
    Empowering
    Empowering Women
    Energy
    Environmentally Friendly
    Essential Oil Recipes
    Fabric Shopping Bags
    Feel Better
    Fraser Valley Belly Dance
    Gift Certificates
    Gift Ideas
    Gifts Of Health
    Gratitude
    Hand To Health
    Headache
    Healing
    Health And Wellness
    Healthy Living
    Heart Health
    Heel Pain
    Holiday Stress
    Holistic Abbotsford
    Holistic Approach
    Holistic Aproach
    Holistic Balance
    Holistic Calgary
    Holistic Challenge
    Holistic Chilliwack
    Holistic Health
    Holistic Wisdom
    Hydration
    Hypnotherapy
    Immune Booster
    Indian Head Massage
    Insomnia
    Intuition
    Intuitive Approach
    January 2020
    Joint Pain
    Journey
    Joy
    Just Breathe
    Keep Moving
    Langley
    Langley Belly Dance
    Learn Reiki
    Leg Massage
    Letting Go
    Love
    Massage
    Massage Appointment
    Massage Therapy
    Mind
    Mind Body Spirit
    Mission Belly Dance
    Money Beliefs
    Mother Nature
    Mother's Day Specials In Abbotsford
    Natural Health
    Neck Pain
    NW Calgary Massage Therapy
    Outdoor Wellness
    Pamper Me Package
    Panic Attacks
    Parenting
    People Pleasing
    Plantar Faciitis
    Post Covid Isolation
    Reflexology
    Reiki
    Reiki And Letting Go
    Reiki Classes
    Reiki For Babies
    Reiki For Parents
    Relaxation
    Reopening
    Rose Water Massage
    Sad
    Safe
    Seasonal Affective Disorder
    Selfcare
    Self Care
    Selfcare Made Easy
    Self Care Rituals
    Selfesteem
    Self Exploration
    Self Love
    Shoveling Snow
    Spinal Touch Therapy
    Spirit Guides
    Stress
    Summer Hydration
    Tarot Readings
    Teresa Graham RMT
    The Big Sigh
    The Hips
    The Varsity Clinic
    Valentine's Special Sessions
    Varsity In CalgaryNW
    Wednesdaywisdom
    Wellness For Women
    Women's Health
    Yoga Classes
    Yyc

Teresa Graham, RMT

Registered Massage Therapy and Holistic Health Sessions
#6 4624 Varsity Drive NW
Calgary
Contact
Book Online
Est. 1994
Massage Therapy
​Prenatal & Postnatal Massage Therapy

Reflexology
Reiki - Treatments
Reiki - Classes
Craniosacral Therapy

Spinal Touch
Ayurvedic Massage & Sessions
Check out Teresa Graham, RMT on Yelp
Massage Therapy Calgary NW with Teresa Graham, RMT

Teresa's Monthly enews

Keep up to date on monthly featured sessions, special dates and offers, natural health articles, ideas and recipes. Your email address will not be shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Subscribe

* indicates required
Copyright © Teresa Graham, RMT 2013. All rights reserved
Photos used under Creative Commons from W J (Bill) Harrison, Parker Knight, amy paterson, vastateparksstaff, larrywkoester, simonov, Melody Campbell, Parker Knight, W J (Bill) Harrison, Cast a Line, shannonkringen, StandUPP, kenteegardin, Lippy: No Gloss admin, cyberpunk65, Nieve44/Luz, porschelinn, mcfarlandmo, Kirsty Topping, Charline Tetiyevsky, Eduards Pulks, TraumaAndDissociation, chripell, supermattzor, TraumaAndDissociation, torbakhopper, Travel Salem, THE Holy Hand Grenade!, Theodore Scott, Kirsty Topping, Tim Berger