Columbus Polarity Center
for
Integrative Health and Wellness

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Columbus Polarity Center specializes in complementary therapies and holistic healthcare. There is a wide range of qualified practitioners available for Polarity Therapy, Cranial Sacral, Rolfing, Reiki, Herbal Therapy, Aromatherapy, relaxation massage and Massage Therapy by LMTs. Our practitioners work with an integrative healthcare focus and often will provide the client with various options that will meet their needs. Many of the practitioners work together to provider the best preventive care for the client. Please check our website www.columbuspolarity.com for more details.

Practitioners at Columbus Polarity are not medical doctors, nor do they diagnose or treat illnesses or prescribe any type of medications. For medical needs consult your physician.

Holiday Season "Stress Busters"

• Take a Vitamin B Complex Daily, an extra-strength tablet!!
• Breathe – Breath Awareness. Be aware of your breath as you eat, read, talk and work on your computer.
• Inhale deep: count 4-6 counts as you exhale
• Drink as much water as possible, (8-8oz. glasses minimum), carry a water bottle with you at all times.
• Add Rescue Remedy to water (Instant Relaxation) 4-6 drops to 8oz. of water.
• Ground and center – Plant "bare" feet flat on the floor, sit up straight in a solid chair, breathe and close your eyes for 30 seconds!
• Do Body Scanning (10 minutes). Bring your awareness into your body – where in your body do you feel any sensation. Focus and breathe into that feeling.
• Give Gift Certificates – cuts down on crazy shopping days!
• Get Extra Bodywork. "Instant Stress Buster"
• Eat more protein early in the day. Hold off on sugar until evening – helps blood sugar stay stabilized.
• Exercise – walk, do mini trampoline – Even 15 minutes is better than nothing.
• Drink chamomile tea before bed – soothes nerves.
• When all else fails – Turn it over – to Santa that is!!

Home Remedy for Joint Pain

Taking too much ibuprofen?? (Which can cause side effects.) Try a safer alternative – it is at your local grocery store!! Cabbage Leaves Cabbage leaves contain powerful anti-inflammatory compounds. When applied to arthritic joints – relieves pain and swelling. How to: Use a rolling pin (or something hard) take 2-3 large outer dark green leaves from head of cabbage – roll the leaves. Warm the leaves in a microwave or steamer – wrap them around the joint, cover with a slightly moist towel and leave for 15 minutes. It is amazing!! Try it!!
Reference: Bottom Line Tomorrow, Winter 2004

Energy Healing - Does It Work?

"Any illness can be solved internally if there is a sufficient energy to activate the natural abilities of the cells and system to rejuvenate… in many cases bigger Bio-Energy levels are needed to reverse an existing chronic illness."
Reference: E. Valdman Medical Institute

Fenugreek Aides digestion, assimilation, and elimination of carbohydrates; soothes stomach, lungs, intestines, ulcers, prevents fatty deposits, water retention, infection; rich in Vit. D, A, lysine, tryptophan, & iron.

Flax Seed Helpful for intestinal irritation, stomach ulcers, inflammations, coughs, asthma, and pleurisy; excellent stool softener and has a laxative and bulking property. Historically has strengthened teeth and bones.

Fennel Earliest known herb used for digestion of oily foods, liver tonic, waste products removal, expels gas, relieves cramps, helps nerves, calms children, improves skin and eyes; high in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, traces of sodium, iron, sulfur, and selenium.

Licorice Root Excellent for stomach and intestinal ulcers because of it’s mucilaginous consistency; helps to neutralize uric acid; mild laxative and stool softener; food for the nerves and adrenals; helps in flu, cold and lung congestion; found in herbal combination syrups; improves spleen and liver function.

Peppermint Old remedy for digestion, colic, gas, nausea, and reducing fever; breathing hot tea vapors opens sinuses; increases circulation and transports herbs into absorption; great travel aide for spasm, convulsions, colon irritation, and menstrual cramps; rich in vitamins A, B-complex, C, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, selenium, manganese, silicon, zinc, and iron.

Alfalfa Kind of the nutritional herbs; assists in chemical balances; cleans toxins during pregnancy, neutralizes uric acid; primarily cleans, strengthens, and builds the body, has eight digestive enzymes; strengthens central nervous system, assists pituitary gland, reduces pain and inflammation; nutritionally rich in chlorophyll, protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, sodium, silica, magnesium, vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, K, D, and contains 8 essential amino acids.

Nettles Full of calcium iron, silicon, and potassium. Helps stomach and urinary tract disorders; kidney and bladder conditions. In hydrotherapy provides minerals that are absorbed through the skin; excellent source of calcium for menopausal women; used by Europeans for allergies. Effective blood purifier and ads iron content to the blood for reversing anemia.

Black Cohosh: A Natural Alternative to Estrogen for Menopause

About 1.5 million new women face mid-life changes each year, and many more are searching for alternatives to hormone replacement therapy. The most widely used and thoroughly studied herbal approach to menopause is a special extract of Cimifuga (black cohosh).

Since 1956, over 1.5 million menopausal women in Germany have used the Cimifuga extract with great success without side effects. Clinical studies have shown the special Cimifuga extract relieves not only hot flashes, but also depression and vaginal atrophy.

With menopause, there is a significant drop off in estrogen and progesterone levels, and increase in secretion of the luteinizing hormone (LH). Many of the symptoms of menopause are suspected to be a result of the increased levels of LH. Cimifuga extract has been shown to lower LH. This effect signifies an estrogen-like effect. Cimifuga also has an "estriol-like" effect, which actually exerts anti-cancer properties.

Cimifuga extract is the most well-documented, natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy. Several studies have compared Cimifuga extract to hormone replacement therapy, with the Cimifuga extract producing better results, especially regarding the improvement of the vaginal lining and with psychological symptoms.

Summarizing the results of the studies, the following can be stated about Cimifuga. It is effective in relieving all of the following menopausal symptoms: hot flashes, night sweats, headaches, heart palpitations, vaginal atrophy, depression, anxiety, nervousness, sleep disturbances, and decreased libido, without side effects.

(Excerpted from Health Counselor, Vol. 8, No. 2, written by Michael T. Murray, N.D.)

* Best Herbal Blend for menopause "Free at Last". Check info at our online store at www.ColumbusPolarity.com

Growing Older

In April, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah (on her show) for Dr. Angelou’s 74th birthday. Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older and she said:

"I’ve learned that no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life. I’ve learned that making a “living” is not the same thing as making a "life." I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one. I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Energy Movement

Energy dance-fun movement to enhance flexibility and strength. "A Healthy spirit resides in a healthy body." Dance with your spirit. Energy movement works with the 5 basic elements of life, Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth.

• Spinal Flexibility
• Joint balance
• Muscle Strength
• Release stress and tension
• Balances the Chakras

Join Irina Tatarintseva, MA, APP who brings this new system of energy dance to us from her studies in the Ukraine. Every Wednesday evening 7:00-8:00 at 1253 N High Street. Parking in rear of building. Cost is $10 per class. All ages welcome and no experience is required. Polarity CEU's available.

Introduction to Polarity Therapy and Energy Balancing: CEU Program

• Learn a basic Energy Balancing Session
• Enjoy some Energetic Exercises
• Discover the Basic Science of Energy
• Gather some Chakra Information
• Review Reflex Points for Stress Reduction

This course offers CEUs for Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and activities professionals, and other fields are pending.

Pre-registration is necessary to reserve your space. Call the Columbus Polarity Center or the Ohio Institute of Energetic Studies and Bodywork at 614-299-9438 or e-mail us at energy@columbuspolarity.com.

JOIN US:

Get CEU credits, RPP advanced credits, good for any Mental Health and Holistic Practitioner.

Sign up for all or part of the workshop!

Pre-Registration Required

Registration due December 28, 2004. LATE FEE AFTER DEADLINE.
CALL 614-299-9438 or EMAIL Energy@ColumbusPolarity.com!

Friday, January 7, 2005
5:30 – 8:00 pm
1253 N. High Street
Cost: $35
Register by calling 614-299-9438 or email Energy@ColumbusPolarity.com

Energetic Food Awareness

In the Polarity mode, foods are governed by energetic principles, and our relationship to foods depends on these energetic principles.

Engaging in an understanding of the energetic principles in foods is a great tool towards higher consciousness, a better understanding of ourselves, and our connection with nature. Through such an understanding, we come to experience the Polarity principles of attraction and repulsion, expansion and contraction, otherwise known as Evolution and Involution.

For instance, Involutionary foods support habit forming. They are dense and heavy. They can pull us down, towards addictions and emotional imbalances. Evolutionary foods are lighter, pranic foods, they bring our body to higher vibrations, and they support health building.

Involutionary foods can also be very grounding and sustaining. They are good for winter consumption. Evolutionary foods are cleansing foods, good for meditation. They are best eaten in the summer.

Involutionary foods are those foods farthest away from the Source. All processed, least alive, very contractive foods are Involutionary. Evolutionary foods are closest to the Source, they are alive, expansive, fresh, grown without chemicals, in good conditions, with love and care.

In Polarity, we look at foods energetically from the point of view of the three principles of Positive, Negative, and Neutral, or Rajasic, Tamasic and Sattvic.

Rajasic foods are fiery and stimulating, for an active life, mostly complex carbohydrates and vegetable proteins. Tamasic foods are dense and sedating, difficult to digest, mostly animal proteins, fats, sugars. Sattvic foods are easy to digest, closest to source, light, mostly fruits and vegetables.

Finally, as Polarity Practitioners, we will look at foods from the Elemental point of view. From this perspective, foods are categorized by height. Earth foods grow below ground level, and include tubers and roots. Water foods grown from 0 to 2 feet above ground, they include vegetables of all kinds. Fire foods grow from 2 to 6 feet above ground and include grains and legumes. Air foods grow from 6 feet and up above the ground, they include fruits and nuts. Ether is about the space, the environment, in which food is prepared and eaten.

Each Element has its own energetic color and taste, which attaches to the Foods governed by that Element. Thus Earth foods are red and the taste sweet, Water foods are orange and the taste salty, Fire foods are yellow and the taste bitter, Air foods are green and the taste sour. These are not necessarily the color and taste of most foods under one Element, but they add ways of looking at them and understanding them energetically.

According to Dr. Stone, some foods are good for a cleansing diet and some are good for a health-building diet. Air and Water Elemental foods are usually good for cleaning. Fire and Earth are good for health building.

Through skillfully balancing the Polarity Principles and Elements in our approach to foods, we can eat wisely and live healthily.

The Whole Herb

Every day, millions of people take high blood pressure medicine, aspirin, anti-depressants, sleep aids, nasal decongestants or other pills. According to Dr. P. Yutsis, more than 150,000 Americans died last year from taking the wrong prescription drugs or from the serious side effects of drugs. In the U.S. we take more drugs than any other country and live shorter lives! Europe averages 46 percent less drug use than the U.S., Japan 80 percent less and China 95 percent less. What’s wrong with this picture?

The reason for this difference is simple: choices. The use of herbs and natural medicines is considerably higher in Europe and Asia, where options are available to try the less invasive therapies before venturing into the complex drug treatments. Many cultures use natural remedies and herbs first for adverse health conditions. Having choices is a key factor.

Let us empower ourselves by continuing to explore the use of herbs. Charoula Dontopoulos, a certified herbalist and polarity practitioner, gives us information on herbal healing:

Modern medicine tells us that drugs are safer and more effective than herbs. The claim stems from the fact that pharmaceutical companies submit their products to extensive testing, often for eight to 12 years, at astronomical costs, which are eventually passed on to the consumers.

In the Encyclopedia of Popular Herbs, Robert Pinco, one-time director of the Food and Drug Administration’s over-the-counter drug review process, explains that more than 75 percent of common medications did not meet rigorous standards. Of these drugs approved by the FDA, more than half were found to have serous safety problems after they were on the market. According to the same source, reactions to FDA-approved medications kill over 100,000 Americans annually and injure 2million more. By comparison, serious problems with herbs are rare.

To understand the difference between drugs and herbs, let’s focus on how they work. Pharmaceutical drugs are highly purified, potently concentrated chemicals that act by blocking processes of the body. This often gets rid of the symptoms but may create undesired side effects. Anti-congestants will clear your nose, but cause drowsiness. Prolonged use of non-steroids temporarily eases our arthritis pain, but may adversely affect your liver.

When we drink a tea or take a tincture of an herb, we are taking in the whole plant, with thousands of compounds. Although plants contain unique ingredients which give them specific effects, it is the combination of all these compounds that accounts for a plant’s effectiveness and safety. The concept that a plant is more than the sum total of all its parts is known as synergy. Synergy means compounds work together to boost the power of plants and offset actions of unsafe constituents.

To illustrate, there is no evidence that hypercin, the so-called active ingredient in St. John’s wort, is really an anti-depressant. It is the synergistic effect of the whole plant that helps with depression. Ephedrine, the constituent in ephedra, will raise heart rate and blood pressure in concentrated extract doses, but this is counteracted in the whole tea by pseudoephedrine which lowers those body functions.

In their wholeness, plants work by effecting favorable changes in our physiology, allowing the body to return to a balanced state. In the holistic tradition, the body knows how to heal itself and will do so given proper assistance. Herbs are our allies in this process.

Some herbs have immediate results. Three or four cups of slippery elm bark tea soothes the digestive and intestinal tract and helps improve an irritable colon. Echinacea and goldenseal help fight common colds. Valerian helps relieve stress and anxiety.

Most herbs, however, act over a long period of time, and their strength is in nutritional value and prevention. Herbs are foods that build up our body and correct underlying problems, with less risk than synthetic drugs. Astragalus, a time-honored Chinese herb, builds the immune system by stimulating white blood cell production. A few cloves of garlic a day lower blood pressure and reduce cholesterol levels. Ginseng, the whole root, strengthens our ability to cope with stress.

According to Dr. Rudolph Ballentine, author of Radical Healing, "To heal is to make whole, and part of our wholeness is our connection to the plant life of the planet. Using plants as medicine is simply a means of reasserting that connection and revitalizing our participation (in the planetary whole)."

The Glossary is a tool for educating people who wish to make informed choices about Holistic Health care.

FLOWER ESSENCES
(Bach Flower Remedies, et al)
Flowers have their own personalities. It is the energy of these personalities that is captured in the essences. This energy works subtly on our energy bodies to dramatically affect us emotionally, mentally and physically. These potent, non-aromatic liquids are vibrational catalysts. After consultation, the practitioner prescribes a specific essence or mixture of essences to facilitate healing and change. Flower Essences help accelerate all therapies, facilitate transformation, and awaken awareness.

GUIDED IMAGERY
Is usually incorporated as part of meditation or hypnotherapy. Affirmative images, words and symbols are conjured and held in the mind to promote physical, emotional, spiritual well being. Guided Imagery can also be used to develop self-confidence in realizing a business or athletic goal.

HEALING TOUCH
Like Reiki and acupuncture, Healing Touch operates on the subtle energy system of the human body. In Healing Touch, manual manipulation is gentle and non-invasive. By assessing and treating the imbalances in the chakra energy system, the practitioner assists the client in self-healing.

HERBALISM
The use of plants to facilitate healing. Herbs may be administered in many forms, including teas, tinctures, salves, poultices, capsules, volatile oils, infusions, and decoctions. The practitioner may recommend a single herb or a combination of several herbs.

HOLISTIC
Dealing with the patient as a whole human being-physical, mental, emotional, spiritual-as distance from conventional medicine’s view that physical ailments are separate and unrelated to non-physical aspects such as emotional state and belief system.

HOLOTROPIC BREATHWORK
The word Holotropic is from the Greek Holos meaning whole and Trepein meaning moving or oriented towards. A powerful method of self-exploration, personal transformation, and healing created by Christina and Stanislav Grof, MD. It is based on and combines insights from modern consciousness research, depth psychology and various spiritual traditions and practices. Through accelerated breathing, evocative music and a unique bodywork technique, non-ordinary states of consciousness are induced. These states allow mobilization of the spontaneous healing potential of the psyche.

HOMEOPATHY
A therapeutic system of medicine that is based on the principle of similars – like cures like – which means that a substance that can cause certain symptoms in a healthy person can cure similar symptoms in an unhealthy person. Homeopathy aims to aid and stimulate the body’s own defense and immune processes. Homeopathic medicines are derived from a variety of plants, animal materials and minerals. These medicines are prescribed to fit each individual’s needs, given in much smaller and less toxic doses than traditional medications, and are used for both prevention and treatment. Established 200 years ago by German physician Samuel Hahneman, and is recognized by the World Health Organization as the second largest therapeutic system in the world.

* More to come each month!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS
FROM
COLUMBUS POLARITY