Columbus Polarity Center
for
Integrative Health and Wellness

Please pass this newsletter on to associates and friends. This is greatly appreciated.
If you do not want to receive this newsletter via e-mail, please return with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line. Anyone can subscribe to our CPC newsletter, which will come out monthly and include current info, articles about health and wellness, current events, classes and seminars.

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.

Healthy Tidbits

Garlic Food For Life!

Antibacterial, Antiviral and Antifungal- Keep that clove of garlic nearby! Yes and garlic is known to keep ticks away.

According to research on rats, an ingredient in garlic was found to prevent pulmonary hypertension. The magic ingredient is Allicin.

Researchers explain that Allicin in garlic likely prevents pulmonary hypertension by causing constricted blood vessels to relax preventing damage to the blood vessels.

* Reference: Forbes.com 4/3/ 2005

It is best to use fresh garlic. Allicin, the active ingredient in garlic, is destroyed within one hour of smashing the garlic.

* Reference: www.mercola.com

Let Me Count The Ways Sugar is Harmful!

Contributed by Nancy Appleten Ph.D, author of "Lick The Sugar Habit"

*Reference www.mercola.com

·       Sugar can suppress your immune system.

·       Sugar upsets the mineral balance in your body- it interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.

·       Sugar can cause rapid rise of adrenaline, anxiety and difficulty in concentrating

·       Sugar can produce a significant rise in total cholesterol, and triglycerides.

·       Sugar causes loss of tissue elasticity and function.

·       Sugar can increase fasting levels of glucose and can cause reactive hypoglycemia.

·       Sugar can cause premature aging.

·       Sugar can cause acidic saliva, tooth decay, and periodontal disease.

·       Sugar assists the uncontrolled growth of Candida Albicans (yeast infections).

·       Sugar can elevate glucose and insulin responses in oral contraceptive users.

·       Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.

·       Sugar can lower your Vitamin E levels.

·       Sugar can interfere with your absorption of protein.

·       Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.

·       Sugar can make your skin age by changing the structure of collagen.

·       Sugar can damage your pancreas.

·       Diets high in sugar will increase free radicals and oxidative stress.

All of the items listed above have substantial references attached to them.

DO WE NEED MORE CONVINCING EVIDENCE??

Wheatgrass and Cancer "Wheatgrass- a shotgun blast at treating cancer."

Wheatgrass contains chlorophyll, which has almost the same molecular structure as hemoglobin. Chlorophyll increases hemoglobin production. Selenium and **** are also in wheatgrass, both are anticancer. Wheatgrass is one of the best alkaline to humankind.

" Watch Those Assumptions"

The Truth About Health, Healing and Wellness

A. If you are not sick then you are well!!!

·       The absence of symptoms is not the criteria to judge wellness!!

B. That X will produce health

·       Taking one pill, doing a round of antibiotics or thinking any "one" thing alone will produce health is contrary to the natural process of the body (which is holistic by nature)!

C. Health or diseases is totally dependant upon outside factors as bacteria, viruses or stress

·       Go within for this answer. Health or disease is totally dependant upon the ability of your internal immunity and your body's ability to stabilize, detox toxins and repair, rejuvenate and regenerate. Fifteen people can be exposed to the same virus five get very ill, five have mild symptoms, five have no affects. Why? " The Doctor Within"

D. The Doctor will fix the problem

·       Medicine supports the body's systems to be able to heal. If you break a bone who really fixes the problem? You! The doctor may cast the area but internally your repair systems are the true "FIX-IT KIT." Healing should always be understood as the soul privilege and right of any and all living systems.

* Reference: Mary Jo Ruggieri

What Then Is Health and Wellness??

" Wellness is a state of dynamic balance in the body where illness simply can not exist. Axiom " In perfect balance there can be no disease." When it is in balance the human body is a magnificent machine that constantly repairs itself from damage, foreign invaders and mutant cells. Conversely, when the body is out of balance, a host of possible diseases can and usually does occur."

* Reference: Jerome Godwin, Medical Research Products

Be Well

The healing and wellness approach is always designed to support and enhance the body's own dynamic healing process!!

Need A Good Nights Sleep?

-    Follow a bedtime ritual i.e. warm bath, glass of warm milk, deep breathing and music light harp serenade.

-    Avoid strenuous exercise just prior to bed.

-    No working on projects on bed!

-    Keep sleeping area quiet, dark and comfortably cool.

-    Avoid routine use of sleep medications.

-    Keep sleeping area free from clutter, clutter creates scattered energy.

-    Have a long good belly laugh before bed ritual- Laughing reduces stress.

Bullets For Health

• For the good life eat sprouts
• Lose weight with the vital mineral calcium
• Yoga- best prescription for stress reduction
• Use natural ingredients toothpaste
• Avoid lotions that have isopropyl, glycerylsterate, alcohol, prophylparaben and melhylparaben
• Regular exercise helps detox
• Use a Netie Pot
• Get regular bodywork- one hour of bodywork is worth benefits of 7 miles of brisk walking

Essential Herbs

Ask Charoula

Dear Charoula,

I am having a reoccurring headache that spreads from the back of my head and up to around my eyes. My whole head throbs. What would be the cause of this and what could I do about it?

Answer:

You may be suffering from either vascular or tension headaches.

Vascular headaches are caused by too much blood rushing to the head and expanding the blood vessels, producing the throbbing. This is usually the result of a diet high in acids and coldness, including cold drinks. Cold food and drinks constrict stomach tissue and then blood will move from the digestive process where it is needed for proper digestion to the head.

What to do for a vascular headache:

Alkalinize your diet with cooked green veggies and salads.

Try drawing a hot footbath with a bit of dry mustard or ginger; this should do the trick, by drawing blood to the feet away from the head. Be sure to rub some oil on the feet before the bath so they won't burn from the hot mustard.

A tea of Dandelion greens and root, combined with Nettles, and Burdock root is very effective for this type of headache. Simmer the roots for half an hour, one tablespoon of roots in two cups of water, and then pour over a tablespoon of nettles and Dandelion greens. Let sit for twenty minutes, strain and drink throughout the day.

If your scalp feels sore and you also sense some tension in your neck area, your headache might be of the tension headache variety. This is caused by tension in the neck and shoulder muscles, and is the direct result of emotional or any kind of stress.

What to do for a tension headache:

Manage your stress with Yoga stretching and polarity bodywork.

Apply alternating heat and cold compresses on the neck and forehead.

Do deep breathing every half hour.

In either case, all analgesic, anti-spasmodic, relaxant and stimulant herbs can be of help. These would include Valerian, Skullcap, Black Cohosh, Chamomile, Lemon Balm, or Lavender. A tincture containing some or all of these herbs is preferable to a tea.

If your headaches are persistent, feverfew, taken over a long time at the rate of 3 to 4 cups of infusion a day, will inhibit chemicals which inflame cell membranes resulting in pain. Feverfew is a specific herb for migraines, but also works well other types of headaches.

Hope some of this helps!

Charoula

* For more information on our herbal tinctures, got to www.columbuspolarity.com and click on online herbals.

THE ABOVE INFORMATION IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER/PRACITIONER! INFORMATION IN ANY PART OF THIS NEWSLETTER IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.

New Wellness Classes

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.

Benefits of Energy Movement:

· 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.

CEU Classes

CEU Course Information

Enclosed you will find information on our Introduction to the Theory and Basic Principles of Polarity Therapy and the Science of Energy Medicine classes.

We are excited because we are now offering professional CEU's for Nursing, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Chiropractors and Activities Professionals!

Holistic Healthcare and Complementary Alternative Medicine is one of the fastest growing professions in medicine today. As a healthcare practitioner, there will be many work related opportunities for you, if you have skills and competencies in this area. We are seeing more job opportunities for healthcare practitioners who have a background in energy work such as Polarity Therapy, Reiki, Therapeutic Touch and other Alternative Therapies.

Polarity Therapy is based upon Ayurvedic concepts of healthcare, which is a system gaining wide recognition and being used by medical researchers such as Dr. Deepak Chopra. Polarity/Energy Education gives you detailed information on energy theory, stress management techniques, energetic touch protocols and the integration of systems such polarity reflex points, acupressure points and cranial sacral balancing techniques. It truly is a very integrated and holistic field of study.

For further information, please go to our website at www.ohioinstitute.com and click on the Ohio Institute or CEU button. Also email us at energy@columbuspolarity.com and/or call our office at 614-299-9438 . Registraion is also available online.

The classes meet for two days, see schedule enclosed. Snacks, all materials and a video of the class are included in the registration fee of $298.00 as well as your CEU certificate.

Dates:

July 9&10, 2005
August 20 &21, 2005
September 10 & 11, 2005

Cost: $298.00 for 16 CEU's All Materials and Video included- Some Scholarships Available!

CEU's available for Activities Professionals, Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, Occupational Therapists and Nurses

*Course registered by the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools (Reg.#00-01-1528T)

Course Schedule:

Educational Seminars

Learn To Meditate

-      Easy steps to effective meditation

-      Learn various methods of meditation

-      Practice specific techniques deep breaths, alternative breathing, chanting, focus and silent focus with intentional thoughts

-      Learn the benefits of meditation

-      Warm-ups before meditation

-      Class will always end with a body relaxation

3 Part Series

Class #1- Thursday June 23

7:00-8:30pm

 Class #2- Thursday June 30

7:00-8:30pm

 Class #3- Tuesday July 12

7:00-8:30pm

 Cost: $25 per class

      - $60 for all three paid in advance- handouts included

      - $20 per class for Polarity students

      - $50 for all classes for Polarity students

Come Early For Tea!!

Instructor: Dr. Mary Jo Ruggieri- 25 years of experience in meditation techniques

Place: 1253 North High Street- Park in rear of building. Turn onto Smith and then onto N. Wall St. Enter at the purple door.Pre- Register call 614-299-9438 or email maryjo@columbuspolarity.com

Children 12 and over welcome!

* Register Early! Classes Fill Quickly!

FYI

Health Freedom Comes to Ohio

· Protect your rights as a consumer to choose the type of healthcare you want.

  For more information please visit our website at

 www.ohiohealthfreedom.org

· For more info. (614) 841-7700 or email at pampopper@msn.com

Articles:

CHAKRAS

"We Are But A Wireless Anatomy"

Mary Jo Ruggieri

Energy flows at all levels in and about our life. Many cultures and healthcare systems believe that quality of life issues such as; being disease free, having enough energy to be active all through our life and being of sound mind, body and spirit are not just a gift but also a reality that belongs to us. Deepak Chopra in his book, Ageless Body, Timeless Mind, states that, if properly balanced, human beings could live healthy and active until the ripe age of 135 years old!

Let's look at how we may grow old-youthfully. Energy is the source of all vitality in humans. No matter what form energy takes it gives us life and all life is pulsating movement.

As Candace Pert, Ph.D has said in her tremendous book, Molecules of Emotions there is a biochemical link between the mind and the body. The human organism is this incredible communication system that redefines health and disease. She classifies this system as having a very intelligent pathway to receive information. "Receptor Molecules," as she calls them, will respond to energy and give chemical sues to our body/mind by vibrations- yes, Vibrations! Energy is the substance that eventually creates form.

FYI

To begin, for energy to pulsate we must have an electro magnetic force- a Polarity. Energy must move from a positive to a neutral to a negative charged pole and back again creating movement. Energy moves in a pattern- it has purpose and direction.

The major energy transport highway for all movement is called a Chakra System. Sometimes called wheels of life, spinning vortexes of human energy, transformers and/or centers of movement for reception, processing and transmission of vital life energy. The Chakras are core centers that network our mind/body communication system.

Reality Check

Look up, follow those electric wires and every time you come to a pole, observe the transformer. Energy moves from a higher vibration (a power plant) to a slower vibration to be used as electricity in your house. These transformers hold electricity (energy) in a solid container, which allows it to spin off again and again to slow it down.

We know without much debate that when a transformer isn't functioning entire communities are without electricity. It is the same within our own Chakra system; if our Chakras are not open and functioning we also are without electricity (energy). This eventually affects our emotional and physical health.

Each Chakra is an independent center, which spins energy to slow it down so it can process to the next level. Every Chakra has its own personality, independent but interconnected. Amodea Judith, in her book, Wheels of Life gives a summary of the general points for understanding the Chakra System:

·       There are seven major and several minor Chakras.

·       Chakras are created by the intersection of two major vertical currents (they are reflexed in the spine)\

·       A Chakra System describes a pattern of- involution, energy moving out and away from source and evolution, energy moving in and back to source. This creates an oval field so movement can occur.

·       Being in constant interplay, Chakra corresponds to colors, sounds and specific locations in the body.

·       Chakras have value for maintaining good health and can be kept open through exercises, meditation and/or polarity contact points.

We will now explore information on the seven Chakras and their unique properties.

CHAKRAS

1. Base of Spine                      Color- Red                  Element- Earth

2. Lower Abdomen                 Color- Orange             Element- Water

3. Solar Plexus             Color- Yellow             Element- Fire

4. Heart                                   Color-Green                Element- Air

5. Throat                                 Color- Blue                 Element- Ether

6. Forehead                             Color- Indigo               Element- Light

7. Top of Head                       Color- Violet               Element- Thought

Also associated with each Chakra are correspondences to specific glands, sounds, emotions, foods and energy states. A well-trained energy practitioner will assess these vital energy centers and through specific associations and input from the client, gather vital information on areas of concern.

Chakra balancing techniques are excellent for maintaining good health. Several of the following exercises are very useful; try them when you are tired and stressed. First, sit back in a comfortable chair, eyes closed, feet even on the floor. Place your left hand gently on your forehead and right hand just below the navel. Hold for three minutes, using a light tough with deep breathing. Second, lift both arms above your head, press the palms of your hands towards the ceiling, close your eyes but focus eyes up to your eyebrows- hold for one minute and nose breathe deeply. Third, hold both hands, close to the heart center, palms facing chest. Relax your jaw, close your eyes- breathe in and out of your mouth. Become aware of your internal resources!!

If most diseases are stress induced- isn't it worth our while to keep our vital life-energy balanced!! THE POWER IS WITHIN.

  Glossary

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

Sound Healing

Is a unique type of vibrational therapy that uses the human voice, specially crafted tuning forks, and Tibetan tings has, directed into and around the body to balance the energy. This therapy, which may be used in combination with other energy therapies, allows the gentle "tuning" of the body's nervous system, which provides support in its return to a natural balanced state.

Strain and Counterstrain

Also knows as Positional Release, is an indirect technique to painlessly release tender/trigger points in 90 seconds by temporarily repositioning the body in the position of greatest ease, the "counterstrain" position. It could be described as the opposite of stretching, and works by re-educating the muscle spindle cells, which function as tension regulators for the muscles. Ti is able to address problems, such as rib dysfunction, that re not treatable by other means. Developed by Lawrence Jones, D.O. in the 1950's. It has minimal impact on the circulatory system and is safe for everyone.

Swedish Massage

Uses a system of long strokes, kneading and friction techniques on the more superficial layers of the muscles, combined with active and passive movements of the joints. Used primarily for a full-body treatment: promotes general relaxation, improves circulation and range of motion, and relieves muscle tension.

TAI CHI

Is an ancient Chinese form of energy cultivation and self-defense. A specific type of chi gong, tai chi consist of many chi gong movements which are arranged according to the principles of the Tao Ching and the I Ching. The slow gentle movements promote strength, balance, health, vitality, and an over-all sense of well-being.

Tarot

Like other divinatory systems, such as the I Ching or unes, a reading is determined by a chance operation- in the Tarot it is by the 'random' shuffling of a deck of cards. Each card represents a god and an archetypal world of associations; an image of existence; a set of feelings and ideas. The synchronistic fall of the cards reveals the specific configuration of these elemental forces in the individual's life.

Therapeutic Riding