Chronic Stress: Ways to Protect Your Mind, Body, and Spirit for the Long Haul

~~~~~ Stuck in traffic.  News cycle gives you nightmares.  Hot weather leaves you with hives.  Old traumas rear up and knock you right in the lumbar spine.  Maybe you have a chronic condition.  Who knows?  It could be any number of things.  What matters is that your situation has left you in a state of … Continue reading Chronic Stress: Ways to Protect Your Mind, Body, and Spirit for the Long Haul

New Year’s Resolutions: Six Reasonably Easy Things To Change So That Your 2018 is Magical

~~~~~ Are you like most people?  You vow to make changes at the start of a new year but then by the time January is over you have gone back to your regular habits?  Then you’re normal, actually.  This happens a lot, which is why there are so many “New Year, New You” blog posts … Continue reading New Year’s Resolutions: Six Reasonably Easy Things To Change So That Your 2018 is Magical

Tui Na in Service: Traditional Chinese Bodywork Therapy and Hurricane Harvey

~~~~~ Walking out of the parking lot adjacent to the Austin Convention Center with my wheelie bag in tow was an eye-opener.  The sun was shining brightly for the first time in about a week and a tourist bus with an open-air top floor went by me as I stood on the corner and waited … Continue reading Tui Na in Service: Traditional Chinese Bodywork Therapy and Hurricane Harvey

Tui na Treatment or Acupuncture: Which is Best for You? (Three Points to Ponder)

~~~ As I write out this latest essay, Marvin Gaye’s classic song, “Where are We Going” seems to be winding its way through my mind, bringing up memories and, simultaneously, pointing my nose forward. As those of you who follow my blog know, I’m tying up the loose ends of my 4.5-year-long program in Chinese … Continue reading Tui na Treatment or Acupuncture: Which is Best for You? (Three Points to Ponder)

Aesthetic Treatment for Beauty and Calm, or How to Achieve a Serene Face and a Peaceful Heart

~~~~~ Intuitively, we all know that what is on one’s face is reflective of more than just a superficial response to passing external conditions.  Folk wisdom, such as but by no means limited to sayings like “fake it ’til you make it” and “keep looking like that and your face will freeze that way” and “the eyes … Continue reading Aesthetic Treatment for Beauty and Calm, or How to Achieve a Serene Face and a Peaceful Heart

Two Hearts Wellness on Facebook: Seeing Flowers, Letting Go

  ~~~~~ I’m a latecomer to Facebook and I had a pretty standard routine on my personal page once I started. Cute pictures of baby bats, Italian fashion and/or things that are just a little dark and edgy, clothes-wise, plus of course social justice commentary were my three primary post subjects if I think back. … Continue reading Two Hearts Wellness on Facebook: Seeing Flowers, Letting Go

Fibromyalgia Relief and Ancient Chinese Medicine: Tai Chi, Acupuncture, and Tui Na

~~~~~ Fibromyalgia—in a word—hurts. To the 5 million-plus sufferers who know this condition intimately, it is a case of Tolstoy’s “every happy family is alike and every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way” when it comes to symptoms, presentation, and effects on quality of life. The common link, of course, is muscle pain. … Continue reading Fibromyalgia Relief and Ancient Chinese Medicine: Tai Chi, Acupuncture, and Tui Na

Hill Country Ride for AIDS 2016: Dolly Parton and The Iron Thumb of Doom

~~~~~ The 2016 Hill Country Ride for AIDS took place April 30th this year.  This was my first time participating in this event and no, I did not ride. Instead, my dear friend, Jacob Cain McRae, and I volunteered our services as Asian bodywork therapists.  We spent a fantastic day providing Chinese tui na-style restorative … Continue reading Hill Country Ride for AIDS 2016: Dolly Parton and The Iron Thumb of Doom