Happy Holidays!

Have a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

I have so many ideas, projects, seminars and directions on the horizon. Stay tuned and I will share them all with you. Be safe and enjoy.
Randall

Looking Back

It's time to look back and reflect on 2009. I know...I don't really want to remember too much of it either. There were, however, many lessons. We have been in a major energy shift and any transition is likely to be uncomfortable. Still, even though national/cultural consciousness is agonizingly sloooow to change, the end result of this one is clearly positive. We have more awareness and are electing leaders with more awareness. We are spending less, have more environmental consciousness and are re-connecting with others on many levels. I see new personal relationships blossoming among my acquaintances and even in my own life. I think this new energy involves connection and opening. Remember that external events always mirror our internal consciousness. We are changing and healing. Things will get much better. Be patient. Keep up the good work.
Randall

Swine Flu Myths

Update from SixWise.com.

Bodywork NOW!

Recession is certainly a growth experience for massage therapists. Providers of preventive health services need to remember that we create our own reality. We offer a service that EVERYONE needs. How many professions can say that? You may need a surgeon someday. You may need a lawyer someday. You need stress reduction NOW! Your body need REGULAR maintenance. Relieving stress, pain and movement restrictions without drugs or side effects is probably the most valuable service one could offer. All that for under $100 per visit! The co-pay for two visits to your doctor could pay for a full hour of hands-on therapy that really works.

If you are a bodyworker, get excited! Tell people about what you do! If you are a consumer, get into my office! I'll help you to survive the Holiday stress.
See you soon.
Randall

Mammograms

Cheers to the U.S. Preventive Services Taskforce who recommend no mammograms before age 50 (and find little benefit before age 60). It's past time to stop suggesting this unnecessary exposure to radiation and start encouraging safer and more useful approaches like thermography.
Randall

Relax

When the world seems to be moving faster and faster...when there is more and more to do in less and less time...when stress is high and (as a result) your immune system is low...
STOP.
Take a breath.
Stretch.
Remember what your priorities are. Think about how you can:
1. stay healthy
2. stay connected with loved ones
3. stay aware, alert and alive
4. stay smiling
Good.
Now...make your appointment for massage or bodywork.
Randall

Influenzinum

My significant other gave me a homeopathic medicine to avoid flu this season. Personally, I think getting the flu and having two or three days of bed rest leading to a stronger immune system is preferable to the frantic and dangerous "swine phobia" that seems to have gripped the country. Still, it was a loving act (and I didn't pay for it) so...why not? I did some superficial research and influenzinum seems a reasonable approach to avoiding flu (including swine flu). It's easy to find (and cheaper to buy) on-line. I was fascinated by the higher dose (200c) approach although she purchased a series of 9c vials. I have taken one dose so far and I think I did notice a mild effect. At any rate, if you are looking for a safe way to avoid flu, this one is probably worth trying. It seems to be a smarter and far safer approach than any vaccine.
Randall

Seminars and Specials

I am offering three seminars this Fall which could be of interest to clients as well as other therapists. Would you like to learn to do some of what I do? There is an "Introduction to CranioSacral Therapy" and two classes in Polarity Therapy: "Integrative Energy Bodywork" and "Exploring Energy Therapy". Visit my website to learn more about these.

I will be offering great specials this Holiday season! Check the "monthly specials" on my website and make sure you are on the client email list so you don't miss out.

I want everyone to have access to healing and bodywork. It is so important. Reducing stress and maintaining balance is vital to health and seems to become more difficult every day in this crazy world. I have simple, natural keys to a healthy, pain-free life.
Let me share them with you!
Randall

Swine Flu

The latest newsletter from Dr. Mercola highlights the abundant misinformation regarding swine flu. I found these facts to be most interesting:
1. We know from the experience of the Southern hemisphere (which just finished its flu season) that the swine flu is no more dangerous than the flus we experience every year.
2. The last time our government pushed for a swine fly vaccination, more people died from the vaccine than from the flu.
3. No vaccine is free of side effects and every vaccine carries the risk of death or injury. For more information, I suggest the National Vaccine Information Center.

Meanwhile, here are some tips to avoid the flu (good advice from a forwarded email):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).
3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti(very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.
5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C(citrus fruits are good). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can.*Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction.They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

Blogging

Blogging for health? Blogging rhymes with jogging and yet sounds so much more techie and perhaps more literate. I wanted this blog to be a service for my clients, students and friends. I'm sorry to say that I have been too distracted to faithfully attend to this duty and I apologize. It may be that once a week is as much as I can realistically promise. (I know that I haven't been meeting that goal but, it wasn't a goal until now so cut me some slack)

I just finished a final revision of my seminar schedule for 2009 so please visit my website and peruse the calendar. I hope to facilitate some real growth and insight for participants in some of these seminars so, if you are interesting in healing, energy medicine or bodywork, take a peek.

I am especially excited about a new (at least revised) class called, "Exploring Energy Medicine". We will learn theory and techniques from Polarity Therapy but, the real focus will be on deepening our awareness, our ability to connect and our energetic palpation skills. The class will be offered on December 12-13 in Solon, Ohio and is open to everyone.

Have a warm and beautiful Fall season.
Randall

Interesting

Dr. Mercola's newsletter is especially good this week. You can access some of the interesting articles at http://www.mercola.com/.
Keep learning.
Randall

Wholistic Healing

Are you working on healing some part of your body or mind? How do you make your health plan wholistic? It may require a little work. What are you doing nutritionally to heal? You may need help in this area to navigate the different stages of detoxification, rebuilding and then finding the right diet regimen for your genetic background, geographical location, climate and season. Don't worry. Help is abundant. Use the library or internet and check in frequently with your intuition. What about exercise? Walk. Stretch. Breathe. (Not so complicated as some would have you believe) Yoga and Tai Chi provide well designed, wholistic systems and fun classes. Find energy exercises to address your particular problems and imbalances. Touch For Health, Polarity Therapy, Shiatsu and Chinese martial arts all have therapeutic exercises associated with them. Revisit the library to find a system that suits you. Mental and emotional trauma? Combine appropriate bodywork with psychotherapy for most efficients results. Most important of all for all types of healing; take charge of your thoughts. Always remember that you create your reality with every thought and especially with every word. Be "unreasonably present" to what you say. If this sounds sounds new and strange to you, read some of the hundreds of books on the subject. Now you have a place to begin and a basic strategy. Make it an adventure! Don't forget to have fun.
Happy healing!
Randall

Action

What have you done today to bring you closer to your most important goals?

Finding help

How do you choose a healthcare provider? Do you need a chiropractor or a massage therapist? Should you call an acupuncturist or a homeopath? Maybe you really need a nutritionist or a psychologist. The process of finding help can be frustrating and overwhelming. The first thing that I do when I need support with my own healing is to sit quietly and open myself to the wisdom and guidance which I have learned is always available. Sometimes I know from experience who is likely to be most helpful. Sometimes I don't. The initial impulse is to call someone who is familiar and comfortable. If I am clear enough and patient enough to give the universe a chance, I may be guided to someone completely new and different. It doesn't cost anything to sit and listen to the intelligence within. It may even be a good exercise.
Happy listening.
Randall

change

The last few days have been amazing! This is not so much a testament to my plans and strategies as to the constant, unlimited (even gleeful) potential of the universe for sudden change and transformation. So, if you aren't consciously creating your life, at least enjoy the faith and knowledge that any negative, uncomfortable or just plain "bad" situation can change instantly and propel you into a wonderful, new existence. In other words, take comfort in the instability of our reality. After all, we didn't come here for vacation.
Ride the waves.
Randall

Economics

Last week another loyal client said that he may have to stop coming until his business improves. Although a few new clients have started over the last few months, several regular ones have left or cut back because of the economy. I know how we are supposed to look at transitions like this and what we are supposed to tell ourselves but, the truth is: It is scary! I find myself questioning my skill, my mindset, my career choice, even my self worth. On one hand, I know that when over 10% of the population is unemployed, services like mine tend to suffer. On the other hand, I create my reality and I know it isn't dependent on the economy or other people. It doesn't require a job with Goldman Sachs either. It springs from what I believe, what I feel and what words I use to express my world. This week I am changing my language to explore the power of new word choice. I will also focus on gratitude and love (a little easier to do in the last week or so). Life is full of potential, power and promise.
Let's see what happens.
Randall

Transformational Bodywork

We are born to connect with other human beings. One easy way to do that is through physical touch. In America, we fear touch and yet we crave it. This is simply evidence of its power. I love to connect through touch (hence, my choice of profession). I am nourished and grounded by my contact with clients each day. I share in the peace that they take away from the massage table. I share in the healing when they become free of pain and restriction. As they open to the potential of their own bodies for growth and healing, I have the honor and privilege of participating in that process. My clients teach me many valuable lessons and I grow from each experience. This is transformational bodywork. It's life-changing for everyone involved.
What a great job!
Randall

Staying Grounded

I must admit that I've been caught up in life and have rarely thought about blogging for several days. How can we remain grounded and stable in a chaotic world which sometimes seems to be collapsing around us? I'm a pragmatist so, even though I could quote other peoples' profound thoughts on the matter, let's keep it simple. First, BREATHE. Slow breaths of five seconds in and five seconds out should do it. Rest and repeat for at least 14 breaths. This should tune down your nervous system and act as the equivalent of a good anti-depressant. Second, WALK (preferably barefoot but definitely outside in nature). Walking is excellent exercise for body and mind. Make sure your arms move as you walk. Third, STRETCH. Move slowly and gently as you re-discover your limits. Fourth, MEDITATE. If you don't know how to meditate, just give yourself un-interrupted time to relax and contemplate how you got to where you are (or WHO you are).
This is a good plan. I think I will try it now.
Randall

Touch

Sometimes I still marvel at how much is communicated by touch. Sure, sometimes it is only partly conscious or seems routine. There are moments though when the contact is profound. I share thoughts and feelings with the person on the table. A meaningful conversation is enjoyed without a single word. And, somewhere along the way, healing occurs.
Awesome.
Randall

Knowledge

"Nothing that is worth knowing can be taught." Oscar Wilde

Doing Nothing

I just finished four days of assisting at craniosacral therapy seminar called somatoemotional release one (SER 1). As always, it was exciting to review and get new perspectives on various techniques and philosophies. It was also nice to share in the energy as students explored deep levels of healing and self-awareness. Everyone is always a little different after a class like this. One of the primary principles of CST and SER is the emphasis on doing nothing. This is one of the hardest things to learn as a healer and facilitator. Some training programs that I've encountered spend years helping their students to get comfortable with doing nothing. By "doing nothing", I mean being totally present with the client AND letting go of the notion that the therapist is responsible for fixing or changing him or her. Refusing to take on that responsibility has profound effects on the therapeutic relationship. Trying to fix someone triggers their defense mechanisms and makes it easy for them to avoid the work needed to heal themselves. Not only does it prevent growth and healing, it allows the client to put the blame on the therapist. "If only I had gone to a chiropractor instead of a craniosacral therapist, I'd be well by now!" If we live the concepts of personal responsibility, creating our own reality and healing ourselves, we will teach by example. Our language and our actions can be the most powerful tools for healing in our entire repertoire. Then, more of our clients (and everyone else around us) will start to get well and stay well.
So will we.
Randall

Good VS Evil

Did you enjoy the Fourth of July? What an opportunity to explore feelings of pride, belonging and inspiration. For many of us who spent the last decade resisting and resenting the Bush administration, pride is not an easy feeling in relation to our government. It's easy to get caught up in a fight. We all have internal conflicts and we love to project them out into the world. Good VS Evil is the template. It always seems so obvious. It was obvious to the colonial revolutionaries that King George was evil and had to be defeated. It was obvious to the other half of the colonists that the radical band of revolutionaries were terrorists and extremists who were trying to disrupt their entire way of life and should be deported (Damned Liberals!). It was obvious to the English that the Americans were confused and had to be taught a lesson, along with their evil French collaborators. Good and evil are always so obvious!

World peace is the goal of every beauty pageant contestant. If our external reality is just a projection of our internal consciousness, how can we achieve that peace?

You have to provide the answer.
Randall

A wholistic approach

We hold ourselves back from success. I have used growth activities, seminars and exercises, meditation, energy psychology, affirmations, mastermind groups and more. Still I have not reached the effectiveness and success that I strive for. Today I had a session with a medical intuitive who told me that I was using only about ten percent of my healing potential. She has the wonderful ability to see energy. She proceeded to do her own healing on the various energy patterns in my body and said that my life is in a process of complete transformation and I am beginning a new and exciting chapter. I'm down with that. I have always believed in a wholistic approach. We never see the complete picture. We can never be absolutely sure of all that is contributing to or perpetuating a problem. Therefore, let's use whatever resources we have. That, to me, is a wholistic approach. One who takes that approach is a competent healer. There is so much to learn. There is so much room to grow. That's what so many Western M.D.'s don't understand. They don't realize how much they don't know. But, they're learning (as am I).
Stay whole.
Randall

Quack Busters

The Pharmaceutical industry (through the "news" media) seems to be stepping up its campaign against alternative medicine. A recent newsweek article attacked Oprah for supporting alternative medicine. Many other articles and stories are surfacing about the dangers and/or ineffectiveness of alternative medicine. This is likely in response to president Obama's upcoming reform of the U.S. Health system. You may be disinterested in politics but, if natural, effective medicine is outlawed or ignored by our evolving system of healthcare, we will have lost an important opportunity to save millions of lives. For a blunt and somewhat entertaining explanation of the conspiracy to eliminate alternative medicine, visit Tim Bolen's Quackpot Watch. Even if all you do is educate yourself, you'll be making a difference.
Stay healthy!
Randall

The role of a healer

What is a healer's role? If faith or belief is all that is required to get well, why go to a healer? If only we can heal ourselves, why go to doctors, counselors, bodyworkers etc.? I consider those to be good questions which could have many answers. The healer can support the client in healing himself or herself. The healer can speed up the process of self-healing. The healer can point the client in the right direction for self-healing. One of the best answers in my opinion is that the role of the healer is to bring awareness. That could be awareness of stress or imbalance in the body. It could be awareness of an organ or body part which is being ignored or denied. It could be awareness of an emotional issue or trauma which is the root cause of the pain or injury. Often it is all of the above. Bodywork (or Touch Therapy) brings awareness to the body through the simple act of touch. Competent bodywork eventually exposes any and all physical stress, imbalance or injury. Bodywork combined with dialogue eventually uncovers any mental or emotional stress, imbalance or injury.
Touch brings awareness.
Touch brings consciousness.
Touch heals.
Sound redundant? Good. Have a great week!
Randall

Free Information

There are abundant resources, many of them free, to help you become healthier and happier. What's holding you back? If you crave information or education, this is your age! I receive several free electronic newsletters. One health related newsletter that I enjoy is from Dr. Mercola (Mercola.com). Of course when something is free, it usually means there are things for sale. We also have to sort through information and sometimes do our own research. I would never advocate trusting any one source completely. I consider these small annoyances to be well worth the excellent health information and interesting articles. See what goldmines of knowledge you can find on the net. My website includes many useful resources on the links page and the research page. Education is one way that you can take responsibility for your own health. Your health is far too important to leave in the hands of doctors.
Randall

Relationships

Are relationships ever easy? I read about ways to make a relationship "healthier" or "deeper" and ways to improve communication but, I never (OK - almost never) see a relationship that is easy. I suppose it is because we human beings are responsible for mistakes, miscalculations and misunderstandings on a daily basis. To expect relationships not to reflect those mistakes is to disconnect our relationships from our humanity (and our reality). We are not always honest with ourselves or with others. We are strongly influenced, even manipulated, by less than conscious drives, urges and addictions. The best of us are constantly working to reduce those influences, change the patterns and better reflect whatever individual ideal we ascribe to. Many others don't have a clue where to begin or even that there is problem. If we look at EVERY relationship as a mirror into our own souls, we can use each one to help identify our own issues, patterns and addictions. Then we can begin to work on accepting those parts of ourselves.
Randall

Quote of the Week

"Some say that my teaching is nonsense.
Others call it lofty but impractical.
But to those who have looked inside themselves,
this nonsense makes perfect sense.
And to those who put it into practice,
this loftiness has roots that go deep."
Lao-tzu

Body, Mind and Spirit

Happy Memorial Day weekend! Vacations and holidays are important to our mental, emotional and physical health. It shouldn't be necessary to include all three of those adjectives since they can't really be separated. I do it just to remind you that anything which reduces stress and benefits us emotionally has related effects on our physical bodies. No exceptions. Something affects our health or it doesn't. We are healthy or we aren't. Let's get out of the habit of supporting the illusion of a "mind, body and spirit" that are somehow separate and different. "Wholistic" health begins with our language and our thoughts. If training your language and thoughts is not part of your workout routine, time to upgrade to a little cross training. When to begin? No time like the present. Have a great weekend! (and get some sun!)
Randall

Intuition

How difficult is it to follow your intuition? I never used to believe that it could be difficult. How hard could it really be? You quiet your mind, open to what your inner wisdom has to say and then act on it. Right? The problem is that my outer stubbornness can be in conflict with my inner wisdom. I usually rationalize that I didn't get a clear message. If I had "known" I certainly would have followed my guidance. It's not my fault. Inner wisdom is a poor communicator. Try email next time. Recently though, I got a clear message and my mind said, "No. Let's do this instead." The part of my consciousness that still retained some shred of intelligence argued with this course of action. Conflict followed. War, rioting, violence and unrest (all internal) made me appreciate my body and mind as a reflection of nature and of the world. I also began to understand the complexity of world peace and why we haven't achieved it. Eventually the intelligent part of my consciousness (a militia fighting for inner wisdom) began to gain more ground. The decision began to seem unavoidable and even desirable. A truce was agreed upon and peace broke out. Then I felt guilty that it took so long. Before guilt incited yet another conflict, I agreed to love, accept and forgive myself completely, and peace reigned supreme. That was a close one.
Randall

Learning

When I teach a lot of seminars and create new ones as I have this year, My own understanding of the material becomes deeper. Methods like Touch For Health Kinesiology, CranioSacral Therapy and Polarity Therapy are rich in wisdom and applicable to every aspect of life. I often forget how much they have to offer. Then there are the other methods that I haven't even begun to explore. Sometimes I am just in awe of all that is out there. This must be true in other areas of life as well. Not only is there a wealth of information but, there are people who love to share it, maybe even live to share it. I am feeling grateful for my teachers and the many guides along the way. Like the universe, life is ever expanding. So are we.
Randall

Crisis and Opportunity

So many people are having financial stress. I'm not just reading about it, I'm listening to my clients and friends tell their stories. This is definitely a crisis. So, where is the opportunity? Of course there are opportunities to make money but, that isn't what I'm talking about. Here is an opportunity to rise above negativity, poverty, hopelessness and defeat both in our own consciousness and in the world (Is there a difference?). This is an opportunity to help, to ease suffering, to offer hope or to offer a smile. If we are healers and helpers, we have to be able to help when the world really needs it, not when it fits our schedules. We have to be able to see beyond the illusion, to act as a guide when our friends, family or clients are searching for something positive. We have to overcome our own negative crap so we can show others how to overcome theirs. So, don't give up. We are all in this energy field together. As you work to help yourself, your courage, resourcefulness, determination and healing helps every one of us. Deep down, consciously or unconsciously, we love you for it.
Randall

Thank you!

I want to thank those of you who have contacted me and commented on my posts. Even though few people seem to respond here, there are apparently quite a few who read it. Please feel free to comment or ask a question here on the blog. Perhaps your question will help many more people who are too shy to ask. I appreciate the opportunity to be helpful. You will too.
Randall

Yin and Yang

I've been busy with life. I don't like to be too busy and the economic slow down created a pace that I could get used to. Still, it didn't take long to become busy with creative endeavors like working on my consciousness, developing new seminars and catching up on obligatory paperwork, renewals and continuing education. Being busy (yang, expansive, external, masculine) has a drug-like feel to it. It creates stress but, also an adrenal "high". When you combine that with the increased income and prestige that productivity earns in our society, it's easy to see how it can become addictive (and why caffeine is our favorite drug). Even in my internal work, I've been really good with affirmations lately (more yang) and not so good with meditation (more yin, internal, receptive, feminine). If I want to harmonize the masculine and feminine (sort of like India and Pakistan in my subconscious) I could focus on that one behavior. Valuing (easy) and regularly practicing (not so easy) meditation would nurture the feminine principle and bring peace, health and joy in multiple ways. Can I do it? I don't know. Ask me about it. Don't let me get away with avoiding it.
Peace
Randall

Truth

Interesting how attached people can be to their beliefs, attitudes and even their favorite sayings. I often feel compelled to question something when everyone else in a group seems to accept it without critique. Many statements are "politically correct" for a certain group and are accepted because they are familiar and comfortable. "Follow your heart" seems true and important partly because it contradicts conventional wisdom in our culture to "think before you act". Neither statement is reasonable in all situations. They are not supposed to be. They are cliches. Positive thinking is helpful except when it isn't. Is it always "good" to be happy? Research shows that pessimists make more rational decisions. Someone who is joyful all the time probably has serious health problems from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine. My point is that people tend to over-simplify life on Earth. We all would like there to be easy to read maps, directions and principles. Unfortunately the ones that do exist seem very individualized. People can't agree on which ones are true. So find what works for you. By all means, pick some beliefs, principles, values and quotations. Experiment with them. Use them. Have fun with them. Just don't confuse them with reality.
Stay engaged.
Randall

Affirmations

You may have realized that it is easy to replace "good" in the affirmation from the previous post with almost anything you like. Love...for instance. My experience is that the more specific the affirmation, the more effective it is. If you find the key issue that is blocking your desire or your accomplishment and address that key, results will usually happen within 24 hours. I was lazy with this affirmation and got no visible results. Then I became more serious and started repeating it at every opportunity throughout the day as well as ten to twenty times before going to sleep and first thing upon waking. Within days I saw changes. As in the outside world, hard work and determination pay off. People may look at you strangely though while you are talking to yourself.
Randall

Good

Here is a (new thought) affirmation that I am now repeating many, many times per day. Try it!

Good and more good is mine.
An ever increasing good is mine.
There is an infinite good, which is mine.

Everywhere I go, I see good.
I feel it. I experience it.
It crowds itself against me.
It flows through me.
It multiplies itself around me.

I am worthy of and entitled to more good.
I give myself permission to accept and express more good.

Thank you, Spirit. And so it is.

Flying home

Polarity Therapy is about utilizing the five elements to understand our reality and to bring more balance and harmony to it. Coming back from Daytona to Cleveland, at 40,000 feet, I thought about the air element and how it might affect our consciousness. The "mountain top" experience has been an ideal and a cliche for centuries in the mystical and spiritual world. Now we can have the perspective that altitude brings with little effort. How is our consciousness different at 40,000 feet? What is available and accessible to us? What insights and solutions might we find? Probably not many if we spend the time watching an in-flight movie. What if we honored that opportunity and used it for meditation, planning, finding a solution for some current problem or affirmations to reprogram our nervous system? What if we took time to notice the subtle changes in our minds, bodies and spirits while we are flying? If we can afford a plane ticket, we can afford to pay attention. This is an example of a resource that we often ignore. Explore the air element next time you fly. Open to its secrets and its lessons. Ask for its help. Breathe.
Have a great flight!
Randall

Learning and Wisdom

I love to learn and I appreciate other people who share the same addiction. This weekend I will be in Daytona Beach teaching Touch For Health Kinesiology level 1. There are 18 people in the class and feel the excitement of sharing valuable material with students who really want to learn. I have always believed that we come to this planet in order to learn and grow. It sometimes seems that certain individuals have avoided that task and that even age doesn't guarantee wisdom. Yet, I can never be sure what changes a person has gone through or what particular lessons he or she came here to learn. Perhaps the outward signs of intelligence and wisdom are a projection of our own distorted lenses, an illusion which we have created in order to have something to aspire to. Can we ever "know" anything? Besides, since I firmly believe that we create our own reality, I have to concede that I create every encounter with every individual in my life. Therefore each client, acquaintance, friend and enemy is there for a reason. For me to judge a person or get angry because of who they are is like cursing a textbook because I can't understand the material (O.K., maybe I've done that too). So, I'm learning to be more accepting, slowly but continually. Some learning is fun. The most important lessons are usually less fun. I'm learning that as well. May your lessons in life be gentle.
Randall

Sunshine

It's difficult not to feel good when the sun is shining. Spring is here. Temperatures are rising with the stock market. Make the most of the season by taking time for yourself. Get some sunshine! Spending time in the sun every day (WITHOUT sunscreen) will not only provide much needed vitamin D but will allow you to absorb the primary benefit of sunshine which is life energy. We get it indirectly from food and water but, that is less efficient. Rather than relying on plants which have absorbed energy from the sun, why not leave out the middleman (middleplant?) and take the energy in directly from the source? I don't mean you should traumatize your skin by getting burned. Use common sense and be moderate. Research shows that receiving daily, direct sunlight will lower your chances of getting just about every type of cancer (including skin cancer) and a host of other degenerative diseases. If you think about it (and forget the propaganda from the sunscreen makers), it's just reasonable.
It feels good too.
Randall

Pain

Isn't it interesting how everything we are accustomed to seems normal and reasonable? Our bodies seem normal as long as they feel consistently familiar. A friend told me that she once thought that everyone's neck hurt when they turned their heads. She believed it to be normal until she received bodywork that eliminated the pain. Clients arrive with various levels of tension, pain and imbalance thinking they are treating themselves but, not realizing that the treatment is much more of a necessity than a luxury. They feel pretty healthy! "Aren't shoulders or hips supposed to be asymmetrical?", they ask. "Isn't every one tense?" "Isn't some degree of pain normal?" I don't know. If the front tires of your car pointed in slightly different directions, would that be normal? If your house leaned to one side, would that be normal? If alarms are going off in your house or red lights blinking on your dashboard, is that normal? Pain is one of those alarms. Pain is the red light that says. "HELLO! SOMETHING NEEDS ATTENTION HERE!" Pain is our friend. It protects us more effectively than any other sense that we have. Despite what the pharmaceutical companies and their medical associates tell you, drugs are not the answer. Taking pills for pain is like cutting the wire under the dashboard so that annoying red light stops blinking. I know there could be an occasional short in the car's electrical system that requires cutting the wire but, most of the time, that would not be an intelligent strategy. Let's step away from the TV, put down the Tylenol and think about what is causing the pain. You are the only one who really knows why you are in pain and how to fix it. No one has a magic pill that will heal you. Few doctors have the time to explore your life and discover the underlying issues, the real reasons for your pain. Touch Therapy (massage, craniosacral, energy medicine) can support you and speed up the process. It may even help you get some insight about the problem but, it's your body. It's your job to heal it. If you ignore the warning signs and just hope the problems will go away, well...good luck with that. Hope your car gets better too.
Randall

Super Saturday Seminars

I scheduled three seminars today. These are what I call Super Saturday seminars. They are designed to be shorter and less expensive than weekend seminars and are not necessarily aimed at health professionals. "Energetic Keys to Total Health" (June 6) is a Saturday afternoon class created especially for my clients. It provides strategies for self-healing and for maximizing the effectiveness of bodywork. It teaches fundamental concepts about energy, health and healing and lists resources where you can learn even more. Anyone who is in the process of healing can benefit from this class. The other two seminars are for people who want to deepen their understanding of energy medicine and learn some basic healing skills which could be used for themselves or others. "Energy Healing" is a full day offered April 25. "Meridians for Body workers" (just what it sounds like) is scheduled for October. A weekend class called "Touch For Health Kinesiology" (scheduled in late June) is another one I believe non-professionals would receive great benefits from. I hope many of you take advantage of these classes because knowledge is key to getting well and staying well. You can find my complete seminar calendar on my website.
Keep Learning!
Randall

Full Moon

What do you think about full moons? I know research says that it doesn't affect crime rates and such but, it does affect me. I often find myself fatigued and even depressed during a full moon. It isn't suggestion. Many times I don't even know it is a full moon until it is eventually pointed out to me. However badly I am feeling, once I can attribute the cause to the full moon, I feel almost immediately better. That's because I know it is only temporary. Nothing seems quite as bad when we know it won't last much longer. It's even better when we can blame it on something outside ourselves. What's that? I said there is NOTHING outside ourselves? Well, give me a break...and stop listening to everything I say! I enjoy a good illusion as much as the next guy. I'm NOT grumpy. It's the moon.
Randall

Vaccinations

Vaccinations are a concern for nearly everyone. If you don't have children, you may be considering flu shots or some other inoculation for yourself or a loved one. We have been told that vaccinations are safe and even essential. Pharmaceutical companies saturate the media with this message and they use their money and influence to press for legislative action in order to force their products on our children. There is an alternative view which says vaccinations are neither safe nor beneficial. I just want to provide some resources for your own research. Dr. Mercola recently published an article in his excellent, free electronic newsletter which provides a good start for your journey. My website also includes links to several resources you may find helpful. I know this is one of those difficult issues where you have to wade through misinformation in order to find the truth. This kind of quest requires that you be willing to question authority and stand up for your right to choose how to care for yourself and your family. It requires you to refuse to make a decision based upon fear and intimidation. It demands some time and effort to uncover the evidence and it requires courage but, you won't be travelling alone. I wish you all the best.
Randall

Connection

I've noticed a change in my bodywork skills over the last few days. It's more accurately a change in consciousness. I was performing shiatsu to a client's back recently when I noticed that I was tuning into much more information than ever before. Pressing some points I suddenly felt the client's entire energy system. I sensed the ebb and flow of current through the area where my thumbs were pressing and I held until the sensation seemed balanced and harmonious. On other points, I tuned into the tissue. I allowed my thumbs to surf the micro movements, slightly adjusting pressure and direction according to the body's invitation while maintaining static pressure on the acupuncture points. I felt totally melded with the client even though part of my attention always remained on the connection between my two thumbs. The client sunk into a deep sleep. I've had similar experiences but, never so clear or sustained. It reminded me of the power and responsibility inherent in bodywork and healing. It reminded me of why I chose this path and all that I've gained from it. I have so much to be grateful for. What about you?
Randall

Illusion

Life is starting to get more interesting. Many people talk about peace, work for peace, fight for peace and even eat for peace. I find that as I heal the wars inside, the internal conflicts, my world becomes more peaceful. In the movie "The Leap" there is a repeated emphasis that the world is fine. The economy is fine. Nothing needs to be changed and no one needs to be rescued. Global warming does not need to be stopped. All is illusion. I have always known this and never really known it. The dream of life on Earth is so seductive and the feelings so powerful, it is hard to wake up. Spiritual films are valuable tools to remind ourselves of what is true and what is important. When we remember who we are and what we are, we tend to be happy. When we forget, soooo much needs to be done.
Remember.
Randall

Book Recommendation

I recommend that anyone interested in health and healing read Energy Medicine by Donna Eden. It is filled with useful tidbits like exercises to do when you feel like you are coming down with something / when you are feeling afraid / even when you are in the bathtub. It teaches about muscle testing, meridians, chakras and much more. I found it very readable and useful.
Enjoy!
Randall

Nutrition

There is so much confusion and misinformation about nurtition. Some of it is unavoidable because of dis-information and special interests. Our own individuality adds to the confusion. We all want to think that there is one diet, one supplement, one doctor or one therapy that is THE one for everyone. It just ain't so. Most alternative therapies have ways of evaluating the client to determine what the individual needs at a particular time. Some of those ways include muscle testing (see Touch For Health), reading pulses (Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine), using the craniosacral rhythm (craniosacral therapy) or electronic methods (there are a variety of electro-diagnostic devices available today). Conventional medicine uses blood tests, urine tests and saliva tests which I consider more limited. Until you decide to do elaborate testing and analysis to determine your nutritional needs, here is a simple alternative. Try keeping a "Diet Diary". For one or two weeks, write down everything you eat. Then write down how you feel immediately after the meal, two hours after the meal, at the end of each day and when you first wake up. You will most likely see interesting patterns of symptoms, feelings or behaviors after eating certain foods. When do you have more energy? When do you have headaches or feel irritable? Your body is your most reliable guide and the one healer that you can trust completely. Enjoy the journey let me know what you learn.
Randall

Thank you for your comments. I appreciate the opportunity to meet like-minded people...or at least to be touched by their thoughts and insights.

Isolation and growth

Much of our population feels lonely and isolated. If you want to feel part of a community, become actively involved in personal growth and healing. When you take action in the form of growth related seminars, volunteering or some other process in which others are involved, you will not only benefit from the activity, you will meet others who are on the same path. Sharing a difficult task like healing or growing builds friendship, community and love. Not sure where to start? Try exploring Landmark Education or the Human Awareness Institute. There are many other options. Make the investment. The direction is less important than the journey...and the intention to not go it alone. Love will find you.
Randall

Energy Psychology

I have been trading bodywork sessions for sessions of energy psychology. This method of psychotherapy is based on the concept that pain and dysfunction (mental, physical or emotional) is a result of blocked energies in the body. To many of you, that should sound familiar. I use "touch" to balance and harmonize energies in the body. All of the methods and therapies I use could be categorized as "Touch Therapies". Energy psychology uses touch as well, although the patient can do their own touching (usually tapping) and some individual techniques do not involve touch. One energy psychology method I have already mentioned is Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). Others include Thought Field Therapy (TFT), Tapas Acupuncture Technique(TAT), Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and more. I am finding these approaches to be powerful and healing. If you are dealing with stress in any form or are on a path of growth and healing, please look into these therapies for yourself. They are light years ahead of talk therapy alone. Don't forget to include bodywork in your health strategy!
Peace,
Randall

Growth

Sorry about the lapse in blog posts. I have been distracted by those deep, persistent questions with elusive answers. Anyone else wondering about the meaning of life lately? The process has led me to re-evaluate my directions and way of working with clients. For one thing, I am now adding 15 minute therapy sessions to my list of services. I had a belief that more time is needed to do things right but, I have realized that time is a more flexible concept than I had previously thought. I may also be offering some new therapies. We'll see how much continuing education I can afford this year. Meanwhile, I am deepening my practice of yoga and meditation. I know that as I go deeper within myself, I can give more to others. That is the real key. I can increase my effectiveness and my enjoyment of the process at the same time. Plus...meditation is free! Have a growthful week!
Randall

Attitude

Slow, snowy days give us time to catch up on all the things we never find time for. This week, I've been able to do yoga and meditate on a daily basis, refine some seminar material, read some great books and work on my own growth and healing. Plus, in an attempt to stay warm, I've drunk lots of decaf green tea. If you are worried about the economy, try shifting your state of consciousness to one of gratitude. A slow down has benefits for nearly everyone. We just have to recognize them. Since we have all created our individual realities, there must be a reason. Find it and appreciate it. Five minutes of love and gratitude create very positive changes in your blood chemistry which last about six hours. Five minutes of anger create changes too but, not so positive. If you can shift to a loving, grateful state of mind, it won't take long for your external reality to catch up. Let's have a great week! Then we can work on having a great year.
Randall

Work

How much work is too much? We hear motivational speakers talk about the enormous things they accomlished by being totally committed and working 24/7. They seem happy and eager to be role models. Then we hear about older people near the end of their lives who say that if they had it to do over, they would work less and play more. Like everything else in life, there seems to be a balance involved. There is also a question of knowing yourself. Are you a rabbit or a tortoise? Some people are totally happy working long hours while others find it stressful and unreasonable. Some people thrive on deadlines while others develop ulcers. Are you a people person? You may need a job with lots of social interaction. If you are more introverted, you may much prefer a cubicle. The key to staying healthy and happy comes down to knowing yourself. When you know what you need, then you can create just the right situation/job/relationship for you. Creating the right situation for you minimizes stress and stress is the primary source of injury, illness and unhappiness. So, no matter how fast your lifestyle, take time to meditate. It is one of the best ways to get to know yourself. The practice will take you deep inside yourself, lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, increase your energy and improve your performance. If you are a type A person, know that it will help you to get more accomplished and may even increase your income. If you are the opposite, you may find more motivation and enthusiasm. Either way, you'll move toward balance and contentment. Then, next time someone tells you that they work 80 hours a week (or 20 hours a week), you can smile and say, "Good for you!"
Enjoy the Sunshine.
Randall

Inauguration

I am just so happy and honored to be seeing the transformation this country is going through right now. I feel a little nervous that it may not last...that this is just another illusion of greatness or that with one false step we could slide right back into the fear and ignorance of the past decade. That concern is, unfortunately, far too realistic. Still, no matter how long lived, we have accomplished something great. We have given hope to a desparate population and to the entire world. Perhaps it will always be a truth that we can swing from one extreme to another with many people too busy (or too far in denial) to notice. For the rest of us, this is truly an awesome time. I am proud to share it with you.
Randall

Emotional Freedom Technique

It's chilly tonight! Moderate, I suppose, by Wisconsin standards but, still worth staying inside from my perspective. I've been using my indoor time to study Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) through a DVD course and I highly recommend the method and the course. You can find it at http://www.emofree.com/. EFT is something which can be integrated into a variety of healing methods (you know how I love integration!). It is also excellent for self-healing. I have recommended the course to several clients so that they would have tools to treat themselves. Believe me, EFT can clear issues and trauma much faster than conventional psychotherapy. It can relieve physical pain and discomfort as well. Of course, for best results and/or serious problems, find a therapist who specializes in EFT or Energy Psychology. In my opinion, the self-care aspect is a complement to professional care, not a replacement. That goes for most alternative methods and practices. Books, seminars and study groups do not make one a professional. Western medicine may have gone astray but, we still need professionals to guide and support us in our healing journeys. The best mental or physical healers will provide tools and guidance which empower us to take responsibility for our own healing. They will also be there to pick us up when we fall and to encourage us when we give up. Without them, our paths would be dangerous and often end in failure. Remember as you learn, heal and grow stronger that we need each other. Healing, and life, is about relationship.
Stay warm.
Randall

How do you think about Healing?

We all know that healing can be an opportunity for growth. Many people who have survived life threatening events or illness now consider it the very best thing that ever happened to them. I would take that a step further. Your illness (condition/situation) is not something that could be used for growth. It is occurring because growth is required. The reason for your condition is to get your attention and to motivate you to change. It may be just a small change that is required. It could be a new way of thinking about diet, letting go of some anger or resentment, opening your heart to a loved one or just slowing down. It could be a deeper, life-long issue which finally needs to be addressed. Whatever the message from your illness or injury, ignoring it is not the road to healing. I often see people continue to suffer because they refuse to look deeper and that is frustrating to me. If you are on a journey of healing, open your heart and mind to the symbolism and the message of what you are trying to heal. Be willing to experiment with a new perspective. I can support you on many levels. Other health professionals are also available. It may not be an easy path but, it will be amazing.
Randall

Book Recommendation

I just finished reading a book called "The Body Language of Illness". It is important reading for healers and for anyone trying to heal themselves. I wasn't overly excited by the writing style but, sparkling gems of truth were scattered abundantly throughout. It really does have just about everything that you need to know. You can find the book on the Recommended Reading page of my website under the category: "Bodymind healing". If you want to heal...READ!
Happy Saturday
Randall

2009

Welcome to my first post in the year 2009. I plan to have a very quiet day. No plans, no goals, very few things to do. I definitely will be meditating and perhaps beginning a project or two if they seem like fun. I know this year will bring its own challenges but, I am excited about the treasures yet to be uncovered and the lessons involved in finding them. I won't miss 2008.
Have a peaceful and prosperous journey for the next twelve months.
Randall