Wellness Resources - SALT BATHS

Here is a secret - no more.

Salt baths are an excellent way to cleanse yourself of negative energy and heal yourself from muscle pain and soreness. Take a salt bath. AND HERE IS THE SECRET: You can get a HUGE 40 LB bag of salt from Home Depot for only $5 a bag. 99.5% pure sea salt from the Bahamas no less! (They avoid the higher priced "Parmaceutical Grading" by tossing a small pebble into each bag... Hah! They don't fool me for a minute! Look in their Water Softener section and make sure you buy the BLUE (Sodium Chloride) bag, not the yellow one.

PUT AT LEAST 2 CUPS of salt into a bath tub full of HOT WATER and dissolve the salt crystals first, they are LARGE CHUNKS and need to be dissolved for a few minutes. Soak for EXACTLY 20 MINUTES. More is OVER doing it, and LESS is not enough to do the job.

Namaste and ENJOY your salt baths!

Wellness Resources - NUTRITION.GOV

Here is a good and free resource on nutrition.

http://www.nutrition.gov

Not bad, for a government agency!

Enjoy,

Alex

Holistic Wellness Resources - MASSAGE

I can't emphasize the importance of a good massage. It is one of the best remedies I know of to restore, rejuvenate, heal, repair, improve, balance, and care for your body. Here is a great place to start your search for information about massage -- the Wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massage

Once again, I cannot over-emphasize the importance of finding a good practitioner. Lousy massage is just that -- lousy! But there is nothing better than a great massage. Listen to your body after each massage. Try several different massage therapists. No offense to other practitioners, but I have discovered over the years, and countless massage, that the BEST therapists are often trained in ASIA. My personal favorite is a "pranic healer". I guess a lot depends on the type of massage that works for you, as well as the therapist who does it. A good rule of thumb is that if you feel ten years younger after your massage, then you have found the right therapist! Cheers, Alex.

Holistic Wellness Resources - TAI CHI CHUAN

DEFINITION: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tai_chi

About the Taoist Tai Chi Society (in their own words):

"A volunteer, non-profit organizationRecognizing the great potential of Taoist Tai Chi to improve health and alleviate suffering our founder, Master Moy Lin-shin, dedicated his life to making Taoist Tai Chi widely available. He established an international non-profit organization focused on helping others - the International Taoist Tai Chi Society. The International Taoist Tai Chi Society is the international umbrella organization for the governance of all Taoist Tai Chi Society associations around the world. All associations are incorporated as non-profit organizations and many are also incorporated as charitable organizations. "

"About Taoist Tai ChiTaoist Tai Chi is a gentle art of health and well-being for people of all ages and health conditions. Many thousands of people are enjoying the health benefits of Taoist Tai Chi practice in approximately 500 locations in 25 countries around the world."

The International Taoist Tai Chi Society website:

http://taoist.org

- Alex

Holistic Wellness Resources - QIGONG

Here is another idea: QIGONG. Everything I have heard about this practice leads me to believe it is genuinely beneficial, although I personally prefer yoga and meditation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qigong

QIGONG ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA: http://www.qi.org/

In their own words: "Qigong is a self-healing art that combines movement and meditation. Visualizations are employed to enhance the mind/body connection and assist healing.

Regular practice of qigong can:

- prevent and treat illness
- reduce stress
- establish balance
- integrate mind/body/spirit
- bring peace."

And here is the QIGONG INSTITUTE'S WEBSITE: http://www.qigonginstitute.org

In their words: "As we continue working to help build the Qigong community, we recognize our responsibility to grow and change with the needs of our supporters. This will manifest in both the evolving "look" of our website, as well as our continued commitment to provide sound scientific data to inspire you to continue your Qigong study.We are a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting Qigong through research and education and have worked hard since 1983 to be a clearinghouse for related news and scientific facts to aid researchers, writers, practitioners, and members of the Western medical community. "

"Qigong is the key component of traditional Chinese medicine with a history of five thousand years (in record)."

Having the last say here, I would add that health and fitness programs are only as good as the practitioners who administer them. BEWARE OF QUACKS AND PHONEYS IN EVERY PATH YOU CHOOSE TO FOLLOW!

http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/acu.html

Enjoy, Alex.

Holistic Wellness Resources - WEB MD DOT COM

If you are looking for "Holistic Health", I highly recommend GOOGLING it. In the mean time, this is the best FREE, albeit NOT holistic, online medical resource I know of. If anyone has a better one, please let me know and I will replace this posting. In the mean time, enjoy! - Alex

http://www.webmd.com/

"WebMD provides valuable health information, tools for managing your health, and support to those who seek information. You can trust that our content is timely and credible."

Holistic Wellness Resources - WIKIPEDIA ON MEDITATION

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditation

Namaste - Alex

Holistic Wellness Resources - LEARNING MEDITATION DOT COM

Lots of FREE CONTENT, including meditation audio downloads. Rated "BEST OF WEB" by Forbes. Here is the link to their "meditation room."

http://www.learningmeditation.com/room.htm

"Welcome to Learning Meditation. I hesitate to use the word meditation. To me, as well as many others, the word "meditation" conjures up the picture of a bearded man sitting cross-legged in front of an entrance to a cave or high on a mountain top. Climbing the mountain and reaching him is part of the arduous journey toward self-fulfillment, self-improvement. Once we find him we ask, "What is the meaning of life?" or "How do we achieve peace in ourselves and our lives?" This all-knowing man tells us the answers are "inside ourselves" and tells us to go and contemplate. I don't know if that answer was worth the journey!
Well, I am not a wise man on a mountain. I am just like you -- involved in life and work, seeking more serenity and calm in my life. I am still learning to do it better, using meditation as a guide on my journey. I invite you to take this journey yourselves. I invite you to use meditation to find the answers to your questions. "

Holistic Wellness Resources - VIPASSANA

"Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is one of India's most ancient techniques of meditation. It was rediscovered by Gotama Buddha more than 2500 years ago and was taught by him as a universal remedy for universal ills, i.e., an Art Of Living.
This non-sectarian technique aims for the total eradication of mental impurities and the resultant highest happiness of full liberation. Healing, not merely the curing of diseases, but the essential healing of human suffering, is its purpose.
Vipassana is a way of self-transformation through self-observation. It focuses on the deep interconnection between mind and body, which can be experienced directly by disciplined attention to the physical sensations that form the life of the body, and that continuously interconnect and condition the life of the mind. It is this observation-based, self-exploratory journey to the common root of mind and body that dissolves mental impurity, resulting in a balanced mind full of love and compassion.
The scientific laws that operate one's thoughts, feelings, judgements and sensations become clear. Through direct experience, the nature of how one grows or regresses, how one produces suffering or frees oneself from suffering is understood. Life becomes characterized by increased awareness, non-delusion, self-control and peace."

Visit their website at: http://www.dhamma.org/

Namaste - Alex

Holistic Wellness Resources - PARIYATTI

Pariyatti enriches the world by
Disseminating the words of the Buddha
Providing sustenance for the seeker's journey
Illuminating the meditator's path.

http://www.pariyatti.org/

Enjoy - Alex

Holistic Wellness Resources - MEARAH MARQUA

If you are genuinely interested in healing, cord-cutting, channeling and energy work, Mearah Marqua is by far the most talented healer I have ever met. If there is such a thing as a guru, she is it. Here is a link to her website: http://www.heartwaves8.com/

"Mearah Marqua combines her skills as a clairvoyant, medical intuitive and spiritual healer with her talent and experience in professional dance (Jeoffrey Ballet and American Ballet Theatre) to create an accessible and joyous experience for participants of all Heartwaves Healing programs.
Along with her B.S from Indiana University's Music Department, she has a four-year degree from the Healing Science Institute of New York City and is a Shiatsu therapist. Mearah has studied the Continuum technique of sound and movement in healing for more than 11 years with its founder Emilie Conrad.
Mearah studied with SahuKa master Tom Kenyon and is certified to teach the method. also integrates bio-feedback technologies with the Quantum Machine invented by Dr. Bill Nelson.
Mearah taught her healing training courses in France and Switzerland from 1995 through 1998. Mearah returned to the U.S. to establish Heartwaves Healing which is currently headquartered in Southport, CT, and offers programs in various Fairfield County locations.
Mearah is on the board of the Connecticut Holistic Health Association. She was also a guest teacher at the University of Connecticut's Psychology Department and co-anchor on Citizen TV, a weekly health show.

Mearah has created a series of Sound Healing CD's and workbooks and Quantum Movement & Yoga video's and DVD's."

Namaste - Alex

Holistic Wellness Resources - BHANTE WIMALA

Bhante Wimala is the best meditation instructor I have come across in all my years of learning. If you have the chance, I highly recommend you attend his Introduction To Meditation workshop at The OMEGA Institute. I also HIGHLY recommend The OMEGA Institute as the world's best source of New Age and Old Age Spirituality workshops!

Here is the link for Bhante Wimala's site: http://www.bhantewimala.com/

"His Holiness The Dalai Lama introduces Bhante Wimala, author of Lessons of the Lotus, as "a Theravada Buddhist monk from Sri Lanka who spends his time traveling and teaching in the spirit of monks at the time of the Buddha [Bhante] presents the teachings the Buddha gave over 2,500 years ago as if they had been given to address the needs of people today. His counsel to those who meet him is drawn from his own experience and the inspiration he has gained from studying and contemplating the Buddha's teachings On a simple and practical level, [Bhante] explains how meditation functions as a healing force for the mind he also discusses global problems such as the pollution and degeneration of our environment. Bhante Wimala's heartfelt concern for the suffering and the simple remedies he draws from the Buddha's teachings will be a source of strength for everyone confused by the pressures of modern life."One need only hear Bhante Wimala's voice to fathom the grounds for the Dalai Lama's statements about him. Bhante speaks in a way that is both timeless and timely. His tone is at once soothing and guiding. You can hear a depth of experience in his words, and in their clean-clear sound, a genuine teacher and exemplar.To meet Bhante Wimala is to have his realness confirmed by your eyes. One delights in his youthful smile and bright eyes, his gentle nature, his calm yet purposeful strength, and his love of life and all living beings.Sent by choice to a Buddhist temple at the age of 13, Bhante Wimala received his ordination as a novice the next year. Bhante completed six years of formal training as a Buddhist monk and received his higher ordination at age 20. At this stage, a Buddhist monk is typically encouraged by custom or inclination to continue in strictly formal studies, which are primarily academic in their emphasis. Bhante Wimala, however, chose to set out into the world, bearing only his robe and bowl.Traveling for two decades around the globe and studying under many teachers and masters has produced in the person of Bhante Wimala a compassionate and receptive monk. His practical spiritual teachings and down to earth approach make him available, encouraging and understandable. Bhante's philosophy emphasizes the authenticity of experiencing (above mere speculating), a focus on "be-living" rather than "believing." Bhante is well connected and travels the globe. He has created a series of meditation, lecture and poetry tapes available directly from him, and is currently writing a new spiritual book. His favorite pastime is to meet new people and who knows, he might be coming to your town."

And here is the link to the OMEGA Instutute:
http://www.eomega.org/

"Since 1977, through our workshops and retreats, Omega has been a pioneer in exploring, teaching, and embracing new ideas. We have also had another mission: to create a peaceful oasis in a hurried world. To this end, we have made our campus a healing center, a place where you can relax, rejuvenate, and feel at home in the midst of nature's bounty and a community of warm, caring people.
The beauty of our gardens, lake, and rolling hills, the friendly staff, the wonderful food, and the facilities at our Wellness Center all support what people come to Omega to learn. Most of all, it is the sincerity and openness of everyone here that make Omega a place where you can find within yourself the courage to become a happier, healthier, and more spirited person."

Namaste - Alex

Holistic Wellness Resources - ECKHART TOLLE

Here is one of my all time favorite voices on spiritual wisdom:

http://www.eckharttolle.com

Eckhart Tolle is a spiritual GENIUS.

- Alex

"Eckhart Tolle is emerging as one of the most original and inspiring spiritual teachers of our time. He travels and teaches throughout the world.
Eckhart is not aligned with any particular religion or tradition, but excludes none. His profound yet simple and practical teachings have helped thousands of people find inner peace and greater fulfillment in their lives. At the core of his teachings lies the transformation of individual and collective human consciousness - a global spiritual awakening.
Eckhart was born in Germany and educated at the Universities of London and Cambridge. At the age of twenty-nine, a profound spiritual transformation virtually dissolved his old identity and radically changed the course of his life. The next few years were devoted to understanding, integrating and deepening that transformation and marked the beginning of an intense inward journey. Later, he began to work with individuals and small groups as a counselor and spiritual teacher.
Eckhart Tolle is the author of The Power of Now, a #1 New York Times best-seller which has been widely recognized as one of the most influential spiritual books of our time. It has been translated into over 30 languages."

Holistic Wellness Resources THE DAILY OM

Here is a great link my friend Carmen gave me. Thank you Carmen!

http://www.dailyom.com/

"Every weekday, DailyOM will send you inspirational thoughts for a happy, healthy and fulfilling day. It's completely free and we will not share your information with anyone."

Namaste - Alex

Dear fellow human beings,

Today, my longstanding dream and desire to offer a free holistic wellness resource to the world has finally manifested.

Please feel free to add whatever holistic health resources you know about to this BLOG. This is a huge undertaking but the rewards will be well worth the effort!

Thanks and enjoy!

Namaste,

Alex