Therapeutic Touch

With the intention to help or heal, Therapeutic Touch therapists place their hands on or near a person's body, directing the individual's energy by interacting with their energy field, stimulating the body's natural healing ability while balancing the energies of the total person instead of treating a specific physical disease.

Reflexology

Reflexology is the process of applying pressure, using the thumbs and fingers, to specific reflex points on the hands, feet or ears in order to improve one's health.  These reflex points correspond to the different organs and systems within the body and stimulating these areas is beneficial to the organs and to the recipient's general health.

Healing Touch

Healing Touch uses gentle hand techniques to help re-align one's energy field and accelerate healing of the mind, body, and spirit.  The goal of Healing Touch is to restore harmony to one's energy system, which stems from the belief that human beings are fields of energy, constantly interacting with others and the environment.

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Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the insertion and manipulation of needles into the skin or tissues at specific points on the body to alleviate pain, discomfort or illness.

Reiki

Reiki promotes balance throughout the human system through soft, non-manipulative touch.  This spiritual healing practice works with the subtle vibrational field thought to penetrate and surround the body.  

Yoga

Yoga means union in Sanskrit.  Many yoga traditions believe that the practice of yoga leads to a union of a person with their true self or with God. Yoga has many benefits including increased strength and flexibility, better balance, coordination, and concentration, and overall stress reduction. 

There are several types of yoga, including Anusara, Ashtanga, Bikram, and Kundalini.  Some yoga poses are used throughout the various types of yoga, however; there are others that are unique to a particular style.  The various styles and practices all serve to calm the mind.

This Holistic Life will generally focus on asana, stretching and strengthening yoga poses, however; yoga practice is multidimensional and includes meditation, breathwork, visualization exercises, and its own philosophy.  

Journaling

Journaling involves maintaining a detailed record of the thoughts and feelings surrounding the events in your life.  This process enables you to release, and later explore, why and how you feel about your life’s events.  This practice is a stress reducer that promotes self-exploration and discovery.

Humor Therapy

Humor therapy is the use of humor to reduce stress, relieve pain, & promote healing.  Smiling and laughing offer therapeutic benefits and enhance overall well-being. 

Imagery

Imagery is a relaxation practice that requires you to form a mental picture, or imagine a scenario, that is pleasant and promotes relaxation and healing.  Guided imagery uses a facilitator and images, to help guide your imagination.  Over time and with practice, you will be able to create these images for yourself, reducing stress, anxiety and improving your sense of well-being.

Music Therapy

Music Therapy is the use of music to impact and improve health and well-being through the use of relaxing or comforting music.

 

According to the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA): "Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program" (2008).

Meditation

Meditation is the self-guided practice of relaxing the body, calming the mind, and tuning into the spirit.  Meditation decreases anxiety, depression, and pain, while increasing balance and overall health and wellness.

Dance Therapy

Dance Therapy is a healing practice that focuses on the interaction between the mind and body in health and illness.  The mind and body are interrelated and healing occurs when the mind and body connect in an expressive, therapeutic manner.

The American Dance Therapy Association defines dance therapy as:

"The psychotherapeutic use of movement to further the emotional, cognitive, physical, and social integration of the individual" (2008).

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is the use of water, internally or externally, to relieve pain, treat disease and maintain health.

Prayer

Prayer is the act of raising hearts and minds to God or a higher power.  Prayer has a very personal meaning arising from each individual’s spiritual practice or religious beliefs.  Prayer stems from the belief that there is a power greater than one’s self that influences one’s life.

Holistic Gardening

Holistic gardening is the practice of gardening for health and healing.  This practice emphasizes stress relief and improved physical, mental and spiritual wellness. 

Integrative Nutrition

Integrative nutrition is the process of becoming conscious of what you eat, why you eat it and how it is prepared.

Art Therapy

Art Therapy is a creative process that allows artistic self-expression.  This process, involving a variety of artistic methods, helps manage stress, improve self-esteem, and develop self-awareness.

The American Art Therapy Association, Inc. states:  "Art therapy is a mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages" (2008).

Creative Therapies

Working creatively is an effective way for some to communicate and express themselves.  This is usually done under the guidance of a qualified therapist in an effort to bring awareness and change to the one carrying out the creative therapy.

Creative therapies include art, music, and dance, as well as other activities. We'll explore these therapies here at This Holistic Life.

Jackson Pollack

Creative arts therapies share a commitment to the "expressive action that engages emotions in a direct and physical way; an ability to generate creative energy as a healing force for mind, body, and spirit; and a belief that the creative imagination can find its way through out most perplexing and complex problems and conflicts" (McNiff, 2005).

McNiff, S. (2005). In Expressive Therapies, Malchiodi, C. (Ed.). Guilford Press, New York, New York.

Carrier Oils

Carrier Oils are vegetable oils derived from the fatty portion of a plant.

They are used to dilute essential and other oils prior to application and carry the essential oil onto the skin.

There are several types of carrier oils.  Here is a list of just a few of them:

Almond

Evening Primrose 

Jojoba

Olive

Rose Hip

Sesame

Sweet Almond

One way to quickly put a carrier oil to use is to make a massage oil blend.  Use ½ of a fluid ounce of the carrier oil of your choice and add 3-4 drops of the essential oil of your choice.

Remember that less is more.  Too many drops of an essential oil can make your blend overwhelming.

Consult with a physician before using carrier and essential oils.

Massage Therapy

The manual treatment, by manipulation, of soft body tissue to relieve pain, reduce stress, and enhance health and well-being.