Relax with Reiki and build your vital energy

Helene Hellesen’s June special with Reiki turned out so fabulously that she’s extended the offer through August 2009. Here it is:

Book a session or buy gift certificates during July and August and mention this offer for a $45 (regularly $60) session for Reiki, Reiki-ssage or a Reiki-reflex session.

These 50-minute sessions great gift idea for birthdays, stress relief, weddings, showers, new mothers, and yourself - and Helene will give you a pretty gift certificate, too. I like to refer to this amazingly calming modality for people experiencing stress, anxiety, racing thoughts and difficulty sleeping, among other difficulties.

The Reiki technique involves a Reiki practitioner focusing energy on the client, either through direct hands-on contact or with the hands several inches away from the client's body. The universal energy may be directed to an area of the body or it is simply "allowed" to flow to where it seeks a balance.

Watch a demonstration of a treatment by well-known Reiki instructor John Harvey Gray here, one of many excellent examples on the Web, where he tells how the method raises general physical vitality:

Reiki is a positive form of energy and cannot cause any harm. It does not have any side effects and it only serves for the highest good of the person who is receiving it.

People who receive Reiki-ssage are finding better results than with traditional massage or pure energy work. They describe the benefits as "a massage that keeps going for days" or "refreshing - like waking up from a 10-year sleep."

Reiki-ssage is much more than just another technique. It is blended within a complete philosophy and approach to healing that can support and strengthen any other modality of healing. Reiki-reflex blends together concepts from Reiki, Reflexology and Zone Therapy. Working on the feet, shoes and socks are removed. The session begins with the client laying on his or her back on a massage table or sitting comfortably in a reflexology chair.

Reiki-reflex cannot make any condition worse. It helps nature normalize body functions. A session relaxes the stress that can affect your health safely and effectively -- and who doesn't need that right now!

Reiki-reflex is blissfully relaxing for the client, and lasts about 45 - 55 minutes. Call Helene Hellesen, Certified Massage Therapist, Reiki Master and Certified Reiki-ssage Practitioner, at (262) 880-7594 to order your certificates.

A powerful health care video by Community For Change

Here’s a moving and important video from the folks at Community For Change, a grassroots organization in Racine that is creatively exploring how to promote equity and choice within our health care system.

Be sure to join the members of Community for Change for the upcoming “Community Conversation on Healthcare Reform” and accompanying Expo on from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 26, at the Masonic Center, 1012 Main St., Racine. The event is is free and open to the public. Watch for Lake House’s exhibit table where you can learn about the options at our center and sign up for our free e-mail newsletter.

Find more videos like this on Yes We Can Racine

Healthy energizing ideas -- without caffiene or sugar!

As a psychotherapist – including having done work with addicted people – there is a great need for information about learning how to find ways to become more energetic without caffeine and sugar.

Here are ideas that you may wish to try:

Start with yoga and especially the classic yogic breathing activity called, “The Breath of Fire,” which involves very fast breathing in and out of the nose – pant like a dog, some say. You can observe a teaching demonstration of this technique at YouTube.

• Eating foods that are whole foods, rather than processed foods, including quality protein. Quality protein includes lean meats, fish, small portions of nuts, peanut butter -- no sugar is better -- whole cheese rather than processed, and combinations of beans and rice.
• Therapeutic-grade essential oils – a number of oils are especially energizing to the brain, including basil, rosemary, orange, peppermint and lemon.
• Practice qigong, a meditative Asian exercise that is similar to – but much easier – than tai chi. Tai chi is also very good for balancing and giving energy.
• Reduce use of computer, especially at night before bedtime.
• CD guided meditations and imageries, or imageries on your own. When I’m not creating my own imageries for my clients, I suggest the wonderful CDs from Health Journeys.
• Bioenergetic exercises, which are body exercises that are often amazingly simple and easy, can change your mood very quickly. One exercise, simply stamping your feet (left, right, left, right), can reduce anger, lift mood and give energy.
• Rest.
• Drink water. When plants don’t get enough water, they wilt. You will feel like wilting too, when you don’t give your body enough. And drink water, not tea, soda, so-called “energy drinks” or alcohol.
• Spend time with people you like, people who are positive, caring, fun and supportive.
  

Healing trauma is possible -- just not always easy

I’m just finishing a four-session group on recovery from trauma at Lake House. One of the questions that has been asked is:

“Do people who have experienced trauma ever really heal?”

And one of the counter-questions that survivors often hear is:

“Can’t you just get over it?”

Both of these questions have value, and both of these questions are, in fact, entwined. Survivors of trauma are often eager to get “over” the trauma but find they can’t get past it despite their best efforts. Other people who cannot understand their reality often experience impatience, confusion and misunderstanding.

For people directly affected by traumatic experiences, there still may be tears, pain, confusion and the continuing reminder of someone who is beloved who is gone. For the community at large, there may be lingering shock that something so awful could happen in a community they love, just a glance from their own back yard, and questions about how this cycle of pain can be changed. In today's world, there is increasing human-made violence that is causing all sorts of extra trauma, such as school violence, gang crimes, domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault, terrorism like Sept. 11 and war.

Although some people believe there's no way that anyone could recover from such personal devastation, healing is possible. Many people do recover, even finding themselves with a greater sense of personal resilience and wisdom -- strong at the broken places.

Here are some things to know about trauma:

Experiencing trauma -- by definition, an experience that overwhelmed your ability to cope -- is a natural part of being human. Unexpected loss, natural catastrophes, illness, great pain and accidents are part of the normal human condition. At some point in each person's life, he or she will experience some kind of situation that we now call trauma. There is no shame about this.

Trauma destroys trust -- the trust of one’s own capabilities, the trust of others and the trust of the goodness and predictability of the universe. Because the person cannot seem to feel safe, even with himself or herself, there is constant stress, vigilance and suspicion.

When we have been traumatized, we naturally seek to feel a sense of power again. Many people seek to regain this power in unhealthy ways, including drugs, alcohol, disordered eating and compulsive behavior. Some become perpetrators, hurting others to continue the cycle of violence.

Healing is possible.

First, you must open your eyes and be able to label the traumatic experiences and violence you and others in your families and communities have experienced. This is the first step to recovery. Break the cycle of silence, and trauma can begin to be healed. Tell someone what you feel, what has happened to you. It is OK to talk to someone safe.

Secondly, you have to be willing to experience the pain of the trauma, rather than avoid it. Typically we avoid pain in many ways -- drinking, using drugs, overeating, denial or simply fantasizing that we can return to "normal," the way it was before the trauma happened. However, the real healing comes with your willingness to let yourself be confused and angry and sad during what may be an extended period of time. There is power in being able to identify and express feelings. At some point, it may be appropriate to acknowledge any responsibility you might have had in the incident yourself, but only so you can forgive yourself and move on, not so you can wallow in guilt and shame.

If the pain is so great that you cannot imagine that it would be possible to feel it or contain it, seek out additional help rather than think that you can do it alone. You will want to begin to find people who can accept and listen to your pain. These people and places may be family members, friends, teachers, counselors, pastors, support groups, churches and other palces of worship, Twelve-Step meetings, --anyone who is willing to listen, learn more and can understand.

Advances in technology has made it possible for us to measure how the brain changes from overwhelming stress and violence. This has profound implications for treatment and recovery. Talk therapy manages symptoms. You can learn how to identify what reminds you of a trauma in the past and how it is affecting you in the present. Then you can make sense of the nonverbal, emotional symptoms of PTSD for yourself or others close to you. Experiential, body-oriented and action therapies directly treat the nonverbal, emotional symptoms of PTSD and provide immediate empowerment for people and communities.

Although recovery is possible, do not expect things to go back to "normal." The reality is that life will be different. Life will never be the same as they were before the "thing" happened, but if you go bravely through the grieving process, you can come out the other side better than you were before, rather than worse, and learn how to attend to reminders of your pain in healthy ways.

It's doubtful that you'll actually be happy that the event happened, but you may be surprised that you can actually feel respect or gratitude for difficulties and tragedies that take you to higher levels of personal development. By active grieving and recovery, you transform the event into something helpful and beneficial, rather than letting the event transform you into something broken and hopeless.

Anti-smoking drugs may cause other problems

Two popular anti-smoking drugs -- Chantix and Zyban -- will now carry warnings about the risk of severe mental health problems, the Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday. This is important news, with Wisconsin public places going smoke-free one year from now in July 2010.

Read more here to learn about this research.

I predict this news will encourage smokers to reconsider and research more natural means of stopping smoking -- including hypnosis, self-help groups like Nicotine Anonymous, Chinese herbal remedies and acupuncture.

Why people are addicts -- the lizard brain!

One of the most memorable and informative lectures for patients and their families at Caron Treatment Centers in Wernersville, Pa., is the weekly “Lizard Brain” lecture by Dr. Joseph Troncale. As a former group therapist and family advocate at Caron, I really want to share this up-to-date information with you -- important since so many people struggle with addiction -- or know people who do.

Listen to this excerpt from a podcast as Dr. Troncale explains how a person’s brain chemistry factors into the disease aspect of addiction.

Addiction is now considered a brain disease – a disease that affects the disregulation of the brain's limbic system – or as he calls it – “the lizard brain.” Find out how to order the full copy of the DVD too -- or call (800) 678-2332, extension 6402.

Also from Caron: The second most used drug in the United States isn't illegal. They are pills -- perfectly legal prescription drugs.Here's a powerful video about addiction to prescription drugs and how recovery happens. Watch and listen to other people's stories.

Dove and the evolution of "beauty"

Here is a short video that we should all be watching and sharing -- especially with teen-age girls and other impressionable young women. It's a testimony to the sophistication of cosmetics, professional styling, the power of the photograher and the wizardry of the computer to enhance and promote. It's just one minute -- take the time.

A tale of two wolves

A wise Cherokee grandfather is telling a story to his grandson.

The story is about two wolves – two wolves that seem to be fighting within a human, a two-legged as the natives call the humans. Each wolf is big and strong and the battle is fierce.

One wolf is filled with anger, negativity, fear, arrogance, greed, superiority and false pride. The other wolf contains the qualities of peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.

It is a great battle, says the elder, as his grandson listens.

The grandson thought about this fight for a little while. “Which one will win?” the curious child asks the grandfather.

And the grandfather answers:

“The one you feed.”

I don’t know if this story is true or not, or even if it belongs to the Cherokee nation or is just one of those tales that is passed around the Internet. However, one another level, this story is most definitely true. The fact is that what we choose to focus on will grow within our minds. It will soon dominate our thoughts and shade our mood. In the world, we will be alert to confirmations of the qualities of one world or another.

If we focus on our resentments and all the ways that we have been mistreated and misunderstood, we certainly will begin to feel like victims, full of pain and hopelessness. However, if we acknowledge our pain but focus on the blessings that rain into our world, we will grow in our ability to bless our present and our future.

Negativity can also poison our relationships with others. If we have a friend or family member whom we decide is thoughtless, we will watch for all those times when he or she is thoughtless, or careless, or wrong. We won’t be able to see – or will notice for barely a fleeting moment – when the person is caring, or concerned, or loving. The observations will infect the relationship as certainly as any real toxic substance.

What wolf do you feed?

Stopping smoking? Here's a kit to help you

Wisconsin's new ban on smoking in public places goes into effect on July 5, 2010.

Karen Carnabucci, a psychotherapist at Lake House Health & Learning Center, and Arthur Shattuck, Chinese medicine practitioner at Roots and Legends, have put together recommendtations for a kit that will support you in stopping smoking. These kit ingredients may be used on their own or to supplement professional treatment. You might want to make the kit with a group of friends who could serve as a support system for each other. We hope that it will give you support and strategies to help you in your intention to stop smoking and grow in good health.

Here is what is included and why:

Xiao Yao Wan, the Chinese herbal tea that is both soothing to drink and assists in detoxifying the nicotine from the body.

Lemon to make lemon juice -- add juice to a warm glass of water and take each morning and evening to cleanse the liver

Dental floss may be used to floss after meals, a primary time for many smokers to have a cigarette. The flossing not only promotes good dental hygiene but also gives the individual a new and healthy ritual to replace the habit of smoking after a meal.

Cotton in small bottle that is scented with lavender essential oil; lavender is a soothing scent that naturally relaxes the nervous system. The scented bit of cotton may be sniffed during times of stress or craving.

Indes card with help line numbers. Reaching out to talk and get options to a cigarette is helpful during times of craving. You may also list a number of supportive friends who are willing to take your calls when you are feeling a craving. The toll-free Wisconsin Quit Line is (877) 270-7867; you may also dial 211 for other resources.

Pen to add additional numbers of friends and other supportive places to call.

Natural licorice twig, which may be chewed or nibbled in place of snacks or sugary candy. Chinese licorice, which is called Gan Cao, contains a sweet component that actually lowers sugar cravings and appears to make cigarettes taste unpleasant if there is a slip. It is the only herb that relaxes all of the body’s 12 meridians and therefore makes a person a little less tense.

Sticker to remind you of your commitment to your health. It may be placed in a location that has been a common smoking place, such as the telephone or car. Use additional “sticky” notes as needed.

Inspirational statement may be read as many times as you wish as a reminder to keep your commitment to your good health. Here are are some samples:

• Many people have successfully stopped smoking, and I can too!



• I can take time to remember all the reasons that I have stopped smoking.


• I am free of nicotine. I am taking good care of my health.


• I am free at last -- no longer a slave to cigarettes!


• I turn away from cigarettes and turn toward a healthy life.


• This minute in this day, I am smober…a no smoker!


• I enjoy breathing deeply with my clean lungs. My lungs thank me for new energy.


• I am capable. I have strengths. I want to live.


• I am proud of myself.


• I am reducing my health risks and increasing my health capacity.


• It’s OK for me to reach for help rather than a cigarette.

Remember to practice deep breathing and simple yoga stretches to cleanse and comfort your body. Tai chi or qi gong are also helpful, as is exercise including walking. Give yourself a simple massage or find someone to give you a massage.

Hopes, hoops, optimism and options

Here we were in Chicago, surrounded by young African-American men.

The young men were tall, very tall, and garbed in the typical hip-hop wardrobe of wildly long shirts and extra-baggy pants.

And they were everywhere in this high-class hotel in Chicago. Strolling the lobby. Riding the elevator. Going to a nearby deli to fetch a take-out lunch.

The young men, surely dreaming of a career in the big leagues, were participating in pre-draft camp for prospective National Basketball Association players recently. In the same city where "Hoop Dreams" was filmed in 1994, the athletes had just finished three days of drills at a nearby college. Now they were receiving thorough physical examinations from a group of physicians specializing in sports medicine.

On the first evening, we shared an elevator with three of the athletes. It was easy to imagine the pressure that each of the young men was feeling. Hardly boisterous, their faces showed serious expressions. And this was serious business. Only a very few would take their place among the chosen ones. And being one of the "chosen" could ultimately mean a multi-million-dollar contract, worldwide fame and a life of travel and excitement, playing with NBA legends.

"I just want to go home," blurted one of the athletes to his new friends.

The next day, I saw another athlete in the lobby, carefully holding his lunch, a turkey and tomato sandwich fresh from the deli.

"How's it going?" I asked, wondering if his answer would echo yesterday's comment.

"It's good," he said, with a genuine smile on his face. "Real good. I think it's going to work out."

Now, all of this got me thinking about the attitude of optimism, the ability to stand tall in the uncertainties of life.

Martin Seligman and his colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania have been studying optimism for nearly 30 years. They actually teach the skills of optimism to help people look at the world with sunlight rather than gloom. The idea is that this attitude not only makes a difference in our emotional outlook, it also contributes to improved health. Optimistic people are generally more able to resist illness, including the common cold. When they are sick, they recover more quickly.

Optimism doesn't mean a denial of our distress, pretending everything is all right when it isn't. It means that we are able to find the spark of goodness in a situation and make healthy and useful choices. Optimists look at the glass as half full, trusting that new opportunities will appear in their world. Pessimists look at the glass as half-empty, anticipating doom and helplessness.

Seligman, the author of "Authentic Happiness," identifies three thinking styles separate these outlooks.

Pessimists blame themselves excessively when things go wrong. Optimists take responsibility for their mistakes and are able to assess situation the situation realistically, finding their strengths in the midst of challenges.

Pessimists believe the problem is permanent, not temporary. Optimists know the problem won't last forever and trust they'll find good times ahead.

Pessimists are sure that the problem will contaminate every area of their lives. Optimists, although able to recognize that things need improvement, are readily able to recognize parts of their lives are going well.

The good news is that we can shift our outlook from gloomy to sunny. Motivated people can notice patterns of thinking that are shaded with pessimism. With awareness and effort -- and maybe some note taking and the help of a friend or two-- we can reorganize thought patterns that show hope, strength and choices. This takes practice because our habitual thoughts seem to have a life or their own. In reality, we are the source of our thoughts.

Christine Shields Kann is one such optimistic thinker. A Racine businesswoman, wife, mother, volunteer and sports fan, she is known by her friends and colleagues for her relentless refusal to go negative.

"Of course, everyone has moments of frustration," she says. "But who can afford to be negative all the time? You have to keep moving forward."

As a teen, she developed a severe back problem that demanded the wearing of a brace. Doctors predicted she would have a myriad of related health problems that would limit her physical abilities. She proved the prognosis wrong, becoming a state-ranked competitive swimmer.

Now a competitive amateur golfer, she loves the sport's maxim to "play it where it lies."

You don't always get the ideal shot," she says. "You have to think about what club you're going to use, what risk you're going to take, and forge ahead," she says. "You can't sit and whine about it. You have to take that shot and do the best you can. It's the same in life."

Back in Chicago, we saw two men sitting at the curb of the hotel, with a box of deflated basketballs nearby. As the young players walked by, the men called out to the would-be NBA stars, asking them to sign the basketballs.

The two men were a pair of entrepreneurs. And I'd say they were also optimists, trusting that the names on the balls would be worth something some day.