by Jasmine | Oct 25, 2015 | Acupuncture, Fertility, Traditional Chinese Herbs, yoga infertility
You’ll meet plenty of women who will gleefully tell you how they just had some acupuncture treatments and also traditional chinese herbs and medicine and got pregnant.
Getting Pregnant With Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Herbs
Acupuncture helps to clear out blocked pathways that are in your entire system. Stagnation in a general health sense can block all kinds of neural and reproductive pathways. It will often take multiple sessions over the course of at least a few months to possibly get pregnant with acupuncture. Most acupuncturists will also give you some traditional chinese herbs to further bring healthy chi to your reproductive organs. They might even focus on specific organs such as your liver, gall bladder and spleen.
I’ve been to a few dozen acupuncturists over the years for various health issues I have had. It is generally a very relaxing session and you might leave in a state of relaxed bliss…. you might even feel like you are in an altered state at the end of your session. You will probably fall asleep during your session which is a sign that the needles are working on a very deep level to clear out deep blocks and stagnation.
The cost of acupuncture can vary depending on if you are doing community acupuncture ( you are in a communal setting, often in a chair with a few other people in the room) or if you are having a private session. Community acupuncture can range from $20 to $45 a session. A private acupuncture session can range from $50 to $90 a session. If you pay in advance for bulk sessions you will often get a discount.
While this can be the path to pregnancy for some women, it works even more powerfully when it is used an an adjunct to IVF or with other holistic lifestyle changes ( cleaning, food and exercise changes and mindfulness practices) There are some acupuncturists that even specialize in fertility and some who will accompany you to the fertility clinic when you are getting your IVF procedures done.
by Jasmine | Sep 26, 2015 | Acupuncture, Alternative Health, Chinese Medicine
I got cupped the other day. I was promoting our Open House at Hidden River in Manayunk and one of the other practitioners, Adriane Dourte practiced cupping on me, did a cup on me or cupped me…not sure what the verbiage is here.
Cupping is a method of treatment used to create suction on the skin to treat various conditions. Cupping is a method of treating local congestion.
A partial vacuum is created in a cupping jar, usually by means of heat, which is then applied directly to the skin. There are many forms of cupping ranging from different techniques to different types of cups. To create the suction, a cotton ball with alcohol on it is ignited and inserted into the cup to remove the oxygen. It is then removed quickly and placed on the skin where it suctions in an attempt to restore the oxygen. There is no contact of the fire with the skin therefore the only feeling is cold from the glass then the suctioning.
There are different types of cups. There are plastic cups that use a pump in stead of fire. There are bamboo cups that are boiled in water and herbs. The heat from the water creates the suction when it touches the skin. There are rubber cups that are shaped so that pressure applied to it will create suction. There are also glass cups with a rubber bulb on top so that there is no need for the use of fire. The squeezing of the bulb creates the suction. It felt like a sea monster kind of sucking on my skin.
People afterwards kept asking me if it hurt or was painful. It is a more aggressive treatment and maybe I am revealing too much but I kind of liked the feeling of something sucking up my skin and flesh…kind of odd but a bit kinky.
According to Adriane, a Licensed Acupuncturist, “Cups can remain stationary for a period of time. They can also be moved by adding oil to the cup or the skin and running them up and down the area being treated. There are other methods as well that are not commonly used at my offices. Cupping is good for warming the body, moving blood and qi, decreases swelling and pain. It is commonly used on the back, neck, legs, arms and shoulders. It can treat acute or chronic issues. The suction may cause bruising on the skin due to pulling stagnant blood and toxins to the skin’s surface.”
The one negative of the session is that it left me with big purple and pink bruises which will go away in the next few days. For now, I can use these to freak out my friends in family since my back looks like the chick in the movie “Species”.
by Jasmine | Apr 1, 2014 | Acupuncture, Thai Massage, Yoga Health
Just wanted to touch base and send a message about what’s going on yoga-wise with us. Between teaching couples yoga in Manayunk and Gentle yoga in Mt Airy, I’ve also been visiting plenty of local yoga studios (as a student). It’s refreshing to be the student sometimes…. it’s nice to have someone tell you what to do in class instead of directing everyone else………
I’ve attended Aerial Yoga at Fishtown’s Amrita’s Yoga… the most stunning yoga studio you will ever visit…. (and I’ve been to hundreds)….. feels like the Four Seasons designed that space.
Also went to Katrin Elia Yoga on the Main Line a few weeks ago….. Restorative yoga plus Marma point therapy…. heavenly.
Purenergy yoga in Paoli just opened up…. their Aerial classes are also high on my “to visit ” list.
The yoga I am most excited about this Spring is Namas Day though.
Namas Day is the creation of Philly Area Yoga, Philadelphia’s premiere online yoga and wellness resource.
The festival is another way that we strive to bring together the yoga community and share the incredible local talent.
They represent the community as a whole and are not affiliated with any studio or organization – they are independent and inclusive of everyone, every studio, every teacher, and every style, whether you want to jump around and sweat in a sweaty vinyasa workshop or want to be gentle and restorative in a yin class or Thai Massage.
This year’s event will involve a full day yoga workshops and master classes delivered by local instructors and wellness professionals.
It’s taking place at:
WHYY Building
Independence Mall West
150 N. Sixth Street
These are the workshops I plan to take… never seen acupuncture combined with poses before. I’ve taken Shawn Declue’s Thai Massage workshop before so I know this will be delicious. Never taken a goal setting workshop at a yoga event so that should make it a more transformational event.
Smart Goal Setting 101 led by Brittany Wallrath
Thai Yoga Massage led by Shawn Declue
Finding the Yin Within: A Yin Yoga and Acupuncture Experience led by Alice Dommert, Christopher Coan, and David Schiman
WHYY Building
Independence Mall West
150 N. Sixth Street
Saturday May 10th
8:30am – 6:00pm
Check-in opens at 8:00am…..
by Jasmine | Jul 29, 2011 | Acupuncture, Alternative Health, Couples Retreat, Meditation, Prenatal Yoga, Reviews, Spirituality, Yoga DVDs, & Podcasts, Yoga For Men, Yoga Health, Yoga Music, Yoga Retreat
Top 100 Spiritual, Yoga Websites, Blogs and Sites
Here is my list….my completely subjective list of the top 100 Mind-Body-Spirit Sites. How did I come up with this list? Many of the teachers, products or retreat centers I have personal experience with. They have shaped my yoga journey and other parts of my non-yoga life. I have taken many of their classes or workshops or bought their DVDs and have practiced to it dozens of times. A few are sites that I regularly read their posts. Some are because the website or author has written an influential book in this realm. Admittedly, some of the sites might be weak on content, functionality or navigation but the site is just an intro to a great holistic resource. A few are places that I write guest blogs for.
Some of them happened to be special because of the key role they played in certain parts of my life. I met my husband at Omega, our romance blossomed at Kripalu and we had our wedding ceremony in a Mexican Cenote (limestone water cavern) with a Mayan Shaman.
I can’t imagine not having music during my yoga practice so there are a few yoga music sites on here as well and I bought many of the musician’s CDs or have been to their concerts. Authenticity and having personal experience with the practitioner, product or institution was part of the criteria for making this list. In a way, it is an “Appreciation” list
I wanted to include a few government sites since those often have all kinds of great research and clinical trials on there. My vision is for this list to be a great gateway into the holistic world, with a strong emphasis on yoga since I’m a yoga teacher. Yogis need special clothes, props, mats, spaces, music and equipment so I wanted to include some of my favorite places to buy all things yogic. If you have been involved with the holistic community for a while you will recognize some of the sites on here and likely find dozens of great resources here
I welcome suggestions for other sites that can be included in next year’s list. While we all value directness and constructive criticism, please be professional and refrain from disparaging comments… no trashing anyone on this list or that will disqualify you from being considered for next year. Ideally, you would nominate another company but I do accept self-nominations. I reached out to the webmasters of most of the sites and if something is in quotes, then it is in their words and not mine.
If you live in Philly or San Diego, then invite me over for a class or workshop so I can maybe include you in next year’s list or blog about it in an upcoming blog. If you have products that you want me to review let me know and I will send you a mailing address in a separate email (press at synergybyjasmine.com) with “Product Review Request” in the subject.
Visit Top 100 Mind-Body-Spirit Websites for the list
