Spring into Movement!

"He was mastered by the sheer surging of life, the tidal wave of being, the perfect joy of each separate muscle, joint, and sinew in that it was everything that was not death... it was aglow and rampant, expressing itself in movement, flying exultantly under the stars."

~Jack London

IT'S SPRING!

Those of us in Flagstaff are finally starting to see and feel it.
The air outside is warming, the flowers are blooming, the dormant, frozen waters are beginning to flow, move, and nourish the land. Just as the earth blooms, warms, and finds its flow, so to do we find that same cycle.

We are coming out of a cycle of dormancy, of slowing down and going within, and moving into a period of awakening. The energy is rising, our creative juices are flowing, and our bodies are aching for movement. The earth is telling us that it is time to start sowing seeds of personal growth.

So what can we do right now to come into better alignment with this season?
How can we better prepare our bodies and minds for this years endeavors?
​What action can we take to fulfill our creative desires?


1.  Move Your Body!

It doesn't need to be much, but you should be mindfully moving your body every day. 
Whether its doing an hour of yoga, taking a 30 minute walk, dancing to your favorite music, strength training, or doing 15 jumping jacks 5 times a day, its a simple, yet vital activity for the health of our bodies. 

Think about it, our bodies are designed to move... so what happens when we don't get enough movement, or the right type of movement? 

Essentially we either either "use it or lose it." 

Without enough movement, our bodies will eventually deteriorate. 

When we choose to do muscle building exercises, we not only strengthen our muscles, but the bones that support them.  When we stretch, we prevent the shortening of our muscles, joints, and connective tissues that occurs as we age. But when we don't move, we speed the aging process, we loose our range of motion and flexibility, and our bodies become weak and brittle.
Movements ensures the health of our joints, bones, muscles, and circulatory systems. But thats not it... 
​
Other benefits of movement: 

•  Improves cardiovascular health
• Improves coordination, balance, and reflex
• Improves ability to learn and concentrate
• Reduces cognitive decline
• Improves sleep
• Reduces anxiety and depression
• Regulates blood sugar
• Helps to maintain a healthy weight


So this week, we have included for you some guided movement to help reinvigorate and reawaken the systems of your body, get the blood flowing, wake up the digestive systems, and give you an energy boost to better guide and fuel that Spring creativity.

​2. Mindful Eating: nourish and reinvigorate the body systems

How can we fuel our bodies to better support this rise in energy?

We want to think about how to best support and strengthen our bodies natural systems for elimination and how to best get our internal rivers flowing, remove blockages, and clear up stagnation.

Start with incorporating more warm, easy to digest, nutritive foods for fuel. 

While many of us may feel the urge to start eating more salads, remember that excess cold or raw foods can put strain on the liver and digestive functions. So next time you go for the salad, go for a warm salad. Try sautéing your greens and steaming, roasting , or boiling some of the added veggies.   

What kind of foods can you eat to help nourish and strengthen your body's natural systems?

Bitters for digestive health:

• Dandelion greens and roots
• Kale
• Arugula
• Mustard greens
• Nettles and oat straw tea
• Radishes

Warming spices to stimulate circulation:

• Onion 
• Garlic
• Pepper
• Ginger
• Cumin
• Oregano
• Cayenne
• Chai spices

Plants and foods that stimulate lymphatic flow:

• Alder
• Cleavers
• Calendula
• Citrus
• Chia, hemp, and flax seeds
• Sunflower and pumpkin seeds

Foods that support healthy liver function:

• Beets 
• Dandelion
• Artichoke
• Pineapple
• Fennel
• Coffee
• Mugwort
• Chickweed
• Chard
• Sprouts
• Turmeric

Herbs and plants that activate our creative energies

• Rosemary
• Hawthorn
• Tulsi basil
• Mints
• Citrus

Other nourishing spring foods:

• Asparagus
• Lemons
• Celery
• Peas
• Mangoes
• Berries
• Cherries
• Watercress
• Oats
• Parsley
• Scallions
• Avocados
• Figs
• Kitcheri
• Bone broth
• Fermented foods
• Nettle or oat straw tea

3. Detox: encourage and stimulate the body's natural ability to remove toxins

Nothing like Spring cleaning right?! Especially when it comes to our bodies.
But not all forms of detox are the same, and not all are best for our health...

So how do we decide what detox method is best for us?

Before you go diving head first into the next big health fad, there are some things to keep in mind.

1. We want to encourage and strengthen our bodies natural systems to work more efficiently - we don't want to override them.
2. Not all bodies are the same - no detox is one-size-fits-all.
3. Often times gentle is better: you don't need to survive on only liquid for a week to get healthy lasting results.
4. If you are unsure of the best detox, consult your doctor or a nutrition expert who can guide you through.


Need an expert to help you with your detox goals?...     Well look no further!
We have an expert at Harmonizing Healthcare that can create a personalized detox plan for you!

We feel so incredibly honored and lucky to have Dr. Sarica Cernohous as a part of the Harmonizing Healthcare team. Not only is Dr. Cernohous an acupuncturist and herbalist, she is also a TCD (True Cellular Detoxification) practitioner, leading people through programs to support health and well-being at the cellular level.

So what is TCD?

TCD is a program of online education, supplementation and evaluative testing, with supplements tailored to each individual. Using wellness and lifestyle education coupled with supplemental nutritional support, the process of restructuring and rebuilding health begins at the cellular level. Through this process, you bring your body through a strategic process of optimizing cellular and systemic function. 

True Cellular Detox gives you the map, the tools, the direction, and best of all, the proven efficacious formula for health optimization.

Dr. Cernohous offers consultations at Harmonizing Healthcare to review labs and assess health from a functional medicine point of view using True Cellular Detoxification and Metabolic Balance programs.

To schedule your first consultation with Dr. Cernohous, call us at 928-856-0656.

4. Give your energy some direction

Time to plant some seeds and set some goals for personal growth! 

Don't let this newfound energy go to waste. Take some time to think about what passions you want to pursue, what creative endeavors you want to jump start, and what physical, emotional, or spiritual goals you want to attain. 

Write down your goals, break them down into smaller attainable chunks, and revisit them daily. 

Give your energy some relaxed direction, but know that its ok if your original goal transforms downstream. Keep an open mind, explore new heights, and discover new paths. As you move forth with new direction, remember to stay present. 

Flowers don't grow overnight, so don't get stuck on the desired end result. 
Stay present and tend to your personal endeavors with love and gratitude every step of the way. 

We hope you enjoy the class and that you feel inspired to move, nourish, cleanse, and create with this beautiful season.

Remember, if you need extra assistance in this time, Harmonizing Healthcare is offering online herbal consults. Feel free to give us a call to book your next session!
​
With gratitude, 
the Harmonizing Healthcare Team

CALL: 928-856-0656

Book an appointment