Getting to Know You - Cheryl Gregory, ESTHETICIAN

What led you to pursue a career in Esthetics?

I have been in the service industry all of my life and am a natural care giver. I remember receiving a facial, feeling so good and nurtured, and thinking I'd like to provide that feeling for others.

How would you describe your approach to your Skin Care sessions?

I believe the healing process begins with total relaxation. If I can get my clients into a state of relaxation, their skin is more likely to respond positively to the treatment. I use a lot of massage to help penetrate almost all of the products I use. I like to encourage a lot of oxygenated blood to the skin; it's very healing.

What is your favorite Skin Care product you can't live without?

Everybody has different needs, but for me, I can't live without my moisturizer! My favorite right now is Ilike's Hyaluronic Time Erase Comples Moisturizer, but of course, it changes seasonally for me.

You are married with 3 children and have such a nurturing, care giving approach to your sessions. How do you fill yourself up so you can give so much to others?

I love yoga and practice Bikram regularly. I also get regular massages, which helps me replenish and rejuvenate. Fortunately I don't crave junk food and eat really well. I think that helps me feel so good and gives me great energy.

As we know, a healthy lifestyle is one of the most important ways to encourage beautiful skin? What are some of your favorite tips you share with your clients to enhance the work you do?

I think movement and exercise is key to maintaining beautiful skin. Oxygen is essential to the health and maintenance of our skin cells. As we age our skin loses the ability to retain and utilize the oxygen for normal metabolic processes. I try to encourage my clients to move. 

Water water water. Hydration is another key ingredient to healthy skin.

And limit unnecessary stress. Stress wreaks havoc on your skin. Do things that fill you up and make you happy! Have you ever seen a super happy person with terrible skin?

We have just launched clinical grade peels with a new (to us) line called, Cosmedix. Can you tell us a little about these peels and why you love them so much?

I have worked with Cosmedix for about four years before I joined the Therapeutic Bodywork team. These metabolic peels are effective in peeling back rough, aging, blemished skin without using harsh chemicals that can damage healthy cells. The peels we use are botanically based treatments that produce dramatic results without the downtime of traditional peels. While sloughing off the dead, outer layer of skin, Cosmedix peels also work by stimulating the skin's natural renewal system - leaving you with better collagen production and elasticity.

They are amazing - you are going to LOVE the results!

Take $15 off your Initial Skin Care Session with Cheryl *

*(must be valued at $100 or more)

Cheryl is available Monday-Friday.

Your internal fire - the salad challange

As discussed previously in our blog titled “Hunkering Down for Winter”, winter is a time to preserve our internal light and yang energies. January is often the coldest month of the year, and yet, a chosen month to begin anew; and for many, it sparks the resolution to lose those unwanted extra pounds. Of course then comes the myriad of fads and diets to achieve these goals. And, more often than not, salads are the go to meal. With a lower total calorie count, salads do at first appear to be the ideal weight loss food. Today, however, we will challenge this belief and show that salads in January may actually hinder loss of those final unwanted pounds in the coming year.

Let’s begin our discussion with our centers- our bellies- our digestion! To better understand how optimal digestion occurs, we will use the analogy of cooking a pot of soup over an open fire: the fire being our metabolism or digestion, and the meal our food intake. In order to bring the pot of soup to a boil, we need a strong fire. In order to achieve a strong fire, we must have ideal conditions. Cold weather will dim its flames and a wet ground will inhibit its spark. Without a strong fire, our soup does not boil and our food does not cook, and when meal comes, there remains lots of inedible, uneaten food. The same can be said for our digestion: without a strong fire, our bellies cannot cook our food and our metabolism cannot work optimally. 

In Chinese Medicine, we call this function of the body our yang energy. Our digestive yang energy sparks a fire to cook down our food into energy and nutrients (often referred to as qi and blood). If our fire or yang energy is weak, we bolster a cold environment and produce an inefficient byproduct called damp. Just like in chemistry when a catabolic reaction occurs and some energy is wasted via heat -when our fire is weak, our metabolism is not as efficient and produces a waste product called damp [picture that tummy chub or even cellulite]. This in turn can eventually encumber our fire even more and it's wet nature will again dim our yang metabolic energies.

In the long run, these byproducts have to be deposited somewhere. Without enough fire to completely metabolize them, we eventually end up with excess weight, mucus in our lungs and sinuses, heavy limbs and often achy, stiff joints.

Now picture your cold salad. Then picture your cold salad straight out of the cold refrigerator. Now picture putting that cold wet salad over your digestive fire, again and again and again, in the cold cold winter months. What happens? Our fires start to putter, our metabolism starts to slow and our yang energy becomes encumbered with yin. Over time, when we eat less calories and push our bodies to exercise more, our depleted yang (or fire) is too weak to keep up and burn efficiently and hence, the more we push, the more fatigued we become and the more stubborn those last few pounds appear. Sigh.

Now, take that salad and lightly steam it. Or, take that salad and turn it into a slow cooked meal or a warm simmered winter stew! By using an external source of fire to do some of the work for you, some of your metabolic energy is freed up to be used elsewhere; and if you play it right, that freed up energy may possibly even be used toward cooking down that extra bit of unwanted stubborn flub over your belly. It truly is simple math!

So this winter, I challenge you to take a 30 Day Salad Fast (tricked you! But at least I got your attention!) and try cooking your veggies (or at minimum, warming your salad to room temperature). Once you gain momentum, you may even consider adding more warming spices like ginger, garlic, onion, curry, cumin and cinnamon to your meals to rev up that metabolism and ward off all the cold attempting to encumber your fire during these winter months. Or better yet, come see us for warming acupuncture treatments and customized herbs catered to your body type. By Spring, your yang energy will be that much stronger to burst forth out of the cold and gain momentum for easy shedding unwanted weight by summer.

Dr. Deb Salazar is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and Licensed Acupuncturist who specializes in women's health and fertility, and difficult/stubborn/chronic/recalcitrant disease. If you are interested in how acupuncture, herbs and Chinese Medicine can help you this winter, please schedule an appointment today.

Getting to know you - Megan Kershaw, Massage Therapist

Q: What led you to pursue a career in Massage Therapy?

A: As with most things, my decision to go into massage and bodywork is the result of a longer
process. I’ve worn a few different hats in my life, and am very fortunate that my life is a
collage of diverse experiences, most of them wonderful and enriching, if not educational. I
came to massage through the side door of yoga and organic farming. The physical labor of
farming required that I be proactive in caring for my body, hence the yoga. And through my
experience with yoga began my interest and curiosity about the body. 9 months after
completing a yoga teacher training, I was enrolled at the Asheville School of Massage &
Yoga.

Q: How would you describe your massage style?

A: My style is certainly a hybrid of different techniques. You take the foundation of Swedish
massage taught in school, and then start layering upon that. I’ve been mentored by some
talented individuals, and have “borrowed” techniques from them for my personal toolbox and
that I believe will add value to the massage experience with me.
I agree that most often, therapists will give the massage that they themselves would like to
receive. For me, that starts with the therapist’s presence with their client, tuning in to their breath
and any tensions in the body. My style is decidedly firm and thorough, though that does not
always guarantee that I will “work” your whole body thoroughly; sometimes need will dictate I
spend an hour on the back and neck, alone. In sum, my intention is to create a sense of
wholeness and connectedness in the client.

Q: You’ve had training in the Esalen Technique; can you describe that modality to us?

A: Yes! In November 2015 I spent 3 weeks in Big Sur, California at Esalen Institute, a renowned
retreat center that offers workshops and retreats in all topics related to the advancement of
human consciousness. I was there specifically for the 100 hour training in the Esalen technique,
unique in its long, flowing, heel to head massage strokes. Admittedly, to carry out these strokes,
there is less sheet material in the way(keep in mind it was developed during the 60s on the
shores of California, where the temperatures are always comfortable to the skin). The technique
has been refined over the years, but mainly its purpose is that of an intensely relaxing massage,
triggering the parasympathetic system for greater healing in the body. It does this through a
variety of techniques including rocking; long, fluid strokes; providing a sense of
three-dimensionality to the body; cross-directional strokes to “confuse” the mind, which forces
relaxation. Tuning in to breath and encouraging client to breath into tension spots is essential.

Q: What’s the one thing you can’t live without?

A: I couldn’t possibly choose just one thing! Friendship, humor, health, adventure, good food,
the ocean, diversity...all the spices of life!

Q: What’s your favorite self-care ritual?

A: My yoga practice. When I’ve gone a week without a downward dog in sight, I notice it- both in
my physical body and my emotional body. Long walks on the beach - swims in the warm season also help ground and reconnect me.

Q: Have you set any intentions for 2017?

A: I will keep it short and simple for the sake of this Q&A! I recently read a book called The
Miracle Morning, which has encouraged me to commit to a solid morning routine. Own your
morning and you own you day, as the saying goes. This morning routine includes adding
relevant affirmations and visualizations, as well as reading and journaling, to my existing
exercise routine(either walking or yoga). The point is, these are all parts of the roadmap that will
increase your chances of getting to whatever destination you’ve chosen. It’s a fun concept to
consider and, more importantly, to employ. And though I believe the journey CAN be the
destination, I believe it’s good to take inventory of where you’re at, compared to where you’d like
to be. Also, cultivating gratitude for all the things I’m blessed with is a big intention I’ve set for
myself!

Take $15 off your Initial Session with Megan

Megan is available on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

A Vibrant Holiday - 5 Quick Self-Care Tips

The Holiday Season is a time to connect with loved ones and celebrate the simple joys of life.  But, by the time the end of December rolls around, most of us are feeling so depleted and exhausted that we end up limping through the Holidays feeling resentful and totally burnt out.

We've put together 5 Simple, Quick and Effective Self-Care Tips to help you feel strong, vibrant and present as you gather with family & friends over the next week. When you carve out a little time for your own self-care, you'll prevent a total burnout.

1. Suck in the Fresh Air - Nature is absolutely fuel for the soul. Numerous psychology studies have linked exposure to nature with increased energy and a heightened sense of well-being. With the colder temperature and shorter days, people are more apt to retreat to their couch than to bundle up and head outdoors, but even 10 minutes of exposure a day will significantly boost vitality levels. So, bundle up and suck in some fresh air.

2. Mindful Breathing - Reaping the benefits of deep breathing does not have to be fancy. Try taking 10 deep breaths when you're taking your morning shower. Or, practice your belly breathing when you hit a red light. Even a few mindful, deep breaths can completely revitalize you.

3. Minimize the Sugar Intake - We all know sugar wreaks havoc on our bodies. It does a job on our liver, our adrenals and taxes our nervous system, leaving us completely depleted. Try to make conscious choices through the Holiday Season and limit your sugar and alcohol intake. If need be, eat a protein rich snack before the party so you're less tempted to fuel up on junk.

4. Don't have time for a Bath? Soak your Feet - Grab a plastic tub or bucket, fill with warm water, a cup of Epsom salts and even a few drops of your favorite essential oil if you have on hand. Soaking your feet for 10 minutes in Epsom salts will give you the same stress reducing effects as taking a bath!

5. Sip Warm Water and Tea - Even mild dehydration will have an effect on your cognitive function. In addition, a lack of water will over work your kidneys, causing your blood pressure to rise. Your hydration is directly connected to how vibrant you feel. Grab a portable container, fill it up with warm water or tea and sip, sip, sip away all day long!

Wishing you and yours the most VIBRANT Holiday Season!

Hunkering Down for the Winter - Part II

On December 21st we celebrate the Winter Solstice and with it comes the darkest days of the year when light is scarce and fire can only be found in the hearth. And as above, so below; as outside, so inside; we too are marking a low point in our yang energies when our fires are at their weakest and must be safeguarded.

We must simmer down so that come Spring, we may burst forth with renewed energy and vigor. What’s the best way to do this? Slow down and rest of course! Often and unfortunately with today’s societal pressures, for many, this step requires some external help.

How do we slow down with nature?

1. First and often most importantly among the American culture, is to nourish our adrenals. We do too much. We stress too much. We worry too much. We do too much. And who takes the brunt of this overdrive? Our adrenals- the organs of fight flight or freeze, the organs of stress, the organs of calm, and for women, the organs involved in healthy hormones (part of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis)… .

When our adrenals are taxed, we are taxed and as a result, we constantly feel fatigued, exhausted and burnt out. We simply cannot get ahead and eventually our bodies go into overdrive where it becomes even more difficult to slow down and deeply relax. Sound familiar? Fortunately, with new gadgets like the Fitbit, which measures our sleep patterns, we are all beginning to gain insight into just how poorly we sleep.

This is where adaptogenic herbs like Ashwaganda (“Indian Ginseng”), Reishi (“The Mushroom of Immortality”), Tulsi (“Holy Basil”), Ginseng (only a good quality) and Rhodiola (“Plateau Ginseng”) come into play. Adaptogenic herbs feed the adrenals to help you find a better balance between going and resting. We must remember that if we are burning the candle on one end, we are taking from our reserve batteries and creating a deficit. This is why these herbs are all historically known for promoting longevity.

So this season, take care of yourself and add one of these herbs into your daily routine. In general, they are extremely safe and non-toxic. Please note that often times these herbs slow you down before your energy returns. This is called regeneration through balancing! If it makes you uncomfortable, then adjust your dosage. Once balance approaches, you will feel more energy during the day and deeper rest at night. Minerals, especially magnesium, are also a good nutritional adjunct to adrenal support.

2. Secondly, proper rest requires rhythm: go to bed before 10, and arise before 6. Try it, it works. Also, winter is not an excuse to be sluggish and lazy. If you are of a larger build or carry excess weight then make sure to keep yourself invigorated.

3. And thirdly, think warmly. The holidays are such a wonderful time of year. Our hearts are warm and homes aglow. But often times, January comes around and we crash into the cold. In winter, it is wise to preserve your own fire by bringing it into your life via nutrition; drinking warm teas, adding warming spices, choosing root vegetables, eating winter colors, dressing warmly (wool socks to bed anyone?), etc. Get into soups, gingerbread cookies, Indian food (excellent for the digestion), congees, kitchari and winter roasts. Think light, warm and nourishing. 

Dr. Deb Salazar is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and Licensed Acupuncturist who specializes in women's health, fertility and difficult/stubborn/chronic/recalcitrant disease. If you are interested in how acupuncture, herbs and Chinese Medicine can help you this winter, please schedule an appointment today. (508) 428-1288