Heart and Soul Healing Reflections

Reflections on research-based healing benefits of yoga, neurofeedback & talk therapy

Can neurofeedback reduce the effects of another symptom of trauma – gambling?

As I like to quote renowned addiction expert, Dr. Gabor Maté, “Not all traumatized people become addicted, but all addicted people, including those addicted to opioids, were traumatized in some way.” He has also stated “Addiction is only a symptom, it’s not the fundamental problem. The fundamental problem is trauma.” This message is very powerful […]

5 Intention-setting Ideas to Awaken Your Soul

Spiritual Literacy Month Spirituality is not religion yet it does means something different for everyone.  For some it might refer to the journey of self-discovery and for others it might be a sense of connectedness to themselves, others and the world around them.  It might mean the process of identifying our purpose in this world […]

5 Intention-setting Ideas to Move Through Grief

Holidays are not always the happy events portrayed in movies.  Often times they activate a mixed bag of emotions and can leave us feeling sad, angry, depressed, confused, lonely, fearful, helpless, and hopeful.  Yes, hopeful. Hope is a human tendency of our authentic self and a universal invitation.  It is the same emotion that allows […]

5 Intention-setting Ideas to Fulfill the Universal Basic Human Need for Play

In my experience, part of why adolescents struggle with the transition to adulthood is tied to the balance between work and play.  The cultural pressures to academically succeed to ensure future financial independence and stability doesn’t create a whole lot of space for play.  In addition, they watch their parents struggling to make time for self-care […]

5 Intention-setting Ideas to Celebrate National Yoga Awareness Month

Let’s celebrate all things YOGA! Yoga changed my life, literally and figuratively.  I now measure my life in terms of Before Yoga (BY) and After Yoga (AY), because it is so very different today.  I was showing all of the signs of having Metabolic Syndrome, which was a wake up call to start doing something different or […]

How might the trauma of adverse childhood experiences impact the health of older adults?

As I am now in my 60s, I am even more eager to do what I can to maintain my health, physically, mentally and emotionally. My personal goal is to live to 120 years of age and to be teaching yoga beyond the age of 100! Perhaps I will shoot for breaking the Guiness World […]

5 Intention-setting Ideas to Transform Your Life!

Say ‘YES’ to you! Saying ‘No’ to others can create an internal conflict as it challenges cultural messages that encourages and rewards our external focus.  Many of us received conflicting messages as we grew up, such as that we ‘should’ help others or we will be seen as callous but if we ask for help we […]

5 Intention-setting Ideas For Remembering You Are Good Enough

Most of us experience self-doubt at times, which is normal especially when we are trying something new.  However, if self-doubt feels all consuming, it will hold us back from experiencing life fully.  When we become aware that self-doubt is starting to stifle our passion for life, we may need more tools to overcome it. Self-doubt can […]

5 Intention-setting Ideas for Luvin’ Up Your Brain

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month The Alzheimer’s Association® suggests people around the world wear Purple this month AND continue to exercise their brains to fight Alzheimer’s disease.  Research into the causes of cognitive decline, including the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease, is ongoing because scientists still don’t fully understand the underlying process in most people.  […]

5 Intention-setting Ideas for Sweeping Away What No Longer Serves

What are you planting in the soil of your mind this spring?  Is the garden of your mind full of weeds? Taking time to clean our homes after a long winter’s nap is an annual tradition that crosses many cultures, including Persian, Jewish, Japanese and Judeo-Christian among others.  This tradition of renewal has roots in […]

Yoga and Your Heart

When I turned 40, I was overweight and showing signs of being diagnosed with hypertension and high cholesterol, all considered precursors for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). I feel blessed as it was the same year that I discovered yoga! By showing up on my mat for myself on a regular basis, I was […]

5 Intention-setting Ideas to Invite Engagement Back

Mother Earth has begun to show signs of rebirth as the season of Spring is upon us!  It is the time of year where many of us start to feel more energized as we emerge from the darkness and slumber of winter.  However, if you are not having the same sense of energy and motivation bubbling […]

5 Intention-setting Ideas to Celebrate National Reading Month

The month of March was designated National Reading Month in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday.  The intention behind the designation was to encourage everyone of all ages to read every day.  Reading has been shown to provide health benefits such as improved cognitive function, increased memory and vocabulary, and decreased levels of stress.  It also […]

5 Intention-setting Ideas for Celebrating Love Your Pet Day

Benefits of Pet Ownership National Love Your Pet Day is celebrated on February 20th.  Research continues to demonstrate the many health benefits of owning a pet.  A recent study showed dog owners were 30 minutes more active on a daily basis than people who don’t own a dog. Will not only owning a pet perhaps increase your opportunities […]

5 Intention-setting Ideas for the New Year

It’s time to release our attachment to new year resolutions! Research out of the University of Scranton suggests that just 8% of the people who set New Year’s resolutions actually succeed in achieving those goals, thus leaving the majority of us feeling like failures.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t like feeling like a […]

Can two decades of research be wrong about the benefits of direct neurofeedback for neuropsychiatric disorders?

I don’t think so! With the growing awareness around complex trauma and the corresponding increase in mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression, and addiction, it is mission critical that the healthcare system take off the blinders and drop the belief that prescription medications are the first line of attack to address such challenges. Most […]

5 Intention-setting Ideas to Make Space

This is the time of year that most people begin to formulate their New Year resolutions.  However, before we can add something to our lives, it is a good idea to get rid of something that no longer serves us to create space, and I’m not necessarily suggesting tangible, physical items, although the idea also […]

5 Intention-setting Ideas to Honor a Rich and Diverse Culture!

November is Native American Heritage Month! In 1990, the President of the United States, George H. W. Bush, declared the month of November as National American Indian Heritage Month, thereafter commonly referred to as Native American Heritage Month to honor the traditions, languages, and stories and ensure the rich histories and contributions thrive with each […]

5 Intention-setting Ideas to Support Others Navigating This Storm

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Two of my dear friends are currently navigating this more intimate, personal storm of breast cancer as I send this newsletter this month.  I know I am not alone.  With the prevalence of this disease, most likely everyone knows someone that has or is attempting to deal with this constant […]

5 Intention-setting Ideas to Help Save Lives

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. (Reprint from September 2021)Suicide is not an easy topic to talk about and yet that is exactly what is needed in order to reduce the growing rate of this tragedy.  Conversations can make a difference when someone is thinking about suicide. Did […]