As we move into the light, growth and hope of spring, we are gifted with the opportunity to begin anew. The long rest of winter provides us with the energy needed for this time of renewal and rebirth. The Northern hemisphere, as she emerges from her winter slumber, is stirring with new life. I hear songbirds in the trees, I see red winged blackbirds by the river, I feel the warmth of the sun as I walk, I smell a freshness in the air, I taste the lighter energizing foods of s

Dear Friends, We will be taking a hiatus from offering our monthly playshop between April and August. We are re-imagining how best to serve our community through the art of Thai bodywork. We welcome your questions, comments, thoughts, and ideas. We appreciate your support throughout the past five years and recall our times practicing together with deep gratitude. With Metta and an open heart we take this time to reflect and play, to meditate and cavort with nature during Mich

It seems that many people are feeling fear at this moment in time. Fear can be a useful response or it can be the cause of chronic health problems if it doesn't enter and exit our system quickly. The fight or flight response is a vital force in maintaining our health and security. Most animals have an instinctual way of releasing the fight or flight response after it occurs, allowing the adrenal glands to rest and returning the body to homeostasis. When stress levels are hig

In order to deepen my understanding of five element theory and how the energy systems in our body function together, I am embarking on a new journey of learning. I have begun ongoing studies with Abby Humphrey, a talented local acupuncturist, who practices with Integrative Healthcare Providers. I am one of three students which allows Abby to tailor the lessons to our individual areas of interest. I am deeply impressed by Abby’s knowledge and her ability to convey her understa

As we enter fully into Spring, we allow ourselves to shed the layers of winter and open to the newness of life and rebirth. Looking to nature, I am awed by the changes all around me; birds singing and the fullness of buds wanting to flower, by green shoots sprouting in my garden and by the childlike energy of Spring everywhere. As this energy fills our beings we become more active and see endless possibilities for growth. We can be tempted to move hastily into this expansion,

March is National Nutrition Month. What does good nutrition mean to you? To me, it means eating as close to the earth as possible, in sync with the seasons, respectful of nature, in alignment with the inner workings of my own body, mindfully and gratefully. Today one must make a great effort to eat in this way. Our culture is geared towards fast sugary foods and even the health food culture has been over taken by the processed food industry and big business. While I aim to e

During this icy last week of February, I find myself beginning to long for Spring. As a native Michigander with Scandinavian roots I have always enjoyed winter; welcoming the opportunity to go inward, rest by the fire, witness the icy beauty of frozen trees in the sunlight, or take a warm bath after a brisk ski across open fields. But as winter drags on and temperatures don't climb beyond the 20s for many weeks, clouds blur my vision and instead of continuing to revel in the