(Episode 82) Shamanic Healing for the Five Elements

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Welcome to our latest episode, where we delve into the pursuit of balance through elemental practices. When we discuss the elements, we are referring to the five Chinese elements: Earth, Wood, Metal, Fire, and Water. Join us as we explore how these practices can enhance our well-being, harmony, and balance in today’s fast-paced world.

Key Themes:

  • Balance and Harmony: We discuss the crucial role of achieving balance in our lives and how connecting with the five Chinese elements can lead to mental, physical, and emotional harmony.

  • Shamanic Traditions: We encourage listeners to engage with shamanic practices to balance the five elements.

  • Connecting with the Elements:

    • Earth: Learn how drumming and preparing food can help you connect with the earth element.

    • Wood: We talk about hugging trees and listening to the wind to strengthen your wood energy.

    • Metal: Discover how wind chimes, singing bowls, and crystals can help you align with metal energy.

    • Water and Fire: Understand the importance of balancing these opposing forces through moon and solar gazing, and why spending time near water can cultivate Ying energy.

  • Leadership and Organization: We delve into how wood energy is associated with leadership and metal with organization, offering insights for those looking to improve in these areas.

  • Creative and Calming Practices: The episode covers how to stimulate creativity with Fire and calm the mind with Water, as well as safe alternatives to direct sun gazing.

Even if you just have 5 minutes, fast forward to one of these key moments, then bookmark this episode for later to learn:

  • [00:00] Introduction to the concept of balance and harmony through elemental energies for overall well-being.

  • [04:30] Discussion on the significance of grounding in the year of the Yang Wood Dragon.

  • [06:50] Importance of integrating shamanic traditions to balance the five Chinese elements for personal harmony.

  • [08:40] The role of astrology in self-awareness and its limitations without the addition of personal growth and free will.

  • [10:20] Practices to connect with the Earth element: drumming and cooking.

  • [12:05] Techniques for connecting with Wood energy: tree hugging and listening to the wind.

  • [14:00] Using wind chimes, singing bowls, and crystals to align with the metal element.

  • [15:35] Leadership and wood energy, organization and metal energy: exploring their interconnections.

  • [17:20] Engaging with Water and Fire energies through moon and solar gazing.

  • [19:10] Recommendations for inviting more Water energy into one’s life for Ying energy and balance.

  • [21:00] Calming the mind with Water practices and stimulating creativity with Fire practices.

  • [22:45] Advice on safe sun gazing.

  • [24:30] The healing benefits of altering old patterns and enhancing consciousness through these elemental practices.

  • [26:10] Emphasizing the role of nature in achieving relaxation and deepening awareness.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

Download the Microcosmic & Macrocosmic Orbit Meditations at  ⁠acenterfornaturalhealing.com/shop⁠⁠⁠.

Strengthen your immune system, restore your gut health, and improve joint mobility and circulation with our unique line of expertly formulated probiotics, digestive enzymes and proteolytic enzymes at www.aharabotanics.com. Use promo code HEALTHY10 for 10% off your first order!

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(Episode 81) Reset in 2024: Wellness Tips for the Year of the Dragon

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Share your thoughts in the comments below after you’ve listened to the episode. We’d love to hear from you!

Welcome to the Year of the Yang Wood Dragon. This year we’re also entering Period 9, a twenty year cycle. The number 9 represents Fire, so this will be a time of expansion, enthusiasm, passion, evaluation, and a time of letting go.

In this episode you’ll learn more about this new year to come as well as tips on how to calm your mind so you can reevaluate and get clear about what you truly want to create for yourself in years to come.

Even if you just have 5 minutes, fast forward to one of these key moments, then bookmark this episode for later to learn:

[1:40] all about the Chinese New Year and an overview of 2024 from a Chinese astrological perspective

[12:01] how to easily ground Wind patterns, which can manifest as chaos, dizziness, high blood pressure, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, etc.

[14:02] why your connection to Earth is important, how our modern Western society often breaks that connection and how you can rebuild it

[16:04] why moving your body and cultivating flexibility is essential for longevity and quality of life

[17:35] Salvador leads you through a simple Qigong exercise

[22:12] tips to work from home to keep your energy up and set your body up for health

[23:45] why having this area of your body open will help with your focus, clarity and productivity

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

Ready to try a natural deodorant that actually works? Click to learn about Wild deodorant. With a fully sustainable design, Wild is vegan, cruelty free, contains all natural ingredients and scent combinations using essential oils.
Use promo code naturalhealing at checkout for 25% off your first order!

Download the Microcosmic & Macrocosmic Orbit Meditations at  ⁠acenterfornaturalhealing.com/shop⁠⁠⁠.

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(Episode 77) Depressed? Essential Oils to Help You Navigate Sadness & Depression (Part 1) and (Episode 78) Depressed? Healing Chronic Depression with Essential Oils (Part 2)

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What was your key takeaway from either or both of these episodes? Let us know in the comments below!

Episode 77 Preview

Click here to download a transcript of episode 77.

Globally this is a time of great sadness, anger, and confusion. This level of suffering that is taking place in the world currently is so strong, that as a part of humanity, we are all going to suffer to varying degrees.

When the outer world is in chaos, it’s essential that we cultivate our inner world more deeply. We can create change in the external world by simply changing our individual consciousness. 

In this episode, you’ll learn how to navigate difficult emotions through the use of essential oils.

By using your great privilege and awareness to do inner work, cultivation, learning and self-healing, you can make great contributions to the global healing.

To move through the emotions of grief and sadness, we have to regulate the Qi (energy) of both the Lungs and Liver, as well as the Spleen and Stomach, according to Chinese Medicine. In this episode, you’ll learn why this is important as well as how to do this through the use of essential oils.

You’ll learn all about three specific essential oils — Bergamot, Patchouli, and Cumin — that can help relax your central nervous system to reduce anxiety and depression, and improve sleep and digestion. 

And as you regulate your Qi from the inside to find your light, you can illuminate the darkness in the world.

Resources Mentioned in Episodes 77 & 78

Experience a life of endless possibilities by downloading this free audio guide.

Episode 78 Preview

Click here to download a transcript of episode 78

When you're feeling down, know that there's always a solution to bring you back. There's a lot to learn from these emotional states, but it's also important to have tools to navigate these emotions to learn from these experiences and to create a ripple effect to heal the collective.

Regulating the Liver is essential to reduce depression, as well as fortifying the Spleen and Stomach.

In this episode, we’re going to focus on invigorating the blood. The blood in Chinese Medicine is said to store the emotions, the trauma, the memories.

Invigorating the blood can help liberate you from depression.

We’ll discuss three oils to help invigorate the blood and alleviate depression: Litsea (which can also relieve anxiety), Frankincense (which is known as a wound healer, physically and emotionally) and Sandalwood (which is also an important oil to relax your nervous system).

Just by smelling the essential oils, you’ll notice a shift in your mood.

At [7:15] Dr. Setareh Moafi will guide you through a gentle breathing exercise that’ll help you understand the important relationship between the Lungs and the Liver. This will also help you understand the power of essential oils that we discuss in both episodes 77 and 78 to relax the Liver and allow you to breathe more deeply.

It’s no wonder that breathing is such an essential part of meditation and relaxation. 

At [10:00] Salvador describes an easy acupuncture point that opens the diaphragm and can be used to apply these essential oils to relieve nausea, aid digestion, breathe more deeply and relax your chest for anxiety.

At [11:02] Salvador shares a formula of essential oils you can use to create a bath to help you sleep, reduce anxiety and calm your nervous system at the end of a stressful day.

You’ll also learn how to use the essential oils as a tool to address more chronic depression at [14:24].

At [16:57] you’ll learn the risks of taking a lot of supplements, as well as why it’s so important to limit the amount of information, food and stimulation you take in to prevent and reduce depression.

At [18:15] you’ll learn how coffee and dark chocolate may not be as beneficial as you might think when you’re dealing with anxiety and depression.

The essential oils can be powerful to liberate you from chronic sadness and depression. The work you do on an individual level will enhance the collective and make you more available for what the world is needing right now.

What was your key takeaway from either or both of these episodes? Let us know in the comments below!

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(Episode 72) Ancient Secrets for a Healthy Immune System

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In this week’s episode we discuss the Classical Chinese medicine perspective on the relationship between the Heart and Kidneys. In past episodes we’ve discussed the Water and Fire paths and the relationship between these two organ systems in terms of movement and in terms of discovering and living out your life purpose (Listen to episodes 67, 69, and 70).

In this episode we talk about this important relationship in terms of your immune health, and how a healthy immune system is in large part determined by the health of your immune system.

Stress is widely known to cause health problems but the nuances of stress levels matters. Too much stress is not good for you, but also too little stress is equally not good.

Eustress is a type of stress that leads to a positive response and can refer to any type of beneficial stress, whether physical or psychological. Eustress tends to be short-term and often feels exciting, and people perceive it as manageable and even motivating.

Major health problems arise when there is chronic stress that taxes the nervous system, debilitating the adrenals.

To contrast the effects of stress, it’s important to rectify your Qi.

To prevent chronic stress from creating chronic health issues, it’s important to practice more mindfulness as well as exercises that calm anxiety and relax the nervous system. This will help resolve your unhealed wounds, including your psychological wounds.

You’ll learn an easy and short breathing exercise that will help reduce stress in your body and mind at [9:03], as well as help you draw the energy of the Heart down into the Kidneys to deepen this communication.

Learn more why this exercise is so helpful [8:20] and practice this exercise anytime [9:03] whenever you need to rectify your Qi and to restore balance between your Heart and Kidneys.

In this way, you’ll be able to bring the Fire of the Heart into the Water of the Kidneys in order to cultivate self-love.

By bringing this love into your Heart and down to your Kidneys, you can radiate from yourself into the world and to the people around you.

Once you’ve listened, let us know your experience in the comments below!

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(Episode 70) Unleashing Your Power

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In episode 67 you learned how you can use the Water Path to ground yourself and in episode 69 we discussed how the Fire Path can help you to lighten up. In this episode, you’ll learn how you can use the Water Path to generate energy to tap into your power and potential.

The Fire Path creates short term energy bursts, while the Water Path gives you endurance and stamina. But in order to have more energy, you have to rest.

You’ll learn a special Water Path breathing exercise to help you generate power and realize that you’re much stronger than you think [06:10].

We often think we have to exert a lot of energy to achieve our goals (Fire energy) but if we rest and use intention (Water energy) we become more powerful than we ever believed we could be.

There is unlimited potential within us, but we often don’t tap into it because we try to do it through striving instead of through cultivating ourselves. The actions we do or want to do are just as important as the intentions behind those actions.

Water Path breathing is stabilizing and is a great practice for any standing or movement activity.

It’s important to have intention around your posture because not paying attention to where your energy is going can lead to burnout.

Awareness is the first step to healing and the first step to maintain and build your energy. When you do the Water Path breathing exercise while you’re sitting or standing, you’ll not only cultivate your Qi, but you’ll also strengthen your Spleen, which is a major component of your gut health.

Improving your gut health or maintaining your gut health is essential to your mental clarity. Many of the neurotransmitters and hormones we once thought were produced in the brain are actually produced in the gut.

When you sit or stand for long periods it taxes the Spleen, as does overthinking, and all of this eventually impacts your body’s ability to produce neurotransmitters. This can cause you to feel more depressed or feel off in some way. You won’t be able to focus, and it effects your immune system. 70% of your immune cells are produced in your gut.

The other important thing to remember is hydration which is discussed in depth at the end of the episode.

Once you’ve listened, let us know your experience in the comments below!

Resources Mentioned This Episode:

Gain exclusive insights and support so you can begin your journey From Surviving to Thriving. You’ll get your copy of Dr. Setareh’s new eBook FREE when you sign up.

Sign up now for Dr. Setareh’s free LIVE webinar 3 Secrets to Getting Unstuck in Uncertain Times.

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(Episode 69) Lighten Up: How to Cultivate your Fire Energy

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The burden of stress can create tension in the body and mind. By learning how to work with the Fire Path, you can learn how to use this breathing method to relax and loosen chronic tension patterns and ease the burden of mental and emotional strain so you can lighten up. This is especially important if you struggle with anxiety and depression, and generally it’s for all during the Fire season of Summer.

While it’s important to be grounded and to practice earthing, which we discussed in Episode 67, it’s also important to have buoyancy in life, and to be able to lift your mood when life feels heavy.

You’ll learn specific exercises you can do right at home, or anywhere, to release stagnant Fire energy and bring lightness to your body, heart and mind.

Dr. Setareh and Salvador share about the power of shaking, dancing, and finding other ways to express your Fire energy, as well as a visualization exercise to open up the Fire Path in your body.

Harmonizing the Fire and Water Paths is essential and in this episode you’ll also learn which of the paths to focus on at any given time to ground yourself and lighten up.

Once you’ve listened, let us know your experience in the comments below!

Resources Mentioned This Episode:

Gain exclusive insights and support so you can begin your journey From Surviving to Thriving now. Sign up now and receive a free eBook written by Dr. Setareh

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(Episode 68) Demystifying Internal Martial Arts with Brandon Gilbert

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Click here to download a transcript of our conversation with Brandon.

This episode we welcome back previous guest speaker Brandon Gilbert (Episode 58). In the last episode, Brandon shared about medicinal mushrooms and tonic herbs, but today he’s going to share more about his personal cultivation practices, including the ancient practice of Nei Gong.

Meet Brandon Gilbert, Founder of Hyperion Herbs

Brandon Gilbert has been deeply interested in studying Eastern philosophy since the age of 14. A serial entrepreneur, he started his first business in 2006 after going deep in the alternative health field to resolve his own health issues.

Brandon felt motivated to share his views and experiences with a larger audience. He created the YouTube channel HyperionTv.com in 2009, built up a following, then founded Hyperion Herbs in 2010 to share purely potent tonic herbs and make them accessible and easily available like never before.

Brandon has taught many classes and workshops both online and in person on a wide variety of subjects, ranging from alternative health and healing modalities, herbalism, internal arts and Eastern philosophy.

In addition to running Hyperion Herbs and Hyperion TV, Brandon spends and invests many hours every day training internal arts like Qigong, Neigong, Tai Chi, Chuan and various sitting practices.

Introduction to the Internal Martial Arts

In this week’s episode you’ll learn all about the nuances between similar (often mistakenly interchangeable) terms of internal martial arts such as: Qi Gong, Nei Gong, and Tai Chi.

Many of these internal martial arts believe that our spiritual self, qi, is interconnected with the physical body, shen. If you benefit one the other can benefit, and if you degrade one, the other can degrade as well. In this episode you’ll learn how they are similar and how they greatly differ with one another.

Unfortunately, in our modern-day society it’s the norm to always be stressed, to always be in conflict, and to be overstimulated. This creates blockages in your channels, creating physical and mental ailments. If you slow down and practice these internal arts, your body and mind will heal.

Be sure to listen in to hear the warning Brandon gives about jumping head first into these practices. If you jump into these seated practices before cultivating your body health issues can arise. You also may feel spacey or ungrounded as a result.

Often times, when you work on the body, feeling more internally comfortable and at ease in your physiology, your mental problems like anxiety or depression, naturally ease. It’s like your mind is taking a sigh of relief, releasing these heavy weights of mental problems.

Minds are stubborn and it can be really challenging to change them. Instead you can use your body to change your mind. It’s very empowering when you do these mindfulness practices through the internal martial arts.

Once you’ve listened, let us know your experience in the comments below!

Resources Mentioned This Episode:

Gain exclusive insights and support so you can begin your journey From Surviving to Thriving now.

Balance your yin and yang energies to shift mental, physical, and emotional patterns that would otherwise lead to accelerated aging, illness, and disease — click here to learn how with the Microcosmic and Macrocosmic Orbit meditations.

Experience a life of endless possibilities by downloading this free audio guide.

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(Episode 67) Grounding: The Secret to Longevity

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Click here to download a transcript of our conversation.

According to the Chinese luni-solar calendar, Summer began on May 6th in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s important to cool down both physically and energetically at this, as well as if you tend to feel anxious, restless or have inflammation in general. In this episode, you’ll learn how to achieve this by doing a variety of easy daily practices.

Many people think they should exercise vigorously all year round to be healthy, however it is best to live life seasonally. As Dr. Setareh says in this episode to be healthy year round is, “to live with the rhythm of nature.”

Summer is associated with the Fire Element, which can cause us to feel more stimulated, anxious, restless, distractible, and emotional.

To ease these seasonal effects — and if you tend to generally be anxious, restless or have inflammation — it’s important to cool your body down by grounding, rather than by overexerting with vigorous exercise.

There are many ways to ground yourself. A few examples are by practicing qi gong, meditation, yoga, mindfulness, and by being in the moment and not living in the past nor future.

By focusing on the cooling aspects of these practices, you can help anchor the Fire from this season within yourself.

You’ll learn two go-to exercises Dr. Setareh and Salvador recommend for grounding in this episode!

Once you’ve listened, let us know your experience in the comments below!

Resources Mentioned This Episode:

Experience a life of endless possibilities by downloading this free audio guide.

Balance your yin and yang energies to shift mental, physical, and emotional patterns that would otherwise lead to accelerated aging, illness, and disease — click here to learn how with the Microcosmic and Macrocosmic Orbit meditations.

Loved this episode?

Please subscribe and consider rating & reviewing our podcast on Apple Podcasts. Five star reviews help us reach & support more listeners like you. You can also follow us on Spotify to be the first to hear about new & bonus episodes!

Thank you!

(Episode 66) Qi Gong for Everyone with Lee Holden

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Click here to download a transcript of our conversation with Lee Holden.

Welcoming Lee Holden, CEO & Founder of Holden Qi Gong

Lee Holden is the CEO and founder of Holden Qi Gong. He's world renowned for bringing this ancient Chinese practice to the modern world. Holden has led eight successful shows on PBS, reaching millions of people through his warm, interactive approach to movement and healing.

This November, he will appear on Fountain of Youth with Lee Holden, a 13 episode show broadcast on PBS, where he teaches Qi Gong at a variety of scenic locations, including Yosemite, Redwood National Park, and Croatia.

Holden has worked closely with celebrity clients, Olympic and professional NHL and NFL athletes, and high profile government officials, including the Bush family, the Minister of Happiness of Dubai and the royal family of Jordan.

Through online and in-person courses, Holden teaches the transformative power of Qi Gong, a science that improves the energy life force of individuals by activating dormant energy through a series of breathing and meditative exercises. Practitioners can see results in as little as seven minutes a day.

Holden's teachings have helped more than 10,000 students meet their goals of healing from injury and disease, slowing the aging process, maximizing energy and feeling better in their bodies.

Lee received his official Qi Gong teaching certification from Master Montauk Chia. He went on to ghostwrite 12 books for Chia, including a bestseller about transforming stress into vitality, thus making this ancient practice accessible and comprehensible for all. Lee has also spent time learning from other Qi Gong masters in Japan, China, and Indonesia, along the way.

Qi Gong is currently the most popular exercise in the world with over 50 million people worldwide practicing Qigong every single day.

Listen in to learn:

  • Lee Holden’s unique journey into this ancient healing art from childhood, to finding his mentor, and to his path to expanding his teachings through PBS to bring Qi Gong practice to thousands of people around the world.

  • All about the ancient practice of Qi Gong, and how just 7 minutes of daily practice can transform your wellbeing.

  • How you can improve your mindset and energy in seconds with “Qi Breaks.”  

  • How to incorporate Qi Gong into your daily life — even with a busy schedule — so you can have more energy, clarity and peace of mind.

  • The relationship between nature and your body and how Qi Gong practice can help you attune to your surroundings and experience nature in a whole new way. 

Resources Mentioned These Episodes

Learn more about Lee Holden and his offerings here.

Experience a life of endless possibilities by downloading this free audio guide.

Gain exclusive insights and support so you can begin your journey From Surviving to Thriving now.

Loved this episode?

Please subscribe and consider rating & reviewing our podcast on Apple Podcasts. Five star reviews help us reach & support more listeners like you. You can also follow us on Spotify to be the first to hear about new & bonus episodes!

Thank you!

(Episode 59) Creating Space: 3 Practices to Allow New Energy Into Your Life this New Year

Once you’ve listened, scroll down to the comments and let us know — how will YOU create space in your life this new year?

With the onset of the lunar new year and the beginning of the Year of the Water Rabbit, creating space is essential to allow new energy to enter your life.

In this episode you’ll learn how to create space in your physical environment, your body and mind to attract new possibilities in this new year and beyond.

The Year of the Water Rabbit

The Chinese New Year starts with the first new moon of the year, which in 2023 was on January 22nd. The change of the zodiac occurs based on the first solar term (the beginning of the 24 solar terms), which is on February 4th.

The solar terms are based on the elliptical orbit of the Earth around the Sun, divided into fifteen degree segments. These solar terms also determine the seasons. According to the luni-solar calendar, February 4th is the start of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and the Vernal Equinox is actually the middle of the Spring season.

We are transitioning from the Year of the Water Tiger in 2022 to the Year of the Water Rabbit.

Since the Rabbit’s natural element is Wood and according to the Five Elements, Water nourishes Wood, this year of the Water Rabbit is considered to be a harmonious year.

In order to fully experience the benefits of this new year, it’s important to make changes to create space in your life.

Ready to live a life of endless possibilities?

Click the button below for your FREE audio guide to learn 4 essential pillars rooted in Classical Chinese Medicine and Daoism that'll support you to transform your well-being and create an extraordinary life.

How to Create Space

Creating space in your environment can be done first through decluttering your home and office, and getting rid of the things you don’t need in your life.

One of the methods we like to employ for this is rooted in the KonMari Method from the book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. In it, Marie encourages that you go through each category of your belongings (clothes, shoes, jewelry, makeup, kitchenware, etc.) and determine which items ‘spark joy.’

Anything that doesn’t bring you joy when you’re in its presence should either be discarded or given away.

This allows you to really scale back on the extra clutter that you don’t even enjoy having in your life!

We also recommend that every year you try to get rid of at least 30% of all your belongings. It may sound like a lot, but you’ll be amazed at how much extra clutter accumulates over the course of a year!

The next thing to be mindful of is your breathing.

Inhalation allows you to draw in fresh energy, while your exhalation allows you to let go and release toxins from your body.

When your breathing is shallow, not only does this inhibit you from letting go, but it also inhibits the Qi from effectively flowing throughout your body.

Ultimately, the way energy flows in your body will be reflected in your life.

Taking deep breaths allows you to maintain the movement of energy and blood, thereby creating space physically and emotionally.

In terms of the physical body, creating space requires the movement of Yin stagnation and this can be done vibrational through Water Breathing, which has been discussed in past episodes. Salvador demonstrates this breathing in this episode.

Emotionally, releasing emotional stagnation requires moving the blood of the Pericardium Luo, which is done by tapping the inner arm, which is explained in this episode.

Overall, you want to make sure to create space in your physical environment as well as your body through deep breathing and in your emotions through simple exercises that free the stagnation physically, mentally and emotionally.

As you create space, you allow for new and endless possibilities to come into your life.

Scroll down to the comments and let us know — how will YOU create space in your life this new year?

Resources mentioned in this episode

How to Do Ujjayi Breathing

How to Attract Endless Possibilities

(Episode 53) Embracing Your Authentic Self with Tamara Nakhjavani

Once you’ve listened, we’d love to hear your thoughts – scroll all the way down to the comments and let us know your insights on our conversation with Tamara.

Meet Tamara Nakhjavani

Today we have a special guest, Tamara Nakhjavani — an eclectic healer and graduate of the energy therapy, Reiki, EFT clinical hypnotherapy, and shamanic practices programs at HCH. She's the founder of Seraphim Center for Healing and Education, a healing practice based in Oakland, California.

Tamara has been facilitating free Reiki clinics and teaching Reiki for nine years. She combines her knowledge gained at HCH with her developing psychic abilities and ongoing studies of Qigong to strengthen her clients and students' connection with the divine. Tamara is also a small business and nonprofit, transactional attorney, a longtime human rights activist, and a mother of a beautiful 12 year old girl.

Tamara is passionate about helping young children and adolescents, and is currently studying to become a licensed marriage and family therapist. She lives and works in Oakland, California.

Tamara’s Journey from Law to the Healing Arts

At the age of 16, during her second year of high school, her family moved to the US from her home country of Iran. Shortly after their arrival, her parents left her and her five year old brother behind, returning to Iran.

After graduating from high school, Tamara went to college on the east coast and studied molecular biology. She worked at multiple universities and companies as a biologist, and went to one year of medical school, following in the footsteps of her familial lineage which was primarily made of physicians.

By the time she arrived in California, she had severe PTSD and was very confused due to the multiple traumatic events she faced once she’d immigrated to the US, from Iran.

She eventually ended up in law school with the intention of becoming a practicing humanitarian lawyer but that didn’t go as planned. It was after she completed law school that she began her own journey to self-discovery through Reiki. Her first experience with Reiki shed light on a new path that led her to do the healing work she now does with her students and clients.

In this episode, Tamara shares her journey to healing through Reiki and her mastery of the healing arts. You’ll learn about how developing her intuition and spiritual connection guided her to a path of healing herself that ultimately allowed her to heal others.

You’ll learn why it’s important to find your authentic self, and how to develop the courage to live life authentically.

Click here for the episode transcript.

After you’ve given the episode a listen or read the transcript, let us know what you think! We’d love to hear your thoughts and comments on our discussion and conversation on the authentic self with Tamara. Scroll all the way down to the comments section below to add your thoughts!

The Microcosmic and Macrocosmic Orbit Meditations help to circulate energy throughout your body through the primary source channels of Yin and Yang, known as the Du and Ren Meridians, which are also the Fire and Water pathways of the body. In this way, these meditations also connect the Fire and Water energies, cultivating Heart-Kidney communication, which helps you realize and live out your life purpose. To purchase access to these meditations, click the button below:

Resources Mentioned This Episode

Learn more about Tamara Nakhjavani at Seraphim Center for Healing and Education here.

Harmonize your Yin and Yang energies and cultivate freedom of movement throughout your body and life with the Microcosmic & Macrocosmic Orbit Meditations at www.setarehmoafi.com/shop.

Boost your immunity and optimize your gut health with our personal line of supplements — Ahara Botanics. Learn more and get 10% off your first order with promo code HEALTHY10 at aharabotanics.com.

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(Episode 52) Hidden Patterns of Disease: Uncovering the Mystery of Latency

We all have latent factors that lie dormant in our bodies. The problem arises when the body loses its ability to hold these patterns in latency and they are expressed - as illness or an emotional breakdown - before we're ready to handle them. Learn 3 key ways to prevent latent factors from manifesting as disease so you can enjoy optimal health.

Read More

(Episode 51) Graceful Aging through Purifying & Preserving Your Yin

In continuing our discussion on healthy aging, you'll learn the key factors on aging gracefully by preserving the most essential substance in your entire body - Yin.

Read More

(Episode 49) Restore Your Body for Peace of Mind with Sean Wolf

In this lighthearted conversation with wellness therapist Sean Wolf, you’ll learn a multifaceted approach to healing the mind and body through techniques like Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), HeartMath, and the incredibly powerful (and simple!) Bowen technique — one of the most unique forms of bodywork you’ll ever experience. You’ll also learn an empowering stress management practice you can do anytime at [20:04]. Listen till the end to also learn the “deep thrill exercise” to lift your mood and help you shift into a lighter, more positive space — regardless of what’s going on in your life.

Read More

(Episode 48) Harmonizing Yin & Yang in Your Body and Life

In this episode of The Natural Healing Podcast, you’ll learn Qi Gong exercises to help strengthen your Wei Qi (Defense Qi) to boost your immune system and help you clear pathogenic Wind patterns from your body and mind.

Read More

(Episode 47) Adapting to Change Part 3: Qi Gong to Release Pathological Wind

In this episode of The Natural Healing Podcast, you’ll learn Qi Gong exercises to help strengthen your Wei Qi (Defense Qi) to boost your immune system and help you clear pathogenic Wind patterns from your body and mind.

Read More

(Episode 30) Best Practices to Boost Your Immune System During the Fall Equinox

by Setareh Moafi, Ph.D., L.Ac. & Salvador Cefalu, M.S., L.Ac.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a celebration across Asian cultures during the Fall season that honors the full moon to bring an abundant harvest season.

Traditionally, mooncakes (dessert pastry with a sweet filling) are baked to be enjoyed with loved ones. It’s a day of gatherings and festivities and considered an important period of transition.


Transitions According to Chinese Calendars

Different calendars have been introduced throughout Chinese history.

Seasonal transitions are governed by the Doyo Period, making the Earth Element the fifth of the Five Elements, often called Late Summer, in the solar calendar. According to the lunar calendar, however, Autumn began back in August and this week marks the midway point of the season (thus the name Mid-Autumn Festival)—setting in motion the beginnings of festivities and harvesting. 


Embracing Seasonal Transitions 

Seasonal transitions, along with any transition you may experience in life—whether it be a new job, relationship or living situation—needs to be accompanied by health support by supporting your Earth element.

Since the Earth element is associated with your digestive system, emphasis is placed on providing adequate support to the digestive system.

Since 70% of the immune system is rooted in the digestive system, by supporting healthy digestion and elimination, we’re cultivating healthy immunity and overall wellbeing. 

According to Chinese Medicine, dampness and heat can impair the digestive system. This can range from lack of heat to break down food properly or lack of proper enzymes to break down food (called Pancreatic Insufficiency).

For people suffering from digestion problems, taking digestive enzymes as well as probiotics can be important for proper function of the digestive system. 


7 Ways to Boost Your Immune System During this Change of Seasons

  1. In order to address dampness, it’s important to control and encourage a healthy microbiome. Fungal overgrowth such as Candida albicans can cause an imbalance in your gut and so can over consumption of sugar. A healthy microbiome can also be encouraged with probiotics. 


  2. As the Fall season starts, dryness becomes more prevalent—from our skin to the air we breathe. Your lungs are especially vulnerable to dryness and you can support hydration through proper cooking methods. Steaming your food is hydrating, as is eating more soups and stews during this time of the year. Congee or rice porridge is another nourishing dish (recipe here) and generally grains such as rice, millet and oats will hydrate the lungs. Baking, barbecuing and frying as well as too much consumption of dry foods such as cereal and wheat should be avoided, especially if you’re experiencing dry skin or gut issues. 


  3. Eating fruits is another way to hydrate the lungs. Since some fruits tend to be high in sugar which can lead to dampness, we can focus on consuming more compact fruits such as apples, Asian pears and pears. Compact fruits tend to be crisp, light and moist which helps to nourish the lungs. 


  4. Supporting healthy digestion of food is also very important. Taking probiotics and digestive enzymes will ensure that you’re receiving the full benefits of the food you’re eating through proper nutrition. 


  5. Eat more root vegetables: since the Metal Element is related to the Fall season, its associated organs such as the skin, Lungs and Large Intestine can suffer if they’re not properly nourished by their mother, which is the Earth Element in the Five Elements model. Issues such as eczema, psoriasis or generally dry skin can be exacerbated with improper diet this season. Root vegetables help nurture your Earth energy, strengthening your Spleen and Stomach which in turn support your Lung health. 


  6. Regardless of how healthy your eat, ensuring freedom and flexibility in your functional anatomy is essential to your health. In Episode 27 of The Natural Healing Podcast, Salvador discusses his personal experience with constant pressure in his chest and radiating pain. By working on the Ancestral Sinews with essential oils, Salvador shared how he was able experience relief. If you’re eating well but still experiencing digestive issues or otherwise, it’s essential to seek healthcare practitioners that can better address your functional anatomy. 


  7. Practice Qi Gong and Yin Yoga. You can practice Yoga to strengthen your lungs or learn to breathe deeply or practice Yoga to boost your metabolism. Qi Gong practices that boost your immunity or strengthen your Heart and Kidneys will only help enhance your health. 


    Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below—what did you find most helpful about this episode?

Be the first to learn about our new line of supplements, including digestive enzymes and probiotics, by visiting www.aharabotanics.com.

(Episode 29) Your Issues are in Your Tissues: How Trauma Can Lead to Chronic Pain with Denise Alberto

by Setareh Moafi, Ph.D., L.Ac. & Salvador Cefalu, M.S., L.Ac.

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below—how is your body speaking to you?

Our guest today is our dear friend, Denise Alberto—a physical therapist and pelvic pain specialist. Denise is a Bay Area native who earned her B.S. in Psychology from St. Mary’s College and holds a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from University of St. Augustine.

Denise Alberto developed a keen interest in treating the spine, especially the pelvic/SI (sacroiliac) region. With continued education, she has developed a unique approach to treating chronic pain syndrome and pelvic region dysfunction.

Denise Alberto has a distinct passion to help couples with unconsummated marriage and sexual pain issues. In addition, she emphasizes the mind-body connection in her post-traumatic stress recovery and resorts to local practitioners—among them are acupuncturists, chiropractors, massage therapists—to help heal her patients.

Denise Alberto realized her passion for physical therapy early on, as she began working for a physical therapist after graduating from college. She went on to obtain her Master’s in Physical Therapy and started a thriving but demanding practice. It was during her early years of practice as a physical therapist that Denise Alberto realized her own health needed attention.

Denise’s personal journey to address her health led her to a very resourceful course on pelvic health that encouraged her to further pursue the specialty, eventually becoming a pelvic physical therapist. 

Denise emphasizes that in addition to using physical touch during treatments, she encourages patients to face the emotional entanglements of their trauma. It is only through facing these entanglements that we begin to experience emotional and physiological healing.

Denise elaborates that as a therapist she holds room or space for strength so patients are able to process and release wounds that are causing their trauma, especially since patients may feel at their most vulnerable during these moments. 

Chronic pain patterns are often accompanied by uncomfortable feelings or past experiences and Denise believes that additional support is often needed to tackle these feelings as she works with healing the physical body.

In these instances, she turns to other healers like acupuncturists, massage therapists and often refers her patients to psychologists. This holistic approach that aims to empower patients almost always results in healing. 

Practices to help support your body

Diaphragmatic breath: helps relax and support lung function (oxygen exchange).

Pelvic diaphragm breathing: can help move your viscera and ease tension in your organs. 

Psoas stretching: can help improve and strengthen tight or tense psoas muscles.

Yin Yoga: the following Yin Yoga practices can be helpful in improving your flexibility and introducing you to deep breathing:

Breathe Deeply: Yoga for the Lung & Liver Meridians

Yin Yoga Integration to Release Your Arms, Shoulders & Neck

Yin Yoga Integration for Flexibility 

References:

Denise Alberto’s website: https://www.denisealberto.com/

An article by Dr. Mirkin (coined the RICE method) on Why Ice Delays Recovery

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below—how is your body speaking to you?

Loved this episode?

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(Episode 28) Sexual Healing as a Path to Longevity with Dr. Willow Brown

by Setareh Moafi, Ph.D., L.Ac. & Salvador Cefalu, M.S., L.Ac.

Our guest today is Dr. Willow Brown, an internationally recognized teacher of Daoist sexologist and doctor of Chinese Medicine, who specializes in endocrinology. Her offerings provide a profound understanding of what it means to engage in sacred sexuality and live a sensual life. Dr. Brown has studied the human body and its correspondence with nature for the last two decades. Her style is a blend of many modalities—such as yoga, Qi Gong, acupuncture and cranio-sacral therapy.

Dr. Brown is also an international speaker and author. She has coached thousands of women, men and couples in creating a powerful connection, potent intimacy and prevailing unconditional love. It is her heartfelt desire to serve humanity out of shame, guilt and self-doubt that leads those in pain to her doorsteps. 

Dr. Brown’s path to the healing arts began after gaining a sense of self-empowerment that followed a deeply traumatic event she experienced as a teenager. She felt the need to reform sexual education after realizing the ambiguity and gap in sex knowledge prevalent around her.

After attending acupuncture school, she started teaching Daoist sexology to her patients and students. Dr. Brown learned a great deal about Jing Qi or sexual energy during her six month trip around Asia. Since Jing Qi was not covered in depth in her acupuncture school training, she expanded her knowledge on the topic by consulting books and using her own experience and intuition as a guide. 

The Ancient Wisdom Approach

Dr. Brown calls her treatment framework the Ancient Wisdom Approach, which is based on the four phases of the moon cycle and how they relate to the five Chinese elements (Fire, Wood, Metal, Earth and Water). 

Dr. Brown elaborates that every living being on Earth has a moon cycle as their water contents are being influenced by the moon’s gravitational pull.

The four phases of the moon cycle also relate to the seasons and as women menstruate, they experience fluctuations since the moon exerts its energy on us. It’s a lot of energy to navigate in a short amount of time but when we understand the Chinese elements as they relate to our physiology and the four phases of the moon cycle, we can learn to schedule and manage our life (including sex) much better. Dr. Brown believes the Ancient Wisdom Approach gives people—especially women in their fertile years—a lifeline so when they’re overwhelmed, a structured system exists to help guide them.

It is perfectly normal if a woman’s menstrual cycle doesn’t follow the moon cycle — you can still follow the transition of the seasons and tune into yourself and listen closely to your body and understand its natural rhythms. 

Becoming Sexually Empowered

Dr. Brown’s approach to treating people experiencing difficulty with hormonal changes—whether it’s menopause, perimenopause, postmenopause or andropause—is to trace the root of the problem and really understand if the adrenal glands are being nourished or depleted on a regular basis.

Once the endocrinological aspects of hormones are addressed— either through Chinese medicine, acupuncture, nutrition or just learning about the changes—our sexuality in turn will be much healthier and supported. 

Menopausal syndrome, for instance, is very common in high-stress societies and some of the most common symptoms are often attributed to being “normal”, when in fact they are not. Our essence, or Jing, is compromised when we’re constantly stressed and depleted so it’s crucial to slow down and tune into our body in order to allow it to come back to equilibrium. 

Sexual trauma is also an ever-growing problem in the world and it can have both physical and mental effects. Dr. Brown says it’s not uncommon for patients with past sexual trauma to come in with debilitating diseases, especially conditions that involve the reproductive system. 

Since our genes or curriculum are programmed during the gestational period, trauma can hinder our lower chakra, directly affecting our curriculum and keeping us from unfolding our destined life or keeping us from living a fulfilled life. 

What is Sexual Health & a Technique to Improve It

Sexual health is knowing what brings the most pleasure to you and allowing yourself to explore your natural sexual desires. When sexual health is neglected or out of balance, other realms of your life can suffer. A common problem is low libido. 

Since we’re all products of sexual energy, lack of libido can have a profoundly negative impact on our lives. When the underlying trauma or unexplored aspect of our lives are addressed properly, Dr. Brown finds that people often expand in more ways than they realize. 

Dr. Brown shares a simple but powerful practice that can improve our sexual health called Turtle Breathing. Turtle Breathing lays the foundation for all Daoist sexual practices and it can also tonify your adrenal glands. You can practice turtle breathing while standing or sitting.

Imagine you have a turtle shell on your lower back and as you inhale, you’ll push that imaginary shell toward the space behind you and as you exhale, allow the shell to come back toward your spine. In the beginning, you may find your abdomen more engaged but this will subside as you practice turtle breathing often.

Dr. Brown guides you through the turtle breathing practice at 50:39 of the podcast. 

Sexual energy or orgasmic energy can also be drawn in with a mindful practice like turtle breathing, improving your intimacy and sexual health!

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below—on a scale of 1 to 10, how are you in relationship with your sexuality? What is inhibiting you from being at a 10?

References:

Dr. Willow Brown’s website: https://drwillowbrown.com/

Loved this episode?

Please subscribe and consider rating & reviewing our podcast on Apple Podcasts. Five star reviews help us reach & support more listeners like you. You can also follow us on Spotify to be the first to hear about new & bonus episodes!