There are many quotes, idioms, and song lyrics that revolve around the heart. Emily Dickenson, in 1862 stated “the heart wants what it wants, or else it does not care” and from a spiritual and traditional Chinese medicine lens – this happens to be true. Our heart is one of the most powerful organs in the […]
The season of Summer and the Fire element is quite an exciting and warm-welcomed one. Coming out of our hibernation stations of Winter – we begin to see the changes of nature around us and feel the shifts from the Spring energy within us, too. The sunshine hits differently and the blooms begin to make […]
I don’t know about you, but when I’m not getting a good night’s sleep due to bouts of insomnia – it can really put a damper on my day physically, mentally, and emotionally. While the Fire element season is coming to a slowing down point – I’ve found through my work with the Five elements […]
The Fire element is unique as it has not two, but four organs associated with it. The Heart, being one of the Fire element’s organs, is referred to as the “Supreme Controller” in Chinese medicine, and is the Empress/Emperor presiding over the rest of the body, mind, and spirit. So, when the events of life […]
The surge of Summer energy and the Fire element seems to be rushing in quickly this year and with the world opening up again, know that it’s quite normal to be experiencing some feelings of anxiety, burnout, and the need to bring more balance into your life. The good news is if you are feeling […]
Our Wood element is getting a run for its money this last year…from the Black Lives Matter movement to the most recent mass shootings, if you aren’t impacted – then we’ve got some work to do together. Me? I’m angry. I’m angry at the systems we have kept in place to perpetuate this kind of […]
The change of the seasons have come, passing the holidays by us once more. After a long, cooped up year that we’ve left behind, and the high energy of the holidays behind us, we find ourselves yet again – still in Wintertime. Mother Nature is still urging us to hibernate, to slow it wayyyy down. […]
Co-Written by Mark Reeves and Mindi Counts March 3rd is National Caregiver’s Day! And with caregiving comes its shadow: Compassion Fatigue and Burnout. Did you know: Mark, Inner Ocean’s manager, alongside his husband Nate, run a host home for adults with developmental disabilities? John, one of Inner Ocean’s acupuncturists worked for years inside a group […]
Trauma itself is not always a problem. Yes, it sucks. Yes, it can be life-altering. No, we do not wish trauma on anyone. But with enough personal resources, healing from trauma can be quick and even life-enhancing (post-traumatic growth, anyone?). Though, this is not always the case. Most of us do not have the necessary […]
The experience of trauma is so common now that all you have to do is mention it in a circle of strangers, and you will then find yourself with several new comrades who share a similar understanding about the world. I believe the same is true for all of us who are working to heal […]