Usually when clients discover me, they have gone to doctors, done the labs, have tried various modalities and are sick and tired of being sick and tired. My focus is on healing digestion and nervous system regulation. I have found beginning an elimination diet, creating mind-body attunement, and a movement practice creates a wonderful foundation. I do have an open mind to healing. I do not believe there is a one size fits all approach. We all have our own epigenetics and nutrigenomics at play. I do have a few basics I begin with as part of the nourish, nurture, and embody philosophy. Below are a few of my recommended resources for nourishing from the inside out, nurturing from the outside in, and embodying your essence and flow. Tune in and see what resonates with you. Start where you are. Try it on your own or request a virtual connection with me if you need support. "We are walking each other home." Ram Dass Nourish yourself with whole foods and gentle supplementation for an inside out approach.
The Super Seven gene SNPs might also be discussed depending on your symptoms. Dirty Genes is an excellent book to get to know more about how these gene variations may or may not be affected by your diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Nurture yourself with rituals and practices to create a bodily container for an outside in approach.
Embody practices that connect you to your essence.
As we become more in tune with our bodies, I incorporate nervous system and somatic (body) based inquires. Some of my somatic mentors include Irene Lyon, Jane Clapp, Deirdre Fay, Nityda Gessel, and Dr. Gabor Mate. This connects us to the rhythms of regulation. These sessions are done together, one-on-one, in person, or virtually. Can you allow yourself to express your feelings with movement? Be intentional with your movement, find your flow, let the movement be a metaphor. Find what moves you! Incorporate movement with intention and attention while moving in a way that resonates with you. For me this is where Qoya and Steel Mace Flow have been transformative. This can also be a yoga practice as well. Find what you enjoy and allow your movement to move through you. No need to worry about how it looks or whether your form is perfect. Focus on how it feels in your body. This is where intention and attunement come in; never push yourself to the point of pain or strain. Qoya creates a container to express myself as I move with specific feelings and emotions. I apply the same concept when I incorporate Steel Mace Flow. It reminds me of the strength and power I contain within. I can forget and disconnect from those parts within myself. Intentional movement reconnects me to those parts and I am reminded of my true essence. Feel free to refer to some of my curated playlists from previous classes and workshops. "When we long for something, it is because we have felt that feeling before. It is a reminder to reconnect with a part of us we have disconnected from." Qoya needs no intro to the movement practice, move in a safe manner in ways that feel good to you! For safety precautions I do recommend becoming familiar with the steel mace, as it is steel and weighted. Go slow and move with intention. I personally use a 5 lb steel mace. It is often recommended to begin with a 7 lb steel mace, use your best judgement. It is not so much about having a heavy weight. You want to connect with the mace as an extension of you. Videos from the creator of Qoya can be found on the Qoya website: Qoya Movement Videos Videos of Steel Mace Flow can be found on Leo Savage’s YouTube page: Steel Mace Flow
Join Shanah McCrary and Linda Katz for a night of gentle Qoya movement, sacred sisterhood, and ritual honoring the full moon lunar eclipse in Aquarius on Friday, July 27th. Illuminate Your Rebel Heart
The cycles of the moon are ancient markers of time. Moments to come together, to feel the energy of what is moving through us in our lives, what the moon is highlighting and bringing forth, and to share that truth with other women. Aquarius is a rebellious spirit; she is a force to be reckoned with. As an air sign she stirs in her own galaxy of beliefs and can find it difficult to find her tribe. Mysterious and free-spirited she is a truth seeker and can inspire those around her to make the world a better place. This lunar eclipse invites us to dance between the sun and the moon as we honor that rebellious spirit within ourselves. How do we honor our beliefs without closing off to others who many not share in our truth? As well as, how do we rise up when we feel we can't be heard? Join us for this beautiful and intimate evening where we explore Aquarius energy in our own lives. The event will feature gentle Qoya movement (appropriate for EVERY body), sharing in our sacred sisterhood circle, and a powerful ritual to embody our rebellious spirit. ‘Dien Chan/m’ (sometimes referred to as ‘multireflex’ or ‘Chan’beauté’) is very separate technique from Dien Chan Zone® (Italian Facial Reflexology) though both stem from the same origin in Vietnam. Dien Chan Zone® is a technique from Vietnam which has been adapted and Westernised in Italy. It treats symptoms in the body via stimulation of zones on the face to repair and prevent imbalance of every kind and can be used both on its own or as a compliment to allopathic measures. The evolution of an Italian version of the technique has been a natural step. This has brought the birth of an entirely new technique, though its roots are the same. The beauty of ‘Dien Chan Zone’ is it was developed from the wisdom of two Reiki masters, Tui na and Shiatsu therapists immersed in the world of TCM and adept in Tai Chi and Qigong which is reflected in the grace and ease of the zones and protocols.
Some reflexologists stimulate meridian points with acupressure, however Dien Chan Zone maps differ drastically from meridian points. Acupressure and reflexology are two very different and separate techniques, not to be confused and not to be combined. As a practitioner, working on the feet and working on the face offer an intimate connection with the receiver. Facial Reflexology places the practitioner at the crown chakra of the receiver – the most spiritual and meditative energy center in the body. The treatment is very peaceful and relaxing because it allows a moment of presence and stillness at the same time, a "sacred pause" if you will of the head, heart and hands. Facial Reflexology is revolutionary because it can be applied by anyone, anywhere, anytime with the use of your fingertips. Anyone that can touch their face has the ability for a self-treatment based on the intuitive maps of Dien Chan Zone. It is possible to stimulate the reflex zones of one’s own feet, although foot reflexology requires you to bend at the ankle, knees, hips, and solar plexus disrupting the flow of qi (energy) that we aim to re-balance. Another reason I love Dien Chan Zone is its Balance over Beauty approach! There are beautifying benefits of facial reflexology due to improved circulation, better skin function, muscle toning and fine line reductions, however real beauty come from deep within. These results can be achieved by working with internal imbalances (digestive, hormonal, respiratory, etc) and is always the priority... ‘balance inside = beauty outside’. What can you expect during a treatment? We begin with a consultation of your current symptoms and design a protocol based on your current needs. We proceed with an oil cleanse, begin our protocol with a reflex tool and finish with a steam towel and spf (optional) before you head back out into the Texas sun. You also receive a 21-day self-care ritual to continue the benefits of facial reflexology.
Join Shanah McCrary and Linda Katz for a night of gentle Qoya movement, sacred sisterhood, and ritual honoring the full moon in Sagittarius on May 30th. Illuminating the Seeker's Spirit
The cycles of the moon are ancient markers of time. Moments to come together, to feel the energy of what is moving through us in our lives, what the moon is highlighting and bringing forth, and to share that truth with other women. Sagittarius is the sign of the seeker. It represents the part of every one of us that is hungry to explore, search for truth, and embody wisdom. The Sagittarius energy's desire for wisdom initiates journeys both inner and outer, into ancient texts, new lands, and the depth of your individual soul. This moon asks us how we can value and nourish the seeker within ourselves without growing restless or impatient in our search. How can we settle in and honor every step of the forever journey that is life? Join us for this beautiful and intimate evening where we explore this Seeker energy in our own lives. The event will feature gentle Qoya movement (appropriate for EVERY body), sharing in our sacred sisterhood circle, and a powerful ritual to embody the spirit of Sagittarius in our own lives.
Illuminating the Libra Spirit is an intimate lunar evening, hosted by Shanah McCrary and Linda Katz offering gentle movement, sacred sisterhood, and ritual honoring the full moon Libra on March 31st, 2018.
The cycles of the moon are ancient markers of time. Moments to come together, to feel the energy of what is moving through us in our lives, what the moon is highlighting and bringing forth, and to share that truth with other women. Libra is the sign of partnership and relationship, the piece of you that instinctively sees in others a reflection of yourself. Libra also values harmony, balance, peace and beauty. This moon asks us how we can honor the value of our relationships while not losing sight of our own needs and desires. And how can we bring more relational beauty and pleasure into our lives? In this beautiful and intimate evening we explore how Libra energy shows up in our own lives. The event will feature gentle Qoya movement (appropriate for EVERY body), sharing in our sacred sisterhood circle, and a powerful ritual to restore the balance of our sovereignty within our relationships with others. QOYA is the feminine manifestation of higher consciousness, the sovereign QUEEN within. Guided by our inner wisdom we connect through movement to remember... We remember our essence as women is wise, wild and free - honoring the ebbs and flows of life.
Dancing Between the Sun and the Moon is an intimate evening of gentle movement, sacred sisterhood, and ritual honoring the full moon lunar eclipse in Leo on January 31st, 2018. The cycles of the moon are ancient markers of time. Honoring moments to come together, to feel the energy of what is moving through us in our lives, what the moon is highlighting and bringing forth, and to share that truth with other women.
Leo is the heart-centered Lion; she who is sovereign and full of herself. Courageous enough to excavate her heart for the deepest desires that dwell there and then live them into being. This beautiful and intimate evening explores the Leo energy in our own lives. The event will feature gentle Qoya movement (appropriate for EVERY body), sharing in our sacred sisterhood circle, and a powerful ritual to call in this sovereign and heart-centered energy for the year ahead. QOYA is the feminine manifestation of higher consciousness, the sovereign QUEEN within. Guided by our inner wisdom we connect through movement to remember... We remember our essence as women is wise, wild and free - honoring the ebbs and flows of life.
"The heart of a human being is no different from the soul of heaven and earth. In your practice always keep in your thoughts the interaction of heaven and earth, water and fire, yin and yang." - Morihei Ueshiba
In TCM the winter is the greatest expression of yin and represents yin within yin. The element for winter is water and needs to maintain fire element. The water element is associated with kidney and bladder and is associated with fear, peace and creativity. The fire element is associated with heart and small intestines and is associated with passion, love and rage. Emotions change and transform, just as the elements shift and transform. Emotions express themselves in energetic patterns, angry-fiery energy is upward and outward, red face/hot head where as sadness is a heavy downward energy. If our fire element becomes over expressed through worry, chronic anxiety and a busy lifestyle it can create a yin deficiency. A heart yin deficiency can be expressed with insomnia, anxiety, and/or mental restlessness. Salt is the flavor of the water element, it moves inward to the kidneys to store strength. Too much salt can not only increase blood pressure but can lead to edema or swelling and the mind can become despondent with lack of drive. Too little salt and you may feel ungrounded, lack will power and experience muscle atrophy not to mention low sex drive. Appropriate amounts of salt unifies fire (heart-spirit) and water (kidney-will power) element and corresponds to clarity of intention with appropriate action... it creates consciousness. Want try acupressure for balance? Click on this link to balance fire and water elements. For this QOYA class we dance with the elements of fire and water. How does it feel when you are over worked and over burdened? And... How does it feel when you do embody the essence of fire and water?
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” -Anaïs Nin
As stated before, in TCM the winter season is associated with kidney energy. The kidneys are considered our source of creation and holds the essence of our will power. However, when kidney energy is imbalanced the emotion of fear can arise. The energetic impact of fear can create an imbalance in the kidney energy and/or the kidney imbalance can manifest as fear. If we allow ourselves the space, stillness and flow we can move with more fluidity and freedom within... essentially more flow and less fear!
Sometimes it is easier said than done, but it definitely creates the space for an emergence from the heavy darkness that fear can sometimes embody. While the winter is about stillness, even more so honoring stillness of the mind, we still need to move and nourish the body for proper filtration and cellular regeneration. In the winter we are processing and eliminating what no longer serves us so we can re-emerge in the spring lighter and ready to blossom. In the winter, we can catch "feels". I say that with a little humor, but it can sometimes feel as though we are pouring salt in our wounds, it is a very vulnerable season. Which bring up the flavor of the season... salt is the flavor to cool the system down if there is too much seasonal heat or friction created from unprocessed emotions. If you have been burning a candle at both ends, ill or chronically tired... salt can anchor and build strength. Salt encourages fluids to rebuild and moisten dryness, and salt will require more water intake, hence the water element. Too much salt can trigger feelings of despair and decrease motivation, not to mention increase blood pressure, kidney and heart disease. Salt also connects the water (kidney) and fire (heart) energies, more on that in the next class... The beauty of QOYA is we honor our emotions by moving with them. Can you dance 'into the depths' of your emotions as it relates to fear? Can you honor the dark and the light so you can feel more freedom within- to flow more freely, become lighter in your body and move through your day with more happiness?
"If you are quiet enough you will hear the flow of the universe. You will feel its rhythm. Go with this flow. Happiness lies ahead..." -Buddha
In TCM the winter is associated with kidney energy and kidneys are considered to be our source/creation of life. They are the foundation of health, vitality and longevity. The kidneys nourish our reproductive organs and if over stressed drains our Yin reserve. Kidneys are responsible for the birth-growth-death cycle and connected to our sexuality and fertility. Kidney energy holds the essence of our will power and determination. The winter element in nature is associated with water and is paired with urinary bladder. For kidney and bladder to function properly, flow must occur not just energetically but physically filter and flow.
In Ayurveda the lymphatic system is the key to longevity. They lymphatic system removes waste from every cell while regulating the immune system. Dehydration and excess stress leads to poor drainage of the lymphatic system and a clogged lymphatic system can lead to inflammation and dis-ease in the body. In the winter its all about flow and allowing space for stillness! We have to move our bodies to stimulate lymphatic flow, drink water to nourish our lymph and kidneys. This allows toxins to filter and flow out of the body, so we don't get congested and backed up. In QOYA we take life as a dance partner! Feel free to embody your feminine flow with this playlist. What does feel like when you are in flow, feeling sensual and allowing for anything to happen? Alternatively how does it feel when you are not in flow, not slowing down, not honoring yourself or the season?
“There is magic in all seasons, but winter's magic is most concise, most dense, most crystalline. It is diamond magic, cool and brilliant, not the fiery magic of coal. It is laser fineness, precise direction.
When winter comes to a woman’s soul, she withdraws into her inner self, her deepest spaces… She may say she is resting, but she is more than resting: She is creating a new universe within herself, examining and breaking old patterns, destroying what should not be revived, feeding in secret what needs to thrive. Winter women are those who bring into the next cycle what should be saved. They are the deep conservators of knowledge and power… In her calm deliberateness, she winters over our truth, she freezes out false-heartedness. Look into her eyes, this winter woman. In their gray spaciousness you can see the future. Look out of your own winter eyes. You too can see the future.” - Patricia Monaghan, Seasons of the Witch
QOYA is a female manifestation of higher consciousness, the sovereign QUEEN within. Guided by her inner wisdom, this women's movement practice embodies her true essence as wise, wild and free. Drawing reference to the wisdom of yoga, wild and creative expression through dance and freedom to feel pleasure in the body through slow feminine movement.
For the month of January we align with the winter season and the wisdom of Chinese Medicine. The winter season is about embodying yin feminine energy, honoring stillness, and allowing space for deep reflection. We anchor in stillness and feel the sweet surrender of the winter season. Can you surrender to the cycles of nature that allow you to slow down and feel more? Many people set New Year resolutions and try to push and power through, but what if you slowed down, opened your heart and rested more? Can you tune into your truest heart's desires, planting your intentions like seeds in the earth, and allow the time and space for growth?
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