5.12.2020

Yoga for Grounded Stability


Here's some of my favorite grounding yoga asanas... on the ground!


Legs up the Wall

- feel supported
- relax
- legs straight up, feet flexed or relaxed
- legs extended wide to the side, to open hips
- feet together, for wall- Butterfly: open hips
- surrender spine to the Earth
- arms to the sides, on belly, or overhead
- close eyes. Find ease.


Standing Forward Fold

- inhaling, lengthen your spine to actively draw yourself deeper into the stretch
- exhaling, release efforting, and welcome what arises: organic movement, a deepening
- feet together, or hip width distance apart
- release head, neck, and spine
- knees slightly bent, or bending and straightening one at a time
- hands to elbow creases (rag doll), shins, or under feet
- cascade forward, shifting weight between all edges of feet
- close eyes. Welcome.


Seated Forward Fold

- inhaling, lengthen forward
- exhaling, cascade down
- closing eyes, observe your inner landscape, and each full gift of breath and body
- feet flexed or pointed
- arms reaching forward, placed onto ground, or anywhere on legs, perhaps using a strap around the feet
- long spine, deep breath, surrender


Mountain

- root down through under the feet to the belly of the Earth
- root up through the crown of the head to the umbilicus of the Sky
- feel your humanity lengthening yet stable, holding yet free, sacred and special yet tiny and insignificant, suspended and supported, supporting and integral, between (and part of) Earth and Sky
- solid as a Mountain

- feet together or hip- width distance apart
- hands at heart center, or to the sides, palms facing forward
- eyes closed, or gently open, expansive panoramic vision
- rooted yet relaxed


Child’s Pose

- arms forward, or folded by your sides
- knees together, or apart
- surrender everything to the Earth
- inhaling, thank you
- exhaling, release


Tree

- one leg the trunk, the other leg the branch
- root your supporting foot down through three points of contact: heel, ball of pinky toe and big toe
- hips and shoulders square
- aligned integrity: root up, relax elsewhere: relax toes, face, breath, mind
- root down, to rise up
- center


Warrior 2

- directed energy, rooted, centered
- intentional breath, aligned actions, powerful
- front foot points forward, back foot parallels back of mat
- heel to heel, or heel to arch feet alignment
- stack front knee over ankle
- arms parallel Earth, shoulders externally rotating, palms down
- eyes gaze powerfully over front fingertips


5.01.2020

4 Calming Acupuncture Points



Acupuncture Points

(xue), or the Acupuncture Point, means a “cave.” Acu- Points are often located in cave-like indentations and intersections on the body, such as between bone and muscle, a bony foramen (crevice) or notch, or where two muscles meet.

Acupuncture is very precise and elegant. We insert fine needles right into the Point. Acupuncturists in the USA spend 3-6 years in a Master’s level program for licensure, studying both Chinese and Western medicine.

Acupressure is more broad, using either hands or other tools to apply pressure to Acu- Points. This can be a helpful adjunct therapy, when you can’t come in for acupuncture treatment, or to continue treatment at home.

Moxibustion heats moxa (Artemisia spp.) at Acu-Points. Varying moxa techniques range from highly specific to more broad. Using a moxa stick or moxa box at home is easy and can help increase circulation, and further activate your self-care acupressure protocols.


Holograms

In Chinese medicine, the ear, foot, abdomen, hands, and face are all holographic representations of the entire body. The body’s health and areas of imbalance are reflected onto these holographic areas.

Auricular acupuncture places ear seeds onto the hologram of the ear, to address a wide range of conditions. The “NADA” protocol is commonly used for stress reduction in community clinics, natural disasters, and emergency outreach. This can be done with needles, or ear seeds composed of either a mustard seed or metal seed. In current times, we teach patients how to apply ear seeds onto themselves, via ZOOM.


陰堂 Yin Palace (yin tang)

- Press just above the central point between your eyebrows.
- Remind yourself, “Calm. Center. I am here. I am home.”
- Close your eyes. Listen to your breath. Find spacious rootedness within yourself, then open your eyes, and release the Point.
- Return, as needed.


内觀 Inner Pass (nei guan, Pc6)

- Slide your thumb 2-3 inches from your inner wrist crease toward your body
- Regulate your internal response to external circumstances:
- Rest: sleep well. Calm mind.
- Digest: eat well. Calm belly.
- Calm your thoughts and gentle your actions.

合谷 Joining Valley (he gu, LI4)

- Press your thumb into the tiger’s mouth between your opposite thumb and forefinger, that meaty area between the worlds of primate manual dexterity and human agile opposable thumbs. Find a tender area, and linger. Press down, zone in, observe.
- Release racing thoughts, agitated heart, and anxious frettings. Let go. Open up. Welcome spacious beauty. Breathe in the fresh air of clear mind, and simple yet profound gratitude.

足三里 Leg Three Mile (zu san li, ST36)

- Follow the outer indentation under your knee cap down 2-3 inches, resting at a tender spot between your tibia and calf muscle.
- Moxa here, for internal resilience to external stimuli
- A strong Earth, or a smooth digestive system, supports the healthy kingdom of your body, mind, and Spirit.


4.17.2020

Basic Plant Family ID


look at the FLOWER & note:
- # of sepals, petals, stamen, pistils (K/ calyx, C/ corolla, A/ androecium, G/ gynoecium)
- COMPLETE (all KCAG present) or INCOMPLETE (missing KCAG)
- PERFECT (bisexual), or IMPERFECT (unisexual- monoecious/ dioecious)
- REGULAR (actinomorphic, w/ radial symmetry) or IRREGULAR (zygomorphic, w/ bilateral symmetry)
- OVARY: INFERIOR (epigynous) or SUPERIOR (hypogynous/ perigynous)
- INFLORESCENCE (solitary, head, spike, raceme, panicle, umbel, corymb, cyme)

look at the LEAVES & note:
- leaf ARRANGMENT (opposite, alternate, whorled, basal)
- leaf TYPE (simple/ compound pinnate/ palmate/ ternate)
- leaf VEINATION (arcuate, palmate, parallel, pinnate, reticulate)
- leaf MARGIN (entire, toothed, incised, lobed)
- leaf tip, base, stem, surface



Aster family (Asteraceae)
.
many individual florets packed together tightly makes a COMPOSITE FLOWERHEAD:
- DISC FLOWERS forms a pitted central disc
- RAY FLOWERS ring the edge, usually with showy petals
.
2nd most common flowering plant family in the world
(1rst place goes to the Orchid family, due to their prevalance in the tropics)
.
IE. Dandelion, Artemisias, Yarrow, Lettuce


Mint family (Lamiaceae)
.
- square stalks
- alternating opposite leaves
- aromatic
- irregular flowers
- common useful kitchen herbs!
.
IE. Sages, Rosemary, Basil


Mustard family (Brassicaceae)
.
- 4 petals
- 4 sepals
- 6 stamen (4 tall, 2 short)
- pungent
- seedpod staircase (fat silicles, or long siliques)
.
IE. Kale, Cabbage, Broccoli


Rose family (Rosaceae)
.
- 5 separate petals
- 5 sepals
- numerous stamen
- numerous pistils (creates a fuzzy-looking center)
- serrated compound leaves
.
IE. Strawberries, Apples, Almonds


Nightshade family (Solanaceae)
.
- 5 united petals
- 5 united sepals
- 5 stamen
- superior ovary with 2 chambers
- alternating leaves (often sticky, Earthy-smelling)
- alkaloid- rich
.
IE. Peppers, Datura, Eggplant, Tomato


Mallow family (Malvaceae)
.
- alternate, palmately lobed leaves
- numerous fused stamen form a column around the pistil
- 5 separate petals
- 3-5 partially united sepals
- mucilaginous (slimy)
- funnel- shaped regular flowers
- superior ovary with united carpels that creates “cheeses”
.
IE. Okra, Cotton, Hollyhocks, Cacao, Linden


4.02.2020

😊TeleMedicine, 🧘‍Yoga Thursdays, 🎁gift cards


I hope that you are peaceful and healthy, finding joy and stability amidst change. Maintaining your physical and emotional health is essential right now. I'm dedicated to helping you calm your nervous system, boost your immune system, and support thriving health during this time of uncertainty.


Please enjoy my donation-based online offerings:



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😊 TeleMedicine 😊 


TeleMedicine plays a vital role in decreasing pressures on hospitals and urgent care clinics during the pandemic.

TeleMedicine appointments include an herbal consultation, nutritional support, physical and mindfulness exercises, and supportive listening.

Most insurances accept TeleMedicine right now. If you're currently experiencing financial hardship or don't have acupuncture benefits via insurance, then I offer these sessions by donation. $0 is really an option. $50 is the suggested price. 



▼ BOOK NOW 




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🧘‍ Yoga Thursdays (starts TONIGHT) 🧘‍ 


Develop mobility, stability, flexibility, and strength in an all- levels dynamic vinyasa flow EVERY THURSDAY on Zoom!

Thursdays, 7:30 PM 
$1- $15, pay as you can

Please un-check "paying for goods" on Paypal and write "yoga."
Class details will be emailed after registration 

▼ JOIN NOW 


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🎁 Gift Cards 🎁 


Want to bring a smile to someone you love, or someone in need, with the gift of health? Give a TeleMedicine session, yoga class, future acupuncture treatment, or any of our other services!

▼ GIVE A GIFT 


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Please let me know how I can further support your health. We've moved online, but in-person treatments are provided on an as-needed basis (please inquire).

Check my blog for frequent updates, Facebook for COVID19 articles, and Instagram for live piano & more. I'm excited to see you online, and later back in the clinic! Be well.

With gratitude,
Jiling


Jiling Lin, L.Ac. 林基玲
acupuncture . herbs . yoga

3.22.2020

COVID19 news

image of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Below are news/ information recommendations for COVID19:
From Rhonda Patrick, PhD: 
There’s a lot of information online, and not all of it is accurate, reliable, or up-to-date. Here are some reliable sources that we would recommend following:

  • Medcram 
    has a very analytical and well-referenced overview on updates on COVID-19. I suggest subscribing to their channel for very objective and comprehensive information on COVID-19.
  • National Institutes of Health’s coverage of COVID-19 
    has up-to-date and relevant information on the latest research. You can subscribe to their newsletter for automatic updates.
  • New England Journal of Medicine's updates on COVID-19 
    is a collection of articles and resources relating to the coronavirus outbreak. They have made all the COVID-19 content free to access.
  • A guide 
    with important tips from UCSF experts on maintaining good mental health with COVID-19 anxiety, physical distancing, and “shelter in place.”