Category Archives: Holistic Healing Ideas

The Art of Managing Inflammation

March 27, 2022Holistic Healing Ideas#arachnoiditisSurvivor, #artforarachnoiditissheilalynnkart

THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO MY PREVIOUS POSTS ON THIS TOPIC.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE IF I REPEAT MYSELF.

THESE PERSONAL COPING TOOLS ARE NOT MEDICAL ADVICE AND ARE NOT INTENDED AS TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR ARACHNOIDITIS OR ANY OTHER CONDITION.

Every case of arachnoiditis is different. What works for me may not work for you. On a very basic level, inflammation is at the root of arachnoiditis symptoms. Life with arachnoiditis is an ongoing evaluation of risks vs. benefits. Because there are so few resources it requires attention to our own bodies and how they respond to certain circumstances. It has been fifteen years since the initial injury that brought arachnoiditis into my life. Over this time, I have paid very close attention to what triggers inflammation for me. As I am not a candidate for invasive procedures and chemical interventions and pharmaceuticals create more problems than benefits, this attentiveness has been the best method for me to have an independently manageable life.

Arachnoiditis pain and neurological dysfunction made me feel like I was being attacked by gravity and the rest of the external world. Every. Day. This spinal cord injury and its systemic consequences depleted my body and made me vulnerable to environmental things and socio-cultural habits that most people I knew never had to worry about.

I cannot refer you to ONE specific resource as research for my personal needs has been quite extensive via many assorted nutrition and wellness practices, holistic methods, medical guidance, and random keyword-based online searches when I fall down that rabbit hole. The life changes I have made have included a lot of trial and error with cumulative beneficial outcomes that evolved over time. So, I have to warn that attempts to change everything all at once is setting yourself up for disappointment, failure, or added medical complications. Slow changes and adjustments have always worked best for me.

Read it again: Slow changes and adjustments have always worked best for me.

Keeping a list and a journal of changes and outcomes was also an informative daily practice.

[ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR TRUSTED PRACTITIONER PRIOR TO STOPPING OR CHANGING ANY TREATMENT PLAN THAT YOU MAY BE FOLLOWING AT THIS TIME.]

After the Cleveland Clinic diagnosed me with consequential CRPS in my left leg, I happened to find a video that talked about controlling the inflammation of CRPS via an anti-inflammatory menu. After approximately six months following that plan with successful outcomes for my leg, I also began to notice that I was able to be vertical for a longer amount of time before the usual onset of low CSF symptoms. To me, this indicated that the inflammation in the subarachnoid space must be subsiding a bit, too. I don’t know if that conclusion is factually, medically, or scientifically true. I just know that in my own body the outcome was a good one.

There are a plethora of online suggestions for anti-inflammatory menus and diets. In my experience, these are personal choices specific to my own body, I had to make the effort to pay attention to how my body reacted to certain foods. It’s a useful starting point but any general menu/diet “plan” can only serve as guidance for a place to begin. In the end, my body was the one with all the answers. As with delayed repercussions of physical exertion, the impact of any given food was not always immediate. Sometimes, I wouldn’t notice any issues until the day after…or it would be a cumulative result of a combination of foods. Keeping in mind that external factors beyond my control could have an impact on pain and inflammation, the journal I kept still helped me to identify certain patterns related to what I consumed. (As the skin is the largest organ and absorbs many things, “consumption” includes products that I put ON my body, too.)

What I feed my mind and spirit also matters. It is important to go gently with these discoveries.

There is no cure for arachnoiditis. Symptom management is key. Though I am not qualified to explain the science behind it or prescribe a management plan for anyone, I can share what I have discovered through my own observations.

Things that trigger inflammation/pain for me:

Too much vertical time (Scar tissue blocks the natural rotation/exchange of CSF in the subarachnoid space)
Home Cleaning and Hygiene products that contain neurotoxins and other toxic chemicals.
Candles and air fresheners that contain neurotoxins and other toxic chemicals.
Chemicals released from products and packaging in department stores
Toxic and “Non-toxic” Art Supplies (“Non-toxic” is a relative term)
Chemicals and “additives” in medical treatments, pharmaceuticals, and supplements
Gluten
Sugar
Artificial Sweeteners (i.e. aspartame)
Polyethelene glycol (in Miralax and other FDA approved products and medications)
Polysorbates (FDA approved for use in food and hygiene products)
Nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes, egg plant, etc.) Eventually, I was able to resume having these in small quantities if I was careful NOT to do it in a week when I had been exposed to other triggers.
Foods that feed candida overgrowth

Candida overgrowth causes inflammation. Gastroparesis and/or low digestive motility increase the risk of candida overgrowth. Candida overgrowth became a consequential issue with a variety of symptoms that took me a while to figure out. Eventually, I did a full cycle of candida control menu adjustments to the anti-inflammatory menu I had already been following for over a year. Over time, I have found my own way to keep things in balance to minimize the extreme symptoms that were happening when candida first became part of my vocabulary. Subsequently, I noticed that there was also a reduction in the frequency and intensity of the neurological symptoms of arachnoiditis.

There are many online resources and books to explain a Candida Control Menu/diet….and what it actually does. Of the ones I read, it seemed the basic information was quite similar and the general guidelines were direct and easy to follow…usually.

I still have arachnoiditis symptoms every day. I still have to weigh the risks and benefits of daily choices for things that most people never even think about. BUT, for me, these choices are the least-invasive, least-toxic, most-successful management option.

The Risks

Normal life is inundated with chemicals to the point that it is rare to even notice the impact they are having on our bodies… until we start getting away from them. I didn’t realize the extremes of this until after about a year or so of making my own hair care products, I walked into a bathroom that was full of freshly showered Pantene hair products. The need to vomit was almost immediate. This, and similar items, were products I had once used daily.

In our society stepping away from “normal” environmental hazards, social behaviors, and eating habits can be an extremely isolating choice.

The impulse and effort to explain myself to others became exhausting until I learned how empowering a simple, “No, Thank You.” can be.

In Western culture, sugar and gluten are a huge part of our consumption. Time management and attention to details are factors in finding items without these ingredients.

Many “gluten-free” products contain added sugar. Going without gluten means their is a need to make sure that calorie and nutrient intake normally provided by healthy gluten is replaced with other nutritious foods.

Quitting sugar caused withdrawals. For me, sugar was a physical and emotional addiction that clearly exacerbated my other symptoms. Removing it from my daily life was, and still is, a big challenge. It isn’t just about the treats and sweets. Excluding raw foods, sugar is added into almost every food product we “normally” buy. The best bet was to avoid all processed foods as much as possible.

The Candida Control Menu was a long and difficult adjustment. In the beginning there were withdrawal symptoms, depression, and precautions against the herxheimer reaction that can occur with the candida die off. Self-compassion is important. Knowing that I was giving my body safe and valuable nutrients didn’t change the fact that it can be difficult to follow all of the “rules” all of the time. Though I have returned to many of the unsweetened foods I would normally consume, I do find that a need to revisit this menu happens a few times a year so that I can maintain a healthy balance and keep inflammation at a more manageable level.

For me, inflammation anywhere in my body has an impact on the other parts. It’s all connected. Some Old and New Bits from My Research

Personal Care Product Toxins 101
CRPS/RSD: Update on Treatments – RSDSA (Youtube Video)
Regulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow in neurodegenerative, neurovascular and neuroinflammatory disease
CSF Disorders
Foods that Feed Candida Overgrowth
Pathogen & Parasite Die-Off Symptoms: How to manage detox side-effects
Wild Wisdom of Weeds (Book by Katrina Blair)
Foraging and Feasting; a field guide and wild food cook book (Book by Dina Falconi)
Anti-inflammatory Diet: Foods to make the most of an anti-inflammatory diet
Earthly Bodies and Heavenly Hair (Book by Dina Falconi)
8 Best Natural Cleaning Products

THESE PERSONAL COPING TOOLS ARE NOT MEDICAL ADVICE AND ARE NOT INTENDED AS TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR ARACHNOIDITIS OR ANY OTHER CONDITION.

The Art for Arachnoiditis Project and SheilaLynnK Art Studio are in no way affiliated with any of the links/resources shared on this page.

Culinary Creations~Food 4 Daily Wellness

September 9, 2018Coping Tools, Holistic Healing Ideassheilalynnkart

CoconutBread7x7

RECOMMENDED FOR YOUR WELLNESS ~ Be sure there is actual FOOD in your food. These days this is an art that requires creativity that may not be something you see every day.

My personal goal is: “If it didn’t exist as a food source 100 years ago, don’t eat it.”

Nourish your body with organic non-GMO Real Food with no added sugars, artificial colors, or preservatives. Avoid processed foods.
Always Read the Label. When choosing meal ingredients and prepared meals/Frozen dinners look for labels that actually say: “organic” “non GMO” “no preservatives” “no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives”
Avoid Sugars. Other words for sugar include: sugar or “table sugar”, cane sugar, cane syrup, dextrose, fructose, glucose, sucrose, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, agave nectar, liquid sugar, lactose, molasses, beet sugar, galactose, maltose,
Choose less inflammatory, healthier grains. Organic “Ancient Grains” are generally less inflammatory than modern genetically modified wheat products high in processed or genetically altered gluten. Items labelled, “Gluten Free” or “Low Fat” may have many added sugars. Always check the label.
Choose natural corn. Non GMO corn and Non GMO corn products are generally less inflammatory than the genetically modified corn and corn-based products common in many processed foods.
Take care of your gut flora. Inflammation in the gut is known to cause inflammation in the rest of the body. Keep a healthy balance of naturally occurring good bacteria by avoiding starches, gluten, sugars, and other foods that are high on the glycemic index. Be sure to consult your doctor about the need for pro-biotics, pre-biotics, etc. prior to taking anti-biotics. Foods made from animals treated with antibiotics are also known to have an impact on your good bacteria.

I am not a physician.

Always consult your trusted practitioner prior to making changes to your treatment plan.

Foods I eat most often include: Organic cage-free eggs, Meat that has never been treated with hormones or antibiotics, quinoa, heirloom rice, amaranth grains, gluten free oat bran, plain sunflower kernels, pecans, plain pumpkin seeds, almonds, almond milk, non-GMO corn tortillas, non-GMO blue corn chips, greek yogurt with active cultures, organic vegetables like: brussels sprouts, bok choy, cabbage, celery, cucumbers, cauliflower, sunchokes/Jerusalem artichokes, lambsquarters, lettuces, peas, rutabaga, spinach, yucca root, zucchini, and organic fruit low on the glycemic index like: black berries, blue berries, and green apples.

Although I have been having wonderful results at controlling inflammation and the pain it causes by following this plan, because of the neurological damage caused by spinal arachnoiditis; I still have trouble digesting solid food. To be sure I am getting plenty of nutrients, I also use a Raw Vegetable Protein Meal replacement beverage with no sugar. I like the Chocolate Raw Organic Meal Replacement shake made by Garden of Life. It can be mixed with water but, I like it best mixed with unsweetened almond milk. (I am not getting any financial compensation for sharing that info. I am sure there are others out there that are just as good. This is just one that I know I like.)

You may also like this recipe for coconut bread that I make about once a week. I like to warm up the slices and spread it with organic sunflower kernel butter. This is a very moist cake-style bread. For best results store it in the refrigerator after it cools.

Coconut Bread

Ingredients

½ cup coconut flour

½ cup buckwheat flour

½ cup coconut milk (only the creamy part on top)

¼ cup ground chia seeds

¼ unsweetened organic apple sauce

5 organic cage free eggs

2 tbsp coconut oil

½ tsp sea salt

1 tsp aluminum free baking powder

Optional

*1-2tbsp more coconut milk or almond milk if added moisture is needed

*sunflower kernals and/or added cinnamon are also yummy in this recipe

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 F

Blend together the eggs, apple sauce, coconut oil, and salt

Add the dry ingredients and whisk until you don’t see any lumps

Pour into a loaf pan greased with coconut oil and bake at 350F for about 30 minutes.

The top of the loaf should be firm and a light golden color.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

May be served warm or cold plain or topped with sunflower kernel butter or other nut butters.

** If you are not a fan of coconut flour and coconut milk, you may substitute unsweetened plain almond milk and almond meal/almond flour for those ingredients.

Tastes great with brewed chicory mocha beverages.

Art Every Day Month~Day 25~Edible Art

November 25, 2015Art Every Day Month 2015, Holistic Healing Ideas#healingart, aedm2015sheilalynnkart

Evening Primrose plant on cotton fabric — “Organic Moonscape” Evening Primrose Plant on cotton fabric.

This edible Moonscape, in honor of the full moon today, is made of Fresh Evening Primrose Roots and Leaves and some dried Evening Primrose flowers that I gathered from my garden at the studio.

I selected Evening Primrose as my Wild Plant Ally for 2015. This is a gentle plant with many health benefits relevant to my own personal needs. [I am not a physician. Be sure to verify the plant ID and consult a trusted physician prior to adding it to your own diet or treatment plan.]

My current mood and condition warranted a late fall harvest of first year EPR growing in my garden. The fresh clean root has a mild pleasant flavor and produces a somewhat calming effect with a bit of relief from hormonal mood swings. Edible as a fresh vegetable; I will be putting it in some breakfast fritters. I am also setting some of the root aside as a tincture for later use this Winter when the ground will be too frozen to obtain the fresh roots.

The seeds I harvested earlier this fall are also said to be beneficial to treatment of my “mild hormonal depression” …for lack of a better description. I will be crushing them to release the valuable oils and then adding them to my lambsquarters bread as is done with poppy seeds in poppy seed muffins.

OUTCOME: TBD

EPR roots simmering

Mashing EPR roots

Evening Primrose Root Fritters

Evening Primrose Root

Evening Primrose Leaves

Slicing EPR Root

Art Every Day Month ~ Day 13 ~ “Human, Naturally”

November 13, 2015Art Every Day Month 2015, Holistic Healing Ideas#arachnoiditisSurvivors, #artforarachnoiditis, #artTherapy, #gratitude, #nervember, #ostrichChair, #WellsvilleNY, #WUVIP, Adaptability, aedm2015sheilalynnkart

Ostrich Cot set up in office — Reasonable Accommodations for Writing Important Words

Today the words are my creative genre of choice. Survivors are encouraged to submit written entries, including but not limited to Survivors’ Stories for YEAR 2 of the Art For Arachnoiditis Project. Entry Deadline Feb. 15, 2016.

Right now, I am thinking and so… WRITING ABOUT VANITY and LIVING AND WORKING WITH ARACHNOIDITIS

In the past, as I got ready to go to work or out to dinner or some other socially exposed activity, I would say, “I am going to go get a little less human before I go out.” This meant, the usual shower, hair, make-up routine was going to monopolize the bathroom for about an hour. Doing the things that “enhance our natural beauty” so that we blend in with the rest of the people doing the same is an expected, if not required, prerequisite for mingling in “civilized society.”

In high school, I remember this ritual being as much about masking the real me as it was about “creative individual expression”. Military service and parenting reduced my interest, compulsion and dependence upon it. Gradually, it just evolved into my morning routine without much fanfare of creative input.

Survival and recovery impact the individual sense of vanity. Be it the superficial cliche concept of “beauty” or a long-lived appreciation of our “inner beauty”, our self-image seldom escapes the experience unscathed. For all time but, especially, in modern culture; the pressure to conform to the concepts of beauty and grooming of the status quo is directly linked to our ability to be taken seriously by the influential populations of society.

Not only must Survivors overcome the physical limitations imposed upon them but, we must also find a balance within ourselves which allows us to reconcile the alterations in our physical appearance which result from that struggle. Sampson I am not, but I have to admit to a certain deep depression when the immune response associated with Spinal Arachnoiditis caused much of my hair to break and fall off. I kept telling myself, “It’s just hair. It’s not that big of an issue. You have bigger problems to worry about right now.” All of which were true statements that did little to alleviate an increased sense of injury to my person and my own perceptions of my place in society at that time.

Because it is a habit that is an intrinsic part of our culture which we grow into and except, until or unless, it is threatened or the ability to “conform to the norm” becomes complicated, we don’t realize that, “Hair is an object of intense elaboration and preoccupation in almost all societies. Hairstyles and rituals surrounding hair care andadornment convey powerful messages about a person’s beliefs, lifestyles, and commitments. Inferences and judgments about a person’s morality, sexual orientation, political persuasion, religious sentiments and, in some cultures, socio-economic status can sometimes be surmised by seeing a particular hairstyle.” The Social Meaning of Hair ~ Chicago Kent Law Review

For whatever genetic/environmental reasons, I began getting grey hair when I was 23 years old. I was okay with that until my son came home from school one day and said, without any malicious intent, “You know Mom, you kind of look like that bag lady that hangs out in front of the grocery store. I think it’s because of your hair.” So, I began coloring my hair.

For some of us Living with Arachnoiditis, increased chemical sensitivities are a consequential outcome. In addition to the adverse reactions to medication trials for “treatment” of Arachnoiditis; several years ago, I began to notice a remarkable increase in my pain and inflammatory symptoms after I took the time to color my hair. Keep in mind this was NOT a routine occurrence. At that point I was only doing it every three months or so. The correlation was difficult not to notice. So, I cut back on it even more and changed the use to only the color that washes out in 28 days. Still, I only used it every few months. Gradually, I decreased it to only using half the product at a time to streak a color similar to my natural color into my hair. I was okay with a white streak here or there that reminded my of my mother but was not ready to be “openly grey” just yet.

The reasons for this effort? I have been brain- washed. Yep. Also known as, accepting the cultural norm, I had come to associate my OWN impression of my health and wellness with my physical appearance and was painfully aware that the people around me did, too. When my hair color was all washed out and faded I didn’t look “vibrant, young and energetic” but more importantly, IN MY OWN EYES; I didn’t LOOK “healthy”. Since then, I have, in many ways, re-defined that word “healthy” as it pertains to my self awareness.

As I write this, I am still struck by how frivolous this topic feels but, I KNOW that women AND men depend on how others see them as a means to social connection and “success” in society. The reality is, that our appearance can condemn us to a marginal existence. Subconsciously, we fight against that. We think nothing of using the convenient products available to us to allow us to prevent that from happening.

After the damage, I found shampoos and strengtheners for my hair that allowed it to grow and “recover” from the inflammatory phase of my illness. I began searching for more natural ways to add a little color to my hair but, I continued using the 28 day partial hair color treatments in moderation about every 3 months. Looking “healthy” is,after all, directly linked to feeling “healthy” …isn’t it?

senior photo — Back In The Day When Mousse was new and thick eyebrows were cool.

Profile Picture 2012

Profile Picture 2015

I was cool with that. UNTIL… I found out about all of the neurotoxins and carcinogens these products contain. Considering my first hand knowledge of my post- arachnoiditis -onset sensitivities to polyethylene glycol in Miralax…a frequently prescribed “safe” treatment for issues associated with spinal cord injury…I came to the logical conclusion that perhaps the contents of these commercial products may NOT be the safest thing for me or for anyone already dealing with extensive nerve damage from OTHER causes.

I QUIT. August 8, 2015, I quit commercial hair care products cold turkey.

Chemical Free Profile Pictures

Suffice it to say, my hair went “cray-cray!”

There is a period of adjustment in which our body must rediscover the ways to balance our natural oils after we stop using the products which have created an artificial rhythm for them. It was summer, I washed and rinsed using the “no-poo” method, put my hair up and went on with my day. It took a little time for me to find out what my hair type really is without all of the artificial additives coating it. I discovered the baking soda wash option wasn’t the best thing for me.

Economic Hardship is not a rare consequential condition of Spinal Arachnoiditis. The COST of organic hygiene and hair care products is exorbitant. As I have been exploring the nutrition value of the naturally occurring plants here, I decided to find out which ones can be used to better feed my hair, too. This is what I found …and for me, it works!

All Natural Shampoo Making Collage — Making all natural shampoo

Natural Hair dye collage — Making all natural hair dye from Black Walnut husks.

Don’t get the wrong idea. I have as many bad days AND bad hair days as anyone else. Some days my hair is just so fragile and breaks off in piles or just looks so ridiculous that I am tempted to go back to the commercial method. But, I am determined to see this experiment through.

I REALLY want to know if leaving these chemicals behind will reduce the amount of pain I experience. Winter will be the true test. I am coming to truly believe that the use of these and other chemicals is directly proportionate to the extent of my “Recovery” and the frequency of my “Flares.” I now make my own shampoo, conditioner, and deodorant for personal use. Because of my increasing exploration of Ancient Wisdom and the Wild Edibles and resources available in my own back yard, this experiment is exactly in my price range.

Additionally, this experiment is having a residual positive outcome that I did not expect. I feel more empowered and in control of what happens to my body because I KNOW exactly what is going into it. This feeling is PRICELESS.

And well, we absorb so much from the environment through our skin, how can it possibly make sense to intentionally ADD the harmful things?

I have to admit that I feel a bit conspicuous on my cray-cray hair days if/when I have to go out in public but, I am starting to understand that my hair actually has cycles which relate to the rest of my body in a way that was hidden by commercial products. It really was only NATURAL that it fell apart when my body did.

WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET, OR IS IT?

On the bad days, I don’t want to feel what you see any more than YOU want to see what I feel. It’s human nature to want to avoid the negative and to “fit in” with those around us…to want to be accepted by those who reside in the social circles we wish to engage. However, it is too easy to lose track of what really matters when we only focus on that instead of who we really are….

For Arachnoiditis Survivors and others Surviving with “Invisible Illness” the craving for connection can be quite harmful when we let it interfere with what our bodies really need. I am still learning to listen to my body and to take action to DO the things that support its strengths and acknowledge or possibly repair its weaknesses.

NEW DISCOVERIES (November 24, 2015) As my hair continues to break off because of its naturally fragile state, I kept looking for organic methods to strengthen it. The challenge is to find the ones that grow locally. Egg whites are also reported to help, however, I have a difficult time rinsing them out with organic shampoo. In any case, I just came across a line of organic products by Shear Miracles (not an affiliate link) which contains many of the plants that I have been unable to find here.

I don’t expect to find them this year. Snow is falling as I write this. I am going to try the Tuff ‘N Up Shampoo. It is a little pricey for me. However, after removing all of the chemical-based ingredients from my hair, it really doesn’t take much to clean it. I definitely don’t need to wash it every day anymore. About a dime-sized dab of the purchased ‘poo twice a week should be enough. In between, I can continue to use the healthy home made mix that I have here…if I need it.

Today, THIS Resonates with my thoughts about Struggling to Change My Way of Life…”It is about gaining perspective and consciously choosing a way of life. “~ slk 11.27.15

Sample Arachnoiditis Survivor Portrait — Self-Portrait : Sample Survivor Portrait from “Arachnoiditis Survivor: A Portrait of Resilience Against Patient Harm”

UPDATE 2020 ~ OPENLY GREY ~ Doing and making more Things

Resources for Your Well-Being

January 23, 2015Holistic Healing Ideas#arachnoiditisSurvivor, #artforarachnoiditis, #WellnessDirectory, #WUVIPsheilalynnkart

COUNTING DOWN TO LIFT OFF! The Wellness Universe Website Launches Today!

Directory of Resources to Expand Your Well-Being

WELCOME TO THE WELLNESS UNIVERSE LAUNCH!

Efforts at the studio to contribute

to a better world have been recognized.

Dedicated to the Wellness and Empowerment of Arachnoiditis Survivors, the Art For Arachnoiditis Project at SheilaLynnK Art Studio is an official Member of this Directory.

At no cost to this charitable project, this directory makes the Art For Arachnoiditis Project and other valuable Wellness resources for Arachnoiditis Survivors available to survivors not currently subscribed to Facebook.

The Wellness Universe.com website launches TODAY!

“What seems like a brilliant, keyword searchable catalog of pages in this online directory are far more than that. The actual people creating these pages come together to better the world through their individual efforts, as a whole….TheWellnessUniverse.com is a natural solution to search for content people want to see.” ~BBC Record London Soul Ventures Corps Launches Directory of Facebook Pages

“The Wellness Universe answers the need for an organized resource where the public can reference any topic related to wellness,” states Michelle Gould.

Launching Today

Resources for your Well-Being,

www.TheWellnessUniverse.com

Join us! Find Love, Support, Hope, Inspiration, Education from the BEST PAGES of Facebook.

Wishing you Wellness in the year to come!

Ancient Wisdom~Modern Life with Anne Hayman

December 17, 2014Holistic Healing Ideassheilalynnkart

Anne Hayman's Website Cover Page — Anne Hayman’s Artsy Website Cover Page

Anne helps others find ways to use ancient wisdom for our modern lives through practicing

Working through Anne Hayman’s Ancient Wisdom Modern Life e-course reminded me that coloring is one of my favorite forms of moving meditation. It is one of the ancient ways to get “grounded, connected and balanced.”

The obstacles of life in general bring about the need to do this. Living with Arachnoiditis, adjusting to the many changes and adjustments threw me off balance in so many ways. It still increases my own need to find balance. Anne’s FREE, 3 part, e-course has already reminded me of some wonderfully gentle ways to do this for myself. Check out the details and offerings on the Registration information page.

Portions of this project may also serve as an introduction to the Flow: 30 Day Journal Project (also FREE) that I will be doing with Lisa Sonora beginning January 1, 2015. My part of the 30 day journal project will be the source of the Activities for Healing With Art that will be posted on The Art For Arachnoiditis Project during the month of January. You will be able to follow these activities here and on the Art For Arachnoiditis Project Facebook Page.

I hope you will join us on this healing adventure.