Holidays & Special Occasions

The Tradition of the Yule Log

Suzanne Hollifield-Eller

The Christmas tradition of lighting the Yule Log is seldom observed in our postmodern culture of heat pumps and gas log fireplaces. Indeed, the pecan log, jelly roll, or a chocolate-filled sponge cake log have replaced the traditional long-burning Yule log when or if the tradition is even thought of as being necessary. Nevertheless, the old custom of lighting and burning the Yule Log bears examination because it is fraught with ritual and meaning that is still relevant.

The custom originated with the pagan Norsemen who brought the Yule Log south to France during their invasions, and it eventually came to England via the Normans in 1066. Both the Scandinavian Norse and their Christian descendants believed the Yule Log brought luck—the Norse believed it honored Thor, the Yule (Sun) Father, and used the log in celebration of the Winter Solstice, and the Norman Christians burned the log on Christmas Eve. Even earlier, Pope Julius the I had decreed that the ritual burning of the Yule Log would symbolize the light of the Savior (Son) rather than the Sun, and ultimately, the seasonal burning took place as far south as Greece, as far west as Ireland, and as far north as Siberia.

It is considered bad luck for the Yule Log to be purchased. Instead, it should be cut from one’s own land or the land of a neighbor. In former times, the large log was dragged through the streets to the home, which in feudal times was the manor house, and all the people of the town would be invited to the Yuletide party. By custom, it is always lit by a person with clean hands using a scrap of wood from the previous year’s log (kept for luck and to protect the house from lightening, fire, hail, and theft throughout the year), and then guests are invited to drop sprigs of holly onto the burning fire to burn up mistakes, faults, and poor choices from the previous year and thus start the new year with a clean slate.

Guests typically celebrate the lighting of the Yule Log with food and drink – a feast that includes gingerbread men (which traditionally symbolized Christ), cakes and pastries, and hot cider or wassail. Then they sing and dance or tell ghost stories and tales from the past. If the Yule Log casts a headless shadow on the wall, our ancestors would have taken it for a sign that the person whose shadow appeared would die during the next year.

Traditionally, it is considered bad luck for the Yule fire to go out before the Christmas Eve night is over as this is an omen that tragedy will strike the family. (In England in the nineteenth century, it was expected to burn the entire twelve days of Christmas, lasting until Epiphany.) In Appalachia, the celebration of family and friends lasts as long as the Yule Log burns. When it goes out, the party’s over.

Whether your faith tradition sees the Yule Log as an honoring of the earth and her cycles, a prayer for the fertility of the land and an end of hunger, a symbol of the light of Christ in each of our hearts, or the holy act of opening our homes and hearts to friends and family in celebration of the season, it is our hope that you will create your own version of the ritual of the Yule Log.

Creating Your Own Yule Log Ritual

To keep the tradition of the Yule Log in the postmodern world, you’ll need a long burning candle. You can often find these in the supermarket or in gift and specialty shops. Some burn up to seven days. It is best if someone gives it to you since traditionally, the Yule Log was not to be purchased. Maybe you and a friend can buy one for each other. I use mine as the center candle of my Advent wreath and light it at midnight on Christmas Eve, saying a prayer for peace on earth as I do.

I particularly like the idea of burning the year’s mistake. Since my fire is candle sized, I write all my regrets on a single paper and then light the paper and burn it in an ashtray or abalone shell. I’ve also burned them outside in a fireproof container so that the smoke doesn’t set off the fire detector alarm. Just remember to wash your hands and use the flame from your Yule candle to light the fire. What a symbolic way to let go of old pain and attitudes and welcome in the possibilities of the new year’s energies.

Now that I’m retiring at the end of February, I’m releasing grief; I’m going to miss the people with whom I’ve developed both working and personal friendships during the last sixteen years. I want to hold onto the memories while releasing of the sadness I feel at losing those regular connections.

Buche de Noel, traditional french dessert
A homemade “bûche de Noël” (yule log), which is a traditional French Christmas dessert. This one is chocolate filled with raspberry jam. Image from Wikipedia Commons.

Finally, share the ritual burning of the candle with friends and loved ones. Tell stories and make new memories. Have a cup of wassail and maybe even eat a slice of bûche de noel, the traditional French version of the Yule Log. Most of all, give yourself a special gift and enjoy the celebration for what it is in the moment.

Have a Joyful Holy-day.

Human energy field, Massage & Bodywork, Tapestry Life Resource

Reiki and the Human Biofield

Suzanne Hollifield-Eller

Reiki is an ancient form of hands-on healing that was brought to the West from Japan in the early part of the twentieth century. The “father of modern Reiki” was Dr. Mikao Usui, and the most traditional form of Reiki today is called Usui Reiki. The history of Reiki is readily available online and is both interesting and controversial.

Reiki kanji on wine red background; image purchased from Dreamstime

Pronounced “ray-key”, Reiki is a form of energy bodywork that reduces stress, induces relaxation, and promotes healing. It does this by allowing the client to tap into an unlimited supply of “ki” or “qi”, which the Chinese pronounce as “chi”. Our unseen life force energy or our “ki/qi” is what causes us to be alive.

In fact, the word, Reiki, itself means “universal life energy”, and Reiki is administered by “laying-on hands”. It is a simple and powerful technique that can be learned by anyone. It is passed from teacher to student by attunement, and it is passed from practitioner to client by laying on of hands.

Until the advent of quantum physics, no one really understood how energy workers were able to get results. Some even feared the use of supernatural forces. However, Reiki and other similar kinds of energy work like Polarity, Huna, Healing Touch, and Qigong Healing use the fields of energy that physicists have proven surround each molecule of matter. In a living being, these fields are called biofields.

The biofield is both wave and particle, like light itself, and it has many of the properties of light. It also has electromagnetic properties. It is a part of the Zero-Point Field, which is a substructure of energetic frequency that underpins the entire universe.

The Zero-Point Field also functions as a recording medium of everything, providing a means for everything to communicate with everything else. When you consider that on a subatomic level, cells and DNA also communicate through frequencies unrelated to the physical nervous system and that they also communicate directly with the Zero-Point Field, you have the basis for how Reiki works.

Indeed, researchers have shown that the human biofield communicates with all parts of the body faster than the neural network is able and that biofields of living things communicate with each other. So if your plants grow because you talk to them, or your dog knows when your car turns onto your street, it may be that your biofields are communicating!

We literally pick up frequencies in our environment, and this has been proven in the laboratory. We all have anecdotes of walking into a room and getting a bad “vibe”. That is our biofield resonating with our environment, and it’s a survival instinct which is often observed in animals who will balk at running toward an unseen danger. When we are physically ill or in pain, the biofield picks this up also. We might think of this a disharmony in the resonance pattern.

Clint receiving Reiki energy treatment

What Reiki seems to do is allow the biofield to resonate with the healing properties of the Reiki energy or ki/qi itself and to rebalance. This is called coherence. A Reiki session can bring disturbed energies in our bodies to a more harmonic state. Because our bodies strive for homeostasis, Reiki can facilitate the body’s self-healing capabilities.

According to a 2009 article National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), “People use Reiki for relaxation, stress reduction, and symptom relief, in efforts to improve overall health and well-being. Reiki has been used by people with anxiety, chronic pain, HIV/AIDS, and other health conditions, as well as by people recovering from surgery or experiencing side effects from cancer treatments. Reiki has also been given to people who are dying (and to their families and caregivers) to help impart a sense of peace. Clients may experience a deep state of relaxation during a Reiki session. They might also feel warm, tingly, sleepy, or refreshed. Reiki appears to be generally safe, and no serious side effects have been reported.”

Researchers Susan Thrane and Susan Cohan, both at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, searched forty-seven research articles to discover if Reiki had a measurable effect on pain and/or anxiety in cancer and post-surgery patients as well as seniors living in a dedicated setting. To conform to their criteria for control groups and size of study, this number was whittled down to seven studies at which they looked in depth. In all, Reiki showed evident of decreasing pain or anxiety levels over the placebo (sham Reiki) or rest alone.

Thrane and Cohan’s article, republished by The National Library of Medicine, contains excellent diagrams showing how quantum physics is being used to explain the effectiveness of Reiki and other energy modalities. They point out the similarities between device-generated electromagnetic field for wellness such as a TENs unit and human-generated biofield energy such as Reiki. They conclude that more research is needed.

Reiki is easy to integrate with massage or other modalities like Craniosacral Therapy. You can have Reiki alone and usually will be fully clothed if that is the case. It’s a great modality for someone who is a little modest about massage, and Reiki alone has many of the same benefits as massage. It’s also good for the very ill or for fibromyalgia patients for whom massage that directly manipulates the tissues would be painful or otherwise contraindicated.

Much of the early literature written about Reiki was not based on science. We are gratified that anecdotal evidence of Reki’s effectiveness is now being corroborated by controlled scientific studies in quantum physics.

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Food, Recipes, Buying & Growing Your Own

Cool as a cucumber

Suzanne Hollifield-Eller

I recently visited downtown Hickory’s Farmer’s Market. Although I made several purchases, I went to the market specifically for local tomatoes and cucumbers. It seems like I wait all year for these two locally grown favorites. They just taste better than the trucked-in varieties.

Cucumbers are the fourth most widely cultivated vegetable in the world, following tomatoes, cabbage and onions. Markets classify them into slicing cucumbers and pickling cucumbers. I like the homegrown pickling varieties in salads, too, so that’s what I look for when buying locally. They are usually smaller than slicing cucumbers, and if they get too large, they become pithy. I always squeeze them on the ends to see if they are too soft, which is an indicator they are past their prime.

Cucumbers come from the same botanical family as melons and squash. Their health benefits come from plant chemicals called lignans, which are a major group of phytoestrogens and also act as antioxidants. Lignans are associated with reduced risk of breast, uterine, ovarian and prostate cancers and with improved cardiovascular health. Cucumbers have anti-inflammatory properties as well and are high in vitamin K.

Below are some of my favorite recipes with cukes. One of my favorites, of course, is just cream cheese and cucumber on a piece of white sandwich bread. Sometimes I add mayonnaise and a dash of dill or dry ranch dressing to the cream cheese. It’s a cool summer lunch. With these below, adjust the number of cucumbers according to the type you are using. A large pickling cuke is smaller than a large slicing cuke, so you will have to eye-ball some of the amounts.

Easy Refrigerator Pickles

  • 12 large cucumbers, sliced
  • 2 onions, sliced thin
  • 4 C. apple cider vinegar
  • 4 C. sugar
  • 1/2 C. plain salt, not iodized
  • 1 1/4 tsp. turmeric
  • 1 1/4 tsp. celery seed
  • 1 1/4 tsp. mustard seed

Alternate cucumbers and onions in layers in a gallon jar. Combine other ingredients and pour into jar. Refrigerate at least one day before serving. Keeps indefinitely.

Cold Cucumber Soup, no. 1

  • 3-6 large cucumbers, peeled and seeded
  • Juice of one lime
  • 1 C. non-fat yogurt
  • 1/8 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 C. fresh dill

Combine all ingredients in blender and puree until smooth. Chill until ready to serve. Garnish with chopped tomato or avocado if desired.

Cold Cucumber Soup, no. 2

  • 3 large cucumbers, peeled and chopped
  • 2 small cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
  • 1/2tbs. salt
  • 1 1/2 C. buttermilk
  • 1/4 C. fresh mint leaves, chopped
  • 1 tbs. red wine vinegar
  • 2 ice cubes
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all except 1/4 C. of cucumber in blender until smooth. garnish with remaining cucumber and sprigs of mint.

Cucumber and Honeydew Salad

  • 2 C. peeled, sliced and cubed cucumber
  • 2 C. cubed honeydew
  • 2 tbs. finely chopped red onion 
  • 3 tbs. red wine vinegar
  • 1 tbs. olive oil
  • 1/8 tsp. salt
  • Black pepper to taste

Toss ingredients and chill up to four hours before serving.

Cukes in Cream Salad

  • 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced 
  • 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 C. low-fat sour cream 
  • 1/4 C. mayonnaise
  • 1 tbs. fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. dill weed
  • 2 tbs. lemon juice
  • Black pepper to taste

Layer onion on top of cucumbers in medium bowl. Mix other ingredients and pour over vegetables. Chill 2 hours. Mix carefully before serving.

Massage & Bodywork, Tapestry Life Resource

The Benefits of Craniosacral Therapy

Suzanne Hollifield-Eller
Used with permission. Image by Salvatore Vuono at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
Note: When last visited, Vuono’s portfolio was no longer on Free Digital Photos; however, this photo is still being classified as public domain.

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle treatment approach that works with the natural, self-correcting mechanism of the body and the craniosacral system to detect and release restrictions in mobility and enhance the function of the craniosacral system.

The craniosacral system includes the membranes and fluids that surround and protect the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Restrictions in the rhythmical movement of the craniosacral system can cause sensory, motor or neurological dysfunction.

The techniques of Craniosacral Therapy were developed by osteopathic physician John E. Upledger, founder of the Upledger Institute. Dr. Upledger based his method on the research of Dr. William Sutherland, another osteopath, who is considered the father of craniosacral therapy.

Sutherland observed that, contrary to general belief, the bones of the skull do not fuse completely in early childhood. This means that through very gentle touch, they can be moved, and consequently, the tissues attached to them can be moved. Furthermore, early in his career, Dr. Upledger realized that the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord move in a rhythm, different from respiration or the heartbeat. He developed a technique to palpate and manipulate this craniosacral rhythm.

“Dr. John” taught this technique internationally and widely published his research on the efficacy of the treatment protocol. His research is continuing under the auspices of the Institute and the many students and teachers who continue to scientifically validate the usefulness of CST in treating a variety of complaints.

So what is the technique? Using pressure of about five grams, the therapist is able to palpate or feel the rhythm of the craniosacral fluid moving through the tissues of her clients and uses her evaluation of the flow and restrictions to focus treatment on the causes of dysfunction rather than only on the symptoms. She used the bones, mostly in the head and spine, to manipulate the tissues and fluid that affect the whole body.

The client lies on the heated treatment table and usually remains clothed. It may seem like not much is happening because the touch is so light and the therapist does not move around a lot. Many clients go to sleep, and that is fine. The sense of relaxation may continue for several days as the body continues to heal itself and achieve a greater state of balance. Clients often claim their pain is alleviated for longer periods and their mood is improved. The effects are subtle and tend to build with treatment.

The therapy has been used successfully to treat such disorders as headaches, neck and back pain, TMJ, fibromyalgia, motor coordination difficulties, vertigo, edema, neuropathy and nerve compression syndromes. It is also good for chronic conditions that may have an emotional component such as fibromyalgia, attention deficit disorder, anxiety and depression, and even learning problems.

Craniosacral Therapy also has a strong component that focuses on mobilization of the fascia, the continuous sheet of connective tissue that surrounds the organs, muscles, bones, nerves, vessels and other structures of the body. This three-dimensional fascia runs head to toe, front to back and exterior to interior in the body.

Release of fascial restrictions in one part of the body can affect painful tissues in other parts of the body and cause them to also release. The craniosacral system an be used as an indicator of fascial restriction, and then a gentle myofascial release technique can be used to normalize muscle tone, decrease pain, decrease swelling and increase soft tissue and joint mobility. The benefits are usually immediate. For this reason, CST is considered to be a deep tissue modality even though the client does not disrobe and even though the pressure is only 5 grams.

People of all ages, from babies to grandparents, can benefits from craniosacral therapy. In fact, unless there is a high-risk condition affecting the brain or spinal cord, like an aneurysm or tumor, most people can benefit from CST. Recent research even suggests it is helpful for people with traumatic head injury or autism. In any event, your therapist will obtain a medical history before doing a treatment and may ask you to get doctor’s approval if anything seems contraindicated.

Massage & Bodywork, Tapestry Life Resource

Deep Tissue Massage Explained

Suzanne Hollifield-Eller
Therapist massaging back of client
A deep tissue massage is slow work and often focuses on one part of the body for the full session.

Deep tissue massage does not have to be painful. That is a misconception that we at Tapestry Life Resources and Hands On Massage Therapy are trying to dispel.

In fact, if, on a scale of one to ten, your massage goes past the pain threshold of a six or seven, the work is ineffective and probably doing more harm than good. That is because the muscles contract against the pain, instead of lengthening and relaxing.

In general, massage techniques that are used for Swedish or relaxation massage can be used effectively for deeper work. The aim in both is to loosen adhesions, stretch and mobilize connective tissue, and improve circulation and lymph flow. In fact, a good Swedish massage can be the first line of defense against injury since healthy, flexible tissues are less likely to get hurt in the first place.

What separates deep tissue massage from Swedish massage is the depth of the pressure and the speed of the massage. The rule is that the deeper you go, the slower you go. Thus, if you are really having trouble with an area of your body, you may only have time in an hour massage to get that area worked. A full-body massage that is all deep work lasts at least 90 minutes and could last two hours. A look at the way muscles are layered may explain why.

In order to reach the deeper muscles, the massage therapist must first release the superficial muscles. To do this, the therapist may use fingers, hands, fists, knuckles, forearms, elbows, or various massage tools. This can take some time before the superficial muscles are relaxed enough for the deeper muscles to be reached. Less oil or cream is used so that there is less slip as greater pressure is slowly applied. Heat, cold, and sprays may also be used.

Muscles of back
Superficial and deep muscles of the back
Grey’s Anatomy

Let’s use the back muscles for an example. The superficial muscles of the back act on the upper limb. The intermediate muscles act on the ribs and thorax; the deepest muscles of the back are responsible for keeping the body erect.

If trigger points are found, the therapist may strip, friction or compress these to gain a release. Trigger points are taut bands of muscle fiber that do not relax and that keep the muscle in a shortened state. They are usually more painful than the surrounding muscle tissue, and they refer pain to other parts of the body. Trigger point therapy, also called neuromuscular therapy, is often combined with deep tissue massage. Its focus is these taut bands, and although trigger points can hurt as they are released, the therapist should not push beyond the pain threshold of a six or seven.

A true deep tissue massage focuses on the spreading and lengthening of the connective tissue sheath. Deep tissue techniques are based on the work of Ida Rolf who developed a technique called Structural Integration. Her principles have been widely adapted into other connective tissue massage therapies. 

Beneath the skin and connecting every part of the body is a fibrous sheet of connective tissue called fascia. The fascia surrounds the bones, muscles, and organs. Indeed, although it is is basically a single sheet of mesh, it wraps individual tissue fibers as well as the whole structure (ie, individual muscle fibers and the whole muscle). Thus, connective tissue health is essential to painless movement. If the surrounding fascia is restricted, so is the muscle. Denser connective tissue forms the tendons and ligaments.

Connective tissue is unique in that it is elastic, which allows it to be elongated. However, the therapist must employ precise levels of palpation, pressure and energy to effectively make changes in the tissue. Simply massaging, kneading or compressing the fascia does not change or elongate the connective tissue. Fascia and muscle are different types of tissue, and they require different approaches. Your therapist will be trained to apply these techniques.

The fascial layers are worked one at a time, progressing from superficial to deep just as with the muscle layers. The superficial layers must lengthen and become more elastic and supple before going to the next, deeper layer.

Often the reason deep tissue massage hurts is that the therapist may be trying to achieve releases too quickly. While it is appropriate to work at your pain threshold, the therapist should not exceed your threshold. If she does, it is up to you to tell her so. Furthermore, you may have to decide to forego a full-body massage and ask that the therapist concentrate on one troublesome area so she is not rushed. Alternately, you could schedule a longer massage appointment.

Finally, you need to drink water and take a hot bath in Epsom salts or apple cider vinegar when you get home. You always hear this after a massage, but do you do it? The water flushes toxins and helps keep the connective tissues hydrated so they can heal. The heat of the bath and the properties of the salts or vinegar also remove toxins and help relax the body more fully. Stretching or other exercises may also be helpful.

Deep work does not have to be painful if your therapist is knowledgeable and if you communicate with her about your pain level, You should be willing to limit your massage to a trouble area, to schedule a longer massage session, and/or to return for a follow-up visit to achieve the best results with minimal pain. Finally, you need to practice self-care and follow your therapist’s advice about proper hydration and post-massage detoxifying.

Massage & Bodywork, Tapestry Life Resource

What is Swedish Massage— Really?

Suzanne Hollifield-Eller

If you have heard massage therapists talk about Swedish massage but are unsure just what that means, you are not alone. The term is so confusing that many massage practices have started using terms like therapeutic massage and relaxation massage to describe the technique and avoid confusion.

While the term Swedish massage may conjure up images of a tall, blonde Bjorn pounding on your back, the term actually comes from the nationality of the technique’s originator, Per Henrick Ling. It is characterized by the application of firm but gentle pressure on the more superficial muscles, which presses them against the deeper muscles and bone in order to induce relaxation to the tissues. Swedish is the most popular form of massage in the world.

Recently, I’ve had more and more clients asking for Swedish massage. They are stressed, and although they may have some general soreness or stiffness, the thing they want most is to relax and maybe to get a good night’s sleep. They like the variety of techniques in Swedish massage and the ways you can vary the pressure for different results.

Stripping is a technique that combines effleurage and friction to help therapists release the tension in the suboccipital muscles of the neck.

There are five essential techniques in Swedish massage with a sixth added by some. The first is effleurage, which is a long, gliding stroke whose purpose is to improve lymphatic flow and circulation and to warm and relax the tissues. Next is petrissage, a kneading stroke that rolls and lifts the muscles and pulls them away from the bones. Third is friction, which employs small circular pressure to muscles to release knots and adhesions. After friction comes vibration, a techniques that shakes or vibrates the body to stimulate circulation. Tapotement includes percussion movements such as hacking, cupping, and tapping. The final (added) stroke includes bending and tractionwhereby the tissues are gently stretched and mobilized.

One reason that Swedish massage is so popular is that it benefits every major system of the body in some way. Primarily, it relieves physical, emotional and mental stress. It releases accumulated toxins from the tissues and flushes them out of the kidneys, lymphatics, and circulatory system. It increases oxygen flow throughout the body without adding a work load burden to the heart. 

Swedish massage also soothes the nervous system and helps clients manage pain by releasing endorphins, the feel-good hormones, into the blood-stream. It can improve digestion and relieve edema or swelling.

The first modality we learned at The Whole You School of Massage was Swedish, and we spent several weeks on it before we worked on anyone other than each other. Clients generally undress fully and are massage in the supine and prone positions and sometimes in a side-lying position. Lubricant is used and sometimes essential oils or analgesics. The techniques used in Swedish can be applied to chair massage as well although the client is usually clothed if getting chair massage.

As mentioned above, another reason for the popularity of Swedish massage is that it can be individualized to the client’s specific needs by varying the strokes and the degree of pressure of the strokes from very light to deeper and heavier. Indeed, Swedish massage forms the foundation for several other massage modalities, including sports massage and deep tissue massage, and it is easily combined with other modalities to give the client a truly personalized experience.

Essential Oils

Tsuga or Hemlock Spruce Essential Oil

Suzanne Hollifield-Eller
Canadian tsuga
Canadian hemlock spruce

Tsuga essential oil comes from the Canadian hemlock spruce tree (or white spruce) and should not be confused with the poisonous hemlock herb (Conium Maculatum) that contains toxic alkaloids and is not a source of essential oil. Rather, this spruce tree is in the pine family and is found primarily in Canada and Idaho. Its properties are similar to pine, and it is the needles and twigs that are used to distill the oil. It has a fresh, somewhat woody scent. It is considered to be non-toxic and is unlikely to irritate.

Tsuga is a wonderful oil for the winter months. Its antimicrobial, antiseptic, and expectorant properties make is a great choice for inhalation when you have coughs, colds, or the flu because it opens the respiratory pathways for better oxygen exchange and breaks up mucus.

You can use a few drops in a cup of boiling water for a quick steam inhalation or dilute a single drop in a teaspoon of honey for a cough remedy. Just be sure you are using pure, therapeutic grade oils that are not already diluted by a carrier oil. Tsuga should also be steam-distilled and not extracted by solvents to be safe for consumption.

Tsuga is also good for digestive disorders and diseases of the mouth, including cold sores and gingivitis. It is also helpful in kidney and bladder infections and is a mild diuretic when taken internally. Use it as an antiseptic for wounds like blisters. It will sting but helps heal the wound quickly. It is even recommended for pimples and acne. You may find it in OTC treatments for sore muscles, or you can use the essential oil neat or diluted as a muscle rub for rheumatism, arthritis, or over-exertion.

Tsuga blends well with a variety of other oils, including pine, cedarwood, and rosemary, as well as lavender, clary sage, and amyris. When using on the skin, be sure to dilute with a carrier oil like jojoba, but use it without a carrier in your diffuser or aromatherapy necklace. I was unable to find specific information about Tsuga and pets, but because it is in the pine family, I would probably avoid using it in a room where I kept my fur baby.

RECIPES

  • Spastic Cough: Mix 10 drops Tsuga, 3 drops Roman Chamomile, and 4 drops Bergamot into 1 ounce carrier oil. Massage into the chest several times daily.
     
  • Pain/Anti-Inflammatory Liniment: Mix 6 drops Helichrysum, 2 drops Tsuga, 2 drops Hyssop, 2 drops Peppermint, 2 drops Juniper, 1 ounce carrier oil. Gently massage into sore tissues and joints.
     
  • Outdoor Fresh Diffuser Blend: Mix 3 drops Tsuga, 3 drops Cedarwood, and 3 drops Balsam Fir into your diffuser tank filled with distilled water. Adjust if necessary for the size of your diffuser.
     
  • Focus-Boosting Diffuser Blend: Add 3 drops each of hemlock spruce oil, rosemary oil, and peppermint oil to your diffuser. Adjust if necessary for the size of your diffuser.
     
Continuing Education, Human energy field, Massage & Bodywork

Unwinding the Meridians

Suzanne Hollifield-Eller

I recently took a new Craniosacral Therapy class from the Upledger Institute on unwinding the meridians. We studied the rudiments of Traditional Chinese Medicine in massage school, and there was a good bit of TCM on the NC Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy licensing exam, which I took in 2007. (Wow! Have I been doing massage that long?)

We also took Touch for Health Level 1 in massage school as the owner of the now closed Whole You School of Massage and Bodywork, Cheryl Shew, believed it was one of the best classes to prepare us for the massage exam. It is based on TCM and applied kinesiology and is an incredibly effective method for balancing meridians and toning muscles.

After I finished massage school, I took the Levels, 2, 3, and 4 Touch for Health classes, and my teachers, Larry and Arlene Green, offer refreshers and online “get together” frequently. When I began the Unwinding Meridians class, I suspected my TFH books and charts might come in handy, I was right. Much of the material I had previously learned was applicable to the new technique.

I realized I needed to brush up on things though, and it actually got me excited. The more something in the class triggered previous knowledge, the more confident I felt that this is a modality I can use.

So what is it that got me so pumped? Well first of all, I could actually feel the craniosacral rhythm/energy movement when I put my fingers on the acupuncture points. As with traditional craniosacral therapy, the touch is light and less like acupressure or Shiatsu massage.

Before I tried the work on a client, I made sure to look up the acupuncture points for a problem I know she has. I could feel the rhythm shifting and changing even more strongly, maybe because I was working on a real problem. She shared my excitement.

Using craniosacral therapy to unwind the meridians can help with the emotions as well. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, each meridian is associated with organs, emotions, seasons, colors, and a whole wealth of other correspondences. If a client has several points that need to unwind along the same meridian, you can sometime discover old trauma that is the source of chronic pain that seems to have no cause by asking questions related to the meridian correspondences. The inner physician knows and will often lead you to the truth you may be avoiding.

Unwinding the Meridians with Craniosacral Therapy is now a tool in my toolbox. I hope the more that I use it, the better I will get at help clients become pain-free and enjoy life more.

Enneagram

Finding your Enneagram type

Suzanne Hollifield-Eller

One of the most amazing tools I’ve ever found for self-discovery is the Enneagram. Unlike many other personality typing systems, the Enneagram doesn’t just give you a description of your type and then leave you dangling and wondering how you can possibly overcome your fears and hang-ups. Instead, it provides you with a road-map for growth, and it gives you red flags for the times when you are stressed and regressing to former less healthy, fear-based reactions instead of responding with empathy, love and your true nature.

The Enneagram is centuries old. Some date it as far back as the Ancient Greeks, and a more developed theory is found in Sufi mysticism and Christian desert mysticism. Modern teachers such as Don Riso, Russ Hudson, Helen Palmer, David Daniels, and Tom Condon, among others, see it as an elegant psycho-spiritual tool for self-development.

It is better to discover your own Enneagram type than to have yourself typed by someone else. This is because only you can know your true motivations for what you do and what you believe. Motivation is more important to typing than actual behavior.

For example, I may nurse you when you are sick. If I do this out of a sincere desire to help you during a time of difficulty, it is a different motivation than if I do it because I want you to think I am a really good person whom you should depend upon and need so I will feel safe in our relationship. Only I can know why I helped although others probably guess at our true motivations far more often than we give them credit. Indeed, we may need to do a little digging to face our true motivations. Sometimes we don’t want to face our darker inclinations. The Enneagram helps us do that.

There are lots of Enneagram resources on the Internet. The Enneagram Institute, where I was trained, has great examples of each type and tests you can take to help you determine your type.  I’ve also included two handouts to help you explore your Enneagram type.

The first, At_a_Glance, is a two-page PDF that I have used in Enneagram trainings and classes that describes each type in a nutshell. The source is mostly my Enneagram training at the Enneagram Institute with Don Riso and Russ Hudson, but it also has information from other sources, which I have noted at the bottom of the PDF. You will probably see other people in the descriptions at first. You may even find yourself vacillating between two or three possible  descriptions for yourself. If so, look at the descriptions of the numbers before and after. One of those will be your Wing. I am a Four on the Enneagram with a Three Wing. I sometimes think I may be a Six, but I have more Four qualities. Also, I had a Six mother and a Six sister. Four is what works.

The second handout, Chakras and the Enneagram, is taken directly from Mary Horsley’s book, The Enneagram for the Spirit, and is used with permission. It describes how imbalances in each chakra might affect each Enneagram type and which essential oils are most effective in crating balance.

If these handouts tweak your interest, I hope you will spend some time researching the Enneagram. Chances are there are workshops near you.  Learning about your type is fun and informative and can be a tool for spiritual growth.

Essential Oils

Tea Tree Essential Oil

Suzanne Hollifield-Eller

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One of my favorite and most frequently used oils is tea tree oil. It’s been called a first-aid kit in a bottle, and I’ve certainly found it to be true.

The melaleuca alternafloria plant is found in New South Wales, Australia, and it yeilds beautiful flowers like the pink and white ones above. However, it is the leaves that contain the healing oils.

The indigenous Aborigines of the area use the leaves of the plant for healing. One way they do so is to crush the leaves and inhale the odor to relieve coughs and sinus stuffiness. Inhalation is the way I most often use tea tree oil myself although I use the distilled essential oil rather than the leaves.

Another way the Aborigines used the plant was to make an infusion from the leaves, which they drank. In fact, that is how the plant got its name. Captain James Cook observed the natives drinking the infusion and gave the plant the name tea tree. You should avoid drinking the essential oil, however.

Research done in the 1920’s found that essential oil from the melaleuca plant was eleven times more potent than the leading antimicrobial of the time. That means it is still powerful antiseptic, a good thing to know in these days of super-bugs tat are resistant to antibiotics. Plus, tea tree oil doesn’t contain the toxicity of manufactured antiseptics.

Tea tree oil can be used to treat cuts and scrapes, burns, blisters, cankers and cold sores, and a variety of skin conditions such as dandruff, acne, athlete’s foot, and Candidiasis.

It is often found in cleaning solutions such as household cleaners, soaps, hand sanitizers, shampoos, toothpastes and mouthwashes; in antibacterial and antifungal ointments; in baby wipes; and in makeup and skin care products. It has even been used to treat the bacterial and fungal infections of pet fish!

It is good for keeping insects away. It makes a great natural mosquito repellent. One of my clients recommends it for treatment of lice. It is much safer than the OTC remedies, and it works.

One of my favorite uses is in the inhalation oil recipe below. It is relatively inexpensive and is an oil no medicine chest or first-aid kit should be without.

Safety caution: Tea Tree oil is generally used externally. You may need to dilute it with a carrier oil if you have sensitive skin. Furthermore, you should not put it on your pets. If they lick it, it could make them sick. It has been reported to be fatal for cats.

Recipes using tea tree oil

Chief Two-Trees Infusion Oils for Sinus Congestion and Headaches
• 3 drops Eucalyptus EO
• 3 drops Peppermint EO
• 3 drops Tea Tree EO
Boil a cup of water and remove it from the stove. While it is still steaming, add the oils. Immediately cover the cup and head with a towel and inhale for 3 minutes. Keep your eyes closed.

Nail Fungus
• 4 tsps. apple cider vinegar
• 1/8 C. distilled water
• 6 drops tea tree EO
• 10 drops lavender EO
Mix well and apply to nails with a polish brush or cotton. Store in a glass bottle.

Disinfectant/Spray for Mold
• 2 tsps. tea tree EO
• 2 C. distilled water
Put in spray bottle and spray on problem area. Do not rinse.

Skin Care/Vaginal Ointment
• 1 T. aloe vera gel
• 6 drops tea tree
Mix tea tree and aloe vera gel together. Apply to affected area