Keywords:
Acupressure/Acupuncture, Alexander Technique, Craniosacral, Feldenkrais, Homeopathy, Iridology, Kinesiology, Massage, Magnetic Therapy, Meditation, Polarity, Qi Gong, Reiki, Reflexology, Rolfing, Shiatsu, Tai-Chi,
Therapeutic Touch, Yoga/Pilates: CDs, DVDs, Mats, Balance Ball, Bags
Healing one’s mind and body is a personal journey for every individual. On this crucial journey, people often discover what they need for themselves on the spiritual and physical level. Many individuals receive guidance on different healing methods from their friends, family, doctors, homeopaths and others in the healing arts.
Ascendant Books has long served as a place where people can come to find information on various healing techniques that work best for them. With some research, patience and attention to your body’s needs, we believe it’s possible, even essential, for one to take the path of healing oneself seriously and with a sense of responsibility.
It’s exciting to know we can help ourselves (in conjunction with professional attention), to heal! The following is a brief description of some of the many different methods and techniques people have used to enhance their body’s ability to heal. Ascendant Books carries books on all of these methods.
*All techniques listed are for information only, we strongly suggest that individuals research each technique and consult a professional before trying them.
Acupressure:
Ancient healing art in which pressure (from a technicians hands), is applied on specific points on the body (called meridians), to release the flow of energy (chi). This release of stagnant energy helps the body find it’s original point of health, bringing the body closer to homeostasis (balanced health).
Acupuncture:
Acupuncture is Acupressure, but with the use of needles inserted under the skin to activate the flow of Chi. This technique has been practiced in China for over 5000 years! An Acupuncturist in China is a highly trained physician with many years of schooling. With such a long history of success, Acupuncture is covered in many insurance plans.
Alexander Technique:
The philosophy behind this practice is the belief that physical pain is caused by compression. The Alexander Technique therefore encourages the optimal lengthening of the spine, helping the body to open up and expand. This expansion serves to release stagnation and compression, which aids the dissolution of chronic pain.
Craniosacral Therapy:
By lightly manipulating the skull bone’s connective tissue, the skull bones are realigned, helping Craniosacral fluids flow properly.
Feldenkrais:
Feldenkrais is a learning process that brings about new, more efficient, comfortable and healthier ways of movement by tapping into the nervous system.
Homeopathy:
Homeopathy is a gentle form of treatment for many conditions and diseases. The remedies used are minute doses of natural substances taken from plants, animals or minerals. Illness is a state of disease, in which our body naturally wants to overcome and Homeopathic remedies are designed to stimulate our body’s natural healing responses, helping to restore itself to a natural state of health. Homeopathy requires that individuals remain committed to the process, as it can be an effective, yet slow-going.
Iridology:
The eye records a mixture of emotional and circumstantial factors that can be interpreted thru the markings on one’s iris. Each part of one’s body is related to a section of the iris, therefore, a person’s pattern of health and wellness can be studied. An Iridologist may then offer a course of treatment or suggestions to help one improve upon health.
Kinesiology:
Kinesiology is simple, yet effective process of muscle testing. By testing your muscles (discovering which stimuli strengthens or weakens muscular responses), your various bodily functions can be evaluated. From this, a picture of how your glands, organs, lymphatic system, nervous system, circulatory system and muscle and bone structures are working is determined.
Massage:
Massage is the manipulation of soft tissue, which make-up our body’s shape. There are many forms of massage, from gentle relaxation massages, to intensely deep muscle tissue massages. All forms of massage aid in relation and can be key in helping one to cope with chronic pain brought on by injury and/or stress.
Magnetic Therapy:
Magnets create order among chaotically intermingled molecules, thereby improving the ability of these molecules to flow through a narrow tube. The principle that chaos slows down the proper flow of energy and order speeds it up is the basis of using magnets therapeutically. Magnets are used to improve the flow of energy and fluids throughout our body, which helps to facilitate the healing process.
Meditation:
When meditating, a physiological state of deep relaxation is achieved. Breathing and breath awareness is the most direct and fundamental meditation technique. Meditation teaches us to deal with the constant pressures and distractions of everyday life, by helping us to center ourselves, and by bringing us into present-day awareness. It is believed that when we are present in life, and not losing our energy over issues from the past or concerns over the future, we are at our most optimal level to take life experiences in and cope successfully with them. Ascendant Books carries an amazing selection of helpful books, tapes, cds and videos on meditation.
Polarity Therapy:
Energy flows between two electrical poles (negative & positive, Yin & Yang), circulating inside and outside the body in a specific pattern. A Polarity Therapist unlocks and recharges the flow of life energy between the two poles.
Qi Gong:
Qi Gong means working with life energy. The is the science and art of using breath, slow movement, visualization, and meditation to cleanse, gather, and circulate chi throughout the body.
Reiki:
Japanese word meaning universal life energy. Reiki is performed by transmitting ‘universal life energy through the hands to an area that needs healing. The aim of Reiki is to relieve the body of physical, emotional and spiritual blockages.
Reflexology:
Reflexology teaches that every part of the body has a direct line of communication to a reference point on the foot, hand and ear. Healing occurs when specific corresponding points of the body on the hand, foot or ear are massaged, as circulation improves, toxins are released and stress is reduced.
Rolfing:
Rolfing releases stress patterns and dysfunctions in the body’s structure by reorganizing your body into vertical alignment.
Shiatsu:
Developed in Japan, this is a stylized method for manipulating the points along the meridians where energy flow may become blocked. Pressure is applied on the meridians with the fingers hands, or elbow, knees and feet are used.
Tai-Chi:
Tai-Chi is based on Taoist principles of balance between Yin and Yang forces. Health is the unimpeded flow of chi through the body, harmony with nature, and fellowship with others. Tai-Chi combines specific movements in a slow, circular, relaxed manner which promote grounded mindfulness in motion. The practice of these movements increases the chi and overall well being of individuals.
Therapeutic Touch:
Therapeutic touch therapy concentrates on the bioenergetic field surrounding one’s body (also known as the auric field). TT practitioners touch this field (instead of the physical body) to induce relaxation, to reduce pain, and to accelerate self-healing capacities.
Yoga/Pilates: CDs, DVDs, Mats, Balance Ball, Bags
The practices of Yoga and Pilates have grown steadily in North America for the last twenty years due to their effectiveness. Ascendant Books has also been growing alongside these wonderful practices as we continually aim to stock our shelves with great products for our customers such as: yoga mats, mat bags, books, cds and dvds (for beginners to more advanced practitioners).
Yoga:
The classical techniques of Yoga date back more than 5,000 years. In ancient times, the desire for greater personal freedom, health and long life, and heightened self-understanding gave birth to this system of physical and mental exercise which has since spread throughout the world. The word Yoga means "to join or yoke together," and it brings the body and mind together into one harmonious experience.
Pilates:
The principal intention of Pilates is to learn how to move the physical body from a stable, central core. By exercising and strengthening the core muscles of your torso (including g lower and deeper abdominal and back muscles), you support the entire spine and stabilize the pelvis.
