welcome ...

Autum is here ... the time to reap harvest. The energies start to move inward, and we begin to store, gather and consolidate on all levels in preparation of the winter phase ahead. In Chinese Medicine autum relates to the Metal element which is represented by the Lungs and Large Intestine. Autumn is the time to harmonize these organs to protect us from viruses, and letting go on an emotional level is the theme. Breathing in the positive qualities of the Lungs - courage, integrity and dignity - releasing anxiety and grief. As the energies begin to contract, foods that are astringent and sour are indicated such as sauerkraut, sourdough bread, pickles, leeks, aduki beans, olives, pickles, yogurt, lemons, limes, grapefruit, rose hip tea etc.

Winter Solstice is coming up on June 22. This is the most important day of the year to rest, be quiet and use practices, such as meditation and qigong, to restore health. It is said that if we rest at this point, when the Yang energy is at its lowest in the whole year, our Yang energy will be nourished and begin to grow strong, giving us better energy for the new year ahead. Sounds great doesn't it ... and our personal experience shows it to be true! A great reason to stop, take the day off from work and tune into nature's very own medicine, available free for all. Best wishes for your health and happiness in the season ahead!

Sono Michetti & The Healing Point Team

health tip • the art of chewing

The four cornerstones of healthy nutrition are the quality of food, the quantity of food, how we combine foods, and last but not least, how we eat our food. Chewing is the most overlooked aspect of nutrition and the most common cause of digestive distress, yet luckily the one aspect we have most control over.

Chewing 30-50 times before swallowing lubricates, alkalizes and predigests our food, ensuring proper absorption of all vital nutrients. This is especially true for carbohydrates which require predigestion in the mouth by the enzyme ptyalin, present in saliva. If carbohydrates aren't thoroughly chewed, they sit in the stomach for one hour before gastric juices are excreted, beginning to ferment and produce gas and acidic waste products in the intestines. Eating too quickly reduces saliva production in the mouth in general, and also impairs one of saliva's function to keep our mouth and teeth protected against harmful substances and microbes.

Chinese Medicine states that a balanced diet should include all Five Flavours - sweet, sour, bitter, salty and pungent. However, these Five Flavours, which are manifestations of the Five Elemental Forces of nature, are subtle energies of which most can only be absorbed in the mucous membranes of the mouth and olfactory receptors in the sinus cavaties. Again we need to chew well to assimilate them, as our stomach is not equipped to do so.

Interesting studies in Japan have also shown that the act of chewing stimulates the hippocampus in the brain and improves memory by lowering stress hormones, thus reducing anxiety. Yet another benefit of eating slowly and chewing thoroughly is that we feel full after eating less food, keeping our weight at a healthier level. And ... for those of us that are interested in meditation, it is an excellent daily opportunity to practice mindfulness.

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baby massage workshop • thursday 7 may

Learn to build your baby's confidence and self-esteem through the loving touch of your hands. In this playful workshop you will learn a head-to-toe massage routine, baby gymnastics and a Pressure Point & Reflexology routine. Tuning in and reading your baby's non-verbal cues, you will be able to pass on the countless proven health benefits of Baby Massage, and in an atmosphere of love and respect establish a close bond which provides the emotional security your baby needs to thrive and unfold its fullest potential.

Thursday morning 7 May • 2 hour workshop • 10:30am- 12:30pm
Click here find out more details about this workshop.

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seasonal recipe • berry upside down cake (vegan)

Preheat oven to 190-200 degrees. Sift the dry ingredients and whisk together in the mixing bowl. Lightly oil a cake tin about 20cm x 20cm (8"x 8"). In a separate bowl, whisk wet ingredients. If you use coconut oil you will have to warm it to liquify. Add the wet mixture to the dry and mix to combine without overmixing. Place all the frozen berries in the tin and pour batter over the top. Bake for 25 - 35 minutes or until top is golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool for 15 mintues or so. Can tip over and serve with berries on top or spoon out of the pan. Makes 4-6 servings. Light and delicious ... won't last long!

Recipe courtesy of Sahaja from The Great Life www.thegreatlife.com.au
Sahaja has been teaching Macrobiotic/Wholefoods cooking in Perth for 14 years and is a
Macrobiotic Counselor/Educator and Accredited Journey Practitioner.

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friday night at the movies • qigong and Gangaji

We are hosting two free movie nights, which gives us an opportunity to get together in a different context, have a cup of tea afterwards, and learn more about China and Qigong as well as delving into the mystical depths with Gangaji to investigate the true nature of our beings:

Qigong - Ancient Chinese Healing for the 21st Century

Friday 8 May • 7:00pm • free of charge • no booking required • (90min movie)

Qigong is a 5,000 year old Chinese healthcare modality. This documentary provides a unique look into the world where the elder Masters of this medical artform dwell. Viewers will be taken on a journey deep into the Chinese countryside to visit monasteries, temples, schools, and homes of these Masters like the 93 year old female bonesetting Master Lao and the spry 92 year old Wushu Master Duan Liang; seeing them perform and teach their exercise and healing techniques and hearing them speak in their original homeland settings to gain historic perspective. A fascinating look at the history and current practice of this valuable cultural gift from the past which may hold the answer to better healthcare in this new millenium.

Standing In The Truth of Who You Are - Meeting with Gangaji

Friday 5 June • 7:00pm • free of charge • no booking required • (70min movie)

Gangaji is a American-born spiritual teacher who shares the path of freedom through simple and direct self-inquiry. This compilation includes three of Gangaji's most powerful monologues ever recorded, and speaks to the potential for all of us "as ordinary human being, living ordinary lives, to stand up extraordinarily." Through these dialogues and monologues you are invited to examine at the deepest level, who you are.

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Patricia Horgan • farewell

Yet again time to say goodbye :-(
Our much loved Shiatsu practitioner, Patricia Horgan, has left The Healing Point last month. Patricia decided to fully devote herself to being a mum for her two beautiful boys and give up her Shiatsu practice for the time being. We will miss her as a treasured team member and I'm sure her clients will miss her wonderful Shiatsu skills. Our last words to her:
"You can always change your mind!"

Unfortunately we haven't yet found another Shiatsu practitioner to replace Patricia, but will let you know in our newsletter when we have. In the meantime, if you feel the need to get some good bodywork, Anatta Sofair gives a great Remedial Massage and Hot Stone Massage.

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labour induction • with Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture is a safe and effective choice for natural labour induction when medical induction is suggested or required. Induction is not what we plan for during pregnancy, but having acupuncture available as a resource can help the mother-to-be, relax and gain peace of mind, knowing that there are alternatives to conventional medical induction.

Acupuncture for induction works by releasing the body's natural hormone oxytocin. It moves Qi & Blood, thereby invigorating the channels that govern the pelvis and uterus, allowing the cervix to soften and dilate. Acupuncture points can also be used to move the position of the baby, even if ever so slightly, as this is often what inhibits labour from happening. In addition there is also a build-up of anticipation in the mother's body and mind, often accompanied by fatigue. Acupuncture points de-stress the body and mind, bring relaxation, calm anxiety and restore the mother's strength and vitality. The mother needs to have sufficient energy or Qi available to start the labour process. When the body mechanism relaxes, our endocrine glands reduce stress hormones and secrete all the natural appropriate hormones, endorphines and oxytocin, we need to bring about labour.

There are many different views regarding due dates and at what point intervention is required. Medical induction should only be used when absolutely necessary. Too often pressure is placed prematurely on parents to induce labour, suggesting that the baby may be at risk for various reasons such as, the size of the baby, break down of the placenta etc. The medical definition of a large baby is above 9lb 15oz. It is natural for the placenta to begin breaking down towards birth and in most cases should not be considered a problem until 43 weeks.

Medical induction creates the potential for more risks, distresses the baby and forces the mother's body into labour causing abnormal pain and making it hard to avoid an epidural which also limits the mother's mobility during the birthing process. Therefore medical induction carries the extra risks associated with epidurals and can lead to higher rates of caesarean sections. This deprives the mother and baby of the bounty of nature's gifts and often leads to difficulties in bonding and feeding, causing physiological and emotional distress. Medical induction should be chosen appropriately and as a last resort.

This is where Acupuncture induction has an important role to play and can be combined with specific Chinese herbal formulas to safely and naturally bring about labour. Even if Acupuncture is not able to induce labour, research shows that women who have had Acupuncture prior to a medical induction have a more efficient labour and require less medical intervention. The babies also seem to love Acupuncture prior to birth, as reported by many mothers who notice how peaceful the newborns come into the world. Here at The Healing Point we have a high success rate with labour induction using Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Visit www.acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz for a rich resource of information and free downloads about the use of Chinese Medicine and Acupressure for pregnancy, labour and childbirth.

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product focus • fluex

Autum is here ... the season ruled by the Metal element which in Chinese Medicine is associated with the Lungs and Large Intestine. This is the time of year we are more prone to getting conditions that effect our lungs such as colds and flus. Fluex is an combination of 2 classical Chinese herbal formulas for the treatment of common colds and flu. This formula is very effective and easy to use to relieve what Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to as 'Wind Heat'. Wind Heat is most commonly associated with external pathogenic factors which are known as viruses in Western Medicine. Wind Heat can cause signs and symptoms such as sore throat, nasal congestion, cough, fever, swollen glands, headache, bodyaches etc. Fluex has a natural antibiotic effect, is antiviral, a decongestant, anti-inflammatory and strengthens the immune system. Fluex effectively addresses and resolves the signs and symptoms associated with the common cold and early stages of influenza. It is particularly effective when taken as soon as possible as a 'first in' response to any of the above symptoms. We recommend taking a high dose of 3-4 capsules 3-4 times daily for acute conditions. Taking this dosage is safe and will often clear symptoms immediately or within a few days, without suppressing them. If the cold or virus has already established itself it will aid the immune system in reducing further progression as well as reducing the duration and severity of symptoms. Take action when you can to prevent depleting the body's vital energy by dragging out a cold over weeks, which can end up allowing the pathogen to penetrate into the deeper layers of the body, creating bigger problems later on. If there is one formula we recommend for your medicine cabinet ... Fluex is it.

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dharma dialogues • with Catherine Ingram

Catherine Ingram is an international dharma teacher and author of Passionate Presence, In the Footsteps of Gandhi, and A Crack in Everything. She is visiting Perth in May presenting Dharma Dialogues on 'Practical Wisdom in Precarious Times'. Join her for any or all of these events to remember that love is the only power that lasts and that passion is most clearly experienced in present awareness.

Tuesday May 12 • 7:30-9:30pm • $15 • Gurukula, 10 Daly St, South Fremantle

Thurs, Fri, Sat May 14, 15, 16 • 7:30-9:30pm • $15 • Subiaco Arts Centre

Sunday May 17 • 10am-5pm • One-day Retreat • $75 • Subiaco Arts Centre
(180 Hammersley Rd, Subiaco - The Rehearsal Room - top floor)

Visit www.dharmadialogues.org for more information or phone 9414 9992 or 9444 3357.

"Her words clearly flow out of her own realization, rather than just an intellectual understanding of spiritual truth."
Eckhart Tolle