THAT'SYOURBODY

BackgroundPhilosophyHolistic Health

Holistic Health is about bringing whole aspects of the body together, combining our physical health with our mental emotional and spiritual health as one. It means recognizing that the different aspects of our body ideally work in unity, as a whole. When we fail to support one system, we create accumulative stress in the others. Over time, that one system, that one symptom, will take its toll on other systems, though often it can seem like one has nothing to do with the other.

As an HHP (Holistic Health Practitioner) who focuses mainly on bodywork, I recognize different stresses in the muscle. It may not be related so much to physical stress as much as emotional or nutritional, or even a structural cause. We live our life in a mind-oriented society that keeps our mind stimulated at every given moment. This creates separation between the body and mind. Our language reflects that. We’ll say, “My knee is bothering me again” and put it down to an old injury. Instead, from a holistic point of view, we would observe that the knee, a joint, a point of flexibility, is bringing awareness to our mind to say, “I need some support here. Perhaps this is a flexibility issue. Where do I need to be flexible and supportive? How can I best be flexible and supportive?” Yes, you still may need glucosamine, and to do specific exercises, or have massage at your lower back and hips to easy tendons. But by beginning to notice that your body is constantly promoting awareness to imbalances, you can better support yourself in ways your body needs, easing the mind’s tension and the emotional body’s frustration. As an HHP, I point out these imbalances to aid you in your own corrections.