What is Energy Medicine?

I recently had the opportunity to take a class from Donna Eden, who has become a well known Energy Medicine practitioner and educator. She is known for helping clients and patients make profound changes in their lives and health.   

So what is Energy Medicine?  And how does it work?

The concept of energy as medicine is to heal the body by restoring energies that have become weak, disturbed or out of balance addressing both physical and emotional ailments. Moving or shifting “stuck” energy can aid in everything from low back pain and chronic headaches, to anxiety, fear or depression. Energy is moved using deep breath while applying deep pressure or taping techniques along energetic meridians, 9-12 of which are recognized, based on the source.

What I personally experienced performing some of these energy shifting techniques, was immediate, which is why I feel strongly about sharing them with my clients and patients. After almost 20 years working as a physical therapist and pilates practitioner, I am very clear that teaching body mechanics and therapeutic exercise alone does have its limitations. So much of the time, my patients are plagued by stress which directly correlates to their pain level. Without managing the stress, by shifting their energy or nervous system state, their healing process is stunted.

Some of you (my patients ) have recently experienced my hands-on energy shifting techniques, along the spleen meridians, sacrum, and occipital center points at the start or end of our sessions.  However, what I recommend is also doing self energy work. I've been performing Donna Eden’s “Daily Energy Medicine “(DER) daily for two weeks and I’ve noticed very significant changes! I am more calm with a greater ability to focus and be present. I experience a feeling of stability or centeredness that my meditations have been lacking. Below is the DER, which takes only 4-5 minutes, as well as some wonderful additional stress management techniques.
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Daily Energy Routine 4-5 minutes
Purpose: build positive energy in your energy field & move “stuck’ energy to live with greater vitality, health, and happiness.

1. The 4 thumps 15-20 seconds each
-tap cheekbones (stomach meridian)
-below collarbone /notch at top of breastbone (Kidney meridian)
-middle of breastbone (thymus )
-one rib below breasts (spleen meridian)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLWoEhOXVG0

2. The crossover shoulder pull
Put one hand on opposite shoulder, pull down firmly &
drag hand diagonally across to the opposite hip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVhU9t2Sl2g

3. The Wayne Cook Posture
Cross right wrist over left, clasp fingers, turn your hands under/up & rest them on your chest, inhale & exhale slowly
Unwrap arms/hands, “Steeple” fingertips at third eye (between brows), & pull across forward
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjzndnN357I

4. The Crown Pull
Place your thumbs at temples, & fingers at forehead then pull fingers apart toward hairline
Repeat at hairline, center & back of head
Finish with hands pulling down/forward on shoulders & breathing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mscH1K4Az8A

5. The Zip Up
Move your hands from your pubic bone up toward your lower lip with deep breath
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVWCjgNDKC8

6. The Hook Up
Place middle finger of one hand in belly button, & other on third eye
Press inward & upward for 15-30 seconds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBRerb5ILxE

Extras :
1. Connecting Heaven & Earth: inhale while stretching one arm up & one arm down, exhale return to prayer position, then switch arms. Finish with forward bend (relaxing bend)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMcIQNN1QFU

2. The Triple Warmer Smoothie: begin with fingers at temples; Inhale & move fingers upward then exhale & circle fingers around ears. Finish by dragging your hands over shoulders with pressure, then down to middle of chest (heart chakra)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shUh6ygIi4U

Stress mangement techniques:
1. Hands to forehead (neurovascular points) - change flight or flight by bringing blood to brainhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1DGqajccCg

2. Tap between 4th /5th finger with hand placed on heart (shifts triple water meridian)
​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0Dm2p2K5bY

I am happy to meet with any Pilates Sante clients to apply some energy healing hands-on techniques or instruction in exercises. Please feel free to write with questions or comments. Thank you for trusting us to help you in your healing journey.
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