Viewing entries tagged
healing

The Tree of Life

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I recently completed the Level 3 of Aura Soma training which, is woven into the Tree of Life. Victoria Silks is an amazing teacher, artist and healer.  Her knowledge of the Kaballah, Aura Soma, and the Tree of Life is inspiring. 

 The Tree of Life is very interesting and ancient. The Tree of Life holds great wisdom to ones who wish to dig deeper . I am so grateful to have taken this course and trip with my friend who is also a healer.It was not only a learning trip but a Vision Quest as we ended up in places we never thought we would.  We ventured through New Mexico and Colorado and, everywhere we went was a healing experience. Starting off in Santa Fe the gorgeous mountain air fed my soul. I LOVE the smell of the desert.  We were blessed with great weather and somehow we always bumped into the Buddhist stupas and various holy people who were praying and chanting there. We even got to meet one of the Lamas which is not usually in New Mexico.  My favorite part of the trip was bathing in the beautiful hot springs and dipping in the cold river at the buddhist monastery in Jemez,Springs, which is called the heart of New Mexico.   I truly felt healing of the heart after having gone through a heartbreak and loss, as ,Im still licking my wounds. 

WE ventured off from the Land of Enchantment to the sand dunes in Colorado near one of the sacred mountains of the Dinai ,now called Santa Blanca but the natives call it 'Tsisnaasjini' - Dawn or White Shell Mountain. We were so taken by the dunes that I left my Aura Soma bottle named TRUST and, my friend left her phone on my car  bumper and we laughed as it bounced in the road due to our constant harvesting of sage on the trip. 

We saw our TEACHER , Shamaan Flying Eagle, who gave us amazing readings and healing, fun times with some good wine and good music. Well, due to being tipsy on wine,  Shamaan,  talked us into driving to Denver on the last day of our trip to enjoy the biggest gem and jewelry store in the world, where I purchased my Lemurian crystal and Chrysocolla which are both sitting by my bed when I sleep at night.  We didn't regret it even though it added another 6 hours to our trip both ways. I feel so grateful to have been able to take this trip and honor my higher self & trust my gut feeling to lead me where to go next. 

Luna's New Move

Luna's New Move

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I HAVE BIG NEWS!!!!......

I relocated to San Antonio,Texas this September. I have been practicing healing, massage, birth services, and more, in Austin for 25 years. Sadly, this chapter has come to a close. My journey is now taking me to a new place. It's scary and exciting but, most of all, I will miss many of you who have supported me along the way.

It has been an honor to be a part of your healing path and, such an amazing community. The good news is, I will still be available a few days, once a month in Austin, TX at South Austin Massage on 3115 South 1st, Suite 104 and, I will be continuing to build a full time practice in San Antonio at 114 N.Ellison Dr. Suite 114. Make sure you call or book sessions online ahead of time since there will be limited spots available. I look forward to building a new community in San Antonio & I hope to see you soon!

Blessings, Luna

Medicinal Uses of Turmeric

Medicinal Uses of Turmeric

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Turmeric Curcuma longa Turmeric is a tropical perennial plant in the same family as ginger, native to India, and cultivated throughout the tropics around the world. Growing to a height of about three feet, it bears pairs of lance-shaped leaves on alternate sides of the stem. At the base of the stem, there is a knobby rhizome somewhat resembling ginger. Other common names are Indian saffron & yellow ginger.

Many of the healing of benefits of turmeric have been attributed to curcumin, a group of antioxidant compounds found in the rhizome. Although curcumin is available as a standardized extract, the whole herb may be more beneficial for you than the curcumin extract: Only very small amounts of curcumin are absorbed into the bloodstream. Turmeric as a whole herb stays in the digestive tract longer than curcumin, releasing antioxidant curcumin along with other beneficial substances.

Turmeric root powder is a popular ingredient in South Asian cooking and adds a distinct flavor to many savory dishes, including stocks, sauces and curries. The root has a brilliant orange color and becomes very hard when dried. It is distinct and fragrant, with a scent that is mildly hot and gingery, but certainly unique to itself.

Teas and poultices with fresh turmeric are commonly used for it's anti inflammatory and natural antibiotic properties. It can enhance longevity, decrease chances of Alzheimer's and cancer, soothe skin conditions and protect the liver.

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Turmeric Honey Paste Recipe

Ingredients: 1 cup honey

1 tbsp coconut oil

3 tbsp turmeric powder

Mix honey, turmeric, & coconut oil together in a resealable container using a spoon until thoroughly combined. Cover and store in the refrigerator.  Add 1 tablespoon or more to a cup of hot water or milk (or milk substitute) for a lovely drink. Add lime, ginger, and cinnamon for a flavorful break from the usual tea. Always allow the paste to heat for at least 5 minutes in any of these before consuming.

Luna Wood is a graduate of the Sacred Journey School of Herbal Wisdom and  currently practices herbal medicine in Austin and San Antonio, TX.

 

 

Holy Basil- Tulsi

Holy Basil- Tulsi

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Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum) is an herb native to India, where it is known as tulsi. and is used in Ayurvedic medicine as an “adaptogen” . An adaptogen is a unique group of herbs which are known for assisting with everything from stress to fatigue, and they help the body to adapt on many levels while building the immune system.  The Hindu name for holy basil, Tulsi, means "the incomparable one." Medicine is made from the leaves, stems, and seeds. Holy Basil is sacred in the Hindu religious tradition and is regarded as one of the most important plants used in Ayurvedic medicine. If you go to India, you will see holy basil growing everywhere around Hindu temples. It comes in red and green varieties, both with a strong, pleasant aroma. More clove-like than that of culinary basil, holy basil has been used for centuries to treat a variety of medical conditions including high blood pressure, insomnia, asthma, bronchitis, arthritis and eye disorders. Holy basil is also used for the common cold,  flu, diabetes, bronchitis, earache, headache, stomach upset, heart disease, fever, viral hepatitis, malaria, stress, and tuberculosis. It is also used for mercury poisoning, to promote longevity, as a mosquito repellent, and to counteract scorpion bites.

One study, published in 1991 in the Indian Journal of Pharmacology, compared holy basil to Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) and Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) and found that holy basil was the most potent anti-stress agent of the three. Holy basil is well know as a treatment for reducing both stress and elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and to promote physical and emotional endurance. Using holy basil along with breathing exercises and regular aerobic exercise can  help with stress-related health problems ranging from panic attacks to digestive disorders.

Organic holy basil is now available at Luna's studio at South Congress Massage. Please consult with your health care practitioner before adding new herbs to your diet. 

Amma means Mother in Several Languages

Amma means Mother in Several Languages

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I recently went to see Amma with a few of my close friends and family. If you haven't seen Amma you don't know what you are missing. Here is a brief synopsis of who she is and how she began: "Amma was born in a remote coastal village in Kerala, South India in 1953.

Even as a small girl, she drew attention with the many hours she spent in deep meditation on the seashore. She also composed devotional songs and could often be seen singing to the divine with heartfelt emotion. Despite her tender age, her compositions revealed remarkable depth and wisdom.

When Amma was nine years old, her mother became ill, and Amma was withdrawn from school in order to help with household tasks and the care of her seven siblings. As she went door-to-door gathering food scraps from neighbors for her family’s cows, she was confronted with the intense poverty and suffering that existed in her community, and in the world beyond it.

Where Amma encountered people in need, she brought them food and clothing from her own home. She was undeterred by the scolding and punishment she received from her family for doing so. Amma also began to spontaneously embrace people to comfort them in their sorrow. Responding to her affectionate care, they began to call her Amma (Mother).

Amma was deeply affected by the profound suffering she witnessed. According to Hinduism, the suffering of the individual is due to his or her own karma — the results of actions performed in the past. Amma accepted this concept, but she refused to accept it as a justification for inaction. Amma contemplated the principle of karma until she revealed an even more profound truth, asking a question she continues to ask each of us today. “If it is one man’s karma to suffer, isn’t it our dharma (duty) to help ease his suffering and pain?”

With this simple yet profound conviction — that each of us has a responsibility to lend a helping hand to those less fortunate — Amma moved forward with confidence in her life of service and compassionate care for all beings, uniquely expressed by the motherly embrace she offers to all who seek solace in her arms.

In Amma’s community, however, it was not permissible for a 14-year-old girl to touch others, especially men. Amma explains, "In India, women are expected to remain in the background. It is said that 'Even the walls should not hear them.' My family could not understand my way of reaching out to people; they had no idea of the spiritual principles."

But despite adverse reactions, Amma followed her heart, later explaining, “A continuous stream of love flows from me to all of creation. This is my inborn nature. The duty of a doctor is to treat patients. In the same way, my duty is to console those who are suffering.”

Amma says that love expressed is compassion, and compassion means accepting the needs and sorrows of others as one's own."

I had my first hug from Amma 20 years ago. I felt a strong, loving  presence and a blissful peace. Every time I've hugged her since then it has been a different experience.  Since the first time I met her I have felt her presence and connection. I received a mantra from her 2 years ago and I chant my mantra every day . This is a prayer she gives you to repeat 109 times a day.  It has kept my heart open and cleared my mind and spirit every morning.

Your experience may be totally different than mine when you receive a hug but, the most important lesson Amma has taught me is we are all children of the earth. When I am in her embrace I feel the vulnerability of being an innocent child.

I was recently at a biodynamic cranial sacral class and we all spoke about our clients becoming little babies on the table. At some point as a body worker your client becomes a child and you become the mother or the caretaker. Sometimes we didn't get our needs met as a child and we will get them met on the massage table or in other healing settings.

This was an interesting observation being the child on the table and remembering the embrace of Amma. We are all innocent children of the divine and are all trying to get back to that place. We are all innately good!

Learn more about Amma at EmbracingTheWorld.org