Holidays 2015: Project Holistic Healing for Refugees in Vienna.

Please, consider supporting this project with Wendy Henry with a tax-deductible donation through our partnership with
Serving Those Who Serve, Inc.

Please, read here about my visit in October: Vienna Westbahnhof

Wishing you and your families a peaceful, happy, and healthy holiday season and the best wishes for 2016.

Sincerely Yours,
BIRGIT NAGELE, ARCB, LVCYT
www.ban-chi.net

The Best Hand Reflexology Session Ever!

I volunteered at Kinderfreunde at Vienna Westbahnhof for two days at the beginning of October. 

There I met Sidra, Mazen, and Mohammad, they helped me communicate with my Syrian, Afghan and Iraqi clients.  All three were refugees themselves and were volunteering.  It was such a pleasure to get to know them a bit during the two days.

My clients were families who were waiting to continue their journey to Germany or other Western European countries. 

Keeping Cool during Record Heat of 2015/1: Paddle Board Yoga with Mowgli

A few weeks ago I used a paddle board for the first time.  The board was relatively wide.  I really just wanted to paddle around a bit on a very hot day and then do some swimming, but I did not get off for the next three hours, keeping myself busy with yoga poses; I even did the shoulder stand, crow and knees to ears.  And look at Mowgli!  He joined me without hesitation!  He is used to being in canoes and he also loves to swim.  Next time, I'll try my chi-gong routine.  If you ever have a chance, try it.  It's very addictive.   

Sincerely Yours,
BIRGIT NAGELE, ARCB, LVCYT
www.ban-chi.net

Keeping Cool during Record Heat of 2015/2: Chilled Jade Rollers; Cooling Foot Baths, etc.

Using jade rollers; what a lovely discovery!

A fun way to cool off (we only use air conditioning in one room) was using "chilled" jade rollers on the face; Mowgli and I both loved it.  

I also did it on my friend K in combination with facial reflexology.  He liked it as well and referred to the experience as "trippy."  

R, however, did not like it;  I also suggested it to another friend of mine who did not like the idea. I guess it is not everybody's cup of tea. I suppose one could also warm them. Note to myself: explore once it gets colder.

In addition, I used cool water with a few drops of lavender or other essential oils in a bucket to cool off through the feet.  It seemed to keep me cool all night. 

The refreshing waters of Raymondskills Waterfalls in the Poconos Mountains in Pennsylvania were a delight to stand in last weekend.

Sitali is cooling as far as pranayama is concerned; a few breaths can make a huge difference.

Sincerely Yours,
BIRGIT NAGELE, ARCB, LVCYT
www.ban-chi.net


  

Can't Read the Subtitles, Try Eye Asanas and Reflexology!

My platform flip flops made  great yoga props

AIDA collage with my feet on left  

Can eye exercises improve eye sight in the long run? 

During the "Aida" screening on Labor Day at the Lincoln Center Plaza, I embarked on an experiment.  We were sitting far in the back behind the chairs on the ground; we had let our friends have the only two chairs we found close to the screen. 
 
I could hardly read the subtitles, however, so after getting bored of my 

Empire State Sunset - Inspired by "Endangered Species" Projections

It was so much fun to stop on my way home from the Open Center a few weeks ago and crouch, squat, and stretch (it's important) and look for ways to project the lovely flowers unto the naturally lit Empire State Building (being creative is important).  I think I was inspired (I get inspired very easily) by the recent "Endangered Animals" projection which I missed but saw photos of.  NYC sunsets are so beautiful and always result in me feeling peaceful and appreciative which are very important ingredients for overall health.  That said, I missed today's sunset because I was working on this blog.       

Sincerely Yours,
BIRGIT NAGELE, ARCB, LVCYT
www.ban-chi.net

Bee Sting Leads to Insight about Trauma and to "The Trauma of Everday Life"

"The Trauma of Everyday Life" was written by Mark Epstein, MD.  I admit I picked up the book for closer inspection because of the title.
And these two sentences made me buy it.  "It fuses deep scholarship with deep tenderness...." Siddharta Mukherjee and "Trauma does not just happen to a few unlucky people; it is the bedrock of our psychology." 

It spoke to me as a healer foremost but also as someone who recognizes to have had trauma.  I feel being aware of trauma benefits me as a holistic health professional as well as personally, as a friend, and partner.  (Please, note I am not a trauma expert but I do encounter it with many of my clients to a certain degree)   
- Do you know what caused stress patterns in your life?  Do you take time to allow old small traumas in when they show up in the present and take time to heal?  Some time by yourself, a meditation, talk with a friend, time in nature may shed light on it, but more severe challenges may need the attention of professionals.
   
If you personally suffer what might be PTSD or if you know someone who might be affected by it, please be aware that it needs to be dealt with to avoid lasting impact.  Please, take a look at the below links. 

An incident late last summer triggered a ripple effect of memories

Hiking with a Twisted Ankle

swollen left outer ankle

I stumbled on a rocky hike upstate during the Easter weekend.  It happened early on when we approached a lake.  Of course I visited the ankle reflex close to the corner of the mouth and on the hands the referral area (the outer wrist) and fortunately, there was no pain after the initial pain alleviated.  

While everyone was chatting away, I mostly kept to myself with the intention to watch literally every step and be with every breath I took so I would not stumble again and it paid off.  Despite this minor inconvenience, I enjoyed being on the trail. 

Mowgli's Crisis: Medical, Homeopathic Treatments, Lavender and Reflexology

herb-stuffed pillow for comfort

Mowgli was diagnosed with Lyme Disease a few weeks ago.

This is how we found out.  One morning he just did not get up despite the fact that he had gotten his dien cham (DC session (it is our morning ritual).  I kept calling him, but he just looked at me.  When I finally pulled him up, I realized he could not stand on the right foot.  Upon touching his ankle, he communicated very clearly that he was in a lot of pain.

Tick Bite, Now What? - Prevention is Best.

location of bite

 tick found crawling on Mowgli's back after the hike

IN MEMORIAM EVA - YCT Client, YCT Volunteer and Artist

The collage; Mowgli in the background

Eva (fictional name) was a YCT volunteer, YCT client, and artist .

We became friendly the first time we met.  I went to one of her openings and was in one of her workshops.  She was a visual artist and writer.  All of us had such a good time working on our collages.  Eva liked my piece and said I had to frame it.  She said it more than once.  I still have not done it, but I will.  She set the date for a second work shop, then there was an email from her.  She had to cancel but did not offer an explanation which I thought was unusual.  I asked why she canceled.  She had received another cancer diagnosis and was to start treatments shortly.

IN MEMORIAM ANNA (Year of the Frog)

Anna's cranes

Last summer I found myself in the hospice section at Beth Israel.  One of my YCT clients was there.  To protect her privacy I am calling her Anna.  Anna and I had become friendly and I had worked with her a couple of times outside of YCT Foundation (YCT).  She loved reflexology and acupuncture and felt very comfortable with me, she said.   

At the hospital I found out from her brother that she had been battling cancer for fifteen years.  Fifteen years.  I had no idea.  Only a year earlier she invited me to see her perform at a community center.  She had so much grace, she moved so effortlessly.  I enjoyed watching her.  Leading up to the performance she told me how busy she was with dance rehearsals. 

Kripalu Visit R&R(&E) - Finally Enjoying Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra Live Asleep.

Leaving the fast-paced city at a time when many flood to it for holiday shopping, cheer and to see the Christmas decorations in Midtown.

Welcoming 2015: It is Just Another Polar Bear Plunge

Arriving in Coney Island.

I think I have jumped into the Atlantic Ocean on New Year's Day or around that date twenty times or perhaps even twenty one times.  This is the first time I actually know that the water temperature was 44F, and the air temperature was 34F during this year's Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge.  Cold is cold, I figured.