Although relatively new to the west, Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese method of healing stretching back thousands of years.
Acupuncture treatments treat imbalance and dysfunction in the body utilizing a system of inherent energy channels or pathways known as “meridians. It is through these meridians that the body’s “Qi” is thought to flow.
Qi can be thought of as inherent form of bio- energy that is intricately involved maintaining and perpetuating the vitality of the body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine the body is envisioned as a garden of reciprocal energetic interrelations rather than as a machine comprised of biochemical and mechanical components which the way that Western Medicine views it.
Basically treatment consists of using the needles to activate Acupuncture points along these meridian pathways to shift or diffuse this Qi energy throughout the entire body including the organs in order to allow the body to re-balance and utilize its own self healing and self correcting abilities to the fullest.
Acupuncture has always been an inseparable part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
A TCM Treatment would usually include herbs, Acupuncture, joint manipulation, massage and patient self help in the form of attitude adjustment and internal energy building (Qigong). To use TCM effectively requires years of training in order to develop and integrate the theoretical, technical and intuitive elements of this Art.
In the west we use acupuncture together with many other forms of therapy other than TCM or as a stand alone therapeutic system on its own.There are some variations of Acupuncture treatment protocols most following the theories of TCM and some with a more western medical approach. utilizing neurological models as the basis of assessment and treatment.

Acupuncture is gaining more widespread acceptance in the west as studies have shown that it is an effective tool that can help in pain control, reduction of inflammation, immunologic enhancement, increase of endorphins and in helping to stimulate positive results in the recovery/management phase of various neurological injuries and conditions.

Acupressure: Is basically the same as Acupuncture but using finger pressure on the meridian points instead of inserting needles. It is gentler in its effects than Acupuncture and a non invasive way to relax and tonify the body. I use acupressure for older clients and as a self healing tool for myself. It is highly portable as I never go anywhere without my fingers.
Many Healing Arts such as Shiatsu, Polarity, Touch for Health make use of Acupressure as part of their treatment protocols.

Polarity is a holistic therapy based on the teachings of Dr. Randolph Stone D.O., N.D. Dr. Stone believed that life was much more than chemistry and healing was much more than freedom from symptoms. He saw life as a Spiritual journey and a state of healing was becoming in alignment with that journey.
Dr. Stone was originally an Osteopath, trained in the ways of Western medicine. He journeyed throughout Europe and the Far East studying a diverse range of healing modalities from Ayurveda ( the traditional healing system of India) , acupuncture, yoga, meditation to Naturopathic Medicine.
What really makes Polarity unique is its concept of the“ The Wireless Anatomy of Man”  this approach relates how consciousness interacting through expanding/contracting energy fields and the five elements goes on to form the mind/body matrix.

Polarity Therapy is based on the premise that we are fields of pulsating life energy comprised of an interweaving of specific frequencies known as the five elements (Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth). Each element relates to the flow between the interacting attractions of negative and positive energy acting through a neutral center.
When our thought , emotions and physical body move out of alignment with the mutually dependent energy relationships that sustain them an energy imbalance results. This can manifest as pain, discomfort or disease. The goal of Polarity is to restore this balance.

Polarity Therapy Involves:
Bodywork and Stretching Postures.
Pressure sensitive Touch based on energy flow.
Sound, breath work and self massage.
Nutritional Awareness.
Creating life enhancing thinking patterns.
Taking responsibility for our lives

Make it a habit to write down any little insights or observations as they pop into your head. I think that these little nudges are one way your Deep Inner Mind speaks to you. For your consideration I would like to share with you some Path notes from my own journal..

A teacher is useful in demonstrating a skill and guiding a Student until they have grasped the lesson.We meet many Teachers and Mentors throughout our lifetime at various junctures, some may be for a long time, some only to impart a specific lesson.
Be discerning about who and what you let into your life and head, follow your inner voice, but keep an open mind.
Direct experience is the best Teacher of all but accept that some of the lessons may involve pain.Direct experience will give you the precious gift of empathy, this is one thing theoretical knowledge by itself  cannot do.
Direct Experience is all around us every day from sitting and really tasting your food, to looking in the eyes of a loved one, to experiencing the wonder of the Universe by watching a sunset…
I believe that Enlightenment is more a process of remembering our original state than some rarified state to be attained. For naturally enlightened is what we all are as reflections of the Tao.Those we perceive as “enlightened” have awakened from their state of Spiritual amnesia and remember who they are.The road to awakening is one of becoming increasingly aware of the many miracles that surround us every day.
Be wary of those who claim to have all the “answers” for the answer lies inside each one of us and there are many paths to get there…
Learn the skills of quieting the Mind and Spirit by becoming adept at Meditation and Qigong.
Learn to appreciate yourself, for when you treat yourself kindly you can’t help but treat others so.
Find you what you fear, and acquire the skills to let go of it, most if not all conflict is based on fear.
Find others of like Mind and develop relationships built on laughter and appreciation. Let  go of the need to debate and argue, avoid as much as possible toxic People and situations. Get rid of cable TV and it’s plethora of dumbed down drivel, find other ways of getting info and entertainment.
Learn to appreciate each day and the people in it that cross your path…They are all your Teachers one way or another…

(Part One)

The Etheric field is a localized field of organized energy that surrounds the body, among other things it contains our true feelings and intentions. The Etheric field can be palpated by trained hands and can be used to both access and treat many conditions. It for the most part, lies outside of the everyday awareness of most people. We access the Etheric field in dreams, meditation, Shamanic work and various other methods of healing and altered consciousness.

The Etheric field is without a masking mechanism and contains the true essence of who we are at our core. It is what people pick up on subliminally. We cannot hide this information, its all there, up front. Your Etheric field defines what you are and how you are ultimately perceived by others.

Distortions and disturbances in the Etheric field is where many conditions might start before they manifest in the denser energies of the physical body; distortions in the Etheric field end up as distortions in the body and mind.
Therefore in order to effect lasting major changes in ourselves we must first be able to affect a consistent shift in the energy of our Etheric field.

(The Human Aura is part of the Etheric field: The Aura is a field of bio-luminescence comprised bio-photons (biologically created light) that is a by product of the Chakras, cellular activity and the electrical charges of the nervous system.)

The overall nature of your Etheric field is determined by several factors:

* The Speed at which it oscillates

*The Intensity of the energy

*The consolidated (coherent) nature of the field.