When in balance, the body moves with grace, ease, and coordination. Conformation or injuries can create a pattern of compensation, resulting in asymmetry. Over time, this will cause varying degrees of dysfunction or imbalance. Two tools to restore and maintain stable balance are movement re-education and the application of therapeutic essential oils.
MOVEMENT RE-EDUCATION
Peak performance in both equine and human bodies depends on:
- reconnecting neuromuscular communication
- restoring skeletal integrity
- fitting shoes properly to support posture and movement
Re-educating these pathways instills a language that the entire body understands. I use Neuromuscular Re-patterning and Translation (NMRT) to reconnect messages from the brain to the nerve and muscular systems. This helps to achieve the desired performance and bring in a peaceful sense of well being. This "energy medicine" combines bodywork modalities (yoga, myofascial release, shiatsu, reiki, shaman healing), anatomy, and physiology in a series of interactive releases and energy reconnections.
THERAPEUTIC ESSENTIAL OILS
The second tool for "stable balance" is the application of therapeutic essential oils. Pure essential oils have been used for thousands of years in the healing of numerous ailments and disease. Considered the life's blood of the plant, essential oils are concentrated liquids distilled from plants, seeds, bark, leaves, stems, roots, flowers or fruit. Purity levels are dependent on the distillation process. ONLY therapeutic grade oils can significantly affect clinical changes within a human or animal body.
Therapeutic grade essential oils can be applied to the body "neat" (without a carrier oil). You can also dilute oils in distilled water or high-grade carrier oils (safflower, grapeseed, jojoba, almond, sesame, etc.). Each application warrants individual evaluation.
Animals are highly sensitive to direct application and many times the diluted form or the simple aroma is enough to facilitate a change. Humans can actually be somewhat desensitized and require higher amounts to be applied. Always consult a professional before using these powerful healing tools.
Some recommended applications:
- Spinal Alignment: Valor, YlangYlang, Harmony, Roman Chamomile, Cypress
- Emotional Balance: Harmony, Bergamot, Lavender, EndoFlex, Release, Magnify your Purpose
- Nervous System: Pettigrain, Clove, Helichrysum, Rosemary
- Muscular System: Basil, Cypress, Birch, Idaho Balsam Fir, Lemongrass, Juniper, PanAway, Relieve It
- Spiritual Balance: White Angelica, Patchouly, Sacred Mountain, Helichrysum, Frankincense, Idaho Balsam Fir, Gratitude, Believe
Stable balance within and around the body is strengthened by a willing spirit and informed awareness about which tools to use and when. Profound changes are possible when the human and animal body can translate and integrate these ancient tools into everyday life.
Susan Holowchak, the founder of Jewels of Life, is a certified equine, human and canine massage therapist/bodyworker currently in Doctoral studies for Chinese Medical QiGong. She specializes in myofascial release, eastern practices of holistic therapy, energy healing and clinical applications of therapeutic essential oils. She has an extensive background in sports medicine, exercise physiology, yoga, Native American healing and applied kinesiology. She has a unique and penetrating ability to work with people and animals to facilitate healing on multiple levels. Email: animalkneads@comcast.net , call (609)304-1123, or visit: www.JewelsofLife.com