Good Vibrations
Gong baths offer mindful meditation, deep relaxation, and more. Let’s just start by clarifying that gong baths do not involve water of any kind – no tub, no sybaritic soaking, no bubbly indulgence. That knowledge aside, I had no idea what to expect when I arrived at Innerlight Center for Yoga & Meditation in Middletown for one of the center’s quarterly gong baths. Walking in the darkened studio on a Sunday evening, I saw bodies scattered about, all tucked down into layers of blankets (thankfully fully clothed, despite the “bath” moniker) as if settling in for a long winter’s nap. Following the others, I rolled out a yoga mat and grabbed four blankets: one to spread over the mat, one to act as a bolt under the knees, and two to snuggle under. I quickly realized this was going to be a more meditative experience than I thought and I was psyched – I’m much better at laying like a log than elevating myself via crane pose. READ MORE >> |
Balancing Act
For Ramona Bessinger, massage is more than providing simple pain or stress relief. It’s a way to nourish the body and the soul, which is why her practice at Jamestown Wellness is nothing short of extraordinary. “I combine Western massage with Ayurveda, which is a more holistic body-balancing approach to healing,” she explains. Ayurveda, which means “life force,” is a 3,000-year-old system of healing pain by looking at the body as a whole. Through conversations with clients, Ramona gathers information about their lives and needs and finds out if they have specific pain-relief goals. “Then I go to work treating not just the area of pain, but the origin of their pain,” she explains. READ MORE >> |
Juicing Up
Taking a three-day juice reboot for a spin. Like many folks, I try to eat clean, especially this time of year when one habitually takes stock of their health and exactly where the needle rests on the scale. But just because I love to fill a tote with spoils from the local farmer’s market and force myself to eat broccoli doesn’t mean I couldn’t lead myself blindfolded to Mission for falafel and fries. In a snowstorm. The USDA’s Dietary Guidelines recommend 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables per person per day. Per day. I’m not convinced the average American is reaching that standard. I, for one, can say with certainty, I’m not. Busy schedules, daily demands, social commitments... free time is at an all-time low, and sadly neither sweet potato fries nor Pinkberry counts. I checked. READ MORE >> |