Inside The Polished Apple

I have a fear of heights and a plan to hike the West Coast Trail this summer.  The trail just happens to have numerous ladders, suspension bridges and cable cars, so I need to get over my fear. Fast! So I did the only logical thing and booked us a Beginner Lesson at the Calgary Climbing Centre , which is located just minutes from our home and office. While I thought we'd be learning how to climb (yes, but not really), what we were really learning was how to get the harness on properly, how to tie our rope to our harness, how the belay system works (and how to properly and safely hook that on) and how to communicate succinctly when you are climbing and belaying. Once that's all figured out, then you get to climb. By the way, the lesson was excellent and we had a great teacher.  I conveniently have NO photos of me clinging to the rope. Once I was hooked up, climbing up the wall was okay-picking the easy holds of course. The torture for ...

Such a fun evening for our practice members and community members! We started the evening with a meditation with Margaret, our Acupuncturist at Elan. Lisa, Registered Massage Therapist, led us in stretches for Heart Openers-to help open up from our forward bending posture.  Next was Jodey Sharman, Registered Pyschologist, who spoke on the topic: People Pleasing... Is it OK to not be nice? Last up was myself, Dr Josephene Juell, speaking on 3 Myths about Women's Health that will SHOCK you!  We had beautiful gift bags with items donated by a number of local businesses. Thank you to Sage Traditions , Routine Cream , Rumina Naturals, Citrinity , Young Living/ Sandra Catania , Horse and Heart Connection , Naturally Unique and Dr Rob's chocolates! And of course, yummy food and drink and a photo booth.  Mizael from Real Organic Creations with samples of his raw cashew cheese.  Thank you for a wonderful ev...

Thank you to Margaret Kennedy, Acupuncturist at Elan Family Wellness Centre in Bowness, NW Calgary, for this advice on Self Care. Hello Everyone, Spring is coming, the time of year to start nurturing oneself for the coming year. What Self-Care do you make for yourself? You are in charge of your life, so choose to be kind to yourself, make the time for YOU. Value yourself – your time, set limits and priorities, make the time for what is important for YOU. Where are you going with your life? Look at all aspects of your Life: Health, Physical, Emotional, Mental, Spiritual, Relationships. Leisure time - fun, adventure, how do you like to spend  your  leisure time? Career/work related issues. Do you like what you do? List your likes, dislikes, ambivalent – then examine them, and eliminate those that are not necessary. Take one hour per day, quiet time for you and be by yourself – Go for a walk   Meditate Relax Have a bath with candles and music around you Fin...

Did you know that our office Elan Family Wellness Centre offers on site educational lunch and learn opportunities?  Here we are presenting to carya Bowmont Families Together and Bowwest  Community Resource Centre-two community groups that provide invaluable resources to many local residents. We hope to share information that our participants can take back to their workplace to support improved health and wellness for their partners and employees. A healthy and happy workplace means healthy and happy people! For this lunch and learn, we were happy to be able to work with Redefin'd Calgary , a youth empowerment centre that just happens to prepare amazing lunches in the Bowness Community Association.  Thank you to Carya and Bowwest for hosting us for this Lunch and Learn. To book a lunch and learn or health and wellness talk for your office or business, give us a call at 403 217 5577, or email us at elanctr@telus.net. 

Thank you to Scott Hutchison, Registered Massage Therapist at Elan Family Wellness Centre in Bowness, NW Calgary, for this article for March.  As I write this I am watching the last of the February snows in BC. Just in time for the March snows in BC. With luck... Alberta will be spared and we will have t-shirt and shorts weather all month long. In the sun. The warm, warm sun. The sun gets a bad wrap. Its been linked to a lot of bad things, but it is essential for human life. We must have it, but during the dregs of winter... we forget or simply skip it. With the cold and snow we have had... its hard to get out and be in the sun. Do yourself a favour, and you can even write me your experience, try and get 10-20 minutes of sun exposure to your face and eyes. (No sunglasses for this period) If you can... get 10-20 minutes on your skin if it's not super cold. See if that changes your mood, sleep and general sense of well being. After a February like we have had... anything outsid...

Thank you to Dr Robert Clarke, Network Spinal Chiropractor at Elan Family Wellness Centre in Bowness, NW Calgary, for these words about Nourish-our theme for the month!  Nourishment comes in many forms. Of course what we eat and drink play a big role, but it's also the air we breathe, the people we socialize with, our thoughts and the information that fuels our brains altogether that nourish us. Food – there is so much information on how we should eat, recently the Canada food guide came out with its latest recommendations. It is by no means ideal, yet it does highlight a few things that are good to pay attention to. Fruits and Vegetables should be a primary cornerstone of our meals. Drink more water, it should be our drink of choice. There is nothing wrong with having a cup of tea or coffee, but make sure it doesn’t replace your water consumption. Another recommendation I endorse is, turn off your screens and eat with friends or family. Not only does this create...

Did you know that 90% of the stimulation and nutrition to the brain is generated by movement of the spine? When you move your body, you also move your spine, so let's share a few ways that you can get active here in Bowness, nice and near the office! As many of you know, I am in the middle of a 180 Day challenge to prepare for the West Coast Trail this summer. Here are some of the close options that I've found (or plan to soon explore!) The stairs up to Greenwood Village are the ones I'm working on first-130'ish steps per set. Amazing lower body and cardio workout! (Bowfort Road/ 83 rd Street and 33 rd Ave NW) Mountain Fitness offers Fitness in the Community at the Bowness Community Association to help you condition for your outdoor sport. Slow Flow Vinyasa Yoga with TerraSoul also at the Bowness Community Association. More yoga you say? Try out one of the many classes at Yoga in Bowness, or an aerial class or family class at Bowga. ...