Inside The Polished Apple

Thank you to Dr Robert Clarke, Chiropractor at Elan Family Wellness Centre, for these words on Mindfulness.  We are always sending and receiving information, this is how we interact with the world. The obvious example is our interactions with other people. Not just the words, it’s gestures, posture and eye to eye connection. Expand that to the environment around us and what we see and what we don’t see. There is a constant flow of energy and information between us and the world around us. Take a few minutes to reflect on the lens or filter that you use when engaging with your environment. Is it optimistic, fearful, combative or loving? Of course, this is a dynamic process and changes as we move through the day.  Observe yourself and see if there is a filter or lens that you default to most often, then ask if there is a better energy that you can defer to. Become a skilled observer of your own energy. As you learn to shift your own perspectives, you will then be able to enhance...

TeleHealth is available for both *New Chiropractic Patients* (new offering!) and patients under current chiropractic care. Many insurance providers are covering these appointments, so please check your insurance information. Sessions cost $45 per 15 minutes (plus $15 per 5 min increment over initial 15 minute session.) Please call or email the office and we can book your time: 403 217 5577 elanctr@telus.net Through TeleHealth we can converse about what is happening to understand your condition or concern, look at postural and movement imbalances, and recommend exercises, techniques or lifestyle recommendations that may help you. With all of your increased demands and stress, your physical health should be the one that allows you to respond with flexibility and adaptability.

Thank you to Dr Robert Clarke, Network Spinal Chiropractor at Elan Family Wellness Centre in Bowness, Calgary, for this breath exercise to connect with our inner wisdom.  As the days get longer and the warmth of sun grows stronger, we can reflect on how this year/decade has started. Have you developed a trajectory to guide you forward? It’s less about goals, it’s more about direction. How would you like things to be unfolding for you as you move though the next year/decade? With a direction in mind its good to check in with your heart and see if you are on track. Sit with your hands over your heart,  breathe in your nose, out your mouth, bringing the breath to your heart space. While connecting with your heart reflect on your path forward does your path have a positive effect on how your heart feels?  If so great!  If not, how can your course correct to change your trajectory to have your direction be more congruent with your heart? Do this exercise ...

Thank you to Dr Robert Clarke for these words on embracing life. Dr Rob offers Network Spinal Chiropractic at Elan Family Wellness Centre in Bowness.  On December 24 th   my sister transitioned. It was an honor to be with her as she completed her earth walk. For those of us she left behind, it was too soon, she was only 56. After a number of years with health challenges, she was ready. She found gifts in her illness. There was a great peace about her at the end. The lessons that I take into this new year, is to live each day to its fullest. To find the gifts in my challenges.   Over the past couple of years, I have been able to spend many evenings at my kitchen table discussing life love and the cosmic web of life that we all participate in.  My sister Daphne definitely had some coyote medicine in her. Lots of laughter. The Coyote is a trickster, teaching us to balance the elder within and the child within. To bring playfulness into all aspects of our lives. ...

 A new year and a new decade-it's both terrifying and exciting! Do you have hundreds of ideas of things you want to accomplish this year, or is the uncertainty of what's ahead too daunting? I have a mixed relationship with the end of the year and January 1 st , although I do love the opportunity the quietness of the holiday (after Christmas, that is) brings to reflect on our year past and our year ahead. I also love Pinterest and gathering ideas. I sifted through several end of year lists of questions and picked and chose my favourites. There is something very complete about journalling through a review and starting fresh with what is ahead. Grab a piece of paper and journal along! I chose a simple review with the first modified from http://www.designlovefest.com/2018/12/year-end-with-paypal/ Looking back on 2019 Celebrate!  What are 2 (or more) highlights from 2019: What was my most inspiring project this year? Learn!  What are 2 (or more) lowlights for 20...

Thank you to Dr Robert Clarke, Network Spinal Chiropractor with Elan Family Wellness Centre in Bowness, for this article on the Sacred Season of  Transform. During the season of Transform, we begin to create changes in our lives, fuelled by the knowledge of discover. Often these changes are subtle, and sometimes they are very dramatic. The important thing to recognize is that we now have some control in how our lives move forward. At times, changes are needed, yet sometimes the change that is needed most is a change in perspective to have a significant effect on our lives. We also claim ownership of our gifts and our challenges, knowing that this is essential for us to maintain balance, and helping us to move forward. Transform needs energy to shift the patterns in our lives, so knowing yourself and what energizes you is important in these times. In transform, we find acceptance; Acceptance of where we have been, and how we have lived until now. This acceptance, or let...

It’s an enjoyable month when we can shift into gratitude for life, practice and our practice members. November is when we typically wrap up our Practice Member of the Week program-hopefully you've had a chance to help celebrate the successes we see in the office. If you'd like to be considered in the future-please nominate yourself to us or Christine & Megan when you're in the office. We love to celebrate your health improvements and wellness choices!   Some of the successes we've heard this season: Resolution of initial sleep concerns for a little girl, long term solution for stability of chiropractic adjustments & their spine, help for physical pain, and benefits mentally, emotionally and spiritually as well, and how what they learn here, they are able to take and use in everyday life to benefit themselves ... with practice members from 5 months to 19 years in care!     While I've personally had a year with a lot of difficult challenges and ...

You're invited!  In honour of World Spine Day & National Spine month in October, please join us for our Fall Health Screening Day. You will definitely want to take advantage of this tremendous opportunity if you would like to experience such advantages in your life and health as: A spine and neck that feel fantastic & Improved Posture! These benefits can In have a common source, which is a spine and nervous system that function in a well adjusted , healthy and vital way. Lets discover together how you can have more of what your really want in your body, your health and your life! Spaces are limited, so act right away! All proceeds going to The Little Free Pantry

Thank you to everyone who brought in socks or donated money! We were able to collect or buy over 200 pairs of new socks this September! We collect them as part of the Toasty Toes Sock Drive with the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors.  From our ACAC, "Despite our cold Alberta winters and consistent requests by charitable organizations, socks remain one of the least donated items. That’s why the ACAC, in partnership with Wood’s Homes and several chapters of the United Way, run the Toasty Toes Sock Drive every September. For the entire month, chiropractors and their clinics across the province work to collect donations of new socks, which are then distributed by our nonprofit partners to vulnerable Albertans." Thank you for all of your support! 

World Spine Day is October 16th with this year's theme to #GetSpineActive! Make sure to watch in office and online for how we are celebrating this exciting day and month.  As part of the celebrations, we will be offering  Complimentary Health Screenings on Saturday, October 19th   for your family members or friends; book them a time now as spaces are limited. Of course, chiropractic is a great way to keep yourself moving and doing the things you love! Not only does movement of the spine help how your spine and body FEEL, but when your spine moves freely, it also sends more information to your brain and helps brain health too. With our monthly office theme of BEHAVIOUR, its an excellent time to reflect on the amount and quality of the movement in our life, our body and in our spine. Are you getting a chance to experience enough exercise in your life? The Heart and Stroke Association recommends getting 150 minutes of exercise a week-that's an average of at least 30 min...

Welcome to the Elan family Megan! You'll be seeing her as you arrive at Elan for your chiropractic, massage or acupuncture appointment  or you may be speaking to her on the phone. We're looking forward to working with her!  A few words from Megan, "Hello, my name is Megan and I am really excited to be working at Elan Family Wellness. I moved to Calgary about 3 years ago from Saskatchewan and have been in Bowness the entire time. I have no plans of leaving either as I love the community and the people.  I am looking forward to getti ng to know more of you as time goes on. I frequent many businesses in the area, love going to local events and am now a member of the Bowness legion as well, so if you see me around please say hello as it may take me a little time to learn all your faces and names. Thank you and see you soon."

The following is from the most recent issue of ICPA's Pathways to Family Wellness magazine (its available in the office!) and I thought the subject matter aligned nicely with our monthly August theme of Seasons. “We are composed of rhythms and exist within the rhythms of nature... Seasonal, circadian, lunar, and tidal patterns don't just form the background to our lives-they are  our lives.” While many of us are rushing through our days and keeping tight to a paper/ computer schedule, summer presents the perfect time to synchronize with the patterns of ebb and flow around us. A few of the suggestions presented in the article: Awareness and Enjoyment of the daily transition of the sun rising and setting, and observing the stars in the sky at night. Witness the temporary moments-such as how the sun filters through your backyard or a fleeting moment of a butterfly passing. The concept of balance as constantly changing and dynamic. Look for the silence in your d...

Thank you to Dr Robert Clarke, Network Spinal Chiropractor at Elan Family Wellness Centre in Bowness/ NW Calgary, on this article on Seasons. Over the next months we will be exploring the Seasons of Discover, Transform, Awaken and Integrate. We refer to them as Sacred as they are all essential to our growth. Our personal growth is often looked at during workshops and during times of challenge in our lives. We have the potential to grow every day. Looking at these seasons as Sacred helps us to prioritize our health healing and growth so that each day we can connect to our path and take a step towards being the person we want to be. Taking 365 steps in the right direction can dramatically change our lives, so that we can live healthier lives that are congruent with our path and purpose. Both the Network Spinal care we use and the 12 Stages of Healing exercises help guide your nervous system through these seasons. Discovering the patterns in your Body help you recognize how y...

~ We'd love to see you at our PATIENT APPRECIATION DAY! Come on down for Chiropractic Entrainments*, Workshops, Food & Fun! All by donation! Enter to win raffle items featuring local Bowness businesses. All proceeds going to Redefin'd Calgary! *all are welcome to attend our workshops or drop by for food & activities; Network Spinal entrainments are for current practice members only. Saturday, June 22nd 48, 7930 Bowness Road NW, Calgary AB 10:00AM-2:00PM Please call us 403 217 5577 to book a time to visit us this day! 

Please join us for our Annual Patient Appreciation Day on June 22 nd ! It's one of my favorite days as we get to appreciate YOU, our practice members, our North West Calgary community, and local Bowness businesses! We guarantee their will be awesome door prizes, food, and a chance for Network Spinal chiropractic entrainments and educational, inspiring talks! We will be using the day to also increase awareness and raise funds for Redefin'd - a local Bowness group helping young people redefine their life through meaningful work (and amazing food!)  As June is our month of Appreciation, we also get to take the time to share some thoughts on the topic. June is a big month for me as I will be completing my 180 day challenge stretching myself in preparation for the West Coast Trail in July, and I will be turning 45, which is the reason I'm doing so! If you join me NOW, you can finish spring out with a 21 day challenge to bring a new healthy habit in to your life. With all ...

For all of the women and moms out there! For all of the sacred ways that women create and mother. "She is the healer, the nurturer, the tender of the garden, the guardian of our future, the kitchen witch & magic maker, the creator, the lover, the mother...she is a woman and her work is sacred." ~Brooke Hampton.  We had these beautiful roses in the office this past week to honour our moms and the moms in our lives. A small token of the huge and sacred work that women do.  Thank you to the many women and moms out there who choose us for their chiropractic, massage and acupuncture care, and who trust us with their family wellness care. We value your trust! 

Welcome to May!  I would like to take a moment for a couple of celebrations that are related to May. I want to celebrate the Moms we see in the office-for all of the women we see coordinating chiropractic wellness care not just for themselves, but for their children, families, parents, or friends. Whether we are moms ourselves, or have our birth or adoptive moms to thank for bringing us into the world and raising us, our moms have enormous impact and potential for change in our lives. Thank you for all that you do! (Please visit us the days prior to Mother's Day for our gift to you!) May is also our Practice Member of The Week celebration month. We're including this past month's stories of our selected Practice Members of the Week. We hope you enjoy reading them as much as we enjoy seeing them. If you are curious how we select our Practice Members of the Week, there are a number of factors we consider, such as an amazing story to share, commitment to care, contribu...

Spring arrived on time this year! I am so happy and relieved to see the sun and to be out in the warm weather-thank you to our Mother Earth! We have been a hive of activity around Elan this past month. We've been at the Just Be YYC market at The Village in Brentwood, The Mom Community Market with Mothering Vine, at a Lunch and Learn with our local service groups Carya and Bowwest (with food from an amazing program for youth, Redefin'd) and hosted our own Women's Wellness evening at Elan. All of these events relied on a number of community partners and supporters: Sage Traditions ,  Bev Wein Citrinity Healing , Lucy Pilch Routine. Natural deodorant. , Pippa Blair Real Organic Solutions , Mizahel Chaplain Young Living, Intuitive Readings & Reiki,  Sandra Catania Horse and Heart Connection , Marilyn MacLean Dr. Theodora Lo One Love Float , Treeka Calm N' Barrel Smiley Seahorse Ceramics Rumina Naturals April is always a special time for us to recognize our Mo...

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...

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.