Inside The Polished Apple

Thank you to everyone who came out to see us for our Appreciation Party on Saturday June 10th. We raised  over $800  for  Carya  and their amazing organization and programs! We couldn't have done it without YOUR help and support. We'd like to specifically thank the  Light Cellar ,  Pin Ups Hair Shoppe ,  Grasby Art Studio ,  Extreme Restaurant & Catering ,  Yoga in Bowness ,  Bowga ,  Bowness Health Food , Ehren & Beverly Rebmann,  Fiona Fulton-Bowles , and Yvette Falconer for their generous donations and participation in our celebration! Work by Carefully Crafted Henna

Thanks to Ally Morberg for this post on Mindfulness & Observation. Ally is a Homeopath with Stepping Stones Homeopathy and works out of Elan Family Wellness by appointment.  Mindfulness to me is the art of observation. Slowing down and taking the time to experience and notice what   is. Not why it is that way or how long it will be that way or how did it get that way…just what   is . I once took a mindful meditation class where each week was dedicated to different mindful practices. We did mindful walking, mindful tea drinking, and my favourite… mindful chocolate eating! It was so interesting to take the time to observe and really experience each of the activities through all of our senses: sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. Who knew one little square of chocolate when eaten mindfully, could be so satisfying!? By slowing down and taking the time to be present we can learn to experience a whole new world. It can feel so refreshing to stay in the moment and no...

Thank you to Dr Robert Clarke for this post on Mindfulness for our May Theme. Dr Rob is a Network Spinal Analysis and SomatoRespiratory Practitioner with Elan.  Mindfulness... This is something we all strive for, to be mindful of others, of the environment, of ourselves.  So if most of us want more mindfulness, why is it such a challenge for many? The key reason is that our nervous systems are dominated by survival energy. With our fast pace of life, financial pressures, and information overload, it's not surprising we get stuck in “fight or flight” mode. While in this state, blood supply to the frontal lobe of our brains in decreased, lowering our ability to be mindful as an ongoing practice. One of the first things we observe when you receive care is a shift in breathing patterns that indicates a shift from survival mode and reacting, to a place of thriving where your nervous system is open to learning and growth. This thriving space is the place of mindfulness.   ...

May is #MindfulnessMay-here's some thoughts from Scott. Scott is our Registered Massage Therapist at Elan Family Wellness Centre. I listen to a lot of podcasts.  A LOT.  My tastes run from photography to new age-y to personal performance to the occult. Lots of ground covered... lots of topics and all of it at my control. Don't like it... what else is on here. Find something interesting... explore it. On one such explorations, I came across a story starring a famous Olympic skier from the 1970's. The Three Most Important Turns in Skiing The interviewer and the skier were on a lift and the skier turns to the interviewer and asks, “Hey man, do you know what the three most important turns in skiing are?” The interviewer reflects for a second or two at the odd question. Intrigued he responds, “I have no idea!” Myself, having not skied in years, thought: could it be the ones they teach you as you're learning? Like the snowplow, then the progress of learning to br...

Travel offers such an amazing opportunity to learn about lifestyles in other countries. Our family had a wonderful holiday in Paris this past April, and we were impressed by the art, architecture, food, and people. Like a souvenir, it's fun to consider what daily traits we can bring home to our own life. As part of Elan Family Wellness Centre's theme of #mindfulnessmay, here are a few tips to ponder: 5 Health Tips I Learned in Paris Take the stairs - Whether it's 3 flights down in the Metro to catch a train, or 2 flights up to your apartment, be prepared for both stairs and walking to keep you in shape. In a dense city where driving and parking a car looks nearly impossible, walking is key. Here in Calgary, there's not as much choice for getting your daily exercise, but is there a way to bring more walking or exercise into your routine in our spread out, commuter-friendly North American city? Keep the fat -Yes, France is know for their buttery croiss...

A special treat for April-our Women's Wellness Circle this month will include a Salt Bowl Ceremony. Here's more about it from our Community Herbalist Melanie Stevens Isles.  Spring is here for real for real! As an herbalist spring brings so much hope and planning. I grow a shocking amount of medicine in my tiny city lot. Each spring I dream up what new friends I am going to add to my garden and how I will work with these plants and the clients I support. Working with the plants and the dirt in the sun really fills my cup. I know I have to soak it up over summer to get me through the winters. Connecting with the earth is such an important part of our overall health and wellness. Spending time in nature, listening to birds, watching trees, feeling the warm sun on your face all connect us to a source greater than ourselves. This month the Women's Wellness Red Tent event is on April 28 at 7. We will be connecting to the earth and ourselves with a salt bowl ceremon...

Our April Theme at Elan is Mother Earth. Here's an article on how to view this season from the perspective of a Traditional Chinese Medical Doctor, including info on Earthing from Dr Lynn Hoffman-Tempel.    Spring is here!!!! And while we all celebrate more sunshine, warmer days and the lifting of energy and spirits that come with the change in season – the winds that bring along the change in season can also bring some interesting things with them. In Chinese medicine there is a saying, “the wind is the spearhead of a million diseases.” Spring is associated with the element of wood and the climactic factor of wind. We can be easily impacted by the winds of spring, partly because we have been out of physical contact with the grounding nature or earth. It has been many months since we have had clear and easy access to earth (dirt). The energy of spring can be very busy and ungrounded, it is not unusual to experience disruptions in sleep and emotions – feeling unsettle...