Body Memory

Photo: Logan Ingalls / CC BY 2.0

I’m probably not the only one who flashed back to ghosts of World Series past this season. And not just as an intellectual exercise. ‘Body memory’ we call it in our biz. One minute I was watching the Cubs, next I was remembering images, sounds, and flavors from years ago, right down to the squeaks and lumps of the bar stool I sat on watching Brett Saberhagen shut out the mighty Cardinals 30+ years ago.

The Childe Harold was a dive bar near Dupont Circle. Where Bruce Springsteen played for $750 in the early 70’s and George McGovern went for solace during his doomed campaign. Best burgers ever, great beer selection. My youngest sister (may she rest in peace) enjoyed both and met us there. She was an intern on Capitol Hill that year. Before any of us had any kids. My husband and I were newly married and we didn’t own a TV. Continue reading “Body Memory”

Over the Edge – The Awesome Drop of Autumn: Part 4 of Healing with the Seasons

Dramatic, isn’t it? How Autumn sneaks up on us. Suddenly, we notice a chill in the air. Or how dark it is when we get up in the morning. And the leaves – oh the leaves! – as they leave us. The edges of light and dark show up so clearly now. Dawn and dusk seem like sharper turning points. Often magnificent – ever so briefly. Now you see it, now you . . .

That’s the nature of Autumn. Bit of a sharp edge. It’s cut-to-the-chase time. Days get shorter. Plants die back. Animals look for cover. We may not be the ones bringing in the last of the harvest, but we share their primal sense of urgency. We may feel unprepared for what comes next. Or unready to let go of what’s past. Often we feel like we’re scrambling just to keep up.
Continue reading “Over the Edge – The Awesome Drop of Autumn: Part 4 of Healing with the Seasons”

Open House 2016
at the Ruscombe Mansion
Sun Oct 9, 1-4pm

Your chance for one on one question time with our practitioners, sampling healthy snacks, trying a demo of yoga by the lily pond, or learning from our holistic panel discussions. Let us know you’re coming on Facebook!

Watch Video of Open House 2015 Highlights: http://www.ruscombe.org/2015-open-house-highlights/ or read more about the 2015 Open House: http://www.ruscombe.org/open-house-2015/.

Co-op Cafe Reopening Tuesday, September 13

We are excited to announce that the co-op cafe reopens this September 13. It will be open weekly on Tuesdays, 12-3pm.

And introducing our new cook, Stephanie Czyryca:

“I am a personal chef devoted to creating delicious whole food, plant-based menus to promote health and wholeness. I have enjoyed years as a professional cook, baker, and kitchen man­ager specializing in vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets. This summer, I completed a Certificate in Food Therapy from Natural Gourmet Institute NY, which helps me translate dietary recommendations into nourishing recipes and meal plans to help manage the symptoms of illness. My path is to respect the Earth’s abundance and rekindle the love of food for people in all states of health.”

Crazy Daze of Summer
Transition Time: Food, Work and Music
Part 3 of Healing with the Seasons

Image: Forest and Kim Starr / CC BY 2.0

This is The Season of Transition. Asian healing traditions often identify the time between Summer and Fall as a fifth season, with particular healing gifts for issues around food and nourishment.

Some call this Late Summer or Harvest Time. I call it the Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer. So different from earlier Summer months! More settling – and sometimes more unsettling.
Continue reading “Crazy Daze of Summer
Transition Time: Food, Work and Music
Part 3 of Healing with the Seasons”

ANNOUNCING: Holistic Practitioners Discussion Forum

We are starting a peer-education group open to any holistic health practitioner who wants to talk with practitioners in their own and other modalities, including massage therapists and bodyworkers, acupuncturists, energy workers, holistic physicians, holistic psychotherapists, and others. The purpose of the group is skill-building, sharing information and experiences, and discovering methods we can use to develop ourselves and support each other. Each meeting will begin with a brief experiential exercise, followed by a presentation. The group will meet monthly—the first forum is on Sunday, September 11, 7-8:30pm. Read all about it and mark your calendar!

Riding the Summer Waves: Part 2 of Healing with the Seasons

We’re near the peak. On this part of the planet, we’re coming closer to the sun. We’re feeling its rays more directly than we will again till next June comes around.

All this extra light, warmth and daytime has huge affects on our body, mind and spirit. And, like every season it’s a mixed bag. There’s no such thing as a blessing that’s not mixed, I often say. Continue reading “Riding the Summer Waves: Part 2 of Healing with the Seasons”