Medicine

Upcoming events:

Topanga Plant Walks / Every Tuesday 9 am

Is mother nature calling you yet?

The air is fresh and green hillsides are beckoning. Now is the perfect time to honor the concept of Viriditas and connect with the budding plant life all over. Nature lovers of all ages are welcome to join in a series of local plant walks. The group meets every Tuesday morning in the heart of Topanga. Please inquire about the exact time and place. From there we venture forth and carpool to a variety of nearby locations. 

Feel invited to join us, as we go into the woods to connect with the beauty that’s all around us. Most plants can be used and were used by our ancestors for food, fiber or medicine. Let’s respectfully get into relation with them.  

Viriditas, the greening power of nature, was first described by Hildegard von Bingen 900+ years ago. This verdant fertility is a basic law of nature and present in all life forms. A plant inherently knows how to evolve from sprout to leaf to fruit & seed. Which applies to all living beings. We also grow, evolve, age and can heal ourselves. Given time, nurture and half a chance. Hildegard has been a strong influence and spirit mentor in my herbal studies. Looking forward to exploring, as we get to know the prolific gifts in mother nature's garden. 

Please bring water, a snack and dress for warmth and comfort. There won’t be any big hikes, but be prepared for an immersive experience that may involve sitting on the ground. Rain or shine. These walks are purely educational, for identification and to learn about plant uses and properties. No pets please and absolutely no foraging on public lands.

As nature is generous and has no price tags these offerings are donation based. Feel invited to contribute according to your budget or value received.  

Sages Chair Yoga 

Feeling bogged down?  Tired of sitting around?  Need a breath of fresh air?  Guess what?  Help is on the way.  You can get fit where you sit, because aging does not necessarily mean caving into gravity.  However, as we age, we tend to move less.  And sit around more.  Which takes a “Use it or lose it!” toll on the body.   Less movement means more pain, followed by even lesser activity.  
Thus starts a vicious circle that does not have to be that way.  The pain is only here to teach us.  Learn to safely stretch beyond your comfort zone and enjoy a fuller range of motion.  By doing this safely, mindfully, and with breath you can help yourself a lot.  And save yourself some trouble later on.
Take responsibility for your own well being and try something different.  Learn to use the chair to stretch up, back, sideways, and in all directions.  Mobilize the spine so it remembers how to do the things it’s meant to do.  
Experience pain relief, peace, ease and relaxation.  So instead of letting life pull you down, consider chair yoga as something that will pick you up.  Anti-gravity therapy!
No experience necessary, dress comfortably.  Good for any age, shape, size or condition.  Even people in wheelchairs can attend,  or those preparing for long hours on crowded airlines. Includes some tapping of acupressure points and a brief meditation.

Weekly Thursday morning class, in the Sages room at the Topanga Community Center.  11 am to noon.  1 hour $10.- / 6 classes $50.-

Lola’s Kitchen Herbal

This book contains the deep lore and herbal wisdom you probably missed getting from your mother. It takes a good look at the medicinal and culinary properties of what is in your kitchen and yard. 27 common foods from apples, over citrus, onion to sage are described with tips on what to look for, and where to find the best. It’s a lively mix of ancient folk remedies, along with a wealth of simple, tasty recipes. Self-help and a DIY medicine chest at your fingertips.

Misc Self Help Tools

A few tips & tricks on how to ground & center yourself in these rapidly changing times:

• Breathe
  The more you breathe, the more you feel, and the longer you’ll live. Breath is life force energy. Pranayama, Wim Hof Method, Holotropic breathing all can change your life.

• Stretch / Exercise
  The move you move, the better you will feel. Whatever works for you, just do it. Be a good steward to your body, it’s the only one you’ve got. The stronger you are, the easier it is to handle any kind of crisis or injury.

• Earthing
  Going barefoot on the ground has awesome centering and anti-inflammatory effects. Check out Clint Ober’s excellent work on the topic.

• Yoga
  Any type, any way, shape or form. Yoga brings body. mind and spirit into alignment. Feel encouraged to explore. Some forms are more active and others deeply nourishing and relaxing.