Harmonizing Habits and Routine with the Fall
As we shift deeper into the fall season, there are a few ways to harmonize ourselves with what is shifting in the natural world.
As mentioned in the previous post, the Fall season is a big dynamic shift, and this change can be quite a shock. When change happens, we are confronted with ourselves anew. This confrontation happens with our bodies, our inner emotional world, and even our ways of thinking / seeing the world.
Change always means a change in habits. For instance, it is unlikely that in Chicago I will go outside w/ a tank top, shorts and sandals at the beginning of November. I must re-align my habits concerning how I interact with the outer world in the most basic ways. Many of the changes are more subtle, but they still occur physically, emotionally and mentally.
Some of our habits for managing our physical, mental, or emotional well being may not be ideal for the changing season, some of our habits and routines may no longer be ideal for the changing season.
So what are some good habits to align with the fall?
Again, we can think of some of the themes of the Fall:
Letting go / releasing
relaxation, reducing anxiety, stretch out tensions, let go of emotional or mental baggage
Gathering / Nourishing
building energy - breathing practices, good eating, meditation, bringing friends together, self-care, routine / ritual that bring positive self connections
Harvesting
enjoy the rewards of some of your accomplishments, and ways you have grown
Slowing down / Conserving
home cooked meals, slower gentle movement, reflection, looking ahead and making plans for the future
Tranquility / Gratitude
stabilizing emotions during turbulent times
As you go over the list above, maybe something stands out. Maybe there is an idea or energy above that you would like to reconnect with, or something that you feel pulled towards. Not everything needs to happen at once, change can be just one small piece at a time, and it is much easier to start something or renew something where you feel a natural desire or attraction.
Even if it is a small change, something we feel strongly motivated towards and excited about, it is still difficult to put a new habit into place. Reflect / Resolve / Respond / Repeat are good concepts to use that can help to stabilize and steady efforts when making a change.
Reflect:
Give yourself some time and space, look at your life and habits. Is there some aspect of the space you hold physically, mentally, emotionally where you feel compelled or desire towards change? Usually, something will stand out if we give ourselves some time to reflect.
Then, there is the hinge of seeing that change in our lives. So as you reflect, you must strategize. How can you incorporate a new habit into your life? How do you see yourself maintaining this new habit? What happens if you lose track of it? This is where it is important to be realistic, try to make a change that is realistic to practice and follow through.
Resolve:
When you see yourself making a change, it is best to decide firmly to move in that direction. Also, try to see your efforts in a positive way, feel excited about what you are doing. In general, it is much easier to do something or practice something that we have enthusiasm for, and this way we can remove some of the resistance that naturally occurs when trying to change. Write a list of the habits you would like to change. Do you have new habits you want to add to your routine? Pick a few that resonate with you.
Respond:
After reflecting and creating space for a new habit, all that is left is to respond. Meaning, put it into practice! Again being realistic and patient here is helpful. Setting aside a small amount of time either each day or week is enough. After the first few times you practice, reassess. How do you feel after the first week of your new routine? Does the timing work for you? If something needs to change, what does that look like?
Repeat:
The natural resistance that occurs when we try to initiate a new habit or way of being is very real. It is quite helpful to just repeat the steps. Remember why you wanted to initiate a new habit, remember and feel the excitement towards that thing, also recall the benefits you felt from doing it. After some time, you may find this process is no longer necessary because your new habit feels like second nature.
Christian Villacres, L.Ac joins Five Point Ownership Team
We are thrilled to announce that Christian made the big step of becoming an owner of Five Point. In early July, Christian joined Celeste, Ryan, and Nathan as the seventh owner of our worker co-op since our inception. Christian began working at Five Point as an acupuncturist in 2017, and he quickly demonstrated strong leadership skills and commitment to our business and community.
Christian grew up in Washington D.C. in a lively Latin household and was taught from an early age to value a natural and healthy lifestyle. Following a career in Art and Design, his interest in natural health and longevity lead him to Chinese Martial Arts, internal development, and ultimately into the study of Chinese Medicine. He graduated from PCOM Chicago in 2016. Informed by the richness of both Eastern and Western Science, embracing both Tradition and Modernity, he strives to help his patients achieve and maintain their highest quality of life.
As an owner, Christian brings his art and design skills to the Five Point marketing and outreach team. He is fluent in Spanish, and helps to broaden our accessibility and outreach to the Hispanic community. He is currently pursuing a doctorate at Bastyr University in order to hone his clinical skills.
Christian's ambition, work ethic, warmth, and sense of humor makes him a valued member of the ownership team, and we look forward to growing our business with him by our side.
Phase Three Reopening Safety Plan
After much care, consideration, and preparation, Five Point reopened on Monday, May 18 with a limited schedule. As of July 8, we’ll be entering our third phase of reopening, expanding our available treatment hours and services.
The health and safety of our patients, practitioners, and front desk staff is paramount to us, and we have created a set of policies and procedures based on state, CDC, and other professional guidelines to ensure best practice. Below is a detailed but not exhaustive list of policies we have in place:
Shift Policies
Two practitioners working per shift, (two acupuncturists or one acupuncturist and one bodyworker)
Each acupuncturist can see up to two people per hour, one in the community room and one in a private room
Services & Scheduling
Community Acupuncture - Limited to 2 at a time, staggered start time by 30 min, chairs more than 6 feet apart
Private Acupuncture - Limited to 3 at a time
Bodywork - Sessions now available at 25% capacity with 15 minutes between appointments for cleaning
Cupping - Call to book
Visit our online scheduling site for our full schedule and services
Patient Screening and Requirements
All patients will be required to fill out an online screening form within 24 hours of their appointment
Patients must notify the clinic if symptoms or circumstances have changed since they filled out their form, including:
Experiencing fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle pain, or any other symptoms on the CDC symptom list for COVID-19
Living with or been in close proximity with someone who has had cold/flu-like symptoms in the last 2 weeks
Traveled in the last 2 weeks or hosted friends/family from outside their household
Working outside of the home
Ability to practicing social distancing
Immunocompromised status
Patients are required to wear a mask for the entire duration of their visit to Five Point
Patients are required to wash their hands and forearms upon arrival and after treatment
Practitioners will take patients’ temperature via a no-touch thermometer upon arrival
Patients may not bring additional people to their appointment unless they require aid or translation services. Anyone accompanying a patient must wait outside or in the car
Patients must keep at least 6 feet distance from front desk staff, other patients, and practitioners except during their treatment
Practitioner Protocols
Wear a KN95 mask at all times
Take temperature and symptom checklist upon arrival
Wear clean clothes to the clinic and launder clothes after wearing them to the clinic
Disinfect computer or tablet between treatments
Wash hands before and after each treatment
Use hand sanitizer frequently during treatment
Follow Clean Needle Technique Protocols
Reception protocols
Wipe down all surfaces in the treatment room after appointment: treatment surfaces, face cradle, alcohol/cotton ball container lids, light switch/dimmer, door knobs, TDP lamp, chair, moxa bowls, lighters etc.
Remove sheets after every patient in community and private rooms and immediately take to laundry room
Wipe down chair arms and side tables after community treatment
Wipe down reception/seating area and herb station as needed
Wash laundry in hot water, and wear gloves while handling laundry
Wear mask at all times and wash hands frequently
Avoid handling credit cards and cash if possible: ask patients to read card numbers to you or call in advance if a valid card number is not on file.
Please contact us if you have questions or would like more detail. We hope to see you soon.
*Edited Monday, November 23
Adding Bodywork and Expanding Hours on June 15
Phase Three of Chicago's reopening plan allows for us to start offering bodywork in a limited capacity. Beginning on Monday, June 15, we'll be offering 30 minute bodywork sessions. These appointments will be limited, as we can only offer one per hour to allow ample time for cleaning. Massage clients will be expected to wear a mask for the duration of their appointment.
We'll begin by offering bodywork by Nathan on Monday and Wednesday mornings and by Kate on Monday evenings. These 30-minute sessions are $55 and perfect for a quick nervous system shut down or to alleviate aches and pains.
We'll also be expanding our hours starting June 15 to allow for more acupuncture appointments and making community acupuncture bookable online again. Our new hours will be:
Monday - Thursday 8:30am - 6:30pm
Friday 8:30 - 2
Saturday 10 - 4
Please visit our booking site for our full schedule and offerings.
Supporting Community Wellness Through Advocating for Racial Justice
Stress, strain, upheaval, and uncertainty is palpable for everyone right now. We wish for your safety and security and ask for you to consider those who cannot enjoy those privileges.
One of the seven co-op principles is Concern for Community, which means speaking up and lending help when our community is hurting. We’re heartbroken by the death of George Floyd and countless other Black and Brown lives at the hands of police violence. We’re angry at the systematic oppression and racism in our community. We’re listening and committed to finding ways in which we can do better as individuals and a business in unpacking our own biases.
We encourage everyone to do what they can with their bodies, minds, voices, and wallets to
Protest against racism
Read about White supremacy
Listen to Black voices
Discuss these issues with friends and relatives
Share on social media
Support Black-owned businesses
Donate to causes that work to dismantle racism and improve Black lives
For our part, Five Point Holistic Health has set up a recurring donation to Imagine Englewood, whose mission is to "strengthen and empower the Greater Englewood community through teaching local youth and their families healthy living, environmental awareness, and positive communication skills."
Please consider contributing your resources to Imagine Englewood or any of the causes below:
Accountability, justice, and reform are necessary to begin healing this longstanding systemic illness. We are all community and it is in all our best interests to support one another. Please take care of yourselves and each other.
Reopening Safety Plan
After much care, consideration, and preparation, Five Point will be reopening as of Monday, May 18. We will be operating with a limited schedule that we hope to expand in the coming weeks or months as we deem safe to do so.
The health and safety of our patients, practitioners, and front desk staff is paramount to us, and we have created a set of policies and procedures based on state, CDC, and other professional guidelines to ensure best practice. Below is a detailed but not exhaustive list of policies we have in place:
Shift Policies
One practitioner per shift, and one shift per day for the first few weeks we are open
Teams that are consistent: practitioners work with the same team of people to limit exposure among staff
Services & Scheduling
Community Acupuncture - Limited to 1 per hour, book by phone or email
Private Acupuncture - Limited to 1 per hour, rotating through 3 rooms, bookable online
Bodywork - Not available until Illinois stay-at-home order lifted
Patient Screening and Requirements
All patients will be required to fill out an online screening form upon booking their appointment, which will be emailed to them through JaneApp.
Patients will be phoned the day before their appointment to check for symptoms and other risk factors such as
Experiencing fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle pain, or any other symptoms on the CDC symptom list for COVID-19
Living with or been in close proximity with someone who has had cold/flu-like symptoms in the last 2 weeks
Traveled in the last 2 weeks
Working outside of the home
Practicing social distancing
Immunocompromised
Patients are required to wear a mask for the entire duration of their visit to Five Point
Patients are required to wash their hands and forearms upon arrival and after treatment
Practitioners will take patients’ temperature via a no-touch thermometer upon arrival
Patients may not bring additional people to their appointment unless they require aid or translation services. Anyone accompanying a patient must wait outside or in the car
Patients must keep at least 6 feet distance from front desk staff, other patients, and practitioners except during their treatment
Practitioner Protocols
Wear a mask at all times
Wear clean clothes to the clinic and launder clothes after wearing them to the clinic
Do not touch face or patients’ faces
Do not bring computer, phone or tablet into treatment room; do charting only at practitioner table after washing hands
Wash hands before and after each treatment
Use gloves hand sanitizer frequently during treatment
Follow Clean Needle Technique Protocols
Keep nails short, hair up, and no jewelry or clothing that drapes like scarves
Reception protocols
Wipe down all surfaces in the treatment room after appointment: treatment surfaces, face cradle, alcohol/cotton ball container lids, light switch/dimmer, door knobs, TDP lamp, chair, moxa bowls, lighters etc.
Remove sheets after every patient in community and private rooms and immediately take to laundry room
Wipe down chair arms and side tables after community treatment
Wipe down reception/seating area and herb station as needed
Wash laundry in hot water, and wear gloves while handling laundry
Wear mask at all times and wash hands frequently
Avoid handling credit cards and cash if possible: ask patients to read card numbers to you or call in advance if a valid card number is not on file.
Please contact us if you have questions or would like more detail. We hope to see you soon.
Five Point's Response to COVID-19
EDIT: Five Point will be closed until March 14 amid growing risk of COVID-19. Thank you for your understanding.
As concerns rise around the global coronavirus pandemic, Five Point is doing our part to keep our staff and community safe. We’re here to support your health and wellness, and for the time being we are staying open while we closely monitor the situation. Your safety is always a priority, and we already adhere to rigorous cleaning standards as a medical clinic. We’re taking additional steps to mitigate risk to our community based on recommendations from the CDC, WHO, and state and local officials.
What We’re Doing
Using universal precautions such as frequent hand washing and hand sanitizer use.
Wiping down community chairs, treatment surfaces, laptops, and other frequently touched surfaces with alcohol or chlorine-based disinfectants.
Instructing employees to stay home if they are experiencing any symptoms of illness.
Having masks and gloves available for staff and practitioners to wear at their discretion. This is not because they are sick but to prevent the spread of illness.
Removing a chair in the community room so patients are more than 6 feet apart.
Washing washcloths after every use by patients.
Washing cloth blankets and spraying space blankets with disinfectant once per day.
What We Ask of You
Wash your hands upon entering the clinic either at the practitioner sink in the community space or the restroom. Hand sanitizer is available for your use throughout the clinic.
Please stay home if you’re experiencing any cold or flu-like symptoms, even if they’re mild, unless you’ve tested negative for COVID-19 and haven’t had a fever for 24 hours.
Please stay home if you’ve been in direct contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or if you’ve recently traveled from a country that has reported COVID-19 cases in the last 14 days.
We never charge a fee for cancellation due to illness.
Take Your Herbs!
We have stocked up on raw, granule, and encapsulated herbs. Raw herbs are the most potent and best at combating active sick symptoms. Granules and capsules can be used preventatively. Schedule a phone consultation if you’re sick, and we can make a custom formula based on your symptoms. We can also refill current formulas if you chose not to come in for treatments at this time.
We understand this is an unprecedented time for our city, country, and world. Please take care of yourselves and your community. We’ll continue to communicate with you if anything changes.
Well Wishes,
Celeste, Ryan, Nathan, and the Five Point team
Resources
COVID-19 testing at Innovative Express Care
Coping with Stress During the 2019 n-COV Outbreak
Block Club Chicago’s list of closed businesses and organizations and other city-wide updates
Taming the Sea of Blood
Learn to read your body’s signs of balance and imbalance by understanding your period better.
For People with Periods
By Julia MacGlashan, L.Ac
Your menstrual cycle is an elaborate balancing act of hormones in constant states of waxing and waning. Imbalances at any stage can cause disruptions in your mood, sleep, energy, skin, pain etc. For many folks, it takes roughly 3-6 months of treatment to regulate hormones. Ever wonder why your acupuncturist suggested weekly treatments during this time? The cycle has four stages, which works out to roughly one per week. See below to get an idea of what’s happening at each stage.
Stage 1: BLOOD
The first day of your period is Day 1 of your menstrual cycle. Hormones are relatively low here. Your body’s Chong Mai (“Sea of Blood,” a splendid name) opens the floodgates. The quality of this blood (color, thickness, clots, amount, and rate of flow) provides so much information on how your body is doing overall. Your practitioner will definitely ask about this. Acupuncture and herbs at this stage help move and replenish blood. Treatment is especially good at this time if you get any cramps or headaches during your period or have a lot of clots.
Stage 2: YIN
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) tells an ovarian follicle to develop, maturing an egg and increasing estrogen. The estrogen then tells your body to rebuild the uterine lining. This is perhaps the most important stage if you’re trying to get pregnant- definitely don’t skip your treatment this week. Acupuncture and herbs will support yin and jing (reproductive essence). Once estrogen (yin) builds to a certain level, Luteinizing Hormone (LH) triggers ovulation (yang). This is literally yin transforming into yang.
Stage 3: YANG
After ovulation, the empty follicle that released the egg produces progesterone (literally pro-gestation) to stabilize the uterine lining, making it the perfect thickness for implantation of a fertilized egg. Yang continues to build with progesterone, so acupuncture and herbs at this stage will help support yang. The transition from yin to yang is a major hormone shift that should happen smoothly, but can be easily disrupted by things like emotional stress. Mid-cycle symptoms are just as common as PMS.
Stage 4: QI
Implantation occurs here, so this is important if you’re trying to get pregnant. If there IS a pregnancy, your practitioner will incorporate qi and yang tonifying acupuncture and herbs to help maintain your progesterone levels. If there’s no pregnancy, your hormone levels will drop back down and the cycle begins again with the Sea of Blood. Treatments will focus on moving qi to help prevent premenstrual symptoms. If you regularly experience symptoms of PMS or PMDD, this is the most important stage for treatment.
So there you have it, the menstrual cycle in a nutshell. If you have any questions about how hormonal imbalances could be affecting you, or how to incorporate that into your treatments, just ask your acupuncturist!
Don’t Stress About Relaxing: Bodywork for Chronic Stress and Anxiety
Sometimes we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to feel relaxed. Luckily, we don’t need to be worried about relaxing. Simply noticing that you have trouble unwinding or relaxing is very useful because then you can do something about it. When our nervous system is responding appropriately to the world around us, our bodies are totally capable of relaxing when the time is right. At other times, we need to be alert and engaged because that is what is called for. The distinction between times of vigilance and times of relative safety gets blurred in cases of chronic stress and anxiety. The nervous system becomes primed and ready for action in case of threat and fails to pump the brakes on that threat response once the moment of danger or frightening event has passed. Instead of turning off systems that protect and turning on systems that heal and restore, we exist in a perpetual state of threat response which is really hard on our bodies in the long run.
How can we help recalibrate a nervous system that has a tough time navigating these two states of response? Regaining that balance is a process, and there is no single thing that will get you there. There is a growing body of research that also points to the importance of body-based therapies, movement, and social connection in refining and strengthening our ability to restore calm after averting or managing a situation that activates our fight/flight/freeze systems. Yoga, Pilates, dance and other movement based classes can be incredibly beneficial because they offer both movement and social connection. But simply spending time with friends or going for a walk are also great options. Walking with friends? Even better!. Therapy can help with the mental and emotional aspects of these issues, of course. The list of options is long and it can sometimes feel overwhelming to figure out. This is another reason why massage is a great place to start.
Massage and bodywork is a great way to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and stress. Just as repeated and prolonged stress attunes the body toward states of vigilance and reactivity, regular bodywork can attune the body to the feeling of rest and calm. Massage and bodywork restores and fosters a somatic connection that helps us recognize what is working for us and what is not. Slowing down and shifting your awareness inward helps you gauge which practices and activities positively impact how you feel, and which have the opposite effect. It clears the cobwebs and puts you in closer touch with your body, enabling you to recognize the very palpable difference in states of vigilance and states of relaxation, and refines your nervous system’s ability to navigate between the two with ease.
Tiered Pricing for Community Acupuncture
We have some exciting developments in the new year that we'd like to share regarding our community acupuncture pricing. This past year we experimented with monthly discount community acupuncture nights as a means to make our services more accessible. These evenings were a huge success, often booking up weeks in advance. The popularity of these evenings demonstrated the need for reduced-cost services more than once per month and lead us to find a solution.
As of February 1, we will officially be moving to a tiered pricing model for community acupuncture. Pricing will be:
Reduced rate: $30
Standard rate: $40
Supportive rate: $45
Reduced Rate
Having difficulty affording $40 or coming for multiple visits in one week? Consider our reduced rate.
Standard Rate
Don’t like too many options or comfortable with what you've already been paying? No problem! The standard rate is still $40.
Supportive Rate
Have extra resources? Every supportive rate paid helps us give a community member a treatment at the reduced rate.
These scenarios are merely suggestions, as only you know what works best for your situation. You’re welcome to change which tier you pay at any time. We will continue to offer our package rate for all services at 10% off five or more treatments purchased. For community acupuncture, the package price will be based on the standard rate.
Surely you’ll have questions, so don't hesitate to talk to our front desk staff or your practitioner. We look forward to seeing you in the clinic soon, and happy new year!
New Year Wellness Event
New Years resolutions are often accompanied by some commitment to taking better care of yourself, whether it be some nutrition goals, workout goals, or self-care goals. Often, these goals are only met for a brief period of time, but the the energy doesn’t seem to last and they fizzle out.
With that in mind, Five Point Holistic Health will be hosting a wellness event on January 18th from 5-7 pm. This event will feature brief talks from Kristin Ryan (Health Coach and Nutritional Services), Christian Villacres (acupuncture and simple home care), and Nathan Paulus (taichi and meditation).
Our aim is to keep up your inspiration and give you advance notice of upcoming events and ways to continue manifesting your best self.
Please come and join us for snacks, drinks, conversation and inspiration!
About Kristin Ryan
Kristin is a holistic health coach offering one-on-one nutritional consulting services for people who feel too busy & overwhelmed to prioritize their health. She believes in helping clients come home to themselves and recognize that in caring for themselves and their health, they can better serve others and show up more present & stronger in their lives. Too often, we allow our responsibilities to get in the way of showing up for ourselves. Maximizing the asset of your own health & wellness pays dividends in all other aspects of your life.
About Nathan Paulus
Besides being one of the owners / practitioners at Five Point Holistic Health, Nathan is an avid practitioner of Taichi and Meditation. Without a physical practice, real meditation is almost impossible. Without a good teacher/lineage, real self-development is likely to be limited to some small initial growth, but will quickly stagnate.
Tai Chi practice serves as a way to deepen and refine the quality of body energy and circulation; it helps to develop the emotional self and works to improve focus and concentration of the mind. Tai Chi is one of the true methods of self-development, and as with all the great arts, can work on multiple levels of a person simultaneously.
Nathan will be leading a Tai Chi beginners series in February at Alternative Health Group.
About Christian Villacres,
Christian is an soon-to-be-owner and acupuncturist at Five Point Holistic Health. Outside of Five Point, he is an avid practitioner of Wing-chung martial arts. Christian will be speaking on the benefits of receiving regular acupuncture and ways that Five Point makes getting regular acupuncture easy and affordable. He also has a host of simple home remedies that are basically universally helpful in self-care routines.
Winter is Here
By Kate Fruchey, LMT
Winter is here. Massage and bodywork can help.
It’s inevitable. It happens every year whether we like or not. No matter what we do to prepare, it happens too soon. The days get shorter, the wind gets colder, and just like that… it’s winter.
If you’ve lived in Chicago for more than 5 minutes no one has to tell you the impact of winter is real. The tendency to withdraw is strong; lack of light affects our mood at a physiological level. Instinct and intuition beg us to slow down, rest, hibernate; yet the world demands as much (if not more) of our time and energy as it did in those first glorious days of spring and summer. It’s a tough dynamic to balance.
While we may not be able to hibernate for weeks at a time, taking an hour once or twice a month to do exactly as nature intended this time of year can help ease the negative effects of the season. Studies show that regular massages improve mood and reset circadian rhythms, leading to better sleep and more energy.
A bit more energy this time of year can make a big difference. When our energy is too low we might be inclined to cancel that coffee date with a friend, skip pilates or yoga, or put off a phone call to someone we care about. But these types of activities are as important as resting in winter because they keep us connected. Being connected to community and physically active are also powerful tools in maintaining our health and boosting our mood. Finding that balance is tricky and it looks different for everyone. Don’t forget we are here to help!
Massage Early and Often: Don't Wait for Pain
By Kate Fruchey, LMT
It seems to be pretty common knowledge these days that massage is a wonderful and effective tool for addressing tension in our backs, necks, and shoulders. And it is! In fact, getting some bodywork to address general, achy, tension in these areas before it becomes downright painful is one of my favorite self-care tips. That general discomfort is a signal that something is off, an imbalance of some sort is affecting your body’s ability to work efficiently.
Posture, repetitive movement and fatigue are all likely suspects in these cases, and it is important to remember they rarely act alone. Usually it’s a combination of such factors working together that, if left unheeded, gradually become chronic neck and back pain. One of the biggest players in this scenario is often overlooked is stress. Anxiety and stress can lower our ability to modulate pain, potentially allowing minor aches and pains to escalate into major problems. Have you ever noticed your back pain gets worse when work/life gets particularly stressful?
While experiencing stress is inevitable, chronic stress can be a real problem. It’s the type of problem that makes other problems feel worse by disrupting sleep, negatively impacting digestion, dampening our mood and resilience, and triggering physiologic processes that affect our immune system and the health of our tissues. And, as you may have guessed, that is where massage comes in. Research has shown that massage therapy can have a positive influence with the issue of stress and improving quality of life. Taking time out to alleviate stress and address those minor aches and pains just might help prevent some major issues down the road.
Celebrating Collective Ownership
October is National Co-op Month! A co-operative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise. There are many different types of co-ops including consumer co-ops like the Dill Pickle Food Co-op, Credit Unions like First Northern Credit Union, housing co-ops like Qumbya, and worker co-ops like Five Point Holistic Health!
Worker co-ops are values-driven businesses that put the needs of workers and the community front and center. Worker-owners democratically participate in the oversight, management, and profit distribution of the company. According to the National Co-op Business Association, the US has more than 400 worker co-ops in 17 industries. Worker co-ops provide employment stability, reducing the turnover rate from 60% to 15%.
Currently Five Point's owners are Celeste Levitz-Jones, Ryan Palma, and Nathan Paulus. We are pleased to announce that Christian Villacres is the newest worker to start the path to ownership, which he'll complete in spring of 2020.
At our co-op, prospective owners must meet specific member eligibility criteria, undergo a 6-month training to bring them up to speed on all important aspects of the business, and provide a capital contribution at the same rate as the other owners. By investing the same amount into the business, every owner is given an equal vote in all business matters. We're excited to add Christian's skills and experience to our ownership team!
Craniosacral Therapy: Moderate Pressure, Meaningful Change.
By Kate Fruchey, LMT
One of the most unique aspects of craniosacral therapy is the use of lighter, more moderate, pressure. “Lighter” in this case should not be confused with superficial. Our bodies are incredibly adept and intelligent when it comes to feeling. Sometimes the use of deep or forceful pressure can trigger a defensive reaction in the muscle, which causes the body to tense in response. This is counter-productive to the goal of most bodywork. The aim is typically to disrupt those very patterns of tension. Applied with intention and skill, a moderate touch can elicit a deeper response because it engages the nervous system in a dialogue that communicates safety and wellbeing.
Most importantly, the gentle stillness of craniosacral therapy allows the recipient a chance to look inward, and fully experience what is happening below the surface of their skin in their body as a whole. Over the course of a session, the nervous system has time to respond to the work, as opposed to react. This is an important distinction, and the smallest shift in this respect can have far reaching impact in our lives. When we habitually exist in a state of heightened vigilance or anxiety we may tend to overreact or give certain stimuli more weight or energy that it actually merits.
Delivered with skill and the intention to listen, the light touch of cranio and more moderate pressure of a Swedish massage do not force the body into further action, but offer the opportunity to find a healthful balance between vigilance and simple awareness, a space of ease. In this space, over time, we are capable of meaningful and lasting change.
This blog post is part of a series on Craniosacral Therapy. For an introduction to the therapy, please read Cultivating Ease with Craniosacral Therapy.
Pop-Up Meditation Class with Nathan
Saturday, June 1, 4:30pm - 5:30pm @ Tula Yoga Studio
Meditation is a tool that works to gradually refine a person from the inside out, and it is a very good counterbalance to a physical practice. The real aim of meditation is establishing some connection back to the highest part of yourself, while simultaneously creating a separation from our outer manifestations and the ego's perception of self.
This class will start a short movement sequence to wake up and center the body’s energy. There will be a brief talk about how and why the meditation works. Nathan will then lead a guided meditation practice with time for questions at the end.
Nathan has 7 years of study and practice with this form of meditation under the guidance of a good teacher. He has benefited greatly from meditation practice, and is happy to share from his experience.
Five Point Turns Five
It is difficult express how happy and grateful we are to be entering into our fifth year of business with such a wonderful community and neighborhood. From our hearts to yours, THANK YOU for your support and for sharing a vision of health, wellness, and care with us and our community.
As a way of expressing our gratitude to all of you, we will be offering discounted services for the entire day of Wednesday, May 29. Community acupuncture treatments will be $25 and all bodywork services are 25% off. We will have some snacks and goodies as well (besides our GinGins), so please come to the clinic to celebrate with us!
Cultivating Ease with Craniosacral Therapy
By Kate Fruchey, LMT
What is Craniosacral Therapy? This is a question I’m asked often and it’s a question I absolutely love to answer. Given the opportunity I could go on about Craniosacral Therapy (commonly referred to as cranio) and why everyone should consider trying it, but in the end, it is pretty simple.
The textbook definition of cranio varies slightly from source to source, but it usually goes a little like… “Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system - comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Using a soft touch generally no greater than 5 grams, or about the weight of a nickel, practitioners release restrictions in the craniosacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system.” This definition, while very thorough and accurate, doesn’t describe the incredibly restorative and calming quality of Craniosacral Therapy. It doesn’t explain why the soft touch described above is an effective tool in helping manage a wide range of issues from TMJ to PTSD. It may leave you wondering how using a gentler, moderate quality of touch can have a powerful impact on how we feel, physically, mentally and emotionally. But that is a lot of ground to cover, so we’re going to break it down into smaller chunks over the course of a few posts.
Let’s start with the basics.
What to Expect in a Craniosacral Session
After an initial session, one should expect to feel well rested, with a renewed sense of ease, either in the body or the mind, maybe both. As treatments progress, this sense of ease becomes more accessible on the table. As clients grow accustomed to the work, new and changing sensations present themselves as long held patterns of tension begin to unwind, resulting in less pain and discomfort.
As I mentioned before, this type of bodywork is deeply restorative. People not only feel relaxed after a session, many are surprised at the level of relaxation that can be attained in 60 minutes. Supporting and providing a space for deep relaxation is an important aspect of many types of bodywork because when we are in a state of relaxation our bodies have a chance to repair. Our sympathetic (fight or flight) nervous system quiets and our parasympathetic (rest and digest/repair and restore) nervous system gets a chance to go to work. We rely heavily on the sympathetic nervous system to meet the demands of our lives. Over time this affects our health. It exhausts our ability to manage the internal and external challenges we encounter day to day. The opportunity to reset the balance, engage the parasympathetic nervous system, and experience ease on the massage table can be the first step in cultivating ease in life, whether that means feeling more ease in your neck or back, fewer headaches, or less anxiety.
At Five Point, cranio sessions are performed over clothing, using very gentle to moderate pressure. I love to incorporate acupressure and tui na into craniosacral sessions. Because of its deeply relaxing effect, I always use a bit of cranio in Swedish Massage sessions. My approach to cranio is especially well suited to helping manage the physical and emotional effects of anxiety and stress, chronic neck, shoulder, and back pain, headaches and migraines. I also love working with people who simply need to slow down (or be reminded how to), who are running on empty and have trouble turning off the endless stream of thoughts and worries that tend to fill our heads day in and day out.
Our bodies do their best repair work when we are relaxed and at ease, and many of us are not either of those things most of the time. It sounds simple, but it is not easy. Sometimes we actually forget what it feels like to be relaxed and at ease and craniosacral can help.
In upcoming entries, we’ll circle back to other aspects of cranio that people tend to be curious about and get into some of the details of the craniosacral system mentioned in the definition earlier. Next time we’ll touch on why gentle pressure (5g) can yield dramatic results. Take care.
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April 2019 Schedule
This spring we’re updating our schedule, opening Monday mornings and evenings, and moving our Sunday shift earlier in the day. We’re also expanding weekdays to start at 8:30am and end at 7:15pm.
Sunday
10:30-4:15—Ryan, Genna, & Kate
Monday
8:30-2:00—Christian & Nathan
2:00-7:15—Ryan
Tuesday
8:30-2—Celeste & Julia
2-7:15—Christian & Ryan
Wednesday
8:30-2:00—Nathan
2:00-7:15—Celeste, Christian, & Kate
Thursday
8:30-2:00—Julia
2:00-7:15—Julia, Genna, & Nathan
Friday
8:30-2:00—Christian & Kate
Saturday
9:30-3:00—Celeste, Genna, & Nathan