Belonging Matters

As we settle into November, it’s a perfect time to pause and reflect on our journeys. This month invites us to look back on the year and consider our experiences, growth, and aspirations for the future. It’s a season that encourages us to appreciate the unique qualities each of us brings to our community.

November also reminds us of life’s preciousness. As the days grow shorter, we can cherish each moment and focus on what truly matters. Practicing gratitude can powerfully shift our perspectives and help cultivate joy and positivity in our daily lives.

Let’s embrace this month by expressing thanks for the people, experiences, and lessons that have shaped us. Whether through journaling, sharing our thoughts with loved ones, or simply pausing to appreciate the little things, let’s make gratitude a priority.

Here’s to a reflective November filled with appreciation and community!    

A  1998 KCHA graduate, Doreen Hart is a Licensed Massage Therapist,  Certified CranioSacral Therapist, Transformational Life Coach, Quantum  Energetic Bodyworker, Certified Evolved NLP Master Practitioner, and CEO of Hart to Heart Awakenings LLC.

Doreen began her professional career as a Physical Therapist Assistant in a hospital setting. She then worked with developmentally disabled adults and educated the staff in private practice.

Her studies at the Upledger Institute began soon after she completed massage school when she primarily pursued CranioSacral Therapy. In 2007, Doreen received her certification as a CranioSacral Therapist.

Through decades of practicing massage and CranioSacral therapy, she has helped clients reduce their pain, increase their mobility, resolve physical and emotional issues, transform their quality of life, and get back to activities they love.

Doreen’s continuing studies have included Evolved NLP (neuro-linguistic programming), working closely with key minds in personal development, primarily the Transformational Leader and Master Coach, Niurka. This work, along with her years of hands-on bodywork, massage, and CST, has allowed her to expand her practice to include Quantum Energetic  Bodywork, connecting with traumas that the body can hold through emotions, achieving even deeper and more permanent shifts in clients’ lives.

Are you ready to experience the light touch technique of CranioSacral Therapy?

CranioSacral Therapy, or CST, is a non-invasive technique that directly connects to the Central Nervous System and the body’s innate wisdom to heal itself when given the opportunity and possibility. It can release tension,  pain, and dysfuncMon deep in the body where long-lasting effects of past trauma may have gone unnoticed yet still influence your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Besides physical changes, CST can affect and release emotions buried in the tissues.

CSW1 and CSW2 are being offered as a package:
CSW1 will be on March 29 – 30, 2025, from 9 AM – 6 PM
CSW2 will be on May 3-4, 2025, from 9 AM – 6 PM

In these sessions, you will learn the:
* History of CST
* Anatomy of CST
* Relationship between fascia and diaphragms

Registration information coming soon!

November is the perfect time to consider gift ideas promoting health and wellness. A massage at Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts Student  Massage Clinic is a perfect gift to give or receive. As students near the end of their training and are ready to provide sessions for the public, these sessions are relaxing, and the price can’t be beat!

Gift certificates are available, as are monthly specials. Check the booking site for more details: Student Clinic Booking Site.

Healthy hips are essential for just about everything we do—sitting, standing,  walking, running, bending—you name it! When your hips hurt, it can really mess with your daily routine. Hip pain can be caused by a variety of diseases, conditions, or injuries, including arthritis, bursitis, and other common joint conditions.

If you or someone you care for is already dealing with pain, it might be time to see a specialist for some relief. But if you’re feeling just a bit off or want to prevent future issues, adopting a healthy, active lifestyle can work wonders.    

Here are a few ways to keep our hips happy

Maintain a healthy weight: The more weight our hips have to support, the more discomfort we might feel, especially with arthritis. Even losing a few pounds can make a big difference!

Eat a balanced diet: Foods rich in Vitamin C help build collagen, which cushions and lubricates the hip joints. Strengthen your bones with high-calcium foods like edamame and tofu. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. Focus on incorporating anti-inflammatory foods like dark leafy greens, fatty fish  (like salmon), olive oil, berries, nuts, and seeds.     

Stretch the hip flexors daily: The more a person sits, the tighter their hip flexors—the muscles at the  front of the hips that help lift the legs—become. Tight hip flexors can  impact flexibility, movement, spinal and pelvic alignment, and cause lower back pain.

To learn more, check out this article from the folks at Women’sHealth.

Exercise regularly and wisely: Even a little exercise can keep our muscles strong, slow bone loss, and improve balance. Focus on activities that keep the hips flexible and strong, like swimming or climbing stairs. Strengthening your core and glute muscles will help stabilize your hips.

This video provides three hip strengthening exercises to consider using three times a week to keep your hips strong.

Always check with your doctor before starting any new exercise routine!    

Support the arches of your feet: The feet have a natural way of moving. When we walk, our arches flatten a bit to help absorb shock. It all starts with the heel hitting the ground, and then the foot rolls forward as our weight shifts onto our arches and toes.

Sometimes,  though, the arches can flex too much, leading to a condition known as excessive pronation. This means the foot rolls inward more than it should, which can create issues that travel up the legs and affect the knees and hips.

When that happens, we might experience repetitive strain problems like tendinitis or bursitis. If you already have arthritis in your hips,  excessive pronation can worsen the wear and tear on the cartilage in those joints.

The good news is that improving your walking with supportive shoes can help ease the strain on your hips. Just remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all shoe for every activity. Your footwear should match what you’re doing, as different movements require different levels of support for your feet.  

Quit smoking: Smoking negatively impacts hip health by decreasing calcium absorption, reducing blood supply to the bones, and slowing bone production, which increases the risk of osteoporosis (weak bones).     

Listen to your body: Exercise and eating well can help ease hip pain from conditions like arthritis or bursitis, but paying attention to what your body tells you is crucial. Some soreness is normal, but if the pain sticks around for over a few days or worsens, it’s time to consult your doctor. And if you feel a sharp pain while working out, stop immediately!

By keeping these tips in mind, you can support hip health and enjoy daily activities pain-free!  

November Intentions: A Time for Gratitude 

November is a natural time for reflection and taking a step back. It reminds us how precious life is and how important it is to make the most of each day.

Be sure to check out the KCHA calendar for additional events!