TCM Dietary Therapy for Winter

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Winter is the season of the Kidneys and the most supportive dietary focus this time of year is Building and Nourishing. This is the best time to replenish our reserves, essence and vitality.

Foods to focus on:

  • mineral rich bone broth

  • roasted squash and root vegetables

  • dark colored foods; such as Molasses, black sesame seeds, black beans and kelp

  • nurtient dense foods; such as liver and other organ meats

  • sautéed and stewed hearty greens

  • slow cooked and easy to digest foods; such as soups and stews

  • herbs to gently warm the body; such as ginger and cinnamon

  • stewed fruit; such as poached pears and apple sauce

Before jumping into a new years "cleanse," talk to your TCM practitioner about the best ways to support your body with dietary therapy this season.

Book your Traditional Chinese Medicine appointment

Winter Solstice

The shortest day of the year is the beginning of the season of the Kidneys and carries the theme of embracing your own darkness. Coming into the season of the kidneys it is important to embrace this shift nature has for us.

Shorter days mean more time inside and longer hours of rest. The cold gives us time to slow down, to stay warm, to nourish our selves.

The kidneys are responsible for the growth and development of our bones, our endocrine system (all of our hormones), our immunity (production of WBC) and the proper functioning of our adrenals (our internal fire). The kidneys love routine, they crave to be grounded and nourished and they house the emotion of fear.

Sleep more, eat warm foods, wear warm clothes, take warm baths, connect with those you love.

Book your Traditional Chinese Medicine appointment

Self Care Boutique

Looking for the perfect gift for a loved one, or a treat for yourself this holiday season? We have a wide range of nourishing items available in person.

Pain management relief, homeopathic remedies, ear seeds, our signature scent, gua sha packages, Chinese herbal remedies, palo Santo incense and jewelry. All of our products are created or prescribed by The Collective team, giving each curated item its own personal resonance to the space and your health.

We also offer select items through our online shop.

Gift Certificates at The Way Holistic Collective

Health is the greatest gift you can share.

We are happy to offer Gift Certificates at The Way Holistic Collective that can be used toward a session with any of our pracititoners. Our Collective offers Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture, Massage Therapy and various Energy Work modalities.

Gift certificates can be purchased right on your Janeapp profile, on our website or in person at the clinic.

Purchase a Gift Card directly from our website

Fatigue

A gentle reminder that fatigue is one of the first signs of getting sick.

Our minds and bodies are most susceptible to illness and imbalance during times of transitions. Whether that be seasonal changes or a life chapter ending and new one beginning.

As we transition from Fall to Winter, allow yourself some extra time for rest especially if you are feeling more tired.

Feeling fatigued? Book your Traditional Chinese Medicine appointment to help support your body.

How Constipation Can Affect Your Lungs

Did you know, constipation can affect your lungs?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine the lungs and large intestine are paired together and correspond to the Metal element.

The large intestine descends and helps us let go of all waste matter physically and emotionally. In turn, letting go gives space for the lungs to take in the breath of life and find new inspirations.

Getting enough fiber in our diets is essential to protect the lungs and large intestine and to promote healthy bowels. Breathwork and exercise also stimulate the lungs and bowels.

Still having issues with constipation? Acupuncture can help support healthy digestion and bowel movements. Book your Traditional Chinese Medicine appointment.

Fruit to Help with Coughs + Mucous

In Traditional Chinese Medicine diet therapy, pears affect the lungs and stomach and are traditionally used to treat cough with mucous, constipation, difficult urination and indigestion.

The sweet and cooling nature of pears helps produce fluids, lubricates and eliminates mucous.

Try simmering pears in a little water with honey and cloves and serve over oats during the cold and flu season.

Book your Traditional Chinese Medicine appointment.

Dietary Support in Autumn

The Metal element is associated with the Lungs and Large Intestine, the season of Autumn and the color white. As we move into Fall our diets should start to incorporate heavier foods such as more grains, beans, animal proteins and hearty soups to build warmth and yang for the colder months ahead.

Try incorporating white colored foods such as radishes, white meats and mushrooms and pungent foods such as onions, garlic, turnips and white peppercorn to stimulate the lungs and large intestine.

Flax seed, fennel and fenugreek tea can also help clear old mucous from the lungs.

Beautiful presentation of food nourishes our senses and Metal element within us.

Book your Traditional Chinese Medicine Appointment.

Sound Therapy

Using different sound vibrational forks based in Chinese Medicine and Astrology; These forks are specifically attuned to the planetary frequencies and archetypes to clear the subtle field, balance the chakras and stimulate acupuncture points and channels for a smooth, balanced flow of Qi.

The zodiac fork is an amazing frequency that has a few special functions. This frequency is based on the frequency of the earth's movement through the 25,900 year procession through all the 12 zodiac signs. Because of this massive movement, it helps to create space in the body, allowing it to help with pain. This space also allows for more room for expansiveness, wisdom, meditation and breath in our body, mind and spirit.

Dr. Cejaye incorporates sound therapy and tuning forks into her Esoteric Acupuncture sessions.

Book your Esoteric Acupuncture appointment.

8 Extraordinary Vessels

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there are 12 main meridians. These meridians correspond to the physical body. They have been mapped out and found in the space between the fascial lines. They have relationships to the organs in the body, and are affected by lower frequency emotions (limbic emotions), the biological clock, the seasons, and foods/flavours. These will be the meridians that most people will be familiar with in TCM.

There are also 8 Extraordinary Vessels; these are less talked about, but very important. These are the vessels that correspond to the energy bodies, also known as your electromagnetic field. This field extends approximately 50 feet from your physical body. They have a relationship to the Chakras, high frequency emotions (soul emotions), endocrine glands and planets. These vessels could also be classified as the coding or wiring system that makes you ‘you’, making them the vessels of creation. They are also reservoirs that hold stored trauma when the physical body in unresourced to move it through.

When working with stored trauma in an Esoteric Acupuncture session, Dr. Cejaye resources these vessels specifically as they help unwind trauma from the system without having to express or relive the trauma, making it a loving and safe option for your deep unwinding and healing journey.

Book your Esoteric Acupuncture session

Fascia

You have probably heard this word in the wellness industry, but what is fascia?

Fascia makes up everything in your body that is responsible for connection. To keep it simple, it is mainly composed of fibre and fluid aka collagen and water as its main components. It wraps around everything including your muscles, bones, organs etc, holds your organs in place, makes up the structure of your ligaments and tendons, cells, bone marrow and honestly so much more.

So what does fascia do?

It has many functions, but again to keep things simple, its main functions are to provide Structure/Support + Communication.

When the body suffers an injury or trauma, the fascia comes in and says “don’t worry, I got you” It tightens in the area affected to essentially “hold you together” to allow the body the time and space to heal.

It is also responsible for communication. Since part of its component is water, and it connects everything, it becomes the conduit of information. When a signal travels to the end of a nerve, it continues to transport the information through the fascia.

When the fascia becomes tight or overactive, it creates an adhesion. This adhesion restricts movement and communication, which then signals back to the brain that there is pain in that area, and oftentimes it will radiate.

Fire Cupping is a great way to work with the fascia, to break up any adhesions, to get things moving freely and communicating properly.

Book a Traditional Chinese Medicine, Massage or Fascial Release appointment

Acupressure point: Lung 3

Lung 3, LU3 (the greatness of the celestial palace) Window to the heaven point is located on your upper arm, on the lateral border of the biceps, about three inches below the armpit and five inches above the elbow.

This point calms the corporeal soul - Treats sadness, weeping, insomnia and disorientation. It stores akashic records, allows access to intergenerational and karmic patterns that perpetuate grief, bridges the gap between loneliness and engagement, frees us from the longing for home that alienates us from source.

Here we are led to our own richness and greatness. This point represents the treasury storehouse of the heavens, where the immortals go when they have walked their taoist path. This point reminds us of the light of heaven within us, bringing courage, purpose and strength.

The point can be stimulated by using essential oil or by tuning fork as demonstrated in the photo by Dr. Cejaye Thoraldson.

Book your Traditional Chinese Medicine appointment.

Autumn in Traditional Chinese Medicine

The autumn season is associated with the metal element, and the lung and large intestine. The emotion associated with the lung is grief and the large intestine is the ability to let go. 

Autumn is the time of letting go of what no longer serves. By letting go, we are refreshed to see clearly again with a new vision. Autumn is represented by leaves falling to the ground, reminding us of the impermanence of life, and the inevitable feeling of loss. Grief and sadness directs our energy inward, bringing us down into ourselves. Naturally our energy moves more deeply in, as we withdraw from outward senses and movement. 

Autumn is a time of big transformation as we draw our energy from the most outward expression, to our most inward aspects. It is here where we are able to let go of the old, and create the space for reflection and an honouring of the values held within. 

Book your Traditional Chinese Medicine + acupuncture appointment.

Relax + Retain!

Why do we leave you and your needles for 30 minutes? There are a number of reasons that it’s 20 to 30 minutes; From our classical texts involving the breaths and the circulation of Qi + blood to more recent studies on the analgesic (pain relief) effects happening at the 15 to 20 minute mark. While not all patients, conditions and even styles require 30 minutes of retention (some more, some less) it is important that you are still, calm, warm and undistracted to allow your body to be fully in its parasympathetic state and receive the healing mechanism that is your needles!

Book your Traditional Chinese Medicine appointment.

Inflammation + Acupuncture

Inflammation is an important defense mechanism in the body, but through many contributing causes or factors inflammation can be the cause of many diseases or the result of many dysfunctions. Acupuncture is recognized as a highly effective modality to reduce and manage inflammation and in some cases potentially correct the cause.

Whether we are treating a recent ankle sprain, delayed onset muscle soreness or more serious or chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis, regulating and reducing the inflammatory response is paramount in many health issues.

There is a number of past and emerging studies providing insight on the mechanism of acupuncture and its ability to regulate or reduce inflammation. Studies also looked at its affects on the functions of immune cells, including macrophages, granulocytes, mast cells, and T cells. Reducing oxidative stress, free radicles, as well as its ability to convey sensory signals to the spinal cord, brainstem – stimulating multiple neuro-immune pathways, ultimately releasing crucial neurotransmitters and hormones.

Acupuncture is incredibly powerful and effective in reducing inflammation in the body.

Book your Traditional Chinese Medicine appointment.

Electro Acupuncture

Electro Acupuncture or E Stim is when electricity is applied to an acupuncture needle by way of a small electrode. The electrode gives off the effect of your acupuncturist activating the point by hand and ensures you get the right amount of stimulation during your whole treatment.

It may sound intimidating but its comfortable and effective in treating a vast variety of health conditions. The obvious being musculoskeletal issues or sports injury, but estim can be used in the treatment of autoimmune conditions, incontinence or prolapse, bell’s palsy, neuropathy, digestive disorders, endocrine disorders, sleep, stress reduction and so on!

When trained, your TCMD can apply estim when and where appropriate to help achieve your health and wellness goals.

Dr. Steph Yip is highly experienced in the use of electrical and has had it as a part of her practice for over 10 years. Book with Dr. Yip and ask if electrical acupuncture is right for you.

Post Partum Recovery

The post partum period of recovery is vital to a mother's longevity and future wellbeing.

Unfortunately our society often neglects our new mothers and unrealistic, unhealthy standards and goals are expected.

The 4th trimester- first 40 days or the golden month is a crucial time of recovery, replenishment and the transition into motherhood. The supportive and individualized nature of Traditional Chinese medicine is incredible in the recovery process of pregnancy and birth.

While this stage can look different for many there are a few factors that remain consistently important for all:

  • Rest – Literally stay in bed for as much as humanly possible – if able use all the offered support to take care of other little ones and household responsibilities. Sleep, feed, repeat.

  • Massage & (if accessible) Acupuncture to promote healthy circulation and healing. The placenta leaves a dinner plate sized wound internally, you would never be up and exercising with a wound that size on your body if you could visually see it.

  • Warmth - keep the body warm! No cold feet, no baths, stay indoors if it’s cold outside – the immune system is vulnerable and pathogens can enter easily so keep cozy! Warm abdomen to encourage blood flow to the uterus, warm oils, warm showers, heating pads.

  • Nutrient dense, easy to absorb foods that build yin, blood + Qi. It’s vital to replace lost nutrients, help the body heal the uterus and vagina, support milk production and supply a source of warmth to the body – NO COLD SMOOTHIES OR RAW FOODS – think bone broth, high quality protein and complex carbohydrates. Keep up with your prenatal vitamins and ensure you are taking your vitamin D.

Dr. Steph Yip has a love for working with post partum women and helping support them in their recovery.

Book in for your post partum, Traditional Chinese Medicine consult or follow up.

Have you ever wanted to learn how to read your Akashic Record?

Join Khym on Sunday September 10th for an in-person workshop on how to access and read your own Akashic Record.

This workshop will be a fun and informal get together introducing you to your Akashic Record. During the workshop, Khym will guide you on what the Akashic Records are, how to locate your own record and how to ask questions directly from your personal record to receive guidance and support from your highest self.

You will spend approximately 90-120 minutes together and you will need to bring a pendulum. A take home workbook will be provided so you get to just show up and have fun. If you do not have a pendulum Earth Gems on 17th Ave. sells a variety at really great prices.

Spots are limited so book yours soon. Investment $35.

Book your spot at the workshop