Welcome to Your Year

New Year, new you right? Most of us start the new year with goals, resolutions and good intentions. But many of us find we start to lag mid-month or when the Superbowl party comes around.

Have you set any health and wellness goals for 2024 and beyond? Targeting a goal weight or taking on a new exercise routine are two very common plans many of us make. I would love to help you achieve these and any other health goals you may have. Throughout this newsletter I’ve shared some new and different ways to improve your health that may fit into your new-year-new-you intentions. If you have any thoughts, questions or ideas on how I can help you achieve your goals, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We'll work together to make a plan that realistically fits your lifestyle, needs and aspirations.

Be the best you this year and let’s make Happiness Goodness and Wellness yours for many years to come.

Sounds Like a Great Idea

Have you ever considered that we can improve our mental and physical health through the energy of sound? Is it possible that healing vibrations enter not only our ears but also the rest of our bodies, particularly our organs?

We mostly use our ears in a commonplace way to hear everyday sounds, to listen and respond in normal daily situations. But sound is so much more, a powerful sense that often provokes a larger whole-body response.

To learn more about the healing power of sound, check out our latest blog article.

The Year of the Dragon

2024 is the year of the Wood Dragon in the Chinese, or Lunar New Year. Celebrated throughout Asia, the Lunar New Year is based on the cycle of the new moon between late January and mid-February, so the date varies each year unlike the solar calendar that most of us follow.

The thousands-year-old legend of the Chinese New Year is that a monster named Nian (“Year”) attacked villagers at the beginning of each new year. The monster was afraid of loud noises, bright lights, and the color red. Celebrations to bring in the luck and prosperity of the new year developed to include fireworks, red clothes and decorations to scare away Nian. Chinese New Year is a time to feast, visit family members, and honor those relatives who have died.

There are 12 animals and 5 elements in the Chinese Zodiac, one assigned to each year in a repeating twelve-year cycle. The dragon is a very auspicious sign for the Chinese. People born during Dragon years are said to be powerful and very energetic. This extraordinary creature signifies talent and excellence. It symbolizes power, nobility, honor, luck and success. 2024 is forecasted to bring about opportunities, changes and challenges. A fascinating cultural tradition, learn more about the Chinese New Year and the animal zodiac.

Belly Busters

Do you struggle with excess adipose/fat accumulation in the abdomen below your navel? We recommend two exercises, suitable for all levels, that will help tone and strengthen your abdominal muscles.

Exercise #1 Easy Abdominal Strengthening

Follow along with this video to try the first quick and easy exercise. This series, when done regularly, will also help relieve pain and tightness in your shoulders.

Stand with your back to the wall and lift your arms up with your palms facing the wall. Inhale as you lift your heels. As you lift your heels, try to lengthen your body, reaching high with your fingers, bringing your belly upwards. Hold this position for 5-10 seconds while holding your breath. Exhale as you lower your heels. You’ll feel an opening and extending sensation in your torso. Release and lower your heels with each exhalation. Repeat 10 times and try to do this exercise 2-3 times per day.

• Allow your back to touch the wall as much as possible.
• If holding your breath is challenging, you can inhale slowly while lifting the heels and then exhale while lowering them
• If you are limited in the ability to lift your heels, skip this and focus on lengthening your torso and lifting the internal organs during inhalation.
• If you can’t touch the wall with your fingers, lift your arms only as high as you can, don’t force them.
• Respect the limitations of your body and only go as far as you can with any of the movements.
• This exercise is not recommended during pregnancy. 

Exercise #2 Happy Baby Pose

Be a Happy Baby! Did you know that when you do the Happy Baby yoga pose regularly you can reduce gas and bloating and dispel that lower belly bulge? As a bonus, this pose also minimizes and can even relieve low back pain!

Happy Baby pose relaxes the hips, allowing blood flow to the area to reduce tightness and pain in the lower back. Enter and hold this pose daily for a few minutes and feel immediate results. If you are unable to get down on the floor to do the exercise, try it in bed when you wake up. It’s called Happy Baby because babies don’t have back pain!

Sweetie Sweet a Gift And a Treat

Valentine’s Day is only one month away...think of your sweetheart and give the best gift ever—the gift of health! Gift cards are available in any amount for massage or acupuncture treatments, herbal medicines or supplements. Available at both Acupuncture by Andrea locations and on our website.

With each purchase of a $100 gift card, you'll receive a complimentary (and totally awesome!) gift.

Out of Office

Andrea will be out of the office from January 31 to February 13 attending classes and adding in some sightseeing across the amazing nation of Japan. Please book your appointments with this schedule in mind, and get in touch as soon as possible with any emergency referrals.

Thank you for your continued business!