halcyon house

a worker owned cooperative holistic wellness center

BOOK NOW

Blog

  • 24 Springtime TCM Recipes

    24 Springtime TCM Recipes

    When focusing on whole-body health in my acupuncture practice, this time of year (especially in Duluth) calls for some beneficial spring TCM recipes to give us a boost during the change of seasons. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), spring is associated with the Wood element and the Liver and Gallbladder. Like a tree that grows upward and outward, Liver qi rises and spreads throughout the body. When this energy flows freely, we feel motivated, adaptable, and ready to embrace new opportunities. The muscles and tendons remain flexible, supporting smooth and comfortable movement.

    However, when Liver qi becomes restricted, the body’s natural detoxification and circulation processes can slow down, leading to a general sense of sluggishness. This imbalance may also affect the eyes, muscles, and tendons. Emotionally, it can show up as stress, irritability, impatience, or anger.

    One of the key strengths of TCM is its focus on prevention—addressing imbalances before symptoms arise. Eating in alignment with the seasons is one of the ways this balance can be maintained.

    Get the recipes here

    More TCM Posts
    Jakki Overby
    , ,
  • Did you know your body has a balance system?

    Did you know your body has a balance system?

    What is our balance system?

    One of our eight senses is the vestibular system — our inner sense of balance and movement. It helps us know where we are in space, keeps us upright, and supports coordination, focus, and emotional regulation.

    Here in the Northland, April is all about the thaw, the gentle ending of our winter reset. Ice loosens, snow melts, and the ground shifts beneath our feet. Wind moves through bare trees. The weather is unsteady and unpredictable — and sometimes we feel that way too. When we intentionally notice gentle movement — slow walks on uneven ground, swaying branches, rocking, stretching, or simply lifting your face to the sunshine and feeling the ground beneath your feet, we give our balance system a chance to recalibrate and reconnect after winter’s stillness.

    This month, move with awareness. Your nervous system is waking up with the season — and steady, intentional movement can help you find your footing again.

    More Occupational Therapy Posts
    Sara Sheppard
    , ,

  • Wellness Access Initiative

    The Halcyon House Wellness Access Initiative is a community funded program to help offset the costs of our services for the people who need them the most. Selection for the program is based on financial need, physical need, treatment goals, and recommended individualised treatment plan from our staff. We believe that the wellness services we provide are beneficial and even a potentially necessary part of healing and well-being. It is our hope that this wellness subsidy initiative will provide an avenue for access to our services for people who would otherwise not have the resources to afford them.

    Selection Process

    Applicants will fill out an online application to collect information about financial need, physical limitations/impairments and how their individual situation interferes with daily life.  They will also have at least one session or consultation with one (or more) of the Halcyon Wellness Team, who will report on their need for services, create a treatment plan that includes goals, frequency, services, and duration. This de-identified information will be provided to the selection committee for final approval. 

    Would you like to be involved in the selection committee? Apply here.

    If you would like to support the Wellness Access Initiative, donations can be made at the front desk or online.

    Robin Davidson
    ,
    ,
  • The dreaded doom-scroll

    The dreaded doom-scroll

    Why do I doom scroll?!

    I’ve got to admit… sometimes I can’t stop doom scrolling. The other day I was like ‘Why is my wrist feeling so sore?’

    Yeah, holding my phone too long flipping through a sea of yuck had tension building through my hand, wrist, forearm, shoulder, neck, etc.

    I had to take a breather and get some movement!

    Thankfully, COGGS volunteers have been doing their best to keep our trails in as good of condition as could be hoped for. Getting bounced along over the icy terrain may have also been rough on my wrists, arms, shoulders, and neck, but I feel a lot better afterwards!

    I may need to get on the schedule this week to loosen up some of these tight muscles though!

    If you are having trouble with your mental health and emotional processing, Sara Sheppard is amazing at helping us through it.

    Josh Jones
    , ,
  • Difficult times

    Difficult times

    During these difficult times, I’m often asked “how are you dealing with this”.

    My answer is “it’s not easy!”

    Here are some things that I have been practicing:

    • Stay informed but limit the time that I’m taking in (digesting) information/news. I’m listening to a trusted news source (for me it’s MPR) in the morning and evening for 30 minutes.
    • Allowing myself to feel the emotions that arise (not pushing them away). Anger, sadness, fear, all of it.
    • Prioritizing self care and nervous system regulation. It’s important for me to stay grounded in the practices that support me. I focus on grounding practices such as such as extended exhale breathing, using weighted lap blanket, and focus on pressing into the earth.
    • Find glimmers in daily life. Glimmers are moments of ventral vagal connection. They can be things like noticing the lake shimmering on a sunny day, feeling the freedom of skiing down a wodded hill, or burying my face in my dog’s curly fur.
    • Find and spread hope. Notice when you see people acting kindly and showing compassion. In return, I will create opportunities in my day to give back and connect with others.
    Robin Davidson
    ,
    ,
  • Spring equinox

    Spring equinox

    Spring equinox to me has always meant the height or middle of spring. I consider February 1st to be the beginning of the end of winter and the returning of the sun in preparation of spring. I think this helps me mentally make it through a rough winter. The sun is returning and there is hope for warmer days ahead. This is also a time when seeds are chosen to be planted for the summer growing season and fall harvest. What a great opportunity to clean our outer and inner spaces.

    What do you want to grow this year?

    Community, Self-love, compassion, strength? Stand or sit in a window facing East in the morning and soak in the morning light to help the body reset the Circadian Rhythm. Decide which idea/seed you want to nurture on this day/week/year and breathe the morning light into it as you sip your tea or coffee. Have hope! Soon there will be flowers to smell and all of the ice in Minnesota will be gone.

    Jennifer Montgomery
    ,
  • Happy birthday to Wylie

    Happy birthday to Wylie

    Happy Birthday to Wylie, who turns 2 this week!  He is an energetic guy who makes sure hikes and time in nature around Duluth are a part of my overall well being.

    Jakki Overby
  • Private sound baths with Kimberlee

    Private sound baths with Kimberlee

    Kimberlee is available for private Individual and Group Sound baths every other Saturday!

    For those that would prefer an individual sound bath on a massage table instead of on our futons, get in touch and we can find a time that works with your schedule.

    More About Kimberlee
    Sign up
    Kimberlee Grogan
    ,
  • Welcome Sara Sheppard

    Welcome Sara Sheppard

    After joining Robin for their Tea Talk – Nervous System Regulation for the Holidays as well as their Art of Wintering Well classes, Sara is bringing her experience and knowledge in-house!

    Sara Sheppard

    (She/her)

    Occupational Therapist since 2008

    Craniosacral Therapist since 2010

    Services offered:

    • 45 minute Pediatric Therapy
    • 60 minute Individual Therapy
    • Nervous System Education – 8 Session Series

    Therapy style:

    An individualized, holistic occupational therapy approach blending nervous system regulation, sensory processing, and gentle craniosacral and fascial techniques to foster balance and ease in everyday life.

    More about occupational therapy:

    The aim of occupational therapy is to support meaningful daily living by providing education to understand your nervous system regulation and sensory processing, and build skills that creat greater ease in everyday life. Sessions are rooted in a holistic, client-centered apporach that blends nervous system education, sensory processing, somatic awareness, and home programming to support both body and mind. They may include craniosacral and myofascial techniques, gentle somatic-based manual therapy, practical strategies for regulation, and personalized supports to help move toward your goals with clarity and confidence and foster resilience, balance, and sustainable well-being.

    Find out More
    Check Availability
    Josh Jones
    , ,
  • Happy New Year!

    Happy New Year!

    Who is glad to be done with 2025?

    A new year offers a fresh start and a time to refocus on intentions. I definitely understand the sentiment of leaving 2025 behind and looking forward to a better 2026. However, there are many things both positive and negative that I don’t want to forget about 2025.

    I hope to cherish those good memories and learn those tough lessons only once!  We’ll see about that…

    Josh Jones