Blog

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
2026-03-07
Education, Wellness
mental health, self-care
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
2026-03-07
Wellness
mental health, Seasonal
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
2026-03-07
Uncategorized
dogs
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
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Kimberlee Grogan
2026-03-07
Sound Bath, Wellness
sound bath
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
2026-03-07
Cooperative, Occupational Therapy, Wellness
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
2026-01-07
Uncategorized
mental health
Holidays
Now that the holidays are past and we’re moving into a new year, I’m excited about a new workshop that Sara Shepard and I are planning. It is called the Art of Wintering Well. We are taking our love of the nervous and sensory systems and combining them with a Danish practice of Hygge. We will present this information in a relaxing, fun, and interactive way.
Halcyon House itself has a lot of Hygge going on and we will use this to help you experience the beauty of the practice. We hope to see you soon!
Robin Davidson
2026-01-07
Education, Wellness
Classes
Change
The only constant is change. Even in stillness there is much movement happening within. Every breath is a new beginning, a chance at starting over. Following the breath through the body to discover what holds you back from making real change in your life can be daunting. Sometimes the shame, self loathing, and inner critic wins, but with each new breath comes a new opportunity to move that stagnant prana. Take a walk with the woods and become one with the breath that is one with the forest. Inhale the exhale of these Northern woods. Exhale the inhaled breath of the trees. In this way you become part of the forest, not just an observer. Life becomes more vibrant one breath at a time.
Jennifer Montgomery
2026-01-07
Wellness
breath, mental health
Winter Congee Recipe
a winter TCM recipe to warm and heal your gut.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of jasmine rice
- 8 cups of chicken stock, vegetable stock, or bone broth (this makes a medium consistency congee, for a more soup-like consistency, use 10-12 cups.
- pinch of salt
- pinch of white pepper (warming herb)
- 1-3 inches of chopped ginger
- 3/4 cup of enoki mushrooms
- 3/4 cup of thin slicked shiitake mushrooms (dehydrated work nicely)
- 3/4 cup of thin sliced woo-ear mushrooms (dehydrated work nicely)
- Optional: Shredded chicken
Option ingredients to top at the end:
- Splash of soy sauce
- a few drops of sesame oil
- thinly sliced scallions
- cilantro
- chili flakes
Preparation:
Rinse the rice and soak in water for 30-45 minutes. This allows the rice to break down easier during the cookie process. (you can forgo this step if you’d prefer to just rinse)
Add all the ingredients to a large pot over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil then simmer on low heat, with the lid half covered for 2-3 hours. Stir occasionally to avoid sticking to the bottom.
Congee is done when the grains disintegrate into the liquid to reach a uniformly dense texture. (You can also use a slow cooker or instapot. Instapot has a porridge setting!)
Congee can thicken a little as it cools. Add optional ingredients from the topping list above.
Jakki Overby
2026-01-07
Recipes
Cold, TCM
Welcome our newest board members
We’re excited to welcome three new Directors to our Board! Robin Davidson, Kimberlee Grogan, and Kelley Minor, each bring a wealth of unique knowledge, skills, and experiences to our Cooperative’s Board of Directors. Thank You!
Robin Davidson
Kelley Minor
Kimberlee Grogan
Josh Jones
2026-01-07
Cooperative
board