halcyon house

a worker owned cooperative holistic wellness center

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  • TCM warming broth

    TCM warming broth

    Cold and cough season has arrived. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the lungs, which open to the nose and mouth through the respiratory passages, are considered the most delicate of the five yin organs and the easiest for external influences to affect. These external factors are described as six types: 

    • Wind
    • Cold
    • Dampness
    • Dryness
    • Heat
    • Fire

    Coughs are most often linked to Wind, though Wind frequently combines with other influences such as Cold, Heat, or Dryness, depending on seasonal conditions. Wind enters from the back of the neck and ankles. Wrap up in a scarf or buff to keep your neck ‘wind gate’ covered!

    Here is a quick and easy recipe to nip that cold in the bud:

    • 1 green onion, white portion, thinly sliced
    • 1 clove of garlic, sliced thinly
    • 1-2 thin slices of fresh ginger, unpeeled
    • 1 to 1.5 cups of bone broth or water

    Bring the water or broth to a boil, add ingredients and turn down to a simmer after a few minutes. Strain and cool a few minutes to a comfortable temperature. Serve in a mug or bowl.

    This may induce a slight sweat which helps expel dis-ease from the body. Snuggle up in some blankets, but if you feel damp rinse off and put on dry clothes.

    Jakki Overby
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  • Fall recap

    Fall recap

    Our Open House was so much fun! It was great to meet some new folks and chat with familiar faces. Although, our pup Sunny had decided to help herself to some chocolate cookies the night before so I went straight from the vet to the open house with no sleep! She’s fine and may have learned her lesson?

    I feel excitement for this time of year where social gatherings start happening indoors. There is a renewed sense of investing in inner growth, whether it be reading a book, enjoying a deep discussion with friends, focusing on a hobby, making treats or gifts for others.

    Take care of yourself and check in on your friends. It is a time to build community connections.

    Josh Jones
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  • What is craniosacral therapy?

    What is craniosacral therapy?

    We’ve been asked this question many times since I began offering this service at Halcyon House. Here’s a brief description of a very nuanced therapy:

    It is a hands-on technique that was developed by Dr. John Upledger (Osteopath) in the 1980’s while working at the University of Michigan. He explored the nervous system

    connection from the brain through the spinal cord (cranium to sacrum). This connection was through a connective tissue covering called dura mater and cerebral spinal fluid that flowed inside it. He discovered that by moving the bony parts of the system, it allows the

    fluid to move more freely. He found that you can feel this as a physiological rhythm. This craniosacral rhythm can be felt through the practitioner’s hands with very light touch.

    What can someone expect when having a craniosacral therapy session?

    • Lying in a comfortable position on a massage table with clothes on
    • Very light touch in different parts of your body to assess
    • Focused attention to areas of the body that present with restriction
    • You might feel physical or emotional responses during and after the session
    • A return of your system to homeostasis (general health/well-being)
    • Relaxation

    Typically, I will recommend sessions every 2-4 weeks for 4 sessions to assess the effectiveness. You should notice progression/improvement over this time. I will also provide you with additional practices that you can do between sessions to support this progress.

    Interested in a session?

    Robin Davidson
    Sara Sheppard
    Robin Davidson
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  • Staying present

    Staying present

    Staying present in the now is one of this life’s greatest challenges.  Over the years I have practiced many different meditations, breathing techniques, etc. to overcome the overwhelming desire to be anywhere but this present moment. There are a few that I always end up coming back to because they work for me.  In the energy class that I am teaching on Wednesdays, you will learn one of the techniques that I have been practicing and playing with for 25 years. My intention for this class is to share something that works for me with this community. As with all meditations it is simple, but not always easy. It involves working with the imagination and that doesn’t work for everyone. It’s ok, there isn’t a single meditation, or exercise, or hobby that works for everyone. The fun challenge is finding what centers you, brings you joy, and motivates you to action in co-creating your experience here. So run, sit, paint, meditate, sip tea and contemplate the universe, just do it with the presence of now. 

    Jennifer Montgomery
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  • Nature walks

    Nature walks

    Who has been enjoying nature walks this fall? It is such a treat to witness the the change in colors, smells, and feeling in the air.

    While we do our best to get out and enjoy the many hiking and biking trails as often as we can, I can’t help but notice that sometimes it’s a challenge to make the time and effort to get out for a more “proper” hike or bike ride. Sunny (our pup) reminds us to walk several times every day, but often they are shorter than she or us would like.

    One of my commuity-building and social well-being activities I have not been able to regularly attend this past year or so is volunteer trail maintenance with COGGS.  I’ve been feeling a little guilty about that! So let me thank everyone who has been putting in the time doing trail building and maintenance this year!

    Josh Jones
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  • Reflexology

    Reflexology

    Our understanding and exploration of the physical world around us is most often interpreted with our sense of touch through our hands and our feet. I have been interested in Reflexology for a while, but it wasn’t until this last month that I really started to dive into treating and understanding the whole body through the lens of the feet. If the feet are in distress the body follows suit, as the feet are the shock absorbers and terrain explorers of the whole body. They tell your body how it is connecting with the world, if the ground is stable enough to support you, and they move to disperse the stress of impact with every step.

    My understanding of the fascial meridians and common disfunction patterns has made me feel ready to dive a little deeper into the nuances of the feet and explore different ways to treat them while keeping the whole body system in perspective. Piecing together and learning new tools to develop my understanding of the incredible human body is fun and keeps me on my toes!

    A reflexology session focuses on your feet

    Come in for an Evil Bone Water Reflexology Only session to de-evil your feet!

    Jennifer Montgomery
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  • Autumn

    Autumn

    In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Autumn is seen as a season of reflection and release. Just as the trees let go of their leaves without resistance, we too are reminded to surrender what no longer serves us. This season invites us to trust the natural cycles of life, knowing that in time, new growth and renewal will come.

    In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Autumn is associated with the Lungs and Large Intestine, which belong to the Metal element and are influenced by dryness. Pears are often recommended in this season for their ability to regenerate fluids, quench thirst, moisten the lungs and throat, calm restlessness, and promote urination. In TCM practice, pears are typically enjoyed steamed or baked, as cooked foods are generally preferred for supporting digestion and overall balance.

    Here is a fun Traditional Chinese Medicine Autumn Bucket List:

    • Cook Warming Foods – Thick soups, roasted root vegetables, and use a lot of garlic and ginger to help build Qi.
    • Deepen your Breath – Try out a breathwork exercise, attend a Qigong class, or go for a simple walk to generate Lung Qi.
    • Practice Letting Go – Declutter a space in your home, clear out your closet and organize, try a journaling session reflecting on what you’d like to drop with the leaves during this seasonal shift.
    • Support you Lungs – Make a pear and honey tea or steam/bake some pears to moisten your lungs and regenerate your bodily fluids.
    • Create Rituals – Light candles, read poetry upon waking, set seasonal intentions, honor cycles and change.
    • Gather and Reflect – Share a meal with a friend or loved one, give gratitude for the warmth and nourishment.
    Jakki Overby
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  • MCCD

    MCCD

    A different kind of wellness we are hoping to spread is one of shared ownership, cooperation,  and democracy in the workplace.

    When we set out to form Halcyon House, we wanted to implement some of the ideas we had been talking about for a long time.  Did we know how to set up a worker owned cooperative? No. We needed help and were lucky to find resources and people to guide us along the way. One organization that has been so patient in answering our many questions is Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers. 

    Every once in a while, we might share some updates on our cooperative development and fellow cooperators in the area. If you are interested in finding out more, come ask! We’d love to share.

    Kobi
  • Pursed Lips Breathing

    Pursed Lips Breathing

    When we are relaxed and comfortable (parasympathetic), we optimally use diaphragmatic breathing (see previous post). However, there are important breathing practices that we can use to calm a heightened nervous system. You might experience a heightened (sympathetic) nervous system with any of the following: anxiety, agitation, racing heart rate, rapid/shallow breathing, distracted mind, tense muscles, digestive issues, and many more.

    Try pursed lip or extended exhale breathing.

    This involves breathing comfortably in through the nose then slowly breathing out through pursed lips. You might imagine that you are blowing a candle flame but not blowing it out. Another option is to blow out through a straw. The long slow exhale calms your nervous system. Do this until you feel a shift in the area that you noticed. Also, discontinue this practice if you notice light headedness or increase in symptoms.

    More about Robin
    Robin Davidson
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  • Breath

    Breath

    Well-being begins and ends with the breath. That may sound esoteric to some, but it is the driving force behind how your parasympathetic nervous system works to relax you after a period of stress. Relaxed, deep breathing with a focus on an extended and soft exhalation will help you regain control of what is known as the Deep Front Myofascial Meridian (I also refer to is as the fight, flight line, the pregnancy line, and the skeleton stabilizer line) in which the diaphragm plays a major role in regulating. Disfunction in this structural foundation of the body can lead to the secondary breathing muscles in the neck get turned into the primary breathers, leading to and/or caused by: chronic stress, chronic pain, anxiety, PTSD, head/neck injuries, digestive issues, carpal tunnel, headaches, migraines, and more. When the diaphragm gets stuck the brain gets worried and sends all sorts of signals and hormones out to try to win the real or perceived battle for survival.

    Try this breathing exercise to help regain control of your natural breathing cycle.

    • Lay on the floor with your knees bent and hip width apart. Tuck the tail bone slightly moving it away from your head to flatten the lower back then send it up toward you to arch the low back. Now find the middle space and relax into that position.
    • Next imagine, but don’t actually move, that someone has placed a flower on both shoulders from behind and to smell them you would need to turn your head to the side with your inhale, and return to center on the exhale. Imagine “smelling” the flower on each shoulder with your inhale, returning to center on your exhale.  Don’t try to change anything, just focus on the visualization of smelling the flower, first on one side, then on the other side, resting in the center after each exhale brings your awareness back to neutral.
    • After a few breaths stop the visualization and just follow your natural breath in and out, not forcing anything just breathing in to the first natural stopping point, pausing briefly and letting the breath fall back out as your diaphragm relaxes and pushes the air out. If you are able to get here and it feels good, revel it the simplistic beauty of your breath and enjoy this practice to help recenter yourself, physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
    • If this practice is hard, makes you uncomfortable, you notice that one side isn’t working no matter how hard you try, or causes nausea, pain, or panic then you might need some help to restore balance and return the breath to its natural rhythm. Robin and/or Jennifer can help with bodywork techniques at Halcyon House or schedule an acupuncture session with Jakkie for a Traditional Chinese Medicine approach to rebalance the lungs and breath.

    Jennifer Montgomery
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