halcyon house

a worker owned cooperative holistic wellness center

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Category: Wellness

  • 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.

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  • Holidays

    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!

    A poster for The Art of Wintering Well - a workshop series, a winter holiday themed series of classes to make the most of the winter season.
  • Change

    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. 

  • Winter grieving

    Winter grieving

    It has been said that winter is the time for grieving. We at Halcyon House have experienced some personal losses recently and are thankful for the wonderful community around us.

    We hope to cherish our loved ones during the holidays, share some tea and hot cocoa, and make the most of our time together.

  • What is neuro-regulation?

    What is neuro-regulation?

    Neuro-regulation is using different tools to modulate your nervous system.

    How do we know that we are in a fight or flight (sympathetic) nervous system?

    • Rapid heart rate
    • Shallow and/or rapid breathing
    • Chest breathing
    • Poor digestion/elimination
    • Tense muscles
    • Scattered/unfocused thoughts
    • Decreased memory
    • Angry or agitated emotions
    • Feelings of wanting to run away/escape

    What are some tools we can use to move our nervous system toward more ease?

    • Diaphragmatic (belly) breathing. Think low (in the body) and slow. Subtle/smooth.
    • Extended exhale breathing. Breath in through the nose and slowly out through pursed lips.
    • Gentle movement (like yoga or stretching). Especially twists!
    • Rocking or swaying.
    • Calming music, lighting, smells.
    • Relaxation using guided apps such as “Insight timer”
    • Grounding: feeling your body on the chair, bed, or floor.
  • Winter Digestive Cleanse

    Winter Digestive Cleanse

    Winter digestive cleansing is something that many people want to do to start the new year fresh. The tendency is to want to juice fast; however, in the winter that is very hard on the body—especially in Northern Minnesota. My suggestion has always been to do a kitchari cleanse to give your digestion a rest while nourishing your body in a gentle way. Kitchari is an Ayurvedic Indian recipe that uses split lentils and rice to make a complete protein. Spices are balanced between all five tastes: sweet, spicy, salty, pungent, and sour. If you are feeling the desire to fast this winter, try kitchari cleansing. Here is a great recipe to get you started: Kitchari Recipe 

  • Winter

    Winter

    As winter approaches, we find ourselves in the most Yin time of year. This is a season of going inward, conserving energy, slowing down, and honoring rest. Let these months guide you back to yourself. Find your rhythm in the season: seek out warmth, joy, and light while not overextending yourself. A mindful balance of activity and introspection will help keep the yin and yang healthy.

  • 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.

  • 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