halcyon house

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Category: Wellness

  • Our bodies are truly amazing

    Our bodies are truly amazing

    Ready for some massage education?

    Every time I do a deep dive into a system I thought I knew well, I am reminded of the subtleties of how everything works together in a beautiful symphony. This is especially true of the pericardium. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is sometimes referred to as the Heart Protector and indeed it does that job well.

    Recently, when Jakki needled my PC-6 acupuncture point, I felt a surge of energy shoot out of my middle finger, right where the meridian is mapped in the acupuncture charts. 

    But my practice is all about the fascia, so I started studying more about how the pericardium works, and how it is designed.

    The pericardium is:

    • a ball of dense fascia,
    • a thin layer of fluid,
    • and a soft inner ball with the heart suspended inside the soft inner ball.

    The outer ball has a facial connection into the top of the diaphragm. Both the diaphragm and the pericardium are innervated with vagus nerve attachments, further pointing to their importance in nervous system regulation. 

    Visualize:

    Every inhale is by design tugging on pericardium and pulling it gently downward. Every exhale releases it back to its neutral position. When we bypass primary diaphragmatic breathing for secondary thoracic breathing, we are stalling this natural rhythmic pulsing of the fluid surrounding the heart. If this function was not very important, the pericardium would not be connected to the diaphragm, as there are plenty of other anchor points available inside of the rib cage. 

    I have been imagining my pericardium is a jellyfish, with every downward movement of my diaphragm on the inhale gently tugging the jellyfish downward. Each exhale releases the diaphragm and allows the jellyfish to float upwards. Every breath soft and gentle moves my imaginary jellyfish up and down in my internal ocean. Just a few minutes of this breath imagery can really calm my spirit. 

    The more I learn about the body, the better I understand the systems within, and the better I can provide massage education to my clients or anyone who will listen!

    More Physiology Posts
  • 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
  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.
  • 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.

  • 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
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  • 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
  • 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.