halcyon house

a worker owned holistic wellness cooperative

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Category: Wellness

  • Holidays

    Holidays

    The Art of Wintering Well: Discover Hygge and Holistic Wellness at Halcyon House

    Now that the busy holiday season is behind us and we are officially stepping into the new year, it is the perfect time to focus on rejuvenation, mindful rest, and personal growth. We are absolutely thrilled to announce one of our upcoming community events at Halcyon House: a brand-new, immersive winter workshop title The Art of Wintering Well.

    Co-hosted by myself and wellness expert Sara Shepard, this unique event is designed to help you thrive during the colder months. We are combining our deep passion for nervous system regulation and sensory system health with the cozy, time-honored Danish practice of Hygge. Instead of a dry lecture, we will present this transformative health information in an incredibly relaxing, fun, and highly interactive environment.

    Halcyon House inself is naturally filled with authentic Hygge charm. During this special workshop, we will intentionally use our preaceful space to help you physically and emotionally experience the profound beauty of this comforting lifestyle practice. You will walk away with practical, everyday tools to nourish your mind-body connection, manage seasonal stress, and cultivate deep inner warmth.

    Our goal is to bring the neighborhood together through enriching local workshops that inspire lifelong vitality. Whether you are looking to soothe your nervous system, connect with like-minded neighbors, or simply enjoy a restorative afternoon, this experience is for you.

    We cannot wait to welcome you to our upcoming winter wellness gathering! Space is limited for this special interactive event, so be sure to reserve your spot early. We hope to see you very 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

    Finding Comfort in Community This Winter at Halcyon House

    Winter invites quiet reflection and healing. For many, the colder months bring a natural time for grieving. It is a season to pause, remember, and heal. Recently, our dedicated team at Halcyon House experienced deep, personal losses. Navigating grief is never easy. However, sharing the burden makes the journey lighter.

    During this difficult season, we lean heavily on our local community. We are deeply grateful for your continuous support. The kindness of our neighbors brings real warmth to these cold days. Truly, the strength of a community shines brightest during tough times. Your comforting words and presence mean the world to our staff.

    As the holidays draw near, we invite everyone to slow down. The winter season often rushes by in a blur. Instead, we want to focus on meaningful connections. Let us cherish our loved ones tightly. Let us find true holiday comfort in simple moments together.

    We welcome you to join us in creating a space for mutual support. Come share a warm cup of tea or hot cocoa. Sit by the fire and share a favorite memory. We can listen to one another, offer gentle smiles, and heal as a collective group.

    Time with family and friends is incredibly precious. This winter, let us make the most of every single moment. You do not have to carry your grief alone. Halcyon House remains a place of peace, hope, and togetherness for all. We look forward to walking through this season hand in hand with our amazing neighbors. Thank you for being our pillars of strength.

  • 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 Detox Tips for Minnesota: Why You Should Try a Kitchari Cleanse

    A winter digestive cleansing routine is an excellent way to reset your health and start the new year fresh. While many people gravitate toward extreme juice fasts, freezing raw liquids can severely shock your body during a harsh Northern Minnesota winter.

    Instead of depleting your system, an Ayurvedic kitchari cleanse rests your digestive tract while deeply nourishing your cells with warming, comforting nutrients.

    The Danger of Winter Juice Fasting in Cold Climates

    In Ayurveda, winter is a time to stoke your internal digestive fire (agni), not douse it with cold juices. Cold, raw fasting during a freezing Minnesota January can leave you feeling fatigued, ungrounded, and (more) sensitive to the cold.

    Choosing a warm, cooked food cleanse preserves your energy while gently clearing out accumulated sluggishness.

    What is Kitchari?

    Kitchari (pronounced kich-uh-ree) is a traditional Indian healing dish made from split yellow mung dal (lentils) and basmati rice. Together, these ingredients form an easily digestible, complete protein that stabilizes your blood sugar.

    A traditional kitchari recipe uses a strategic blend of warming spices to balance all five tastes:

    • Sweet
    • Spicy
    • Salty
    • Pungent
    • Sour

    This delicious combination kindles your metabolism, flushes out toxins, and soothes the nervous system. If you want to safely detox this winter, skip the cold juices and try this gentle alternative!

    Here is a great recipe to get you started: Kitchari Recipe 

  • Winter

    Winter

    Embracing the Yin Season: Winter Wellness and Mindful Rest

    As the temperature drops and winter approaches, we naturally enter the most Yin time of year. In the realm of holistic wellness, winter represents a powerful seasonal shift that invites us to mirror the rhythms of nature. This is a sacred season of going inward, conserving our vital energy, slowing down, and deeply honoring rest as a form of proactive healthcare.

    Rather than resisting the darker days, let these quiet months guide you back to your inner self. Achieving true mind-body balance during a seasonal transition requires us to tune into what our physical and emotional bodies genuinely need. You can easily find your own natural rhythm by seeking out daily warmth, intentional joy, and restorative light. At the same time, practice the essential holistic art of boundary-setting. Ensure you are not overextending your personal energy reserves.

    A mindful balance of gentle activity and quiet introspection is the ultimate key to keeping your Yin and Yang energy healthy, vibrant, and aligned. To support your holistic health this winter, focus on seasonal self-care practices:

    • Nourish your body with warming, mineral-rich whole foods.
    • Engage in gentle, restorative movement like yin yoga or intuitive stretching.
    • Dedicate quiet time to daily meditation, journaling, and breathwork.
    • Prioritize deep, restorative sleep cycles to naturally boost your immune system. A little cat mint tincture can help calm the nervous system to promote restful sleep.

    By intentionally shifting from the high-energy demands of summer and autumn into the slow, restorative frequency of winter, you protect your nervous system from burnout. Honor this natural pause. It is an essential phase of your lifelong wellness journey. Allow your mind, body, and spirit to replenish themselves from the inside out.

    Find a session that works for you to care for your body, mind, and spirit! We find that the table heaters warm us through-and-through during a massage.

    Find a Service for You
  • 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. However 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
  • 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. 

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