In this episode, we have the privilege of hearing from Des Livanios, a Shiatsu therapist with over a decade of client experience. Get ready for some wisdom drops as Des spills the beans on her personal journey of bouncing back from a serious illness, singing praises of traditional Chinese medicine, featuring acupressure, qigong, and breathwork.
Des kicks things off by diving into her own battle with COVID-19 in 2020. Brace yourself for the real talk about the toll it took on her—migraines, heart palpitations, pneumonia, and even hair loss. Despite being armed with the ancient secrets of Chinese medicine, Des admits it wasn’t a walk in the park. It took months of consistent effort and breaking down routines into bite-sized chunks to finally get back on her feet.
The Power of Ancient Practices: Shiatsu, Qigong, and Breath Work
Onto the good stuff! Des delves into the deep roots of traditional Chinese medicine. According to her, disease is like a result of emotional traffic jams. Negative emotions like sadness, anger, or frustration can get stuck in our bodies, wreaking havoc. Shiatsu, the acupressure maestro, works its magic on specific points and meridians to free up the flow. Throw in Qigong and breathwork, and you’ve got a winning combo for moving energy and releasing emotions.
I loved this golden nugget from Des—consistency is key. She’s all about bite-sized routines that even the busiest people can sneak in. By weaving breathwork, movement, and acupressure into your daily routine, you can wave goodbye to a range of physical and emotional symptoms.
Des spills the beans on using breathwork to catch better Zs and kick anxiety to the curb. Specific breath patterns, like inhaling for two counts and exhaling for four, are the secret to calming the nervous system and releasing pent-up emotions. Each organ in Chinese medicine has its own emotional baggage, and Des believes breath work is the superhero we need.
A word of caution from Des—watch out for certain breathwork styles that cause hyperventilation, especially if you’re battling anxiety. Instead, she’s all about that gentle, intentional breath work that puts your nervous system in chill mode.
Time for a reality check on preventative wellness. Des emphasises the importance of weaving these ancient practices into your day. Just a few minutes each day dedicated to moving, breathing, and grounding can be your secret sauce for warding off diseases and maintaining tip-top health. She nudges us all to start small, track your progress, and witness the positive impact these practices can have on your overall wellbeing.
Now, zooming out for the big picture. It’s not just about the body; it’s about addressing the emotional side too. She’s a firm believer that traditional Chinese medicine should cozy up with mainstream healthcare, offering straightforward tools for tackling a whole lineup of health issues. The takeaway? Blend ancient tricks with modern knowledge for a balanced and vibrant approach to wellness.
In a nutshell, Des’s journey is a testament to the life-altering potential of ancient practices like Shiatsu, Qigong, and breath work. These aren’t just tools for unlocking emotional baggage; they’re your go-to kit for better sleep, less anxiety, and an all-around vibrant and meaningful life. It’s time to welcome the wisdom of the past into your modern-day health playbook.
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