Niagara Healing Arts
17 Main Street L2N 4T5 Saint Catharines, ON, Canada

**Essential Winter Sale** 20% off ALL 15ml ESSENTIAL OILS and GARDEN CITY ESSENTIALS products while supplies last. Shop after your scheduled treatment, on appointment, or DM your order for curbside pickup or local delivery with $25 minumum. Regular prices range from $7 to $25. #sale #essentialoils #personalcareproducts #shoplocal #portdalhousie #stcatharines #niagara #niagaraonthelake

Nancy Dougherty RMT Therapist, Teacher, Maker, Alchemist Niagara Healing Arts KINDlife Meditation & Supplies... Clinic Owner and Manual Therapist in the tradition of manual medicine for pain relief, health recovery and transformation - Massage, Craniosacral Therapy, Visceral Manipulation, Mindfulness and Somatoemotional Release techniques, Medical Qigong/Chinese Energetic Medicine and a somatocentric approach to spiritual and relational harmony. Founder of KINDlife Meditation & Supplies, promoting meditation and contemplative practice through workshops, classes and products. KINDlife was born out of a need for local support of community and personal practice development, and a local supply of quality handmade, custom-fitted meditation cushions (zafu & zabuton). We also carry incense, instruments and journals. Nancy has continued her education in Meditation, Osteopathic technique and Chinese Energetic Medicine through professional Institutes and direct mentorship with experts. She is disciplined in the practice of Qigong, Daoist Inner Alchemy and Meditation and has maintained a private clinical practice for over 15 years. In clinical practice, Nancy values an ethical and honest approach to assessment and treatment, and expects patients to consider all of their life conditions as part of the treatment plan. Relief from suffering extends beyond the experience of our physical symptoms, and this includes establishment of healthy boundaries, self-esteem, attitudes and relationships. This realization guided Nancy to teach about the value of meditation, energy awareness/preservation and natural breathing through the KINDlife brand as a skill-building, self-care complement to treatment. Nancy came to this work from a background in Employee Benefits Consulting, and was compelled by her journey dealing with a lifetime of chronic pain from migraines and sports/martial arts injuries, but continued on her path from a deeper direction to lead a more healthy, fulfilling and inspired lifestyle. **The rest is too long for Insta, but involves cats, board games, laundry and other personal stuff. Just put a Q in the comments if you really want to know something.

I’m just putting this resource here if you need it as a patient or a practitioner. Having done my Visceral Manipulation/Osteopathic training with Barral, I appreciate their interest in evidentiary support for Manual Medicine.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CIgDHwDj_Ge/

This Friday, the last session in this series @bridgewater_yoga, we explore the relationship between mindfulness and magical practices that create the ground mat...rix for manifestation. Perhaps it’s not what you think. This is the perfect contemplation to end the year. Space is limited. Register via MINDBODY or DM the studio. #meditation #mindfulness #magic #buddhism #daoism #mysticism #practicalmagic See more

Medical Qigong Package Deal - 3 X 30 minute sessions for $150 Valid for in-person and distant sessions. Offer Expires Dec 31 2020. https://mailchi.mp/ce997aab110c/medical-qigong-package-deal... Maybe you’re not feeling like yourself. Maybe your breathing is shallow. Apical. Maybe you can’t concentrate, or you’re forgetful. Maybe you’re irritable, impatient or simply not sleeping well. All of this and more are symptoms of accumulated stress and anxiety. Some symptoms are subtle, like those listed, others include neck and back pain, headaches and digestive problems. Nutrition, movement, stillness/meditation and other natural practices are very good, but sometimes, even when we’re doing all the right things accumulated stress can gain on us. Chinese Energetic Medicine can reach deep into your bones, tissue and nervous system, and can bridge your wellness efforts and your results. A Chinese Energetic Medicine/Medical Qigong session is not focused only on the energetic anatomy like some popular energy healing modalities claim to do, but it also focuses on the organ systems, tissues, and nervous system. It offers relief, but also helps to integrate and regulate (harmonize) your whole human system. Medical Qigong predates acupuncture as one of the original approaches to medicine in China. The modern application is complementary to conventional medicine, and often is the missing link in breaking the cycle of chronic disease. Please accept the gift of the package deal before rates increase in January. #energymedicine #healing #medicalqigong #portdalhousie #stcatharines #niagara #niagaraonthelake #niagarafalls #tcm #traditionalchinesemedicine

Regulated Healthcare Professionals (i.e. Registered Massage Therapists) may continue necessary services during lockdown. Public Health protocols are in place, as they have been, and COVID screening will continue as usual. Feel free to book, postpone or cancel appointments according to your comfort level.... Take care, and have a restful winter. Nancy

Catherine Frazee, who lives with a disabling medical condition, says that through Bill C-7, the government is making it possible for people with disability to kill themselves while doing whatever it can to prevent suicide for everyone else.

Please follow my KINDlife Meditation & Supplies page for up-to-date info on local opportunities to practice meditation in community, learn about Buddhist mindfulness or other body-based healing practices. Bridgewater Yoga is an exceptional studio that supports both teachers and members in community like no other. Their Y2SR program - Yoga of 12 Step Recovery - is a valuable support for community members in addiction recovery. There are three Fridays left in this series at Bridgewater Yoga in Chippawa and we've been enjoying our meditation practice in safe and distanced conditions. Space is limited, of course, but you can register via MINDBODY app or contact Bridgewater studio directly.

CMHA Same-Day counselling sessions available TODAY.

In person counselling appointments available to day by appointment in Niagara Falls and St. Catharines. Call us to book or visit our website to learn more. www.cmhaniagara.ca

Our neighbors @regattasport1 are sponsoring this run/walk for @pathstonemh_niagara. Great outdoor wellness activity for an even greater cause. Register with @niagarafallsmarathon #portdalhousie #mentalhealthmatters

Join me 6pm Friday for a deep dive into the importance of silent practice, sensory awareness and attention conservation. Register via MINDBODY or directly with Bridgewater Yoga

December 1 marks three years in business for our lovely community studio. This year has definitely been the most challenging, but thanks to our students, teache...rs, facemasks and physical distancing we remain open and hopeful for our studio and students to stay moving, healthy and safe. Our way to thank you for making this place so open and magical is to offer a December Flash Sale. - https://mailchi.mp/fb35289d8fb4/december-sale See more

It’s #frankincense season and I’ve gathered all the options you’ll need for purification, practice and setting a mood. Essential oil? Check! Raw resin? Check! I...ncense blends? Check! Our clean burning bamboo charcoals make resin burning pleasant, and it’s truly the way to go for hardcore frankincense fans. However - I reached out to Shoyeido to secure a great selection of #japaneseincense - frankincense alone or blended with cinnamon or sandalwood. Oilers can choose to diffuse for fragrance and respiratory support while riding out what will be a long winter. These make wonderful consumable gifts that bring comfort and companionship over and over again. Shopping by appointment only - DM for details. #portsalhousie #japaneseincense See more

This Friday @bridgewater_yoga we practice bringing mindfulness to emotions and bridging the somatic experience. Space is limited. Register via MINDBODY or directly with the studio. #meditation #mindfulness #somaticexperiencing #embodiedpractice #daoistpsychology

These sessions are open to the public. Join us for community practice.

Medical Qigong Facials - Safe, Effective and Public Health Compliant Before an acupuncturist inserts needles for cosmetic purposes, they are well advised to treat the body. This is because the channels that nourish the skin are not limited to the face, and treating only the face can cause energetic congestion, headaches and other uncomfortable effects. An Eastern approach to facial rejuvenation is not a quick-fix method, but rather a holistic approach to healthy aging. With... Ontario’s regional public health restrictions, your favourite spa facial treatments will have to wait. This is one of those times where Medical Qigong/Chinese Energetic Medicine is a welcome alternative. Using the same principles as acupuncture, Medical Qigong uses no touch and no needles. With purgation and tonification techniques we work directly with organs and stagnant qi, including accumulated stress and suppressed emotions, that once regulated has a nourishing effect on your whole system, including your skin, jaw and scalp tension, sinuses, eyes and more. You would be able to rest comfortably in your protective mask with makeup intact. Combine the energy work with craniosacral therapy for a deeply relaxing session. Although my clinic is Public Health compliant, perhaps you don’t want to venture out? What about a distant session from home? Distant sessions have been popular lately, since they save travel time and are the ultimate in social distancing. A 30 minute session is sufficient and can be booked online - link in bio. Sessions are conducted through Jane’s secure video platform. #energeticfacials #facialrejuvenation #chineseenergeticmedicine #medicalqigong #tcm #craniosacraltherapy #distantenergyhealing Photo credit WebMD

Visual snapshot of Ontario Massage Therapists in 2019 from the CMTO Annual Report. I always look forward to reading these stats - they demonstrate how demanding this profession is. Between 3-5% of the profession retires each year, and the longevity of this career is not long at all. I feel like a rarity - 50 years old, 15 years in practice with no intention of retirement. I’ve treated children who are now adults, seniors who inspire me to take better care of myself and ag...e joyfully and lots and lots of people, just like me, who need a little tlc and reassurance that their bodies and minds are capable of healing and it’s okay to feel not okay and seek help when we need it. RMTs are unique and the conditions under which we practice can be challenging. Despite the stats, our industry continues to attract students who are up for the challenge. I was discouraged by some when I decided to enter into this profession, and I’ve tried to discourage some from entering (to no avail). The practice is a brutal teacher, but well worth the learning. Cheers to you, fellow RMT, for hanging in there as long as you can!#rmt #massagetherapylife #celebrateyourself See more

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I use a small selection of essential oils during treatments on a case-by-case basis and make those oils available to patients at a reasonable price if they want to take the aroma home with them. When we create a multi-sensory environment for your session with the use of essential oils, you may be able to stimulate the bodily recall of relaxation and relief experienced during your session by diffusing or other applications at home. These are some of the recently restocked addi...tives I use during treatment: Bergamot (Calabrian) - distilled from citrus peel, I use it for its calming, anti-depressant effect. It has the aroma of Earl Grey tea. Eucalyptus radiata (organic) - clean, camphoraceous aroma. It is one of the oils I use to support the respiratory system and soothe achy, tired muscles around the thorax (upper back, chest) and neck overworked from laboured breathing, congestion, coughing and sniffling. Lavender (South Africa) - Each country is subject to their own unique weather patterns and geographical conditions that ultimately impact the composition of the essential oil. Thus, a Lavender Oil from Bulgaria will have somewhat unique characteristics from one that is distilled in South Africa, even if the plant belongs to the same species. This is a less expensive option to the Bulgarian Lavender we carry, but is the one I prefer to use for treatments due to its camphoraceous aroma. This one also has a slightly woodsy scent. Information from newdirectionsaromatics.ca and tisserand.org. ***Niagara Healing Arts is not affiliated with any MLM and does not endorse the ingestion of essential oils. Please dilute your oils for topical application and diffuse responsibly. Discontinue the use of any oil that causes skin irritation, inflammation or other unintended effects. #aromatherapy #essentialoils #essentialoilsafety #massagetherapy #sensoryscience #portdalhousie #stcatharines #niagara

Assessment and Clinical Reasoning in Manual Therapy. RMTs in Ontario must adhere to standards of practice that outline how we must assess our patients’ condition, form a treatment plan, and reassess to determine outcomes. Clinical reasoning is the Therapist’s understanding of the patients’ condition and how they decide on the techniques to be used, areas to be treated, and recommend a frequency of treatment that will help reach the patients’ goals....Continue reading

Massage/Tissue manipulation was used in ancient China as early as 221-220 A.D., with its efficacy of clinical application recorded in a ten-volume treatise, known as The Massage of Huang Di and Qi Bo. Chinese Massage Therapy evolved as a clinical modality that still used today, where modern equivalents can be found in massage therapy, chiropractic, osteopathy, craniosacral therapy, visceral manipulation and physiotherapy. Chinese Massage Therapy includes Jie Gu (manipulatio...n of ligaments and bone), Tui Na (manipulation of muscle and tendon), Gua Sha (scraping, to regulate febrile conditions and blood circulation), An Mo (organ/visceral manipulation), and Jing Point Therapy (channel and organ regulation). Within my scope of practice as a Registered Massage Therapist in Ontario, I’ve incorporated many techniques in my 15 year career that make for a great treatment. With refined palpation - osteopathic listening, orthopedic tests and energetic assessment - there is very little guesswork in assessment & treatment. The modern evolution of manual therapy is firmly grounded in Chinese Medicine, which is why I came so naturally to Medical Qigong Therapy. Massage, Craniosacral Therapy, Visceral Manipulation and Medical Qigong work elegantly together to treat the whole person respectfully and profoundly using only the therapist’s hands. Give yourself permission to try something different if your usual therapy isn’t giving you the results you want. You won’t always get a voluntary referral - Book online at www.niagarahealingarts.com - link in bio. Reference: Chinese Energetic Medicine by Prof Jerry Alan Johnson Ph.D., D.T.C.M. (CHINA) Vol 1 #massage #craniosacraltherapy #visceralmanipulation #medicalqigongtherapy

Hello! I’m Nancy Dougherty, the practitioner who makes cushions fit to sit for all bodies. KINDlife Meditation & Supplies is a complementary venture to my clini...cal practice, and was born out of necessity to have a local supplier of zafu and zabuton for meditators in the Niagara Region. I have been sewing since childhood and after many trials designed and constructed a perfect cushion for myself and then my students and customers. My experience as a manual therapist and a meditator helps me understand the nuances of maintaining good posture and how to work with numbness, pain, inflexibility, chronic issues and injury. The right support can make a huge difference in your practice, second only to good meditation training. Thanks for following, and thank you for your practice.#buddhistmindfulness #zen #sotozen #vipassana #meditation #zafu #zabuton #incense #bellsofmindfulness #portdalhousie #niagara See more

Healthy Lungs for Vitality and Immunity In chinese medicine, the lungs are related to boundary, breath and renewal, where the lungs are the boundary between the outer and inner world. The skin is like an outer lung, as it exchanges substances with the outer environment. Healthy skin is an aspect of healthy lung function, and helps to strengthen the Wei Qi field, or defence against pathogenic invasion. The lung’s paired organ, the colon, is concerned with release or eliminati...on, and together are related to immunity. So, the body’s defensive energy is dependent on the strength of the lung and colon. This is the season to take fresh air, learn to relax the muscles of the chest and shoulders, and practice natural breathing (meditation). I advise clients to wear a scarf on cool mornings or windy days to help avoid raising shoulders to ears and tensing the accessory breathing muscles around the neck and shoulders. This is also a great time to receive manual therapy such as visceral manipulation and massage to improve lung motility and function. The lungs can be assessed and treated in relationship to the cervical spine, pericardium, liver and other structures that it shares a soft tissue relationship with. Practicing natural, diaphragmatic breathing or meditation on the breath is integral to relaxed expansion of the ribcage, and helps to massage the lungs and colon. Dry brushing the skin, or a vigorous dry towel scrubbing can also help support the immune system. Taking care of our outer world helps support our internal environment, and so cleaning out stale corners of our house can nourish the lung. Enjoying the fall harvest of local, fresh, organic vegetables is good for the colon and also supports and nourishes Lung Qi See Linktree in Bio to Book Online. Primary reference: http://www.meridianpress.net/a/thelung-chinesemedicine.html Photo Credit: https://www.barral.co.nz//visceral-manipulation-the-thorax

This is a great piece, with Canadian resources. Intersecting body shape attitudes with ableism is an important point. Thanks again Walrus!

Show You Care, With What You Wear! In honor of International Overdose Awareness Day (August 31, 2020) Positive Living Niagara is running a t-shirt fundraiser. ... Put overdose awareness front and centre with these conversation-starting T-shirts. Cool Cats design features actual cats loved by actual harm reduction staff at Positive Living Niagara! Love cats a little less? You can still rock a righteous look in our popular Poppies print. Each shirt can be yours for a minimum contribution of $25 or more, plus $5 flat rate shipping. Money goes directly to Positive Living Niagara’s Community Fund. Ordering is open until September 14, 2020. Email Keira at [email protected] to place your order and proceed with payment. Shirts will be printed after September 14, 2020 and shipped end of September.

My first miserable, flailing attempts at meditation were around 1998. Nobody had yet heard the word mindfulness. Phones didn’t have apps, social media was non...existant and the internet was young. I was unsuccessful learning to practice meditation from books and CDs. I would follow guided meditations, but had many questions about the practice and no teacher to ask. I tried and gave up more times than I can count. When I finally found a meditation teacher around 2010, the practice started to stick. That particular experience helped me become a more disciplined practitioner. When I found my next teacher in 2016, I got a great historical, academic and heart-centered education suitable for the curious & helping nature of a clinician. This experienced grounded and moved me into a space of freedom and I was encouraged to teach the Foundations of Mindfulness (next class series this September). Unable to continue mentorship due to the teacher’s sudden passing, I continued to connect with that sangha, attend retreat and study. My current teacher is challenging me in ways that are humbling and transformational. As my practice matures, I am constantly reminded there is no way around or away from myself. This is why meditation is an act of courage. There is no way I could continue to practice without help and encouragement along the way - which is very important to understand in our DIY, information-at-our-fingertips world. Even experienced meditators need help and have things to learn. Vietnamese Monk Thich Nhat Hanh recognizes the importance of the sangha, or practice community, which is one of the three precious jewels in Buddhism. They are Buddha, Dharma, Sangha. So, as important as honouring an enlightened being or learning the teachings are, supporting each other in an understanding and mindful community practice is emphasized for the future of humanity. In order for us to feel supported in our practice, we need to support others. The need for local groups from all mindfulness-based lineages (with ethics, without agendas) to gather in economical ways (not expensive retreats) may be, according to Thich Nhat Hanh, the most important thing we can do for the survival of the earth. I have held meditation groups on donation and for free since 2011. Peoples’ commitment to group practice waxes and wanes but I continue to support aspiring and experienced meditators any way I can. When I have time and space to share, I share it. Being a meditation/mindfulness teacher is a terrible idea for a vanity project, and it’s not lucrative. It doesn’t matter if there’s one student, 10 or 50 - if someone wants to learn or meditate with me I am willing to teach or sit. There is no replacement for a sangha, no matter how small. (I’m talking to you, Leanne!) You don’t need to turn to online classes or apps if what you need is live people to help and guide you. It is important, though, that you learn the basics in a way that helps you establish a home practice and feel prepared to meditate in a group setting. You can even start your own sangha! American St Zen monk, author, blogger, documentarian and punk rock bass guitarist Brad Warner once said (something like), even the worst zazen is still good zazen. If you want a great start to your crappy meditation practice, there are still spots available for the Foundations of Mindfulness class series on Saturday afternoons starting September 12 for 5 weeks. Here’s the link for details and registration: https://mailchi.mp/7281eca1e441/foundations-of-mindfulness Photo credit: Lion's Roar - Illustration by Ray Fenwick