Ebb + Flow Wellness

STRESS In this time of COVID-19, stress is something ALL of us can relate to. We are not alone. This is affecting all of us, in one way or another. I recently had the pleasure of speaking about stress with one of my closest friends Anita Lambert @holistichealthphysio on the podcast that she and @jessiemundell co-host.... This was a big deal for me. Not only do I always love chatting with Anita (we’ve been friends since our undergrad and we were in each other’s wedding party), but I was deeply honoured to be a part of the incredible resource she has co-created in @tobirthandbeyondpodcast. Do you ever get that feeling of pride and love that just swells up inside you when you feel such admiration, inspiration, and respect for someone you love? I have that for Anita and the work that she has done to educate, empower, and advocate for womxn. Please check out episode 117 of @tobirthandbeyondpodcast. We talk about: - What happens to us when we experience stress - The connection between pain and stress - Common myths about pain and stress - Self-compassion - Strategies to regulate our nervous system - How this impacts people in pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and breastfeeding I hope that you’ll find it reassuring and helpful in these times, or any time. Thinking of you all and wishing you health, patience, and strength to get through. Thank you for having me on your fantastic podcast, Anita See more

SPACE I don't know about you, but my experience of space has significantly changed these past few weeks. Life in a global pandemic brings big ebb and flows. I'm in a paradox of gratefulness for the space I have and at the same time, a strong desire for freedom to choose a different space. Physical distancing has meant most of us are and should be confined to our home living spaces. It can feel like a loss of freedom. So much, right now, can feel like that. Mindfulness can b...e a way to still our desire to escape or to fight the situation. It might be a gentle way for you to come out of a place of numbness or shut down as our body reacts to the stress of the situation in our world. Here are 3 mindful activities you can try, to experience more freedom with space: 1. Slow your breathing down. Begin to bring your awareness to the space between your inhale and your exhale, and the space between your exhale and your inhale. Continue this for 5 minutes, if possible. When your mind wanders, bring your attention back to the space. 2. Begin in a standing position. Slow your breath. Bring your awareness to your skin. Notice everything that it touches; your clothes, your hair, the ground. Become aware of the space your body takes up. Now, gently and lightly, run your hands over your body; your face, neck, shoulders, back, pelvis, legs, feet, arms, and hands. This is the space that you take up. You have a right to take up this space. Take a few more slow breaths. 3. I'm so grateful to have learned this one from @magamamas. Bring your awareness to the room around you. Move your head and neck to look up and all around you. Notice 3 specific things in great detail - their smell, shape, sound, colour, and dimensions. Then bring your awareness inside your body and notice 3 specific sensations. Alternate between outside and inside until you feel you've come back to the present moment in your space. Take a few more slow breaths. I write this as much for you, as for me. As @glennondoyle says, we can do hard things. May your space be safe. And may you stay safely in your space. Thank you to @doulalizdaher for the inspiration and for bringing my awareness to space

CHANGE Whew. Does anyone else feel like their life as they knew it is being deconstructed?!? At least we're in this together. We are certainly not alone. Well I mean, I hope we are relatively and safely, physically alone. But not alone in experiencing this Metamorphosis is, in itself, a destructive process. This is a favourite quote of mine and I can't figure out who said it. ... Since things are breaking down anyway, maybe this is our chance to take stock of what works and what doesn't in our lives, so that we can eventually build our lives back up in a way that suits us. A way that brings more balance. Maybe a way that listens to our gut instincts instead of logic, or cultural norms, or what life 'should' look like. I'm certainly finding this experience is shining a light on what's most important and also some of the ways our culture really wasn't working well or fairly. Maybe this is our metamorphosis. My hope is that this is our cocoon phase (#stayhome) and we will emerge from this in a beautiful way as humans and as a community together.

ONLINE CARE Physiotherapy in your pajamas!!! In-person physiotherapy appointments at Ebb + Flow @yourebbandflow have been paused until March 30 due to covid-19. However, given the escalation of the efforts to contain this virus, I think it's safe to assume that our need to social distance could go on much longer than this. Please STAY HOME.... I want to be able to give you the care you need. I am now offering virtual physiotherapy sessions. These will be run the same as your in-person session but we meet through our scheduling software @janerunsclinics and their video platform. It is set up specifically for this healthcare purpose and is compliant with the required Canadian health privacy laws (PIPEDA). All you need is a computer or device with a webcam and access to the internet. Online sessions will allow us to continue your assessment or treatment progress with alot of what I offer in our in-person appointments including pain management, mindfulness, yoga, exercise progressions, education,and answering any questions you have. These sessions would obviously exclude hands-on treatment techniques, however, in some cases, they may involve teaching a partner to do them for you at home. Payment for the session is the same as in-person and many insurance companies cover online physiotherapy sessions. Please check with your specific company if you are unsure about your coverage. To book, click on the link in my bio and select "Online Care" as the location. Let me know if you have any questions below or in a DM. I hope you and your loved ones are keeping safe and healthy and staying cozy at home

COVID-19 UPDATE It is with great love and also disappointment, that I have decided to let you know that for the next couple weeks, I will no longer be seeing clients in-person. Ebb + Flow Wellness @yourebbandflow will close our clinic location until March 31. At this point, we will reassess with the constantly changing situation. We are following the guidance of the Ontario Physiotherapy Association, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Canadian Government. I am exc...ited to be offering online consultations and assessments to those people that are currently scheduled or people that would like to schedule. More information about these options will follow shortly. This is a scary and unpredictable time and one that will stand out in the history of our world. The well-being of our loved ones and our community the ones I’m honoured to share space and conversation with daily, is what’s most important. Staying at home and social distance is a small price to pay for that. I encourage all of you to be safe and distance yourselves physically. Stay home. However, please, reach out to each other, in safe ways, socially. The online community is an exceptional resource for social connection at a distance. Let’s keep in touch. Thinking of you all; sending you love and strength in these crazy times. Robyn xo

Check out Jenny Telfer-Crum Physiotherapist's post about pessaries! She fits them at our location in Burlington :)