it’s all energy: taming the fire of summer

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taming the fire of summer

by christina ferber

There is no doubt that summer is upon us, and according to the Five Element or Rhythm concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine, we are in what is called the Fire Element right now. Many integrative modalities, such as Acupuncture, Qigong, and Eden Energy Medicine (EEM), embrace the Five Element tradition to balance the energy systems of the body in order to achieve good health and wellness.

There are four meridians (energy pathways in the body) associated with the Fire Element: Heart (HT), Pericardium, Triple Warmer (TW), and Small Intestine. When we work with points associated with these meridians or perform EEM exercises that calm them, we can balance the Fire Element, and feel more inspired, playful, and joyful in what we do.

Taking Down the Flame not only helps to balance the Fire Element, but it also calms emotions, helps to create a sense of well-being, and can help to lower blood pressure if it is done regularly. Take a deep breath in and out with your hands on your thighs. On the next inhale, raise your hands on either side of your body and connect them above your head so that your fingers and thumbs meet, and on an exhale, touch your thumbs to the top of your head. Inhale and on an exhale, bring your thumbs to the middle of your forehead. Inhale and on the exhale, bring your thumbs to your heart area. Inhale and on the next exhale, bring your thumbs to your naval and flatten your hands. Inhale, and on the next exhale, bring them to their original position on your thighs. Finally, on the next exhale, move your hands down your legs, and off your toes. Then trace your hands up the inside of your legs, and finish with your hands over your heart. If you want to add even more balance to this exercise, you can exhale each time with the "Haaaa" sound. Holding the Heart Meridian Source Point can balance the Heart Meridian (and the Fire Element) and help calm and center us. Simply hold or rub the point called Heart 7, which is located on the inside of your wrist in line with your pinky finger where your wrist and hand meet. Do this on both sides of the body for a few minutes on each side. (see diagram).

The 2nd & 4th Chakra Hook-u up also helps to balance the Fire Element by working with the HT and TW Meridians. Place a flat hand over your heart area and the other hand flat across the area beneath your belly button. Do this whenever you feel disconnected with yourself and need to feel more centered. Another way to balance the Fire of Summer is by holding the Neurovascular Reflex Points (NV) associated with this element. Hold the points above your eyebrows, called the Main NVs, along with the area on the back of your head directly behind your eyebrows. Breath into this a few times as you hold these two areas with a light touch (see diagram).

I hope these techniques bring a little more calm to you and cool down the energetic heat that the Fire Element can often bring during this time of year. For more exercises to balance your energies, visit www.itsallenergywellness.com.

Christina Ferber is a Certified Eden Energy Medicine Practitioner

Emancipated Patients

Medical Reserve Corp

By Patrick Neustatter, MD

The Rappahannock Area Health District could have only done half as many vaccinations if it hadn't been for volunteers helping out. This is the assessment of Jennifer Shiflett, RN, BSN, Public Health Manager and Incident Commander of the Medical Reserve Corp.

"What would have happened if there hadn't been any volunteers?" I asked her. make a significant contribution by being an MRC volunteer myself.

Though feeling proud about just turning up and administering shots doesn't acknowledge how miraculously there were syringes, needles, vaccine, gloves, wipes, Ban-Aids, screeners, computers, tents, tables, lead nurses, National Guard and everything else that is needed to make a vaccination clinic happen - all that stuff that the RAHD Incident Command Structure helps put together.

"Sounds like a military operation" I suggested. "Well, we do have to do command structure training" she told me.

"We would only have been able to do half as many vaccines" she told me, making me feel chuffed that I had helped

The What and Where of the MRC The MRC is an organization I was blissfully unaware of until I started looking around to see if there was anything I could do to combat this pesky corona virus last fall.

Now I find it's a nationwide organization with 839 units and more than 175,000 volunteers. It grew out of the Freedom Corp, set up by President Bush after 9/11. All local MRC volunteers are under the auspices of the RAHD and its Health Director, Dr. Olugbenga Obasanjo.

I had to undergo some rudimentary training in the specifics of COVID vaccine administration, then I got to help at clinics, in such exotic places as the Dominion Raceway and the Rappahannock Regional Jail. Together with a lot of volunteers and RAHD nurses, who seemed to also be excited about helping out. About combating this scourge.

An effective assault, according to the RAHD - reporting a drop in the positivity rate from 20 per cent in December/January to 2.9 per cent now.

The Good of Doing Good I have always told my patients I believed in what I call "helpfulness therapy." When you do something to help someone else, it does you good. But this isn't just my wacky idea. There's a scientific basis for this.

The mesolimbic system release oxytocin and vasopressin, and this appears to lower mortality, improved immunity, improve weight control, reduced blood pressure, and speed recovery from surgery.

Whether people understand the neurochemistry or not, the Journal of Health and Social Behavior notes when

Dear Virginia, An Open-Letter Tribute, Celebrating Front Porch’s 25th Year As siblings, we have always liked to tease one another but not today! Instead, your three brothers want you to know of the admiration and pride we hold for you. You continue to promote Fredericksburg as a wonderful place to conduct business and to call home! Your talent and dedication have contributed much to Fredericksburg's and Front Porch's success. As you commemorate the jubilee of your gracious and upscale publication … our warmest congratulations! Two and a half decades ago, Rob and you envisioned a magazine that would share local, uplifting news with your community. Sadly for all of us, Rob is gone, but by tireless and passionate commitment, you have kept his dream alive. While he began as your partner and editor, Rob would now be your cheerleader …echoing our sentiments by applauding your success in carrying on the legacy of Front Porch Fredericksburg. He would enthusiastically endorse our words and would deliver his approval with that endearing grin of his. Many folks would say that Rob is well aware of your devoted stewardship. We send our love and wishes for your continued happiness and success. ~ Jay, George, Myles

people are praised for their philanthropy, they often respond with something like "oh, no, what I do is actually selfish. I get so much more out of it than I give."

An impression backed up by a survey done by the non-profit agency OASIS who noted in a survey, 80% of volunteers reported an increase in wellbeing, an increased circle of friends and a perception that their lives were more productive.

Be a Volunteer Even though the demand for mass vaccine clinics is diminishing - partly because a proportion of the population won't do their part, thinking they can get a "free ride" off those that have taken the trouble to get vaccinated. Or misguidedly put off by misinformation. The MRC is always in need of volunteers.

We need volunteers "for the next nuclear exposure. The next salmonella outbreak" or any other disaster says Jen Shiflett told me. Or for their everyday running of health education sessions, other kinds of vaccine clinics, and a whole lot more.

Having found it, I'm impressed that the MRC seems a good number. But they need volunteers.

Patrick Neustatter, MD is the Medical Director of the Moss Free Clinic. & Author ofManaging Your Doctor The Smart Patient’s Guide to Getting Effective Affordable Healthcare. managingyourdoctor.com