Health & Well Being Magazine San Benito South Valley 2023

ZEN and NOW

Changing attitudes toward meditation cause practice to skyrocket in popularity

PERSONAL TOUCH Dawn Culp shows an area of The Zen Room where she offers one-on-one meditation services.

BY ERIK CHALHOUB

Americans are well-trained to visit a doctor when they are battling a physical ailment, or head to a psychologist when they may be feeling off mentally.

But historically, they have neglected the third part of their being, something that people of eastern countries have long cultivated: energy.

Thankfully, the United States is now catching up, said Dawn Culp, owner of The Zen Room in downtown Gilroy.

A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the use of meditation among adults increased threefold from 2012 to 2017, at 14.2%. For children, meditation increased from 0.6% in 2012 to 5.4% in 2017.

And this was all before the Covid-19 pandemic, which stressed people’s mental state like no other time in their lives, causing depression, anxiety and other ailments.

Reports say the popularity of smartphone apps that focus on mindfulness and meditation skyrocketed during the Covid-19 lockdowns.

Culp is well in tune with this phenomenon. Opening The Zen Room in Gilroy in 2015, she has had to move the business multiple times to accommodate her growing clientele, now located at 7473 Monterey St.

Perhaps even more telling: Culp said she has a waitlist four to five months long for new clients looking for private services, which include one-on-one meditation, hypnotherapy, energy work, guided visualization and more. There are other practitioners working alongside Culp with expertise in their own fields such as breath work and trauma relief for PTSD. Group meditations and classes are also available.

A portal to peace

It’s difficult to realize that a door is all that separates The Zen Room from the outside world.

The sounds of passing vehicles, smells of nearby restaurants and the often jarring sights of old meets new in the area can be a lot to take in.

But as soon as one enters that door into The Zen Room, its calming effect is palpable, with the dim lights, burning incense, soft music and gentle imagery all complementing each other to create a world of relaxation.

That’s exactly the response Culp is hoping for.

“When people walk into this space, I want them to take a deep breath and let their senses remind them of a simple and powerful truth, ‘I’m OK,’” she said.

realize the benefits of the practice.

The pandemic certainly played a role.

GROWING NEED

Culp, a Gilroy resident, knows plenty about the fast-paced, stressful world of modern society.

She left her corporate career in Silicon Valley to pursue what she refers to as a calling. People told her she was crazy for passing up a well-paying job to start her business, but she knew she was making the right decision.

“My high-tech job was wonderful and taught me a lot, but the fire in my belly wasn’t there,” Culp said. “I wasn’t born to do that job…I knew I needed to be doing something in the wellness field.”

That job only exercised part of her brain, she said, adding that the importance of utilizing the whole brain is something many don’t realize. The left brain, or the more analytical side, is often the most used, yet most people neglect the right, or their intuitive and creative side.

“In Silicon Valley where our left brain is being exercised like crazy, here is a place where you can strengthen the right brain,” she said. “You need the whole brain and not forsake one for the other.”

From surviving to thriving

Culp said she’s seen changing attitudes toward meditation in recent years. Sure, it still has its fair share of skeptics, including plenty of them locally, but even they are starting to

“It’s amazing what people will try when they are at the bottom of a well,” she said, adding that many of those same skeptics looking for positive ways to deal with their depression are now “clients for life.”

The Zen Room’s clientele ranges in age from 7 to 92, according to Culp.

Not only do the ages range, but people from all walks of life will walk through the door, including many first responders.

“One of the most exciting things about what’s happening, and is part of our expansion, is everybody is getting into this,” she said.

A growing number of hospitals throughout the nation are also offering such services, including Stanford, which provides Healing Touch Therapy, a type of energy therapy which supports physical, emotional and mental health.

Culp added that her clientele has grown well past Santa Clara and San Benito counties, with people up and down California taking part in classes, and others who fly from out of state. She also offers remote services for those unable to physically visit the location.

For people looking to bring a little bit of zen home with them, Culp sells essential oils, crystals, books, jewelry and more.

Culp said there are only two states of being that one can exist in any given moment: surviving or thriving. What she sees is many people operating in “survival mode,” running from the “lion” that could take many forms: fear around the pandemic, worries over losing their job, or being unable to pay bills.

“Survival mode is always supposed to be a sprint, not a marathon,” she said.

But humans are not meant to be in such a state 24/7, Culp said, and we need to make time for what she calls “rest and repair.”

“When you get into rest and repair and this beautiful, calm zen space, all of a sudden all the systems that went offline when you were in survival mode come back online,” she said. “Getting into a rest and repair state of being is critical to overall wellbeing.”

For information and to book an appointment, visit www.TheZenRoom.Love.

ENERGY Pyrite is one of numerous minerals for sale.

FOR THE HOME Jewelry, artwork, candles, scents and more are available at The Zen Center.

Dawn Culp has a waiting list that is months long for her services.

Tarmo Hannula

7

Courtesy of Dawn Culp

Tarmo Hannula

Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital Welcomes Gastroenterologists

Prathibha Chandrasekaran, MD

Piyush Dhanuka, MD

Namihas, MD

BY MICHAEL MOORE

Power of Play

Local therapist opens OT Park for young patients

Pediatric Occupational Therapist Dr. Hiral Khatri has a passion for helping children of all ages and abilities thrive and become independent in their daily school, social and home lives. This passion, along with her extensive education and experience, led her to open OT Park in Morgan Hill.

The space—which resembles an indoor jungle gym and playground—caters to children with autism and special needs, who are challenged in their sensory

processing and sensory modulation abilities, Khatri explained during a recent interview at OT Park.

Khatri and her husband, Munjal Shah, called in specialist carpenters from New Jersey and Oregon to install swing sets, tunnels, trampolines, bouncy balls, monkey bars and other equipment designed to help children practice their muscle development and coordination.

Many of Khatri’s young clients struggle with daily activities such as handwriting, drawing and playing. These struggles can be largely

overcome with individualized therapy regimens, Khatri said.

“We use activities that are age appropriate, developmentally correct and help them do what they want to do,” Khatri said. “We help kids thrive in their daily activities such as brushing teeth or writing, playing or art skills. We give them emotional support—all that is needed for regular and next-to-normal development.”

Khatri and her staff work closely with patients’ parents to help determine what their child’s goals

are and establish a course of treatment to reach those goals.

Khatri and Shah, who have a 4-year-old daughter, have lived in Morgan Hill for about five years. Having worked in the field of pediatric occupational therapy in India and the Bay Area for 13 years, Khatri has seen a broad and growing need for such services in the region.

Since the pandemic started, Khatri has been conducting telehealth sessions with her clients, and has found that families will travel from San Francisco and southern California for therapy at OT Park. Morgan Hill is particularly well positioned geographically

PURSUING APASSION

Dr. Hiral Khatri is the CEO and Founder of OT Park in Morgan Hill.

Michael Moore

Call 844-700-9889 for a FREE Developmental Assessment

Is your child under 3 years of age?

Do you have questions about their development, including social-emotional, motor, communication, thinking, or self-care skills?

Stars Infant Program, in partnership with the San Andreas Regional center, provides FREE developmental assessments for ALL children under 3 years of age. Assessments provided in any language. San Benito County, Santa Clara County & Santa Cruz County.

Call us today to learn more and schedule your FREE assessment: 844-700-9889

¿Su hijo/a es menor de 3 años?

¿Tiene preguntas sobre su desarrollo de las habilidades de motricidad, de comunicación, de socialización o de pensamiento?

El programa Stars Infant, en asociación con el Centro Regional de San Andreas, ofrece evaluaciones de desarrollo GRATUITAS para TODOS los niños menores de 3 años. Las evaluaciones pueden ser en cualquier idloma. Condado de San Benito, Santa Clara y Santa Cruz.

Llamenos hoy para obtener mas información y programar su evaluación GRATUITA: 844-700-9889

for families to travel from throughout Silicon Valley, as well as from Hollister, Salinas, Monterey and other areas where occupational therapy services are scarce.

“Through our market research, we found that there are so many families on wait lists for clinics in the valley,” Khatri said. “The demand is more, and the schools in Morgan Hill and Hollister need this as well.”

Shah, who has been Khatri’s biggest supporter in her effort to open OT Park, said, “There is no place like this in the Bay Area. You cannot find a place that meets all the sensory needs of special needs kids. For them, it’s a fun place to play but we are actually treating them. She is so passionate about treating these special needs kids and making them

independent—that is what drove this ambition.”

Another advantage of the Morgan Hill location is the Magical Bridge playground at the Community Park. The park is designed for people of all ages with special needs, and Khatri plans to incorporate visits to Magical Bridge for her clients.

Khatri grew up in India, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy. During her college studies, she visited a clinic where she observed a mentor working with a child and was inspired by “tiny victories” the young patient made through various exercises.

Khatri moved to the U.S. in 2013, where she continued her education. She received her doctorate of occupational therapy from

the University of St. Augustine, and earned a number of certifications in occupational therapy.

She is also active as an expert and advisor in her field. She teaches occupational therapy at San Jose State University, and serves in leadership roles with the Occupational Therapy Association of California and the Asian Pacific Heritage Occupational Therapy Association. She is also an ambassador for the American Occupational Therapy Association’s political action committee.

After working as a therapist at a private practice in San Jose for several years, Khatri was let go shortly after the Covid-19 pandemic began to take its toll on the healthcare industry by limiting office visits and direct contact with patients.

Over the last two years, Khatri has been treating families remotely.

This includes a home-based “OT Park box” service in which families are provided a monthly kit with an activity guide and various equipment and toys that are designed for children of different ages to reach progressive sensory and motor skills milestones.

Khatri stressed that “occupational therapy is different for everybody,” and she enjoys the variety of being able to tailor individual treatment plans based on a patient’s specific needs, interests and progress.

“I am designing activities to help them thrive every day,” Khatri said. “We have to keep thinking about the various treatment procedures and bring the best results every time.”

For information about OT Park, visit otpark.com.

ROOM TO PLAY OT Park resembles an indoor jungle gym and playground.

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Mom Matters

Survey: Mental health of mothers is largely ignored

Anew survey reveals that the mental health of American moms is going largely unattended, with many living under a near-constant state of stress and few seeking support to ease the burden.

The research, commissioned by MDLIVE, an Evernorth company and leading provider of virtual care services in the United States, finds that 33% of mothers feel stressed or overwhelmed by their responsibilities as a mom at least five days a week. Drivers of their stress and anxiety may include financial concerns, ripple effects of the pandemic, including the mental health crisis among teens, work responsibilities and being a caregiver simultaneously to both children and aging parents.

Yet, for many moms, the prospect of managing their mental health has become a source of stress in and of itself. For 37% of moms, concerns about their own mental health are among their biggest stressors, second only to finances (40%).

Possibly even more concerning is that 70% of moms admit to

holding back their feelings and not telling their partner or family when they’re stressed, and 61% feel that they have no one to turn to or confide in for help.

“Our research shows that many moms are suffering in silence and not getting the support they need,” says Dr. Shakira Espada-Campos, who brings more than two decades of direct practice experience to her role as behavioral health medical director at MDLIVE. “I cannot stress enough how important it is for them to prioritize their own well-being.”

To help moms manage their mental health, MDLIVE offers the following tips:

1. Prioritize self-care: Recognize that practicing self-care is not selfish. In addition to things like eating well, exercising, practicing good hygiene, getting enough sleep, and seeing a health care professional routinely for preventive screenings and other care, self-care also means taking time to pursue hobbies or personal interests that bring you pleasure or fulfillment or offer you a way to

relax and unwind—activities you may have abandoned after having kids because it would mean time away from family responsibilities. Practicing self-care puts one in a better position to help care for others because your own well-being is in check.

2. Make time to cultivate relationships: Connecting with people who are important to you is essential to mental health. Make it a priority to spend time with partners, family, friends, colleagues, or anyone else who may be important to you, away from the house and kids, even if it’s just for a short period of time.

3. Seek help when struggling to manage stress and anxiety: If your emotional state is interfering with your daily life—if you’re having difficulty controlling your mood, withdrawing from loved ones, feeling fatigued, having trouble sleeping, lacking motivation, or frequently “zoning out”—it’s definitely time to seek professional help.

Acknowledging the importance of mental healthcare, many health plans and employers have expanded the resources available to their members and employers in recent years. New options include digital tools that can help with tracking mood, support meditation, help build life skills, and provide self-care advice. Additionally, telehealth visits with behavioral health professionals offer private, convenient, quality care quickly. For example, MDLIVE’s platform makes it easy to search for providers and schedule appointments with one of their psychiatrists or licensed therapists. MDLIVE is a covered benefit for more than 60 million Americans through health insurers such as Cigna, Aetna, certain Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, and many regional and local plans. To learn more or to register, visit www.mdlive.com.

“Although it’s natural to feel like you need to be a superhero, it takes a toll. You should never feel like you’re alone in your mental health journey or that you need to suffer in silence,” Espada-Campos said.

OVERWHELMED A new survey found that many mothers are living under a near-constant state of stress and few are seeking support.

Antdawgs MMA Training Center

6901 Monterey Rd, Gilroy, (408) 337-5774

Best Yoga Studios

60 Fourth St, Suite 101, Gilroy, (408) 848-0400

Brethren CrossFit

375 Tennant Ave, Morgan Hill, brethrencrossfit.com

California Sports Center Gymnastics

16959 Monterey Rd, Morgan Hill, calsportscenter.com/locations/ morgan-hill

Centennial Recreation Center

171 W Edmundson Ave, Morgan Hill, morgan-hill.ca.gov/1461/ Centennial-Recreation-Center

Coast Range CrossFit

1300 First St, Suite B, Gilroy, coastrangecrossfit.com

City of Gilroy Recreation

cityofgilroy.org/340/ Recreation-Division

City of Hollister Recreation hollister.ca.gov/government/citydepartments/recreation

GET FIT GET FIT GET FIT

City of Morgan Hill Recreation

morgan-hill.ca.gov/285/ Recreation-Activity-Guide

Cold Storage

CrossFit

320 Hillcrest Rd, Hollister, coldstoragecrossfit.com

CrossFit Gilroy

8840 Muraoka Dr, Gilroy, crossfitgilroy.com

CrossFit San Benito

827 Industrial Dr, Suite 101, Hollister, crossfitsanbenito.com/ index.asp?

Enterprise Academy of Martial Arts

817 Industrial Dr #B, Hollister, (831) 638-9384

Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self Defense

16145 Monterey Rd, Morgan Hill, graciebarra.com/ morgan-hill-ca

Kamal Yoga Studio

401 McCray St Suite A6, Hollister, (831) 756-8989

ROUTINE Chris Cameron warms up at XIOS in downtown Gilroy.

Tarmo Hannula

LOVEFIX

7425 Eigleberry St, Gilroy, lvfx.fit

Main Street Kickboxing

401 Hillcrest Rd D, Hollister, mainstreetkickboxing.com

Morgan Hill

Aquatics Center

16200 Condit Rd, Morgan Hill, morgan-hill.ca.gov/189/AquaticsCenter-AC

Morgan Hill Athletic Club

126 Cochrane Plaza, Morgan Hill, themhac.com

Morgan Hill Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Club

16715 Monterey Rd, Morgan Hill, http://diego-herzog.squarespace. com/#intro

Morgan Hill Pilates

16275 Monterey Rd, Suite M, Morgan Hill, morganhillpilates.com

Muscle House Gym

110 Old Gilroy St A, Gilroy, bodzbycamacho.com

One Yoga Morgan Hill by YogaSource

17305 Depot St, Morgan Hill, (408) 612-8052

Pound4Pound Sports Fitness

7648 Monterey St, Gilroy, pound4pound-sports-fitness. business.site

Pulido's Pro-Fitness

30 3rd St, Gilroy, (408) 846-9860

Rovella's Gym & Health Spa

854 Industrial Dr, Hollister, facebook.com/rovellas

Schleeter's Academy of Martial Arts

618 San Benito St, Hollister, schleetersacademy.wixsite.com/ schleeters-academy

Sorry Not Sorry Fitness

16895 San Simeon Dr, Morgan Hill, sorrynotsorryfitness.com

Taekwondo Jeongsin

8401 Church St, Suite E, Gilroy, (669) 309-2749

The Little Gym of Morgan Hill

15750 Vineyard Blvd, Suite 190, Morgan Hill, thelittlegym.com/morganhillca

United Academy of Martial Arts

330 Digital Dr, Morgan Hill, (408) 657-6820

XIOS Strength & Conditioning

7387 Monterey St, Gilroy, xiosfitness.com

QUICK Jesse James Guerrero’s hands are seemingly a blur during this training session at his family’s Pound 4 Pound sports fitness facility in downtown Gilroy.

MARTIAL ARTS Aaron Motilla opened his studio, Taekwondo Jeongsin, in 2021.

Jonathan Natividad

Erik Chalhoub