Author Archives: Sascha Schmidt

One of the things I admire most about Sascha, is his ability to keep me grounded; to help me not flip out or over-react when something doesn’t quite go according to plan; and to generally find the positive angle in every situation.

It’s one of his (many) gifts.

I’m writing this post looking at the bright side of a situation that at the time was pretty bland (and not quite what I was hoping for at all) … as you’re about to find out.

Ever since watching the Griswalds visit the Grand Canyon in National Lampoon’s Vacation as a kid, a trip to the Grand Canyon has always been on my bucket list. So when a recent conference took me to Las Vegas, I figured a day at the Canyon would be the perfect post-conference side trip.

I found a tour company that ran day tours to the south rim of the Grand Canyon and booked my ticket. The online brochure outlined a 6am hotel pick up, a quick stop at Hoover Dam, then out to the Canyon for a few hours of awesome viewing spots, before heading back to Vegas by 7pm.

With the conference out of the way, I couldn’t wait for the big day!

I boarded the coach at 6am from my hotel and we were on our way. The driver mentioned that the forecast was for “some light rain and perhaps a few light snow flurries” but reinforced that we’d be in for a great day.

At Hoover Dam I snapped a few quick pics (more just because I wanted to stretch my legs), before the coach headed along the famous Route 66 into Arizona.

I must have fallen asleep for about an hour and woke up when the coach pulled into a gas station. When I looked outside I could see the rain was pelting down.

We left the gas station and headed towards the Canyon. After about another hour or so the rain had clearly become snow … and even for an inexperienced Aussie (who had only seen snow once before), I could tell that it was more than just a flurry!

The coach slowed right down and continued at a snail’s pace for about another 45 minutes until we pulled into another stop.

We were told we were at our lunch stop.

I got off the bus and it was bitterly cold and the snow was coming down aggressively. I couldn’t even see across the road.

After a quick lunch the coach passengers were divided up into groups and directed to different jeeps. The jeeps were covered in thick plastic ‘hoods’ (they were clearly typically open vehicles). The seats were covered in melted snow and the wind was absolutely biting.

Our tour guide introduced himself and then let us know that in 18 years of living and working in the Grand Canyon, he had never seen a blizzard like this but we’d still head towards the south rim.

The 6 of us in the jeep were freezing so he offered us a blanket to share!

After about 20 minutes we arrived at what was supposedly (usually) the most breathtaking photo spot. I got out of the jeep and as I stood next to the jeep the snow came up past my ankles. I couldn’t feel my face (I was just wearing jeans and a standard hoodie) and my fingers started going numb.

I literally couldn’t see more than 2 feet in front of me. As far as I was concerned the fact that the spectacular Grand Canyon was (apparently) right there was irrelevant. I was being battered by a freak snow storm.

After less than 2 minutes standing on the edge of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, I just wanted to get back into the damp jeep and get the hell out of there.

The guides had been instructed to leave the canyon due to the severe weather and that we would be taken to a nearby museum while the blizzard hopefully past over.

The “museum” turned out to be a wooden hut (about the size of an elementary school classroom) where we watched a video on how the Grand Canyon was formed.

Side note: I hated (and failed) geography at school. How rocks move over millions of years doesn’t really interest me in the slightest, and right now (with my feet now also numb from walking in the snow in regular runners) I was staring at an old TV monitor listening to a documentary about the canyon that looked like it was made in the 1970s.

Get me out of here.

I’d paid over $350 so far and was cold, wet, numb and watching an outdated DVD.

The guide then drove us back to the coach stop and we were told we could spend the next hour in the gift shop!

WTF? An hour looking at postcards, key chains and fridge magnets of what the Grand Canyon should have looked like?

We got back onto the coach and the expressions on all the other passengers were priceless. Nobody said a word. It looked like everyone was in a trance. Pissed off. Frozen. Over it.

We started crawling back towards the main road. The snow was now coming down even harder than before and it was starting to get dark.

10 minutes into the return journey, the driver announced that there was a bad accident up ahead. The traffic then came to a grinding halt. We literally weren’t moving.

The driver then announced he was putting on a movie.

I am not kidding here when I say I watched the entire Oceans Eleven movie and half of Dumb and Dumber before the bus even moved an inch. Outside the blizzard was still in full swing and clearly the roads were incredibly icy.

What should have been a roughly four-hour drive back to Las Vegas turned out to be over seven hours! Once the accident was cleared, we crawled back towards Sin City and I was dropped back at my hotel after midnight.

I was booked on a 6am flight back to San Francisco the next morning. I’d been out for 18 hours and literally hadn’t seen a thing. My mood was beyond foul. I couldn’t wait to write my abusive TripAdvisor review about my visit to the Bland Canyon.

But somehow Sascha’s voice was in my head … “Just breathe. Listen to your body. Take a deep breath”!

My body was telling me that it was still freezing cold, hungry, exhausted, and feeling completely ripped off!

But then Sascha’s voice continued in my head … “Remember that sometimes you just have to roll with the punches. Look on the bright side – you got to see snow for the second time in your life!”.

He was absolutely right.

The Grand Canyon isn’t going anywhere. I’ll be able to visit it some other time only next time if there’s even a hint of cloud I won’t get on the bus.

Actually better yet, I will book a helicopter trip over the canyon instead!

The end of the year 2016 is fast approaching.

One thing I have heard from many of my patients especially over the last month is how tired and drained they feel. From what I can see, this year brought many challenges personally as well as nationally and globally.

Winter is a good time for deep introspection, to discover the layers of personal and global tension that we might have internalized and to do some deep healing to release this tension layer by layer.

For some these layers are felt in their dreams: this is a safe time for us to feel and explore our inner lives with the least amount of interference from our waking mind. Consider starting a dream journal to start making you aware of the material that arises as night.

The most challenging part in dealing with the darker seasons in life is often the first step: To start slowing down and to start feeling. There’s something that happens when we pay attention to our inner lives with a loving and clear intention to heal – there’s movement.

In Chinese medicine we call the principle to go within, to go deep, and to connect with our deepest resources of healing the Yin aspect. Yin is an energetic quality representing feeling supported in the body, manifesting as trust and feeling secure, a sense of feeling calm and rooted. Physically it represents body fluids, lubrication, the ability to cool and nourish all organs.

As we are aware of the wonderful qualities of introspection and self healing that this time of Yin brings, we keep in mind one of the main principles of Chinese medicine: balance. So, Winter is the best time to balance all this Yin with Yang.

Yang is warmth, movement, circulation and it tends to be naturally lower in the Winter months.

So to balance this beautiful Yin energy, make sure you also apply the principle of nourishing Yang this season: Eat mostly warm/hot foods like soups and stews, add ginger and cinnamon wherever you can, drink lots of hot tea and do make time to circulate your blood through light exercise, stretching, breathing.

So, as we naturally slow down in the Winter, we balance the tendency to hibernate and go within, with gentle ways to stay warm and keep the fire going, as well as to share with loved ones in a deep and gentle way.

Acupuncture,  Chinese Herbs and moxibustion are a great way to boost the Yang in Winter months – there’s a belief in China that a powerful treatment in the height of Winter (Winter solstice on December 21st) will ward of the cold for the entire year.

In any case, stay warm this Winter, tap into the healing qualities which Yin time brings by slowing down, honoring your feelings and by sharing with others when it feels right.

Here’s a link to a recipe for an easy to make Winter vegetable soup, enjoy!

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/winter-vegetable-soup-358098

Happy Yin time!

Sascha

Thanksgiving is almost upon us. The focus shifts from ghosts to turkeys, and before we know it the Christmas decorations will be up and carols will be piping through the speakers in every store.

Yes … it’s The Holidays!

What does Thanksgiving mean to you? Is it the food? Is it about spending time with family and friends? Perhaps it’s a time to feel connected to the founding pilgrims?

This year, I wanted to share my own Thanksgiving thoughts.

Let’s put aside the turkey, the stuffing, the cranberry sauce, and the pumpkin pie. Let’s focus on you for a change.

For much of the year you’ve been likely been caught up in the pressures and stresses of the day to day. At home or at work you’ve probably focused more on what you don’t have than what you do have. Well, at least that’s how my mind works!

Thanksgiving can be a time where you can slow down and refocus. It can be a time where you can thank yourself for everything you have been able to achieve so far this year.

Take a deep breath. Pause. Reflect. Take stock. Slow down. Step off that treadmill (or at least turn it down a few notches). Look around you.

Now exhale. Leave the stresses of work and personal life behind (and maybe of the election too). Ignore (even for a moment) the pressure and burden of hosting all your family for Thanksgiving dinner (and perhaps the fact that you’ll have to do it all again in a month!).

We don’t spend enough time praising ourselves for all our accomplishments. We apologize to others; with thank others; we go out of our way to help others; we listen to others.

It’s time to listen to your own body. Listen carefully to what it’s trying to tell you.

Block out the noise. Shut the door on the external stresses and pressure that you have welcomed into your life all year.

Take some time for yourself and try your best to slow down during the holidays. Sure, there’ll be family, friends and food all around you. But it doesn’t mean you can’t sneak away to meditate and re-energize; or squeeze in a yoga class or two. Gosh everyone else will be so caught up in everything they might not even notice you’ve gone!

Trust me, you’ll feel amazing and you’ll thank yourself for it … literally. And you might just find that you create a new tradition for yourself.

Oh and at the family feast, when your body tells you it’s had enough, that’s also a good time to really listen to it 😉

Happy Thanksgiving!

A patient arrived at the clinic the other evening. She looked exhausted.

“I can’t even remember how I got here”, she said. “I must just be on auto-pilot”.

I showed her into the treatment room at once, sensing it was time for her to relax.

Many patients talk about being so busy that often they run their entire day on autopilot – whether it’s being a busy parent or working in an office.

For me, when I hear someone talk about “being on autopilot”, it means they’re not able to cope with a dozen balls in the air or multi-task. It means they might not be focused, present, or fully ‘there’ in the moment.

When you’re in a state of mindlessness, it means that you’ve completely stopped listening to your body; you’re simply going through the motions of everyday life; you’re checking the boxes to get things done; and you’re becoming more susceptible to stress and anxiety.

For many years I have followed the writings of Jon Kabat-Zinn – a world-renowned teacher of mindfulness and stress reduction. He defines mindfulness as “paying attention; on purpose; in the present moment, and non-judgmentally”.

When I tell my patients to breathe and listen to their bodies, it’s much about being conscious and in the moment – it’s a practice of mindfulness.

We spend so much time thinking about things that have already happened, or worrying about things that might happen in the future, that often we actually forget to appreciate or enjoy the moment.

Mindfulness is a way of bringing us back to experience life as it happens, in the moment. It helps clear your head and make you more aware of yourself and your body; it helps slow down your thoughts and your nervous system; and it helps you to concentrate, relax and manage stress.

When practicing mindfulness we’re not aiming to control or suppress or stop our thoughts. We simply aim to pay attention to our experiences as they arise without judging or labelling them in any way.

With its roots in Buddhist meditation, some people practice the technique through yoga. However you can clean your kitchen mindfully, brush your teeth mindfully, stand in the train mindfully, or go for your morning walk mindfully. 

Any routine activity can be made into a mindfulness practice when you bring your full attention to it.

Mindfulness simply means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment.

Remember there is no “right” or “wrong” way to think or feel in a given moment. When we practice mindfulness, our thoughts tune into what we’re sensing in the present moment rather than rehashing the past or worrying about the future.

To experience the true power of mindfulness, take a deep breath and focus on the present moment. Try not to think about anything that went on earlier today or that might be coming up tomorrow. Concentrate on what’s happening around you.

Remember not to be judgmental about anything you notice, or label things as ‘good’ or ‘bad’. The Heart and the Belly don’t make these distinctions, only the mind does. Have fun with it!

You see them everywhere. Especially here in San Francisco. No matter what time of the day … and particularly on weekends. People walking around in stretch pants, often wearing slightly too much fluro, carrying a rolled up mat in one hand and a bottle of water in the other. Where are they all going?

To yoga!

But despite the appearance of some of the fans you may see on the street, yoga is far more than just another trend du jour like zumba or soul cycle! Yoga is a mind and body practice with historical origins dating back to ancient India, combining physical postures, breathing exercises, meditation, and a distinct philosophy.

As an individual you are far more than simply a walking brain. Your mind, body (and soul) often need to find a calm place – a time for you to really connect with your entire body. Some people who practise yoga may be addressing specific health conditions, such as back pain, neck pain, arthritis, and anxiety. However several studies suggest that practising yoga can improve quality of life; reduce stress; lower heart rate and blood pressure; help relieve anxiety, depression, and insomnia; and improve overall physical fitness, strength, and flexibility.

Yoga is the perfect accompaniment to acupuncture. Trust me your body will love you if you combine both practices as part of your weekly wellness regime. To simply be with your body and your own breath is a wonderful experience. But remember that everyone’s body is different, and yoga postures should be modified based on your own individual capabilities. Make sure you select a studio and an instructor who is experienced and attentive to your needs helping you practise yoga safely.

Give it a go … Feed your soul; stir you mind; your body will thank you for it.

Namaste

Tuesday December 22 marks the Winter Solstice.  May this day remind us to honor our mind, body and spirit through the changing of seasons.  In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the winter months are associated with the Water Element and the Kidneys, the source of Essence, primordial Yin and Yang.

So this season, be kind to your physical body by honoring the Kidneys, which help to flush out toxins through the urinary system and help prevent illness by housing the deepest life promoting substances of the body, which in TCM we call our Essence, Yin fluids and Yang fire. This might translate to taking some well needed rest and naps during the busiest holiday season. More sleep at night, naps, gentle restorative exercises, warm and nourishing foods and drinks and breathing practices can really boost your deepest energy stores and help keep you healthy all year long. One such breathing practice could be to close your eyes and visualize light emanating from your Kidneys into the rest of your body while taking deep breaths. To boost your immune system, visualize this light and let it grow until it covers your whole system. Do this for about 5 minutes 2-3 times a day for best results.

Be kind to your emotional body by allowing whatever feelings arise through the months of December and January.  While culturally Winter is often a time of joy and celebration, in TCM, it is also a time for processing our fears, sadness and grief, as we witness and grieve the dying nature around us which prepares our world for the birth of Spring.  The holidays are also a time when we think of people we’ve lost in our lives, so when these feelings of grief arise, pause and reflect on them rather than push them down.  Do not fear sadness – it is a natural part of our lives and one which we should embrace. What we sometimes call the “Winter Blues” may actually be a natural process of grieving and releasing, making room for Spring’s new growth and new hopes and dreams.

Finally, be kind to your spiritual body and use your breath and awareness to connect to your Highest selves.  Ask that part what it needs for healing during this time and honor what you hear, not in your head, but in your heart.  It can be as small as “taking a walk” to something as big as making a career or relationship change. Try to listen to what your spiritual body is asking of you and attempt to give it what it seeks.  The attempt is often enough to appease our highest selves.

As the rainy season begins, do add some nourishment and warmth into your body by eating soups and stews that include root vegetables and warming spices such as Cinnamon, Ginger, Cardamom. The Kidneys are the “root organ” of the body according to TCM, so eating roots and tubers during this time is good practice. I recommend a visit to the local Farmers Market to see what’s in season – you can’t go wrong there! For a nice winter vegetable stew, try this one:http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/winter-vegetable-stew.html

I would also be happy to see you for a treatment during this time- seasonal acupuncture and herbal medicine can help our mind, body, and spirit transition better through the changing seasons. For the Winter season specifically, it can help bring vitality into our systems on a deep level, while fending off colds and flus and keeping you warm from within.

Sending good health in body, mind and spirit, and I look forward to seeing you soon!

Sascha, Tree of Qi Acupuncture Clinic