Source of Life

Courses

A Restorative Retreat focusing on the Water Element in Chinese Medicine
17-19 January 2014

Winter in Chinese Medicine is the time for the Water Element which governs the Bladder and Kidney. The water element is where our constitutional energy is stored, the energy we derive from our parents and ancestors. It is not possible to increase this energy but it is possible to conserve it or at worst deplete it.

The society which surrounds us teaches us that it’s dog eat dog and only the fittest survive. That fear of failure can mean we are always on the go, constantly using our will and wits to survive. Like this kidneys and adrenals become overworked, drained and exhausted, impairing their function. As the body is made up of up to 70% water this can have serious implications for our health.

This retreat will show you how you can accomplish and get things done without undue stress and effort. We will experience practical techniques through Yoga, meditation, acupressure, food and cooking that can support the kidney and bladder and balance assertive action with nurture for our body. Whilst at the same time experiencing rest, allowing these hard working organs to restore, ready for the coming year ahead.

FRIDAY 17th January 2014

5.00 Check In

5.45 Arrival for the body with Uta

6.00 Supper

  • Black bean and Celery Soup. Celery is packed full of vitamins and minerals but its main effect is on the bladder/kidney. Due to its high levels of calcium and magnesium it calms the nerves and aids relaxation. It is also a mild diuretic and good at relieving arthritis and rheumatic disorders
  • Tabouleh Salad Parsley is a fine tonic for the Blood. It also has a diuretic effect draining water from the body and supporting the Kidney. Bulghar Wheat is made from cracked wheat berries and so is beneficial to the heart, together with flat leaf parsley which is full of vitamin C they boost the blood and circulation
  • Wholemeal Spelt Bread with Dulse and Wakame Seaweed. Seaweeds are an underused Irish resource great for softening hard masses in the body, reducing swelling, detoxifying, benefiting thyroid, building blood and removing residues of radiation in the body. They are packed full of essential minerals often missing from our diet. Over the weekend we will be tasting and trying many different types of seaweed as they are the backbone of kidney and bladder food.

7.00 Welcome Session

  • Conscious listening practice to introduce the group
  • Presentation of the Bladder/Kidney in Traditional Chinese Medicine
  • Simple stretches, Self Shiatsu and Acupressure points to relieve stress and build a sense of peace within the body

SATURDAY

8.30 Yoga and Loving Kindness Meditation with Uta

10.0 Breakfast

  • Baked Fruit Porridge with dark mixed berries. Oats are a warming tonic for the Qi. They strengthen the Spleen and benefit the nervous system and bones thereby supporting kidney function
  • Selection of Breads all of which are baked fresh daily by the Art of Conscious Cooking including Spelt and pumpkin seed, Wheat/gluten free with Sesame seeds and banana bread
  • Fair-trade Orange and Apple Juice
  • Fresh fruit, Yogurt and Honey, Seeds and raisins
  • Condiments of Butter, Margarine, Marmalade, Jam, Honey, Marmite

11.00 Conscious Cooking Class with Jo

  • Japanese Aduki Bean and Shiitake Mushroom Stew Aduki beans strengthen the Kidney Chi and have a mild diuretic action. Butternut squash and sweet potato supports the stomach and spleen which comforts and nourishes the overworked thinking mind. The seaweed is great at supporting the kidney and bladder function, allowing the body to receive and relax at a very deep level
  • Cucumber and Dilisk (seaweed) Salad
  • Traditional Japanese New Year Salad. This salad with its mixture of raw ingredients specializes in moving the chi (energy)
  • Traditional Miso Soup with Wakame (seaweed) A quick and hearty cuppa soup with its salty flavour, essential for kidney and bladder health
  • Feta, Dulse (seaweed) and Walnut Corn Bread
  • Lemon and Honey Barley Water essential for a healthy urinary tract
  • Barley, Leek and Arame (seaweed) salad

2.00 Lunch

  • Japanese Aduki Bean and Shiitake Mushroom Stew served with brown rice
  • Cucumber and Dilisk (seaweed) Salad
  • Traditional Japanese New Year Salad
  • Stuffed Baked Apples served with vanilla ice cream

Free time for napping, reading, walks in the grounds or a swim at the beach

6.00 Supper

  • Corn and corriander Soup. Corn traditionally tonifies the kidneys and helps overcome weakness. The lime in this soup aids the uptake of Niacin into the body
  • Feta, Dulse (seaweed) and Walnut Corn Bread
  • Barley, Leek and Arame (seaweed) salad

7.00-9.00

  • Yin & Yang Evening Meditation – finding the still point from which all action comes. Using stillness and flow we will create artworks to which help us remember the stillness within activity
  • Personal one to one Bodywork with Uta or Jo – everybody will receive shiatsu bodywork for the Bladder and Kidney (approx 20 min each with personal recommendations)

SUNDAY

8.30 Yoga and Loving Kindness Meditation with Uta

10.00 Breakfast

11.00 Conscious Cooking Class with Jo

  • Caramalized Onion, Feta and Seaweed Quiche
  • Broccoli, Green bean and sweet sesame salad
  • Nori (seaweed) Rolls with dipping sauce

12.00 Tea break

12.30 Movement meditation with Uta

1.30 Main Meal

  • Caramalized Onion, Feta and Seaweed Quiche
  • Broccoli, Green bean and sweet sesame salad
  • Nori (seaweed) Rolls with dipping sauce
  • Sweet Sesame Treats, Poached Pears and vanilla yogurt

3.00 Closing Ceremony

Cost: early bird €245 (25th December), thereafter €275
Includes all food, accommodation & tuition

For more info and a booking form contact the team:
Uta Kaiser pureyoga@utakaiser.com 087 742 5717 www.utakaiser.com
Jo Faulkner joannefaulkner@live.ie 086 6070432 www.joannefaulkner.org

This course schedule is an outline and may change due to unforeseen circumstances such as available ingredients and the weather ?

Ancient Wisdom – Modern Kitchen

Courses

We’re back ? with lots and lots of new, easy healthy recipes.
The Whitefriar Community Centre is an inner city Dublin based community group that funds my cooking classes which mix Traditional Chinese medicine and the energy of food to make tasty healthy dishes. Its a bargain at €4 per class. Don’t worry about booking – if you are about just pop in, learn a few new dishes, see where they fit into the Chinese medicine yin/yang circle and have a tasty snack/lunch at the end of it all. Feel free to pass this on to anyone you know is in the Dublin City Centre area and would be interested.

Classes run 10.30-12.30 ?

Directions: walk up Aungier Street toward Camden St. At the large crossroads take a left. The building is on the right hand side with a full line of glass windows. Address: Greenside House, Cuffe Street.

07 Nov Bladder Kidney
Flavour Salty
Recipes:

  • Corn Chowder
  • Corn Bread with walnuts
  • Japanese Ochazuke (green tea and rice)

14 Nov Liver/ Gall Bladder
Flavour Sour
Recipes:

  • Traditional Japanese New Year Salad
  • Spring Green Soup
  • Chrysanthemum Broccoli

21 Nov Heart/ Small Intestine
Flavour Bitter
Recipes:

  • Snow Pea Rice
  • Blood Building Salad
  • Garlic Green Beans

28 Nov Stomach/ Spleen
Flavour Sweet
Recipes:

  • Vegetarian Paella
  • Pumpkin and tofu soup
  • Mint, Ginger and Tangerine Tea

05 Dec Lung/ Large Intestineginger

Flavour Pungent
Recipes:

  • Ginger and Pumpkin Soup & Healthy Lentil Stew

12 Dec Christmas Favourites
Flavour Fantastic
Recipes:

  • Guiness Gingerbread
  • Healthy Choc Chip Cookies
  • Orange Chai
Lying in the Sweet Summer Grass

Lying in the Sweet Summer Grass

Energy of Food Blog

As I write my head is a whirl, a mess of knotty thoughts that won’t unravel. I’ve had the bones and the desire to write this post for a few months now about the stomach spleen and how it’s responsible for energy transformation and distribution, yet it won’t formulate into a clear coherent line of thought and then it comes to me ….

It is this chaotic state of mind that I need to write about. I need to enter the confusion and enjoy the process, to see what comes rather than write this blog as another job to tick off the never ending “to do” list that makes me into the person I think I am. I could write easily of needing to mother the child in me blah blah, eat sweet veg such as carrots blah blah and that would reinforce Jo as the person who writes about Shiatsu & Conscious Cooking.

Today I will write from a place of playful exploration rather than efficient multi-tasker. I am more than my everyday logical mind, I can tap into a larger field of consciousness and come up with creative thought way beyond what I imagined was possible. So here goes…

Stomach/spleen energy covers mental thought and activity, we chew over ideas or if we over think things we get knots in our stomach. This mental capacity of needing to sort things out, to put things in place or arrive at logical conclusions gives us a feeling of control and security in an ever changing world.

However it is not this logical mind that brings us true security, it is the clear mind free from thoughts of the past and desires for the future where we find peace and stability, Like the bright blue sky which may be obscured by emotional clouds, thoughts and events, it is always there showing us its always blue and everything will be ok in the end.

We must trust in the mystery of life, relax into the flow and receive the abundance that comes from the void. We don’t have to do it all and we are not responsible for everything. Over mothering will deplete the stomach/spleen energy.

Sometimes I have difficulty accessing this state of mind and definitely have trouble holding onto it. There can be a discomfort in silence and letting go that not thinking creates. But it is silent connecting to what is, the changing energy of life, without needing to control what is that brings true nurturing and security.

Tidying up the kitchen, finishing a business plan or solving a mathematical equation brings momentary satisfaction but there will always be more mess to clean and more problems to solve so unless we can relax into the understanding that we never get it finished, we will wear ourselves out filling our lives with short term fixes or turn to substances such as chocolate or narcotics to gratify and fill the void.

The stomach/spleen sensory organ is the mouth so it is no surprise that in times of instability and uncertainty we can use this organ to ground us either by eating, smoking and even kissing. In different ways all these actions use the mouth to bring us satisfaction just like a baby suckling on a nipple.

However these are short lived fixes and we need to take care they don’t become addictions especially when we consider that the flavour for this season is sweet. All too easy when we need to feel secure to head for the chocolate or the biscuits.

Nothing is inherently wrong but if we use a substance or action to escape from our situation it does not solve the problem it merely weakens us and if stomach/spleen energy becomes weak it creates dampness in the digestive system which can accumulate and become phlegm.

Symptoms manifest as heavy, tired muscles, candida, thrush, eczema, asthma and of course being overweight. The mind becomes cloudy and thinking goes around and around. So to break the cycle and support the stomach and spleen consciously you could try the following

  • Eat plenty of grains such as millet, brown rice, quinoa and barley
  • Avoid carbohydrates such as pasta, bread and potatoes as these are broken down using insulin and changed into sugars. If there is too much insulin the body looses magnesium which is essential to synthesize these carbs into energy. This leads to the heavy tiredness discussed above
  • Eat warm sweet foods such as carrots, parsnips, squash, sweet potato
  • Cooking food begins the digestive process. Too much raw, cold food can build up dampness in the body
  • Chew, chew, chew – essential for the digestive process
  • Chickpeas are great for clearing spleen damp
  • Don’t drink water whilst eating, it puts out the digestive fire
  • Find time to sit on the grass and feel the support of the earth, relax the mind knowing that everything is perfect as it is

If I’m very honest and personal I think my mind is whirling because I’ve just finished dating a guy and am swirling adrift once again in the sea of singles. No more hugs for a while (great for the stomach and spleen; see blog on children) means that I have to be careful not to go off into organisational overdrive so instead, carrot sticks and humus, lie on the grass in my back garden, drink in the perfection of the present moment and cornflakes on the kitchen floor.

Join Us and Try a Free Class


We offer a free class at the end of the month so you can try Chi Flow before you join.
Membership is only €39 per month, with over 20 classes included each month.
After three months, your subscription halves to €20, making it the most affordable Parkinson’s-friendly Qi Gong programme available online.

You are warmly welcome to practise with us and discover your own flow.


💗 Ready to Join?

Click here to become a member of Chi Flow with Jo → CLICK HERE

Or drop in for a class and feel it for yourself (sign up below). Join the Chi Flow with Jo community for live sessions, practice, and support.

You don’t need to have it all worked out.
You just need something gentle to lean into, one day at a time.

    

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.

The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

Angels, Orbs and Other Things – An Exhibition of New Works

Home

Exhibition runs from April 20th – 27th in Baldoyle Library, Dublin, Ireland

Opening with a wine reception Saturday 20th April 2.30-4pm

It is my intention to create works of intense colour, light and beauty. Each painting has a spirit and a life force which I hope people connect with and therefore reconnect with their own inner spirit, their own inner beauty.”

I am very excited to be showing the new paintings that have been created over the past year. I hope you will be able to come and share all the bright colours in a glorious space overlooking the sea with the best view in Dublin.

Get down and clean up

Get down and clean up

Energy of Food Blog

For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere spring is just around the corner which traditionally means a good clear out. A Survey carried out by the Soap and Detergent Association in the USA revealed that 98% of us feel good about ourselves when our house is clean and 60% say that spring is the best time to rid the house of dirt and clutter.

The same is true in Chinese Medicine, Spring is traditionally the time to clear the mind and body of unwanted build ups, to stretch and move with the upward dynamic energy of Spring. The organs traditionally associated with this energy and time of year are the Liver and Gallbladder. Their job is to clear the body of toxins, aid flexibility and flow in the body.

A common problem arising when these organs are not taken care of are Gall Stones. Each year in the United States, approximately 1 million people are newly diagnosed with gallstones and approximately half of these cases, the Gallbladder will be removed. However this need not be the case, many foods can help the gallbladder dissolve gall stones.

In Chinese medicine, the colour green is linked to the Liver and Gallbladder and all green foods will help Gallbladder function. So spinach, watercress, broccoli and kale work really well. Apples and pears are used to moisten pathways and soften hard build ups such as Gallstones in the body .

Fresh lemon juice contains the phytochemical limonene which improves liver function so a simple splash of lemon juice in hot water will wake up the Gall bladder and Liver, Spring Cleaning the body from the inside out.

Juicing is an ideal way to improve liver function as it increases the release of enzymes within the body which can sometimes be lost through cooking. Enzymes are essential catalysts for all chemical reactions such as digestion, immunity, regeneration and metabolic function.

Some enzymes are produced within the body and some come from the food we eat and are key to nutrient absorption. Most raw, fresh pressed juices are easily absorbed by the body meaning all that super food is getting to working for you instantly.

 

The following is a perfect liver cleansing juice as it contains all of the above three groups. Feel free to change the amounts to suit your palate. . If you want to increase the power of this juice sprinkle over a teaspoon of spiriulina which is is one of the best plant sources of vitamin B12 essential for the functioning of cells and tryptophan which helps the body produce the anti-stress chemical seratonin

  • 1 large carrot
  • 2 stalks celery
  • 1 large handful flat leaf parsley
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 red apple

Flat leaf parsley is always good to grow and have around. It contains high amounts of vitamin C, A, chlorophyll, calcium, magnesium and iron. Add a handful to sandwiches, salads or juices. Its flavour is so mild you can chop it and toss it through cooked rice or potatoes.

Join Us and Try a Free Class


We offer a free class at the end of the month so you can try Chi Flow before you join.
 Membership is only €39 per month, with over 20 classes included each month.
 After three months, your subscription halves to €20, making it the most affordable Parkinson’s-friendly Qi Gong programme available online.

You are warmly welcome to practise with us and discover your own flow.


💗 Ready to Join?

Click here to become a member of Chi Flow with Jo → CLICK HERE

Or drop in for a class and feel it for yourself (sign up below). Join the Chi Flow with Jo community for live sessions, practice, and support.

You don’t need to have it all worked out.
You just need something gentle to lean into, one day at a time.

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.

The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

Ancient Wisdom – Modern Kitchen

Courses

The Whitefriar Community Centre, an inner city Dublin based community group, is funding a series of my cooking classes. The classes are open to all who wish to drop in – its a bargain at €4 per class. Don’t worry about booking – if you are about 10.30-12.30 just pop in, learn a few new dishes, see where they fit into the Chinese medicine yin/yang circle and have a tasty snack/lunch at the end of it all. Feel free to pass this on to anyone you know is in the Dublin City Centre area and would be interested.

31st Jan – Liver/ Gallbladder – Sour Spicy Pack Choi Soup & Saffron/Ginger Poached pears* & Liver Cleansing Juice*

7th Feb – Heart/ Small Intestine – Macaroon Tart* & Coconut pancakes & Beetroot relish

21st Feb – Stomach/ Spleen – Sweet Butternut Squash soup* & Dairy free Orange Cake

28th Feb – Lung/ Large Intestine – Lentil Burgers* & Garlic Soup*

7th March – Kidney/ Bladder – Oat and Walnut Muffins* & Black Bean and Barley Soup*

How to find The Whitefriar Community Centre. Walk up Aungier Street, pass the carmelite church on your right, the Avalon Cafe and the YMCA and the SVP shop all on your right the next door with a little brass plaque on the wall is the whitefriar centre. Come in and be fed.

Recipes marked with an * are never performed before in front of a live studio audience ?