How Sound Healing Supports Hormonal Balance & Slows Ageing After Menopause

How Sound Healing Supports Hormonal Balance & Slows Ageing After Menopause

Energy Update, Qi Gong Energy Exercises

How Sound Healing Supports Hormonal Balance & Slows Ageing After Menopause

As we step into November in Chi Flow with Jo, our focus turns to hormonal balance and longevity. For many women, especially post-menopause, the question becomes: how can I stay strong, flexible, and emotionally balanced as I age?

One powerful answer lies in sound healing.

Recently, I spoke with Caroline Flavin of Alchemy of Sound, who has been working with sound and vibration for over 20 years. She shared how crystal bowls, tuning forks, and even simple humming can profoundly support women through hormonal transitions.

Sound Healing & Hormonal Shifts

Menopause and post-menopause often bring stress, anxiety, temperature fluctuations, and disrupted sleep. These challenges are closely linked with elevated cortisol and a nervous system under strain.

Caroline explained that sound baths, through the resonance of crystal bowls, guide the brain into slower wave states, alpha and theta, similar to deep relaxation or meditation.

This shift activates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping the body to lower stress hormones, reduce blood pressure, and find a state where true healing and restoration can occur.

For women navigating hormonal changes, this is more than relaxation, it’s a pathway to balance, calm, and longevity.

Vibration, Energy & Flow

Chi Flow with Jo uses breath and movement to circulate qi, the vital energy of life. Sound works in harmony with this: instead of moving energy with the body, the vibration moves through the waters of the body, blood, lymph, and cellular fluids, carrying resonance deep into our tissues.

Just as we feel music reverberate in our bones at a concert, sound healing allows us to literally vibrate into balance. For women post-menopause, this offers a gentle yet powerful way to stay connected, flexible, and resilient, physically and emotionally.

Tuning Forks & Hormonal Points

Caroline also works with planetary tuning forks, rooted in both ancient and modern traditions.

Applied to specific meridian points, these vibrations can support symptoms of peri- and post-menopause, helping restore balance to the body’s internal rhythms.

It’s a reminder that healing doesn’t always have to come from doing—sometimes, it comes from allowing the body to receive.

Everyday Sound Rituals for Longevity

Caroline suggests simple practices for daily life:

  • Hum or chant “Om” first thing in the morning or before bed to soothe your nervous system.

  • Pay attention to the soundscape around you, swap doom-scrolling and digital noise for birdsong, leaves rustling, or calming music.

  • Try sound baths online or in person, where vibration can ripple through your whole being.

These small rituals, especially when paired with Chi Flow, become longevity practices, keeping you emotionally balanced, physically strong, and connected to life’s natural rhythm.

Experience Sound Healing in November

I’m delighted that Caroline Flavin of Alchemy of Sound will join us for November’s Chi Flow mid-monthly health talk, offering an online sound bath and discussion on hormonal balance and longevity.

✨ This talk is free for all Chi Flow members.


 ✨Non-members can buy a ticket, and if you later decide to join Chi Flow, we’ll refund your ticket price. https://joannefaulkner.ie/online-talk/

WATCH THE PODCAST

In the full podcast, learn more about sound healing and how it affects our hormonal balance below: 

Join Us This Month in Chi Flow with Jo to balance hormones & boost energy and longevity

Why not join Chi Flow today, so you can experience Caroline’s sound bath, our daily morning Qi Gong practice, and a supportive community of women navigating midlife and beyond?

💗 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 on your journey to an emotionally healthy heart and attend Caroline’s live talk and sound bath for FREE.
To work with Caroline click HERE

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.

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Keep your blood flowing to help with pain and stiffness

Keep your blood flowing to help with pain and stiffness

HEALTH & WELLNESS

DO YOU SUFFER FROM PAINFUL JOINTS OR CARPAL TUNNEL?

Many people ask: “what foods to eat and which qi gong exercises and self-shiatsu points would help to alleviate the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and painful joints?”

WHICH ORGANS AFFECT THE FLEXIBILITY AND SWELLOING IN THE JOINTS?

 If you are experiencing stiff, painful joints or carpal tunnel, this could be due to stagnation of blood flow.   Qi gong is an ideal exercise to unblock stagnant blood flow and qi (life force energy), and combined with some acupressure points, you may find relief from stiff or painful joints.

When we are talking about blood flow, it is important to focus on the Heart and the Liver because they’re responsible for your body’s flow of energy and blood.  

This year, my focus will be on the Heart with two Wellness Retreats focused on Heart Health: Ireland (sold out) and Lanzarote (2 spaces only left for the Lanzarote residential retreat – CLICK HERE )

BLOOD & THE HEART IN CHINESE MEDICINE

In TCM, the concept of blood encompasses not only its physical components but also its energetic and spiritual aspects.

Blood is seen as the material basis for the Shen or spirit, and its production involves not just physiological processes but also energetic transformations.

The emphasis on the heart’s role in blood production and its connection to the Shen underscores the holistic understanding of health in TCM. The heart is considered the residence of the Shen and plays a crucial role not just in pumping blood but also in nurturing the spiritual aspect of human life.

We must find a home for the Shen/Spirit to reside, and that is the Heart energetic system and the blood.

Western medicine primarily focuses on the physiological aspects of blood production and circulation. Blood is produced in the bone marrow and circulated through the body via the cardiovascular system, with the heart acting as the pump to propel blood through the vessels.

Despite these differences in emphasis and perspective, both traditions recognize the importance of a healthy cardiovascular system for overall health and vitality. A well-functioning heart ensures the smooth and efficient circulation of blood, providing nourishment to tissues and organs while removing metabolic wastes, thus contributing to overall wellness.

Emotionally we are at peace and in balance able to see the beauty in life.

CAN DIET AFFECT INFLAMMATION IN THE BODY?

The short answer is yes! One of my favourite parts of Chinese medicine includes healing your body with food.

“Inflammatory arteritis is swelling in the walls of your arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to other parts of the body. Swelling from inflammatory arteritis can cause blockages or aneurysms in your arteries, including your aorta (your body’s largest artery).”

In traditional Chinese medicine, each organ pair is linked to a season and a food that can boost your body’s healing properties. You can see in the 5 element wheel in the illustration above which foods and flavours support and heal which organ.

 

You can read lots about how different foods affect your body and your organs in my cook books HERE.

Eating Spring vegetables like kale, spring greens and green vegetables and herbs that are often bitter in flavour (rocket, parsley, etc) will benefit both the Heart and Liver with their colour and flavour.

The bitterness of these Spring green foods help the Heart and the Liver, which can help your blood and energy flow more easily and smoothly.

ACUPRESSURE FOR PAIN

In this Ask Me Anything podcast episode, I demonstrate some self-shiatsu acupressure points, including Large Intestine 9 which is great to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

Watch the full episode HERE (Painful Joints & Carpal Tunnel) to see how to find this source point and connect with it, allowing the energy within this point to flow smoothly, relieving any pain or tension in the area.

HOW TO PRESS ACUPRESSURE POINTS

When you are practising Qi Gong or any Shiatsu practice, it is important to know how to connect the movement to your body’s energy flow.

It is just as important to understand how to find an acupressure point as it is to know how to use it by connecting your mind and body to its purpose.

ASK A QUESTION, ASK ME ANYTHING!

The Ask Me Anything podcast series has been created to answer your questions using my knowledge of Chinese medicine, Qi Gong, Qi Food therapy and Shiatsu.  You can ask a question by clicking HERE, or you can watch or listen to past episodes to see if your question has already been answered.

Your journey to health and balance is unique, and embracing the wisdom of TCM can help you achieve lasting freedom from cravings. Be kind to yourself, listen to your body, and enjoy the process of nurturing your health.

Until next time, stay balanced and be well.

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.

Fasting for women over 40 – Chinese Medicine Style

Fasting for women over 40 – Chinese Medicine Style

Conscious Cooking - Use Food as Medicine, understanding your body with the 5element system of TCM, HEALTH & WELLNESS

I have been intermittent fasting for quite a few years now and it is my saving grace. At only 5 ft small, I have to watch my weight and especially since as I age (I’m 55), extra wobbles and curves can creep up and stay on.  I use Intermittent fasting together with the Qi Gong exercises in Chi Flow with Jo to get fit and healthy not necessarily to get skinny, and it works

At the beginning of every year everybody in Chi Flow with Jo practices intermittent fasting/digestive resting for 6 weeks. (Chi Flow doors open on January 2nd in preparation for fasting the night of Sunday 7th January // Doors will close Monday 8th of January to begin the 6 week Programme)

It’s super easy and supper effective – I use my knowledge of Chinese medicine to do it safely and easily so that following the fasting period I don’t rebound back, end up craving the sweet stuff and piling on more of the pounds I lost.  I am also careful not to stress the body by excessive dietary changes or intensive cardio training.  This combination can often exacerbate symptoms or sore joints, brain fog and hot flushes.

Our main goal in Chinese Medicine and Chi Flow with Jo is to move, often stagnant, Liver energy (akin to Non Alcoholic Liver Fatty Disease) and support the Spleen meridian system by clearing dampness from the body. Which if left unchecked can be the cause of many conditions such as joint pain, inflammation, hot flushes, brain fog, anger, irritation, sugar addiction, heavy limbs and a slow metabolism

I have found my weight has been stable and within my healthy range, my energy levels are clear and consistent throughout every day, I don’t suffer any dietary issues or inflammation and I have not experienced prolonged brain fog associated with menopause and age bracket. I enjoy consistently high mental energy and clarity. 

One menopause symptom I have to watch is Insomnia and after overindulgence at Christmas I can find my sleep patterns all over the place.  Intermittent fasting helps get my circadian rhythm and sleep cycles back to normal.

I am not alone: This method of watching when you eat rather than what you eat has become very popular. In 2019, it was the most Googled diet on the planet.  But Traditional Chinese Medical wisdom has long recommended eating during daylight and resting the digestive organs at night.  This is part of living in harmony with the circadian cycles and following the energy of nature.

The Liver is the organ in charge of metabolism.  After a meal, the fat is stored by the liver around the belly. Between meals, stored fat is slowly released, keeping body cells supplied with energy. However if the liver is congested through over-eating, eating at the wrong time, or toxic overload from medication, excess hormones, alcohol and fats, the liver is not able to metabolise the energy already stored so we can’t shift the belly weight, feel exhausted, suffer sore joints, disturbed sleep, even our nails and hair begin to thin.

Traditional Chinese Medicine always recognised the early meal as the most beneficial to health. If you eat during earlier hours it gives your body more time to incorporate food and repair itself.

According to the TCM meridian clock (a chronological map of the strength of the organs at different times of the day), the digestive organs of the Spleen and Stomach are most active in the morning (Stomach time being 7-9am and Spleen time 9-11am). So it makes sense to load up your calories earlier in the day, when the digestive fires are strongest.

Ensuring there is no food intake in the evening and night allows the Liver to rest and detoxify the body.

“I know what I should be doing to lose weight, but I need a way to do it that fits into MY life.”

“I have been thinking about weight loss for a while, but life is so busy I find myself putting convenience first.”

Is that you? Then we are on the same page and this Chi Flow with Jo intermittent fasting programme is perfect for you. When a diet lays down the law, it can be frustrating. Everything ends up being harder than it should be. Welcome to something different. this is so easy. You feel in control of your eating, you feel light and free, pain reduces and sleep becomes easier.

PLUS – You are not alone, there are almost 400 of us, all ready to begin in January.  This is the game changer … acting independently but still being part of a group and therefore accountable

Once you experience this Chinese Medicine method of fasting, you will will be able to use it. This is not a “one-diet-fits-all” plan. You will gain control over your food and you will notice the difference.  Having the support and the accountability of the group is essential to help you stay on track and to help you when you go off track.

This method with Chi Flow with Jo is not about Yo-Yo dieting – it’s about creating new habits and that doesn’t happen overnight which is why it’s a 6 week programme

  • A fasting schedule that increases gently and slowly – not eating from 8pm to 8am – could you do that?
  • 30 min Daily Qi Gong exercises working on the Spleen and Liver (recordings also sent daily)
  • Daily Live Check in – for Q&A and support
  • Daily nutrition advice and recipes
  • Free access to Live Boost metabolism Talk and join me LIVE in my kitchen for easy simple healthy recipes
  • Closed facebook group for sharing and support

Chi Flow doors open to join on the January 2nd in preparation for fasting to begin on the night of Sunday 7th January

Doors will close Monday 8th of January to begin the 6 week Intermittent Fasting programme

Have a look at what others say about the practice:

A recent review article in the “New England Journal of Medicine”, titled “Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Health, Ageing and Disease”1 reviews the scientific research currently available on intermittent fasting, and comes to some very positive conclusions about the practice. It states that, ‘preclinical studies and clinical trials have shown that intermittent fasting has broad-spectrum benefits for many health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, cancers and neurological disorders.”

Your journey to health and balance is unique, and embracing the wisdom of TCM can help you achieve lasting freedom from cravings. Be kind to yourself, listen to your body, and enjoy the process of nurturing your health.

Until next time, stay balanced and be well.

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.

Bone building exercises

Bone building exercises

Qi Gong Energy Exercises

In my last post about improving bone health and slowing the effects of ageing, I shared what to eat following the 5 element diet in Chinese Medicine.
In this blog post I will share what we can do to strengthen the whole skeleton and prevent bone thinning,

Bone is living tissue that is constantly being broken down and replaced. Osteoporosis occurs when the creation of new bone doesn’t keep up with the loss of old bone. This affects men and women, but women who are just past menopause, are at highest risk.

Studies show that the right type of activity and movement is critical to maintain bone density and strength. What works best is load bearing exercises such as squats, leg presses and lifting weights. These are standard practices in gym’s, where people use equipment to build body mass, muscle and bone strength. However as a 53 year old menopausal woman, that wouldn’t be my kind of thing at all. I don’t want the fuss and bother of going to gym, working out how to use special equipment and perhaps even injuring myself in the process. So I use my own body weight and gravity as resistance training to improve muscle and bone strength. This can be as effective as training in a gym with weights or weight machine.

Why not try it?

Every morning in Chi Flow with Jo, over 400 of us practice simple, effective exercises, just like the one in the video, to build healthy bones, muscle mass and core strength. All that is required is concentration on coordinated movements and breathing. No special equipment, no special expertise and no previous experience. (sign up for free class at the end of this post)

YouTube player

Tiger what tiger?

The deeply focused and relaxed states we attain in Chi Flow with Jo also help regulate the nervous system. When the body is under stress or fearful situations such as running away from tigers, the body flushes out calcium and magnesium because these chemicals are not needed in the flight of fight response. 

Every so often, this is no problem, as how many tigers do we generally encounter! but if the body is responding to every day events such as project deadlines or dinner on the table as if it were being chased by a tiger, then this is a serious problem.

As I discussed in my last blog about food for strong bones, calcium and magnesium are the two minerals essential for bone strength.
5% of calcium and magnesium is transported around the body in the blood, the rest is stored in the bones. If the flight or fight response is constantly being triggered, and the calcium and magnesium being flushed from our system, eventually the body will have to go looking to the bones for the calcium and magnesium to restore the body to balance.  This is just one of the bone weakening effects stress can have on our body.

To prevent this mineral loss and bone thinning, we must maintain our emotional, mental and physical balance, learn how to self soothe and return to calm after stressful anxious times. Chi Flow with Jo with breath and movement coordination, activates the naturally occurring emotional and physical mechanisms of self-repair and health recovery.

In postmenopausal women, studies show moderate exercise helps preserve bone mass in the spine and prevents fractures, plus it shows increasing physical activity can improve your mood and stop the loss of minerals at times of stress.

Add to this that women who are not physically active are more likely to have heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Sedentary women may also have chronic back pain, insomnia, poor circulation, weak muscles, and depression.

Happy hormones

Endorphins which are morphine-like substances found naturally within the body, account for moods of well-being or euphoria such as we experience after enjoyable workouts or even eating chocolate.  These happy hormones, are released in the brain and this improved mood can last for several hours which in turn helps the body fight stress.  Qi Gong and Chi Flow with Jo will boost these happy hormones to improve your mood and your mental strength. Research conducted by Harvard Medical School indicates that regular Qi/Chi gong practice is a safe and effective way to maintain bone density, relieve pain, improve balance and the ability to do daily activities.

Here’s what some members of Chi Flow had to say

“I can’t recommend this highly enough, a great way to support your body and just in half an hour – go on you deserve it. Best thing I’ve signed up for in years!” Solway Shiatsu

“Totally recommend Chi Flow with Jo. I started the practice last October and my body feels well and flexible.” Maighread

“I do them 3+ times a week and it makes a HUGE difference to my energy levels and general health & coping skills.
Give it a go for a month and see the difference.”  Helen

In Summary

The key to stopping sweet cravings lies in understanding and balancing the stomach and spleen energy through the 5 Element System of TCM. By incorporating the right foods, practising acupressure self-care, gentle Qi Gong exercise, and being mindful of your body’s signals, you can achieve the freedom and balance you’re looking for.

Remember that balance is key. Even healthy foods should be consumed in moderation.

Your journey to health and balance is unique, and embracing the wisdom of TCM can help you achieve lasting freedom from cravings. Be kind to yourself, listen to your body, and enjoy the process of nurturing your health.

Until next time, stay balanced and be well.

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.

Bone Strengthening Foods

Bone Strengthening Foods

Recipes

As we grow older there’s no escaping the changes that happen to our body, however we can do things to slow this ageing process and the worries we have about it.

Thinning, weakening and brittle bones are one of the dreaded markers of ageing. More than half of all caucasian women age 50 and older are estimated to have low bone mass, which means their bones are getting weaker but they don’t yet have osteoporosis.  If not addressed, everyday tasks such as carrying groceries, opening jars, walking, reaching for high shelves can become difficult and filled with fear for people whose bones have developed osteoporosis.

 Chinese medicine with it’s 5 element food medicine, Qi Gong and Acupressure can help you manage the physical, mental and emotional transitions of ageing. For the month of December we will be practicing Qi Gong and Acupressure to build strong bones and slow the ageing process. Im 56 and I have been using Chinese Medicine for over 25 years and I share here how this system of holistic health keeps my bones strong.

From about age 25 to age 50, bone density tends to stay stable with equal amounts of bone formation and bone breakdown. After age 50, bone breakdown outpaces bone formation and bone loss often accelerates, particularly at the time of menopause. The risk increases at menopause, when levels of bone-bolstering oestrogen fall. Men are also at risk as even though they don’t usually experience dramatic hormonal change, because life expectancy continues to rise, men over the age of 70 can experience slow, progressive bone loss.

In Chinese Medicine, the body and it’s organs are divided into five energetic systems or elements; wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Each of these elements have a time of day, a season, a flavour, a sensory organ and a body part. The water element is linked to the Kidney and Bladder which in turn govern the spine, the bones, brain, reproductive organs, hormonal and nervous system.

Therefore Osteoporosis, in Chinese Medicine would essentially be treated by supporting the Water element and the Kidney System, the flavour for which is salty.

What can we eat?

Let’s look at foods that have a salty flavour and would support the energetic Kidney system and most importantly, the bones. Obviously salt has the saltiest of flavours so making sure we have enough good natural sea salt in our diet is essential. Because sea salt is minimally processed it contains minerals such as potassium, iron, magnesium and most importantly for bones, calcium. It also helps regulate fluid balance and blood pressure in the body.

However too much of a good thing can tip the yin yang balance so don’t over do the salt by eating foods packed with refined table salt such as crisps (chips) popcorn, pre-packaged ready meals, processed, smoked or canned meat, such as bacon, cold cuts, ham, frankfurters, and sausage as this can have the reverse effect and increase blood pressure and weaken bones.

Foods with a salty flavour usually have a high mineral content so eating these foods rather than relying on salt alone will mean your bones stay strong. Calcium is the most important mineral for bone health. However, there are other minerals such as copper, magnesium, boron, iron, potassium and zinc that play an important role as well. The good news is that a balanced diet that include salty tasting foods such as miso bone broth, oats, barley, oysters, broccoli & green leafy vegetables, daikon radish, dandelion root, hicory root, adzuki beans, celery, wheatgrass, barley grass, sesame seeds, eggs, spirulina, and my favorite, seaweed should meet your daily magnesium and calcium requirements.

Studies show “Magnesium deficiency contributes to osteoporosis directly by acting on crystal formation and on bone cells and indirectly by impacting on the secretion and the activity of parathyroid hormone and by promoting low grade inflammation.”*
All edible seaweeds contains high amounts of magnesium and calcium in a format that’s super easily absorbed by the body. This mineral rich, salty flavoured food will really nourish the kidneys and the whole skeletal system.

You can find lots of seaweed plus salty food recipes and full list of kidney supporting in my 5 element cook books that cover the colours, the foods, emotions, seasons, acupressure points, and energy exercises for each specific organ and system.

I eat seaweed every day, whether sprinkled on eggs or avocado or larger flakes added to stews and rice as they cook.

For the whole month of December we will be practicing Bone Marrow Qi Gong, learning acupressure points and sharing food medicine to build strong bones and slow the ageing process.

Exercise is an important aspect of bone strength you can read more in my next blog or even sign up for a special bone building Qi Gong class at the end of November.

Qigong, combines gentle movements, controlled breathing, and focused meditation. It is designed to cultivate and balance the body’s life force energy, promoting overall well-being. 

Every journey starts with a single step, let a simple daily Qi Gong practice guide you on a transformative path towards renewed vitality, fortified bones, and a joyful heart connected life.

Until next time, stay balanced and be well.

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.

TIPS FOR HEALTHY SEA SWIMMING

TIPS FOR HEALTHY SEA SWIMMING

Recipes

TIPS FOR HEALTHY SEA SWIMMING

There’s no doubt how popular Sea swimming, including the open water of lakes and rivers, has become.  A 2020 survey in Outdoor Swimmer magazine revealed

– 87% swimmers are aged over 40 and

– 65% of swimmers are women [1].

Why is this?

Gyms and swimming pools can be intimidating places for us peri, mid and post menopausal women. They’re often filled with much younger people, complicated equipment and lots of mirrors. But swimming outdoors brings us back to nature, with a gratitude for our bodies, and a camaraderie with other swimmers.

In the water, all bodies become equal

Here I will show you how can you optimise the health benefits of Outdoor swimming using:

  • – Food medicine
  • – Qi Gong breathing and exercise
  • – Acupressure point

We can all agree, because sea swimming is never recommended to do alone, that we benefit from the social aspect of sea swimming, but physically how is it good for you?

In many schools of thought in Chinese medicine, cold and the ‘blood stagnation’ that it can cause, can be considered a very detrimental factor in our health.

A simple way of understanding this is to compare the blood circulation of a newly born baby with that of a 90-year-old. It is very rare to see a bruise on a baby.  Even though they are always falling over and knocking themselves, their blood circulation is so good that they heal incredibly quickly.

But if you look at the hands and feet of a 90-year-old they can look blue and bruised, often due to poor circulation.

What happens as we age?

As we age the body can stiffen up, not only in the joints but also in the elasticity of your blood vessels.

Especially during peri, mid or post menopause, low estrogen levels can cause your heart and blood vessels to become stiffer and less elastic.

In response to the cold water your blood vessels constrict but instead of this having a detrimental effect this actually improves the oxygenation of the body, reducing pain and swelling plus improving lymphatic drainage.

In terms of Chinese Medicine this is a great example of the interconnectedness of Yin and Yang.

When something is extremely Yang it becomes Yin and vice versa.

For example, cold is Yin, but when our body experiences extreme cold it begins to shiver and our metabolic rate increases forcing the body to burn more calories and the blood to flow through arteries, keeping things warm. This is Yang.

When, either Yin or Yang, reaches its maximum strength, it transforms into the other.

An extreme example would be war which is Yang, active, noisy, hot, and full of movement, but at its extreme completion, you are left with death, silence and Yin.  The cycle of life will keep turning, Yin and Yang will keep intertwining, supporting and transforming into each other, it is the nature of the Dao.

So be aware of the changes in your body as you enter the water. There is a tipping point where coldness transforms to heat. Feel the exhilarating bounce back as the cold Yin water triggers the bodies Yang response and flushes warmth throughout the whole body.

But don’t get too cold.  Leave the water when you can still move your fingers and toes.  You want to come out of the water looking pink, with a healthy flushed glow of Yang not deathly white, waxy Yin.

What to eat and what not to eat to keep warm

In Chinese Medicine food and drink have various thermal natures and dynamic actions on the body so making sure you have a warming, energizing drink when leaving the water to help stoke the internal fires.

Some helpful ingredients would be cinnamon, ginger, cacao and, of course, Chai with spices such as cardamon, clove, coriander and black pepper.

Things to avoid would be mint, cucumber, lettuce and sub tropical foods such as bananas.

Make sure not to stand around shivering after leaving the water

The Qi Gong exercises and we will practice in November specifically strengthen body balance, which can be difficult if you are standing on one leg, on pebbly, uneven ground, shivering, and trying to get your clothes on.

The first thing to do is dry your feet and put warm socks and shoes and boots on.  Don’t wait until the rest of you is dry before thinking of your feet.

Your feet and ankles are the place to start because in Chinese Medicine there are some major points on the feet that influence the whole body energy, starting with Kidney 1 and Kidney 3.

The Kidney energetic system governs the core energy of the body – both Yin and Yang.  It governs our reproductive energy.  This energy isn’t just about making babies, it’s about regenerating our bodies at a cellular level; hair cells, skin cells, bone cells, blood cells.  in Western Medicine we could liken it to our DNA

Every part of our body is constantly regenerating, the rate at which it regenerates slows as we age so it is essential to conserve this Kidney energy.

The Kidney energy governs our skeleton, our hormones, our brain, our very bone marrow.

Use the following points to improve both Kidney Yin and Yang

KIDNEY 1 – BUBBLING SPRING

Descends the Chi, brings the energy down.

Found on the sole of the foot between the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal bones. Flex the toes upward and find the depression for the thumb to press.

The bubbling spring point is our grounding point.  We draw energy up from the earth through this point so if it becomes solid cold and blocked so too does our energy.  Kidney 1’s downward energy invites calm, grounded being which is what we need if we want to get the most from our outdoor swimming.

    KIDNEY 3 – GREAT RAVINE

    Invigorates Kidney Yin and Yang, regulating hormones, menstruation and mood swings. 

    Relieves fatigue.

    Find the point on the inside of the foot between the ankle bone and Achille’s Tendon.

    These points are so important that I would recommend wearing booties to swim in especially in the winter.

    Think of what happens to water when it gets too cold.  It becomes ice, which doesn’t flow and doesn’t move. It creaks and cracks.  This can happen to our energy.

    The movement meditation of the Qi Gong practice will help you remain more focused in the water.  You can get in the “zone” mastering your mind and body so that the two become one and you return to your true nature and feel at one with the water, the air and the people around you.

    Use the Qi Gong Food Medicine and Acupressure to support your sea swimming, maintaining those feelings of post swim high right through the day and into the night.

    Remember Chi Flow with Jo is a great community filled with women just like you

    There’s discussion and camaraderie because we are live every morning, so just like a sea swim you can begin your day right, pointing your mind and body in the direction of health, wealth, community and happiness.

    Cold water swimming does not suit everybody. If someone has been diagnosed with arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure or other cardiovascular diseases, it will not be suitable for him or her to start cold water swimming. This is because sudden cold stimulation will raise blood pressure, and can increase the chance of heart attack and brain stroke. Sometimes it can even cause sudden death. For patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, joint pain might get worse after cold water stimulation. For ladies who have period pain, winter swimming is also not advisable. For epilepsy patients, any kind of swimming is contraindicated.

     

    💗 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.

    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.

    Danger, Danger – sugar for the over 40’s

    Danger, Danger – sugar for the over 40’s

    HEALTH & WELLNESS

    In women, the risk of heart disease increases after age 55. In men, the risk increases after age 45. People who have diabetes, the risk increases after age 40. * US Department of Health and Human Services

    This shows the more refined sugar we eat over the age of 40 the more likely we are to develop heart disease, high blood pressure and a greater risk of stroke.  So how do we keep the sugars in check and still enjoy all the wonderful food that life has to offer?  For thousands of years Chinese Medicine has had solutions. Here I share a few tips.

    In Chinese Medicine, each of the organs links to an element, a season, a time of day, an emotion, a flavour and much more.  The 5 element system is a great way to understand the body as a whole, to address symptoms and stop sweet cravings.

    The flavour for a healthy Stomach/Spleen in Traditional Chinese Medicine is sweet, BUT too much of a good thing can weaken these organs.

    The matches Western Medicine as it is the spleen (pancreas) that is responsible for insulin production which enables the absorption of glucose (sugars) into the cells of the body.

    Too much sugar means either the spleen cannot produce enough insulin or insulin that works (diabetes type 1) or the body becomes insulin resistant (diabetes type 2) Glucose that is unprocessed by insulin remains in the bloodstream damaging arteries causing high blood pressure and heart disease.

    High glucose levels also inhibit the digestion of fats and triglyceride levels within the blood rise. Triglycerides don’t dissolve in the blood they move around the arteries where they can cause hardening, increasing the risk factor for stroke and heart disease.

    Refined carbohydrates such as cakes, biscuits, white bread and pasta give quick sugar hits but they are missing the fiber and minerals of whole-grains, which slow down the breakdown of foods into sugars.  Eating low fiber carbohydrates will cause blood sugars to spike, flooding the body with insulin and beginning an addictive cycle of sugar highs and lows.

    So what can you do?

    In Chinese Medicine to keep the Stomach/Spleen and Sugar levels healthy we would use whole grains such as brown rice, millet and quinoa and starchy vegetables such as carrots, butternut squash, sweet potato, parsnips. Perhaps you think these foods are boring, that they won’t meet the needs of your sweet tooth? but healthy food doesn’t mean boring food – with my recipes it means the opposite – it means delicious, sexy scrumptiousness – if you consciously love your food, you love yourself.

    Tip 1. from Chinese Medicine is to CHEW CHEW CHEW your food. By chewing the sugars are released into the mouth, broken down by the teeth and saliva, sending signals to the brain that this is sweet, tasty food.  I will be sharing liquorice sticks with you, at my retreat in September, which are fantastic for chewing on, whilst at the same time, triggering hormones from the stomach to say “we are eating and we are full.”

    Tip 2. If there is too much insulin in the blood stream it will be more difficult for Vitamin C to enter cells and help with repair. This will also impair the immune system and make us more vulnerable to viruses.
    If you comfort eat or find it hard to feel satisfied try including more orange brown foods in your diet like carrots, butternut squash, sweet potato, turmeric, brown rice, millet and quinoa.  Orange foods tend to be packed with Vitamin C thereby helping the body repair and repel incoming virus’s.
    In Chinese Medicine these orange foods supports the Spleen and help regulate blood sugars in the 5element system of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
    Tip 3.  Emotionally the Spleen and Stomach respond to touch.  Make sure to massage and touch your own body.  Use oil when you come out of the shower, give yourself a foot massage.  Learn an acupressure routine to soothe the body and mind reducing your cravings for the sweet stuff.
    Tip 4. Practice Qigong; Exercise is essential to keep the spleen healthy which in turn helps clear anxiety, nervousness and general stress. When both your spleen and stomach are balanced, the calmer your heart, mind and spirit. Qi Gong is a fantastic, gentle, effective exercise to maintain muscle mass, transforming sugar cravings and bad moods.  Free class sign up below or find lots of routines on my YouTube channel.
    If you want more ways to lower your sugars, your risk of diabetes and your blood pressure, come and learn with me at my in-person retreat and watch me prepare delicious dishes full of healthy ingredients that help to tone and heal the Spleen, balancing blood sugars and stopping the addictive cravings that refined sugars bring. We will learn an acupressure routine full of nourishing, soothing, energising acupressure points plus Qi Gong movements to move and flow a body that might feel stuck and painful.

    Here’s some of the dishes I will be teaching.  The rest of the food will be prepared by the super talented Chef Claire from the Happy Pear and Cornucopia (Dublins leading Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurants) Full Schedule

    • Red Date and Cinnamon Tea (building blood and energy levels)
    • Sugar free millet muffins ( a sweet no sugar treat)
    • Roasted Chickpeas (relieving swelling and pain)
    • Sweet orange and tarragon dressing (adding sweetness to your bitter green veg)
    • Raw Chocolate, date and seed bombs (guilt free sweet treat)

    By finding healthy alternatives, to refined sweet foods such as pasta, bread and chocolate, that taste REALLY GOOD we are more likely to make a change to a nourishing, wholesome, healthy life.

    As we progress through life and our bodies repair system takes a little longer it is especially important to make sure we are helping ourselves and receiving nourishing support, physically and emotionally.  So join me on this fabulous, unique retreat to be sugar smart, keep your blood sugars healthy, blood pressure down and your heart pumping strongly, loving life.

    FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE RETREAT HERE: I keep numbers small so I can give individual connection and guidance or sign up for the free class at the end of the month.

    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.

    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.

    Stop Sweet Cravings

    Stop Sweet Cravings

    Energy of Food Blog, Home

    The average person in the UK is, on average, 3 stone heavier than they were in the mid-60’s. But people haven’t become especially greedy and contrary to popular belief, our physical activity has not changed drastically to that of 50 years ago.

    So what has changed? It’s our diet and more especially the high levels of sugar within it.

    Sugar, according to David Kessler former head of the US food agency FDA, is highly addictive; it is “highly pleasurable. It gives you this momentary bliss. When you’re eating food that is highly hedonic, it sort of takes over your brain.” A 2008 study showed that sugar affects dopamine levels in the brain and creates behaviours such as bingeing, withdrawal and cravings. Through these neurochemical changes, just like cigarettes or alcohol, we can become addicted to sugar.

    So why doesn’t our highly sugared food such as fizzy drinks, come with a health warning? Amazingly today as I type this I see New York has banned the sale of sugary drinks over 16oz. Well not to get too political about it but I believe only when the cost of caring for obese people outweighs the revenue that governments receive from large food lobby groups, we will see change. Until then it’s our own responsibility which really it always has been, to nuture our own sweet selves and those around us.

     

     

    In Chinese medicine the sweet flavour is linked to cravings and addictions, also to the stomach/spleen and this time of year which is abundant harvest of mother earth. From the Chinese perspective there is nothing wrong with sweet food, however if we over indulge, as with any area of life it will cause problems.

    If you have found yourself in a habitual eating pattern or caught up in a cycle of addiction. Here are a few simple tips from Traditional Chinese Medicine to eat more consciously, break the habits and feel satisfied.

    Firstly CHEW CHEW CHEW. This is an integral part of our digestion often missed out in our busy lives when food is eaten rushing down the street or inhaled in the car running from one appointment to the next. When we chew the saliva transforms the carbohydrates into sugars and our taste buds will pick up on that releasing chemicals in the brain to promote a feeling of satisfaction.

     

     

    Chinese Medicine would recommend eating foods that are naturally sweet such as sweet potato, carrots, parsnips, and butternut squash. Take time to roast them so all the natural sugars are slowly released into your blood stream. Sprinkle them with sesame seeds and eat with a bowl of brown rice for a perfectly balanced nourishing sweet soul dish.

    Many diets and slimming groups would steer you away from these foods because of their natural sugar content. But from a Chinese Medicine point of view that doesn’t help you to love your body in the long run.

    With cravings listen to them – it’s your body trying to tell you what it needs. That doesn’t mean to say that you have to exactly what it asks for. Remember the saying “Follow your heart but take your brain with you”.

    After giving birth to my twins, my body asked for a magnum ice cream everyday but I was already 14stone (I’m only 5ft tall) it wasn’t what it needed. But my body was crying out for extra energy and support. I ate carrots, wholegrains and butternut squash, all recipes from my book but really what helped was making sure I had time for me, especially to receive shiatsu body work. This helps to nourish the flesh, the stomach/spleen and bring us back into connection with our body.

    Any type of physical touch will help the body and alleviate cravings so go get a hug or give yourself a foot massage.  Use the acupressure points I share and try the Qi Gong move in my free mini ebook to Stop Sweet Cravings.

    Our focus for the month for May in Chi Flow with Jo will be all about Stopping Sweet Cravings. (Doors open last week of April) It’s not about never eating chocolate again, it’s about balance in the body mind and soul .  It’s about connection with the body, loving yourself and knowing when to stop.

    Emotional Healing & Community Support

    The weight we carry isn’t just on our hips, it’s in our hearts.
     Feeling like you “want to be minded” is your body’s cry for nurture, not discipline.

    When you join Chi Flow with Jo, you don’t walk alone.
    We move, fast, cook and heal together. That shared energy keeps you accountable and loved through change.

    You don’t need to fight your bodyjust listen to her again.
    Start with small rhythms: stop eating after 8 pm, massage Liver 13, sip lemon water in the morning, and join our January program to be supported every step of the way.

    💗 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.

    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.

    Clear Damp Cold Fat with Drying Warming Adzuki Tea

    Clear Damp Cold Fat with Drying Warming Adzuki Tea

    Energy of Food Blog, Home, Powerful Points and Meridian Flows, Recipes

    In my clinic, when I see a bulge at the top of the spine, I usually find a client who is exhausted. Perhaps they have suffered a shock through grief or are experiencing a chronic condition which feels like it is draining their very life force.

    Sometimes this condition is called a widow’s or dowagers hump, which gives you an idea of an old woman who has been bent by the burdens of the world, weighed down with grief, loss and disconnection.  However this condition is becoming more common for a younger generation that leads a sedentary life, working sitting at computers most of the day.

    Whatever the physical or emotional cause the result is a mound of fat accumulation at the top of the spine, which in terms of Chinese medicine is a failure of kidney yang to warm, regulate and move water around the body, building up as cold, damp fat.

    In Chinese Medicine, if left untreated, can cause neck and shoulder pain plus it can prevent energy travelling up and down the spine creating headaches, back-pain, spinal degeneration and even compromising the immune system.

    The path for flowing energy through the spine is the Governing Vessel. It starts between the kidneys, flows down inside the body to the perineum and then runs up the length of the spine, through the brain, over the top of the head and down the midline of the face.

    Governing Vessel 14 (abbreviated GV-14) is the point at which the fat pad can accumulate. It is the intersecting point for all of the Yang meridians on the back of the body. When it is unobstructed and flowing well, it opens the yang, clears the brain, and calms the spirit. It can also dramatically increase white blood cell production and improve the immune system.

    In Chi Flow with Jo we focus specific energy exercises to warm and move the energy in this location and you can sign up for a free class. But here I share a fantastic recipe, Adzuki Bean Tea, which in terms of the food energetics of Traditional Chinese Medicine drains dampness, increases water metabolism, improves digestion and reduces water retention

    Adzuki beans are related to the Kidney system and so are especially good for increasing flow around the spine, ankles, knees and kidneys. As they reduce oedema so you will find that they will also reduce joint pain, bloating, whilst increasing energy and promoting better urination.

    Adzuki tea is yang and warming, and is the kind of healing tea you want to sip on cold autumn/spring days or in or freezing winter, especially when you feel cold, weak, and exhausted.  Although the tea tastes mild, is quite potent. I would advise diluting it with hot water to begin with.

    There is no specific time of the day to drink the adzuki bean tea; however,  the afternoon between 3 and 7, when the bladder and the kidney meridians are the most active is a prime time.
    Use the cooked beans in wraps, stews and even mashed up and made into veggie burgers.  There’s a great Aduki & Cashew nut pate recipe in the Good Food Cookbook (page 82) and you can find more recipes for other Kidney Yang foods such as Chestnuts, Garlic, Ginger, Cinnamon, Clove, Lamb and Sage.

    Weakness in the kidney energy system often manifests as fear and insecurity.  But a person with balanced kidney energy is able to let go of the past, live in the present, and be undaunted by the future.

    Sip this tea and say this affirmation “where I am is where I am meant to be, when I relax, everything I need comes to me”

     

    Adzuki Bean Tea

    100g of dried adzuki beans
    1 litre of water
    2 inches of dillisk or wakame seaweed

    Method
    1. Soak the adzuki bean in water for between 4-8 hours.  Wash and drain.
    2. Place the washed beans in a pot with the seaweed and the water.
    3. Bring the ingredients to a boil on high flame. Do not add salt.
    4. When boiling, lower the flame to medium.
    5. Let the beans simmer for about 30 minutes with the pot lid on .
    6. Do not stir the beans.
    7. Then strain the beans out and drink a small cup of the tea, either hot or at room temperature.
    8. The colour of the liquid should be brown.
    9. You can eat the same beans. Just add more water if needed, bring to a boil, and let simmer until soft.
    10. You can store excess tea in a glass jar.
    11. Keep any stored tea in the refrigerator.

    Do not drink chilled adzuki bean tea and do not microwave the tea. You can drink the tea at room temperature or warm it up on the stove or what I find easiest is to add water from a recently boiled kettle and dilute it.

    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.

    Danger, Danger – Sugar for the over 40’s

    Danger, Danger – Sugar for the over 40’s

    Recipes

    “In men, the risk of heart disease increases after age 45. In women, the risk increases after age 55. In people who have diabetes, the risk of heart disease increases after age 40.” * US Department of Health and Human Services

    You don’t have to have insulin intolerance or diabetes to put your heart at risk. The more refined sugar we eat over the age of 40 the more likely we are to develop heart disease, high blood pressure, and a greater risk of stroke.

    The spleen/pancreas is responsible for insulin production that enables the absorption of glucose sugars into the cells of the body.  Too much sugar means either the spleen cannot produce enough insulin (diabetes type 1) or the body becomes insulin resistant (diabetes type 2) Glucose that is unprocessed by insulin remains in the bloodstream damaging arteries causing high blood pressure and heart disease.

    In Traditional Chinese Medicine each of the organs relates to a flavour.

    For example, the heart likes bitter flavour foods such as lettuce, chicory, and herbs such as basil, thyme, and oregano.  Whereas the liver likes sour foods such as lemons and limes.

    The flavour for a healthy spleen/pancreas is sweet, however, too much of a good thing can weaken these organs.

    The 5element system of Chinese Medicine would recommend eating whole grains such as brown rice, millet and quinoa and starchy vegetables such as carrots, butternut squash, sweet potato, parsnips which have a naturally sweet flavour, to keep the spleen and sugar levels healthy.

     

    These foods are complex carbohydrates that take time to release their sugars rather than refined carbohydrates such as white bread, cake, pastries and pasta that give quick sugar hits but are missing the fibre and minerals of whole-grains.  Healthy food doesn’t have to mean boring food, find recipes that are full of delicious, sexy scrumptiousness – if you consciously love your food, you love yourself.

    One tip from Chinese Medicine is to CHEW CHEW CHEW your food.

    In this way sugars are released into the mouth, broken down by the teeth and saliva, sending signals to the brain that this is sweet, tasty, comforting food.

    So chew your food and improve digestion.  Reduce the cravings for sugars by not eating your food on the run. Slow it down and taste every mouthful.

    Often we use refined carbohydrates and sugary foods such as chocolate, chips, cake and biscuits to soothe a frazzled system.  They are comfort foods giving us a quick hit of love and self-care, but in the long term using food to meet and emotional needs is unhealthy.

    A chocolate bar can never really love us.  If we find healthy alternatives to refined sweet foods such as sweet potato falafel, millet muffins, or Pear & Cinnamon tea, that taste really good we are more likely to make a change to a nourishing, wholesome, healthy life. This is especially important as we progress through life and our bodies repair and regeneration take a little longer.

    So be sugar smart, keep your blood sugars healthy, blood pressure down, and your heart pumping strongly.

    IN THE EVER-EVOLVING PURSUIT OF LIVING LONGER AND HEALTHIER, we know diet plays a pivotal role. In recent years, scientists have also focused on the potential of intermittent fasting — a diet that hinges on when you eat, not what you eat.

    There is Growing evidence, to suggest intermittent fasting can improve metabolic function, stave off certain diseases, and may even extend lifespan.

    Beginning January 2023 running until the end of February 2023 – why not try Intermittent Fasting Chinese Medicine style together with all the members of Chi Flow with Jo.

    If you have found dieting difficult in the past, why not try this easy to follow method, with the amazing support of the group.  At only €2 per day you have nothing to loose apart from your waistline.

    Why not sign up for the Intermittent Fasting over 40 mini ebook and receive a Free Qi Gong Class at the end of the month 

    💗 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.

    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.