The Embodiment Research Lab explores the relationship of physical, mental, emotional and energetic aspects of the Self. It offers an invitation to connect more intimately with your lived experience, and discover how through attention to movement and subtle awareness you claim agency of Self.

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Both a science and an art, Ayurveda is a form of medicine whose roots date back 2,000 years ago in India.  It considers both the interior constitution and humor of an individual, as well as the exterior climate and elements in which the person lives, when assessing health. In Ayurveda, remedies can include food, lifestyle, herbs, and daily/seasonal ritual.  A keystone principle in Ayurveda is good digestion = good health.

Chinese Medicine has been applied and refined for more than 2,000 years and currently refers to medicinal practices that emphasize nutritional and herbal remedies as well as bodily treatments, including acupuncture, moxa, qigong healing, and cupping.  It is based on the principles of relationship between five elemental entities: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. They are represented in a circle of relationships to show which element nourishes and which element controls the other. The nourishing cycle that moves in a circle reflects the Mother-Child relationship and is called the Shen cycle. The controlling cycle, represented by the star, is compared to the Brother-Sister relationship and is called the Ko cycle.

Craniosacral Therapy is a form of hands-on techniques originally pioneered by osteopathic doctors such as Andrew Still, William Sutherland, and John Upledger.  It is now practiced by osteopaths and bodyworkers alike.  It employs subtle touch to impart profound shifts in both the nervous system and musculoskeletal systems. Though still controversial in the field of medical science, patients and practitioners marvel at its power to release pain from the body and alleviate symptoms in the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems.  It can be employed in cases of stress, fatigue, insomnia, indigestion, infertility, depression, and anxiety as well as infant colic and trouble feeding. 

Cryotherapy is newer on the list of alternative treatments but ancient as a practice of self-care. In cryotherapy, an individual submerges his/her complete body into close to freezing temperatures, like an ice-bath or an ice cold stream. It is thought to relieve muscle pain, support restoration in cases of injury, reduce inflammation, improve mental health, and treat migraine headaches.

A birth attendant, separate from a nurse or midwife, who partners with the mother during birth and acts as an advocate in communicating the mother’s desires, wants, and needs during and just after the birth.

Flower essences are a form of homeopathy, or vibrational medicine, that treat imbalances or blocks in the spiritual-emotional fields. In countries like Germany and Argentina, they are sold alongside prescription medicine in pharmacies. Here in the U.S., practitioners are still trying to “prove” their efficacy in improving moods and emotional states.

Homeopathy means “like cures like.” It is based on the principle that an element in nature that holds similar qualities to an ailment will be the cure for that person. Homeopathic medicine can be applied as first-aid to address symptoms of fever, bee stings, rashes, headaches, nausea, bruising, and diarrhea, to name a few. Or as a constitutional remedy, where one remedy mirrors the essential nature of an individual and is given to him no matter what he is suffering. Doses are given in highly diluted forms to trigger a healing response on the level of vibration. They can be taken many times throughout the day with no toxic side effects. Homeopathic medicine is a wonderful form of care for children.

This term refers to a school of alternative medicine founded by Francesca McCartney PhD to train professionals in Medical Intuition. Integrating scientific research with stringent protocols for tracking and working with intuitive sciences, McCartney outlines maps of the energy body and teaches how we use them to treat medical conditions both in ourselves and in others.  Much of the work is done through the practice of grounding, meaning bringing your awareness and energy into your physical body and down into the ground, and through awareness of and treatment through the chakras.

Naturopathic Medicine puts nature at the center of its philosophy and practice, and it employs techniques from multiple schools of medicine including diet, herbs, lifestyle, exercise, bodywork, energy work, and homeopathy as well as ancient systems such as Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine. Naturopathic physicians complete training in biological sciences as well as the rigors of pre-medical students including physics, chemistry, and basic anatomical science. Naturopathic medicine can be seen as a bridge between allopathic medicine (conventional means to treat symptoms or disease) and alternative forms of healing. Naturopathic physicians are now even compensated through insurance in some States.

This form of movement, embraced by dancers, athletes, and now mainstream individuals seeking balance in fitness, helps one connect with and engage core muscles while strengthening, elongating, and healing bodily systems. Pioneered by visionary Joseph Pilates, it uses his specific equipment and techniques to achieve whole body health through movement.

Plant spirit medicine is a newer term used in herbal medicine to refer to the use of whole plants and the importance of considering the animus, or spirit, of a plant when making and receiving medicine.  This term applies to the use of plants as medicine in many forms, including teas, tinctures, capsules, salves, topical compresses, smokes, and ceremony.  In extreme cases, Ayahuasca and Peyote are believed to facilitate transcendental states and spiritual transformation.

This therapy was pioneered and designed by Doctor Randolph Stone who perceived the body as an ecosystem where the elements Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether exist in balance. Though it draws its inspiration from diverse cultures and spiritual practices, it is deeply rooted in Ayurveda.  Like Ayurveda, it offers herbs, nutrition, and lifestyle as pathways to wellness.  But it goes on to employ hands-on techniques or gentle manipulations to the body in order to balance energy and restore health when it is blocked.  Like Craniosacral therapy, it seeks to connect with the deep source of health or wellness already inside the body and draw light and healing from there. 

Qigong is the study and practice of cultivating energy within and beyond the body.  It is based on the study of five elements in nature and lays the foundation for Tai Chi, Acupuncture, and Chinese Medicine.

Shamanism is the term we apply to the ancient, earth-based practices once used as medicine in indigenous cultures across the globe. The Shaman is the Medicine Man, and he/she uses a variety of tools including ritual, rhythm and drumming, plant medicine, divine guidance, spirit and plant guides, metaphor, prayer, visualization, and food and herbal preparations as cures for patients across a broad spectrum of disease, including spiritual, psychological, emotional, and physical.

Somatic Therapy is a form of psychotherapy based on the belief that our stories and narratives are held in our bodies.  To release trauma and limiting thoughts or memories, we take our attention to the body and to the breath, and intend release of the cellular memories held there. The term Somatic therapy is also used to refer to diverse forms of therapeutic practices beyond psychotherapy including: meditation and energy work such as polarity therapy and craniosacral therapy.

A form of energy work founded by nurse practitioner Dolores Krieger that uses universal energy and directed intention to restore balance in the bodymind. Here, gentle interventions influence multiple levels of health, including spiritual, emotional and physical. Since the 1970s, controlled scientific experiments have been implemented to measure and quantify the biochemical effects of such work on the human field. Therapeutic touch is now taught in over 100 countries and practiced by over 200,000 individuals.

Yoga is believed to date back to the origins of the Vedas, which are the spiritual texts at the heart of Ayurveda. It employs postures and meditations to open the spine and overall body and support health on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level. It can be vigorous and athletic or quiet and restorative.  Yoga postures can even be employed to restore health on the organ level.