It’s important to make a clear distinction that all water is not created equal. And I’m not talking about taste. As a snowflake falls to the ground it has a high coherence of hexagonal structure (6 branches) and when it melts retains this coherence in the hydrogen bonds to other H2O molecules. The unique quality of these hydrogen bonds is that they are incredibly strong and make it a good conductor of electricity and also a good solvent for biological materials. This is because it has small positive charge on the hydrogen end and small negative charge on the oxygen end. Now, why is this important to us? As human beings we are essentially water movers. We are born almost 95% water and if we live long enough, 55% water. To me, aging seems to be a dehydration process. So how do we stay hydrated properly?

We can drink naturally structured water, which comes from very pure places like Icelandic glaciers, or Hawaiian or Fijian springs. This water is easily assimilated and very hydrating. The downside to these bottled waters is the high environmental impact of transportation, plastic manufacturing, and besides the risk of potential carcinogenic chemicals from the plastic seeping into the water. We really don’t need to add to the North Pacific Greyere, a floating mass of plastic waste in the Pacific Ocean either. So now what?

There are multiple options for getting bio-available water from the tap. Bio-availablility means water that actually makes it into the cells for proper hydration. I’ve had a Jupiter Microlite for years and like the way it tastes and feels going down the gullet. It alkalizes, ionizes, and filters the water all to the tune of “Home Sweet Home”. I’m upgrading to the Jupiter Melody soon - it features an endless supply of water without having to wait for it to get “processed”. It’s a bit pricy at $1250 but I’m ordering a bunch and I can get a couple of hundred off. I’m happy to pass on any savings if anyone wants one. A friend of mine distributes the Kangen water filters but they are way too pricey (over $3k) for not much benefit. I’m not even sure there is a benefit to the Jupiter brand.

Doctor Terry Grossman and Ray Kurzweil were at first skeptical of a water ionizer’s ability to create alkaline water. So they tested the water themselves with a pH meter and an ORP meter. They concluded, “The negative ions in alkaline water from an electrolysis machine are a rich source of electrons that can be donated to these free radicals in the body, neutralizing them and stopping them from damaging healthy tissues.”

Warning: One of the biggest problems and misconceptions are the benefits of Brita and Pur drinking filters. These company’s boast pure healthy water but what actually happens is the filtered water is turned acidic. My home Ph testing kit revealed that new and used filters can make the water up to 5.5 acidic. Oh my god, this is so scary. With evidence pointing to the health benefits of alkaline diets, drinking neutral or alkaline water should match and increase our health. I think what is happening is that these type of cartridge filters strip all the minerals from the water rendering it acidic whereas ionizing filters organize the minerals into alkaline and acidic and split them into different membranes. You drink the alkaline side of the water and the acidic water goes down the sink. Acidic water can be used for washing things like fruit, bath tubs, or your face. This is what I would use Brita for - but absolutely do not drink it!
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December 31, 2009 marks the beginning of the end of our civil liberties when it comes to choosing vitamins and other natural food products. Codex Alimentarius Commission, which is the appointed agency to watch over the safety of consumables across international borders as part of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations, will force the US Congress to institute strict guidelines in the regulation of natural products.

Your nutritional freedom will be taken away.

The big problem lies in the toxicology reporting process. The dosage of a vitamin to create an effective therapeutic response varies individually. This effective dosage might be beneficial for one person and dangerous for another. Thus the dosage must be made smaller to be safe for all, subsequently making it so small reducing any benefits that anyone can gain - and thus being viewed as having NO benefit. Wow. This is ridiculous. If only they used these guidelines for dangerous pharmaceutical drugs we wouldn’t have so many unneccesary deaths each year- like my childhood friends father and 5 years later, his mother.

This is yet another shortsighted, corporate greed fueled revocation of our freedom to choose a natural herb, vitamin, or nutraceutical product without having to make an appointment to get a prescription from a doctor. In a nutshell, all natural healing facilities, techniques, and modalities will be eliminated, live and organic food will no longer be available, natural food concentrates and supplements will no longer exist. This serves to keep everyone malnurished, further reducing life expectancies and our ability for self-healing. Guess who will profit? The medical doctors and pharmaceutical corporations, the chemical and food processing industry, and of course the dairy and meat industry. We must use our collective voices to put an end to this abomination of health freedom. Please take action at the Stop Codex website today.

I’m proud to announce that The Center for Structural Wellness has come into existence in the Union Square area of NYC. This is going to be an important step in understanding how human structure and its various expressions effect the health of the individual. Structural Integration will remain the main focus for work here but the Center will also encompass many other complementary, alternative, and western therapies. From acupuncture to Alexander Technique, massage to chiropractic, Biodynamic Cranial to physical therapy, Pilates to Yoga, and also including western doctors who are educated in CAM techniques, all working together to educate everyone on the importance of structural health. There will be a website release in the next month illustrating how this Center will work along with information on all of the affiliates. I will be picking the best practitioners and therapists so that everyone will be guaranteed the best treatment possible. For now please contact me through this address to set up an appointment.

Before and after photos of a client who has undergone the Basic 10 Series of Structural Integration. Notice how much his body is able to balance along the midline and gain vertical lift. What is harder to see in these two pictures taken 3 months apart is the increase of efficient movement, better poise and posture, and an increase in confidence and self-expression.

This is a great piece from Oprah Magazine and was picked up on the NYTimes Health and Wellness blog. It goes on to talk about the increasing trend in oversized bags that are difficult to manage because of their lack of structure. Your posture has to adapt to the bag and is creating long term structural problems and pain.

…overpacked purses are making us walk lopsided, distorting our posture and leaving us with aching backs, shoulders, necks and hips.

The article recommends that

The American Chiropractic Association advises that women lug around no more than 10 percent of their body weight.

A recent article on the Huffington Post states that,

“Fake acupuncture works nearly as well as the real thing for low back pain, and either kind performs much better than usual care, German researchers have found.”

It goes on to reveal that 47 percent of patients improved from the real acupuncture, and 44 percent improved from the sham acupuncture (gently needling non-acupuncture points without pistoning or spinning very), while onl7 27 percent improved from conventional methods. I’m glad Structural Evolution is now offering acupuncture. See the blog below.

I’m proud to be linking up with Heather Trujillo, L.Ac. To announce her arrival, she is offering an introductory $175 rate per session for her facial rejuvenation series (10-12 sessions total). Standard sessions start at $125. You can call me directly at 917.674.1611 to set up treatments.

Heather Trujillo, L.Ac., graduated from the New York, College of Health Professions where she earned a Master’s Degree in Oriental Medicine. She studied acupuncture in China and California before returning home to New York to complete her studies. She is certified in Constitutional Facial Acupuncture Renewal ™ , which uses a 3 tiered system to rejuvenate the face as well as the body. Heather treats a wide variety of acute and chronic conditions, specializing in women’s health, pain management, and emotional issues. With over 11 years of experience, Heather is a Reiki practitioner certified in the Usui System of Natural Healing. Through compassion, skill, and patient education, she believes in treating the whole person not just their symptoms. She is devoted to awakening the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

This was sent to me from the fantastic Structural Integrator in Fort Worth, Texas - Rey Allen. I don’t know where he found it but…

“Optimism is a learned skill and there are a variety of ways to acquire it, says psychologist Mary Ann Troiani, co-author of Spontaneous Optimism. Through her research, Troiani has come up with three things that you can do to enhance your sense of optimism. First, straighten out your body before your emotions by keeping a straight body posture, taking big steps and walking quickly with your shoulders back and your head up. “People who are pessimistic walk slowly with small steps and their head down,” she says. Second, change your tone of voice so that it is cheerful and full of energy. Third, use upbeat or happier words, such as “challenge” rather than “problem,” or think of “opportunities” rather than “losses.” “Positive thoughts and behavior have a positive impact on the brain’s biochemistry,” she says. “[They] boost your serotonin levels and signal that you’re happy. Your brain will catch up to you.” Troiani reminds us: it takes about 4 to 6 weeks to really change a habit.”

Further google searching uncovered the Finding Optimism site and there was an article that went on to suggest:

“A study led by Brian Meier, a psychologist at North Dakota State University, concluded that posture does affect mood. The study found that emotions have a highly physical basis, so sad thoughts could lead to a slumped posture with the eyes directed down, and happy thoughts to a more upright posture and the eyes looking up. They found the reverse to be true as well. Simply looking up could give a physical boost, that in turn leads to better posture and a better mood.”

Hmmm. Interesting. Is there anyone who knows how to straighten out body posture permanently? I wonder…

Day 1:

I meet Helen, the heavy-set donor cadeavor whose tag informs us that she was 84 years old and that she died of cervical cancer. She has been preserved in formaldehyde for about 9 months and is now reborn as a cadeavor at the Institute for Anatomical Enlightenment in Denver, Colorado. She lies completely untouched and we have a lot of work to do over the next 5 days. It takes me and my team of 6 New Yorkers about 8 hours to reflect the skin from the adipose layer all over the entire body save the face and vagina. The high fat content of her body is just dripping with formaldehyde and it’s a messy job. This is my first dissection and I was unsure of the emotional response of this experience - but surprisingly once I get started- I can’t stop. When the day is done and I close my eyes, all I can do is reflect the skin in my head as I pass out on the couch.

Day 2:

If I thought yesterday was messy, today brings way more oozing and a strong smell of formaldehyde. Every part of me reeks of this sweet toxic smell and I can even taste it in my mouth. Luckily the fumes are heavier then air and settle down so I don’t get the headache I’m anticipating. Read the rest of this entry »

This is a great link to a clear and vivid understanding of how fascial adhesions can restrict proper organ function. This is from the Clear Passage Therapies website that has developed manual techniques, called the Wurn Technique, that helps infertility. I’m not sure what this technique entails, but i can attest to the successes of Visceral Manipulation in many areas of the human body. They have locations in California, Florida and Iowa.

Did you know there is a floating island of plastic products in an area of the Pacific ocean known as the North Pacific gyre that is roughly double the size of the state of Texas? From the website mindfully.org: “Atmospheric winds and sluggish currents naturally collect this flotsam, earning it the unfortunate nickname of the “Eastern Garbage Patch”.” Did you know it can take up to a 1000 years for that plastic bag you used to carry home your drinks from the bodega to degrade? The US creates 100 billion plastic bags a year at a cost of 12 billion barrels of oil for about 15 minutes of use. It’s estimated 100,000 marine animals are killed from plastic garbage. That’s just not right. It’s time to get on the new wave of reusable, recyclable bags. Cheap enough to justify, green enough to feel like you are making a difference, and stylish enough to get looks. Globototes is a great new site offering great deals on reusable bags.