What Can Alturistic Therapies Do for Me?

What Can Alturistic Therapies Do for Me?

ü Relieve Anxiety

ü Relieve Depression

ü Create a new life for yourself!

ü Make a positive change in your life.

ü Break old negative patterns.

ü The list goes on and on from here.

You can learn how to break the patterns that have plagued you your entire life. One bad relationship after another, anxiety, depression, feelings of loss and abandonment, fear of the unknown, etc.

Traumatic events can plague us for a lifetime and are usually at the core of all of our “problems”. Sometimes we know what that event was, and sometimes we never even realize that something was a traumatic event that started the negativity ball rolling.

There are ways you can break those patterns in your life and create a new happy life free from the anxiety, depression, and negative patterns that plague you on a daily basis.

Alturistic therapy is not a magic pill, it does take some work on your part, and some things will not “fix” themselves overnight, you must be ready and willing to do the therapy, to make some changes. Don’t worry, they are easy, they don’t hurt, and they can be done at literally any age, Altura is here and ready to help you.

However, sometimes in life, people get addicted to their negative emotions, they enjoy the feelings involved when they are soaked in the dark waters of drama, anxiety, or depression. They are simply not ready to make a change for a more positive life. Maybe they aren’t ready because they don’t know the difference, or maybe, just maybe, they don’t think they are worthy.

Maybe, because they don’t realize they are worthy, they don’t realize they can have a happy life, full of positive feelings, happiness, and joy. Maybe they don’t realize they too are worth being loved and treated right. Maybe they’ve been told too many times they aren’t good enough to the point that they started believing it themselves. Maybe because there has been a consistent negative pattern in their lives, they don’t believe that anything could ever change, and they feel that things will just always go wrong for them.

Sometimes, things just happen, sometimes it’s the loss of a loved one, (e.g., death, a break-up in a relationship, either theirs or that of a loved one, or a family member, etc.). Trauma can come in all kinds of different forms for everyone. One event may affect someone in one way that does not affect another in the same manner.

In fact, some trauma may have even occurred during the prenatal stages of development and were passed onto to you before you were even born, you learned or adapted these feelings that aren’t even your own. They may have occurred during early infancy after you were born, and you adapted them as your own and you don’t even realize it because you have just always reacted or felt a certain way.

One way or another, Alturistic therapies can help you better understand why you feel the way you feel and help you release these feelings and learn new ways of seeing things, new ways of coping, and new ways to enjoy life. To see a true change in your life and release the old ways of doing things, the old ways of feeling about things, and the old negative patterns that keep popping up in your life, YOU must be ready to make that change and be happy.

I work with all ages from childhood to adulthood.

Anyone that has faced a traumatic event in their lives, feels trapped, or is dealing with anxiety or depression can learn to have a happy life free from feelings of loss, guilt, and fear.

Small Children to Teens:

Children that learn these techniques have a chance to live a happy life free from most issues that will arise in their lives. They will have the tools to help them overcome life issues they will face in adulthood much faster and easier than those of us who did not grow up with these tools. In fact, adults and/or parents can easily teach their own children these techniques to give them the tools they can use throughout their lives.

Yes, it’s that simple, that easy.

As mentioned before, it’s not just our mental health we address here. There are several factors involved in life, including diet, sleep, exercise, etc. Our mental health affects our physical health, and our physical health affects our mental health. We are one body; we are one connection.

If you are ready to make some changes, take the first step. 😉 I look forward to hearing from you.

What on Earth is Earthing?

Tapping into the Natural Healing Force of Nature

Earthing or Being Grounded:

Ok, so what is this “Earthing” thing or being grounded exactly? As usual, we’ll look at the science first and then get into the feel-good/physical and psychological healing benefits of grounding.

Much research has been conducted on this matter for many years now. Scientists have revealed that earthing as we call it has a true connection with the Earth's magnetic field. We, as electric beings, are connected with the Earth on a physical level. Continuously wearing shoes with rubber soles breaks that connection. Reconnecting with the Earth's magnetic field through barefoot walking or running, gardening without gloves and actually touching the Earth and living things around us can reconnect that energy field and in many ways help our bodies heal on a physical level as well as a mental level.

Koniver, L. (2022) explains in her article, Practical Applications of Grounding to Support Health, published in Biomedical Journal, that grounding or earthing is related to the process of actually touching the earth and putting our bodies into a state of healing.

The article further discusses how we are all connected to direct current (DC) energy within the earth and every living thing as opposed to the manmade alternating current (AC) energy, that flows throughout the universe, our planet, plants, animals, and of course us as human beings which in turn creates a global electrical circuit. She further discusses some of the many benefits of earthing that can also be found in several medical journals and scientific journals.

Our entire bodies use DC energy to live and maintain homeostasis. For example, our brains, hearts, muscles, and each part of our being is run on DC energy. Everything living and some things considered non-living on this earth conduct and “live” on DC energy, including dirt, rocks, trees, and plants. Yep, that’s right boys and girls, even rocks and dirt have an electrical current running through them.

According to ancient tradition and as taught by our ancestors, including the American Indians, everything on this earth is living, including the rivers, the rocks, everything we touch, see, and the things we cannot touch (e.g., the clouds) and/or cannot see (e.g., the air). Not everyone has taken a physics course and not everyone watches educational documentaries, I get that, but this is the knowledge that our ancestors understood thousands of years ago.

For those of us that have studied physics, or at the very least had at least one course of physics know that we learn this in our physics classes across the globe. We learn that everything living and "non-living" resonates with a vibration, a wavelength of energy flow that can be measured and seen with the proper equipment. So, how is it that we leave physics class and forget all that we learned about energy, sound and vibrations, and light fields and how each particle resonates at different vibrational levels? Why do some people say a rock is just a rock, a tree is just a tree, and they do not live? When in fact they do live and, in many ways, communicate and interact with each other as well as us, if we learn to listen. The living Earth will just have to be another article because there is just too much research and too many findings to support this to discuss in this particular article. For now, we will remain focused on us as human beings and the health benefits that Earthing gives us.

When we come in contact with the earth, the trees, and the plants, we are connecting ourselves to the universal DC energy flowing throughout the earth and the universe. Similar to connecting the spirit tree in the movie Avatar. If you have seen Avatar, you know what I am talking about. If you have not seen Avatar, well you should. It teaches us a lot about grounding, becoming one with nature, the healing powers of the planet, and much more. Not to mention, it's a feel-good fun movie the entire family can enjoy.

Anyway, back to our science a little and diving into the health benefits of grounding. There are several studies written in medical journals that discuss the profound healing effect that grounding has on our bodies. In fact, it has been known for many years that coming in contact with the natural microorganisms found in the dirt help build our immune systems. Another reason it is good for children to get out and play in the dirt. It not only keeps them grounded, it helps build a healthy immune system to prevent diseases, colds, flu’s, etc. In fact, many medical journals even discuss how grounding can reduce inflammation (the cause of pain) in our bodies.

Did you know that they even make special mats and pads that can be used in the home to ground people as they sleep or use while watching T.V.? Some even place them on the floor to put their feet on as they work on their computers. They are literally called Grounding Mats or Earthing Mats. In case you’re interested in getting one they can easily be found on Amazon. People using these mats have reported getting better sleep, reduced pain and swelling, and so much more.

Earthing or grounding also affects our mental status as well. It helps reduce anxiety, improves mood, and decreases depression. I use this method a lot in my practice as a psychotherapist. I have personally used this practice all of my life. Anytime I have felt down, angry, depressed, sad, whatever; I find a tree to sit under, take off my shoes and place my feet on the ground or simply just sit on the ground itself for a bit. Between the earth’s energy and the rays of the sun, after a bit of breathing and sitting, the energy from the earth and the universe dissipates all the negative emotions. I also incorporate meditation, visualizations, and fluid movement into my practice to increase the vibrational fields and release the negative energy of my own thoughts and body.

I teach this to provide people with healthy natural ways to cope with stress, whether it be acute or chronic. The techniques I teach can be used anywhere and at any time. In fact, just last week we lost our poor little pup. We live in the country so there are no leash laws here. Our animals run free. Well, we had a dog, brought her up from birth and she never left the yard, she was a good dog. After she was about 6 months to a year old (I forget how old she was) another dog was introduced into our family that taught our good dog to go out into the street, chase squirrels, and chase cars. Well, as the inevitable would have it, she was chasing a squirrel and she got hit by a car. The kids were very unhappy of course. My daughter was beside herself, crying and broken that this had occurred. She was so angry with the other dog for teaching her dog these horrible habits. Well, after a bit of discussion and consoling, I told my daughter to go sit in the sun, place her feet on

the ground, and just listen to the sounds of the earth (e.g., the birds, the squirrels, etc.) to draw in the positive energy from the earth. I told her to remember to visualize as she breathes that each breath in is made up of positive energy and as she breathes out, she will release negative energy. Within about 10 minutes of doing this, she returned with a smile on her face, stating that she felt much better, still sad from the loss of her dog, but she felt calmer and more relaxed.

Grounding is an excellent way to learn to cope with your emotions and calm yourself when, well, “life happens”. Things are going to happen whether we like it or not, some things are going to be wonderful and happy and some things will bring us distress and disappointment. Learning different ways to cope with the distressing moments in our lives can help decrease the amount of time we spend feeling anxious, depressed, or angry. Grounding is one of the best coping mechanisms I have found. In particular the grounding method I created for myself and my family that involves a bit more than just simply sitting or standing on the ground. We call it the "Alturic Grounding Method". One of many different Alturic therapies the clinic teaches.

You can connect with the earth’s energy in many different ways, depending on your location and personal preferences. For example, being in the ocean, lake, woods, gardening, etc. Even when you are in a store such as Walmart or somewhere where they sell gardening materials. You can simply go to the garden section and put your hands on the soil products or stand in the sun in the outdoor section, hold a plant in your hands, etc.

These are just some ideas and ways to quickly deal with anxiety. For further help, you can always contact me here at Altura. I’m always happy to help those in need. Now, go take your shoes off and get outside for a bit and spend some time with nature. 😊 Have a Great Day!

Are Your Shoes Killing You? Going Barefoot, Should You Or Shouldn't You?

I want us to take a look into the science of going barefoot and barefoot running and then follow in the next article to delve into the meaning of grounding and how we are connected to the earth and how going barefoot and grounding can affect our overall health. And when I say overall health I mean overall health, our muscles, pain and inflammation, physical diseases, and our mental health.

The big companies out there really want you to believe that wearing shoes is important. There are tons of inserts to put in our shoes to help with knee pain, back pain, sleep, etc., etc. the list goes on and on and it’s all about the shoes you wear, the arch, the cushion, the look, and etc., etc. or it’s all about the name brand of the shoe. We’ve all heard kids say at some point, “Look how fast I can run in my new shoes!” or “Hey, look at my new shoes!”. People have even been killed over the shoes they wear. We have heard about people, adults and children alike, being killed and their shoes taken because of the brand they were wearing at the time. I mean how horrible is that? To lose your life over your shoes? I can’t wrap my brain around that. Anyway, that’s a whole other soapbox we won’t even get into here. I’ll just let that simmer for a bit and let you think about it.

Let’s talk about our shoes for a minute. We all wear shoes, and most people wear shoes all day every day. Many women in fact have tons of shoes in their closets. But is wearing shoes really beneficial to our body, mind, and soul? Are we truly meant to wear shoes all day every day? Sure, shoes keep us from stepping on broken glass and such in the parking lots and other such areas; but should we be wearing them in the parks and our front yards? Let’s take a closer look at this idea of going barefoot.

The big companies out there really want you to believe that wearing shoes is important. There are tons of inserts to put in our shoes to help with knee pain, back pain, sleep, etc. etc. the list goes on and on and it’s all about the shoes you wear, the arch, the cushion, the look, and etc. etc. or it’s all about the name brand of the shoe. We’ve all heard kids say at some point, “Look how fast I can run in my new shoes!” or “Hey, look at my new shoes!”. People have even been killed over the shoes they wear. We have heard about people, adults and children alike, being killed and their shoes taken because of the brand they were wearing at the time. I mean how horrible is that? To lose your life over your shoes? I can’t wrap my brain around that. Anyway, that’s a whole other soapbox we won’t even get into here. I’ll just let that simmer for a bit and let you think about it.

Shoes can be expensive too.

So, why is it that shoes are so important to us? When did you begin learning that shoes made the man/woman? Why do shoes make you who you are? I mean really think about it for a minute. Are the shoes you are wearing really make you who you are today? Do those shoes make you successful or unsuccessful? People are working from home more and more these days, which tells me those shoes you were wearing has absolutely nothing to do with your success.

When we are small children, do we ever really think about our shoes? No, we are taught to do so by our parents, our family members, society, commercials, and the shoe companies start it all. Why? For the profit of course. So, we listen to these commercials, these advertisements, these companies that could care less about us and care only about the money their company can make. Why are we so intent on listening to people that only want our money and don’t care about our well-being? Think about that for a few minutes.

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Barefoot Running:

Ok, so there are tons of people out there that believe that barefoot running can harm your feet, while others are adamant about going barefoot while running. Well, the truth is, everyone is right on this one. If you change it up too quickly you can do harm. Taking things slow and allowing the muscles to strengthen can be very beneficial. The problem is that people often try to take things too fast and end up with an injury. Just like most things in life, take it slow…. As I tell my kids, “Slow down Panda.” If you just slow your pace, be a little patient, and give things a chance to adapt you will have fewer injuries and be stronger in the end.

Barefoot Running:

Barefoot running involves forefoot or midfoot striking, which minimizes the impact of your body colliding with a surface. Striking the ground with your heel first, on the other hand, falls in line with running in regular shoes.

Previous research has shown that striking on your heels might mean hitting the ground with three times more weight than barefoot running. Furthermore, Daniel Lieberman, a Harvard University professor known for his research on barefoot running, has found that forefoot-striking runners have lower risks of repetitive stress injuries, and that going barefoot is more energy efficient.

Michael Warburton of Sportsscience declares that thirty minutes of daily barefoot locomotion is a recommended starting point to allow thickening of the sole of the foot and the adaptation of muscles and ligaments (Robbins et al., 1993). Begin by walking barefoot at every reasonable opportunity then progress to jogging, gradually increasing the intensity and duration (Yessis 2000, p.124). After 3-4 weeks, the plantar skin eventually becomes robust and allows longer periods of barefoot running at higher average velocities (Robbins et al., 1993). To facilitate adaptation, perform progressive strengthening exercises for the foot and ankle, including foot inversion, toe flexion, and walking on the balls of the feet. Barefoot locomotion on uneven surfaces will also help stimulate the plantar surface and provide increased sensory feedback (Yessis 2000, p.125).

Running in shoes appears to increase the risk of ankle sprains, either by decreasing awareness of foot position or by increasing the twisting torque on the ankle during a stumble.

• Running in shoes appears to increase the risk of plantar fasciitis and other chronic injuries of the lower limb by modifying the transfer of shock to muscles and supporting structures.

• Running in bare feet reduces oxygen consumption

• Research is needed to establish why runners choose not to run barefoot. Concern about puncture wounds, bruising, thermal injury, and overuse injury during the adaptation period are possibilities.

• Running shoes play an important protective role on some courses, in extreme weather conditions, and with certain pathologies of the lower limb.

Ankle sprains are the most frequently reported acute sports injury, and 90-95% of these are inversion injuries causing partial or complete rupture of the anterior talofibular ligament and occasionally of the calcaneofibular ligament (Robbins et al., 1995; Stacoff et al., 1996). It is claimed that footwear increases the risk of such sprains, either by decreasing awareness of foot position provided by feedback from plantar cutaneous mechanoreceptors in direct contact with the ground (Robbins et al., 1995), or by increasing the leverage arm and consequently the twisting torque around the sub-talar joint during a stumble (Stacoff et al., 1996).

The Tarahumara, are an indigenous people of Mexico whose long-distance running ability is legendary. In the early 1990s they shook the American ultramarathon scene when they entered some of the toughest 100-mile foot races in the Rocky Mountains and set new course records. I mean these people literally run 100-mile races for fun, barefoot and in the mountains. I think that’s pushing it a bit for me, but each to their own. LOL

Ok, so now you have a better understanding of the science behind the benefits of being barefoot and especially barefoot running. In the next article, we will look at some other benefits of going barefoot and grounding with the earth and nature. Often people think of “grounding” as some “New Age” thing or something. The fact of the matter is, the practice of grounding with the earth is thousands of years old. In fact, I wouldn’t even call it a practice, I would call it a need, a requirement for our health, a natural way of living that we have gotten away from over the years.

We will discuss what grounding is and the health benefits of grounding in the next article. For now, take off your shoes, take a walk in nature and enjoy the feeling of the earth and grass beneath your feet. Then, read the next article to find out about the healing it has brought to your body. I also recommend watching the movie The Grounding Movie on Gaia. Or follow the provided link and watch it now on YouTube if you don’t have Gaia yet. No time to watch the full movie for a little over an hour? You can watch the quick Trailer for it until you have more time. I think you’ll find it quite inspiring and in the next article, you’ll find a ton of similarities. I was personally amazed at the similarities between the movie with the scientific articles I researched. Maybe that’s why I liked the movie so much. Now, take off your shoes and go for a stroll. Have a great day!