Blog - Jennifer Raye

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Practical education and inspiration with my latest videos and articles.

Yoga and Somatics Practice for Shoulders and Upper Back

Many people suffer from chronic upper back and shoulder tension – I frequently see it in my private acupuncture practice! This tension has many causes, including excess computer work and stress. For example, when we’re stressed or anxious, our shoulders tend to rise and tense up. Simply spending some time ...

Supporting Summer: Seasonal Recipes for the Fire Season

In Taoist philosophy and Chinese Medicine, yang reaches its fullest expression in summer. Energetically, summer is a time when we can shed some layers and blossom. The risk of spring frost is long gone, and now for a brief window of time the natural world opens its wings wide and ...

4 Natural (and Powerful!) Ways to Boost Your Energy

Do you sometimes feel like you don’t have enough energy to get through the day? Do you feel sluggish and drained no matter what you do? One of the most common complaints I encounter in my private practice is fatigue. Many people finish their day exhausted and find that better ...

The Hearts Guardian – Acupressure and TCM for the Pericardium

The organ system is central to understanding the Chinese Medicine (TCM) view of the body, mind, disease, and health. But remember, Chinese Medicine organs have energetic attributes and functions that are pretty different from how conventional medicine maps the body-mind. When looking specifically at the organs of TCM, what’s usually ...

Simple Exercises for Low Back Pain

In my private medical practice, lower back pain is one of the most common areas of discomfort I see. Many people will experience lower back pain at some point in their lives. The cause of this pain can be mechanical, including vertebral disk problems, nerve issues, and degeneration, but the ...

yin somatics hips practice jennifer raye

Restorative Yin Somatics for the Hips Yoga Class

This restful movement class leads you through a series of therapeutic movements on the floor designed to support the hips and legs. The slower mindful nature of the practice also supports awareness by giving space and time to sense and feel the more subtle aspects of body, mind, and heart. ...

blog post three powerfull mushrooms start using jennifer raye

3 Powerful Mushrooms You Should Start Using Today

The medicinal use of mushrooms has a long and hefty history dating back many thousands of years. Within Traditional Chinese Medicine many mushrooms are revered as potent longevity and immunity tonics. In recent years, mushrooms have gained massive popularity in the west and can now be found in all kinds ...

blog post five ways to thrive fall winter jennifer raye

5 Ways to Thrive During Fall and Winter with Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda

There is a gradual slowing down and turning inward this time of year. Trees lose their leaves as the days become shorter and darker, and plants draw energy inward in preparation for winter. It is a time for focusing, gathering, and simplicity. The wisdom traditions of Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda ...

blog post boost qi with medicinal qi tonic porridge jennifer raye

Boost your Qi with Medicinal Qi Tonic Porridges

In Chinese Medicine, the body and mind function through the interaction of the “vital substances.” The vital substances are Qi, Blood (Xue), Essence (Jing), Spirit (Shen), and Body Fluids (Jin Ye). These substances are defined not so much by their location as by their function (similar to the TCM organs). ...

blog post feeling slugish and heavy support your spleen qi jennifer raye

Feeling Sluggish, Heavy and Bloated? Support your Spleen!

In Taoism and Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the power of the Spleen is vital for digestive health and overall energy. In TCM, the Spleen is considered much more than an immune system organ. Along with the stomach, it’s primarily responsible for digestion and assimilation, which means it’s a key component ...