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What Shall We Do Without Us?

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May 2017

​I read on the internet to gather some of this info. I love my iphone, I enjoy facebook, and I work on my computer a lot of the time. Now some of my music is scanned into my computer and youtube is a good ol’ friend. Yah, all this technology is super helpful with
my process as a musician fo sho!
 
But I don’t have to tell you that we are crazy knee deep into technology in a way that sometimes keeps us from connections with others. The level of entertainment, curiosity fulfillment, and time wasting available online is beyond measurable. The gift of this for me is that I massively value sitting in front of a friend eating a meal or sharing a cup of tea. I am happy when I am in a dance class and I get to laugh and connect with others. When I am in nature being with the silence and natural sounds, I feel my cup is full. And I am elated when I get to be in a circle singing with others!
 
No mater what has happened that day, that week, I get a massive recharge. My endorphins start to dance and the happy thang comes over me. Because I am getting to look in your eyes, feel the spirit of your song, or dance and laugh with you.
 
So, checking out your connections on facebook is fun, but have you thought about the neural connections you are reinforcing in your brain when you are making music?
 
“It’s really hard to come up with an experience similar to that” as an education intervention, said Gottfried Schlaug, the director of the Music and Neuroimaging Laboratory at Harvard Medical School. Not only does it require attention and coordination of multiple senses, but it often triggers emotions, involves cooperation with other people, and provides immediate feedback to the student on progress, he said. Music, on its own, has also been shown to trigger the reward area of the brain, he noted. [1]
 
So, my dears…it appears that coming together to do activities with other humans is becoming one of the basic needs for nervous system regulation and perhaps the survival of our relationships.
 
Stay with us, we are here…
 
Art by Kenneth Patchen

[1] Published in Print: Education Week
November 25, 2013
Studies Highlight Brain Benefits From Music Training
Vol. 33, Issue 13, Page 6

 

BREATHE...

11/24/2018

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Dear friends,
 
Ahhhhhhh…let’s take a big BREATH together.
 
I am so glad to see the bay, the sky, and the horizon!
 
I send big prayers to all the people that have been affected by the Camp and Woolsey fires in CA. May the reparation of their lives come with ease and through generosity.
 
I escaped to Monterey, where I was able to be outside and BREATHE…
 
Going to the Aquarium reset my nervous system from hours of driving, wearing a mask daily, and feeling tense.
 
If I can sit still as I view the animals in the water, and entrain with their pacing, I have the felt sense of my nervous system coming to a state of calm.
 
The images inspired me to make this video:

youtu.be/skMkJdaEcXM
 
Some folks are still dealing with the effects of the smoke in their lungs and upper respiratory system, and my friend, vocal coach, and amazing (I mean AMAZING!) singer Jennifer Paulino sent out some immunity tips. I was on the brink of doing the same, and decided to combine ours in this newsletter.  Though the air is clear, you may wish to keep these for future reference, and immunity seems to always be a project J
 
Here is what was in the smoky air:
 
https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/whats-in-the-wildfire-smoke-you-are-breathing/281-586019961
 
Here are some tips from Jennifer and I:
 
1.  Masks - Please, please get yourself an N95 mask if you haven't already.  The particles that are most damaging (PM2.5) are not visible or smell-able, and can cause long-term damage, so we want to avoid breathing them in as much as possible.  Here is a KQED article outlining some info and suggestions. 
 
2.  Indoor air purifiers - We just bought our 2nd one, and I can recommend GermGuardian purifiers as an affordable and pretty effective way to clean your indoor air, especially for your bedroom at night. We have models AC4825 and AC5350 .  Also helps with asthma and allergies, if those are issues for you. I add that there are many models out there that are affordable.
 
3.  Personal steamer -  I have been using this daily, and I can say that it is very soothing.  The Vics brand is a little over-priced, but I'm sure you can find something comparable for a cheaper price.  I second this, and if you are unable to find one, please steam with hot water over a pot (take care not to burn yourself), and use some eucalyptus oil, it’s a wonderful way to clear the lungs.
 
4.  Tea - marshmallow root, nettle, mullein, and Traditional Medicinals Throat Coat tea are soothing to the throat and somewhat detoxing as well.  Any extra antioxidants we can get into our bodies will be helpful right now.  
 
5. Nasal saline mist or Neti pot - I've been rinsing my nasal passages with a saline mist like this. This, for me, is a regular practice, and I add using X-lear, a sinus spray that incudes xylitol, which binds to the music membranes in your nasal passage, helping to keep out debris.
 
I've also been doing a fair amount of indoor yoga and meditation to help with the stress and general feelings of sadness around the losses for so many people around this fire.  I often use an app like Insight Meditation, Let's Meditate, or Headspace (which has a good, free intro).  I have also been using the app Down Dog to create a tailored yoga sequence every day. It also has a free version.   
 
I would like to further add, please keep singing! Singing is actually good for your immunity. With groups, even more so, but singing alone will change your chemistry in very positive ways.
 
Fact check!
 
Effects of choir singing or listening on secretory immunoglobulin A, cortisol, and emotional state:
 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15669447
 
Recreational music-making modulates immunological responses and mood states in older adults: 
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/41137787_Recreational_music-making_modulates_immunological_responses_and_mood_states_in_older_adults
 
On the immunity note, here is what I do throughout the year, but especially diligently during the cold months:
 
Immunity Power!
 
  1. The best way you can protect you immunity is to stay away from sugar intake. Among many other things, it causes inflammation in the body, which compromises the immune system.
 
Fact check!
 
https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article-abstract/26/11/1180/4732762
 
  1. Get enough sleep. Didn't get enough sleep? Take a nap whenever you can.
 
  1. Rub your forearms briskly, and tap your thymus gland at the chest for 20 sec to a minute.
 
  1. Use a mushroom complex (they are a bit pricey, but soooo worth it!)
 
  1. I am always playing with "Wellness Formula" (not to be taken all the time, because it has goldenseal in it but when you feel low). They have an alcohol free version.
 
  1. I also always have these handy if I feel I might be getting sick:
 
  1. Andrographis, a natural antiviral, take at the onset of when you feel low.
 
  1. If you make soup: add shiitake and maitake and let it stew for a long time for added mushroom immunity.
 
If you get sick, you know the basics, but here’s what I always do:
 
  1. Oregano oil and Raw garlic: Natural antibiotics (I put my raw garlic in avocado and add some lime and salt, eat with a few crackers to avoid upset stomach)
 
  1. Forget food for one day, just juice veggies and drink broth/tea (no fruit). Body will heal more quickly.
 
  1. Tea, Tea, Tea!
 
 
UPCOMING EVENTS:
 
Every First Sunday:
 
Dec 2, 2018 Bay Area Vocal Improv
(see deets below…)
 
Tuesday Nov. 27, 2018:
 
My longtime Supporter in moving towards a life I love, Ashanna Solaris is also a Clarity Breathworker. Her and Dana Dharma Devi are hosting a group Clarity Breathwork evening. Its fun, and deep. Get your BREATH on!
 
 
https://claritybreathwork.com/events-2/191/clarity-breathwork-grace-gratitude-circle-ceremony/
 
OneVoice Circle Singers 4th Wednesday (usually the 3rd) Circle Sing!
 
https://www.circlesing.org
 
Sing For Your Life!
 
December 30, 2018
 
12:00 p.m. to Midnight!
 
I’ll be facilitating somewhere in there, more as I know,
But please come and experience all of the amazing facilitators that day.
 
You’ll feel so good…
 
 https://www.circlesing.org/2018/08/sing-for-your-life-2018/
 

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  • UPCOMING EVENTS
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