History of Healing – Relevantly Compelling

The history of healing; its philosophy and cosmology, offers a broader view of the story of health and healing over time.  It allows us to blend together all the common threads of traditional medicine and delve deeper into the reasons as to why or how we have held onto some traditions and let go of others. Through the observation of the complexities of health throughout history, and the vast array of traditional values and approaches used in healing, todays complementary medicine practitioner can get a sense of how much complementary medicine and conventional medicine, has evolved over time.

As reflected in the lecture material, traditional healing has a deep spiritual connection which is all encompassing; self, nature, family, ancestors of the past.  It has a rich diversity that I find conventional medicine lacks.  However, despite my perception of conventional medicine being staunch in nature, I do see some advantages that it has offered both historically and in today’s common age; this has been clearly demonstrated by the successful blending of both approaches in Fijian and Samoan practice.  From my own experience, I have found that the two working together have proven more powerful than each perspective alone.

I personally view medicine (be it complementary or conventional), much the same as I view religion. When it is stripped back and dogma is removed, operating simply from a place of love, the main goal/belief is the same – to heal; to bring wellness to a person.

In saying that however, for me traditional healing is much more compelling. I believe it is the roots of the holistic way of being and is the foundation of not just complementary medicine, but of all aspects of medicine.  After all, every story has a history, a place from where it originated.

Perhaps my bias towards the traditional perspective is due to my Maori blood line; my love of nature, my bond with whanau (family), my respect of tupuna (ancestors). Our culture overall plays a big part of who I am. Why I am studying this course was reaffirmed when reading the material. I have mentioned in earlier posts that I was born into a lineage of Tribal Healers; what I haven’t mentioned is that these days, despite the knowledge and deep connection of cultural beliefs, those elders who have passed down information from generation to generation believe in the integration of the two approaches; albeit begrudgingly and if they ever knew I told you this, they would deny it!

xox LLP, Tash

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Why I’m here and What I’ve seen?

In one form or another, natural medicine has always been a part of my life.  Growing up, I fondly recall my Grandfather pointing out plants and telling me that they were good for this or that, sharing his wealth of knowledge related to Maori tribal healing techniques, which were very spiritually based; my Dad would place spider webs on my cut knee to stop the bleeding and seal the wound; Mum would grow Aloe Vera in our back yard and use it on my sunburned skin during the hot Australian summer months; long before the slip, slop, slap craze!  I too have an Aloe Vera plant in my backyard and cobwebs are left in one corner of the house; a tradition I hope that my children will also follow! 

In 1998, I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and my GP integrated natural therapy into my treatment by giving me intravenous vitamin C.  Through this treatment, I overcame a lot of the debilitating effects of CFS however, it left my immune system in tatters. Lifestyle changes were a must and even though I would often stray from the path of Natural/Spiritual healing, I have always been drawn back to them.  Most recently, I started seeing a Naturopath to help with my recurring bouts of Tonsillitis, as I had grown frustrated with my body being constantly napalmed (and my butt being jabbed!) with antibiotics, which would then see me requiring another medicine to counteract the side effects of the original prescribed medication; it was a vicious cycle!  Initially, Naturopathy was an alternative form of treatment for me, however due to the severity of the infections which requires surgical intervention, my Naturopath suggested that we take a complementary approach until they are removed.  Even though I am again taking antibiotics, the herbal mixture and probiotics has eliminated my need for additional conventional medication, as I am no longer experiencing the nasty side effects.  

So, as you can see from this brief insight into my health journey, my desire to learn more has greatly been influenced by my own personal experience.

On a professional level, I am finding that many of my clients are generally becoming more interested in taking on a more natural/holistic approach to health and well-being; as opposed to the small country folk way of thinking that has an ingrained stigma of natural medicine.  I believe a shift within my local community is occurring, as we have quite a few of our local GP’s that refer their patients to Natural Therapists; Massage Therapists, Personal Trainers, Nutritionists and yoga/meditation classes.  One GP offers acupuncture as a part of his consultations.  Recently, our town gained a health food shop and salt therapy rooms which has assisted exposure of natural therapies further.

It is my hope that by branching out into Naturopathy, that I will be able to help my clients on a higher level, by offering a package that encompasses a holistic approach of natural health.  Perhaps in the future, my GP and I will work together to combine both of our passions and increase awareness within our local community even further and perhaps even remove the stigma completely…wouldn’t that be awesome!

xox LLP, Tash

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The start of my Naturopathic Journey...

Hey everyone, 

As you may know 3 weeks ago I started studying a Bachelor of Naturopathy at the Endeavour College of Natural Health here in Melbourne. My first couple of subjects are Chemistry & Biochemistry and History of Healing. Chemistry is sending me into a mind spin as there is so much information to process in such a small amount of time before we move onto the next topic. I have no idea how the heck I am going to remember 13 weeks of material for the exam at the end of the semester...eek, lots of revision ahead of me. The History of Healing surprisingly has been really interesting. I say surprisingly as history has never really been my thing, but I am loving learning about how different cultural traditions have viewed healing and the methods and techniques they have used.

So anyway, I'm not sure if you will find this interesting or not but I thought I might share some of my forum entries with you all starting off with my introduction post, which I actually found a bit difficult to write - its hard to condense 43 years into a few paragraphs.

I'm Natasha (either pronounced with or without the 'r' sound - I answer to both, and also to Tash or Tarsh). I am 41 and 11 months and live in Bacchus Marsh which is 45 minutes from Melbourne. I am a Mum to two rambunctious boys aged 11 and 13 who are my world. I am newly engaged and very thankful for my partners support so that I can pursue this journey towards becoming a Naturopath, which I must say has me excited and nervous at the same time!

For me, the journey of holistic healing started a young age (I was born into a linage of Maori tribal healers) however, after losing my Dad to cancer when I was 16 I shut myself down completely. After a period of trials and confusion which culminated in the diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in 1998, seeing me nick named 'Typhoid Tash', I visited a Mind, Body and Spirit Festival and received the wake up call I needed. From then on I started opening myself up to the universal energy and reconnecting spiritually and as fate would have it (synchronicity at its finest), I would meet just the right people at just the right time or find books which contained the answers I had questions to. My thirst for knowledge was ignited. I completed my Mastership in Reiki, attended classes and workshops in Meditation, Aromatherapy (I am also a DoTERRA wellness advocate), Shiatsu, Massage, Psychic Development to name a few.

Unfortunately in 2001 my life was once again turned upside down and I started to live what some might call a 'Rock'n'Roll' lifestyle, which saw me straying from my path. 

In 2003, I fell pregnant with my first child and made a decision to once again turn my life around. He was born in Jan 2004 and in Jun 2005 his brother joined him. As the one thing I wanted for my boys was to be happy and to follow their dreams, I felt that I should lead by example and walk the talk so to speak!

One of my biggest dreams was to sing and so that's exactly what I did and performed regularly in pubs and festivals as a guitarist and singer. This is something that I loved doing, however it was not something that I found worked well for my family, so it became more of a part time thing and up until a year ago I was doing the odd gig here and there performing my original material (a fusion of country, folk with a dash of blues and pop-rock). I haven't been able to perform for the past year due to Auto Immune issues, I constantly get tonsillitis and am 'not' very patiently waiting to have them removed. I also work as a photographer now and then capturing everything from weddings to newborns.

I picked up where I left off with regards to Massage and studied to become a Remedial Massage Therapist. I also became a Personal Trainer, as my weight has always been an issue and I wanted to help others achieve the same kind of results I had with regards to weight loss (although I did have the help of a lap band - certainly not the easy way out). I also did a Cert III course in Nutrition. I am currently running my own home based business as a Remedial Massage Therapist & Personal trainer. 

I love singing and playing the guitar, photography, blogging, camping, quality time with my family and friends and pretty much anything that allows me to be creative, oh and I love my cat 'Tat' who thinks he is a dog!

I decided to do the Bachelor of Naturopathy because I felt that it would add a new dimension to my current career, because of my own personal experience of Naturopathy throughout this past year with my own health issues and to be able to support my families health and well-being in a more natural way (both of my boys are asthmatics, my partner has ongoing health issues and my Mum was diagnosed with Cancer earlier this year).

Despite the fact that my physical health is not 100%, I am happier and mentally healthier than I have ever been. It feels great to be connected to life again and to be pursing something that makes me both excited and nervous at the same time!

xox Tash :)

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Surgery is booked!

So...last week I went to my second hospital pre-op appointment and saw the anesthetist and although I am borderline (closer to the line than not) anemic there has been a slight increase in my levels and I was approved for surgery - YAY #1!

On Monday morning I got a call asking if December 7th suited me to have surgery.  I didn't even check my diary I just said Yes then and there - YAY #2!

Hallelujah!

I am so excited about it FINALLY getting done after waiting very impatiently for the past year and pretty much being constantly sick for a total of 2 years now.

I am shitting myself a bit though!

Not only because I have to get everything 'Tash' ready before the op - so much to do omgoodness!

Or, the fact that its going to hurt like an absolute biatrch. 

Or, because I know recovery probably isn't going to be quick or easy as my immune system isn't going to miraculously fire back up overnight which means it will affect us financially as I won't be working and also means that I will need to get the exemptions in place for Uni. 

Or, because I know that having my tonsils removed is only op#1 of the bigger picture  (I will talk more about that when the time comes). 

Or, what my voice will sound like after the operation.  

Although, all those things aren't making it any easier.

What is scaring the shit out of me most is the thought of what happens next?

As much as I hoping that after this operation my life can return back to some semblance of the past there has also been so much in it that has changed since I began getting sick (to the point I have been at least) that its almost a blur.  It kind of feels like I am being given this opportunity to start over, to reinvent myself so to speak, which is awesome on one hand but bloody scary on the other...remembering the issues I have with change and all.

So anyway, I am 'trying' to just take it all a day at a time and not over think things - hahaha, funny right!

That's about all I have to share at the moment - I will try and keep you all updated throughout the process...wish me luck!

Love, Light and Peace

xox Tash

Oh...

PS.  Studying is going well although OMGOODNESS sooooo much work, last week I contemplated throwing in the towel but this week I seem to have found my groove a little.  I must remember to apply for exemptions.

PPS.  Our DHS case worker popped in today to discuss a few things and so Mark and I have a bit of contemplating to do.  Mind you what we discussed with her pretty much only confirmed that which we had already considered but its hard to make it final...if that makes sense.  At the end of the day though we need to think about what is best for our family and that is Hosanna included of course.

PPPS.  I am feeling a lot more positive about things these days in comparison to my last post, things aren't all smooth sailing but at least it hasn't gone down like the Titanic.

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Thoughts...

12 noon

I've just returned home from a counselling session and as always it has helped heaps, but I still have so much going on in this head of mine and so I thought I would try and get it out on the page so that I can de-clutter and have room to actually process each one individually.  Omgoodness where to start...

Uni - I'm gonna say it again 'Holy shit - what was I thinking?'.  How the fuck am I going to find 20 hours a week to dedicate to this?  How the fuck am I going to remember everything?  Should I already be enrolling for me next subjects?  What if I can't remember all the stuff from the subjects I got exemptions for?  

Court - Is fighting for what we are fighting for really the best thing for my family, for me?  Should we work towards rebuilding the broken relationships?  Would we just be inviting the devil back into our lives?  Are my doubts just fear?  How can I keep my boys protected?  Am I being overprotective?

Wedding - Do we save up for a proper one or do we just elope and use the money for things we really need?  What kind of dress do I want? Am I going to lose weight?  Maybe I shouldn't focus on that because what if it triggers my eating disorder? If we go on a family holiday where should we go? Will we be able to fit it in with everything going on?

Money - I am so sick of being broke!  How can I continue to work and study at the same time?  How are we going to manage Christmas, Ace's Birthday and still live?  How are we going to manage during the recovery period after my op? 

Health - I'm sick yet again wtf!  I just want these tonsils out ffs!  When are they going to finally rip them out?  Oh shit if it is this year I still have a crap load of stuff to organise!  

My Ex - Do I drop off the boys next fortnight even though they don't really want to go and the reason why they don't want to go is valid and despite me discussing it with their Dad after the first time and him sating it wouldn't happen again?  Thankfully he is moving soon so it shouldn't be an issue again but what to do in the meantime?

Family - I'm worried about Mum especially more so now that we lost our pet cockatoo of 35+ years last week.  I'm worried about me not having a bond with my niece and nephew due to not seeing them because of always being sick.  

Plus so so many more thoughts about everything...its pure craziness!

As you can imagine each thought is popping up and then I'm having a conversation with myself, well more of a debate between my heart and my head. I guess the positive is that I have good supports that I can use to give me different perspectives on each of my thoughts even if often it just throws yet another train of thought into the mix.

Phew any wonder I am so exhausted.  It doesn't help that I haven't had a decent sleep for the past 3 nights because I've been worried about my youngest having an asthma attack in his sleep - and see that just sent off another train of thought about how my sisters coping? and me feeling guilty worrying about my son when my little nephew is only a bubba and they are going through so much more.  FFS...I need to turn off my brain!  

10.00pm

So this afternoon after blood tests, doctors appointments and running around to find somewhere to print and laminate an A3 sheet for uni I came home and thought I'd lay down while I watch my Uni Tutorial before needing to work tonight.  A few hours later I woke up oops!  Thankfully my sweet man had messaged to clients to say I was unwell, did everything else that needed to be done around the house and also took care of our boys - gosh he's just the best!

So anyway here I am still exhausted despite my long afternoon/eveing nana nap.

On a positive though getting my thoughts out of my head and down on paper (well my phone screen) has helped somewhat...makes it more like something I can come back to and address one by one rather than being  jumbled mess.

Another positive is that tomorrow is a day off work so I plan to sleep in and then make a proper start on my uni stuff. 

Tonight however I am going to shut down this brain of mine and rest...my phone is at 3% so maybe its a sign lol.

Oh and yes I know MINDFULNESS - I have all the skills I just need to do it! 

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I've got this...

Today (Monday the 7th of November 2016) is officially the first day of my university degree...to say I'm nervous and a bit stressed is an understatement - I think I've asked myself 'what the heck were you thinking?', a million times already LOL. BUT I am also very excited about my future and working towards something I can be proud of myself for and so very blessed that I have an amazing support network.

Day 1 of being a uni student didn't exactly run smoothly due to my little man Jazz, being unwell and us spending a good part of the day at the doctors. 

However, I juggled and rescheduled like a mad woman and not only did I get work done (massages) but I even managed to stock the fridge/pantry with good healthy food (I love Coles Online), cook tonight's meal and precook another two nights, spend time with my boys, get the house into ship shape order AND look through my uni stuff to diarise assessment due dates and exams over the next 14 weeks. 

I also wrote my first forum post which was an introduction piece. It took me ages and after writing and rewriting and editing and re-editing, I finally posted this:

I'm Natasha (either pronounced with or without the 'r' sound - I answer to both, and also to Tash or Tarsh). I am 41 and 11 months and live in Bacchus Marsh which is 45 minutes from Melbourne. I am a Mum to two rambunctious boys aged 11 and 12 who are my world. I am newly engaged and very thankful for my partners support so that I can pursue this journey towards becoming a Naturopath, which I must say has me excited and nervous at the same time!

For me, the journey of holistic healing started a young age (I was born into a linage of Maori tribal healers) however, after losing my Dad to cancer when I was 16 I shut myself down completely. After a period of trials and confusion which culminated in the diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in 1998, seeing me nick named 'Typhoid Tash', I visited a Mind, Body and Spirit Festival and received the wake up call I needed. From then on I started opening myself up to the universal energy and reconnecting spiritually and as fate would have it (synchronicity at its finest), I would meet just the right people at just the right time or find books which contained the answers I had questions to. My thirst for knowledge was ignited. I completed my Mastership in Reiki, attended classes and workshops in Meditation, Aromatherapy (I am also a DoTERRA wellness advocate), Shiatsu, Massage, Psychic Development to name a few.

Unfortunately in 2001 my life was once again turned upside down and I started to live what some might call a 'Rock'n'Roll' lifestyle, which saw me straying from my path. 

In 2003, I fell pregnant with my first child and made a decision to once again turn my life around. He was born in Jan 2004 and in Jun 2005 his brother joined him. As the one thing I wanted for my boys was to be happy and to follow their dreams, I felt that I should lead by example and walk the talk so to speak!

One of my biggest dreams was to sing and so that's exactly what I did and performed regularly in pubs and festivals as a guitarist and singer. This is something that I loved doing, however it was not something that I found worked well for my family, so it became more of a part time thing and up until a year ago I was doing the odd gig here and there performing my original material (a fusion of country, folk with a dash of blues and pop-rock). I haven't been able to perform for the past year due to Auto Immune issues, I constantly get tonsillitis and am 'not' very patiently waiting to have them removed. I also work as a photographer now and then capturing everything from weddings to newborns.

I picked up where I left off with regards to Massage and studied to become a Remedial Massage Therapist. I also became a Personal Trainer, as my weight has always been an issue and I wanted to help others achieve the same kind of results I had with regards to weight loss (although I did have the help of a lap band - certainly not the easy way out). I also did a Cert III course in Nutrition. I am currently running my own home based business as a Remedial Massage Therapist & Personal trainer. 

I love singing and playing the guitar, photography, blogging, camping, quality time with my family and friends and pretty much anything that allows me to be creative, oh and I love my cat 'Tat' who thinks he is a dog!

I decided to do the Bachelor of Naturopathy because I felt that it would add a new dimension to my current career, because of my own personal experience of Naturopathy throughout this past year with my own health issues and to be able to support my families health and well-being in a more natural way (both of my boys are asthmatics, my partner has ongoing health issues and my Mum was diagnosed with Cancer earlier this year).

Despite the fact that my physical health is not 100%, I am happier and mentally healthier than I have ever been. It feels great to be connected to life again and to be pursing something that makes me both excited and nervous at the same time!

xox Tash :)

To say that I'm exhausted is an understatement (omgoodness its only Monday LOL and of course I can't get to sleep which is why I am writing this at 2am Grrr!) but me getting through today despite everything has shown me that I've got this! 

I still have some work to do in order to make things run a little more smoothly should things like today happen, and let's face it they are the reality of life.

I am so thankful for all the support from my incredible man and so now its time to check my last box for the day and spend some time snuggling.  

I've got another huge day tomorrow, but enough about that I will deal with it when it arrives, for now I am going to enjoy the NOW moment!

Read more "I've got this..."

For every up there is a...

You know how it goes right?  In life you take the ups with the downs!

I shouldn't really be surprised that after my big 'I GOT ENGAGED' weekend I started feeling a little off colour, albeit still floating on a cloud of newly engaged bliss - until yesterday anyway!

  

There was no need for me to wear a Halloween costume this year - I already looked frightful enough without one.  Autoimmune / constant tonsillitis sucks big time!

I'm embarrassed to share this but it's the reality of my life.

The bags and dark circles are after sleeping for hours on end with thanks to phenergan.  The sore under my nose was a massive blister - cold sore thing,  I'm thankful it wasn't on my lips - it's been 2 week and it is still there.  You can't see it properly in the side photo but the lymph node in the throat is massive.

On top of me feeling like crap, yesterday we had yet another court date focusing on two things. 

1. Getting our little girl (my step daughter) to come and live with us full time rather than the only other alternative which is remaining in DHS/Foster Care.

2.  Ensuring that other orders are kept in place so that she (or anyone else - as we truly believe its only a matter of time that they 'all' cross a line) are never traumatised in the same way.

For the past 48 hours I have been riding a roller coaster of emotions from disappointment, anger (well more rage), sadness, hatred, confusion, disbelief and so on - I can't even begin to describe the myriad of emotions adequately enough.   My head has been thumping from the constant battle its been having with my heart which has felt like its breaking and I've been drowning in a haze of my own grief. 

There is just so much I want to say but can't due to legalities.  This whole situation is just purely and utterly FUCKED!  

Dealing with DHS as frustrating as it is, is the easy part.  

Dealing with the narcissistic incubator is a different story.  I could say so much more but they really aren't worth the energy it would take to express it...I'd rather spend my time cleaning up dog shit!

So anyway, tonight I sat and played my guitar and sang my heart out to some original songs.  As always music was my saviour and I walked away feeling like I've released it all to the universe, God, whatever you believe in - rather than continuing to carrying something that is tearing me apart when I have so many blessings in my life that keep me together.

The video quality sucks and is not my best vocal work...

But as I said earlier, I have a golf ball covered in razor blades in my throat

With regards to this court case, one thing I know for sure is that I don't quit when the going gets tough.  I am a fighter and give it everything I can until there is nothing left to give and that is exactly what I am going to do.  What WE, are going to do.

Mark and I spoke today about what our wishes are and what we are and are not willing to do in order to make them a reality.  Win or lose we will know that we have given it all we've got but still kept our self respect - that is something that can't be taken away unless we give it and it's not for sale regardless of the prize!

We have another court date coming up in December, then again in February and the big 10 day contest in March which will hopefully give us a final result.  No doubt more dates will come up along the way and as emotionally draining as they are, we can get through it together.

Read more "For every up there is a..."