MBSR is based on a form of meditation known as mindfulness.  Mindfulness is a basic human quality, a way of learning to pay wise attention to whatever is happening in your life that allows you a greater sense of connection to your life inwardly and outwardly.  Mindfulness is also a practice, a systematic method aimed at cultivating clarity, insight, and understanding.  In the context of your health, mindfulness is a way for you to experientially learn to take better care of yourself by exploring and understanding the interplay of mind and body and mobilizing your own inner resources for coping, growing and healing.  Mindfulness is not something you have to “get” or acquire.  It is already within you—a deep internal resource available and patiently waiting to be reawakened.

Jon Kabat-Zinn started MBSR at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in 1979.  Nearly three decades of scientific research at UMASS and at medical centers all over the world suggest that training in mindfulness and MBSR can positively and often profoundly affect participants’ ability to reduce medical symptoms and psychological distress while learning to live more fully.

The Stress Reduction Program has benefited people reporting a variety of conditions and concerns:

Stress—with work, school, family, financial, illness, aging, grief, uncertainty about the future, and feeling “out of control”.

Medical conditions—chronic illness or pain, hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, allergies and asthma, skin disorders, GI distress and many other conditions.

Psychological distress—anxiety, panic, depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.

Prevention and Wellness—health enhancement and wellness focused on prevention and learning the “how” of taking good care of yourself and feeling a greater sense of balance.

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction is meant to work synergistically as a compliment with medical and psychological treatments.  Studies over the last three decades suggests that doing what you can for yourself, coupled with what your healthcare provider can do for you, can be far more effective than either approach on its own.

Dates

The program consists of eight weekly 2 hour classes and one day long practice (on a weekend) between sessions six and seven.  Classes will include meditation practices, mindful movements such as yoga and qi gong, and group discussions.

Our first class will be a free introduction to MBSR held on Thursday, March 1.

Classes will be held from 6-8pm on Thursday evenings starting on March 8.

Cost

$295 for the module (8 sessions plus the day long practice) + $20 materials fee (includes MBSR workbook)

Teachers

Christopher Gunst, MFTI

Dr. Jennifer Gunst, DAOM, L.Ac

Links

For additional information please visit www.cnmhealth.com and www.umassmed.edu/cfm/stress/index.aspx.

Please contact the front desk at 650-323-7345 or email info@cnmhealth.com to sign up.

Thank you to all that donated to our “One Warm Coat” drive . We received over 55 coat donations and are so thrilled with the number of people we are able to help this year! We could not have done that without our supporters and are very grateful for your generosity!

We will be closed for the Holiday’s from Friday, December 23rd through Wednesday, January 4th. We will reopen on Thursday, January 5th at 9:30 am.

We look forward to partnering with you in 2012 to help create health and wellness in your life!

In Health,

The Cypress Natural Medicine Team

Here at Cypress Natural Medicine, we have been fortunate to have had many beautiful, scenic photographs, taken by photographer Peter Buranzon of Pacific Visuals Photography, adorn our walls for the past few months. We have enjoyed working among such captivating and peaceful images of our environment and have received many compliments from our patients. We invite you to visit our clinic to view the showcase while on display until December 12th. You can even wrap one up and take it home as these beautiful, framed photographs would make a wonderful Holiday gift for someone on your list!

To learn more about Pacific Visuals Photography, you can visit pacific-visuals.com

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpGPJTSblBM

In Health,

Dr. Bryan Skinner, ND

Radiation Monitoring for San Francisco

Radiation Daily Data Summary

Due to the information that we have now, we would not suggest that any patients consume additional supplemental iodine or iodide formulations.  We are keeping tabs on this situation and will add additional suggestions if conditions change.  Again, the levels of radiation that the West Coast is experiencing is not enough to be of harm.  Please abstain from the unnecessary use of iodine and iodide products unless levels of radiation significantly increase.

We will keep you posted if information changes.

In Health,

Dr. Bryan Skinner, ND

This teleseries is for you if…

* You constantly struggle with your weight

* Are challenged to maintain a regular fitness program that gets results

* Are looking for easy and simple ways to stay fit and healthy

Register at this link:

http://www.womengettingfit.com/membersite/index.php?afid=98

If you’re ready to be supported, encouraged, and educated with key insights, some not even in the mainstream yet, you’ll want to sign up for this FREE teleseries.

The first teleseries topic is Releasing Weight and starts March 8th, so hurry!

Get ready to discover:

* The 5 Feminine Strategies for Weight Loss Every Woman Should Know

* How Digestion Can Make or Break Your Weight Release Efforts

* How to Strip Away The Foods That Weigh You Down

* Discover the Missing Pieces to Creating Weight Release Success!

* Simple Steps to a Slimmer Tummy

* Rewrite YOUR Food Story From A Place Of Authenticity And Passion

* How To Lose the Last 10-20 Pounds, and Double Your Energy

* 3 Biggest Mistakes Most Women Make When Starting An Exercise Program

* And More

Don’t miss out on the teleseries that will change your health and fitness for the better!

Again, register for this FREE teleseries here: http://www.womengettingfit.com/membersite/index.php?afid=98 to sign up now!

The times and days for the calls are every Tuesday at 6pm PST starting March 8th and ending April 19th and every Thursday at 12pm PST starting March 10th and ending April 14th.

Actual dates:

March: 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31

April: 5, 7, 12, 14, 19

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQOm13V0EQU

Diet high in dairy products and high glycemic foods are associated with increased acne.

Acne vulgaris has anecdotally been attributed to diet by individuals affected by this skin condition. In a 2009 systematic literature review of 21 observational studies and 6 clinical trials, the association between acne and diet was evaluated. Observational studies, including 2 large controlled prospective trials, reported that cow’s milk intake increased acne prevalence and severity. Furthermore, prospective studies, including randomized controlled trials, demonstrated a positive association between a high-glycemic-load diet, hormonal mediators, and acne risk. Based on these findings, there exists convincing data supporting the role of dairy products and high-glycemic-index foods in influencing hormonal and inflammatory factors, which can increase acne prevalence and severity. Studies have been inconclusive regarding the association between acne and other foods.

Before trying medication for acne, simply remove all dairy products from your diet.  This may be a simple cure for your acne.  The Doctors at Cypress Natural Medicine can assist you in this dietary change and also evaluate and treat food sensitivities.  Contact our office at (650) 323-7345 for more information.