Eight Directions Wellness

11/03/2025

"S261, "An Act Regulating Alternative Healing Therapies," is a Massachusetts bill introduced by Senator Mark C. Montigny in 2025 that proposes to require licensing for practitioners of alternative healing therapies, including Reiki, Ayurvedic therapies, reflexology, and over 200 other modalities. The bill would place these practices under the jurisdiction of a newly configured board, likely the Massage Therapy Board, and would require practitioners to be licensed, with standards set by the state for training, certification, and professional conduct. The bill would also restrict teaching of these modalities to state-licensed schools, with curriculum meeting state standards, which could cost over $8,000 per practitioner."

In many ways I consider (Western) Massachusetts my home because I lived there so happily for so long. But all I can say is, "thank God I moved." Because this makes no sense, and is understandably receiving a lot of opposition thus far.

What's fascinating (in a horrifying way) is that over the past decade, Massachusetts hospitals have documented tens of thousands of cases of iatrogenic harm annually, with a substantial portion considered preventable - and the overall rate hasn't shown a dramatic decline despite patient safety initiatives. In 2018 alone, adverse drug events accounted for 39% of all adverse events, followed by surgery-related events (30%), patient care events (15%), and healthcare-associated infections (12%). Of these, about 27% of adverse drug events were considered preventable.

Meanwhile, legal and disciplinary proceedings regarding complementary health care in Massachusetts are minimal, with lawsuits and formal discipline rare unless involving gross negligence, malpractice, or operating outside of legal scope.

So...what needs more regulation and oversight?

Pic: Teaching at the home of the late Ed Zadlo AD, D.Ay, ERYT-500 (Acharya Premanand), Pennsylvania, 2019

11/02/2025

Dinacharya is an Āyurvedic daily routine, which helps to guide one's practices and regulate one's day so that - at the very least - we are waking, eating, and sleeping at the same time. Predictability reduces stress and anxiety by minimizing decision fatigue and providing a sense of control over your day.

Research confirms that predictable routines help regulate the body's circadian rhythm, which in turn optimizes sleep quality, hormonal balance, metabolism, stress response, cognitive function and even cardiovascular health (disruptions to circadian rhythm are linked to increased risks for high blood pressure, arrhythmias, obesity, heart attack, heart failure, and stroke).

Regular mealtimes balance blood sugar, support digestion, and control appetite - while inconsistency can increase risks for metabolic problems such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

And this is just one of the benefits of dinacharya - the practices themselves, many of which are done in the morning to cleanse the sense organs and prepare for the day, further support the health of body, mind and spirit.

⏰ Don't let the changing of the clock and early darkness throw off your daily routine! Many workplace expectations ignore basic health science, and using our non-work time to our advantage in this regard is another powerful way to take control of our own short and long-term health!

11/01/2025

This is Día de los Mu***os (from Oct 31–Nov 2) when the dead are believed to return, bringing their blessings and love. In Vedic tradition, the veils between worlds are similarly thin during Pitṛ Paksha (generally around Sept/October) and at the time of monthly new moons. Both cultures, as I was able to closely observe during my years in Albuquerque, use marigolds and candles on altars and in ceremony to attract and guide departed souls.

“El camino de flores y luces guía a las almas a casa.”
“The path of flowers and lights guides the souls home."

Who are you honoring at this liminal time, as we move into the quiet introspection of winter?

***os

10/31/2025

Do your bones need support? A diet rich in Calcium, Vitamin D, Protein, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Vitamin K and trace minerals is important for the health of asthi dhātu, especially as we age and enter the Vāta time of life. Āyurveda focuses on dietary and lifestyle support - as well as offering supportive herbs and formulations. Now more than ever we need to take responsibility for our own health - diet is one powerful way to do so!

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10/31/2025

10/21/2025

♥️

10/19/2025

“If the plan doesn’t work, change the plan but never the goal.”

- Laura Annabelle

Jai Ganesh. Albuquerque, NM

10/18/2025

Happy Dhanvantari Jayanti. Dhanvantari, like the toxic halāhalla I described in this week's video, emerged from the churning of the ocean by the devas and asuras.

10/17/2025

Dates/stuffed dates, raisins, nuts, popcorn (not packaged or microwaved but air popped), dehydrated banana, apple or kale chips, fresh fruit like grapes or orange slices, avocado, hummus, roasted chick peas, hard boiled eggs, carrot or celery sticks, coconut energy bites, cheese cubes or cottage cheese, apple sauce….what snacks do you turn to for on-the-go kids?

Avoiding ultra-processed foods is completely unrealistic—especially if you have kids, Olga Khazan argues. Here’s what experts recommend instead: https://theatln.tc/17WXaoOi

10/17/2025

Tomorrow (Saturday) is Dhanvantari Jayanti, which is annually observed on the day of Dhanteras, two days before Diwali. I'm excited to be heading to Albuquerque, where I studied and taught Āyurveda for 8 years, to reconnect with some friends who were once students and peers in that realm. Some years ago, the day became entangled with a difficult moment in my journey — but it's a day that should have remained only sacred, and I'm intentionally reclaiming it as such by making this trip. It's a brief visit, and I regret not being able to reach out to and connect with more friends- but I hope to be back in the spring, if not sooner.

"I bow to Lord Dhanvantari, the primordial god,
Worshipped by both gods and demons at His lotus feet.
He is the remover of old age, diseases, fear, and death in this world,
The giver and lord of various medicines."

10/16/2025

Vedic stories like this one weave philosophy, psychology, cosmology and ritual together - providing insights into how the universe moves and how we move within it. Personally, they help me to consider life's challenges from a different, broader perspective. The Vedic tradition is one of humanity’s great gifts and I'm grateful to my mentor for bringing so many of these stories to my life over the years. 🙏🏼

PS: It's "vih" with short "i" not "vee" with long ī = totally/completely. My appologies.
PSS: I suspect that pretty soon I'm going to be doing these videos in the snow! ⛄️