MIMI's Clinic at Marchionda Imaginative Medicine Institute

01/07/2026

P.S. Don't Weight

To enroll or for more information call (970) 628-1624

Spaces are limited and filled on a rolling basis


(Previous participants have lost 15% of their body weight, while preserving muscle mass and strength.)

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01/05/2026

We have changed Mindset Monday to Mindful Monday

Why? We wanted to embrace the flexibility and plasticity of our minds, while enhancing awareness and mindfulness.

In the coming weeks and months we will provide you with the opportunity to learn more about being mindful and how we can use our minds to influence our health and well-being. Although this may sound like "woo woo medicine" to some of you, the evidence behind mindfulness is vast and impressive. The recognized father of mindfulness, Jon Kabat Zinn, said “Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally. This kind of attention nurtures greater awareness, clarity, and acceptance of the present-moment reality. It wakes you up to the fact that our lives unfold only in moments. If we are not fully present for many of those moments, we may not only miss what is most valuable in our lives but also fail to realize the richness and the depth of our possibilities for growth and transformation.”

The following definitions delineate the differences between Mindset and Mindful.

Mindset:
a mental attitude or inclination
a fixed state of mind
(https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mindset)
Mindful

bearing in mind: aware
inclined to be aware
(https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mindful)

About the new logo

Change and being flexible are beneficial to our survival, and can be a metamorphosis if you will. Butterflies are a representation of metamorphosis - leaving their cocoons and becoming beautiful graceful creatures.

The word metamorphosis derives from the Greek words meta, meaning beyond or transformation, and morphosis, meaning forming, significant change, or transformation.

In biology, metamorphosis often involves a series of distinct stages where an organism undergoes a radical change from one life stage to another. It's an incredible transformation showcasing nature's remarkable adaptability and life cycle diversity (adapted from butterflies.org).

As humans, we go through stages of change in our lives as well. Our brain is one of our most flexible and changeable organs - we can use the brain's abilities to improve our health, well-being and life.



I hope you find this new emphasis of our Monday newsletters exciting and join us on this journey!

12/22/2025

Holiday Mindfulness

Holiday mindfulness involves using present-moment awareness to navigate the season’s unique stresses and sensory richness. By intentionally slowing down, you can shift from a “holiday hustle” mindset to one of connection, presence, and joy.

Core Practices for the Holidays

Mindful Savoring:
Engage all your senses during holiday meals. Notice the flavors, textures, and aromas of seasonal foods - such as hot cocoa or spiced egg nog - to help ground yourself in the moment.

The 3-3-3 Rule:
A simple grounding technique for busy social gatherings. Name three things you can see, three sounds you can hear, and move three parts of your body (such as your fingers or toes).

Mindful Breathing:
Use breathing techniques like the 4-7-8 method (inhale for 4, hold for 7, exhale for 8) to calm your nervous system when feeling overwhelmed by crowds or family dynamics.

Accepting Imperfection:
Recognize that celebrations may not go exactly as planned. Letting go of “perfect holiday” expectations can significantly reduce stress and disappointment.

Enjoy the Winter Wonderland!

Holiday Closures:
December & January: From Wednesday, December 24, 2025 through Friday, January 2, 2026. The office will re-open January 5th.

❄️Please note that while the clinic is closed our newsletters and blogs will be on hiatus as well. They will be back to serve you in the New Year.❄️

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12/17/2025

Healthy Aging & Longevity: A Simple Overview

Healthy Aging, as defined by the World Health Organization, means maintaining physical, mental, and social well-being throughout life so people can remain independent and active as they age. Prevention, good nutrition, and regular physical activity are central to delaying chronic disease and preserving function.

Prevention and Longevity
Prevention and longevity go hand in hand. Everyday lifestyle choices can delay chronic illness, protect energy and mental clarity, and increase both lifespan (how long we live) and healthspan (how well we live).

Core Habits That Support Longevity
Move regularly
Physical activity strengthens the heart, improves metabolism, supports healthy weight, and lowers the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Eat mostly whole, plant-based foods
Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds are linked to lower disease risk and longer life. Limit processed foods, added sugars, and excess salt for improved health.

Avoid smoking and limit alcohol
Smoking greatly shortens lifespan, while quitting improves health at any age. Limiting or avoiding alcohol reduces the risk of liver disease, heart disease, and some cancers.

Prioritize sleep and manage stress
Good sleep supports immune, metabolic, and mental health. Stress-reducing practices like mindfulness and relaxation also lower disease risk.

Stay socially connected
Strong relationships and social engagement are linked to better mental health, slower aging, and lower mortality.

Maintain a healthy weight
Balanced nutrition and regular activity reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

Get regular health screenings
Preventive checkups, labs and screenings help identify risks early, when they are easiest to manage.

Support mental health
Emotional well-being influences physical health, stress levels, and daily health behaviors that affect long-term outcomes.

The Longevity Framework (Simplified)
Longevity strategies build on each other:

Foundation: Healthy habits and routine preventive screenings

Middle: Nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management to slow aging

Top: Personalized medicine and advanced tools tailored to individual biology

A strong base support everything else.

Why Lifestyle Matters
Large studies show that people who practice several healthy habits live longer and spend more years free from major diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Even starting later in life can meaningfully improve both quality and length of life.
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12/15/2025

The important thing is not to stop questioning.

Curiosity has its own reason for existing.

One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality.

It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day.

Never lose a holy curiosity.

- Albert Einstein


A curiosity mindset is an open, questioning approach to life that emphasizes exploration, learning, and wonder rather than judgment or certainty. It fuels creativity, adaptability, better listening, and resilience by reframing challenges as opportunities and embracing the unknown to discover new possibilities and insights. Curiosity involves asking “why” and “what if,” being open to new experiences, and viewing learning as a continuous, joyful process.

Key characteristics:

Openness: Welcoming new ideas, perspectives, and experiences without immediate judgment.

Questioning: Asking “why?” and “what if?” to deepen understanding.

Exploration: Actively seeking new information and experiences.

Absorption: Becoming deeply immersed in new experiences.

Humility: Recognizing limitations and remaining free from arrogance.

Flexibility: Adapting thoughts and behaviors in response to new information.



Benefits:

Drives learning and innovation: Fuels creativity and problem-solving.

Improves relationships: Fosters deeper connections through genuine listening.

Builds resilience: Transforms failures into learning opportunities.

Combats stagnation: Prevents complacency and encourages growth.

Increases joy: Brings a sense of wonder and playfulness to everyday life.

How to cultivate curiosity:

Ask different questions: Shift from “What if it goes wrong?” to “What can I learn?” or “What if it goes well?”

Embrace the unknown: View uncertainty as an invitation to explore.

Take small steps: Read, research, or experiment to spark interest.

Practice awareness: Pause when worry arises and reframe it as curiosity.

Listen better: Move from certainty to curiosity about others’ experiences.

Curious as to why there was no Self Care Saturday this past weekend?

Dr Paula was at Longevity Fest - exploring cutting edge research and being curious about what is new on the horizon in preventive health and anti-aging, so she could bring it home to all of you.

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12/10/2025

IT"S HERE!!!

Vibration Plate Technology

Vibration plates were originally developed by NASA and the Soviets to combat astronaut bone and muscle loss in zero gravity space. Stimulating muscles and bones with rapid, involuntary contractions mimicked gravity and its effects on the body. Now they are used on Earth for enhanced strength, circulation, balance, bone density, reducing workout time and for rehabilitation.



Unlock the Full Potential of Your Health with These Vibration Benefits

Increase Strength: Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) stimulates muscle fibers, which leads to a reflexive muscle contraction known as the tonic vibration reflex. The rapid and repeated muscle contractions during WBV lead to increased muscle activation and engagement of more muscle.

Increase Flexibility: Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) can improve flexibility and range of motion, which allows for better performance of strength exercises. Increased flexibility can lead to more effective and efficient movement patterns, reducing the risk of injury and improving overall strength.

Build Stronger Bones: Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) can enhance bone density, which provides a stronger framework for muscles to exert force. Stronger bones can support greater muscle mass and strength, contributing to overall improvements in physical performance.

Speed Up Recovery: Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) can enhance blood flow and circulation, which helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to muscles more efficiently. This increased blood flow can aid in the removal of metabolic waste products, such as lactic acid, which can accumulate after intense exercise. Better circulation promotes faster recovery by reducing muscle soreness and stiffness.

Pain Relief: Whole-Body Vibration can help alleviate joint stiffness and discomfort, promoting better joint health and faster recovery.

Boost Growth Hormones: Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) has been shown to increase the production of hormones like testosterone and growth hormone, which are essential for muscle growth and strength development. The hormonal response to WBV can enhance protein synthesis, leading to muscle hypertrophy and increased strength.

Improve Circulation: The vibrations can improve blood flow and circulation to the muscles, providing them with more oxygen and nutrients. Better circulation helps in faster recovery and repair of muscle tissues.

Improve Balance: Whole-Body Vibration can improve proprioception (the sense of the relative position of one's own body parts) and balance, which are often affected by injury. Improved proprioception and balance are critical for preventing falls and further injuries, particularly in individuals recovering from lower limb injuries.

Decrease in Cortisol: Encourages your body to produce less cortisol, the hormone responsible for feelings of stress and anxiety.

Increase Serotonin: Encourages your body to produce more serotonin, the hormone responsible for feelings of happiness and well-being.


Why VibePlate

VibePlate is the go-to choice for those who take their health and fitness seriously. VibePlate is made in the USA with high-grade steel or aluminum, and a flat, functional surface. Whether you're rehabbing, training, or staying mobile at any age, VibePlate helps you move better and feel better every day.

12/09/2025

Time is precious....

“Because we do not know when we will die,
we get to think of life as an inexhaustible well.

And yet everything happens only a certain number of times,and a very small number, really.

How many more times will you remember a certain afternoon of your childhood?

An afternoon that is so deeply a part of your being that you can’t even conceive of your life without it.

Perhaps four, five times more. Perhaps not even that.

How many more times will you watch the full moon rise?

Perhaps twenty and yet it all seems limitless.”

-From the book The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles-

This quote has always stayed with me. I first encountered it while visiting Bruce and Brandon Lee’s graves in Seattle. It is etched upon Brandon Lee’s headstone, which lies beside his father’s. Brandon Lee had chosen this passage for his wedding invitations just prior to his death in 1993.

At this time of year, I often wonder: How many more Christmases will I experience? How many more times will I see the first snowfall of winter?

Bowles’ passage is similar in theme to Thoreau’s writing in Walden:

“I wished to live deliberately,

to front only the essential facts of life,

and see if I could not learn what it had to teach,

and not, when I came to die,

discover that I had not lived.

I did not wish to live what was not life,

living is so dear;

nor did I wish to practice resignation,

unless it was quite necessary.

I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life…”

These quotes remind me to savor life’s experiences and to be fully present in them - whatever they may be. Time is precious.

09/16/2025

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1633022677789?aff=oddtdtcreator

Get ready to immerse yourself in the world of Tibetan Singing Bowls and unlock their healing powers with our 2 day certification program!

09/16/2025

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tibetan-singing-bowl-sound-bath-with-master-alex-gopali-tickets-1685890095659?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join Master Alex Gopali for a soul-soothing Tibetan Singing Bowl Sound Bath experience that will transport you to a place of deep relaxation

09/15/2025

09/15/2025

Off to crop swap! Very excited!

08/27/2025

New events at MIMI's Clinic! Whether you iinterested in Regenerative Therapies or Sound Medicine we have an event for you!