Best Life Wellness

11/06/2024

Here are a few suggestions I’ve found helpful for caring for mind and body through grief, with a little guidance from Traditional Chinese Medicine. 🍂

Photos: .dupree

06/12/2024

One of the best upgrades I made when moving to Huntsville was getting the Healthy Line Inframat Pro. Upgrading from a simple heating pad to this has been a game-changer!

This mat is under all of my patients and offers numerous healing benefits. It contains thousands of amethyst, jade, tourmaline, and obsidian gemstones, which release far infrared rays and negative ions. Naturally emitted negative ions increase with the mat's warmth.

Additionally, there's a copper net to shield from EMFs, a pulsed electromagnetic field system (PEMF), and photon red lights. The PEMF cycle simulates the Earth's magnetic field, aligning with our biorhythms.

While these features aren't necessary for an effective acupuncture session, they certainly enhance it. It's like acupuncture with turbo activation 😀

Close up photos by: .dupree

05/11/2024

Just to prepare you, this is probably the most personal I’ve gotten on SM… ♥️

Reflecting on my journey, I've come to terms with the complexities of being childless-not-by-choice. It's a reality I've struggled to fully grasp, and accepting it has been a process strangely intertwined with guilt and resilience. Despite exploring various avenues like freezing my eggs and embracing natural fertility methods, my journey took an unexpected turn several years ago with premature ovarian failure, a diagnosis that completely reshaped my trajectory.

Navigating and attempting adoption brought its own challenges, including heartbreak and financial strain. Still, amidst these trials, I acknowledge the privilege of not enduring miscarriages, multiple IVF rounds, or strained relationships with stepchildren (they can be good too!)...the list of painful, common alternatives could go on. Instead, I cherish the love of a supportive partner, the blessing of nurturing parents, and the freedom to explore the world with loved family and friends...

While the unrealized dream of motherhood lingers, I've discovered a newfound purpose in supporting others on their path to parenthood. This journey feels like a calling, one born from the depths of my own struggles. Though not everyone may understand this shift, I'm committed to pouring my love and energy into this meaningful endeavor.

As Mother's Day approaches, please tread gently, mindful of the diverse journeys women face. Refrain from probing questions and assumptions, recognizing that motherhood is just one thread in life’s incredibly complex tapestry.

Cultivate kindness, patience, and gratitude for the abundance in your own life.

Sending love to all—mothers, grandmothers, pet mothers, nurturers, childless-not-by-choice, childless-by-circumstance, childfree. I hope you all have a happy Mother’s Day, bittersweet though it may be. ♥️

Photos by a beautiful and talented mother: .dupree

04/02/2024

It might sound a bit odd, but I really find joy in helping people with jaw pain! Recently, I assisted someone with jaw tension using principles from Chinese medicine.

⭐️ Check out the second picture to see where I placed the needles— it's a mix of what I learned in graduate school, and from practice.⭐

We relax the masseter muscle and ease tension/reduce inflammation in the temporomandibular joint. (TMJ)

Some of the key acupuncture points are on the Stomach channel. In Chinese medicine, Stomach plays a big role in handling feelings. Sometimes, jaw pain gets worse when you're dealing with tough emotions.

The Stomach helps process emotions and can be influenced by the Liver channel in Chinese medicine. The Liver is quite active during the springtime, so it's especially important now to find time to sooth yourself.

Consider taking a walk outdoors, enjoying some quiet time away from screens, or getting acupuncture to feel better. 🍃

We use a special point called Yin Tang (between the eyebrows) to help relax, then let you rest for 20-30 minutes to let the needles work their magic.

02/27/2024

"The Vacation Effect" earned its name because many people experience increased fertility and even conceive while on vacation, attributed to reduced stress and increased relaxation. 🏝️

This phenomenon aligns with scientific understanding, as deep relaxation lowers stress hormones like cortisol while boosting feel-good hormones such as serotonin and dopamine, optimizing fertility.

However, not everyone can afford the time or money for frequent vacations.

That's where acupuncture comes in as an accessible option to induce the same deep state of relaxation, offering a practical and effective alternative for enhancing fertility. 🥚 ☯️

Of course we go deeper than just relaxation, but that’s a good start! 💆🏻‍♀️

Photo: .dupree

02/25/2024

🌿✨ Fueled by curiosity and guided by my graduate studies, I explored Chinatown in LA over 12 years ago to obtain my trusty buffalo horn for gua sha. Remember, your tool doesn't need to be fancy; a simple flat surface like a Chinese soup spoon works wonders! Embrace gua sha for these benefits:

♉️Relaxation: Melt away tension and stress.

♉️Circulation: Boost blood flow for vitality.

♉️Detoxification: Support lymphatic drainage.

♉️Pain relief: Alleviate discomfort and soreness.

More posts are coming soon to further explain this ancient traditional Chinese medicine technique!

Let's unlock the healing power of gua sha together ✨

📸 .dupree
💆🏻‍♀️

02/02/2024

Hey, folks! Time to hop on the Best Life Wellness train on Instagram. Here’s a glimpse of the ultimate gift basket packed with local business treasures – the highlight of the year! AND we’re giving it away!! Stay tuned for better pics, the giveaway kicks off on Monday, Feb 5th. Follow us at ** Bestlife.wellness ** on Instagram. Thanks and you're welcome ☺️

01/26/2024

GIVEAWAY ALERT! ♥️ 🎉

Tag your favorite gal pals for a chance to snag 2 tickets to the ultimate GALENTINE’S DAY bash at the fabulous venue!

To ENTER:
1.Simply tag your besties; the more tags, the better your shot at winning! 🌟
2.Make sure you’re following me, and

Winner announcement on MONDAY NIGHT (1/29), so start tagging now!

Each ticket includes 2 drink vouchers and an exclusive shopping spree with 18 amazing local, women-owned businesses!

🛍️ Join us on THURSDAY, FEB 8th, from 6-10pm for an unforgettable night.

I'll be there as a vendor, offering 24K gold ear seeds, ♥️-shaped cups, and a limited collection of love-themed gifts. Organized by the fabulous owner of , this event promises SHOPPING + SIPPING + SUPPORT for locally-owned women-led businesses.

Not only will you treat yourself, but proceeds will also benefit The Crisis Center.

Excited to be part of this! Save the date, and even if you don't win, your presence is a win! (You can buy a ticket at the link in the bio!)

Other awesome local vendors include…









… and more!

🌈

*Winner will be contacted via IG, if you don’t respond within 24hrs a new winner will be chosen*

12/16/2023

Bringing the magic of singing bowls to you! 🎶✨

Discover the therapeutic wonders of sound therapy...

I'm now available for hire since I no longer have my own practice space.

Elevate your next event – whether it's a bridal shower, employee health summit, or birthday – with a personalized sound bath experience.

Let's chat about how I can create a dreamy and healing atmosphere for your special gathering. 🌈💫

Photos: .dupree

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11/30/2023

Hey everyone! 🌟 After 10 days off the grid (More than a week ago now!), I'm thrilled to share the mystery behind my transformative journey!

I explored the magical beauty of Savannah, GA, for half a day before diving into a Vipassana silent meditation retreat at Dhamma Patāpa in Jessup.

No phone or any distractions, just intense inner work guided by the ancient technique originally taught by Buddha and facilitated by the teachings of Mr. S.N. Goenka, even after his passing in 2013.

The retreat, set in serene woods, had me meditating for 11 hrs/day, participating in challenging group sittings, and having two meals with lights out by 9:15 pm. Vipassana is an Art of Living, aiming for mental impurity eradication and ultimate liberation. The 10 day residential experience was created to help you properly learn Vipassana.

The experience felt like a meditation boot camp, as the Assistant Teacher rightly said. I initially kept it under wraps, fearing reactions and setting a personal boundary.

Difficult aspects included 11 hrs of meditation/day, with 3.5+ hrs in a group sitting, two meals a day (breakfast at 6:30 and lunch at 11...fruit at 5pm), and waking up (hungry) at 4 am daily. However, I enjoyed zero distractions, no talking, silence and the delicious vegetarian meals.

Worth noting, the course is paid for as a donation, and what you contribute goes towards the next student's course. If you're curious about Vipassana or considering it, hit me with your questions! If you've been to a Vipassana course, do share! 🧘‍♂️

First photo - Shows how in the middle of nowhere you are during the course.
Second photo - Pure Joy on the last day!

11/24/2023

Win big by shopping small! Check out this amazing contest with some great local South HSV businesses!

Don’t forget about our 🌟 Support Small, Win Big! 🌟 Challenge!

South Huntsville Main Business Association presents our Small Business Saturday Engagement Contest, and we're making it a game-changer! 🎉

From November 13th to November 27th, dive into our exciting contest by completing as many tiles on our game board as you can! 🎲 Each tile represents an engaging way to support your favorite SHMBA members. The best part? The more tiles you complete, the more entries you earn! 🎁

Prize: 🏆$250 Visa Gift Card🏆

Let's rally together and make Small Business Saturday a remarkable success. Discover the incredible range of services, products, and experiences our SHMBA members have to offer. It's a win-win for all! 💪

*No Purchase Necessary, not affiliated with Meta, Facebook, Instagram

All the Details: https://southhuntsvillemain.org/support-small/

09/11/2023

Taking a moment to appreciate nature's palette 🌿🌸

Capturing the beauty of nature has always been a passion, and I recently had the pleasure of exploring the stunning flower gardens at near Portland. 🌼📸

These vibrant blooms left me in awe, and I couldn't resist sharing their enchanting colors with you all. 🌈✨

(Tip: use Portrait mode on iPhone to capture their intricate details!)

The colors of these flowers, especially the radiant reds, calming purples, and soothing pinks, evoke such a range of emotions…

Red connects with our root chakra, grounding and energizing.

Purple resonates with the third eye chakra, fostering intuition and insight.

And pink represents the heart chakra, bringing love and compassion.

💖💜❤️

It's truly miraculous how nature's palette can align with our chakras, offering healing and balance in the most subtle ways.

Which color do you resonate with?

Share your thoughts below!