One of the guiding principles of mind-body medicine like acupuncture is the interconnection of all things, including the mind, the body, and the environment in which we live. From this holistic perspective, health is more than the absence of disease or symptoms. Rather, it is a state of optimal wellbeing, vitality, and wholeness.

Illness and pain, in contrast, can develop when there is disruption―a blockage in the flow of energy and information in our bodymind. Symptoms and sickness are the body’s signal that we need to restore balance, eliminate whatever is causing the blockages, and reestablish the healthy flow of intelligence to all cells of our body.

The Mind-Body Connection

Since the body and mind are inextricably connected, every thought and emotion sets off a cascade of cellular reactions in our nervous system that influences all the molecules in our body. Our cells are constantly observing our thoughts and being changed by them.

This is not to say that all illnesses are “caused” by our thoughts. The relationship between the mind and body is complex, and sometimes things happen at a physical level for which we don’t have a plausible explanation. At the same time, we have an amazing potential to heal and transform ourselves through our thoughts, perceptions, and choices. The body is a magnificent network of intelligence, capable of far more than current medical science can explain.

Cultivating Balance

Establishing a healthy dialogue between our thoughts and our molecules helps us shift from imbalance to balance. And when we’re in an optimal state of dynamic balance, we naturally tend to listen to our body with love and reverence and are more able to make choices that support resilience and happiness.

Karen’s passion is learning ways to create balance between the mind and body, and sharing these with others. From meditation to stretching and diet to exercise, she has collected a wealth of ways to create ease and well-being in our lives.