 “You cannot dismantle what you cannot see. You cannot challenge what you do not understand.” Layla F. Saad
Welcome to our Women’s Book Club! We continually feel called to bring women together to discuss important topics in the realms of self-development, health and spirituality. Our mission with a collaborative Book Club with Ripple Wellness and Good Medicine Nutrition is to support personal growth and evolution through thoughtful, in-depth discussion. As we were planning our first group, the world shifted. On May 25th, police officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd with an eight-minute knee hold seen the world over. A deep anger, frustration, sadness and desperation is felt in our hearts across the globe as we hear, see and feel these words daily, “Enough is enough.” Each day we are asked to respond, yet the action we take is highly personal. The book, Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad is a powerful tool and one we would like to explore with our community. Laid out in a 28-day workbook format with journaling prompts at the end of each chapter, Saad is clear in her intention to assist us in unpacking our own white privilege and contribution to systemic racism. This is not an easy pill to swallow as she asks us to read, contemplate, write and process our own white fragility. We are inspired to hold a space where women can come together to share their experience in doing this work. We will be following Saad’s request to hold groups about this book with a specific methodology and focus. We invite you to join us to share this important journey. PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE REGISTERING: The Intention for Me and White Supremacy Book Club Our intent is to create an online space where a group of women can come together to share their experience with doing the work as laid out in the book Me & White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad. As hosts of this group, it is not our intent to “teach” about racial injustice past or present. Rather we are here to compassionately hold space for each of us to give voice to our own experience of white privilege and the work each of us has done and needs to continue to do to dismantle internal and external racism and process ancestral traumas. We will be following The Circle Way, a method of discussing the book, recommended by Layla F. Saad. What does it mean to “do the work?” In this case, it is reading Layla Saad’s book and participating by doing the journaling prompts at the end of each chapter. Do I have to finish the entire book? If you are moved to join us, we ask that you have gotten through at least ¾ of the book. Do I have to participate by speaking - can I just listen? You are welcome to listen, but we request that everyone have their video turned on. Part of the Circle Way method is that we all see and hear each other. This is a vulnerable topic and we want to support everyone who chooses to share with our visible presence. Can I join from anywhere? Yes. Please find a place in your home that is private as people will be sharing the very personal, deep work they have done with Layla’s book. Can I invite my friends and family? Unless they have registered with us, no. We are taking a small number of participants and not opening this to drop-ins. Why do we have to follow the Circle Way method for this group? Layla Saad writes in her book that she got multiple requests for information on how to hold a group for this book. After researching different methods, she found The Circle Way by Christina Baldwin and Ann Linnea and got permission from the authors to use this method for discussions of her book. She requests that all discussion groups follow the Circle Way format. What is the Circle Way? “The Circle Way is a methodology that gathers people into a circular shape with participants at the rim and the purpose in the centre. Each person has a voice and everyone can see and hear one another. Social agreements and practices help facilitate respectful conversation. Circle supports a leader in every chair.” - The Circle Way website. As we are doing this on Zoom, we will be making some adjustments while still upholding the intention of the group to be at the “center.” Are BIPOC able to join the group? The work laid out in Me & White Supremacy is the work of those with white privilege to do. If BIPOC want to attend the book club, it is not expected that they do the journaling work nor that they “teach” us about racial injustice. Layla Saad says that ideally, they would be there as observers with boundaries to ensure they are not harmed through racial aggression nor asked to walk us through the steps taken in her book. Where do I get the book? E-book versions are available on Amazon for $2.99, the hardcover is backordered. Is there a fee to attend? Donations for this event can be made to The Movement for Black Lives or any organization that supports black lives. How do I register? To register call or text Ripple with your email address (360) 207-0134 We are taking a small group and wait list for cancellations so please register soon! We will send you a Zoom link the day of the event! THANK YOU FOR READING!
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 We are up and running and able to offer ALL our services at this time. We continue to follow Washington State guidelines with strict precautions and screenings in our clinic to keep our patients and staff safe. We are here to answer any questions you may have about our services, COVID policies or insurance questions - give us a call!
MASSAGE: Amanda Kraff, LMP joined Ripple again in June for massage. She utilizes deep tissue, Swedish, myofascial release and cupping to help clients with common aches and pain, injuries and overall muscle tension. Amanda also loves pregnancy and respiratory massage. We are thrilled to be able to offer this important hands-on therapy again which is so effective for stress relief and relaxation. ACUPUNCTURE: Jeff Olson, L.Ac. is available for in-person acupuncture visits and herbal consults. Jeff sees patients to address pain, anxiety, depression, hormonal disorders, fertility and sleep issues. If you have never tried acupuncture before, it is deeply relaxing and has been a much needed respite during these stressful times. NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE: Dr. Cesilie Cocks continues to see and new and existing patients for in-person and Telehealth visits. She helps patients manage chronic and acute conditions and is here to answer all the questions and concerns about COVID for you and your family. Naturopathic medicine with Dr. Cocks can be used as primary care or in conjunction with your primary care physician. YOGA: Emily Olson, E-RYT is available for both in-person and virtual yoga therapy sessions. She works one-on-one with clients utilizing gentle yoga, breathwork, mindfulness and meditation to address muscle aches and pains, stress, fatigue, insomnia and anxiety. She also teaches our weekly Virtual Chair Yoga class. NUTRITION: Marketa Simal, FNTP is offering nutrition counseling both online and in-person. When possible we encourage clients to see her virtually in an effort to keep numbers down in the clinic. She guides clients in addressing nutritional deficiencies and concerns and often utilizes lab testing to get a clear picture of one’s gastrointestinal health. She is a wealth of knowledge and support in helping people make lasting nutritional and lifestyle changes. Let us know if you have any questions and we will see you soon!  We have been conflicted about offering the group in light of this week's events. It seems like in a world with so much violence and unrest, mindfulness and meditation may not be top of mind for many of us and possibly just irrelevant.
But then we remembered a few things: The only way to exist and not fall apart during a crisis is to stay in the moment (a practice of mindfulness). Dwelling on the past and worrying about the future only makes us more anxious, depressed and less likely to be able make positive, constructive contributions to our world. Now is not the time to abandon our groups of support. It can seem more challenging to focus and sink into these types of talks, but they are still important and we still need spaces like these. In the (paraphrased) words of Sharon Salzberg, 'We don't meditate to become better meditators, we meditate to get good at life.' The world needs us to take intelligent, insightful actions now more than ever. Let's do the inner work to get clear on what that is. We're dedicated to holding a space for you. Even though we may be a relatively small group of people coming together for a meditation, the world needs as many of these small pockets as it can get. Let's be a part of it. WHAT: Virtual Mindfulness & Meditation Group WHEN: Sunday, June 7th 4:00-5:15pm COST: $5-$10 sliding scale donation - donate at Body Bliss Yoga Studio website. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86415282034?pwd=SzIvdVR6SG5TZkErNU1zYnZQa09IZz09 Meeting ID: 864 1528 2034 Password: 620002  Sitting for extended periods of time at our desk, or worse on the couch with a laptop, can wreak havoc on our back and neck. Poor posture when sitting looks and feels like this: shoulders hunched up toward our ears, head dropped forward to look at our phone, exaggerated forward curve in our upper back as we lean over our laptop, and a lack of core support and stabilization for our low back as we slouch in our chair. Couple this with the general feeling of low energy and fatigue that accompanies poor posture and the workday feels pretty grim.
Taking time to counter this posture with simple movements we can do right at our desk can give us instant relief—soothing aches and pains, improving our mood, decreasing our stress level, and yielding an immediate energy boost. These short breaks throughout our day will save us time addressing postural injuries in the future and make us feel more energized, productive, and creative as we work. Read more here at Elephant Journal.  As the days extend for those working from home, many of us are pushed to our limit in maintaining a healthy routine. Considering the very reason we are forced home - a public health crisis - and considering that many businesses we used to rely on for maintaining our wellness are closed - massage practices, gyms, yoga studios - now more than ever it is up to each of us to be proactive in how we feel throughout our day. When we set up our day with intention and focus, there is a marked increase in our productivity, creativity and overall sense of well-being. Try on a few of these wellness tips below and see how they work for you!
4 WORK-FROM-HOME WELLNESS TIPS 1. CREATE A ROUTINE This is one of the foundations of a day well spent. Setting our day up in blocks helps us feel in control of how we organize our projects and tasks. I encourage you to routinize not just your workflow, but other daily details. Take some time on the weekend to set up your week. Plan your meals, your daily workout, even chores and activities with your family. You will find your productivity increase and those goals and tasks get checked off faster when you have a list that you are checking in with regularly. 2. MIND YOUR POSTURE With more time spent on computers, continuous slouching at your desk (or your couch) will inevitably result in posture-related pain and overall fatigue. Take the time to set up an ergonomic workspace that feels good. Position your screen at eye level by propping up your monitor with a large book or ream of paper. Set a reminder to stand up and break every hour. A few tweaks here will save you time addressing postural injuries in the future and make you feel more energized after a stint at your computer. 3. HYDRATE We often go straight to the snacks while working from home, but don’t forget to mix up some delicious drinks! Staying hydrated is key to performance so skip the second coffee and get creative with other options. Water with lemon and a dash of apple cider vinegar will deliver Vitamin B, C and minerals. Sparkling water with crushed berries is refreshing and delicious. Kombucha, a gut nourishing beverage, is helpful in satiating a sweet tooth and is surprisingly satisfying in lieu of alcohol at happy hour. 4. POWER DOWN When it’s time to be done, be done! In the evening, commit to powering down your computer - and maybe even your phone - and give your brain, your eyes and your body a much needed break from devices. Take a walk, read a book, cook a new recipe, change the scenery and notice how refreshing it feels to power down. Give these a shot and let us know how these work for you!  Self-care can be defined as the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being, in particular during periods of stress. As we navigate the time of coronavirus, many of us are experiencing an unprecedented amount of anxiety, overwhelm and unpredictability. Neither our partners, our parents, our doctors nor any experts on TV know for certain the scope and severity of this pandemic.
If you have been diligent about self-care practices and positive habits that support you in managing your day with calm, focused energy, then you have a much better chance of putting your best foot forward now. However, if you have been in a daily, weekly or monthly habit of skipping the practices and activities that make you feel grounded and at peace, the ones that build your energy and feed your soul, then this is going to sting. When we are running on a low or empty tank and we get hit with something as stressful as coronavirus, we can quickly come unglued. It’s hard to hold it together when we lack a foundation of self-care and resilience. It may sound hopeless, but it is absolutely not. Even those on their A-game are being challenged like never before. I hope you can see this time as a call to action, this is an opportunity to turn around the I’ll-get-to-that-when-I-have-more-time train we all have been riding at one time or another. Necessity is the mother of invention and sometimes the circumstances in our life have to hit hard for us to get the wake-up call. So here it is. Let’s finally, once and for all, prioritize our well-being. Let’s put ourselves at the top of the list and forever accept that we cannot pour from an empty cup. Let’s stop putting off those simple practices that make us feel strong, powerful and connected to our best selves. Not because we now have all this extra time and money on our hands - which most of us do not - but because it is essential. Let’s get going, get working and get what we can control under control so we can be steady and grounded in ourselves. This, and only this, is how we can be a light and resource for others. Self-care will always be a radical concept. Committing to live in a way that values our own well-being and peace over the many other enticing options that come our way daily happens for one reason: We get sick and tired of being sick and tired. We decide to step off the hamster wheel, take a breath and face our life, our family, our friends, our boss and our calendar and say, “THIS, this right here (pointing at yourself), this is important!” The opposite of self-care is burnout - and burnout is real. It can show up as health issues that are challenging to manage. Chronic pain, fatigue, insomnia, hormonal imbalances, auto-immune conditions, the list goes on. If you have something like this, you know it is easily exacerbated when you bump your health to the bottom of the list. We can all recall times we had to burn the candle at both ends, when the go-go-go did not let up for weeks, months, sometimes years on end. Many of us come out of this with health concerns we can no longer ignore. If you are in this camp, struggling with difficult to manage symptoms, anxiety, low energy, whatever burnout looks like for you, then you know that prioritizing self-care practices at this stage in the game will, absolutely will, have an impact on how you feel. Self-care seems very simple on the surface. Just take care of yourself already! But it is never that easy. Self-care is tricky for two reasons. One, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. What I choose to do to fill my cup and nourish my soul will be different from what you do. Self-care is nuanced and what may work for you at one phase in your life may not make sense in the next. It takes some digging. We need to be open to trying different practices and routines and then consciously note their effect on our health and our lives. Secondly, and perhaps most frustrating for some of us is the fact that self-care requires a certain level of consistency to truly be a game (life) changer. This is not a one and done deal. It doesn’t mean you have to do the same routine day in and day out, but you do have to return to prioritizing your well-being regularly. My meditation teacher once described daily meditation as making deposits into a bank account you don’t collect dividends from for years. Self-care is similar. Often you will feel an immediate effect, but what you can really bank on is that there is a cumulative sense of well-being when taking care of yourself is a way of life rather than the occasional one-off. If this sounds overwhelming, I invite you to see this not as a demand on your time, but instead an opportunity to playfully explore what feels good. Throw it all into the mix and see what sticks. Try on an evening gratitude practice where a few times a week you write about something that surprised you during the day that you appreciated. Invest in some gorgeous tarot cards and take five minutes in the morning to pull a daily card to give you insight and direction. Learn a few breathwork techniques that are proven to elicit your relaxation response and help you navigate stressful triggers. Commit to walking in nature or spending time in a park once a week and try forest bathing where you mindfully take it all in. Go out of your way to connect with a friend, knowing that even just a heartfelt text can lift your mood. Need more direction? Take one weekend morning, light a candle, grab a journal, ask yourself these questions and then jot down what comes your way. What would make my body feel strong, supple and energized? What would make my mind feel centered, calm and able to respond skillfully to what comes my way? What can I do to feel aligned with something bigger? When do I feel connected and at home in the world? These are your cues, this is your direction. Take it, run with it, enjoy it and know that a life where you feel strong, connected and at ease is a radical life worth fighting for. COVID UPDATE - APRIL 6TH, 2020
Dear Patients, We are opening our doors again Tuesday, April 7th. According to the state of Washington, we are considered an essential business as alternative health providers and we believe we are able to safely provide patient care during this time. We are following guidelines provided by Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and local health authorities. See our list of services available below and the additional guidelines we are following. SAFETY GUIDELINES at RIPPLE WELLNESS PRE-SCREENING We are currently pre-screening ALL patients for any one of the following symptoms for the last 14 days for them or anyone in their household: cough, sore throat, fever, difficulty breathing or patients who have been exposed to anyone with confirmed COVID in the last 14 days. TeleHealth visits are available for any of these patients. BUILDING PRECAUTIONS We have taken extra precautions at Ripple such as screening our own staff, spacing out chairs in the lobby for 6’ distancing, removing tea and water service and disinfecting treatment rooms between each patients. AVAILABLE SERVICES NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE: Dr. Cocks is offering in-person and TeleHealth visits for all patients. Due to needing to provide a physical exam for new patients, Dr. Cocks is only seeing established patients for TeleHealth visits. ACUPUNCTURE: Jeff Olson, L.Ac. is available for in-person acupuncture visits. He is also available for TeleHealth herbal consults and prescriptions for immunity, insomnia, anxiety and other symptoms. NUTRITION COUNSELING: Marketa Simal, FNTP, RWP is available for TeleHealth nutrition consulting. YOGA THERAPY: Emily Olson, PTA, E-RYT is available for video yoga consults for yoga, breathwork, meditation and stress relief practices. UPCOMING COMMUNITY CLASSES LIVE ONLINE CHAIR YOGA CLASS Join Emily to stretch, move and breathe deep with a gentle, but challenging chair yoga sequence. Appropriate for all levels, there will be something for everyone! We'll cover strength, balance, spinal mobility and overall flexibility. Make sure you have a yoga mat and a sturdy chair. Follow the Zoom link below and we'll see you Wednesday! Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/650729850?pwd=VWpIUjV5NGRGUFNvOVRWVFVISlJ2Zz09 Meeting ID: 650 729 850 Password: 036413 We are available by phone Monday-Thursday, call us with any questions! We held our Radical Self-Care class online on Sunday. Here is a brief recap of resources we offered. If you were there, thanks for joining! If you missed it, we will have another wellness class coming up soon, stay tuned by joining our mailing list.
Breathing Exercises by Emily Olson: These practices are to facilitate a longer exhale which helps activate the relaxation response and decrease anxiety. Keep your breathing comfortable for both these practices. Avoid over straining and error on the side of less effort. Pursed Lip Breathing aka Smell the Rose, Blow out the Candle Inhale through your nose Exhale through pursed lips like your blowing through a straw or blowing out one birthday candle Make your exhale slightly longer than your inhale 6 rounds Wave-like Breath Inhale softly through your nose Pause at the top of your inhale briefly Exhale softly through your nose Pause at the bottom of your exhale briefly Visualize a wave. Lengthen your exhale so it is slightly longer than your inhale, imagine that part of the wave being longer. 6 rounds Contacts for the facilitators of the group: Emily Olson: Yoga Instructor and owner of Ripple Wellness Emily offers private yoga sessions online. Jennifer Delliquadri: Certified Life Coach and Yoga Instructor Jennifer's YouTube channel with yoga and meditation videos. Jennifer offers life coaching sessions online. Tina Eifert is a non-toxic home and skincare advocate and reps Beauty Counter. Her cell is (360) 600-2334 Resources for managing anxiety: Breathing: Relax Lite Breathing App Yoga: Home Yoga App Meditation: Insight Timer App Resource from Tina for Testing Your Own Non-Toxic Products Skin Deep App Thanks everyone, hang in there this week. Try and stay positive and calm and take care of yourself! Dear Ripple Community,
We want to stay in touch and let you know how things are looking at Ripple this week in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. We are here to assure you that we continue to take stringent precautions to keep our patients and staff safe and we are open for business offering acupuncture, massage, naturopathic medicine, nutrition counseling and yoga sessions. Our Mission Stands From day one at Ripple our mission has been to be a hub for health and wellness in our community. Now more than ever we are called to action. We want to inspire you to stay with us on the path of well-being and self-care during this uncertainty. Spread the calm is our vision, we believe we can help spread the calm amongst ourselves as a wellness team and our patients. Not only is this a heartening approach to this pandemic, it is a legitimate way to boost immunity. Each of us has the power to make healthy choices and manage our stress and anxiety - even amid the uncertainty. It’s a tall order, but one that we should not shy away from. Our Offerings Remain We are here for you with telehealth options with our Naturopathic physician, video sessions with our functional nutritionist, video yoga sessions with myself, Emily Olson, monthly online wellness classes and plenty of resources shared through social media to help you stay strong, healthy and sane during this troubling time. We hope you will join us in taking back what can often get lost during turbulent times - our well-being, our trust in our own power and our inspiration to stay healthy and strong. Our Gift To You If you need an assist to stay calm and grounded this week, check out this wonderful 15-minute guided meditationfrom our friend, Barbara Robitaille. Barbara facilitated our Mindfulness & Meditation group in March and this meditation is a calming antidote to the stress and anxiety out there. What to expect in person and online from Ripple Wellness.....
Sincerely, The Ripple Team  Guest speaker, Barbara Robitaille, came down from Seattle to facilitate our March group.
She spoke about how to release fear, lessen anxiety, and live with heart-centered focus in times fraught with uncertainty and stress. Barbara promotes what she has termed “vigilant presence” -- essentially awakening to the present moment through being responsive as opposed to being reactive. She recommends techniques including creating a meditation practice that brings you to a safe place in your mind that you can access any time, of listening to music that shifts your energy, creating a life that you love ~ that you don’t need to escape from, and viewing every action as a prayer. Her talk was a treat and as promised, spoke right to the heart. Here is a link to Barb's closing meditation from the talk. Our Mindfulness & Meditation group meets the first Sunday of every month from 4:00-5:15pm at Body Bliss Yoga Studio in downtown Camas. We host rotating teachers from different spiritual traditions. Join us next month on Sunday, April 5th with August Jensen of Gorge Counseling and Psychotherapy. To register, go to the Class Page on Body Bliss Yoga Studio website and find the Monthly Meditation group on April 5th. Hope to see you! |
AuthorEmily Olson, E-RYT, PTA is a health educator, yoga therapist & teacher and Physical Therapist Assistant. In 2016, she opened Ripple Wellness with her husband, Jeff. A multi-disciplinary natural health clinic, Ripple offers acupuncture, massage, naturopathic medicine, nutrition and yoga with a unique commitment to community outreach and education. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @ripplewellness Archives
June 2020
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