By Anne Groebner

There are times when I have to stop and take three deep breaths to calm my mind, change the direction of my thoughts, and find peace so I can take back control of my day. Driving is a huge stressor for me, as is counting down the seconds until I have to be somewhere. I hate to be rushed. When stress affects us, our body enters fight-or-flight mode, which was beneficial centuries ago. It’s still a good thing; however, too much stress isn’t good. Our bodies release the hormone cortisol, and too much of that can cause serious health issues. Fortunately, there are many ways to combat stress. 

My favorite way to de-stress is to go hiking or paddling. Getting outside is beneficial in so many ways. When walking through a forest, whether you know it or not, trees provide many benefits. Trees give us oxygen, a feeling of calmness, and the sun gives us vitamin D. In Japan, they call it “Forest Bathing,” and it can rejuvenate a weary mind. 

Kathleen Armstrong recommends you take off your shoes and go barefoot. She says that by having that connection to the earth, you are tuning into its gravity and natural energy. “Bringing up the earth’s energy through your feet and through your whole body,” she tells me, “can be very grounding.” Which is a good thing because she believes there are many people out there that aren’t grounded.

Kathleen Armstrong owns the Pinetop Gallery and designs and creates beautiful gemstone jewelry. However, the other day while we were talking, I found out that she is a holistic health practitioner. At one time, she worked at Torrance Memorial Hospital in California as a practitioner and teacher, offering reflexology, Reiki, acupressure, and aromatherapy. Most of her certifications are at the teaching level, although currently, she is focused on teaching Reflexology.

She taught programs at IPSB - Santa Monica in California for nine years; the Healing Arts College in Santa Monica, California for two years; ASIS Massage Education in Clarkdale, Arizona for five years, and has taught privately since 1996.

Armstrong also lectured to many groups, including: Oncology, scleroderma, and diabetes to name a few. The focus was to explain the benefits of combining medical and complementary therapies for enhanced wellness. “The Director of Rehabilitation sent many patients to me,” Armstrong says, “situations where physical therapy could be enhanced with another form of healing.” With donations, she opened a Healing Touch Clinic for Children. “I was blessed to have worked on some babies that were on the spectrum; with some returning to normalcy.”

“Reiki is an energy healing that is transmitted through a light touch of hands. It is a highly sacred process that promotes healing by balancing the body’s “life force energy.” Reiki is something Armstrong has worked with for over 30 years. In the beginning she did hundreds of Reiki initiations. However, it can’t be taught, because it’s an initiary process, so, she just practices Reiki and explains the benefits. 

Reflexology operates on the philosophy that the hands, feet, and ears, each contain a microcosm of the human body. This practice corresponds to organs and systems in the body. Some practitioners only do feet, but Armstrong believes by doing all three, you can hit every organ, every structure, and spinal reflexes three times over. “If you add Reiki and essential oils to that, you are flying!” She says.

 Essential oils work on the physical body. By breathing them in or having them diffused nearby, they can shift your mood and enhance relaxation. Aura-Soma is applied in a person’s Aura to facilitate healing on an energetic level. “I tell people to put it behind their ears,” Armstrong states. “Because this is where it has more access to your cranial nerves and spinal column.” She reiterates that it gives you more bang for your buck.

Color therapy came out of England. It started with a pharmacist who was going blind. She started seeing visions of colors and combinations of colors. The philosophy is that you are the colors you choose and that through light and color; it balances physical, emotional, and mental energy. For instance, each color has a unique wavelength and frequency that, when applied to the body, can correct imbalances. Armstrong believes it is this type of therapy that saved her husband’s eye. 

Acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves applying firm manual pressure (using fingers, hands, or devices) to specific bodily points to promote health, relieve pain, and reduce stress. It operates on the principle of stimulating energy flow along meridians, similar to acupuncture but without needles.

Sometimes, Armstrong does spontaneous healing at her gallery. The other day, a lady stopped in and told her she was dizzy and didn’t know why. Armstrong concluded the lady likely wasn’t grounded and worked with her. She started with some essential oils that initiated the process. Then she brought out her Aura-Soma red pomander, a grounding essential oil, rubbed some into her hands and waved the aroma into her aura field. She took it all the way down to her feet, and told her to breathe it in, while imagining roots growing into the earth. She felt much better. 

These are ancient and modern healing methods that work by engaging the brain’s amazing healing ability through a variety of sensory receptions and energy meridians within our bodies.These techniques can change the way you process daily life and its stressors. Because they say stress is the silent killer. So, get outside into the solitude and pristine vibes of the forest, meditate, or head over to the Pinetop Gallery and talk to Kathleen about the amazing healing philosophies she offers (and is willing to teach) and live your life to the fullest.