Posts by Lesley

Aging is a natural process that typically accompanies biochemical and physiological changes that disrupt normal cellular functions. Maintaining optimal cellular function is critical for supporting overall health and quality of life and well‑being into older age. As we grow older, we tend to focus on external factors in the fight against aging – finding the…

Hormones play an essential role in maintaining our quality of life, health, and longevity. Acting as transmitters traveling from the endocrine glands, through thebloodstream, and to organs and tissues, hormones affect our moods, metabolism, sleep,sexual function, and the ability to have children. When they’re working optimally, we feelgreat. When they’re out of balance, they can…

Inflammation has become a bit of a buzzword recently, and rightly so. Did you know that systemic inflammation plays a role in the development of many chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease? With 2 out of every 3 deaths in North America attributed to these lifestyle diseases, it makes sense to nip…

Stop right now. Put your hand on your belly, and simply notice your breath. * * * * * Are you relaxed in the belly? Does the belly soften, expand, and rise on the inhalation? Does it gently contract back towards the spine on your exhalation? As a physical therapist, I am taught to see…

I have heard a variance of this phrase over the years in many yoga and fitness classes, “Find your limit and push further!” Over this time as I was learning more about the human body and the mind through physical therapy and yoga, I slowly stopped listening to these messages and instead paid more attention…

What is heart rate variability (HRV) and how does it influence Inflammation? HRV is the concept that your heart rate is different during an inhalation versus an exhalation. The larger the difference between your heart rate during an inhale and exhale equates to a higher HRV. So….what does a higher HRV do for you? Well,…

“Most people are afraid of suffering. But suffering is a kind of mud to help the lotus flower of happiness grow. There can be no lotus flower without the mud.” -THICH NHAT HANH” Repeat that statement to yourself at least one more time. We spend so much time avoiding the inevitable pain that is inherent…

Many people often notice a significant decline in their health following a major stressful event or a period of time that was very stressful in their life. Stress is a HUGE player when it comes to inflammation, disrupting hormones and gut health. #Stress #WorkLifeBalance #functional medicine #HolisticHealing #Autoimmunity #GutHealth #HormoneDysruption #MedicalTherapeuticYoga #breathwork #mindbodyapproach #lifestylecoaching

Who else agrees with this statement?!   I have spent most of my career working with very sick people.  The stories that I hear are heartbreaking.   People who have lost very successful jobs (even though they were very good at them) because either when they returned to work, their employers were looking for any mistake as…