As Socrates said in the 4th century B.C., “the part can never be well unless the whole is well.” Long before x-ray machines and penicillin, healers recognized the importance of emotional and spiritual well being, and now, traditional Chinese medicine—which got its start almost 5,000 years ago—has made a comeback. Many in our community are choosing to utilize these therapies to support their wellness.
With a growing number of options for holistic health services available in Gardiner, residents have more and more access to massage therapists, acupuncturists, naturopaths, yoga studios, reiki healers, pilates, tai chi, rolfers, and more. Each offers a unique toolbox of skills and knowledge; helping individuals achieve whole health and balance.
Holistic health addresses mind, body, and spirit in unison, never isolating or segregating. And for those new to this approach, focusing on five simple concepts can be a welcome starting point: listen to your body and your intuition; rest to restore; breathe deeply to connect inwardly and spiritually; eat nourishing foods to support whole body function; and prioritize movement to feel grounded in the body.
Everyone’s holistic self care practice will be different, as each of us and our life demands are unique, but the idea is to take note of, and consciously observe and honor, your ever-changing environmental, emotional, physical, and spiritual seasons. It is a highly personal and tailored approach to living, expressing, and healing.
“One of the most important experiences a person can have in their plight to obtain better health and longevity is to simply become aware of our body inside and out,” says Kim Carlson, a long-term resident and Licensed Massage Therapist here in Gardiner. “Bodywork, Yoga, and Pilates are some examples of methods that provide awareness and a type of inner stillness and exploratory journey that help us progress in bettering our own health.”
Practitioners providing preventative health care are all around us, and like nature, the greatest healing agent of all, we are fortunate to have these ever-present options right in our own backyard.
So as you travel through Gardiner on Route 44/55 with the stunning view of the Shawangunk Ridge in your sight, know you can find your own personal pathway to holistic health. From Earthly Bodywork Massage (2356 US-44/55), to Dancing Meadow Yoga at the Gardiner Library (133 Farmer’s Turnpike), to Pilates on Main (127 Main), to Yoga at Sunflower Art Studios (2694 US-44/55), to Balance Rolfing and Massage Studio (Route 44/55), local residents and visitors can find balance and enrichment.