Are you 'Heavy Headed'?

Bottom line:  Being 'heavy-headed' is not good for your health! I'm not talking about feeling drowsy; stoned; stubborn; unintelligent; medicated; sick; or neurologically impaired (although these things are not good for health either). I'm referring to carrying your head 'forward' all the time. This is also known as a 'forward-head posture', which is very common in America— and has only gotten worse with texting and gaming all day long!

It’s so common… many people probably believe it’s ‘normal’!

Due to the adverse pressure and strain this postural fault puts on the body, it can have some significant negative consequences, such as: 

• headaches

• upper back and neck pain

• low back pain

• visual disturbances

• blood pressure problems

• breathing problems

• impaired digestion and elimination functions

• poor body temperature regulation

• speech difficulties

• balance and equilibrium issues

• TMJ issues

• anxiety

• difficulty focusing & concentrating

• decreased ability to cope with stress

Okay, so what's the big deal about having your head jut forward a bit? Besides potentially suffering from the previous health issues just mentioned above, as well as looking like 'Shaggy' (from ‘Scooby Doo’), you will gain a 'heavy head'. Yes, "Zoinks!" is right! 

Consider this: For every inch your head is carried forward out of good alignment, it will add approximately 10 pounds of ‘weighted stress’ to your spine. So, if a head normally weighs about 12 pounds, and you carry your head 3 inches forward, your head now weighs 42 pounds! Now, that's one heavy head! Carrying around this extra weight all the time will become a burden to your health. 

So, if you want good health, it's wise to not be 'heavy-headed'!  

Here's 2 quick postural assessments to determine if you're 'heavy-headed':

1.  Take a picture- have somebody stand to one side of you and take a picture. From the side view, the center of your ear should line up with the center of your shoulder, and line up with the mid-line of your body. If the center of your ear falls forward of this line, you're 'heavy-headed'.

2. Stand with the back of your body against a wall (your heels, back of your head, upper back, and buttocks should all be able to touch the wall). If your head can't touch the wall, you are heavy headed!

Correcting a ‘forward-head posture’ may take some time and effort, especially if it's a long-standing issue. Interventions, such as physical therapy; chiropractic; bodywork; corrective exercise; breath work, and posture/movement therapies can all definitely help.

So can… ‘STOP LOOKING DOWN ALL THE TIME!’ —at your phone; computer; TV; feet; etc.

Make the effort to become more ‘light headed’— your body, and your health, will thank you for it!

In loving service,

Dr. SAM — ‘The Health Raiser!’

News: Upcoming Raw Food & Yoga Online Event!

I am thrilled to be sharing the ‘gift’ of Qigang at ...

The upcoming ONLINE Raw Food & Yoga Retreat happening! MARCH 20th-21st

This will be A RETREAT IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME!

This retreat will combine some ofof he best chefs and presenters in the RAW FOOD world with leaders in the YOGA community into one Virtual Retreat!

The Plant-Based Network and Karen Ranzi (and Team) are presenting the inaugural Raw Food Yoga Virtual Retreat on March 20 and March 21, 2021 from 10am to 6pm EST.

*Note: You can NOW GET a 50% Discount Early Retreat price for BOTH the ‘General Admission’ & ‘The Upgrade Package’. So, that’s just $37.50 for EVERYTHING! (ACT NOW!- as the price will most likely go up!).

This weekend is about YOU and all our speakers/presenters are ready to immerse you in your journey to better health and energy.

This event will feature:

• Awesome RAW Food Demos and Presentations

• Fun Yoga; Qigong; and other Fitness Classes

• Empowering Educational and Inspirational Talks

• AND MUCH MORE!

Registration details here >>> Registration

Staying Connected...

In the world of modern-day technology, it's very easy to become distracted and disconnected. If left unchecked for too long, this disconnection can lead to a 'comfortable numbing' of the body. You may then end up getting used to being 'out of tune' with your body's needs. 

This can lead to a slow erosion of your health. 

Then… one day, you will get a signal ('symptom') from your body that something is not quite right. This symptom may have been there for awhile, but your choice to ignore it is no longer more important than your body's need for survival, so your body will keep speaking to you again and again.

It may use more words, or speak louder (with more intense signals or 'symptoms') until you 'wake up', pay closer attention, and give your body what it needs.

The key: Don't let yourself get to this state in the first place. 

You can do this by making the conscious choice to 'stay connected' each day.  Although you may think you feel 'connected' (via your mobile devices, phones, laptops, etc.), this may come at the expense of actually being disconnected to your own technology— your body! 

If you allow your focus to shift far outside of yourself on a constant basis, you will lose touch with your body, and your health will suffer. 

Here are some simple ways to 'stay connected' and 'tuned in':

1. Breathe consciously- meaning become aware of your breathing. Breath is one of the best tools to bring you back in touch with your body, keep you fully connected, and allow you to be in the present moment. Your breathing will quickly reflect your current state of being. “How you breathe is how you live.” 

2. Schedule- have a schedule for your life. Work in blocks of time, and have a plan. Don't jump all over the place. Stay focused, and prioritize what really needs to get done. This will keep you grounded and connected.

3. Nature- touch Nature each day. For example: Plant something in the soil; walk barefoot on the earth; take a stroll through the woods; lie on your back on the ground and gaze at the sky; close your eyes and harmonize with nature's symphony; take a nice sun bath. However you can connect with 'Mother Earth' each day, do it!

4. Reboot- take time each day to rest and reboot. A short mediation works well to help clear your mind and allow your body to discharge. Also, get plenty of sleep each night. If you're sleep deprived, you will become disconnected very quickly. 

5. Eat well, stay hydrated, and get sufficient exercise! Consume plenty of raw fruits and veggies and other plant-based foods. Drink plenty of fluids. Move your body (just pick something you enjoy doing, and have fun). 

6. Practice 'tuning in' frequently-- this can be done by performing a body scan. A 'body scan' is just another way of saying... becoming more aware and paying attention to your body! This can be done by simply closing your eyes, and shifting your focus inward. You can start at your feet and then move upward toward your head... 'scanning your body'. This will allow you to have a better sense of what is really going on (what you're truly feeling; where you may be holding stress or tension; and what needs attention). 

Bottom line: If you disconnect from the very factors that run your body well, then it won't run well!

Good health is about... AWARENESS!

Stay aware of your body. 

Commit each day to staying connected!

Love yourself enough to honor this commitment! 

Much lOVE,

Dr. SAM- ‘ The Health Raiser!’

'Fruits of Your Labor!'

Even though we appear to live in an 'insta-world' where things can get done at the push of a button, some things just don't happen that way. Patience and persistence are a MUST, especially if you want to actually reap the 'fruits of your labor' and be truly fulfilled. Many people want things yesterday, and they don't want to have to 'work' for them anymore. Just  'push a button', and it's supposed to be done! Well... some things take time. Some things take work.

Nature reminds me of this every time I plant something. Things can only grow so fast. If everything was instant, there would be no 'growth process' — and the same goes for life! When we 'plant seeds', prepare, and plan, there are often more things to 'pick from' later on in life.

So, learn to be patient; learn to be persistent; work hard; and grow each day. It is then, that you may learn to truly enjoy and cherish the 'fruits of your labor'.

By the way, if you haven't planted a fruit tree yet... get to work! 

Perseverance: A Needed Attribute!

There currently appears to be much suffering all around us. With the added negative hype of certain media, this can make it hard to remain positive. Perseverance is the one attribute that is needed most right now. Anybody can quit. It's easy to give up. However, that solves nothing! Whining about it solves nothing either!

What does solve things is perseverance. The real 'spiritual warriors' on this planet know this, and they WILL be the ones who survive and thrive in the future. 

Bottom line: When feeling 'well', it's much easier to persevere! 

Here are 8 simple strategies to feel better, remain positive, and persevere in current unsettled times:

1. Sunbathe (preferably with minimal to no clothing if possible) every day for at least 10 minutes. (Note: You can combine #1 with #3, or with #4, for time savings.)

2. Eat plenty of raw, living, plant based foods (fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, sprouts, legumes, tubers, herbs, wild edibles); and stay adequately hydrated.

3. Walk barefoot on the earth for at least 10 minutes every day.

4. Sit in a quiet place, breathe slow and deep, and receive Divine guidance for at least 10 minutes.

5. Minimize your exposure to toxic people and places as much as possible.

6. Exercise, stretch, dance, move, and be physical.

7. Get plenty of quality sleep in a well-ventilated, low-no EMF stressed, quiet, dark environment.

8. Send and receive LOTS of LOVE!

Even doing just one of these simple strategies can make a significant difference (especially in the times we are in).

Remember: Knowledge is knowing; and wisdom is doing!

Have the wisdom to act, so you persevere successfully!

Much LOVE,

Dr. SAM - ‘The Health Raiser!’

Cultivating Gratitude!

Showing gratitude can significantly improve your health! Gratitude simply means being: grateful, thankful, or appreciative. Gratitude is a powerful health and spiritual practice. It can shift you, and fulfill you very quickly! Gratitude can turn: lack into abundance; depression into happiness; lethargy into vibrancy; conflict into resolution; doubt into faith; loneliness into companionship; loss into gain; failure into fortune; jealousy into acceptance; dislike into respect; fear into assurance; and foes into friends. 

Gratitude is a choice! Again: Gratitude is a choice! Your consciousness is a magnet inside the universe. You will receive your frequency. So, you can choose to be grateful or ungrateful. Whatever one you choose will keep showing up in your life! Choosing an 'attitude of gratitude' will allow you to become a creator of choice, as opposed to a victim of circumstance in your life. Do you take time each day to reflect on gratitude? If not, it's never to late to start today! 

People often want more in their lives— thinking this will fulfill them. It won't; and it's often a trap! Being grateful for what you already have is what will really fulfill you. So, make a list (mental or written) of the things you are grateful for in your life (people, places, things, finances, health, opportunities). 

Each day, review this list. Speak it quietly in your mind, or read it out loud. Keep adding to the list each day as needed. Performing this daily process of having gratitude can help to rewrite any old negative scripts in your subconscious mind, and help promote new positive ones to form. 

This can help to deliver more love and abundance— including better health!

'The Health Essentials': 8 Links Essential for Better Health and Well Being!

There are many factors that can cause us to become sick or injured, but only several that really cause us to become well. These factors are what I like to call the 'health essentials', as they are essential needs of health and of life. As such, it would make more sense to focus on these basic 'health essentials' when trying to maintain, or regain a vibrant state of health. 

These 'health essentials' should become so familiar in life, that they start running on auto-pilot. That way, when faced with a health challenge (such as during a pandemic or global chaos), they won't seem so foreign. Instead of asking: “Oh, now what should I do?” in a state of panic or quandary, you will just simply modify the 'health essentials’ as needed and go on with your day.

You will will be empowered, instead of wasting your power. You will respond wisely, instead of react unwisely. You will 'take charge', as opposed to feeling a 'loss of charge' within your mind, body, and spirit.

Even during times of medical emergencies, these 'health essentials' are needed! The only thing that changes is the degree to which, and how, they are applied.

In the following interview video, I give a brief overview of the 'health essentials', so you can gain a deeper understanding of them.

Much LOVE to Brian and Jody Calvi at ‘The Farm of Life Retreat Center’. I am most grateful for this interview opportunity with them. I highly recommend checking out their retreat center.

Enjoy!

In Loving Service,

Dr. SAM

Dealing with Challenging Times of Global Chaos!

We are definitely dealing with interesting times right now. More than ever, a ‘spiritual practice’ may help to keep you happy, healthy, and whole. It's not a form of escapism, but rather just the opposite. It allows you to take full responsibility for what you create, moment-to-moment in your life.

In the midst of challenging times, there are some simple, but profound steps we can follow to help make the planet a better place now, as well as in the future once this is all over.

One of the keys is definitely...

Intention.

Just taking a few quiet minutes a day to reflect with love toward what we want for the world is a powerful practice. When you feel as though you can't 'do' much, remember your role as a member of this planet's collective consciousness. Focusing on our spiritual practice and how we can help others, we feel empowered to leave a positive mark, rather than discouraged by what we can’t control.

The video below will explain more…

Spiritual practices could include: yoga, Qigong, Tai Chi, meditation, conscious breathwork, art, music, dance, journaling, etc.

Which one is best? The one you will do!

May you be blessed, and healthy during these times!

Reminder:

You are invited to join the Raw Food Mastery Summit 2020!

My interview will be coming up soon on April 26th.

Just click the link below to claim your spot.

Free Raw Food Mastery Summit

In this FREE Event, you will learn:

* Simple success strategies to implement a raw food and plant-based diet in the real world!

* How the experts apply 'raw food and health principles' vs. points of individual flexibility!

* The 'seldom discussed' components of raw plant-based diets that have been game-changing for those who have time-tested them!

* Awesome Mindset Strategies for creating successful, highly effective, sustainable approaches to raw food and plant-based eating and positive health transformation!

I’m so excited to be part of this unprecedented event and invite you to join us as well!

Again, you can find more details here:
Free Raw Food Mastery Summit

In loving service,

Dr. SAM

Hold The Vision

We are in interesting times for sure! There is quite a bit of chaos and LOTS going on world-wide!

So…

It will be vitally important that we take this time to get VERY CLEAR on what we want to see the future world evolve into. It will be necessary to take time to reflect and set forth a vision; a promise; a commitment! It will be crucial to maintain our focus… stay on path…. have faith… and never give up!

We have a golden opportunity to ALL rise up together and shift things in the positive direction they need to go. We are all writing the script right now, so which part do we want to play? 

Which role? Which characters? Which conclusion do we want to see play out?

We MUST open our hearts!

TRUST!

And…take ACTION!

We MUST ‘Hold The Vision’ for the FUTURE we wish to see!

'Health Assurance'

Health insurance does not guarantee you health assurance— only taking responsibility for your health will assure optimal health. Whether or not you're sick and injured trying to become well, or you're well trying to remain well, the keystone piece of the health equation is YOU! When faced with a significant health challenge, the simplest, most logical, least invasive approach is usually the best place to start!

However, if you do require the help of a doctor or healthcare professional to help restore your health, make sure to choose one that will help teach you how to care for yourself. The word doctor, from the Latin words docere or doctoris, means “to teach” or “teacher”.

Although emergency life-saving procedures are sometimes needed to preserve or restore health, the more you cut out bad habits, the less you will have to cut out and possibly replace bad body parts!

Each day, be your own best health advocate. Perform your own daily “life-saving procedures” by living as healthfully as possible. This is the best way to ensure your best health!

SPEAKING OF ‘HEALTH ASSURANCE'‘, DR. SAM’S NEXT

WELLNESS RETREAT IN

COSTA RICA IS COMING UP THIS MARCH 14TH-20TH!

MORE RETREAT INFO CAN BE FOUND HERE >>> RETREAT DETAILS