Moving with Minimal Effort, Gaining Maximum Health

In this month’s Living Naturally with Michaela Jones, ND podcast episode, Dr Michelle shares the gentle yet powerful practice of the Parting Bamboo exercise—a flowing Tai Chi movement that exemplifies how subtle shifts and mindful coordination can unlock profound health benefits.

Tai Chi is often described as “meditation in motion,” emphasizing relaxed, continuous movement that flows naturally rather than forcing or straining the body. This approach helps reduce unnecessary effort, particularly easing the load on the heart. Scientific studies have shown that regular Tai Chi practice can improve circulation by enhancing blood flow and promoting lymphatic drainage, which helps detoxify the body and boost the immune system.

https://youtu.be/N7OcSxjNoNY?si=mJfzJvmyeo5n_pXg

The Science Behind Tai Chi’s Healing Power

Tai Chi’s benefits extend beyond muscles and joints. It deeply engages the nervous system and brain, helping to regulate stress responses. Research reveals that Tai Chi reduces cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress, and balances the autonomic nervous system by promoting parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) activity while calming sympathetic (fight-or-flight) overactivation.

This shift supports lower blood pressure, improved heart rate variability (a marker of heart health and resilience), and enhances mood by reducing anxiety and depression symptoms. These effects contribute to a state of whole-person relaxation and alertness—without the need for caffeine or stimulants that can cause jitters or energy crashes.

Awakening and Aligning—From Head to Toe

The flow of Tai Chi movements like Parting Bamboo coordinates the body holistically. From the crown of the head to the tips of the toes, the body moves as one integrated system, fostering better balance, posture, and coordination. This mindful, gentle movement cultivates alertness—not by jolting the system awake but by nurturing it into a clear, calm, and present state.

In this way, Tai Chi offers a path to “awake and align”—awakening energy naturally and aligning the body, mind, and spirit in a harmonious rhythm.

Simple Daily Practices for Lasting Wellness

What we can love most about Tai Chi is how accessible it is. No prior experience is needed to begin. Simple daily movements, practiced consistently, can transform how you feel inside and out—helping you move with ease, recover more fully, and live with renewed vitality.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, tense, or low on energy, you are invited to explore these movements with us. You don’t need to push or force—just move mindfully and let your body guide you toward balance and clarity. You’ll discover a nurturing way to awaken your energy and realign your whole self.

To experience this gentle power for yourself, tune in to the full episode of Living Naturally with Michaela Jones, ND, where Dr Michelle guides you through Parting Bamboo and shares tips for integrating Tai Chi into your daily life.

Playtime Tea is your Chocolate Secret

In this episode, Dr Michelle shares the power behind the Playtime Tea. She explores the spiritual essence of the apple blossoms, the chocolate, black tea, and peppermint. Finding love, calm, joy, and reflection with a tea ritual can be so empowering. From the perspective of awaken and align, tea and sipping are a simple way to make change happen and impactful. Learn more in the episode, which is just 10 minutes of easy listening.

Ready to Begin YOUR Tai Chi Practice?

The Greenwell Center for Holistic Health offers online and in-person classes weekly. You can find the in-person classes in Inverness County, Nova Scotia on the calendar. Inverness, Mabou and Creignish are always open to new students, no experience necessary.

Online we are offering two special classes. The Movement and Music sessions which we recorded this spring can be purchased and you will receive a portal with all the recordings, notes, and overview details. For anyone wanting to begin a healing journey, looking to start learning the first 21 moves of the 108 Moving Meditation, or wanting to build skills in awareness and relaxation, this might be the perfect fit for you. And, you can watch on your own time, when it is convenient for you.

Looking for some fun this month? Consider our special 4 week series Nature’s Resonance, and we are connecting the power of Tai Chi, music, and art to your healing journey in nature. You can still register here, and the recordings will be available to you for reviewing as you desire.

For those in the West Kelowna area and Peachland, B.C., consider the classes offered in-person at Wine Country Tai Chi Society. With excellent instructors to guide your Tai Chi journey, you will be noticing the difference quickly. They begin their open house sessions and new classes in September. Check out the calendar to learn more.

References:

• Lan, C., Chen, S. Y., Lai, J. S., & Wong, M. K. (1999). Tai Chi Chuan in medicine and health promotion. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 6(4), 493-497.
• Wang, C., Collet, J. P., & Lau, J. (2004). The effect of Tai Chi on health outcomes in patients with chronic conditions: a systematic review. Archives of Internal Medicine, 164(5), 493-501.
• Lee, M. S., Kim, J. I., & Ernst, E. (2009). Tai Chi for cardiovascular disease and its risk factors: a systematic review. Journal of Hypertension, 27(11), 2158-2167.

The post The Quest for Effortless Movement: How Tai Chi Awakens and Aligns Body, Mind, and Spirit first appeared on Greenwell Center for Holistic Health.

“Flow State: How Movement Enhances Mental Clarity and Focus”

In this episode, Michaela is joined by movement specialist Michelle to explore the powerful connection between movement and mental clarity. Discover how practices like tai chi, yoga, and even simple daily activities can unlock the flow state—a mental zone of peak focus, creativity, and productivity.

Learn about the science behind how movement boosts brain function, reduces stress, and fosters emotional balance. Gain practical tips for incorporating mindful movement into your routine, and uncover how these practices can enhance not just your mental clarity but your overall well-being.

Whether you’re looking to break through mental fog, spark creativity, or cultivate a deeper mind-body connection, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration to help you achieve a state of flow in your daily life.

Tune in and take the first step toward a clearer, more focused you!

Talking Points

1. Understanding the Flow State
2. The Science of Movement and Mental Clarity
3. Creating Space for Creativity Through Movement
4. Practical Tips for Integrating Movement into Daily Life
5. Holistic Benefits of Flow State Practices

What TEA will be on tap? SoulTEA Harbour from the Harmony Blends. This is a great blend to connect your heart and soul to living your purpose. You can learn more while listening. Be sure to prepare a special cup of tea for yourself.

How do you create your own mind-body flow state daily?

Consider the programs offered by the Greenwell Center for your best learning. The in-person Tai Chi Cape Breton classes can be found in Inverness, Creignish and Hillsborough, Cape Breton Island.

The Multi-Award winning Qi YINtegration program is focusing on the joints in the body and how they support health and wellbeing when they are open and free moving.

The Movement Made Easy class offers you music and movement to explore the spine and the emotional connections it holds.

Or, consider an on-demand class with the Qi YINtegration Set 1 program in the shop. The activities and videos are all set for you to begin movement explorations of daily activities. A great start to your 2025!

From Wine Country Tai Chi Society, you can check out their schedule of classes here.

The post The Mind-Body Connection first appeared on Greenwell Center for Holistic Health.

Movement is so much more than exercise—it’s a pathway to emotional resilience, mental clarity, and a deeper connection to yourself. In this live show, we’ll explore:

• How consistent movement can help release stored emotions and reduce stress.
• Simple, practical movement techniques to build emotional and mental strength.
• The science and art of how moving your body transforms your inner world.

Whether you’re already a movement enthusiast or just starting out, this conversation will inspire you to see movement in a whole new light.

To become a part of Dr Michelle’s movement classes, consider her in-person and online offerings. In the new year you have Tai Chi Cape Breton in Inverness, Hillsborough, and Creignish. Movement Made Easy begins Jan 7 and is online. Qi YINtegration will begin again the second week of January, stay tuned for the theme, and Touch for Health will be continuing into Level 2, 3 and 4 this spring, with a big focus on movement options with a Touch for Health muscle balance providing support. You can learn more about the offerings in the shop under events. Check out the items on sale as well.

If you live in the Okanagan Valley, consider Wine Country Tai Chi classes with your wellness plan. Dr Michelle will be heading west for the March workshop opportunity to deepen your understanding of how movement through Tai Chi can support pain relief, sleep, deep breathing, clearing the mind, digestion, joint stiffness and more.

If you have not signed up to receive the blog posts to your inbox, which will keep you updated on the latest activities, be sure to sign up here with the choices for connecting.

Did you get the Top 8 Stress Releasers? These are fantastic for the holidays. You can find them here. Just click on the Blue “Take Action” button.

At the Greenwell Center for Holistic Health we have your self-care needs ready to build your best wellness plan yet.

Thank you to Michaela Jones for the opportunity to be a part of her show.

The post Building Inner Strength through Movement first appeared on Greenwell Center for Holistic Health.

What do you know about exercise?

“Exercise” is that buzzword that has followed us from the “looking good” era of the 60’s, to the “aerobics” era of the 70-80’s, to being out in nature with hiking and adventure of the 90’s, to targeted gym workouts and intensity levels in the 2000’s, to releasing stress in the 2010’s, to making the mind-body connection of the 2020’s and post pandemic. Wow, isn’t that a snapshot of time!?!

The Mind-Body Connection

The Mind-Body Connection: Are All Exercises Created Equal? Join Dr Michelle Greenwell and Michaela Jones on “Living Naturally with Michaela” today!

In this episode, they dive into the question: “Are all exercises created equal?” Michaela Jones, ND and Dr. Michelle Greenwell CIH explore the intricate connections between physical health, mental well-being, and trauma relief. Michaela will share about emotional ties to physical movement and how releasing stored emotions can enhance both mental and physical health. Meanwhile, Michelle will reveal the power of whole body movement to create a synergy in the body for mental health, as well as proper alignment and movement massage in promoting long-term wellness. Together, they’ll discuss why personalized approaches to exercise are crucial and how different forms of movement can uniquely support the journey toward healing and balance.

Here is the link to join the conversation live at 3 pm Atlantic, 2 pm Eastern, 12 pm Mountain, 11 am Pacific: https://www.youtube.com/live/HBFiLrQOCpk .

If you miss the “live” version, please find the recording on Michelle’s YouTube Channel, or on Michaela’s Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@livingnaturallywithmichaela.

Ready for the Perfect Class for you?

Michelle offers in-person programs and online programs. The fall schedule is just being finalized. Be sure to sign up for the blog to get the latest information to your inbox. You can find that on the bottom of the home page.

Check out the calendar for timing.

Consider Tai Chi, Movement Made Easy, Cape Breton Step Dance, or Qi YINtegration.

Perhaps you want to learn more about the healing arts. Michelle will be offering Touch for Health, Qi YINtegration, and specialty events through the later fall and into winter online. A great way to start honing your wellness skills on a self-care plan!

The post The Mind-Body Connection first appeared on Greenwell Center for Holistic Health.

Watch “Living Naturally with Michaela” today…

When you drive your car or bicycle along a road way, you try to avoid the ruts. In fact, you will slow down, swerve, and move over to avoid a rut. In our lives, many of us find a rut and seem to get pulled down into it, and we continue in the rut until someone pulls us out.

Does this sound familiar to you? What is it that keeps us from getting out of the rut ourselves, and quickly, rather than after too much time has passed and we are comfortable in our rut.

Michaela Jones, ND and Dr. Michelle Greenwell, CIH, have been combining their talents for several years to realize and move the ruts of everyday habits. They do this through their collaborative process with each other, as well with the groups, clients, and workshops they offer.

Do you want to learn more about their secret formula for getting out of the rut and finding a smooth pathway? In this show they will be sharing more about the BioEnergetic Wellness Formula that Dr. Michelle identified in her dissertation work for her degree in Complementary and Integrative Health. Michaela will share her insights into the patterns that she recognizes in her clients, and together they will share some special exercises to help you identify the patterns of comfort, and the choices for passionate living.

This show originally aired August 2, 2024. Join us live on the 1st Friday of each month for a new topic.

The post Getting out of the Ruts! first appeared on Greenwell Center for Holistic Health.