In my 25 years of practice, there have been some great teaching moments. People often ask, what is the one vitamin, supplement, or exercise they can do to optimize & promote health and well-being. My answer had always been the same…until now. I used to think it was something outside of ourselves that we needed to take or be doing. Now, I understand that it’s what we do within our self that offers us our greatest immunity and well-being. 

Not only is it our inner landscape but it is also a direct connection to our relations and our loved ones. It involves how we perceive, interact and encounter our friends and each other. Through the years, I’ve observed those people who were healthier also had a stronger faith, a stronger connection with family (biologic & blended) and a deep connection to their community of friends.

Did you know we also have two kinds of immunity?  The two kinds of immunity are described as innate and acquired immunity. Innate immunity is the immunity you are born with and is the initial response by the body to eliminate microbes and prevent infection.  Acquired immunity is the immunity one develops throughout life.

Through the work of family constellation I have seen countless examples of people who experienced life changing and even spontaneous remission of disease once they addressed and healed family wounds, restored family dysfunction.What they needed to do next was move beyond the circumstance that was obstructing their view of unconditional love. As my friend, Douglas Economy,often says. This work is simple but it is not easy.

Bruce Lipton, cell biologist and internationally recognized leader in bridging science and spirit, talks about a new concept in quantum biology known as the “biologic imperative.” The biologic imperative describes the drives that biologists recognize that living organisms have for things such as: food, water, and love-making.

Did you know our biologic system has acquired an early warning system that says if we are in threat in any way or if our biology is in some way is being thwarted the system will begin to take action to protect itself? The biologic imperative is waking up people all over the world because we are beginning to recognize that the way we are living is totally unsustainable at this particular moment in our evolution. Our biologic imperative is waking us up…it’s a gut feeling that something is wrong and we don’t know exactly what it is. 

Occupy Wall Street is one example of this drive.  Whereby people across America are gathering to share their voices for change and reject the behaviors which no longer serve us.  They are willing to stand in the rain, thunder and cold hour upon hour no matter the discomfort as long as they can take a stand for change.

There is a mood that we are facing our own extinction.  The threat of extinction is exactly which is alarming our biological imperative and saying something has to be done. Factor in the concept of “emergence.” Emergence  is an understanding in the new world of physics which basically means this:  you can bring a bunch of individuals together and when you reach a certain critical mass…something new will happen and yet no one has the idea from studying the individual pieces that are coming together what that new thing will be.  Emergence says that parts come together and create a new resonance and we have no idea what that could be. 

The concept of emergence says “no one knows exactly what the final outcome will be” but we are going to move from the current place or way of thinking that we have to a new place.  Movement is assured. We can usher in this direction. Toward a place of greater Harmony….a deeper commitment to environmental awareness.  All we have to do is keep our minds free and our hearts open.

The answers lie within.

If billions of stars can make a galaxy, 

Imagine what 7 billion people can do?

A 5 Level Approach to the Holidays

‎8 Tips for a Toxic World

1.) DON’T LET YOUR PLASTIC BOTTLES GET HOT

Plastic manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the production of many items we use regularly. Look at the little triangle recycle symbol on the bottom of your plastic bottles. If it’s a 7 this tells you the material is a ‘polycarbonate’ and leaches Bisphenol-A. Bisphenol-A is linked to Cancer & can cause a variety of health problems. Keep those plastics cool.

2.) DRINK ENOUGH FLUIDS

Staying hydrated keeps our metabolism up and our kidneys flushed & clean. Here is a simple test to see if you have adequate fluid levels: Sit down on a chair with your hand on your lap, face down.  Look at the puffy veins on the back of your hands. Slowly bring your hand up always looking at the veins. Note when they disappear. If it is below eye level, you are fluid deficient.  If they disappear at chest level you are about a quart low. Drink more water! ~ You can also add Selectrolytes™ to each glass you drink to boost your body’s absorption capability.

3.) SWEAT

Sweating releases toxins from the body. We love the Far-infra red Sauna.  FIR stimulates release of toxins at a deeper level than other forms of sweating. If you don’t have access to a FIR sauna some other things you might try are yoga, running, aerobic exercise, or sitting under a warm sun.

4.) GET RID OF MERCURY FILLINGS

The use of mercury is banned in many countries. It is the most toxic of all the heavy metals and is known to be a neurotoxin.

 “A neurotoxin is a substance which inhibits the functions of neurons. Neurons are found throughout the brain and nervous system, and the function of these unique cells is critical for a variety of tasks, ranging from autonomic nervous system jobs like swallowing to higher-level brain function.”

5.) FIND OUT YOUR BODY’S TOXIC BURDEN

Toxic burden testing tells us something about what chemicals we have been exposed to. Toxin exposures are responsible for many health problems we face today, and many people are dangerously unaware. We use hair tissue mineral analysis, CBC’s (complete blood chemistry reports) and Autonomic Response Testing to help identify a persons body toxic burden. 

6.) NEVER MICROWAVE FOOD & PLASTIC TOGETHER

I personally don’t own a microwave and encourage my patients not to use one. However, microwaving food wrapped in plastic is a perfect way to infuse the toxic chemicals used to make the plastic into your food – Not a good idea. Instead, warm your food the old fashioned way in a pot or use a microwave safe glass container.

7.) DETOX A LITTLE EVERY DAY

One simple way to help your body get rid of toxins is to take Chlorella. Chlorella is one of the most studied therapeutic foods on the planet. In practice, many patients report chlorella benefits their digestive function, lessens brain fog and provides a general sense of well being.

Studied Chlorella Benefits Include:

• The ability to strengthen the body’s own ‘anti-oxidant system’ including elevating glutathione production.
• Proven assistance in detoxification of multiple bio-toxins and neurotoxins including mercury and lead.
• Its ability to help regulate blood pressure and fat metabolism, improving the functioning of the liver.
• Immune strengthening properties leading to increased protection against infections caused by bacteria, virus and fungi.
• Natural support of gastro-intestinal function by cleansing the colon and bowel
• Its beneficial effects on the eyes when there are tendencies towards macula-degeneration and cataracts
• Support of healthy bone and tissue growth in children and supply of vital nutrients to bones, joints and muscles in adult

You can order our favorite brand of Chlorella (not all chlorella is created equal!) here at the raSahealth Wellness Store.

8.) STAY INFORMED!

Subscribe to our blog, visit us on facebook and connect with us on twitter for consistent updates & news on holistic health for you and your family. We  are committed to arming you with choices, insights and tools that can determine a greater health picture for you, your family, and our world. Stay Connected!

Also, check out these informative resources for more information on toxicity in our lives.

www.EWG.org

www.scorecard.org

www.earth911.org/master.asp 

Bonus Tip!

9) ASSESS YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

Another form of toxicity we experience in life may be through our relationships with others. Take some time to review, assess, heal & eliminate the toxic relationships that do not positively serve you. Start replacing them with nurturing, supportive, and empowering connections. Your overall health will be much better for it. =)

And as always, if you find this information useful…go ahead & SHARE it with your friends! We can all learn from each other. 

I Can’t Sleep in My House!

In the Fall I love to take my heavy blankets to the laundry mat and get everything fresh for the season. I met Bob there. He was doing his weekly laundry at the same time and he told me that he had been sleeping in his van for the last two weeks because his home was flooded after the hurricane, and the mold was making him sick.

As it turns out not everybody has friends and family they can turn to when they are down on there luck. I started thinking about several patients of mine who told me they could not live in their home because their house too was making them sick.

These homes aren’t shacks with leaky roofs. They’re homes like yours and mine. If you think mold only grows in damaged uncared for homes you couldn’t be more mistaken. It happens in every kind of home…..big, small, new, old, expensive and not.

With symptoms like sneezing, sinus congestion, headaches, coughing, allergies and breathing difficulties I couldn’t help but wonder why so many millions of people need Claritin just to get through the day. Did many of these people have an undetected mold issue?

Some people know they are allergic to mold, yet they may not realize that mold is growing in their homes and workspace. Mold is not visible to us until it creates a super-colony of fruiting structures. Mold spores are microscopic. We cannot see mold spores in the air, even when there are tens of thousands of spores in each cubic meter of the air surrounding us.

Did you know mold thrives everywhere from 30,000 feet in the air to the deepest mine in the earth? Author and mold expert, Edward Close, Phd. writes that mold can survive without air, in freezing or boiling hot environments and grows from the tropics to the Arctic. It is one of the most successful life forms on earth right up there with insects and bacteria. Because mold is so ubiquitous, people think it is harmless. He said, “exposure to toxic mold is the most commonly overlooed underlying cause and/or aggravation of many health problems.” Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, author of Mold Illness and Mold Warrior calls mold related illness Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome from Water-Damaged Buildings (CIRS-WDB). 

I’ve seen first hand how mold affects human health. The fatigue, vertigo, sore throat, sneezing fits. Memory loss and flu-like symptoms can be debilitating. Just what is it about mold that affects us? Two aspects stand out: spores and mycotoxins. Both can be airborne and both can cause allergic reactions on the surface of the skin and inside our bodies. They can grow inside nasal passages, sinus cavities, bronchial passage and lungs.

There is so much to know about mold and biotoxin illness that I have decided to offer a one-hour teleseminar to talk about just that. In the meantime, I offer you some suggestions here. There are two things to consider. The mold in your home and the mold in your body.

What you can do for the…

Mold in your home?

FIRST: Professional Mold Sampling
Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI. http://www.ermimoldtest.com/ermi_dna_mold_testing.asp offers several advantages over traditional mold screening methods. Carpet dust acts as a reservoir for mold spores and is more representative of mold levels over time versus traditional short term air samples (Park et al., 2006). Further, the use of a DNA-based method for this test allows for increased precision of mold identification .

SECOND: Diffuse the Thieves Oil Blend

After Sampling is completed, the next step is to diffuse the Thieves oil blend continuously (non-stop) for a minimum of 24 hours in the room or rooms where you have mold. Determining how long to diffuse is related to how serious the mold infestation is.

The recommended cold-air diffuser is very easy to set up and clean. Anyone can do it. No special skills or training are required.

THIRD: Clean with the Thieves Household Cleaner
After sampling and diffusing have been completed, then clean areas with visible mold using the Thieves Household Cleaner (it contains the Thieves oil blend). Use appropriate protective equipment. The absolute minimum required to address mold is the following: I’ve made a short video of how we worked with my neighbor.

1 Bottle of the Thieves Oil Blend -15 ml
1 Thieves Household Cleaner
1 Cold Air Diffuser

After diffusing is completed, clean visible mold and stains with the recommended Household Cleaner, undiluted. Use protective equipment and take precautions to avoid contact with and breathing mold spores while cleaning. Even dead mold spores can cause allergic reactions, so protective equipment is highly recommended.

Mold in your body?

FIRST: Begin to treat yourself and your family members.

A favorite of mine is the propolis vaporizer. Propolis is a resinous mixture that honey bees collect from tree buds, sap flows, or other botanical sources.

It is widely know for its anti-microbial, immune modulating benefits. Propolis attaches to mold spores and is amazingly effective in neutralizing mold spores and harmful bacterial in the home. We have them available in our wellness store.

SECOND: Foods to Eat

• Eat only freshly prepared low-glycemic fruits (peeled) and vegetables.

• Eat protein: including meats and fresh fish. 

• Drink bottled water. Tap water contains mold. Try to drink distilled or reverse osmosis water as it retains the good bacteria in the digestive tract.

• Try to avoid chemicals and additives such as hormones and antibiotics. 

• Avoid all grains, and all processed/packaged foods.

• Freshly cooked brown rice is safe. Soak with a little Vitamin C before cooking.

THIRD: Attend my Free Teleseminar

“Could MOLD be your Problem” Tuesday, October 25th.  We’ll look at how mold affects us and learn some simple and effective treatments to consider. Meet me there & bring your family and friends.

the same coin. 

Our second level is the “Energy body” or “electromagnetic” level.

EEG, EKG and EMG are some of the common tests you may be familiar that measure the electromagnetic energies in the body.  One of my favorite tools I use is called , Heart Rate Variability (HRV).  HRV is a simple 6 minute test that gives us a window into the patient’s Autonomic Nervous System (ANS).

The ANS is responsible for every function in your body from blood pressure regulation to digestion and heart beat to immune response.

When I measure a person’s HRV it gives me a good indication of where that patient is on the health continuum. Here is a 6 minute video I found which gives a simple but thorough explanation.   Heart Rate Variability
Health is a relative term.  Some patient’s tell me they are “healthy,” yet, they are on meds for heart burn, blood pressure and insomnia.  A truly healthy person does not need to take medications to regulate these functions.  HRV shows a graph of what a physically fit and optimal ANS looks like.  In my 8 years of doing HRV, I have only seen two patients who registered at this level.

The 5 levels of health is a model which organizes health and healing into the physical body, energy body, mental body, information body and consciousness.

The idea of 5 levels of health is not new.  There are many ancient references to the idea that we are more than our physical body.  The work I do is a contemporary application of these ancient principles coupled with the usefulness of modern technology and clinical application. I was introduced to this model through the work of my mentor, Dietrich Klinghardt, M.D, Phd.  www.KlinghardtAcademy.com

The Taittiriya Upanishad describes five bodies or sheaths called koshas that “cover” or contain our higher consciousness.  The koshas constitute layers, or veils, that operate at different levels, always circling ever outward from the inner self.  These five layers or sheaths of consciousness are usually depicted as originating with the most material kosha and transcending to the most ethereal.

An alternative view is that the koshas emerge from the highest vibratory or spiritual state, or the blissful level, and then shift toward the most material level.  While the energies shift from subtle to material, the material then climbs again to subtle.  Thus, the koshas can be viewed as constantly operating on both a microcosmic and macrocosmic level.

In our model, the 5 levels also shift one to the other, interdependent, each influencing the other.  You might say we began as “consciousness” or spirit and was then birthed into the physical only to return to consciousness.  Others believe we began as physical and are meant to return to the spiritual. (spirit.)  It’s safe to say….no one knows for sure.  There are many mysteries yet to be fully understood on each of these levels.  For me, that is part of the wonder.

Recently, a female 42 y.o. patient came to me.  She is underweight, malnourished, fatigued with a constant headache that prevents her from enjoying life, her 2 young children and it has caused some marital discord.  In addition, she has chronic lyme disease and has spent thousands of dollars and seen some of the top specialists in the Northeast.  She has made little to no progress and has become depressed and anguished at the idea of living life feeling so badly.

Using our 5 level model, I immediately knew we wouldn’t make much progress by only focusing on the physical level.  She has been doing just that for years.  At one time, she was taking 35 different supplements per day,  was eating only raw and worked out 3 times a week.  She experienced marginal improvement.  She said she was sick and tired of doing all these treatments and nothing was working.  I knew immediately we had to look at a different level.

Using the NES (nutri-energetics system)  the scan showed  an issue around profound loss, family, & deep woundedness.  As soon as my patient saw the results her eyes filled with tears and she told me she had lost both her father and mother within the past 3 years.  Her mom’s passing was sudden and unexpected and she still had deep sadness and guilt over the unhealed relationship she had with her mother when she died so unexpectedly

The NES system is based on the idea that Information and Energy Control Biology http://www.hunterdonholisticcenter.com/more_nes

The NES analyzes your body-field and identifies any problems. The scan revealed where in her biofield the energy was stuck.

The concept is simple. Imagine the body as a computer. The body’s cells and body parts are like hardware. This has been very well studied by Western Medicine over the last 100 years with little current understanding over what actually controls the body. What has been ignored is the body’s information system or its ‘operating system’ and ‘the energy’ (or software) needed to run the system.

She said this was the first she was able to “tell the truth” about her pain and sadness in a very long time.

Once we begin to work our way through this “pain journey,” she will be able to heal enough to free the energy for her “physical” body to begin to respond.  We have a long way to go but the prognosis is favorable and we are moving to a “cure” not a “coverup.”

• Are you looking to improve your health and implement a natural approach?
• Are you frustrated by the current options for health that seem to focus on drugs and surgery?
• Do you wish you had a doctor who could help you find the underlying causes to your symptoms?

With raSahealth, your body, mind & spirit will feel more like this:

• Each morning you awaken with a spring in your step.  Eager and grateful to begin a new day
• You go to the kitchen and know exactly the right breakfast foods so you can start the day properly nourished
• You perform the exercise best suited for your body type
• You have all the energy needed to maintain a busy schedule with ample room for an evening spent doing the things you love
• Your life feels like you have it in balance; good health and satisfying relationships as you, express your unique creativity and enjoy, that work you love

Health means than taking a multi-vitamin and eating 3-squares a day.

  Did you know that bodies are not only made of light,  but emit light and need more light to be healthy. Let me help you understand why this is important and how you can use this information to keep you and your family healthy in changing times.    

Imagine having a health coach.

Imagine a doctor who really listens.

Imagine a mentor for healthy living who understands not only your unique biochemical individuality but also the ancestral, cultural and personal history that makes you uniquely you.

I’m Dr. Sharon Rasa, expert integrative & holistic health practitioner and founder of raSahealth.  My clients often come to me because they are feeling tired, confused and overwhelmed about why they feel so bad when their doctor says, “there’s nothing wrong!”   Using my 25 years of hands on patient care combined with my training in anatomy, physiology & biology and a deep understanding of ancient sciences of traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda and quantum physics, I help busy people get the energy they need, find the balance in their life to keep up with their demanding lifestyles, and reach their goals for optimal health and healing.    

How do you get started? Begin with the 3 easy steps to increase your energy, calm your anxiety and minimize pain.

Success Stories

I came to Dr. Rasa through a friend I met in Pilate’s class.  I felt as though my thyroid was swollen and I just couldn’t lose weight even though I was running, doing pilates and following a whole foods diet.  Dr. Rasa helped me balance my thyroid through detoxification and I learned I needed to talk about the things I was holding inside.  She also helped me find my “gratitude” I had misplaced a long time ago.

- O. Connally (female, 36)  

When the doctor’s kept telling me my blood work is “normal”…my blood pressure is” fine,” I knew I needed another way.  Their suggestion for anti-depressants was not an option.  Using Autonomic Response Testing, Dr. Rasa found I had a root canal which harbored an infection and was responsible for the many UTI’s and bladder infections I had throughout the last few years.  She referred me to Dr. Oras and together they helped me get better.  I haven’t had a urinary tract infection in 4 years!

- B. Brooks (female, 52)  

I was being treated by a physician for lyme disease and several coinfections but I still felt pretty miserable.  I decided to compliment what I was doing by using alternative therapies. I learned about the work of Dietrich Klinghardt, and found that Dr. Rasa studies with Dr. K and offers many of his protocols.  I have been working with Dr. Rasa for the past year and I feel like I can think again, the brain fog has lifted, I am able to work and I have hope I will get well again.  Thank you Dr. Klinghardt & Dr. Rasa!

- G. Pierson (female, 46)  

I think I would be dead if I didn’t find Dr. Rasa one year ago.  I was 100 lbs overweight, and suffering with chronic fatigue, a mouth full of mercury and a body full of toxins from years spent at racetracks breathing in the exhaust fumes.  I told her she was my last hope, the last doctor I would try to get help from.  I was tired of being alive and I didn’t know where to turn.  She changed my diet, all of my personal care products and she helped me detoxify slowly.  When she told me about family constellation…I thought that was the last thing I would ever do.  I’m so glad I did. Now I am living again, I want to fall in love and have a family.

- K. Robillo (male, 36)  

I’ve been seeing Dr. Rasa for 8 years.  As a teacher, I stand on my feet for hours each day and have a long history of back pain.  I fell off my horse several times throughout my life and didn’t want to stop riding but I also didn’t want to be in pain all the time.  I go for chiropractic and cranio-sacral treatments twice a month with Dr. Rasa and I’m able to keep riding and stay away from pain pills.  Dr. Rasa is always there for me.  She has seen me on her days off and even came to my home to treat me.  I bring my whole family to her and I trust her most of all.

– E. Piscatelli (female, 58)  

How do you get started? Register to receive my 3 strategies for anxiety, pain and increased energy.