Complimentary and Alternative Medicine Lesson Handouts

1. Complimentary and Alternative Medicine Lesson Handouts Yoga – Homeopathy - Meditation

2. Hatha Flow

3. Vinyasa Flow

4. Do’s and Don’ts – Posture & Form

5. Homeopathy Facts Can a pregnant woman, breastfeeding moms, or a newborn baby use homeopathy? Since homeopathic remedies are devoid of all chemical toxicity, homeopathy is the ideal system of medicine for people of all ages, even the most sensitive like an expectant mother or a newborn baby. Difficulties during pregnancy and the delivery or its aftermath as well as all the problems experienced by the newborn can be dealt with very efficiently and without side effects with homeopathy. Where can homeopathic medicines be purchased? Most homeopathic medicines are available over-the-counter and can be purchased from natural food stores, many corner drug stores, or directly from the manufacturers or homeopathic pharmacies. Check out our Organizational and Business Directory for a list of places to purchase homeopathic remedies and other products. Are homeopathic medicines expensive? Homeopathic medicines are less expensive than conventional medicines, costing on average $5–$8 per bottle. Sometimes only a single dose of a medicine is needed to affect a return to health. These medicines have an extended shelf life and each may be used for several different conditions. When do I need to go to a professional homeopath? Consumers can learn to treat simple first-aid and acute conditions effectively with the aid of homeopathic self-care books or by attending homeopathic classes, but serious, chronic conditions should always be treated by an experienced homeopathic practitioner. Who practices homeopathy? Homeopathy is practiced by a wide variety of health-care practitioners including medical doctors, osteopaths, naturopathic physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dentists, veterinarians, chiropractors, acupuncturists, nurse midwives, podiatrists, and professional homeopaths. Individual states regulate the practice of homeopathy, and each state’s laws and requirements for practice are different.  In most cases, homeopathy can be practiced legally by any health professional whose license entitles them to prescribe medicines, such as MDs, DOs, NDs, etc.  In addition, three states specifically license the practice of homeopathy for medical and osteopathic physicians: Arizona, Connecticut, and Nevada. Two of these states, Arizona and Nevada, also allow the practice of homeopathy by registered Homeopathic Medical Assistants, under the auspices of a licensed MD or DO. Since 2000, Minnesota, Rhode Island, and California have adopted legislation that allows unlicensed complementary and alternative health practitioners (including unlicensed homeopaths) the freedom to practice as long as they give full disclosure of their training and background. Efforts are underway in other states to adopt similar legislation. Learn more about practicing homeopathy. http://www.homeopathycenter.org/what-is-homeopathy#differ

6. Homeopathy FactsSide Effects and Risks Side Effects and Risks • Certain homeopathic products (called “nosodes” or “homeopathic immunizations”) have been promoted by some as substitutes for conventional immunizations, but data to support such claims is lacking. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendations for immunizations/vaccinations. To learn more about vaccines visit www.vaccines.gov. • While many homeopathic remedies are highly diluted, some products sold or labeled as homeopathic may not be highly diluted; they can contain substantial amounts of active ingredients. Like any drug or dietary supplement that contains chemical ingredients, these homeopathic products may cause side effects or drug interactions. Negative health effects from homeopathic products of this type have been reported. • A 2007 systematic review found that highly diluted homeopathic remedies, taken under the supervision of trained professionals, are generally safe and unlikely to cause severe adverse reactions. However, like any drug or dietary supplement, these products could pose risks if they are improperly manufactured (for example, if they are contaminated with microorganisms or incorrectly diluted). • A 2012 systematic review of case reports and case series concluded that using certain homeopathic treatments (such as those containing heavy metals like mercury or iron that are not highly diluted) or replacing an effective conventional treatment with an ineffective homeopathic one can cause adverse effects, some of which may be serious. • Liquid homeopathic remedies may contain alcohol. The FDA allows higher levels of alcohol in these remedies than it allows in conventional drugs. • Homeopathic practitioners expect some of their patients to experience “homeopathic aggravation” (a temporary worsening of existing symptoms after taking a homeopathic prescription). Researchers have not found much evidence of this reaction in clinical studies; however, research on homeopathic aggravations is scarce. Always discuss changes in your symptoms with your health care provider. • The FDA has warned consumers about different products labeled as homeopathic. For example, in 2015, it warned consumers not to rely on asthma products labeled as homeopathic that are sold over-the-counter. These products have not been evaluated by the FDA for safety and effectiveness. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/homeopathy

7. Meditation for Beginners CONCENTRATION MEDITATION Concentration meditation involves focusing on a single point. This could entail following the breath, repeating a single word or mantra, staring at a candle flame, listening to a repetitive gong, or counting beads on a mala. Since focusing the mind is challenging, a beginner might meditate for only a few minutes and then work up to longer durations. In this form of meditation, you simply refocus your awareness on the chosen object of attention each time you notice your mind wandering. Rather than pursuing random thoughts, you simply let them go. Through this process, your ability to concentrate improves. MINDFULNESS MEDITATION Mindfulness meditation encourages the practitioner to observe wandering thoughts as they drift through the mind. The intention is not to get involved with the thoughts or to judge them, but simply to be aware of each mental note as it arises. Through mindfulness meditation, you can see how your thoughts and feelings tend to move in particular patterns. Over time, you can become more aware of the human tendency to quickly judge an experience as good or bad, pleasant or unpleasant. With practice, an inner balance develops. In some schools of meditation, students practice a combination of concentration and mindfulness. Many disciplines call for stillness — to a greater or lesser degree, depending on the teacher. https://www.gaiam.com/blogs/discover/meditation-101-techniques-benefits-and-a-beginner-s-how-to