Two Weeks of Cat Sitting or Health in the City

Two weeks ago I was staying with my sister and her family (I'm feeling like a nomad these days). I'd assisted with some painting projects, baby sitting, and moving the heaviest desk I've ever encountered (I still hurt). My friend Liz invited me to the Big Apple to cat sit while she went on a trip; I found a ride on craigslist and considered it my destiny. I've made a few health related discoveries while in New York and felt they were worth a mention.

First I need to mention a pattern I've noticed. There are a lot of very physically active people living city lives. I don't think it was the same when I was a kid. Growing up in the country, it seemed visiting the city (Buffalo being the only one I was ever taken to) meant seeing a lot of inactive people. I may be wrong, but it seems somehow to have flipped. Many of the heavier, less active people I encounter now seem to be country dwellers. I'm not certain how or why this might be the case. Anyhow, seeing all of the runners, bikers, walkers and such in NYC made me think about this.

The last I visited Liz's, I went to a free yoga session at a center big on combining yoga and Thai Chi; I returned this visit and was disappointed at the way I was received. I could participate in yoga for $25 per hour session. I purchased a book from them, Meridian Exercises for Self-Healing by: Ilchi Lee, but decided I'd do yoga somewhere else. Once again craigslist came to the rescue; for 6 hours of cleaning and assisting in setting up a studio, I would be able to participate in 10 yoga sessions (thank you very much Loretta of Area Yoga Brooklyn). I've been able to participate in two fairly challenging beginner's sessions and may go for one or two more (it's just over a one hour walk to the studio and going eats into my writing time).

Another great health related find was a place called Start Point located in the Hispanic part of Brooklyn at 5th ave. and 53rd street. I stopped in to ask about their herbs and was invited to get a kind of acupressure massage on a infrared heated bed; I slept so well the night after this first session, I decided to return daily. It's a neat set up...friendly and inviting. They do a 15 minute talk in Spanish before every session on the beds, which I've been considering a free language lesson (mucho gusta!).

I also purchased a copy of The Tao of Detox by: Daniel Reid and, having read the first couple of chapters, am giving it my highest recommendation for Morgellons sufferers. Really it is great! Get a copy if you can or I'll loan you mine once I'm done.

I had hoped to connect with a Wilson's Temperature Syndrome specialist, but she emailed to let me know she is moving to Arizona. Sure, I was disappointed. I also have to say I'm surprised the Chinatown I was familiar with here some 15 years ago has changed greatly; it is mostly for tourist. So, some health related disappointments...but the good outweighs the bad.