In May of 2020, in the midst of the UK’s Coronavirus lockdown, photographer Greg Dennis was looking for inspiration. He found it in the sunrise and the surf. Watch this video to see how you, too, can find inspiration and inspire others along the way,…
People in the addictions community often begin acupuncture treatment while in recovery. Acupuncture can help with many of the physical and emotional components of the recovery process.
Welcome to MindfulLIFE Acupuncture! My name is Lesley Johnsen, and I am a Doctor of Acupuncture. In this video, I discuss my approach to acupuncture and how I incorporate a trauma informed approach in my sessions. I also discuss Psych-K and what to expect in…
The first acupuncture treatments I ever gave were to address anxiety in an addictions setting. These sessions were done in a group setting and utilized a specific auricular (ear) protocol to address various symptoms of anxiety related to depression, insomnia, racing mind and more. The…
When some asks me, as they often do, if acupuncture works for various conditions, my answer is usually something like, “Yes, but it really depends on the specifics [of what’s going on].” And that’s a true statement across the board. However, when it comes to…
I incorporate the use of herbal and homeopathic remedies into nearly every client interaction. These can be like daily acupuncture treatments, and quite often go to a very different level of healing than acupuncture alone. Please listen to the following podcast between my good friend,…
Acupuncture has been used as a natural adjunct to traditional the addiction recovery model for over 40 years. Beginning with a simple auricular (ear) treatment protocol in the 70s, it is currently being used in many rehab facilities to support people at all stages of…
Many people are seeking a Health Coach to assist them on their health and wellness journey. But what exactly is a Health Coach, and how do you know when you’ve found a good one? Please watch this interview with Nationally Board Certified Health and Wellness…
In this video I walk through a stress-relieving treatment with Reneé Johnson of Infinite Lotus Wellness. Please keep in mind that every treatment looks somewhat different as we all face different challenges in life and have different wounds to heal. Click on the video to…
One of the groups hardest hit by the stressors of the last year are our educators. This is a summarized version of the the talk I did for KOI Education in January of this year. The emphasis is on defining what stress actually is, while…
Ryan Hardesty, owner of New Life Balance Center in Phoenix, speaks about emotional regulation. After that, he discusses addiction, trauma and how listening to our bodies can lead to better physical and emotional health.
Above all, staying healthy keeps us healthy, and regulating our emotions is a key component of this preventative medicine. Moreover, fear creates a stress response, one of the greatest inhibitors of positive health on all levels. Watch this video with Canadian physicians discuss a shift…
Our subconscious minds control approximately 95% of our thoughts and behaviors. However, many of these thoughts and behaviors are self-limiting and self-sabotaging. Therefore, in order to be healthier and happier, we need a tool to change these subconscious patterns. Psych-K is one of these tools. …
Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is based on the principles non-violence. Therefore, it inspires compassionate connection and action. For instance, it can improve relationships through more empathic interrelation with ourselves and others. Watch this short video to better understand NVC for your own life.
In light of the corona virus and its unknown impact, there is a lot of fear in the air. Besides washing your hands and keeping your sneezes/coughs self-contained, your best line of defense is to keep your immunity strong. However, repressed feelings have a…
Compassionate Inquiry helps us to connect with our authentic selves. For instance, we can discover the masks we have been wearing and hear our true voices. Watch this video from Dr. Maté for more information about this simple, yet profound therapeutic approach to a healing…
Kindness is one of the guiding principles in my life. I carry Kindness cards everywhere I go, and explain to people that I’m practicing guerrilla kindfare when I leave them in restaurant check binders, on checkout counters in the stores, in airplane seats and wherever…
Over the last year, I’ve been asked a lot about how acupuncture can be beneficial in treating Coronavirus. There have been a lot of studies done with herbs and acupuncture to both prevent and treat the symptoms of colds and flus, even the novel ones…
Here’s a not-so-fun fact: stress is linked to the six leading causes of death. This means that unmanaged feelings of stress are being connected to heart disease, cancer, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide. Can acupuncture help counter the stress that seems to be…
I feel deeply grateful for the fact that I was exposed to the benefits of acupuncture for addiction recovery at the beginning of my acupuncture training, over ten years ago. My school, the TAI Sophia Institute, had a long-standing relationship with the Penn North Recovery…
Ok. This article isn’t about acupuncture or Covid, improving our immunity or even health and wellness. But as a small business owner, I continue to advocate supporting other small business owners, and one of the ways I can do this is to share what I…
The title of this blog is a quote from Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician, often considered the father of medicine. Many of us are familiar with his name, as medical doctors today still abide by the Hippocratic Oath as their ethical guide for conduct and…
This 35 minute documentary was done in 2016 and chronicles the current opioid epidemic facing our country. I urge you to watch this video with an open mind and an open heart so that all who are affected by this crisis may receive peace and…
Five-Element Acupuncture is an ancient therapeutic system which developed based on observations of the human body and nature. The theory behind it is that our bodies are a microcosm of larger world, and the five elements found outside – fire, earth, metal, water and wood…
