After last year's success, she's at it again.  That's right.  Lori Rischer, who was handpicked by KIIS-FM and 98.7 to lead a free "Yoga at the Pier" event for the entire summer of 2009, has agreed to do it again every Saturday for the entire summer of 2010.  Lucky us!!

This year, class will take place at the beautiful and historic Malibu Pier on Pacific Coast Highway.  Class starts at 8:30 a.m.  Be sure to bring your mat, towel, water, and identification.  If you are under 18, you must be accompanied by an adult.  Get there early to reserve your spot and enjoy 75 minutes of yoga set to incredible tunes with fresh ocean breeze on your face and the Pacific Ocean as your backdrop.  There will be street parking or you may park in the city lot for $6.00.  Stick around after class for a complimentary breakfast provided by Beachcomber Cafe.

You may see the event flyer by clicking >here<. 

Thank you for reading.
Tamara ZumMallen

        

You know, I cannot tell you enough how much I love the clinic in which I practice acupuncture.  Years ago when I was a young acupuncture student, Healing Hands is what I envisioned as the perfect environment for me.  A bungalow house, comfortable treatment rooms, heated and comfy treatment tables, and free parking on a trendy Hollywood street is just wonderful. 

Healing Hands offers incredible massage, chiropractic and acupuncture treatments at reasonable prices.  And if that was not enough, they offer great holiday promotions.  What's up now?  Two massages for $99 in honor of Father's Day.  Give them both to Dad or save one for yourself.  And now you may buy gift certificates at our website:  www.healinghandswc.com. 

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Thank you for reading.
Tamara ZumMallen

        

I was reading today about the overtreating of back pain.  It's an epidemic.  You go into the doctor's office with pain.  They order tests.  You walk out with prescriptions for pain killers and anti-inflammatories.  And so the downward spiral of meds, denial, and chronic pain begins.

I was not surprised to learn that with proper rest 90% of back pain will heal on its own.  The key is listening to your body's early whispers that there is a problem and act accordingly.  My professional opinion as an acupuncturist and yoga instructor is to do the following when something feels a little "off":

1. As much as you possibly can, lie flat on your back with your knees bent and the soles of your feet flat on the floor.  This position gives the lumbar just enough traction to open the space between the vertebrae and give the nerves enough room to lay freely.
2. Take an epsom salt soak.  Pour 3 - 4 cups of epsom salt in a warm bath and soak for twenty minutes.  This will relax and detoxify muscles.
3. Drink plenty of water.  8 - 10 cups per day is good to keep your muscles hydrated.
4. Light stretching will keep the lumbar muscles supple.
5. Commit to a few acupuncture sessions.  Moving qi and blood through the region may hasten your healing process.

With these five suggestions you will be back to your normal activities in no time. 

Thank you for reading.
Tamara ZumMallen

        

I've made my favorite purchase of the year thus far....a Bed of Nails.  Yes, you read that right.  The Swedish Bed of Nails, with it's 6,000 points and 20-minute sessions, leaves me both calm and invigorated.  It is yin and yang packaged into a small, portable mat.  I fully endorse this product as both an acupuncturist and a girl looking for stress relief and complete relaxation.

If you are looking for an endorphin rush or a legal high, the Bed of Nails is for you.  I just can't decide where I like it best:  under my neck, back, or my feet.  Let me go try it again.  I'll get back to you.

Thank you for reading.
Tamara ZumMallen, L.Ac.

        

I read today that women put a staggering 515 chemicals on their skin every day.

I'm shocked.  Sort of.  When I pick up beauty products in the pharmacy or even in high-end retail stores, I cannot identify most of the ingredients listed.  And up until recently, I have trusted that that was okay. 

I've recently started asking myself as I read health and beauty product labels, "what would happen if I ingested this?"  If intuition tells me that I may end up in the emergency room, I put it back on the shelf.  But who has time for this?  And why should you have to read labels?  I want to make it simple for you.  I will do the investigative work for you. 

So let's start with the skin, the largest organ of the body, known as the integumentary system, your first line of defense against toxins.  Pass up all of the creams, lotions, and potions.  Rather, head to the cooking oil section at your local grocery store.  Pick up a jar of coconut oil.  Read the label.  One ingredient only:  raw organic coconut oil.  I have found that it is the best skin moisturizer on the market, it is very reasonably priced, and smells divine.  It melts on contact with your skin and leaves your skin incredibly soft.  You'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you don't have a single chemical seeping into your pores.

        

September is National Yoga Month.  I am ecstatic that yoga gets a full month of recognition.  I am even more ecstatic at the idea of practicing at a participating yoga studio for free for an entire week.

        

Well....the title says it all.  Cupping has been around for 2500 years.  It is originally used by many ancient civilizations but most prominently in Chinese culture as a modality in Chinese medicine.  And finally there is valid research coming out of:  Germany, South Korea and Iran.

        

"If you eat food, you should see Food, Inc.  " --Tamara ZumMallen.  THAT is my official review.  

        

I am in possession of the best under eye gel a girl can get her hands on.  And men too, for that matter.  Everyone who knows me knows that I am a fanatic for good skincare, particularly eye creams, gels, and serums.  And the more natural, the better.  Enter Lotus Moon.  

        

I thought about posting my resume on this blog so that you could get to know me a little better.  Then I thought.....how boring.  How about if instead I tell you why you should hire me as your acupuncturist.  I think this will be way more interesting than a boring list of educational and professional facts about me.