Vital Signs - September 30, 2019
![[Spectacular Fall day in Juneau with 3 friends smiling near the top of Mt. Roberts]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3747b1_5060d25cbf5e4e8888b55fafcd173ba3~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/3747b1_5060d25cbf5e4e8888b55fafcd173ba3~mv2_d_4032_3024_s_4_2.jpeg)
DEAR CIRCLE:
Welcome to the Third Edition of our regular New Moon Newsletter: Vital Signs.
This is where I relay the most important information about our clinic, for you to easily reference.
Every year to maintain my medical licensure, I attend an educational presentation of research. This past month I attended one discussing ketamine use for mood disorders, psychotherapy and pain conditions, presented by multi-disciplinary speakers,
(University based MD/PhDs doing all levels of research, clinic based physicians, psychiatrists, anesthesiologists, palliative care physicians, ER physicians, family physicians, physician assistants, addiction medicine specialists, pain specialists, psychologists, therapists and more) which brought me to the lovely Denver, Colorado.
I am also continuing my integrative medicine training with Dr. Paul Dugliss, MD, board Certified Internist, Ayurvedic practitioner and Traditional Chinese Medicine physician, and will be traveling to Portland, Maine, to learn hands-on in his clinic later this year (December 11-15th) as part of completing my own certification.
I am excited to share what I learn in an ongoing manner both here in our newsletters, and in our in-depth seasonal group sessions, which start THIS WEEK, and are available both online and in-person in Juneau. (Keep reading for more info).
On a personal note, I have finished my own Fall Cleanse to prepare my digestion for the change of season, and am loving the gentle calm feeling I get after spending the time to "reset" my body so to speak. I sort of think of it as my "oil change", and this is actually the seventh time I've gone through the process.
This moon cycle I'm looking forward to sharing this ancient wisdom, backed by science, with YOU my patients, readers, and self-healing community, because I know first-hand how awesome it feels.
We had some other FIRSTS around the clinic this moon cycle, including hosting our first medical student, Danny Lee, which was an excellent experience all around. Danny had the pleasure of seeing some of you with me in clinic, attended Audra's healthy skin class, had a few hands-on healthy cooking sessions, hiked to the top of Mt. Roberts, did Qigong and enjoyed some of Juneau's world-class art.
Danny also helped me host our first book club, as we met to discuss Don't Tell Me To Calm Down: Face Your Power and Find Your Peace by Portland based Erin Donley, my patient and talented writer/author. One book club attendee described our first session as follows:
"The cheerful offices of Moon Cycle Medicine rang with laughter, meaningful discussion and the occasional thoughtful pause. There may have been a tear; certainly a plethora of emotions. The occasion was the first meeting of the MCM Book Club. Attendance was deliciously small, and while the differences of opinions occurred, a profound respect and mutual courtesy filled the atmosphere..."
I can speak from my experience attending the book club, that I had a radical time and am SO looking forward to our next one, which is scheduled Wednesday November 13th @ 5:30pm. We will be discussing The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, MD.
I do still have a few copies of Don't Tell Me To Calm Down, by Erin Donley at the office, so don't worry if you missed out, you can still grab one during your next visit!
I hope you are all doing well and residing in health, and if you need a boost you can always book a personal session, or come to one of our events below.
Thank you for reading, and check back here next month for more news and updates.
Shanah Tovah!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
First Friday Open House:
I will be teaching a FREE class about preparing the digestion for Fall on First Friday at Rainforest Yoga in Downtown Juneau @5:15pm!
Fall Cleanse:
First Info Session Saturday Oct 5th!
(recorded: can be done from anywhere)
2pm Alaska, 3pm Pacific, 4pm Mountain, 5pm Central, 6pm Eastern!!!
First Info Session Thursday Oct 10th!
Meets at 6pm @ 110 Seward Street.
Dinner Included! [register]
By participating with either of these groups, you will get all the information you need to take your body through a gentle seasonal reset. *May be reimbursable through insurance.
Breast Health and Mastectomy Fit Event
Saturday October 5th @
Bustin' Out Boutique (234 Front St)
Dr. Kayla Luhrs will be talking about breast health alongside other Juneau practitioners meanwhile you can get a personal fit done by local bra experts.
Dr. Luhrs will be in attendance on Saturday from 3:30-5pm.
BOOK CLUB:
Wed Nov 13th 5:30pm
by: Dr. Van Der Kolk
In The Body Keeps the Score, Dr. Van Der Kolk uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma literally reshapes both body and brain, compromising sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust.
He explores innovative treatments—from neurofeedback and meditation to sports, drama, and yoga—that offer new paths to recovery by activating the brain’s natural neuroplasticity.
Based on Dr. van der Kolk’s own research and that of other leading specialists, The Body Keeps the Score exposes the tremendous power of our relationships both to hurt and to heal—and offers new hope for reclaiming lives.
Looking forward to discussing this awesome selection with you!
👉🏽Get ready by purchasing your copy of the book here (also available in clinic)
👉🏽Add the date to your calendar: November 13th @5:30pm
👉🏽RSVP!
IN HEALTH AND PEACE,
DR. KAYLA
(comments welcome)