Hidden Gems: Meet Janet Dailey of Dailey Wellness

Reposted from original in Voyager LA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Janet Dailey.

Q: Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I landed in NYC during the summer of 1977, at the age of 16 from Ohio, yes, my soul is adventurous. It was love at first sight. My journey in NYC includes a modeling career, being the lead singer of the rock band, The Pleasure Bombs, recording an album on Atlantic Records in 1991, and eventually finding a home in the healing arts, where I have been for the past 18 years.

Along my diverse path, I have been fortunate to travel the world, work with great musicians and learn from master teachers. I also stumbled into a drug addiction in the early 90’s, which brought me to my knees and experienced a near-death “awakening” in 2005 that had a huge impact on how I view life. I went on a vacation to Puerto Rico in 2005, at a point when I was exhausted physically and emotionally and wasn’t listening to my body. While swimming one day, I was caught in a riptide and pulled out to sea, and ended up being pulled towards the rocky shore, eventually going in and out of a small hole, barely taking a breath and being pulled under. I was about to give up when I received the “extra” energy to pull myself out of this hole. I know that I was helped that day by the Universe and that I had more time here. Upon being rescued, with the help of a dear friend who pulled me out of the water and a rescue squad, I felt instantly how quickly life can be gone and how much I wanted to live. That was the gift. Understanding there is nothing to fear. It gave me the confidence to go full time into the work that I now do and to trust and listen to my intuitive intelligence.

I am grateful to my first spiritual counselor Abdi Assadi, for helping me during some of my darkest hours, encouraging me to eventually go into the healing arts, starting with Reflexology. This was the beginning of a new chapter in my life, around 2001. At this time, I was introduced to Dr. Joseph Michael Levry, founder of Naam Yoga, who I had the privilege of studying with for over ten years, becoming certified in Naam Yoga Level One and Level Three, as well as Harmonyum Healing. I went on to study Corrective Yoga and Bare Bones Basics Yoga with Paula Tursi, founder of Reflections Yoga, learning how to work with beginners, those that have injuries, and the importance of remaining curious while teaching what you love. Recently, I studied with CC Treadway and was certified in Womb Healing which was the inspiration for my Root Wisdom for Woman Program that I now offer.

Therapeutic Yoga, Music, and the healing art of Reflexology are some of the many tools that I love sharing with my students. My work involves listening to my students and clients, tuning into how they are living and moving, then finding out what is working and what needs to be tweaked for deep healing, mobility and creativity. Together, we come up with a structure that supports their goals and dreams on every level of life. I view working with my clients as a co-creation, a dance if you will, using these ancient tools as guides to move you towards the health and well-being you desire. A strong body, mind and spirit connection helps you to navigate stressful times and to remain open to all of life’s possibilities!

I am in the process of finishing writing my first book about adoption, love, shame, healing and hope. I was adopted and found my birth mother last year, along with the help of my half-sister and many other clues. The book is a bit about my journey, the healing that has taken place for us all to meet, and the power of not giving up and trust in divine timing.

Q: Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would say the road has been full of unique experiences that all were there to wake me up and inspire me to be true to myself. Looking back, I would say the struggles were only there when I wasn’t looking at something, doing my shadow work, listening to my spirit. Literally, my body and soul saying stop and listen.

Q: Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Dailey Wellness – I am the founder of Dailey Wellness, a Yoga teacher, Retreat leader, Reflexologist, Singer and Healer. I love sharing the tools of yoga, reflexology, sound healing, and womb healing. I am currently finishing writing a book that is inspired by my finding my birth mother this past year, as I was adopted, the healing that has and is taking place and journey leading up to this moment.

My passion is to support women at a time when they need it most. When you can no longer stay where you are, yet you don’t know how to move forward. I designed The Root Wisdom Online Program to support women in uncovering and aligning with their dreams and visions. We use the tools of coaching, yoga and movement, sound healing, journaling and womb healing. Every month we hold a Women’s Full Moon Gathering online that includes live music with artist Natalia Perlaza.

I am known for my ability to pay attention to the needs of 40+ individuals that are seeking a wholistic and healing approach to life. Personal attention and attuning to my client’s specific needs is my specialty. My mission is to create a healthy, joyful, creative space for all of the individuals and groups that I work.

I am most proud of and grateful to all of my students and clients that help to raise funds ongoing for the El Jardin Montesorri-Waldorf School Scholarship in Chacala, Mexico. It was founded by Dr. Laura Del Valle, founder of Mar De Jade Resort and her daughter Angelica, and provides full scholarships to all of the children that want to attend. I started doing retreats here in 2008 and continue going back to this place that has been helping the local community since the early 80’s.

Dailey Wellness will continue to provide access to online classes for all that want to attend and scholarships for programs in the future. No one is ever turned away if they want to attend a class and don’t have the funds available.

Current offerings are: In Person – Reflexology Sessions at my West LA Office, Online Private Yoga Sessions, Online Dailey Wellness Basics Classes, Online Root Wisdom Program for Women. I am also available for a limited number of in person Reflexology and Yoga sessions in the Santa Monica and surrounding area.

Be my guest: Everyone reading this is invited to join a Dailey Wellness Basics Class on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3-4PM as my guest. Please email: janet@daileywellness.com to receive class info.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Our time here is precious, don’t wait for tomorrow. You are enough. Share your wisdom.

Contact Info:

• Email: janet@daileywellness.com

• Website: https://daileywellness.com

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daileywellness/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daileywellness

• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSWG3HItJUVOeeniR8p0t5g

Image Credits: Amanda Plant

Self-Care Rituals: Conversation with Nichola Weir

I look forward to introducing you to practitioners, therapists, doctors, yogis, healers who inspire and help us connect the body, mind and spirit. This month I asked Nichola Weir, owner of Pacific Touch NYC (an integrative skin therapy practice that specializes in holistic facials) to answer a few questions regarding the skin, rituals and inspiration. I love her joyful, earth-mama goddess energy and healing hands! 
(*She is extending a special $25 discount for all first-time clients during November and December 2016. Her website is PacificTouchNYC.com. Follow Pacific Touch NYC on Facebook and Instagram.)

In conversation with Nichola Weir:

JD: What daily rituals help you to stay relaxed and grounded? 
NW: A daily ritual that grounds me is my hot water with lemon first thing in the morning to detoxify and alkalize my body. I refrain from checking emails or looking at my phone and stay "unplugged" while I drink my lemon water and use the time instead to think about what I am grateful for. This tweak on a very simple ritual is a total game changer. Starting the day doing something great for my skin and in a state of gratitude sends a very powerful message out to the universe. 

JD: As we move into the fall season what can we do to help our skin, which is the largest organ of the body?
NW: Fall is a time that I use to prep my skin for the harsher winter months. I love using enzymes to clear clogged pores from summer and I use nourishing plant based oils to feed and strengthen my skin. I look to nature for enzymes and the most popular are pineapple, papaya and pumpkin. [recipe follows]

JD: You clearly love what you do. Where do you draw your inspiration from? 
NW: Undoubtedly my biggest inspiration for what I do comes from the influence of my mother who is a skin therapist in New Zealand. This is not work; it is a calling. I am part Samoan and massage is an integral part of our culture and something we are taught at a very young age. My great grandmother would perform ‘fofo’ (Samoan healing massage) on us regularly as children and the importance of healing touch is engrained into my psyche.

Recipe: Enzymatic Face Mask 

Here is a recipe for an enzymatic mask you can make with ingredients in the kitchen:

• 2 TBL Fresh or canned pumpkin
• 1 TBL Yogurt
• 1 tsp Honey (Manuka if you have it)
   
• MIX and apply to a clean face lightly massaging in a circular motion with damp fingertips. Leave on for up to 10 minutes. 
• PATCH TEST: Before applying this mask I recommend doing a patch test for sensitivity (even if ingredients are natural you can still experience a reaction).
• INSIDER TIP:  Do this treatment at night because it is active and you may experience tingling and pinking up of the skin, and before your shower for easier removal (if tingling feels too intense remove immediately with cool water).
• AFTER mask removal, apply a hydrating mist if you have one (eg. Rose hydrosol) and a nice moisturizing cream or face oil.

We Were Made For These Times

I came across this piece from one of my favorite authors, Clarissa Pinkola Estes, and wanted to share with you. Each gesture of loving kindness and compassion towards another soul helps contribute to all of mankind. You are love, you are seen and you are heard. —Janet

_____________________________

We Were Made For These Times

by Clarissa Pinkola Estes

American poet, post-trauma specialist and Jungian psychoanalyst, author of Women Who Run With the Wolves.

My friends, do not lose heart. We were made for these times. I have heard from so many recently who are deeply and properly bewildered. They are concerned about the state of affairs in our world now. Ours is a time of almost daily astonishment and often righteous rage over the latest degradations of what matters most to civilized, visionary people.

You are right in your assessments. The lustre and hubris some have aspired to while endorsing acts so heinous against children, elders, everyday people, the poor, the unguarded, the helpless, is breathtaking. Yet, I urge you, ask you, gentle you, to please not spend your spirit dry by bewailing these difficult times. Especially do not lose hope. Most particularly because, the fact is that we were made for these times. Yes. For years, we have been learning, practicing, been in training for and just waiting to meet on this exact plain of engagement.

I grew up on the Great Lakes and recognize a seaworthy vessel when I see one. Regarding awakened souls, there have never been more able vessels in the waters than there are right now across the world. And they are fully provisioned and able to signal one another as never before in the history of humankind.

Look out over the prow; there are millions of boats of righteous souls on the waters with you. Even though your veneers may shiver from every wave in this stormy roil, I assure you that the long timbers composing your prow and rudder come from a greater forest. That long-grained lumber is known to withstand storms, to hold together, to hold its own, and to advance, regardless.

In any dark time, there is a tendency to veer toward fainting over how much is wrong or un-mended in the world. Do not focus on that. There is a tendency, too, to fall into being weakened by dwelling on what is outside your reach, by what cannot yet be. Do not focus there. That is spending the wind without raising the sails.

We are needed, that is all we can know. And though we meet resistance, we more so will meet great souls who will hail us, love us and guide us, and we will know them when they appear. Didn't you say you were a believer? Didn't you say you pledged to listen to a voice greater? Didn't you ask for grace? Don't you remember that to be in grace means to submit to the voice greater?

Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach. Any small, calm thing that one soul can do to help another soul, to assist some portion of this poor suffering world, will help immensely. It is not given to us to know which acts or by whom, will cause the critical mass to tip toward an enduring good.

What is needed for dramatic change is an accumulation of acts, adding, adding to, adding more, continuing. We know that it does not take everyone on Earth to bring justice and peace, but only a small, determined group who will not give up during the first, second, or hundredth gale.

One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul. Soul on deck shines like gold in dark times. The light of the soul throws sparks, can send up flares, builds signal fires, causes proper matters to catch fire. To display the lantern of soul in shadowy times like these - to be fierce and to show mercy toward others; both are acts of immense bravery and greatest necessity.

Struggling souls catch light from other souls who are fully lit and willing to show it. If you would help to calm the tumult, this is one of the strongest things you can do.

There will always be times when you feel discouraged. I too have felt despair many times in my life, but I do not keep a chair for it. I will not entertain it. It is not allowed to eat from my plate.

The reason is this: In my uttermost bones I know something, as do you. It is that there can be no despair when you remember why you came to Earth, who you serve, and who sent you here. The good words we say and the good deeds we do are not ours. They are the words and deeds of the One who brought us here. In that spirit, I hope you will write this on your wall: When a great ship is in harbor and moored, it is safe, there can be no doubt. But that is not what great ships are built for.

Beat Flu & Cold Season with These Natural Remedies

by Vincent M. Pedre III, MD

With cold and flu season rapidly approaching, I am often asked how I am able to
ward off so many colds throughout the season. After all, I am seeing sick patients almost
on a daily basis during winter season. You would think that I get sick more often, but I
only get one or two brief colds during the entire winter. I have even managed to get
over the flu within 24-48 hours using a supplement trick I learned during my
extensive research, looking for natural remedies to treat the swine flu epidemic.

Flu & Cold Prevention

First and foremost, washing of the hands after each potential sick contact is of utmost
importance. This means washing your hands after you have held on during a subway
ride where others most likely have touched and spread their germs. Using a hand
sanitizer is also not a bad idea, but overusing a hand sanitizer will dry your hands out
too much, so use wisely and when most needed. At our office, if someone has the flu,
which is spread by respiratory droplets, we will disinfect the room used to see the
patient before seeing the next patient. This is to protect us and the next person. If you
live with a loved one that is sick, it’s always best to sleep in a separate room, especially if
they are coughing all night (unless you want to get sick as well). Of course, many times
it’s hard to avoid people that are sick around us. An atomizer with the essential oil of
eucalyptus can help sterilize the air from viruses traveling in droplets.

Natural Remedies That Help Block Colds & Flu

But, my best preventive strategies are the natural remedies I have come to depend on
to stay as healthy as possible during the winter months. Here are some of my “secret
weapons” to get and stay healthy during cold and flu season. I’ve linked my favorite
products to this message for your benefit. Just click on any product to be taken to our
professional products page. Thymucin by Integrative Therapeutics, an immune
booster that helps activate killer T cells while boosting energy with an adaptogen, was
my first lifesaver. When I learned about this, it seemed that I became much more
resistant overnight to most colds I encountered daily. Adding Vitamin D3 5,000
IU daily by Pure Encapsulations to this mix provides another boost to the immune
system. I’ve discussed the many benefits of vitamin D3 over and over. This vitamin is
what saved me when I had the flu last winter.

Here’s the trick I use to BEAT THE FLU

If you definitely have the flu (high fever, body aches, respiratory symptoms, cough,
congestion, runny nose), then take 25,000 IU of Vitamin D3 at the first signs of fever
or flu-like symptoms. Repeat this dose daily for 3 days. When I had the flu last winter,
my fever broke in 12 hours using this with two other natural remedies. Can you imagine
beating the flu this quickly with natural remedies? Having my own experience with it, I
know these remedies are powerful when used appropriately and sourced from highquality
manufacturers (such as the ones featured here).

The other remedy has been shown to have activity against both Influenza A & B.
Remember, during any given flu season, the circulating Influenza virus could be
predominantly one or the other. In the past, if the flu vaccine missed which strain
became the more predominant one during a season, this rendered the vaccine less than
50% effective. With the flu vaccine a toss-up, it’s best to have an arsenal of natural
remedies with proven efficacy against the flu. What are these natural remedies?
Well, the first one is Oscillococcinum by Boiron. Taken at the first sign of flu-like
symptoms (whether you have the flu or not), this homeopathic remedy can help temper
some of the worst symptoms, including the fever and body aches. I add to
this Elderberry syrup by Gaia. This high antioxidant fruit extract, has anti-infective
properties against the flu virus. It actually prevents it from spreading from cell to cell. In
studies that looked at its efficacy against influenza strains A & B, Elderberry was found
to shorten the duration of the flu from the typical 7 days to 4 days. That’s 3 days less
of flu-like symptoms! In comparison, the medications on the market to treat the flu only
shorten its duration by a mere 1 day. Combine it with Vitamin D3, and you’ve got a
power combo that will get you well faster than any prescription remedy.

And what about colds and sore throats?

Now for the day to day sore throat that may start after exposure to the common cold, I
use products like oregano oil and clove oil by Gaia Herbs. Oregano has anti-viral,
anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties. So, it is an all-around great anti-infective.
Clove oil also has anti-microbial properties. These oils are basically made by these
plants as their natural antibiotics. Clove also offers the added benefit of numbing the
throat. You can make it into a spray using a spray bottle and mixing with filtered water.
You control the strength by the number of drops you add to the spray bottle. You can
also spray clove oil in the air if you’re on an airplane to protect you from germs flying in
the air (but that may seem a little paranoid to those around you).

How about winter travel?

For travel (especially in airports and airplanes), I take Immuno-Hep Pro by Gaia to
prime my immune system. With astragalus root extract and mushroom (reishi &
maitake) extracts, it activates your natural killer cells to get rid of any invaders before
they have a chance to take root. Of course, all these remedies work as preventive
strategies, or best upon first signs of a cold. If you wait too late, you miss the window of
opportunity to fight the cold. Vitamin D3 and Thymucin are also my staple immune
boosters for all winter travel. I will take a double dose of Thymucin whenever I travel or
I have been in close proximity to a sick person. The most dreaded one, of course, is the
coughing person that sits right next to you and assures you that they are not contagious.
My advice: DON’T BELIEVE THEM! And spray some Clove oil in the air. But
seriously, if you take these remedies at the very least you will be a few steps ahead.
All these high-quality remedies by only the best manufacturers are available on my
online formulary by CLICKING HERE. Once you set up your account, click the
“Immune Health” category and you’ll find all the products in my personal natural
immunity-boosting medicine cabinet. Here's to getting through cold and flu season
unscathed!

Vincent M. Pedre III, MD
Author of the upcoming HAPPY GUT, featuring the Gut C.A.R.E. Program
(expected March 10, 2015)
Clinical Instructor, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Medical Director, Pedre Integrative Health
www.pedremd.com

What is Reflexology?

Reflexology is one of the most natural ancient healing methods for bringing the body back into balance. After 12 years of working on the feet I am still amazed at how quickly the body responds to this form of self healing. By stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system the mind is quieted, the breath deepens and stress can be released from the entire system. My clients use the time during a Reflexology session to relax, release tension from the day and to re-connect with themselves. We are living in an age of faster and louder and our senses are overstimulated. Our eyes are tired from looking at computers, are hands are stiff from being on smartphones and computers and we long to feel grass under our feet.

Our ancestors walked the earth barefoot and received the energy of the earth. Our feet are bound in shoes and walking on pavements that cause all sorts of imbalances within the foot and body. Working on your feet for just a few minutes a day can help alleviate stress and help you to connect with your foundation. 

A one-hour Reflexology session can help you to come back into your body, feel connected to your essence and renew your spirit. For those that have been bed-ridden in a hospital or at home it is one of the most wonderful ways you can help their circulation. 

Just like the mind and body your feet need to be flexible! Your feet are a reflection of what is going on above them. What are your feet telling you?