Kenzo had been paralyzed in all four legs for two weeks. He wasn’t eating, he slept only on his side and he never even tried to get up. Prescription medications had no effect. His owners were on a mission to find a solution, and that’s when they found Dr. Valérie Trudel’s acupuncture and osteopathy clinic. When Kenzo arrived at the clinic, he seemed to be in pain.
Dr. Trudel’s first instinct was to prepare his owners for the possibility of euthanasia. Obviously, that’s not a reality any pet owner wants to face, so they made up their mind to try everything they could. They knew the journey ahead would be long. Dr. Trudel performed acupuncture on Kenzo and his owners decided to wait a full 24-hours before making a snap judgement about the results.
Kenzo arrived lying on his side. After the first treatment, he left lying on his stomach. Dr. Trudel saw him again two weeks later; he was walking. Alternative medicine specialists can recount many stories like this one. “I want people to know that euthanasia is not the only solution,” explains Dr. Trudel. “When medicine or surgery are not an option, or there is advice against them, it is really worth the effort to try an alternative medicine. There are of course, many animals that are not euthanized because we have otherwise treated them.”
Are you looking for a solution for helping your pet? Would you like to try the most natural treatments possible but are confused by all the options? This short guide is for you.
Like you, many pet owners have found that traditional medicine is either not enough or too harsh on their pets. Like you, these owners consider their pet like a member of the family, and they will do everything in their power to give them the best care and, in the worst-case scenario, avoid euthanasia.
Animals quickly become part of the family. They fill an essential emotional need; we establish a real relationship with them. They remind us of our connection to nature and bring us back to what is essential.
What can touch your heart more than genuine concern from our dog when you’re feeling sad? What is more heart-warming than a cat nuzzling up to you after you’ve had a long day? Animals force us to stop and enjoy the moment. Recent surveys* show that the United States has over 310 million pets of all sorts, most of these being dogs, cats and fish. More than 44% of households own a dog and more than 35% own a cat. Traditional veterinary medicine has made spectacular advances in the past few years and remains essential to the well-being of our companions. However, this is also the case for the different alternative medicines.
THE ADVANTAGES AND LIMITS OF ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
Dr. Hélène Haltrecht, a holistic veterinarian and professor in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Montréal, practices at the Centre DMV in Montréal. She defines herself as a veterinarian specialized in COMPLEMENTARY medicines. All so-called alternative medicines can indeed be truly compatible and helpful, even if your pet is also treated with traditional medicine.
The main advantage of alternative medicines is that they can treat a number of ailments in a natural way without chemicals that could have adverse side effects. Before you start any kind of treatment, be aware that the web is full of all kinds of information. It is important to consult with professionals who can direct you towards the right treatments.
Also keep in mind that, in more serious situations, your pet may need additional tests (blood tests, CT scans, ultrasound, etc.) or surgical procedures, which remain the specialty of veterinary medicine. Alternative medicines are very effective for treating certain chronic illnesses, but in the case of an emergency, you should always consult a professional veterinarian. Furthermore, certain illnesses (like a serious heart condition) require medication.
In all cases, alternative and western medicines be completely beneficial when used together! A natural treatment can often be administered in addition to a medication (always under the advice and supervision of a professional). Natural approaches can also often improve the efficacy of a drug therapy.
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE: A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO NATURAL WELLNESS
Alternative (or complementary) medicine is characterized by two things, whatever the specialty:
Its holistic approach
Its natural approach
This holistic approach is what we call holistic therapy, i.e. taking into account the whole (or totality) of the individual in order to treat them. The idea behind this approach is to understand the weaknesses in order to prevent issues instead of curing them.
Non-conventional, alternative, natural and holistic medicines (the terms are not lacking) are not only concerned with the physical aspects of your pet, but also its emotions and experiences, which can have a major impact on its physical health.
Cécile Jean, doctor of veterinary medicine, practices osteopathy, acupuncture and phytotherapy in France. “Practicing holistic medicine consists of understanding the patient as a whole. Care through alternative medicines such as osteopathy, phytotherapy and acupuncture enable this approach, which is ultimately very complementary to the allopathic medicine traditionally practiced,” she explains. “Like most holistic medicines, the objective so little used in the western world, is not to care for an illness, but to avoid the individual falling ill… it would be even more logical that a doctor or a veterinarian be paid to keep their patient in good health.”
This is confirmed by Hélène Haltrecht, already mentioned above. “I aim for a comprehensive approach. According to the case, I look at what medicinal treatment or what combination would be the most appropriate for treating the animal. For example, acupuncture combines well with herbal remedies, especially for chronic problems (like neurological problems, herniated discs, paralysis, etc.) which are often difficult to treat with traditional medicines. Some animals do not respond well, or well enough, to medications. At this point, surgery is often required, but this is sometimes too costly for the client or perhaps they want to try to avoid surgery altogether.”
Alternative medicine offers other options, or at least complementary options, to traditional care. “I always offer all of the options that I think could be beneficial to the animal. This can also include medications. If I think that surgery might be a good option, I will recommend it as well.”
Dr. Anne-Marie Potrawiak, a holistic veterinarian, practices at the Animomedic Clinic in Montréal. She considers her practice in osteopathy, acupuncture, homeopathy and phytotherapy to be an integrative medicine, meaning a holistic approach that treats the animal using different types of alternative medicines.
Many veterinarians now offer a combination of traditional medicine and alternative natural treatments, with fewer side effects. Perhaps you are asking yourself, what can you treat with natural medicines? Most doctors and therapists agreed that the most frequent problems they encounter in animals are problems of chronic pain: herniated discs, osteoarthritis, older animals who don’t move as well, skin conditions, colitis, allergies, etc.
Would you like to treat your animal in the most natural way possible? We will now take a quick look at the different natural approaches available to you in order to help you make your therapeutic choices.
1. PHYTOTHERAPY FOR ANIMALS
“I have dealt with phobia / aggression problems in dogs through the combination of acupuncture and phytotherapy and exchanges with the pet’s owner,” says Dr. Jean.
Plants to treat your pet? Is this even possible? Yes! The use of plants to care for humans AND animals is not new. For millennia, humans have cared for their animals with plants. Phytotherapy is the use of medicinal plants in various forms for the therapeutic benefits of their chemical components.
Animals living in the wild have a tendency to eat the plants that they find in fields, forests or groves in order to heal (in an instinctive way) some of their particular ailments. It is by observing wild animals that the medicinal properties of certain plants have been discovered. Phytotherapy can be useful for strengthening the immune system, detoxifying the body, treating stress and anxiety, supplementing a proper diet in order to strengthen the body, or regulating the specific activities of certain systems or organs. It should also be noted that, when used in combination, several plants can have synergistic effects that can influence an animal’s health in the long-term. In short, phytotherapy can be used preventatively in order to promote the overall health of an animal.
In this field, Chinese medicine uses herbs in combination with other treatments. This enables a reduction in the use of chemical medications (even replacing them) and therefore greatly reduces the harmful side-effects. “I will often recommend Chinese herbs in combination with my other treatments. With that, we can give less medication, or it can even replace the drugs. Therefore, we have fewer side-effects,” explains Dr. Haltrecht.
Remember that a plant can be safe for a human but not for an animal and vice versa, so be careful about giving your pet a phytotherapy treatment you have taken. The metabolisms of animals and humans are different. Always consult a professional before starting treatment. Furthermore, as is often the case with alternative medicines, the therapies are meant to span from mid-to-long term. If you choose phytotherapy for your pet, make sure to always choose reliable, proven professionals and suppliers.
2. ACUPUNCTURE FOR ANIMALS
Phytotherapy is often practiced in association with acupuncture. More familiar to the general public, this ancestral therapy is very well received by animals, contrary to what one might think.
“Acupuncture is one of five branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM),” explains Dr. Jean. “It is a medicine that has been established empirically over the course of centuries (more than 5000 years of existence!) and whose founding principle is the harmonious circulation of energy (or Qi) in the body. TCM is based on the idea that effective treatment can only be achieved by addressing the pathology and the patient in a comprehensive way. Disease is therefore, according to the Chinese, both the expression of a problem involving the organ to which it is linked and also the sign of a more general imbalance within the body. Or, even more widely, of the patient with his ecosystem (owner, other animals, habitat).”
“Acupuncture is a medicine in its own right, and can therefore be appropriate in almost all situations. However, there are situations where its therapeutic advantages stand out: dermatology, osteoarticular pathology, behavior, geriatrics, weak organs (kidney, liver, etc.). TCM, along with all holistic medicines, allows a comprehensive look at the patient, whatever it might be, and does not stop at the symptoms. It is therefore very useful in many pathologies”.
There are more than 300 acupuncture points recognized in animals and each provokes a specific reaction in the body. We use needling, heat, lasers, electric current and sometimes injections to treat the animal. Acupuncture allows the healing and regenerative mechanisms of the body to function to their full potential. It also stimulates certain nervous reflexes, which in turn stimulate certain organs. Like many alternative medicines, acupuncture offers a holistic approach, working with the animal according to its personality and experience.
Another benefit of acupuncture, as stated by Dr. Trudel, is often to treat the cases where the owners do not have the means to pay for surgery. Cases of ruptured cruciate ligaments or paralysis are great examples where acupuncture has shown great results. These surgeries, to name but a few, cost anywhere between USD 1,500 and USD 4,000. Even if the owners have the means to pay, the consequences of surgery may be as restrictive as the problem itself. Acupuncture allows a natural treatment and avoids many undesirable side-effects. It also proves very useful as relief for aging animals, allowing them to see out their final days without suffering due to lack of energy, joint pain, or stiffness.
3. PHYSIOTHERAPY FOR ANIMALS
Dr. Olivia Lannou is a physiotherapist at the clinic PhysioVetCare in France and recounts that “Coben had triggered a polyradiculoneuropathy, an autoimmune inflammatory disease of the peripheral nervous system, which led to a generalized flaccid paralysis. When he first came to PhysioVetCare, it had been almost three months since he could walk, he could barely hold his head up and was extremely amyotrophic. After one month of rehabilitation, neurological and muscular, and a lot of motivation, the results have met our expectations!”
“As a result of a cervical hernia, and despite the surgery, Canelle was paralyzed in all four limbs. Thanks to physiotherapy, her motivation and the perseverance of her owners, after two months of work, we have the joy of seeing her walking around again!” She has many stories like these to tell! She and her team have seen animals arrive unable to walk into the clinic who are now fine. Physiotherapy is now one of the alternative medicines which is developing more and more in veterinary clinics, in addition to other more traditional treatments. It is particularly noted for cases of neurological or orthopedic disorders.
Physiotherapy encompasses manual and instrumental techniques to diagnose and treat functional disorders and injuries. Physiotherapists use techniques such as massage and stretching as well as ultrasounds, electrotherapy, or hydrotherapy, etc. If your pet seems to have a neurological or orthopedic problem, physiotherapy could help.
The first objective is to ease the pain with various natural treatments and physical manipulations. The next goal is to help the animal regain its fitness. This is done a gentle way with manipulation by hand, or using natural elements like water, vibrations, heating/cooling or light.
Physiotherapy can also be combined with other natural treatments like homeopathy or phytotherapy to preserve the long-term health of the animal. Physiotherapy will be noted in the case of arthritic animals or older animals who can no longer undergo an operation.
In the case of more serious orthopedic problems, surgery can sometimes be necessary. However, physiotherapy will often be used in addition to the surgery, or in post-operative treatment to allow the animal to recover as quickly as possible.
In fact, physiotherapy and functional rehabilitation are equivalent to the care given by kinesiologists in sports medicine. It is particularly interesting to use in post-surgical rehabilitation (orthopedic or neurologic), in rehabilitation of degenerative processes (osteoarthritis, degenerative myopathy, cauda equina syndrome, etc.), or in the preparation of sports dogs (specific pathologies of sports dogs, prevention of injuries, specific training program) as explained by Dr. Olivia Lannou, therapist at PhysioVetCare.
Physiotherapy is based on the use of passive kinesiotherapy (joint mobilization), active kinesiotherapy (exercises for stimulating balance, proprioception or targeted muscle building), electrotherapy, ultrasounds, hydrotherapy (walking in water which enables important muscular movement without putting weight on the joints) and therapeutic laser.
4. HOMEOPATHY FOR ANIMALS
Dr. Potrawiak is interested, like all specialists in homeopathy, in all aspects of the animal before administering any sort of treatment.
Homeopathy treats, in effect, the individual and not the disease in taking a holistic approach. In homeopath, providers are interested in the animal as a whole and not only in symptoms. It is what we call the law of individualization. Homeopathy is as concerned with the psychological as the physical aspects of the individual. This includes their experiences (trauma or otherwise) and hereditary traits as well. It paints a unique picture of your pet and proposes a treatment that takes all of these things into consideration. Homeopath differentiates itself from traditional medicine, which treats symptoms separately instead of considering the body as a whole.
How does the treatment work?
Homeopathy for animals (dogs, cats, horses, rabbits…) consists of treating animals by means of remedies (in small doses obtained by dilution). These remedies, in higher doses, are capable of producing similar symptoms in man (or in animal) to those of the disease, in order for the body to fight back. The goal is to stimulate the body’s ability to heal itself (vitality). Homeopathic remedies aim to stimulate this vitality to help the body fight against disease.
The homeopath seeks to understand how symptoms manifest and also considers what aggravates them, what calms them, and at what times the symptoms appear. They take all of this into account in order to find a suitable homeopathic formula. Two animals suffering from the same problem could therefore be prescribed different homeopathic formulas.
This natural approach can be a good alternative to medications, particularly in cases of digestive disorders, psychological problems like anxiety, or hormonal imbalances to name but a few examples. Homeopathy helps limit many side-effects that you may see with drug treatments. It is also completely possible to use homeopathy in addition to conventional treatments.
Most animals react very well to homeopathic treatments. Many physical or psychological health problems can be treated with this approach, which has been used in Europe for a very long time and is becoming increasingly popular in North America.
5. AROMATHERAPY FOR ANIMALS
Dr. Nelly Grosjean, doctor in naturopathy and author of the book Veterinarian Aromatherapy, explains in an interview, “Aromatherapy is used particularly against ailments like coughs, digestive problems or alopecia, and is very effective antiseptically speaking (for fighting against bacteria, parasites, fungi, etc.). I strongly recommend it for the treatment of tendinitis, itching, joint pain, digestion, or even for strengthening the immune system or helping the animal recover after excessive physical exertion (for example racehorses).”
Aromatherapy is the process of using aromatic plant extracts (essences and essential oils) for therapeutic purposes, unlike phytotherapy which uses all the elements of a plant.
However, be aware that some animals can be allergic or sensitive to certain essential oils. You should never use essential oils for the therapeutic care of your pet without the advice of a specialist in aromatherapy. Furthermore, they will sometimes advise you to try it on a small area of the body before using a treatment. The specialist will also let you know if certain oils should be avoided at particular moments in your pet’s life (pregnancy, lactation, etc.).
What is an essential oil?
Essential oils are a concentration of active ingredients derived from the distillation of an aromatic plant. Aromatherapy can not properly be called a ‘soft medicine’, because in fact, essential oils are a real package of energy! Oils used in aromatherapy must be of excellent quality and taken from healthy plants. Always check that the bottle indicates the exact name of the plant and its place of distillation.
Essential oils can be used for antiseptic, antimicrobial and anti-infectious purposes such as detoxifying, revitalizing or regulating the nervous system or hormonal glands. They increase resistance to illness, improve immune defenses and prevent infections and contagions. They can be used in prevention or in curative treatment in three different forms: diffusion into the air, through friction, or by internal absorption. Obviously, only healthcare professionals will be able to recommend which oils are suitable for your pet and how they should be used.
“My aromatic compositions have helped and continue to help the studs of the princes of England, the studs of a Jordanian princess, veterinary biotherapy clinics and equine osteopaths and dentists,” says Dr. Grosjean… Enough to convince the most skeptical amongst us, is it not?
6. OSTEOPATHY FOR ANIMALS
Osteopathy is an alternative medicine which uses manual techniques and, like other natural medicines, is based on the principle that the body is an entity and that it is the patient (the animal) who is treated instead of the disease.
Osteopathy attaches a great importance to the vascular system and the self-healing power of the individual. It starts from the principle that all bodily systems interact with each other. In being able to treat all kinds of conditions, osteopathy often allows us to avoid taking medications. By focusing on the cause of the illness and not just the symptoms, osteopathy enables treatment of the problem at the source in order to avoid its recurrence. Knowing that certain health conditions require traditional medical interventions, osteopathy can be used in addition to other procedures.
“By regularly consulting an Osteopath, you allow your pet’s body to manage the disturbances which occur at a low level before the symptoms manifest (…),” explains Dr. Jean. Osteopathy is also very complementary to acupuncture, as Dr. Trudel explains. “It is rare that I treat only with acupuncture, given that the medicines are very close to each other in nature and are complementary. By combining the two approaches, I have treated, for example, a dog who had suffered with limping for several months and had been seen by several specialists. In two sessions, his problem was solved. It was a cervical vertebra that was stuck and which had pressed on the nerve. Another cat was limping on its back leg and was unable to put weight on it. Its owner was on the verge of euthanizing it. Three treatments later, the cat was walking.”
7. NATUROPATHY FOR ANIMALS
Naturopathy is also based on a holistic approach to illness and considers the body and the individual as a whole rather than only treating the health problem itself.
Animal naturopathy is concerned with the physiological needs of the animal as well as its well-being and comfort. A naturopath will often propose an overall health check of the animal while considering its diet, experiences and mental health before proposing any treatment. They will then propose the use of plants, flowers, aromatic essences, homeopathic remedies or trace elements to treat the animal. In all cases, the approach will be entirely natural.
The principal interest of naturopathy is its 100% natural approach. You will be certain, in consulting with a good animal naturopath, of providing your pet with non-invasive and completely natural care. The naturopath is a specialist in various natural medicines. They can propose different approaches for you to choose from (aromatherapy, homeopathy, etc.). The naturopath will consider all aspects of your pet’s life.
Like any alternative medicine, in specific urgent cases or in the case of certain disabling diseases, naturopathy cannot replace traditional treatments. However, it can work complementary to traditional treatments and may even improve their effectiveness. As you can see, in terms of alternative medicine, there is no shortage of choices! From phytotherapy to osteopathy and covering naturopathy, physiotherapy, homeopathy, aromatherapy and acupuncture, you can find the natural approach that suits the personality and health needs of your pet.
All the experts we interviewed have told us the same thing: all these approaches are often linked to one another. This is why in your research you will find that many therapists are both osteopaths and acupuncturists, or naturopaths and homeopaths. In short, these complementary medicines each have their strengths and can act on different levels, and sometimes also in parallel with more traditional treatments. Each case is unique and must be studied as such in order to find the best suited therapy. However, each case can be treated as naturally as is possible, if that is your wish for your most loyal companion.
“I treated a 10-year-old dog with osteoarthritis and an acute posterior limp, pain and associated tremors,” says Dr. Jean. “Well, classical medicine, and even osteopathy associated with phytotherapy did not seem to relieve it. On the other hand, after two close sessions of acupuncture, the limp disappeared (without any other associated treatment). It may not be obvious and, in some cases, we do not find in the first instance the care that is appropriate for the animal and its problem at that time, but when we do, the effectiveness can really be very impressive! There are also animals treated with oncology and, in some cases, we obtain remission with the combination of acupuncture or phytotherapy.”
We all want the best for our pets and, if possible, to avoid chemical drug treatments and the undesirable side-effects that come with them. This is a beautiful gift that we can give them!
Dr. Trudel ends with this advice, “Consult your veterinarian before starting an alternative treatment.” Why? “A lady called me for her three-month-old Bernese mountain dog who had a limp in its hind leg. However, it turned out that the dog did not need acupuncture or osteopathy. It had, in fact, had a broken heel for one month.” In cases like this, only traditional veterinary medicine will be able to help your pet, then alternative care can be used to complete the treatment. So always be alert to the signs observed in your pet.
We’d love it if you could share your personal experiences in alternative medicine with us and our readers! Your story can help others make more informed decisions as they learn more about the benefits and limitations of natural approaches. Also, feel free to send us any questions you may have. There is nothing like talking to other animal lovers!
We invite you to share your experiences, comments, questions and references in the section below. Thank you very much! Your contribution to the discussion will make a difference!
https://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.png00Juliane Porterhttps://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.pngJuliane Porter2017-12-09 14:12:042017-12-09 14:12:047 ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE TREATMENTS FOR ANIMALS: A SHORT GUIDE TO CARING FOR YOUR PET NATURALLY
Yoga is a scientific spiritual discipline dating back some 15,000 years in Tantric roots, its purpose, to unleash the pinnacle of one's potential. In recent times yoga has been extremely popular in the context of fighting stress, anxiety and depression in these times of industrialization and our super-fast lifestyles.
Apart from the spiritual aspects, the physiological benefits acquired from yoga have recent radical scientific understandings to bring an analytical perspective to this ancient inner engineering. Yoga moderates the surge and the production of chemicals in the body that affect us mentally, physically as well as psychosomatically. So, let's take a peek into some of the science behind yoga that makes it so powerful!
Moderates Stress Hormones
When our body gets severely stressed, it secretes a hormone called cortisol which keeps us alert in crisis situations, but also disturbs the body functioning in the long term. Yoga reduces the stress level of a person, thus moderating the production of the cortisol hormone and keeping the individual calm.
Secretes Antioxidant Enzymes
Repeated exposure to environmental pollutants and metabolic by-products result in the formation of free radicals, which contribute to many diseases including cancer and expedite the aging process. To counteract free radicals, the human body has a powerful internal defense system in the form of antioxidant enzymes. The levels of antioxidant enzymes were found to be significantly higher in people practicing yoga, thus enhancing the defense against free radical damage.
Stimulates Parasympathetic Nervous System
Yoga actually stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which calms us down and restores balance after a major stress is over. When the parasympathetic nervous system switches on, blood is directed toward endocrine glands, digestive organs, and other organs, thus reducing the heartbeat rate and lowering the blood pressure.
Improves Immunity Function
This is attributed to the fact that yoga reduces cortisol hormone. Too much of cortisol can dampen the effectiveness of the immune system by immobilizing our defense system in the body (WBC). Yoga moderates the production of cortisol, thus boosting immunity.
Cures Addiction
Dopamine, a chemical in the brain that gives one contentment during a high on ones drug of choice is generated naturally by doing yoga. Thus, the craving for that level of contentment from addiction is no longer manifested. Yoga can give one the same level of dopamine high or contentment, thus cutting out the craving of addiction.
Enlarges the Brain
After conducting MRI scans, scientists have discovered that people practicing yoga have more gray matter (brain cells) than the non-practitioners do. It was found that with more hours of practice per week, certain areas were more enlarged – a finding that hints that yoga was a contributing factor to the bigger brain size.
Yogis have larger brain volume in the regions that contain mental mapping of our body, involved in directing attention, critical to dampening stress, and areas key to our concept of the self.
Helps Stay in the Present
Yoga makes one attentive to the present moment and gives more awareness towards negative thoughts and the ability to let go of them for the sake of self-preservation.
Yoga Mudras
Yoga mudras are postures of the hand that stimulate certain parts of the brain and body. Strangely enough, it has been observed that babies perform mudras on their own subconsciously.
Adi mudra: A newborn baby has its thumb tucked inside its palm and the other fingers wrapped around it into a fist. This is the adi mudra that relaxes the nervous system, improves flow of blood to the head and increases the capacity of the lungs.
Chin mudra: When a baby sleeps, the tip of its forefinger touches the tip of the thumb and all the other fingers are extended. This is the chin mudra that improves sleep pattern, increases energy in the body and alleviates lower backache.
Merudanda mudra: When a baby sucks its thumb, the thumb points upward and fingers are rolled. This is the merudanda mudra that energizes the middle-section of the body.
While yoga may look like just a couple of body-bending exercises to the normal eye, a lot goes on under the skin when you twist your limbs and consciously breathe. Also, yoga is not just a set of asanas that one performs on the mat, but rather a way of life. With a healthy body and calm mind, one is bound to live a happier and stress-free life. Sounds good? But do not be in a hurry to get into a difficult looking pose just yet. Ensure that you learn yoga under a certified professional teacher and practice regularly to gain long-term benefits!
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Thankfully, many people are catching on so the awareness and demand for these beautiful choices is growing. As I said before, it's definitely a rabit hole one enters, once we taste a real peach, we don't want fake peach flavoring. Once we start using real essential oils, chemical sprays and perfumes just don't compare. Yet, it's a win, win, win, win as there are SO many upsides to a clean lifestyle, from the health and beauty benefits of detoxification, to the mental and physical benefits of aromatherapy, the saving of animals (from product testing, exposure to the resulting toxins in our waterways, etc), saving our hair from turning to straw, preserving our beauty and youth… the list goes on! A clean lifestyle on all fronts holds such integrity, improving, uplifting and preserving our body, mind, spirit, earth and everything/one around us.
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I love the result in my own hair, though I have to say, since I've been plant-based I am suspecting that the few gray hairs I had, may be turning back to brown – more on this in another post – or feel free to ask about in the comments section. I completed the process myself in my bathroom following the instructions to a T. I had been using Surya Henna which I'd loved, previously. However, it does contain some chemicals (though it's a FAR cry from standard hair dye) and it's temporary, washing out after 5 or 6 weeks. Not so with HairPrint! It's permanent. Yes, the process is a tad lengthy – though shorter than driving to a hair salon if you account for travel time – and much less expensive. I've read about others having their hair stylist do the process for them so that's always an option. Additionally some women are even layering successful balayage highlights overtop the HairPrint base. I'm a simple chocolate brown girl… as you can see from the results photos I've humbly interspersed alongside the stunning models depicted in HairPrint's inspirational artwork.
For more information on the HairPrint line of color, shampoos, conditioners and products, feel free to visit them here: HairPrint. No, I have not been paid to write this little testimonial. I'm just a happy customer :) Also, I'm happy to answer any questions about my process switching from Henna to HairPrint as it does require a tad different procedure. Overall, my hair felt super soft, silky and voluminous. I didn't use ANY additional product aside from the HairPrint color – didn't even style it – just blew it dry and that was it. In all honesty if I'd known I was going to take the results pics I'd have probably absolutely styled it – but this is at least a testament to the truth that HairPrint truly does improve hair structure making styling a potentially optional step 🙂
https://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.png00Juliane Porterhttps://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.pngJuliane Porter2017-04-28 15:10:192025-12-06 14:59:20My HairPrint Results and a little philosophy too
Today I thought I'd share one of my favorite books, The Baghavad Gita. Specifically, the version translated by Eknath Easwaran (1910-1999), who is respected around the world as one of the greatest spiritual teachers. The Bhagavad Gita is believed to have been written between the 5th and 2nd centuries BCE, and, like similar great classics such as the Bible, it's timeless in its application. You could read this book many times over and receive something new each time. Let me know if you've read it and what inspires you the most – or if you pick it up let me know how it impacts you. We'll have our own little book club discussion right here on StyleNectar.
"Some of the chronic problems that millions of people suffer from today might be solved by gaining a little detachment from their minds and emotions, so they can stand back a little when the mind is agitated and see the ways in which it makes mountains out of molehills. Many problems simply are not real; they start to seem real only when we dwell on them. The thorniest problems to solve are those that are not real; yet most of us go on giving them our best efforts."
https://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.png00Juliane Porterhttps://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.pngJuliane Porter2017-03-04 12:40:482017-03-04 12:40:48Being Happy and Living in the Moment
Corporate Yoga is a powerful benefit provided by cutting edge businesses all over the world. Business leaders understand a healthy, successful company starts with healthy, vibrant and happy employees. The unique physical, mental and emotional benefits of Yoga have a powerful impact on the corporate culture, performance and bottom line of these organizations…
FACT: For every $1 invested in workplace wellness, a company can expect $3 in cost savings or benefits. (U. of Michigan Research Centre)
FACT: Employees who report high degree of stress in their lives miss twice as many work days as those who report low degree of stress. (Conference Board of Canada)
Benefits Include:
Increased efficiency, productivity & creativity
Improved focus under deadline
Improved mindset, morale and loyalty
Enhanced employee health, strength and flexibility
Improved mental and emotional health
Improved energy and general feelings of well being
Decreased healthcare costs
Decreased frequency/duration of employee absenteeism
Decreased chronic pain
Decreased blood pressure and stress
Decreased employee fatigue
Decreased employee disease risk factors
Corporate Rates for 55-Minute Classes (Fewer than 15 Participants)
Single 55-minute classes for fewer than 15 participants can be booked at a rate of $120 per class. If you would like to extend your class to 75 minutes, please add $10 to the single class rate. To extend your class to 90 minutes, please add $15 to the single class rate.
Please see the table below for multiple-session package rates:Publish
Corporate In Person or Zoom Yoga Rates:
1 Class Per Week
3 Months
6 Months
12 Months
$115per session
$110 per session
$100per session
12 sessions total
24 sessions total
48 sessions total
$460 per month
$440 per month
$400 per month
2 Classes Per Week
3 Months
6 Months
12 Months
$100per session
$95per session
$85per session
24 sessions total
48 sessions total
96 sessions total
$800 per month
$760 per month
$680 per month
Corporate Meditation:
1 Class Per Week
3 Months
6 Months
12 Months
$60per session
$55per session
$50per session
“Offering yoga in our workplace is an excellent way to assist our employees to manage and relieve stress, achieve their highest potential, and enjoy optimum health, longevity and happiness. Happy, healthy employees equal productivity increases, reduced absences and a joyful workplace with low turnover.”
StyleNectar Yoga provides:
An National Yoga Alliance, RYT 500 hour certified yoga teacher, at your place of business to teach a 55-minute yoga class.
Corporate yoga classes are offered on a 3 month, 6 month or annual commitment with the option for once or twice weekly classes. Meditation classes are also available.
Yoga classes designed for all fitness and experience levels with modifications provided to those who need them.
Classes last 55 minutes and can take place early morning, during lunch or after work.
Yoga classes will require a quiet space with as little distraction as possible. A conference/meeting room (with folding/non rolling chairs for chair yoga) with a 3×7 space per person is adequate.
Classes are gentle and soothing, emphasizing proper breathing with a steady, persistent flow of movement which results in a general sense of well being and innumerable health & mental benefits.
A full range of hatha, vinyasa & yin classes including: Chair yoga, experienced beginner, intermediate, restorative or a mix which benefits students of all levels.
Modifications are provided to enable all levels to access the full benefits of yoga.
For Chair Yoga, employees need not be concerned about sweating or changing clothes.
Employees Will Learn:
Yoga poses and pranayama (slow rhythmic breathing which benefits entire body & nervous system & energizes the mind).
Techniques to release deep-seated stresses.
Techniques to effectively manage anxiety.
Deep relaxation and stress relieving techniques.
Benefits to physical, mental, and emotional health.
Increased flexibility, muscle tone & better health.
Improved efficiency in performance.
Team bonding
Corporate Yoga is Perfect for Everyone including those with limited mobility & various conditions including:
Depression
Substance abuse & addiction
Loneliness/Isolation
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Hip or Knee Replacement
Fibromyalgia
Multiple Sclerosis
Heart Attack Survivors
Hypertension
Cancer
Anxiety
Balance issues
Flexibility
Incontinence
Chronic Pain
Sciatica
Herniated Disc
Arthritis
Thyroid Issues
Email today to set up your Corporate or Private Yoga Program or Retreat
Private Yoga Appointments (Zoom or On Site)
All levels of yoga practitioners, from the beginner to the most experienced, can benefit from private instruction. Each private or semi-private session begins with a personalized assessment designed to address your needs and goals. Private Yoga appointments provide a space where you can connect with your own body, mind, and spirit while receiving focused attention. Privates are perfect for you if…
You’re a beginner and want to learn outside of a group class.
You have special needs that cannot be satisfied in a group class.
You want to improve flexibility, range of motion in your joints, blood circulation, and relieve stress.
You’d like to gain knowledge on how to correct your posture or learn how to enter into and out of yoga poses the proper way, thereby preventing injury.
You’d like to develop core knowledge and strength to understand why a strong core is pivotal to many asanas.
You wish to restore imbalances such as fatigue, stress, insomnia, constipation, migraines and digestive problems.
You desire to take your practice to the next level and master specific asanas (postures).
You wish to work out the kinks from specific injuries.
Private Yoga Appointments:
Single Session
5 Sessions
10 Sessions
Private 60 min
$100 per session
$90 per session
$80 per session
Duet 60 min
$140 per session
$130 per session
$120 per session
How to get started and what you will need:
All sessions are by appointment only.
Wear comfortable clothing. Students often find it helpful to wear a top that stays close to the body, such as a sports tank top or something that will not come over your head when your torso is inverted, such as in downward facing dog pose.
Bare feet recommended.
I am registered with the Yoga Alliance as a 500+ hour-certified Yoga instructor.
StyleNectar Yoga is available in your community via Zoom or on Location:
Businesses
Churches
Assisted Living Centers
Libraries
Homes
Schools
Gyms
Doctors worldwide are prescribing Yoga for its disease-fighting properties more frequently than ever. Below are just a few studies exhibiting more of its powerful payoffs:
Keeps us young. People who practiced yoga regularly for at least two years had longer telomeres—the youth-providing ends of DNA—than those who did not practice.
Enhances immunity. Women who did 35 minutes of yoga daily for 12 weeks had a 94% lower increase in cortisol during stressful situations compared to the control group. Elevated cortisol has been shown to weaken the immune system.
Melts belly fat. Overweight women who tried restorative yoga for 6 months lost 2.5 times more abdominal fat than those who did only stretching. When we’re calm, we produce less cortisol, a leading cause of health-damaging abdominal fat.
Lowers blood pressure. People with prehypertension who practiced yoga 45 minutes a day 3 times a week for 12 weeks while following a low-sodium diet saw a 33% greater drop in systolic blood pressure than those on the diet alone, according to a recent study in Hypertension Research.
Reduces risk for diabetes. A small pilot study found that doing Bikram yoga 3 times a week for 8 weeks significantly improved glucose tolerance in older obese adults.
Curbs chronic pain. According to a Canadian study, women with fibromyalgia who participated in twice-weekly 75-minute hatha yoga sessions reported significantly lower continuous pain scores after 8 weeks. They also focused less on any pain they had been experiencing.
Email today to set up your Private or Corporate Yoga Program or Retreat
Ispent last weekend on the Eastern Shore oil painting en plein air. It was a windy, cold weekend, and though I don’t typically think of myself as a terribly hardy person, I think I grew a bit more resilient. What’s neat about painting is while I’m doing it I don’t notice anything else, including whether or not I’m cold. It all comes down to the fact that our attention can only be on one thing at a time. As one of my teachers says, “The quality of our life is determined by the focus of our attention.” And, wile I’m painting, nothing else exists, just nature. No, me, I, mine, Juliane etc. That’s why I love it. I lose myself in it. Though it was cold, we were lucky to have sun almost every day… thus these gorgeous colors! This piece was painted at the docks of the Village of Easton overlooking the striking gold grasses next to the water. Oil on Panel. Please enjoy.
Love,
Juliane
Contact me to paint a portrait, landscape or anything else for yourself or your loved ones.
"Heroes Across Time" 20" x 24" oil on canvas by Juliane Porter
I'm thrilled to present my latest oil painting, "Heroes Across Time", which brings to life the wonderful and fantastical question: If you could invite anyone from throughout time and history to surround you in a gathering of your choice, whom would you choose?! It's a tough one to narrow down - we all have so very many heroes with so many outstanding people from which to choose from around the world to the beginning of time. My very special client chose eight fabulous individuals to accompany him in a mysterious, blustery outdoor scene, suitable for such a magical gathering, near the water which he also loves.
Clockwise from top left: George Washington (on horse), Themistocles, my beloved client himself at center, Leonardo da Vinci, Nathanial Greene, Alexander the Great (on horse) and continuing clockwise in the front row seated right to left: Nikola Tesla, Thomas Sowell and Benjamin Franklin.
This piece began as a monumental challenge including lots of fun research on all the individuals during which I learned a ton about each great hero and their impact on history. One aspect I found amusing were the millennia of clothing styles, from the breast plate armor and skirt of Alexander the Great, to Themistocles' mohawk-like head gear, shield and full coverage armor. Leonardo da Vinci wore the belted toga and cap of the day, while Nathanial Greene's cape, hat and sword were somewhat similar to George Washington's riding gear. Ben Franklin had those fab buckled shoes, stockings and long jacket, and Nikola Tesla was quite the stylish European at the turn of the century. Thomas Sowell, being the most modern, tends to wear neutral colored suits. And, my "client" is casually comfortable, owning the scene of such incredible company!
It is said that to surround oneself with images of one's heroes serves to draw their great energy to oneself. It's why all religions & spiritual traditions around the world incorporate prayer cards, statues, altars and shrines, sing songs to great saints and gods etc.. Surrounding oneself with such heroes in a painting must have a similar affect!
Whom would you include in your portrait of your favorite heroes from around the globe and throughout time? What setting would you envision being gathered? Let me know and I'll bring it to life for you in oil paint!
https://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.png00Juliane Porterhttps://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.pngJuliane Porter2016-09-06 15:46:002025-12-06 14:59:28Heroes Across Time
This little guy! Does he look familiar? You may recognize him from my last oil painting. Here, it's like an instant in time – – he's caught looking back at us from his surroundings. In the first painting, he was headed somewhere with a purpose… and now, interrupted in what he was doing, he will return to it after we tell him why we stopped him. Exuding oodles of sweet innocence and adorable factor, completely untouched by the hustle and bustle of the concrete jungle of NYC… He's blissfully content amidst the infinite possibilities of a child's imagination during playtime. Please enjoy and feel free share your thoughts 🙂
Love,
Juliane
Contact me to paint a portrait, landscape or anything else for yourself or your loved ones.
“Raphealesque Putto” 11″ x 14″ oil on board, by Juliane Porter
Please enjoy my most recent oil of this unbelievably darling little Raphealesque Putto. Putto (singular for putti) is Italian for a work of art depicting a nude, sometimes winged, child angelic being, usually male, represented in Renaissance paintings by such greats as the painter Raphael and sculptor Donatello. In the Baroque period of art, the putto came to represent the omnipresence of God. Putti, in the ancient classical world of art, were winged infants believed to influence human lives. I absolutely adored painting this incredibly special little guy.
Love,
Juliane
Contact me to paint a portrait, landscape or anything else for yourself or your loved ones.
7 ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE TREATMENTS FOR ANIMALS: A SHORT GUIDE TO CARING FOR YOUR PET NATURALLY
Kenzo had been paralyzed in all four legs for two weeks. He wasn’t eating, he slept only on his side and he never even tried to get up. Prescription medications had no effect. His owners were on a mission to find a solution, and that’s when they found Dr. Valérie Trudel’s acupuncture and osteopathy clinic. When Kenzo arrived at the clinic, he seemed to be in pain.
Dr. Trudel’s first instinct was to prepare his owners for the possibility of euthanasia. Obviously, that’s not a reality any pet owner wants to face, so they made up their mind to try everything they could. They knew the journey ahead would be long. Dr. Trudel performed acupuncture on Kenzo and his owners decided to wait a full 24-hours before making a snap judgement about the results.
Kenzo arrived lying on his side. After the first treatment, he left lying on his stomach. Dr. Trudel saw him again two weeks later; he was walking. Alternative medicine specialists can recount many stories like this one. “I want people to know that euthanasia is not the only solution,” explains Dr. Trudel. “When medicine or surgery are not an option, or there is advice against them, it is really worth the effort to try an alternative medicine. There are of course, many animals that are not euthanized because we have otherwise treated them.”
Are you looking for a solution for helping your pet? Would you like to try the most natural treatments possible but are confused by all the options? This short guide is for you.
Like you, many pet owners have found that traditional medicine is either not enough or too harsh on their pets. Like you, these owners consider their pet like a member of the family, and they will do everything in their power to give them the best care and, in the worst-case scenario, avoid euthanasia.
Animals quickly become part of the family. They fill an essential emotional need; we establish a real relationship with them. They remind us of our connection to nature and bring us back to what is essential.
What can touch your heart more than genuine concern from our dog when you’re feeling sad? What is more heart-warming than a cat nuzzling up to you after you’ve had a long day? Animals force us to stop and enjoy the moment. Recent surveys* show that the United States has over 310 million pets of all sorts, most of these being dogs, cats and fish. More than 44% of households own a dog and more than 35% own a cat. Traditional veterinary medicine has made spectacular advances in the past few years and remains essential to the well-being of our companions. However, this is also the case for the different alternative medicines.
THE ADVANTAGES AND LIMITS OF ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
Dr. Hélène Haltrecht, a holistic veterinarian and professor in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Montréal, practices at the Centre DMV in Montréal. She defines herself as a veterinarian specialized in COMPLEMENTARY medicines. All so-called alternative medicines can indeed be truly compatible and helpful, even if your pet is also treated with traditional medicine.
The main advantage of alternative medicines is that they can treat a number of ailments in a natural way without chemicals that could have adverse side effects. Before you start any kind of treatment, be aware that the web is full of all kinds of information. It is important to consult with professionals who can direct you towards the right treatments.
Also keep in mind that, in more serious situations, your pet may need additional tests (blood tests, CT scans, ultrasound, etc.) or surgical procedures, which remain the specialty of veterinary medicine. Alternative medicines are very effective for treating certain chronic illnesses, but in the case of an emergency, you should always consult a professional veterinarian. Furthermore, certain illnesses (like a serious heart condition) require medication.
In all cases, alternative and western medicines be completely beneficial when used together! A natural treatment can often be administered in addition to a medication (always under the advice and supervision of a professional). Natural approaches can also often improve the efficacy of a drug therapy.
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE: A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO NATURAL WELLNESS
Alternative (or complementary) medicine is characterized by two things, whatever the specialty:
This holistic approach is what we call holistic therapy, i.e. taking into account the whole (or totality) of the individual in order to treat them. The idea behind this approach is to understand the weaknesses in order to prevent issues instead of curing them.
Non-conventional, alternative, natural and holistic medicines (the terms are not lacking) are not only concerned with the physical aspects of your pet, but also its emotions and experiences, which can have a major impact on its physical health.
Cécile Jean, doctor of veterinary medicine, practices osteopathy, acupuncture and phytotherapy in France. “Practicing holistic medicine consists of understanding the patient as a whole. Care through alternative medicines such as osteopathy, phytotherapy and acupuncture enable this approach, which is ultimately very complementary to the allopathic medicine traditionally practiced,” she explains. “Like most holistic medicines, the objective so little used in the western world, is not to care for an illness, but to avoid the individual falling ill… it would be even more logical that a doctor or a veterinarian be paid to keep their patient in good health.”
This is confirmed by Hélène Haltrecht, already mentioned above. “I aim for a comprehensive approach. According to the case, I look at what medicinal treatment or what combination would be the most appropriate for treating the animal. For example, acupuncture combines well with herbal remedies, especially for chronic problems (like neurological problems, herniated discs, paralysis, etc.) which are often difficult to treat with traditional medicines. Some animals do not respond well, or well enough, to medications. At this point, surgery is often required, but this is sometimes too costly for the client or perhaps they want to try to avoid surgery altogether.”
Alternative medicine offers other options, or at least complementary options, to traditional care. “I always offer all of the options that I think could be beneficial to the animal. This can also include medications. If I think that surgery might be a good option, I will recommend it as well.”
Dr. Anne-Marie Potrawiak, a holistic veterinarian, practices at the Animomedic Clinic in Montréal. She considers her practice in osteopathy, acupuncture, homeopathy and phytotherapy to be an integrative medicine, meaning a holistic approach that treats the animal using different types of alternative medicines.
Many veterinarians now offer a combination of traditional medicine and alternative natural treatments, with fewer side effects. Perhaps you are asking yourself, what can you treat with natural medicines? Most doctors and therapists agreed that the most frequent problems they encounter in animals are problems of chronic pain: herniated discs, osteoarthritis, older animals who don’t move as well, skin conditions, colitis, allergies, etc.
Would you like to treat your animal in the most natural way possible? We will now take a quick look at the different natural approaches available to you in order to help you make your therapeutic choices.
1. PHYTOTHERAPY FOR ANIMALS
“I have dealt with phobia / aggression problems in dogs through the combination of acupuncture and phytotherapy and exchanges with the pet’s owner,” says Dr. Jean.
Plants to treat your pet? Is this even possible? Yes! The use of plants to care for humans AND animals is not new. For millennia, humans have cared for their animals with plants. Phytotherapy is the use of medicinal plants in various forms for the therapeutic benefits of their chemical components.
Animals living in the wild have a tendency to eat the plants that they find in fields, forests or groves in order to heal (in an instinctive way) some of their particular ailments. It is by observing wild animals that the medicinal properties of certain plants have been discovered. Phytotherapy can be useful for strengthening the immune system, detoxifying the body, treating stress and anxiety, supplementing a proper diet in order to strengthen the body, or regulating the specific activities of certain systems or organs. It should also be noted that, when used in combination, several plants can have synergistic effects that can influence an animal’s health in the long-term. In short, phytotherapy can be used preventatively in order to promote the overall health of an animal.
In this field, Chinese medicine uses herbs in combination with other treatments. This enables a reduction in the use of chemical medications (even replacing them) and therefore greatly reduces the harmful side-effects. “I will often recommend Chinese herbs in combination with my other treatments. With that, we can give less medication, or it can even replace the drugs. Therefore, we have fewer side-effects,” explains Dr. Haltrecht.
Remember that a plant can be safe for a human but not for an animal and vice versa, so be careful about giving your pet a phytotherapy treatment you have taken. The metabolisms of animals and humans are different. Always consult a professional before starting treatment. Furthermore, as is often the case with alternative medicines, the therapies are meant to span from mid-to-long term. If you choose phytotherapy for your pet, make sure to always choose reliable, proven professionals and suppliers.
2. ACUPUNCTURE FOR ANIMALS
Phytotherapy is often practiced in association with acupuncture. More familiar to the general public, this ancestral therapy is very well received by animals, contrary to what one might think.
“Acupuncture is one of five branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM),” explains Dr. Jean. “It is a medicine that has been established empirically over the course of centuries (more than 5000 years of existence!) and whose founding principle is the harmonious circulation of energy (or Qi) in the body. TCM is based on the idea that effective treatment can only be achieved by addressing the pathology and the patient in a comprehensive way. Disease is therefore, according to the Chinese, both the expression of a problem involving the organ to which it is linked and also the sign of a more general imbalance within the body. Or, even more widely, of the patient with his ecosystem (owner, other animals, habitat).”
“Acupuncture is a medicine in its own right, and can therefore be appropriate in almost all situations. However, there are situations where its therapeutic advantages stand out: dermatology, osteoarticular pathology, behavior, geriatrics, weak organs (kidney, liver, etc.). TCM, along with all holistic medicines, allows a comprehensive look at the patient, whatever it might be, and does not stop at the symptoms. It is therefore very useful in many pathologies”.
There are more than 300 acupuncture points recognized in animals and each provokes a specific reaction in the body. We use needling, heat, lasers, electric current and sometimes injections to treat the animal. Acupuncture allows the healing and regenerative mechanisms of the body to function to their full potential. It also stimulates certain nervous reflexes, which in turn stimulate certain organs. Like many alternative medicines, acupuncture offers a holistic approach, working with the animal according to its personality and experience.
Another benefit of acupuncture, as stated by Dr. Trudel, is often to treat the cases where the owners do not have the means to pay for surgery. Cases of ruptured cruciate ligaments or paralysis are great examples where acupuncture has shown great results. These surgeries, to name but a few, cost anywhere between USD 1,500 and USD 4,000. Even if the owners have the means to pay, the consequences of surgery may be as restrictive as the problem itself. Acupuncture allows a natural treatment and avoids many undesirable side-effects. It also proves very useful as relief for aging animals, allowing them to see out their final days without suffering due to lack of energy, joint pain, or stiffness.
3. PHYSIOTHERAPY FOR ANIMALS
Dr. Olivia Lannou is a physiotherapist at the clinic PhysioVetCare in France and recounts that “Coben had triggered a polyradiculoneuropathy, an autoimmune inflammatory disease of the peripheral nervous system, which led to a generalized flaccid paralysis. When he first came to PhysioVetCare, it had been almost three months since he could walk, he could barely hold his head up and was extremely amyotrophic. After one month of rehabilitation, neurological and muscular, and a lot of motivation, the results have met our expectations!”
“As a result of a cervical hernia, and despite the surgery, Canelle was paralyzed in all four limbs. Thanks to physiotherapy, her motivation and the perseverance of her owners, after two months of work, we have the joy of seeing her walking around again!” She has many stories like these to tell! She and her team have seen animals arrive unable to walk into the clinic who are now fine. Physiotherapy is now one of the alternative medicines which is developing more and more in veterinary clinics, in addition to other more traditional treatments. It is particularly noted for cases of neurological or orthopedic disorders.
Physiotherapy encompasses manual and instrumental techniques to diagnose and treat functional disorders and injuries. Physiotherapists use techniques such as massage and stretching as well as ultrasounds, electrotherapy, or hydrotherapy, etc. If your pet seems to have a neurological or orthopedic problem, physiotherapy could help.
The first objective is to ease the pain with various natural treatments and physical manipulations. The next goal is to help the animal regain its fitness. This is done a gentle way with manipulation by hand, or using natural elements like water, vibrations, heating/cooling or light.
Physiotherapy can also be combined with other natural treatments like homeopathy or phytotherapy to preserve the long-term health of the animal. Physiotherapy will be noted in the case of arthritic animals or older animals who can no longer undergo an operation.
In the case of more serious orthopedic problems, surgery can sometimes be necessary. However, physiotherapy will often be used in addition to the surgery, or in post-operative treatment to allow the animal to recover as quickly as possible.
In fact, physiotherapy and functional rehabilitation are equivalent to the care given by kinesiologists in sports medicine. It is particularly interesting to use in post-surgical rehabilitation (orthopedic or neurologic), in rehabilitation of degenerative processes (osteoarthritis, degenerative myopathy, cauda equina syndrome, etc.), or in the preparation of sports dogs (specific pathologies of sports dogs, prevention of injuries, specific training program) as explained by Dr. Olivia Lannou, therapist at PhysioVetCare.
Physiotherapy is based on the use of passive kinesiotherapy (joint mobilization), active kinesiotherapy (exercises for stimulating balance, proprioception or targeted muscle building), electrotherapy, ultrasounds, hydrotherapy (walking in water which enables important muscular movement without putting weight on the joints) and therapeutic laser.
4. HOMEOPATHY FOR ANIMALS
Dr. Potrawiak is interested, like all specialists in homeopathy, in all aspects of the animal before administering any sort of treatment.
Homeopathy treats, in effect, the individual and not the disease in taking a holistic approach. In homeopath, providers are interested in the animal as a whole and not only in symptoms. It is what we call the law of individualization. Homeopathy is as concerned with the psychological as the physical aspects of the individual. This includes their experiences (trauma or otherwise) and hereditary traits as well. It paints a unique picture of your pet and proposes a treatment that takes all of these things into consideration. Homeopath differentiates itself from traditional medicine, which treats symptoms separately instead of considering the body as a whole.
How does the treatment work?
Homeopathy for animals (dogs, cats, horses, rabbits…) consists of treating animals by means of remedies (in small doses obtained by dilution). These remedies, in higher doses, are capable of producing similar symptoms in man (or in animal) to those of the disease, in order for the body to fight back. The goal is to stimulate the body’s ability to heal itself (vitality). Homeopathic remedies aim to stimulate this vitality to help the body fight against disease.
The homeopath seeks to understand how symptoms manifest and also considers what aggravates them, what calms them, and at what times the symptoms appear. They take all of this into account in order to find a suitable homeopathic formula. Two animals suffering from the same problem could therefore be prescribed different homeopathic formulas.
This natural approach can be a good alternative to medications, particularly in cases of digestive disorders, psychological problems like anxiety, or hormonal imbalances to name but a few examples. Homeopathy helps limit many side-effects that you may see with drug treatments. It is also completely possible to use homeopathy in addition to conventional treatments.
Most animals react very well to homeopathic treatments. Many physical or psychological health problems can be treated with this approach, which has been used in Europe for a very long time and is becoming increasingly popular in North America.
5. AROMATHERAPY FOR ANIMALS
Dr. Nelly Grosjean, doctor in naturopathy and author of the book Veterinarian Aromatherapy, explains in an interview, “Aromatherapy is used particularly against ailments like coughs, digestive problems or alopecia, and is very effective antiseptically speaking (for fighting against bacteria, parasites, fungi, etc.). I strongly recommend it for the treatment of tendinitis, itching, joint pain, digestion, or even for strengthening the immune system or helping the animal recover after excessive physical exertion (for example racehorses).”
Aromatherapy is the process of using aromatic plant extracts (essences and essential oils) for therapeutic purposes, unlike phytotherapy which uses all the elements of a plant.
However, be aware that some animals can be allergic or sensitive to certain essential oils. You should never use essential oils for the therapeutic care of your pet without the advice of a specialist in aromatherapy. Furthermore, they will sometimes advise you to try it on a small area of the body before using a treatment. The specialist will also let you know if certain oils should be avoided at particular moments in your pet’s life (pregnancy, lactation, etc.).
What is an essential oil?
Essential oils are a concentration of active ingredients derived from the distillation of an aromatic plant. Aromatherapy can not properly be called a ‘soft medicine’, because in fact, essential oils are a real package of energy! Oils used in aromatherapy must be of excellent quality and taken from healthy plants. Always check that the bottle indicates the exact name of the plant and its place of distillation.
Essential oils can be used for antiseptic, antimicrobial and anti-infectious purposes such as detoxifying, revitalizing or regulating the nervous system or hormonal glands. They increase resistance to illness, improve immune defenses and prevent infections and contagions. They can be used in prevention or in curative treatment in three different forms: diffusion into the air, through friction, or by internal absorption. Obviously, only healthcare professionals will be able to recommend which oils are suitable for your pet and how they should be used.
“My aromatic compositions have helped and continue to help the studs of the princes of England, the studs of a Jordanian princess, veterinary biotherapy clinics and equine osteopaths and dentists,” says Dr. Grosjean… Enough to convince the most skeptical amongst us, is it not?
6. OSTEOPATHY FOR ANIMALS
Osteopathy is an alternative medicine which uses manual techniques and, like other natural medicines, is based on the principle that the body is an entity and that it is the patient (the animal) who is treated instead of the disease.
Osteopathy attaches a great importance to the vascular system and the self-healing power of the individual. It starts from the principle that all bodily systems interact with each other. In being able to treat all kinds of conditions, osteopathy often allows us to avoid taking medications. By focusing on the cause of the illness and not just the symptoms, osteopathy enables treatment of the problem at the source in order to avoid its recurrence. Knowing that certain health conditions require traditional medical interventions, osteopathy can be used in addition to other procedures.
“By regularly consulting an Osteopath, you allow your pet’s body to manage the disturbances which occur at a low level before the symptoms manifest (…),” explains Dr. Jean. Osteopathy is also very complementary to acupuncture, as Dr. Trudel explains. “It is rare that I treat only with acupuncture, given that the medicines are very close to each other in nature and are complementary. By combining the two approaches, I have treated, for example, a dog who had suffered with limping for several months and had been seen by several specialists. In two sessions, his problem was solved. It was a cervical vertebra that was stuck and which had pressed on the nerve. Another cat was limping on its back leg and was unable to put weight on it. Its owner was on the verge of euthanizing it. Three treatments later, the cat was walking.”
7. NATUROPATHY FOR ANIMALS
Naturopathy is also based on a holistic approach to illness and considers the body and the individual as a whole rather than only treating the health problem itself.
Animal naturopathy is concerned with the physiological needs of the animal as well as its well-being and comfort. A naturopath will often propose an overall health check of the animal while considering its diet, experiences and mental health before proposing any treatment. They will then propose the use of plants, flowers, aromatic essences, homeopathic remedies or trace elements to treat the animal. In all cases, the approach will be entirely natural.
The principal interest of naturopathy is its 100% natural approach. You will be certain, in consulting with a good animal naturopath, of providing your pet with non-invasive and completely natural care. The naturopath is a specialist in various natural medicines. They can propose different approaches for you to choose from (aromatherapy, homeopathy, etc.). The naturopath will consider all aspects of your pet’s life.
Like any alternative medicine, in specific urgent cases or in the case of certain disabling diseases, naturopathy cannot replace traditional treatments. However, it can work complementary to traditional treatments and may even improve their effectiveness. As you can see, in terms of alternative medicine, there is no shortage of choices! From phytotherapy to osteopathy and covering naturopathy, physiotherapy, homeopathy, aromatherapy and acupuncture, you can find the natural approach that suits the personality and health needs of your pet.
All the experts we interviewed have told us the same thing: all these approaches are often linked to one another. This is why in your research you will find that many therapists are both osteopaths and acupuncturists, or naturopaths and homeopaths. In short, these complementary medicines each have their strengths and can act on different levels, and sometimes also in parallel with more traditional treatments. Each case is unique and must be studied as such in order to find the best suited therapy. However, each case can be treated as naturally as is possible, if that is your wish for your most loyal companion.
“I treated a 10-year-old dog with osteoarthritis and an acute posterior limp, pain and associated tremors,” says Dr. Jean. “Well, classical medicine, and even osteopathy associated with phytotherapy did not seem to relieve it. On the other hand, after two close sessions of acupuncture, the limp disappeared (without any other associated treatment). It may not be obvious and, in some cases, we do not find in the first instance the care that is appropriate for the animal and its problem at that time, but when we do, the effectiveness can really be very impressive! There are also animals treated with oncology and, in some cases, we obtain remission with the combination of acupuncture or phytotherapy.”
We all want the best for our pets and, if possible, to avoid chemical drug treatments and the undesirable side-effects that come with them. This is a beautiful gift that we can give them!
Dr. Trudel ends with this advice, “Consult your veterinarian before starting an alternative treatment.” Why? “A lady called me for her three-month-old Bernese mountain dog who had a limp in its hind leg. However, it turned out that the dog did not need acupuncture or osteopathy. It had, in fact, had a broken heel for one month.” In cases like this, only traditional veterinary medicine will be able to help your pet, then alternative care can be used to complete the treatment. So always be alert to the signs observed in your pet.
We’d love it if you could share your personal experiences in alternative medicine with us and our readers! Your story can help others make more informed decisions as they learn more about the benefits and limitations of natural approaches. Also, feel free to send us any questions you may have. There is nothing like talking to other animal lovers!
We invite you to share your experiences, comments, questions and references in the section below. Thank you very much! Your contribution to the discussion will make a difference!
The Science behind Yoga
Yoga is a scientific spiritual discipline dating back some 15,000 years in Tantric roots, its purpose, to unleash the pinnacle of one's potential. In recent times yoga has been extremely popular in the context of fighting stress, anxiety and depression in these times of industrialization and our super-fast lifestyles.
Apart from the spiritual aspects, the physiological benefits acquired from yoga have recent radical scientific understandings to bring an analytical perspective to this ancient inner engineering. Yoga moderates the surge and the production of chemicals in the body that affect us mentally, physically as well as psychosomatically. So, let's take a peek into some of the science behind yoga that makes it so powerful!
Moderates Stress Hormones
When our body gets severely stressed, it secretes a hormone called cortisol which keeps us alert in crisis situations, but also disturbs the body functioning in the long term. Yoga reduces the stress level of a person, thus moderating the production of the cortisol hormone and keeping the individual calm.
Secretes Antioxidant Enzymes
Repeated exposure to environmental pollutants and metabolic by-products result in the formation of free radicals, which contribute to many diseases including cancer and expedite the aging process. To counteract free radicals, the human body has a powerful internal defense system in the form of antioxidant enzymes. The levels of antioxidant enzymes were found to be significantly higher in people practicing yoga, thus enhancing the defense against free radical damage.
Stimulates Parasympathetic Nervous System
Yoga actually stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which calms us down and restores balance after a major stress is over. When the parasympathetic nervous system switches on, blood is directed toward endocrine glands, digestive organs, and other organs, thus reducing the heartbeat rate and lowering the blood pressure.
Improves Immunity Function
This is attributed to the fact that yoga reduces cortisol hormone. Too much of cortisol can dampen the effectiveness of the immune system by immobilizing our defense system in the body (WBC). Yoga moderates the production of cortisol, thus boosting immunity.
Cures Addiction
Dopamine, a chemical in the brain that gives one contentment during a high on ones drug of choice is generated naturally by doing yoga. Thus, the craving for that level of contentment from addiction is no longer manifested. Yoga can give one the same level of dopamine high or contentment, thus cutting out the craving of addiction.
Enlarges the Brain
After conducting MRI scans, scientists have discovered that people practicing yoga have more gray matter (brain cells) than the non-practitioners do. It was found that with more hours of practice per week, certain areas were more enlarged – a finding that hints that yoga was a contributing factor to the bigger brain size.
Yogis have larger brain volume in the regions that contain mental mapping of our body, involved in directing attention, critical to dampening stress, and areas key to our concept of the self.
Helps Stay in the Present
Yoga makes one attentive to the present moment and gives more awareness towards negative thoughts and the ability to let go of them for the sake of self-preservation.
Yoga Mudras
Yoga mudras are postures of the hand that stimulate certain parts of the brain and body. Strangely enough, it has been observed that babies perform mudras on their own subconsciously.
Adi mudra: A newborn baby has its thumb tucked inside its palm and the other fingers wrapped around it into a fist. This is the adi mudra that relaxes the nervous system, improves flow of blood to the head and increases the capacity of the lungs.
Chin mudra: When a baby sleeps, the tip of its forefinger touches the tip of the thumb and all the other fingers are extended. This is the chin mudra that improves sleep pattern, increases energy in the body and alleviates lower backache.
Merudanda mudra: When a baby sucks its thumb, the thumb points upward and fingers are rolled. This is the merudanda mudra that energizes the middle-section of the body.
While yoga may look like just a couple of body-bending exercises to the normal eye, a lot goes on under the skin when you twist your limbs and consciously breathe. Also, yoga is not just a set of asanas that one performs on the mat, but rather a way of life. With a healthy body and calm mind, one is bound to live a happier and stress-free life. Sounds good? But do not be in a hurry to get into a difficult looking pose just yet. Ensure that you learn yoga under a certified professional teacher and practice regularly to gain long-term benefits!
Article from artofliving.org
Much Love,
Juliane
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My HairPrint Results and a little philosophy too
Allow me to introduce you to HairPrint, the only 100% hypoallergenic, non-toxic, odor-free hair color in the world proven not only to restore hair to its natural color… it also improves hair structure!
Bye-bye harmful chemicals that eventually cause irreparable damage to the hair shaft, follicles and scalp– Not to mention to our bodies as a whole, since the particles of standard toxic hair dyes are small enough to enter the bloodstream (the reason we can't color hair during pregnancy). The melanin pigment in Hairprint is already present in millions of our skin cells and due to its relatively large size does not pass into the bloodstream.
Currently, HairPrint has formulas available to return hair to its original shade of brunette or black… even if hair has since gone totally gray or white. They're working on a formula for blondes to be available soon.
When I stumbled across HairPrint I was intrigued by the fact HairPrint not only returns hair to each individual's specific natural color, permanently, it also leaves hair in better condition.
Following are the details of my results. I'll start with what led me to try it out in the first place.
Slowly but surely I've been overhauling all the products in my life from beauty to cleaning, food, laundry, etc. to upgrades (often inexpensive, simple alternatives) made with basically edible ingredients. At this point I could conceivably eat most everything I use! A lot of things do double duty – for example, it's amazing how much can be done with vinegar and baking soda. It's been a process of becoming ever more conscious of how what I'm using in my environment and on my body affects not only myself, my family and my pets, but my neighbors, the community, all animals and people, the earth and beyond. As we become more and more conscious, our eyes open wider to see conditioning for what it is… and we can't help but continue the journey down the rabbit hole, realizing and questioning the litany of assumptions, habits and beliefs we carry around, unravelling their domino affects which have become so tightly woven into society.
Which brings me back to hair… and the memory of a hair appointment a couple of years ago. For years I've been going to a lovely French salon in Washington for a great cut and "rich brown" color to give my natural tone an overall boost. This time, however, the experience went a bit differently. As a result of my ultra-clean lifestyle, my sensitivity to chemicals, smoke etc. has become super acute. Though I will say, I'd never been someone to care about stuff like this prior. Now, something like a processed girl scout cookie – it literally tastes like plastic chemicals to me. Or the scent of fabric softener wafting through the neighborhood - startling and artificial to my nose. My senses have recalibrated to the scent of baking soda and essential oils in my laundry (bonus tip for super soft, lovely smelling clothes) and the bright fresh flavors of a plant based diet.
I digress, however, back to that hair appointment… WHEW! My eyes, nose and scalp were on FIRE like I'd never experienced before! I could barely contain myself under that black cape, realizing how incredibly toxic the whole situation enveloping my head was – I knew I could never do it again. What affect must it be having on my body I wondered… on my dear hair stylist… on all the stylists who do this for a living day in and day out, their clients?
Yes, it is true, everyone's constitution is different. Some people can withstand a lot more than others – or at least for a longer period of time before they notice ill affects. Before they begin to put two and two together between the correlation of lifestyle habits and resulting diseases/impacts in body/mind/spirit. Society/conditioning is a strong enabler, however, writing much off as a part of getting older or simply lumping various preventable maladies into the trusty folder of "it's a mystery, that's life".
Friends, it's not a mystery, there is a litany of research available demonstrating the devastating ill affects the thousands of chemicals present in the majority of "food", "cleaning products", "beauty products" etc. etc. being consumed. Just check out the EWG site, read Dr. Michael Greger's book, How Not to Die, or watch the movies, What the Health, or Earthlings to get all the facts.
Why isn't all this stuff more well known? Chalk it up to the machine of conditioning. Profit motives, lobbyists, habit… basically, ego on a large scale. Ego is conditioning. Who are we then if we aren't our ego, our identity? Our authentic nature is love… the heart. Our authentic nature does not lack or need to be "someone". It's already complete. Full. Wise. Powerful. Beautiful. Our authentic nature does not want to envelop heads in harmful chemicals. It actually knows better – without even having to read a book, watch a movie or visit a website. The heart doesn't support any of this stuff. The heart, love, is very wise. It's who we really are. However, conditioning is a formidable and relentless opponent, and, if our eyes aren't open, it will take the upper hand.
However, No! I'm not here to be a fear monger. The good news is everyday there are more and more outstanding alternatives entering the market – like HairPrint – with amazing, clean, beautiful high vibration products.
Thankfully, many people are catching on so the awareness and demand for these beautiful choices is growing. As I said before, it's definitely a rabit hole one enters, once we taste a real peach, we don't want fake peach flavoring. Once we start using real essential oils, chemical sprays and perfumes just don't compare. Yet, it's a win, win, win, win as there are SO many upsides to a clean lifestyle, from the health and beauty benefits of detoxification, to the mental and physical benefits of aromatherapy, the saving of animals (from product testing, exposure to the resulting toxins in our waterways, etc), saving our hair from turning to straw, preserving our beauty and youth… the list goes on! A clean lifestyle on all fronts holds such integrity, improving, uplifting and preserving our body, mind, spirit, earth and everything/one around us.
HairPrint not only provides a safe alternative to men and women who want to return their hair to it's natural color safely, but they're also giving 20% of their profits to educating women in developing countries.
I love the result in my own hair, though I have to say, since I've been plant-based I am suspecting that the few gray hairs I had, may be turning back to brown – more on this in another post – or feel free to ask about in the comments section. I completed the process myself in my bathroom following the instructions to a T. I had been using Surya Henna which I'd loved, previously. However, it does contain some chemicals (though it's a FAR cry from standard hair dye) and it's temporary, washing out after 5 or 6 weeks. Not so with HairPrint! It's permanent. Yes, the process is a tad lengthy – though shorter than driving to a hair salon if you account for travel time – and much less expensive. I've read about others having their hair stylist do the process for them so that's always an option. Additionally some women are even layering successful balayage highlights overtop the HairPrint base. I'm a simple chocolate brown girl… as you can see from the results photos I've humbly interspersed alongside the stunning models depicted in HairPrint's inspirational artwork.
For more information on the HairPrint line of color, shampoos, conditioners and products, feel free to visit them here: HairPrint. No, I have not been paid to write this little testimonial. I'm just a happy customer :) Also, I'm happy to answer any questions about my process switching from Henna to HairPrint as it does require a tad different procedure. Overall, my hair felt super soft, silky and voluminous. I didn't use ANY additional product aside from the HairPrint color – didn't even style it – just blew it dry and that was it. In all honesty if I'd known I was going to take the results pics I'd have probably absolutely styled it – but this is at least a testament to the truth that HairPrint truly does improve hair structure making styling a potentially optional step 🙂
Much love,
Juliane
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The Baghavad Gita
Today I thought I'd share one of my favorite books, The Baghavad Gita. Specifically, the version translated by Eknath Easwaran (1910-1999), who is respected around the world as one of the greatest spiritual teachers. The Bhagavad Gita is believed to have been written between the 5th and 2nd centuries BCE, and, like similar great classics such as the Bible, it's timeless in its application. You could read this book many times over and receive something new each time. Let me know if you've read it and what inspires you the most – or if you pick it up let me know how it impacts you. We'll have our own little book club discussion right here on StyleNectar.
"Some of the chronic problems that millions of people suffer from today might be solved by gaining a little detachment from their minds and emotions, so they can stand back a little when the mind is agitated and see the ways in which it makes mountains out of molehills. Many problems simply are not real; they start to seem real only when we dwell on them. The thorniest problems to solve are those that are not real; yet most of us go on giving them our best efforts."
Eknath Easwaran
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Being Happy and Living in the Moment
Please enjoy this beautiful Ted Talk given by the incredibly inspiring Aisha Chaudhari…
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StyleNectar Corporate & Private Yoga
Corporate & Private Zoom or on Location Yoga
Email today for more information
Corporate & Chair Yoga for all fitness levels
Corporate Yoga is a powerful benefit provided by cutting edge businesses all over the world. Business leaders understand a healthy, successful company starts with healthy, vibrant and happy employees. The unique physical, mental and emotional benefits of Yoga have a powerful impact on the corporate culture, performance and bottom line of these organizations…
FACT: For every $1 invested in workplace wellness, a company can expect $3 in cost savings or benefits.
(U. of Michigan Research Centre)
FACT: Employees who report high degree of stress in their lives miss twice as many work days as those who report low degree of stress. (Conference Board of Canada)
Benefits Include:
Corporate Rates for 55-Minute Classes (Fewer than 15 Participants)
Single 55-minute classes for fewer than 15 participants can be booked at a rate of $120 per class.
If you would like to extend your class to 75 minutes, please add $10 to the single class rate.
To extend your class to 90 minutes, please add $15 to the single class rate.
Please see the table below for multiple-session package rates:Publish
Corporate In Person or Zoom Yoga Rates:
2 Classes Per Week
Corporate Meditation:
“Offering yoga in our workplace is an excellent way to assist our employees to manage and relieve stress, achieve their highest potential, and enjoy optimum health, longevity and happiness. Happy, healthy employees equal productivity increases, reduced absences and a joyful workplace with low turnover.”
StyleNectar Yoga provides:
Employees Will Learn:
Corporate Yoga is Perfect for Everyone including those with limited mobility & various conditions including:
Email today to set up your Corporate or Private Yoga Program or Retreat
Private Yoga Appointments (Zoom or On Site)
All levels of yoga practitioners, from the beginner to the most experienced, can benefit from private instruction. Each private or semi-private session begins with a personalized assessment designed to address your needs and goals. Private Yoga appointments provide a space where you can connect with your own body, mind, and spirit while receiving focused attention. Privates are perfect for you if…
Private Yoga Appointments:
Single Session
5 Sessions
10 Sessions
Private 60 min
$100 per session
$90 per session
$80 per session
Duet 60 min
$140 per session
$130 per session
$120 per session
How to get started and what you will need:
I am registered with the Yoga Alliance as a 500+ hour-certified Yoga instructor.
StyleNectar Yoga is available in your community via Zoom or on Location:
Doctors worldwide are prescribing Yoga for its disease-fighting properties more frequently than ever. Below are just a few studies exhibiting more of its powerful payoffs:
Email today to set up your Private or Corporate Yoga Program or Retreat
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November Marsh Grasses
I spent last weekend on the Eastern Shore oil painting en plein air. It was a windy, cold weekend, and though I don’t typically think of myself as a terribly hardy person, I think I grew a bit more resilient. What’s neat about painting is while I’m doing it I don’t notice anything else, including whether or not I’m cold. It all comes down to the fact that our attention can only be on one thing at a time. As one of my teachers says, “The quality of our life is determined by the focus of our attention.” And, wile I’m painting, nothing else exists, just nature. No, me, I, mine, Juliane etc. That’s why I love it. I lose myself in it. Though it was cold, we were lucky to have sun almost every day… thus these gorgeous colors! This piece was painted at the docks of the Village of Easton overlooking the striking gold grasses next to the water. Oil on Panel. Please enjoy.
Love,
Juliane
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Heroes Across Time
"Heroes Across Time" 20" x 24" oil on canvas by Juliane Porter
I'm thrilled to present my latest oil painting, "Heroes Across Time", which brings to life the wonderful and fantastical question: If you could invite anyone from throughout time and history to surround you in a gathering of your choice, whom would you choose?! It's a tough one to narrow down - we all have so very many heroes with so many outstanding people from which to choose from around the world to the beginning of time. My very special client chose eight fabulous individuals to accompany him in a mysterious, blustery outdoor scene, suitable for such a magical gathering, near the water which he also loves.
Clockwise from top left: George Washington (on horse), Themistocles, my beloved client himself at center, Leonardo da Vinci, Nathanial Greene, Alexander the Great (on horse) and continuing clockwise in the front row seated right to left: Nikola Tesla, Thomas Sowell and Benjamin Franklin.
This piece began as a monumental challenge including lots of fun research on all the individuals during which I learned a ton about each great hero and their impact on history. One aspect I found amusing were the millennia of clothing styles, from the breast plate armor and skirt of Alexander the Great, to Themistocles' mohawk-like head gear, shield and full coverage armor. Leonardo da Vinci wore the belted toga and cap of the day, while Nathanial Greene's cape, hat and sword were somewhat similar to George Washington's riding gear. Ben Franklin had those fab buckled shoes, stockings and long jacket, and Nikola Tesla was quite the stylish European at the turn of the century. Thomas Sowell, being the most modern, tends to wear neutral colored suits. And, my "client" is casually comfortable, owning the scene of such incredible company!
It is said that to surround oneself with images of one's heroes serves to draw their great energy to oneself. It's why all religions & spiritual traditions around the world incorporate prayer cards, statues, altars and shrines, sing songs to great saints and gods etc.. Surrounding oneself with such heroes in a painting must have a similar affect!
Whom would you include in your portrait of your favorite heroes from around the globe and throughout time? What setting would you envision being gathered? Let me know and I'll bring it to life for you in oil paint!
Happy Autumn!
Love,
Juliane
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Little Rocker
"Little Rocker" 18" x 14" Oil on Canvas
This little guy! Does he look familiar? You may recognize him from my last oil painting. Here, it's like an instant in time – – he's caught looking back at us from his surroundings. In the first painting, he was headed somewhere with a purpose… and now, interrupted in what he was doing, he will return to it after we tell him why we stopped him. Exuding oodles of sweet innocence and adorable factor, completely untouched by the hustle and bustle of the concrete jungle of NYC… He's blissfully content amidst the infinite possibilities of a child's imagination during playtime. Please enjoy and feel free share your thoughts 🙂
Love,
Juliane
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A Raphaelesque Putto
“Raphealesque Putto” 11″ x 14″ oil on board, by Juliane Porter
Please enjoy my most recent oil of this unbelievably darling little Raphealesque Putto. Putto (singular for putti) is Italian for a work of art depicting a nude, sometimes winged, child angelic being, usually male, represented in Renaissance paintings by such greats as the painter Raphael and sculptor Donatello. In the Baroque period of art, the putto came to represent the omnipresence of God. Putti, in the ancient classical world of art, were winged infants believed to influence human lives. I absolutely adored painting this incredibly special little guy.
Love,
Juliane
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