Join me on this enlightening episode of Mindfulness Monday as I sit down with Charles, an acupuncturist and herbalist from Grand Marais, Minnesota. Charles shares his journey of moving to this community and taking over the local acupuncture practice. He introduces us to the neoclassical style of acupuncture he practices, which emphasizes palpation and the interconnectedness of human and environmental factors. Charles reflects on his path to acupuncture, his background in human ecology, and his experiences with Qigong, offering insights into the profound impact of acupuncture on both practitioners and patients.

Listen in as we explore the complexities of working with other people's energy and bodies in acupuncture and bodywork. Charles discusses the challenges of distinguishing and separating personal energy from that of clients, sharing techniques for managing energy transference. We touch on the historical and philosophical aspects of acupuncture, including the significance of the Neijing Studies and the universal breath concept. Our conversation also delves into the emotional dimensions of health, the impact of seasonal changes on the body, and how recent unusual weather patterns have influenced current patterns of illness and allergies.

This episode also highlights the importance of community and mindfulness in fostering healing and introspection. We discuss how individual mindfulness and empathy can contribute to a larger cultural shift, creating safe spaces for healing. Additionally, Charles shares his experiences with mindfulness in parenting, emphasizing the importance of grace. Finally, we explore the interconnectedness of mindfulness, energy work, and the traditional Chinese medicine concept of the five elements, offering practical advice on finding balance and health. Tune in for a thought-provoking and heartwarming conversation that underscores the power of mindfulness and community support.

Guest Bio: Charles Bishop is an acupuncturist, husband, father, small business owner, and hopelessly captivated by everything life brings his way. He has studied beekeeping in New Zealand, Buddhism in Japan, Human Ecology in Mexico and Maine, and Acupuncture in Minnesota and Oregon. And at each place an unexpected lesson or direction arose. Whether he is learning career planning from an ex-con beekeeper or Qigong after school from his philosophy professor, there is no scarcity of teachers and the serendipity to connect with them.

Charles earned a BA in Human Ecology from College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine and holds a Master of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (now the American Academy of Health and Wellness) in Roseville, Minnesota. He later continued his acupuncture studies with Korean Sa’am style under Dr. Toby Daily and most recently Neoclassical Acupuncture under the instruction of Dr. Slate Burris.

Living on the indescribably beautiful North Shore of Lake Superior, Charles is busy raising four young boys with his amazing wife Grace and running Artemisia Acupuncture & Apothecary, a general practice acupuncture clinic and herbal medicine shop. He often stays up too late reading and occasionally sneaks out to kayak under moonlight.

Welcome back to Mindfulness Monday, where your journey towards a more balanced and mindful life continues. This week, I'm thrilled to guide you through the transformative practice of box breathing. Whether you're battling anxiety, seeking to stay present, or just looking to enhance your physical activity, breath work is a powerful ally. As we explore this simple yet profound technique together, you'll discover how to harness the rhythm of your breath to create a tranquil mental space, no matter where you are or what's happening around you.

Listen in as I walk you through the four equal phases of box breathing—inhale, pause, exhale, pause—and share how to integrate this practice seamlessly into your day-to-day life. Remember, mindfulness doesn't require special tools; your breath is your ever-present companion on this path to inner peace. So, find a quiet spot, and let's journey inward. And if you find this episode enriching, don't forget to share your thoughts with WTIP. Your feedback helps us continue bringing content that makes a difference to your Mondays—and every day in between.

Embark on a transformative expedition into the heart of mindfulness with our esteemed guest, Mel Eldridge from Two Birds Studio. Mel opens up about her unexpected foray into the realm of intuitive bodywork and massage, and how her career blossomed from a family-inspired interest into a life calling. She walks us through her eclectic mix of healing practices, from Thai bodywork to yin yoga, and shares how these methods not only serve her clients but also catalyzed her personal mindfulness voyage.

Listen in as we reflect on the complexities of managing emotions within the professional sphere of therapy and wellness. As an empath, Mel discussed the importance of distinguishing between her own emotions and those of her clients, a maze that mindfulness helped her navigate. Our discussion underlines the power of quieting the mind, and how the art of being present can transform our lives by revealing the beauty in the subtleties that often go unnoticed.

Explore with us the surprising mindfulness benefits that bodywork offers, akin to a form of passive mindfulness. Discover how practices such as massage can elicit a meditative state, releasing happiness hormones, and reducing stress, all through the power of intention. As we delve into the connection between mindfulness and bodywork, we realize that our journey towards inner peace is interwoven with the threads of communal compassion.

Guest Bio: Melanie Eldridge is an intuitive Thai bodywork and massage therapist, energy worker, reusi dat ton and
yin yoga instructor, educator, and life-long student. Her goal is to cultivate safe and nurturing healing
environments to help people feel better in and more connected to their bodies by accessing their
intuitive healing potential through bodywork, relaxation therapies, and self-care practices for overall
wellness of body, mind, and spirit. A wide array of extensive training, study, and experience in the
alternative healing arts field, at home and abroad, enables her to guide individuals toward integrating
beneficial holistic healing practices into their lives.

Mel co-founded Two Birds Healing Arts Center in Grand Marais, MN and has called the area home since
2016. She feels fortunate to play an active role in the vibrant and dynamic healing community of the
enchantingly magical north shore.