Chandrika Gibson ND | Businesses
Chandrika Gibson ND
Phone: +61 411 954 851
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25.01.2022 Today is World Head and Neck Cancer Day. Before embarking on my PhD I did not have a great deal of awareness about this less common (about 8th most common globally) cancer type. While historically the greatest risk has been for heavy drinkers and smokers, there are growing numbers of younger people being diagnosed, often due to HPV and similar viral triggers. Know the signs, get checked out, early detection saves lives. Learn more here https://buff.ly/2NN4k4W
25.01.2022 Another PhD lesson learnt - always get an authorship agreement up front. There’s too much potential for exploitation due to power imbalances, competing agendas, and communication lapses. Time management is key to self directed study so in future I’ll be more protective of my time and energy, and just say ‘no’ to working for free where there’s no clear outcome.
24.01.2022 This is one of my favourite workshops to teach. All welcome to attend on September 7th in Cottesloe at the Cancer Wellness Centre, book via the Solaris Cancer Care website https://solariscancercare.org.au//polyvagal-theory-and-he/
24.01.2022 I’m back to PhD focus now, as well as my own businesses, and my role as a research and education consultant. While I was acting CEO at Solaris, I had the chance to record some videos. Of course I wanted to talk about my favourite integrative modality, Yoga Therapy for Cancer Care. This was for #GlobalYogaTherapyDay #GYTD when the theme was ‘Yoga Therapy Beyond the Studio’. Providing yoga in cancer treatment centres, and making yoga accessible after treatment ends are key pillars in my work to reduce suffering, and bring the beauty and holistic wisdom of evidence based complementary therapies to healthcare settings.
24.01.2022 Upcoming Online Education Opportunities On Monday Nov 2nd I’ll be facilitating Surya Health’s ‘Mix of 6; Create Your Anti-Cancer Lifestyle’ where I’ll summarise the research behind simple lifestyle recommendations for lowering your risk, improving your wellbeing, getting through conventional treatment, and dealing with fear of recurrence proactively. Over the weekend of Nov 13-15, together with Jean Byrne PhD, I’ll be co-facilitating our Wise Mind Meditation teacher training.... It’s a great opportunity to learn some simple meditations you can guide others through, and to understand some of the history, philosophy, and research behind different meditation approaches and techniques. Great for personal and professional development. And of course, my regular evening yoga classes are also streamed live via Zoom so you can attend from anywhere. Hope to see you online soon!
23.01.2022 Searching for PhD student buddies Have I sold you yet on undertaking a higher degree by research? It's one of the best decisions I've ever made - to leave behind a situation that wasn't conducive to thriving, take a career tangent, take a risk, return to the low income of student life, and stretch myself to learn and grow again. It was definitely an action that reflected my values and has opened up wonderful pathways of opportunities and connections, as well as the innate sat...isfaction of diving deeply into a rich topic for 3+ years. At Curtin University I am so grateful for my amazing supervisors and colleagues. One of the highlights of doing a PhD is definitely the friendships that form, and our research group has some openings for new mates. Check out some of the cool projects that are currently open for applicants; This one is about cancer treatment delay and refusal - if I wasn't on the final stretch I'd want to do this https://scholarships.curtin.edu.au/scholarship/?id=4421 Or are you interested in weight bias in healthcare students? They'll be the health professionals of the future so this is pretty important work https://scholarships.curtin.edu.au/scholarship/?id=4409 This is the partner project to mine, focusing on the experiences and support needs of carers when their loved one has head and neck cancer. I can help! https://scholarships.curtin.edu.au/scholarship/?id=4331 Come on friends with backgrounds in psychology, health sciences, and similar, you know you want to!
23.01.2022 Now that’s an exciting PhD finding!
23.01.2022 Some great work comes out of NICM. I’ve heard Justin Sinclair at COSA in the past, this will be well worth tuning into.
21.01.2022 New BLOG post - Body Positive Yoga "Yoga is remarkable medicine for healing, yet many people feel like yoga doesn’t suit them, isn’t welcoming to their body and therefore isn’t welcoming to them. We believe the yoga community can do better."
21.01.2022 Life after PhD In our little PhD group, we’ve been sharing the challenges of translating what we know we do well as researchers, into the language recruiters and employers might recognise and value. I’ve mentioned the imposter syndrome before and it rears it’s head here too, because part of the PhD process is humbling - after whatever degrees and experience precede it, becoming a student at this level is about finding out how little you know in the scheme of things, finding a... gap in the knowledge, and setting out to discover something new and novel. You necessarily feel miniscule when standing on the shoulders of giants. Yet it’s also somewhat rarified air to be breathing. Doing a PhD opens doors at some pretty swanky addresses, gives you access to powerful movers and shakers, and asks you to do complex project and people management in a financially constrained environment. For some people applying for jobs outside of academia, they have to fight the ‘Sheldon stereotype’ that sees many people imagining PhD students to be socially awkward, overtly intellectual geniuses. For those folk, their applications need humanising with demonstrations of their warmth, social skills and personality. Whichever misconceptions may be directed at us, PhD students and grads have a task to display and demonstrate the kind of work we’ve really been doing. To talk ourselves up a bit, identify not as a student but a lifelong, professional learner, and see that yes, your collaborative yet unequal relationship with your supervisors is not dissimilar to dealing with a board, that competing for funding is the same or similar process across industries, and that it’s a serious operational role to manage your own project, recruit, relate with and protect the privacy of participants, manage the relevant stakeholder relationships, a budget, navigate the vast bureaucracy of the university, navigate the health system (or whatever area you’re studying) to collaborate, network, and communicate scientific findings to different audiences, to organise meetings and events, solve problems and persist in the face of setbacks. It’s both creative and scientific work, requires clear, analytical thinking, embodied purpose, and so much more. We need to defy the old conception of phds being overqualified brainiacs, and show that we are multi-faceted, skilful and experienced professionals. http://jobsontoast.com/the-20-skills-that-make-you-totally/
20.01.2022 Mindfulness sets a powerful foundation for adventures in the inner universe. In this weekend training we explore the directions you can take with different meditation approaches that have arisen out of Buddhist, Yogic, and secular traditions. Join Jean Byrne PhD and I to immerse yourself in the theory and practice of Wise Mind Meditation teacher training. Suitable for those who teach or wish to teach, and for personal development.
20.01.2022 I’ll be hosting this expert panel of speakers including practitioner-scholar Karen Anderson, palliative care social worker Satyam Brown, psychotherapist @Maureen Tan, and researcher @Elise Alexander. Together they have immense experience and wisdom when it comes to relationships - with our selves, partners, parents, colleagues, friends, and children. Cancer can be complex, as can relationships. This facilitated conversation will be thought provoking, compassionate, and offer some pathways to more peace and connection in all our relationships. Free and open to everyone, the hall at Cottesloe is limited to 50 people, but unlimited online if you want to listen from home. Registration link in event page below or call Kerry Solaris Cancer Care on 9384 3544
19.01.2022 I moved to Melbourne in 1995 for the indie music scene. Before natural medicine, before yoga, before research, my passion was the music industry and I had a blast living in Melbourne and working at Shock Records in Northcote. This is a fab way to show our Melbourne friends how much we care about their vibrant city, and all the amazing creative work that comes out of that community of artists who call Melbourne home. Nice one rage.
17.01.2022 PhD Update Monday public holiday and having taught all weekend, I’m having a ‘lazy’ day reading and sketching out ideas for my next article. I’m due to finish mid year and it will be a stretch to get there. Although I no longer have a ‘day job’ I’ve still been juggling between my little yoga studio, seeing a few clients, Wisdom Yoga Therapy trainings, family life, grant applications, public speaking, self care and study. I’m not sure if an academic career awaits or not. But ...I’m loving how much of my PhD work informs all my other work. Unlike some people I’ve heard from who felt burnt out at this stage of their project, my curiosity is anything but dimmed, in fact I have more and more ideas flowing. Now to keep all the balls in the air, prioritise what matters most, and Get.It.Done. Here’s what I’m reading at the moment. https://jamanetwork.com//jamaotolaryng/fullarticle/2768626
16.01.2022 Body Image and Yoga | What has been your experience? Has your practice allowed you to come to a place of greater self acceptance? Have you found a space to prac...tice where you truly feel welcome to show up just the way you are? Creating spaces for people to practice radical self acceptance is extremely important to both Jean and I - and we hope you feel this way as you enter our studios at @suryahealth and @yogaspaceperth for your personal practice. More than that though, we also feel that it is a crucial part of training new teachers. Our training content is therefore less focused on the exact shapes and alignment of postures and more on preparing our students to be able to offer variations and modifications that will allow all types of bodies to practice in their classes, to pass on the deeper values of yoga as an embodied experience.
16.01.2022 Living the (Phd student) dream. It’s not Bali but a tropical vibe that’s pretty good.
16.01.2022 Have you been scared off eating soy? The research has fallen convincingly on the side of safety.
16.01.2022 Nutrition Research for Arthritic Conditions It's low-level evidence but it's good news for proponents of anti-inflammatory eating patterns. For my clients, I look to the literature to support sensible lifestyle medicine - movement, exercise, sleep, hydration, breathing techniques, stress management, mindfulness, community, work, play, creativity, expression, meaning and purpose. I bring in my naturopathic knowledge of herbs, supplements, and of course, nourishing food, but in truth, there's often rather less compelling evidence for the biological aspects of the bio-psycho-social-spiritual care I am offering, so this systematic review is notable. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7503186/
15.01.2022 Leadership, warts and all. I had a great conversation with Chandrika Gibson about the ways we can get more energy and sustain it. Chandrika has many accolades..., she was recently an acting CEO, she's a naturopath, a yoga teacher, owner of her own practice @suryahealth, she's also a co-founder of @wisdomyogainstitute . Her reputation precedes her. She's studying her PhD and soon to be Dr Gibson! This year has been quite the challenge for many leaders. We talked about sleep, diet, energy reserves and so much more. How do you as a leader remain energised? Full link to the YouTube video in my bio. Plus: If you're a leader wanting to brush up on your skills, I am delivering face to face training in Perth, link to that in my bio. #leadershipishard #leadershiplessons #leadershiptraining #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipcoaching
14.01.2022 Had a great day learning some more Grant Writing Skills at Evolve Events and Training yesterday. I love being in a room full of passionate change makers, flexible, creative thinkers, and not-for-profit leaders. When compassion, strength, and skill unite, it’s a powerful alchemy.
14.01.2022 There is nothing I can see which is physically wrong. Your spine looks like a normal spine of its age. So what was it you said you were experiencing? Severe bac...k pain you mentioned? This may be your husband, wife, mother or father, may be your child. They could be your best friend or a colleague at work. It could even be an experience that you have gone through. Many people suffer various health conditions but not all sufferers are able to seek support and answers through our health system. GP, While acute care, emergency medicine, surgery and drugs, are much needed, often life saving, there is an increasing number of people living with chronic illness for whom modern medicine has few suitable remedies. There’s a growing need for preventative health care and lifestyle medicine that support wellbeing no matter what your diagnosis Read more about Yoga Therapy and body wisdom in my latest interview with Chandrika from @wisdomyogainstitute . . . . . #yogatherapy #yogaaustralia #yogaperth #perthyoga #yogaforalllevels #chronicpainrelief #changeyourthoughts #painscience #movementismedicine #movement #runningmotivation #motivation #inspiration #joy #healthylifestyle #health
13.01.2022 One of my favourite workshops, this is an introduction to the impact of lifestyle medicine on cancer risk. Suitable for anyone with a cancer diagnosis, carers and support people, health professionals, complementary therapists, and those seeking to prevent cancer.
13.01.2022 I love chatting with Jean Byrne PhD anytime, and in this podcast episode we continue to challenge and inspire each other. Part of what I enjoy about the podcasts I listen to is that you get some insight into the relationship between presenters. I hope that along with listening to us chat about our ideas and experiences, you will also enjoy hanging out with us. We made this for you as part of our work together at Wisdom Yoga Institute.
11.01.2022 When it comes to health, behaviours matter more than weight. That’s why I’ve been a non-diet naturopath and health coach all these years. And why I’ve practiced self compassion, self care, and body neutrality for myself. Added bonus for your psychosocial wellbeing, this knowledge helps remove shame, and reduces risk of body image issues and eating disorders. The real danger of life in a bigger body is ignorance and bigotry from others. Hopefully the evidence is stacking up so much, health providers will start to change their weight bias soon. Diversity is normal. Health and wellbeing is possible at every size. https://apple.news/AoEpbZLLnQCu-3b_KgmSyQg
11.01.2022 I’ve shared three guided meditations so far on Insight Timer. Please have a listen, and let me know if there’s a theme or practice you’d like to hear. https://insig.ht/8J8rGmIDYdb
11.01.2022 Did you know August 8th is #DyingToKnowDay? It's an annual day of action dedicated to activating conversations and community actions around death, dying, and bereavement. The therapeutic services team at Solaris Cancer Care, led by social worker and counsellor Julie Verley, are hosting a facilitated discussion today at 1pm. You can trust this will be a sensitive, powerful, and deeply compassionate space, skilfully supported by our professional team. All welcome to join the conversation, details below or call the Cottesloe centre reception on 9384 3544.
10.01.2022 Episodes 2 and 3 have been released. Find us on itunes and Spotify.
10.01.2022 I am a teacher. I believe knowledge is empowering. I am a lifelong learner and I love to share. Topics I am passionate about include yoga in all it's forms, complementary and integrative therapies, nutrition, mindfulness, self-compassion, and most especially, how to live well with cancer and chronic illnesses. I use many platforms to share my messages of hope, inspiration and education. I'm on twitter, linkedin, here on facey, and instagram. I teach in my home studio and clin...ic, on teacher trainings in Perth and internationally, at conferences, seminars, retreats, festivals, and via online courses, blogging, vlogging, podcasts, lay articles, and academic articles. Let me know if you have questions I can answer through any of these formats, or book in for a 1:1 personalised session. Yoga Studio & Clinic - Yoga Therapy & Cancer Support @ Surya Health Yoga Teacher Training, Yoga Therapy Training, Peaceful Embodiment Podcast @Wisdom Yoga Institute
09.01.2022 It's #worldcancerday2021. I am working hard to write up my PhD findings in the hope that the stories I've been so privileged to hear can change practice in the future. My aim is to help make the experience of cancer gentler for people diagnosed, and more supportive for the cancer workforce too. It's slow work, sometimes it can seem like a lot of effort for a tiny impact, but it's also meaningful, and on days like today I feel a part of a bigger movement towards compassionate, holistic, person-centred health care. #IAmAndIWill
09.01.2022 The past year I’ve been able to focus on self care and healing while mostly working from home on my PhD and small businesses. With a full tank, I’m better prepared to offer my heart and energy to collective wellbeing. Change is never easy, but positive change is unfolding for the greater good.
08.01.2022 Feeling inspired by naturopathy all over again after listening to the wonderful Society for Integrative Oncology podcast hosted by Dr Santosh Rao a medical oncologist. In their recent episode, he interviewed Lise Alschuler, a naturopathic oncologist and she was just so sane and sensible about the role of naturopathic medicine in integrative oncology. Since my days at Cancer Council WA I've been quietish about naturopathy, as I've worked hard to bring evidence-informed complementary therapies in to mainstream cancer care. I know some naturopaths are anti-medicine, but that is one end of a broad spectrum of practitioners, and as the evidence base increases for what we offer, I'm seeing real integration as possible and ideal for patients.
03.01.2022 To the Yoga and Wellness People who Oppose Public Health Strategies I’ve been scrolling on by for almost a year, as long as this strange and frightening pandemic has been known. I am finding the ableism and individualism harder to avoid recently, and I think I understand. We are all tired of the news cycle, tired of the death counts overseas, and the government mandated lockdowns here in Australia are inconvenient for everyone. But while pandemic fatigue is real, protesting a...bout restrictions means you are disregarding the risk members of our community would face if the virus spread. Maybe you don’t care about the elderly, or think people with poor quality diets deserve to get sick and die? Let me remind you that not only is that abhorrent eugenics type thinking, even for the seemingly ‘healthy’, there are still risks like post viral fatigue and the systemic effects seen in cases of long Covid. If you think you’d be fine because you meditate and take vitamin d, if you are opposed to efforts to control the spread of the virus, you are acting as if the lives of older people, people with compromised immune systems, those with chronic illnesses are less valuable than yours. If you insist you are a ‘sovereign being’ then please stop quoting the Yoga Sutras, and while you’re at it please stop referring to yourself as a healer. What yoga and other systems of natural therapy share is a philosophical underpinning of interconnectedness. Your yoga practices, your organic food, your independence, your ability to live comfortably in a safe community, are all privileges that support your personal growth. But that personal growth is not meant to be for your benefit alone. When yoga and similar systems work, they move us out of self-centredness into compassion and the desire to help others. You’ve every right to criticise leadership and to question scientists, but please don’t let your desire for individual freedom blind you to the interconnectedness of our whole community. If you were the leader, how would you keep everyone in our community safe and well during a pandemic? https://www.nytimes.com//opini/covid-vaccine-ableism.html
01.01.2022 Thanks Heather at Simple As Pi Yoga for interviewing me, creating a great article and images. I believe yoga is one of humanity’s best tools for healing.
