Karina Smith Yin Yoga and Chinese Medicine in South Yarra, Victoria | Alternative & holistic health service

Karina Smith Yin Yoga and Chinese Medicine

Locality: South Yarra, Victoria

Phone: +61 400 708 230

Address: 42 Clifton Street 3181 South Yarra, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.karinasmith.com.au

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• Medical and health
• Alternative & holistic health service
• Tutor/teacher

25.01.2022 All hail the power of ginger. I myself happen to be an exceptional coldy...... oh how i feel the cold. Sometimes I feel frozen to the bone. Part of my healing journey is clearing this cold and restoring my yang. One of my best winter moves, is to make a large thermos of fresh ginger tea in the morning (just sliced ginger in boiling water), and sip it throughout the day. It gets very warm and spicy the longer that it has been steeped. ... #ginger #winter #yang See more

25.01.2022 This is an instructional video explaining how to use Gua Sha to help manage your own tight neck and shoulders. Gua Sha is an ancient technique, and an invaluable skill to have when managing your self care. This is especially valuable in times when you do not have the means to get a treatment. So this video is a very personal sharing of one of my self care rituals, in order to help you feel more empowered in the way you can take care of your own body and its needs.

24.01.2022 All hail the mighty Spring! A change of energy could not have come at a better time! If you have been feeling blue, dispondant, apathetic, confused, heavy, or simply not peaceful, I highly encourage you to seek out a plant or a tree in your garden or within your neighbourhood and look for some new shoots or leaves that are starting to emerge and listen to what they have to say. ... Spring brings change, new growth, the chance for something new to happen, a beginning, a do-over, hopefulness, and so much more. Im running my next instalment of the seasonal Yin Yoga and Chinese Medicine Masterclasses for Spring on Saturday the 26th September via zoom. From 11am - 1:30pm I will be offering a presenation of the Season of Spring: the energetics, Qi dynamics, organ systems and meridians, self care practices and diatary ideas. There will be time for us to have discussion and questions, and then I will guide you through a Spring themed Yin Yoga practice. Cost $25. Book in via my website and you will receive your zoom link for the day. The morning of the masterclass I will also email you the slides for the presenation so you can follow along and take notes. To register visit: www.karinasmith.com.au #spring #chinesemedicine #yinyoga #change See more

23.01.2022 How is your body feeling from all of this time spent at your desk? I have just uploaded a new complimentary yin yoga practice specifically for those of you now working from home, teaching online, learning online, what probably feels like constantly being online... The sequence focuses on the spine, shoulders, shoulder blades, side body and hip flexors. ... The link for the class is in my bio. You can access this class on my website under the free yin yoga classes tab on the classes page. Alternatively you can head over to my You Tube channel and view the class from there. If you enjoy the practice and feel like sharing the love, please consider subscribing to my YouTube channel for lots more of this kind of content. www.karinasmith.com.au/classes YT Karina Smith Yin Yoga and Chinese Medicine Remember to regularly walk away from your desk and take 10 deep slow breaths, stretch, get some sunshine on your face, and rest your eyes. Enjoy. Love karina See more

18.01.2022 I felt that big collective sigh and shoulder rounding of all of us yesterday. For some, going back in brings a sense of relief to reassess self-care, make bread, paint, nap, and rest. For others, anxiety and stress are bubbling; managing home schooling, finances, and inner turmoil. ... Your mental, emotional and physical health is essential! However and wherever you can, please take and receive care. My clinic hours remain the same, and i will be taking all the measures possible to keep the space clean and safe. If you are unwell and cannot attend please rest, or we could do an online zoom appointment instead. In person treatments: Wednesdays and Thursdays 11:00am - 6:30pm Australian yoga academy clinic, Prahran. For all appointments please book online: karinasmith.com.au

18.01.2022 As much as we all want that single magical pill, herb, supplement,or treatment that will fix our health problems, the foundational roots of our health need to be investigated with care and support. Maybe it is a bit boring, or too simple, but the following areas of lifestyle are things I always come back to when deep diving with patients: Sleep: ... What time do you go to bed? Do you sleep through the night? Do you wake feeling rested? How close to falling asleep are you on your devices? Is it possible to try and be in bed half an hour earlier? Nutrition: Are you getting enough dark leafy green into your meals? Is it possible to consider adding some green vegetables to your first meal of the day? Hydration: How much water are you drinking each day? How many coffees/teas/alcoholic drinks do you consume? Sugar: How much refined white sugar do you consume? Is it possible to swap out a few refined sugary treats with some berries/fruits/dates? Stress: How stressed out is your life? Do you have any practices or times in the day when you can be quiet and still, or do five minutes of slow deep breathing? The big picture of health, and turning the wheel away from illness, does require us to really look at our lives and what we are putting into the body/treating the body. Perhaps you could choose just one of these things and start implementing slow mindful change with that one thing and see how you feel. Slow and steady. See more

18.01.2022 new article out by bernie, worth a read xx

17.01.2022 How do you feel after being outdoors when it is very windy? Chinese Medicine has some strong ideas about how wind can impact our health. Check out this video regarding windy weather, and ways in which you can take care of your health.

17.01.2022 For all of you. Women who dread their period. Women who check their schedules regularly in the hope that their period does not come on a busy day. Women who are wondering if their period will ever come back. Women who have to take days off work because they experience excruciating period pain, and tumultuous vomiting and diarrhoea during their period.... Women who have had to have an emergency hysterectomy because they had their period constantly. Women who are overtaken by anxiety, sadness, rage, and/or apathy during their period. Women who are exhausted because their bleeding is so heavy. Women who have suffered in silence because they have been led to believe that all of this is normal. I see you. See more

17.01.2022 A little message of post lock down support x

16.01.2022 Join me this October/November for my next 50hr Yin Yoga & Functional Anatomy Teacher Training running completely live and online. This comprehensive training is available for both already qualified yoga teachers, wanting to build their skill set in order to teach Yin Yoga, and also for students with a love of Yin Yoga wanting to deepen their experience and knowledge. This course will enable you to draw from a deep bank of knowledge and information regarding the body, skeleta...l variation, and meridian theory. karinasmith.com.au

16.01.2022 Springtime and getting your bare feet on the Earth. "The moment your foot touches the Earth, or you connect to the Earth through a wire, your physiology changes. An immediate normalisation begins. And an anti-inflammatory switch is turned on. People stay inflammed because they never connect with the Earth, the source of free electrons, which can neutralise the free radicals in the body that cause disease and cellular destruction." James ...Oschman Is it possible for you to go outside this week, take off your shoes and socks, and walk around on the grass/sand/soil for 10-20 mins? Let me know how it feels. See more

16.01.2022 Chinese medicine is very clear when it comes to the temperature of food and drinks that go into the body....... They need to be warm r room temp, not cold! If you do consume cold foods, as in, ice in your drinks, water straight from the fridge, cold salads and cold raw foods and fruits, how do you feel afterwards? Do your insides feel cold? Does it make you bloated or have digestive pains? Do you end up having a very loose bowel movement? Do you have really bad menstrual cramps? These are all signs that the cold has affected your insides. Have a listen to the ideas in this video, and see what resonates for you.

15.01.2022 My next 50 hour Yin Teacher Training is running this October and November across six Sundays, and due to recent restrictions it will now be running online via Zoom, which I am actually quite excited about as it opens the training up to so many more people no matter where they are based. If you have any questions about what the training encompasses, please feel free to drop me a DM or have a look through some of the information that is available online: https://www.karinasmith.com.au/yinyogateachertraining

15.01.2022 Is Acupuncture Painful? This is the number one question asked when curious people are wanting to find out more about Acupuncture. A very great question to ask. Someone is going to stick a sharp object into my body?? Umm Im scared! ... Most of the time patients will not even feel the insertion. The needles are very small and fine, and the speed at which the needle moves through the skin is swift and therefore avoids any pain receptors in the skin. But that does not means you wont feel something. Different for each person, the sensations of acupuncture can vary from; nothing, a dull spreading ache, a short-lived electrical pulse, and even when the needles are left in some people can feel a moving or vibratory sensation. All of these are normal and a sign that the treatment is effective.

14.01.2022 The glute muscles, as a region in the body, are quite dense and have many layers. Each individual body should feel able to explore a range of different yoga postures that help that person find the most valuable way to access this region. Bearing in mind, this might mean that you choose dfferent shapes for your right vs your left! This video offers a range of different yin yoga shapes to play with in order for you to find your best access point to target the glutes. ... My next 50 hour Yin Yoga and Functional Anatomy online training starts Sunday October 11th. Early bird special price offer ends this coming Friday September 4th. To register visit my website: www.karinasmith.com.au

14.01.2022 It has been so incredibly lovely to be able to be back teaching in studios over the past week or so and to be able to connect with people face to face and be in the same room together. Whilst I am loving being back in the studio, the past few months have really inspired to finally put some of my classes onlline to share with you, especially if youre still unable to make it back to the studio just yet. Ive got a brand new class thats just been uploaded which is Yin Yoga f...or the Hips and Lower Body, a sequence that I have put together with those who have been stuck at their home office desks more than usual in the forefront of my mind. If youre looking for an uncomplicated at home practise, feel free to have a look at this class on my website: karinasmith.com.au/classes

13.01.2022 On a scale of 1 naprogesic to a full day agonising in bed how is your period pain? Some of the patients I work with have the most excruciating period pain, coupled with vomiting, violent diarrhoea, migraines and body sensitivity. In clinic I like to ask people where they feel their pain. Does it stay fairly local to the lower abdomen? Is it fixed and stabbing anywhere? Is it more concentrated around the sacrum? Do you get a dragging sen...sation down your inner thighs? Do you get any other pain in your body just before your period is due to arrive? What makes it feel better? Do you like a sense of pressure over your womb? Does it feel better or worse with heat? Does it impact on your sleep? It is my current understanding, that excuciating period pain may be a sign that there is some degree of endometriosis happening in the abdomen. However, the only way to get a confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis is by having laparoscopic surgery. Needless to say, many women would prefer to seek out natural healing modalitites before having surgery. Because of that, I believe there must be a high number of endometriosis cases that go undiagnosed, resulting in a monthly pain cycle for many women. And for some women, the surgery turns out to be the best thing they ever did for their gyne health. Acupuncture and herbal medicine can definitely play a role in period pain management and blood health. And i am also a big advocate that for some patients, they may need to gently stay open to the idea that a laparoscopic intervention may also be something that is needed on their healing journey. See more

13.01.2022 This is the talented genius behind the camera of all my lovely videos. My amazing brother robbie xxx

13.01.2022 How do you like to target your lower back in yin yoga? #lowerback #yinyoga #options #props

12.01.2022 Despite all the available distractions, I truly do love being able to move a few bits of furniture out of the way and roll out my mat in the middle of my lounge room. Its been so important for me to be able to continue my practise during this time and even in my small flat, making the effort to create a space has really had an impact on my state of mind. Its also been kind of special to have people in my home practising with me via my online classes. Being able to share my... jungle wall via zoom has helped me feel really connected, so big thank you to those who have virtually popped over. Ive just uploaded a new class today ahead of the weekend, its a 60 minute practise on What Is Yin & What Is Yang In The Body which starts with some gentle flow like movements before moving into some more classic yin shapes. karinasmith.com.au/classes

12.01.2022 Winter is all about warm foods. Chinese Medicine would actually encourage you to not consume cold foods at all. That means no ice in your drinks, or eating food straight out of the fridge (try and let it cme up to room temperature first if you can), no icecream (I know!)........ Especially in Winter. Lean into your inner knowing when it comes to your meals this winter. ... What is in season? Pumpkin, parsnip, silverbeet, cauliflower, leeks, kale and more. Get out the slow cooker and make a delicious stew for this week. Or make a delicious pumpkin and sweet potato soup to take to work. If you must have a salad, make it a warm roasted vegetable salad. Warm up your insides. Your body will thank you. #soup #stew #warm #nourish #chinesemedicine See more

11.01.2022 My new blog post for (late) Winter is up now..... mostly musings, enjoy. x

11.01.2022 Womens gyneacological health is an area of great interest for me as a Chinese Medicine practitioner. One of the first moments I knew I wanted to support women in this way, was at a family gathering where three of my younger female cousins in their very early teens had all been put on the OCP (oral contraceptive pill) by their GP because they had very heavy and painful periods. This made me really emotional. Angry even. ... Now of course, the OCP has its place for sure, as birth control. But it does not, nor did it ever correct a womans period. It simply puts a mask over the top of the problems, and what was underneath really needs to be addressed for her long term health. I am interested in supporting women and taking the necessary time and steps to journey into the complexities of her menstrual irregularities. And while the OCP might bring temporary relief, which is of great benefit for her to go to work and go to bed with more ease and confidence, it is a bandaid, not a medicine. Period pain is abnormal. If a woman is experiencing high levels of pain and discomfort, heavy bleeding, many clots in her blood, and intense emotional swings around her cycle, then she needs to know that the body is trying to tell her things are out of balance, and there is medicine that exists to bring her back into harmony. It bothers me greatly that many woman have been conditioned to suffer in silence because all of these symptoms are simply "part of being a woman." I disagree. And I am honoured to be a part of the journey towards a woman feeling more harmonious each month during her cycle. Gorgeous #uterusart by the lovely catharinasuleiman6 See more

11.01.2022 Incredible wild medicinal mushrooms having a quiet and blissful life in regional Victoria. Mushroom foraging expedition courtesy of my wonderful old pal @jessgrum

10.01.2022 The reason Yin Yoga is so accessible to all bodies is because it has a Functional intention. The placement/angle/alignment of your body is not measured by a uniform standard that al bodies must adhere to. The alignment is based on "target areas". This is a mind blowing concept, as it will completely change the way you have judged your body in yoga, and will also help you to appreciate the uniqueness of how skeletal variation.

10.01.2022 If you are looking for some nice distractions this week, my Yin and Traditional Chinese Medicine Masterclass is still available to stream and is currently discounted to $14.99 until Sunday. Over two hours, we go through the dominant organ systems and meridians for the season of Winter, as well as emotional and physical aspects of self care to be considered. This is followed by a 60 minute Yin Yoga practice, incorporating ideas and themes from the presentation. https://www.karinasmith.com.au/masterclasses

09.01.2022 "Damp" seems to be the one thing that people remember a chinese medicine practitioner has told the about their health. A strange concept that explains a lot about how you feel and how your body is functioning. In essence, damp is the murkiness inside the body. Fluids that should be cleaned up and cleared out, are sinking and lingering. ... Accumulation of damp sometimes presents as: - taking a long time for the brain fog to lift in the mornings - limbs and head feeling really heavy and tired - a thick white coating on the tongue - cellulite or excess weight gain - and a feeling of bloating and "stuckness" in the gut. Take a listen for some ways in which you can begin to clear the fog.

08.01.2022 Sometimes there are no answers. Sometimes you just get really tired and there is no traceable reason for it. Sometimes you get hit with a downward spiral of apathy, and nothing and nobody is appealing. ... Sometimes old aches and pains in the body that you thought were healed can resurface. In my experience, the analytical aspect of searching in the mind for answers as to why I might feel really tired, or have a headache, or a painful body is so exhausting and leaves me feeling really flat. And when people try to help, often their first instinct is to try and make suggestions about what it might be? I know from other people who live with chronic health issues that this kind of response from loved ones is challenging to receive. It just is, and when things arise out of nowhere, we have to do our best to ride the waves. If that means you go offline for a while, or you go inward and quiet that is ok. We dont have to be able to explain the "why" or figure it out. Sometimes there are no answers, it just is. And that is ok. Sending out enormous love to all of those reading this post that lives with chronic health episodes. See more

08.01.2022 Spring truly is one of the most wonderful times of the year, where everywhere we look, life is beginning to show signs of growth, the sun returns, and our energy levels are beginning to increase as the cold begins to disappear. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the season of spring is all about the liver and gallbladder organs and the associated meridians. Together, these two organs are vital to maintaining a good energy flow throughout the body, which is incredibly important in Spring as we find ourselves returning to the outdoors, increasing our physical output as we start to limber up after hybernation, and enjoy the scents of spring flowers in the warmer evenings.

07.01.2022 My next online 50 hour Yin Yoga and Functional Anatomy starts in October. This is a very comprehensive training to help you dive deeply into all things Yin: skeletal variation philosophy how to teach this pracfice... developing your language chinese medicine pre-post natal yin yoga functional anatomy posture breakdowns 6 x Sundays across October and November 9am - 5pm your loungeroom (via zoom) fully accredited Early bird special price $1250 ends on Friday 4th September. Payment plans available for full price. book and pay through my website: karinasmith.com.au Or get in contact to ask questions: [email protected] love Karina See more

07.01.2022 The Thyroid gland image by @mimiprints via @jolenebrighton This delicate gland sits at the front of the throat and does an extraordinary job, in cahoots with the Hypothalamus, to maintain and regulate your temperature, metabolism and overall drive. ... However it can be easily upset and thrown out of balance into either a hyper (high) or hypo (low) functioning state, especially for women. There are so many delicate factors that need to be in harmony for the thyroid gland to be functioning at an optimal level. One of the most imortant factors is making sure the body has the the right amount of micro nutrients for the thyroid to create thyroid hormone such as iodine, copper, selenium and zinc. Alas different pathology labs have different ideas about what a "normal" range should be for thyroid hormone tests. Which means a person may have felt exhausted, cold, flat, or even anxious, ravenous, and too thin for a long time, but they are informed by their doctors that their hormone levels are "normal." When I am scanning over patients blood tests, I am eternally grateful for the enormous contributon that @clarepyers has made to chinese medicine with her invaluable published text "Integrative TCM guide." This book spells out every lab tests, and what the integrative approach is to looking at smaller values to dig deep into what is going on for the patient, both from a western and TCM perspective. This has been so helpful in clinic, especially when looking at thyroid hormone blood tests, and it makes me wonder how many people are out there feeling crummy because their thyroid is struggling, and yet have been told their thyroid is fine? @clarepyers See more

05.01.2022 We all have yin postures that we love, and ones that we really don't love! I'm sure you are thinking right now about your favourites. Allow me to indulge and share with you my personal three favourite yin yoga postures and why I love them so much.

04.01.2022 With all that is going on right now, I have just recorded a Yoga Nidra meditation as a free offering for all the restless and anxious minds out there. Please enjoy, feel free to share, and i hope it brings some space and rest to your mind and body. Love Karina ... https://youtu.be/gfY9Mcg0JOU See more

03.01.2022 Let's talk about micronutrients. We hear lots of talk about our macronutrients: fats, proteins and carbohydrates. But if our bodies are lacking in micronutrients, then it doesn't matter how much you sleep, practice yoga, exercise, or even take chinese herbal medicine, the fundamental minerals of the body need to be in balance. Especially when it comes to things like thyroid function, energy levels, temperature control, fertility and mood. ... I have enormous respect for the power of chinese herbs, but more often than not, I ask my patients to see an integrative GP to get blood tests done so I can see if there are certain mineral deficiencies that can explain some of their signs and symptoms. Some common deficiencies are iron, zinc, B vitamins, Vitamin D (big one), selenium, and iodine to name a few. And while it is great to see so many people trying hard to eat a varied and rich diversity of plants, many plants simply dont have the nutient profile that they once had. Therefore, for many people, some kind of supplementing is required to help boost up their micronutrients. So eat all the plants for sure. And take good care of your mind and body with your movement practices. But if certain signs and symptoms are not going away, regardless of how well you manage your nutriton, please stay open to some blood work investigation in order to top up any vitamins and minerals that your diet has not been able to rebalance. See more

03.01.2022 What is "damp"? It feels like being in a thick fog. That is kind of what is happening inside the body. ... Murkiness.... I sometimes use the word swampy.... The body has a wonderful system of keeping the body clean and hydrated with regards to how we clear murky fluid out of the body. When we overeat, or eat too much cold and raw sticky foods, eat when stressed, are exposed to cold and wet weather, or live in a house with rising damp, we are affecting the bodys ability to clean and steam this fluid away. The resulting effects can produce: - brain fog - heavy limbs and head (like they are wrapped in heavy wet towels) - cloudy urine - a thick white tongue coat (often with a swollen tongue) - bloating after meals - loose stools - weight gain - edema Damp is tricky and hard to clear. The best ways to help or avoid are to: - eat warm, cooked, moderately spiced foods. - reduce cold, sugary, sticky foods such as refined sugar, raw vegan desserts, bananas, cold smoothies, excess fruits, dairy, icy drinks (what an absolute kill joy hey!). - Keep the body dry and warm - Dont go to bed with wet hair (like your grandma told you) - and try not to over eat. See more

02.01.2022 Hey there yinsters. Just a little update about some new online classes now available. @robbiewsmith and I have been busy behind the scenes creating lots of online practices for you during this time of being at home. ... Some of the new yin classes online include: Journey through the meridians Pratyahara And a fantastic wall yin yoga practice leaning into support All classes are available to rent or buy. I hope everyone is doing ok and taking care of themselves the best they can. Link in bio for classes or head over to my website. www.karinasmith.com.au

01.01.2022 Dear situation, thankyou for motivating me to cultivate this magical new habit of pre-dawn walks. xx