My deepest thoughts, hopes, and prayers go out to all who are affected by the tragic collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis.

After coming home Wednesday, I rode my bicycle toward the area of the rescue efforts. I think it’s a human thing to do - be close to where tragedy has occurred, as if to offer some kind of hope or empathy to a situation where one feels helpless. We all want to “do” something or be present.

After gathering briefly with some of the onlookers, I felt the need to leave to let rescue workers continue their work, as the crowds of onlookers seemed to grow. Some came to take pictures, and others just to look to see if this very “unreal” event could truly be real.

In times of tragedy, we all feel the weight of grief, loss, longing, despair, or helplessness. Some of us imagine what we might have done in that situation, and others of us try to visualize the thoughts going through the minds of those caught in the midst of the unthinkable event.

In the midst of all of this, I wanted to offer up some ideas of what we can do, to both help, and to heal.

1. If you are inclined and able, The Twin Cities American Red Cross depends on donations to help in situations of disaster. Your dollars can go a long way to help them!

2. Take time - to talk to people, to children, to neighbors, and to any persons of support. Because we are all affected emotionally, taking the time to be present in these moments can be of profound help to one another.

3. Understand that we all react to crisis in different ways. Some people cry, some become angry, some withdraw. Every expression of grief and loss is appropriate. Again, take the time to be present with another person.

4. Reach out if you need support. Talk to a friend, family member, pastor, counselor, etc. If you have no one to turn to immediately, contact a local crisis center. In the Twin Cities, you can contact Crisis Connection, a 24-hour crisis hotline, at (612) 379-6363.

5. Take time for yourself. Remember to eat - and to REST. Strong emotions like grief can take a lot of emotional and physical energy. Even if you are unaware of the stress on your mind, body, or spirit, you may need the extra rest and nourishment.

I wish everyone the deepest thoughts of healing and support at this time.

Video: The Blue Bird (15 MB - Requires Quicktime)
Click the image to watch in a pop-up window.
Click here to download

I took a mini-vacation this weekend to Madison, WI. I lived in Madison from 2000-2003 and did massage out of a small office on Bedford Street, just a few blocks from Lake Monona. I love to return to Madison to bike the trails and to just peer out at the lake every chance I get. Unfortunately, I don’t think I ever biked in Madison when living there. Coming back and riding a bicycle helps me to discover it all over again.

I also did a bit of “geekery” and created a short quicktime movie of all of the bodies of water that I’m fond of just peering out at. I hope you like it. The song is “The Blue Bird”. Click the image above or the download link below the picture to watch the short video.

When deciding to open a holistic practice in the Twin Cities, I wanted to create a space that was as unique and heart-felt as the ideals I hold in my personal life. I believe that healing comes about by getting in touch with the core of oneself. Just like emotion, expression, art, and passion, healing comes from a deep place in each one of us. As whole beings, we cannot disconnect our body from our emotions, our mind from our spirit, or our learning from our experience.

My approach to massage, acupressure, and reiki is just like that. It is integrated. It focuses on the whole person, not just a muscle ache, a stressor, or a symptom. As human beings, we experience our life on many levels. Healing should be focused on all of those levels as well. It should be a journey with deep meaning, not just a quick fix.

I hope you enjoy my website, and find it both informative and inspiring. In addition to highlighting my services, I plan to include news, tips, and articles about holistic health and healing through this weblog and sometimes podcast!

Thank you for coming along on this journey with me!

Scott Schumacher