Kelsey Lowitz Integrative Health

04/30/2024

As a wise Shaman once looked me in the eye and told me in his most soothing and comforting voice, "Humaning is hard work."

He is right. It is hard being a human in this world right now.

On tough days, I see his eyes and hear his voice and it reminds me I'm not alone.

As an empath, I feel things deeply. I feel my own suffering and the suffering of others intensely.

In my early life, I learned to close down this sensitivity. It was easier that way.

I succeeded shutting down my feelings, and pushing myself to achieve. I lived in my head, cut off from my heart and body. I was able to create what I (thought I) wanted in my life by DOING more to get ahead.

It worked!

I went to good schools, got straight A's, had a corporate career, I ran marathons, I got married at 27 to the right kind of guy… I was doing all the right things by society’s standards.

I got a lot of validation along this path, but I was empty inside. Cut off from my heart, and deeply unfulfilled.

Through my own healing journey I realized I had to develop the capacity to feel my feelings (even and especially the hard ones), and come home to myself, in order to feel deep joy.

I had to learn how to choose myself and my own desires, over pleasing others and following the conventional path that was expected of me.

This process of coming home to myself has allowed me to create my life my way, and experience more joy, ease and love ALONGSIDE all the suffering, pain, grief and anger that’s also always there for me too.

Learning these skills doesn't make your pain go away. It won’t protect you from the ups and downs of life. But with these tools, you’ll be able to hold the possibility of ecstatic joy alongside your everyday pain. You'll be able to stay grounded and rooted as the winds of change try to blow you down. Maybe some of the bumps in the road won't feel so turbulent.

I truly love sharing these healing practices and tools with others. On Wednesday (2 PM, PT) I'm leading a free workshop "Nourish your Nervous System."

In this workshop, you'll experience some of what I've found to be the most healing practices on this journey towards wholeness.

You'll nurture your nervous system in a meaningful and healing way, so you can create the life YOU most want. There will be time for quiet inner reflection, journaling, sharing and coaching too.

You'll take home practices you can use any time in your life you need it most.

It's free to register! See link to register in comments section. If you can't attend live, I'll send the recording afterwards to everyone who registered.

Hope to see you there.

Love, ❤️
Kelsey

02/14/2024

I’ve struggled with not feeling good enough.

As a kid in school, I stayed up late anxiously cramming for tests or perfecting papers that I’d procrastinated writing.

In college, I spent long nights in the library blindly memorizing facts, meanwhile missing out on campus experiences that would’ve been more meaningful than an A in Chemistry.

My “not good enough” anxiety helped me achieve, but robbed me of the deeper joy of learning, and being present in my life.

Working in the corporate world, trying to prove my worth made me demand perfection from myself (and others) while seeking validation through promotions and raises.

Being the “go to” person made me feel needed, but the constant climb was exhausting. I used coffee to help me perform on not enough sleep, alcohol to unwind, and Prozac to help me look like I had it together, while still feeling unworthy on the inside.

This broke me, and didn’t make the voice quiet down.

Fifteen years later, even now that I’ve done “the work,” and I know the truth of my innate goodness, this old familiar feeling still visits sometimes.

It’s much subtler, less frequent or urgent, but I still recognize this fear voice when I’m setting new goals, taking a new risk, trying something new.

I hear it:

- When I start developing a new project at work, or when I want to undercharge and overdeliver, as if that’s the thing that will keep my clients returning.

- When I’m dating + I am attracted to an unavailable man, I feel the need to prove my worth to “make it happen.”

- When my teenage daughter gets angry, I assume it wouldn’t be happening if I could just be a better mother.

But my wise heart knows the truth.

That I am and always have been absolutely good enough, just as I am. (And you are, too, btw!)

Now, when I feel that old fear clench in my body…

I breathe deeply, put my hand on my heart, channel my wise inner adult and say tenderly to myself (like I would to a child,)

“Oh sweetie, this feeling is hard. But you are not alone. Everyone feels this way sometimes. I see you. I love you just the way you are. I’m listening. I’ve got you.”

And the clench loosens, the fear releases just enough.

These inner critical thoughts no longer lead me to work harder to control the situation.

Instead, they are a gentle reminder for me to let go and TRUST…

To slow down and listen with compassion to that young part of myself that’s feeling scared.

To feel the support that’s inside and all around me.

Listening and trusting helps me access my power and the courage to take risks, and move forward towards my goals.

And choose myself.

One step, and one deep breath at a time.

12/14/2023

My Wellness Clinic is looking to expand it's offerings! Do you know anyone who wants to grow their healing arts practice in the new year? We have space to rent for like minded service practitioners (Massage therapists, acupuncturists, chiropractors, nutritionists, coaches, psychotherapists, osteopathy or reiki practitioners...)

If so, please help me spread the word and send them this posting!

Looking to expand your healing arts practice into a new space for the new year? We have room(s) available to rent in a beautiful wellness center on a quiet tree lined street, in a central Oakland...

09/20/2023

We are looking for another massage therapist to join the team over at my clinic. Do you know a wonderful holistic massage therapist who is looking for a place to practice? Connect us, please! 🙏

Busy Acupuncture Clinic seeks Massage Therapist to join the team We are looking for a holistic Massage Therapist to join the team at our integrative healing clinic near Lake Merritt in Oakland....

09/05/2022

Wishing you all a very relaxing Labor Day holiday! If you've been feeling like you could use a seasonal health tune up, I have some openings for acupuncture tomorrow. Openings are Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 12:30, 2 PM or 4 PM.

Getting acupuncture at the change of the seasons is a little bit like changing the oil on your car.... great preventive maintenance ;)

07/12/2021

We find our greatest bliss in moments of collective effervescence... the sense of energy and harmony people feel when they come together in a group around a shared purpose. This kind of joy is forged in the deep fun of creating together and solving problems together. As the world starts to open up, and we start connecting in person again, this is what I'm most looking forward to.

Having just returned from a week at Oakland Feather River Family camp where adults and kids got to play freely together in groups outside, in nature, I can tell you my nervous system has been re-set and my heart is full from this collective effervescence.

I hope you are finding ways to gather safely this summer, and that it is sparking joy for you. Stay tuned... as I'm trying to figure out a place and date for a Fall Slow Power retreat so that we might be able to gather TOGETHER!!! 💕

(Adam Grant nails it again with this insightful article on the contagiousness of emotions.)

We find our greatest bliss in moments of “collective effervescence.”

06/13/2021

Feeling distracted? Acupuncture helps reduce ADHD symptoms. Researchers concluded that acupuncture improves cerebral artery blood flow in those with ADHD, increases their sustained attention and ability to inhibit distraction (inhibition response), and increases overall treatment efficacy for ADHD patients.

ADHD researchers find acupuncture effective for improving sustained attention.

12/23/2020

Join me for Qigong +Meditation today at 7:30 AM (PT)
Let's close out the year together! Link below.

09/30/2020

Here we are, starting Fall, a transition that's always been a little hard for me, but is even more so this year.

I can't even watch the news...RBG, the election cycle, ongoing police brutality, corruption, wildfires, COVID deaths, ongoing systemic racism and injustice... it's completely overwhelming.

If you're also feeling a little down right now, or even powerless and despair, I assure you that you are not alone.

Things are hard right now.

I have a long held habit of speeding up and doing more when things get tough. As an overachiever, I learned that I can reach my goals by working harder, faster, smarter. I'd check things off the list, feel accomplished, and earn praise so that I would feel good about myself.

But that "good enough" feeling wouldn't last long, and I'd find myself repeating that cycle again and again until I was completely exhausted.

The truth is, speeding up, working harder, and simply doing more can actually block you from having what you most deeply want. There's a very real cost to overworking; it's not a sustainable solution. Especially now.

What if… you could slow down…and actually achieve more of what you most deeply want?

What if… all the hard work you’ve been putting in (because it’s always worked before) is actually holding you back from that?

What if… going slower and being kinder to yourself could introduce you to your true power?

I'm leading a free workshop on this TODAY Wednesday, Sept. 30th AND next Wednesday, October 7th at 3:30 PM, Lead with Slow Power: Shift from Overworked and Overwhelmed to Thriving, Sustainable Success.

If you are ready to harness the power of ease and calm to reach your biggest goals, this is for you.

In this live workshop, you’ll explore…
✅The cost of over-doing in your life and how it is holding you back from greater success.

✅The secret to breaking free from the cycle of over-giving and validation seeking.

✅Practices that help you create space and connect with your body’s inner wisdom and heart’s guide.

✅Creating a new vision for your life so you can do less and achieve your goals with ease.

For all the details and to register for this free opportunity, visit:
http://www.kelseylowitz.com/slow-power_workshop

I promise this workshop will leave you feeling more calm, more ease, and more motivated to create what's deeply meaningful to you...

I'd love to see you there! (There are 2 date options to choose from, but if you can't make it live, I'll be sure and send the recording if you register here.)

Lead with Slow Power: Shift from Overworked and Overwhelmed to Thriving, Sustainable Success For high achieving women ready to harness the powerof ease and calm to reach their biggest goals A live workshop Wednesday, September 30th or October 7th at 3:30 PM Pacific REGISTER NOW What if… you could ...