Regular yoga classes are not for everyone. Yoga Therapy is a safe alternative if you suffer from pain, injury or chronic health conditions like fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, anxiety or depression. Over 500 peer-reviewed research studies indicate that yoga therapy can relieve over 100 physical, mental and emotional conditions. It provides you with practical tools to actively participate in your own healing process. You can learn to decrease your pain or disability by relaxing, breathing better, aligning your body and increasing balance, mobility and strength. You can calm your mind to manage stress and improve sleep. The classes are designed to be gentle and mindful, and poses are modified according to your ability.

We are pleased to announce that finally, after a year and a half of hard work and much deliberation, we received our letter of No Objection from Health Canada! We are going ahead with our research project investigating the use of stem cells for osteoarthritis. If you would like more information about this ground-breaking research project, the first of its kind in Canada please visit www.pagdinhealth.com and www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03984461.

Did you know that the liver has over 500 functions in our bodies? Seasonal cleanses can help support your liver and its 500 functions. Small changes go a long way, so start slow and be consistent! Cleansing can be a simple process or it can be more involved – it’s up to you. You can start by drinking extra water to help flush toxins out, as well as eating fewer processed and refined foods, dairy, and meat and replacing it with more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and seeds. Then, consider a liver-specific cleanse for best results.

Once you’ve implemented your investment portfolio, don’t forget about it! Over time, the asset mix will drift away from its original allocation, as some will perform and some will not. This is when it’s time for some cleanup and rebalancing of your portfolio to bring it back in line. This means shaving off the profits and, depending on the investments, allocating them to the underperformers so that you are buying them at a cheaper price, and averaging down the cost. Rebalancing once a year is usually recommended, but you and your advisor can decide what’s right for you.

Dr. Gina Neonakis, ND is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor, practicing at Dawn Health and Wellness clinic in White Rock. She has a focus in women’s health and fertility and supports women of all ages with conditions such as PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), endometriosis, hormonal imbalances and menopause. Dr. Neonakis’ goal is to empower her patients to take control of their health by educating and supporting them along their unique journey. She aims to treat the underlying cause of conditions, rather than suppressing them. To book an appointment with Dr. Neonakis, call 604-385-3286 or visit GinaNeonakis.com to book online.

With the February 29th RRSP contributions deadline fast approaching, many Canadians will be hoping for a tax refund and then wondering what to do with it. This is where discipline comes in. Forgo that instant gratification and put it into your TFSA, which is a 100% tax exempt account. If you don’t do RRSP contributions or have no room, then concentrate on a TFSA. Dismiss the thought that a TFSA is for short-term savings and instead think of it as a retirement wealth-building tool on par with the RRSP. The current cumulative maximum allowable contribution for TFSAs stands at $69,500.

“Tea and toast syndrome” refers to malnutrition in seniors when a lack of desire or inability to prepare and/or eat proper meals results in them relying on simpler meals like tea and toast. Seniors who skip meals almost daily, have gained/lost more than 10 pounds in the past six months, take medications, have dental issues, or have a disability can be at risk for malnutrition. Some common signs to watch for include unexplained weight loss, fatigue, memory issues, digestive issues, a weak immune system, muscle weakness, and anemia. There are support services available to help seniors eat well and regularly!

Did you know that Health Canada now requires providers offering stem cell procedures to obtain formal approval through submitting a clinical trial application? Pagdin Health is the first clinic in Canada to submit a clinical trial application to Health Canada for using stem cells in osteoarthritis. If you are considering a stem cell treatment for osteoarthritis to a major joint (excluding neck and spine), we’ll give you a no obligation second opinion! Book your call with Dr. Pagdin by calling 250-717-3200.

Athletes are always looking to get into “the zone” – a balance of attention, concentration, and confidence. Quick thinking is crucial to making decisions that can be the difference between winning and losing a game. Neurofeedback is a tool that allows for identifying the areas of an athlete’s brain that are responsible for mental flexibility, task switching, and rapid decision-making. This allows an athlete to control how their brain reacts to stress, which in turn can help achieve peak performance. Neurofeedback training can help an athlete increase their cognitive abilities, while reducing the white noise of distractions around them.