Tag Archives: healing

San Miguel de Allende

The Year of the Horse

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By Roger D. Jones—

There are moments in history when humanity is asked, softly but unmistakably, to remember what it once knew. The horse has always been one of our greatest teachers.
Before machines carried us forward, horses did. Before modern medicine, they carried the wounded. Before therapy had a name, horses regulated our nervous systems with their presence, rhythm, and breath. Across cultures and continents, the horse has symbolized freedom, endurance, sensitivity, and profound intelligence.

Year of the Horse is an invitation to slow down. To listen. To restore a relationship that has quietly suffered in an age of speed and extraction.
Why 2026 Is the Year of the Horse
In the Chinese lunar calendar, 2026 marks the Year of the Horse, beginning with the Lunar New Year in February. In Chinese tradition, the Horse represents energy, intelligence, loyalty, perseverance, and freedom, as well as a deep sensitivity to environment and leadership. The Horse is not ruled through force—it responds to clarity, trust, and mutual respect. When treated well, it gives everything. When misunderstood or pushed beyond its limits, it suffers quietly.

In places like San Miguel de Allende, where tradition, artistry, and community remain deeply woven into daily life—this symbolism feels especially present. Here, the relationship between humans, animals, and land is not abstract, but lived, observed, and felt.
Edgar Cayce and the Future Role of the Horse
The American mystic and healer Edgar Cayce (1877–1945) spoke of a future in which humanity would need to rebalance—between technology and nature, intellect and intuition, power and compassion. In several readings, Cayce suggested that horses would again become essential not as beasts of labor, but as agents of healing, emotional regulation, and spiritual grounding.

Cayce emphasized that horses respond to the inner condition of humans rather than command alone. In this way, they reveal imbalance without judgment and harmony without words. Whether approached as prophecy or symbolism, his insight aligns with both ancient wisdom and modern science: horses help humans remember how to be whole.

Horses as Healers: Living Examples
Across the world, and increasingly here in central Mexico, equine-assisted healing therapies are offering quiet, powerful support to people navigating emotional and neurological challenges.

Autistic children often experience improved emotional regulation, focus, and nonverbal communication when working with horses, whose calm presence and predictable rhythms provide a sense of safety without verbal interaction.

Veterans and first responders coping with post-traumatic stress frequently find that horses respond to their internal state with honesty and without stigma, helping restore trust, confidence, and nervous-system balance.

Individuals dealing with trauma, grief, or major life transitions often report that time spent with horses creates space for presence, emotional release, and reconnection—especially when traditional talk-based therapies fall short.

These outcomes are not based on force or training tricks, but on relationship, consistency, and respect. The Year of the Horse is not a campaign and not owned by any organization or individual. It belongs to anyone willing to approach horses with humility, patience, and respect. You do not need to own a horse to participate. You only need to care.

Editorial Note
For readers wishing to engage directly with equine rescue and education efforts highlighted in this year-long series, visit http://www.EsperanzaEquina.com.

Huatulco

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: A Deep Breath of Possibility

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By Kary Vannice

Most of us accept that a little discomfort can make us stronger. A tough workout, a deep stretch, or even fasting for a day leaves us feeling more resilient once the body recovers. But the idea of locking yourself into a pressurized chamber, inhaling pure oxygen, and subjecting your body to more pressure than normal seems, well, intense. But with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), that’s precisely the point. By surrounding you with oxygen under pressure, it creates a challenge the body can’t ignore. Instead of shutting down, your system wakes up — repairing tissues, calming inflammation, and turning on healing pathways that may have been idling for years.

At its core, HBOT is really about giving your body more of what it already knows how to use: oxygen. Under pressure, oxygen can slip deeper into the bloodstream and reach places it normally struggles to get to. Imagine a dry sponge finally soaking up water — tissues that have been starved or sluggish suddenly drink in the fuel they’ve been missing. That’s why old injuries can finally start mending and tired muscles can feel alive again.

HBOT also encourages the body to grow new blood vessels, boosts collagen — the scaffolding that holds your skin, joints, and connective tissue together — and turns on the repair crews inside your cells. And it also calms inflammation, your bodies internal “fire alarm”. The result is a body where balance is restored, movement feels easier, and healing picks up momentum.

Even more impressive, HBOT nudges your bone marrow to release stem cells, the body’s own all-purpose repair team. Once they’re set free into the bloodstream, they travel to sites of injury or wear and tear, ready to rebuild what’s been damaged.

Another surprising benefit of HBOT is what it does for the brain. When your brain gets more oxygen, it’s like opening the windows in a stuffy room — suddenly everything feels clearer, fresher, easier to move around in. People often report sharper memory, better focus, and improved mental energy after a series of treatments.

And this isn’t just theory tucked away in medical journals — HBOT is being studied and used around the world with results that are hard to ignore. In Israel, researchers have shown that regular HBOT sessions can actually lengthen telomeres (the little caps on our DNA that shorten as we age) and reduce the number of “senescent” or worn-out cells. It’s like hitting a refresh button at the cellular level, giving the body a younger profile than before. In the Netherlands, breast cancer survivors dealing with painful radiation damage found relief through HBOT, with studies showing less pain and more flexible, healthy tissue after a course of treatments.

China has been testing HBOT for people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, and the results are promising — patients scored better on memory tests, showed improved brain blood flow, and even had signs of reduced inflammation. And across Europe, HBOT is being used in studies for long-COVID, where patients report clearer thinking, more energy, and better sleep.

Taken together, these studies show that hyperbaric treatment is more than an alternative, niche therapy.
Whether it’s helping an athlete recover faster, supporting an older adult in staying sharper, or easing the long-term side effects of cancer treatment, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is proving its value across continents.

Here in Huatulco, we don’t always have easy access to the most advanced medical technology, but hyperbaric oxygen therapy is one of those rare treatments that has found its way to our coast. Hyperbaric Huatulco opened its doors in the spring of 2025 in Santa Cruz Huatulco with a state-of-the-art chamber that holds 4 people.

For locals, it means support for things like stubborn wounds, injuries, or recovery after surgery. For visitors, it can be part of a wellness experience — a way to give the body a reset while soaking in the natural beauty of Oaxaca. And for anyone curious about living with more vitality, it offers a chance to explore a therapy that’s showing impressive results worldwide without having to leave our own backyard.

In the end, Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment is really about giving the body a chance to do what it was designed to do — heal. With oxygen as its ally, the body remembers its own wisdom. And sometimes, that reminder is all it takes to feel stronger, clearer, and more alive.

http://www.hyperbaric-huatulco.com

Huatulco

Skip the Supplement and Order the Mole

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By Kary Vannice

When in Mexico, a mention that you’re suffering from some sort of ailment will almost immediately be met with a recommendation for a local herbal remedy. It seems every Mexican abuela has an encyclopedic knowledge of natural cures, especially if they’re derived from plants. But here, you don’t have to venture into the forest or even the health food store to find many of these remedies, because they’re often served right on your dinner plate.

Unlike most meals in the US or Canada, which may include a sprinkle of dried herbs or rely heavily on processed seasonings, traditional Mexican cuisine leans into the use of fresh herbs and spices that not only make food taste fresh and flavorful, but also have curative properties.

Their ancestors knew that food was about more than flavor. To them, it was also medicine. Cultures that incorporate fresh herbs and spices into their diets are healthier for a reason. So, why not tap into the healing power on your plate?

Here are some of the most common healing herbs and spices used in Mexican cooking, the ailments they can help with, and what you can order if you want a natural dose of plant medicine with your meal:

Got gut health issues like inflammation, parasites, or bloating?
Reach for the Epazote, a long, jagged, deep green leaf, somewhat resembling dandelion.
Health Perks: Eases digestive discomfort, supports gut health, aids nutrient absorption, and strengthens immunity.
Order off the menu: Frijoles de la olla (beans cooked with epazote), or tamales flavored with epazote layered in with fillings like beans or squash blossoms.

Dealing with respiratory issues, cramps, or headaches?
Hoja Santa to the rescue. This large, “sacred” heart-shaped leaf infuses meals with natural remedies, promoting healing with every bite.

Health Perks: Alleviates colic, cramps, asthma, and respiratory issues. Acts as an expectorant for coughs, colds, and bronchitis.

Order off the menu: Pescado Envuelto en Hoja Santa (fish wrapped in the leaf), or green or yellow mole made Oaxacan-style, often with hoja santa blended into the sauce.

On a detox kick, trying to repair your gut health or reduce your anxiety?
Load up on the Cilantro! This bright, leafy herb does more than make food pretty. It’s rich in antioxidants and helps the body flush out heavy metals while supporting digestion and calming the nervous system.
Health Perks: Lowers blood sugar and triglycerides, reduces inflammation, and eases anxiety.
Order off the menu: Tacos al pastor, ceviche de pescado, or salsa verde loaded with fresh cilantro.

Dealing with a cold or needing immune support?
Mexican Oregano will get you back on your feet fast! Its leaf is larger, fuzzier, and stronger than the Italian oregano you’re familiar with, and it’s loaded with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory compounds.
Health Perks: Helps fight bacteria and viruses, calms inflammation, and supports respiratory and immune health.
Order off the menu: Pozole rojo or birria. It’s also found in many marinades and chili-based dishes.

Got circulation issues, chronic inflammation, or need a metabolism boost?
Bring on the Chiles. Peppers do more than just add heat, they’re loaded with capsaicin, a compound that has serious health benefits. And the hotter the pepper, the stronger the benefit (if your stomach can handle it).
Health Perks: Improves blood flow, reduces inflammation and relieves pain. Also supports weight management by boosting your metabolism.
Order off the menu: Enchiladas rojas, salsa macha, anything made with mole, or simply ask for the “salsa de la casa” and add some punch to your meal.

Battling blood sugar spikes or high cholesterol?
Call in the Cumin. This earthy spice comes from the seed of a parsley plant and doesn’t just taste amazing, it also keeps your digestion running smoothly and is especially beneficial after carb-heavy meals.
Health Perks: Supports blood sugar regulation, improves insulin sensitivity, reduces cholesterol, and supports weight management.
Order off the menu: Mexican lentil soup, mole poblano, chorizo, or tinga de pollo.

Need an immune boost or suffering from inflammation?
Look for Papalo. This bold, peppery herb has thick, spade-shaped leaves with a soft, blue-green hue. Sometimes called “the cilantro of the Sierra,” it’s often overlooked, but packed with healing power.
Health Perks: A powerhouse of antioxidants, it helps calm inflammation, supports cellular repair, and boosts immunity.
Order off the menu: Cemita poblana (a classic Pueblan sandwich) or tacos árabes with a papalo garnish.

Turns out, the secret to better health might not be in a pill bottle, but in a taco. So, the next time you’re enjoying a meal in Mexico, remember, every bite might be doing more than just satisfying your taste buds. Herbs and spices like these have been passed down through generations not just for their flavor, but for their power to heal. With centuries of plant wisdom tucked into tamales, salsas, and stews, Mexican food isn’t just delicious, it’s actually functional medicine in disguise.

Huatulco

Old Age No Longer Cause of Death

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By Kary Vannice

In August of 2022, the World Health Organization took “old age” off the list of official causes of death. The council that reviews the International Classification of Diseases now recognizes the term, “aging-associated biological decline in intrinsic capacity,” in lieu of “old age.” There were various factors contributing to this reclassification, primary among them was that “old age” could be classified as “agism.”

Vitality, Life, Death

So, while many of the considerations in this debate were sociopolitical, the new terminology is actually more accurate from a physiological and medical standpoint. The true cause of death in cases such as these is indeed biological decline, the loss of vitality from the body’s organs and cells.

The word “vitality” is not something we give much thought to until we start getting older and experience loss of it. But what does “vitality” actually mean? The word vitality has its roots in Latin and means “vital life force,” or as others might define it, “energy,” something the modern western medical system doesn’t often consider when treating biological decline.

Western medicine is fantastic at diagnosing and treating the symptoms of illness and disease, but mostly fails to consider the energetic root cause. Alternative medicine, on the other hand, looks beyond the symptoms to identify and treat energetic imbalances that lead to the expression of symptoms.

Energy and Vibrational Therapy

Vibrational therapies are founded on the fundamental belief that the human body is not merely a collection of biological systems but a dynamic, interconnected matrix of energy and consciousness. From this perspective, health is seen as a state of balance and harmony within this energetic framework. When the body’s energy flows smoothly and harmoniously through its various pathways and centers, it is better equipped to combat illness and maintain vitality.

Vibrational medicine acknowledges the intricate interplay of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects in an individual’s well-being and provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and promoting better health and wellbeing.

And because energy practitioners delve beyond surface symptoms, into the unique energy patterns and imbalances of each person, they may offer more personalized care. This tailored approach not only fosters a deeper connection between the practitioner and the patient but also leads to more effective treatment plans that consider the individual’s specific needs.

And it’s no secret that many medical interventions come with a host of side effects. Vibrational therapies, on the other hand, offer a more non-invasive and low-risk approach, making them suitable options for individuals who seek treatments with fewer adverse effects or who may not respond favorably to conventional medical approaches.

Beyond merely addressing ailments, vibrational therapies aim to enhance overall well-being. Patients often report notable improvements in their energy levels, reduced stress, and a heightened sense of inner peace. This holistic well-being perspective resonates with those seeking more than just symptom relief but rather a deeper and more harmonious connection with their own vitality.

Extending the Range of Healing

Alternative therapies serve as a vital bridge between conventional and holistic healthcare approaches, providing patients with a more extensive range of healing modalities. With an understanding that physical health is deeply intertwined with energetic balance, embracing the concept of overall vitality and holistic well-being paves the way for exploring the diverse alternative healing options available in the Costa Chica of Oaxaca. In next month’s issue, I’ll be sharing several alternative healing options that are available in various communities along the picturesque Oaxacan coast.

Kary Vannice is an energetic healer who practices a form of vibrational medicine called The Body Code which restores balance, energetic flow, and well-being to the body. Find out more on her website – https://bookme.name/KaryVannice/

Huatulco

An Eye on the Women of The Eye

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By Marcia Chaiken and Jan Chaiken

Kary Vannice
Kary began writing for The Eye a few months after the initial publication. Her deep curiosity about the world around her led her to contribute a wide range of articles, including a series of articles – each on a different topic but all under the title “Rattlesnakes and Scorpions.”

Kary was born in Moscow, Idaho, which frequently led to scrutiny at international borders. She was raised and educated in Grass Range, population 110, located in the geographical center of Montana. After high school, Kary matriculated at a junior college in Wyoming for two years and then went on to the University of Montana, Missoula, graduating with a BS degree in Forestry with a concentration in recreation and resource management. In the following years, Kary was employed by the US Forest Service in a number of national forests including Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument in Washington, Sawtooth National Forest in Idaho, Earthquake Lake, just west of Yellowstone National Park, and Gallatin National Forest, both in Montana. Her roles ranged from resource education, giving tours and talks to visitors, to fire fighting. To supplement her income Kary started a private outdoor educational camp and worked at the Big Sky Ski School.

While fighting a fire in Montana, Kary noticed another fire fighter, a handsome boy from Chile. Naturally, the relationship heated up and Kary moved with him to land that his parents owned in Patagonia. After about 18 months, the couple moved to Seattle where they bought and lived on a sail boat. Kary’s first trip to the Pacific Coast of Mexico was on that boat. While sailing to Chile, the mast on the boat failed, which required
extensive repairs at Easter Island. Once back in Chile and the boat was docked, the five-year relationship cooled and Kary headed back to Montana with a knowledge of Spanish and refined and tested nautical skills.

Kary exercised those skills by teaching English in Mexico in Orizaba, Veracruz, for three years. It was on a school break that she revisited the Oaxacan coast and realized that she would like to live in Puerto Escondido during most of the year. During the summer, Kary headed to Alaska where she worked on fishing boats and was often second in command, gaining the respect of boat captains and seasoned seamen alike.

During a trip to Huatulco to work on a project to create all natural health clinics, Kary participated in a Red Cross fundraiser where she met a resident of Huatulco who had started a business teaching people how to work online while living in other countries. Impressed with how Kary rapidly organized the fundraiser participants, the businessman
hired her. When the business began to increase rapidly, commuting from Puerto Escondido became cumbersome and Kary moved to Huatulco over nine years ago, first living on a boat in the Chahué Marina.

Today Kary has her own company, Rambladera Inc., which teaches people what they need to know to work while living in other countries. She also is a life coach for women and practices emotional vibrational healing. Outside of work, Kary loves to travel and has been throughout the Americas and Europe but not yet Asia, Africa or Antarctica. She also enjoys water sports and, like the other women of The Eye, reading. Kary thinks her Eye article, “Violence Against Women in Mexico” (February 2017) may be the most important she contributed, since she herself was affected by the distressing research results she presented and believes it is vital for other people to have this information.

2020

Change

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By Raina Dawn Lutz

I’m a holistic nutritionist and I know that changing the way you eat is hard. One thing I’ve learned consulting with people about their eating patterns and choices is that as we change our diet, we need to allow for space to grow. As we evolve, things fall away and new things enter our horizons. This is one of the emotional challenges around making change. It’s not just about the thing we are removing, there’s a lot of emotional processing around it that’s not necessarily nice to do. As we make changes in our life and diet, some things have to fall away before new things can be properly integrated. Some things get shifted, re-arranged or they transition.

For example, 10 years ago when I went vegetarian, I loved it. But when I started craving meat almost a year later, I could have stuck it out. I could have held on tightly to my vegetarian label and not allowed my body to get what it was asking for. I had to let go of the belief that vegetarian was still working for me at that time. I had to let go of the thought that I was “bad” for changing and no longer following my plan of vegetarianism. I had to let go of fear of change and let go of judgement on myself for ‘failing’ at something. (It wasn’t a failure at all and in fact it taught me to more quickly adapt.)

Moving through food phases, be it foods we love now or diets we are following is a lot like, well, life. Between the ages of 18 and 27, I had moved 17 times. That is a lot of upheaval and “unsettle.” Moving on average twice a year for almost a decade. I got very used to change, even though it was uncomfortable. It wasn’t easy. It was frustrating at times and I would question my decisions and feel anxiety about where my life was and why I couldn’t settle. I was so used to moving regularly that this kind of lifestyle became almost like a game.

When I was 28, I got rid of 80% of my material possessions to live as a “digital nomad.” I’ll play the game. I applied this mentality to other areas of life. I also started to classify my diet as “flexitarian.” It was one great big metaphor that I was living. I was flexible, my diet was flexible, my living situation was flexible. My life became fluid in momentum and so did my nutrition. I embraced change

I used this life/food metaphor to start working with my clients on a level where they could stop dieting and learn to find their power, their sense of choice and freedom.We may think we need a fixed diet label or a meal plan regime to feel secure with our food choices when really we just need a basic understanding of what foods are healthy as well as the freedom and fluidity to allow ourselves to discover what works innately for our body. This is the “Consciousness Over Calories” method that uses mindfulness as the base to success. It’s also letting our attachment to diets die – letting our thoughts on a “certain way” of being, having things or having things look – die.

But once we hit that great plateau of freedom and flexibility in our transitions – then what?

Our minds crave a challenge.

What are the positives of allowing death, death of thoughts, beliefs, etc., about our diet? It makes room for growth, for personal development using food as a platform.
·-Every day we can make decisions to vote with our fork and support slow food, a powerful shift.
·-We can take care of our planet by making conscious decisions.
·-We have the power to choose how our body feels based on decisions we make.
·-We can support local farmers (when our lifestyles and budgets allow).
-We can choose the food that works for us and not feel bound by strict rules.

If healing is a return to wholeness, then healing from trauma by allowing parts of us to die is remembering that we can trust ourselves, we can trust our failures and successes in food and we can trust life as it changes. It is the reintegration into easiness, calmness, and the willingness to allow things to be as they are, rather than trying to control everything.

As you’re making changes in life or feeling that you need to, just remember there is always a new perspective just around the corner. The simplicity, change and freedom you crave is just one new thought away. It’s allowing that transition and questioning it, getting curious about it, welcoming it instead of fighting it, that’s where we’ll find both success and balance.

Raina is a holistic nutritionist based in BC, Canada.
http://www.lutznutrition.ca