3 Fundamentals of Slow Medicine

While many of us actively investigate stress management every day for ourselves as well as our patients, have we ever understood the deeper state of why we all have so much stress? Why have we created a belief system that whatever it is we are stressed about is by far the most important thing going on in the world? In the Buddhist Tradition, the four noble truths as taught by the Buddha says, the life is full of stress (dukkha), there is a cause of this stress, it is possible to stop stress, and there is a way to stop stress by following noble eightfold path. Stress is a part of us, stress can get things done but too much stress hurts our bodies, minds, and hearts.

The ideas for Slow Medicine have been percolating with us for years, because as yoga teachers and body workers we have been consistently surrounded by people looking for relief and a different way to manage their day to day stress.

Slow Medicine is to the healthcare industry what Slow Food is to the restaurant industry: Against the backdrop of our assembly-line model of medical care, in which we receive cookie-cutter prescriptions for complex health matters, Slow Medicine provides the necessary time and asks the relevant questions for optimizing general wellness and healing chronic illness. In the Slow Medicine paradigm, we are recognized as the supreme authorities on our own bodies, and doctors serve as our guides – helping us navigate the maze of conventional, complementary, and alternative medicine options. In some cases, we may need to schedule a surgery. In other cases, we may need to cultivate loving relationships. In still other cases, we may need to engage in artistic self-expression – through dancing, painting, writing, or playing a musical instrument.