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technique ENERGY WORK 92 m a s s a g e & b o d y w o r k j u l y / a u g u s t 2 0 1 7 You most likely remember Dorothy's scared refrain in The Wizard of Oz: "Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!" As frightened as Dorothy and her friends were of these huge beasts, you might be equally as eager to interact with them, and other natural beings, during a healing session. Of course, you aren't going to literally invite a roaring lion or ferocious tiger into your office. Rather, I'm talking about interacting with the energy of natural beings, a remedy employed by healers around the world. In fact, since the beginning of time, priest- healers called shamans have called on the spirits of animals—including lions, tigers, and bears—to benefit their clients. The list of natural spirit-helpers isn't limited to this triple-menagerie. Members of every category of nature are on standby to assist their human friends. These groupings are mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and amphibians. Shamans understand that every being of nature represents a unique set of properties. By summoning the spirit of a beneficial being, and encouraging it to lend its energy to a cause, a shaman can siphon off the negative energies that cause challenging conditions and enhance the positive energies that bolster health. The only reason this proposition sounds unusual is that the modern world only sees in black and white—not so the shaman, who observes all the beautiful colors available in the Land of Oz. The variety of shades, colors, and hues represents the invisible, as well Lions, Tigers, and Bears Your Friendliest Healing Allies By Cyndi Dale as visible, causes of disease or imbalance, and potential antidotes. The shaman also knows there are countless more invisible than visible beings able to provide aid. FIVE MAIN SPIRIT ANIMAL CATEGORIES In this column, I'm going to discuss the vital assistance you can gain from the beings of the natural world. To kick off this discussion, I'm first going to showcase the science behind this concept. Real-life, three-dimensional beings of nature resonate with healing powers. When you call on a spirit being for help, you acquire the equivalent assistance. I'll then convey a few of the qualities inherent in each of the five main natural categories (mammals, birds, insects, reptiles, and amphibians), and relay several ways you can beseech their help. (Don't be surprised if a tiger, lion, or bear shows up in your dreams tonight!) Let's start our scientific tour with the cat family. Scientists have shown that a house cat's purr can improve bone density and promote healing, not only within the bones, but also in