My Island MO

10/16/2026

🌀 MOVE LESS. FEEL MORE.

Seated Somatic Spine Rotation
This is a gentle somatic exercise for exploring spinal rotation through slow, mindful and comfortable movement.

And remember: more range is not the goal. Better awareness is.

If 90/90 (sometimes called “Kalipso”) feels too intense, try this cross-legged or comfortably seated in a chair.

✨ The golden rule of somatics:
If you feel even a hint of discomfort, move less.

You can even imagine the movement instead of physically doing it.

Your nervous system doesn’t need you to force your way into a bigger range. Give it time, attention and comfort—and explore what becomes available.

STEP 1 — Shoulders + Face + Eyes

Cross one hand over to the opposite shoulder and use your other hand for support.

Slowly turn your eyes, face and shoulders to the left, only as far as comfortably available.

Pause.

Slowly return to neutral, then rest completely.
Repeat up to 3 times.

STEP 2 — Shoulders Stay, Eyes + Face Move
Turn your shoulders to the left and leave them there.

Now slowly turn your eyes and face to the right, only as far as comfortable.

Pause.

Slowly bring your eyes and face back to the left to meet your shoulders.
Then let your whole body relax.
Repeat up to 3 times.

STEP 3 — Eyes + Face Explore Opposite Directions

Keep your shoulders and eyes facing left.

Slowly turn your head to the right—only as far as comfortably available.
Pause.

Now reverse: eyes turn right while your face turns left to meet your shoulder.

Pause.

Slowly reverse again.

Keep the movement small, slow and comfortable.

Repeat up to 3 times.

🔄 NOW CHANGE SIDES
Repeat Steps 1–3 in the opposite direction.
If you're using 90/90 (“Kalipso”), switch your legs so the opposite leg is in front.
Your forward-leg-side hand supports you, while the opposite hand rests across on your shoulder.

Then repeat the sequence once more.

No forcing. No stretching into discomfort. No chasing range.
Just notice, explore, and allow. 🌿

10/14/2026

HIGH HIP? HIGH SHOULDER? 👀 TRY THIS!

Do you feel like one hip sits higher than the other? Or one shoulder just won't seem to relax?
Try this gentle, side-lying somatic movement inspired by Hanna Somatics. 🌿

✨ HOW TO DO IT:
1️⃣ Lie on your side with your knees bent as though you're sitting in a chair. When looking down, you should be able to see your feet.

2️⃣ Head lift: Support your whole head with your top arm. Gently lift your head. Move slowly, without straining. Return to rest.

3️⃣ Foot lift: Gently lift your feet. Notice what happens through your hips and torso. Return to rest.

4️⃣ Head + foot lift: Explore lifting your head and feet together, only as far as feels comfortable. Return to rest.

Repeat on your other side.

🌿 THE SECRET? LESS IS MORE.

• Start with just ONE gentle repetition of each movement. You can try up to 3 repetitions per step. • Move slowly, with ease. No forcing, stretching, or pushing through discomfort. • Pause between repetitions. Notice what feels different, including what doesn't. • Sometimes the second repetition feels more challenging. Other times, the movement becomes easier. Both are opportunities to learn about your movement patterns.
Your job isn't to fix yourself. It's to notice.
These movements are inspired by Hanna Somatics, which explores how mindful, voluntary muscle contractions and relaxation can help improve movement awareness and control.

🌊 My Island MO reminder: Your body isn't a problem to solve. Start with comfort, curiosity, and a little patience.
Try practising every other day for a few weeks, adjusting the frequency to what feels good for you.

⚠️ Comfort is essential. Stop if you experience pain, dizziness, or other concerning symptoms. This exercise isn't appropriate for everyone, particularly during an acute injury or when side-lying is uncomfortable. If you're unsure, consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Save this for your next mindful movement session! 💚

09/23/2026

What a view! ⛳️🌿

Had such a fun time at Mount Brenton Golf Course for the Ladysmith Rotary charity event last weekend!

I brought the massage table out for some complimentary mini sessions and had the best time meeting members of our local community — connecting with active and athletic people, supporting a great cause, and enjoying a beautiful Vancouver Island day.

This is exactly what I love about being part of the Cowichan Valley community. ❤️

Thanks for having me, Mount Brenton & Ladysmith Rotary!

09/20/2026

Mickey: “Catch me if you can.” 😼💨
JR: “OH, I CAN.” 🐾😂

…and then JR discovered he had somewhere VERY important to be. 💨💨💨

Chase. Zoomies. Chase again.
Apparently this is their cardio. 😂
Two furry little chaos machines, one very entertaining friendship. ❤️🐾

PetFriendly IslandLife VancouverIsland CowichanValley LadysmithBC MyIslandMO

09/16/2026

🍽️ Cowichan Farm to Table — September Part 3 of 4: The Appetizer!

Meagan and Farmer Vic spent the day gathering fresh local ingredients from farm stands and markets around the Cowichan Valley.

Then we handed everything over to Chef Jason with one simple challenge — make us a meal using what we brought back!

In Part 3, it’s time for the appetizer. 👨‍🍳🌱

No carefully planned grocery list. Just local ingredients, a little creativity, and Chef Jason figuring out how to turn our Cowichan haul into something delicious.

This is what Cowichan Farm to Table is all about — discovering what’s grown and made right here in our community and seeing where a little local inspiration can take us.

Stay tuned for Part 4 — the finale!

Tourism Cowichan 'd for Taste, Culinary Experience DirectorMeagan MyislandmoSarah Ward Tourism Cowichan

09/07/2026

🌱 Cowichan Farm to Table — September | Part 1 of 3

This month, Meagan from MyIslandMo in Ladysmith joins Farmer Vic as they head out around Cowichan to gather fresh local ingredients for a special Farm to Table meal.

Once they’ve collected everything, it’s back to Chef Jason from Taylor’d for Taste, who’ll turn it all into something amazing.

🥕 Local food
🚜 Local farms
👩‍🌾 Local people
🍽️ One incredible Cowichan meal

This is Part 1 of 3 — Gathering the Food.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where the cooking begins!

Tourism Cowichan john & tilly✌🏼

09/05/2026

Check out the Cowichan Valley in this sneak peak of a local farm to table experience with Chef Jason with Taylor'd for Taste, Culinary Experience Director and Farmer Vic Van Island

08/30/2026

Best friends. Worst enemies. 😂❤️

One minute they're cuddling like they couldn't possibly live without each other…
…and the next minute it's FULL CONTACT PUPPY & KITTEN WRESTLING. 🐶🐱💥

Mickey has the strategy.
JR has the determination.
Neither has any intention of admitting defeat. 😂
But after every battle?
Back to cuddles. ❤️

Who do you think wins this round—Mickey 🐱 or JR 🐶?

08/22/2026

06/30/2026

Can a 10-second osteo-articulation help restore pelvic balance?

When appropriate, a posteriorly rotated ilium can often be corrected with a gentle, precise osteo-articulation—not by forcing the body, but by working with it.

One of the most important parts of assessment is reducing unnecessary muscle tension with specific adjustment techniques. When the body isn't guarding, subtle changes become easier to feel and the pelvis can be assessed more accurately.

Remember, the pelvis is one functional unit. Before addressing the ilium, I always evaluate the sacrum, coccyx (tailbone), and p***c bones because everything is connected.

If you're new to osteopathy, I recommend experiencing treatment from trained hands before attempting self-assessment. Learning to feel motion, symmetry, and tissue quality takes time, education, and practice.

This video is for educational purposes only and is intended to inspire you to better understand your body—not to replace individualized assessment or treatment.

🌿 Restore movement. 🌊 Respect the body's design. 🏝️ Feel at home in your body.

📍My Island Massage & Osteopathy Serving the Cowichan Valley, Ladysmith, and surrounding Vancouver Island communities.