Robert Angotti, Lic. Ac., Herbalist

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What is your earliest memory of time in the woods? Is there a tree that played an important role in your childhood?

I am pleased to announce that Red River Health is expanding services to include more outdoor community activities. Engagement with the natural world has always been good medicine for me, and I have come to believe that healing the land is an essential social medicine. Moreover, forming relationships with nature plays a vital role in personal wellness, as most of us northern dwellers understand when the sun comes back our way.

Over the past several years, I have found myself spending more and more hours walking in the wilderness. Rural public lands and the urban parks along the Red River have become a second home. This winter, the lack of snow meant my dog, Buck, and I were walking rather than skiing. As we walked, I found myself fascinated by the large, elder Bur Oaks whose massive trunks and limbs dominated the winter landscape. There are vanishingly small fragments of oak forest and oak savanna that remain in this region. But oak savannas and bur oaks in particular were a keystone species of our region throughout the post-glacial era.

The more time I spent with these Oaks, the more determined I became to identify the oldest of these magnificent trees. Buck and I have found many that may be over 200 years old, with the eldest being near 250 years of age. A couple of years ago, I was planting Bur Oak saplings as part of a land restoration project I have going. As I studied more about these trees, I found readings that said Bur Oaks can live 500 or even 1000 years. I began to ponder the likelihood that these 12-inch saplings I was planting would live that long. I pondered the role humanity would have to play, and I pondered how intimate we would need to become with the land in order to get there.

Her Majesty

My ponderings and wanderings with Buck have given me time to introduce myself to many grand old oaks. I would like to introduce you to the oldest Bur Oak I have found at MB Johnson Park. I named this tree “Her Majesty.” Although not the largest or the oldest of the Bur Oaks I have found Her Majesty is has the unique dignity of royalty with her crown of large ascending limbs. She is nestled in the heart of Moorhead’s MB Johnson Park and has been there over 200 years I suspect. Unfortunately her habitat and her offspring are threatened.

MB Johnson Park is one of the largest city parks in the Red River Valley. In addition to providing several open recreational areas, there are many miles of trails that navigate the Red River and adjacent Snakey creek. Unfortunately the park has also become a habitat for the invasive shrub known as Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica).

Buckthorn and the path of Restoration

Buckthorn is one of many plants know as “invasive”. Originally brought over from Europe, this plant has rapidly spread throughout the United States. In its native habitat, the plant was tempered by other plants and ecosystems accustomed to its traits. However, in the United States it has selfishly dominated our native habitats. Once you start to enter the thicker canopy of our local forests you don’t need to introduce yourself to buckthorn, it finds you. It is a thorny, snagging bully that suffocates passage through a forest. Here are some of its aggressive and destructive impacts.

Toxic Allelopathic Effects: Common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) exerts its dominance through allelopathy, releasing toxins from its roots and leaves that inhibit the growth of surrounding plants. These chemicals disrupt the germination and growth of native species, giving common buckthorn a competitive edge in invaded habitats. The allelopathic effects of common buckthorn not only hinder the establishment of native vegetation but also contribute to the formation of monocultures dominated by this invasive species. If you look around the understory of “Her Majesty” you will see no sign of Bur Oak sapplings.

Berries with Adverse Ecological Impact: The berries produced by common buckthorn play a significant role in its invasive spread. These berries are consumed by birds, which then disperse the seeds over wide areas through their droppings. However, the berries lack nutritional value for many bird species. The seeds are purgatives for birds, causing diarrhea, The dominance of Buckthorns berries lead to reduced food availability, potentially impacting bird populations. Moreover, the ingestion of common buckthorn berries by birds can contribute to the further spread of this invasive plant into new areas, exacerbating its ecological impact. Now that you have met Buckthorn you will see it everywhere because of this spread.

Understory Domination in Forest Ecosystems: In forest ecosystems, common buckthorn often dominates the understory, forming dense thickets that shade out native vegetation. This shading effect suppresses the growth of native plants, reducing biodiversity and altering ecosystem dynamics. The dense growth of common buckthorn can also impede the regeneration of native tree species by outcompeting seedlings for light, water, and nutrients. As a result, the invasion of common buckthorn can have profound and long-lasting effects on the structure and composition of forest ecosystems, ultimately compromising their ecological integrity. MB Johnson has a significantly impacted forest understory due to Buckthorn. But I have seen forests so overgrown by it that native trees like the Bur Oak are difficult to reach through the buckthorn thicket and are literally being strangled to death.

Collective of Action

Several years back, as I came to understand the scope of buckthorn’s invasion, I started communicating with Moorhead’s director of Sustainability Crystal Rayamajhi. Crystal has been instrumental in introducing several programs within the parks of Moorhead aimed at restoring healthy ecosystems. Now as a Regional Sustainable Development Specialist, Crystal has brought together a team of other activated specialists. Together we are developing a long term plan for Buckthorn management in the region. This plan will be executed over months and years and is dependent upon volunteer support.

Our first Buckthorn management event will take place on May 22nd. We will meet at MB Johnson park at 4:30 and learn about the riparian forest and Buckthorns unwelcome impact. Together we will remove as much Buckthorn as we can over a couple hours and then wrap things up with some food and rhythms. Please RSVP if you would like to start restoring the parks of our area. Thank you for your interest and support.

The post Help Protect the Oak forests along the Red River appeared first on Red River Health.

We are looking forward to hosting this series.

“…we will explore various holistic wellness topics aimed at enhancing overall well-being. From breathwork and meditation to gentle yoga flows,…”

Sign up today for the first gathering.

The post Alchemy of Aging Class appeared first on Red River Health.

Robert Angotti, Lic. Ac.

INTRODUCTION

With the indispensable support of a team of volunteers, Red River Health is planning to offer “Drum Flow Sessions” to veterans at the Fargo VA Medical Center. This initiative aims to provide a valuable service to veterans and I am immensely grateful to all those who are contributing to the endeavor. My experience is that drumming sessions or group rhythms help ease the mind, relax the body and create community. Here is the story behind these sessions.

ORIGINS

For years I have wanted to share the martial art that I teach (Aikido) with more people. I have been especially eager to introduce Aikido to veterans. As a martial discipline, Aikido is a powerful tool for balancing and neutralizing an attack, fostering a sense of centeredness and a resilient awareness. The practice creates an immersive feedback loop, anchoring our attention in the present and promoting centeredness. Despite its demands, Aikido leaves practitioners feeling invigorated and grounded. This experience aligns with what modern psychology defines as a “flow experience” or “flow state”. In a flow state, one’s engagement in an activity is so immersive that all peripheral thoughts fade. These self referential thoughts are replaced with an attentive presence, a fluidity of movement and spontaneous creativity.

After practicing Aikido for over 30 years, I can see that our practice isn’t for everyone. The body must be fully engaged in moments that are definitively martial. However, I can also see that some of the benefits of Aikido practice are available through other activities. For example, a few years ago I started cross country skiing. This exercise also facilitates a flow state. The demand for a smooth, efficient glide centralizes the importance of good form. There is a consistent feedback loop which naturally emanates from ones actions, and mistakes matter. These are some of the essential ingredients needed in a flow state practice. 

SERVICE

A staggering fact that I learned a few years back is that every 24 hours, 22 American military veterans die by suicide. Twenty two souls a day. This statistic underscores an urgent need for supportive programs for veterans.

Over a year ago I watched a documentary called Resurface. The film tells the story of veterans who are restoring their lives through the experience of surfing. A long time surfer and veteran created a program for his peers. With the help of a team of surfers, veterans were introduced to the practice of riding waves. One of the main characters of the film summarizes the benefits of engaging in this practice by saying:

“I used to wake up every day thinking about how I might kill myself, now I wake up wondering what the waves will be like today.”

Surfing is much like skiing, and much like Aikido, with a very tight feedback loop. If you lean too far forward, the board dives into the water, too far back, and the nose of the board sails skyward. Meanwhile, there is the an ever changing shift and roll of the wave itself. Surfing requires constant attention and adjustment, making it another form of moving meditation.

RHYTHM

My interest in rhythm grew as I noticed how music could enhance my skiing experience. I observed how I would naturally harmonize the rhythms of sound with the rhythms of my stride. Despite my lack of any musical background I found myself curious about rhythms. After watching a documentary about professional drummers and their inspirations, I noticed myself exploring rhythms more. This practice led me to believe that if I could engage with music through rhythm, anyone could. The idea of Drum Flow Sessions grew from there.

DRUM FLOW SESSIONS

I began sharing these ideas with friends and colleagues. We began workshopping gatherings with some generously donated equipment. As things progressed a group of volunteers and I reached out the VA. Eventually we brought some percussion equipment to a meeting with administrators of the VA’s Whole Health program, and together we dove into some rhythm. When we finished a short flow session, the VA was ready to introduce sessions on site. We will begin those sessions soon.

Meanwhile our work developing Drum Flow Session at 824 Main continues. We are currently hosting sessions at 6pm every other week. I am excited to open sessions to the public soon. While these sessions are designed to facilitate a flow experience, they are also important for the development of a team of volunteers who can facilitate sessions at the VA.

I think our work here is just beginning. In addition to facilitating Flow Sessions for other communities in need, we hope to provide Drum flow sessions commercially for business or organizations looking to enhance cohesion, community and collaboration while reducing workplace stress. Let us know if you would like us to facilitate a session for your business or organization.

SUPPORT

The support of others has been instrumental in building this program. In addition to volunteers, several people have donated percussion equipment and other skills to the effort. While the VA has secured funding for building their percussion library, we are hoping to keep building our own instrument library at 824 Main. We are also in need of administrative assistance as this work continues. It is our hope to involve other percussionists and other percussion communities in our project. All of these advancements will require financial support so please consider making a contribution.

If you would like to support this program please use the QR code below to make a financial contribution. If you would like to provide support in some other capacity please email the clinic directly.

Thank you all so much!

Robert Angotti

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Robert Angotti

I have never felt very comfortable advertising aikido (the martial art that I practice) especially to my Red River Health clients. However, aikido is a beautiful practice for cultivating self awareness, body centering and a martial presence while getting an invigorating exercise. We have students from ages 6-65.

I started our aikido school (dojo) over 20 years ago and my students have suggested it is time to recognize that. We are having an anniversary seminar March 24th-26th. However, on the morning of the 25th we are opening the practice to visitors. You can come observe a more advanced class at 10am. And, you can participate in an introductory class at 11:15. All ages are welcome.

Wear sweatpants and a shirt that can be tucked in if you hope to participate. A training gi is also acceptable.

Please contact the dojo if you have any questions. Also, sharing news of this event would be greatly appreciated.

The post Aikido- Try a Free Class March 25th appeared first on Red River Health.

Sun Salutations

I have been doing sun salutations for thirty years, but this year I realized that I am supposed to face the sun! I think it was the wind that suggested it to me. I can tell you more about that discovery some other time, but once I started facing the sun, a new relationship with the sun, and this simple yoga practice was formed. I suggest doing a sun salutation at least once in the morning, ideally at sunrise. I also suggest doing a sun salutation in the evening at sunset (again, ideally). Your body, mind and maybe even the sun will thank you for it!

Get Outside

Set aside 20 minutes a day for being outside. You can merge a couple days together and be outside for an hour, 3 days a week. The point is to engage with the natural environment. That may sound ridiculous when the high is -26°, but bundle up and give it a go. Moderate exposure to the sun, wind, earth, wildlife and even extreme temperature engages the restorative capacities of our body and mind. Vitamin D is a popular therapy now. That vitamin is generated by our bodies when exposed to the sun. However, I believe that it’s only a matter of time before science catches up with the indigenous wisdom that teaches us that our bodies are tuned into the natural world through a multitude of currents. We evolved within the natural landscape, and that world nourishes us as much as a meal does. Being disconnected from the natural world clearly fosters disease.

Engage your heart and lungs

Our heart stores the shen (spirit) while the lungs store the po (corporeal soul). These are elusive principle within Chinese medicine. The idea of spirit here can be described as the driving intention of our life’s purpose. In a very pragmatic sense the heart reflects this simply through its action of moving the blood (our experiences turned into a useful form). Our heart moves the blood through the whole body in order to animate our intentions, move our limbs, and direct our relationship with the outside world.

Meanwhile the lungs are in constant engagement with the enviornment. The lungs determine what to bring and what to expel. The skin (a part of Chinese medical lung system) is constantly venting, sensing and assessing the world. It’s no surprise to me that stimulating these organ systems toward the front of attention not only enhances vitality and longevity, but engenders a more centered and relaxed mind.

Get a dose of moderate exercise 3-4 times a week. Moderate is a term relative to you, and your level of health. The most simple gauge for assessing intensity is paying attention to the engagement of these organs. Are you working hard enough to need a breath between words when speaking a sentence? Good! If not, work a bit harder. Is your skin begining to sweat slightly? Good! If not, turn up the exertion level. If you have a heart monitor, use the information in this post to learn the ideal heart rate for you.

Exercise has been the norm for our bodies for all of time. Physical exertion has been essential for survival since the dawn of life. The gathering of resources, hunting, exploration for new homelands and the escaping of predators have been the default setting for our physiology for tens of millions of years. The idea that we can spend our lives behind desks, tables, tvs and smartphones with no health consequences is an even greater health pandemic than COVID.

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824 Main and North Wind Aikikai hosted our first Young Artist Competition last year. We will now be hosting a “Meet the Artists” event as a follow up. Our hope was to host a live Open House with the artists and their work. Instead we’ve decided to host an online event March 20th at 4pm. We will be celebrating the work of the young artists who participated in this years competition. The event will begin with an interview of the two artists that were chosen to display their work on the 824 Main building. This will be followed by a question and answer period and an open forum closing conversation. The prompt for the closing will be the  Abraham Lincoln quote featured in the artwork of Tyrell Setness, “A house divided cannot stand.” All are welcome. Please email the dojo to receive access to the online gathering.

Join the event March 20th, 4pm with the link below.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82673682060?pwd=VVhtcGFXQU9UUXVtaGs3U3JINEZtdz09

Zoom ID: 82673682060

Passcode: 332753

The post Meet The Artists appeared first on Red River Health.

Starting March 1st we will begin a new introductory Aikido class. Each Wednesday evening through the month of March new adult participants can learn the fundamentals of Aikido.

Cost and Details

The cost for the month is $35. A training uniform is required. Those can be purchased if needed (some used uniforms may be available).

Classes will be held Wednesday Nights from 5:30-6:30 PM. Please arrive early. This offer is for ages 16 and above. Get into shape while learning a traditional martial art that engages the whole body and mind. Message us today for more information.

The post Spring Introductory Aikido Course appeared first on Red River Health.

Robert Angotti, Lic. Ac.

We have endured a great deal over the past 12 months. A pandemic has taken over 440,000 American lives and nearly 2.2 million lives across the globe. Old wounds in our country have been torn open and left bleeding. Silos of disinformation have pulled families and friends apart. Economic hardships have impacted millions of households. And despite all of this the evidence indicates that the greatest challenges of COVID are still to come.

The Biggest Surge

I have made a habit of following news regarding epidemiological specialists and their assessment of the pandemic this past year. I don’t envy their labor. Experts have tried to speak frankly to a weary population. Often these experts need to tell us bad new. Moreover, the insights and recommendations of these specialists have frequently been ignored. Many Americans have falsely associated bad news about the pandemic with politics, or threats to their individual liberties. Regardless of these distractions, we need to know what lies in the COVID waters ahead. Moreover, we need to re-imagine how we can navigate this surge together.

The Race Against an Evolving Virus

In this transcript of an interview with Dr. Michael Osterholm you can find a helpful synopsis of our current challenge. I will try to summarize it here. Dr. Osterolm is predicting that the greatest COVID surge is yet to come. Yes, vaccinations will be essential in protecting the population from COVID. The rollout of vaccines is well underway, and in they arrived to us record time. However, our human herd immunity is based upon combining the number of those vaccinated with the number of those who have been infected. This combination isn’t anticipated to reach a level higher than 40-50% within the next 6-8 weeks. Therefore, our country won’t have a significant immunity barrier any earlier than the fall.

Meanwhile, the US is averaging 150,000 new cases every day. Although this number has reduced by 50% since the Jan. 8th peak, it remains very high. Simultaneously, newly mutated strains of coronavirus are circulating through the population. Some of these strains are both more contagious and more destructive. Additionally, we still have an enormous disruption in the flow of information within the population. Millions of citizens continue to see this pandemic as a hoax and will not likely participate in vaccinations. This same section of the population is less likely to participate in the social distancing required for slowing the spread. Finally, it remains unclear how long our immunity will last or if it will benefit us when confronted by these mutated strains of the novel virus.

Dr. Osterholm anticipates that over the next 2-3 months, this convergence of circumstances will result in the greatest swell of cases we have seen. Consequently, our only means of protecting the most vulnerable, our medical workers, and our essential workers is a co-operative effort to slow the spread.

The “Greatest Generation”

Last weekend I watched the film Greyhound. I recommend it. The film is a reminder of the sacrifice behind the moniker “Greatest Generation.” We once had enemies outside of our national boundaries that defined our collective purpose. I couldn’t help but contemplate this as I watched the film. Many scenes were wonderful metaphors of the great common challenge before us now. I will share some of these thoughts hopefully without spoiling the film for you.

An Ocean of Death

The story of Greyhound is the story of a fleet of of American destroyer ships providing protection to a convoy of soldiers and supplies headed across the Atlantic. Based upon a true story, this fleet provided essential materials to European allies in the war against the Germans. However, the region they must pass through was known as “The Black Pit”. This area of open ocean was outside of the protective reach of military air cover. The German navy took great advantage of this vulnerability through stealthy submarine attacks on the convoy. As I absorbed the circumstances faced by these sailors I began to see the selfless sacrifice they engaged in collectively. To step on those ships was to step into a vast endless ocean and into the uncertainty of war. Death at sea would most likely take the form of being submerged in frigid water with no land in sight. Much like the deaths of so many COVID victims, death at sea would be suffered alone, cold and unable to breath.

The Solemnity of War

“His enemies are not demons,
but human beings like himself.

He enters a battle gravely,
with sorrow and with great compassion,
as if he were attending a funeral.”

~Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu

The Greyhound film provides a look into the great anguish of leadership in horrendous times. We see the war through the eyes of the ships Captain. As the story unfolds, it’s soon made clear that nearly any choice would involve death.

After a particularly harrowing event, while the sailors rejoice in staying alive, the Captain clearly has no time for exaltation. As the men applaud the death of some 50 German soldiers intent on killing them all, the Captain reminds us, they were “50 souls.”

When lives become numbers, when deaths become statistics, we fail to mourn. When we fail to mourn, we fail to honor life and we begin to slide into a world where compassion is abandoned. Once we reach this place common purpose is lost. Yesterday, January 30th, 2021 we lost 2,641 American souls to this virus. We lost grandparents, mothers, fathers sons and daughters. Honoring that truth is important if we are to prevent more death.

The Death that you See Before you is a Death you Can’t Accept

In the film, the Captain faces a series of no win decisions. One situation involves a moment where the German assault is ravaging the allied fleet from various positions. A cargo ship within his view has been struck and countless sailors overboard are visible in the churning water. Meanwhile, a nearby destroyer is taking heavy fire. The vulnerable destroyer requests assistance from the Captain and his ship’s arsenal. Lives are moments from being lost in either direction. Which lives would you choose to save? Once you make that choice you also choose the death of others.

One of the great tragedies of this pandemic is how we have failed to bear witness to its price. Most of us aren’t in the churning water of this war. Many of us can isolate comfortably and weather this crisis while streaming movies. Most of us aren’t seeing the sailors flailing for life in the water below us. Those that are bearing witness to the toll of this pandemic walk the halls of hospitals and morgues. We need to seek out and share their stories and the stories of those we have lost. Preparing for this next surge will require that we willingly and collectively see those in need of protection. Our choice to save lives is our path of common purpose. If we fail to make that choice we simultaneously continue to chose the deaths of others.

“Friendly Fire”

The final image from this film that I will share with you is the most poignant for me. The advantages of the German submarines is their maneuverability and their ability to submerge the ocean depths. Slipping below the water’s surface keeps them beyond the view of the larger freight ships and destroyers. Like a virus, the submarines can hide in plain sight.

Consequently, forcing the German warcrafts to the surface is essential for assuring a counter assault. This is the naval wartime equivalent of coronavirus testing. Testing is our only means of confirming the presence of the virus in our community.

In the film two American destroyers surround an enemy submarine. With deft action the crew of both ships forced the submarine to the surface. However the German vessel was is in the water between the ships. To take aim upon the submarine inevitably meant firing towards one another. Realizing this horror, the Captain demands a cease fire. However, without a continued assault the German boat is likely to return to the depths and attack again. For the Captain, the killing of fellow soldiers through “friendly fire” would be an irreconcilable tragedy.

The coronavirus lies in the water between us all. We now have the ability to bring its presence to the surface. Testing allows us to take measure of its destructive force. We have made enemies of one another long enough. This virus has set its radar on the DNA of humanity. This virus can bring us together in common purpose or it can tear us apart. I found this film to be an inspirational reminder of how we have been a people capable of common purpose and collective action in our recent past. We may need this reminder now.

The post The Final COVID Surge and Our Common Purpose appeared first on Red River Health.

Robert Angotti, Lic. Ac.

In a prior posting I described methods for dosing exercise in a manner that supports optimal health. I have directed patients towards these methods of dosing exercise so that they can use physical activity as a part of their strategy for enhancing vitality and promoting longevity.

I recently listened to an interview with Dr. Phil Maffetone. He advocates for optimizing health through a specific exercise protocol known as the MAF 180 Formula.

This formula helps to establish the heart rate zone appropriate for you during workouts. The first step in the calculation is to subtract your age from 180. Learn more below.

The post Dosing Your Exercise Medicine with a steady Heart Rate appeared first on Red River Health.

Two important interviews on the pandemic

Robert Angotti, Lic. Ac.

I am posting two interviews regarding the pandemic. This first is a New York Times interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci. It is a retrospective discussion regarding the pandemic management in the early months.

The second interview is a focus on the management of the pandemic moving forward. In this interview Dr. Vivek Murthy addresses many of the successes and challenges that we still face with the coronavirus. Dr. Vivek is the new surgeon general and the co-chair of President Biden’s coronavirus task force. This interview can be very helpful if you have remaining questions about getting vaccinated.

The post Vaccines, Viral Mutations, and Leadership appeared first on Red River Health.