Breathe Bliss Osteopathy, Massage, and Yoga: An Interview with Eduardo Hernandez

An interview with Eduardo Hernandez, owner and practicing osteopath at Breathe Bliss Osteopathy, Massage, and Yoga. Eduardo has been practicing in the Sayulita area for over eight years, and has an impressive background studying in Spain and traveling to Canada, the United States, Europe, and Mexico, learning and sharing his knowledge and vision.

Eduardo, would you tell us a bit about yourself, the man behind Breathe Bliss, before we talk about osteopathy?

I was born and raised in Puerto Vallarta. As a baby, I was often sick. Later on, I became a very energetic child, running around and keen to discover life and all its secrets. It was this energy that put me through several "falls/accidents" that sent me to the pediatrician. These early encounters with healthcare, plus a devoted mom who taught me to love and give selflessly, was what sparked the dream of becoming a doctor or healer.

At the age of 15, my mom introduced me to yoga. I immediately fell in love with the practice and philosophy. Later on this helped me understand that in order to be, and feel healthy, we have to consider all aspects of human life and not just heal a symptom. From then on, I was eager to learn how to combine yoga and medicine. This journey lead me to study and to become an Ayurvedic practitioner. After a few years, I decided to broaden my horizon even further and became an osteopath. 

"To find health should be the object of the doctor. Anyone can find disease."    

-The founder of Osteopathy, Dr. A.T. Still

What is the concept behind osteopathy?

I'd like to illustrate this with an early childhood experience where my mom helped me to be in contact with nature and spirituality. I remember a particular morning when I was six years old, and my mom woke me up before sunrise. She asked me to sit down next to her and contemplate the mountain view (she always says that they are majestic) and to witness the sunrise. 'Listen to the silence! Doesn't it sound beautiful?', she said. This listening to nature, the globality/integration and tensegrity is pretty much the osteopathic concept.

The philosophy is that all body systems are interrelated and dependent upon one another for good health. Osteopathic principles allow us to consider all aspects of the patient, not just the symptoms.

Some of the principles of osteopathy are:

• The body is a unit; the person is a unit of body, mind, and spirit.
• The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing, and health maintenance.
• Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.
• Rational treatment is based upon an understanding of the basic principles of body unity, self-regulation, and the interrelationship of structure and function.

How does osteopathy and Breathe Bliss resonate with the conscious community of Sayulita?

I love the word breathe. It is the connection with ourselves, a rhythm of expanding and contracting (like the universe) that doesn't only happen in the lungs and rib cage, but in the whole body; from the smallest particles to the biggest. It's giving and receiving. It's life. Osteopathy has taught me that the quality of life depends on the quality of movement. The movement in your physical, mental-emotional, and spiritual body. These two aspects are fully lived in Sayulita and its community, and I feel blessed to be able to contribute in elevating the freedom of movement, in adding more consciousness into daily living, helping in the awareness of old patterns to embrace change and beauty. 

Who can benefit from osteopathic therapies at Breathe Bliss Osteopathy, Massage, and Yoga ?

Everybody! Osteopathic patients include people of any age, from babies to the elderly, and treatment is helpful for people in any situation. For example, athletes, students, office workers, manual laborers, pregnant women, stay at home parents, retirees, and everything in between. Some may call me for rehabilitation, an injury, post surgical management, assistance with general health problems, or wellness, more generally.

What happens during a typical osteopathy therapy session?

For a patient, it is often more beneficial to be treated at home; a place that they are familiar with, where it is more easy to feel relaxed, safe, and less inhibited. After the treatment, the patient will have an easy transition, instead of heaving to driving back home. This is why a great part of my sessions are given in a home based situation.

Osteopathy is a patient-centered system of healthcare. A first appointment generally lasts about 60-75 minutes to allow me to take time to:

• Listen and ask questions about your problem, your general health, other medical care you are receiving or medication you are taking, and record this in your case notes. The information you provide will be confidential.
• Examine you properly. You will probably be asked to dress down to your underwear for this, though feel free to wear sports short and sports bra if you prefer. You may also choose to bring a friend or relative to accompany you. You can expect privacy to undress and a gown or towel is always provided. 
• Ask you to make simple movements and stretches to observe your posture and mobility. Because of the body's structure, pain or stiffness you are experiencing in one part may be linked to a problem elsewhere.
• Examine the health of the joints, tissues and ligaments using my hands and a highly developed sense of touch called palpation.
• As your osteopath, I will also check for signs of serious conditions I cannot treat, and if needed, I will advise you to see your general practitioner or go to the hospital.

Is a one-time treatment sufficient normally or is osteopathy more effective as a continuous maintenance therapy? 

Generally, you will feel and notice some changes in your body and symptoms after one or two visits. However, some long-term or chronic conditions may require a longer course or more frequent treatment.

Besides offering osteopathic medicine, you also offer massage and yoga. Are these part of Breathe Bliss personalized therapies?

Yes they are! I've been practicing and living yoga for over 13 years now. Yoga is part of me as I am part of yoga. My practice and what I share (teach) is how to go from challenging to smart. And that Yoga is not a practice to empower us; rather yoga helps us surrender our sense of self so we can transcend and live truthfully with a smart heart and a kind mind.

Regarding my massage practice, I combine the Ayurveda Marma Point Massage with my medical knowledge. The Marma Point Massage is an ancient technique, and has proven to be very helpful to people. A muscle is the soldier of the body, it just follows orders. So in order to treat a muscle it's elementary to first free the nerve and blood supply, the origin and insertion and the connective tissue. Therefore, combining Osteopathy with massage, the therapy becomes more accurate and more beneficial for the patient

How can we reach you?

You can contact me here through Sayulita Life or call me at # 322 111 2004. I am happy to assist and help you in any way I can.