Morgan Rivers

Enhancing health and well-being through the healing arts since 1991.

Mind * Body * Spirit

Two Rivers Acupuncture and Bodyworks

Personal Bio:

A native of rural Iowa, I received a Bachelor of Arts in Botany from the University of Iowa in 1973, Massage Therapy Certification from Heartwood Institute, CA, in 1991, Zero Balancing Certification from the Zero Balancing Health Association in 1997. In 2011, I completed a 3 1/2 year Masters of Acupuncture in Classical Five-Element Acupuncture from the Institute of Taoist Education and Acupuncture in Louisville, CO. I also have a life-long love of music, dance, nature, walking, gardening and took up roller blading at the age of 50.

Why would anyone want to receive acupuncture?  The simple answer is, it helps us feel better.  In the West we know a lot about the structure of the body.  One of the great gifts of Chinese medicine is an understanding of the life force that animates our bodies.  The Chinese call this Chi or Qi energy.  We feel best when we live in harmony with this energy that is in us and all of the natural world.  Acupuncture works with this system. 

You might think of it as a system of rivers, streams and lakes.  When there is plenty of  clean water, the lakes are full and the rivers and streams are flowing and life goes well.  If the water is in short supply or polluted or damned up, then life doesn’t go so well.  Symptoms that we have are understood to be caused by disturbances in this system. 

Acupuncture works to restore balance and harmony to our internal energy system.  So, acupuncture can be helpful for all manner of symptoms, and encourage:

• Pain relief
• More energy and productivity
• Better sleep
• Improved digestion
• Increased sense of well-being
• Feeling more calm, centered and in the driver’s seat of life
• An increased sense of aliveness and connectedness
• Even better moods and mental health
• All of the above tend to help us have better relationships at work and at home

After an initial consult it is recommended to come weekly until improvement begins, then sessions are tapered out.  Typically people then make lifelong use of acupuncture for “tune-ups” to support balance and harmony and also as preventative medicine. 

Here are some comments from clients:

"I love how I feel. I recommend acupuncture to all my friends." -- Jane, Retired Teacher

"I have been enjoying the benefits of Zero Balancing Bodywork and Acupuncture for years. The benefits have been too numerous to list, but include better focus, relaxation, blood pressure and general wellness.  I would recommend Two Rivers and Morgan to anyone seeking these benefits." -- Greg, Financial Services

"Within several months of beginning acupuncture and zero-balancing, my migraines became one day only headaches manageable with OTC medications.  Two years later, the rare headache is mild and I don't lose days. As a bonus, several joints that had remained chronically inflamed and painful even with medication are no longer an issue. -- Michelle, RD

"I started acupuncture hoping to eliminate perimenopause symptoms. The treatments have done that and more! Morgan is a true partner in health, helping me to relax deeply and experience less illness." -- Deb, Small Business Instructor

Here are some comments from clients:

"Courses of Zero Balancing, along with other therapies, not only have alleviated the pain, but have calmed the stress.  Importantly, especially because I don't like the effects of conventional medication, I've been able to be 'drug-free' because of these sessions." -- Barbara

"I no longer get monthly headaches and I have more energy.  I feel more aligned top to bottom, side to side, front to back.  Also more flexible.  And when I do overdo, I restore faster....a day or two." -- Barb

"I love Zero Balancing.  It's like an opening.  If it hadn't been for ZB, I don't think I would have gotten interested in the other things I'm doing now.  ZB says 'yes' to everything." -- Linda

"It seemed like Zero Balancing was just what my body was craving on a deep level and each session was like a tremendous release.  Looking back now, I can tell it really released long-held trauma from my body.  It was a true blessing in my healing journey." -- Yvonne

"I can't thank you enough for the work that you do.  I cannot even put it into words.  I feel so much more well than I did earlier today.  but, it's more than just today.  It's just overall in my life...so, thank-you." -- Kathy

"I have a done a lot of bodywork and Zero Balancing is the best!" -- Dottie, Somatic Yoga

HEART RHYTHM MEDITATION

• Most traditional practices are transcendent or "upward meditation", in an attempt to transcend the body and earthly existence to find the Unity of all things.
• Heart Rhythm Meditation is "downward meditation", focused on bringing the sense of Unity down to earth and em-bodied.
  

Dances of Universal Peace North America

Two other healing arts I am involved in are music and dance.  I lead a monthly gathering of Dances of Universal Peace where we do circle dances with multicultural music, simple phrases and movements to help us experience more of our essential self, community and a sense of unity.

Here are some comments about the Dances:

"You can't know how much I enjoy Sacred Dance.  It is a real connection to my soul.  Thank you." -- Marcie S.

"I always love the THOUGHT of dance, but have two left feet.  So, being able to bumble along, and be carried right along by the circle is so empowering, comforting and energizing." -- Mary R.

"Thanks so much for organizing these wonderful events - they are a highlight of my week." -- Pam B.

We do the Dances of Universal Peace the first Sunday of each month at Unity of Des Moines - 414 31st ST, Des Moines (just east of DMU)

Here is a brochure about the Dances or check out this website.

SAVE THE DATE:  April 23-26, 2020 Annual retreat in Newton, Iowa.