One of the best examples was my introduction to Lee Rodrigues, co-founder of The Technology Dojo. Unbeknown to Lee, I was privately researching how to best convert my clunky, “overly masculine” (to quote my wife) Web site into being a lighter, more versatile communication tool. I ultimately decided on migrating my content into a WordPress-powered format. The next morning I visited a business networking group in Oakland, met Lee and discovered he does that (among other things) for a living. At TechDojo, Lee does technology coaching and strategy sessions on how to make bloated, do-nothing sites more flexible, more search-engine optimized and easier to monetize. We hit it off, and I’m thrilled to now be a copywriter and proofreader in TechDojo’s stable of resources.

I was also amazed at how much more quickly and efficiently my SEO techniques took effect in the WordPress format. Within just a few days my site moved near the top of the Google rankings in categories crucial for me. For instance, I’m the first two listings for the Google search “proofreader berkeley.” I’m also the first two listings for “berkeley copywriter,” and so on. My old site and Google didn’t get along nearly that well, despite my best SEO efforts.

Additionally, WordPress has hundreds of thousands of users contributing new plug-ins and themes, and it feels like all those people are working as my Web team in some small way. Many of those user-generated plug-ins are now essential to my workflow. WordPress (combined with MacJournal) also makes writing this business blog a heck of a lot simpler.

Now that my professional Web site is humming along, I’m utilizing The Technology Dojo to take things to that proverbial “next level.” And my wife is going to be taking advantage of a special very-reduced strategy session rate they’re offering right now to move her blogspot blog over to her own domain as her audience and reach expands. (She writes a blog that explores sea vegetables a a sustainable food source. It’s fascinating stuff, and she somehow makes seaweed fun, too.)

One of my goals with this blog is to highlight great local and online resources. WordPress and The Technology Dojo both fit that description, and it just so happens that they go hand-in-hand.

If you want to chat with Lee about your site’s growth opportunities, you can reach him toll-free at 1-866-556-4269 or through their contact form.

Qigong (much like Tai Chi) combines breath work and movement to circulate blood and energy flow throughout the body. The health benefits are outstanding, and the mindful, meditative practice is calming and joyful. Qigong is often called “needless acupuncture” because it stimulates the same TCM points and meridians through the body movements.

I practice my Dayan Qigong set of 64 movements pretty much every morning, and it serves to set the tone for the entire day. Still, some of my most profound healing experiences have come during actual acupuncture sessions. Whenever I see my acupuncturist, I always ask him, “What’s our intention for today?” before he begins the treatment. I want to know how we’re approaching whatever issue I’m experiencing, and I want to bring mindfulness (and sometimes visualizations) to the process. It’s amazing how (with that awareness) I can sense the “progress” of the acupuncture treatment — feeling the energy moving as my nervous system balances or ailing organs find relief.

Almost nothing beats the feeling that follows an acupuncture session … I’ve just learned not to attempt to drive too soon afterward; I’m still a little loopy.

Recently director Lee Richter at Montclair Veterinary Hospital (one of my very favorite clients) said they were opening a dedicated holistic center for pets, including pet acupuncture. I immediately thought, “How cool is that?” MVH is an exceptional vet hospital with an amazing head physician named Dr. Gary Richter. (Their Yelp reviews are off the charts.) I knew he’d bring the same level of love and care and detail to pet acupuncture as he brought to his general veterinary practice. And I think that (much like humans), pets can often experience healing and recovery through holistic or alternative care and avoid the expense and trauma of surgeries or procedures.

There’s no doubt that many people consider their pets to be cherished family. For many, having a sick pet can be as emotionally troubling as having a sick friend or relative. I like the idea that for those who would pay any amount to protect their beloved pet that there will be the same avenues for holistic treatment afforded to their human counterparts. … Just don’t let your pet drive too soon after that acupuncture session.

If you’re one of the aforementioned pet lovers, you can contact Holistic Vet Care at 510-339-2600 or info@holisticvetcare.com.