A deep dive into eastern medicine and its worldwide impact with Dr. Jamie Fleetwood
by Lennox Franks ’25
Holistic health and wellness is a topic many individuals know very little about, with the exception of Dr. Jamie Fleetwood, also known as “Dr. J.” Dr. J joined the Gunston community earlier this year to teach chemistry while simultaneously earning a doctorate degree in holistic health. At the beginning of the school year a friend presented Dr. J with the opportunity to travel to Egypt for two weeks on a healing and wellness expedition while also granting her the ability to view some of the greatest archaeological sites the world has to offer. For Dr. J these practices are nothing new as she partakes in yoga every morning as well as previously venturing on other wellness retreats.
Dr. J spent the first two weeks of September with a group of forty other people exploring their various holistic health journeys. Over her two-week stay in Egypt, Dr. J traveled to Cairo and Luxor as well as taking a sailboat up the Nile RIver and boarding a hot air balloon which journeyed across the Valley of the Kings, a part of the ancient city of Thebes that was the burial site of almost all the pharaohs of the 18th, 19th, and 20th dynasties (1539–1075 bce), from Thutmose I to Ramses X.
However, her favorite part of the trip included her time spent inside the Sphinx and within a private chamber inside of the great pyramid of Giza where she was able to lay inside an empty sarcophagus. Dr. J was also able to visit the excavation site of a former village in Saqqara. It is considered the newest archaeological dig taking place within Egypt, but is oldest in age. Currently, many temples and pyramids are being uncovered within the site but most of the interesting finds according to Dr. J is a burial site for bulls whom ancient Egyptians considered gods. Another area she explored was the Karnak Sacred Lake, which dates back thousands of years and is a modern mystery due to the lack of water level rise or decrease, no algae present, and the crystal clear waters.
In addition to breathtaking destinations and views, this expedition was focused on wellness. In turn, sound healing workshops were performed every night and Kundalini yoga every morning at sunrise during what is considered the “Ambrosia Hours,” also known as Brahma Muhurta, a time of day considered to be an auspicious time for gaining knowledge and self-awareness. Additionally, a musical professional journeyed with the group to help ground participants during the different yoga practices and the meditation portions of the trip. Another unique experience given to Dr. J on this excursion was an opportunity to partake in an essential oil workshop with one of oldest aroma therapists in Egypt.
Furthermore, Akashic Record Journeys played a huge part in the group’s wellness journey which included ceremonial sound healing, music, mantras, and deep meditation. These journeys are a concept that involves accessing a cosmic storehouse of thoughts, actions, and deeds that have ever existed and some believe that the Akashic Records can provide insight into a person’s past lives, current life, relationships, and future. On her way throughout Egypt, Dr. J picked up a few fun facts about ancient Egyptian discovery: 1. Only a third of ancient sites in Egypt have been discovered and 2. Nothing rots within the pyramids because of the high frequency given off by the structures.
After Dr. J’s expedition, she continues to look into the future of what role holistic health holds for people everywhere. One day, she hopes to start her own holistic health and wellness practice and recruit doctors from across the world in order to bring health and tranquility to all. If you are looking for nearby holistic resources, Dr. J recommends the Salt Cave located in Queenstown, MD which offers a variety of wellness services. Thank you so much to Dr. J for educating me on the subject of holistic health and wellness as well as the community at large!