Holiday Greetings for New Beginnings in 2019

            One of the prose poems that continues to bring significant insights and wisdom to me is Desiderata, which in Latin means desired things. Published in 1927 by American writer Max Ehrmann, the poem was largely unknown in his lifetime. Ehrmann was an attorney turned philosopher and poet who wrestled with making a living and following what he considered his calling — poetry, literature, and thought. Since his passing in 1945, Desiderata has been mentioned and quoted by many individuals including Adlai Stevenson, Leonard Nimoy, Joan Crawford, Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, and Morgan Freeman to mention a few. I bring it to you at this time with much gratitude for its continued teachings for me and understanding that as of a 1976 court decision it is now in the public domain. May it bring you new awareness and insights as we approach the beginning of 2019.

“Desiderata”

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, “Desiderata,” Copyright 1927. Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/articles/70274/in-search-of-desiderata.

Acupressure for Anyone Fall 2018 workshops

Looking forward to bringing Acupressure for Anyone workshops to Ocean County, New Jersey this fall! Come learn simple self-care practices that will support your health and sense of well-being as you move through seasonal and life changes, and learn acupressure principles and programs you can use with friends, family, and clients. These programs have been developed to reduce stress, strengthen resilience, and enhance your ability to bounce back. The Seva Acupressure for Self-Care and the Seva Acupressure With Others programs have been successfully used at Towson State University with college students, Walter Reed Medical Center with military personnel, and for pain management with the first full facial transplant at the University of Maryland Medical Center (see www.soullightening.com Outreach & Research). I love the work of Soul Lightening Acupressure and the four basic principles of this work:

1. Energy flow in the body promotes wellness and opens new awareness.

2. Touch and the flow of love from the heart are healing and strengthening.

3. Every person carries their own healing and wisdom within.

4. The purpose of Soul Lightening Acupressure is to empower that inherent wisdom.

Fall 2018 Workshop Schedule:

Ocean County College, Toms River, NJ – Saturday, October 4, 2018, Seva Acupressure for Self-Care and Seva Acupressure With Others, 9:00 – 3:30 pm, $99. To register call 732-255-0409. Continuing education see below.

Ocean County Vocational Technical School, Toms River, NJ – to register call 732-473-3100, X 1000. Continuing education see below.

Acupressure for Anyone – Seva Acupressure for Self-Care, Part 1, Monday, October 1, 2018, 6:30 – 9:30 pm, $45

Acupressure for Anyone – Seva Acupressure With Others, Part 2, Monday, October 15, 2018, 6:30 – 9:30 pm, $45

Acupressure for Anyone – Great Central Channel, Monday, October 29, 2018, 6:30 – 9:30 pm, $45 (Seva Parts 1 & 2 are a pre-requisite)

Acupressure for Anyone – Harmony & Balance, Monday, November 12, 2018, 6:30 – 9:30 pm, $45 (Seva Parts 1 & 2 are a pre-requisite)

Continuing Education: 6 contact hours through American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA) and  National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). 

Additional information:  Regina Rosenthal, PT, MA, RYT-200, www.reginarosenthal.com, Email: Ginarose88@comcast.net

2018 Spring Workshops and Events

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.

[Albert Camus]

As we experience the blizzard of 2018 in New Jersey I find myself feeling blessed that I can remain safe, warm, and dry indoors. I love the stillness after a snow storm, how the world becomes quiet and I can appreciate the beauty of the natural world. The birds are scampering around the bird feeder looking for food and pecking for seeds thrown onto the snow when the bird feeder was unreachable amidst snow drifts in our back yard. I’ve also had precious down time to meditate, practice yoga and Qigong, journal, and make a pot of warming, hearty chicken vegetable soup. All these self-care practices bring gifts that boost my resilience and sense of wellbeing.

I’ve often said that I teach what I need to learn. I will again teach acupressure workshops this spring and fall, a reminder to me of the importance of self-care, renewal, and the transformative benefits of acupressure as a healing modality.

“What’s in Your Toolkit” will be presented monthly for the Cancer Support Community at Monmouth Medical Southern Campus in Lakewood, NJ. Check out their monthly classes for a host of FREE support groups and programs in Lakewood and Long Branch, NJ, 732-923-6090.

Here is the current schedule. Recheck this blog for additional workshops and events that are scheduled.

OCEAN COUNTY COLLEGE, Toms River, NJ:  Using Seva Acupressure for Self-Care and With Others. Saturday, March 24, 2018, 9 am – 3:30 pm, $99. Registration: 732-255-0404.  

Continuing Education: 6 hours for massage therapists (NCBTMB).  Check with www.soullightening.com (Registrar: 978-456-0300) regarding updates on continuing education for nurses (AHNA), acupuncturists and Asian body work therapists (NCCAOM). 

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OCEAN COUNTY VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL SCHOOL:    Registration — 732-473-3100, Ext 1000

1. Acupressure for Anyone: Seva Acupressure for Self-Care (Part 1): $45  

Toms River, Wednesday, March 14, 6:30 – 9:30 pm;   Jackson, Monday April 9, 6:30 – 9:30 pm; Brick, Wednesday, April 18, 6:30 – 9:30 pm

2. Acupressure for Anyone: Using Seva Acupressure With Others (Part 2): $45 (Note: Seva Part 1 a pre-requisite)

Toms River, Wednesday, March 21, 6:30 – 9:30 pm; Jackson, Monday, April 16, 6:30 – 9:30 pm; Brick, Wednesday, April 25, 6:30 – 9:30 pm 

3. Acupressure for Anyone: The Great Central Channel: $45 (Note: Seva Parts 1 & 2 are a pre-requisite)

Toms River, Wednesday May 2, 6:30 – 9:30 pm

4. Acupressure for Anyone: Harmony and Balance: $45 (Note: Seva Parts 1 & 2 are a pre-requisite)

Toms River, Wednesday, May 9, 6:30 – 9:30 pm

Continuing Education: 6 hours massage therapists (NCBTMB) NOTE: check with www.soullightening.com (Registrar: 978-456-0300) regarding updates on continuing education for nurses (AHNA), acupuncturists and Asian body work therapists (NCCAOM). 

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PROCESS ACUPRESSURE 1A: GATEWAY TO SOUL:  Manchester, NJ, Thursday – Sunday, April 19-22, 2018, 9 am – 5:00 pm.

Registration and Pricing: Soul Lightening International, www.soullightening.com, Registrar: 978-456-0300, Tuesday – Friday, 11 am – 2 pm

Continuing Education: 24 CEUs massage therapists (NCBTMB). Check with Registrar regarding updates on continuing education for nurses (AHNA), acupuncturists and Asian body work therapists (NCCAOM).

PROCESS ACUPRESSURE 1B: PROGRESSING PROCESS: 

Naples, Florida, Thursday – Sunday, June 21-24, 2018, 9 am – 5:00 pm

Manchester, NJ, Thursday – Sunday, October 11-14, 2018, 9 am – 5:00 pm.

Registration and Pricing: Soul Lightening International, www.soullightening.com, Registrar: 978-456-0300, Tuesday – Friday, 11 am – 2 pm. 

Continuing education: 24 CEUs massage therapists (NCBTMB) Check with Registrar regarding updates on continuing education for nurses (AHNA), acupuncturists and Asian body work therapists (NCCAOM).

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CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY, Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus, Lakewood, NJ

What’s In Your Toolkit: FREE   Mondays, 12:30 – 1:30 pm: Jan 29, Feb 26, March 26, April 30, May 28, June 25.  Registration: 732-923-6090 

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NEW JERSEY ABILITIES EXPO, Edison, NJ, Friday-Sunday, May 4-6, 2018. FREE. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.  Soul Lightening International, Seva Acupressure for Stress Release Booth/Information and Free Seva Sessions

BOSTON ABILITIES EXPO, Boston, Mass, Friday – Sunday, September 21 – 23, 2018. FREE. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Soul Lightening International, Seva Acupressure for Stress Release Booth/Information and Free Seva Sessions

DC METRO ABILITIES EXPO, Chantilly, Virginia, Friday – Sunday, November 30 – December 2, 2018. FREE. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Soul Lightening International, Seva Acupressure for Stress Release Booth/Information and Free Seva Sessions 

NJ Acupressure for Anyone Workshops: Seva Acupressure for Self-Care, Using Seva With Others, Cold and Flu Formulas

I can’t believe 2017 is coming to an end and I will be teaching the last Acupressure for Anyone programs for this year. Stay tuned for the upcoming 2018 schedule of classes!

If you are looking for simple, time and cost efficient ways to reduce stress and promote relaxation amidst the busy holiday season these NJ Acupressure for Anyone workshops will provide the gift that keeps on giving — Seva Acupressure for Self-care, Using Seva Acupressure with Others, and Cold and Flu Formulas.

Seva in Sanskrit means compassionate service. The Seva Acupressure program was initially used at Ground Zero after the events of 9/11. Subsequently it was used with students at Towson State University and with military personnel at Walter Reed Medical Center. In 2012, the University of Maryland Medical Center, in conjunction with the Center for Integrative Care, used Seva acupressure with Richard Norris, the recipient of the first full facial transplant performed there. Using Seva acupressure before, during, and after surgery promoted enhanced relaxation and pain relief for Richard.

Give yourself a gift for the holidays by learning about Seva Acupressure and self-care practices! The programs offered are easy to perform and profoundly supportive of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. In the workshops you will experience the healing and transformative power of acupressure; learn a unique method of touch through demonstration and hands-on practice; and learn Chakra Tai Chi a movement meditation practice for self-care. In Seva Part 1 you will learn to use Seva for self-care; in Seva Part 2 you will learn how to use Seva acupressure with others. In the third program, Colds and Flu Formulas, you will learn acupressure formulas to enhance health, body awareness, and well-being. These formulas do not replace medical care. They can, however, be used for prevention and addressing cold, flu, allergy and/or immune symptoms.

Seva Parts 1 and 2 are pre-requisites for the Colds and Flu Formulas workshop. Continuing education: 3 CEUS available for each program for nurses, massage therapists, Asian bodyworkers.

WORKSHOP INFORMATION / REGISTRATION:

Ocean County Vocational Technical School, BRICK, NJ: Wednesday and Thursday, November 1 and 2: SEVA ACUPRESSURE FOR SELF-CARE (Part 1) and USING SEVA WITH OTHERS (Part 2), 6:30 – 9:30 pm. Fee: $50 EACH program. 

Ocean County Vocational Technical School, TOMS RIVER, NJ: Monday, November 27, COLD AND FLU FORMULAS, 6:30 – 9:30 pm. Fee: $50. 

REGISTRATION: Ocean County Vocational Technical School — 732-473-3100, X 1000

Seva Acupressure for Self-Care at Abilities Expos San Mateo, California and DC Metro Area

If you live near San Francisco or the DC metro area you won’t want to miss the upcoming FREE Abilities Expos in San Mateo, California (October 27-29, 2017) and the DC Metro area (December 1-3, 2017). Expo attendees will have the opportunity to meet courageous, inspiring individuals who have transformed their lives and the word disabilities.

Come by the Soul Lightening International booth and experience a free 15-minute Seva Acupressure for Stress Release session. This protocol was initially used at Ground Zero after the events of 9/11, and then used with students at Towson State University and with veterans at Walter Reed Medical Center. In 2012, the University of Maryland Medical Center, in conjunction with the Center for Integrative Care, used Seva acupressure with Richard Norris, the recipient of the first full facial transplant performed there. Using Seva acupressure before, during, and after surgery promoted enhanced relaxation and pain relief for Richard.

I’m also looking forward to teaching the Seva for Self-Care program from 11:45 am – 12:45 pm, at Caregivers Day at the Expos on Sunday, sponsored by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. Take this program home with you to promote enhanced body-mind balance and harmony through self-care.

Fall is a great time to release old patterns and ways of being that no longer serve. Seva Acupressure for Self-Care is a simple, efficient way to bring body-mind self-awareness to this process to support letting go. I look forward to sharing this program on the west and east coasts, especially before the hectic holiday season when self-care helps to reduce stress and anxiety, promote relaxation, and boost resilience.

Stop by and say hello if you or friends and family are near the upcoming Expos!

Namaste……..