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……..

Cancer Thriving and Surviving Workshop, Lakewood, NJ, Sept.18-Oct. 23, 2017

My family has been blessed with two long-term breast cancer survivors, my mother and my older sister. Walking this journey with them taught me a great deal about courage, patience, faith, trust, and healing. My sister and I were pleased to meet Dr. Bernie Siegel, surgeon oncologist from New Haven, Connecticut, at a workshop. His insightful words remain with me to this day: “Cancer is a word not a sentence…..People are like tea bags. We don’t know how strong we are until we are in hot water.”

As part of my decision to pay it forward, I am grateful to be co-leading the FREE 6-week CANCER: THRIVING AND SURVIVING WORKSHOP, presented through the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program developed and researched at Stanford University.  It is sponsored by the Ocean Monmouth Health Alliance and is being held at the Cancer Support Community, 199 Prospect Street, Lakewood, NJ, on Mondays, September 18 through October 23, 2017, from 9:30 am – 12 noon. Registration is required (see below). This center is located at Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus.

During this workshop you will learn how you can take a step forward to becoming a positive self-manager of your health. Topics will include:

• developing techniques for dealing with frustration, fatigue, pain, isolation, sleep, and living with uncertainty
• learning appropriate exercise, regaining and maintaining flexibility and endurance
• making decisions about treatment and complementary therapies
• communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals
• nutrition, setting priorities, and relationships

Participants will receive a FREE companion 225 page workbook, Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions, and a FREE CD, Mind-Body Meditations. 

For additional information and TO REGISTER CALL:  732-923-6090

Thank you for passing this information along to anyone you know who might benefit.

Namaste

Upcoming 2017 Abilities Expos

You won’t want to miss the upcoming FREE Abilities Expo experiences being held in Boston, Massachusetts (September 8-10), San Mateo, California (October 27-29), and the DC Metro Area (December 1-3). Attend informative workshops, discover resources for travel, home, accessibility, emergency preparedness, money skills, chronic pain, emerging therapies, bionics, latest products, dance and adaptive sports events, service animals, daily living aides, and more.

Soul Lightening Acupressure colleagues and I are excited to be providing FREE 15 minute Seva Acupressure for Stress Release sessions at our Expo booth on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at these Expos. A list of local practitioners and teachers will be provided for participants who want to follow-up with their Seva experiences at the Expos. You can also learn how to use the Seva Acupressure for Stress Release program on Sundays at Expo Caregiver Days, where I will be teaching this program from 11:45 am – 12:45 pm in the Workshop Area. The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, sponsor of the Caregiver Days, will provide FREE Seva CDs to all workshop participants, so they can continue practicing the Seva Acupressure program at home after the workshop.

Abilities Expo Hours: Friday 11 am – 5 pm; Saturday 11 am – 5 pm; Sunday 11 am – 4 pm.

Check the Expo website for additional information and to register online:  www.AbilitiesExpo.com. 

Stop by, say hello, be inspired by the Expo, and experience a simple, cost-effective acupressure program that will reduce stress and boost your resilience.  Here’s to your health!