Antidepressants – The Most Prescribed Drugs in the U.S.

This article is from www.mercola.com

As yoga teachers - it is important to help students understand the power of yoga, meditation and healing to release healthy neurotransmitters, keep them in a positive state of mind and not need all these drugs. Exercise is key to releasing depression and especially inversions in yoga. Downward facing dog, dolphin, headstands, handstands on the wall, legs up the wall, and savasana are excellent at releasing the energy that "depresses" them.

Antidepressants – The Most Prescribed Drugs in the U.S.
As reported by the National Center for Health Statistics, antidepressants have become the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States. They're prescribed more than drugs to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, or headaches.
Out of 2.4 billion drugs prescribed in visits to doctors and hospitals in 2005, 118 million were for antidepressants.
According to the authors of the above study, the increase in antidepressant drug prescriptions is in part due to expanded insurance coverage and greater familiarity with the drugs among primary care doctors.

What this really translates into is that the right palms have been sufficiently greased by the pharmaceutical giants, so their drugs are now covered at maximum price by insurance companies, and their sales reps have done a marvelous job of spreading propaganda to doctors who are frequently too pressed for time to do their own research and far more easily influenced by this persuasion then even they realize.

Whereas severe depression can indeed progress to suicide if left untreated, antidepressant drugs have been shown to CAUSE both suicidal and homicidal thoughts and behaviors. For example, seven of the last 12 school shootings were done by children who were either on antidepressants, or going through withdrawal.
UK banned nearly all antidepressants in kids in 2004, due to the increased risk of suicide. The United States, however, is still allowing Big Pharma to rake in the profits from these deadly, mind-altering drugs. And, they keep thinking up ways to push them on even more people who do not truly need them, such as pregnant women who are deemed potential candidates for post-partum depression.

Science has Already Proven Antidepressants Ineffective
The drastic increase in antidepressant drug use is really quite perplexing, considering the fact that numerous studies have already shown that up to 75 percent of the benefits of antidepressants can be duplicated by a placebo.
Not only do these drugs not work as advertised, but the evidence is quite clear that most of these drugs do in fact increase your risk of suicide and violence.
Since depression can be a terminal illness, why would you want to take a drug that would actually increase your risk of killing yourself or someone else?
Your physical health can also be severely compromised when taking these drugs. Studies have shown antidepressants can harm your immune system, and raise your risk of type 2 diabetes by two to three times in high-risk groups.

So Why are Prescriptions for Antidepressants Skyrocketing?
Last year, the state of Texas sued a pharmaceutical company for using false advertising and improper influence to get its products on the now-mandatory adult protocol, the Texas Medication Algorithm Project (TMAP). (Any maker of a psychiatric drug wants to get their drug on that list.)
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the newer drugs chosen for the protocol are ten times more expensive than traditional drugs, but have no substantial advantage.

In short, shenanigans like this -- using false advertising, and unduly influencing key positions -- likely have a lot to do with the dramatic increase in antidepressant sales.

Controversy about off-label promotion of psychotropics in children has also broken out across the U.S.
For example, late last year, New Jersey state assemblyman Michael Coherty wrote to the state department of health, asking about the policy that permitted the NJ Medicaid program to spend $73 million between 2000 and 2007 on antipsychotic drugs for children under the age of 18 although the drugs are not FDA approved for pediatric use.
Lawsuits are pending in several states over the issues of improper marketing and failure to disclose serious side effects, which caused state programs to overpay for drugs like Zyprexa, Seroquel, and Risperdal.

It’s not just the drugs prescribed, but the diagnoses that are in question, particularly in children. Six million children have been diagnosed with serious psychiatric disorders warranting drug treatment -- 1 million with bipolar disorder, long believed to occur only in adults.
Psychiatric Drugs for Kids – A Prescription for Disaster
In 2007 alone, half a million children and teenagers were given at least one prescription for an antipsychotic, including 20,500 under the age of six. American children are also about three times more likely to be prescribed psychotropic medication than children in Europe.

And in one of the most defenseless groups -- children in the foster care system -- kids as young as three years old are screened for mental illnesses and put on psychiatric drugs for disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression with horrifying frequency.
For example, among children in foster care:
• 55 percent in Florida
• 60 percent in Texas, and
• 75 percent in Massachusetts are on psychiatric drugs

Psychotropic drugs, by definition, chemically alter your mind, emotions, and behavior. Many commonly prescribed drugs, such as Prozac, Paxil, Ritalin, Zyprexa, Depakote and others are not approved for use in children. The fact that they’re used off-label is alarming considering that even when prescribed properly, the side effects of these drugs are dizzying:
• Anxiety, depression, impulsivity and obsession
• Anger, compulsion, temper tantrums and mood instability
• Social awkwardness, withdrawal, tics
• Sleep disturbances
• Separation anxiety
• Behavior problems
• Inattention and distractibility

Getting to the Root of Your Mental or Emotional Health Problem
Like many of you, I have been personally affected by depression. Someone very near and dear to me suffered from this problem many years ago, and actually made several unsuccessful suicide attempts that were truly devastating.
Ultimately, it was energetic techniques that assisted this person in full recovery from depression. A very advanced form of cranial osteopathy was administered by a skilled physician. However, there are other similar tools, which I’ve found can make an enormous difference if you suffer from depression or any other kind of emotional dysfunction.

For serious problems, it would be prudent to not treat yourself with energy tapping techniques but to contact a trained health care professional. Here’s a helpful list of certified practitioners worldwide.

I strongly believe that energy psychology is the single most important tool to resolve depression, but its effectiveness will certainly be significantly improved if combined with an appropriate Nutritional Type diet, along with dramatically lowered intake of sugar, grains, and processed foods. This is particularly true for children. I have treated many hundreds of children with behavioral and mental disorders and have consistently seen them improve once underlying toxicities and food changes were addressed.

Artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, and preservatives can have a very negative impact on your mental state as well as your physical health.
A powerful essential for good mental health is omega-3 fats, so you’ll want to make sure you take a high-quality, animal-based omega-3 supplement like krill oil. If you haven't read Dr. Stoll's enlightened book on the topic of treating depression with omega-3, then I highly recommend it.

Last but certainly not least, exercise is clearly one of the best-kept secrets for depression. Says Dr. James Gordon, a world-renowned expert in using mind-body medicine to heal depression, anxiety and psychological trauma:
“What we’re finding in the research on physical exercise is that physical exercise is at least as good as antidepressants for helping people who are depressed… Physical exercise changes the level of serotonin in your brain… increases your level of “feel good” hormones, the endorphins. You can actually change your brain with exercise. So it’s got to be part of everybody’s treatment, everybody’s plan.”

Kidney Stones in Children - Poor Diets!

When pediatric urologist Barry Duel began practicing 11 years ago, it was rare to see a healthy child with kidney stones. These days, he sees two to three new children with stones a month.

Craig Langman, head of the department of kidney diseases at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, has 800 pediatric patients in his files with kidney stones. More than half of them are from the past five years. Kidney stones are small, hard masses of mineral and acid salts that separate from the urine and solidify in the kidney. Most commonly, they are made of calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate, although other types exist.

Urine typically contains chemicals such as citrate, magnesium and pyrophosphate that prevent these crystals from forming. Stone patients can have low levels of these chemicals, causing stone formation. Stones can also form when a person is dehydrated, lacking the fluid to flush the minerals that form stones.

Root causes

Most urologists believe that the rise in rates is linked to the increase in childhood obesity and poor diets.

* Obesity. High levels of glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and insulin affect acidity of the urine. Studies at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas have shown that people with metabolic syndrome -- characterized by obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol -- are at an increased risk for kidney stones. High levels of insulin, in particular, correlate with higher urine acid levels, which can cause uric acid stones.
* Too much dietary sodium. Most stones are made of calcium, and an abundance of sodium causes the body to release more calcium into the urine. Physicians worry that sodium intake in children is on the rise because they are drinking more sodas, eating more often at restaurants and noshing on more convenience foods.
* Lack of dietary calcium. This may seem counterintuitive because stones are made of calcium, but if children have a low calcium intake, it can cause their gastrointestinal tract to overabsorb the chemical oxalate, a component of stones.

Several measures can help decrease the likelihood of a stone recurring again. Drinking lots of fluids (mainly water) keeps chemicals such as calcium oxalate from reaching high concentrations in the urine. Drinking lemonade, which contains citrate, helps prevent calcium from crystallizing in the urine. Physicians also recommend reducing salt intake and ensuring children are getting their recommended calcium, which is 800 milligrams for children ages 4 to 8 and 1,300 milligrams for ages 9 to 18.

Medical treatments include the use of diuretics; Langman says he has had success prescribing Thiazide, a diuretic that blocks the kidney's excretion of calcium.

More information on kidney stones can be found on the National Kidney Foundation's website at www.kidney.org.

Source: LA Times

Excessive Cola Consumption Can Lead To Super-sized Muscle Problems, Warn Doctors

Doctors have issued a warning about excessive cola consumption after noticing an increase in the number of patients suffering from muscle problems, according to the June issue of IJCP, the International Journal of Clinical Practice.
“We are consuming more soft drinks than ever before and a number of health issues have already been identified including tooth problems, bone demineralisation and the development of metabolic syndrome and diabetes” says Dr Moses Elisaf from the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Ioannina, Greece.

“Evidence is increasing to suggest that excessive cola consumption can also lead to hypokalaemia, in which the blood potassium levels fall, causing an adverse effect on vital muscle functions.”

A research review carried out by Dr Elisaf and his colleagues has shown that symptoms can range from mild weakness to profound paralysis. Luckily all the patients studied made a rapid and full recovery after they stopped drinking cola and took oral or intravenous potassium.

The case studies looked at patients whose consumption ranged from two to nine litres of cola a day.

They included two pregnant women who were admitted with low potassium levels.

The first, a 21 year-old woman, was consuming up to three litres of cola a day and complained of fatigue, appetite loss and persistent vomiting. An electrocardiagram also revealed she had a heart blockage, while blood tests showed she had low potassium levels.

The second also had low potassium levels and was suffering from increasing muscular weakness. It turned out she had been drinking up to seven litres of cola a day for the last 10 months.

In a commentary on the paper, Dr Clifford Packer from the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Centre in Ohio relates the strange case of the ostrich farmer who returned from the Australian outback with muscle weakness. He had been drinking four litres of cola a day for the last three years and drank up to 10 litres a day when he was in the outback, causing a rapid reduction in his potassium levels.

He also relates a puzzling case he saw in his own clinical practice, which was solved when the patient turned up at his office with a two-litre bottle of cola in the basket of his electric scooter. It turned out he routinely drank up to four litres a day. He refused to stop drinking cola, but halved his consumption and the muscle weakness he had been complaining of improved.

In 2007 the worldwide annual consumption of soft drinks reached 552 billion litres, the equivalent of just under 83 litres per person per year, and this is projected to increase to 95 litres per person per year by 2012. However the figure has already reached an average of 212 litres per person per year in the United States.

It appears that hypokalaemia can be caused by excessive consumption of three of the most common ingredients in cola drinks – glucose, fructose and caffeine.

“The individual role of each of these ingredients in the pathophysiology of cola-induced hypokalaemia has not been determined and may vary in different patients” says Dr Elisaf.

“However in most of the cases we looked at for our review, caffeine intoxication was thought to play the most important role. This has been borne out by case studies that focus on other products that contain high levels of caffeine but no glucose or fructose.

“Despite this, caffeine free cola products can also cause hypokalaemia because the fructose they contain can cause diarrhoea.”

The authors argue that in an era when portion sizes are becoming bigger and bigger, the excessive consumption of cola products has real public health implications.

“Although most patients recover when they stop drinking cola and take potassium supplements, cola-induced chronic hypokalaemia can make them more susceptible to potentially fatal complications, such as an irregular heartbeat” says Dr Elisaf.

“In addition, excessive consumption of any kind of cola can lead to a range of health problems including fatigue, loss of productivity and muscular symptoms that vary from mild weakness to profound paralysis.

“We believe that further studies are needed to establish how much is too much when it comes to the daily consumption of cola drinks.”

Dr Packer agrees that the problem needs to be addressed.

“Cola drinks need to be added to the physician’s checklist of drugs and substances that can cause hypokalaemia” he says.

“And the soft drink industry needs to promote safe and moderate use of its products for all age groups, reduce serving sizes and pay heed to the rising call for healthier drinks.”

Open Doors - 108 Sun Salutation Fundraiser

Open Doors Event

Yoga In The Park
108 Sun Salutations - 2 1/2 Hours Vinyasa Flow

Sunday June 14, 2009 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
West Suburban YMCA-Outside Field
267 Church Street, Newton, MA

$25 Preregistration/$35 Day Of Event
-All Donations Welcome-
Call Center For Balance at 617-527-0247

2 1/2 Hour Vinyasa Flow with Open Doors Power Yoga Studios
Instructors including Richard Lanza and Shawn Cornelison
All Levels of Practice Are Welcome

Your Wellness Now! Expo - May 30, 2009

Your Wellness Now! Expo
May 30th 10 - 5pm

To attend is free

Showcasing 60+ exhibitors divided into five major zones, including:
. Local Health & Wellness Professionals
· Indoor & Outdoor Fitness and Recreation
· Green Sustainable Living
· Organic & Natural Products · Health and Beauty.

10:00 All Hands Drumming for Children
11:00 Info & Demo by muscular therapist Jeffrey Spratt:
"Upper back and neck pain - how, why and what you can do."
11:30 Info & Demo about the benefits of Yoga by Kristin Dooner, Fitness 4 Your Soul
12:00 Freanna playing music during lunch

All Afternoon Healthy Lunch options will be available to purchased at the expo.

1:00 Adults: Meditation with Nancy Campbell at outdoor Labyrinth
2:00 Yoga for the Young Athlete demo by Kristin Dooner, Fitness 4 Your Soul
3:00 T'ai Chi demo by Peggy Leung, RN of the South Shore YMCA
4:00 Belly Dancing Demo by Amirah

Held at the First Congregational Church of Hanover, United Church of Christ.
515 Hanover Street, Hanover Center.

For Vendor Information please call 781 834 2728 limited space!

Women Have Better Immune System Than Men

When it comes to immunity, men may not have been dealt an equal hand. The latest study by Dr. Maya Saleh, of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre and McGill University, shows that women have a more powerful immune system than men. In fact, the production of estrogen by females could have a beneficial effect on the innate inflammatory response against bacterial pathogens. These surprising results were published May 11 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
More specifically, estrogen naturally produced in women seems to block the production of an enzyme called Caspase-12, which itself blocks the inflammatory process. The presence of estrogen would therefore have a beneficial effect on innate immunity, which represents the body's first line of defence against pathogenic organisms. "These results demonstrate that women have a more powerful inflammatory response than men," said Dr. Saleh.

This study was conducted on mice that lack the Caspase-12 gene, meaning that the mice were extremely resistant to infection. The human Caspase-12 gene was implanted in a group of male and female mice, yet only the males became more prone to infection. "We were very surprised by these results, and we determined that the estrogen produced by the female mice blocked the expression of the human Caspase-12 gene," explained Dr. Saleh. "We were also able to locate where the estrogen receptor binds on the gene in order to block its expression, which indicates that the hormone exerts direct action in this case."

Since these experiments were conducted using a human gene, the researchers consider these results to be applicable to humans. This feature of the female innate immune system might have evolved to better protect women's reproductive role.

The positive effect of natural estrogen on our resistence to infection is also exhibited with synthetic hormones such as 17-beta-estradiol. This finding might therefore open the door to new therapeutic applications that reinforce the immune system, but a question remains: will men be amenable to the idea of being treated with an exclusively female hormone?

Source: ScienceDaily. McGill University Health Centre (2009, May 12). Women Have A More Powerful Immune System Than Men, Study Shows. ScienceDaily.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090511180740.htm

Massage After Exercise Does Not Remove Lactic Acid

Massage After Exercise Myth Busted
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090507164405.htm

A Queen’s University research team has blown open the myth that massage after exercise improves circulation to the muscle and assists in the removal of lactic acid and other waste products.
“This dispels a common belief in the general public about the way in which massage is beneficial,” says Kinesiology and Health Studies professor Michael Tschakovsky. “It also dispels that belief among people in the physical therapy profession. All the physical therapy professionals that I have talked to, when asked what massage does, answer that it improves muscle blood flow and helps get rid of lactic acid. Ours is the first study to challenge this and rigorously test its validity.”

The belief that massage aids in the removal of lactic acid from muscle tissue is so pervasive it is even listed on the Canadian Sports Massage Therapists website as one of the benefits of massage, despite there being absolutely no scientific research to back this up.

Kinesiology MSc candidate Vicky Wiltshire and Dr. Tschakovsky set out to discover if this untested hypothesis was true, and their results show that massage actually impairs blood flow to the muscle after exercise, and that it therefore also impairs the removal of lactic acid from muscle after exercise.

This study will be presented at the annual American College of Sports Medicine conference in Seattle, Washington May 27-30, 2009

Cape Cod Canal - Biking and Yoga Event - May 23rd

Enjoy a 7-mile scenic bike ride along the Cape Cod Canal where you will take in the fresh ocean air while witnessing breathtaking views along the Cape Cod Canal. The bike ride will end at the Sandwich Yoga studio with a Mixed-Level Hatha Yoga class that will stretch the body and relax the soul. Join us for this wonderful morning of biking and yoga. This is a perfect way to enjoy the spring weather by combining your love of biking with a yoga class!

Instructor/Guide: Donna Larson
Cost: $35/non-members, $25/members
Date/Time: Saturday, May 23rd (rain date: May 24th @ 11 am)

10:00 am -12:30 pm (Duration will be approximately 2 ½ hours, but may vary depending on weather conditions, wind direction, and cyclist ability)

What to Bring:
• A Bike (mountain or road bike, any bike will do!) & Helmet
• Water
• Shoes or sneakers for biking, sunglasses, sunscreen
• Yoga mat (optional)

The Sanctuary of Sandwich
6 Merchants Road, Unit #8
Sandwich MA
(508) 296-3619

M.R.E.T Water - Molecular Resonance Effect Technology Activated Water

http://www.bioprodownloads.com/flash/iH20/?keepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&height=510&width=735

Watch this video from Biopro Technology on this water. They now sell these devices. (I do too - at a much less cost!)


I have been drinking MRET water for 3 years now. And I know it is a major reason why I have so much energy, can fly almost every week and not get jet lag and have young skin and hair. This water super hydrates the cells, bringing extra microclusters of oxygen particles to the cells and helps both hydrate them and detoxify them. Some of these photos show cells before and after MRET. One is of red blood cells clumped together in what is called a rouleux effect - then unclumped after MRET water. The other is the SARS virus (purple photos) before and after.

I have access to these activators - if you want one contact me. They are over $700.00 online from www.bioprotechnology.com In this day of the H1N1 Swine flu - this water will be more and more important for us to drink!

Hydroxycut Products Recall

[Posted 05/01/2009] FDA warned consumers to immediately stop using Hydroxycut products by Iovate Health Sciences, Inc. Hydroxycut products are associated with a number of serious liver injuries. Hydroxycut products are dietary supplements that are marketed for weight-loss, as fat burners, as energy-enhancers, as low carb diet aids, and for water loss under the Iovate and MuscleTech brand names.

FDA has received 23 reports of serious health problems ranging from jaundice and elevated liver enzymes, an indicator of potential liver injury, to liver damage requiring liver transplant. One death due to liver failure has been reported to FDA. Other health problems reported include seizures; cardiovascular disorders; and rhabdomyolysis, a type of muscle damage that can lead to other serious health problems such as kidney failure.

The agency has not yet determined which ingredients, dosages, or other health-related factors may be associated with risks related to these Hydroxycut products. The FDA continues to investigate the potential relationship between Hydroxycut dietary supplements and liver injury or other potentially serious side effects.

20 Questions About H1N1 (Swine Flu)

Here are some questions and answers about H1N1. Since yoga classes group people together and equipment like mats, blocks and straps may be shared - make sure you bring some alcohol hand hygiene product to class - and maybe a container of chlorox bleach wipes to offer to students to clean their hands and equipment. Everyone has to participate in controlling the spread of the virus - even in yoga rooms!

04/30/2009
With more outbreaks of the new strain of swine flu come outbreaks of misinformation and rumor. Below are 20 questions answered by infectious disease expert Charles Ericsson, MD, professor of internal medicine and director of travel medicine at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. Also, Robert Emery, DrPH, vice president for safety, health, environment and risk management at UT Health Science Center and associate professor in the UT School of Public Health explains common sense preparedness and prevention of illness.

1. How do symptoms of swine flu differ from other types of flu?
None, really, although this flu might include gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea and vomiting), as well as the usual respiratory symptoms. The basic symptoms for swine flu are similar to the seasonal flu we are vaccinated for each year, which may include:
*Fever (greater than 100°F or 37.8°C)
*Sore throat
*Cough
*Stuffy nose
*Chills
*Headache and body aches
*Fatigue

2. If I felt flu-like, how would I know if I had swine flu?
You wouldn't really, nor would your physician know for sure without a respiratory specimen taken within the first four to five days. The specimen would then be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The cases so far in the U.S. have been relatively mild compared to the illness described in patients in Mexico. We do not yet know why the U.S. cases have been milder. The important point is to call your doctor if you think you have the flu. Prescription anti-viral drugs such as TamiFlu or Relenza can be called in by your doctor. Unless you are:
*exceptionally ill with flu-like symptoms
*are chronically ill
*immune-suppressed
*quite elderly
*or have a very young child, under age 2
It is best not to report to the hospital, clinic or doctor's office, where you could risk spreading the disease. Again, call your doctor first to get instructions as to what you need to do next.

3. How long are people contagious?
Adults are potentially contagious for the length of time one has symptoms, up to seven days following the beginning of illness. The “shedding stage” of the virus is during the first four to five days of illness. Children can be considered contagious longer, up to 10 days. The initial incubation period is 24 to 48 hours.

4. Is there medication for this?
Yes, Tamiflu or Relenza have shown to be effective against these recently reported strains of swine flu. Altogether, there are four anti-viral drugs that we commonly use to treat various strains of flu.

5. Can I start taking medicine for it now, just in case I get it later?
That is not presently advised. Preventive medication might be advised for very special circumstances where a person had to expose themselves to potentially ill people during an epidemic (which we do not yet have here). Such people might include ER workers. An outbreak in a nursing home, for instance, might lead to protecting all the other residents with a drug like TamiFlu. For the general public, the current answer is no to prophylactic (preventative) use with anti-viral medications. Its coverage time is limited. Do not confuse over-the-counter “cold and flu” preparations for anti-flu medications that require a prescription.

6. Are the symptoms in children different from adult symptoms?
Though the basic symptoms are similar, the signs of potentially life-threatening complications differ. The CDC advises those with these symptoms to seek emergency care immediately:
Emergency warning signs in children are:
*Fast breathing or trouble breathing
*Bluish skin color
*Not drinking enough fluids
*Not waking up or interacting
*Being very irritable
*Fever with a rash
Emergency warning signs in adults are:
*Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
*Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
*Sudden dizziness
*Confusion
*Severe or persistent vomiting

7. Is there a vaccine?
Not yet, but the CDC has this current strain of virus and will consider whether to add it to next year’s flu vaccine as time goes on.

8. If I took the swine flu vaccine in the swine flu scare during the 70s, would that cover me? What about this year's flu shot I just took?
We don’t know yet. Previous vaccines could be expected to afford only partial, incomplete protection at best. This new strain of the swine flu virus (H1N1) actually has a mixture of swine and avian components (not to be confused with the deadly avian flu of Southeast Asia).

9. Can I catch it from pigs?
No. This strain is one that is communicable through human-to-human contact. It is a mutated form of a swine virus.

10. Can I catch it from eating pork?
Absolutely not! Swine flu is not transmitted by food. It is not a so-called foodborne illness. Bacon, ham and other pork products are safe to eat, assuming they are prepared properly. An internal temperature of 160 degrees for cooked meat will kill any bacteria or virus. Swine flu is transmitted by airborne droplets from an infected person’s sneeze or cough; or from germs on hands, or germ-laden surfaces. Eating pork will not give you swine flu any more than eating chicken will give you bird flu.
11. How does it cross from a pig to a human?
The swine virus mutates so that it can infect humans and be spread by humans.

12. Can it kill me?
Deaths have been reported from the Mexico City outbreak. So far the cases in the U.S. have been mild and there have been no deaths as of this writing (April 27) We do not know all the factors geographically and demographically that may contribute to the mildness or severity of this flu. But, like seasonal flu, there is the potential for serious outcomes.

13. Why the big concern if the regular flu kills 35,000 people a year, which is why we are all encouraged to get a flu shot?
This is a new flu strain that our bodies have not been exposed to before. The flu strains that the CDC creates a vaccine for each year all have the potential to cause great harm, especially in elderly, pediatric and chronically ill patients. This particular flu strain has struck seemingly healthy, young adults, with some resulting in death in Mexico. It also appears to be quite contagious. We will know more about this strain in the coming days.

14. How is it different from avian (bird) flu?
Avian flu so far has had difficulty infecting humans unless they are exposed intensely to birds, because the virus has not mutated in a way that makes it transmissible by humans to other humans. This virus has origins genetically from both pigs and birds, and the big difference from the avian flu is that this swine virus can be transmitted readily from human to human.

15. Is this just another scare that will go away like bird flu?
Bird flu is a theoretical threat and will need a mutation to be able to be transmitted among humans to become a serious threat. The present "swine/avian" virus clearly has already caused a major outbreak in Mexico City and San Luis Potosi, Mexico and has spread to places in the U.S. (California, New York, Texas, Kansas and Ohio). What is not clear yet is whether this virus will result in a so-called pandemic—worldwide spread with major outbreaks -- or whether it will fizzle out. But, even if it fizzles out, there is logical concern that it might re-emerge next flu season.

16. Should I cancel my vacation to Mexico?
At this writing, the situation is very fluid, changeable. I suggest checking frequently with the CDC Web site for possible travel alerts. I probably would not travel to Mexico City for a vacation that could easily be rescheduled, if for no other reason than the city has tried to limit access to crowded or public places where transmission might be facilitated. That does not sound like a very pleasant vacation to me! Having said that, there are more than 4,000 flights to Mexico from the US and none have been cancelled as of this writing. However, some international airports in Europe and Asia are stepping up precautions and issuing alerts. Again, check the CDC’s Travel Alerts page.

17. What if I'm on a plane? Should I wear a mask?
Not necessary. The air on a plane is filtered. Transmission might occur if someone sitting close to you coughs or sneezes on you. The newer designs of aircraft airflow keep the air in a top-down flow, not forced air from front to back. However, if you do have a respiratory illness, it might be best not to travel.

18. How long does the germ live on surfaces, like on my desk if someone sneezes in my office?
Influenza virus survives only minutes on inanimate objects or hands, so these are very inefficient ways to spread the illness. Influenza is most easily spread by droplets that come into contact with our mucus membranes such as when someone coughs or sneezes in our faces. If we shake hands with an infected person who has just wiped their nose and then we rather quickly rub our nose or eyes with our own hand, then we could get the flu. So, good hand washing does play a role in diminishing the spread of the disease.

19. Other than hand washing and covering my mouth if I sneeze or cough, what can I do to take care of myself and others?
If you are ill, stay home. Control your sneezes and coughs. If you cough into your hand, remember the virus could be live on your hand at least for a few minutes, so wash your hands before touching anyone else. If you get symptoms suggesting the flu, call your doctor, who can call in a prescription for medication to treat the flu. Resist going to the doctor’s office or a hospital ER for influenza symptoms unless you are seriously ill. You do not want to spread the disease to others.

20. What else can I do?
Keep in touch with the most recent CDC messages through the following links:
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/general_info.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/whatsnew.htm
Go to the sources of verifiable information such as WHO (World Health Organization) or the CDC.
Most important, be alert, not panicked.
“There is a huge difference between preparedness and paranoia”, says Dr. Robert Emery, occupational health expert at the UT School of Public Health at Houston. “Although we’re dealing with a new strain of flu, a set of universally applicable preventive measures exist that can be employed right away by everyone to help stop the spread of this disease”
Proper hand hygiene:
There’s a right way and useless way to wash hands—and wash away—micro-organisms. The object is to break down the protective membranes of germs, dislodge them from your hands and let them go down the drain. Plain soap in the right hands is strong stuff.
*Lather well with a bar of soap or squirt a coin size of liquid soap in the palm of your hand.
*Vigorously rub your hands together, soap up between your fingers, AND your wrists, front and back for 15 seconds. Sing the first chorus of any song you know and that’ll take you through the 15 seconds.
*Rinse under warm, RUNNING water. Remember, the object is to dislodge germs. The force of water is key.
*Dry thoroughly your hands with a disposable towel or under the blower, again, rubbing your hands together.
*Discard the towel.
If you’re using alcohol-based gels as hand cleansers:
Put a dime-sized amount in one hand:
*Vigorously rub your hands together and in between your fingers until the GEL IS DRY—about 30 seconds.
*DO NOT touch your face!
Once your hands are clean, do not touch your face, nose, eyes or lips.
Rubbing your eyes and nose provides a freeway for microorganisms and good breeding ground once they’ve arrived.
Cover your cough
If you must cough or sneeze, cover your mouth with a tissue, your sleeve or your hand.
Throw the tissue away in a waste basket. Do not leave discarded tissues on your desk or other surfaces.
Then, wash you hands thoroughly.
The throw-it-away part is essential.
Microorganisms live a life span from a few seconds to days on inanimate surfaces such as desks, table tops, faucets...tissues. If your tissues are scattered on your coffee table, they then are in contact with community surfaces. Both the tissues and the surface it sits on can spread germs to the person who touches the coffee table.
If you begin to feel ill: feverish, achy, have a dry, painful cough, sore throat, go home from school or work and call your healthcare provider for further instructions.
If you feel sick with flu-like symptoms and you care for the very young or the very elderly or the chronically ill, inform your healthcare provider when you call their office.
If you have recently traveled to Mexico or to one of the areas worldwide that has reported a swine flu outbreak, inform your healthcare provider. He or she may prefer to treat you with prescription anti-viral medications from home, or may request that you come in for a visit. Follow instructions from your healthcare providers.

Spring Holistic Fair - Healing Moon Center - Norwood

Spring Holistic Fair

Sunday,
April 26th
12:00-4:00pm

Stop in and enjoy some refreshments and festive energy!

The days services will include...

*Mediums, Spiritual Advisers, & Angel Readings:
....20minutes / $35

*Aura Photos: A special camera captures the energy and colors around you called your aura which will be explained to you in a detailed consultation by Sha.
... 1 person/ $35 OR ... 2 person photo/$50

*Massages, Craniosacral, and Reiki Sessions:
...20minuntes / $30

While you are visiting, remember to fill out a free raffle for a chance to win one of our many prizes!

We are now scheduling appointments for the fair.
Call or email to schedule your appointments in advance!
781-769-1121 or thehealingmoon@aol.com
maypole photo

Maypole Dance!
Weather and space permitting we hope to have a Maypole at the Fair!
The Maypole is danced around weaving beautiful ribbons to celebrate spring, fertility, and new beginnings.

Please pass this invitation along to your family and friends who may enjoy the Fair!

Hope you will be stopping by!

Trisha Matthies
The Healing Moon
One Walpole Street
Norwood Center
781-769-1121
www.thehealingmoon.com

Free Childrens Yoga Class and Mommy and Me Yoga - Marshfield YMCA

Free Children’s Yoga

Children Ages 3-6

Marshfield YWCA

Monday May 11th @ 9:15am

Please bring a yoga mat for your little one

Pre registration required - Space is limited

To reserve your spot contact: Tricia 617-947-2983

namasteyoga77@yahoo.com

or Tara 781-901-6213

tmac91781@yahoo.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Free Mommy & Me Yoga

Infants & Toddlers Welcome

Please bring children in strollers and a yoga mat

Marshfield YWCA

Monday May 11th@ 10:15am

Pre registration required

Space is limited to reserve your spot contact: Tricia 617-947-2983
namasteyoga77@yahoo.com

US Bishops Declare Reiki as UnChristian!!

I received the article below published in Catholic Online about the U.S. Bishops declaring Reiki Therapy as UnChristian. Thought you should see this and be aware of it! To imagine they would judge Reiki as being UnChristian as we lay our hands over specific energy centers in the body and send unconditional love to one another - when they have the history of abuse at their hands. This report is such a sad commentary on what we are up against these days - the dark side. Please keep sending and giving your love with the Ray of Light = Reiki. It is what helps balance the world. Here are some selected references on Reiki from the National Institute of Health (NIH) National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) on Reiki Research. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/reiki/#research

Selected References

Barnes PM, Powell-Griner E, McFann K, Nahin RL. Complementary and alternative medicine use among adults: United States, 2002. CDC Advance Data Report #343. 2004.

DiNucci EM. Energy healing: a complementary treatment for orthopaedic and other conditions. Orthopaedic Nursing. 2005;24(4):259-269.

Engebretson J, Wardell DW. Experience of a Reiki session. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 2002;8(2):48-53.

LaTorre MA. The use of Reiki in psychotherapy. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care. 2005;41(4):184-187.

Miles P. Reiki for mind, body, and spirit support of cancer patients. Advances in Mind-Body Medicine. 2007;22(2):20-26.

Miles P, True G. Reiki-review of a biofield therapy history, theory, practice, and research. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 2003;9(2):62-72.

Nield-Anderson L, Ameling A. R eiki: a complementary therapy for nursing practice. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services. 2001;39(4):42-49.
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U.S. Bishops Declare Reiki Therapy UnChristian
www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=32971

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Zenit) - Reiki, a Japanese alternative medicine, lacks scientific credibility and is outside Christian faith, making it unacceptable for Catholic health care institutions, the U.S. bishops' conference stated. On Saturday, the conference issued the "Guidelines for Evaluating Reiki as an Alternative Therapy," developed by their committee on doctrine, headed by Bishop William Lori of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and approved by the administrative committee Friday.
The document notes that "the Church recognizes two kinds of healing: healing by divine grace and healing that utilizes the powers of nature," which "are not mutually exclusive."
Reiki, however, "finds no support either in the findings of natural science or in Christian belief," it explained.
The guidelines note that this technique of healing "was invented in Japan in the late 1800s by Mikao Usui, who was studying Buddhist texts."
The report continues: "According to Reiki teaching, illness is caused by some kind of disruption or imbalance in one's 'life energy.' A Reiki practitioner effects healing by placing his or her hands in certain positions on the patient's body in order to facilitate the flow of Reiki, the 'universal life energy,' from the Reiki practitioner to the patient."
Spiritual healing
It further explains that the therapy has several aspects of a religion, being "described as a 'spiritual' kind of healing," with its own ethical precepts or "way of life."
Reiki "has not been accepted by the scientific and medical communities as an effective therapy," noted the guidelines. "Reputable scientific studies attesting to the efficacy of Reiki are lacking, as is a plausible scientific explanation as to how it could possibly be efficacious."
Nor can faith be the basis of this therapy, the bishops affirmed, as Reiki is different than the "divine healing known by Christians."
They explained, "The radical difference can be immediately seen in the fact that for the Reiki practitioner the healing power is at human disposal." For Christians, they said, "access to divine healing is by prayer to Christ as Lord and Savior," while Reiki is a technique passed from "master" to pupil, a method that will "reliably produce the anticipated results."
Insoluble problems
The guidelines state: "For a Catholic to believe in Reiki therapy presents insoluble problems. In terms of caring for one's physical health or th e physical health of others, to employ a technique that has no scientific support -- or even plausibility -- is generally not prudent."
On a spiritual level, the document states, "there are important dangers." It explains: "To use Reiki one would have to accept at least in an implicit way central elements of the worldview that undergirds Reiki theory, elements that belong neither to Christian faith nor to natural science.
"Without justification either from Christian faith or natural science, however, a Catholic who puts his or her trust in Reiki would be operating in the realm of superstition, the no-man's-land that is neither faith nor science.
"Superstition corrupts one's worship of God by turning one's religious feeling and practice in a false direction. While sometimes people fall into superstition through ignorance, it is the responsibility of all who teach in the name of the Church to eliminate such ignorance as much as possible."
The document concludes, "Since Reiki therapy is not compatible with either Christian teaching or scientific evidence, it would be inappropriate for Catholic institutions, such as Catholic health care facilities and retreat centers, or persons representing the Church, such as Catholic chaplains, to promote or to provide support for Reiki therapy."

Eat Your Broccoli~!

Source: April 6 in Cancer Prevention Research

04/06/2009
A small pilot study of 50 people in Japan suggests that eating two and a half ounces of broccoli sprouts daily for two months may confer some protection against a rampant stomach bug that causes gastritis, ulcers and even stomach cancer.

Citing their new "demonstration of principle" study, a Johns Hopkins researcher and an international team of scientists caution that eating sprouts containing sulforaphane did not cure infection by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). They do not suggest that eating this or any amount of broccoli sprouts will protect anyone from stomach cancer or cure GI diseases.

However, the study does show that eating a daily dose of broccoli sprouts reduced by more than 40 percent the level of HpSA, a highly specific measure of the presence of components of H. pylori shed into the stool of infected people. There was no HpSA level change in control subjects who ate alfalfa sprouts. The HpSA levels returned to pretreatment levels eight weeks after people stopped eating the broccoli sprouts, suggesting that although they reduce H. pylori colonization, they do not eradicate it.

"The highlight of the study is that we identified a food that, if eaten regularly, might potentially have an effect on the cause of a lot of gastric problems and perhaps even ultimately help prevent stomach cancer," says Jed W. Fahey, MS, ScD, an author of the paper who is a nutritional biochemist in the Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Cancer Chemoprotection Center at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

God's Hand?

How cool!!! From www.space.com 04/04/2009 (hmmmmm - the number "4" is associated with the angels!! And this nebula is called Chandra - see information about Chandra below after Space article:

Tiny and dying but still-powerful stars called pulsars spin like crazy and light up their surroundings, often with ghostly glows. So it is with PSR B1509-58, which long ago collapsed into a sphere just 12 miles in diameter after running out of fuel.

And what a strange scene this one has created.

In a new image from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, high-energy X-rays emanating from the nebula around PSR B1509-58 have been colored blue to reveal a structure resembling a hand reaching for some eternal red cosmic light.

The star now spins around at the dizzying pace of seven times every second -- as pulsars do -- spewing energy into space that creates the scene.

Strong magnetic fields, 15 trillion times stronger than the Earth's magnetic field, are thought to be involved, too. The combination drives an energetic wind of electrons and ions away from the dying star. As the electrons move through the magnetized nebula, they radiate away their energy as X-rays.

The red light actually a neighboring gas cloud, RCW 89, energized into glowing by the fingers of the PSR B1509-58 nebula, astronomers believe.

The scene, which spans 150 light-years, is about 17,000 light years away, so what we see now is how it actually looked 17,000 years ago, and that light is just arriving here.

A light-year is the distance light travels in a year, about 6 trillion miles (10 trillion kilometers).
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CHANDRA - HALF MOON YOGA POSE

Chandra is the word in Sanskrit, Hindi and other Indian languages for moon. It is the middle name of the Hindu god Rama. This word is named after Nisha Chandra. Chandra Shekara literally refers to the 'Person who wears the moon' which links to Lord Shiva in Hindu Mythology. It is directed as both evil and good, as it could mean 'Queen of the Moon' or 'Demon of the moon'. It is also a common Indian name, both male and female (e.g.: Anurag Chandra) and exists as a name in many South East Asian languages that originate from Sanskrit.

The god, the drink and the plant probably referred to the same entity, or at least the differentiation was ambiguous. In this aspect, Soma is similar to the Greek ambrosia (cognate to amrita); it is what the gods drink, and what made them deities. Soma is still coined as name for an entheogenic brew (avestic: Haoma) still in ceremonial use.

Indu, one of the other names for Chandra, is also the name of the first chakra (group) of Melakarta ragas in Carnatic music. The names of chakras are based on the numbers associated with each name. In this case, there is one moon and hence the first chakra is Indu.

Osteoporosis and Vertigo (Dizziness)

Yoga Teachers often have people with osteoporosis in their classes - it is recommended as a good form of exercise (gentle yet strong and can develop bone strength from the weight bearing postures we do). At times I know some of these students told me they had vertigo and dizziness. Well - just saw this paper on the association between osteoporosis and vertigo!


People who have osteoporosis are more likely to also have vertigo, according to a study published in the March 24, 2009, print issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

The study involved 209 people with benign positional vertigo with no known cause such as head trauma or ear surgery. Vertigo is an inner ear disorder that is a common cause of dizziness. The disorder is believed to be caused by loose calcium carbonate crystals that move in the sensing tubes of the inner ear.
The people with vertigo were compared to 202 people with no history of dizziness. People with osteoporosis, or low bone density, were three times more likely to have vertigo, and people with osteopenia, which is the stage before osteoporosis, were twice as likely to have vertigo as people who had normal bone density.

In women, 25 percent of those with vertigo had osteoporosis, compared to nine percent of those who did not have vertigo, and 47 percent of those with vertigo had osteopenia, compared to 33 percent of those without vertigo. For men, 12 percent of those with vertigo had osteoporosis, compared to six percent of those without vertigo, and 40 percent of those with vertigo had osteopenia, compared to 27 percent of those without vertigo

"These findings suggest a problem with calcium metabolism in people with vertigo," said study author Ji Soo Kim, MD, PhD, of Seoul National University College of Medicine in Korea. "Women most often have their first case of vertigo in their 50s, when they are also having a drop in bone mass due to loss of estrogen. Estrogen is one of the main hormones that influence calcium and bone metabolism."

Kim said researchers haven't determined the role of estrogen in vertigo. Kim noted that the link between osteoporosis and vertigo was also found in men, so other factors must also play a role.

ASource: American Academy of Neurology (2009, March 29). Vertigo Linked To
Osteoporosis.

Is there a treatment for this????

Yes, I found this reference on how to treat vertigo: A new guideline developed by the American Academy of Neurology found that the best treatment for vertigo is the easiest and quickest one. The guideline on benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), an inner ear disorder that is a common cause of dizziness, is published in the May 27, 2008, issue of Neurology. The guideline determined that in many cases the vertigo can be treated with simple maneuvers--a series of head and body movements performed by a doctor or therapist while the patient sits on a bed or table."The good news is that this type of vertigo is easily treated," said guideline author Terry D. Fife, MD, of the University of Arizona College of Medicine and Barrow Neurological Institute. Fife is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. "Instead of telling patients to 'wait it out' or having them take drugs, we can perform a safe and quick treatment that is immediate and effective."

Several maneuvers are in use for vertigo. The guideline found that canalith repositioning procedure, also called the Epley maneuver, is safe and effective for people of all ages. The Semont maneuver is possibly an effective treatment. To develop the guideline, the authors analyzed all available scientific studies on the topic.

The disorder is believed to be caused by loose calcium carbonate crystals that move in the sensing tubes of the inner ear. The maneuvers move the calcium crystals out of the sensing tube and into another inner chamber of the ear, from which they can be absorbed.

Prenatal Yoga Teacher Certification - March 28-29, 2009

PRENATAL YOGA TEACHER CERTIFICATION

March 28-29, 2009

Location:
Marriott Hotel and Conference Center
1100 Marriott Drive, North Quincy, MA

Fee: $195.00

Faculty: Michelle Fleming, Kristin Dooner, Brona Coogan-Coyne

10% discount for members of South Shore Yoga Network, Mass Yoga Network and graduates and students of the Finding Inner Peace Yoga School.

To Register:
Contact Maureen Spencer at yogareikisound@yahoo.com for a registration form

Event Manager:
Mark Keane
Business Manager, Healing Tree Yoga and Wellness Center, Quincy, MA

www.certificationinyoga.com

The Secret Power of Music and Sound - April 18th

www.cymatronsoundhealing.com

The Secret Power of Sound and Music Workshop

April 18, 2009

10:30am - 5:30pm

with Maureen Spencer, RN, M.Ed.
Program Director, Cymatron Sound Healing Facilitators

Location:
Feathers Wellness Studio
12 Union Street
South Weymouth, MA.

Fee: $125.00 - 10% discount for graduates of Finding Inner Peace programs and members of South Shore Yoga Network and Mass Yoga Network

Registration:
Contact - Maureen Spencer at 781 864-2130 or email yogareikisound@yahoo.com

Program Includes:
The Science of Cymatics - show sound affects matter - sacred geometric shapes in waves and frequencies that make up the universe.
The physiology of sound on the spinal cord, vertebrae and brain - how similar we are to a piano keyboard
Use of tuning forks
Luscher's color test for psychological profile
Establishing intent - tools to work with higher self
Muscle testing for selection of music based on intent
Practice sessions for sound sessions

HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA VISITS NEW ENGLAND

HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA VISITS NEW ENGLAND

May 2, 2009

The Tibetan Association of Boston is honored to invite the 14th Dalai Lama to share his message of hope and compassion in a public address. The universally recognized spiritual leader of Tibet and Nobel Peace Laureate will host two public talks on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough,Mass.

The day will be broken into two talks. A single ticket allows access to both sessions. The morning session from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. will be a brief introduction to Tibetan Buddhism (The Four Noble Truths). The afternoon session from 2:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. will be a public talk on “A Path to Peace and Happiness.”
Ticket prices are $37.50, $75.50. $117.50 and $200 and go on sale Friday, March 6 at 10 a.m. on www.TicketMaster.com or by phone at 866-448-7849. Parking is free for this event, and funds raised will go towards the construction of a Heritage Center for the Tibetan Association of Boston. The companion Web site to the event is www.bostontibet.org.

“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness,” His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Introduction to Buddhism: The Four Noble Truths - The very first teaching the Buddha gave was on what he called “The Four Noble Truths.” – The truth of suffering, the truth of the origin of suffering, the truth of the cessation of suffering, and the truth of the path. All of the teachings of Buddhism can be encapsulated in its two most fundamental concepts: interdependence and non-violence.

The Path to Peace and Happiness
In these turbulent times of economic hardship and uncertainty, the Dalai Lama’s message of hope and peace brings reassurance to our lives. His message is simple: practice compassion, tolerance, and forgiveness. His steadfast commitment to non-violence has won him universal support. His wisdom and ability to simplify the most complex issues have brought him immeasurable public admiration. After 50 years in exile and tremendous suffering of his people, the Dalai Lama remains optimistic for a
peaceful resolution on Tibet. An internationally acclaimed advocate of human rights and an environmentalist, he continues to promote human values and universal responsibility.

Tibetan Association of Boston (TAB) is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, visit www.bostontibet.org
Press contact: Pema Shastri, 617 697 8444

To request media credentials, please contact Jeff Cournoyer at jeffco@patriots.com

Reiki Masters - March 7, 2009

This past Saturday - March 7, 2009 - nine new Reiki Masters graduated from the New England Baptist Hospital, Boston, Ma program. Six of them were from the nursing staff and 3 from Finding Inner Peace. One was specializing in doing reiki with animals, one was a yoga teacher, one was a counselor. We had a wonderful day and I am every excited to get more reiki practitioners at the hospital. The staff love the reiki and many patients now request it for preop and postop care.

Yin Yoga Teacher Training - Cohasset Yoga Center

Three Day Intensive Yin Yoga Teacher Training
At Cohasset Yoga Center
with Christine O'Shaughnessy

Friday, March 27, 2009
6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 28, 2009
12:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 29, 2009
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Each class will be a combination of theory and practice with detailed teachings into the following:
* Yin Yoga Postures & Theory
* The Chinese Meridian System: how it relates to the organs and overall health
* Visit concepts of tension and compression in terms of connective tissue
* How to incorporate meditation into the practice

This workshop is suitable for dedicated practitioners and teachers.
Required reading before workshop: Yin Yoga by Paul Grilley and Insight Yoga by Sarah Powers.

Suggested reading:
The Heart of Yoga by T.K.V. Desikachar
The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine by Ted J. Kaptchuk
DVD'S: Anatomy for Yoga with Paul Grilley
Yin Yoga with Paul Grilley
Insight Yoga with Sarah Powers

Order from: www.sarahpowers.com and www.paulgrilleyyoga.com

Cost: $300
Early registration by 3/20/09 $275. No refund after 3/20/09
Register with Cohasset Yoga Center - www.cohassetyogacenter.com – 781-383-3141

$45/Friday night only with the option to enroll for the remainder of the training afterwards.
Note: Saturday and Sunday may not be taken individually.

Christine O'Shaughnessy has been a yoga practitioner for over six years. She began teaching Yin Yoga in January 2004 after completing an intensive training in California with Sarah Powers and Paul Grilley. Christine is also certified by Daniel Orlansky in Meridian Yoga that activates and balances energy in the 14 major meridians (energy pathways) of the body. She is a Pan Gu Shengong instructor and does private teachings upon request. Christine lives in Scituate with her husband and children.

Sanctuary of Sandwich

Sanctuary of Sandwich

March 14th and 15th Celebrates Our Grand Opening!!!!!

FREE classes all weekend !!!! Please support our community by bringing non-perishable food items to be donated to the Sandwich Food Pantry.

PRE-REGISTRATION NEEDED TO HOLD YOUR SPACE, call (508) 296-3619 or (508) 942-0911.

Grand Opening Schedule
Saturday, March 14th

8:00 AM - Power Yoga (Donna)
10:00 AM - Beginners Yoga (Cliff)
Noon - ZUMBA (Donna)
2:00 PM -Kids Yoga (Tara)
3:30 PM -Core Transformation (Michelle)
5:30 PM -Power Yoga (Staff)

Saturday, March 14th

10:00 AM - Kundalini (Mary)
12:30 -Transformational Yoga (Michelle)
2:00 PM Getting Better with Age (Michelle)
4:00 PM - Power Yoga (Staff)
6:00 PM - Hip Hop Yoga (Donna)


Breathe Deeply, Inhale life!

At the Sanctuary, we treat the whole person, nourishing the mind, body and soul. Our highly trained professionals promote health and well-being by using natural and holistic approaches to healing. Join us as we walk the path towards wellness; enjoying the journey, supporting each other as we travel the road to higher health.

Peace & Love,

Donna Larson, Director
The Sanctuary of Sandwich
Yoga, Massage and Wellness Studio
Promoting Health and Wellbeing
6 Merchants Road, Unit 8
Sandwich, MA 02563
www.findsanctuary.com
508 296-3619 or 508 942-0911

Chilidrens Yoga Teacher Certification Graduates

20 students graduated over the weekend at the Marriott Hotel in Quincy in our Childrens Yoga Teacher Certification program. If you need Childrens Yoga Teachers, let me know and I will send information out to the list! email yogareikisound@yahoo.com

Yoga for Children with special needs

YOGABILITIES!

Yoga can increase body awareness, strength and flexibility and promote better posture while teaching stress-reduction techniques. Your special child can enjoy the many benefits of Yoga practice in this small modified series of classes. This class employs the use of props such as Yoga flash cards, bean bags, and animal figures along with soothing music to introduce Yoga practice in a fun and accessible way. Students take home weekly handouts to help generalize stretch and relaxation into their daily lives. Each class ends with a deep relaxation. No prior Yoga experience necessary.

WHO and WHEN :

TUESDAYS Ages 6-12 4/28-6/4 4-5 pm

MONDAYS AGES 11-18 3/23-5/4 4-5 pm (skip 4/20 due to school vacation)

6 week series $78

WHERE: The Healing Moon
One Walpole Street
Norwood MA

For more information please call Melinda at (781) 551-8254 or email Spectrumyoga@aol.com

SPACE IS LIMITED.

Melinda Coppola is a parent of a child on the Autism Spectrum as well as a certified and registered Yoga teacher through Finding Inner Peace.

Collective Souls, Acushnet - New Yoga Class

Susan J Sylvia, Proprietor
Shanti Yoga and Wellness Center
www.shantiyogaandwellness.com
508-264-2542

will be teaching a class at:

Collective Souls
59 Main Street
Acushnet MA 02743
508-998-8421
http://www.collectivesouls.org

Vinyasa Basics Yoga (all levels welcome)
Beginning Saturday, March 14, 2009
9:00-10:30 a.m.

This class will be held at Collective Souls in Acushnet. Discounted class cards are being offered. Mats, straps, blocks, blankets and pillows are available for use.