Bridge Over Troubled Waters
At this moment in time we are in a period of change, and change is often not pretty. Both presidential candidates promise change and we see the financial system and climate changing around us . . . and not in a comfortable way. We'll come out the other side of all this, although we may have to give up some of the stuff we have and make do with less. But what we have to cope with right now is the stress that all the changes, and the uncertainty that comes with it, are causing.
Stress brings on a wide variety of physical ailments as well as the effect it has on the relationships in our lives. Helping let go of stress - physically, mentally and spiritually - is what the Conscious CT community is really good at. In this issue of the newsletter we'll point to some of the ways you can use our website's resources to calm down, relax and be present for whatever happens.
We also want to introduce our new Sponsor Spirit Matters, an Ellington center owned by psychotherapists and, synchronistically, offering an abundance of ways of letting go of stress.
» Go to Conscious CT
Upcoming Events
There are no major events in October, but put the Saturday, November 22 Well-Being Expo in Enfield on your calendar for next month. More on this event in our November newsletter.
» Go to Well-Being Expo website
LEE LAWRENCE was a guest at our holistic breakfast in Vernon recently and so impressed us with his knowledge, healing technique and presentation that we encouraged him to come to Connecticut from his home in Pennsylvania and do a workshop. It will be held this Saturday, October 11 from 1-5 p.m. in Coventry at the Muse Le Belle Artiste Holistic Center. The workshop description doesn't begin to describe what he does. He has developed a healing technique such that he can sense and touch memories in what he calls the Soul Field that connect to the body neurologically resulting in amazing changes. Two books will soon be published and he is currently doing workshops at Duke in North Carolina. Lee feels called to share what he learns without charge so the workshop is by donation. Don't know if we'll get him back, so this is a unique opportunity for learning and personal growth. Highly recommended for holistic practitioners and mental health professionals too.
» Go to Workshop Description
An event that is a bit different and will get you outside on what will hopefully be a glorious fall day is an Outdoor Yoga Asana in Tolland led by Breath...more at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 18. No experience with Yoga or meditation is required and the event is free. Breathe...more's CHERIE TRICE lives in Tolland and is very supportive of local groups. She is on the board of Conserving Tolland which is co-sponsoring this event. The Asana will be followed by an optional guided hike. See Conscious CT calendar for details.
» Information on Breathe...more.
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Featured Sponsor: Spirit Matters
Our featured Sponsor this month is Spirit Matters, a holistic healing center offering a variety of methods to explore personal growth and healing. They are located in Ellington, but close to South Windsor and Vernon.
Owners LISA BURCH and CATHY EWING-RINKER are both Licensed Clinical Social Workers with years of counseling experience and offer a wide variety of techniques to assist their clients. Lisa specializes in depression, anxiety, trauma, adoption, co-dependency and end of life issues. Cathy has added life/spiritual coaching to her practice and is also a transformational speaker. See their Profile for details. Also part of the center are massage, energy and Ayurvedic practitioners.
Spirit Matters' mission is to create a space where people can come to nurture their inner spirit and foster peaceful community. To accomplish this a variety of events and classes are held here including Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates, Reiki training, meditation, shamanic studies, sound healing and more.
» Read More About Spirit Matters
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Tips For Dealing With Stress - Holistically
Workshops & Classes
Many of the workshops and classes in our calendar are there to help you take control of your life or to improve your health. Many involve relaxation and stress reduction in one way or another. Reiki, sound healing, EFT, meditation, journeying, manifesting and creating the life you desire can all support you. Most of the teachers are offering material that they have benefited from themselves and want to share with others.
Last month we added a new feature to the website to help you find classes and workshops of particular interest to you. Activities are divided into four Tracks - Personal Growth, Holistic Health, Metaphysics and Spiritual Practices. Use this tool to quickly locate what you need.
» Go to Tracks Of Study
Holistic Health
Holistic health practitioners offer many modalities that work with stress. Massage therapy and bodywork take the knots out and relax you, energy healing releases emotional blocks and stuck feelings, hypnosis can help you release old habits, and psychotherapy will help you confront life's problems. Look over the practitioners in our directory to find a wide variety of healers to help you through whatever you are dealing with.
» Go to Practitioners
Spiritual Practices
Learn to live in the present. Beating yourself up over choices made in the past or worrying about what might happen are stressors. Taking up a practice such as Yoga, Tai Chi or meditation are wonderful ways to learn to be present, to relax and to let stress flow from your body. The Spiritual Practices section of our Tracks of Study will guide you to opportunities in our region.
» Go to Spiritual Practices
Quick & Easy Things To Do
Just Breathe - When you begin to tighten up take a series of deep breathes. Many studies have shown the benefits of breath on the system.
Have a good Laugh - Nothing releases stress faster than a good laugh. Go back through all those jokes you received by email. We keep ours in a special folder. Or watch a funny movie.
Take a Walk - Go for a brisk walk. Pay attention to the beauty of Autumn in New England.
Take Tea and See - Nothing like a cup of herbal tea to settle you down.
Take a Catnap - If you are able take a short nap when you begin to feel over stressed you'll be much more able to deal with it when you wake up.
Escape - And if you just want to escape for a couple of pleasant hours choose one of the movies listed in our Spiritual Cinema section. There are a hundred to choose from and most will leave you feeling uplifted. We've also included lists of favorite films and we'd love to have your viewpoint on them.
» Go to Spiritual Cinema
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Quixote's Blog: To Vote Or Not To Vote - That Is The Question
This is an entry written last January urging you to vote in the February primaries. It is just as relevant today with the presidential election coming up on November 4.
Spiritual people seem to be divided into two camps - those who choose to be engaged and those who choose not to be engaged. Both have good arguments for their choice.
Those who choose not to be engaged don't watch news or much else on television, don't read newspapers and don't get involved in activism or the political process including voting. Their rationale is that most of the news is negative, and television news in particular is designed to get you emotionally involved. This either makes you feel sad or gets you angry about things you have little influence over. Either way it effects you mentally and emotionally in unhealthy ways and depresses your immune system. It is better for you and those around you if you stay in a place of peace and harmony. You can better help the world by meditating, praying or sending out energy for world healing and peace. The argument makes good sense.
Those who choose to be engaged feel they have a responsibility to be on top of national and world events, to speak out on issues, to get involved in activism and the political process and do everything they can to make a difference in the world. They write letters, protest, support their favorite candidates, raise funds and are involved. They take Margaret Mead's observation to heart, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
» Read Full Blog Post
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Help A Friend Or Client
One of our goals for our second year of Conscious CT is to reach the audience of people who are interested in holistic health or spiritual authors, but don't realize the resources that are right here in their neighborhood. Each of you reading this has friends, relatives or clients who have read "The Secret," talk about what they have seen on "Oprah" or use an alternative practitioner. If you'll forward this newsletter to just one person it will help us extend our reach and introduce your friend to an exciting new world that just might help them get healthier, grow personally or let go of their own stress.
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News Headlines
Each month there is activity in the community that you'll find covered on the News page of the Communication section. If you are a business please send us press releases and photos of your events.
- Passings: Cheryl O'Donnell
- Practitioners Moving West
- Day Spa Opens in South Windsor
- Integrative Physician Opening Office In Coventry
» Go to News Stories
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