Athens, OH
2004
Foreword
In this nation, especially, a great majority of the people relies upon allopathic or traditional Western medicine for the prevention, cure and maintenance of disease. In this way, all ailment is externalized. The germ or malfunction is the “bad guy” that needs to be eradicated with pills, surgery, etc. I was raised this way and it wasn’t until moving to Athens that I became aware of complemetary medicine.
The Appalachian foothills of Southeast Ohio is home to an eclectic community of healing. Each practice I discovered and each healer I spoke with – from Folkloric Herbalism to Letha Yoga and more – placed ultimate value upon the healing power of positive thought. This, the final project of my undergraduate career, is intended to inspire such positive thought.
For me, this experience has been a catalyst for the power of positivity and, thus, has created a shift in my world view. The “bad guy” still exists; it is my options for healing that have expanded.
DOM
May 2004
Shamanic Healing
Shamanism is an ancient healing technique, which addresses spiritual, emotional, mental and physical causes of illness but focuses primarily on spiritual means of cure. The Shamanic world view sees all aspects of body-mind-soul-spirit as inter-related. When we facilitate healing, we seek help from the healing spirits, knowing we are only the channel. We call to the spirits, we sing to the spirits, we pray to the spirits, for we cannot heal without their help. They, in fact, are the healers. We meet with them in the “sacred land,” by journeying to them, to seek their advice and help. The drum is our “horse,” which carries us into the sacred land. We return from the sacred land with healing and knowledge for the client, sharing the wisdom of the spirits and doing one or more of the healing techniques for them (ie soul retrieval, shamanic extraction, psycho pomp, energy healing.
Crow Swimsaway, PhD is an academically based, experimentally inspired teacher and practitioner of shamanism. He has followed this path since the 1970s, but began his work as a healer and teacher of shamanism with Bekki in the early 1980s through the Church of Earth Healing.
Bekki Shining Bearheart, LMT is a student of astrology, metaphysics, healing and the visual arts and has taught astrology and metaphysics. In 1980 she met Crow and began her study and practice of shamanism. She is also a licensed massage therapist specializing in structural therapy.
Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback (NFB) training is based on providing a person with a view of their brainwave patterns, so they can learn to recognize the patterns and modify them. The view we work with is called an electroencephalogram or EEG, which is represented as a series of wavy lines on a computer monitor. The EEG displays the person’s brain states, rather than the content of their thoughts.
Like many other mind/body practices, NFB training can help people modify their brain states to enhance their well-being. Potentially, NFB training can complement or amplify the effects of other mind/body practices. To investigate this possibility we can use the unique view on the brain afforded by the EEG to observe the changing brain states that are induced by mind/body practices. Once we have charted these changes in brain states, we can explore how NFB training may be used to modify or amplify the effects on a person’s well-being.
In our research with Bekki, we are using this method to explore the potential synergy between NFB training and Shamanic Journeying. At this early stage in our investigations, we are using the EEG to view the distinctive brainwave patterns associated with phases of a Shamanic Journey. As we come to understand the relations between the patterns and the phases we will explore the use of NFB training to enhance the journey.
Roger A. WIlkens, PhD
Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga was codified by the sage Patangali several thousand years B.C. The origins of Hatha Yoga as a system to assure good health of mind and body, prepared one for the inner journey of meditation (Dhyana yoga). As a teacher of 25 years in the Raja Yoga path my Sanskrit name, Richa, came to me by my Spiritual Master, Swami Rama of the Himalayas. Richa roughly translates as Words to Live a Good Life By. This is my goal as a teacher.
The postures of Hatha Yoga mimic life both in the difficulty to accomplish them with ease and in the necessity to breathe our way through the challenges. For example, the Fish opens the Vissudha Chakra, which houses our power of Intuition. While Threading the Needle helps us to open up the neck and shoulders, areas of chronic stress in our culture and, which rule the capacity for truthful speaking. The Posterior Stretch opens the pelvic region, which assures better circulation and cleansing for the organs of digestion, elimination and reproduction. These postures also open our emotional/spiritual capacity to do the same: digest, eliminate and reproduce. Hatha Yoga introduces the student to herself, creating a bridge between the body, mind and spirit. As the student progresses in her study this experience is one of self-transformation.
Richa Eland, RYI, HITA
Osteopathic Manipulation
Osteopathy, or Osteopathic Medicine, as is it now called, differs form other approaches to health care in that is based upon an articulated philosophy. Andrew Taylor Still, MD (1828-1917) started the American School of Osteopathy in 1892 to “improve our present system of surgery, obstetrics and treatment of disease generally.”
The principles of osteopathic philosophy are:
1. The body is a unit; the person is a unit of body, mind and spirit.
2. The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing and health- maintenance.
3. Structure and function are reciprocally inter-related.
4. Rational treatment is based upon an understanding of these basic principles.
Osteopathy has developed a variety of bodywork techniques. These include both gentle techniques like myofascial and cranial sacral methods used by massage therapists and physical therapists and articulatory “thrust” techniques that can only be used by osteopaths and chiropractors. Some techniques go with the flow of the patient’s body while other engage barriers. At times a gentle release or relaxation is felt. Other times pain is involved. More “forceful” techniques do not necessarily involve more pain. Whichever technique is utilized, the intent of osteopathic manipulative treatment is to correct the structure and let the body function the care of itself.
Dr. James Muntean, D.O.
Equine Massage
After working in the Equine Industry for four years as a horse trainer and riding instructor, I had a horse accident that left one of my legs severely damaged. Over the next ten years, I struggled to maintain myself as a trainer and bought myself some time through my own journey of alternative healing. Although I slowed the degeneration of my leg, it continued downhill and I had to accept the fact I would no longer be able to pursue the training of horses. The horse is, and always has been, my passion, so I was determined to find a way to stay in the Equine Industry.
The Universe has once called upon me to fulfill my role as a healer but I had turned down the “job.” I obtained my Equine Sports Massage Therapy certification because of my own healing experience and the past that massage therapy played in that process. I became aware that I could be of service and help the healing processes of the horses. Honored to now fulfill my role as healer, I am so in awe of the massage process and the results.
Being a part of the process and what happens during is sometimes difficult to put into words. The horse watches my approach…just another human being coming…it’s body sore, the mental and emotional frustration of not being able to perform the way its human wants it to…its spirit sometimes wanting or broken. As the massage begins, the horse anticipates more pain and tenses its body…his mind and my hands do the work. Then the horse feels the energy behind the touch; energy connecting with energy. The horse takes deep breaths. Head dropping, its eyes soften and the horse does not resist for it knows I am there to help in its healing process.
The movement of the energy is where most of focus is. The healing energy does not come from me, but through me as I have asked the Great Spirit to help me to be a channel. The physical massage helps by increasing the flow of circulation, removing toxins and waste, reducing inflammation, increasing range of motion and flexibility and allowing muscles to relax.
The owner is in awe as well after watching the process and seeing how the horse behaves and moves post-massage. I just smile quietly and know that we all are one.
Marcilyn C. Brient, E.S.M.T.
Qigong
Our body, mind, and spirit are the three treasures of life. About each of these – jing, qi, and shen – many words could be written. How do we nourish these three pillars of life? A few ways are healthy diet, satisfying work and relationships, adequate rest and play, which can include Taiji and Qigong practice. Such ways can strengthen our three treasures so that they serve us well in all that we do.
The Qigong postures I teach are for health and longevity. If practiced regularly over a period of time, one will notice improved stamina, calm mind, more resistance to illness, etc. Master Yin summed it up simply, “Body strong! Mind bright!”
Although there are thousands of Qigong forms, the two basic categories are: dynamic and quiescent. Dynamic indicates that these forms contain movement.
Qigong has been used in China as a system to circulate, accumulate, and emit qi for at least 3,000 years. Thus, it predates acupuncture as a healing art. In modern China, Qigong is being practiced and taught in medical hospitals and clinics to assist recovery from serious illnesses including cancer. Much research is being conducted into this phenomena, which is now beginning to benefit many in the U.S., as was acknowledged on the recent Bill Moyers’ series Healing and the Mind. It is my desire that all my students will discover the keys to health and longevity contained in the practice of these exercises and thus live long, happy lives.
Frances Lea Gander, L.Ac., M.F.A., Dipl.Ac. (NCCAOM)
*excerpted from http://ccpl.carr.org/~fgander/ with permission of the author
The Reconnection
People, no matter the age, are inexplicably drawn to the catalyzing frequencies that will help them to achieve their goals.
Quantum physics tells us that everything is energy vibrating at one frequency or another. This means that the body is just energy vibrating within a frequency range at an amplitude range. From this fact it is not hard to render that all disease is also energy vibrating at a frequency and amplitude that is incompatible with the normal healthy frequency of a persons body.
Reiki is the laying on of hands for the purpose of healing using an ancient healing energy.
The initiated and trained practitioner, through the use of ancient symbols, taps into the original harmonizing healthy energies that were always intended to be commonly accessible. Through a mutually agreed upon intent, these energies supplied via the practitioner to the recipient’s body seek to disable, defuse, or remove the offending symptoms and sometimes the cause.
Reconnective Healing has recently discovered frequencies that vastly differ from Reiki or any of the other ancient healing energies. The Reconnective Healing Practitioner initiates a primarily “hands off” technique that allows a person to experience dramatic healthy shifts re-harmonizing the body to a higher healthier energetic frequency image.
Raymond A. Pokorski
Trading Time
Ellie and I have been trading time for about eight years now. It works on an economic level and emotional level. It’s nice to know you have someone who can help you when you need it. I’ve always been an athletic, physical person, whether cutting firewood, cleaning up after the cattle, or playing sports. It’s easy to pull a muscle or get banged up, but I refuse to sit on the sidelines of life because I might get hurt or break the occasional bone. Ellie has an intuitive touch, and can go right to the problem area, without me saying a word. She has also been very helpful in developing the muscle testing used in my work with BioAcoustics and sound therapy.
Andy Sylvia
Massage has been a way for me to meet new people and connect with them in a meaningful way. During massage I am continually having a non-verbal communication with the person. I glide my hands over muscles to feel where the tightness is, then work the tight spots to loosen them up and stretch them. The muscle tissue becomes softer, warmer, more resilient and elastic. I can feel energy in the tissue emerge as the tension releases.
Sometimes the energy starts moving the muscles, at which point I facilitate the movement. This is called unwinding the body. Feeling the energy coming through the muscles is like listening to someone talk while being underwater. The message (movement) is harder to understand and listening (feeling) becomes more of a challenge. Therapeutic touch requires sensing the energy without touching the body. The feeling is like combing through dark, heavy, or slow energy with a lively, light, or quick energy. Sometimes this is all that’s necessary to alleviate pain.
Eloise Delmatto, BS, LMT
Folkloric Herbalism
As a way of life, Herbalism finds “God” in nature by means of an earth-based spirituality (ie pagan, Native American, etc). The elements of nature- air, fire, water, and earth are all energies that work together to bring harmony and balance to the world, nature, people, critters, plants…
To begin a class (or gathering, meeting, etc) by calling in the directions is similar to an invocation in our society. We ask that all the elements to be present and guide us that we may experience the moment for the highest good of all. Herbs are part of nature and the better we understand the elements and the forces of the universe and nature, the better we will comprehend and know the herbs. Most importantly, the better we know of ourselves and our place in the world, the more conscious we will be towards our actions, our thoughts and a greater sense of responsibility.
I love to share my knowledge and experience of the herbs with others. I have at times taught classes of only one student because I feel it is important to keep folkloric Herbalism alive. The intuitive, feminine approach to subject matter and teaching style is needed to balance the intellectual reasoning of a society that tends to value only the written and scientific. Similarly, the east (air, intellect) is balanced by the west (water, intuition.) Through hands on experiences, students learn with their entire being. In gathering herbs, preparing medicine, and using that medicine, they learn on a deeper, soul level. Information that remains in the head can never be more than facts. Information, or knowledge, but must pass through the heart (thus the inclusion of the directions, spiritual aspects) in order to become true wisdom.
Cindy Parker
Radical Forgiveness
I first heard about Radical Forgiveness late in the summer of 2002. A friend gave me a copy of the book because I was so intrigued by the concept. I shared the info with friends, including Debbie, and they read the book. By the following February, Debbie, another friend & I committed to going to the Radical Forgiveness Miracles workshop in Cincinnati. It changed all of us in ways both subtle and dramatic.
I do Radical Forgiveness because it helps so much. It has helped heal my relationships with family & friends by getting stuck energy moving again in my life. It’s a wonderful technology that can benefit so many people and even help heal communities, nations – the world! How wonderful to be able to heal the planet!
The physical contact of a radical forgiveness ceremony is significant because it allows the person to feel heard, validated and connected to others. In doing something physical like that, we are able to shift the energy all the way down the cellular level, thus integrating the healing more completely.
On one hand, it was wonderful to have my children there because it was another way I could “teach by example” about opening oneself up to heal the hurts we’ve experienced in life, rather than stuffing them inside and developing “issues in the tissues” later. I also wanted them to be present, even if they chose not to walk the circle, just to be in the same room with, and benefit from the healing that was going on. I knew it would be a very safe environment for them to gain healing, insight and tools for the future. They’ve already done the Radical Forgiveness Book Study with Debbie and me, but this was much more experiential. I’m hoping it helps them remember to use this valuable technology as help to get through life. I want them to have this knowledge while they’re still relatively young. I wish I’d known about it at a much earlier age! On the other hand, it was a little risky for me to let my kids see me walk the circle for various issues they might not have known I had.
Cecilia Rinaldi, M.Ed.
Letha Yoga
Letha Yoga is an ancient Burmese body of manipulation, adjustments and alignment. It is a partner-assisted yoga practiced widely by lower or underclass people who worked as menial and manual workers.
Letha Yoga focuses on adjustment of joints such as neck, shoulders, spine, elbows, wrists, fingers, hips, knees, ankles and toes. The manipulation patterns closely follow the asanas (postures) of the Indian classical practice of Hatha Yoga.
Several mudras (sacred symbolic hand gestures) are performed before and after each session. Some of the mudras represent the flow of energy in the body, protection from harm, prevention from injury and sickness, maintaining physical and emotional balance, and so on.
Dr. M. Gyi, professor emeritus from Ohio University
Acknowledgements
This project has been an awakening for me. Many thanks to the beautiful people who have allowed me and my camera into their sacred spaces.
Stacy Asher is awesome.
THANK YOU, Bruce Strong.
Kudos to the friends who have given freely of their time and thought.
All the best to VISCOM – it was grand.
DOM