December newsletter: Good cheer with InterPlay, plus Holidays, Peace & Families

We had people dancing with smiles on their faces for the InterPlay programs in November! If you missed the groups with Georgia Jean Kaftan, she'll be back this weekend for more.

More fun, more joy and more opportunities to connect with self and others, that is. Enjoy the introductory program and learn how InterPlay is changing the world at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, and bring light to season at the "Re-Visioning The Darkness" at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4.

Free will donation for the Friday program; $10-15 donation for Saturday program.

New to InterPlay? More here. And read Lee Roberts' great article Body, Mind, Heart And Spirit: InterPlay participants learn to find the good in life published Nov. 13 in The Racine Journal Times.

More events in December

Thursdays through Dec. 16 Open art studio with Robin Mitchell
Dec. 2 Holidays, Peace And Families: Systemic Constellation Work with Karen Carnabucci
Dec. 4 Blessing Of The Gifts, when we'll sort, package and bless gifts for the needy in Racine County, our annual charity project.
Dec. 15 Professional Networking Women

See online calendar for details.

Make best use of  your insurance benefits before Dec. 31

The clock runs out on your 2011 health insurance benefits on Dec. 31. Take advantage of your regular health insurance or other health savings accounts right now by scheduling for your  health care needs, including psychotherapy. This is  especially important if you've paid a big deductible throughout the year. Contact your insurance company for visit your insurance site online for details.

Need a gift? We have gifts at Lake House

Give the gift of health and well being with a gift certificate from Lake House Health & Learning Center. It won't be the wrong size or the wrong color but will say "I care" in a big way.

Gift certificates for coaching, psychotherapy and Tarot For Self Discovery personal growth sessions are available from Karen Carnabucci, licensed psychotherapist and coach.

Gift certificates for massage, Reiki, Reiki-ssage and Reiki-Reflex are available from Helene Hellesen, certified massage therapist and Reiki master. Pure bliss!

Gift certificates for feng shui consultation sessions are available from Niiti Gannon and Sea Daniel of Wind Water Feng Shui. They're good for the holidays, as well as housewarmings, anniversaries and engagements of the season.

We also have our newly published Lake House Cookbook available for just $5 with many of the healthy recipes we've enjoyed for our five years at Lake House. See web site for contact information or call (262) 633-2645.

Free housecleaning for cancer patients
 
If you know any woman currently undergoing chemotherapy, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning thanks to Cleaning For A Reason.

The services take place once per month for four months while she is in treatment. All she has to do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating maid service in her ZIP code area arrange for the service. This organization serves the entire United States and currently has 547 partners that help. Be a blessing to someone and pass this information.

Slow down and breathe...

Take a moment to slow down and breathe with this video of images and music:


Slow Motion from Fabian Mohr on Vimeo.

Health & Wellness newsletter: InterPlay, cell phones and veterans

What is InterPlay?

InterPlay is an active, creative way to unlock the wisdom of the body. InterPlay is easy, fun, and life changing. It is based in a series of incremental "forms" that lead participants to movement and stories, silence and song, ease and amusement. In the process, we discover the wisdom in ourselves and our communities.

InterPlay integrates body, mind, heart and spirit. Life has become so fragmented. InterPlay helps to pull everything back together so we get more of what we want.

Georgia Jean Kaftan, left, practicing the fun of InterPlay.

InterPlay teaches the language and ethic of play in a deep and powerful way. If you are convinced that seriousness is the path to inner wisdom, then you might want to look elsewhere. If you would like to become a "recovering serious person," then InterPlay might be for you.

Georgia Jean Kaftan, a retired attorney, recovering "serious person" and certified InterPlay leader, will facilitate the Nov. 19 and Dec. 3 evening introductions and the Nov. 20 and Dec. 4 afternoon "Revisioning The Dark" InterPlay programs at Lake House. Maybe she'll even talk about how InterPlay changed her. See calendar for specific info

Cell phones

How safe are cell phones? Here's a report about 10 things you can do to reduce the cancer risk of cell phones.

Veterans resources

Veterans Day was last week but every day is an important  day to refocus attention on the sacrifices and needs of those who risked their lives in service to our country. Psychologist Ken Pope offers this list of resources for people in the military, veterans, veterans' families and friends and and professionals who are interested in helping veterans here.

November newsletter: Sand tray training on Friday, plus Health & Gift Fest, mindfulness

Sand Tray Theatre is Friday's next training.

The use of a sand tray and miniatures offers an engaging way to work with children, teens, adults, couples and groups. Sand tray can be used to clarify and resolve the conflicting energies, motivations, values, and voices that often contribute to a sense of “stuckness.” 

The process also engages people who may have difficulty in talking about their problems or life issues. In Friday's training with Karen Carnabucci, MSS, LCSW, TEP, you will learn:

What is needed to add sand tray to your work repertoire.

 How to introduce sand tray processes to the people you work with.

  

The use of sand tray for self disclosure, identifying problems and problems solving.

Options for the use of sand tray with other creative arts

From 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Nov. 12, with three continuing education hours and psychodrama hours. Tuition is $35. Handouts and beverages will be provided; in addition, participants will have the opportunity to purchase “starter” miniatures for a nominal fee of $5.

Here's a picture of a sand tray creation with one of my clients, who was addressing personal and professional growth in embodying leadership and power. She was given the opportunity to express her vision of embodying power. At the beginning of the process, the items were spaced far apart; by the end of the process, she pulled them together in this arrangement.

She gave permission to share this picture-- take a look:

The arrangement of items looks like a mandala, doesn't it? The maker used a variety of images of women's bodies, plus ritual items such as a bundle of sage and a smudging feather.

As always, Karen's trainings offer continuing education credits for social workers, licensed professional counselors and addiction counselors, plus psychodrama credits.

Register by calling Karen at (262) 633-2645.

Join us for Saturday's Health & Gift Fest

I'm so excited present at our Health & Gift Fest on Saturday, Nov. 13, at Lake House. We have a great group with great wares and offerings, plus a tiny sampling of how I've adapted Jungian principles with the Tarot cards for self development and persona growth.  Here's the link that tells all the details of all the vendors and health professionals, plus a chance to meet Jamie Jacobs, editor and publisher of The Guide To Health, Wellness & Creative Living and get a 10 per cent discount on your ad.

Mindfulness really helps with depression

There is a body of research that shows that mindfulness meditation does significantly reduce the relapse rate of depression. This research is now being embraced by many practitioners of Western medicine – even some quite conservative ones!

With more of my clients seeking non-medication resources for depression, here's a book for laypersons that I like to recommend:

The Mindful Way Through Depression: Freeing Yourself From Chronic Unhappiness by J. Mark G. Williams, John D. Teasdale, Zindel V. Segal, Jon Kabat-Zinn. Guilford Press,  Through simple lessons drawn from Eastern meditative traditions and cognitive-behavioral therapy, this book demonstrates how to sidestep old habits such as rumination and self-blame that inevitably lead to despair, so people can face life’s challenges with greater resilience. Jon Kabat-Zinn gently and encouragingly narrates the accompanying CD of guided meditations.

E-books available


Check out Karen's e-books for sale at Lake House Health & Learning Center's store.

The Psychodrama Notebook (formerly Practical Psychodrama) is a great review for psychodrama certification candidates and anyone who wants an overview of the magical action method of psychodrama. Whole Person Marketing gives practical and creative ideas for building and marketing holistic practices.

November newsletter -- join us for our Health & Gift Fest, plus more!

Join us for our Health & Gift Fest on Saturday!

We've been having a lot of fun putting together Saturday's Fall Health & Gift Fest.

It's  10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lake House Health & Learning Center, and it's definitely not your ordinary holiday fair. We've assembled artisans, chefs, writers, health professionals and others with beautiful jewelry, hats, purses, photographs, eco-journals and much more.

Find the whole list of artisans and events, plus pictures, here. And join us -- no admission, just a donation of non-perishable food for the Racine County Food Bank. You'll find us at 932 Lake Ave., just across from Gateway Technical College in Racine.

How to make a meaningful holiday?

Every year I ask myself, "What would make a meaningful holiday for me?" And I ask my clients. And I ask anyone else, too.

The more answers I get, the more thoughtful I can become about creating a good and positive holiday for myself.

Meaning is the antidote to chaos, worry, exhaustion and panic. Here are my thoughts for 2010 as we more toward the holidays.

You ARE worth the time.

I just discovered the work of Jan Philllips and her video, "You Are Worth The Time," and I am completely, completely charmed.

You can get a free download of "The Art of Original Thinking" here. 

She says, "The act of creating is a healing gesture." I like that. I also like this video with lots of food for thought. Enjoy!

At holiday time, ask: What is meaningful?

This is the time when we often feel overwhelmed with all the demands of the holiday. The truth is that many people face the holidays with dread, disgust, fear or worse – or a combination of the above.

For some people, the holidays are a time of emotional stress and financial pressure. We may feel the special loneliness as we miss important people who have departed our lives through death, divorce or residential moves. We may be stirred with feelings of regret or distress about family relationships that are filled with tension when we wish there could be love.


Yes, we need to think about this. But we must be aware of thinking too much and we need to marry our thoughts and plans with the context and gifts of experience.

The logical question that I have learned to ask myself is:

“What kind of meaningful experiences can I create at this time of year for myself and those I love?”

If I want to experience joy, I strive to give myself opportunities to put myself in situations where I will find joy – taking part in activities that are fulfilling and enjoyable and spending time with people who are healthy, warm and positive.

Although not every experience during the season can fit that assignment, my intention is that most of my decisions will lead to good experiences.

The experiences that I create will live within me.

I carry those good experiences wherever I go, just like I hold the memory of my prom date that I created  as a woman in my thirties. Furthermore, I can revisit those experiences within myself that are warm and comforting – no matter what time of year they took place.

So today and during this holiday season, I wish you good experiences. Experiences that will build warm feelings and good memories.

I also wish that we can value the gifts we contain within ourselves:

The brain – which thinks and reasons – is a gift. And the body – which senses and holds much unconscious material – is also a gift.

Perhaps you are remembering a good moment, a moment of joy that you treasure that makes you smile, or a moment of logic that failed and gave you a great and important learning. Or your own discovery how your brain and emotions have successfully worked together for the good of you.

They are all gifts.

Mirror, mirror, let me see the healing so I can be healed...

Have you been with a friend who's tripped on the edge of the rug -- and you felt an inner twinge as you watched that stumble?

That's because of mirror neurons, a little known but newly discovered aspect of our amazing brains. A mirror neuron is a neuron that fires when a person acts and when a person observes the same action performed by another. It seems that the neurons "mirror" the behavior of the other, as though the observer was himself or herself taking action.

This new discovery has many implications for those of us who practice psychodrama and experiential therapy such as dance therapy, drama therapy and other expressive therapies where some people watch others. This means that we "take in" the new healing image even if we are not actively participating, but simply watching other  people. It also has implications about what images are imprinted in our brain and our consciousness when we watch movies, walk around in our neighborhoods and spend time with other people.

 Best-selling author, political adviser and social and ethical prophet Jeremy Rifkin investigates mirror neurons, the evolution of empathy and the profound ways that it has shaped our development and our society in this funny and profound YouTube video:

Dr. Brown's wisdom on how we connect with others, feel worthy and embrace imperfection

"In order for connection to happen, we have to allow ourselves to be seen." -- Brené Brown.

Dr. Brené Brown is a researcher professor at the University of Houston's Graduate College of Social Work and is very interested in how human beings connect.

She has spent the past 10 years studying happiness, vulnerability, imperfection and a concept that she calls Wholeheartedness, posing the questions:

• How do we engage in our lives from a place of authenticity and worthiness?
• How do we cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection that we need to embrace our imperfections?
• How do we recognize that we are enough -- that we are worthy of love, belonging and joy?

Brené is the author of I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn't): Telling the Truth About Perfectionism, Inadequacy, and Power (2007) and the newest book, The Gifts of Imperfection (2010) and the upcoming Wholehearted: Spiritual Adventures in Falling Apart, Growing Up, and Finding Joy ( 2011).

Find out more about  here here and read an excerpt from one of her books.

Watch and listen to her wonderful ideas about spirituality, addiction, humanness on this YouTube video:

Look who's here for Fall Health & Gift Fest

Chain maille purse by Leayn Tabili

Autumn is here, and leaves are falling...

There’s a crispness in the air, and the holidays are approaching…

Lake House Health & Learning Center will open its doors on Saturday, Nov. 13, at 932 Lake Ave., for its Fall Health & Gift Fest and celebrate its fifth anniversary.

We’ll transform our facility into a cornucopia showcasing local artisans, shopkeepers, health professionals and health resources who will share their wares with the public -- just in time for holiday shopping..

Among the treasures you will find are jewelry, purses, photography, art, crafts, natural soap and body products, Chinese healing teas, cookbooks, cultural gift items, and gift certificates for massage, coaching, personal development sessions and other health services.

• Tracy Bernhardt (Labyrinth Herbals) will offer handmade herbal infused soaps, lip balms and bath tea.
• Christiana Eckert will offer photographs, with all benefits to support the work of SmileTrain, which provides cleft palate surgery to impoverished children around the world.
• Leayn Tabili (Anthelion Hancrafted Jewelry) will offer a variety of contemporary jewelry including beading and chain maille as well as purses and other accessories.
• Bev Schumacher (Learning Props) will offer quality educational games and books for English and bilingual preschool learning.
• Barb McCloskey (Beaderella Jewelry) will offer a variety of handmade jewelry including necklaces, earrings and bracelets.
• Craftswoman Marge Meyers will offer handmade purses and hats.
• Craftswoman Penny Schaubel will offer felted hats for adults and children.

  

  Harmony Botanics

  

• Carol Smith (Harmony Botanics) will offer a line of natural body washes, body oils and lotions, lip balms, soy candles that have been scented with pure essential oils and certified organic spices.
• Kathryn Rouse (MayaWorks) will offer the colorful textiles woven by Guatamalan women along with other handcrafts from this fair trade nonprofit organization that promotes economic development for Mayan women and their families.  
• Sara Lancaster (Re.told Journals) will offer handmade vintage book and eco-chic journals.
• Humor writer Mary Tompsett (Posing As Normal) will offer a peek at her recently published novel, Whinny From The Heart, with the idea that fun and humor are an integral part of health and well being. She'll also sell a collection of her humor columns, with proceeds to benefit the Racine County Food Bank.

Ben Lehner of Circa Celeste (Circa Celeste) will bring soups and muffin mixes to purchase for gifting or for yourself to make the holidays tasty and easy for entertaining friends and family.

In addition, Helene Hellesen, certified massage therapist and Reiki master and owner of Massage Pause, will offer chair mini-massages and gift certificates.



Labyrinth Herbals



Karen Carnabucci, creative arts psychotherapist and licensed clinical social worker at Lake House Health & Learning Center, will demonstrate the use of the Tarot images for personal growth and answer questions about experiential and non-traditional psychotherapy. Her Lake House cookbook will debut with natural  and healthy snack, food and beverage favorites collected through the five years at Lake House.

Arthur Shattuck, practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine and owner of  Roots And Legends, will offer healing teas and quality medicinal chocolate, miso soup and a miso cookbook and answer questions about food for healing.


Marge Meyers creations


Michele Foy, life coach, will demonstrate her method for communicating directly with the subconscious with the use of a pendulum. She will show exactly how to achieve pain relief, stop smoking and get rid of fears that are interfering with living your life to the fullest. She will offer a free instruction packet and you may purchase a "Phone for the Subconscious," if you feel that you might need one.

In addition, visitors will have the opportunity to take a look at a full-spectrum light box that is a non-medication alternative to Seasonal Affective Disorder, sometimes known as "winter blues" or "winter depression" due to the lower level of sunlight in the winter.

Door prizes, snacks and giveaways will add an extra bit of fun, and participants will have an opportunity to pick up a free copy of the 2010 Guide To Health, Wellness & Creative Living, the regional directory to health resources, healthy food information from Eat Right Racine and learn about the new Wild Root Market.

Christiana Eckert photography

Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is no charge to attend although visitors are encouraged to bring a donation of non-perishable food items for the Racine County Food Bank.

For more information on specific artisans and their wares as well as directions, call (262) 633-2645 or join Lake House’s page on Facebook.