Tag: Healing

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, you must register here or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org

with Bonnie Vermillion

Healthy-Steps, Moving you to better health with the Lebed Method is a therapeutic, evidence-based exercise program originally designed for persons with or at risk for lymphedema. Because it is done slowly and smoothly, it is attractive to almost anyone with various chronic conditions. Not only does it improve the lymphatic system, often called the immune system, but it improves balance and flexibility. The program can be done on land, seated or standing, and in the water. Participants are encouraged to stop or slow down when tired and only do movements that do not create pain. Healthy-Steps is designed to be fun while improving overall health. For more information, please visit our website at www.gohealthysteps.com and attend our virtual class through Smith Center for Healing and the Arts.

 

About Bonnie Vermillion

I am a Cancer survivor/thriver since 1998 and have had lymphedema since 2002. I initially had so much trouble finding information on lymphedema that I went online and found an exercise program that was developed to maintain lymphedema. I became an instructor, then trainer, and finally acquired the program in 2014. I currently teach classes in central Virginia. I’m also a regional coordinator for Chronic Disease Self Management workshops, so actively work with small groups of participants for them to self-manage their chronic conditions. I am also a volunteer Ombudsman with the local Agency on Aging and a volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association as a support group facilitator and speaker.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, you must register or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org

with Maude Fish & Bonnie Vermillion

This ongoing healing circle will focus on the unique needs that people who are living with Lymphedema face. No matter where you find yourself on your journey you will have a chance to be with others who share in your experience. This shared experience will often lead to profound learning and healing.

What is a Healing Circle?

Healing Circles bring together small numbers of people impacted by a condition or circumstance to share experiences and harvest collective wisdom.  Healing Circles is a peer-led process by which people support each other through deep listening and shared learning. When working at its best, this collaborative conversation model leads to authentic and deep connectivity and can create wisdom and healing for participants.

Healing Circle for People Living with Lymphedema will be held Monthly on Mondays from 2:30-3:30pm.

Upcoming Dates:

  • September 14
  • October 5
  • November 2
  • December 7

About Maude Fish

Maude Fish has performed classical music throughout the DC Metro area since she moved to Washington in 1988. Currently, she plays regularly with the Amadeus Chamber Orchestra, the Virginia Chamber Orchestra, The Arlington Philharmonic, and the Tysons-McLean Orchestra. In prior years, she has worked with orchestras as distant as Roanoke, VA, and St. Mary’s, MD. She teaches piano and bassoon privately from her home in Chevy Chase, DC. She is no stranger to Smith Center having participated in a day-long writers retreat and yoga classes when she finished active treatment for breast cancer in 2004. Additionally, her chamber group performed at Smith Center at a gallery opening for the Alchemical Vessels Exhibit. In her spare time, she enjoys walking, cooking, knitting, and writing. She is married with two adult children, her dog Otto, and Cookie the Cockatiel.

About Bonnie Vermillion

I am a Cancer survivor/thriver since 1998 and have had lymphedema since 2002. I initially had so much trouble finding information on lymphedema that I went online and found an exercise program that was developed to maintain lymphedema. I became an instructor, then trainer, and finally acquired the program in 2014. I currently teach classes in central Virginia. I’m also a regional coordinator for Chronic Disease Self Management workshops, so actively work with small groups of participants for them to self-manage their chronic conditions. I am also a volunteer Ombudsman with the local Agency on Aging and a volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association as a support group facilitator and speaker.

with Grace Anderson

Undergoing cancer treatment usually means taking a step back from plants and produce for the sake of our immune systems. As survivors, getting back in touch with nature can aid our healing process both mentally and physically. During this program, we’ll take “getting back in touch” literally, digging our hands into the soil to pot a new plant, tasting fresh produce from the Kitchen Garden, and making our own tea blend. Join us at the U.S. Botanic Garden as we explore the healing power of plants!

Suggested Donation: $15

 

About Grace Anderson

Grace Anderson is an Education Specialist at the U.S. Botanic Garden and a survivor of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Being able to work with plants and enjoy fresh produce after treatment was a vital part of her survivorship. She wanted to share that experience with other survivors and teamed up with the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts to start a program where survivors can celebrate heath through immersion in the world of plants.

This event has been postponed. Please check back for a new scheduled date.

with Chef Laura Pole

Are you or your loved one living with esophageal cancer and the eating challenges that come with it? Are you confused by all the dietary advice? If so, come join chef and oncology nurse, Laura Pole, and learn how to translate your diet prescription into tasty healthy food that you can actually enjoy eating. In addition to preparing and eating delicious food together, Chef Laura guarantees we’ll have fun!

 

About Laura Pole

Laura Pole, RN, MSN, comes with a diverse educational background including a Masters degree in nursing, chef certification, and professional music training. For over 20 years, she has been merging her careers as a health supportive chef, professional musician, oncology clinical nurse specialist, and a palliative care educator. Laura serves Smith Center in several ways: Director of Nourishment Education Programs, Director of Professional Trainings in Culinary Translation and Co-Creator/Coordinator of Patient Navigation Trainings. Laura is also on faculty for the nationally acclaimed Cancer-Fighting Kitchen workshops.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, you must register here or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org

with Harpreet Gujral, DNP, FNP-BC

We will discuss what self-compassion is and learn about it’s 3 elements. We will learn practice tools to cultivate self-compassion for our own healing and for loving others.

Wellness in the Time of COVID

The Washington Home

This 6-month integrative wellness series, sponsored by The Washington Home, will be offered to caregivers, those who are critically ill, and those facing cancer-related challenges during this especially difficult time.

Check out the full series program schedule HERE!

About Harpreet Gujral, DNP, FNP-BC

Harpreet Gujral DNP, FNP-BC is both a clinician and healthcare administrator who brings three decades of experience in various clinical areas. She helped with the launch of Johns Hopkins Sibley Integrative Medicine (SIM), both as the Program Director and Nurse Practitioner. She currently co-leads this program by directing and managing day-to-day operations of SIM and provides integrative medicine consultations. She is a Family Nurse practitioner and most recently served as Program Director and Nurse Practitioner at the Sibley Weight Loss Surgery department. She helped create and lead a successful multidisciplinary medical weight-loss program at a community hospital. Additionally, she has served as Senior Practice Advisor at the American Nurses Association.
She received her Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree focusing on Integrative Health and Healing track at University of Minnesota under mentorship of Dr. Mary Jo Kreitzer. She has a deep interest and is well informed in modalities like Aromatherapy, Guided Imagery, including various Eastern modalities such as Ayurveda, Mindfulness, and Meditation that are enhanced by her roots in India. She deeply believes in one’s inner capacity to heal. Additionally, she has also completed Integrative Nurse Coach certificate program with Dr. Barbara Dossey and Susan Luck. She is currently enrolled in the 2-year Meditation Teacher Training with Drs. Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield.
Her interests include mindful eating, self-compassion, healthy cooking, mindful pausing, health coaching that brings together various aspects of integrative health. She enjoys uplifting and nurturing her colleagues using mindful pause, appreciation Qi Gong and the practice of gratitude. She loves to walk in the nature with her family and friends, engage in music and poetry.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, you must register here or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org

with Sylvia Sturm, EEM-CLP, RM/T

In order to give care, we must remember to take care. Using the Eden Method, this class is designed to introduce caregivers to simple tools for self-care. It will focus on harmonizing and rebalancing the body’s subtle energy systems thrown awry by the challenges of caregiving.

Anxiety, anger, fear, overwhelm, sleeplessness, exhaustion, depression, lack of concentration and health problems are some of the many symptoms brought about by the stress of caregiving and the resulting energy imbalances. Eden Method Techniques to address these imbalances and introduce harmony back into the body’s energy systems are the focus of the class. The techniques are simple tools anyone can use practically anywhere, anytime.

The class is interactive with tools being introduced and then practiced by participants. Dress comfortably!

 

About Sylvia Sturm, EEM-CLP, RM/T

Sylvia Sturm, EEM-CLP, RM/T, heads our Energy Balancing volunteer team. Sylvia is a Certified Eden Energy Medicine Clinical Practitioner and a Reiki Master Teacher. For many years she has managed a Reiki Volunteer group at a seniors’ residence and has served for 6 years as a Reiki volunteer in GWU Hospital. She is delighted to now work with a dedicated and wonderful team to address the balancing of one’s subtle energies in order to allow the body to completely relax. She has an independent practice in Kensington, MD. To learn more about Sylvia and subtle energies, please visit her website www.sylviasturm.com.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, you must register here or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org

with Janice Levitt

Come get inspired to take better care of YOU so you have more energy, stamina, and a stronger immune system. In this interactive presentation, Janice will discuss 5 key habits for living a healthy lifestyle. She will also introduce the upcoming Summer clean-eating program, REFRESH Whole Food Cleanse.

About Janice Levitt

Janice Levitt, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, EML, CHHC, is passionate about helping people to feel vibrant and radiant through whole foods nutrition, a clean lifestyle, and radical self-care. She offers transformational individual and group health coaching programs and four seasonal cleanses, working holistically to support people body, mind, and spirit. She loves guiding people to listen to their body’s messages, find balance, increase energy, lose weight, reduce stress, improve digestion, cook delicious food, or manage chronic illness through making gradual nutrition and lifestyle changes. She also specializes in supporting with people with nutrition and lifestyle changes for thyroid and autoimmune conditions and hormone balance. Janice lives in Takoma Park, MD with her husband Dan and their organic garden. Her favorite room in the house is the kitchen!

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, you must register here or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org

with Susi Wyss

Tap into the healing properties of nature in a supportive environment in this summer-inspired writing workshop led by a therapeutic writing facilitator. Please plan to have on hand an object from nature, as well as paper (or journal) and pen. No writing experience necessary, just an open mind.

Suggested Donation: $20

About Susi Wyss

Susi Wyss is a public health professional, author, therapeutic writing facilitator and—most of all—a believer in the healing power of words. Her public health career has spanned more than 25 years, most of it addressing women’s health in Africa. She is the author of The Civilized World, a novel set in Africa that was named “A Book to Pick Up Now” by Oprah Magazine. In addition to her collaboration with the Smith Center, she has led writing-for-healing workshops at the DC Rape Crisis Center and at Crossings Healing & Wellness in Silver Spring.

with Evolyn Brooks

Make a luxury intention candle, personalize your creations with crystals, flowers and glitter at this beautifully tablescaped setting. After the event, this special candle designed by you, will serve as a gentle reminder of the promise you made to call forth love, luck and grace in all aspects of your life!

In this 90 minute workshop you will learn:

  • The difference between a goal and an intention.
  • How to set new life goals and intentions that support your aspirations.
  • How to create an intention candle that adds positive energy to your life and home, supports your goals and serves as a reminder to pursue what’s best for you in life.
  • How to practice kindness and compassion for yourself as you pursue your dreams.
  • How to release emotional blocks and thought patterns that no longer serve you.
  • How to create a daily mantra that connects you with the highest version of yourself.
  • How to center yourself with breath work, healing touch and the five reiki precepts.

Suggested Donation: $25

 

About Evolyn Brooks

In My Solitude LA began with the heartfelt desire of Founder and TV Producer, Evolyn Brooks to create a luxury, handcrafted candle, wellness goods and lifestyle line to help women relax and practice self-care.

As a breast cancer survivor and thriver, Evolyn shares through her book, “Her Name Is Cranberry,” a message of how to overcome obstacles and create the life of your dreams. She brings her ideas to life through intention based “self-discovery through DIY” candle making experiences around the world.

She created and used the Journey Candle Collection, a project she began to support her healing process while undergoing chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. “The Journey Candle Collection can be used to overcome any subconscious mental or spiritual blocks that diminish your power to focus on an area of your life that needs to be healed,” says Evolyn. By clarifying the intention and outcome you want in your life, it’s easier to claim your desire and create it with power and confidence.”

In My Solitude LA is a female owned, Los Angeles based company that is dedicated to creating mindful products and experiences. https://www.inmysolitudela.com/

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. Please register here to receive the Zoom link to participate.

with Danielle Ferris, MS, OTR/L, CLT, Maude Fish, and Bonnie Vermillion

This ongoing healing circle will focus on the unique needs that people who are living with Lymphedema face. No matter where you find yourself on your journey you will have a chance to be with others who share in your experience. This shared experience will often lead to profound learning and healing.

Healing Circle for People Living with Lymphedema will be held Monthly on Mondays from 2:30-4:00pm.

Upcoming Dates:

  • April 6 (online)
  • May 4 (online)
  • June 1

 

What is a Healing Circle?

Healing Circles bring together small numbers of people impacted by a condition or circumstance to share experiences and harvest collective wisdom.  Healing Circles is a peer-led process by which people support each other through deep listening and shared learning. When working at its best, this collaborative conversation model leads to authentic and deep connectivity and can create wisdom and healing for participants.

About Danielle Ferris, MS, OTR/L, CLT

Danielle Ferris is an Occupational Therapist with a speciality in oncology rehabilitation. She provides one on one treatment sessions to clients at Body Wellness DC in Dupont Circle. She has experience in evaluating and treating differential diagnosis related to pre/post breast cancer treatments. Danielle is recognized by the Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy as a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT). She has also completed training through Klose Training related to breast cancer rehabilitation, and is certified to implement and train individuals in the Strength After Breast Cancer exercise program.

About Maude Fish

Maude Fish has performed classical music throughout the DC Metro area since she moved to Washington in 1988. Currently, she plays regularly with the Amadeus Chamber Orchestra, the Virginia Chamber Orchestra, The Arlington Philharmonic, and the Tysons-McLean Orchestra. In prior years, she has worked with orchestras as distant as Roanoke, VA, and St. Mary’s, MD. She teaches piano and bassoon privately from her home in Chevy Chase, DC. She is no stranger to Smith Center having participated in a day-long writers retreat and yoga classes when she finished active treatment for breast cancer in 2004. Additionally, her chamber group performed at Smith Center at a gallery opening for the Alchemical Vessels Exhibit. In her spare time, she enjoys walking, cooking, knitting, and writing. She is married with two adult children, her dog Otto, and Cookie the Cockatiel.

About Bonnie Vermillion

I am a Cancer survivor/thriver since 1998 and have had lymphedema since 2002. I initially had so much trouble finding information on lymphedema that I went online and found an exercise program that was developed to maintain lymphedema. I became an instructor, then trainer, and finally acquired the program in 2014. I currently teach classes in central Virginia. I’m also a regional coordinator for Chronic Disease Self Management workshops, so actively work with small groups of participants for them to self-manage their chronic conditions. I am also a volunteer Ombudsman with the local Agency on Aging and a volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association as a support group facilitator and speaker.