Anyone can learn and use Reiki. This gentle hands-on modality utilizes the power of universal life force energy to harmonize the energies of the body. It is a gift anyone can use daily to instill deep relaxation. When deeply relaxed, the body can begin to use its own inner resources to reduce stress and anxiety and to find a sense of inner peace. As the healing power of energy medicine has become more and more recognized, Reiki has become an important contribution to Integrative Medicine. It has been well researched and is used in hospitals and healing settings throughout the world.
A two-part class in this gentle energy balancing modality with a special emphasis on self-treatment. Students will learn the history of Reiki, identify hand positions for treating self and others, receive attunements to the Reiki energy and practice hands-on sessions. Those attending both classes will receive Reiki 1 certification.
Dates:
January 5
January 26
There is a $150 fee to participate in this 2-part Reiki 1 Certification program. Participants will graduate the program with a Reiki 1 Certification.
About Sylvia Sturm
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.
About Connie Custer
Connie has practiced Reiki since 1998, and received her Reiki Master/Teacher credentials from GW Hospital’s Center for Integrative Medicine. She has been a Reiki volunteer at Life With Cancer and Capital Caring Hospice, and has a certificate in animal Reiki. As part of her energy work, she also practices qigong, and is certified to teach walking qigong.
with Cheryl Hughes, LICSW, OSW-C
Learn more about the benefits of mindfulness and mediation for cancer and cancer related side-effects.
More about Cheryl Hughes
Cheryl Ann Hughes, LICSW creates a safe and supportive environment from which individuals can define their goals, as well as the means by which they can be achieved. Cheryl tailors each treatment plan using a variety of modalities including EMDR, strengths-based and solution-focused techniques, and with recognition of– and a deep respect for — the strong connection between mind and body. Cheryl infuses her work with mindfulness-based techniques to assist her clients in recognizing their own ability to create a reality that will lead to a satisfying and fulfilling life. Cheryl received her master’s degree in social work, with an emphasis on clinical and medical social work, from Catholic University. She works with cancer patients and their families as they deal with the increased stressors caused by cancer and its treatment.
Breathing in Wellness: A 4-part Mindfulness & Meditation Educational Series
developed by Matthew Grossman
Developing mindfulness skills can help combat stress, anxiety, and uncertainty in everyday life. This series explores meditation & mindfulness skills and explores four core meditation practices.
Session topics include:
Session 1: Sitting Meditation is one of the core practices of Mindfulness Meditation. It combines aspects of physical body positioning, calming breathing practices, and directing the mind’s awareness in order to achieve a balanced and natural sense of relaxation.
Session 2: Body Scan involves focused and nonjudgmental awareness and acceptance to specific parts of the body in sequential order (head, neck, chest, abdomen, etc.). This promotes awareness of both positive and negative sensations in the body while keeping the Sitting Meditation component of awareness of thoughts.
Session 3: Visual Meditation/Guided Imagery is a practice which involves imagining yourself in a relaxing, healing, stimulating place. This practice can be used to relax the body and mind, improve daily functioning, and facilitate healing through the use of attention and imagination.
Session 4: Loving-kindness Meditation begins with generating a feeling of love and acceptance towards yourself and emanates outward to others around you with whom you have positive or negative feelings towards, and even to those whom you do not know. Through the use of a mantra, this practice softens the mind and the heart and builds empathy and wellness.
This workshop presents evidence-based meditation techniques to help us focus and be more fully present. We will learn several mindfulness and meditation practices to deepen our relationship with ourselves and our world.
With Erin Price, LGSW
Developing mindfulness skills can help combat stress, anxiety, and uncertainty in everyday life. Join us for regular sessions to help you better understand and transform your mind. All experience levels welcome to attend!
Location: GW Cancer Center, 2150 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20036, 1st Floor in the Katzen Board Room
Erin’s meditation classes take place on Fridays at GW Cancer Center. Upcoming sessions:
Erin serves as Smith Center’s Director of Young Adult and Psychosocial Support Programs. She is trained in Integrative Patient Navigation, a Project LEAD graduate, and holds a Masters in Social Work. A seven-year breast cancer survivor, Erin is passionate about providing support and community to other cancer survivors, especially young adults. She works with Smith Center’s DC Young Adult Cancer Community and is also actively involved in the cancer community through Young Survival Coalition, Critical Mass, the Georgetown Breast Cancer Advocates, National Breast Cancer Coalition, and the DC Cancer Action Partnership.
With Erin Price, LGSW
Developing mindfulness skills can help combat stress, anxiety, and uncertainty in everyday life. Join us for regular sessions to help you better understand and transform your mind. All experience levels welcome to attend!
Location: GW Cancer Center, 2150 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20036, 1st Floor in the Katzen Board Room
Erin’s meditation classes take place on Fridays at GW Cancer Center. Upcoming sessions:
About Erin Price
Erin serves as Smith Center’s Director of Young Adult and Psychosocial Support Programs. She is trained in Integrative Patient Navigation, a Project LEAD graduate, and holds a Masters in Social Work. A seven-year breast cancer survivor, Erin is passionate about providing support and community to other cancer survivors, especially young adults. She works with Smith Center’s DC Young Adult Cancer Community and is also actively involved in the cancer community through Young Survival Coalition, Critical Mass, the Georgetown Breast Cancer Advocates, National Breast Cancer Coalition, and the DC Cancer Action Partnership.
with Eva & Meera
The purpose of this workshop is to promote communal growth. We will experience a fusion of mystical preserved practices and a modern twist of curated poses designed to enhance togetherness. Experienced meditators and beginners alike will come away with deeper insights into the reality of “no self.”
Sufi whirling is an active form of meditation that the extraordinary poet and spiritual teacher Rumi practiced and shared with his disciples. Reiki is spiritually guided life force energy defined as a support for healing that uses hands-on technique for channeling healing energy.
We are all worthy of healing. Come as you are to awaken your senses and be fully present through intentional gentle movements and guided touch routines. We will utilize breathing, dancing, stretching, touch, and postures to access the love within us and enhance the connections between all people. We will explore vulnerability, share the energy we awaken, and receive energy among each other. Hot tea will be served at the end.
Facilitated by Eva and Meera. Eva is a Reiki II healer on track to becoming a Reiki master and Meera has a background in dance healing as well as OSHO meditation.
With Erin Price, LGSW
Developing mindfulness skills can help combat stress, anxiety, and uncertainty in everyday life. Join us for regular sessions to help you better understand and transform your mind. All experience levels welcome to attend!
Location: GW Cancer Center, 2150 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20036, 1st Floor in the Katzen Board Room
Erin’s meditation classes take place twice per month at GW Cancer Center. Upcoming sessions:
Erin serves as Smith Center’s Director of Young Adult and Psychosocial Support Programs. She is trained in Integrative Patient Navigation, a Project LEAD graduate, and holds a Masters in Social Work. A seven-year breast cancer survivor, Erin is passionate about providing support and community to other cancer survivors, especially young adults. She works with Smith Center’s DC Young Adult Cancer Community and is also actively involved in the cancer community through Young Survival Coalition, Critical Mass, the Georgetown Breast Cancer Advocates, National Breast Cancer Coalition, and the DC Cancer Action Partnership.
With Erin Price, LGSW
Developing mindfulness skills can help combat stress, anxiety, and uncertainty in
everyday life. This series will explore various mindfulness skills over four weeks. All are welcome to attend one session or all four. Session topics include:
Our programs are also open to the community and tailored to meet the needs of people affected by cancer. Classes and workshops are free or low cost on a pay-as-you-can basis, ensuring that our programs are accessible to everyone. All donations received support further program offerings at Smith Center.
About Erin Price
Erin serves as Smith Center’s Manager of Retreat Operations and as Manager of Navigation Programs. She is trained in Integrative Patient Navigation, a Project LEAD graduate, and holds a Masters in Social Work. A seven-year breast cancer survivor, Erin is passionate about providing support and community to other cancer survivors, especially young adults. She works with Smith Center’s DC Young Adult Cancer Community and is also actively involved in the cancer community through Young Survival Coalition, Critical Mass, the Georgetown Breast Cancer Advocates, National Breast Cancer Coalition, and the DC Cancer Action Partnership.
This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailingcarla@smithcenter.org.
You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.
with Rebecca Wilkinson, MA, ATR-BC, LCPAT
Mandalas – circular designs that communicate symbolic meaning – have been used for centuries as a form of contemplative practice in many spiritual traditions.
In this brief but focused workshop, we will use mandala imagery, writing, and meditative practice to bring creativity, healing, and an increased sense of grounding and balance into our lives. Absolutely no previous art experience is needed. The workshop is designed for all ranges of artistic experience–you need not consider yourself an artist to attend.
Suggested Materials:
Paper to draw on – can be any size or color that you like; we usually work with something between 6 x 6 to 12 x 12
Art supplies to draw or paint with – E.G. colored pencils, magic markers, chalk or oil pastels, watercolor paints, and/or acrylics
Plate or circular shape – to draw an outline of a circle on the paper
For those of you who do creative or art journaling, you are welcome to use your journal to create your mandala.
Suggested Donation: $10
About Rebecca Wilkinson, MA, ATR-BC, LCPAT
Rebecca Wilkinson, MA, ATR-BC, is a Registered and Board Certified art therapists with twenty years of experience in mental health and in facilitating training and workshops. She serves as adjunct faculty at George Washington University Graduate Art Therapy Program and provide continuing education and development through the Potomac Art Therapy Association. She facilitates supportive workshops for those affected by life threatening illness and the professional providers working with them. Co-founder of Creative Wellbeing Workshops, LLC, which provides training, consultation, and clinical therapy designed to reduce stress, prevent burnout and increase life satisfaction and wellbeing.
