with Sylvia Sturm and Connie Custer

Image result for sylvia sturm reiki

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 Sylvia Sturm and Connie Custer

Image result for sylvia sturm reiki

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.

The Healing Arts Series

Purchase tickets below.


In Flow: A Moving Meditation by Donne Lewis

Friday, November 15th at 7:30pm

Meet three enchanting women who are powerful solo performers in their own rights – sand dancer Donne Lewis, aka the Wychdokta, interdisciplinary artist and healer Artis Moon (the Boundless Eclectic), and producer/singer/songwriter Tamara Wellons, all artists who are deeply rooted in the American tradition of Jazz & improvisation with an eclectic mix of other influences. There is a synergy between them that feels like they are reaching into infinity.

You will experience meditative vibes from Artis Moon with anything from wooden flute and metallophone to crystal bowls and drums, the magic of the Wychdokta with percussive sand dance, movement, and energy healing (Reiki), and the scintillating vocals of Tamara Wellons.

To achieve the integration of Mind, Body, and Soul is to arrive at, or be within, the state of “Flow.”  Movement has always been how I tap into my spirit, to have peace, and its partner, euphoria.  A tap dancer for the past 20 years, I’ve spent the last five years nurturing and developing my concept of barefoot percussive dance, using sand on wood (Sand dancing). The incorporation of modern, contemporary and African movement came two years ago.  The final piece is my journey to mastery of Reiki healing. I am working to physically represent the symbols, to literally embody them, in order to simultaneously share with audiences both my artistry, my rhythms, and the healing energy of Reiki.

In Flow is designed to bring together all the parts of myself, Mind, Body, and Soul, for personal and group healing. I, along with my collaborators, Artis Moon and Tamara Wellons, will represent each concept. Tamara – the Mind, Artis – the Soul, and myself as the Body.

A bath of sound will be created to aurally stimulate the senses. The audience will be witness to a literal flight across the sand, and a gathering of light, air, and sonic vibrations, to arrive back in their bodies, awash in the experience of healing energy.

Click here to visit the Joan Hisaoka Gallery website.

Mind | BODY | Soul

Healing the Outside from Within

A Group Exhibition

Curated by Lindsey Yancich and Meg Mowery


October 1 – December 21, 2019

Curator & Artist Talk: Saturday, October 19, 1:00-3:00pm

Join the artists and curators of Mind, BODY, Soul for a look into their creative and individual perspectives!


In today’s fast-paced world of technology, social media, and a volatile political climate, American society’s opinions regarding body image are constantly evolving and oftentimes treacherous to navigate. Through platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat, a younger generation (that’s YOU!) is now dictating and interrogating their own ideals of beauty and body positivity. In this group exhibition, this new generation of artists and thinkers explore concepts of the body as a catalyst for healing and acceptance.

RSVP above in advance, or leave your email at the door for a chance to win 2 FREE TICKETS to the Healing Arts Series: A Movement Performance by Donne Lewis! Winner will be announced at the end of the night!!

Mind | BODY | Soul

Healing the Outside from Within

A Group Exhibition

Curated by Lindsey Yancich and Meg Mowery


October 1 – December 21, 2019

Opening Reception: Friday, October 4th, 7:00-9:00pm

In today’s fast-paced world of technology, social media, and a volatile political climate, American society’s opinions regarding body image are constantly evolving and oftentimes treacherous to navigate. Through platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat, a younger generation (that’s YOU!) is now dictating and interrogating their own ideals of beauty and body positivity. In this group exhibition, this new generation of artists and thinkers explore concepts of the body as a catalyst for healing and acceptance.

Good Vibrations Tibetan Sound

With Jameson Freeman

founder of FABUM Inc. & Robert Lee, sound frequency specialist at Human Activation 

The ‘moment-making’ non-profit FABUM presents a Sound Bath with Crystal Ashram for an enchanting evening of restoration and inspiration. Come enjoy this uniquely designed sound and meditation program, as we allow the ancient frequencies of Tibetan singing bowls to wash over us and nourish mind, body and spirit.

Suggested Donation: $0

Our programs are 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 support future programming at Smith Center.

About Jameson Freeman 

Jameson is an advocate, artist, entrepreneur, yoga-meditation practitioner and student. He is founder of FABUM Inc., a nonprofit arts organization, and has helped develop two technology startups.

He has written, produced and directed several theatrical works and has performed in diverse productions and venues in Washington, DC, New York City and Philadelphia. He serves on the Board of Governors of the Arts Club of Washington, where he chairs the organization’s Drama and Programs Committees.

Inspired by BP’s oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, as part of the CETAB (Cleaner Environment Through Accountability in Bankruptcy) advocacy campaign, he lobbied Congress in 2010 to amend the U.S. Bankruptcy Code to prevent corporate environmental clean up costs (such as from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill) being passed on to U.S. tax payers.

He launched and stewards the Diplomats of Dance Society, which supports the cultural diplomacy of the internationally acclaimed Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company. A classical ballet dancer growing up, Jameson and his husband, choreographer Dana Tai Soon Burgess, established a fund to nurture dance education at the University of New Mexico.

Jameson offers a free weekly restorative yoga class, as well as other meditation and awareness practice (from nature baths to events with Tibetan singing bowls) in the Washington, DC metro area.

He holds a 300-hour yoga teacher certification from the Swami Krishnananda Yoga Vidyapeeth Ashram in Mysore, India, and studied under Dr. Ashutosh Agarwal, disciple of Swami Krishnananda Saraswati, as well as under Hatha Yoga teacher and gold medalist Yogacharya Kadambari CP. He is currently enrolled in a two-year Karuna Training certification, a contemplative psychology program led by Archaya Melissa Moore, PhD., student of Chögyam Trungpa, Buddhist meditation master and founder of the Vajradhatu and Naropa University, as well as the Shambhala Training Method.

 

This program is postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date.

With Melanie Edwards

Join in harmony to relieve stress, find inner peace & express your authentic self with musical mending. Singer, songwriter and musician, Melanie Edwards, uses different instruments & singing techniques with therapeutic mantra chanting in a form of call and response to activate relaxation, calm the mind, and nourish the soul.

The unity of voices acts as a form of guided meditation, providing an outlet to purge bottled up emotions, thus opening the gates for healing vibrations.  This is not about performing or being a professional singer, but rather a shared experience of collective sound healing in the present moment.  Participants are free to join or simply observe in shared space, as well as bring their own mantras, words or poems to self-reflect and express via musical mending.

Suggested Donation: $20

Our programs are 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 support future programming at Smith Center.

About Melanie Edwards

Melanie Edwards is an award-winning singer, songwriter, pianist, violinist and essayist. She is best known for her hit single “Daniel’s Lane,” winner of several accolades including Ourstage’s “New Music Revolution Achievement Award,” thrice, and “Best Single” in her genre by “Mashable,” which catapulted her into The Deli’s “Top 100 Best Songwriters of NYC.”

Melanie’s popular single “Who’s Gonna Color in the Middle?” received “Best of World Music” three consecutive months. Her single “Sugar” won “Top Achievement Award in Best Singer-Songwriter,” and she was awarded “Best in Jazz” for her ballad “No More Drinking.”

Melanie ranked “Top 100 Best of Pop” on Ourstage in 2015, as well as “Best Singer Songwriter” for her single “The Circle” in the Online Music Awards.  Likewise, she won the Damien Rice Lyric Contest for her rendition of Rice’s “9 Crimes” (her version “9 Crimes Response”) as “Best Cover” for Artists Den. Melanie has also been nominated as “Best Singer/Songwriter + Best Original Songwriting” for The Independent Artist Network for the Music Arts.

Melanie was awarded a research grant for songwriting at Can Serrat International Artist Residency in Barcelona (twice), received grants for music and songwriting at Odysseys Artist Residency in Costa Rica, and enjoyed a two month scholarship for music at Arteles Creative Residency Program in Hameenkyro, Finland.

with Lady Nwadike

Movement, expression, imagery and creativity can facilitate wellness. This class will practice techniques to help deal with tension, enhance relaxation, and cope with medical procedures and physical limitations. All levels welcome.

Suggested Donation: $15

Our programs are 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.

About Lady Nwadike 

Lady Nwadike received her Master’s in Biophysics and Physiology with a concentration in Complementary and Integrative Medicine from Georgetown University. During her coursework, she was familiarized with ancient easter medical practices and strives to integrate evidence based methods into a more traditional western approach, encouraging mind-body wellness. She has also been involved in numerous social justice campaigns and showcases her work on various social media outlets. Her work in research, advocacy and health has always kept minority issues and interests at the forefront. She is also the Editor and Chief for MaryJane of Maryland, a premier medical cannabis magazine for the state of MD. She also presents within the DC and MD community on safe and effective uses of cannabis for wellness. She is interested in exploring the mosaic we create for ourselves throughout our lives where parts of herself and others intersect, as I believe that it is at these points where individuals are their most raw vulnerable. Those two things breed passion and understanding, which in turn can lead to change of how we take care of ourselves and others.