with Kiersten Gallagher
Please join us in a series Healing Circles for Grief “to discover the extent and limits of what is lost, what is left and what is possible.” – John Schneider
If you have lost a loved one, this is an opportunity to share what is on your heart and mind right now, to listen and be listened to deeply and generously. Together we create a safe space for listening to messages from our inner experience. We have several series of six Healing Circles planned to start in September. Please see the schedule below; space is limited.
Some Assumptions about Grief
- The experience of grief is unique for each individual. While we can make some general assumptions, there is no template that describes the experience for all people.
- Grief is cumulative. That is, each time loss is grieved, the grief encompasses the lifetime of loss and the remnants of each experience.
- Grief following a significant loss is most often a lifelong process, with each pivotal point in life bringing the grief back up to be processed from a new perspective.
- Grief, loss and suffering fundamentally changes and reshapes the individual.
- Grief is not about forgetting or disconnecting. Rather, healthy grief is about remembering the parts of self that get lost amidst the experience and reorienting the individual in their relationship with self, the world and others.
- Grief is a whole body experience: emotional, physical, spiritual and intellectual. Each have a wide range of expression which can cue us that grief is present.
- While grief and trauma are often intertwined there are significant differences between them. Trauma should be addressed with trauma specific interventions that often go beyond what is possible in circles.
Adapted from Khris Ford
Grieving Together Healing Circle will meet Bi-Monthly on Thursdays from 3:00-4:30pm for 6 weeks.
Circle Dates:
- September 10 & 24
- October 8 & 22
- November 5 & 19
About Kiersten Gallagher
Kiersten has served as the Cancer Support Program Director for Smith Center since 2014. Before coming to Smith Center, she had the privilege to serve individuals and families living with cancer at Wellness House of Annapolis. Kiersten aims to offer programs to reduce stress and help participants to see the world we live in from different perspectives. She thoroughly enjoys teaching yoga and creativity classes at SmithCenter and encourages gentle movement and creativity in the healing process. Kiersten is a certified yoga instructor through Yoga Alliance and also has her YCAT (Yoga Therapy in Cancer and Chronic Illness) Professional Certification through the Integral Yoga Academy. She has completed Patient Navigation training through Smith Center’s Institute for Integrative Oncology Navigation and has also completed the Commonweal Healing Circles: Advanced Cancer Support Training. Kiersten is also certified in CLIMB®(Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery) a program that aims to build upon the strengths of children and increase his/her ability to cope with stress associated with a parent’s illness. She believes in a holistic approach to healing, human relationships and is grateful for each and every day. In her spare time, you may find Kiersten laughing with friends, cycling, taking art classes, practicing yoga and spending time with her husband Shane, son Liam, and dogs Hooper and Pablo.
with Janice Levitt
REFRESH Whole Food Summer Cleanse
July 12 – 25
Take your knowledge about healthy eating and put it into practice in your own kitchen in this fully supported 14-day clean eating program emphasizing seasonal, natural, whole food cooking.
So many of you are trying to eat more wisely. It’s not easy to change habits: how you shop, what you habitually snack on, what’s in your fridge, what you prepare for dinner. Join us for this 14-day clean eating program that will help you put healthy habits into practice at home in your own kitchen.
You’ll prepare delicious, healthy meals with fresh, seasonal whole foods. You’ll increase your energy, improve your digestion, support your immune system, and feel good knowing you’re fueling yourself with nourishing food and extra self-care. Receive daily encouragement and support via email and a closed Facebook group from health coach Janice Levitt throughout the program, as well as recipes, guidebook, and a done-for-you shopping list so you know exactly what to do. Say goodbye to sugar cravings and discover how good you can feel with the healing power of whole foods. Learn more and register by July 4.
Fee: $129
Please register for this program by Saturday, July 4, as all materials will be sent out on that day, giving you a week to read, shop, and prepare before the clean eating program begins on July 12. By registering through this special link, a portion of the proceeds will benefit Smith Center for Healing and the Arts.
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!
Registration for the October 8 class is now full. If you would like to be added to the waitlist for this event, please email erin@smithcenter.org.
in Partnership with Sephora
Through this free, hands-on class for cancer patients and survivors, learn soothing skincare routines and make up tricks to help restore glow, and the appearance of brows and lashes that may be affected by cancer treatment. The goal is to leave the class feeling confident and empowered and there is no expectation for you to purchase products.
Location: Sephora Capitol Hill, 380 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
Upcoming Dates:
Note: This class is limited to 6 participants. Priority registration will go to new participants that did not attend in spring 2019.
With Bryant Johnson, Personal Trainer to RBG and Author of The RBG Workout, Michelle Stravitz, co-founder, 2Unstoppable, Ilana Gamerman, co-founder, 2Unstoppable
Join us for an afternoon of Motivation, Conversation, and Empowerment! Meet Bryant Johnson – Supreme Court justice and octogenarian Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s personal trainer and author of The RBG Workout, How She Stays Strong and You Can, Too.
As seen on Stephen Colbert and in the recent documentary, The RBG Movie, and featured in the book, The Notorious RBG, Bryant Johnson has been training Justice Ginsburg since 1999 when she completed treatment for colorectal cancer. They’ve been working out together ever since! Books and special-edition Super Diva! t-shirts will be available for purchase. Book signing to follow.
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. All donations support future programming at Smith Center.
About 2Unstoppable
2Unstoppable is a non-profit whose mission is to encourage and support exercise among women who have had a cancer diagnosis. Free online fitness buddy matching, oncology fitness resources, and community events at www.2unstoppable.org
