Pathways to Wellness
Yoga
Although what comes to mind when we think of yoga is stretching and exercise, yoga is a much deeper and more profound practice. Yoga is an eight limbed path, delineating a system of practices that leads us to mental peace. Yoga has been proven to support stress management, mental health, mindfulness, healthy eating, weight loss and quality sleep. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, yoga can mean more energy and brighter moods. They report studies have shown that individuals feel increased mental and physical energy, a boost in alertness and enthusiasm, and fewer negative feelings after getting into a routine of practicing yoga.
Reiki
Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction that promotes healing, relaxation and reduced anxiety through gentle touch and/or energy projection. Reiki practitioners use their hands to work as a conduit for natural healing energies, and as such, reiki can do no harm during the treatment. Reiki activates the parasympathetic nervous system and improves the flow and balance of your energy to support healing. A study published by The National Library of Medicine indicates that Reiki has been proven more effective than placebo for reducing pain, anxiety, and depression, as well as improving sleep, self-esteem and quality of life. This suggests that Reiki has the potential to provide valuable support for a broad range of chronic health conditions.
Sound Healing
Everything in nature is made of vibrating molecules. Each of these molecules from musical notes to powerful thoughts resonates at its own frequency. We have learned that when the frequency within the human body is off, so is the vitality of the person, leading to a wide range of illness both physical and mental. The vibrational frequencies of sound healing instruments have the ability to move through skin, fluid, and bone. Offering these frequencies around the body assists the central nervous system to self repair and strengthen. A meta-analysis of studies on sound healing found significant beneficial effects on a number of markers related to well-being including anxiety, depression, fatigue, tension, anger, confusion and vigor. The analysis also reported improved blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation.
Therapeutic Art Sessions
Non-clinical therapeutic art sessions are a multimodal, holistic health intervention that uses expressive arts in the service of healing. The five disciplines of expressive arts are visual, written, movement, acting and musical. In therapeutic art sessions, art is used as a means of exploration, discovery, and self-expression, allowing participants to cope with emotions and process trauma. Sometimes, when a person is living with mental health or substance use disorders, words aren’t enough. That is where art comes in. Therapeutic art sessions can bring balance to the individual as they express feelings and emotions that were creating blockages in the system. Studies have found these art sessions can reshape the brain and alter thoughts in a more positive, balanced way.
Ecotherapy
Ecotherapy is based on the idea that humans are deeply connected to nature. Humans instinctively want to seek connection with our natural surroundings. This bond isn’t just emotional, it’s genetic. While we’ve separated ourselves from the natural world with cars, concrete buildings and technology, we still thrive on reconnecting to nature. Ecotherapy sessions typically involve exploring and appreciating nature with one of our coaches. Some sessions may be more introspective, while others may include participating in activities outdoors. Activities may include forest bathing, gardening, yoga, meditation, breathwork, creating art and hiking. Studies have shown that spending time in nature boosts the immune system, speeds up recovery, lowers stress hormone production, heart rate and blood pressure. Ecotherapy also generates feelings of connectedness, elevated mood and increased creativity.
Ceremony
A ceremony is the performance of sacred rituals to mark events and connect us with spirit, self and community. It is a way of the heart and reflects our sacred connection to the earth, and spirit realm. We have been performing rituals or ceremonies for hundreds of thousands of years. In fact, some biological anthropologist suggest that ritual and intelligence evolved alongside each other. The connection of symbolism, rhythm and movement, as well as their role in marketing the extra ordinary from the ordinary has linked ritual to the evolution of art. In the mid-paleolithic period, rituals were performed in the burial of the dead but as we evolved, so did our practices. Now ceremonies are performed to mark the sacred, whether a sacred event, a sacred moment or a sacred intention, ceremonies connect us and allow us to set aside our worries and enter a heightened state of being. They reflect our hopes, beliefs, traditions, and spirituality.
Jean, Quincy MA
"Thank you so much for tonight … I can’t even explain how I feel. I haven’t felt this “ normal “ in a long time. It sounds weird, but my vision isn’t blurry anymore and the black floaties aren't there anymore. It’s wild. I am so grateful right now. Just wanted to say thank you AGAIN!"
Marybeth, Weymouth MA
" I was at the Learn to Cope meeting and asked for your contact info so I could reach out to thank you for your amazing guided meditation and sound healing. I would have thanked you in person, but I found myself overwhelmed and speechless. Thank you so much for visiting our group, it was a true blessing."
Malcom, Hanover MA
“My wife and I love these sessions. We feel so good after. Ask anyone, to get me to stay still for that long is a miracle. Thank you for all you do.”