Personal Growth Classes
We invite you to explore the wealth of information and education available here at Irene’s. The personal growth classes listed here are designed to inspire personal growth and expand awareness. These dynamic classes are open to the public, for more information on how to enroll click on the print enrollment form button.
FENG SHUI 8 Hours
Saturday March 31, 2012 9:00-5:00Sunday September 30, 2012 9:00-5:00
Instructor: Christina Evans
Prerequisite: none
This class is not about good luck charms or hanging wind chimes in every doorway. It's not about forcing your rooms into pre-fabricated patterns that will somehow help you win the lottery. Feng Shui expresses the intention to honor nature in every day life, by working with rather than against our surroundings to cultivate peace and prosperity. An ancient Chinese system, Feng Shui is a tool for finding the optimal conditions for balance and harmony in the home, office, and landscape. Fire, earth, metal, water, and wood: these five elements are considered in relation to yin/yang attributes, the bagua, and chi flow. The class will cover the basic principles of Feng Shui and provide students with feedback on enhancing their own environments.
Avoiding Disease Naturally 4 hours
Sunday April 22, 2012 2:00-6:00Sunday October 7, 2012 9:00-1:00
Instructor: Hallie Armstrong, ND
Prerequisite: None
Learn how to prevent disease naturally through environmental health, nutrition and detoxification. Disease prevention will be presented with a holistic approach addressing the mind, body and spirit. This information can be used in your own life and shared with clients. Environmental health will include safe cosmetics, safe household materials such as plastics and cleaners, and green renovation options. nutrition health will include information on specific diets, organic foods and using food as medicine. Detoxification information will include safe ways to detox your body effectively so it can function optimally.
HOLISTIC CARE OF CHILDREN 4 Hours
Sunday March 4, 2012 2:00-6:00Sunday September 9, 2012 9:00-1:00
Instructor: Harsha Jayatilake, M.D., FAAFP, DABHM
Prerequisite: none
Over 60% of adults are seeking Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM). Current studies on the use of CAM show that up to 70% of children are benefiting from these modalities. In particular, parents of children with chronic illness are combining both conventional medical care and CAM modalities. In other words, they are seeking care that is holistic. This care addresses the Body, Mind and Spirit of the child in the context of their family. Practitioners taking care of children need to use a holistic approach.
This elective will go over how these modalities are integrated. An overview of specific CAM modalities and their role in pediatrics will be presented. Current trends on the use of CAM in children will be covered. Also, specific conditions and benefits of using holistic care in children will be discussed.
CRYSTAL HEALING 4 Hours
Saturday March 24, 2012 9:00-1:00Saturday September 15, 2012 2:00-6:00
Instructor: Sue Burton Hidalgo
Prerequisite: none
Civilizations across the world, from ancient Egyptian to Native American cultures, have used stones and crystals in spiritual rituals and for their healing powers. Although no one knows the exact science behind the phenomenon, the earth's minerals show an inexplicable capacity to alter and enhance response in the human body. This workshop will explore the potential of using stones to heal. We will experiment with flow patterns in the human energy field using crystal layouts, and discuss basic patterns for using stones to compliment the energy centers of the body. This class is perfect for anyone fascinated with the beauty and energy locked within stones and crystals, and can add new dimensions to traditional massage.
CANINE MASSAGE 4 Hours
Saturday April 14, 2012 9:00-1:00Saturday August 11, 2012 9:00-1:00
Instructor: Susan Taggart
Prerequisite: none
Whether your pet is suffering from arthritis, recovering from surgery, or experiencing anxiety, this class will teach you techniques to help quiet your pet's problems. Thoroughly learn dog anatomy and how it relates and differs from the human body. A basic complete massage sequence will be taught with special emphasis on the hips. Behavioral control, acupressure points, and common trigger points will be covered. Your assessment skills will be greatly enhanced and your pet will be thoroughly grateful. Students must bring a dog to class with them, plus a towel or mat to work on. If you don't have a dog, ask Student Records for the instructor's contact information to make other arrangements. A small stool is helpful if working with a large dog on the floor.
ALIGNING THE CHAKRAS 4 Hours
Saturday March 24, 2012 2:00-6:00Saturday September 15, 2012 9:00-1:00
Instructor: Sue Burton Hidalgo
Prerequisite: none
The chakras are the seven centers of energy in the astral body. The word chakra means "wheel" in Sanskrit. It can be helpful to visualize a vortex where energy accumulates as it flows throughout the human form. The seven chakras correspond to specific endocrine glands, body functions, conscious and unconscious thoughts, colors, elements, and much more. This course is an excellent introduction to energy work for those having trouble "feeling" energy and for those just looking to expand their knowledge. Aligning and Clearing the Chakras teaches the basics of the human energy field. Students will learn hands-on and meditation techniques to align the chakras and affect the layers of the aura. These methods can be used for personal growth or to empower others.
HERBOLOGY 16 Hours
Saturday & Sunday March 10 & 11, 2012 9:30-5:30Saturday & Sunday June 9 & 10, 2012 9:30-5:30
Instructor: Eugene Watkins, B.S.ed. M.S., N.D.
Prerequisite: none
The Earth's herbal remedies for better health have been time-tested over thousands of years. Use of herbal tonics to treat various injuries, illnesses, and diseases, is found throughout the history of mankind. Herbology, the study of using herbs as traditional medicinal remedies, is a class for those who want to reclaim their health without relying on synthetic and engineered pharmaceuticals. Students will learn plant-derived remedies for many specific complaints, from managing infection to regulating hormones. We also discuss how to use herbs for general health and maintenance, from improving vision to increasing energy.
EXPLORING AURAS 4 Hours
Friday April 13, 2012 6:30-10:30Friday October 5, 2012 6:30-10:30
Instructor: Sue Burton Hidalgo
Prerequisite: none
Many artists have drawn pictures of the human aura showing its anatomy and indicating energy in action. This class provides a visual feast through the use of a slide show of these visionaries' views of the aura. It is accompanied by lecture designed to stimulate your ability to think about and envision energy. There will be colored slides projected onto class members showing how an individual's aura relates to color.
CHANGING WOMAN 8 Hours
Saturday April 28, 2012 9:30-5:30Saturday October 6, 2012 9:30-5:30
Instructor: Renee Gauthier, L.M.T., C.C.E.
Prerequisite: none
This class presents the changing physiology and needs of women in their middle years of 30-50. Students will receive a 60+ page book in class and learn about normal hormonal fluctuations and changes during perimenopausal and menopausal times. The specifics of estrogen replacement therapy and hormone replacement therapy are discussed, as well as alternative options.
Many self-help tools are presented for you to teach to your clients. These include breathing techniques to maintain body temperature, nutritional suggestions, helpful herbs and essential oils, and self-massage techniques. Also, you will learn special massage techniques for the needs of these women including accupressure, neurolymphatic and reflexology points, skin rolling techniques, and a facelift massage for a youthful appearance.
GUIDED IMAGERY 4 Hours
Saturday June 16, 2012 9:00-1:00
Instructor: Sue Burton Hidalgo
Prerequisite: none
Guided Imagery is a useful technique in the healing process. Numerous medically based studies have proven its effectiveness. A myomassologist who can offer guided imagery along with massage, possesses a skill that enhances their ability to help their clients. This class will provide students with a variety of dialogues they can use during massage to assist a client's relaxation and healing process.
Imagery is a tool that utilizes the power of one's mind to achieve desired physical and emotional results. It can stimulate all of our senses - sight, sound, smell, taste and feeling. When we remember or anticipate an event, we do so with our whole body. These thoughts can cause our face to flush, our pulse to quicken, and our hormones to energize. What the mind/body believes to be true creates physiological responses which help to encourage healing.
THERAPEUTIC TOUCH 8 Hours
Saturday March 17, 2012 9:00-5:00Saturday September 29, 2012 9:00-5:00
Instructor: Elaine Grohman, CHTP, HTP, APP
Prerequisite: none
The human impulse to reach out to the sick is fundamental. Whether it's to relieve a headache, soothe a crying baby, or ease the tension brought on by stress, we naturally react to disease with the desire to touch. Therapeutic Touch can develop your ability to use your hands as instruments of help and healing. It is a conscious, directed energy exchange that stimulates recuperative powers in a sick body.
A modern interpretation of ancient healing concepts, this technique appears to work on the electrical system to promote relaxation and healing. You will learn to detect discrepancies in the energy field surrounding the body, which may be an indication of a weakness in the energy flow. Directing this energy can activate the body's healing process. The class will also cover the chakra system, its function, and how it relates to healing the mind, body, and spirit. Auras, or energy fields, will also be discussed. Therapeutic Touch is a form of energy work that is in increasing demand in hospitals across the country.
AROMATHERAPY 16 Hours
Saturday & Sunday March 24 & 25, 2012 9:30-5:30Saturday & Sunday July 28 & 29, 2012 9:30-5:30
Saturday & Sunday October 27 & 28, 2012 9:30-5:30
Instructor: Sandra Goguen, C.T.M.I.
Prerequisite: none
Each day we use scents to communicate, elevate, and recreate moods and sensations. Scents are unique in their ability to access the central nervous system without being filtered by the blood-brain barrier. Scents alone can directly stimulate the limbic center of the brain, the seat of emotion and memory. Aromatherapy uses essential oils derived from plants, roots, flowers, trees, and fruits to bring about physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual balance within people and environments. This class will explore the different aromas and therapeutic properties of essential oils. Students will get a chance to create a signature massage oil blend and learn the beneficial properties of various sources and scents.
REIKI I 12 Hours
Saturday & Sunday February 18 & 19, 2012 9:30-3:30Saturday & Sunday June 2 & 3, 2012 9:30-3:30
Saturday & Sunday September 22 & 23, 2012 9:30-3:30
Saturday & Sunday November 10 & 11, 2012 9:30-3:30
Instructor: Sue Burton Hidalgo
Prerequisite: none
Envision a universe made of pure energy: energy that can be directed and redirected around and through the body to heal and restore. The philosophies behind Reiki hold that we live in exactly such a state. Reiki is the art of channeling this universal energy. One of the most popular and versatile forms of energy work, Reiki is easy to learn but difficult to master. First Degree Reiki is the basic introduction. It includes "tunings," energy activating sessions which enable the student to channel Reiki energy to others. The class also covers simple lessons in physiology, a demonstration of a complete whole body treatment, and a detailed description of hand positions to use on oneself and others. There is considerable hands-on practice in giving and receiving Reiki at this level.
REIKI II 12 Hours
Saturday & Sunday June 30 & July 1, 2012 9:30-3:30Saturday & Sunday December 1 & 2, 2012 9:30-3:30
Instructor: Sue Burton Hidalgo
Prerequisite: Reiki I
The 2nd Degree training includes two more tunings. Reiki II goes beyond level I to increase your attunement to the flow of Reiki. Level II teaches three symbols to increase Ki flow to self & clients, work on thought patterns/habits, and time-line or absentee work. At this level, the student can give a treatment in about half the time it takes on the first level.
REIKI III 8 Hours
Saturday July 21, 2012 9:30-5:30Sunday December 9, 2012 9:30-5:30
Instructor: Sue Burton Hidalgo
Prerequisite: Reiki I & II
Reiki III furthers the work of levels I & II, with a strong emphasis on increasing the connection to powerful flows from the upper levels of the HEF (human energy field). Modern physics show us that matter and energy are interchangeable; this course addresses how to bring energy into matter. Attunements and techniques cause energy to run from the divine field of the HEF to the physical field. We will learn these symbols and techniques: Kundalini/chakras symbol, Inner Fire symbol & self-energizer breathwork, Sui Ching purification, Microcosmic Orbit, Hu Yin & Kidney Breathwork, the Daikomyo symbol and its application in a total body session for self or client.