02 - MARCI Spring 07

U.S.

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The Holistic Mentorship Network

M.A.R.C.I. Our Mission:

Spring 2007

To create a unified community of compassionate, holistic practitioners that will contribute to enhancing our profession and ourselves by providing a supportive space to share, learn, teach, grow and lead.

My Vision:

“To strengthen and support the community of holistic professionals.”

--Linda Mitchell-Dominguez HMN Founder IN THIS ISSUE: Wish Upon a Star…...........cover Planting the Seeds…..........…..2 Intuition as a Pathway.......….....3 “IMAGINE” by John Lennon.....4 My Mind-Body Baby….........….4 Spring: Miracle of Birth..........….7 Personal Best..…......................7 Spring-Cleaning for Your Body…....8 Growing the Seeds of Your Business….….........10 I Don’t Need a Professional Coach…............…..12 How Did We Do It?….............12 Summer Pudding…................13 Garden of Daily Living….…....13 What is Indian Head Massage?…......…..14 Newsletter Editor GREGG TAYLOR

IM AG IN E

Wish Upon a Star Star light, Star bright, First star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might Have this wish I wish tonight.

How many of you remember wishing on a star when you were a wee child?

I grew up in the country, very remote from civilization, where the sky was full of wonder. Lying on the ground in my yard, I would wish upon a star for Peace, and for healing for all those

Mindfulness Awareness Responsibility Compassion Intuition

www.mentorshipnetwork.com

by Linda Mitchell-Dominguez Founder and Executive Director, Holistic Mentorship Network hearts that were lonely and in pain. It is no wonder that many years later, after marriage, children, and divorce I would find my way into the field of nursing.

My earliest childhood memory was when my sister Mary Lou, twin of my sister Betty, was six, and I was almost five, became very ill and died in less than a month. There were no explanations given, for that was a time when children were seen and not heard.

The only explanation came from the nice people at the funeral parlor who said,

“Jesus was with my sister to take her home.” It was no wonder I spent my kindergarten days in fear of my parents not being at the door when I got home from school. And I’m sure they were in wonder of this child who would burst into tears for no apparent reason.

This was at a time when little was known about the psyche and the effect of trauma on the mind, body, and spirit.

My early experience with death was only one trauma that I would encounter.

Other disappointments would There have been many shadow my desires, and fears people along the way to and insecurities would bring catch me when I stumbled, me to a place of homelessand to listen until I could ness, but beyond all of this I reason...and begin my always saw hope! I would journey home. dream of the white horse and charming Prince that would The articles that are within sweep me off my feet and these pages give insight take me home. Those were and reflection to the growth childhood dreams and fantathat happens when there is sies, but my early experiena willingness to discover, ces, and my purpose in this heal and change. The intiHad I not surrendered to a world, were obviously clear mate sharing of healing can Higher Power and acceptvery early in life. take place at any time dured help, I don’t believe ing our lives, and can have that I would have begun When I found my Spiritual a great impact on the years the process of change and connection at Unity, and we spend running from accepting myself. From a entered the school of masourselves. We are fortulifetime of fear and insesage at the Institute for nate to live in a time when curity, I have since grown Therapeutic Massage, this there is so much more marked the beginning of my through many obstacles Continued on next page and challenges. road to discovery and healing.

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Wish Upon a Star awareness to physical, mental, emotional and spiritual trauma, so that healing can begin early on and hopefully spare a child or adult from years of pain, fear and frustration. It is with heartfelt gratitude that we give our utmost appreciation to Amanda and Zack (below), and Elaine, for sharing their stories.

(continued) How often do we resolve to make a New Year’s resolution to change, only to be disappointed and give up because we failed yet again?

Robin Ball, co-owner of R&T Nautilus in Newton, N.J., shares his experience and knowledge in planning a fitness program that fits into the time restraints that, often times, haunt us in the beginning of the year from trying to take control of our lives after a season of dormancy and feast.

Spring cleaning is more than just cleaning out our closets, says Cethelen macEalaionta, Herbalist and

regular contributor to MARCI who shares his knowledge and insight to the importance of detoxification and supporting your body through natural remedies. His passion to deliver quality is a testament to his commitment to his profession. He always seems to go the extra mile and has found a recipe for Spring Pudding.

-----Enjoy!

Spring is a time for new beginnings, to plant new seeds and revisit the dreams we left behind. Donna Price, Business Coach, President of Compass Rose Consulting, and regular contributor to MARCI, uses her experiences, knowledge and challenges to help guide individuals to realize their own potential and dreams.

The tips she shares in her article have even helped me

Planting the Seeds for an Amazing Life ideas and feelings? Is faith what keeps you nourished?

Do you have a daily practice of going within to keep the proper conditions of balance in mind, body and Spirit?

Daily Word for March 2, 2007 Inside every seed is the full potential for a magnificent bloom! The same is true for each and every one of us. Inside of us is the potential for magnificence in every moment.

We need only to believe and see it done!

Those stirrings, desires, imaginings…those are the seeds within us. Each one is waiting for the proper soil, nourishment, conditions to burst forth and bloom.

In harmony with God each day, I am preparing for my future.

Dreaming of the future and setting attainable goals for myself is exciting and invigorating. There is joy in envisioning what my heart desires and what I can contribute to the people I love and the world in which I live.

In faith I know that my future is secure. It is not controlled by external circumstances or other individuals.

Is your soil rich in positive

God is my guiding force.

in planting the seeds that continue to move the Holistic Mentorship Network forward in its vision and mission.

I would like to take this moment to thank Monica Freund, who demonstrates her commitment as Lead Facilitator of “The Greater Princeton Area” Support Group. Through her faith and vision, she continues to bring people together to support, share, learn, teach, grow, and lead the holistic community.

So how do you know what seeds to plant in your garden? Who better to answer that question than songwriter and Transformational Life Coach, Spring Libutti...So, “be still and listen”.

--------LMD

by Susan Cloutier

In harmony with God each day, I am preparing for my future.

As I enjoy making plans and setting goals, I affirm that whatever I may need or whatever good I desire is already here, right now, just waiting for me to realize its full potential.

Affirming this Truth builds an awareness of the activity of God in my life.

Our seeds (dreams) are filled with the Light of Truth within us. If we take the time to recognize the dream and feel the power of its coming to fruition, nothing will stop it from becoming a visual manifestation. We do not have to be worried about the details. If we take the

time each day to feel the end result, to align with the power within us, whatever name we choose to give it, then we will be guided to the next right and perfect step. It is the law, and the law ALWAYS works for us!!! Believing is seeing!

It’s all about:

Align.

Those Thoughts In The Universe’s Divine Energy ----------SC Susan Cloutier is a mother, organizer, entrepreneur, Divine Believer and manifester!

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Intuition as a Pathway to the Light In 2004, I signed up for a class at the Ford Institute for Integrative Life Coaching.

They promised me the magical key to peace and happiness. I showed up for the first class, pen poised, ready for them to give me all of the answers. Much to my surprise, my questions were met with, “If you knew the answer what would it be?” or “what do YOU think, Spring?” or “how could you bring your songs to the world?” I would exclaim, “If I knew that, I wouldn’t be here, now would I?”

writer who creates intuittively but, in real life, I am a rational-thinking person used to planning, doing and pursuing to make it happen.

I explored their concept of the answers are within you, by participating in many internal processes which involved quiet meditative reflecting, deep breathing, chanting, long moments of silence, drumming, listening to nature sounds, taking long walks in the woods, and sitting in my car a few minutes upon arriving anywhere to center myself.

However, my curiosity was peaked. Could the magic key really be inside me? It was possible, since that was the only place I had not looked! True, I am a song-

At first, I experienced nothing more than silence, but then something astounding began to happen. Life began to flow and feel easier, my relationships

by Spring Libutti, CILC

started healing, great opportunities found me.

I was still doing and following through on commitments, but not working so hard all the time. When intuition gave me guidance that said, this is fun, and it works, I followed.

That was my aha! moment.

---Intuition is about trusting each step at a time without always knowing the outcome.

Open your heart and listen.

Trust and have faith in the answers. Do we all have this ability? Absolutely! The answers come in many forms such as; a person to call, a conference to attend, a book to write, or guidance to stay quiet and do nothing. Pay attention to where you feel a yes or a no. You can be sure you are not following intuition when you hear the words, should or have to. It is as Webster’s Collegiate Dicsimple as following a feeling tionary officially defines inside you that gives you intuition as, the power or information. I had a client tell faculty of attaining to dirme she felt completely unmoect knowledge or cognitivated, but kept pushing hertion without evident ration- self through the motions. I al thought and inference. replied, “what if doing nothing The process is simple. Get was the key to getting motivated?” She secretly admitted still. Ask a question. Stay to wanting that. Her intuitquiet. tion was speaking, but she

“...Her intuition was speaking, but she was not listening… was not listening. Once she It was my favorite book as a truly embraced the nothing- young girl, sold at our family ness, her motivation returned! garage sale over 10 years ago.

It was a story about three The main reason why we children who had the gifts of often resist our intuition is music, dance and intuition. As because we are concerned an adult, I was not fully expresthat others might think we sing these gifts. This book are silly, flaky, irrational or came back into my life to lazy (God forbid!) Yet, there reencourage me to trust my is plenty of statistical eviintuition and use my gifts! dence to support that intuitive phenomenon exists and My most profound intuitive there is much that science moment occurred recently, as cannot explain. We call I headed out the door for a them miracles. Have you ever had a miracle occur in party; I could not shake a foreboding feeling that something your life? Or some was not right. It got so strong, profound coincidence? that by the time I drove up the One day, at a second-hand street, there was a tightening book store, I felt drawn to a in my stomach. Upon rebook called, A Gift of Magic. entering my home, I lingered Something was familiar at the door. My roommate about this book, and when I asked, “are you coming or opened it, my own penciled going?” I replied, “I just feel signature was inside! like something bad is going to happen tonight.”

happen tonight.” The voices in my head rationalized, “I should go out and socialize with these artists, I have to start interacting with my community, maybe I am scared and need a push to connect.”

I stayed home.

Several weeks later, I heard that all of the guests were robbed that night, including the host. It was a fiasco (that turned out to be drug related.) My intuition was not only keeping me from harm, but from entering into an energetic environment that was not in alignment with my highest good. As the movie, “The Secret” describes, it was not a vibrational match. My intuition knew much more than my logical brain ever could.

There is always a reason why we get insights when we do. They have a distinct purpose in the divine order of our lives. Intuition is always there to protect us, sustain us and support us in aligning with our highest good and our deepest desires.

Remember the last scene in the very symbolically spiritual movie, The Wizard of Oz?---when Glenda, the good witch, tells Dorothy that she always had the power to click her heels together and go back home to Kansas, just like she had the power to banish the evil witch?

Dorothy’s friendly entourage asked, “Why didn’t you tell her?” Glenda replied, “She would not have believed me, she had to discover it for Continued on next page

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Intuition as a Pathway to the Light herself!” But Dorothy spent most of the movie, running in fear, powerlessly looking to get to the great Oz for her answers.

When she finally found him, he was just a man behind a curtain who did not hold any real answers for her. Her answers were within one click of the heels and a powerful request to the Universe (there is no place like home)…the entire time.

These insights have been floating around society for years, in movies, books and music. Some of our greatest leaders are those who followed their own inner urgings; Oprah Winfrey, Martin Luther King and Buck Charleson----

(continued)

inventor of the hydraulic motor and power steering.

Buck claims that he used his intuitive abilities more than conscious thought to create his inventions.

Acclaimed singer/songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman, personally told me that she only got Top Ten hits on the charts when she stopped thinking and started writing songs from her heart.

It is through having faith in your questions and trusting in the answers, that you will feel the brightest light and the deepest levels of peace you have ever known.

When you feel it, you can shine it, transforming your world and the world we all live in!

----------SL

Spring is a recording artist and a Certified Life Transformation Coach who performs nationally and leads workshops that blend music with coaching techniques to inspire healing, inspiration and lasting change on an unconscious, emotional level. www.SpringMusic.net, Spring@SpringMusic.net

I have seen my life change, and those of my clients’, all because of following intuitive guidance. When you truly believe that your intuition is your pathway to the light, you are free to surrender to the magical flow of the universe.

“IMAGINE” Imagine there's no heaven, it's easy if you try, No hell below us, above us only sky, Imagine all the people, living for today.

Imagine there's no countries, it isn't hard to do, Nothing to kill or die for, and no religion too, Imagine all the people, living life in peace. .

You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one, I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one. .

.

You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one, I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will live as one.

by Amanda J. Yanuklis After 20 months of desperately trying to conceive a baby, my doctor referred me to the Atlantic MindBody Center so that I could learn some “relaxation techniques” that would increase my chances of succeeding with my infertility treatments.

.

Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can, No need for greed or hunger, a brotherhood of man, Imagine all the people, sharing all the world.

My “Mind-Body” Baby

JOHN LENNON 1940-1980

with Dr. Ann Cotter. My treatments were timed perfectly with my cycle and, in December 2004, I became pregnant, and no longer skeptical!

Through my regular meditation and guided imagery sessions with Mary, and acupuncture sessions with Dr. Cotter, I also became I had an initial consultation very aware of the energy in with Mary Loughran, who my body. I felt more relaxgave me a full assessment ed and, overall, I felt and some recommended healthier. next steps. I followed her Everything was fairly recommendations, but I had to admit, I was skep- peaceful and enjoyable until the beginning of my tical that any of this third trimester when my “touchy-feely” stuff was blood pressure began to going to work for me. I spike. I developed premanaged to keep an open eclampsia and delivered mind and began weekly guided imagery sessions, my son, Zack Charles, by emergency C-section on Yoga for Fertility classes, and an aggressive course July 10, 2005. of acupuncture treatments continued on next page

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The Holistic Mentorship Network a permanent impairment.

At some point, I called the Mind-Body Center to give and had seizures. Up until that time, Zack had not been them an update on Zack’s condition. My massage physically invaded any more therapist, Kathleen answerthan he had been in the ed the phone and sugNICU, but now he needed gested that when Zack several very invasive procewas better, we see Linda dures and, eventually needed a blood transfusion. Mitchell-Dominguez, who had experience with children and cranial sacral massage. Kathleen thought that Linda’s treatments would help with drainage from the meningitis. I knew how I had benefited from my various treatments at the Mind-Body Center and thought this sounded like a great idea for Zack too.

My “Mind-Body” Baby At thirty-two weeks, he was just three pounds-fifteen ounces, but fortunately, he was healthy and breathing on his own.

Zack only spent sixteen days in the NICU, but when he was five weeks old, we had to rush him to the ER one morning, because his breathing was labored. By the end of the day, he was diagnosed with Group B Strep meningitis, and even though his condition was very serious, we felt pretty calm for the first few days that he was in the PICU. Zack was such an easy going baby and not much of a complainer; I think his personality gave both us, and the doctors, a false sense of comfort. After few days, he spiked a fever

continued

I worried about how Zack would feel with all of these procedures, and I worried about the future…wondering what I would do if Zack had

All in all, Zack spent nine days in the PICU and a total of sixteen days in the hospital.

Back at home, Zack had feeding issues after the meningitis and, eight days later, we returned to the ER. In just a few hours, Zack went into septic shock. He was moved back to the PICU and placed on a ventilator. The doctors had no idea what he was suffering from.

After several hours and many procedures, Zack was stabilized enough that we could see him. My poor little baby was laid-out naked on a warming bed with too many wires and tubes coming out of him to count. My heart was breaking and I kept thinking that no mother should have to see her baby in this state.

“…I kept thinking that no mother should have to see her baby in this state…”

In the morning, the doctors were worried about renal failure and the head of the PICU came in to give my husband Paul, and me the horrible news that Zack might not make it. The doctors still didn’t know what Zack was suffering from and decided to do a CT scan.

Paul and I followed Zack and his transport team down to radiology. We went as far as we were allowed to go and then we both sat on the hallway floor and cried. When the transport team brought Zack out of radiology, everyone was excited because Zack’s kidneys were working.

The next day, the doctors said that Zack was doing beautifully and that they’d start weaning him off the ventilator and the heavy medication. When Zack’s

blood cultures came back, they showed Zack had another GBS infection.

Since I knew I was colonized with GBS during my pregnancy, and this was Zack’s second brush with death at the hands of this deadly bacteria, I pushed the doctors to culture my breast milk. That culture was also positive, and although the doctors were extremely hesitant to point to my milk as the source of Zack’s infections, we switched Zack to formula.

Zack spent another twentyfive days in the hospital and, by the time he was discharged on October 2, Zack had spent eight of his first twelve weeks of life hooked up to monitors, ventilators and IVs. Despite his circumstances, initially Zack was a very

happy and good-natured baby. He was happy to flirt with the nurses and entertain all who stopped by for a visit. However, the more time he spent in the hospital ---being poked and prodded too many times a day by countless strangers, Zack became irritable, sometimes inconsolable, and mistrusting. I could feel him retreating into himself and I was worried.

The best thing that happened in Zack’s last few weeks in the hospital was that his doctor allowed Linda Mitchell-Dominguez to begin Zack’s cranial sacral treatments in the hospital. I saw a difference in him after his first treatment. Although he was still connected to IV’s, I felt him relax when I held him. He just snuggled into me and seemed to fit

better than he had before.

It was more natural. Zack was far less irritable in the evenings, too. In the hospital he had started fussing and crying during the early evening. After everything we had been through I had a hard time with the crying because I was afraid he was going to get sick again.

After Zack came home from the hospital, we continued with treatments twice a week. Early on, Zack came to trust Linda and knew that she was helping him to feel better.

His trust and admiration of Linda was a blessing. He smiled for her long before he smiled for the rest of the family. continued on next page

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The Holistic Mentorship Network If Zack had a few peaceful days in a row and then a fussy day or sleepless night, my mom and Paul would both comment that it must be time for Zack to see Linda again.

We all noticed that he was much more peaceful in the days after a treatment.

Although I continued with my own energy treatments when I could, healing Zack’s wounds were my priority. I depended on Linda too, because by taking care of Zack, she was helping me heal from our trauma as well. Linda helped Zack and I communicate with each other and I learned that it was okay to give Zack permission to let me know if he was unhappy, that it was important for him to express himself rather than keeping it bottled inside him just to be strong for me all the time.

My “Mind-Body” Baby I would often lament to Linda that, although I was grateful to have my little boy, I felt cheated that I didn’t have that beautiful storybook birth and mother-baby bonding experience. Linda convinced me that if I felt this way, Zack probably felt the same way. I felt all of his pain, every step of the way, and I made it my pain. (This story that I tell is our story, but in my voice.) Linda reminded me that, although Zack was a baby, he too had a voice and maybe he also needed to vent about his circumstances too. I thought about this possibility, and I remembered my last sonogram prior to Zack’s birth. At thirty-two

continued

weeks, the doctor commented that Zack was already upside down and in the birth position. Nature is so amazing!

Zack didn’t know he would be delivered by C-section, so he was preparing to make his entry into the world the way nature had intended him to.

It occurred to me that Linda was right---maybe Zack knew more about the way things were supposed to be than I realized, and maybe he had grievances---- I wouldn’t blame him if he did.

Linda took Zack and I through a rebirthing experience, where we reenacted the normal delivery. Zack and I lay next to each other on a cushioned mat and he turned upside down and wiggled down and pretended to be born again. Then Linda immediately placed him on my chest so we could have that motherbaby bonding experience that we were both cheated of. Zack went into a somatic emotional release, and cried, and cried. He was very angry! I turned to Linda and asked, “What do you think he’s trying to tell me?” And she said, “Listen with your heart and it will come to you.”

Well, in my heart, Zack grieved about things that I hadn’t even given a voice to.

“…maybe Zack knew more about the way things were supposed to be…”

All in all, Zack and I had the opportunity to talk about our trauma together and trade stories about how we both felt shafted by the experience. The rebirthing was pretty powerful in that regard.

Zack continued with his treatments, and I with mine, but I couldn’t help but relive different pieces of our trauma; usually at night as I was putting Zack to sleep.

As I would feed Zack his bottle, I would have a flashback of something horrible.

One night in February, when Zack was about seven months old, he woke up in the middle of the night and cried for half an hour. I was completely distressed and crying too. I thought for certain that if he didn’t stop crying, we’d have to go to the ER.

time, Zack had a few more somatic releases during his sessions too.

Somehow, my husband Paul managed to calm us both down and we all went back to sleep.

I told Mary about this crying episode during my next treatment and she decided that it was probably a good time to help me release the fear that I was holding in my heart. I had a somatic emotional release of my own. It was a very powerful experience. I can’t even begin to describe how much lighter I felt afterward. I didn’t realize that I’d been living with a crushing weight on my chest for all these months.

It was such a relief to let it all go. Around the same

I can’t say that all of a sudden, one day Zack and I were both cured. I don’t think it happens that way. I can say that, little by little, we have to let go of the past. Zack sees Linda weekly and I try to see Mary as often as I can. We do the work we need to do, and I think it makes him a happier little boy. I know it makes me a much calmer mommy.

Today, Zack is approaching twenty-months-old. He is perfectly healthy and developing normally. He’s really only been sick once since leaving the hospital.

I completely credit his good health to the cranial sacral therapy. I’m pretty healthy too. We continue to be blessed and I am very grateful to have Zack in my life. He is such a happy boy…a total ray of sunshine! He’s strong and strong-willed, and fortunately, a little stubborn.

I honestly don’t know where we’d be without the MindBody Center, and especially Linda and Mary. I really wouldn’t want to find out!

----------AJY

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Spring: The Miracle of Birth To be of the Earth is to know the restlessness of being a seed The darkness of being planted The struggle toward the light The pain of growth into the light The joy of bursting and bearing fruit The love of being food for someone the scattering of your seeds The decay of the seasons The mystery of death and the miracle of birth.

------John

Soos

As the earth transitions into this new season of Spring, it will again begin its process of birthing, as millions of new seeds are planted and emerge from their dark resting place of winter to begin the journey of becoming that which they are intended to be. As in all birthing, human or nature centered, there is a degree of mystery and pain as the seed planted in darkness seeks the light.

While preparing my article for this month's newsletter, I was deeply inspired by the circle of life pamphlets published by the Foundation for Global Community in which I found the poem by John Soos.

by Elaine Abicca emotions to many forms of energy work; specifically somatic-emotional release.

My personal search for the light, and my struggle to emerge whole, took many turns through the years.

Becoming a metaphysical student and learning my true spiritual identity and purpose on this earth catapulted me into a journey not always pleasant or short, but one with meaning and direction. A most significant experience, as I traveled this new path, was meeting and working with Linda Mitchell-Dominguez, who introduced my body and

“…the nightmare itself was scary, but it reminded me…”

For years after I could not bear to look at pictures of my son at this age because the pain and guilt would come flooding back. As Linda worked on me that day I suddenly found myself at my own birth----sixty-two years ago. I experienced my own restlessness and fear of being a new seed, but more significantly I saw my mother's struggle with her own health issues and the fears that were planted in the early years, and replanted and revisited on me.

As everything in life cycles and recycles, I released the guilt and fears carried through the years. I have not had that dream since the session.

One can only bring mercy to one’s past and to those

seeds born out of fear, as we see ourselves as part of the great cycle of life.

This upcoming season of Spring is a reminder of the ever present possibility of renewal, when we can mindfully and consciously plant new seeds of hope and joy bearing the fruit we wish to see in our lives and our future generations.

----------EA

Elaine Abicca is a retired, Special Education teacher and mother of two grown children.

As she struggled to overcome constant health challenges, Elaine began the journey into her own heart, searching for that much talked about, but little understood, concept of LOVE. Since we teach what we need to learn, Elaine facilitated YOU-niqueness ---“There's No One in the World Like You” workshops for adolescents, and discovered her own mission as "heartlady” to herself and others.

Elaine resides in Moscow, PA

Early on in this work, I noticed many shifts in my thinking, along with an incessant need to discuss my past and present. All of it enveloped in much fear and guilt.

One day, I mentioned a recurring dream in which I was always misplacing or dropping a baby. The nightmare itself was scary, but it also reminded me of the very painful period of my life when I was too ill to properly take care of my two young children. They were shuffled back and forth to my relatives, and thus my son's toddler stage became a big blur.

Personal Best: Fitness & Health by

Robin L. Ball, M.S. Beginning a fitness program starts with putting time aside for one’s self. Unless you can fit this new program into your weekly schedule, things will stay the same.

Improving one’s self both physically and mentally takes effort. Change from the ordinary to the extraordinary just doesn’t happen.

Perhaps it’s not the time or the will, maybe it’s the howto, or where do I begin?

And...What do I need to get the results I want?

Let’s start with exercise, since that is what most of us are lacking… continued on next page

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The Holistic Mentorship Network tant to achieve results. This Cardiovascular fitness has to kind of training is called aner- do with what is called, aerobic obic conditioning. conditioning. This type of activity focuses on getting continued one’s heart rate into a specific training zone. The heart muscle also needs exercise in Any exercise----walking, order to stay fit. The training jogging, swimming, playing zone is based on an indivitennis, golfing, horseback dual’s age and fitness level. riding, or any other activity The frequency in which one that involves movement, will begins a program, with either contribute to using muscles.

“How can this program This is the beginning to help me?” maintaining muscle.

One: muscles move your body. The stronger they are, Muscle tissue atrophies the better you move and do (shrinks) as we get older. normal day-to-day tasks.

The fountain of youth for Two: muscles are the engines muscle is resistance exercises, i.e. weight training, or in our bodies----the more you progressive resistance train- have, the higher your caloric ing. Done correctly, weight needs are. This will help in keeping off unwanted pounds. training reverses muscle Three: muscles are attached atrophy, creating muscle to bones. This makes your hypertrophy (firming).

Resistance training needs to foundation or, bone density, stronger. be progressive and consis-

Personal Best: Fitness & Health

A Spring-Cleaning For Your Body With spring just around the corner the minds of many of us are probably somewhat occupied with, or looking forward to, our various personal rites of spring. Be they housecleaning, yard work, gardening, or just searching for a new spring wardrobe, spring is a time of transition, a time when the life force that has been locked up all winter begins to re-emerge and vitality reasserts itself. In many cultures of temperate climes, this period was also recognized as a period of renewal in their religious calendars.

Unfortunately, for many moderns this is the time that changing needs and demands seem to rob them of the personal vitality they need to participate in this change.

aerobic or anerobic conditioning depends on how much available time someone has. Any time is better than no time, but there are recommendations.

For minimal aerobic benefit, twice weekly, at thirty-minutes per session, and spaced properly apart---that would be a great start. The anerobic conditioning can be done similarly; more time is not necessarily the most important element, but the quality of these sessions is.

If you’d like to begin either an aerobic or anerobic fitness program, please feel free to contact R&T Nautilus at 973-383-3010. We’d be happy to help with any of your fitness and health needs.

-------RLB

by Cethelen A. macEalaionta, B.Sc., A.S., F.T. Our ancestors knew this implicitly, but many moderns today have forgotten this level of personal participation in the yearly cycle. Many of us today are personally isolated from the cycles of the earth as well, through our ability to eat whatever foods we choose from all over the world, rather than those foods that grow locally in the season and climate our bodies are experiencing.

Some find they simply loose the “oomph” to continue on with New Year resolutions and give over, or seem to mysteriously become more susceptible to spiritual and physical blahs that manifest as allergies, colds, or run down feelings that detract from their participation in this seasonal drama of renewal.

-------Why?

Just as our homes, yards, and gardens need to be properly attended to at the change of seasons, so do our bodies. Like our homes that, over the winter, have collected all manner of dust, dirt, soot and fluff in crevices and corners, and need to have the windows thrown open and be cleared of the residue of winter, so do our bodies and souls.

The Lymphatic System Our lymphatic systems are our second circulatory stems, a network of vein-like vessels and nodes that run through the body, draining lymphatic fluid from the extremities back toward the heart. Lymph is a straw colored fluid composed of serum, proteins, fat, metabolic waste, toxins and white blood cells. continued on next page

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The Holistic Mentorship Network It is something akin to the storm drain runoff from our bodies. It is also the transport system for white blood cells and antibodies that have passed out of the blood and into the tissues to fight disease. The largest part of our lymphatic system is in our abdomen, encircling and associated with our digestive tract, which is why good digestion is so important to our overall health.

Toxins from bad food and bad digestion easily can adversely impact our immune system.

A Spring-Cleaning For Your Body continued The lack of sunlight and fresh air, and cold weather are excuses to be sedentary, which congest and stagnate our minds and circulation.

Cleansing is not Purging

Unfortunately, many people who are aware of what doing a cleanse is these days, also Toxins and residues of rich have a completely mistaken notion of what it means, and or half-synthetic foods of what it is meant to accomwinter holidays may still be plish. Most falsely believe lingering in our intestines that cleansing their bodies and arteries---- like that consists only of purging their Christmas tinsel you found when you moved that chair. intestines, and that it is meant to be as unpleasant Indoor air and allergens an experience as a bout of have affected our respiratory food poisoning or intestinal Activity is also important, as systems, which have also flu. unlike amphibians and lower suffered from bouts with “I can’t be running to the animals that have a separcolds and flu. bathroom every fifteen ate lymph heart that actively minutes!” is the objection I pumps their lymphatic fluid, Is it any wonder that at the often hear from first time we rely on the contraction of change of seasons our clients, when I suggest they muscles and physical move- bodies sometimes let us need to cleanse their ment to circulate our lymph. down with lack of vitality? systems.

I do not know where the origin of this misconception lies, but I do know that it is still widely propagated, especially by lowend cleansing supplements that are merely strong laxatives.

Proper cleansing is not merely purging the colon, but stimulating to the eliminatory organs (skin, lungs, liver, and kidneys) and clearing and energizing to the lymphatic and immune system. While people with large accumulations of toxins in their system will have a stronger reaction, no half-decent cleansing regimen sends you running for the loo twice an hour!

Twice a day maybe.

“...I can’t be running to the bathroom every fifteen minutes!”

Cleansing your body also consists of more than taking a few pills. Diet, exercise, and breathing exercises are often coequaled with any herbal protocol in achieving full results.

cancer, stimulate immune function, and increase the metabolic elimination of toxins.

Dandelion, chicory (endive), and lesser celandine stimulate the digestion as well as the liver and kidneys. People often avoid healthful bitter foods these days, but many cultural Eat Spring Vegetables. traditions recognize that there The traditional “spring needs to be a balance between greens” are one of the bitter and sweet in many facets natural dietary ways of assisting in the function of of life. Nature knows what we need and provides it in season. our toxin clearing mechanisms. Leafy greens high And always remember to buy organic! Consuming pesticide in chlorophyll, iron, vitaresidues won’t help you get mins A and C, and fibre assist digestion and elim- toxins out! ination while building the Avoid Earthy / Winter Foods. blood. The kales and Many of us have leaned on coles such as cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, comfort foods through the winter. In the Celtic system mustard greens, cress, etc.---- that are in season these are associated with the now, are not only packed element of Earth and confer with nutrients but contain security, stability, and feeling grounded; things we often feel compounds that fight we need, through the cold and

dark. Root vegetables such as potatoes; starchy grains, pasta, bread…and also soy products; wellcooked or preserved meats such as beef and ham are often winter dietary fall backs because of the sense of comfort they bring.

Unfortunately, these foods (as in the above photo) need to be eliminated from the diet when cleansing the body, as they are too heavy and slow to digest, to allow our systems to clear.

Drink enough water!

Eight 8-ounce glasses a day, more if you are

detoxing and remember, coffee, soda, and alcoholic beverages don’t count!

Americans hate to “waste time” on elimination. Without sufficient water intake, a whole host of symptoms of toxemia arise as a result of dehydration and undigested food and waste literally rotting in the colon.

Get out and get moving!

That lymph and blood must be pumping to aid in flushing toxins and oxygenating tissues! This doesn’t mean an Olympic level training program; merely getting out to enjoy the spring air, yard work, gardening----even opening the windows and doing spring cleaning not only provides movement, but also allows us to immerse ourselves in the cycles of nature and helps clear our mental wintry ways of thinking and feeling. continued on next page

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The Holistic Mentorship Network

A Spring-Cleaning For Your Body continued .....

Put some life in your diet! in America. It is coming Live culture yogurt and into season now. Thought buttermilk help replenish of merely as a garnish, it is friendly organisms that help packed with nutrients and support digestion and imantioxidants, and is a munity. digestive stimulant. Celery is a close cousin, whose Let thy food be thy leaves and stems (when medicine, and thy deep green) contain powermedicine be thy food. ful detoxifiers. Sage is another digestive aiding ----Hippocrates spice that is under-utilized, except in stuffing and sausMany herbs used for their ages. It is much like rosebeneficial properties are mary in its benefit in stimualso common herbs used lating the liver’s action. The as spices, and are best incorporated into meals to antioxidants in sage also aid in digestion and elimin- seem to have a special benefit for the brain cells. ation. Four of the most Rosemary, which is an important are well known from the famous folk “riddle evergreen member of the mint family, stimulates the song” Scarborough Fair.

Parsley in its fresh form, is liver and aids in the digestion of foods, and is a incredibly underappreciated

Growing the Seeds of Your Business After working with many business owners, and several holistic practitioners, I have come to the conclusion that the seed of business is vision. Before you can build an abundant practice or business, you must have a clear and compelling vision. The vision is the seed that you grow.

It goes beyond the daydream of success and deep into what that business will look like. How you as the owner visualize it. Am I talking about using visualization? Well, certainly that can't hurt and can even help you in manifesting what you want. But more importantly I am talking about having a clear vision, written down of where you want to go.

delightful addition to fowl, egg, and fish dishes and even some vegetables. Thyme is an antiseptic herb, used for its preservative properties, but is also a wonderful stimulant to the respiratory system. Thyme tea will often drive away spring colds and is a delightful drink with honey after gardening on a brisk spring day to avoid a chill.

Rue (Ruta graveolens) is an aromatic and mildly bitter spice and an addition to traditional spring pudding. It goes well in egg dishes, green beans, and soufflés giving them an exotic complexity, and is especially useful in helping detoxify the female reproductive system.

Cress is another under-appreciated culinary herb packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and detoxifiers that can be added to light spring soups, sandwiches, and foods for its unique peppery flavor.

by Donna Price

If the new service takes us too far off the path then it might not be the right choice and, as the It guides you on your journey. owner, it's your role to evaluate that.

A clear vision helps you to make good decisions for your Do you have a compelling business. Often there are tempting distractions that get vision? us off course. We decide to When you write a compelling add a new product line or vision statement, it inspires and create a new service, and down the road, we find that it motivates. It has the detail you need to move forward. Busidoesn't feel like the right fit. ness owners that have been When we look back at our vision, there it is, clear as day. working with me, will tell you that I keep coming back to this The new service or product with them, and in my own wasn't a part of the vision.

That's why it didn't fit or wasn't business. What is the vision? successful. It didn’t fit into the What does the company look company mission, vision and like? What are the services, the clients, the products? values.

What growth has the company Sure, we want to be creating experienced? What does it new services, new products, feel like---sound like? Writing a new opportunities for business detailed vision that includes all growth, but we want to stay on of the emotion helps you to our path. develop a clearer plan.

Your vision statement becomes your roadmap.

Young mustard greens can be used the same way and are best this time of year.

Their bitterness increases as the nights grow warmer.

-------CAm

Cethelen A. macEalaionta is a practicing Traditional & Medical Herbalist with more than a decade of experience in the natural health field. He has studied clinical psychology, theology, ethno botany, pharmacology and neurochemistry, and has made numerous appearances on Princeton TV30, and has been lecturing in various venues on the East Coast as well as operating an herbal practice in NJ.

I recommend writing your vision statement in as much detail as possible.

Write it in the present tense, as if it is happening now. Include the details of who, what, where, when, how-----and the emotional details----the feelings you have living that vision; the feelings of the clients, customers, and staff...what it looks like...sounds like... and smells like.

For example: “My practice is booming; new clients appear each week, easily and effortlessly. My clients love the service that they receive, and they tell their friends and family. During each session with a client, I feel totally present and connected to them and their needs. I am able to easily provide the exact service they need that day.” continued on next page

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The Holistic Mentorship Network Once you've created a written vision story, next make a picture. The picture doesn’t have to be that of an artist, just one that represents where you’re headed. Hang it on your wall where you can see it. Read your vision regularly, every day if you can.

This keeps you inspired and excited about the business that you are building. If your vision story doesn’t inspire you, then you need to rethink it; rewrite it. Your vision of your business and life should make you feel great!

Share the vision story and picture with your staff; your colleagues. Letting people know what the vision is, gives them the opportunity to help you achieve the vision.

Visions don’t just happen because you envision them or visualize them, write them

Growing the Seeds of Your Business continued or draw them. They happen because you take action. Reading your vision each day keeps you inspired and on track for taking the inspired actions that must happen to realize the vision. Develop strategies based on your vision to move that vision forward.

The vision is the seed that you have planted. Now you have to grow the garden.

The strategies become the tools that help you grow the garden and get you to your destination. Set your strategies in terms of goals, which are based on your values; your lessons learned and a clear and positive mindset for moving

forward. Focus this year on your top ten priorities. Write goals that are S-M-A-R-T: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time Bounded. With SMART goals you can track your progress and see your success.

Selecting the top ten helps you stay focused on what's really important. Keep your plan in front of you and work it. Working the plan and making it happen is the real key to producing the results that you want. Break down your goals each month into smaller monthly goals, or better, break them into weekly goals. Establish a system of accountability. Most people start out the year with

a great plan and a great strategy and, as the year moves on, they lose focus, and the plan drifts. Our coaching provides you with the ongoing support and accountability to produce results. Staying focused on goals and the things you desire is one of the greatest challenges many of us face. Perhaps you set a goal or a desire this year, but in the day-to-day of our busy lives, you lost track of it and, as a result, you end up abandoning it until next year.

Keeping ourselves accountable can be accomplished in a few ways.

Here are our 11 tips for creating a focused and fun approach to success: 1. Take the goal and break it into smaller steps and review it each week, even giving yourself a score.

2. Make a chart to chart progress, each step of the way.

3. Hang signs around the house, in the car, at work--saying: "Stay Focused."

4. Tell family and friends about the goal and intention.

5. Create your own mastermind group to help you stay on track and support your ups and downs.

6. Partner with a friend or colleague to be an "accountability buddy." Share your plan with them and talk once a week to let them know how you are doing.

7. Hire a coach to help you identify your goals and keep them on track all year towards extraordinary success.

8. Create celebrations of success; reward yourself --gold stars, dinner out, a new something!

9. Meditate each day on focused goal attainment.

10. Write your vision and goals down and read them everyday.

11. Have fun with each success and acknowledge it!

To move yourself into the success you desire spend some time now, creating your vision and focused plan for success.

Building the business that you want is possible. With a focused vision, strategic plan and implementation plan you can achieve what you set out to.

-------DP

Donna Price, M.S; M.Ed. President of Compass Rose Consulting, LLC, provides business coaching to business owners/ leaders, including holistic health practi-tioners, using her experience as a senior level manager for over eighteen years, with an extensive background in working with people to achieve their goals. Donna offers individual and group coaching and business development programs. Sign up today for a complimentary initial strategy session: dprice@compassroseconsulting.com or call 973-948-7673. http://www.compassroseconsulting.com

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The Holistic Mentorship Network

I Don’t Need a Professional Coach...Or Do I? My image of a professional coach was similar to that of an athletic coach. You know, The Coach, who teaches the player to be an integral part of a team...shares the in’s and out’s of the sport, takes special interest in an individual when considered necessary or appropriate.

ask questions. Sometimes they are very uncomfortable ones---ones you’ve been avoiding and don’t want to consider, let alone answer. The coach will move you through the process, being supportive, but never giving you the answers. Your answers eventually come forward and, with them, a feeling of The professional coach might greater confidence and be thought of as a stand back self-esteem. The path to your goal is clearer, and watch what happens person. He or she will first and you are more

by Mary Bennett

focused. More questions.

Again, the request for you to examine, then discover ways to use your answers to “step out” into new (for you) unexplored territory in order to expand your business, improve relationships, finances, etc.

some thought, will you rewrite the statement to reflect your new thinking; new frame of reference? Does your new statement feel good to you?

Is it something that lifts you, and that you can live with?

A professional coach asks you to consider your disappointments; then, he or she asks you to list your accomplishments. The results can be very rewarding; they may also point to areas where more work and change are needed.

A professional coach might ask you to consider joining a group of people in your field who are in a coaching program. That’s a real plus, as each can then share their problems and progress, thereby enhancing the value received from each session, and offering a mutual support and respect.

Frame of reference. What does that mean to you? What holds you back? Put it into words (frame of reference).

How might you change that idea, habit, or concept? After

I took the step to join an existing coaching group of Massage Therapists who were meeting monthly with Donna L. Price, MS, President of Compass Rose Consulting, LLC. I learned a

“...step into new, unexplored territory to improve relationships, finances...” great deal from their philosophies, business plans, marketing ideas----even how they managed to stay focused on their business and personal goals. I was pleased to observe that they had garnered some of these same bene-fits from me.

How Did We Do It ?

We each received individual time with Donna at the session, and in our group time, I felt a shared interest and conby Monica Freund cern among us. We have completed the program, and our interest and concern for each I approached Linda in the fortunate with the fact that other continues.

Deborah Metzger (of The spring of 2006 and asked her if she would be interes- Princeton Yoga Center) I have come away from my offered her studio to us as ted in starting a Holistic The mutual support was professional coaching prothe new meeting place.

Mentorship Network in the astounding, and very much gram with tools for success And, we discovered that, Greater Princeton Area... appreciated. I won’t pass on that, either I didn’t have before as a non-profit organizaAnd, our first network the opportunity to express my or, that needed revision and tion, our advertising would meeting was held in June gratitude and appreciation to updating. I am more confident be free in the US1---a very Donna Price. As our Profes- in my business, personal and 2006, where, even though popular Princeton area a few people showed up, sional Coach, Donna always financial relationships. we were still happy that we newspaper. helped us focus on our In short, I’m happier, more th accomplishments rather than content and more successful. had gotten started. Since On January 19 , we held then, we have held our on what hadn’t been done yet. our first meeting at the new -------MB meetings once a month. location, and it was literally Mary Bennett, BS of Mary Bennett Massage is a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist who specializes in Cranio-Sacral Therapy, Swe- However, in December, we a grand opening, without us even having advertised dish Massage and Lymphatic Drainage Therapy. In practice for more were faced with a dilemma one! Seventeen people, -----our original meeting than 11 years, Ms. Bennett’s ideal client is someone who has chronic from all walks of life, place was moving!

Keepsymptoms for which no relief has been found. Locations in Sparta attended the meeting. ing the faith (and sending a Health and Wellness Center, 89 Sparta Avenue, Sparta AND few emails), we became Blairstown, NJ. Call 908-362-8602 info@marybennettmassage.com continued on next page www.marybennettmassage.com

The Greater Princeton Area HMN

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The Holistic Mentorship Network

How Did We Do It ?(continued) It was so rewarding to see the interest of this group. We had a great speaker, Jeannette Schwartz, Doctor of Naturopathy and Fusion Feng Shui specialist.

------Also there, were Linda, the founder of the organization, Debra, the director and owner of the Yoga Center, practitioners (US and international), non-practitioners, board members, and lead facilitator----one of the original members; plus various modalities, including Massage Therapy, Yoga, Trager, Jin shin Jyutsu, Barbara Brenan, Cranial Sacral, Aroma therapy, Bach Flowers, Herbalist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Feng Shui-----just to name a few.

Personally, I was very thankful to see all these people get

together and build a community. Over the past nine years, I have been asked repeatedly when we would have a meeting to discuss different aspects of what we do. Well, the time has come, and we now have a forum and a great place to do it!

We are totally open to suggestions and welcome input from all members and potential members. The way I see it, the sky’s the limit and we can move in the direction of our passion. In answer to how did we do it? It was simple dedication.

A Recipe Contributed by

Cethelen Summer Pudding (A Tansy) Beat 7 eggs, (yolks and whites separately); add a pint of cream, near the same of pureed spinach, and a little tansyjuice gained by pounding in a stone mortar; a quarter of a pound of Naples biscuit, sugar to taste, a glass of white wine, and some nutmeg. Set it all in a saucepan, just to thicken over the fire; then put it into a dish (greased and floured to turn out), and bake it.

Spring Pudding Follow the Recipe as for Summer Pudding, but substitute chopped cress and a small portion of green onion for the spinach, replace tansy with pounded rue leaves and juice.

The sugar may be omitted as well as the nutmeg. Otherwise the recipe is the same.

Check the website and feel free to attend any of our meetings.

-------MF

on the left is a finished view of a slightly different version, utilizing Summer Squash

For the Garden of Your Daily Living...

PLANT THREE ROWS OF PEAS:

PLANT FOUR ROWS OF SQUASH:

PLANT FOUR ROWS OF LETTUCE:

1. Peace of mind 2. Peace of heart 3. Peace of soul

1. Squash gossip 2. Squash indifference 3. Squash grumbling 4. Squash selfishness

1. Lettuce be faithful 2. Lettuce be kind 3. Lettuce be patient 4. Lettuce really love one another

NO GARDEN IS WITHOUT TURNIPS: This one will put a smile on your face.

1. Turnip for meetings 2. Turnip for service 3. Turnip to help one another

And OUR GARDEN MUST HAVE THYME: 1. Thyme for each other 2. Thyme for family 3. Thyme for friends

WATER FREELY WITH PATIENCE AND CULTIVATE WITH LOVE. THERE IS MUCH FRUIT IN YOUR GARDEN BECAUSE YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.

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The Holistic Mentorship Network

What Is INDIAN HEAD Massage?

from The American Institute of Indian Head Massage At the age of seven they begin to learn the massage techniques they have both received and observed from other family members.

It is customary for the bride and groom to get a massage from their respective family members prior to the wedding.

Indian Head Massage is a holistic therapy that involves the therapist applying a variety of massage techniques to the upper back, shoulders, arms, neck, scalp, and face to achieve a sense of balance and harmony in the body. This is a safe, simple, yet effective therapy that not only improves the condition of the hair, but is a powerful method for relieving stress, anxiety, and tension.

The treatment is done while the client is fully clothed and seated in a chair.

As part of traditional family life in India, massage plays a central role throughout all the stages of life.

Indian babies are massaged daily from birth until the age of three. This promotes bonding and keeps the baby happy and secure.

It is passed down from mother to daughter and from generation to generation. Oils such as sesame, coconut and almond are massaged into the scalp to assure healthy, long hair. A visit to a barbershop while in India includes an invigorating head massage.

The barbers specific techniques will be handed down to his son.

A head massage can be had in many areas in India; on street corners, on beaches, and in markets.

Although practiced for thousands of years in India, Indian Head Massage has only recently come to the West.

The mother of the newborn will also receive ceremonial massages daily for forty days after giving birth just as she received massages during her pregnancy.

After the age of three, children continue to receive massages two or three times per week.

Massage is part of family life from the babies to the seniors. For the elders of the family it can be stimulating; while massage is calming for the younger children. Indian Head Massage is used by Indian women for grooming the hair.

It is no longer used only on the head but includes other areas of the upper body often affected by stress; such as the neck, shoulders and arms.

The treatment has been expanded beyond stimulating the head and improving the hair condition to becoming a powerful method for relieving stress.

For more information, contact

The American Institute of Indian Head Massage P.O. Box 963 • Williamstown, NJ 08094

Tel: 856.262.7739 Fax: 856.262.8575

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The Holistic Mentorship Network Our Mission:

Board Members

To create a unified community of compassionate holistic practitioners that will contribute to enhancing our profession and ourselves by providing a supportive space to share, learn, teach, grow, and lead.

George Dominguez Linda Mitchell-Dominguez Suhail Jarroush Cethelen macEalaionta Donna Price CONTACT US at:

956 Ridge Road Newton, NJ 07860 PHONE:

973-300-1184 FAX:

973-300-1189 E-MAIL:

info@mentorshipnetwork.com Or Visit on the Web! www.mentorshipnetwork.com

The Holistic Mentorship Network Board of Trustees has defined a holistic practitioner as... Any practitioner who offers a therapeutic approach intended to treat health issues or conditions through a process that views the physical, emotional, energetic, and spiritual aspects of existence as co-equal in addressing health and illness…Any practitioner who seeks to address health conditions in terms of the "whole person" rather than as disorders affecting or confined to only specific functional parts, systems, components, or organs could be considered a candidate to become a member in our Holistic Mentorship Network.

Holistic Mentorship Network 956 Ridge Road Newton, NJ 07860