news briefs

Yoga OFF the Mat: Holistic Strategies for Managing Holiday Stress

As this month kicks off the holiday season for many, some may find themselves especially stressed, anxious and more consciously concerned about their weight and eating healthy. Hillary Carlisle, a yoga teacher and health coach, is offering Yoga OFF the Mat workshops, designed to give students holistic strategies for managing these challenges along with supporting health, throughout November at the Movement Works Yoga Studio, in Calabash, as well as In ayurveda, good digestion is key for in the Myrtle Beach area and online. great health.

“There is a science of yoga called ayurveda that tells us exactly how to eat for the health of our body and mind, and guides us in our lifestyle choices so that we can relieve symptoms of dis-ease and prevent the occurrence of chronic illness,” explains Carlisle. “If there is a time we need these tools most, it’s now.” The workshop introduces ayurveda and teaches the yogic approaches to nutrition, movement and spiritual practices.

Carlisle says she is excited to share these teachings throughout the holidays when students crave extra support managing issues like stress, anxiety, weight and digestion. “The physical practice of yoga is one of the most accessible and profound ways to improve health both physically and mentally, but I want students to know that their yoga and health doesn’t stop at the mat,” comments Carlisle.

Cost: $150/person, 4 sessions. For more information including dates and times or to register, call 337-412-3873, email GreatLoveHealth@gmail.com or visit HolyShift.me. See ad, page 11.

Diabetes Wellness Council in Coastal SC to Launch Wellness Program

As November is Diabetes Awareness Month, the public should take more notice of the disease and how damaging it can be. Diabetes is not something one can automatically see in someone. It’s not evident from the outside, unless that person wears a diabetes device like a monitor or insulin pump, as there are millions of people that go about their lives every day with undiagnosed diabetes. This can be a deadly situation or at the very least, lead to severe organ damage and possible failure. High blood sugar in a long period can be extremely dangerous. There can be many reasons why many remain undiagnosed, but one of the most prevalent is access to health care and financial limitations.

As such, the Diabetes Wellness Council, a 501c3 nonprofit organization (formerly named The Wellness Council for SC) will launch a program in February specifically for those communities that lack access or the financial ability to get proper medical care and testing. The program will begin with a kickoff health fair event with medical providers on hand to conduct risk assessments, glucose and A1C measurements, blood pressure checks and more. Afterwards, weekly classes will be given for both diabetes prevention and management. This will be a six-month program, with leaders within those communities trained in how to continue beyond the initial six months.

The Council is currently seeking sponsors and donations for this highly necessary and important program. For more information, contribute or send a message, visit DiabetesWellnessCouncil.org.

Healing Leaves Holistic Center Reopens Under New Ownership

“We are excited to acquire an amazing business, and are striving to improve it by making it bigger and better with more products and services to offer the community,” says Starr Carmody, the managing partner of Healing Leaves, in Wilmington.

“We are building a brand that we hope to take to multiple locations and possibly franchise. We have teamed up with people that want to help make everyone’s day a little better, brighter, and healthier. Our tag line is, ‘Healing from within,’ and we stand behind that.”

The practice continues to stock and expand on a wide variety of holistic and natural products, including herbal teas, essential oils, and all-natural and homeopathic items for men, women, children and pets. Healing Leaves also provides a variety of services including holistic practitioners, massage therapy, and detox footbaths. In addition, many interactive and hand’s on-classes on topics including nutrition along with health and wellness services are provided in their new, relaxing Zen room.

“Another goal of ours is to support the business community by locally sourcing our products as much as possible. Wilmington has a solid community base for that, and we hope to add to it and expand on the holistic way of life,” adds Carmody.

Location: 1015 S. Kerr Ave., Wilmington. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tue.-Fri.; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sat.; Sun./Mon. closed. For more information, call 910-660-8127 or visit HealingLeavesNC.com. See ad, page 9.

Historic Wilmington Foundation and Cape Fear Community College to Launch New Certification Program

The nonprofit Historic Wilmington Foundation (HWF) is launching a new initiative with Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) that has been nearly a year in the planning.

Offered through the Workforce Training program at CFCC, Introduction to Historic Preservation is the first of three, 96-hour courses that’ll allow students to earn a certificate in Historic Preservation Construction. CFCC and HWF have partnered to define this the only curriculum of its kind within 150 miles. The hands-on program is geared toward contractors and those with a background in construction.

Given Wilmington’s abundance of old buildings and a shortage of contractors to help repair and maintain them, the program is a win-win for the community. “Wilmington’s built history makes this city extraordinary,” says Beth Rutledge, HWF’s executive director. “Training more contractors who understand how to work with old buildings helps to strengthen our local job market and ensure a strong future for our historic homes and businesses.”

“The preservation of our historic buildings is so important,” adds Jim Morton, CFCC president. “Helping our citizens learn to restore and maintain these structures is vital to Wilmington’s economy and to our community’s story. CFCC is proud to partner with Historic Wilmington Foundation to provide this unique opportunity to our students.”

“Being part of this educational effort is an honor for HWF,” adds Rutledge. “After more than half a century of encouraging stewardship of old buildings, now we’ll have a hand in showing how it’s done.”

Since 1966, the nonprofit HWF has been working to preserve and protect the irreplaceable historic resources of Wilmington and the Lower Cape Fear region.

For more information or to register for the course, visit CFCC-Register.FundFive.com.

Discover the Benefits of Massage

Agrowing body of research supports the health benefits of massage therapy for conditions such as stress, fibromyalgia, low-back pain and more. “Find out how you can benefit from adding massage therapy to your health and wellness routine,” suggests Courtney Fitzpatrick, licensed massage and bodywork therapist, and owner at CSF Massage & Bodywork, in Wilmington. According to a recent American Massage Therapy Association Consumer Survey, 41 percent of individuals said their primary reason for receiving a massage in the previous year was for medical purposes Courtney Fitzpatrick while 26 percent opted for the modality for reducing stress. Fitzpatrick adds, “Consider massage therapy as a supplement to your healthy lifestyle regiment by including weekly or monthly sessions.”

CSF Massage & Bodywork offers a safe place for anyone that has been abused or suffers from a mental illness, notes Fitzpatrick as well. “My goal is to get to know clients on a personal basis with no judgment, assist them with better overall mental and physical health needs and to provide an outlet for them during difficult time periods they may have.”

Location: 1213 Culbreth Dr., Landfall Executive, Ste. 220, Wilmington. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 910-386-6229 or email CSFMassageTherapy@gmail.com. LMBT# 13724. See ad, page 17.