Are You Speaking Their Language?

By Michelle Greenwell

As we look at the kinds of students that are now studying health and wellness disciplines, it is time to consider if we are meeting their needs.

Students in high school and middle school are learning about mental health and resources through computer programs designed to help them find government sourced resources and information. Such programs as ChatterHigh.com are assisting students in learning how to navigate online research to find resources so that they know how to find support in their early adult years. Young adults will use social media and apps about health and wellness to gain the most current research and ideas that are available. They are no longer purchasing books and building a library, and they are looking for instant information that can be applied on-demand. They are also taking college and university courses that lead them through specific targeted topics found in psychology, social work, neurobiology, neuroimmunology, kinesiology (the study of movement), physiology. Middle aged adults are relying on resources that they have been familiar with from the early years.

They will search the internet for assistance and use social media groups to find support for their areas of interest. Their ideas of self-care continue to be related to feel good activities like taking a bath, having a weekend away, paint nights, yoga class, walking. As we consider the field of bioenergetic wellness or specialized kinesiology moving forward, how

are we creating a platform that is accessible to

these generations? Are we keeping up with the development of our workshops, courses, and post-secondary degrees? Are we easily found in research on the internet? Are we accessible for quick referencing and use? With the restrictions of the pandemic, we were forced into an online platform. For those of us offering instruction in distance healing, this was an easy and powerful transition for teaching and offering sessions. In fact, many of us discovered that the concepts of distance healing, instantaneous change over distance, and awareness of energy were heightened using Zoom to provide classes online. For those who held on to the belief that we were a hands-on clinician only, employment became a challenge. What is the difference in these two viewpoints? Intention and clinician vs facilitator. How has this helped or hampered accessibility to our work? Moving forward we know that the world is looking for self-care information. People are looking to be empowered by their own actions and accountable for their wellness. They want the information to be readily available on their phone, and they want to know that the tools are based in science.

How are we meeting these needs? How are we changing the way we deliver our techniques and protocols? Are we creating apps? Are we making advocacy and outreach a priority for people to know we are available, accessible, and imperative for a self-care and wellbeing plan? Over the last year a team at CanBeWell, (The Canadian Association of BioEnergetic Wellness) came together to address these issues. They created a FREE pdf for the public to have direct access, and they kept the tools as simple as possible from many different disciplines like Touch for Health, Brain Gym, Natural BioEnergetics, Therapeutic Touch, and counselling. This provided a tool that was accessible on a phone. They also created a deck of cards that created a game for families to use. Others have created similar tools over the years. What they noticed is that people

needed simple and experiential to be

engaged. Even though tools were accessible and easy, they were too nervous to use them and unable to trust they could be successful. The idea that someone with a physician’s degree is necessary for self-care continued to prevail. Self-empowerment is not part of their dialogue.

How are we meeting these needs? How are we changing the way we deliver our techniques and protocols?

With this knowledge, how does our profession go forward and thrive? What approach do we take to raise awareness, to empower people, to develop an interest in knowing more about bioenergetic wellness or specialized kinesiology? How do we educate and train our younger generation? What are

they expecting of us? Can we deliver? These are important ideas that need to be explored on a global level. Until we address and create a platform for our profession, we will be unable to really reach the younger generation and the children and families needing our services. Where do you become a part of these conversations? IASK is holding gatherings once a month with a coffee chat with less than a dozen people from around the world coming together. Could you prioritize this? Knowlative built a platform that has an app and creates conversations bi-monthly with less than a dozen people from around the world coming together. Could you prioritize this? Knowlative has offered three learning opportunities for 2022. The first is a Summit just for youth in their teens and early 20’s. Who do we know that we could send to this special event, and how can we entice them to participate? CanBeWell has partnered with Knowlative to share a plethora of tools from many different disciplines to provide a way for specialized kinesiologists to know more about topics that might not be a part of their regular course materials. With specific targeted collaborative gatherings through their summit, they are targeting these tough questions and looking for targeted action to help transform the profession. Thirdly, Knowlative’s annual event is designed to share the latest developments happening by creative course writers around the world. Have you put these

progressive opportunities on your priority list as an advocate?

As you consider your role in the longevity of our profession, what action plan do you have in

place to change the way you reach youth?

How are you changing our approach to be diverse, inclusive, and equitable? We are at a critical point in a post-pandemic, aging population using bioenergetic wellness or specialized kinesiology tools. To thrive in the next decade, we need to all be taking an active and comprehensive approach to making sure that our tools will continue. How will you use 2022 to advocate for our profession? How will you be a part of the action for 2022 to be accessible to all?

(cont.)

Some suggestions for working with clients: 1) Empower with tools for home 2) Create a community with your web of influence 3) Know the science and latest research that supports your protocols and share 4) Market with DEI lenses on Some suggestions for professional development: 1) Belong to a professional organization to be a part of the wellbeing community 2) Participate in the Standards of Practice programs to be aligned with a robust education 3) Read and write for publications in health and wellness 4) Target a younger demographic and create opportunities to bring youth in 5) Attend presentations, workshops, conferences that keep you current and stretch your skills for new platforms and health and wellness knowledge 6) If you have always wanted to go back to school, consider a degree in integrative health or participate in research projects assisting the science for our tools

Thank you for taking up the challenge to speak the language of our youth, they need our mentorship, and our profession needs us all working together to support wellbeing with energy medicine tools.

Michelle Greenwell had never considered that she would want to go back to school and pursue a post-secondary education. With a BA in Modalit Psychology she felt that she wanted to be outside of the medical model for selfcare. In 2013 she was intrigued by a posting by Akamai University that credit could be given for those people with skills in Touch for Health, Brain Gym, MNRI and more. She never considered a degree. Since embarking on a post graduate diploma in Energy Dynamics, and then a MSc in CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine), she is now working on a doctorate in Integrative Health. Her understanding of the science and power of energy medicine has put her forefront with organizations wanting to integrate CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) with their programs. Now working with the Choose Love Movement as a Program and Curriculum Developer, she is able to meld tools from her bioenergetic wellness toolbox with social and emotional learning programs for schools and educators. “My understanding of research, science, and program development was all expanded and energized through my participation in a graduate program at Akamai University. We need more people pursuing this level of education to find ways to reach our youth and to support families. Post-traumatic care needs us and our tools, and post-pandemic crisis along with global weather catastrophe’s also need our support. I am grateful for the opportunity to be stretched in my perspectives and invited to bigger global discussions. Be the change you wish to see!”