Ellen Schaeffer, BA, E-RYT is a registered yoga teacher and a certified Yoga Therapist.  She has over 20 years of teaching experience. Ellen sees Yoga as a map for holistic living that helps us to embrace the joys and challenges of life from a place of deep inner balance. Currently, Ellen runs a Yoga studio, trains teachers nationally, and offers classes at Day Kimball hospital.

Robin Thompson, RN, HNC, a certified holistic nurse, integrative health coach and stress management teacher with over 23 years advocating the integration of conventional medicine with the best holistic complementary care practices. Robin is currently Program Coordinator for Day Kimball Hospital’s Integrative Medicine and Employee Wellness Programs.

Saturday   May 12  2012
10:00am – 4:00pm

Nutritious food included
Cost: $65.00
(Payment plans available, if needed)

Location:Day Kimball Hospital ~ 320 Pomfret Street ~ Putnam, CT ~  RHF Conference Rooms 2 & 3

For more information & to register contact DKH Integrative Medicine Department:

Robin Thompson ~  (860) 928-6541 x2095  ~  rthompson@daykimball.org

 Did you know that

• 70% of your Immune System is in your digestive tract?
• Stress puts the digestive process on hold?
• Greater than 70% of the body’s serotonin is made in the gut, not in the brain?
• According to the CDC, 86% of disease begins with stress?!

 Good Health requires good digestion because it’s all connected!

Sherry Guastini is a Holistic Nutritionist and Integrative Yoga Therapy Teacher, also certified in several energy practices and is the founder and owner of Insightful Wellness.  She is passionate about sharing forgotten wisdom for modern day health. She specializes in teaching busy people how to decrease their stress, so they can improve their digestion, loose the weight and gain some energy without pharmaceuticals!
She received her training at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York City, Her interest in nutrition came from seeing the effects of chemicals in the Standard American Diet on her children and realizing that your gut is your “second brain”. Watching all the positive changes in her family after removing certain “foods”, she became interested in what could be added into their diets to support them. This quest led to a passion for Super foods and an online store within her website.

Stress is the pre-cursor for the majority of disease and following a lifelong interest in yoga and meditation, Sherry trained at One Yoga Center in Rhode Island for her certification in Integrative Yoga Therapy. She is certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners, leads works shops on nutrition, yoga and meditation classes as well as offering  group individual counseling sessions for children and adults.

Monday, May 21 2012

7:00 pm

One class only, $15

(class cards do not apply to this class).

and how it applies to Yoga.

• Expand your perspective of the miraculous body in this highly experiential journey into physical anatomy.

• Learn proper and safe alignment of the joints including ways to modify Yoga postures to avoid common injuries.

• Develop your capacity to observe structural and proportional differences in yourself and others while cultivating kinesthetic awareness of your own physical body.

The path of exploration will include demonstration, palpation, individual, partner and group experiential modules.

Some anatomy awareness will be helpful. If none, suggested reading from The Trail Guide to the Body, Andrew Biel (copy available for short loan at One Yoga Center):

• May 20th  -The Foot and Leg, Read Introduction and Chapters 1 & 7

The Thigh and Pelvis, Read Chapter 6

• July 1st – The Hand, Arm and Shoulder, Read Chapters 2 & 3

The Spine, Read Chapter 4

Time: 12-5pm -Sunday May 20th and Sunday July 1st

Tuition: early bird registration by May 1st $100.00 for 1 day or $180 for both.  After May 1st $120 for 1 day $200 for both

Ed Cardinal is a skilled Thai Yoga bodyworker, licensed physical therapist, certified personal trainer (NSCA-CPT), and holds a Masters degree in Counseling. He completed his 200 hour Yoga teacher certification in 2001 through Integrative Yoga Therapy (IYT). Ed has conducted anatomy and Thai Yoga bodywork workshops for personal trainers, bodyworkers and Yoga instructors since 2006.  His diverse complimentary background, strong organizational skills and passion for anatomy enables him to deliver a comprehensive and insightful educational experience. Eager to incorporate a holistic approach to healing and wellness. Ed founded SOL Integrative Wellness in 2004 (www.solwellness.com).

According to the science of Ayurveda (yoga’s sister science of medicine) spring is an ideal time to detoxify our body. It honors nature’s own rhythm as a time for rejuvenation…a time to rejuvenate our physiology.

In the practice of Ayurveda, the change of seasons calls for a change in diet. Eating “seasonally” is what is recommend.  Although an ancient practice it goes along well with the contemporary notion of “eating local”. Discover what is growing near you and eating it when it is fresh.

Folks living in New England, likely know the challenge of finding fresh food during the winter months. Due to this, it is not unusual to find food, grown half way around the world, filling the shelves of our refrigerators.  This supports the impetus to engage in springtime cleanse. Cleansing supports your over all well-being by helping the body release accumulated toxins. It can also be a stepping-stone to consciously break away from unhealthy dietary habits that no longer serve us.

Although raw juice is not a part of traditional Ayurvedic cleanses (ayurveda uses herbs, certain foods and other cleansing therapies) it is a proven way to maintain a high nutritional intake while riding the body of accumulated toxins.  When we consume only liquids we give our bodies a break from digesting food and use the energy to clean out old matter in the digestive system. Experiencing a juice fast in community adds a level of support that allows the process to be a joyful celebration and draws us away from “temptations” that we may encounter when fasting at home.

We will begin our day at 9:00am and end at 4:00 pm.  We will prepare our juice together using only organic vegetables and some fruit.  Every attempt will be made to source some locally grown organic produce. We will drink juice together 3 times (in the morning and then in the afternoon) and prepare a final juice at the end of the day for you to bring home as your “dinner”.  Pure fresh drinking water and coconut water will also be enjoyed throughout the day.

When not preparing and drinking our juice, we will participate in the day by exploring, sharing and creating intention/vision around our individual health and wellness goals. There will also be time for guided meditation and gentle restorative yoga.

Prior to the fast, you will be given some dietary guidelines to prepare you and your body for the day of the fast.  These will include restricting/minimizing your intake of processed foods including sugar and processed grains and reducing or eliminating the consumption of meat, animal products, caffeine and alcohol.  You will be encouraged to eat a lot of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains.  These same guidelines will support you for several days following the fast.

Fasting is not for everyone.  Particularly for those with dietary health issues such as diabetes. Pregnant and nursing women should not fast. People with low blood pressure, liver or kidney disease as well as those with ulcerative colitis and impaired immune function should avoid fasting. If you have any questions about the appropriateness of a raw juice cleanse please consult a qualified health professional.   If you would like to participate in the day including the delicious juice, but cannot fast, you are welcome to bring some food with you to the retreat.

For some, detoxing can have mild side effects such as headaches, tiredness or flu like symptoms. For many this is not a concern. Everyone’s body is different.  Everyone’s diet is different. Side effects are more likely for those who are making the most significant changes to their typical daily diet. For example if your diet includes a lot of meat, caffeine and sugar you body may react to the absence of these substances. The preparation for and the follow-up to this retreat are essential to the cleansing process.  Sure you can come and juice with us for the day but if your intention is to truly cleanse and prepare you body, mind and spirit for the rejuvenation of spring the preparatory and follow-up practices are essential.

Advance registration is required, as I need to know how much vegetables/fruit to purchase.  You may be amazed to see how much food bulk is required to make a cup of juice.  Great compost will be available at the end of the day for those who like to garden.

Sunday May 6, 2012 (must register with payment by April 30th)

10:00 am -4:00 pm

$70 (about $17 of this will help to buy the organic fresh produce, and coconut water for your cleanse).

I will have bottled spring water available for you but if you prefer your water from home please bring no less then a half gallon.

Forget about having to get up and down form the floor and enjoy all the benefits of Yoga in this gentle and effective class.

Much of the Yoga seen in contemporary media seems out of reach for the “average” body never mind for those of us with health or physical challenges. The truth of the matter however is that Yoga can be adapted in many ways so that it can be practiced by EVERYONE.  It is such a healthy, relaxing and healing practice that it is truly worth experiencing it for yourself.  In this class we will focus on healthy posture, joint mobility & stability, emotional & physical stress release, strength & flexibility – all geared toward optimal well-being.

• Explore healthy movement from sitting and standing positions (modifications will be offered to meet individual needs)
• Practice breathing exercises to improve respiration and support health and homeostasis in all bodily systems
• Discover relaxation techniques to help with pain management and alleviate stress

Students will be asked to complete a healthy history form at the start of the first class.

Please note: Class is currently being held in our second floor studio.  We have access to the the American Martial Arts Center on the 1st floor and will happily move the class if handicap accessibility is needed. Please try to inform us of this need 2 weeks prior to your first class and also consider a 4 week commitment so we can make arrangements with American Martial Arts and the students currently attending class. Thanks!!!!

Class are held on Monday mornings from 11:00-12:15

Children will be encouraged and supported as they develop both physical and inner strength, learn valuable techniques for relaxation and self-control, and enjoy an overall boost to their self-esteem and well-being. Together we will nurture compassion for our bodies and minds in an respectful and non-competitive atmosphere.

This class is designed for children ages 7 to 10. It is taught in 4 or 6 week sessions.

Preregistration is required and a minimum of 6 children are needed to run the class.  There are no transfers or refunds for missed classes.

Friday’s 4-5:00pm

Winter session 1/6-1/27

Spring session 4/20-5/25 – Spring Session Canceled

4 weeks – $40

6 weeks – $60

Walk-in’s welcome once class is registered at a minimum of 6 students.  Walk-in fee $12/class. Please call if not preregistered to confirm class is in session.

Click here for information on Aimee Fontaine

I have always experienced winter as a time of incubation. Not only do I find myself reigniting my interest in indoor activities, like  cooking, sprouting and beading, I also find myself drawn more deeply into my Yoga and meditation practice.  Essentially I am increasingly drawn inside my “self’ during these long winter days.

With the support of my teacher, students, friends and sangha (community) I continue to discover that introspection is not about hunkering in and trying to figure ‘things” out, but a process of letting go and allowing everything to simply be as it is. It is a surrendering of my fight with reality.  My desire to have things be something other then the way they are. It is an acceptance of life on life terms. A releasing of resistance to what is.

It is quite freeing, this process of acceptance. After all things are “as they are” aren’t they? When I relax into this truth, this process, I begin to really feel the perfection of it all. Nothing and no one needs to be other then the way they are. It is sense of grace, a beautiful thing!!!

Classes are held on Monday evenings from 7:00pm to 8:30 or 9:00pm. Click on purple text to link you to  more information. Yoga class cards are not accepted for these events. Fee’s may apply, each event is priced in concordance with the teacher.

Click on the class title for more information on these exciting offerings:

We are working on reinventing how we use this time slot.  Please check back to discover what we have decided. Thanks!

It is easy to take a stand in the face of  human suffering as we did when the forces of nature hit Haiti. But it is harder when the suffering and the masses of those who are suffering have no voice. The oil spill in the gulf is so much more then a set back to tourism, restricted access to beaches, a punch to the fishing industry.  This crisis is an ecological disaster that has the potential to wipe out species of creatures, coral reefs, and significantly impact the infrastructure of the planet and the way we live

There are 5 species of sea turtles that live in the gulf, one of which only nests there and no where else in the world. Two others are on the endangered or threatened species lists.  The whales found in the area are believed to be at risk due to the way they eat. They are at risk of ingesting large amounts of oil.  Concerns for the 9 species of dolphins living in the area include the risk of eating contaminated fish or starvation due to lack of fish. And, we have all seen the sad images of oil laden birds.  Can you imagine being them and experiencing the hopelessness that they feel as they are held captive in a slick coat of death? It is their homes, the marshlands, barrier reefs and beaches that we see, in the media, being impacted by the spill.

What we don’t see is what is happening beneath the surface of the ocean, to the coral reefs and deep sea inhabitants. Coral reefs are living organisms and they are home to many species of fish and sea animals. These reefs will be suffocated as microbes deep in the sea continue to eat the plumes of oil and deplete the oxygen needed by the coral. As the coral die off so will the beautiful spectrum of creatures dependent on it. The reverberation to the entire food chain is unthinkable but we must think about it, we must talk about it and we must take action.

It is one thing to cry over spilled milk and another to to take steps to assure that it never happens again. This is where we can really make a difference.  A bit of simple activism can make a big impact especially if you encourage others to join you. Let your local representatives know that this event has proven that off shore drilling is not safe and should not be supported. Learn about alternative energy options and support policy that encourages research into and the use of safe, clean energy sources. Participate in or hold organized gatherings to share and learn how you can help at the local, national and global level.  Be mindful of what you buy, avoid petroleum based products, drive only when necessary, consider a hybrid the next time you purchase a car.  The greatest activism is to live as an example of what you believe is right. In the words of Mohandas Gandhi – “be the change you wish to see in the world!”