Are you one of millions of Americans fed up with your waistline, wanting a healthy heart, concerned about your immune system, osteoporosis and other functional issues? If so, New York Times bestselling author and nutritional expert Jordan Rubin will be sharing keys to empower you with extraordinary health.

Rubin, founder of the whole foods nutrition company Garden of Life, developed an exclusive line of more than 30 nutritional formulas. His mission is to spread the knowledge that saved his life to others who are suffering with illnesses or who simply want to take charge of their own health.

Jordan Rubin will speak on March 24th at 6:30pm at Healthy Home Market, 2707 South Blvd. For more info visit www.hemarket.com.

Living Beyond Disease Workshops With author Michele O’Donnell

Michele O’Donnell, registered nurse, minister, author and radio host has helped thousands of people by introducing them to a new approach to healing and wellness as natural states of being. The founder of the first metabolic holistic clinic in the nation will be in Charlotte March 12-14 to hold workshops. She will explore the cause of physical suffering, why some people heal and others do not and how we can live free of disease.    The Living Beyond Disease workshops will be held at Unity of Charlotte, 401 E. Arrowood Rd. beginning Mar 12 with an introductory workshop at 7pm. On Mar 13 the workshops will be at 2-4:30pm and 7-9pm. Michele will be guest speaker at Unity of Charlotte’s Sunday Service and the Sunday workshop will be 1-4pm. The cost for the introductory session $10 and each workshop is $30. All three workshops are $75 and with the introductory session $80. Info: 704-523-0062 or  www.unityofcharlotte.org.

Coaching Certification Comes to Charlotte

Coaching is a high-demand, high income profession. According to U.S News and World Report coaching is currently the second biggest consulting business in the country. To meet this growing demand, The Certified Coaches Federation (CCF) will conduct a Certified Coach Practitioner training on April 24-25th at the Residence Inn. These trainings will be led by Jennifer A. Gage PhD, giving participants the benefit of her sixteen years of teaching and coaching experience.  

CCF training programs are unique in that they are structured to ensure their graduates’ success. In addition to helping students develop crucial coaching skills, CCF also provides a step-by-step Business and Marketing Development Plan which affords the tools needed to begin a new career with confidence. All CCF graduates also receive a full year of continuing education at no additional cost.

“Our emphasis is on meeting our students’ passion for helping others with a solid ‘how to’ approach to the entire coaching profession,” explains Dr. Gage. 

Additional classes are scheduled for Orlando (March 27-8th) and Jacksonville (May15-16th). For more information please call Dr. Gage at 704-369-6390 or visit www.CertifiedCoachesFederation.com.

Unlock the Secrets of Your Dreams Dream interpretation workshop

In “Unlock the Secrets of Your Dreams” dream analyst Mary Ellen Shuntich will help participants easily remember dreams, find their hidden messages, learn how to solve problems, receive guidance through dreams and how to become creative with lucid dreaming.

“Your dreams contain a personal message and you will be guided to break down and analyze your dreams with a very simple process that can provide very profound results,” says Shuntich, a graduate of the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. Understanding our dreams may help us through difficult decisions, relationship issues, health concerns, career questions or life struggles.   Participants will create their own “dream dictionary” to place meanings on the symbols in their dreams that have meaning for them. These “definitions” of their dream words, actions or feelings tell a story - a very personal story that only the dreamer could know the importance of.

This workshop will be held March 27 from 1:30-4pm at Harmony Yoga in South Charlotte. Cost is $55. Info/register: 704-543-1923 or  [email protected].  

The Insight Meditation Community of Charlotte Quiet the mind, live with ease

Persons of all faiths and beliefs are welcome to attend weekly Insight Meditations on Wednesday evenings with instructions in Mindfulness and Metta (Lovingkindness) with The Insight Meditation Community of Charlotte.

Mindfulness is a moment-to-moment awareness that allows for the development of clarity, joy, and equanimity. Metta is described by leader Dr. Joy LiBethe as “a powerful method for cultivating the natural capacity for an open heart and a deepening of connection with all beings; essential, if we are to be able to face, and begin to resolve with compassion, the challenges of today’s world.”

Silent meditation will begin at 7:30 pm with instructions for beginners at 7pm. A brief talk and guided Metta meditation will follow from 8 to-8:30 pm. These 2,600 year-old teachings are offered freely.

The generosity of donations to offset expenses is greatly appreciated. Meditation leaders include Lindsay Bridges, MD and Cindy Rhodes, MA, NCC, LPCA.

The meditation will be held at 200 N. Sharon Amity. For additional information contact [email protected].

Be Strong Fitness Ministry Strengthens Body & Soul

Be Strong is a unique fitness program for women that combines graceful yoga with Christian prayer, music and scripture reflection. Each 90-minute class includes 30 minutes of Biblical study and prayer that is then integrated into 60 minutes of gentle yoga.

Be Strong is based on Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through (Christ) who strengthens me, said Lisa Tolido, founder Be Strong Ministries.

“Each week, we explore a different spiritual theme (peace, hope, faith) and study scripture that affirms God as the source of our strength and hope,” Tolido said. “Bible verses we study are then beautifully expressed through prayerful stretching and strengthening exercises.” Tolido leads the scripture reflection, and certified yoga instructor Michele Schmidt leads the class in yoga. 

Jo Ann Kelly, a participant since September 2008, says, “I feel physically strong after every class, and I am filled with the love and peace of Christ. Having that quiet, reflective time each week helps me center myself and carry that love out into the world.” 

Be Strong classes are offered oncefor six-weeks and cost $49. Morning and evening sessions are available. New sessions begin soon. Info: www.BeStrongMinistries.org.

Learn the Chinese Art of Self Healing With Elixir Qigong Training

The Elixir Qigong Center in Charlotte is offering a 250 hour course to become a certified Qigong practitioner starting April 3 and 4. Qigong is an ancient Chinese healing practice that strengthens Qi, or life energy, and is becoming increasingly popular as a main form of energy healing.

“Elixir Qigong is a profound and unique method to develop your life energy and innate healing abilities,” says Dr. Camilo Sanchez, OMD, who has taught and studied Qigong for 20 years.

Elixir Qigong can increase vitality and resistance to disease and correct stress and anxiety, chronic pain and fatigue, digestive disorders, asthma, high blood pressure, weight loss, migraines / headaches, women’s health issues, hormonal disorders, and much more. 

“This course is for anyone interested in discovering the healing power of Qi, developing their innate healing abilities, empowering their health or joining the growing career field of Qigong energy healing,” states Sanchez. 

For more information contact the Elixir Qigong Center at 704-542-8088, or www.elixirqigong.com. 

Real Food Charlotte Offers Cooking Classes

Learn to make healthy living a delicious experience! Real Food Charlotte, a pure vegetarian cafe serving the finest locally produced raw foods, fresh juices, baked goods, is offering cooking classes for those interested in promoting well-being and making it taste good too. The classes are designed to be fun and simple (breaking tradition by starting with a good meal) and then learning how to quickly and easily prepare the food you are savoring.

The March 5th class will focus on soups, salads and sandwiches - both baked and raw options. On March 19, participants will learn to prepare fine dining at home with ease. Topics include proper protein, vegetable and while grain combinations and methods of cooking to optimize nutrition. April classes feature artisanal breads, baked goods and smoothies. Price: $40 each class (or $180 for all five classes pre-registration). Price includes the meal. Info:www.realfoodclt.com.

KUDOS

Lakeside Counseling & Hypnotherapy Celebrates 10 Years in Business

Amy Bernstein, LCSW, CH, owner of Lakeside Counseling & Hypnotherapy Center in Mooresville, is pleased to announce that the center recently celebrated its 10th year in business. “We offer counseling, hypnosis and Emotional Freedom Techniques and will continue our dedication to helping clients improve their lives through power of the mind,” says Bernstein.