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Beth Cosmos Receives Doctoral Degree

Elizabeth Cosmos, Inpatient Coordinator for Integrated Medicine at St. Mary’s Health Care, the department of, Mind, Body and Spirit recently received her doctoral degree from Holos University Graduate Seminary in Fair Grove, Missouri. The primary focus of the four year degree was education in research to further the opportunity for integration of holistic practices in the medical and clinical settings.

One aspect of study was Ama Deus®, a healing energy which Cosmos has been teaching for 16 years. Ama Deus® is currently part of a clinical study to determine its effectiveness on stress levels of Stage III and IV ovarian cancer patients. "I am very grateful for the opportunity to help aid in the quality of life for ovarian cancer patients," says Cosmos. "I am also thankful to be able to aid other coworkers who are attempting to do clinical trials with holistic practices." In addition to receiving the doctorate, Cosmos was also ordained.

Cosmos is facilitating an Ama Deus® Level I class the weekend of May 3 and 4 where she will initiate participants and teach the sacred symbols of the healing technique. Cost for the weekend is $100. For more information call 616-648-3354.

Health Hutt Opens in Downtown GR

Health Hutt Natural & Organic Grocer has opened its fourth West Michigan location close to the newly developed "Medical Mile" area in downtown Grand Rapids (GR). With three stores currently serving the lakeshore community, the new store will offer the same quality groceries, supplements, super foods, raw power foods, sport’s nutrition, body and household care products and bulk foods. Unique to the GR location is a smoothie and juice bar serving drinks, eatables and fresh coffee and tea. Food and beverages may be enjoyed at the store’s dining area or taken out. A grand opening celebration is scheduled on Saturday, June 7 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Health Hutt is located one block north of Michigan St. at the corner of Monroe and Trowbridge at 600 Monroe, NW, Suite 101 in Grand Rapids. For more information call 616-776-9944.

Migun Relocates to Rockford

The Migun Demonstration Center of Grand Rapids has relocated to ChiroHealth in Rockford. Free Migun Thermal Massage System sessions are still available for a one month trial period at the new location. Free in home or on-site demonstrations are also available throughout west Michigan by calling 866-466-8661.

ChiroHealth is located at 6769 Courtland Dr NE in Rockford. For more information call 866-466-8661.

Advanced LaHoChi Workshop

The Advanced 13th Octave LaHoChi healing energy class will be taught on Saturday and Sunday, May 4-5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hidden Pines Healing Harmony (HPHM) in Muskegon. The advanced class will be facilitated by Linda Dillon, founder and CEO of Nova School, who began teaching in Western Michigan 10 years ago. "What is wonderful about the people of Michigan is, they don’t talk about their process," says Dillon. "They don’t need to. They live their truth – ready to share if asked."

Tuition for the two-day class is $250. Massage therapists are eligible for Continuing Education credits. , HPHM is located at 953 Seminole Rd in Muskegon. For more information call 772-446-7713 or visit NovaSchool.net.

Bishop Spong Returns to C3

Christ Community Church (C3) is pleased to welcome Bishop John Shelby Spong back to West Michigan for a three day weekend series May 9-11. The series will include a special reception on Friday evening and two morning lectures on Saturday. Bishop Spong will end his visit by offering the morning message during C3’s main gathering at 10:00am. A question and answer session will follow the gathering.

Tickets for the entire weekend are $75 per person. Tickets may also be purchased separately. Tickets maybe purchased online by visiting Christ-Community.net or by calling 616-842-1985. C3 is located at 225 E. Exchange St. Spring Lake.

MBFA Relocates

Michigan Bodywork & Fitness Academy (MBFA), a Michigan state licensed Sports Massage and Personal Fitness Trainer School, has relocated to a 2,500 sq ft suite in downtown Grand Rapids. The superior space will allow the school to integrate lecture and practical lab classes in one building. Classes will be taught Monday – Friday, 6 to 11pm. The facility will also include a student massage clinic.

For more information call 616-874-3041. MBFA is located at 678 Front Ave, Suite 210 in Grand Rapids. Free parking is available.

DKM Wellness Now Open In Holland

DKM Wellness (DKMW), a new holistic skin care practice, is now open within the office of Dr. Suzette Sanchez, Dermatologist, in Holland. Recognizing that health and beauty begins within, DKMW owner, naturopath, certified nutritional consultant and licensed esthetician Daphne Keplinger-Myers, ND, CNC incorporates nutritional counseling along with her natural skincare services and products. "What we put in the inside, shows on the outside," says Keplinger-Myers. Natural skincare services include high-frequency electrotherapy, LED photo rejuvenation, and pore vacuum cleansing, along with more common procedures such as steaming and massage. DKMW also offers Elina’s Elite Skin Care products and ear candling as well as nutritional consultations for individuals seeking optimal health. "I believe good health begins in the mind. I try to get my clients to think along the lines of ‘prevention’," says Keplinger-Myers, who is a member of the Hands-on Trade Association and the American Association of Nutritional Consultants.

DKM Wellness is located at 3290 N. Wellness Drive, Building D, Suite 260 in Holland. For more information or to schedule an appointment call 231-557-3619.

9th Annual Midwest Yoga Conference

The 9th Annual Midwest Yoga Conference (MYC) invites yoga enthusiasts to "come as you are." This year’s conference takes place on May 27-June 1 in Bloomingdale, Illinois. The MYC will present over 90 yoga workshops including all day intensives, business classes, a suggested beginner’s path, teacher training courses and a Yoga Expo Bazaar.

"The magnitude of this event is certainly a testament to the diversity of our community of yogis who have varied yoga practices and needs," says Johnny Kest, founder of the MYC and yoga teacher and studio owner of Johnny Kest - Center For Yoga in Southeast Michigan.

The MYC is located at Indian Lakes Resort & Spa in Bloomingdale, IL (only 30 min from downtown Chicago). For cost, to register or more information call 800-599-9642 or visit MidwestYoga.com.

Sustainability Conference Addresses Oil Crisis & Climate Change

Local Future, a new West Michigan based non-profit organization dedicated to sustainability, will host the International Conference on Peak Oil & Climate Change: Paths to Sustainability in Grand Rapids on May 30 – June 1, to better help West Michigan residents understand how global oil supplies impact our means of transportation, our food supply, shelter and wellbeing. The coming crisis in the oil supply is one of three key topics to be covered at the conference bringing together national experts and speakers on "peak oil", climate change and an environmentally friendly and sustainable economy. In addition to the speakers, the conference will include four break-out periods arranged in twelve tracks covering broad topics of energy, food, environment, community and economy.

Cost is $99-$139. The conference takes place at Calvin College Fine Arts Center, 1795 Knollcrest Circle in Grand Rapids. For more information call 231-679-2531 or visit SustainabilityConference.org.

Good Food Café Now Open

Good Food Café located within Nature’s Market (NM) is now open in Holland. The Café, with seating for 12, is designed for dining in or convenient carry out. The mostly organic menu includes freshly prepared salads, all organic smoothies and vegetable juices, prepared sandwiches and much more. Plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free sandwiches and sides are also available. Furthermore, eco-conscious carry out customers can take solace in knowing that NM uses biodegradable corn-based containers.

NM is located at 1013 S. Washington in Holland. For more information call 616-394-5250.

World Fair Trade Day

In recognition of World Fair Trade Day, on May 10 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. the Fair Trade Shop Hop will take place at the East Hills Center of the Universe (the corner of Lake and Diamond in front of 1001 Lake Drive SE). Participants will receive a packet of Fair Trade shopper essentials, an inside look at local Fair Trade businesses and lunch by Marie Catrib’s hosted at the West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC) building.

Following the Shop Hop from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. the "World’s Biggest Coffee Break" takes place in front of theWMEAC building in an effort to join thousands of others nation-wide in breaking the world record for the biggest coffee break. Free Fair Trade coffee will be served. Donations will be accepted in order to benefit FAIR- Fair Trade- Awareness- Initiate- Relationships, the events’ organizer, who is working to make Grand Rapids a "Fair Trade City"

Tickets for the Shop Hop are $12 and may be purchased at the participating stores or on the day of the event. For more information call 616-635-7978. WMEAC is located at 1007 Lake Drive SE.

Chiropractic Unlimited Welcomes New Doctor

Chiropractic Unlimited is pleased to add Dr. Phaedra Iafano to its staff of chiropractic doctors. Dr. Iafano is a 2005 graduate of Parker College of Chiropractic and is also certified by the International Veterinary Chiropractic (IVCA) in animal adjusting. Says Ifano, "I feel blessed to be part of such a wonderful profession and clinic and am looking forward to making people’s lives healthier and happier one spine at a time."

For more information or to make an appointment call 616-940-4647 or visit ChiropracticUnlimited.com. Chiropractic Unlimited is located at 5060 Cascade Rd., Ste E, in Grand Rapids.

Awakened Potentials™ Announces 20 Year Anniversary

Daina (Dinah) Puodziunas, who has been facilitating women's healing and awakening through ceremony at her location on Enchanted Lake in Greenville, is celebrating her 20 year anniversary of supporting the well being of West Michigan women. Over the course of the last 20 years Puodziunas has facilitated over 250 Women's Wisdom Retreats™ and created The Midlife Awakening Rite of Passage Process™ which enables women to transition through midlife challenges. "Essentially, I help women to become re-enchanted with life," says Puodziunas.

For more information call 616-754-9672 or visit AwakenedPotentials.com to sign up for the Awakening Women's Newsletter which includes special offers and articles.

Meditation Retreat with Bhashkar Perinchery

Inner Path Towards Joy, a 5 day meditation retreat with Bhashar Perinchery, begins May 20 – May 25 at Ronora Lodge and Retreat Center in Watervliet, Michigan. The retreat proffers being in touch with one’s inner silence and the heart, enabling a lasting fulfillment and genuine love of life. "This retreat is about not becoming limited by the logical, rational approach of the mind," says Perinchery. "Ask the heart where to go and ask the mind how to get there." Perinchery is the initiator of the Inner Metamorphosis University (IMU) in Chicago and has been an internationally renowned spiritual guide for over 25 years. Perinchery will also conduct a talk, workshop and meditation night at IMU May 17 – 19.

The number of participants is limited to 20 people on a first-come, first–served basis. The full 5 day retreat is recommended and includes all meals, lodging & book for $765. A weekend only package is also available for $390. For more information or to register call 773-262-1468 or visit LifeSurfing.org.

Reiki Haus Opens in Holland

Paula Bojsen, Reiki Master Teacher, recently opened her practice, Reiki Haus (RH), in Holland. Bojsen, who moved to Holland from Europe almost a decade ago shares "My focus is on helping clients find an escape from stress, and to promote healing on all levels in an atmosphere of safety, confidentiality, integrity, and peace." RH is devoted exclusively to the practice and teaching of Usui Reiki Ryoho at all levels. Individual sessions and group classes are available.

For more information call 616-392-1138 or visit ReikiHaus.com.

Benefit Concert Features Susan Werner

Susan Werner, hailed as one of the most innovative songwriters working today, returns to West Michigan for a concert to benefit Harbor Unitarian Universalist Congregation (HUUC) on Saturday, May 24th at 7:30 p.m. at Christ Community Church (C3) in Spring Lake. Werner, named Contemporary Artist of the Year at the March 2008 International Folk Alliance in Memphis, will perform selections from her most recent project, "The Gospel Truth". The project is a groundbreaking independent collection that may just be "The world’s first agnostic gospel recording."

All proceeds from the event will go to HUUC's general operating budget. H.U.U.C. is a dynamic liberal, religious community that protects and nourishes spiritual freedom, integrity, intellect and service.

Tickets are $12 in advance, $14 at the door. Youth 12 and under; $6. Tickets are available through HUUC by calling (231) 755-2932 or 616-636-5759 or visit QuietFaith.com to purchase tickets online. C3 is located at 225 E Exchange Street in Spring Lake.

Kudos

Michael T. Burcon, B.Ph., D.C. recently spoke to the Prosper Meniere Society during the 13th International Symposium and Workshops on Inner Ear Medicine and Surgery in Zell im Zillertal, Austria. This was the second time Dr. Burcon has presented his protocol and results for treating Meniere’s disease to this particular group of ear surgeons. For more information visit BurconChiropractic.com or call 616-575-9990.

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