LocalNews!  GoodNews!

Blooming Valley Retreat Now Open in Oceana County

Blooming Valley Retreat, located on 40 acres of woods and rolling hills, is beginning their first season. The retreat offers small groups and individuals the opportunity to escape the pressures of daily life and renew their commitment to making a better world. The retreat accommodates up to 10 people with a beautiful tapered-wall wood yurt for gatherings, two new cabins in the woods, and a small, modern guesthouse. Delicious meals served in the home of hosts Ken Fisher and Priscilla Tait are B&B style and emphasize organic, locally grown food. Upcoming activities include yoga retreats, a Feldenkrais Method® weekend, and Slow Food classes on cheese making and learning to put up your garden harvest. The retreat is also open at select times for individuals or couples wishing to pursue personal reflection in a tranquil country setting, or for workshop facilitators seeking weekend space.

"It’s a wonderful opportunity to get away, deepen your practice, enjoy the freshest, best-prepared food you’ve ever tasted, and just have fun in the country," says yoga instructor Mitch Coleman.

Blooming Valley Retreat is located 5 miles east of Shelby at 595 E. Buchanan Road, in Oceana County. For more information, visit BloomingValleyRetreat.com or call 231-861-8055.

Leading Author/Expert on Fats & Oils Visits

Hudsonville Harvest Health will host Dr. Udo Erasmus, author of Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill: The Complete Guide to Fats, Oils, Cholesterol and Human Health, on Wednesday, July 2, at 6 p.m. Dr. Urasmus will speak on "The Truth About Omega 3, 6 & 9 Fatty Acids…and Why Even Good Fish Oils Are Not Enough." He will also help attendees understand the impact these essential fatty acids (EFAs) have on overall health.

"We all know we should be taking EFA’s, now we can have a better understanding of why they are critical to our health and learn from an expert in the field" says Cathy Atsma, CEO of Harvest Health Foods.

Hudsonville Harvest Health is located at 4150 32nd Ave. For more information or to reserve your seat, call 616-896-6630.

Pilates in the Park

On July 19, Carolina Pava of BodyMind Pilates Studio in Cascade will offer two free Pilates group classes to the community at Cascade Township Park. Classes begin at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Participants are encouraged to call ahead to reserve a mat and class time. All registrants will qualify for two additional free classes when they enroll in a group, private or semi-private class on July 19.

"Pilates can help you change the way your body looks, feels and performs," says Pava. "Come celebrate a healthier summer with us and discover what Pilates is all about."

For more information call 616-516-6832 or visit BodyMindPilates.net

West Michigan Welcomes Elements of Harmony Feng Shui

This summer, West Michigan welcomes Jenna Boyd, owner of Elements of Harmony Feng Shui, to the area. Boyd is a certified feng shui practitioner and professional organizer, known for her down-to-earth approach that de-mystifies feng shui principles through practical solutions.

"My ultimate goal is to help clients create a balanced environment," says Boyd, a graduate of the Western School of Feng Shui and a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). Since 2003 she has helped numerous clients assess their homes and work areas, providing suggestions for best use of space, arrangement and color selection based on feng shui, then lending a helping hand with their glom (clutter) through organizing. Boyd also works with artists in their art studios to enhance creativity.

Boyd will offer feng shui consulting for residential and commercial locations, as well as professional organizing for closets, kitchens, home offices, basements, garages, key living areas and art studios, on select days in August and early September by appointment. She is also available for home workshops or social, networking or corporate events.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, call 919-757-2732 or visit ElementsOfHarmony.com.

"Living Enlightenment" Course in Spring Lake

"Living Enlightenment," a five-session course offering a sequential overview of the philosophical principles and spiritual practices of Evolutionary Enlightenment, begins July 12 and 13 at Christ Community Church (C3) in Spring Lake. The path of Evolutionary Enlightenment, developed by spiritual teacher and visionary, Andrew Cohen, provides both a profound understanding of the significance of human life and a proven system for individual and collective development. Through a captivating interactive, multimedia format, participants will learn awakened principles for living and discover a perspective on the human experience so vast that it provides all the strength, courage and conviction needed to put those principles into action.

Other C3 happenings include a new inspired Sunday Series on Eckhart Tolle’s book, A New Earth, starting at 10 a.m. July 13. "There are churches talking about this book across the country, but all we’ve found are ones debunking the work of Tolle," says Allison Rockey, director of communications and outreach at C3. "The intention of our series is to show the congruency between Christianity and the popular spirituality of today."

"Living Enlightenment" July 12 session runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; July 13 from noon to 4:30 p.m. Course cost is based on a sliding scale: $65-$125, with profits going to EnlightenNext. To register, visit EECourse.org or call 937-433-0635. For more information on Andrew Cohen, visit AndrewCohen.org. For more information on the Sunday Series, visit Christ-Community.net. C3 is located at 225 E. Exchange St. in Spring Lake.

Spirit of the Lakota Workshop

The Coptic Center (CC)in Grand Rapids will host "Spirit of the Lakota" workshop from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on July 27, offering a discussion and learning opportunity with Lakota Sioux Chief and Medicine Man, Michael Little Boy, Sr., Wakinyan Sna Mani (Thunder Snare Walking). Join Michael as he brings to life the history and the people from the sacred lands of the Black Hills and of his Sioux forefathers, Chiefs Sitting Bull, Ghost Horse, Red Cloud and Crazy Horse.

Chief Wakinyan Sna Mani is an elder of the Lakota Nation. He and his family reside in The Porcupine District of the Pine Ridge Reservation in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. As part of his quest to help bring understanding and peace among peoples of all Nations, Michael will talk about cultural and spiritual diversity, as well as answer general questions about Lakota history, his life as a chief and medicine man, and the life of the Lakota people.

The workshop is available on a love offering basis. CC is located at 0-381 Lake Michigan Drive in Grand Rapids. For workshop information call 616-531-1339 or visit TheCopticCenter.org. For more information on Chief Michael Little Boy, Sr., visit PineRidgeProject.org.

Free Well Water Screening

Free Well Water Screening for Nitrates and Triazine Pesticides will be available throughout the day on July 14. Owners of private drinking water wells may drop off water samples at various West Michigan locations for screening of two common and potentially harmful contaminants. Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program (MGSP) and AmeriCorps volunteers will transport the samples to the Ag Expo held at Michigan State University in East Lansing beginning July 15 to take advantage of the free well water screening available there. Confidential results of the screening will be mailed to the homeowner.

Unlike public water supplies, no regulations govern water quality in private wells. Many contaminants, such as nitrates and some pesticides, cannot be detected by appearance, smell, or taste. The Health Department recommends annual testing of private wells for nitrates and bacteria, as well as other chemicals, if you are concerned that your well may be at risk.

"Groundwater is constantly moving, potentially carrying new contaminants toward your well. Screening is the first step to ensure that your family’s drinking water is safe," says Erin Charles, MGSP AmeriCorps Groundwater Educator

For sampling instructions and drop-off times and locations, contact Erin Charles at the Muskegon Conservation District (for Muskegon and Newaygo County residents) at 231-773-0008, or Rachel Hackett at the West Michigan Environmental Action Council (for Kent and Ottawa County Residents) at 616-451-3051 ext. 23. To contact MGSP call 231-773-0008.

White Lake Massage Therapy & Skin Care Relocates

Certified Massage Therapist and Licensed Esthetician Adrienne Clahassey has renamed her practice White Lake Massage Therapy & Skin Care and relocated to the White River Yoga Studio in Montague. "After offering massage therapy for many years in the Grand Rapids area, I was ready for a change," says Clahassey, who will still offer services to her loyal clients in Grand Rapids a few days a week.

"I am excited to help my new clients here in the lakeshore area. So many people have had to drive pretty far to get a salon or spa treatment," notes Clahassey, who has 16 years of experience in massage therapy and three years as a licensed esthetician. She specializes in spending quality time with clients to learn their individual needs while offering a relaxed, unique and personalized treatment in her own creative style.

White Lake Massage Therapy & Skin Care is located inside White River Yoga Studio at 8924 Ferry Street in Montague. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 616 862-9812 or 231 894-4292. 

The Pilates & Yoga Studio Celebrates Anniversary

Core Pilates and The Practice Yoga Studio at The Pilates & Yoga Studio are celebrating their one-year anniversary with a Pilates/Yoga Combo Class and a Zumba class at 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 20. The public is invited to stop in to sample their new line of spa products, tour the studio, meet with representatives from MacKenzie’s Animal Sanctuary, win prizes and more.

Kim McDonough, who opened Core Pilates in 2005, and Kim Brown, who opened The Practice Yoga Studio in 2007, merged their businesses in 2007 to form The Pilates & Yoga Studio; their intention was to give students a chance to exercise their minds and bodies, and discover their own Divine nature.

"We want people to see our studio, feel comfortable in the earth-tone atmosphere, and know they can leave with the confidence that they were taught by highly skilled, qualified teachers," says McDonough. "Students tend to feel less overwhelmed in smaller studios."

Brown adds, "We are hands-on, teaching and supporting each student as an individual. The safety and well-being of everyone that enters our studios is one of our top priorities."

The Pilates & Yoga Studio is located at 4981 Plainfield Avenue NE in Grand Rapids. For more information call 616-361-0092 or visit ThePracticeYogaStudio.com.

Holistic Health Care in Holland

Practitioners Kathleen MacKenna, PT, and Stacy Grill-Ewing, PT, GCFP, of Harmony Body Works (HBW), recently opened their practice in Holland. Specializing in holistic health care and hands-on healing, they bring 40 years of collective experience to their clients and have honed their skills in treating neck, back, or sacral pain or instability; pelvic abdominal dysfunction; and incontinence and other musculoskeletal pain through specific treatment methods. Their wide range of services includes Feldenkrais Method®, Acupressure, Cranial Sacral, Muscle Energy, Myofascial Release, Reiki, Ama Deus® energy work and Thought Awareness. They also treat survivors of abuse.

"We offer a holistic approach to wellness that goes to the root cause of a problem," says Grill-Ewing. "Unlike traditional medicine, we maintain a holistic vision of care that requires active participation with the client." HBW also works with patients to reconnect the mind, body and spirit in an effort to deliver sustainable results.

Harmony Body Works is located at 499 Century Lane, Ste. 40, in Holland. For more information or to schedule appointments, call 616-396-2022 or visit HarmonyBodyWork.net.

Kudos

Allison Rockey recently completed the Union Yoga Teacher Training 200 Certification Program. The program, taught by Sandy Carden, is approved by Yoga Alliance as a registered Yoga Teacher certification program at the 200 Level. The training, based on an in-depth study of the chakra system, also offered practicum in the 8 "limbs" of yoga (ashtanga), a study of Ayurveda, and the psychology of yoga. Rockey enjoys the spiritual practice of yoga and completed a study of the practice of Yoga Nidra, an ancient meditative practice of deep relaxation. Rockey will be teaching classes at Lakeshore Yoga Center in Grand Haven while remaining full-time at Christ Community Church of Spring Lake as director of communications and outreach.  

Back to Top