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Jody Hojin Kimmel is a senior monastic and Dharma Holder in the Mountains and Rivers Order of Zen Mountain Monastery in Mt. Tremper, NY and the training coordinator for the Monastery. She has been in residency at the Monastery since 1990.
Speaking about what participants can expect during her session at the Retreat, Finding the Still Point: Introduction to Zazen – Seated Meditation, she shared, “This formal practice of seated meditation is at the heart of Zen Buddhist training. A profound entry into our study of the self, zazen is boundless in its scope and ability to reveal the true basis of reality. Participants will receive instruction in how to arrange the body into a wakeful posture. Then we will begin a simple practice focusing on the breath, seeing, and letting go of the internal dialogue and returning to the present where our life is taking place.”
She concluded, “Perhaps, just in this short time we can allow the body and mind to settle down just enough to touch the stillness that resides deep within us and wholeheartedly be present.”
Lorraine Hughes, RH (AHG) EWCH is a local practicing Therapeutic Herbalist in Wappingers Falls, NY. She is a professional member of The American Herbalist Guild, an East West Certified Herbalist from the Professional Herbalist Course at The East West School of Herbology and a professional member of The American Botanical Council.
She has been trained in USUI /Tibetan Reiki as a Master Level III and Reflexology (Hand and Foot), facilitates Qi Gong Classes, and conducts workshops.
Lorraine shared, “I am passionate in my belief that cultivating our life force (Qi) increases our vitality. Most people look outside themselves for the cause(s) of their disease and off centeredness when, in fact, they fail to recognize that only THEY have the power to initiate wellness. They need to take ownership, and become the catalyst for their own well-being.”
Donna Coane was raised on and off the reserves and reservations in the native cultures of the Mohawk and Blackfoot tribes. From a tender age, these teachings were imparted to her by her eldest aunt, while she was taught dance by her father and great uncle who had a dance troupe that traveled the Pow Wow Trial. As Donna matured, she was influenced strongly by her clan mother and great uncle who was a councilman. Donna is knowledgeable and proficient in numerous teachings and practices including The Great Tree of Peace Teachings, The Seven Generations, The Iroqouis Ceremonies and Thanksgiving Address, The Three Laws of the Confederacy, Corrective Native History, Teachings of the Blackfoot Medicine Wheel, as well as dance, stories, songs, games, crafts and archery.
Donna is an original member of the White Deer Organization of Native Americans (ONA) and ONA Youths. She is also a member of the Association of Native Americans (ANA) and ANA’s Women’s Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley, as well as the Red Feather Singers and Dance Troupe, Bear Cove Moon Lodge, Camp Epworth and Thunderheartsings, an all native women’s drum troupe.
Speaking about what participants can expect during her session at the Retreat, Donna shared, “Ohstonha ohskennonoton. I will share my Native American culture by discussing the role of the medicine plants, food plants and flower plants. I will discuss the importance of the role and use of the rattle, drum, songs, dance and storytelling, and their relation in helping others to stay healthy. I will share the properties of the foods you eat, and the helping hand it plays in the healing of your body. You will learn how the drum and each song and dance is a prayer. You will experience the Iroquois Thanksgiving Address, the Words before all else, the importance of giving thanks every day, and how this relates to overall health. Take with you our condolence experience of letting go. Learn how to incorporate all the above in your everyday life.”
She noted, “Your Spirit, Mind, Body and Soul all have a role in nurturing a healthy Mind, Body, Spirit and Soul.”
Rachel Goodnow, Craft Gaia herself, is the owner of Dutchess Herbal Creations. While pregnant with her second child about 13 years ago, she discovered that she was allergic to the perfumes and alcohols in the body care products that she was using. This discovery led to the creation of her first herbal product that she used safely on her new baby and herself.
Since then, Rachel continues to use all natural ingredients including herbs, pure essential oils, jojoba oil, olive oil, mango butter, shea butter, grape seed oil, beeswax and organic coconut oil to make safe, earth friendly vegan soaps, massage oils, bug sprays, healing hand balms, and all natural skin and baby products.
Rachel also makes hats and scarves, using 100% cotton, merino wool, alpaca, bamboo, silk and soy yarns, and unique handmade jewelry with lamp work beads and rare vintage sterling silver charms. A cancer survivor herself, she founded Gaia Beads of Hope to help children with cancer through the art of lamp work beads.
Most recently, Rachel has begun to educate others on the importance of adding raw organic ingredients to their diet. Speaking about some of the benefits of incorporating raw organic ingredients in a daily diet that she will be delving into during her session, Rachel shared, “Eating a raw vegan diet can help you prevent cancer, and reduce ailments like sore joints, low libido, diabetes, and many other health issues. These ingredients also help in improving energy, skin tone, mental clarity and weight loss.”
Whether it’s through incorporating a raw food at breakfast or making great green smoothies, Rachel added, “There are so many options available that you don’t have to feel deprived at all. In fact, you may soon feel that the standard American diet is deprived!”
Brian Dexter, L.ac, L.MT, is a graduate of both the Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Nanjing,China (2000) and the Swedish Institute of Massage Therapy, Manhattan, NY (2001), and heads 8 Energies Healing. Brian is a New York State licensed Acupuncturist and Massage Therapist. Further study and work alongside Master Healer Ken Kobayashi of the Natural Remedies Center (Manhattan NY), afforded Brian the honor of learning Master Kobayashi’s family style Acupuncture and Shiatsu.
Brian’s study of Qi Gung Therapy began in 1998 with Master T.K. Shih. He also studied Yang style Tai-Chi Quan with David Yee which broadened his knowledge of the internal martial arts as both a health and spiritual practice, and as a fighting art.
By 2005, under his primary and current teachers Frank Allen and Tina Zhang of the Wu Tang P.C.A., Brian decided to exclusively study and become a certified instructor in the internal arts of Ba Gua Zhang, Northern Wu Tai-Chi Quan, and Qi Gung. In 2009, Brian traveled to Beijing, China to study classical Cheng style Ba Gua Zhang and Northern Wu style Tai-Chi with lineage holders Liu Jing Ru and Li Bing Ci.
Speaking about his session at the Retreat, Brian shared, “We believe that drugs and surgery should not always be the first option to treat poor health. There are other less invasive methods that can successfully cure illnesses. Natural healing modalities, like the practice of Tai Chi, can be designed to follow the individual’s needs to enable the improvement and maintenance of an overall healthy being.”
He noted, “Movement in the Wu style Tai-Chi Chuan are relatively small and compact; emphasizing the manipulating of connective tissues in opening and closing the joints rather than employing the expansive postures which characterize the Yang Style. Wu style Tai-Chi is especially beneficial for individuals who suffer from back pain and/or joint pain. Furthermore, the delicate concentration on inner movement helps to encourage an internal focus; hence, Wu style Tai-Chi is studied as an internal art even in the initial stages of training.”
He concluded, “An internal Chinese martial art practice for self-defense and health benefits, Tai Chi is perfect for those who enjoy precision in movement and the traditions of the internal practice.”
Sandy Kriz is the owner of Kishna Yoga and first began the physical practice of yoga in 1998. She has been a student of meditation and Hindu spiritualism for most of her life.
She has a degree in food and nutrition, and has worked in the medical field, as well as in wellness centers and various gyms since 1991, counseling people on weight loss and educating parents about specialized, medically prescribed diets.
Sandy gave up her career in nutrition and has dedicated her life to teaching Yoga and participating in humanitarian projects. In 2001, she founded the Kishna Foundation, a humanitarian organization that working in Guyana, South America to provide wholesome food, nutritional education, basic clothing, housing repair assistance, minor medical guidance, and over-the-counter medicines to those in need, including those living at the Dharam Sala – Guyana’s homes for the elderly.
Sandy incorporates healthy living into every aspect of her life. Speaking about her session at the Retreat, she said, “The healing elements of Yoga include a focus on stress reduction and weight loss, and the study of yogic techniques reduce anxiety, and increase a sense of total wellness and of self physically and spiritually.”
She noted, “Participants will be offered instruction not only in the physical practices of Asana (yoga poses), but also in pranayama (breath work) and in yoga philosophy.”
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Learn how to practice
the meditative Zen Buddhist discipline of Zazen, and allow your body and mind to
settle down just enough to touch the stillness that resides deep within you.
Discover the focus and calmness of the gentle, precise movements of T’ai Chi
Ch’uan and the health benefits of this ancient martial art.
