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October 2008
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Greetings!
 
"There is more to life than increasing its speed"
Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948) 
 
Challenging times call for challenging the way we view life.  Our natural instinct when we perceive danger and crisis is to speed up, try to escape, run away or attack...this works well if you are confronting an aggressive wild animal, but not so well if your "wild animal" looks like economic uncertainty, 24-7 technology, or lack of job security.  As counterintuitive as it may seem, research supports mindfully slowing down in times of crisis to decrease the harmful physical effects of stress, increase mental focus and productivity and to regain a sense of internal equilibrium. While we cannot always change external forces in our lives, we can focus on skills to build our resiliency, slowing down, taking a breath, and challenging ourselves to create new ways of viewing life.
 
Wishing you many opportunities to simply slow down and breathe this month,
 
Pam
In This Issue
Meditation Maintenance
October 24-26 Kripalu Weekend
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
STRESS: Portrait of a Killer
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Tune Up Your Meditation Practice

 

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Keep up with your meditation practice by attending Meditation Maintenance Sessions...a great way to give yourself a self-care "tune-up" once a month.

Evening sessions meet from 7-9 PM on the second Monday of each month:

  • October 13
  • November 10
  • December 8

Daytime sessions meet from 12:30-2:30 PM on the second Friday of each month:

  • October 10
  • November 14
  • December 12

Both evening and daytime sessions will be held at Stress Resources' office (97 Lowell Rd, Concord, MA) this year, while Wright Tavern and First Parish Church are undergoing renovation.  It will be necessary to pre-register for sessions this year, as space is limited.  Meditation Maintenance sessions are $15 per session. Register by e-mail or by phone (978-369-5243) 

 
 

Take Time For YOU  

October Weekend in the Beautiful Berkshires

 
Join me for a Retreat and Renewal Weekend at Kriaplu Center Oct 24-Oct 26 (Fri-Sun)
 
I have arranged, through the generous assistance of my friend Toni Bradley, owner of Serenity Yoga in Bedford, MA, group rates for an autumn weekend of "Retreat and Renewal" at
Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. Kripalu is the largest yoga and meditation center in the U.S. and is located in Lenox, MA. 
 
This "Retreat and Renewal" weekend is open to anyone who may be interested: women, men, couples and singles...you do not need to have taken any of my classes or workshops to join us. If you want to cut costs by sharing a room, roommate matching is available by the reservation department at Kripalu. 
 
Reservations at Kripalu are made by each individual, and will reflect 20% off the published Retreat and Renewal rate, credited at the time of check in, if we have at least 5 participants in our group. If we do not have at least 5 participants, the rate will be the published rate. There are many types of accommodations, ranging from dormitory style to private room and bath.  "Retreat and Renewal" programming allows you do participate in numerous workshops, yoga and movement classes, meditate, reflect and most of all renew and recharge in the amazing autumn beauty of the Berkshires.  Your room, all meals (beginning with Friday dinner and ending with Sunday lunch), Retreat and Renewal workshops, yoga classes and use of the outdoor and indoor facilities are included in the all-inclusive prices.  
 
All information about reservations, accommodations/pricing should be directed to Kripalu reservations at 800-741-7353.  Important: You need to use the group name Serenity Yoga and KYTA#1374 (referring Kripalu teacher Toni Bradley) to be able to register as part of the group for the applicable discount. 
 
Note:
This is a very popular weekend in the Berkshires and availability is first come, first served...Kripalu does NOT hold a block of rooms for groups, so make your plans early!  I have already called in my reservation....I look forward to seeing you at Kripalu!
 
Feel free to call Stress Resouces at 978-369-5243 or e-mail Pam if you have any questions other than reservation information. 
 
 

Complementary & Alternative Medicine 

Meditation & Stress-Inflammation Link
 
NCCAM
The National Institutes of Health's Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine publishes a great quarterly online newsletter. The newsletter highlights research in the field of Complementary and Alternative Medicine.  Highlighted in the current edition are Dr. Richard Davidson's fascinating research with neuroimaging and meditation, as well as Dr. Judith Kiecolt-Glaser's findings about the link between stress and the inflammatory response in our bodies. 
 

STRESS: Portrait of a Killer

stressNational Geographic/PBS Special   

We live in challenging times. All of us are faced with a myriad of stressors on a daily basis; how we respond to stress has a very strong correlation with our overall health. I highly recommend this well researched, illuminating documentary on the work of Dr. Robert Sapolsky at Stanford University and others. If you have missed the PBS airing of the program, DVDs are available to order. Click here for more information about Stress: Portrait of a Killer